An All Star Lineup

I've never been much of a Converse girl (I think they make my feet look like long, narrow boats), but I have always loved the look...on other people, that is. I must say, however, that my curiosity was piqued upon discovering the new Converse All Star Light, part of the brand's Fall 2008 lineup. This line celebrates 100 years of the label's now iconic footwear and its "indelible connection to music and culture."

This just released style, designed specifically for women, is described as "a new, clean, simple take on the Chuck Taylor All Star Shoe" featuring a "chic, slimmer construction with minimal detailing." In high top form, these shoes take on the appearance of old fashioned wrestling sneakers (in a good way). As low tops, they look like a traditional pair of Ked's hip younger sister - the one who moved to New York and dates mostly musicians.


The All Star Light is available in gold, silver, bright pink (not shown), black and milk, but I think it will be the metallics that I will be sporting come fall.

Available at converse.com or shoes.com. Only black and milk are on sale at the moment, but stay tuned this month and next for the unveiling of the other three shades. Retail price: around $40-62.

Photos courtesy of Complex.com, Shoes.com and mnr.onthescene.com/converse/fall2008.html.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star...

I am obsessed with accessories. This should be clear by now. The latest on my radar? Baubles by Twinkle by Wenlan. Since 2000, designer Wenlan Chai has built up a virtual empire that includes everything from ready to wear, interior items such as throw pillows, bedding and uber-cool hand-tufted wool rugs, jewelry and even yarn. Not to mention the two (soon to be three--the next knitting tome is out this September) books she has penned on how to create your very own knits after her own whimsical, feminine designs.

There is so much to discuss. But my current focus and object of my affection is Twinkle's brilliant collection of necklaces and pins fashioned out of mostly metal and plastic beads of all shapes and sizes. Some creations are comprised solely of a subtle and delicate pendant dangling on a superlong chain, while others are large, colorful and slightly madcap, writhing and twisting around each other. This fall I will be centering all outfits around these inventive and stylish creations.

Another gem? Basically all of TbW's delectable costume jewelry rings in at under $200. No longer do we have to wish upon a star for gorgeous, statement making jewelry that doesn't take up an entire paycheck.

Clockwise from top right: Lumber Jack Pin, $108; Starry Night Necklace, $123; Constellation Necklace, $99; Fox Pin, $108; Heavy Metal Necklace, $136; Rock Candy Necklace, $194 (as seen in August's Teen Vogue).

Dress you up in my love

Is it possible to have a crush on an item of clothing? I'm thinking yes. Maybe that's just because I am currently stalking a particular dress online, casually flirting with the "Add to Cart" button. Coyly taking the credit card out of my wallet, only to get an attack of purchasing shyness, and promptly putting said card back into my white cobra Kingsley billfold.

The object of my affection? A charcoal colored silk number by Ted Baker. What makes this otherwise simple little number so crushworthy is not its length or its label, it is actually the substantial ruffle that extends from the middle of the neck to the middle of the back, creating an asymmetric, unexpected touch culminating in a cascading ribbon. It's slightly avant-garde and runway ready, but still exudes a certain sexiness and femininity that has me all a-twitter. I also sort of oddly love the unnecessarily long and complicated title given to the dress because, well, maybe I'm a little complicated too.

Ted Baker Silk Ruffle Detail One Shoulder Dress, $281.19 (available at ASOS).

Chaimping at the Bit

They say patience is a virtue. "They" clearly were not being forced to wait a month for designer Richard Chai's undeniably fantastic collection for Target, due online and in stores August 3rd. After a few, let's face it, disappointing partnerships (Rogan, anyone?), this new union is beyond welcome in this girl's eyes.

Chai's designs for the line fall somewhere in between relaxed and easy going and edgy and sharp, with particular focus on graphic prints, long cardigans, slouchy skirts and a fall palette of purples, grays and greens. I can't wait to snatch up the cream and purple colorblock dress, a thigh-grazing long sweater (or two), the sure to sell out embellished white tee and well, just about everything else in this just plain cool collection.

T-minus 28 days...

Looks from Richard Chai's Spring/Summer 2008 and Fall/Winter 2008 Collections.

Photos courtesy of Nylon and Style.com.

Minnie Mouse

Devon Dress, $240

With the Fourth of July just a day away, the modern-Americana looks of Minnie Mortimer, socialite-cum-designer, feel just right. The collection is centered on crisp shirtdresses, red stripes, tailored shorts and gingham. Perfect with just a few gold bangles, a pair of espadrilles and fuss-free summer hair. Clambakes, outdoor cocktail parties and cookouts on the beach - here we come! Now if we had a sprawling estate in the Hamptons to call our own...

All styles available at Minnie Mortimer.

Georgia Dress, $200

Lilly Blouse, $185

Tatiana Dress, $240

Bag Lady

I love me some Urban Outfitters, don't get me wrong. But while they are a go-to for sunglasses, hats and the occasional skinny jean (and yes, I'll admit, I definitely bought ironic t-shirts there during high school and college), they aren't my first or favorite destination for bags. I certainly own baubles, scarves and every other accessory under the sun from there, but never bags.

Visiting their website today, however, I received a pleasant surprise. They have some great bags! That aren't all made out of PVC!!! Standouts include the Folio Briefcase bag, that has a very vintage/Lanvin feel to it, the slouchy Sabina Leather Convertible satchel and the obsession-worthy Leather Tooled Doctor bag. These are definitely on my radar for fall, with their rich color palette and easy, throw-on-with-jeans-and-a-sweater shapes.

Clockwise from top left: Leather Tooled Doctor Bag, $98; Sabina Leather Convertible Satchel, $245; Folio Briefcase Bag, $58; Suede Tassel Hobo, $68; Coast to Coast Camera Bag, $34; Sabina Convertible Leather Bag, $245.

Come Fly With Me

Let's talk about Bird LA. This Los Angeles Boutique, opened by globe-trotter Wendy Vaughan in 2001, focuses on hand-selected merchandise that is more unique, less "It." No bags-of-the-moment or logos inside these doors. The result? Well-edited pieces from designers both unheard of and much buzzed about from magazine to magazine. Think VPL, B. Romanek, Repetto and Havaianas alongside Demitasse, Hanro and Gary Graham. A great collection of jewelry from multiple labels, underpinnings that are the right combination of soft and sexy and dresses, tops and jackets that would look at home in any of this world's hemispheres.

Some looks wind up more in the fabulous than the flat broke price range, but there are many deals to be found as well. And isn't it always worth spending a wee bit more for a look that is special and personal? Let's face it - we all deserve a little splurge every once in awhile (especially on ourselves).

Clockwise from top left: Bear Head Necklace by Disaya, $588; Elastic Sandal by VPL, $295; Green Round Star Ring by Luc Keifer, $185; Flash White Thong by Havaianas, $20; Sweet Valley Bikini by Kushcush, $210; Ultra Night Sky Jelly by Melissa, $325; Suede Necklace by Isabela Caputo, $275; Tiare Coconut Milk Candle by Burn Candles, $55; Brown Breaker Tank by VPL, $165.

Current Obsession: Alice + Olivia

Even though almost all of these would be considered binges by FB&F standards, and I hate to tempt you to shop even more than you probably are with all the summer sales going on, but I just needed to share my current obsession with Alice + Olivia summer dresses with someone so I'm no longer trolling Shopbop and Chick Downtown by myself......sorry!

But if anyone has a summer birthday check or a stimulus check burning a hole in their pocketbook, please indulge me and spend it on one of these gorgeous dresses.

Oh and I am almost 100% sure that Blair will wear the Garden Party Dress (bottom right) while in the Hamptons on an episode of Gossip Girl next season

From left to right: Pleated Puff Dress $495 at Shopbop, Tootsie Dress $198 at Shopbop, Sequin Ombre Dress $495 at Shopbop

From left to right: Deco Colorblock Dress $198 at Chick Downtown , Garden Party Dress $440 at Chick Downtown

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.

On a Roll...

Gwyneth Paltrow, former and self-proclaimed style icon, has been laying low as of late, keeping her red carpet appearances relatively limited and her awe-inspiring style moments even more few and far between. She has been spending time across the Atlantic being a hands-on mom to her kids, which is a very refreshing move for an A-lister to make. I am very impressed by this and have a great deal of respect for this choice, but the lover of glamour in me missed red carpet Gwyneth. I missed the Gucci velvet suits and simple, modern Calvin Kleins of her style reign (end of the 90s/beginning of the millennium).

There has been something in the air recently, however. Ms. Paltrow has been getting it oh-so-right. From Jay-Z's wedding to her whirlwind press tour for Iron Man, GP has not missed a beat. With her incredible haircut to her newfound embrace of her killer gams, she is looking amazing. Great short frocks that are simple with a touch of edge (white for night, embellishments, super brights, cut outs, asymmetric hemlines and necklines) paired with the simplest yet spot-on choices of jewelry and her now ubiquitous sky-high heels have become her latest staples.

Gwynnie was just our Chic of the Week, but just one mention did not seem like enough; a tribute was more in order. And we are not the only ones to take notice of the actress's sexy new incarnation--her transformation is being hailed from the smallest blogs to the largest fashion mags and newspapers across the world.

Go, GP, go!

In Proenza Schouler at Beyonce and Jay-Z's wedding on April 4th.

Wearing super-high (seven inches!), black McQueen heels, jewelry by H. Stern and a lacy Balmain mini on April 24th.

In Sonia Rykiel, black Louboutin stilletos and a Chanel clutch at the Berlin premiere of Iron Man on April 22nd.

Gwyneth in vintage YSL and black leather Givenchy sandals in New York on April 7th.

Pretty in pink in Dior at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation "Hottest Pink Party" in New York, April 8.

























Ms. Paltrow sporting a black Preen mini and Giuseppe Zanotti lace heels (at left) in Rome on the morning of April 23rd.








Photos courtesy of Dotspotter, OK! Magazine UK, People.com, Marie Claire UK, Celebutopia, The Fashion Spot and Sawf News.

Is there an Echo in here?

For a long time, I have been trying to figure out how to make silk scarves work for me. I've long loved an Hermes silk and other various incarnations, but have been frankly bewildered how to incorporate them naturally and skillfully into my own wardrobe. The headscarf look made famous by Jackie O and denizens of St. Tropez decades ago and then once again by It Girls such as Nicole Richie in recent years has never looked right on me. Try and try again, I always looked more cleaning lady than jetsetter.

Silk scarf around the neck? I always felt way too Diane Keaton in the remake of Father of the Bride. So, for the past seven years or so I have been doing the cop out way: tying the silk square onto my tote or whatever handbag I was carrying when the mood struck me. Nothing daring there.

Recently, I decided to buck up and just give the old nautical themed Hermes I've had for years a try casually strewn around my neck. The result? I loved it. With a little courage I have sneaked this timeless accessory into my look and around my neck and am now completely hooked. Since this watershed fashion moment for me, I have my eye on nearly every scarf currently on the market.

Carrying the best designs for the best prices by far is Echo. Seriously, there is a scarf to match every recent [great] fashion trend--stars, ikat, modern art. These scarves are an easy way to add color and a little bit of Grace Kelly into your wardrobe, which let's face it, we all need.

STARS


Echo "Star Spangled" - available in fresh lime, pucci pink and white, $48

BALENCIAGA/IKAT

Echo Ikat with Metallic Square, $78

PAINTERLY

Echo "Paint Stroke Stripes," $48

Echo "Crossroads," $78 and Animal Spectator Neckerchief, $25

Completely Obsessed with People.com

I already gave up my celebrity gossip addiction (it was pretty out of hand -thank you very much Perez Hilton), but I cannot stop visiting People.com because of their great style section.

Now, while I may not have the same style as some of People Magazine's regulars (hello the stars of High School Musical with their hoodies and short shorts), People.com has a great feature called Looks for Less where they find outfits worn by celebs I might actually try to emulate like Nicole Richie and Cameron Diaz, but for way less $ which is definitely my style.

Obsessed with...Pour la Victoire

I'm dying over these shoes. Seen in Lucky's January issue, Pour la Victoire is quickly making a splash with their inventive color palette and wildly affordable price points. Zippers and double ankle straps give the shoes sex appeal, but never cross the line. Most of all, I love the pairing of shades that don't often find themselves as bedfellows, like red matched with pink or purple paired with sky blue.

For those who don't like to showcase R.O.Y.G.B.I.V. below their ankles, Pour la Victoire (which translates to For the Victory) also features tamer taupes and tans as well as your basic black.

Lourdes Heel, $208.99; Babette Heel, $187.99 (at Heels.com)

Prudence Pump, $164.95 (at Nordstrom)

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I have recently become obsessed with jewelry. Oh, I've always swooned over Cartier, Garrard and the like (Talk to me, Harry Winston), for most of my life I have preferred a pared down look. Maybe an antique gold ring here or an flippy earring there, but otherwise I've always kept it kept it simple.

As of late, I find myself piling on two, three, even four necklaces at once (in addition to the delicate diamond pendant and Me & Ro gold star necklace, with the tiny padlock charm found on 7th Avenue I added, both of which I never take off) or adding brooches along the collar, to a scarf or sometimes to a fabric headband. The quirkier the better. That's why these garden-fresh pins have caught my eye. I think they would look great clustered together on a lapel or a low front-pocket on a blazer. Even as a fun adornment to a plain purse. There are no rules, which is half the fun!

Sparkling Radish Garden Brooch, $148 and Sparkling Carrot Garden Brooch, $158 (available at Anthropologie).

Extended Sex and The City Trailer

The perfect cure for your Friday-and-stuck-at-work-boredom is here - the brand new 3 minute trailer for the Sex and The City movie! I admit that I was hesitant about seeing this movie out of fear that they might ruin the incredible show, but this trailer was so good that I got goosebumps.

Warning: You learn a lot about the plot, cheating, weddings, Big's full name, babies, so don't watch if you want it all to be a surprise!

Obsessed with....the Calypso Pazzi Dress

Ladies this is it. This is the dress that everyone needs to own in as many colors as possible. The Pazzi Dress from CALYPSO is the perfect shift dress for the following reasons:

1) It is universally flattering

2) Works with tights and a belted cardigan in the winter

3) Works with a patent leather belt and heels for a dressy occassion

4) Works with a ponytail and gladiator sandals for a causal summer dinner/party

5) Has side pockets for lipgloss and a phone

6) Is made of silk, but is meant to look crushed so it is perfect for traveling

7) Retails for $195, and you will definitely wear it more than that $200 pair of shoes you have been thinking about

8) It comes in 21 colors, so take your pick!

From left: Azzur, White, Kumquat, Midnight, Emerald

From left: Black, Cajun, Aegean, Deep Pink, Slate

Obsessed with...Roberta di Camerino

A Vintage Bagonghi, $2,192 (available at Forzieri).

Clearly this gorgeous Roberta di Camerino bag is out of my price range, that's why it's an obsession, not a collection. Thankfully for those of us who find $2000 a little steep, there is a little thing called eBay. I've been trolling around eBay to find a deal on and off for the past couple of years on a great, vintage style, never finding The One...or finding it and losing it to a higher bidder. Right now, I am actually bidding on a quirky, vintage R di C Trompe L'Oeil tote in green and red ringing in at only $45. Bidding ends tomorrow--keep your fingers crossed for me.

For those of you who don't quite trust eBay, or who can afford to spend amounts in the 4 digit range, not just the 2 digits I'm currently working with, new styles as well as updates of the classics can be purchased at Barney's stores (and on their website) and online at Forzieri. This euro-based site even carries some vintage models, like the "Bagonghi" pictured above.

For those of you who are hearing about R di C for the first time, I hope you've fallen in love like I have. Below, I've included a history of the brand if you'd like to learn a little more. I ask only one thing in return--please don't outbid me.

A collection of vintage styles (thank you to www.robertadicamerino.com).

A History of Style

Courtesy of the Roberta di Camerino website

It all started with a bag, almost by chance, followed by others, many others, in a kaleidoscope of forms, colours and materials. In fact she was the first designer to attribute a key role to accessories in a woman's wardrobe.

Her creations feature the inborn style and class she conveys to all her work, united with a remarkable sense of colour and a predilection for fine materials. First and foremost "soprarizzo" velvet with new Trompe-l'oeil designs, handwoven on antique looms, according to the Venetian tradition, to retain its unique qualities intact, as well as satin, nappa leather, suede, crocodile, python, shaved mink.

Her path to fame was rapid and relentless. In 1956 she received the prestigious Neiman Marcus "Oscar of Fashion" Award and her bags were all the rage in fashion circles, lauded by greats such as Coco Chanel and Christian Dior, not to mention the success of her famous "Bagonghi" bag as carried by Grace Kelly, Andie McDowell and Isabella Rossellini, or the "Caravel", preferred by Madonna.

In 1963 Roberta di Camerino was invited by Giorgini to Palazzo Pitti's Sala Bianca to present her apparel line, featuring a range of extremely innovative garments that drew their inspiration from trompe-l'oeil, that most magical and deceptive of pictorial traditions.

Each garment's features are printed on jersey fabric, from the buttons and button-holes, to jacket lapels, the blouse, double cuffs, pockets and skirt. Outfits designed to offer the dynamic woman a briefcase-sized wardrobe, commenting with a touch of irony on the limited practicality of the traditional tailleur.

A style revolution in which the cut of the outfit and its construction are replaced by drawn outlines.

In 1965 she bought an island in the Venetian lagoon, once the Republic of Venice's Polveriera or munitions depot, transforming it into a multi-purpose space where she organized a series of spectacular "fashion" shows from 1966 to 1976.

Roberta di Camerino has always been a precursor of the times and an enthusiastic experimenter of new techniques. And while she is the source of numerous innovative styles that draw on the irony of Pop Art or the mysticism of De Chirico, her true passion is surrealism, the artistic style with which she feels greatest affinity, with its intentionally "hyper" forms and triumphant colours.

Salvador Dalì told her: "It's the first time I've seen art in fashion. It takes talent and you've got plenty of that..."

Today the Roberta di Camerino brand offers not only lines of leather wear, apparel and scarves, but also accessories, including footwear, belts, watches and glasses, plus décor objects and much more. This creative scope has made the brand one of the most highly reputed in the world, not to mention one of the best represented in museums.

Roberta di Camerino can be found in fine department stores and boutiques throughout the world.