Chic of the Week

Who: Thandie Newton.

What: Fendi's Spring 2008 show in China.

When: October 19th, 2007.

Where: The Great Wall of China, outside Beijing.

Why: Old Hollywood glamour with a fresh and sunny twist.

Photo from People.com, courtesy of Andrew Walker/Getty Images.

Glam Gems!

Wow that is one trend that is hard to say, but so easy to do. This winter season when everything gets slightly dull (my social life and skin to name two things), I'm going to glam it up by incorporating gems into both my daytime and nighttime looks. To try this style look for big faux gem jewelry (cocktail rings, earrings, headbands, etc...) at stores like Forever 21 and H&M. Mix the smaller more subtle pieces you find with work clothes, but make sure the jewels get bigger as the day turns into night.

Forever 21 cocktail ring, $5.80, http://www.forever21.com/

(Miu Miu inspired) Cara headbands, $29, http://www.nordstrom.com/

Banana Republic Cuff, $48, http://www.bananarepublic.com/

Tom Binns "Faux Real" Necklace, $650, http://www.net-a-porter.com/ or select Neimans

FB&F Story

Last weekend on a flight to L.A. I was waiting in line to use the ever-so-lovely restroom, and one of the flight attendants commented on how much she loved my shoes. I was wearing my black patent leather Tory Burch flats, and was very surprised and flattered by the compliment. Now I love my Tory Burch flats, but not only was I suprised because I had just awoken from a two-hour nap and was slightly out-of-it, but since I was traveling that day I had not given any thought to the idea of being fashionable. As I looked at my outfit though ($30 pair of black straight leg jeans from H&M, $20 white camisole from Banana Republic, a $50 cardigan from Urban Outfitters, a $10 scarf from H&M, and no make-up except a dap of Kiehl's lip gloss) I realized that I had effectively put together a very chic outift that fits the FB&F way of styling. I mixed high-end (the Tory Burch flats I bought during a moment of weakness of Shopbop) and low-end (everything else I purchased without making a dent in my checking account).

After I (probably a little too much) congratulated myself on an outift well-done, I thanked the flight attendant and told her where she could get herself a cheap pair (always pass the FB&F message along). I told her about the 7th on Sale Sample Sale and the rumored $60 Tory Burch flats. This sale, made possible by the CFDA, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, TopShop, AIDSFund, and more is an online 3-week sample sale where 100% of the proceeds will go to HIV/AIDS education and awareness. A good cause and cheap designer clothing.....is there anything better?

Click the link above to preview some of the items that will be available. These two are the ones I will be after on Nov. 15th

Chic of the Week

Who: Actress, Kate Bosworth

When: Monday, October 16th

Where: ELLE Magazine's Women in Hollywood Party in Beverly Hills

Why: Impeccable and timeless with a touch of an edge. Perfection.

Photo courtesy of www.egotastic.com

November Tips from Elle

This is the debut of a section called Periodical Pointers we would like to present monthly. Being "chic and cheap" has become quite a popular topic for magazines to cover, but unfortunately for some of us trying to save money (for an ostrich bag, color-blocked shoes, etc...) magazines are often the first thing we stop buying. Plus often times we will buy these magazines with hopes of learning something new only to discover their great tip is to try a new store called H&M.

To help out our flat broke friends, FB&F is now going to pass along their (useful) tips to you. So, even if you are too frugal to buy magazines every month you can pick up a few periodical pointers from us. Here are "Five Quick Ideas for Dressing Chic at a Price" from November's Elle.

1) Experiment Take a chance and try out new looks. You can afford it.

2) Change It Up If a dress comes with a belt replace it with one of your own to personalize the outfit. Swap buttons for a similar effect.

3) Interpret Don't go for total trend knockoffs. Focus on colors and silhouettes that will fit your shape.

4) Tailor Spend the $30 to get a lower-priced dress altered to fit your body. The dress will still cost you less than $100 and look like a million bucks.

5) Favor Tradition Stock up on classics. Look for basics that fit you well, and get them in many colors.

Just passing the word along.....

24 Going on 21

Stemming from a desperate, aching need to shop (and usually having less than $30 to burn) during my days of living as a broke fashion intern in Manhattan, I discovered the wonders of the chain fashion discount store. I'm talking about your Strawberry and your Rainbow, your Wet Seal and your Contempo Casuals. These were never my high school hot spots, so this was like entering a whole new hemisphere. The majority of items in these stores were not exactly my taste, but every visit, I would leave with a little something that turned out to be a wonderful and welcome addition to my closet. A white cotton tunic, grey shorts, vintage-style faux-tortoise shell shades were among my favorites finds.

The best of the best of these discount stores is, hands down, Forever 21. There is no better feeling than receiving a compliment for something you paid five dollars for. I've actually received more compliments on a Forever 21 Chanel "inspired" ring than on actual Chanel jewelry I own. Go figure. But, point being, do not overlook this headachingly trendy and sometimes seedy spot. There are some good rules of thumb to follow when shopping here, however. Let me break down the top three things to keep in mind while shopping super-discount (not to be confused with discount stores such as h&m and urban outfitters that are a little higher on the food chain):

1. Stick with the basics: I tend to avoid wild colors and patterns as they can emphasis the lower quality of fabric used. Whites, blacks, and greys are your best bet.
2. Don't go head to toe: Mix with less trendy items from your own closet or if you can, higher end pieces. This also helps to camouflage the quality issue.
3. Experiment: Curious about a trend but don't want to invest in something you KNOW will be out just as soon as you put down your debit card? RUN to Forever 21. Here you can buy that vest or Wayfarer "inspired" sunglasses you love but feel ridiculous spending $100+ on.

In keeping with these rules, I've selected my favorite pieces, from coats to bracelets, for you to check out. I have every faith you'll become a convert to the church of 21.



From left: Marni-style "Amaris Eclec" necklace, $8.80; Sweater dress in a must-have shape (ala Vince), the Puff Sleeve Dress, $17.80


From left: Super sweet Pom Pom Sweater Top, $28; I-feel-smug-because-this-looks-like-I-bought-it-at-Satine-but-only-paid-seventy-dollars "Swing Trench," Forever 21 Twelve by Twelve, $69



From left: The perfect dress--the Oxford Silk Shirt Dress, Forever 21 Twelve by Twelve, $36; Graphic yet understated "Urban" bangles, $7.80



From left: Channeling Gerard Yosca--Rhinestone Collar Necklace, $5.80; Basic, stylish, and not heartbreaking if you left it at a bar--Wool blend coat, $49.80



From left: You can easily pretend to be an Olsen twin while simultaneously being kind to animals in this leather free "Maggie" Jacket, $32.80; Emulate the studded trend seen everywhere from Burberry Prorsum to Mulberry to Givenchy with this Pyramid bangle, $5.80

Everything available at www.forever21.com and www.twelvebytwelve.com.

Ring my Bell

It gets so cold here in Chicago during the winter that some days I cannot deal with the thought of trying to look good. These are the days when I have to wear tight and three pairs of pants to get by. The days where throwing on a huge sweatshirt from high school sounds like a phenomenal outfit for work. Sometimes there is no choice other than to don that thick cashmere sweater instead of that cute sleeveless top to a party. This is when accessories become a girl's best friend.

Right now, I think there's no better way to perk up a drab, uninspired cold-weather ensemble than with a great, big ring. Whether it’s large enough to have its own zip code or it’s just got a sense of humor, this season is all about the statement ring. And I'm not talking about large carats here, just fun and fantastic pieces that will add some punch to your look, whether you are on your way to work or out for cocktails.

Put away your delicate pieces and thin stackable rings—it’s time to get loud.

Top row, from left: Plate Ring, Fallon Jewelry, $127, www.shopbop.com; Crystal Flower Ring, Kenneth Jay Lane, $198, www.intermixonline.com

Second row, from left: Nailhead Ring, Giles & Brother, $63 (shown in dark red, also in grey, purple, and black), www.shopbop.com; Cougar Ring, Urban Outfitters, originally $16, now $9.99, www.urbanoutfitters.com
Third row, from left: Leather Button Ring, Yarborough Jewelry, $110, www.shopbop.com; Fernando Ring, Malababa, $40, www.shopbop.com
Fourth row: Diamond Silhouette Ring, Carrie Weston, $105 (for sterling silver), www.carrieweston.com

Spotlight On...Boyy Bags

Okay, so these bags aren't exactly for the flat broke. But they are the most fabulous bags I've laid my eyes on in a long time. A girl can dream, can't she?

As you'd imagine from the label, Boyy bags are not dainty. They are not girly. No frills here. In fact, these bags are rather dark and serious. With names like Augustus, Francis, and Alistair, these are the handbags (if handbags could...) that would play squash, smoke pipes, and own lots and lots of land on the English countryside. They probably attended a centuries old boarding school with Pudding Clubs and a rowing team.


Boyy Bags are undoubtedly regal, but by no means stuffy. Leather chain link straps, large zipper pulls, and stitching made to look like brick add a toughness to the styles. These hints of edgy details echo the rebellious past of co-designers Jesse Dorsey and Wannasiri Kongman--playing hooky and passing notes to get through the tedium of school.

For fall, take your pick between weathered and moody shades like winter orchid and castle stone in lambskin or rich patent tones like bloodlink (a burgundy) and moss. Available online at their website (www.boyybag.com), www.tobi.com, and www.shopbop.com. Want to check them out in person? Try the uber-chic Colette in Paris, Eva in New York, or Jenna White in Miami (check out Boyy Bag's site for the full list of retailers).

Pictured, from top: Augustus, $670 (shown in weathered black); Alistair, $616 (shown in moss patent); Trevor, $640 (shown in weathered black); Francis, $660 (shown in bloodlink patent)

Checkmate

Never having had the opportunity to wear a school uniform, I think I secretly delight in the plaid pieces that pop up every other fall season. I get a little thrill in the possibility of a plaid jumper (like this wonderful h&m version below) or a man in preppily fantastic plaid pants at a holiday party. Or could it be my part-Scottish heritage that makes me get boderline obsessed with plaid (I'm currently cruising ebay for bolts of my clan's tartan fabric to re-upholster some old dining room chairs)? Whatever it is, all I want for fall right now is something in my favorite pattern. Even if I don't get around to purchasing this fab Alice + Olivia jacket (pictured below), rest assured that my apartment will probably end up looking like a bagpiper's paradise by the end of the year.

Top row, from left: h&m plaid dress, $34.90, visit www.hm.com for locations. Ivy cropped flannel jacket, $245, www.intermixonline.com.
Middle row, from left: h&m plaid jumper, $49.90, www.hm.com. Urban Outfitters buffalo plaid scarf, $20, www.urbanoutfitters.com.
Bottom row: Alice + Olivia plaid puff collar coat, $440, www.shopbop.com.

Spotlight On...Lorick

The debut collection from Abigail Lorick has arrived, and in my humble opinion this collection is not just fantastic looking, but possesses the look and attitude that I strive for in my personal fashion. The look is classic, ladylike, and graceful but with intricate details and stylish touches that keep it both interesting and fresh. This is truly a modern lady's look.

Here are some highlights of how Lorick's website describes a Lorick Lady:

"She is polite and considerate.....She always looks pulled together and timeless, but still modern. As classic as she may be, she knows she is a rarity in today's rather immodest society and openly celebrates her eccentricities by selecting quirky prints, accessories like gloves, scarves, and suspenders. She dances late into the night, slips out of her 'il sotto' crinoline skirt, changes her heels to flats and effortlessly looks perfect for her 8am!"

Lorick is currently available only at Otte in NYC, but according to someone in Abigail Lorick's camp the collection will be sold in stores starting this January/February. Estimated prices are higher than a typical FB&F girl's price range, but with these debuting right after the holidays maybe an "IOU a Lorick dress" would be the ideal present. Dresses will be around $400-500, blouses around $300, and jacket/coats $400-500.

Go. Now. Read.

If you haven't already been stalking...er, checking out, these blogs and websites, then you better hop to it! We are more than a little obsessed.


The Sartorialist
Could spend hours fawning over these unique and stylish snapshots of the fashion savvy from Manhattan and Milan to Berlin and Stockholm.

Fab Sugar
Just as much of a guilty pleasure as its sister site, Popsugar.

Holly's Diary
Holly Dunlap shares her tales of the glam life as New York socialite and Hollywould designer.

ELLE Tell All
Cannot get enough of ELLE's Fashion Week coverage in this fun, picture-heavy blog format.

La Coquette
Chicago Magazine's Elisabeth Fourmont's adventures in Paris. Parfait.

photo courtesy of www.waleg.com

Chic of the Week

Rocking dark shades, a shrunken-yet-slouchy blazer and cream striped balloon skirt, this Paris Fashion Week invité is our Chic of the Week.










photo courtesy of ELLE.com

Grey Gardens

Alexander Wang Metal Silk Top, $475, http://www.lagarconne.com/

The color grey is everywhere this fall, popping up on everything from bags, shoes and hats to jackets, dresses, and tops. Dare I say that grey is the new black?

Steve Madden "Luster" Mary-jane in grey patent, $99.95, www.stevemadden.com

Urban Outfitters Grey Turban, $28, www.urbanoutfitters.com

Banana Republic "Fillmore" Clutch, $198, www.bananarepublic.com

Notable mentions: Gap's tweed shift dress and Vince's embellished jumper. Also, try h&m for their grey cowl-neck jacket and fantastic (and cheap!) grey trapeze tops.

What to pair with all these shades of grey? Our favorite partner for this neutral tone is an eggplant or a plum. These purple hues dominated the fall runways and will soon follow suit in your own closet.

Rich & Skinny "Sleek" Jean, $190, www.shopbop.com (shown in carmine, also available in black, white or red)

Banana Republic top, $58, www.bananarepublic.com (shown in raspberry)

Kimchi & Blue Ruffle Collar Coat, $140, www.urbanoutfitters.com (shown in deep plum, also in deep teal and black)

Bloomingdale's felt fedora in eggplant, $65, www.bloomindale's.com