Fall Wishlist #5: Aigle Ecuyer Boot

There's nothing nicer than having warm, dry feet during a rainy day.

This year, I'm going to buy these Aigle rubber boots to look stylish during San Francisco rainy days.  The shiny rubber looks almost like patent leather, and the streamlined (non-Wellie) look is perfect if you're going to be trekking around a frosty East Coast city.

Aigle Ecuyer Boots $198

Lauren Conrad wearing the Aigle Ecuyer boots.  

Chic and Affordable Jewelery: Rich Rocks NYC

Is it embarassing to be nearly 40 years old and still love shows like Gossip Girl, Keeping up with the Kardashians, and The Hills?  I think it keeps me young.  RY thinks (and others) think I'm slowly killing off any remaining brain cells that survived childbirth and motherhood.

Well, I guess one benefit of being obsessed with these shows is I have no shortage of fashion inspirations.  I stumbled on Rich Rocks last year during the height of my obsession with Lily van der Woodsen (the mom character on Gossip Girl).  She's kind of a plain looking character who wears rich but plain clothes - but her accessories are absolutely amazing.

Rich Rocks has a lot of big, glam costume jewelery.  A lot of celebrities, especially the cast of Gossip Girl, have been photographed wearing their jewelery on the red carpet.  But I've found a lot of well priced, everyday pieces in their collection as well - below are some of my favorites!

Large gold tone pave clover hoops
$75



Small White Full Clover Pave Hoops
$42



Gold & Silver Hammered Fringer Necklace $70
You get two necklaces - one gold, one silver (only the gold one is shown here).  Looks great together or
apart.  I have a necklace very similar to this and it's incredibly versatile.  I like wearing it long but adding in
2 or 3 other gold-tone necklaces in varying lengths. 

Fall Wishlist #4: JCrew Booker Boots

Have you noticed how hard it is to find a pair of simple, good quality boots?

Everything these days is either cowboy (think Frye) or motorcycle inspired.  Yuck to both.  I especially hate Frye boots.  Leave aside the fact that they fit horribly - the bigger philosophical question is - why the hell would I want to look like a cowboy?

Anyways, I've gone 3 seasons without buying a new pair of boots because I can't find one that looks normal.  So my hunt for the perfect boot started early this season. 

What I really want is this Chloe buckle strap boot ... $975 hurts a little but I was going to justify the cost by telling myself that it'll go with any outfit and I can get many years of wear out of it.  To be honest,  neither statement is particularly true. 



Chloe Buckle Strap Boot $975

 Happily, I saw this boot on J.Crew's fall catalogue.  Is it as fabulous at the Chloe boot?  No.  But it is a close alternative?  Absolutely.  Plus they always do a 20% off boot sale sometime in September/October - so I'll just wait and snag these beauties in black and brown when they go on promo.  Two boots for less than the price of one- who can beat that?  :-)

J.Crew Booker Boot $298

Maternity Inspiration Styles

I caught up with 3 pregnant girlfriends this weekend who asked for style tips on staying fabulous through their pregnancy.  EF, CT and JT - this entry it dedicated to you gorgeous mamas! 

1.  Jersey is your friend
Jersey dresses are comfortable and stylish.  Look at how amazing Selma Blair looks in the Isabella Oliver maternity dresses.  I reallyl love the olive one in the middle ... the color is great, as is the boatneck and the rusching.  (hint - see my posting on Rich Rocks NYC later this week - there's a necklace that looks a lot like the one Selma Blair is wearing).

2.  Show off your legs
Just because you have a bump doesn't mean you can't still show off some leg.  Kate Hudson looks adorable in these above-the-knee dresses.  I personally can't tolerate heels (pregnant or not!), but if you can swing it - a pair of 5" Louboutins will make you one sexy hot mama. 

3.  Accessorize
Now's the time to play up scarves, necklaces, shoes, bags, hats - anything to draw attention away from your belly! 

4.  Look great in long, flowy dresses
I love the way pregnant women look in long, flowy dresses.  Small all-over prints tend to work better than bold geometric prints (depending on the stage of your pregnancy).  Bold colors (think jewel tones) work great too!  In chilly SF weather throw on a cardigan to complete the look.

Ideas for bridesmaids dresses

I just had brunch with my dear friend AT, who got engaged a few weeks ago and is starting to plan her fabulous Malibu wedding (can't wait, AT!!).  It got me thinking about bridesmaid dresses ...

1.  White bridesmaids dresses - is it weird or is it chic?
Both Kim Kardashian and Kate Middleton went for the all white look and I can't decide if I like it or hate it.  What do you guys think? 

2.  Mix of colors and silhouettes
I love it when brides vary the hues and silhouettes of their bridesmaids dresses.  Case in point - Khloe Kardashian's wedding - three shades of purple & 3 silhouettes add a lot of depth & dimension to the overall look.

3.  Love Thread Social!!
I have been in love with this Thread Social bridesmaid dress forever.  The best part is that this is definitely wearable as a non-bridesmaid dress!  It comes in a number of colors - check out the Thread Social website.  It's also available on the Priscila Boston website.

Iconic watch: the Cartier Tank Francaise

For as long as I remember, I have always loved the clean lines of the Cartier Tank Francaise:

But when RY offered to buy me one for my birthday a few years ago, I felt frivolous spending so much money on a watch (I know, I know ... what was I thinking???!!!!)  There we were in the jewelery store near the Spanish Steps in Rome, and I kept insisting on buying another less expensive watch.

Lucky for me, RY knew me well enough to disregard my temporary moment of insanity and bought me the Cartier.  Nearly 2,000 wears later, I am still as enamored with this watch as I was 10 years ago.  It's simple, elegant, classic, and goes with any outfit.

Lesson learned:  if you're going to wear something every single day for the rest of your life - take the splurge and get something you really want - you won't regret it.

How to pull off the multi-layered bangle look

My friend CT loves to wear bangles.  She recently bought a huge stack of bangles (you can hear her clanking from a mile away) so it inspired me to write an entry on bangle bracelets.  This one's for you, CT!


Why this works:  JA's bangles are super thin, so you can really layer them on
and still get things done b/c they're not weighing down your arms like 5lb hand arm weights.
I think this look is especially interesting if you mix brushed gold and shiny gold bracelets.

Why this doesn't work:  while this is undeniably stylish, it's just not practical for anyone who
has to get anything done.  Can you imagine trying to type on your laptop?  So while not
practical for the average human being, the key lesson to take away from this
inspiration photo is the eclectic mix of designs, textures, and shapes.  This is better illustrated
in the photo below ...

Why this works:  VH mixes two different bracelts by Maria Melinda (http://www.melindamaria.com/).  
This particular style is called the Pod - she's wearing the infinity pod and the 
mini pod.  It's really hard to tell from the tiny picture but the infinity pod is an awesome bracelet -
each pod is a different size and they're all textured (but not hammered, which I hate). 

Why this works: JC, who is hands down the most fashionable woman I know,
looks incredibly chic w/ 1 thick-ish bangle bracelet worn high up
on her arm.   A great bracelet for this look is House of Harlow's black lether Aztec
bracelet (http://www.charmandchain.com/products/navy-aztec-bangle). 

Buy Creme de la Mer tax free @ BlissWorld

I really hate paying taxes.  Now that they're almost 10% in San Francisco, I go out of my way to avoid paying taxes (even if I end up paying more with shipping).  It's the principle of it all.

So when I recently ran out of my Creme de La Mer I searched high and low for an etailer who'll sell it tax free.

Try http://www.blissworld.com/.  Even though there are Bliss spas all over California, purchases via Blissworld are tax free! 

(For those of you who have not heard of La Mer - it's this highly potent night cream that's made out of seaweed extracts.  Estee Lauder has built up this crazy lore about how it was discovered by a NASA scientist who suffered serious burns and the cream completely cured him.  Supposedly they make the cream by brewing seaweed potion in some top secret room.  I resisted buying it for years because the story is just so damn hokey ... but alas old age = dry skin and this is one of the creamiest creams available out there.  It really does the job). 

Design inspiration: Tory Burch

This weekend my pal NC asked me if I followed any good design blogs ... he was looking for inspirations for his bathroom remodel. 

I am competelyl inspired by bold, colorful designs, and no one does it better than Tory Burch.  NC - maybe these pictures will give you some inspiration for your remodel?

Psst!! Best online store for skincare stuff

For years I have been buying most of my skincare items from http://www.dermstore.com/.

This great online skincare retailer carries all of the brands I use and regularly runs 20% off promotions.  I stock up whenever they run a promo (unlike Sephora, who runs a stingy friends & family promo once a year ...).

You get free shipping, several full sized samples, and a 1-yr subscription to a magazine of your choice.  Thanks to my two recent purchases, I am getting full year subscriptions to Lucky and Vogue.

They've got a great return policy so if you're dissatisfied with anything simply call them up & they'll send you a return mailer.

I love Olivia Palermo's Style

I am SOOO ashamed to write this post so please don't hold this against me.  But I heart Olivia Palermo's style.  Yes, yes, for all you City watchers who hate her with a passion (as I do), I feel like a complete traitor.  But she completely inspires me with her cheap yet chic finds!! 


This chic pink jacket has been worn by sooo many celebrities this summer, including
Pippa Middleton (day after the wedding, in an azure blue color).  Wish I had snagged it at Zara before it sold out ...



Can you believe this is Zara?  I saw this in the store but passed it up stupidly. 
When I saw her wearing it w/ the chic shoes & bag, I immediately ran over to Zara to
buy the dress, but alas - all sold out.  Grrrr....

I was eyeing this bag all summer at Zara, but ultimately didn't get it b/c I preferred a softer
leather and a shoulder strap (in addition to the tote handles).  But it really dresses up a
plain outfit, doesn't it?

5 Minute Makeup

If you're like me - you wake up at 8:30am to catch the last 8:45am express bus downtown.  So I've perfected my morning makeup routine down to 5 mere minutes.  Don't expect to look like Sophia Loren after you follow these basic steps.  But you won't look like you stayed up all night watching Mad Men, either (oh I heart heart heart Don Draper).

Moisturizer
Cerave AM moisturizer with SPF30:  I used to use expensive creams but this one is really the best!  My dermatologist recommended it.  You get a huge bottle for $10.00 - it's not greasy, goes on really well, and offers UVA/UVB protection.  I've also given up my expensive face washes for the Cerave foaming cleanser (it is AWESOME!!!).

Foundation
You have three options here.  I go for the powder foundation because it takes 2 second to swipe it on your face.  But really you should probably have all 3 in your makeup drawer.  Or - go for the powder foundation + the liquid foundation.  Mix the liquid foundation with a little moisturizer and voila, you've got tinted moisturizer! 

Powder foundation: these come in the form factor of a compact - you apply the foundation as you would powder. It's quick to apply and offers good coverage.  I recommended the Shiseido powder foundation last time, but here are some other ones I've tried and like.  Honestly I think any brand is fine as long as you find a color that really suits your skin tone.  The trick to knowing whether you've got the right shade?  Take a hand mirror and go outside in the sunlight - that's the only way you can tell if you've got the right shade or not. 

Bare Escentuals SPF 15 Foundation: mineral based makeup gives you a matte look w/ a slight shimmer.  You'll get really good coverage with this but the only issue I have is that you have to buy a special brush & take your time blending this in. 
 
Lancome Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup: offers great coverage, plus the compact form factor means you can throw it in your work bag and re-apply.

Benefit Some Kind of Gorgeous: I used to use this religiously and I don't know why I gave it up.  It is so silky and smooth - it feels great on your skin, plus it offers sheer coverage.

Tinted Moisturizer:  tinted moisturizer offers very little coverage.  If your skin is looking good and you want some very sheer coverage, go for the tinted moisturizer route.

Laura Mercier Tinted SPF 20: this is consistently a best seller at Sephora and a must have on the Allure makeup review.  I use the sand color.  You won't look like you're wearing makeup at all when you have this on, yet your skin will look really smooth & matte.

Remeded Translucent UV Coat: this is hard to find but soooo good if you can get your hands on a bottle!  The little bottle will last you at least 1 yr.  It has the consistency of water - so you really don't feel like you're wearing makeup, but your skin will look flawless.

Liquid Foundation:  liquid foundations will give you the maximum coverage.  You can mix it with a little facial moisturizer to make your own tinted moisturizer.  Or you can apply it on top of your moisturizer for a full coverage look.  If you are taking photos - USE LIQUID FOUNDATION!  You'll feel like you have a ton of makeup on, but it'll look really good for the pictures.

Makeup Forever:  this brand has full coverage - great for taking pictures!  I used this on my friend JT and CN when I did their makeup for their weddings.  The pictures turned out great.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation: this is the creme de la creme of all foundations.  I recommended it to my friend AP and she looks incredibly gorgeous wearing it!  It's expensive b/c it's sooo light (you don't feel like you're wearing foundation) yet offers great coverage.

YSL Teint Radiance: I haven't tried this yet but I am obsessed with YSL makeup.  I am going to buy this after I run out of my current foundation.

Blush/Lipstick: these products can be used as blush and lipstick.

Stila Convertible Color: the texture is great and stays on all day.  It's a tiny compact and I always keep one in my work bag for touch ups.

Nars the Multiple: same idea, but in a stick form factor.  Orgasm is an universally flattering shade.

Eyeliner: it is so hard to find the perfect eyeliner that won't run or smudge.  I have tried everything out there ... here's what I'm obsessed with right now.

YSL Crayon Yeux Haute Tenue: goes on smooth, won't smudge, darkest of blacks ... I have received a million compliments on this one.  If it runs, put a little primer on your eyelids before you apply this.  This is the primer I use:

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer

Two cute hats

I just bought these two adorable hats from Urban Outfitters and I am in love with them.  I wore them everyday in Hawaii.  Love!!!

Basic Straw Floppy Hat $29.00
I bought this in black (for some reason, not available online, but available in-stores)
Even my grandma thinks it looks sexy (and tried to steal it from me).

Straw Fedora $24.00
To my friends BD and KL who made fun of me throughout our Vegas trip - I swear this looks
super cute.  I guarantee you'll want it once you see me wearing it in real life.

Highlights from the Shopbop End of Summer Sale

As you can all guess by now, I love deals!  So it's no surprise that I spent a few hours last night poring through the Shopbop end of season sale.  Here are some of the items in my basket - hurry and grab them before they're gone! 


Joie La Plage Coverup $59.40 (orig. $198)
Back before I acquired my baby pooch, I'd throw an oversized t-shirt over my bikini since the t-shirt
was going to come off in a matter of minutes as soon as I hit the beach.  These days, I am opting for a bit
more coverage.  Stock up on chic coverups during these end of season sales so you look fabulous
at the beach next summer!!  I love the Joie La Plage collection ... I already bought 1 in silk chiffon
print for this last trip to Hawaii ... a classic gauze (like this one pictured above) with embroidery
is a classic - you'll keep this forever.



Tote $26.40 (orig. $88)
I can never have enough totes.  This one is PERFECT because it's (1) flat bottomed so it's rooomy, and
yet (2) not too deep so it's easy to find your stuff.  This comes in 4 colors - you absolutely have
to snatch one up before they're gone!! 

Rachel Pally LaLa long dress $110 (orig. $238)
I heart maxi dresses.  Now that my closet is full of solid color maxis, it's time
to go for the prints.  This one has a criss-cross strappy back.

Dolce Vita Lynnie Racerback Dress $88 (Orig. $110)
I have been coveting a chic racerback striped dress all summer. 
This one is really chic for the city!  I would wear this with the Cole Haan lace up wedge and
a distressed leather purse.  The dress comes with a belt - so
it's a really good deal for $88.

Highlights from the J.Crew End of Season Sale

Since September is upon us, all the retailers are frantically trying to get rid of the last of their summer inventory.  Speaking of seasons, did you guys know that fall inventory actually hits the stores in mid-July?  Below is a rough summary of when new inventory flows to the stores. Hit the stores 2-3 weeks before the new season's inventory comes in for the best finds.  You might not get the best deals - but you'll be able to snag the pieces you really want (before they're too picked over).

Spring hits stores December week 5
Summer hits stores March
Fall hits stores July
Winter hits stores October

Anyways, here are some of the deals I found on the J.Crew end of season sale.  All sale items are an additional 30% off (code: mustshop). 
Note:  this is an edgier selection than I normally choose, but sales are a great way to experiment with things outside your comfort zone!  For these price points, it's fun to participate in a fashion moment!  Plus us lucky Californians can still wear these styles well into the fall ...



Summer Vest $89.99 (orig. $138)



Sequin Lattice Vest $129.99 (orig. $235)
Okay you're going to think I lost my mind recommending a medieval chain mail vest.  But I swear
this is super chic!!! See how this is styled in the pictures below - it looks completely different, right? 
Other ideas - throw this over a simple black dress to jazz it up.

Souk Top $24.99 (orig. $48)
For my friend JT - if you're reading this, please buy this top now.  It's screaming your name.

Wardrobe essential: skinny black pants

The one item in my closet I can't live without is my skinny black pants.  Paired with a blouse & black blazer and you've got a great looking semi-suit.  Paired with a checkered shirt you've got a chic weekend outfit.  It's really important to find a pair that fits your body well, in both the cut and the fabrication.  Some of the things to keep in mind are:

Rise:  do you want a low rise (below the belly) or a mid/high rise (comes up to/above your belly button)?  I personally will only wear mid/high rise jeans now (and THANK GOD high rise jeans are back in again!  As we used to say at the Gap ... crack kills.) 
Fabric: a stiffer denim is good for holding everything in, but is less comfortable because of the rigidity.  A lighter weight denim feels fantastic but can wear out quickly. 

My all time favorite black skinny pants are the AG Stilt.  It comes in several washes & fabrications - my two favorites are:

AG Stilt in a modal / polyurethane blend - it feels really soft (think velour / moleskin).
This is a true black and is less likely to fade because of the fabrication.
It's slightly thicker and fits sooo comfortably.  The true black makes it super dressy - really great for work!

AG Stilt in a 98% cotton / 2% elastane blend (think lightweight cotton - almost like a pair of khakis)
This is a remarkably comfortable pant because the cotton is lightweight and soft -
the more you wash it, the softer it gets.  I have 2 pairs of this jean but my only complaint is that it
fades after lots of washes.  Make sure you turn it inside out and wash it in cold
water - never, ever put it in the dryer!!

Fall wishlist #3: polished weekend look

Most weekends ... scratch that ... EVERYDAY I find myself wearing the same mom uniform:  black lulu lemon pants, gap long sleeve tee, grey sweatshirt. 

One of my goals this fall is to look more polished on weekends, whether I'm running errands, shopping on Union St., or taking Brad to the museum.

The inspiration outfit can easily run you upwards of $800-900.  It's actually pretty easy to piece together with very inexpensive pieces!  Here's how I would tackle it:

Pretty in Pink

1.  Check shirts:  Forever21 is a fantastic source for woven shirts!  These shirts all cost <$20, look great, and can withstand lots of washes.  Some of my favorite woven shirts in my closet are from Forever21 - and I've had them for years and years and they're still going strong.  I put three examples here but their website has tons of check patterns, some going for as little as $13.

2.  Blazers: Urban Outfitters has surprisingly good blazers.  You'll have to use a bit of imagination and mentally erase the hideous caveman print underneath the perfectly lovely blazer. 

Note on the black one pictured here - it's a knock-off of an Elizabeth & James blazer (which I have).  The original is one of my favorite pieces - it looks incredibly chic.  I think I paid a few hundred for it but now Urban knocked it off for $78 (and currently on promo for $59!!).  If you have a grey blazer it would also look v. chic w/ the pink check.

3.  Loafers:  This is something I intend to buy this winter.  Love the two-tone look.  There are a dozen of these on the Urban Outfitters website right now - all for $60-70. 

4.  Note on accessories:  I would style this with a simple necklace, and carry a big bag like this Mulberry one here.  Bags are my splurge items, simply because a good bag makes any cheapo outfit look like a million bucks.

Mulberry Alexa Oversized Bag