Saturday, May 1, 2010

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Nicole Richie Finally Has Her Own Clothing Line

Nicole Richie is known for being one the biggest boho queens and fashionistas around (next to Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, of course)! But I must say. . . I've been waiting ages for her to finally get her own fashion line after the success of her jewelry line named House of Harlow. Just like the jewelry collection, the clothing line is also named after her daughter. The Winter Kate collection stays true to Nicole's love for everything bohemian, but it's still chic and versatile for those of us who don't wear fringes so well.



Here's a photo of Nicole with her soon-to-be hubby Joel Madden and she's looking as fabulous as always with her signature Balenciaga handbag.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Kate Moss Is A Rebel With A Cause. . .Couture!

"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." This was the phrase heard 'round the world and it was uttered by none other than Kate Moss. She's British, petite, gorgeous, and totally badass, so therefore she can say and do whatever she wants and everyone will still love her. Can you imagine if someone like Heidi Klum or Marissa Miller had publicly used that phrase? They would be loathed! Also, remember when the Daily Mirror ran a front page photo of her snorting cocaine?!?! Sure, she lost a few endorsement deals here and there, but a few months later she was back and stronger than ever. In fact, she's still one of the highest-paid models in the world despite the fact that there are dozens new fresh faces eager to take her throne.


Here she is carrying a silver Yves Saint Laurent handbag to go with her signature look of leggings/skinny jeans and black leather boots. YSL handbags are known for their edgy, rock & roll vibe, as is Kate Moss, so this outfit is a perfect meeting of the minds.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Katy Perry is Sassy and Stylish. . .Perfect Combination!

Katy Perry burst onto the scene a couple of years ago with her hit "I Kissed A Girl" and she hasn't looked back since. She's known for her big voice and even bigger sense of style. Katy Perry is an absolute master at combining old Hollywood glam with today's hottest trends, and just a bit of quirkiness.

She was notably a guest judge on American Idol a while back and she really left her mark on the show! Now that it has been confirmed that Simon Cowell is leaving, everyone is worried that there won't be anymore drama on the show. My suggestion: replace Simon with Katy! She definitely isn't afraid to reveal her true opinion of the contestants and their performances, and she will gladly take on Kara DioGuardi anytime, anyplace!



On another note, here's a photo of Katy with the Chloe Paddington satchel. Just like Katy Perry, Chloe handbags have really burst onto the scene lately and they're being carried by the hottest celebrities left and right. Who knows, maybe Katy will wear a Chloe clutch during her wedding with the luckier than lucky Russell Brand!

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Boy, Zoe Saldana Has Come A Long Way From Center Stage!

Center Stage was one of my absolute favorite movies growing up and I must have seen it literally hundreds of times! It was also the start of Zoe Saldana's Hollywood career and she stole the show as the sassy but talented Eva Rodriguez.

With her dance movie roots, I honestly expected her to take on more of these types of roles, but she took a sci-fi/ fantasy film turn by appearing in films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Trek, and James Cameron's mega-blockbuster Avatar. Who knows, maybe J.J. Abrams will give Zoe her own show and she can become this decade's Jennifer Garner? She certainly has the looks, the talent, and the fanbase. . .


Here's a photo of Zoe going through LAX with a casual-chic ensemble and a beige leather tote by Tods. Tods handbags are always elegant and understated, which makes anyone who carries one appear that much more sophisticated.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Megan Fox: Is She Overexposed or Underrated?

Megan Fox was without a doubt the "it" girl of 2008-2009. Her role in the mega-blockbusters Transformers and Transformers Revenge of the Fallen had something to do with it, but I'm pretty sure if she didn't look the way she does things wouldn't have gotten so crazy so quickly. Aside from her glamorous old-Hollywood looks, she has also become famous for saying some of the craziest things in interviews. Those factors have come together and created the next big thing. But the question still remains: Does she have what it takes?

A couple of years ago she was dubbed the next Angelina Jolie but her first opportunity as a leading lady in Jennifer's Body flopped. Also, I think her media antics are starting to wear thin on her legion of fans (and fanboys). I'm not one to judge a situation like this prematurely because if we all remember the Angelina saga, she didn't really get it together until she was in her late 30's!

Here's a shot of the always gorgeous Megan Fox with the Botkier James satchel. The thing that stands out about Megan's style is that although it's usually provocative on the red carpet, she's very good at bringing it down a notch and being casual-chic when necessary. Botkier handbags are the epitome of being gorgeous without being garish so. . . no complaints here.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Is Selena Gomez Gonna Be the Miley Cyrus of 2010??

The wide, magical world of Disney has produced so many young Hollywood starlets over the past decade, sometimes it's hard to keep them all straight! We have Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Demi Lovato, Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus, and . . . SELENA GOMEZ! And in another PR-heavenly twist, Selena happens to be BFFs with none other than Taylor Swift, the current tween queen. I have a feeling that although Selena has spent the past few years living in Miley's shadow, she's really gonna burst onto the worldwide scene in 2010. Especially now that Miley has vowed to end Hannah Montana and start doing rock CDs instead of pop.

Here we have Ms. Gomez crossing the treacherous minefield commonly referred to as LAX. She's wearing the Coach Luci domed leather satchel. This is a pretty new look for Coach because their handbags tend to have their famous monogrammed pattern in one form of another. I really like this bag and it seems to suit Selena's style.

Taylor Momsen + Gossip Girl + Treesje = Too Chic for Words

I'm sure everyone (even a cave-inhabiting hermit) knows Taylor Momsen as Little Jenny Humphrey from the CW's mega-hit show Gossip Girl. But, I'm willing to give bonus kudos to any of you who remember her as Cindy Lou Who from The Grinch (the Jim Carey one). My my how they grow up so fast. . . What used to be a cuter-than-cute child star has now become an ultra-glam fashionista. Although some might consider her new look to be a little harsh, I kinda like it. I'm sick of the wholesome Disney starlet image that's been shoved down our throats lately.



Here's a pic of Taylor from the set of Gossip Girl in NYC. She stays true to her new hard rock goddess look with a suede jacket, babydoll dress, black leggings, and a studded leather Treesje handbag. Treesje is one of my new favorite designer handbag brands because their look is fashion forward, yet throwback at the same time. Dunno how they do it.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Ryan Reynolds Proves That Men Can Look Chic in a Designer Bag Too

Ryan Reynolds reminds me of old Hollywood actors because he lives his life completely under the radar, which makes his acting shine even more. Sometimes I even forget that he's married to Scarlett Johansson, one of the biggest actresses out there. I'll even admit that whenever they announced he was going to host SNL, I had doubts because it's one thing to be funny in a movie with a comedic script and Sandra Bullock's charm, and quite another to turn it on live on Saturday night!



Here's the talented Mr. Reynolds with a Coach Hamptons satchel, proving that real men wear designer leather bags. I must say I usually prefer handbags or totes, but messenger bags just became slightly more appealing to me.

Lauren Conrad: What's She Been Up To Since The Hills?

The Hills is everyone's favorite MTV "reality" show (at least it was until Jersey Shore came along), despite the fact that Lauren Conrad is no longer featured. Just like in Laguna Beach, Kristin Cavallari has taken over LC's role and just like before, the show is bound to go down the drain soon. If there's any good side to Conrad's departure, it has to be the fact that not only is Audrina Patridge getting more air time, but I heard she's getting her very own show. Independence worked for Whitney Port with The City, so hopefully the same will apply for Audrina.

So what has LC been doing ever since the cameras moved out of her house? She's been designing, writing a book, and marketing like a crazy person. Her fashion line is now sold at Kohl's (after the Kitson debacle), and her book L.A. Candy was a bestseller. Good for Lauren!

Here we have both Lauren and Audrina with Treesje patent leather handbags. Treesje is definitely one of the most underrated designer handbag brands out there, but their stuff is amazing. Lauren is carrying the Divino Grande bag, and Audrina has the Asher Grande.

Twilight's Kristen Stewart Keeps it Casual With Linea Pelle

Everbody's favorite rebel starlet, Kristen Stewart, has EXPLODED onto the Hollywood scene and it looks like she's gonna be here for a while. Thanks to the popularity of Twilight, every other movie out there is about vampires now. Not to mention, the are-they-aren't-they situation with Robert Pattinson. Speaking of Twilight hunks, did any of you catch Taylor Lautner's awesome opening monologue when he hosted SNL? Anyway, I'm getting off topic. . . here's a photo of Kristen Stewart with a gorgeous Linea Pelle handbag. As usual, her outfit is the epitome of casual, but the handbag adds a chic touch to everything. I actually think it suits her very well because it's an understated leather handbag which still has an air of elegance to it.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Emma Watson Goes From Harry Potter to Haute Couture

What's this I hear? Hermione Granger is becoming a supermodel? Well--not quite a supermodel just yet, but she's well on her way if you ask me. The Harry Potter starlet is famous for playing a bookworm in the J.K. Rowling blockbusters, but it seems like Ms. Watson is really coming into her own beautywise. In reality, her role as a studious genius isn't too far off base because she's been accepted to Yale University!

I remember a few years ago she was on Letterman or something and she said that she's made enough money so she'll never have to work again. This of course caused Potterphiles worldwide to assume that she's leaving the film industry altogether and she'll stop making the movies. Thankfully, she's still right in the thick of it and we can look forward to seeing her in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows I & II.

Below are photos from her ad campaign for Burberry. I've actually seen these photos before in Vogue, and I literally didn't notice that it was her. I guess that means she's a chameleon, which is a coveted quality for a model to have. By the way, is anyone else just drooling over those Burberry totes? They all look very lush and give off an Aspen vibe. If I had to choose, I'd go for the first one because it reeks of fabulosity.








Sunday, January 3, 2010

Reese Witherspoon Rocks in Tods

Reese Witherspoon is seen here in a Tod's black leather tote which doubles as a shoulder bag with a gold chain link handle. This photo was taken around the holiday season, and she clearly went to town for her kids' Christmas experience. Lately there have been lots of rumors about a reported breakup with her boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal, but her spirits seem to be high. I must say, I'm really loving this look on her. The floral dress mixed with a black blazer and black ankle boots is very Kate Moss, but it still works on sweet Reese!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Kardashians are Taking Over!

It's the reality TV trifecta: Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe Kardashian are putting their stamp on this world, and they're doing it in a surprisingly entertaining way. I'll admit, when I first heard that they were getting their own reality show, I rolled my eyes. Great, another rich and beautiful family with their own TV show. . .how original. But after watching the first season, I was hooked. These people are very charming and now with Khloe marrying Lamar Odem after knowing him for 5 minutes, Kourtney having a baby with that loser Scott Disick, Keeping Up With the Kardashians is better than ever.


Here's a recent photo of 2 out of 3 Kardashians, with Kim donning a white leather Balenciaga bag & Kourtney with a Fendi handbag which goes perfectly with her baby bump. I must say these two have perfected the art of casual-chic.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Why the Hermes Birkin Bag Costs So Much Money

I was recently reading an article about Victoria Beckham's style, and one of the things mentioned was her Hermes collection. The article also stated that she pays tens of thousands of dollars for each bag! I guess that's like pocket change for posh spice, but it made me think about the obscene price of these bags and why this is so.

If you look through eBay, the average Hermes Birkin bag costs between $7,000 and $12,000. And this is without any custom-made features! How can this be? It all comes down to craftmanship. Birkin bags are made out of the finest and most exotic leather and precious metal, and they are hand made by craftsmen in France. It actually takes around 48 hours just to make one, so this is why the waiting list is years long.

Typically, the exterior features of a Birkin bag are made out of leather or crocodile skin, but crocodile skin tends to cost way more because the saltwater crocodiles they use aren't easy to come by. The interior lining is manufactured from goat skin that is specially tanned to match the color of the exterior. The signature lock, keys, buckle, and feet studs that adorn the bags are also made with precious metals such as gold or palladium.

Despite the fact that an Hermes Birkin bag is expensive, I would still highly recommend purchasing one because it is one of the few bags that actually appreciates in value over time. Usually, a bag only retains resale value as long as it is considered to be an "it" bag. In this case, you can spend $5,000 on a brand new birkin and expect to resell it for a hefty profit.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Gisele Bundchen Has Literally Put Brazil on the Map

This Brazilian beauty is one of the most famous faces in the world, and she came from almost nothing to become a multi-millionaire mostly thanks to those looks. She was born Gisele Caroline Nonnenmacher Bündchen (but just Gisele is alright these days), in Tres de Maio, Brazil, and grew up in Horizontina, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. She has five sisters, including a fraternal twin named Patricia. Gisele originally intended to become a volleyball player, and even considered playing for the Brazilian national team. However, she enrolled in a modeling class at the age of 13 along with her sisters Gabriela and Patricia.

A year later, Gisele was discovered in a shopping mall by a modeling agent. She went on to compete in multiple modeling contests until 1996, when she ultimately moved to New York City and made her Fashion Week debut. Her first magazine cover was in the July 1999 issue of Vogue, and she proceeded to grace the cover of Vogue two more times, equaling three consecutive covers. This was just the tip of the iceberg. Gisele has been on the covers of more magazines than I could even begin to mention (as of now the grand total is over 500 worldwide covers).

All of this success has led to one thing...money, money, and more money. At an estimated net worth of over $150 million, Gisele Bündchen is the world's highest paid model. Aside from modeling, Gisele has been featured in two films. She was Serena in The Devil Wears Prada, and she played one of the main characters (Vanessa) in the film Taxi which co-starred Jimmy Fallon and Queen Latifah. She's also become a staple on the television show TMZ due to her relationship with New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady, as well as her previous relationships with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kelly Slater.

Thankfully though, it seems like all of the fame and fortune hasn't gotten to her head because here she is in NYC, hailing a cab just like the rest of us (although I'm sure she only had to wait for about a millisecond). The messenger bag she's carrying is the Besace by Yves Saint Laurent.

$1,995.00

Here we have the lovely couple out and about in Paris. Gisele looks très chic in a comfy beige sweater, gray skinny jeans, vintage leather boots, and a Christian Dior Gaucho tote.

$1,613.00
One of Gisele's best features in my opinion has got to be her facial bone structure. The Dolce & Gabbana shades she's wearing only highlight this fact.
$185.00
Half (actually most) of a supermodel's job is to look good in a pricey dress...and Gisele never disappoints. I'm pretty sure that jaws fell to the ground when everyone saw her in this body-hugging Versace gown at the 2008 Met's Costume Institute Gala.
...And here she is doing her thing at a Christian Dior couture runway show.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Anne Hathaway is the Face of Regal Elegance

It seems like destiny that Anne Hathaway has had such an amazing acting career because she was aptly named after William Shakespeare's wife! Well...destiny and talent. She was born in Millburn, New Jersey on November 12, 1982 to a lawyer and an actress, which probably explains why she's so good. It's in her genes. However, Anne also possesses another quality that a lot of Hollywood stars don't...intelligence. Anne Hathaway has attended Vassar and New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study, which is probably why she's so eloquent and well-spoken during all of her interviews.

Besides acting, Anne is also a well-trained soprano vocalist. In fact, she famously had to turn down the starring role in the Phantom of the Opera movie (which ultimately went to Emmy Rossum) because of contract disputes with Disney. Anyway, Hathaway landed her first big break in the acting world when she was cast in the TV series Get Real. The show ended up getting cancelled, but she went on to star in the movie The Other Side of Heaven along with Christopher Gorham. After that, she earned the role of Mia Thermopolis in The Pricess Diaries, which is the role that made her a star.

She then went on to star in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, Havoc, Brokeback Mountain, The Devil Wears Prada, Becoming Jane, and Get Smart. Although I loved her in all of these films, my personal favorite was The Devil Wears Prada. The funny thing is that I remember her talking about how she thinks she lacks personal style, so the movie was a bit of a learning experience for her. I have to disagree with her because I think her "lack of personal style" is actually the best kind of style because it allows her to dress more freely and really express herself through her fashion.

For example, here she is at an event celebrating Valentino, wearing none other than Valentino. Each of the three dresses does an excellent job of drawing attention to her porcelain complexion.

Here she is, in a pair of funky sunglasses by Jee Vice. This look reminds me of a modern Audrey Hepburn mixed with a bit of Edie Sedgwick.

$225.00

Anne Hathaway looked beyond stunning in a red Marchesa gown at the 2008 Oscars. Again, the combination of the bright red dress and her jet black hair really makes her clear skin pop.

Of course I couldn't discuss Anne Hathaway and fashion without mentioning her looks in The Devil Wears Prada. Here's a picture snapped of the actress while she was in character as Andrea "Andy" Sachs. She's wearing a Kristina Ti tweed miniskirt, Chanel jacket, and Chanel thigh-high boots. ...And here another shot of Anne ("Andy") in a DKNY turtleneck, a leather jacket by Vince, darkwash jeans from Japanese Fabric, and suede stiletto boots by Calvin Klein.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

The Daytime Emmys...Who Were the Real Winners?

Well it's that time of year again...not just Emmy season, but DAYTIME Emmy season! If you're like me and you revel in the drama and intrigue of afternoon TV, then last night was a pretty big deal. Ellen won her 9878th Emmy, Tyra won her first, and Regis got a hilarious Lifetime Achievement award presented by Jimmy Kimmel. The night's hosts were All My Children and Dancing with the Stars' Cameron Mathison and The View's Sherri Shepherd. They were pretty funny, too.

All in all it was a very good night, but of course the best part was the fashion. It's customary to pick a best dressed female, then male, and then worst dressed female, then male. However, I'm not very good at picking just one, so I'll try to keep it short and sweet.

Let me start with everyone's favorite couple: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia DeRossi. I've seen these two on more red carpets than I care to remember, and their fashion formula still remains the same. Ellen wears something very masculine and semi-formal, while Portia wears a stunning and flowing gown that gets her on everyone's best dressed list. This time however, Portia chose a very bland green dress that wasn't at all up to her standard.

Next, we have miss Tyra Banks, who gave one of the most memorable acceptance speeches of all time. I was so happy she won that I forgave her blond hair and oversized gown.
Guiding Light's Marcy Rylan (Lizzie) wore one of my favorite gowns of the night. The way it's white on top and then suddenly splashes in blue color on the bottom kinda reminds me of Gwen Stefani's wedding dress. Compare for yourself.


Although there were lots of fantastic looks throughout the night, I have to say that my top dresses were worn by All My Children's Susan Lucci and The Young and the Restless' Adrienne Frantz.

Honorary mention goes to Reno 911's Niecy Nash for wearing a bold yellow gown that was slimming, flattering, and stunning, and The Young and the Restless' Greg Rikaart for wearing a scarf in the scalding Los Angeles heat!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Miley Cyrus is the Most Famous Teenager in the Universe

Miley Cyrus's real name is Destiny Hope Cyrus, but her parents famously changed it to 'Miley' because she smiled a lot as a child. Get it? Smiley - "S" = Miley. Anyway, Miley Cyrus is a singer, actress, and songwriter, but she didn't officially reach teen phenom status until the start of her hit show Hannah Montana. In the show, she plays a teenager creatively named Miley Stewart, who lives a double life as a superstar pop singer named Hannah Montana. It's a bit contrived, but hey, Disney tweens aren't exactly an astute bunch.

However, I suppose Miley deserves a little bit of credit for her acting chops because she's guest starred on her father's (that's Billy Ray Cyrus just in case you're living on the moon) TV series Doc, and she played Ruthie in Tim Burton's Big Fish. But thanks to her role on Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus has been firmly established as a powerhouse in the pop industry. She's released two albums (Hannah Montana and Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus), and her Best of Both Worlds tour with the Jonas Brothers was so popular, a ticket could've easily set you back thousands of dollars!

Miley and her family are such good role models that it's hard not to be happy for all of their success. The "good girl" image that has made Miley rich also transcends into her fashion. She's very well dressed, but she doesn't try to look like an exotic dancer on the red carpet like Paris Hilton.
For example, check her out in a white Dorothy Perkins top, darkwash skinny jeans, and a pair of suede Uggs.
Here she is imitating one of the Olsen twins with an eclectic mixture of patterns and colors all worn at once with a pair of Azzedine Alaia gladiator sandals.

$1,124.00
Despite the fact that she's only 15 years old, Miley Cyrus has become an expert at the art of getting glamorous for a swanky event and making herself look waaaayyy older than she really is. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Anyway, she absolutely dazzled at the 2008 Oscars in a red Valentino gown, Neil Lane jewelry, and a clutch by Mary Norton.

...And again at the 2008 Grammys in a vintage-looking white dress by Celine and shoes by Sergio Rossi.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Madonna is a Fashion Pioneer for the Ages

She needs only one name... Madonna. Actually, it's Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie. She has as many names as she has things going on in her hectic schedule! She's a musician, dancer, record producer, writer, actress, and mother. Madonna was born in Detroit, but she relocated to New York City to become a ballet dancer. It was there where Madonna found her true passion of singing and dancing on stage. In 1983, she released her self-titled debut album, and the rest is history.

She went on to have three consecutive number one albums on the Billboard 100, and then to sell over 200 million albums worldwide. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) named her the Best Selling Female Rock Artist of the Twentieth Century, and Guiness World Records has her as the world’s most successful female recording artist of all time, with a net worth of over $400 million.

Although her musical career has brought her many accolades, I most remember her for single-handedly starting an entire fashion movement in the 80s. Phase I of the Madonna Movement involved wearing layers of bracelets, fishnet gloves, miniskirt over leggings, head bands, and bleach blonde hair with dark roots. Phase II is more commonly known as the Like a Virgin look, and it involved wearing huge crucifix jewelry, lace gloves, boy toy belts, tulle skirts, corsets worn as outerwear, and LOTS of makeup. You can still see traces of this look in today's fashion since head bands and leggings are back, but the intensity of the 80s fad has thankfully passed.

Phase I
Phase II

These days, Madonna is all over the news because of her rumored divorce from hubby Guy Ritchie. Oh well, they had a nice run. They have a son together, Rocco, Madonna adopted second son Mwale from Malawi, and Madonna already had daughter Lourdes from a previous relationship with trainer Carlos Leon. Check out this photo of Madonna with her three kids.
Madonna recently teamed up with the retail store H&M to create a line of clothing aptly named M by Madonna. Below is a sample of some handbags from the collection, which are reasonably priced at less than $200.00.Here she is sporting a chic pair of Christian Dior sunglasses.

$350.00

...And she looked absolutely flawless at the 2007 Vanity Fair Oscars After Party in a sleek and elegant black gown.