Elizabeth & James

Fans of the Olsen twins, rejoice!

Their new line, Elizabeth & James, have finally hit stores.

Easy breezy pieces that you could take from work to play, all about between $100 and $1000 (that's quite a range!)

Check it out online at Neiman Marcus.

Here are a few of my top picks:

+ Hooded metallic jacket
+ Bow tunic and split pants
+ A lipstick pink mini-dress

Our Fashionable Friend

Everyone knows Jennifer Aniston right? Her turn as Rachel, the romance and break-up with Brad Pitt, and her unwavering sense of personal style and poise.

These are two incredibly simple and casual looks, to get you from work to play in a flash.

Take 1: Black is always in.
+ Show off your killer legs (you didn't jog all those miles for nothing honey) with black or navy shorts (Wet Seal has plenty of in a myriad of designs and shades). Make sure they're not too snug or you risk looking like a hoochie-mama! Instead, pick something that sits right above your hipbone and reaches just above mid-thigh with a slight flare. Legs will look smaller in comparison.
+ Get a gorgeous fitted top (Victoria's Secret makes great, sexy shirts) in a color near similar (if not black, try dark charcoal, or perhaps navy blue). Tuck it neatly into shorts to create a lean, streamlined effect.
+ Add killer strappy heels. No clunky platforms or stumpy flats here!
+ Other ways to dress it up and add a pop of color include draping a sheer scarf around your neck (not one that drags past your shorts), adding a thin, metallic belt around your pants if you want to accentuate that area, or some fine, gold jewelry. Just not all at once!


Take 2: City Girl Chic
+ Find a loose, blousy top that cuts close around your shoulders but drapes everywhere else. (Curvy girls might want to skip this, because it might end up looking sackish. Instead, pick something that's fitted across the bustline too)
+ Pair with lean, long pants in a contrasting shade (too much of one color can be overwhelming here). Tuck top in slightly, only if you have a flat tummy you want to highlight!
+ Grab yourself a metallic clutch, and pile on some thin bangles.
(Express is a good place to start for these items!)

hearts hearts hearts armstrong(:

better known for her role as anna on the o.c., Samaire Armstrong has come a long way. Crazy, quirky, charming, sweet, all of which are some terms I could use to encompass her personality. To top it off, I love that punk rocker, rebel chick in her at times.
From girl-next-door to modern-day chic, she sure knows how to dress it up. And as all fashionistas should swear by, she never forgets that extra something to make her outfit edgier, be it a cap, a headband, suspenders, oh and cute shoes! This girl lets her clothes do the talking, and that is what we all should aspire to do. I heart Samaire. (: she's so pretty!

Nicole Richie's LA cool

In keeping with our Casual Summer theme...
Simple, snappy fashion rules by Nicole Richie:

Pair light and breezy summertime dresses with flats. Heels look too skanky! Make sure the dresses are at least an inch above your knees; anything longer than that will make you look old and dowdy and who wants that?

..but if you're on the petite side, wear those heels with skinny jeans and balance off the proportions with a looser top, or a large accessory (bag or shawl) to downplay how tiny you are.

..and even shorts can look glamarous, as long as you know how to work it.

p/s never leave that pair of oversized sunnies behind. and always make sure you look effortlessly classic and chic.

Jessica Alba -- doing it casual

What do you make of Jessica Alba? She always looks chic and pretty on the red carpet, but her style is a whole lot more laidback on the streets...with some hits and some misses.

Here's a post, for all you casual jeans-and-tee loving girls (and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!) and a quick breakdown of what makes her casual style work.

Things to remember when you're Jessica:
1) Always have an incredibly expensive and classic bag with you so that you always look cool, no matter how dressed down you may be. Designer goes with velour and flipflops, any day!



2) Wear your jeans the right way. Play it up with a bright top or go with a low-key color and added interest (belt and sequin details). And of course, always remember to accessorize so you don't look like a college student off to her next Psychology class.
3) When in doubt, go goth and sleek in black.


...but not like this. Sorry Jessica, but god only knows what you're trying to smuggle under that get-up.

Little Miss Miller

Admit it, Sienna Miller is a style icon. She (almost) single-handedly created the entire craze for boho fashion, long vintage chains, skinny jeans and flats, etc. You gotta give credit to a girl who's that forward and effortlessly fashionable! Here, I'll break down her fashion into some bite-size pieces:

Bright outerwear

Regardless of season, layering is always in. For the summers, try a light-weight vest in a bright color like the gold on Sienna Miller picks below, or in cooler weather, try a heavier, woolen jacket in a sharp bolero style and eye-popping hue. And remember to keep the rest of your clothes neutral, and accessories pared down to the bare minimum!

Fearless Headgear & Boots

It's important to keep balanced on top and below; a wool beanie and corduroy conductor's cap get paired with skinnies and heavy boots.
P/S Keep woolen accessories summer friendly with a light, sleeveless tunic top and sunnies!

Gold Necklaces

There's a science to this heavily overdone art: Simple, thin charms over colorful or printed tops, and heavier pieces (layered or no) over basic, no-frills tops that displays each trinkets beauty to their maximum. When layering necklaces, always keep in mind length: make sure the main charm is not being obscured by some other detail!

Monotones can be pretty!

Not everything has exist in wild, clashing prints. Keep it simple with monochromatic colors! Important note: NEVER go monotone in bright colors! You know those old women walking down the street in fuschia from head to toe? Yeah, not a good look. Try browns, nudes and greys, and if you simply must wear a louder color, go for a mini-dress, so there's isn't a ton of loud color on you, which can overwhelm...everyone! And worst of all, keep your natural beauty hidden!

Rachel Bilson <3

She is absolutely adorable! You wouldn't be able to tell that she's pint-sized in real life, with the gorgeous figure and clothes she wears. I love this stripey dress of hers, paired with gold chandelier earrings and simple shoes/clutch... it's casual and yet classy.
Now this outfit I wonder about, but I think she pulled it off. I very much doubt that I would dare venture out of the house in a sheer Victorian blouse with piping, high boots and a gold scarf, but she looks very put-together, not awkward.

Next, we feature Bilson's favored item: jackets, or some form of outerwear. She always picks exactly the right one, to dress up a pair of jeans for the red carpet, or to take into town on a sunday afternoon.

...and always, ALWAYS, that extra little something (a bright red purse, asymmetrical lengths, woolen beret, bright shoes, etc.)


Anyone want to comment on her bright red smock? Yay or nay? I love her yellow trapeze jacket but I don't know about the mumsy-floral ensemble she has on the right. The proportions look a bit strange -- like she's taken a too-large maternity dress and cropped it right at the belly. hmm.
Still, I suppose, if you're a celebrity with fashion cred, you can do whatever you jolly-well-please!

The Adrogynous Agyness

If you've been a bad fashionista and haven't heard of supermodel-to-be Agyness Deyn, then you had better start riffling through those pages of Vogue all over again. the 21 year-old English babe is famous for her bleached pixie cut hair, wildly androgynous yet fashion-forward sense of style and cute quirkiness. She's absolutely fabulous at mixing and matching all sorts of patterns and prints, and a queen of layering.

...and best of all, she can dress up and look like a girly-girl, or rock that hot hair and suspenders for a more masculine feel. Hey, you gotta admire someone who can pull of both with such panache and attitude!

a modern day audrey hepburn

loved loved loved this girl in 'Garden State'. Natalie Portman is yet another star to keep a look out for. it isnt just her pretty looks that catches hollywood's attention, she has done some amazing acting as well. and well..not everyone can look as good as her, bald.

there's nothing not to love about this fresh-faced beauty. she looks immecably clean and chic as always, and her hair! dang! i love her hair. i mean, not when she was bald, although i wouldnt mind looking like that if i ever were to shave bald. note: ever being the definitive. but u gotta admit, she HAD great hair. i love the way she pulls it back, buns it up, looking so together all the time. she's a no-fuss-no-muss kinda girl, and is always minimalistic in her wardrobe. that isn't always a bad thing. she wears her clothes well, and this girl really wears confidence and attitude like a patch on her shoulder, and that in the name of fashion, is real beauty.

our modern day audrey hepburn, ladies and gentlemen. :)

mary: i love her! she's such a pixie girl..and pixie girls are always amazing!

Irina Lazareanu - Model Talent

Introducing Irina Lazareanu -- Canadian supermodel-slash-singer-songwriter and laid-back fashionista.



I'm loving the blend of lace-like prints in her jacket and dress...they look like the same design, in different colors, which pulls it all together brilliantly.






We may give them a hard time, but men can inspire us too. Ties, slouchy pants, tuxedo vests and sharp blazers. Raid your man's wardrobe and have a blast -- it's always more fun to have (free!) choices. Psst, you heard it here: male-inspired fashion is SO in!



Maybe Lindsey was out trying to get style tips from Irina? Either way, Ms Lazareanu looks polished with her all-black ensemble, and bag/coat in colors that pop. She may not be a familiar face to most, but she's definitely a (style) model to watch!