Happy Black Friday!!!

Well, everyone, the time has come for one of the best shopping days of the year! That's right, Black Friday!

Unfortunately, I'm not taking part in the shopping festivities right now. I just got in a car accident on Sunday, so I'm wiped out until I get a new car. bleh. To be young and poor.

Anyways, my inbox this morning was filled with not only several Black Friday shopping offers, but also many Holiday shopping ideas. So, I decided that instead of cataloguing my Day-After-Thanksgiving shopping conquests, I'm going to share some great gift ideas with you! Stay tuned!

My latest obsession + another Do/Don't

Another random post. Ready? Go!

Finally, my home state gets a good rep in the fashion world. Check out this BagSnob article about the Lanvin Kansas Tote - in purple patent! How sweet is that? (Too bad it's $2,000)

AND, I have another trend question for all you fashionistas: Do or Don't? Leg warmers + tights + heels?

I actually think that this one's a DO. It's functional, for one (don't have to give up the pretty pumps when winter hits!), and it gives a casual ensemble insta-chicness. As afraid most of us are of the 80's-throwback, this one actually makes sense. Plus, it makes the new craze of "mixing textures" super easy.

What do you think? Drop me a line, let me know! (don't be shy now!)

Yeah, I need to lay off the coffee. ha.

Blogger is letting me down...

Okay, well, apparently I can't upload pictures right now, so my awesome fall fashion post has to wait.

But I can bore you instead with a random idea.

One thing that I would like everyone's opinion on is a question that I have been pondering for quite some time, and I puzzle over it every fashion week without coming to a successful conclusion. So, the question is: Is it a DO or a DON'T to wear a designer's clothes from previous seasons to their fashion show?

Many celebs do this, as well as mere mortals who just so happen to be fashion-forward enough to blend in with the glitterati. However, the only positive aspects of this I see are, of course, the flattery factor (maybe if I show her how much I love her designs, she'll float me some free samples?), and the quirky convenience of a walking comparison. (Oh, I've heard of this designer before but I can't for the life of me remember what her last collection looked like?)

But my opinion, overall, is that this just looks tacky and generally embarrassing. Especially for those stars who conspicuously change outfits between shows just to make sure they are showing up in a particular designer's pieces.

However, maybe a good middle-of-the-road solution would be to wear several pieces, all from different designers, and attend all of their shows the same day? I'm not sure how well that would work schedule-wise, but it would save you alot of wardrobe changes!

Go ahead and sound off your opinion in the comments. I want to hear different spins on this and other possible solutions to not look completely dumb when attempting this extreme act of flattery.

PS: Temporary change to the layout. New colors, etc. It's only until I get the time to create some new graphics and other fun stuff, but I did notice that the bright colors of the other layout were hard to see on some people's screens, so if you have any suggestions regarding viewability, let me know.

Looking forward to Spring?

Okay, everyone, thanks for being patient with me, but I'm finally going to be back doing regular posts, especially now that my favorite season is finally here!

That's right, I absolutely LOVE fall fashion. But after seeing all of these great Spring runway shows, many of us fall-lovers now have a bit of spring fever. But, don't dispair. You can still go out and buy that cute spring dress AND not have to stuff it in the back of your closet until the warmer weather hits.

How? Simple. Just add a few key fall staples, such as an edgy, cropped jacket, tights (you should probably go with wool or something warm if you're not blessed with 60-70 degree winters), and substantial heels (think thick pumps or chunky wood platforms, not sandals) and you have a fresh, insta-chic fall ensemble.

Confused? Take a look at these examples:

Take a cute, printed sundress like this one from Karen Zambos Vintage Couture.

Karen Zambos Vintage Couture Short Satin Dress, $430, shopbop

Add an edgy, cropped leather jacket, tights (keep 'em neutral), and substantial Marc by Marc Jacobs pumps.

adampluseve Cropped Leather Peacoat, $795, shopbop

Marc by Marc Jacobs Shoes Suede Cap Toe Mary Jane Pump, $450, shopbop

Add some color to all of these grays and blacks with a statement tote in radiant red.

Foley + Corinna Handbags Glazed Jet Setter Jr Tote, $490, shopbop

Or, take this more cost-effective example, with the color emphasis on this pretty emerald green dress from Forever 21.

Sleeveless Satin Dress, $22.80, Forever 21

Add a white jacket with a cropped, swingy shape to take this dress from day to night.

Lux Audrey Jacket, $140, Urban Outfitters

Neutral tights and these precious white pumps pull this outfit together, along with a neutral patchwork bag.

Swear Nancy Heel, $60, Urban Outfitters

Parquet Buckle Bag, $58, Urban Outfitters

Note: both of these outfits would work with a pair of gray wool tights. Or, for a more monochromatic effect, pair #2 with white opaque tights.

With each outfit, I tried to add that pop of color that wakes you up on a dreary fall day, and I think that these are not only fashionable, but easy to wear. And when spring finally comes along, all you have to do is shed the tights and jacket and hit the town!

My Mini-Commentary: the 2007 Emmys

[I know I don't normally do features on celeb fashion, but I decided i'd break out some red carpet commentary just this once.]

There were few surprises on the Emmy red carpet this year. Actresses like Ugly Betty's America Ferrera, The Starter Wife's Debra Messing, and Law&Order: Special Victim's Unit's Mariska Hargitay always dress to impress. (By the way, can you believe she's in her 40's!?!?)

The female cast of Grey's Anatomy also know how to look sharp.

The Ever-Popular Katherine Heigl...

...and the Beautiful Sandra Oh

One of my other favorites of the evening was Weeds star Mary-Louise Parker, who we don't see photographed very often. (I love that show, by the way)

The one thing that surprised me was the outfit choice of Project Runway finalist Laura Bennett, who chose to wear a top that reads "Dress Like You Mean It," which to me does not only make no sense whatsoever, it looked completely out of place with her floor-length textured black skirt.

What do you think? Maybe it's just because I don't watch that show, or maybe it just seems like an odd statement to make on a red carpet, but I'm just not feeling this choice of wardrobe.

all photos from tv.msn.com

Check This Stuff Out!

Just a couple things to tide you over till my next post (believe me, it's a huge one).

Check this out: I've been falling more and more for miu miu every season and this bag is almost worth the $1,445 price tag.

Uh-Mazing.

Also, this awesome beauty feature from Beauty Addict on Rodarte's runway show. Veryy artsy. I like.

And this too!

Designer Laptop Bags! Sweet!

I am so loved.

Well, things in my life have not settled down one bit since I last posted, but after finally checking my 500+ unread emails, I stumbled upon so many nice and encouraging comments from you readers! Thanks so much! It's even really great to know that even though I haven't posted in months, my blog is still getting out to people.

And speaking of getting the word out, you'll never guess who found my blog: Katharine Sise! If you recall, I did a post about her a while back, and I caught the most unexpected break! She found me and offered to send me a piece in exchange for the support! (See kids, great moral - keep the dream alive and eventually you'll be rewarded.)

I actually received the necklace (all the way from NY,NY) last month, but once again, I've been having some trouble posting due to my hectic schedule. I've already recieved so many complements on it and the best part is it was FREE!

The style I got isn't on her website, but it is a silver key with a blue stone and a little coin charm on it, retailing for about $195.

And even better than the free necklace, we've been corresponding by email and she's going to let me know about her new projects in the works, which means you guys will know about them too! (and I promise that posts will start to become more frequent as i sort out that 500 unread email situation. ha.)

The Hiatus: Part 2

Well, there's been a bit of a snag in getting my lease signed for my new apartment, so my computer is still not set up and i'm still not moved in. However, the good news is, i've found some great new furniture and I'm getting a kitten! [pictures to come later, he's so cute!]

So, one of these days, i'll start my regular postings again. Just wanted to do something quick and let you guys know that I'm not dead.

A quite lengthy Blog Roundup + a CONTEST!

After filtering through 80+ unread messages in my inbox due to my computer hiatus, I finally found my (almost) daily blogarithm emails, containing (almost) every post from (pretty much) every blog I subscribe to. (see list at right of page, I don't just link to those I actually read them all on a fairly regular basis.)

So, below is the product of that, plus another tidbit of information that also found its way into my inbox.

First, Capitol Hill Barbie shares a great product for the rainy months. (Don't you just love the titles of her posts?)

And even though Mother's Day has come and gone, these gift ideas provided by Bag Snob can translate to any occasion, and most, if not all, of them are tres chic!

Also, if you are like me and have been aching to catch up on all of those ANTM reruns, StyleBites provides links to all of the Cycle 8 episodes along with her own professional opinion on the models.

Since I've been slacking on "trend report" posts lately, check out Frugal Fashionista. She takes the words right out of my mouth when it comes to bold prints.

A more recent post by Capitol Hill Barbie -- as she delves into the world of blue mascara, with a mixed reaction.

Almost an extention of my post on colored denim, I stumbled upon this post by Denimology which is part celeb-style-log (Lindsay Lohan, who seems to be gracing the fashion blogs quite alot lately) and part shopping aid, as it spotlights a high-end denim brand that specializes in skinny jeans in a range of colors.

Sassybella has done it again -- gives me yet another great designer to check out, Australian label Tina Kalivas.


Now, drumroll please, that CONTEST that I was telling about earlier. No, I'm not sponsoring a "win-free-stuff-from-my-favorite-online-store" contest (it's a bit of a tired concept anyways, though don't we all just love free stuff, no matter where it comes from?). This contest actually jumped into my inbox via Steve Madden.

And this isn't just any run-of-the-mill giveaway. He's running a contest to see who will design his next shoe! Amazing, no? Check out the details here. Also, if you aren't that design-savvy, you can vote on the submitted designs and become eligible to win prizes as well!

Now, isn't that exciting?

Sorry about the hiatus

Sorry, everyone, I haven't been up to my usual postings at all lately. The last couple weeks have been pretty crazy, between finals, car shopping, moving and getting a new job....wow. I don't even have time to unpack! But, I promise, posting will resume shortly, including the "featured sites" that I've neglected for the past few weeks (the next one will be at least twice as long, so be prepared). I also just got all my magazine subscriptions finished and I have a bunch of new tidbits to share. And, of course, all of the replies and emails I have recieved will be filtered and posted shortly. Just bear with me.

However, while you're waiting, check this out:

Ali G - Bruno Fashion Show (yay for satire)

Fashion Tidbits: My thoughts about everything from Shopping to Shoes

Honestly, I haven't had anything very interesting to write about lately, so I've decided to share with you my innermost fashion thoughts, and pose a couple of burning questions for your feedback.

1) Okay, so we've been hearing alot about color lately. Everything from colored jeans to 1960's-and-70's-inspired prints, to brightly colored shoes and accessories. But what about monochrome? Is it completely out this spring? I certainly hope not, because I've seen some people pull of some fabulous all-white and tan-and-white ensembles so far this spring.

So, what do you guys think? Is monochrome always in? Or does it need to take a backseat to bright colors and prints this season?

2) After several years of almost completely ignoring the UK's existance on the fashion horizon (I know, what a shame), I've stumbled upon the most wonderful web store: Office.

Simply put, this may be my one-stop shop for shoes online from now on. They have sooo many cute styles, my lack of a debit card balance was the only think keeping me from clicking "buy now."

Their vast selection of heels contains not only the cutest, trendiest styles, but many can be easily translated from work (I was going to make a pun on the word "Office" but decided against it) to evening. They even have last fall's oh-so-chic ankle boots that I couldn't seem to get my hands on because most stores discontinued them before winter was even over.

And, of course, for those of us who are currency challenged (AKA from the Midwestern United States), they have a handy link to a currency converter that changes amounts from pounds to dollars.

3) I've come across two very strange types of shoe lately, and they've puzzled me to the point where I don't know whether to like them or file them away in my brain alongside Jellies and Crocs.

The first one has been seen all across the fashion blogosphere since last fall.

Tretorn Ballena Lace-up Rubber Boots, $130, Shopbop

Wellingtons, galoshes, rainboots, whatever you want to call them, they're the ultimate in functional footwear - that is, if you're a fisherman. However, that didn't keep fashion's elite from adapting them to be paired with ultra-feminine dresses, jackets, leggings, you name it.

Now, I've never seen anyone actually wearing these outside of a fashion editorial, so please, if anyone can link me to a picture, or describe for me how these can be worn fashionably while not looking like you're about to throw on your hip weighters and catch some salmon or something, let me know.

The second, I actually saw in one of those ad banner things on myspace (fancy that). They remind me alot of Birkenstocks, and according to their website, they're the ultimate in warmth and comfort. Basically, it's a leather flip-flop with sheepskin covering the sole, and they are called Bonsai Sandals.

Bonsai Sheepskin Sandals Model 07 in Pink, $35, BonsaiSandals.com

These pink ones are actually cute, and I love how they coordinate the color of the sheepskin to the color of the sandal. Now, I understand why flip-flop enthusiasts would like a winter version of this footwear, but I'm wondering exactly how long they would last. I mean, they look sturdy enough, but I'm thinking that with that sheepskin being constantly mashed up and trampled by dirty, sweaty feet, they're going to need some kind of regular maintanance.

However, if these sandals seem perfect for you, by all means, hit up the website. They're available in Black, Brown, Blue, and Pink.

(As a sidenote, if anyone actually does buy them (or already has), let me know in a couple months how well they hold up. I have a couple friends who may get some use out of them.)

Blog Roundup: I seem to always be bored on Sundays

I've noticed that the last couple of these that I've done have fallen on weekends, so it would be a safe bet for you all to expect this from me every Sunday, if not a bit earlier. But anyways, without further ado, here are some more great posts for you guys to check out! Enjoy!

First up, Second City Style reports on changes in bridal trends, which caught my eye since I, like everyone, seem to have wedding fever even though I'm not getting married for a few years yet. (my fiance and I are both poor college students, I don't even have an official engagement ring yet!)

Yet another from Second City Style, a feature on FAME 2007, Fashion and Media Extravaganza, which took place at the Illinois Institue of Art-Chicago, and more specifically the show put on by students in fashion design.

Since I haven't done a designer spotlight in a while, I share this one with you from Sassybella, featuring Soaked in Luxury.

An interesting series for you to check out, StyleBites is teaching all of you wannabe's how to break into the modeling world. You can read part one and part two now, part three will be available Wednesday.

Yet another post on a student show, J'Adore Couture offers commentary on the latest and greatest new designers graduating from Academy of Art University, including pictures of the designs that they presented on the runway.

Trend Alert: Colored Denim

It seems that the newest SS07 trend is actually a combination of the 70's/80's throwback and the need to brighten up our lives-- and our wardrobes-- as the weather turns warm once again.

The concept is simple, take the acid-wash of the 80's to the next level by adding bright color and a modern shape, be it skinny, or the more 70's-inspired high waist and wide leg.


This piece by Grey Ant is a more practical way to wear the latter style, with a happy medium in both the waist and leg. They are still classified under "high-waisted," but it's a manageable one, rather the extremes that we've been seeing with celebs. The leg, though flared and 70's-esque, is not too wide as to be overwhelming, once again, as we've seen alot of the fashion-forward stars doing lately. And, of course, they offer the refreshing wash of color that marks this trend.

Grey Ant Essentials Jean in Blue, $209 [yikes!], Azalea Online

If pastels are your thing, Urban Outfitters offers a few color options for you. These are also great if you want color, but not an overwhelming amount.

Lux Pastel Skinny Jean, $68, Urban Outfitters, Available in Blue, Pink and Lilac (shown)

Now, my first question when I noticed the prevalence of colored denim in stores was "how on earth would you wear something like that?" Well, I've finally come up with not one, but two, answers to that question.

The first, and more obvious, is best illustrated by a celeb who somehow seems to hit these crazy denim trends in just the right way, Victoria Beckham. The key to this look is the fact that the denim takes center stage, and everything else is neutral (black is the easiest way to go, but you can play around with the colors a little if you want).
However, there is one problem with this look for those of us who don't necessarily want to accentuate our bottom half but still preserve our trendiness (Because, let's face it, not all of us can pull off the looks that Victoria Beckham can). If this is the case, pick a top and accessories that compliment the color of your pants while not competing with them. Here's an example.

Free People Embellished Cami, $36, Urban Outfitters

Lux Technicolor Skinny Jean, $68, Urban Outfitters

As you can see, the olive and blue colors in the cami offer a break between the bright yellow pants and the more greeny-yellow in the top, while still allowing the colors to coordinate well. You can pair this look with flats in a muted neutral tone, a plain bag, and any kind of nature-inspired jewelry (Once again, it can be quite fun to play around with the different color combos).

I'm completely open to any other ideas for wearing this trend, but as far as I'm concerned, the above two are not only idiot-proof, but versatile. Now, if only the skies would clear up and let that sun out, I might actually get in the mood to try this trend.

Blog Roundup Part 2

It's a slow news day in my sheltered little world, so I've decided to bring you yet another installment of great blog posts that weren't created by moi. Here goes:

I've never heard of Daydream Nation before, but My Fashion Life's interview with the brother and sister team behind the label gave me a lot of insight. Be sure to watch the attached video of their AW07 fashion show, I promise it's like nothing you've ever seen. Theatre + Fashion = bellisima!

Burberry's back! And the best part is, they're going to be opening up new stores in the U.S! If you're as excited as I am, check out Second City Style for the complete story.

SASSYBELLA offers a summary of the new Australian TV show "The Truth about Size Zero," a new twist on the weightloss show, to let teenage girls know that thin isn't necessarily the way to go. I think it's a great idea, but read on and judge for yourself.

FabSugar covers the new Twinkle By Wenlan book entitled "Big City Knits," a book that can show you how to create chunky-chic fashions like the famous designer.

And more news on the environmental trend - Chic Inspector features a great video about clothing waste.

Until next time, enjoy!

India: Fashion's "most anticipated new market"

Now, I normally don't cover the economics side of fashion, since that's not my expertise, but this is a possibility that's just too interesting to ignore.

According to the JC Report, "India, hot on China's heels, has received acres of coverage over the last year in the business press as the next important emerging market, with great emphasis on the rise of the middle class, the new money billionaires, and a growing appetite for luxury goods."

So what does this mean? Is India soon to become another Fashion Week destination? Will it become the new Tokyo for its adventurous designers and outlandish runway presentations?

From the looks of things, India has its own unique influence, but a couple of the designers, including London favorite (he went back and showed his collection in Delhi as well) Manish Arora reminds me of my Japanese love, Tsumori Chisato.

There are also not one, but two major cities for fashion in India, one being Delhi and the other Mumbai. (Once again, read the JC Report for the full story on the great shopping experiences in both cities) Here are a few pictures of my favorite Indian designers thusfar, from their AW07 collections:

Manish Arora, Delhi

Ashish N Soni, Delhi

Anupamaa Dayal, Mumbai

Tarun Tahiliani, Delhi
[all photos courtesy of JCReport]

It goes without saying that these designers have some serious potential, and I'll bet you the A-list is going to be all over these unique pieces in a few months. As far as I'm concerned, this is a great reason to book a vacation to India, no?

Bright Eyes: Edgy or Just Plain Trashy?

Okay, before we get into the actual meat of this post, I would like to share with you the spoils of my first shopping spree in two whole months. [Aren't you proud of me?] Since I started my new job, I've been trying to save more money than I spend [Which gets difficult at times, but it's worth it], which means that I've had to forgo many opportunities to splurge. Well, I finally decided that enough is enough and that I can't keep myself from the mall for much longer, so I did some serious shopping the other day - but still managed to come away with some seriously fab steals.

My favorite? This great summery bag from Rue21. [on SALE, can you believe it? It's quickly becoming my favorite poor, yet fashionable college kid store] I've already found several uses for it. It makes the perfect pick-me-up for those lazy days [which, for me, is 4 or 5 days a week], and it makes me feel totally fabulous in my jeans-and-college-t-shirt ensemble while doing the "holy crap I'm going to be late for class" powerwalk.

I'm in love.

Now for the trend. Glamour really got a jump on this one back in March, as it's now late April and we're just now beginning to (sortof) see it on the streets. Basically what this entails is simple, bright, cheery colors that bring the focus straight to your eyes. You can do a single color (yellow seems to be all the rage at the moment) and blend it out, or mix it up with two, even three! You can wing it out at the edges, put it on the top lids only, or line top and bottom lids with different colors, and set it all off perfectly with simple black mascara and understated cheeks and lips.

Here's a photo I snagged from one of Glamour's blogs of Perez Hilton rocking this look. [He went a bit overboard if you ask me.]

The only place I've seen this done in a somewhat cute matter was, surprisingly, at my old high school's prom, where my friend Megan [on the left] set off her springy dress with yellow eyeliner and shadow! [I hope she doesn't hate me for using this picture here]

If you're into this look, you can get the products in several shades and price ranges. For the makeup conisseur [sp? I'm having some serious issues today] with a few extra dollars to spend, try Givenchy Prisme Again! Eyeshadow Quartet, $50, which comes in seven different color combos [Brown Caress Pictured] ranging from mild to intense and are great for experimenting with the technicolor look. Available at Sephora.

A bit more "wallet friendly" solution is MAC Cosmetics. They have not only the Pandamonium Eyes Quad, $36, with beautifully matched colors, but they also have a wide range of single shadows (162 shades, to be exact) at $14 each, which allows you to experiment even more freely for less cost.

So, what do you think of this trend? Edgy or Trashy? You be the judge.

Blog Roundup: Great Posts from Great Blogs (other than mine, of course)

I see alot of networking going on in the world of fashion blogging, and I've finally decided to jump on the bandwagon... well, sorta. As you can tell, I read alot of blogs, and every once in a while, I come across a post that is purely outstanding in some way or another. Recently, I happened to find several all at the same time. So, I decided to interrupt my normal blogging habits and give these great authors their credit.

First off, j'adore couture takes the words right out of my mouth when it comes to the recent controversy over the new Vogue cover. She also gives some history and insight about the models featured for those who aren't quite up to speed.

BGlam, who always seems to come up with great insights on the latest trends, has compiled a list of must-haves for Spring '07. A must-read!

And last, but not least, Shopaholics Anonymous, a blog that I've taken to reading almost daily. Her blog is definitely worth a look, and definitely worth the time to backtrack a little to her older posts. Recently, she's covered everything from chic businesswear to swimsuits, and even what to look for with your next LBD!

I'll definitely try to keep you all posted on great blogs as I discover them from now on, and make sure you give me some feedback. Did you like my recommendations? What types of fashion sites are you most eager to read? Let me know!

Short and Sweet: Spring Minis

[Edit: 4/14/07: Sorry, everyone. This post was supposed to be up four days ago, but I got extremely sidetracked with work and school and wasn't able to get the pictures on it until now.]

This season, minidresses are hotter than ever, and now they're available in many different shapes, sizes and prints to suit any style or budget.

First, we have several lengths and neck styles to choose from. Some are short and simple with a bit of a pop, like this metallic shift from Thayer. It is a mid-thigh length, in a bright color, with an oversized tank-top feel.

Thayer Robby Dress, $220, Shopbop

An even shorter and glitzier shift comes from Alice+Olivia, and has even been seen on the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker. It has a similar shape and neckline to the Thayer dress, but comes with more of a "pop," with its V-shaped sequin pattern.

Alice+Olivia Sequin Babydoll Dress, $396, Shopbop

An equally colorful and embellished option comes from Lauren Moffatt, yet its a bit more conservative with the high neckline. It features embroidery along the bottom hem, which will definitely draw attention to your legs, so this one might not be so flattering on all body types.

Lauren Moffatt Sleeveless Turtleneck Minidress, $326, Shopbop

My favorite style so far is this cowl-neck number by Laila Azhar. It's a bit longer, making it more versatile in my opinion, and the design seems so classic that I can wear it anywhere, and it will definitely have more staying power than, say, a metallic shift dress.

Laila Azhar Cowl Neck Dress, $425, Shopbop

A more casual alternative by Laila Azhar is this jersey minidress with short sleeves, but she still manages to keep it feminine and sexy with a keyhole detail.

Laila Azhar Keyhole Gathered Short Sleeve Dress, $345, Shopbop

Minidresses are not only showing more skin, but are becoming more feminine, with bows, ruffles, and cute floral prints, just in time for spring!

Combining two of these concepts is a dress by Mara Hoffman. It features a cute print in very girly colors, along with ruffle sleeves and an empire waist to accentuate your upper half.

Mara Hoffman Ruffle Strap Maiden Minidress, $341, Shopbop

My favorite back-bearing mini is this one by Thayer, which not only has a very low back, it is accentuated by a very large, very feminine bow. It offers sexy in a more conservative way, with a simple shape in front but a nice surprise in the back.

Thayer Bree Dress, $282, Shopbop. An amazing dress for an amazing price!

I think that designers have only begun to scratch the surface of the potential of the minidress. It is possible to find one for every style, every figure, every occasion, and in every color or print possible. The preceding examples were only a small fraction of the options out there. This trend is definitely going to be around for a couple more seasons, if not longer. So head out there and find that perfect dress that will fit your style! (I know I sure will, and I'll let you all know when I do).

Going Green: Organic extends to fashion and beauty

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past couple decades, you know that pollution and global warming are ever-increasing problems in our society. Recently, there has been a major boom in the production and purchase of "organic" products, everything from food, to fabric, even beauty products! Here, a list of my all-time-favorite organic fashion and beauty products.

Fashion

According to Azalea Online, a premier web marketer of Eco-friendly clothing and beauty products, "High-yield cotton farming, worldwide, uses about $2.6 billion worth of pesticides a year. 35% of that is used in the U.S. It’s harmful to humans and wildlife, contaminating water supplies and killing native species." That's reason enough for me to start adding organic cotton products to my wardrobe.

And Azalea Online has a great selection from different brands, like Loomstate. They design everything from cute animal-inspired tees, to denim, to track jackets, such as this one. And it's all made from organic cotton.

Loomstate Track Jacket in White, $161, Azalea Online

Another great organic brand is Stewart+Brown. I absolutely loved this jacket when I saw it online, then when I found out it was made out of all-natural materials, I was shocked. This just goes to show that organic can be stylish as well!

STEWART + BROWN Organic French Terry Tailored Jacket in Graphite, $190.00, Azalea Online

Stewart+Brown also has cute tote bags and capri pants, among other things, on their Azalea Online page.

And did you know that there are organic jeans as well? I sure didn't. And I also didn't know that they could be as fashion-forward as well, such as those designed by Bread Denim. I definitely want to get my hands on a pair of these dark skinny jeans.

Bread Denim The Deviant Twisted Jean in Carbon, $229, Azalea Online

My favorite organic brand by far has been featured in Glamour magazine, and they're also available on Azalea Online. Edun makes fashionable clothes made from organic materials, they're diverse, and if you didn't know any better, you would have no idea that their clothes were organic, which means they blend in seamlessly with the rest of your wardrobe.

Edun Gertrude Cardigan in Jute, $215, and Bronte V-Neck in Multicolor Natural, $155, Azalea Online

Beauty

I'm not a big fan of Stella McCartney, but once I heard about her new line of organic beauty products, called CARE, I became very interested. One of the most popular, and in my opinion, useful, products from this line is this Purifying Foaming Cleanser, which contains extracts of hawthorn that helps refine your skin. And you can try this product yourself for a bank-busting $35 for 5oz. I'm not sure if it's really worth the price, but if you're gung-ho on organic cleansers, this does seem like one of the best available.

Stella McCartney CARE Purifying Foaming Cleanser, $35, Sephora

Origins is another online retailer with both nature, and your wallet, in mind. Featured in the April issue of Glamour magazine, this lip balm is great for the environment and your lips.

Origins Smileage Plus Liptint, $10, Origins, available in 5 different shades

My longstanding favorite organic products are made by Burt's Bees. I've loved their lip balms for years, and when I found out that they also sold lotions, I was extatic. I'm extremely eager to try this Chemical-Free, 99% organic sunscreen that claims to be non-greasy and better for your skin than the non-organic ones. I'm sold!

Burt's Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF15, $15, Burtsbees.com

Let's face it, there are some companies that are merely trying to capitalize on the organic trend, so before you buy, make sure the product is legit. The easiest way: read the label. If it's filled with hard-to-read chemicals, it's probably not really organic.

Need more? Another great organic clothing website to check out that I haven't featured: http://www.btcelements.com

The Return of Jellies?: Part 2

Okay, as hard as this is for me to admit, I made a mistake in that last post covering Jellies (and modern versions of the rubber monstruosity). I hadn't considered the use of rubber and plastic as actually beneficial to the shoe design market. That is, until I recieved the following comment from Anonymous (really people, take 5 minutes and set up a blogger account if only to post comments, so we know who you are):

Um. Jellies are awesome. Those two particular pictures were ugly, yes. But there are plenty of other jellies out there that are cute, particularly flats. And in clear. So yeah. You're being a bit harsh, DONCHA THINK?

I did clarify in my last post that the example of Jellies that I used was from the eighties, which is the design that I remember from when I was a kid. But, as I found out from further research, there are actually a cuter, more modern version of the Jelly shoe still being marketed. You can find them online at Urban Outfitters for $16. [see below]

However, Anonymous still didn't recognize the last question I posed, which was what on earth would you wear them with? Yes, they're cuter than their ancestors, but still not wearable by my standards. I can't see myself working an outfit around these, can you? (Seriously, if you have any ideas, I'm open)

Jellies, $16, Urban Outfitters [available in Green (shown), Red, Turquoise, Black and White]

However, turning our attention away from Jellies for the moment, she made a good point about clear plastic being a cute casual alternative, which I agree with. One good example are the polka-dotted flats below.

Nice 14pt flat, $20, GoJane [available in Black, Blue, Orange, Pink, Red, White (shown), and Yellow]

So, I recant a few of the nasty things I said about Jelly shoes. However, I'm still puzzled by their overall wearability, and still appalled by the fact that KORS shoes would even think of selling their rubber version of the gladiator sandal for $85. But that's the fashion world for ya, right?

The Perfect Swimsuit: Get 'em before they're gone!

Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted in over a week! Am I slacking or what?

Well, as many of you are aware, it's spring break for us college kids, and unfortunately for me, Kansas has been battered with rain all week, which pretty much killed my lake plans. But, my pain can be your gain, because this unfortunate circumstance has made me look forward even more to summer, and you know what that means! The quest for the perfect swimsuit.

As with most seasonal merchandise, swimsuits appear in stores waaay before they naturally should (late winter for most major retailers), and oftentimes we can get lulled into a false sense of security and think we have plenty of time to shop. However, my experience has shown that if you start shopping now, in early- to mid-spring, more of the season's hottest merchandise will be readily available to you.

And already there are a few basic trends emerging for Summer '07 swimwear. Bandeau tops and one-pieces are becoming increasingly popular this season, and now more than ever the biggest trends for spring are reflecting themselves in this summer's swimwear.

The updated one-piece is no longer for old ladies. It's getting a sexy makeover with cutout details and embellishments, such as nautical themed one from Tommy Hilfiger:

Tommy Hilfiger Nautic Suit, $95, www.shoptommy.com

Bandeau tops are reflecting this season's colorblock trend, giving them a bit more edge. My favorite? This beach-ready number from Brette Sandler:

photo: shopbop

The two hottest swimsuit design themes this summer by far are stripes and nautical, or ocean-inspired prints.

Salinas Wide Stripe Halter Top, $55, Urban Outfitters; and Wet Seal Solid Anchor Triangle Top, $19.50, Wet Seal

Victoria's Secret is taking it up a notch and incorporating this spring's revival of large florals with this sexy halter swimsuit. (I'm actually thinking about buying this one!)

Beach Sexy Floral Halter Top and String Bottom, $42 and $38, VictoriasSecret.com

And there you have it. I may do a follow-up to this a bit closer to summer, but this will definitely give you something to think about as we embrace the warmer wearther and you start envisioning yourself doing your favorite summer activities. (and of course you'll be doing them in style in these hot new swimsuits!)

The Return of Jellies?

I'm a child of the 90's, so I remember a bit about the Jelly shoe and it's "untimely demise." And as most of you know, Jellies might possibly be the ugliest shoe ever to hit the mainstream market.

Jelly shoes from the 80's, photo courtesy of vintageblues.com

I personally don't even think that Crocs can compete with the unpractical, clear plastic monstruosity that is the Jelly shoe. So can you even imagine what the world would be like if they made a comeback? I can, but I don't think I even want to try.

At least I didn't until I stumbled upon these interesting pieces of footwear.

That's right, rubber sandals. Care to guess who designed them?
None other than Michael Kors.

Do these not remind anyone else of a higher-end version of the Jelly shoe?
Just as impractical, a bit more stylish I suppose (sort of a gladiator type style with a jewel detail over the toe, who knows why). But probably just as sweaty, and just as ridiculous.

Can you imagine any celebrity getting their hands on these? I sure can't. I can't even picture the least stylish person I know wearing these.

[KORS Shoes Jupiter Sandal, $85 (are you kidding me? I'm not even going to start on that one.), shopbop]

So what's your opinion on these? Am I the only person who sees a striking similarity between these and the Jelly shoe? Would you wear them? And if so, what with? (Do tell, I'm actually very interested)