Golden Girl

Looking for a new look for next week's nye bash? Well, read on for one of my newest obsessions. I was lucky enough to receive a bunch of Bobbi Brown gifts this Christmas. If you haven't used the Shimmer Brick Compact, you are truly missing out. The compact lets you easily create more drama and depth in your everyday make-up routine. I was thrilled when I opened up my Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick (limited edition). And the adorable lip gloss gift set with the golden bag to keep them in is too perfect. It's no wonder I enjoyed sitting down with Bobbie Brown make-up artist, Loran, to talk about New Years Eve make-up looks:

Loran: The Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick has been a huge hit this season. The colors work so well with all skin tones and complexions, it really is a great addition to any cosmetic bag. The best part is, it is for both cheeks and eyes.

Fashionista: That's great! I actually have that product and I was wondering, is it best to layer over make-up or to be worn on its own?

Loran: Sweep the Face Blender Brush across all shades in the compact and apply on the top of cheekbones where light naturally hits your face. Also, you may use the shades individually on your eyes for a pretty highlight! I recommend layering over your blush in the evening for a pretty glow on your cheeks. On the eyes, I recommend wearing by itself, paired with an eye liner such as Mahogany Eye Shadow applied with the Eye Liner Brush.

Be sure to go onto Bobbi Brown's site for a substantial amount of beauty 101 tips and tricks. The entire Holiday Collection is 25% off! And lastly, they have make-up artists that you can chat live with!

photo via bobbi brown

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas. We hope you get everything you've wished for & we hope Santa was good to you. Happy Holidays to every fashionista out there in the world!

Life in Black & White

Chanel

Earlier this week, I touched on alternative styles to the lbd. Granted, I am a black chic fan as much as the next person, but sometimes women just need to broaden their horizons. Lets take a page out of Coco's book and focus on dressing in our favorite classy looks, black & white.

The best part about this trend? Although it looks extremely polished in the winter, it is a year round classic! Black and white combinations create depth and contrast and can be incorporated into your ensemble no matter the occasion. Here's how:

Everyday:

Emporio Armani, Oscar de la Renta

Cocktail Party:

John Richmond, Moschino

Evening:

Oscar de la Renta, Gile Deacon

photos via style

Stripe Tease

Let's face it, stripes really do get a bad rap. There are plenty who vow never to wear them, others who only wear a certain directional stripe, and those who spread word of mouth of the dangers stripes can cause. Vertical, horizontal, diagonal, thick, thin... they are all fashionable and can all be flattering.

Now, unless you have been living under a rock, you know how huge menswear is right now. So it was only a matter of time until the classic men's fabric (pinstripe) started its own trend.

These models above are adorable paired together (wearing Emporio Armani), but their looks are strong with or without one another. Now, you might now have the courage to pair two fully striped items of clothing together at once, but we can take some tips from this look. Stripes look bold and fresh with big, chunky jewelery. Stripes are a very masculine pattern, so make sure the fabrics are soft and accessorize with feminine pieces (such as heels, flower brooches, pearls, and bows).

See, stripes aren't so scary now are they? They are actually a lot of fun!

Rubin Singer, Sonia Rykiel


D&G, Giorgio Armani


D&G, Christian Lacroix

photos via style

5p1t

With a unique name, this line is as intriguing as its label, representing 5-pocket jeans & 1 t-shirt.

The creative result of Richard Morse and Daryl Sneed, 5p1t started out with recognition by Fashion Group International as a Rising Star of Chicago.

I bumped into Richard last Friday at his trunk show and had the chance to speak to him about his line. This line is meant to give women elegant and classic alternatives to the basic staples. The inspiration for the line was to steer women away from wearing the same basic uniform day after day. Funny thing is, I was wearing just that when I bumped into him, clearly accessorized with chunky jewelry and a braided headband. I also couldn't help but gush over his silk dresses. This red dress is our favorite, with its bow belt, ruffles & all.

This line can be found on the third floor of Macy's on State, in the Chicago Designers Section.

photo via secondcitystyle

Looks we Love...

Lanvin Party Dresses

Looking for a party dress in a color other than black? Look no further than the designs of Alber Elbaz for Lanvin's Spring 2009 collection. These colorful frocks are great alternatives to the ever popular lbd for a night out on the town. Even better, these are great looks for daytime festivities as well. Crystal studding, embroidery, sparkly flowers, flouncy shapes, and colorful high heels glided down the runway... we just hope they glide right into our closets.

photos via style

Chic Chicago

Hate Mondays? The Chicago History Museum wants to change that. They offer free admissions on Mondays, and with an exhibition dedicated to extraordinary garments, who could hate that? Chic Chicago (now through July 26, 2009) highlights styles worn from 1861 to 2004 and includes some of the most well known couturiers in the world.

FashioNext is a competition featuring established Chicago fashion designers. The designers were inspired by the pieces in the exhibition and the winning garment will become part of the museum's permanent costume collection. Follow the competition here.

photos via flicker & chicago history museum

Shop Jake

Some of us fashionistas are privileged enough to fly out to New York to attend the latest trunk shows. For the rest of us, there's shopjake.com, the website of the Chicago boutique, Jake. The site previews main pieces from up coming collections. Jake carries designers from Marc Jacobs to Loeffler Randall and Alexander Wang to Thread Social. Jake has also been featured inLucky, WWD, Style.com, Elle.com & style.com. Best part? Customers are able to request a messanger service. How's that for vip treatment.

Oh & ps. They are having a killer sale happening right now. Happy Shopping!

photos via shopjake

Youthful Jemma Wynne

Stephanie Sheikowitz and Jenny Klatt, two twenty-something designers, met while working for Ripka. And the two of them are teaming up and creating a new jewelry line, Jemma Wynne.

The collection is unique yet classic, and a dream for any women who is innovative, creative, & has a youthful style. The pieces are perfect to mix and match and layer together, for a one of a kind look. Jemma Wynne will include stackable bangles, pendants, earrings, cocktail rings, necklaces.

My favorite part of this line? The colors! They are so rich and vibrant, I can't wait to slip my fingers into a cocktail ring or two when the line finally arrives!

Prices range from $1,000 to $20,000

photo via behance

Calling all Fashionistas!

This Saturday, MTV is casting for a new series...

"We are casting a new television series for MTV that will bring a group of people to New York City to work directly with a world-renowned fashion designer. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be intimately involved in the fashion business, to meet and work with a team of fashion experts, and to participate in the creation of a fashion line.

We are looking for creative, outgoing, self-confident, and TALENTED people PASSIONATE about fashion.

If you want to learn more, please email us at mtvfashioncasting@gmail.com"

Elise Bergman

With 2009 Pre-Fall lines already making their debut, I think now would be the appropriate time to take a time-out and focus on a great 2008 Fall-Winter line. Elise Bergman is an up & coming Chicago-based designer that is currently being featured in Macys. Her designs are classic and elegant with unexpected twists. Be sure to check out here site here. We can't wait to see her Spring line!




photos via Elise Bergman

"Bananas Amazing"

Even though the Rachel Zoe Project only debuted with 688,000 viewers in it's first season (compared to 1.97 Stylista has each week) it did create a phenomenon and a cult-like following. This cult-like following (which we are clearly apart of) was enough of a reason for Bravo to pick up a second season, scheduled to air sometime in mid-2009. This means we get to follow Zoe around in the tents next fashion week! We die.

Spotted: Prada, Missoni, Pucci & Marc Jacobs

...At T. J. Maxx?? Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal wrote an article about the recession's effect on bargain stores such as T. J. Maxx. If you can handle a treasure hunt consisting of digging through racks & racks of heinous clothes, you may be on your way to your next fashion treasure!

note: we have heard about Karl Lagerfeld, Armani, Balenciaga, Rebecca Taylor & Vera Wang being spotted here as well.

Behind the Scenes...

When we first learned about The City (The Hills spin off, starring Whitney Port) we couldn't wait. Whitney was leaving la for nyc to work at DvF, or so we thought. A current employee at DvF discussed what really was going on behind the scenes.

“Well, she just goes into the office to shoot scenes like she works there, like what they did on The Hills. Actually, it’s kind of sad. When they film her spots, they make the girls that actually work there move from their desks and into some cubicles in another part of the floor, because they’re actually working, but the camera people want Whitney and her on-screen work friend to look like they have real desks... And when the scenes are done, Whitney leaves. She doesn’t really work there.”

For some reason, we thought this time it would be different. Even though we heard the same stories from our friends at Teen Vogue about The Hills, we were really hoping The City would be more realistic. Sounds like a bunch of scenes filled with Whitney and a co-"worker" gossiping, only this time its in ny.

Another thing, DvF is actually posting articles related to the show on their website & Whitney started her own style website, where you can learn more about her own line.

What do you think? Were you surprised by the news like we were?

image via iside dvf

Shopaholics Anonymous

Turns out one in 20 of us (both men & women) are shopaholics. MSN reports on the topic here...and they say it like it's a bad thing.



Famous Shopaholics:
Marie Antoinette
Mary Todd Lincoln
William Randolph Hearst
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Imelda Marcos
Princess Diana

The September Issue

R.J. Cutler's Vogue Documentary will be competing at The Sundance Film Festival next January. Formerly, "Untitled Anna Wintour Documentary" now titled as The September Issue. The documentary will follow Ms. Wintour and staff of editors, photographers, & interns for nine months as they create the September 2007 issue. Fingers crossed for a win!!
photo via insider

Winter Wonderland

Just because the temperature is dropping, doesn't mean you have an excuse to let your fashion sense drop as well! Please, my fellow fashionistas, do not bundle up in just anything. One of the most common reasons winter-wear is not always the most stylish of items, is because it is unflattering. Make sure you try to avoid items that make you appear chubbier than you actually are, such as thick mittens, baggy sweatshirts or certain snow boots.

There are so many chic varieties of winter wear out there, it just takes a little bit of effort. We recommend investing in a knee-length wool coat, this length will help slenderize your body, rather than chop it in half. Or, if you have room in the budget- a fur coat is best! That is one winter item that always reads "glamorous".

Also, Accessories make an outfit that much better, so have fun with them! Add broaches onto your hats, scarves, or sweaters. Wear chunky jewelry over your gloves and turtlenecks. Keep in mind that gloves are much more flattering to your hands than mittens are.
Do not be afraid to wear skirts and dresses. By layering dresses over tights, you can keep your legs toasty and also stay chic! That way you can still wear your favorite heels all winter long. This season there are some great textured tights out there.

I don't know if its the fact that the city lights are covered in a layer of glittering snow, but metallics always seem chicer in the winter. Try to mix them up, silvers, bronzes, and golds. Metallics pair wonderfully with creams, blacks, and plum.

How do you stay stylish in the icy weather?

Sneak Peak!

Here is an exclusive look at Diane von Furstenberg's Pre-Fall 2009 line, thanks to WWD!





photos via wwd

au revoir Te Casan

Te Casan just announced that its creative line of shoes is folding. This makes us sad, since they had such a great company concept. The brand snagged seven experienced yet unknown designers and had them design a new shoe each week! One of our favorite lines was Natalie Portman for Te Casan. Her "Punch" style was adorable, and was also seen worn by little J on "Gossip Girl" and Whitney Port on "The Hills."

bye bye te casan... you will be missed.

images via gossip girl closet, who what wear, & te casan

First Lady of Style

Michelle is one lucky lady. WWD just recently asked designers to submit sketches of their visions of what they think Michelle should be wearing on the big day! The look in this photo is amazing, designed by dearest Diane von Furstenberg herself! Defiantly, hands down, no questions asked, our top pick for her day-time look. There are plenty of other great designs submitted though... take a look at the slideshow!

As far as evening looks, they are all so gorgeous. We really are dying to see Michelle in this Monique Lhuillier. This dress commands attention, class, power, and beauty.

Michelle definatly has her fair share of stylish choices to select from.

images via wwd

Fashion Book

Shopping is usually so much fun, but when it comes time for shopping for the holidays, it can be stressful. This Christmas, be sure to check out Barnes & Nobel and pick up the perfect book for everyone on your shopping list! I understand not everyone out there worships fashion as much as we do... but if they did, then they would surely love all of these fabulous books!

The Inspiration Book:
100 Years of Fashion Illustrations, Cally Blackman

Over 400 stunning fashion illustrations and is full of beauty. Truly Magnificent.

The Coffee Table Book:
American Style, Kelly Killoren Bensimon

I received this book as a gift from a fashion editor, believe me, its good. This book does a superb job of showing the history of style in America. It is filled with wonderful photographs and captions. A coffee table would be lucky to display such a great book.

The How-To Book:
How to Walk in High Heels: The Girl's Guide to Everything, Camilla Morton

This book is as good as it sounds. I've read it multiple times. Trust me, you'll wonder how you got through life without it.

The Interview Book:
Influence, Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen

This book is full of inspiring fashion interviews. If you have an interest in fashion, photography, and the surrounding culture, you will fully enjoy these interviews. Look forward to interviews with Karl Lagerfeld and many more!

The Fictional Book:
Confessions of a Shopaholic, Sophie Kinsella

I read this book in 2001 the year it originally came out. The instant I turned the page to the last chapter, I knew this book would make a great movie. Granted, I was only 15 years old at the time, but still. The movie looks amazing, but trust me, so was the novel!

The Stylist in a Book:
The One Hundred: The Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own, Nina Garcia

Just like having your own personal stylist to help you clean out & fill up your closet! Garcia helps women of all ages edit their own personal style voice. This book also has a wonderful collection of illustrations as well.

The BFF Book:
Barbie, Assouline

This one is a bit of a splurge, but we couldn't help but fall in love with it. Published in honor of Barbie's 50th anniversary, it is filled with pages covered in photographs of Barbie being dressed in endless designers and quotes from various fashion icons. A great gift for the young at heart.

images via bn