classic beauty

FUN FACT: The cardigan was named after James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, a British military commander, after his service in the Crimean War. The cardigan is usually made from wool or cotton. Most people think of the cardigan as the "twinset," ladies who lunch, and Easter Sunday attire. But always steadfast, the cardigan has remained a staple, athough at times somewhat muted, in every fashionista's closet. Thanks to shows like Gossip Girl making prep school chic, and women who dip into the classics paired with the avant-garde as a hobby in Sex and the City, the preppy cardigan is stepping back into the forefront.
**Reese is in a Juicy Couture White Eyelet Shirt Dress and a Navy blue cardigan try JCrew.
**Lauren is wearing a Marc by Marc Jacobs Cream Cardigan with Navy blue cuffs and gold button accents. The rest of her outfit is from her own collection: Lauren Conrad Collection.

bag envy

I find myself torn; I’m not sure which I’m more in love with: Ashley Tisdale’s Prada Antic Cervo tote or her maltipoo puppy. The Prada, sadly, is no longer being made; it’s from the Fall 2007 line in brown deerskin. Ebay might be worth a shot but some sites like IOffer.com, etc. sell copies. If you’re a stickler for the real thing, try a site like the Purse Forum. The Purse Forum (forum.purseblog.com) is an online message board that encourages buyers to post photos of purchases they'd like to make. The site lets shoppers post the pictures of bags they’re interested in for critiques and helpful suggestions by other Forum members who may be more knowledgeable about the specific bag.

Ash loves her Prada; here she is with the bag, this time sans strap, just a few months ago.

Oh, and just in case you convince your mom, dad, roommate, or boyfriend that the puppy is the purchase for you, check this site out.

xoxo gossip girl

On last season's finale of Gossip Girl, Blair Waldorf (played by Leighton Meester) wore a gorgeous headband to the wedding. Headbands are simple and beautiful, hair jewelry if you will; perfect for summer.

Get it here for a bargain, $198 (yikes).

trademark accusations

Oscar de la Renta has sued Elizabeth Arden (cosmetics and fragrances), accusing Arden of violating de la Renta’s designer trademark by using his name on perfume bottles.

According to the complaint filed in a New York federal court, Elizabeth Arden is selling bottles with the Oscar de la Renta name throughout Wal-Mart stores, without a license. Oscar de la Renta said that it never authorized the bottles to be sold individually, but only as free gifts with the purchase of other products. What is more, de la Renta alleges that even after receiving a cease-and-desist letter back in January, Elizabeth Arden continued selling the product.

Notably, the complaint alleges, even after Oscar de la Renta complained to Elizabeth Arden, the cosmetics company altered the label of the bottle to indicate there was no affiliation with Oscar de la Renta. But is the modification of the bottle’s “trade dress” enough?

Oscar de la Renta says No. “Sale of such a product is inconsistent with the image and reputation of Oscar de la Renta’s licensed fragrance products,” the designer said in the complaint.

While this may have exceeded the bounds of the contract (I‘d have to read it to be sure), the real motive of the lawsuit may very well be that Oscar de la Renta just doesn’t want his product sold in Wal-Mart. Department stores (de la Renta seems to echo): a resounding yes, Wal-Mart: not so much. We’ve seen this clash before….why aren’t all designers clamoring to design for Target?

(special thanks to the Miami Herald Business; AP)

forever in blue jeans, babe

15% OFF PAIGE PREMIUM DENIM

Get 15% off all items by entering the code "PaigePeople" at checkout thanks to People.com.

Click here to go to paigepremiumdenim.com.

(Nicole Richie in flared Paige Jeans)

fashion found

Charlize Theron in a black Narciso Rodriguez dress


The still slightly pricey Privee Spider Web Doubleknit Dress

totally approved

Generally not a huge fan of MK's, shall we say: statements (I'm more of an Ashley kind of girl); however, this dress suits her perfectly. The dress is a vintage black batwing sleeved Halston dress. While you won't find much in stores like this, if you have the patience, try ebay. If not, maybe these alternatives?




Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Kimono Dress











Juicy Couture Ruffle Trim Smocked One Shoulder Dress

fashion forward

"A woman's dress should be like a barbed-wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view." -Sophia Loren.

Tie Dye, Ta-Da!

Everything old is new again. Don’t worry you’re not hallucinating, the 60s are back...well, babysteps. To further the analogy, there’s something in the air, and gracing the backs of Hollywood starlets. Tie dye is not dead, but was only sleeping in the attics and chests of old hippies from upstate New York and the hills of Northern California. They were unearthed by curious fashionista daughters this summer, and coming back in full force.


MODERN TEE
Urban Outfitters, always current with the latest affordable trends, brings us a line of adorable graphic tees all reminiscent of tie dye and printed batiks. The simple v-neck shirt is lightweight and perfect for summer, and the feathers add a touch of something completely different.

TODAY'S FLOWER CHILD

Another perfect summer addition: the tie-dye skirt. Try this Free People “Late Horizon” Tie Dye Patchwork Skirt to get the perfect modern-meets-hippie effect. The length of the skirt is just short enough to not look frumpy, but the earthy olive color channels the perfect at one with the earth feel.

CELEBRITY STYLING

Bring together the latest celebrity trend – the scarf paired with everything, with the summer brights and dyes. These scarves are lightweight and range in price anywhere from $10 to $200 – all equally chic and fashion-forward. Plus the quick punch of color around the neck picks up any solid outfit with little effort.

REPPING IT OLD SCHOOL

Converse has reinvented the Chuck Taylor once again, this time in the form of the 60s Tie Dye OX Low Sneaker. The tie-dyed converse creates the unexpected with a mix of classic grunge 90s and hippie free spirit 60s. For under $50 take the plunge; these classics will be a sure staple in your casual closet for years to come.


THE HIPSTER MAXI
Gypsy 05’s latest maxi dress channels the tell-tale hippie signs but goes one step further and backs that up with true eco-friendly roots, made in a solar-powered factory of organic fabric and natural dyes. Plus, the dress is unbelievably adorable to boot.

my latest discount obsession

You may want to sit down for this one; take a deep breath, and click:

http://www.retailmenot.com/

"RetailMeNot.com is an easy way to find online coupon codes. Enter these codes at the checkout page of participating merchants for instant discounts."

Some of the discount coupon codes are outdated, but most will let you know their status via helpful user comments. In love with a dress at Intermix? Search for the store name on RetailMeNot.com, and voila: discounts. You can breathe now.

the glammed up maxi dress

Recently, both Tori Spelling (a personal fave) and Denise Richards were seen walking the streets wearing the very same yellow Juicy Couture Scalloped Patio Dress. Maxi Dresses - a.k.a., floor-length dresses befitting of the dog park, the pharmacy, or all-day marathon shopping; as opposed to a gala or tea with the queen normally dictating a floor-sweeping dress - are the "it" dress. A number of other notable, and wearable*, maxi dresses include: Lauren Conrad's Christine Dress and Gypsy 05's Ombre Dress. To clarify, "wearable" means flattering, simple, and NOT only-sexy-on-the-ridiculously-tall-and-slender.

Juicy Couture has managed to perfectly glam up the maxi dress, while still keeping it easy. Capture the perfect I-hardly-try and I-simply-threw-this-on, make like the stars and pick up one of Juicy's latest maxi creations.


Juicy Couture Scalloped Patio Dress


Juicy Couture Voile Patio Dress

Eternal Style

"Fashions fade, Style is eternal."
Yves Saint Laurent.



For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.
Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows.

Sam Levenson.