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.)