in the bag
Friday, August 3
There's a lot going on in this little bag--the embroidery, fringe, pom poms and zig zags--and I am liking it all. Wear this outfit-maker with...
1. Maje brass-detailed silk dress, $380, netaporter.com
2. Iosselliani five-ring set, $212, shopbop.com
3. Asos embroidered clutch, $66, asos.com
4. Old Navy zebra print sandals, $22, oldnavy.com
barneys warehouse sale
Thursday, August 2
If you've ever been to a Barneys Warehouse Sale, you know the drill: you sharpen your elbows, show up early, stand on line and hope for the best. But no longer. For the first time ever, Barneys is staging its Warehouse Sale online and it launched today. The inventory is rife with amazing deals, like the Proenza Schouler dress, pictured above, reduced from $1450. I've rounded up some more of my favorite finds below from the likes of Jil Sander, Isabel Marant and Current/Elliot. And you can scope it all out for yourself here.
bootie call
Thursday, August 2
The ankle boot has long been a wardrobe staple, but this fall, it will get an update--a lower cut and a shorter heel. Some editors are calling these trendy must-have boots shooties. I call them super cute and majorly wearable. Try this guy with...
1. Topshop checkered sweater, $84, topshop.com
2. Fallon stud earrings, $88, otteny.com
3. Clare Vivier messenger tote, $348, shopbop.com
4. Sam Edelman low-cut boot, $160, shopbop.com (on sale for $104 at Nordstrom until Aug 5!)
5. Rag & Bone cropped skinny jeans, $220, netaporter.com
summer leather
Wednesday, August 1
Wearing leather during the summer may sound as unappealing as a bad sunburn. But it's not. I can attest. I actually wore a short white leather dress a few weeks ago... in Palm Beach. And it was no sweat (see my pic below). Vogue even encourages it, as designers like Proenza Schouler, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Celine are offering up gorgeous summery silhouettes, like dresses, shorts, and shell tops (like the mint green one above) in lightweight, whisper-thin hides. Here's a round-up of a few warm weather-friendly leather lovelies--an Equipment wear-with-everything leather t-shirt, a Patterson Kincaid mini skirt, and a 3.1 Phillip Lim sleeveless shift (on sale!)--all of which will easily transition into winter.
Photo: AfterDRK
the shining
Wednesday, August 1
This is my version of a glam-and-go dress. It's as relaxed and easy as a t-shirt dress, but seriously shimmery and soiree-ready. I'd wear it with...
1. Topshop sequin dress, $130, topshop.com
2. Suzanna Dai beaded earrings, $158, charmandchain.com
3. Accessorize beaded clutch, $19, accessorize.com
4. Givenchy ankle-strap sandals, $1150, forwardbyelysewalker.com
loads of lace
Tuesday, July 31
Hanelli Mustaparta's little white dress, pictured above, is the essence of summer chic. It's feminine, ethereal--and because Isabel Marant's Fall 2012 is chock full of Victorian-inspired lace blouses and frocks, it's sort ahead of the game. The way to wear these vintage-looking pieces is to pair them with sleek, modern items, like fierce metallic sandals or tough leather separates, such as a pencil skirt, or a motorcycle jacket. I'm infatuated with Dolce Vita's little white lace dress, which I can team with little booties or a sexy pair of strappy heels.
Photo: Vanessa Jackman
chilling out
Tuesday, July 31
I've been glued to the tube, watching the Olympics. But seeing the bikers barreling through London's cold downpours and the beach volleyball players all covered up has my mind on chilly weather. Hence my interest in this BB Dakota faux fur coat. I love the luxe-looking vest-like patchwork fur trim (a huge trend for fall). And I know it would keep one balmy when winter blows in. I'd wear it with...
1. Tory Burch peplum sweater, $275, toryburch.com
2. BB Dakota faux fur coat, $159, modcloth.com
3. Zara studded bag, $79, zara.com
4. 3.1 Phillip Lim booties, $650, shopbop.com
5. Vince leather jeans, $1150, barneys.com
the men's department
Monday, July 30
Have you ever roamed the men's department at H&M? I definitely recommend it. It is rich with finds, like comfy sweatshirts and letterman jackets, sized extra small. The other day I ambled over to the fitting rooms in the men's section, as the line was (and always seems to be) shorter there. I should add most of the rooms were occupied by women. After I finished trying things on, I noticed a striped Breton shirt with a zipper-trimmed neckline on the discard rack. What struck me first was that the top didn't look like it was made by H&M. It looked very designer-ish. Maybe Rag & Bone or Band of Outsiders? I actually wondered whether it belonged to someone else, who had mistakenly left it on the rack. So, I gingerly asked the fitting room attendant if the top belonged to anyone, and if it didn't, if I could try it on. She consented, adding that it was a "men's shirt." No problem, I replied. In fact, it was a total score: the top is so good, its combed cotton fabric thick and plush like an original Saint James nautical shirt, and the cut's perfectly fitting. The neckline's gold zipper detailing, of course, makes it distinctly cool. The price: $34.95. Go and get yourself one before the rest of the girls discover it.
good sport
Monday, July 30
My husband took the kids on a Dads-only surf trip this weekend with some friends, and so left to my own devices, I spent the day…….shopping in Beverly Hills. My excursion kicked off at Neiman Marcus, where I had lunch with my mom and some Chardonnay, on tap. Then I redeemed a gift card that had been burning a hole in my wallet for over a year. I also perused the pre-fall designer collections just hitting the floor, and the heavy concentration of statement sweaters got me thinking about my winter uniform. For certain, I know now it will include a Celine-inspired sporty-chic knit like this one. I'd wear it with...
1. Mango sweater, $59, mango.com
2. Poupette diamond stone earrings, $228, otteny.com
3. Loeffler Randall Rider bag, $595, loefflerrandall.com
4. Elizabeth & James d'orsay pumps, $325, shopbop.com
5. Giulietta wide-leg tuxedo pants, $950, netaporter.com
closet cleanse
Friday, July 27
There are few things more tedious than cleaning out your closet. So when The RealReal, a new online consignment boutique, contacted me a few weeks ago asking if I wanted any help purging my closet, I welcomed the opportunity. The RealReal combs fashion insiders' well-stocked closets and sells the castoffs--i.e., jewelry, accessories, and clothing from Hermes, Chanel, Balenciaga and Lanvin. I forewarned them that my wardrobe was not high-end designer heavy, but they came anyway and conquered, making me part with some great pieces that I haven't worn in a while, like a Dries Van Noten sleeveless blouse and Balenciaga kitten heels. But I am sure these beloved castoffs will find love elsewhere, as they are on sale today through July 30 here. Also make sure to check out all the Celine, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel bags up for grabs, some of them marked as low as $295. Happy shopping!