944

So fashion rules are definitely made to be broken, and the no white after Labor Day clause is one of my favorites to ignore. Especially if one of the above little numbers is involved. They all have just enough sparkle to make them holiday appropriate, and the D&G dress makes me see visions of sugar plums dancing through my head.

1. BCBGMAXAZRIA sequin tunic, available at www.bcbg.com
2. 3.1 Phillip Lim sequin dress, available at www.net-a-porter.com
3. Milly sequin sweater dress, available at www.neimanmarcus.com
4. Jason Wu dress, available at www.net-a-porter.com
5. D&G tulle dress, available at www.neimanmarcus.com
6. Notte by Marchesa, available at www.net-a-porter.com
7. BCBGMAXAZRIA embellished dress, available at www.bcbg.com Written by: Rebecca Stevens

‘Tis the season to give and this month Jimmy Choo is giving us the best gift of all…designer shoes, clothes and accessories at H&M prices. The London-based designer known across the universe for keeping celebrity feet off of the ground in the most beautiful ways, has designed a full fashion line for H&M that will hit 200 stores worldwide on November 14th. Before you all grab your sleeping bags and go stake out at the nearest mall, let’s just reflect on the beauty of this moment…okay now Go!

They say behind every good man there is an amazing woman, and Tamara Mellon, the Founder/President behind Jimmy Choo is amazing indeed. She has decided to follow in the footsteps of previous luxury designers like Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld, and create a line of delectable foot candy and other items, for the masses. The prices of the cheaper Choos will range from around $70 for flats to $300 for boots, a far cry from the thousands that celebs like Anne Hathaway and Kerry Washington have dished out for the originals. Mellon says “I wanted to create pieces that would reach a cool and young customer with a fashionable and independent sense of spirit in this one-off collaboration." From looking at the preview of the collection, she has done just that.

The H&M line marks the launch of Jimmy Choo clothing. Mellon says the line seen in stores this month was inspired by sexy little party numbers she pulled out of her own closet. Black dresses, leather, zebra print, blood red pumps, and chain link neck pieces all converge to make the line an edgy-chic look for winter. Most impressive is how every item, from shoes to clutches to shirts, can be mixed and matched to work in a number of different ways. Oh, and boys can play too. Men’s apparel including cashmere sweaters and leather jackets, will also hit the racks to serve as either a sexy compliment to the women’s line, or some Jimmy fun just for him.

And just so you know, financially challenged fashionistas are not the only ones head over heels for the new line. Celebrities from Hayden Panettiere to M.I.A. came out in style for the November 2nd Jimmy Choo for H&M Collection Event in Los Angeles. I don’t know what it is about H&M but they have definitely made cheap the new black. With high-end fashion designer residencies and their own brand clothing that nudges the quality of luxury, H&M is taking the low-end market by storm. With Jimmy Choo visiting soon, we definitely can’t wait to get swept away.



Check out H&M.com for more info. Written by: Janine Rayford

I fell seriously in love with Elizabeth and James a couple seasons ago when I was in New York for fashion week. I was browsing the contemporary floor at Bergdorf Goodman, and I saw it.

An iridescent green feathered mini skirt.

I was so enamored with it that I couldn’t stop touching it. Alas, I had a show to attend, so I had to leave it there all by itself.

I was familiar with Elizabeth and James prior to that encounter, but I was skeptical because it was a celebrity line. You see, Elizabeth and James is designed by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. In fact, it’s a little sister brand to their high end line, The Row, which is stunning in its quality and simplicity.

But what the Olsens did right with both of their lines is very simple. They kept their names off the labels, and they focused on the quality of the garments rather than inflating prices simply because the world’s most famous twins were behind the designs. (Justin Timberlake and Gwen Stefani have had similar success with William Rast and L.A.M.B. by doing the same thing.)

And Elizabeth and James truly is a great line. The jackets are impeccably tailored, the blouses are so romantic and delicate, the dresses run the gamut from sweet to sassy, and the accessories are unique and just plain cool.

The true beauty of the line is that, when you’re wearing it, you’ll never look like you’re trying too hard. The line is effortless, just like the style that has made the Olsens modern day fashion icons. Written by: Rebecca Stevens

I received a package yesterday with one of the items I'll be shooting this weekend for our annual Holiday Gift Guide, which will appear in our December issue.

I was lucky enough to get the fine folks at Hamilton Shirt Co., to send over one of their outstanding pieces from the 1883 line. For those who may not know, Hamilton is a family-run business out of Texas that has been making some of the finest men's clothes for 125 years. These shirts are hand-cut and crafted in the U.S, which means these things carry a hefty price tag ($185), but the fabrics and tailoring on these ready to wear shirts are extraordinary. Obviously, I'm a big fan so perhaps I'm a bit biased. So go on over to their site, www.hamilton1883.com, and find out for yourself.

(And keep an eye out for the shoot running in our December issue. It's definitely going to be out of the ordinary.) Written by: D.B. Mitchell

I'm off to Macy's to find out what 50 Cent smells like. Here are some ladies with mustaches to keep you company while I am gone.

http://www.womenwithmustaches.com/

**** UPDATE!!!!

Okay, so I took a stroll down to Macy's. There's an entire section in the Men's Fragrance department dedicated to 50's new sauce, but when I asked for a sample I was informed there are none available. The nice girls at the counter squirted some onto a paper test strip for me and I gave myself an excruciating headache sniffing it the entire walk back to the office, in order to provide you with my review:

TOP NOTE: Melon balls, Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid

MIDDLE NOTE: A pair of new men's dress socks

BOTTOM NOTE: Three-ring vinyl binder aisle at Office Max

If anyone's interested, he'll be doing a personal appearance at Macy's Union Square, next Tuesday at 5 pm. Photo ops with the man himself with a Power by 50 Cent purchase of $68.50 or more.

Ugh, I need to go take an asprin.



Written by: Laurel May

Being a writer, I am obviously obsessed with books, newspapers, magazines, song lyrics and even the verbage on the side of products. It was two such products I received in the mail eight months ago that essentially inspired this blog when I had to decide what I could handle writing about Every. Single. Day. I chose lotions and potions galore.

Philosophy, obviously, takes the whole idea of inner/outer beauty to another level with names of products that are cute, inspiring and sometimes irritating but with ingredients that are nourishing, mostly natural and pinpointed to specific beauty issues. Its When Hope is Not Enough trio of Hydrating Body Scrub and Replenishing Body Scrub, $65.00 as a pair at www.sephora.com, is comprised of Omegas 3, 6 and 9, all of which work together to heal inflammatory skin, maintain the skin’s integrity and moisturize. The addition of vitamin e to reduce in the lotion the formation of free radicals and sea salt in the scrub for exfoliation make it a must-have for anyone in search of body products with only a light scent and which also pack a punch for skin benefits. But perhaps it the words on both bottles that make them even more worthy of purchase, “notes to self” in the shower or next to the sink.

Sink talk:
“When your well-being is out of sorts, even good days feel bad. Replenish a depleted spirit by reconnecting with your creative, playful side. Take time to reflect on who you are and who you hope to be. Embrace stillness by taking a long walk, a yoga class or treating yourself to quiet time with your favorite book. Once your well-being and emotions are back in check, you’ll notice even the bad days begin to feel good.”

Shower reminder:
“Total body nourishment begins from the inside out. Nourish your body with exercise, plenty of water and a well balanced dies. Nourish your mind by reading a book, taking up a new hobby or studying a new language. Nourish your heart by practicing random acts of kindness and selfless acts of giving. Nourish your soul by laughing out loud and surrounding yourself with those you love the most.”
Written by: Katie Pegler

Ok, so we all know we’re in the middle of a recession. But that doesn’t mean we want to give up shopping, now does it?

But relax. For every problem, there is a solution.

During rough economic times, let ebay.com be the answer for all your fashion needs. The auction site is a goldmine of deals and steals. Personally, I had an extremely successful summer with ebay.

Herve Leger dress for my fiance’s surprise birthday party in Vegas? Check!

Sold out Elizabeth and James Elizabeth IV jacket? Check!

Botkier Bryant hobo bag that I had been pining over for two seasons? Check!

Report Signature gold sequin wedges for a fraction of the retail price? Check!

These are just some of the successful fashion purchases I have made in the past six months, and during that time, I’ve picked up some tips and tricks along the way:

1. If you have an iPhone, download the ebay app. It let’s you track the items you are either bidding on or watching, so you can update your bid or monitor the price of the current bid on the go.

2. Watch an item until the very last second, and only place your bid during the last couple hours of the auction. You’re less likely to get involved in a weeklong bidding war this way, and you’re more likely to win.

3. If there’s an item you absolutely must have but the seller isn’t offering a buy-it-now option, send him or her a message and ask if he or she would be willing to negotiate a buy-it-now price.

4. Check a seller’s rating! If they have received negative feedback in the past, you’re asking for trouble working with them. If you have any doubts that an item is authentic, ask for additional photos.

5. Read ebay’s buyer guides. They’re full of useful information and will help you avoid the pitfalls of Internet auctions.

6. Watch yourself. Ebay can be addicting, so if you notice yourself obsessively searching for YSL Tribute pumps instead of writing that story that’s due in two days, take a deep breath, shut down your browser, and get back to work!
Written by: Rebecca Stevens

Levi's has a pretty cool promotion going on right now that's worth $100,000 to a resourceful chap. The PR story goes that Levi's archivists have "verified" the existence of a treasure buried by one Grayson Osias IV, and even some recordings that provide clues to its location. For those who log onto www.levis.com/goforth, there will be nine recordings released at various times to allow the community to work together to find this fortune.

It's an interesting marketing plan, involving everything from Craigslist postings to a Twitter page (www.twitter.com/graysonOziasIV). Hell, I just like it because there are Whitman quotes throughout the whole thing, which might just inspire a few folks to pick up a book. Just Google ol' Grayson and see the fruits of the labor �” and perhaps you'll even get a chance to make a few (thousand) bucks. Written by: D.B. Mitchell

Being a guy means wanting things that last -- not to mention something that we can just toss on with a pair of jeans and be comfortable. That's why menswear designers are adding quality boots to their lines. Whether they're made from leather or rubber, these things are built to last.

A recent example is Kenneth Cole's new limited edition Rubber Motor Boot, crafted after the original leather versions worn by Marlon Brando in the classic film, "The Wild One." Not only does this boot only cost $98, but all net proceeds go to The AWEARNESS Fund (Cole's "not-for-profit entity that supports, encourages and empowers acts of service, volunteerism and social change.")


Written by: D.B. Mitchell

After a much needed weekend of rest that still included a pirate party and watching Shiny Toy Guns and The Union Sound at the TAVIK stage at the OC Fairgrounds Friday, followed by three Halloween parties Saturday, it was back to business at 944 Orange County Headquarters.

Dylan Lujano and I took a short break from planning the December Smart Luxury to discuss the new issue, my new beauty blog and planning my outfit for the Holiday Gift Guide.

Written by: Katie Pegler

Okay, so I tried growing my mustache and it’s not working. I just look better with a full face of scruff (even though some people think I am getting that ‘daddy’ look which is disturbing). But that doesn’t mean I can’t participate in Movember, the new catchy name for November dedicated to raising awareness to fight male cancers such as testicular and prostate.

Instead of the Mo Bro’ (the cute nickname of growing your mustache in November) I'll be wearing some jewels from two hot design companies.

Check out jewelry designer Rachael White of Demitasse Jewelry. She created a Mo’ inspired necklace http://www.demitassejewelry.com/page5/page6/page6.html and a portion of the sales will be donated to support the fight against testicular and prostate cancers.

I am already wearing this necklace and love it. It’s cool and relevant.

Next up are these fabulous cuff links from Arbitrage in http://www.arbitrage.com/2009/10/movemberlove/

The rose gold is super chic. Wear them on a simple white shirt and pair with one of those trendy cardigans and you’ll be set.

For more style check out www.thestylelabonline.com

Best,
Michael

Written by: Michael Cohen

As mentioned in my first post, I am completely obsessed with leather leggings this fall. Here are some of my favorites:

Kiki de Montparnasse
http://www.shopbop.com/nuit-leather-leggings-kiki-montparnasse/vp/v=1/845524441852710.htm?folderID=2534374302031244&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall
These leggings look poured on and are undeniably sexy �“ what else would you expect from a lingerie designer?

Illia
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod88730035&parentId=cat22640748&masterId=cat17740740&index=44&cmCat=cat000000cat000117cat17740740cat22640748
Similar to the Kiki style but cropped. All the better to show off killer heels.

Rag & Bone
http://www.shopbop.com/moto-leggings-leather-rag-bone/vp/v=1/845524441850877.htm?folderID=2534374302031244&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall
These are a perfect hybrid of jersey and leather, giving them a hot biker vibe.
Written by: Rebecca Stevens

“Beauty? ... To me it is a word without sense because I do not know where its meaning comes from nor where it leads to.” - Pablo Picasso

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” - Marilyn Monroe


What is beauty? I figured I couldn’t write a daily blog on such an “eye of the beholder” words unless I had a concrete description myself, but months after waiting for the editors’ blogs to launch (and enough time to think about it), I still have no concrete answer.

Yet it was from two of my favorite quotes that I realized I didn’t need my own Merriam-Webster definition to dive in, try everything, give products to friends, subject myself to new procedures, undergo random treatments, talk to professionals, interview people on the street, go on yoga retreats, meditate with crystals, balance my charkas, and seek out surefire products and unusual approaches - all in the name of beauty.

Bottled Beauty is an exploration into the world of beauty with the approach of Alice in Wonderland meets ancient beauty traditions meets modern technology. It’s my intention to cast a laser-beam on all products developed to keep us the gorgeous, wrinkle-free and sweet-smelling creatures we were intended to be. In addition to lotions, potions and makeup galore, an array of treatments, holistic alternatives, Zen-inspired accessories and expert advice will be tested, explored … and judged.

In the meantime, I will be organizing the hot mess of beauty products in my bathroom - I’m moving to a cottage in 10 days after all. And one last quotes before the adventure begins: “Always remember that true beauty comes from within - from within bottles, jars, compacts and tubes.” - Peter’s Almanac

Written by: Katie Pegler

Welcome to a la mode! This blog is my space to share my take on the world of fashion �“ the trends, the designers, the accessories, and everything else in between. This is where I will track the evolution of fashion from season to season, bringing you the best styles hot off the runways.

Personally, I have undergone quite a style evolution of my own. I used to be so clueless. I’m not one of those girls who has been fabulous and on-trend since my days in diapers. Middle school was brutal. I had this pair of harem pant overalls that I absolutely adored but for which I was teased mercilessly. Of course, harem pants have made a comeback over the past few seasons, so maybe I should have held onto them.

Things got better for me in high school, though. I started to religiously read fashion magazines, such as Vogue, Elle and W, and I went through a few stylistic phases. First there was the bohemian phase �“ I lived for the Beatles when I was 16, so I extended the obsession to my wardrobe. My hair was all the way down my back.

Then came the rebellious period, when I dressed like a raver in men’s wide leg jeans and tiny tank tops with plastic bracelets stacked to the elbow. My hair was in such a short pixie cut I should have just shaved my head and really gone for it.

When I finally came to my senses and put a stop to that, I settled into a fairly normal take on Americana �“ jeans, T-shirts, sweaters, heels, lots of clothes from Express, and a less severe pixie cut.

At this point I was getting more and more obsessed with my fashion magazines, and I wanted desperately to stock my wardrobe with the clothes in their pages, but there is only so much you can do with a college student’s budget.

Then I started working in the magazine world I had been following so closely, and my fashion horizons exploded. I was constantly exposed to high-end fashion and design, and my own style began to evolve once again. I started to focus more and more on the quality of the garments and accessories I was purchasing. I started buying “investment pieces.”

My current style is one part feminine and one part rock ’n‘ roll (see the photo here of me and my friend Amanda). I’m dying for a pair of leather leggings, but I also can’t resist beautiful chiffon blouses. Boots of any kind make me happy, and I have a soft spot for sequins.

The exciting thing about fashion is that my style could be completely different next year �“ and so could yours. It’s a constant state of evolution. Written by: Rebecca Stevens

Jimmy Choo has designed a line for H&M and the possibilities are endless! The line features not only their famous and amazing shoes but also clothing and bags. Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor of H+M, said. ‘I like the way we have worked with clothes to accessories the shoes and bags rather than the other way around’. This allows one to make the staple of their outfit an amazing pair of shoes rather than the other way around. This is the first time H&M has calibrated with and accessories brand so it is exciting to see what is in store. The line is due in about 200 stores world wide in November! Written by: Gabrielle Wagner