Unmasking the Latest Fashion Trend

I know many of you must be thinking, what type of fashion knowledge could someone such as I drop on a group of fashionably informed readers? Perhaps the latest trends in menswear? Boring. How about the evolution of Chuck Bass's basketball outfits on Gossip Girl? Maybe next time. No, instead my maiden voyage into the sea of fashion blogging will shed some light on the latest fashion trend that you may not have heard of yet. That's right, swine flu masks!

In case you haven't heard, there's a major swine flu pandemic sweeping the world. Sadly, it has inflicted several casualties, including one in our own family. However, being a glass-half-full kind of guy, I look for a silver lining, even when the survival of the human race may be in question. So I encourage you to jump on board this latest fashion craze, because pretty soon it will be sweeping the world as quickly as the swine flu virus itself!

Now some may ask, "Do I really need to wear a face mask?" or "Are face masks really effective at preventing the spread of the swine flu?" According to my extensive research, if someone coughs near you, masks can stop or slow the larger droplets that might infect you. Take it from somebody who rides the Boston subway to work everyday with some pretty sketchy folks, you do not want large droplets of infected spittle making contact with your grill.

Now that we've established with scientific certainty that you must wear a mask at all times to avoid getting infected with the swine flu*, let's talk about the fashionable advantages to such face-wear. The possibilities of self expression through your choice of mask are endless. This lady is already offering some "fashion surgical masks" for $10 a pop. However, if you ask me, those are pretty weak/ugly.

I prefer my masks to come from a more reputable source. Consider this Louis Vuitton mask, paired with a very practical nurses outfit. I am a little concerned however that this mask is a little too dainty and may not provide adequate protection against the "larger droplets" that were referenced earlier.

Or, if you want to break free of the traditional "mask" mold, you may opt for the Sophie Hulme Sequin Jacket. At $519, it may be more than you are willing to spend, however you can never be too stingy when it comes to protecting yourself from the swine flu. The more economical Unisex Mustache mask from American Apparel may do the trick as well. However, I'm not quite sure a mustache can ever be "unisex" and I might recommend against some of the female readers from choosing this mask.

Finally, with the swine flu spreading so quickly, you may feel it is just too dangerous to head outside to pick up a new mask. If that is the case, consider some options you already have in your closet at home. This MacGyver-inspired gentleman shows how a little imagination and ingenuity can go a long way toward protecting against the flu. Just make sure you don't accidentally pull something from the dirty clothes hamper...

Who knows what the future holds for the exciting world of swine flu masks. As some of you know, Laura recently announced the soon-to-be-released Lolly Brand t-shirt line. My fashion crystal ball is telling me that t-shirts are so last season. This season, it's all about flu masks. Perhaps with my guidance, Lolly Brand can release a limited edition line of masks decorated with Lolly's traditional cupcake logo in an array of fashion forward colors.

Until next time, stay healthy, and look great doing it.

Beauty in the Rough

I love fashion as much as the next girl, but sometimes it all gets so predictable. In fact, in my latest online adventures, I have seen the same look repeated over and over again. Neiman's, Nordstrom, Saks, Bloomie's, and Bergdorf's seem to have merged into one colossal fashion voltron over night. Sometimes all a girl wants is a breath of fresh air!

Enter Thayaht. Sophia Michahelles, artistic goddess extraordinaire, was inspired by the work of her great uncle, Ernesto Michahelles (who was part of the design team that introduced the bias cut to Paris in the early 1900s) and has created a line of skirts in homage to his creative vision. Each of Sophia's custom-made skirts are a unique representation of her belief that "the attentive and whimsical design is important for the practical objects in our everyday, and that rough edges can reveal beauty."


My favorite design so far is the Pezze Skirt, an A-line cotton skirt with fabric strips rippling across in soft waves. True to Sophia's artistic nature, the stitching and exposed back zipper are done in contrasting colors, and the bottom hem is left raw. Like each of her designs, this skirt is a piece of wearable art, but--rather than hanging it in a frame on the wall--you can machine wash and dry this look, making it both convenient and cost-efficient.

If you're looking for something beyond the runway or catalog, I encourage you to explore the colors, textures, and styles of the unique creations from Thayaht. Each item is fashion for the soul--and beauty in the rough.



Photos of the Pezze Skirt, courtesy of sophia.THAYAHT., available in short ($95), medium ($99), and long ($109). Visit sophia.THAYAHT. online at www.thayaht.com.

Here, Let Me Give You My Card...

"Here, let me give you my card..." I'm not going to lie, there is a certain sense of satisfaction that comes from dipping into your handbag to produce your personal calling card. It's a bit Jane-Austen-meets-that-scene-in-American Psycho (you know, the one where Christian Bale's character obsesses over the shades of white, the weight of the paper, and the font selection?). The kicker comes when your card isn't just some boring yawn-fest, but it's just so cute that you actually have people remarking, "This is so cute!"

As I prepared to launch my tee-shirt line, LollyBrand (coming soon!!!), I decided that I needed to join the ranks of grown-ups and get myself some business cards. But not too grown-up! I mean, they still needed to be adorable and a little different--just like me, right? Where, oh where, is a girl to find such a card? Hello, Etsy!

It didn't take me long to stumble across Pacokeco Scribbles, a fun Etsy shop boasting, "handmade paper crafts for handmade people." Here my search came to screeching halt. The amazing shop owner was willing to work with a high-maintenance girl like myself, accommodating both my custom logo AND my indecisiveness! Hallelujah.

Thanks to Pacokeco Scribbles, I am loving my circular, scalloped-edge business cards, featuring my irresistible signature LollyBrand cupcake and all of my contact information. However, business cards are just one bit of fabulousity in Pacokeco's bag of tricks. She also makes gift tags, paper embellishments for card-making and scrapbooking, and greeting cards--essentially all of your paper needs. So check it out! After all, don't you want to be "on the cutting edge of paper" too?





Circle business cards by Pacokeco Scribbles on Etsy.com, available online at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24203337. For other paper crafts, visit Pacokeco's online shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5059905.

Flirting with Florals

Jocelyn: Well... they're showing a lot of florals right now, so I was thinking...

Miranda Priestly: Florals? For spring? Ground breaking.

This scene from The Devil Wears Prada has shamed us all into noting that floral springtime trends are not exactly the most shocking of wardrobe choices. Nonetheless, if the flower is blooming, I say pick it--or wear it, if the look is right. And do I have a look for you!

During today's online travels, I came across this look from ABS by Allen Schwartz:

I am simply loving the idea of flirting with florals for an innocent, flower-child feel. I envision this dress with high espadrilles, thin silver bangles, and hair worn in long, loose curls with two pieces pulled back at the sides. Verrry boho chic.

Or, if you're all about shock and awe, this dress presents the ideal opportunity for mixing aesthetics. Hopefully you have taken my advice about studded belts and have added one to your wardrobe by now. If so, cinching the waist of this dress with leather and studs will create a much edgier look. A heavy metallic bracelet is the kicker you're looking for and will polish the overall effect with a bit of "pow!"

The Lolly verdict? Florals don't have to be a Laura-Ashley-fest or even remotely snooze-worthy. They can be fresh and fun--and sometimes even a bit ground-breaking. That's all!




Ruffle Empire Dress from ABS by Allen Schwartz $258, available online from www.nordstrom.com.

Gladiators for Beginners

The gladiator sandal is a not-so-recent trend that I have always been somewhat unsure of. It's the kind of style that looks fabulous on supermodels and stick-legged size 0 celebrities, but as far as translating onto a fabulous everyday girl like myself? Questionable.

The truth is, I do appreciate the gladiator concept. It is wearable yet fierce--a twist that I relish in my footwear--but most of the styles that I've seen just don't do justice to the wearer. To be blunt, they just don't look good. There, I said it. So I have abstained, until now.

This morning, in my online travels, I somehow (and by "somehow," I mean "my search for retro-style on piece bathing suits") found myself on the Juicy Couture website. Like the shoe slave that I am, of course I had to take a peek, and this is how I found the Arabella Espadrille Gladiator.

In my opinion, Juicy got it just right by adding the chunky espadrille wedge to the more traditional gladiator style. True, they too jumped on the gladiator bandwagon, but not so literally--and their restraint is what makes this shoe such a huge success. It's fun, flirty, and feminine while also being pretty fierce. Most importantly, however, the wedge's magical power of lengthening and elongating the legs and figure will make this style work for practically anyone.

If you're anything like me and have been intrigued but cautious of the gladiator look, now is a good time to bite. This espadrille/gladiator fusion embraces the gladiator concept without turning you into a total fashion victim. To quote those endearing advertisements: CHOOSE JUICY.

Arabella Espadrille Gladiator $225 by Juicy Couture, available online at www.juicycouture.com.

F is for Fedora

While shopping this weekend with fellow blogger royalty, Miss Talynhc, we came to the conclusion that women simply do not wear enough hats. Most guys, my husband included, have a serious collection of baseball hats. Sure, lovely ladies will wear a beanie here or there to stay warm in the winter, but hats as fashion statements are completely under-appreciated and lacking from far too many women's wardrobes. To fill the void, I have volunteered myself for a trend-setting experiment, which I plan to put into effect in the months to come. My secret weapon? The fedora.

I initially disregarded this style, shrugging it off to the Britneys and K-Feds of the world. Recently, however, I realized the error of my ways. In my view, the Fedora is the cowboy hat of the classy and fabulous. Not to say that a cowboy hat itself isn't classy and fabulous, but it's surely no coincidence that F is for fabulous--and also for Fedora.

In my online perusing, I have grown partial to Tory Burch's Panama Straw Fedora Hat, but there are a range of options out there. In fact, if you're not sure this style will work for you, you can score one at Target and take it for a test drive drive at only a fraction of the price. To add an extra element of fabulousity, make an outfit out of it--pair your new hat with cropped skinny pants, a classic cardi, and a string of pearls.

As an added bonus, the American Cancer Society recommends wearing a hat to protect yourself from the damaging rays of the sun in an effort to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Healthy and haute?--yes, please. If F is for Fedora, then G is for go get yours now!

Tory Burch Panama Straw Fedora Hat $75, available online at www.toryburch.com.

Desperately Seeking Destroyed Denim

A recent posting from The Cut caught the eye of one of my fave NYC fashion spies, setting off my denim-loving radar (beep beep beep!) to the existence of Madewell's new limited-edition destroyed jeans. This special collection was on sale last week at an exclusive "Denim After Dark" event in the store's Soho location. For those of us not living in the 212, never fear! These deliciously distressed jeans will magically re-appear for Madewell’s fall 2009 line, available when the collection hits stores this summer.

If it sounds too good to be true, it just might be; the price tag on these uber broken-in lovelies isn't what I would call "reasonable." However, the silver lining is a fabulous DIY opportunity. For the fashionista who is undeterred by a little bit of elbow grease, what's a little slicing and dicing? It's a question of mathematics, really: old pair of jeans + scissors + bleach + seam ripper = destroyed denim, dahhhhling!

Photo of Madewell jeans, courtesy of The Cut, New York Magazine's fashion blog. Read it online at http://nymag.com/daily/fashion!

Ring(s) in the Spring!

What I'm about to say may very well destroy my credibility as a self-proclaimed fashionista, but if I can't be honest than what kind of a well-rounded fashionista would I really be? The truth is, I had never seen nor heard of a cocktail ring until the summer of 2006. Thankfully, my Seattle born bestie, Miss Annie Rose, is always way ahead of the times, and she saw the cocktail ring trend coming a mile away.

Annie arrived in Boston a week early to help me prep for my wedding, and in addition to slaving over wedding tasks (yes, I owe her my life), we also managed to find some time to get into a little trouble on the shopping front. Fortunately for me, this meant that I was with her when she purchased a fabulous multi-colored gemstone cocktail ring to wear for my big day--and on many other days after the fact. Not only did it match her dress like it was custom made (as you can see in the photo below, where Annie and her fabulous ring are on the left), but it also changed my life--or, at the very least, my fashion sense.

Since that fateful August day, I have accumulated a decent stash of my own cocktail rings

(my favorite thus far being the treasure from Artifaktori that I've raved about in past posts). However, while doing some routine online "window shopping" today, the selection of rings on the Kate Spade site stopped me in my tracks. Hello, lovers!

The Hollywood Boulevard Pearl Cluster Ring and the Lady Marmalade Mushroom Ring are MUST HAVES for spring and summer. While entirely different in appearance, they have two things in common:

1) They both seem to channel tea party chic.
2) They both belong in my possession.

Though I'm typically a silver jewelry sort of girl, these polished gold settings add a timelessness that I just can't resist--especially when paired with a delicate cluster of pearls or a flashy array of rhinestones. No one does it quite like Kate... so, I implore you, add one (or both!) to your "To Buy" list (every girl has one). After all, your fingers need a little attention too! Do your own manicure this week, and then use the savings to splurge. When you feel a little like Daisy Buchanan at your next social event, it will be SO worth it.





Hollywood Boulevard Pearl Cluster Ring $95 and Lady Marmalade Mushroom Ring $145: both from Kate Spade, available online at www.katespade.com. Photo from my wedding, taken by Ross Jacob Photographers; see their online portfolio at www.rossjacob.com.

Put A Little Superhero In Your Step

What makes a hero? The great Hunter S. Thompson once wrote, Myths and legends die hard in America. We love them for the extra dimension they provide, the illusion of near-infinite possibility to erase the narrow confines of most men's reality. Weird heroes and mould-breaking champions exist as living proof to those who need it that the tyranny of "the rat race" is not yet final. I have always loved HST, have coveted his ability to encapsulate American culture in just a handful of words. His work makes we want to shout, "Why couldn't I write that?!"-- and that is what makes him MY hero.

We all have heroes, those amongst us who make us desire to be better, greater, stronger---and even sometimes (admit it!) more fashionable. When it comes to pop culture, Wonder Woman is the quintessential stylin' superhero. She was the original emblem of "Girl Power!" and continues to motivate strong women everywhere. Last season, Diane von Furstenberg even launched a Wonder Woman inspired collection that was snapped off the racks in the blink of an eye. Not surprisingly, celebs and fashionistas alike were drawn to the bold colors, superhero-infused prints, and the drive to "Be the Wonder Woman You Can Be!".

Clearly, Wonder Woman is not lacking for job security. In fact, Havaianas has jumped on the Wonder Woman bandwagon (can you blame them?), choosing her iconic face for their classic flip-flops.

I couldn't possibly be more excited by this news. I tend to spend my summers moving from one pair of flip-flops to the next, depending on my outfit, and I am thrilled to add HRH to the rotation just as soon as weather permits. When the going gets tough, we all need a hero, and I for one am choosing to add a little superhero to my step. POW!

Images in order of appearance: (1) Wonder Woman tin poster from All Posters, online at www.allposters.com; (2) Wonder Woman Havaianas flip flops $35 by Havaianas, available online at www.HavaianasUS.com; (3) Be the Wonder Woman You Can Be! Book $25, available from Diane von Furstenberg: online at www.dvf.com; (4) photo of Diane von Furstenberg at the Wonder Woman launch party, from www.style.com.

Shrug It Off

I have been perusing etsy.com (all hail the glorious etsy), searching for a special bit of style to complement my wedding gown. After having sufficiently ranted about my desire to find a fabulous shoe in another post, I now move to the shrug. I am not talking the cotton or knitted shrug we all bought in excess from forever 21 in college...

I am talking gorgeous, hand sewn, sigh worthy, and shockingly budget friendly shrugs. This fabulous little store, Bonzie, is family owned and operated in Ireland and was recently featured on another bridal blog: 100 Layer Cake.

What do you say ladies, to buy or not to buy!?

Leave No Lash Behind!

If you have friended me on Facebook, then you may be aware of my current political outlook: make cupcakes, not war. Clearly, I'm not the most political girl on the block. Nonetheless, like many of you fashionistas and feministas out there, I find it refreshing to see an intelligent, classy, and fashionable First Lady in the White House. AND I will be the first to say that I fully support her wearing falsies--eyelashes, I mean.

Who doesn't love long, luscious lashes? To prep for dress-up occasions, my personal routine involves a trip to Mac for an application of eyelashes so long you can see 'em for days! Unlike Mrs. President, however, I can't afford to keep a Mac eyelash-applying pro on staff. The alternative? The best mascara on the block, applied like a pro by little ol' me.

Are you ready for the revolution? Thanks to Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes Mascara, your lashes will look more phenomenal (pun totally intended) than ever before. I can honestly tell you that this mascara is different from anything you have ever used. Instead of the traditional barrel-shaped applicator, Phenomen'Eye's spherical tip will cover, curl, and separate every single lash.

I have been using this mascara since last summer, and it's the real deal. I find it especially helpful in accessing my bottom lashes, making that wide-eyed Twiggy look a reality. The only negative to speak of is that your mascara application time increases from 30 to 60 seconds, since the spherical applicator itself is smaller than a barrel applicator. When I'm in a complete rush, I sometimes cheat (just a little), using my boring regular mascara first and then going over my lashes a second time with my Givenchy for the full effect.

So, please, do your eyes justice and join the revolution. You won't regret it. Leave no lash behind!



Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara $28, from Sephora; available online at http://www.sephora.com/.

The Cowboy Question

Back when I lived in LA, I temporarily became obsessed with all things western. I blame it on the fact that my then-boyfriend (now husband) is somewhat of a cowboy at heart (and I mean that in a very Brad-Pitt-as-a-cowboy sort of way), and I was set on being the best girlfriend in all of LA County (apparently it worked!). To make a long story short, this is why a WASPy little New England girl found herself shopping for cowboy boots at Kowboyz (yes, the spelling is rather unfortunate) on Beverly, a rundown shack with a slanted roof and hand-painted sign, in the midst of your typical LA glam businesses and restaurants.

This place was a cowboy boot mecca, crammed from floor to ceiling with vintage boots in all shapes, sizes, and colors. I sort of expected to see John Wayne walk through the door (I didn't). What did happen was that I found the most amazing pair of caramel colored cowboy boots that fit like they were made especially for me. This momentous purchase occured about five years ago, and--tragically--I have worn the boots only a few times since.

Was it buyer's remorse? NO NO NO! It was just the classic story of an outfit looking far better in my head than it did on me in real life. Despite the fact that my boots sat, sad and unused, in my closet, I still loved them, and I continued to yearn for the opportunity to wear them--without looking like I was trying to be Jessica Simpson. The only thing standing in my way was the question of how to wear cowboy boots without looking like I was an actual cowboy (or cowgirl in my case).

Just last week, I presented this quandary to one of my fashion-forward RISD classmates, and she basically solved all my problems in ten seconds flat: to avoid looking like a cowboy, cowboy boots must be treated precisely as any other pair of boots. Just because the boots scream "western!" doesn't mean the rest of your outfit should--in fact, it absolutely should not. Rather, wear your boots with a pair of skinny jeans, classic cardigan, and gauzy scarf; or rock the boots with black leggings, a loose tunic, and fedora. We change our shampoos to keep our hair fresh so why wouldn't we change our boots to keep our look fresh?

As we transition into Spring and the temperature slowly rises, I know that I'll soon have to give up my cozy and functional Ugg boots. Usually I shudder at this wardrobe loss, but this season I have a replacement ready and waiting: my cowboy boots. They say that good things come to those who wait, and my boots are definitely ready for walking.



Image of Sienna Miller from another wonderful blog: http://designerlaundry.blogspot.com.

To Belt or Not to Belt?

I don't want to sound like a total fashion victim or anything, but I simply must confess: yes, I was watching Sex and the City (again) this weekend. Hence the Carrie Bradshaw/Sarah Jessica Parker pic. And yes, I was totally and completely inspired. Hence this posting.

Like you, I was privy to all the rage about the black leather studded belt that SJP wore in numerous scenes--pet named "Roger"--when the movie first came out. Never really being much of a belt girl myself, I mostly phased out all the belt fury. Yet, during my recent weekend viewing, I gave the infamous belt a bit more attention, which is precisely how I found myself at this fashion crossroads. After years and years of going without, the question on my mind is: to belt or not to belt?

First, why my dislike for belts? Well, we all have our "problem areas." You know, the one spot on our body that we would gladly change if given a genie in a bottle or the wave of a magic wand? I have a love-handle paranoia, which motivates me to buy empire waisted dresses, tunics, and longer tees--anything to draw attention elsewhere. So why, oh why, would I ever put a belt precisely in this area? It would be like drawing a target.

Why the change of heart, you ask? Have I miraculous slimmed down, morphed into Giselle? Sadly no, BUT I have realized that I am totally under-utilizing a fabulous fashion accoutrement by going without a belt. Obvious function aside, a belt also represents the opportunity to contrast colors, textures, or varying aesthetics so as to complete your look. The truth is, I have to credit Sex and the City for my epiphany; Patricia Field, stylist of our favorite Big Apple foursome, is an absolute genius. She has, to put it mildly, changed by life--and my waistline.

I am now a total convert. This spring I fully intend to work the waist in an homage to Patricia Field's belted brilliance, pairing more industrial style hardware like Free People's double-wrap studded belt with flirty pastels and spring florals for my very favorite blend of girly and rock star. Not to mention the touch of fabulous that such a belt would add to my fallback uniform of a white tee and dark wash jeans! It's just so simple, I can't believe that the answer was right in front of me all this time: to belt, most definitely.

Image from the movie, Sex and the City, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker wearing "Roger." Studded Double Wrap Belt $68 by Free People, available online at www.freepeople.com. Taegan Studded Belt (color: cherry) by Rock and Republic: www.rockandrepublic.com.

Seeing Green

Unless you have been living under a rock, then you are well aware that green is so the new black. Fortunately, it's now so hip to be green that the selection of environmentally conscious apparel and accessories grows daily.

Personally, I love my Whole Foods' shoppers, made from 80-100% recycled material. These sturdy little bags are available for just $1 a pop and can be used to carry groceries and just about anything else your little heart desires. However, while utilitarian and brightly colored with assorted produce graphics, they do leave a little something to be desired in the fashion department---which is why I am thrilled with Dogeared's new collection of eco-friendly totes.

Now you can save the planet while looking cute--what else could a green girl ask for? Dogeared's totes are made of natural cotton canvas, silk-screened with varying designs and slogans. As an added bonus, they come wrapped in recycled brown paper (green from start to finish). My favorites are the "Wish Big" and the "White Non Trash Bag," but there are dozens more to choose from, each gently priced at $27 so that they are eco-friendly and wallet-friendly.

So what have you got to lose? Join the fight against evil plastic bags and add earth-saver to your list of fashionista qualifications. So hot.





Eco-friendly canvas bags by Dogeared, available online at www.dogeared.com.

Singing In the Rain

Rain, rain, go away... Do you know that I had to go all the way to Seattle to get a sunny spring weekend? Is this a cosmic joke, you ask--isn't it supposed to be rainy there? Fortunately for me, it wasn't. Not only that, but I got to spend two bright and shiny days with my fun and fashionable friend, Miss Annie Rose, who knows all the shopping hot spots.

Post Eggs Benedict at Dahlia Lounge (jealous?), we ducked into Nordstrom Rack for a little bit of treasure hunting. After all, isn't a purchase that much better when you have to work for it? My tiny-footed friend went one way, I (just call me Sasquatch--India does) went the other. Amidst the post-apocalyptic isles of size 9 shoe madness, I saw a bit of red patent leather peeking out--beckoning me, come hither... FOUND: one pair of red Tory Burch duck boots.

I credit my darling sister (the other Annie in my life) for the fact that I am now willing to entertain the notion of duck boots (blame those Colby girls and their L.L. Bean addiction). With no duck boots of my own and an affinity for all things bright red and patent, it was an easy choice. These days, there is no stopping the rain in Boston, and so I decided to arm myself against the elements for my return trip--in style (clearly).

My rainy day look is now complete: fabulous trench + paperboy hat + fierce footwear= singing in the rain.

Red patent leather duck boots by Tory Burch, online at www.toryburch.com. Vintage Seattle poster by All Posters, available at www.allposters.com.

Rock 'n Rolling the Recession

It isn't too often that you hear about the positives of our current economic slump, but hear this: the recession is now fashionable! Truly. Rock & Republic recently launched their limited edition "Recession Collection," encouraging loyal rock 'n rollers to fight the recession.

The no-nonsense collection (in styles for him and her) returns fashion to its nuts and bolts, featuring dark wash denim in clean, simple cuts, as well as tees and raglans screen printed with bold the bold titles, "T-Shirt" and "Raglan." And all of this for just a fraction of the typical R&R price tag, which is definitely the best part.

According to R&R, "The best way to rock the recession is to keep the economy rolling." Recession or not, a girl (or guy!) has still gotta look good. And now you can look good responsibly--added bonus. I'm sure my husband will be thrilled with my fiscally-conscious spending. At least I hope so, for the Recession Collection tee definitely wants to come home with me, and how can I deny myself a wardrobe staple like a white tee? So do your part, ladies and gents, and ROCK THE RECESSION IN STYLE.

The looks (in order of appearance): Recession Collection Tee in white $32 (women's); Recession Collection Raglan Tee in white $38 (men's); and Recession Collection Spend Blue jeans $128(women's).

April Showers Bring Shoe Flowers

Around this time of year, I often find myself lamenting the gray, rainy days, longing to shed my coat for sunshine and warm weather. Without fail, others will remind me, "April showers bring May flowers!" Fighting the urge to slap the sayers of this classic rhyme, I have to admit they are usually right. But what I want to know is this: why wait for May?

What you might not know is that April showers also bring fabulously fresh floral footwear. While understated florals don't really excite me (I need POW!), these Camellia Espadrilles available from Anthropologie offer all the floral ferocity that I need---and more.

Made by Bettye Muller, "A pink flower of epic proportions all but obscures the natural canvas from which it grows, as a lofty rope wedge keeps it close to the sun's nurturing rays." This is the stuff poetry is made of. It is pretty much imperative that I own these shoes, and I'm almost positive that those budding May flowers will turn green with envy when I prance around town in these hot pink lovelies.

Camellia Espadrilles by Bettye Muller $368, available at Anthropologie: www.anthropologie.com.

Wardrobe MUST: The LBD

There are some who live and die by the code of fashion and still others who wouldn't know Anna Wintour in a police line-up. Yet, regardless of taste or status, if you are a living and breathing woman, then you own a little black dress. At least you should.

First made popular in the 1920’s by Coco Chanel, the little black dress--or "LBD," if you're partial to abbreviations like I am--was intended by Chanel to be long-lasting, versatile, affordable, and accessible to a wide market. In fact, it was in 1926 that Chanel published a picture in Vogue of a short and simple black dress, calf-length with a straight silhouette, and decorated only with a few diagonal lines. Like everything Chanel, Mademoiselle Coco knocked this one out of the park. Vogue called this design “Chanel’s Ford,” for like the Model T, it was accessible to all social classes.

Over the years, the style remained. In the 60's, Audrey Hepburn's character Holly Golightly, in Breakfast at Tiffany's, payed homage to the ideal Chanel vision, pairing her Givenchy LBD with a strand of pearls. The result? Classy and fabulous--obvi.

Nearly a century later, the LBD is still hot hot haute! It's a widely accepted rule of fashion to own a simple yet elegant black dress that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. The LBD is such a fashion “do” that certain brands have specifically highlighted this wardrobe staple. You may have noticed that J. Crew boasts their own Little Black Dress Collection, offering the classic LBD in a variety of cuts and styles. My new favorite is the Silk Taffeta Ruffle Wrap Dress:

In addition to being a classic wardrobe “must,” the LBD also has an element of convenience that adds to its appeal. A busy busy busy fashionista can transition easily from day to evening while remaining in her LBD. Trust me, for the gal on the go, this kind of wardrobe ease is worth its weight in gold.

Wallis Warfield Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor (rumored to have quite the collection of LBDs, I might add!) once said, “When a little black dress is right, there is nothing else to wear in its place.” I couldn't have said it better myself.



Psst: The Silk Taffeta Ruffle Wrap Dress is now on sale for $192 at www.jcrew.com. Get 'em while they last! After all, Coco would want you to.

Photo: Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.