{L'Officiel 2009, photography by Harri Peccinotti}
Yummie Tummieâ„¢
Prefer to eat your muffins than wear them? Me too; although now that I'm wheat intolerant, I have to make do with gluten free macaroons. But hey, I digress. If you, like many women, are looking for a smooth silhouette sans lumps and bumps, a Yummie Tummie™ could be your answer. Created by fashion designer and celebrity stylist Heather Thompson, the new shapewear tops bear the appearance of a luxe tank or tee with the benefit of a firm control midsection panel. What's more, the clever fabric technology also acts like a yoga instructor, making you stand and look taller. I trust Heather. Having worked with J-Lo and Beyoncé, the woman knows a thing or three about how to dress real curves. Since nabbing one, I've been wearing mine under dresses and as a tank with jeans - blissfully delighted that my ribs aren't crushed and circulation cut off like some shapewear garments (ahem - you know who you are). I've now got my beady eyes on the lace tank - very AW09 - very mine! Get yours at Brown Thomas 01- 605 6666.
Armand Basi One @ Asos.com
It was one of the shows that I missed at London Fashion Week last season - and definitely missed out on. Armand Basi One's combo of fluid tailoring and sumptuous natural fibres lends itself to understated luxury. More to the point, a limited collection is available now at Asos.com. I'm loving this wool and angora asymmetric sweater dress at €257.68 and the cashemere blend harems at €321.77. As I am currently crunching my credit however, I'll have to maintain a healthy enthusiasm at a distance...where no one can see me sobbing. Sigh.
Lovin Those Blues
I built this outfit based on these colorful and glamorous turquoise earrings. I got them from a wonderful little boutique that I unfortunately cannot remember the name of....
Turquoise Cardigan: Chadwicks. Navy Silk/Lace Top: Newport News. Dark Gray Slacks: INC. Silver Polka Dot Pumps: Unlisted.
It may see like a lot going on in this outfit, but I think the blue tones and the silver accents pull it all together. Who knew polka dots, lace, and beading could all blend so well - ? At least to me they do...!
Charmed Bracelet
Check out these cute gold bracelets. I especially love the way they look when layered with more gold bracelets. These are 14k gold filled and you pick the charm of your choice whether it be a hamsa hand (like the one in the picture) peace sign, sparrow or leaf.Where to buy:
Lush Jewelry, Charmed Bracelet, $69
Contests from Vogue Knitting
Enter to win a copy of Knitted Flowers by Nickey Epstien, here:
http://www.vogueknitting.com/node/608
Enter to win a copy of Iris Schreier's Reversible Knits, here:
http://www.vogueknitting.com/node/607
Angela Hahn's leafy lace puts a new twist on the traditional beret, in rosy "Baby Cashmerino" by Debbie Bliss/KFI. Deadline for entry for this contest is October 1, 2009.
http://www.vogueknitting.com/node/605
(more...)
http://www.vogueknitting.com/node/608
Enter to win a copy of Iris Schreier's Reversible Knits, here:
http://www.vogueknitting.com/node/607
Angela Hahn's leafy lace puts a new twist on the traditional beret, in rosy "Baby Cashmerino" by Debbie Bliss/KFI. Deadline for entry for this contest is October 1, 2009.
http://www.vogueknitting.com/node/605
New Store News
I receive dozens of press releases each day, however, this one in particular caught my eye, and if you live in the Santa Barbara/Ventura area, this might interest you as well:
Eclectic buy-sell-trade clothing shop Buffalo Exchange announces the opening of its first store in Ventura County at 532 E. Main Street, Ventura, California, on August 8, 2009. Free parking is available in a garage behind the store. Store hours will be Monday - Saturday 11-7, Sunday 11-6. The 3,900 square-foot space was secured by Buffalo Exchange on July 1.
Staying true to Ventura's laid-back atmosphere, the interior colors suggest retro beach style and poppy flower graphics decorate the walls. The store will open with inventory from Buffalo Exchange stores in New York City, Las Vegas, Houston and other cities. Buffalo Exchange has three stores in Los Angeles. The Sherman Oaks store is located at 14621 Ventura Blvd, phone 818-783-3420. The Westwood store is at 10914 Kinross Ave., phone 310-208-7403. Our store in central L.A. is located at 131 N. La Brea, phone 323-938-8604.
L.A. Times blog "L.A. Unleashed" says: "We are big fans of the secondhand clothing store chain Buffalo Exchange. Fashionable and affordable: What's not to love?" Buffalo Exchange is unique because clothing and accessories are bought, sold and traded directly with store customers. Used clothes can be traded for any item in the store, including jewelry and brand new clothing. The ever-changing inventory includes designer wear, basics, vintage, jeans, leather and one-of-a-kind items. Buffalo Exchange is a sustainable company that works to protect the environment by reusing and recycling clothing. The store donates to local nonprofit agencies in the community through its Tokens for Bags(r) program, which has generated over $320,000 for hundreds of nonprofits since 1994, saving 6.4 million bags. Shoppers are encouraged to accept a token instead of a bag for purchases, and Buffalo Exchange donates five cents to a charity of the customer's choice. Including the new Ventura location, the resale clothing store chain has 36 stores and 2 franchises in 13 states, with $56.3 million a year in sales. The resale clothing store chain celebrates 35 years of business in 2009.
**As a fan of secondhand clothing myself, this is great news for my closet. I'm excited for the arrival of the new store and I'm sure I'll be shopping and trading at this new location, which is close to some of my favorite restaurants and thrift shops, as well as the beach.
New Schuhs
Liking my Lady Gaga-inspired ankle boots? Me too - only I can't quite decide what to wear them with. Go totally 80s on it with leopard print leggings, tee and man blazer or simple with a shift dress. Decisions decisions. There's always the sequin hotpant combo - inside the house methinks.
Shop Kim's Closet on Ebay
Kim Kardashian is putting select pieces from her wardrobe up for grabs on Ebay. She has everything from shoes, LV purses to a Nanette Lepore dress. She starts all her bids at 99 cents and it's all for a good cause. Proceeds from the auction will go to the Dream Foundation, which helps terminally ill adults. Kim explains, “I love to be able to pass along some of my favorite pieces to someone else who will get to enjoy them as much as I have. I even have many items I never had a chance to wear yet. A few times a year, I bring my outfits, shoes, and accessories to Auction Cause who puts them on eBay for me. Click here to check out all of her pieces on Ebay.
Shopping Dress
Print Dress: White House Black Market. Belt: New York & Co. Sandals: Calvin Klein.
I've been very sick the last few days with food poisoning (yuck). I am finally feeling up to posting the last outfit I wore before I got sick. This was my Saturday shopping outfit. On a good note, I found some really cute jewelry and a fabulous skirt and top at Forever XXI. Hopefully, I will be better and able to wear my new pieces soon!
How to Get Celebrity Eyebrows?
Uni.K.Wax Centers just launched Celebrity Brows, a special new waxing and shaping service where experts can create the celebrity brow of your choice. Many of their clients are opting for a high arch like Megan Fox or a more subtle version like Natalie Portman. I decided to give it a try over the weekend and was really happy with the results. I had stopped waxing my eyebrows for some time now and had switched over to "threading" (this is where your eyebrows are plucked using thread) mainly because my skin is very sensitive so every time I would wax at other places, the wax would irritate my skin and cause it to scab. This was not the case here, the wax worked perfectly with my skin and did not irritate it at all. Celebrity Brows is being offered at Uni.K.Wax Centers for $25 across the country....click here to find a location near you. 
I love Megan Fox's eyebrows, so needless to say I opted for her look. My eyebrows are a little thinner than hers, but I think they did a good job with what they had to work with.
The 12th Fashion Bloggers' Brunch
Where'd She Get It: Jessica Alba's Blue Jeans
Jessica Alba was spotted wearing these blue jeans as she was out and about in Beverly Hills. Here's where you can get the same pair:
Denimocracy "Shock Wave Revolt Knit Skinny." available at Planet Funk, $58
Photo: INF
