METAL MANIA!

Gold, Silver, Copper, and Bronze are no longer reserved for jewelry...metals are being used in everything from handbags, to tunics, to studded pumps. The great thing about a uniquely metalized item is that when paired with everyday basics, the metallic piece transforms your outfit into a statement look. When it comes to keeping your metal statement around your neck, make sure you step it up a notch! You can throw on a pair of basic skinny jeans, and a simple white tee and look boring as hell, but top it off with a metal infused Fiona Paxton necklace and your outfit has gone from drab to fab! I am personally obsessed with Fiona Paxton's pieces, as she has given birth to a new era of necklaces. Anyone can design an awesome pendant, but Fiona's beadwork and unique design, creates a necklace that draws the eye and sparks up a conversation.

(available at Beanie + Cecil)

Take Phillip Lim's Asymmetrical Tromp-L'Oeil Sequin Back Top. This show stopping piece is all you need to grab someone's attention. Nothing can compete with this top, so why even try? A piece like this must be paired with something simple, like a great pair of black slacks or a pair of your favorite "go-to" skinny jeans. Add a pair of "Come-Hither" heels, and you are ready for a night out on the town. No jewelry necessary, this top is it's own accessory....the amazing metal sequin detailing, which is not only featured on the front, but also covers the entire back.

(Also Available at Beanie + Cecil)


Metal Mesh purses are totally hot! As you know, I have a huge love for vintage...and have found myself owning quite a few metal mesh pieces. There is something about the design of a metal mesh handbag that I find absolutely beautiful. My black purse I found at a tiny vintage store while living in NYC. It is a perfect purse to add to a simple silhouette, giving my look a little added flair. My mother purchased the pictured Whiting & Davis silver metal evening bag for me last Christmas. Amazingly fantastic when added to nearly any style cocktail dress. There is nothing like running your fingers along this metal mesh fabric, and these purses will never be out of style. Pop into your favorite vintage hot spot and you are likely to find a metal mesh addition to your handbag collection.

You can find great metal garments in all price ranges...from Forever 21 to high end boutiques, Metal Mania is in full force! Click the pic below to enlarge and check out a few more of my Metallic Crazes!...I love!

Whiting and Davis Metal Mesh Clutch $128, Gryphon Metal Sequin Miniskirt $295, Olivia Harris Studded Ball Hobo $495, Forever 21 Studded Knit Top $22.80, L.A.M.B. Jaycee Studded Boots $403, Silence & Noise Studded Boyfriend Blazer $88, Haute Hippie Ombre Sequin Mini Skirt $365

What's Cooking, Good Looking?

With a playful and fashionable nod to the world of cooking, a masterpiece has been created! I hesitated on writing this post as I fear that this cookbook will quite possibly sell out before I get my hands on a copy (hint hint fiancé Xmas is right around the corner)...but what the hell, this book is beyond blog worthy in the world of fashion!

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) took the time out of their busy schedule to create the American Fashion Cookbook, complete with recipes and original illustrations from more than 100 of America's designers. And what is a cookbook without a foreward written by none other than Martha Stewart? This is seriously the ultimate fabulous accessory for your kitchen and a perfect gift for the holidays!

So, the age old question has been answered, fashion people do eat! Or at least they cook! I am eager to see if Marc Jacobs has included a recipe. While interning at MJ we chatted about some of our favorite recipe bites...if only I had taken better notes! During preparation for fashion week, late nights were inevitable...and tummies would quickly become empty. Although the majority of our calorie consumption came from the Spring Street Starbucks, we did have a late night snack as a group to keep our engines running. I wanted to prepare something healthy, but delicious for the team...little did I know that my cucumber and sundried tomato rolls would grab the attention of Marc Jacobs himself, raving over this delicious (and super simple) recipe that I had made in the break room. To date, this night marked Marc and I's longest conversation! However you can get their attention, right? Perhaps even when it comes to fashion designers, the best way to get a man's attention is through his stomach!

On a more serious note, while being a fun and playful nod to the world of fashion and the culinary arts, the cookbook is also being used as an outlet to express the CFDA's efforts to increase awareness of healthy eating within the industry.

Designers were asked to submit a recipe that they found near and dear to their hearts...and what transpired was a 142 page hardcover creation including Cynthia Rowley's Truffle Mac and Cheese, DVF's Saturday Night Chicken, Tory Burch's Andalusian Gazpacho, and Michael Kors' Grandma Bea's Pot Roast...just to name a few! Quoted as "brimming with color, flavor, and personality," the American Fashion Cookbook provides us with "the fashion community's favorite dishes and preparation tips"...not to mention tons of original illustrations!

So throw on your chef's hat, head into the kitchen, and create one of these amazing dishes. With a meal fit for a fashion legend and wearing a stunning pair of pumps, your dinner parties have just become a major topic of conversation!

Richie Does It Again!

Those of you who have known me for years, know that I have always adored Nicole Richie…even in the days of her insane vulgarity on The Simple Life, Richie has always intrigued me as a person….and now as a designer. Richie’s line, House of Harlow 1960 (named for her daughter) is absolutely fantastic! Clearly, her inspiration ranges from the Gladiator Era to influence from the Aztecs…and together it totally works! Currently, I only own one piece from her jewelry collection, the 14kt Gold Plated Medallion Locket…and it is an essential piece in my wardrobe, nearly every day. I can assure you that my own personal collection of HH will grow immensely. The Gold Sunburst Ring and the White Leather Cocktail Ring will undoubtedly find a home in my jewelry box in the near future. Most importantly…I want to point out the completely reasonable prices of these pieces! Most items from her jewelry line are well under $100! Who can beat that?


So….the great news which I have recently discovered is…Nicole is branching out…yet again! The fashion icon is going to be dressing your body AND your feet. The highly anticipated clothing line, Winter Kate, (middle names of her two children) will reveal itself this Spring, yet a preview of what is to come has hit the internet! Richie and I share a love for vintage, and this admiration is evident in everything from her flowy dresses to her amazing kimono tops! I can not wait for this collection to hit the stores! I have never considered myself one that would be excited about a “bed jacket” yet the ones pictured in the sneak peak pics, definitely heighten my interest. You could wear these with nearly everything from jeans to a precious mini! This feminine collection is one in which nearly every single person could rock her pieces!


I can’t wait for Richie to dress my tootsies! It is like a dream combination for me…Richie and shoes! A-Mazing! Footwear has been added to the House of Harlow line, but according to a press release from My-Wardrobe.com, the shoes will be exclusively sold in the UK in January. This will not stop me…I will find a way to get these shoes into my closet! Reminiscent of the HH jewelry line, the bold embellishments and strong tribal influences are seen on these hot little booties! Marvelous!


It is undeniable that Nicole Richie is a major fashion-icon! So, who better to provide us with the direct resources to make ourselves look almost as fab as she does? Everything that is released from this ultra-chic celeb is nothing short of sensational and completely covetable!

A Nail of a Different Color

There are thousands upon thousands of different shades of nail polish, ranging from fire engine red and dark plum to neon yellow and electric blue. All it takes is a single celebrity or stylist to get paparazzied with a hot new hue on their finger tips and that shade will fly off the shelves! Rachel Zoe raved over Chanel’s Jade nail polish, and now you can only find this stunning shamrock tone on Ebay for a whopping $99! I have searched for a moderately priced bottle, but it just isn’t going to happen…second choice is O.P.I.’s Get In Lime knockoff…which I am planning to order tonight! It may not be Chanel...but the shade is pretty damn close!


Baby pink shades are classic and always in style! Being newly engaged and sporting a gorgeous rock, I have grown to appreciate a simple pale pink hue that compliments my stunning stone, without overpowering it! It is also great when you are rocking a big chunky cocktail ring...too many colors will spoil the effect...every now and then...less is more! Currently my fav is O.P.I.’s Catch The Garter…perfect name for one that is preparing for her wedding day! Bubble Bath is a close and very similar second! These subtle lacquers are great with just one coat, transforming your nails to just barely pink while still remaining translucent for an ultra-natural look!




For a great berry-look, check out O.P.I.’s No Spain No Gain which is a great alternative to a classic cherry red. Have you figured out my favorite nail polish brand yet??? Ok, Ok...O.P.I. isn’t the only great brand to purchase when it comes to great nail paint… another fav is Lippmann Collection… Nefertiti for a fun gold, perfect for the holidays, or Call Me Irresponsible for a funky “vivacious violet.”


Regardless of your choice of polish, just try to explore outside the box of normality. Fun greens, purples, and navy blues all work with this season’s runway fashion. If you prefer for your hands to remain relatively neutral, try something funky on your tootsies to spice up your body make-up! You never know….you may enjoy a nail of a different color!

Nice Stems!

As seen on the runways of Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs, fun and funky tights are a must have accessory for the Fall. The best part of the addition of some patterned tights is the ability to pair them with the most simple shift dress from this year or seasons past, ending up with a completely new look! Way to be resourceful recessionistas! While we could cough up a large chunk of change for these designer tights, I have found an abundance of exciting hosiery, in a variety of prices. Some inspired by designer labels such as Balenciaga and Missoni, these little accessories are a great way to get the look for less!

Personally I love tights. From classic black, to crazy plaids; tights are a great way to make a statement. It takes confidence to rock a pair of bright patterned hosiery, but once you start, there is no going back! With boots being ultra-hot this season, tights are essential for pulling off a runway ready look! It can get boring always wearing skinny jeans with your boots and cute top (good looking, but gets boring), so sliding into some trend-setting opaques with a great mini and hot heels is the perfect way to break the pattern! At these prices, if your fingernail happens to snag a hole, you will still be able to remain calm, knowing that these are somewhat replaceable! So this Fall, spice up your wardrobe and make those stems show-stoppers!

Click picture for enlarged view!

Urban Outfitters Pinhole Tights $18, Black Garter Fishnet Tights $18, Steve Madden Open Backseam Tights $8.96, American Eagle Swiss Dot Tights $12.50, Butterfly Tattoo Thigh-high Socks $23, Steve Madden Wine Argyle With Hearts Tights $17.50, Marc Jacobs Tights, Henry Holland for Pretty Polly Alphabet Tights £10, Missoni-inspired Tights by Looks for London $24, Retro Plaid Tights $22, Medallion Jacquard Full Foot Tights $14

Return Of The Back

Showing a little back skin is a great way to get a sexy look, while still leaving much to the imagination. I love pieces that from front glance seem like such simple silhouettes, yet when you turn around, the back reveals something much more extraordinary. We all remember the stunning moment in How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days when Kate Hudson looks over her shoulder in that stunning, low-back yellow gown. Completely a jaw-dropping fashion moment. A beautiful back is one of the most sexy ways to flirt!

Luckily for us, getting this look is as simple as dropping in to your favorite boutique. Designers have been on the open-back train for a few seasons now, adding this element to everything from simple cotton tops to an adorable little cocktail dresses. A beautifully crafted back is great for weddings, when you want to wear something that is flirty and hot, but know it would be most inappropriate to rock a plunging neckline in front of your parents’ friends. Want a look that can transform from the office to night-time attire? Simply throw on a blazer with your open back blouse from 9-5 and at 5 o’clock slip that jacket off, add some funky accessories, and you are immediately ready for a night out on the town.

I started my new job at Wilmington’s Beanie + Cecil this past Friday and have been eyeing this gorgeous Thread Social cocktail dress (see above, call Beanie for details) from the moment I walked in the door. The lines of this dress create a visual appealing silhouette guaranteed to flatter nearly every body type. From the front, this dress screams classic chic and from the back a square cut open-back design converts this frock into an ultimate, up-to-date look that will remain a timeless piece in your closet for years to come!

I have worn beyond my fair share of plunging necklines, but as I am maturing, I realize that I have to alter the way in which I dress to impress. This back-baring method is undoubtedly the perfect solution to showing a little skin, while remaining age-appropriate. Any of these pictured pieces are bound to make heads turn, even yours when you are checking yourself out in the mirror!


Geren Ford Open Back Top $271, Victoria's Secret Flirty Little Open-Back Dress $65, Rebecca Minkoff Scoop Neck Pleated Dress $450