Juliana Jabour Horse Print Mini Dress

There's something about this dress that I love. I can't put my finger on it but it just looks sooo sexy to me. I do have to admit that I have such an eclectic taste when it comes to fashion. But this dress has a certain something. It's definitely not the horse print and it's definitely not the price tag (over $1,000). Well, whatever it is, good on the designer because this dress is already sold out at Shopbop and it hasn't even been a week since they got it! Oh well, they still have the High Neck Blouse ($741) and the Low Back Blouse ($968) available in the horse print. Hmmm...maybe it is the horse print then! Lol.

LG Prada Phone

Ok, I'm confused. Why two brand names? Is it by LG? Is it by Prada? Obviously, it's an LG phone...Prada doesn't make phones. But why the two brand names? Ah, precisely because Prada doesn't make phones. Confused yet? I bet.

As I said, Prada doesn't make phones but Prada does have wealthy clients. There are people out there who are Prada fans and would buy anything Prada. LG was smart enough to secure the license to the brand and stamp it on their phones. Of course, they probably paid a hefty sum. Prada probably makes a cut of the sales as well. It all comes down to money and ultimately the 'poor' consumer suffers for it.

How is this different from buying a Prada bag or any other designer ware, you ask? Well, the difference is that when you buy, let's say, a Prada bag, you're paying for a Prada bag - you're paying Prada dollars for a Prada item. When you buy the LG Prada phone, it's almost like your paying Prada dollars for a Coach bag. Now, does that seem right to you?

LG Prada Phone, $799.00

Must Have: Garment Steamer

Everyone who cares about their clothes must have their own garment steamer. Not only does it freshen up your outfit without the hassle of ironing, it lengthens the life of your clothes simply because they don't have to go be washed as often!

Steaming your clothes is a lot faster and easier than ironing them. And certain clothes and fabrics (i.e. silk, chiffon) just can't stand the heat of an iron. What's a girl to do if her silk cocktail dress is wrinkled and she only has a couple of hours to prepare? In comes the handy garment steamer. You can steam the wrinkles out of your dress in 10-15 minutes. Isn't that great? Now you can spend more time doing your hair and/or makeup without having to worry about wearing a wrinkly cocktail dress to your party. Just fabulous.

Happy 21st Birthday James!

It's my younger's brother's 21st birthday today and I just wanted to wish him a very "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Time goes by so fast...

Meme Time: Mixed Drink

When I was younger (not that I'm old or anything), there was a time that I drinked a lot. Now that I'm more mature (LOL!), I've limited my drinking to special occasions. I came across this meme and it's funny that I'm apparently "Mai Tai"...I don't even drink Mai Tais. I'm more of a vodka(or gin) tonic type of girl....or a fruity margarita. Hmmm... maybe I answered the questions wrong. Anyway...

You Are a Mai Tai

You aren't a big drinker, but you'll drink if the atmosphere is festive. And when you're drunk, watch out! You're easily carried away.

What Mixed Drink Are You?

Project: Corporate Look

I recently interviewed for a company and I was told that the company has a very strict dress code: corporate. I wasn't fazed, slightly intimidated, but nonetheless, I took that as a challenge. I have never worked in an environment that had a strictly corporate dress code. Those who know me can (and will) attest that I am probably the most casual and laid-back person they know (clothes-wise anyway). I'm perfectly content to live in my jeans and flip-flops. Ever the California girl, I am.

Still, all week long, I pondered what it would be like to be in that environment. A little stale fashion-wise perhaps, but I was intrigued. I do own a couple of suits but they're boring. The "corporate look" has always been boring to me. Suits in drab colors, hair in a bun...not fun. I think this is part of the reason why I have never ventured into an industry that required "corporate dress".

Nonetheless, here is my attempt at "corporate fashion". I created three looks around a black blazer. I think I can liven these outfits with more colorful tops but neutral is a safe bet (until you've worked at the place long enough to figure out loopholes in their dress code, lol). I think if you pick outfits in neutral colors, you might be able to punch it up with a bold bag or bold shoes (closed-toe of course). Jewelry must be kept minimal and a Blackberry is a must.

Elegantly Waisted

No, I'm not witty enough to come up with that title. It's actually a belt brand. Pretty clever, huh? Like my friend JJ, I, too, am a disaster at belts. Don't get me wrong, I love belts. I actually have a few of them in my closet. Which ones do I actually use? Sad to say, only one of them...my work belt (to keep my pants from falling).

In my opinion, belts are a tough accessory to pull off. A belt can be the focal point of an outfit simply by it's location, your center. It can cinch your waist and show off your lovely curves or it can be worn on the hip to break up an outfit. So with that, it can either make an outfit or break it.

I am a firm believer that one should "wear the clothes and don't let the clothes wear you." This doesn't mean that one has to own designer (expensive) clothing. It simply means that one should own the outfit...wear it with confidence and finesse. That's tough to pull off with a belt, especially a bold one.

So, until I figure out how to "wear" the belt, I haven't bought any. I have been checking some out online. I even bought a dress with its own cumberband and it looks great. I also bought a dress that would look great with a black belt. Now, what type of black belt you ask, as of yet, I have no clue.




(L-R, Contrast Cumberband*, $198; Skinny Two Buckle Patent Leather Belt*, $297; Suede Large Bucke Belt*, $330)
*All by Elegantly Waisted, all from www.shopbop.com

Let It Go

I'm newly single and it's tough. Even tougher because I work with my ex. Oh, say it ain't so... Right. That's how I felt too. I was really upset in the beginning, maybe the first couple of weeks. I tried to ignore him but it's hard considering we have to work together. I tried looking for another job but that's even harder given the economic state the US is in right now. What's a girl to do? The title says it all...let it go. For the first time in my life I've let go of the anger in my heart so easily, so freely, so quickly.

For those of you who know me well, I'm known for holding grudges. My pride can get the better of me sometimes but it's time I grow up and just let it go. And you know what? I feel great. I'm no longer sad, mopey or angry. We even joke around now, and sometimes we have lunch together. No, I'm not going down that path with him again. I don't know what the future holds for us but at this time, I'm temporarily going to close the doors to my heart. I'm taking the time to enjoy being single again. I don't want to rush into another relationship because I know I'm not ready yet. I have issues I need to sort out and I need to sort them out alone. Some people get over relationships by starting a new one. I try to figure out what went wrong so I can fix it or I'm at least aware of it. That way, I don't repeat the same mistakes twice (or more than that in the case of others).

Intimate relationships are hard and they don't get easier the older you get. I thought I'd have it all figured out by now. I haven't. But I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. Relationships help us grow and learn more about ourselves. I've learn a lot about myself in the two and a half years I was with my ex and that's very important to me. The learning process and the growth process that I went through in our now-failed relationship is a very important part of my life. I will always cherish the memories that we shared and he'll always have a special place in my heart.

"If he ain't gonna love you
the way you should
then let it go.

If he ain't gonna treat you
the way you should
then let it go."

-Keyshia Cole

Gisele Bundchen

I am a big fan of Gisele Bundchen. She's sooo sexy! According to Forbes, she is the world's highest paid model as well as the world's richest model. Not just a pretty face, Gisele is also an enterpreneur. She owns a hotel in southern Brazil and she also has a line of sandals for Ipanema, a Brazilian shoe company.

Gisele hails from Brazil but is of German descent. This statuesque beauty, half of a set of fraternal twins, was discovered at the young age of 14. She left her family at that tender age and moved to Sao Paulo to begin her career as a model. At 16, she moved to New York City for her debut at Fashion Week. Since then, she's been on over 400 magazine covers worldwide! There's been no looking back for this Brazilian beauty.

Gisele has been the face of many advertising campaigns including major houses such as Christian Dior, Chloe, Balenciaga, Versace, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbanna, and Louis Vuitton. Earlier this year, Gisele opted not to extend her multi-million dollar contract with Victoria's Secret ending her long and fruitful relationship with the brand.

Here's an ad for her Brazilian shoe line. She's wearing water!

Classics: Little Black Dress

Every woman should have a little black dress ("LBD") as part of her wardrobe. It's a closet staple. The LBD is classic and timeless and is the perfect go-to dress for any occasion. Going on a date? Check. Going to work? Check. Going to a funeral? Check (a bit grim, but...check). Black means business and it suits everyone and ever occasion. The rise of fame of this classic dress is attributed to legendary fashion icon, Coco Chanel. She believed that "simplicity is the keynote of true elegance". Back in 1926, Vogue predicted that Coco's LBD would "become a sort of uniform for all women of taste" (http://www.style.com/). And it has.

Over the years, her famous black dress took many forms and been since embellished and reincarnated. However many forms its taken, it's still a timeless classic, still black and still elegant. The three dresses below are three very different takes on the LBD.




This silk charmeuse number is for the budget-conscious. A great silhouette in a light fabric that is elegant enough to wear to a cocktail party and fun enough to wear for a night with the girls.








(Eliza J Charmeuse Shift Dress, $118)





The ruffles add femininity to this satin dress from Vera Wang. A great addition to any closet, this dress can wow your date with the right accessories and with pearls, is somber enough for a funeral.









(Lavender by Vera Wang, $395)






I adore this Valentino creation! The ruffled neckline is utterly feminine. The empire waist accentuates your curves. What more can a woman ask for? Practical enough for work, yet subtly sexy for that next big date with Mr. Right.






(Valentino Roma Ruffled Wool Dress, $1395)

Cutest Couple - 2007 Emmy Awards

Awww, it's high school all over again with the Cutest Couple category. Sorry guys, I just couldn't resist. Of course, my vote goes to Eric "McSteamy" Danes and his equally gorgeous wife, Rebecca Gayheart. Can any couple look better? Maybe, but for now they get my vote.

2007 Emmy Awards

We all know that people don't really watch award shows to see who wins. Rather, people tune in to watch what the stars wear and how they look (well, at least I know I do). Award shows give actors and actresses to show their glamorous side and show off designer garb. The most often asked question on the red carpet is, "Who are you wearing?" Who would be caught dead wearing something off-the-rack when posed with this question?

This year, jewel tones seemed to dominate the red carpet. For best-dressed, my pick goes to these ladies:

As always, the supermodel mom looks gorgeous (except for the hair). With her Dior gown, Heidi Klum glamorously shows off her long legs.
















Rebecca Gayheart looked stunning in an indigo Carlos Miele off-the-shoulder satin gown. The color of her dress brought out the color of her eyes.
















Heroes' star Ali Larter looked every bit of a bombshell heroine in her red Reem Acra satin dress. Ever the laid-back beauty, Larter paired her dress with a long and loose hairstyle.











What makes these ladies stand apart is the way they combined such attention-grabbing jewel-toned dresses with minimal accessories. By minimizing the focus of the eyes, we are drawn to how the dresses play up their natural beauty. Great job ladies (as well as to your stylists and to the designers)! 'Til the next award show!

Black Patent Activa Platform Sandals

I finally took a picture of my new CL's...the Black Patent Activa Platform Sandals. These weren't my first first choice but I've grown to like them. I wanted a more subdued black pump and I left Saks with these sexy patent shoes. Like most CLs, these ones sort of pinch the pinky toe but I think that the leather can be stretched to accommodate my pain. I didn't want a patent shoe because I'm not a big fan of anything trendy but I think I can be a little bit forgiving in this case. The leather is so minimal that I barely notice that it's patent. My favorite part of this shoe, apart from the fact that it's from CL, is the cork heel. How sexy is that? I think these shoes definitely bring the sexy back. Wouldn't you agree? I also like the fact that it's has a long, cigarette heel (4.5 inches). They make my legs look a mile long. These babies would go great with my mini dresses.

I'd like to give props to my friend JJ for encouraging me to purchase these lovelies (she actually has a pair of these exact same shoes). I haven't exactly worn these out yet but I'll be parading these babies soon. For a preview on how they look on, see below (forgive the blue nail polish, I haven't had the time for a pedicure):

Am I Ready for Marriage?

According to a quiz I took, apparently not. I guess I was just consumed with the idea since most of my friends are married and having babies. It's not such a bad thing that I'm not married yet. I get to go out and party all night long. I'm not tied to any responsibilities and obligations that goes hand-in-hand with marriage and parenting. Maybe one day I'll be ready, but not now.

You Are 59% Ready for Marriage

You aren't quite ready for marriage, but you're getting close. You still have a few relationship issues to work out - whether it's with your current partner or someone new.

Are You Ready for Marriage?

Mary Janes

Mary Jane pumps are classically feminine. This fall season, you’ll see a sexier version of this pump pop up in stores everywhere. I, myself, am utterly mesmerized by the Christian Louboutin Iowa Mary Jane Pumps. The sexy peeptoe takes away all the childishness often associated with the classic mary janes. The shiny patent leather also updates this classic shoe. After buying my first CL’s, I’m tempted to make this my next purchase. Let’s see how long I hold out. Hmmm…my birthday is coming up. Lol! As with all designer shoes, cheaper versions of this shoe are available from Aldo, Steve Madden, and Guess among others.

For those who like the classic schoolgirl look, Chloe has the mary janes for you, the Chloe T-Strap Mary Jane Pumps. Although I think this shoe is cute, I’d never buy it! It reminds me too much of my Catholic school days. Lol! This shoe is for those who are into the whole sexy school girl look (I think I’m a tad bit old for that look, maybe for Halloween).

BR Cashmere Sweater Dress

Here's another sweater dress that I found online. This one is a little cheaper than the previous dress and this time it's in a gorgeous royal blue hue. I found this dress on bananarepublic.com after seeing one of their dresses on the October issue of Lucky. It's another one of those dresses that can easily go from day to night. And it's short! :)











Click here to purchase this dress from BananaRepublic.com.

Rebecca Taylor Deep V Sweater Dress

The arrival of the sweater dress in stores signals the beginning of fall for avid shoppers like me. A definite fall must-have, the sweater dress can be worn to work with simple pumps and can also be worn for a night out with flashier shoes and accessories.

I've been scouring the web for the ultimate sweater dress and I think I've found it. This gray (another fall must!) number by Rebecca Taylor has a more structured and feminine silhouette than the usual sweater dress. The semi-sheer ribbing also adds a certain sexy appeal to the dress. I especially love that it's on the shorter side (those who know me best know that I have a penchant for anything short) and I think it would look really sexy with my new Louboutins (check back for a post about them).

Click here to puchase this dress from Shopbop.com.

Shopbop

One of my favorite shops on the web is Shopbop.com. Not only do they have a great selection of merchandise (they offer clothing, handbags, shoes and jewelry), they also have a great stylist and a great photographer. They also offer a multitude of designers, including local and lesser known talents. A "Designer Boutique" was recently added to the site which features well-known talents that command a higher price range. Here are a few of my favorite items from the site:

Newly Inspired Blog Writer

My friend JJ has inspired me to update my blog more often. She recently started a blog of her own and she has more entries in her week-old blog than I have in my year-old one. She truly puts me to shame. Where does she find the time to update her blog?

Now that I'm newly inspired and motivated, what should I write about? That my friends, is a question for the ages...'til the next blog entry...

PS. To view JJ's blog, click here.