Dress your stems

Wowwza! These boots are SEXY!

Until recently, I never dreamed I would be trying out a pair of these thigh high scene-stealers! They are fun, fearless and supremely confident...

After the 80’s, I did not think thigh highs could make a comeback. Now, over 20 years later, they are back on the scene and they’re higher, sexier, more daring than ever before. It's another dashing example of how wonderfully unpredictable fashion is!

Within the past year designers
have shown us the hidden potential of these once widely accepted fashion “don'ts”.

I am in complete shoe-lust and I’ve cleared a spot in my closet for a pair!

This season designers have been putting models down the runway in the most exquisite, modern, maximum coverage boots-to-date in the softest suedes and most luxurious leathers. Over the knee boots are a trend that is catching on fast and not just on the runways.

Just within the last week, temperatures have begun to give female Angelenos a chance to strut around town in these head-turners. I myself have been busy scouring boutiques and the internet for a rockin’ pair of black suede stompers that won’t break my bank!

I am itching to show them off with flowy, silky dresses and a boyfriend blazer for the perfect oh-so-cool date outfit! Or even better yet: pair them with super dark skinny jeans and an oversized knit sweater and you have the yummiest combo for winter!

Little piggies, say hello to your new friends!

Leather Leggings

When I jumped on the leggings bandwagon a couple of years ago, I was delighted to realize I had found yet another look that let me be comfy and fashionably chic all at once. One trend that is back for round 2 this season is leather leggings- debuting last Fall/Winter all over the runways; this season designers have decided to keep the trend alive.

A once known taboo in the fashion world, leather leggings are yet again a hot must-have for Winter ‘09. These puppies will claim a coveted spot as one of my wardrobe staples this season.
You can easily use these sleek slimmys for 2 different distinct looks. 1. Go the casual route: an oversized tunic or tee and some ankle booties for a hip alternative to skinny jeans. OR
2. Bring the sass with a vintage sequined top and a pair of your highest dancing heels-- offering a classy, cutting edge night-out- on-the-town look.


My favorite part about these bad boys is that they fit everyone’s budget! Splurge on these show stopping
Alice + Olivia real deal leather leggings…
SPLURGE
Alice + Oliva $698

STEAL

Juicy Couture $78

Or get the same look with these Juicy leggings for under $80.

Your secret is safe with me! I honestly just scooped up a pair of matte faux American Apparel leather leggings for under 50 bucks. ;-)

Happy shopping girls!

Cut-offs get a makeover

I just can’t believe that it is already the end of September… Where did the year go? As the temperature drops and fall has officially arrived, I am pretty stoked about rocking a new look-- a new trend of the season that has my name all over it. I’m sure many of you fashionistas, shopaholics and fashion lovers out there won’t dig this look as I do, but oh how I dig it!

Let me have my jeans shorts and black opaque tights please! Pair them with some chunky booties and you’ve got a look that my friends may grow tired of me wearing this fall.

What do I like about it? First off, it’s comfortable. Who doesn’t love wearing cut-off jean shorts? This look allows you to get away with them most anywhere and still look fashionably cutting edge. And that’s not all these black tights will do for you-- how about my personal favorite: black tights do wonders for slimming your legs!

I also enjoy the unconventionality and the seemingly rule-breaking qualities of this assembly. Is it not fun to break the rules? In the world of fashion, heck yeah!




It is quite possible that this combo takes me back to my teen years of the 90’s grunge.. but with a flair of sophistication...

Whatever it is, this look is all mine!

The Brit Anti-"It" Girl

We all have them but most of us won’t admit it: mini girl-crushes on girls that we just can’t get enough of-- girls that we simply find irresistibly stylish and cool. These are girls that we want as friends, girls we can swap clothes with and gossip with about cute boys.

Alexa Chung is a girl after my own heart; she’s a vegetarian, loves fashion, and has unapologetically mastered the chic-effortless look. It’s hard to know where she gets it; maybe it’s something in her UK blood that gives her that inexplicable edge.

When I first heard of Alexa Chung, I Googled her right away and instantly fell in love with her quirky, distinctive style. I felt as though I had an instant connection with her for several reasons but maybe originally because she is part Chinese as I am…
I’ve enjoyed getting to know her on her show “It’s on with Alexa Chung”. She’s got this quiet heir of confidence about her that may remind you of your very best friend from childhood… Alexa is amazingly down to earth, has an infectious style, and seems so relatable and girl-next-door’esque. She always looks fresh and natural and up-to-date on current trends. She is rarely over accessorized, which I will admit, I am the complete opposite of… but she truly knows how to mix prints, vintage/current designers all together with out looking like a hodgepodge of a mess.
Although she has been quoted as saying “…there’s not much to being an ‘IT’ girl. It’s really quite a depressing title to hold”, she is the total “IT” girl of the moment on my list.

The Cold Shoulder?

As July comes to a close, I become giddy with glee as I start planning my fall purchases! One of the newest trends that the jury’s still out on for this coming season is shoulder pads.

Paying homage to this 1980’s trend that once graced the shoulders of many fashionable women of that decade, big shoulders edged onto the runways of Miss Sixty, Diane von Furstenberg, Herve Leger, BCBG, Jason Wu, Nicole Miller and Alexander Wang at Fashion Week. Shoulder pads have been positioned to make a huge come back for fall ‘09. Straight from the runway of Gucci is a strikingly glittery sequined black dress that would be perfect for NYE…

But I am still chewing on the idea of wearing an oversized blazer stuffed with 3” pads. I’ve begun to think that this may be one of those “couture” runway looks that shouldn’t be tried by mere mortals like myself, unless you fall in the 6’ tall supermodel category.



Should you still feel so inclined to try this one on: I think you may have to splurge on the high end couture Gucci dress-- I wouldn’t dare try this look on a inexpensive thrift store find. You will most likely come off looking more ridiculous than cutting edge. You don’t want people thinking you just walked off a Robert Palmer video.

Shoulder pads: bringing back the 80’s? or do we let this trend die with scrunch socks?

Bright Idea

Whenever I hear the word NEON my mind quickly flashes to visions of tacky Vegas Strip signs. But neon this season can be worn in a very chic, fashion-forward way. One of my favorite looks from the Versace fall 2009 runway is a hot pink long sleeve tunic style dress with a small black belt accent. I find it fitting in our current economic state when people choose to take themselves less seriously and slip into something more fun.

Throw on some high voltage color that is sure to turn a few heads. If executed properly, this look can be done with sophistication and class. Not quite so daring? Try a subtle pop of neon like a skinny florescent belt over black skinny jeans and a sassy top. Feel like pushing the envelope slightly? Take a more modern approach-- neon tights in various assorted colors: fuchsia, blue and green. Also try a neon pink mini for a fresh take on the classic black mini-skirt. Looking to spruce up a dull outfit for a night out on the town? swipe on some bright pink lips that look luscious and spunky.











But please tread carefully! No one wants to look like a walking neon sign so approach with caution.

Saturday Night Fever

Disco Fever, Studio 54, and that ever so popular shiny disco ball… I find it fascinating to watch everything old become new again. It’s almost like it never left-- but simply evolved. One of my favorite eras in fashion is from the 1970’s. I so long to wear high-wasted flares, 6 inch cork platforms and don an oversized mood ring (I did once have one-- in 3rd grade my mother gave me hers, but I of course lost it).

‘70s fashion was more than just bell-bottoms and polyester; for instance the very popular maxi dress: born in 1970, was resurrected in 2000 and still lives in many of our closets today. Yves St Laurent also introduced the ‘peasant’ look in 1976- it still rears its head from time to time and most likely will for years to come.

The ‘70s was a time accentuated by love and peace. Its fashion was not an accident; it came from some place deeper. It was organic and seeped out of a movement. It was in the souls of that movement. It was a way of life.