Are You Dressing Up For Halloween?

Most amazing costume of all time, the Camel Toe. A little over the top but the best costumes always are.

Images from Google

Lily Allen for Chanel Handbags F/W 09

I don't like anything about these ads. To start off, Lily Allen is probably the last person I would look to as a fashionable gal. Yo-yoing weight, brightly colored hair and a penchant for nose candy, Allen is one hot mess, in a bad way.

Which brings me to the handbags; are they supposed to be bloated? It is like they are those puffy winter coats everyone hates wearing because you look like the Michelin man. I don't understand the need for a puffy handbag or the washed up singer. What was Karl thinking?

Olsenboye for JC Penny

The Olsens new line for JC Penny, Olsenboye. Not a look I am going for but they did have huge success in the tween market so why not take another shot at it.

DualStar, the Olsen's company, used to have clothing lines in Walmarts nationwide but after MK and A officially took over they scaled back the company and focused on The Row and Elizabeth and James lines instead.

The line officially launches in February but they have been previewing the collection.

Knock it Off: Balmain vs. Torn by Ronny Kobo

Torn by Ronny Kobo's version of the Balmain sequin tiger print t-shirt, leopard print tank dress and sailor dress are all available at Shopbop

images from Shopbop

Vogue Russia November 2009: Dazzling Daria

Photographer: Terry Richardson
Model: Daria Werbowy
Styled by: Simon Robins

images from TFS

Knock it Off: Balmain vs. J. Campbell

Left: Balmain, Right: Jeffrey Campbell

Images from Net-A-Porter and Lori's Shoes

Copt Cat: Pierre Hardy vs. Nine West

This Copy Cat instantly caught my eye as I was flipping through a magazine. The gold prism print made the Pierre Hardy shoes on the left a must have a few seasons ago and were seen on the feet of celebrities like Cameron Diaz.

Nine West's blatant rip off is not too bad, they got the print almost perfect, but the platform is all wrong. Being a die hard Pierre Hardy fan, I would see this obvious knock off as a compliment to his artistic genius and originality.

Nice try Nine West but in this case the authentic Pierre Hardy version wins.

Images from Nine West and Polyvore

Vogue Paris November 2009 - Tribal Runway

I love how exotic this editorial is for the November issue of Paris Vogue. The graphic body paint looks amazing paired with the Givenchy gold jewelry.

Photographer: David Sims
Model: Isabeli Fontana
Styled by: Carine Roitfeld

images from TFS

Personalize Your Scent

For years I have scoured the earth looking for the most unique perfume. I've always had a thing about not smelling like everyone else. Once my special secret perfume went mainstream, it was time to search again for an obscure yet desirable scent to call my own. But how long would I be able to find unknown scents with cosmetics and perfume being a mass consumer market. Enter, Aromachology, a personalized perfume company whose aim is to create for each of their customers a unique and tantalizing perfume tailor made for them and them alone.



How do they do this? After answering a short questionnaire and a few sniffs of five the base scents the founders, Ashlee Firsten and Kirsten Menkes, create a concoction using several underlying scents that directly correspond to the customer. Whether you characterize yourself as sensual, adventurous, confident or witty, Aromachology has a scent that will fit you perfectly because it was made for you.



To learn more about Aromachology visit their website. Have fun filling out their questionnaire to see what scent fits your personality. Also, look out for Aromachology pop up stores nationwide; Henri Bendel's NYC will be hosting Aromachology from October 26th to November 2nd.

images from The World According to Jessica Claire and Aromachology

Shop This Site: Dope.Girl.Fresh.

Based out of Vancouver, BC, Dope.Girl.Fresh is the brainchild of best friends Laina and Angie. Inspired by vintage finds and a drive to always look unique the girls launched a line consisting of vintage finds, some re-worked and some 'as is', and a few original pieces.

The website is up and running, ready for business, with a blog linked to it showcasing photoshoots, fashion inspiration and Laina, Angie and their friends wearing Dope.Girl.Fresh.





Laina was kind enough to answer a few of my questions about Dope.Girl.Fresh and the girls behind the line.

Are all the items vintage and sold as is or do you re-work the clothes?

As of right now, the line consists mainly of vintage clothing and accessories sold 'as was' as we like to call it but we just wrapped up a photoshoot and are in the process of picking photos to post a lot more of the re-worked items. They should be online in a couple of weeks. I also make a handful of original pieces and have thrown them in the line. This will also be expanding in time.

I assume you only have one of each item; do you have a stock of items to post as things are bought up?

Yes, we only have one of each item, unless it's something I have made, which if sold well, will be re-introduced in a different color and slightly different style as we want girls to feel their piece is exclusive and unique. We have tons of stuff in stock and are in the process of updating the site with new items as they well.

Where do you get most of your clothing from?

We get out clothing from EVERYWHERE! We have kept our specific location a secret from even our closest girlfriends but we literally stop at every single thrift store, Value Village, consignment store and Mom's/Grandma's closet. Anytime we are out traveling and see a thrift/vintage store we at least pop in to take a peek for any possible hidden gems.

What inspires you to pick up a piece?

IF I HAVE TO HAVE IT!!! We look and see who made it, how well it's made and the condition it is in but before any of that it's just because we love it or see some potential for what it could be.

What is your personal style and how does that parlay into the business?

For as long as I can remember I have been obsessed with being original and haveing things nobody had so naturally we (Laina and her business partner, Angie) grew up loving vintage because it was harder to duplicate. We also have a hip hop dance background that is a hint of hood/street style. We are also influenced a lot by high fashion, for example, I might try to re-work a vintage dress to look like a Marc Jacobs dress. Something I had to have but couldn't afford. I am most attracted to things that push the envelope so anything that I have made is a little kooky and unique. Dope.Girl.Fresh came about because I had always made mine and my girlfriends' outfits and people would always ask where were got them so it was like *Lightbulb*!

Are all the girls that model for Dope.Girl.Fresh your girlfriends?

Most of the models are girlfriends but a few of then are just beautiful girls we've seen around the city and have reached out to. All have been more than happy to do it and have actually now become out friends.

Does the website ship internationally?

Right now we are only set up to ship within Canada but we have received such a great response from people all over so we are absolutely going to set up international shipping in the near future.

What is the main message of Dope.Girl. Fresh?

We want to stress that we are trying to promote females supporting and empowering each other. We [females] are all of talented and beautiful and there is no need to be side-eyeing each other in a bar or bitching about each other just because we think a girl might look better than us. We all have our own 'thing' and we need to start recognizing that and supporting how amazing we all are. Dope.Girl.Fresh didn't start out like this but after working with different female photographers, models and DJs and hearing about all their talents we just felt more and more passionate about how "we can it it too!"

images from Dope.Girl.Fresh.

Balmainia: The Handbags

Balmain has taken the next step to bring us a luxury handbag line. Personally, I am not impressed at all. Lacking any 'It Bag' qualities, the Balmain purses are simple bags you could find at any store. With prices ranging from $1900 to $4800 I don't understand why anyone would want to own one of these bags. To tell you the truth, I'm not even interested in the Zara version, when they come out.

images from Luisa Via Roma

High/Low: Navy Tweed Blazer

The Louis Vuitton jacket, on the left, retails for $3,380 while the J. Crew version is a cool $325.

images from Harpers Bazaar and J. Crew

Copy Cat: Leather Shopper Bag

images from Shopbop.com

Uggs: The Good and the Very Bad

I am a victim of harsh winters and the necessity for winter boots. Yes, I own Uggs. Make that several pairs. But there is no way in hell I would ever invest or even attempt the thigh high Ugg boot made by Australian Luxe. It actually makes we throw up a bit in my mouth...

On the other hand, the Uggs brand 'Endell' boots have a cute motorcycle style, appropriate for the winter weather and still fashionable.

Images from Lori's Shoes and Net-a-Porter

Campaign to Love: Chloe F/W 2009

I absolutely love this ad campaign. It makes me want to run through a 'field of gold' a la Sting. I am also obsessed with the Paraty Handbag.

images from TFS

Trend Forecast

images from Lori's Shoes and Net-a-Porter

Must Have: Strappy Heel Booties

images from Lori's Shoes and Net-a-Porter

Kristen Stewart 'Interview' Magazine

I love these pictures and she really looks great. I'm a sucker for leopard print and I love the eye makeup.

images from tfs

Alexander McQueen Spring 2010: Alien Sea Horses

I don't mean that in a bad way. The whole time I was browsing the collection all I could think was how much the models looked like sea horses! The cool blue tones resemble an underwater world and the models are sea creatures but from outer space!

This collection is truly spectacular and Alexander McQueen is an artist.







The shoes are out of this world! Over the top and somewhat resembling Chinese bound feet, the platform booties trump the Nina Ricci ankle breakers from last season.



Images from Style.com

Giambattista Valli Spring 2010: Everything is Coming up Roses and Leopards

Images from Style.com

Stella McCartney Spring 2010: Ruffles Galore

Images from Style.com

Hell Hath Frozen Over - Ungaro 2010

After the falling out between Ungaro and Esteban Cortazar, some thought the Ungaro Spring 2010 collection would be a disaster. Well, the only disaster was Lindsay Lohan, "artistic adviser" to the fashion house.

If you ask me, any advice from Ms. Lohan is not worth taking, especially when it comes to fashion. I hope the label drops her as quickly as they picked her up because she is only giving them as bad an image as her own.



Lindsay Lohan strutting down the runway at Paris fashion week is a sign of the apocalypse.



images from Style.com

Spring 2010 Faceoff: B + W Edition

Just like Michael said, it doesn't matter if you are black or white but wearing black and white together is a hot trend for the Spring 2010 season. Two prime examples of how to wear B+W are the Givenchy and Karl Lagerfeld RTW runway shows.

'Black' and 'vamp' usually are synonymous with the Givenchy label and it's designer, Ricardo Tisci. Slick hair and neutral makeup along with long legs and strappy sandals made their way down the runway this week in Paris. The white and black contrast is hip and hard with sharp angels and a few ruffles to boot.



Karl Lagerfeld took the same principle and created an ethereal lady like collection. Poufy sleeved cocktail dresses and mini hemlines with cinched waists were all the rage on the catwalk as were deconstructed bouffants and feminine makeup.



Karl and Ricardo show that something as simple and a Black and White palette can become so much more. Whether the look is serious or flirty, it is all how you work it.

images from Style.com

Spring 2010 Faceoff : BAL Edition

The Kings of Paris Fashion week, Nicolas Ghesquiere and Christophe Decarnin have given us 2 very different collections for the Spring 2010 season.

First off, Ghesquiere is always true to his penchant for futuristic fashion. Mixing that with street style and tribal details the new Balenciaga collection is fresh and fun with a no nonsense twist. The skinny jodhpur-esque pants look amazing in electric yellow and the shoes are to die for.



The other French fashion power house, Balmain was also true to it's very rock'n'roll roots. This time Decarnin left the super glitz behind for a much more grungy feel. Torn T's and gilded accents gave this golden collection my seal of approval. I especially love the Roman armor-esque feel of the gold dress and the lace up booties are a pleasant departure from the bejeweled sandals of last season that suffered from over exposure.



images from Style.com

Copy Cat: Roselgold vs. Elizabeth and James

The jury is still out on who came up with the design first but the Rosegold version is $275 compared to the $335 Elizabeth and James version.

If you are looking for variation, the Elizabeth and James booties come in grey, brown and khaki while the Rosegold ones come in black and grey.

images from Shopbop

PS 1 isn't Enough!

For my birthday, in June, I received the medium size PS1 in chartreuse. Since then I have carried it every single day and have loved it to death! As the winter approaches I feel the need to retire my lemon-lime handbag but the shape and style is so convenient that I want another!

I'm leaning towards purple python......

images from Barneys