season five

will balenciaga bring back the boat shoe?

The conversation at Barneys shoe salon went like this:

Me: Oh my gosh. These are the ugliest shoes I've ever seen! Is that a BOAT shoe?!?

Sales Associate: Do you think so? I think they are the coolest shoes we have in this season!

Really? I mean, my preppy brother will be happy because he is still wearing them after all these years. But I think the boat shoe is an example of footwear that should never be resurrected or reinterpreted. At least skip that white part on the bottom - yikes! What do you think? The pair here is from Browns.

gemma ward to quit modeling?

According to the Daily Telegraph model Gemma Ward has quit modeling. Weight gain is sighted for the reason - although it is not clear which of these events happened first. Gemma has walked shows for Dior, Prada, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and has represented YSL, Prada, Balenciaga, Lanvin, Hermès, Bulgari, Dior, Jil Sander, Versace and more in ad campaigns. I find it shocking that someone with such an arresting beautiful face and amazing resume would come under such scrutiny. She is 22! Mama's don't let your babies grow up to be models. (via Stylist).

I love mini diptyque candles

Diptyque candles are the most fragrant and long lasting candles you can find. I've burned these candles in my home since I first discovered the shop on Rue Saint Germain 11 years ago. I only need to burn the candle one hour to scent my home but still, sixty dollars is a lot of coin for a candle. Diptyque just came out with a mini-sized candle that burns 20 hours for $28. Perfect. My favorite scent is Pomander - a mix of orange, clove and cinnamon. Only at Diptyque boutiques.

for nails: green is the new black

OPI "Here Today Aragon Tommorrow" is a dark green that reads black indoors and at night and deep forest green in the daylight. This gorgeous shade is a nice break from the blacks and deep navys I've been wearing this year. Find it at Buy.com

on beauty and attribution

Check out Style.com's Fall 2009 Beauty Guide - lots of good stuff, especially Lipstick Queen's blood red lip tint. What is really interesting is the attribution. Did Style.com always have a "recommended by" statement in their fashion and beauty guides? I don't recall seeing it before. Did the recent FTC's new guidelines persuade them to do it? The times they are a' changing. I love Style.com and trust them to curate the best products and fashion. But let's face it - the brand that has the best PR person wins - they get the product in the right hands and the right people write about it and influence people to want it and buy it.  This is what makes a "cult favorite." FTC involvement or not - I don't see this changing. Photo from Style.com

cozy up in a fur cardigan

Fall 2009 is all wrapped up in cozy luxe dressing. Fur is a major trend this season. Add just a touch of vintage appeal to your look with a fur collared cardigan. These cozy cardis can be dressed up or down. You can create a look that is sweet and demure or infused with a downtown urban edge. Fur collared cardigans are available in long and belted to short and cropped styles. Many of the collars are detachable, but be sure to remove the fur before washing or dry cleaning.

Distinctly vintage and feminine, Bryan Bradley’s Cropped Cardigan, (upper left, $178 at NeimanMarcus.com) is pretty in pink with a brown natural rabbit collar. The pink cardigan is knit of a silk/cashmere blend and three-quarter sleeves. Juicy Couture’s Faux-fur Trimmed Wool Cardigan, (right, $280 at Net-a-Porter) is a long belted cardigan. I especially love the puff shoulders which adds a modern twist to this self-belted style. Knit of 100% grey lambswool the sweater fastens with a concealed press-stud fastener at the front. Perfect for stylish recessionistas is a fantastic buy from Target. The Merona Fur-Collar Cardigan (middle left, $18.74) is a cotton/rayon blend with a faux fur collar. This button down style has a tie waist and the collar can be removed. Lastly, from Urban Outfitters is a cropped style featuring a curved single button front and a v-neck faux fur collar. The “Ecote” Cardigan (bottom left, $68 at Urban Outfitters) is a cotton acrylic blend and would pair nicely with a pair of your favorite jeans for a weekend casual look.

Save at Juicy Couture with coupons from TheFind.com’s coupon site.

This is a geust post from my friends at thefind.com

my five favorite fashion apps

Chanel: This is my favorite fashion app.  I think what I love most is how this old and established fashion house successfully maintains relevancy and the Chanel App is testament to that. Chanel was one of the first fashion houses to podcast fashion shows – and the shows are amazing! The news feature has “Karl’s Notes,” which includes behind the scenes looks at fashion shoots and exclusive features like ongoing episodes that give a glimpse into Coco Chanel’s apartment.

Gucci: Gucci’s App has all the standard stuff like product news, and behind the scene’s looks at what goes into making a collection. What I really love about the app is Gucci Beats with loops, beats, drums, and vocals compiled by music producer Mark Ronson.  You can create a beat and then scratch it on a virtual turntable like a DJ and then share it on Facebook. The app features a selection of music from the Gucci Music Channel: a continuous three-hour stream of music. There is also a continuously updated Little Black Book feature where you learn about the best restaurants, clubs, bars and hotels in 33 cities worldwide.

Style.com: Style.com has the most complete coverage of the shows and they are all here. The slideshows are the best on the web and mobile.

New York Times: I get most of my New York Times fashion fix on Sunday. But Thursday Styles is not to be missed either and I get it on it on the Fashion & Style section of this the New York Times App.

StyleCaster: The best thing about the website is the news feature and it is even better on the app. The organization is very clean – and it has excellent fashion and pop culture coverage.

I also love:

My Little Paris: Love the website, love the app. The My Little Paris App covers what’s new and happening in Paris like secret boutiques and  inventive restaurants in the city of light and latest trends. The website has an English version – the app is French seulement. This is a bonus. I need to brush up and what better way to do so than by reading about fashion, restaurants and boutiques, just a few of the reasons I return to this city every chance I get.

French Word of the Day: This app delivers a daily French word with English translation and a sample sentence showing the usage of the new word.

24/7 French LE: This app offers French vocabulary tutorials in a flash card format. What I love most is that it does not require a connection. Perfect for the metro! Find it on itunes

punch it up with the perfect poncho

Ponchos are making an appearance again this fall in the form of chunky knits. Think handmade, warm and cozy. Many are a fusion of sweater and poncho that button up the front, making them easier to layer. You’ll see hoods, pockets and zippers as added features as well. Look for all wool styles made with thick yarns and lots of texture in the knitted design. Or try a lighter poncho on for size; it is more like a wrap and much more fluid than chunkier styles. Go for a neutral like gray or brown that can be paired with a variety of items in your wardrobe.

On the chunkier side, from Haute Hippie is the Chunky Wool Poncho (top left, $495.00 at Nordstrom.com) with classic overtones and a cable-knit design. It has a full zip-front closure, pockets to keep your hands warm and a slouchy hood at the back. From Stella McCartney is a pricey and luxe Zip-Front Boucle Poncho (top right, $1,685 at Neiman Marcus) with oversized buttons button as an accent on the cape sleeves. The poncho is an Alpaca/linen/polyamide/wool blend and made in Italy. Helmut Lang has also done a version, all in a minimalist style of course! Helmut Lang Knit Poncho (bottom right, $260 at Saks.com) is an alpaca/merino/polyamide blend and is super soft as well as warm. This poncho also features a generous hood.  From Elizabeth and James is the Olivia Poncho, (bottom left, $545 at Shopbop.com) made of moleskin this is the perfect piece for layering. Pair with a cozy cashmere turtleneck and jeans for a luxe weekend casual look.

Save with Coupon Codes from Shopbop from TheFind.com’s new coupon site.

This is a geust post from my friends at thefind.com

welcome to the hotel missoni

The Ritz is where I will retire myself when I am old and gray and wish to spend my twilight years in quiet luxury. That said, at this moment I'm young and I want to stay at the loud, overstated Missoni Hotel in Edinburgh,UK and have a good time. The first of a proposed chain of hotels, the six-story building is dressed head-to-toe in signature Missoni patterns and bold colors. The hotel also brings in the design sensibility of Marcel Sandes, Eero Saarinen, Arne Jacobson and Hans Wegner. Rooms start at $355 a night.(via Cyana.Trend.Land)

mad for plaid

This fall brings the English countryside as inspiration for cool weather dressing. Escape the hustle and bustle of urban living with some natty traditional plaids with a modern twist. Think hounds tooth checks, buffalo plaids, and large complex Scotch plaids. Made of natural fibers such as wool and cotton the updated plaid looks best when paired with sleek body hugging denim and fierce heels. Look for plaid jackets, dresses, and even capes for covering up. Elizabeth and James features some of the best plaid blouses adorned with their signature casual yet sophisticated style. Take your new look with you to the country for a tranquil retreat or don the plaid with boyfriend jeans for a casual look in town.

As seen on the Fall ‘09 runways, the Marc By Marc Jacobs “Abbey” Plaid Dress (upper left, $458 at Bloomingdales.com) is a twist on the traditional. The pure wool mini dress tunic has a drop waist, cowl neck, two front pockets and banded sleeves. The Fei Polaire Vest (top middle, $118 at Anthropologie.com) is a pretty and dramatic corset-style top with a flared peplum. This vest would pair nicely with a slim pencil skirt and platform pumps. From Smythe, a wool-blend jacket (top right, $525 at Net-a-Porter) Pair Smythe’s blue tweed plaid jacket over a tank and skinny jeans for a dose of English countryside eccentricity. From Ann Taylor Loft, a sweeping and dramatic Brushed Plaid Cape (Bottom right, $148 at Ann Taylor Loft). This classic double-breasted cape is lined, has a banded collar with button closure. From Elizabeth and James (Bottom left, $245 at Net-a-Porter) a gray and cream cotton-blend plaid shirt with a distressed finish, button front and two patch pockets. Pair this wardrobe staple with your favorite pair of jeans and fiercest boots for a cool downtown look.

Save with Coupon Codes from Bloomingdales.com TheFind.com’s new coupon site.

This is a geust post from my friends at thefind.com.