Get The Look For Less – Rachel Bilson At Showtime’s TCA Event

Rachel Bilson, looking fabulous as always, puts a feminine twist on the menswear trend at Showtime’s Summer TCA (Television Critics Association) party at the Pagoda in Beverly Hills last week. Bilson’s sheer cream with black detail sleeveless blouse by Malene Birger and pointy toe (the new silhouette for fall) Shoemint pumps are incredibly gorgeous, but the standout piece is undoubtedly the high-waisted black cropped pant with pocket detail by Alexander McQueen.

But they are also what puts the price tag so far out of reach for many. Not to worry, you can get this look for less, much less. With the aide of ASOS’s sleeveless blouse ($29.00) and Vince Camuto’s fantastic skinny ankle pants ($79.00) you have an equally fabulous look. Since we all need a little touch up through the night, not to mention a smart phone, I added an awesome snakeprint over-sized clutch ($34.95) to complete your look for less!!

Clockwise from top left: ASOS Sleeveless Blouse $41.43 on sale for $29.00 www.asos.com, Vince Camuto Skinny Ankle Pants $79.00 www.nordstroms.com, Urban Expressions Cleopatra Clutch $34.95 www.dsw.com, Aldo Romelia Pump $80.00 www.zappos.com.

Flower Power – Springs New Print Trend

Flower power is back! This season there is a growing passion for all things floral (prints). There was a time when the trend  conjured up images of Laura Ashley prints and little-girl smock dresses. But this season’s crop of floral prints embodies a freshness and modern sophistication.

You can wear them head to toe — the  pajama look is a great way to sport this — or give your jeans and tee a splash of color with floral printed accessories. Whether in cool pleasing pastels or vibrant spirited hue, florals are packing a punch. To get your bouquet started I’ve curated my picks of the best of the trend.

Clockwise from top left: Tucker Printed Silk Crepe de Chine Dress $370.00 www.netaporter.com, Elizabeth & James Bruce Floral-Print Silk Jacket $395.00 www.nordstroms.com, Qupid Ceduce Wedge Sandal $34.94 www.dsw.com, Paige Floral Skinny Jeans $198.00 www.nordstroms.com, Warehouse Flower & Bird Print Dress $80.57 www.asos.com, Dsquared2 Flower Print top $155.00 www.yoox.com.

Celebrate St. Patty’s Day in Style

Wearing green this St. Patty’s Day is easier than you think. I’ve put together a selection of eight pieces that will let you celebrate St. Patty’s day pinch free (if opting for the lace bra and thongs I’ll leave it to you on how to let people know), and with this vibrant hue trending so strong you’ll be letting loose this Saturday in style. Emerald green adds a fantastic pop to any outfit and no doubt you’ll want to wear this electric hue well past the holiday.

I’ll be sporting the Zara lace blazer, it’s a simple yet striking way to add a feminine touch to mens wear inspired pants or a touch of romance to your favorite pair of jeans. If you’re still not sure about donning such a bold color try opting for the high-rise mint shorts — this soothing color still keeps you pinch free while maintaining a less boisterous profile. Anyone of these stunning finds is sure to make your friends green with envy!!

Clockwise from top left: Tibi Printed Cotton Top $345 www.netaporter.com, Rag & Bone Skinny-Kelly Green Jeans $176.00 www.barneys.com, Mint High Waist Hotpants $56.00 www.topshop.com,  Zara Lace Blazer $99.90 www.zara.com, Rag & Bone Danby Sweater $325.00 on sale for $199.00 www.barneys.com, Balcony Lace Bra And Thong $50.00 www.topshop.com, Joie A LA Plage Sevilla Dress $188.00 www.revolveclothing.com, Cambridge Green 14″ Satchel $170.10 www.asos.com.

Get The Look For Less – Solange Knowles

Beyonce’s little sister Solange Knowles isn’t afraid of being bold! She was photographed wearing a canary Christopher Kane sleeveless dress with a bright pink clutch by Niki ($325.00) and silky purple heels at the Tiffany & Co. bash in N.Y.C. January 25th.  Completely on-trend with Spring 2012′s color blocking style, Solange even took her outfit up a couple of notches by incorporating bold, colorful accessories. Tiffany’s event was the launch of “True Love in Pictures,” and the stylish performer, who is also a singer and actress, entertained the crowd as the evening’s DJ.

The event was hosted by The Sartorialist’s Scott Schuman and his girlfriend, Garance Dore, the duo that created the event’s photo blog, showing couples in love, which could also be viewed through hand-held retro viewfinders scattered around the party. The idea is that the images that the couple selected will inspire users to upload their own photos using a special filter application available on the iTunes store. For more information about the love story go to www.whatmakeslovetrue.com.

Also…congratulations to Solange for her Soul Train Award nomination for Best New Artist!

Here are our picks to get Solange’s happy and bright look for less:

Clockwise from top left: TFNC  Dress With High Neck Racer Style $68.04 www.asos.com, Kris Nations Orchid Filigree Cuff $85.00 wwwmaxandchole.com, Deviaate Stephen Maden Platform $109.95 www.stevemadden.com, Kelly & Katie Woven Envelope Clutch $29.95 www.dsw.com.

New Year’s Eve is right around the corner.

I knows it’s hard to believe but the New Year is impending upon us … and fast! For all of you procrastinators who don’t have a dress, we have put together a rather rad (if we don’t say so ourselves) selection of party dresses, perfect for ringing in the new year.

And if you hurry, you can still get your favorite of these dresses in time for your New Year’s festivities. For a price (and usually a hefty price) you can elect to get second or next day shipping.

We know it comes with a bigger price tag but we’ve included a designer Tibi dress, because frankly, we think you’re worth it.

Clockwise from top left: ASOS Half Moon Pailette Dress $272.90 www.asos.com, Shakuhachi Snake Print Dress $359.00 www.pixiemart.com, ABS Sequin Open Back Dress $436.00 www.bloomingdales.com, Tibi Floral Print Silk Gazar Dress $570.00 www.netaporter.com, Metallic Leather Dress $189.00 on sale for $129.99 www.zara.com, For Love And Lemons Scarlet Lace Dress $149.90 www.akira.com.

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Get The Look For Less – Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams was recently seen running around New York City looking fabulous wearing a Tibi Blazer, an adorable Stella McCartney tee and colbalt blue cropped jeans. Her outfit channels a theme that is common to her unique sense of style, which is a combination of vintage-inspired and modern-day chic.

Michelle can currently be seen on the silver screen as the iconic starlet in the indie film My Week with Marilyn. The actress studied the mannerisms and life styles of the famous Marilyn Monroe for months before filming…and looking at Michelle’s style lately, we think she might be channeling the icon in her own personal life as well.

We recently saw the movie for ourselves and were just as much impressed with Michelle’s performance as we were the amazing wardrobes worn by the actors.

“I suppose it’s about catching a feeling, because I think that’s where the magic of something lies,” Williams said in describing her approach to becoming Marilyn through her life and style.

It has already been announced that Michelle has been nominated for a Golden Globe for My Week With Marilyn. Producer Harvey Weinstein is optimistic she will also secure an Oscar nomination. If the glamour of her real-life sense of style is any indication of her creative ability to pull together an-award winning performance through her craft, then she will take home the Oscar for sure.

Here are our picks to get Michelle’s star style for less:

Clockwise from top left: ASOS Satin Lapel Tux Blazer $109.00 on sale for $ 65.45 www.asos.com, Lauren Moshi Jody Horse Tee $102.00 on sale for $79.99 www.shopthetrend.com, Calvin Klein Faux Snakeskin Leather Satchel $199.00 on sale fro $99.99 www.calvinklein.com, Colored Skinny Jeans $22.80 www.forever21.com.

LBD = Holiday Dresses

What makes the perfect Holiday dress? It’s a dress that’s suitable for the many cocktail parties, dinners and office fetes that await you. What it shouldn’t be is a dress that gets tucked away in your closet, only to be pulled out at the same time every year for the holidays.

The Little Black Dress fits the bill to a tee. They can rock your holiday parties and dinners while being a go to dress in the future. And every designer has one in their collection, so finding the one that “speaks to you” should be a cinch. We’ve curated a selection of dresses with varying price points so they can easily fit into your holiday budget. We particularly fancy the knitted macrame dress from Top Shop and the hi-lo kimono sleeve dress from ASOS.

Looking chic this holiday is easy as the LBD.

Clockwise from top left: Strapless Layered Ostrich Feather Dress $328.00 www.anntaylor.com, Holy Tee Yves Stretch-Jersey & Silk-Chiffon Dress $345.00 www.netaporter.com, Aqua Cobra Rolled Kimono Sleeve Hi-Lo Dress $199.98 www.asos.com, L’agence Lace Bodice Dress $495.00 on sale for $299.00 www.barney.com, Knitted Macrame Dress $120.00 www.topshop.com, Shirt Dress With Sash Belt $159.00 www.zara.com,

Get The Look For Less – Michelle Williams As Marilyn Monroe

We recently saw My Week With Marilyn- a charming period piece that tells the true story of British author and director Colin Clark’s life-changing week with Marilyn. We were wowed by Michelle William’s portrayal of the iconic beauty, one that will be sure to garner her another (her third) Oscar nomination. She gives a magical performance, brilliantly capturing Marilyn’s voice and physical mannerisms. Never content to play her as a victim, she captures her emotional neediness and her power to entrance, on and off screen.

We also fell for Michelle’s “Marilyn” wardrobe -  sheath dresses, pencil skirts and capri pants worn with form-fitting sweaters and topped off with iconic coats. The pieces may have all been classics, but all possessed an air of sexiness (perhaps due to the more volomputuos figure that was fashionable).

Jill Taylor, the costume designer whose previously worked on Sliding Doors and Match Point, created the costumes in 6 weeks which included dressing the entire cast. She sourced many of the items from vintage shops, auction houses and markets. Speaking to Estella Shardlow of Vintage Seekers, Taylor said “I trawled through loads and loads of antiques fairs and vintage shops to see if we could find original vintage pieces that would suffice for the film. We were pretty successful but we also had to reproduce a lot from original photographs.” One such item was the re-creation of the white dress from Prince and the Showgirl that  required Taylor to use a still from the movie along with input from the original costume designer from the movie. The results were stunning!

Browse these looks to achieve “Marilyn’s” look.

Clockwise from top left: Jones New York White Button Down $64.00 www.jny.com, Victoria’s Secret Pencil Skirt $59.50 www.victoriassecret.com, Calvin Klein White Pump $76.99 www.6pm.com, ASOS Skinny Belt $8.18 www.asos.com.

Get The Look For Less – Demi Moore

Demi Moore looked glam yet rocker-chic in leather leggings, a sheer white tie blouse, black blazer, along with Brian Atwood black patent pumps and a metallic clutch.

To get Demi’s look, start with leather-like leggings, wear a loose white tunic, preferably one that’s a bit see-through and/or has a deep-V neckline. Underneath the slightly sheer top, wear a sexy black bra like Demi’s. Next, add a black blazer (this one actually has a slit opening in the back!) – it adds polish to the look and provides an extra layer of warmth. Finally, throw on some black patent pumps, and grab a metallic clutch, like this beautiful gold beaded one, and you are ready for a night out!

Here are our picks to get Demi’s look for less:

  

(Clockwise from top left: Warehouse Faux Leather Leggings $80.86 on sale for $48.52 www.asos.com, Wyatt Ruffle Blouse $117 www.bluefly.com,  Level 99 Fiona Blazer $128.00 www.chelseabrentwood.com, Kelsi Daggar Pump $79.95 www.dsw.com.)

Trend Report – Parkas

With mercury starting to inch its way down and people remembering the brutal cold front that haunted us last winter, we’re excited that designers got practical this fall/winter. Parkas were paraded down the runway that were not only wearable but super-luxe statement pieces. Luxe enough to wear with this season’s evening dress code.

Joseph Altuzarro topped off many of his ensembles with utilitarian style outerwear, mainly the parka. His combo of an ultra sleek white-as-snow parka topping off a crystal beaded evening dress looked as natural as if she were wearing a fur, only chicer. When asked about the change of direction his fall/winter collection took, he replied,  “I wanted something longer and looser, something sensual and feminine, but utilitarian at the same time”. The pictures that inspired him: old photos of Kate Moss wearing parkas over her evening dresses, in the days when her accessory of choice was Johnny Depp.

Many others tapped into the overcoat theme with Alexander Wang, Barbara Boi and Mulberry all garnishing off a good portion of their exits with outerwear, again the coat of choice was the parka. When Emma Hill, creative director of Mulberry, described their customer she was quoted saying, “She’s got a dilapidated, stately home. She’s got her long party dress on and she throws on a duffel coat.” And who could forget Thankoon’s red and royal blue check Masai number? Perfect for the girl who doesn’t waver from attention.

Who new practicality could be so chic! This is one trend we wouldn’t mind having a bit of longevity!!

Clockwise from top left: Elizabeth & James Faux Fur Parka $1050 www.cusp.com, Steve Madden Faux Fur Parka www.nordstroms.com, Free People Sweater Lined Parka $248.00 www.nordstroms.com, Dark Khaki Long Waxed Parka $196.00 www.topshop.com, ASOS Oversize Hood Tencel Parka $122.22 www.asos.com, Burberry Metallic Finish Parka $795.00 www.burberry.com