Sun Block

Urban Outfitters Sweet Heart Sunglasses, $16.

Ray-Ban 'New Small Wayfarer' Sunglasses in blue/taupe, $109 (available at Nordstrom).

Ray-Ban 'Classic Wayfarer' Sunglasses in pink, $139 (available at Nordstrom).

This summer, its all in the eyes. Channel your inner-Lolita with these heart-shaped shades from Urban Outfitters. Ray-Bans are still h-o-t, but ditch the heavy black or stark white. Instead, try a soft shade of pink or go for a blue and beige two-toned pair. These will go better with S/S 2008's soft, dreamy patterns than last year's more graphic versions (and look less like a little-too-late Sienna Miller impression). Another major trend in sunglasses? Transparent. Splurge on Chloe's oversized Myrte style, or check out Forever 21 or Fred Flare for less expensive versions. Like a retro look? Cat-eye styles, popular in the 1950s and 60s, are back. Derek Lam favored this style for the season.

This season, the eye's have it.

Chloe Myrte Crystal Sunglasses, $290 (available at Net-a-Porter).

Forever 21 Cat-Eye Sunglasses (Style F0021), $5.80.

Your Weekend Just Got a Little Better...

Click on the above image to save 20% at Pink Mascara - this weekend only!

Chic of the Week

Who: Claudia Schiffer, supermodel.

What: A Louis Vuitton shift and feather brooch.

When: Tuesday, June 24, 2008.

Where: The Louis Vuitton dinner at the Serpentine in London, to herald the new Richard Prince exhibit at the gallery in Hyde Park.

Why: The folds of the dress are exquisitve and the overall look is so ladylike and soft, while still looks modern and cool.













Photo courtesy of Vogue UK.

Enjoy Summer While You Can

According to style.com designers are favoring a monochromatic look for fall in hues such as gray, rust, white, blue, and orange.

Left to right: Halston, Celine, Bottega Veneta

While I'm sure FB&F will embrace this chic look come fall (I'm seeing a future post along the lines of "Easiest way to be stylish when dressing for work at 6am (after too many cocktails the night before)? Put on one color from head to toe and head out the door!), at the moment this post just reminds us to embrace summer dressing for the 88 days of summer left.

So think wisely when getting dressed and make sure you are taking advantage of all the fashion that summer allows us to wear: bright colors, loud patterns and prints (floral, ikat) on dresses and tunics, metallics and sequins, color-block and ombre, cute flats and flashy sandals, and contrasting colors (a la white jeans with jewel tone tops).

Here are a few choice pieces to remind you that part of what is great about summer dressing, besides the free-flowing dresses and freedom of flip-flops, is how easy it is to have fun with summer clothes!

Left to right: Myne top $161 at Shopbop, Issac Mizrahi for Target top $14.99, Old Navy top $29.50, Forever 21 halter $17.80

Left to right: Alive and Olivia $297 at Shopbop, Karen Zambos $99 at Nordstrom

Left to right: Gap jeans $41.99 at Gap, Fiji mini $59.99 at J. Crew, 3-Tone skirt $29.80 at Forever 21, Paige Premium Denim $169 at Shopbop

Left to right: Mossimo floral flats $19.99 at Target, Sam Edelman sandal $79 at Piperlime

Bag it Up

Click on the image above to shop Anya Hindmarch, luxe yet fun British accessories brand preferred by Angelina Jolie, Sienna Miller and Naomi Watts, with items now on major sale.

Chicettes of the Week

Who: Actresses and It Girls Lou Doillon and Byrdie Bell.

What: Herve Leger by Max Azria.

When: Tuesday, June 17, 2008.

Where: The Whitney Contemporaries Art Party and Auction, hosted by Max and Lubov Azria, in NYC.

Why: The fit! The hair! There are few things more smoldering and powerful than tousled hair and Herve Leger.

Photo courtesy of Style.com.

Summer Blockbusters

Forget Hancock, Batman (though I am nerdily dying to see it), Iron Man, Hulk...basically any of the multitude of superhero movies on the way. The little summer dress is the true blockbuster of the season.

Look to these must-have frocks to get you through the next few sweltering months (thank you, global warming...ahem, "climate change") and beyond. Just add tights, long cardigans and scarves once the temp. begins to drop.

Pair this Forever 21 floral silk babydoll ($26.90) with a loose linen scarf in a pale shade (try dove gray or a very light beige) and a tall flat boot, wellie (for that British music festival look), or worn-in motorcycle boot to give this slip of a dress some weight.

This chic summer dress for day or evening by Totem ($179, available at Active Endeavors)would look great with a gladiator in brown or gold - your choice to go flat or opt for a stacked heel. Think about one great ring or bracelet, but otherwise, keep accessories to a minimum to let the dress speak for itself.

Remember these super sweet and delicate shifts by Tocca from back in the 90s? So do we. Well, thankfully for those of us who like to look a little innocent and uber-feminine from time to time, Tocca has relaunched these lovely, simple and slighty retro dresses from a decade ago under the name Tocca Vintage. In addition to my favorite, the Anna ($176, available at Tocca.com), there are three other styles in the collection: the strapless Cecilia, halter Kourtney and spaghetti strap Eva. Add a great headband and a brightly colored shoe and the look is complete.

It wouldn't be a dress story without addressing the LBD. I love this fuss-free, yet interesting, racerback style from Banana Republic ($118). Try a metallic strappy sandal or colorful patent or suede heels for night and for day, dress down with a pair of nude or black ballets or even just a pair of flip-flops.

The One We've All Been Waiting For...

Favorite of Frenchwomen and indie starlets, French label APC is known for their simple and chic shift dresses and the sort of Oh-this?-I-just-threw-this-on-and-I-look-sort-of-casual-yet-tousled-and-sexy Charlotte Gainsbourg thing they have going on. It is very, very hard to make a wrong move in anything they sell.

The only negative? Sometimes their frocks, romantic wide-legs and perfect-fitting button-downs are a little out of my price range. Lucky for those of us with a petit pocketbook, APC is having a summer sale!

Click on the image below to shop now. If only I had money in my bank account...

Fashionista Diaries meets Devil Wears Prada meets Project Runway meets ........

I will freely admit that I love a good fashion-based reality show. America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, and MTV's Made: I Work in Fashion are just a few of the highlights saved on my DVR. However, at some point you have to wonder, haven't I already seen this? And that is exactly how I feel about the CW's new fashion-based reality show Stylista.

This "new" show premiering this fall will follow a group of individuals competing to become an assistant to Anne Slowey at ELLE magazine. This program is a shameless rip-off of Devil Wears Prada (see clip where she throws Slowey throws her coat) and Fashionista Diaries, and is produced by none other than Ms. Tyra herself, but watch the clip below and let us know, will you be watching this fall?

Oh, and here is an early bet that it replaces One Tree Hill as the show after Gossip Girl!

The Return of Models

Thank you, W Magazine, for bringing models back to modeling! Mannequins back to magazines! Look out for the new July issue featuring Daria Werbowy, Kate Moss and Lara Stone on the cover.

Keep it coming Conde Nast, Hearst and Fairchild! More Jessica Stam, less Jessica Simpson, please! Lily Donaldson, not Lindsay Lohan!

Photo courtesy of MJModels.

The Limited

One of my favorite sites for frugal fashion, ASOS, is teaming up yet again with The London College of Fashion to showcase and sell Limited Edition designs from the school's emerging talent. Each creation is in very limited production, so once they sell out, you will only have eBay and a hope and a prayer to rely on!

Here are some of the collection's standouts.

LTD 100 Leather Collar Button Through by Laura Lee Brennand, approx. $215.91.

LTD 100 Printed Cowl Neck Dress by Rachael Morris, approx. $294.57.

LTD 100 Straight Leg Beaded Trouser by Daniella Kallimeyer, approx. $392.51.

Shine On

Who can say no to pretty artwork? Especially when said pretty artwork is attached to a sale. Click on the lovely image above to head over to Satine's 70% off sale, which has just begun!

Chic of the Week

Who: Zani Gugelmann, socialite.

What: Salvatore Ferragamo, Spring/Summer 2008.

When: Monday, June 9, 2008.

Where: The Dance with the Dancers Gala, sponsored by ELLE and Salvatore Ferragamo, at the New York State Theater.

Why: The color and drape of the dress are both so soft and casually elegant. She could just as easily be at a garden party, not an NYC gala, with her fresh face and with only a metallic oversized clutch for accessories.









Photos courtesy of Fashion Week Daily and Style.com.

In Wonderland

My muse this month? None other than the Adventuress of Wonderland, Miss Alice.

Alice's classic combination of blue, white and the sweetest of Mary-Janes is just right for spring and moving into the summer.

Topshop makes an updated version of Alice's LBD (Little Blue Dress), that's just a bit sleeker, but stays feminine with subtle pleats, bows and frills. Or pair their white sundress over a blue top as a modern-day pinafore. Top off with classic black Repettos and a black satin headband, but steer clear of the thick white tights, which are never flattering to the leg.

Dresses not your style? Slip on a pair of straight-leg white jeans, a blue top with just the right amount of puff, and try these faux-snake peep-toe ankle-strap flats in lieu of the traditional ballet slipper. Top off with a black silk ribbon tied around the waist (we need a bow somewhere!) and you are set to conquer any urban wonderland you might call your own.

I know I'm ready to jump down the rabbit hole. Are you next?


Topshop Silk Dress in Aqua, approx. $88.

Topshop Button Front Sun Dress, approx. $49.Full Tilt Satin Bow Headband, $4.99 (available at Tilly's).

Repetto Basic Ballet Flat, $210 (available at Bird).

Gap Puff-Sleeve Chambray Shirt, $49.50.

Snake Peeptoe, $28 (available at Urban Outfitters).

White Cropped Matchstick Jean, $85 (available at J. Crew).

Black Silk Satin Ribbon, starting at $3.98/yd (available at M&J Trimming).

Chic of the Week

Who: Georgina Chapman, designer of the label Marchesa (and brand new wife of Harvey Weinstein), pictured with Marchesa co-founder Keren Craig (at left).

What: Marchesa, of course.

When: Sunday, June 1, 2008.

Where: The 2008 CFDA Awards in Manhattan.

Why: There is something so elegant yet so Addicted to Love about this look that I adore. The head-to-toe red (lips, dress, shoes) looks sleek and cool, not Designing Women. Totally spot-on.









Photo courtesy of Style.com.