More Tidbits.

This week I'm playing alot of catch-up with my mass collection of fashion blogs that I read [check out the list at left.] And Blogger has this great thing called "following" so I can check out all the latest updates all in one place, right here on my Blogger account! [And we all know I avoid shameless plugs like the plague, but this feature is the BEST and I had to let everyone know about it.]

Anyways, on with my favorite posts for the week!

1) Fabsugar's coverage of the Christian Lacroix Spring 2009 runway show. They always have the best pictures, and I love ALL of them, so I just decided to link to their blog directly instead of stealing! [Go me!]

2) Katie Holmes is the new face of Miu Miu! Interesting choice. Check out Fashion-Verbatim's coverage.

3) J'adore Couture makes a frank statement about the economy as well as gives us some great coverage of Dior Spring/Summer 2009 Haute Couture and Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2009 [Same thing, different name. Fashion people are so weird sometimes.]

4) I'm not the only one that was in LOVE with this Botkier clutch! Does that mean I've finally "made it" in the fashion blogosphere?

5) Even though the start of the Chinese New Year was three days ago, check out this cool special-edition Lush Emotibomb featured on Second City Style.

It's almost one in the morning, so I'm finished for the night, but expect another post later today!!

On Trend: Hardware

Okay, everyone, I'm really excited about this one. The rockstar vibe is slowly making a comeback into fashion with each passing season, and with it an extra addition of metal and leather details to all of our favorite products. In my personal opinion, this can either be overdone (too dominatrix-y) or just right, adding a bit of structure and visual interest to everything from handbags to apparel (and yes, even swimwear).

Now as far as handbags are concerned, the more grommets, studs, and buckles, the better. The following are just a few of my favorite new designs.

This great clutch by Botkier is perfect for a night out. Just add skinny jeans and a fun top and you've got all the rockstar cred you need!

Botkier Studio Clutch, $395, Tobi

Another favorite from Botkier, this is definitely a daytime version of the hardware trend. An otherwise simple bag spiced up with a belt and some buckles. Nice!

Botkier Stevie Hobo Bag, $475, Tobi

This cute clutch by Gustto in a great statement color- yellow- with some extra metal details to set it off.

Gustto Ciosa Clutch Bag, $220, Tobi

As far as apparel, GoJane has a great day-to-night dress with that certain rockstar quality.

Large Stud Tube Dress, $30, GoJane

And in the world of high-end, Pencey delivers these very versatile pants with a little hardware added in the form of front zippers in a contrasting color.

Pencey Detention Pant, $248, shopbop

[I've gotta find a less expensive alternative to those pants. They are to DIE for!! Any suggestions?]

By the way, loyal readers, I've been having some issues getting these postings scheduled, so this one's a bit late. sorry!

On Trend: Asymmetrical

It looks like the new twist for '09 on everything from casual tops to cocktail dresses to swim wear is the asymmetrical. And I'm talking about everything, from simple one-shoulder tops to drastic hemlines to wacky prints. Fortunately, no matter what your style, you can find some little piece of this trend to spice up your wardrobe.

For day, there are some great printed tops at all price ranges.

Parker Print One Shoulder Top, $141, shopbop

And if one-shoulder isn't your thing, Urban Outfitters has a funky printed tank with an asymmetrical hemline that would go great over skinny jeans.

Printed Exaggerated Hi/Low Hem Tank, $32, Urban Outfitters

If it's still a little chilly where you are, this cardigan by Pencey has an on-trend asymmetrical hem and is great for layering over just about anything.

Pencey Poverty Wrap Cardigan, $379, shopbop

For evening, Shopbop has a few different options. First, Black Halo's on-trend take on the LBD.

Black Halo Split Shoulder Mini Dress, $345, shopbop

There's also a great Grecian-style number by LaROK,

LaROK Layered Borderline Mini Dress, $248, shopbop

and my personal favorite, a draped jersey one-shoulder dress by Robert Rodriguez.

Robert Rodriguez Draped Asymmetrical Dress, $374, shopbop

Swim wear isn't even immune to the one-shoulder trend.

Zimmermann Honey Rider Tarzan Bikini, $220, shopbop

Now, my advice to you is to pick one or two of these items and work them in as staples for everyday. The printed tops can easily be worn under a slick blazer to tone them down and at the same time add just a pop of color to your office wardrobe.

Since this post was a long one, you might not hear from me for a couple days. I want to see a lot of comments on here when i get back!

Cruise/Resort 2009: Hits and Misses

Normally for Spring and Summer, I focus more on the swimwear aspect, because frankly, it is my favorite. However, this season I'm actually going to be perusing some of the top designer's collections (especially regarding accessories and shoes) and letting you know what to spend your hard-earned (and these days, quite stretched) dollars on.

First up, Bottega Veneta. I will have to start out by saying, I was not impressed with their handbag collection this year. There was something like 38 pieces on the online catalog (not including wallets, mind you) and they all looked basically the same, structurally and aesthetically. Of course, their running theme this season is woven leather, but they did very little else as far as details to set their bags off from the rest. And honestly, it takes a lot to make me want to spend $700 on a wallet anyway, let alone one that doesn't look or feel like it will last me more than a couple seasons.

However, there was one item which definitely caught my eye, but not because of a crazy print or kooky design. Bottega's cruise season version of the leather bootie, which is cut a little lower as well as possesses some great cutouts and lace-up detail, as well as a sturdy heel and slight platform. I think one could wear these with absolutely anything for instant sophistication. Now this is what I fell in love with about Bottega in the first place.

Bottega Veneta Lace Up Leather Platforms, $920, BottegaVeneta.com

Now for another rave: I am totally digging the direction that Louis Vuitton has taken since Marc Jacobs took the helm. He definitely brings more of a young, feel-good vibe to the brand. Two of my favorite handbags from the new collection are below:

I've never seen the use of a print like this on a Louis Vuitton bag, but this is definitely the first piece that caught my eye. The print is meant to invoke the French Riviera. (How do you say "beautiful" in French? haha.)

Louis Vuitton Galliera Riviera, $1,940, eLuxury

Another unusual take on this classic brand is this traveler tote with (of course, more French) lettering on the side. I don't think this is a part of the Resort collection simply because it doesn't feel very summery to me, but eLuxury had a lot of different pieces lumped together in one category. Either way, it's definitely worth mentioning.

Louis Vuitton Travel Shopper Traveller, $2,420, eLuxury

Now, I'm going to deviate from my handbag path for a moment, because these Vuitton shades are amazing! They have photochromic lenses, so when you are in sunlight, the lenses darken and you can see the monogram print on the outside of the lens. Snazzy!

Louis Vuitton Conspiration Pilote Sunglasses, $530, eLuxury

More Spring/Summer '09 trends to come! Stay tuned!

Fashion Tidbits: Round 2!

Here are just a few little things I've stumbled upon in my travels here in the great, wide world of the Internet, that I thought I would pass on to my loyal (at least I hope you are) readers!!

1) So, I've been out of high school for a while, but for some reason I still love looking at formal dresses. So if you have high-school-aged girls, or are one yourself, I wanted to direct you to GoJane.com. They have alot of great new styles for prom (if you're doing the early shopping thing) and at great prices! And it beats rifling through department store racks at the last second trying to find something that twelve of your other classmates aren't already wearing. (Sound like a flashback? haha.)

2) Something I noticed while Christmas shopping this year: Ed Hardy is now at the Buckle! Now, being as I am a part (however small) of the tattoo culture in this country, I love it when designs like this start to become more widely accepted as everyday apparel. Now, I would argue that the prices of the particular pieces are a little steep for what they are, and I personally haven't had the best luck with anything from the Buckle that isn't jeans, but you may have better luck with the selection of Ed Hardy at Dillard's as well. I think I may have even seen Ed Hardy baby apparel there! How cute! (Can't you tell my kid's going to be one of those with crazy colored hair and mohawks and stuff? haha.)

3) Now, I'm not saying the election of the first Black President isn't a big deal, but jeans?!? Denimology covers the label Red Monkey Company and their new jeans design for President-Elect Obama. As far as I can tell, they don't have a ladies line, but I think overall their designs are pretty snazzy.

Until next time!!

Hot Item of the Season!

Hey Ladies! (and Gentlemen, we don't discriminate here. haha.)

As you may or may not know, I'm spending my winter perusing Maternity fashions, because I honestly don't want to resort to lounging around for the next three months in sweatpants (i know, gasp!). And I just found the cutest dress on SALE at tobi.com (the link should be updated on my little sidebar over there.) and there's just enough time left in winter to get some good wear out of it! And it won't just look good on my steadily ballooning frame. I honestly think it's the perfect piece to use as a base for a simple, cute outfit this winter!

Left on Houston Landmark Sweater Dress, $125, Tobi

And honestly, can you believe its already time for Resort season? I'll be posting my picks for this summer's hot swimwear here soon! (And if anyone can give me some tips on getting my figure back for swimsuit season I would greatly appreciate it! haha.)

Great News!!

Sorry I haven't been able to post on a regular schedule. I got a new e-mail and haven't had the chance to transfer all of my mailing lists and such over to it yet.

Anyways, the reason I stopped by my blogs today is not only because I'm bored, but I actually have a great bit of news! My fiance and I are expecting our first child! I'm only about 3 months along, and I haven't even had my first sonogram yet, but I'm really hoping that he (or she) is healthy and I'm very excited for when he arrives! So, around the beginning of March I should be posting some pictures of my newborn!

And it's good news for the blog as well, since I'm not going to be working as many hours, I can sit at home in front of the TV and type out more of my clever and informative posts!

Until then, stay classy!
xoxo Jess