Vintage and bibs...

...make for excellent fall accessories!

So lovelies, I'm sure you've noticed certain celebs and models sporting statement piece necklaces with their otherwise simple outfits (plain t-shirts, simple dresses, etc.), much like Molly Sims (see slide show).

Imparting a cool, vintage, ladylike feel to an outfit with a lovely, bold necklace is an amazing way to stand out, be comfortable and jazz up the normally-blah-but-already-bought stuff in your closet, all at the same time. We like that!

First spied during Spring 2009, the trend is in full-force this season, with so many options and price points, you're sure to find one (or many) that are perfect for your style and budget.

Some of my faves (featured above):

Urban Outfitters Studded Bib Necklace - $48

Express Beaded and Ribbon Bib Necklace - $44.50

Forever 21 Fallen Leaves Necklace - $7.80 (seriously)

Anthropologie's Thunderstorm & Ranuncula Necklaces - $48 and $42

JCPenney/MixIt Hematite and Gold Bib Necklace - $23.99

Not a necklace, but just as cool - the J.Crew Tissue Stone Necklace Tee

And, of course, Etsy.com always comes through, with handmade and true vintage styles at incredible prices...I love love love the Vintage Vanity's Elegance Necklace, Attic Fanatic's gorgeous Ooh La La Necklace and Florabond's Seriously Racy and Romantic Bib Statement Necklace.

Think flowery, sparkly, colorful, feminine and the bigger the better. Don't you just love being a girl?

Frugal + fashionista = ...

...Frugalista! Most of you who are reading this, lovelies, are interested in fashion, beauty, lookin' pretty AND finding a good deal. Before now, I had never known there was a name for us - FRUGALISTAS.

Used by the chicsters over at Target, the term "Frugalista" has an interesting, albeit short, linguistic history. According to the New York Times, in 2007, when a mild downturn was seen by some as necessary to avert a future bust, "recessionista" surfaced, coined by the economist Larry Kudlow, and was defined in The Times as “the new name for the style maven on a budget.” It faced a fierce competitor, however, in "frugalista," used in 2005 by The Palm Beach Post and The Toronto Star and picked up since in a Miami Herald blog by Natalie McNeal that she calls the Frugalista Files.

Anyway, Target.com now has a regular fashion blog, "Style Boutique," that is a splashy, fun, well-edited and useful online place to get some excellent, frugalista-ish styling tips from industry designers and experts, a la Nina Garcia (our favorite Project Runway alumna). It's also updated every Friday, so the ideas never have time to get stale.

This week, Nina's video highlights some super-cute booties just in time for fall that I think one just can't go wrong in: Mossimo Kalila Seemed Ankle Boots - and they're $29.99! Seriously!

So, go visit Target online and sign up for weekly "Frugalista Finds" e-mails. You loved Target before, so why not make room for more, right?

OMG...

Guess "Rumala" Over the Knee Boot at Nordstrom!

I heart this boot. Mushroom color, soft leather, over-the-knee, 3.5" stacked heel. Under $200. Boot love. That is all I have to say.

Wrap me up...

...in summer-to-fall wrap cardigans! Whether you find yourself in a seasonal fashion transition (which is starting soon, sorry dearies) or just want to be prepared for ever-present temperature changes (darn air conditioners!), a flowy, feminine wrap cardigan is the perfect piece to add to your wardrobe staples.

I am a particularly big fan of the longer, slouchier, sans buttons, semi-shawl versions that can add a lovely, elegant je ne sais quoi to dresses or t-shirts while having the capability of becoming a mini-blanket in a pinch. Multi-tasking is what we're all about, right lovelies?

Look for these in a deep jewel color or in a floaty, ethereal pale hue and in whatever fabric tickles your fancy - cashmere, silk or cotton jersey, angora...as long as it looks like you didn't put any effort into your chic self, you're getting it right ;)

I promise that you won't regret throwing this on your body or into your bag for that extra layer of prettiness (and warmth) at a moment's notice.

Check out ShopStyle.com for an amazing array of ideas or my go-to website for handmade and custom styles, Etsy.com.

Some of my faves:

DKNY Luxe Knit Cozy Wrap Cardigan (this is the one you'll be seeing in all the mags)

Econica Organic Cotton/Bamboo Hoodie Wrap

Mossimo Black Long Sleeve Open Wrap Cardigan

Arden B Slub Wrap Cardigan

C&C California Stretch Pima "Agnes" Drape Cardigan

Rachel Pally Knit Wrap Cardigan

So go get wrapped up in something irresistibly cozy yet fabulously free of frumpiness!

Fall fashion predictions...

It's only August you say! It's still 70ish degrees outside and sunny! I've barely gotten my newly-polished toes into my sandals! I know, I know ladies, but I'd like to give you a fall fashion prediction preview so that you can keep your eye out for some lovely things whilst sipping lemonade.

PLAID
Yes, lumberjack-y plaid. On a classic campshirt (sized down to fit your cute, feminine frame of course), a tunic, dress, what-have-you. You'll be seeing this all over the place for the fall. However, I recommend it in SMALL accents (one piece at a time girls!), lest you be confused with one of the Wisconsin hunter wives around here :)

CUTOUTS
This will be most common in the shoulders/arms area and is a nice, 80's throwback that can show off the most feminine parts of you while draping the parts you don't really want to show off (like, at all).

GRAY GRAY GRAY + MUTED COLORS + EXCEPTIONS
Gray is back in a big way as a nice, alternative neutral. I have always been a big fan of heather, charcoal, mist, whatever because it's a bit unexpected yet highly wearable. Look for it in tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, bags, makeup.

While lots of color will still be popular in our segue from summer to fall, colors will be more muted - think pastel or washed. Soft pinks, lilacs, baby blues...

Exceptions to the above: hot, neon-ish chartreuse (see Heidi Klum below)

MOTORCYCLE/ROCKER CHICK
Motorcycle-inspired shoes and heels + actual motorcycle boots will be a big deal. PLUS look for cool, moto-inspired wear (skirts, tops, jeans, jewelry). I see lots of leather, studs, grommets - very tough-chic. Really, you CAN pull it off, even if you're a peace sign kind of girl. Try it in small doses!

SKINNY JEANS/LEGGINGS
Definitely still in. Really. Hang onto your dark wash and gray ones. If you're feeling adventurous, add some with zippers at the ankles or in a cute, pastel color.

Now, some MUSTS for your fall wardrobe...

BOOTS
Look for the following (get one or all, so hard to get just one pair, I know):
Over-the-knee (not quite but almost thigh high) in suede or leather (a la Kate Moss)

Vintage leather (wonderful for moto boots or western-inspired)
I personally love Frye boots, but make sure you do a search and check E-Bay for better prices. Anthropologie also has a huge selection of limited edition ones in their Fall catalog.

Ankle boots or booties with a stiletto heel (sexy!)

BLACK TIGHTS
Opaque, stretchy and durable - you will wear these with every suit, dress and skirt you own and with any color shoe you like. A great way to modernize your existing outfits. Yay!

ANYTHING HIGH-WAISTED
Skirts, pants, jeans, shorts, you name it. Just try them on! You'll never know unless you try, right? Very retro and surprisingly flattering, especially for short-legged gals comme moi...

VINTAGE LEATHER
In addition to the aforementioned boots, look for skirts, bags and jackets with a real (or not so real) distressed, worn look. This speaks to my long-running quest for effortless cool, no?

So, that's it at the moment girls. Ta ta for now!

D.I.Y. time again...

As you know, I'm a huge fan of DIY projects, especially when it involves clothing or accessories. One of my favorite sites ever, BurdaStyle, an excellent on-line community/open source for people who sew "with style," continually posts new creation ideas and how-to's in addition to hosting a space for cool, creative people all over the world to share their own stuff.

This week, BurdaStyle introduced a super-easy project for a chic, eclectic accessory - the Susanne Necklace. The coiled fabric beads require no sewing at all, perfect for those new to DIY and/or too busy/excited/impatient yet still wish to be uber-fashionable.

Love the gold spandex fabric and leather cord, but there are a gazillion different possibilities for this (colors, fabrics, sizes) to make it your own or as a gift! I can already picture this seriously dressing up a t-shirt, tank or casual dress. After all, elevating existing basics is what we're all about, right?

And won't you feel cool when someone asks you where you got your necklace? It might go something like this:

Gushing Girl: "OMG! Such a great necklace! Where did you get it?"
You: "You won't believe this, but I MADE it."
Now Jealous Girl: "No way, really? You are so crazy talented/gorgeous/cool that I can never, ever compete."
You: "Oh, stop." (Insert secret grin here)

Now go roll up your sleeves and bust out your glue guns girls - fashion isn't always found at the store!

In search of the perfect nude...

Lip, that is! I have long coveted that classic, super-smokey eye and nude/neutral lip look that always finds its way back into makeup fashion, but have never been able to find the right product to do so (a la Kim Kardashian).

So, upon wandering through the makeup department at Macy's, the oh-so-helpful girl at the Lancome counter answered my prayers! Part lip pencil, part lipstick, Lancome's Le Lipstique LipColouring Stick is seriously a wonder-product.

Super-creamy, waterproof, full of pigment and in the perfect neutral colors (I love it in "Bronzelle") to really mute out your natural lip color, it's excellent on its own or layered under a favorite lip color or gloss (like Lancome Color Design "Vintage Rose" lipstick). Plus, the other end of the pencil has a lip brush! Normally a MAC junkie, I have a new favorite makeup item girls, for real...

Buy it for about $20 at Lancome USA or Sephora and get nude!

New wardrobe essential alert...

Finally, the trend of volume and draping has made its way into mainstream fashion! Not only is it more comfortable, but it is often more flattering and interesting - 3 things that are great for anything you have to wear for more than a couple of hours.

Take, for example, your basic t-shirt. While that standard white, ribbed neckline and tiny pocket version may still work as a classic, why not update it a bit for your every day AND going out wear? Try something with much more volume and in an unusual color (gray? fuschia?), some new details (ruffles? pintucks?) and more luxe materials (bamboo jersey? silk?). Then pair it with the usual - a little pencil or mini skirt, jeans, shorts or the UNusual - a suit or leggings, maybe...

I especially like the look of reining in some of the blousiness with a wide or skinny belt or layering a bunch of long necklaces over the top of it, turning a basic outfit into something much more special.

Need some examples?

American Apparel Viscose Dolman Sleeve T
Anthropologie Captured Furrows Tee
Splendid Jersey V-Neck
Free People Draped Scoop Muscle Tee

Now, newly inspired, give your closet a new definition for t-shirt!

Oh, oh UNIQLO...

It's been said that if you were to take H&M and American Apparel + add a dash of Japanese fashion flair, you'd get UNIQLO. If you love the Euro and/or Japanese feel in your fashion and have a serious addiction to solid colors and well-made, affordable, comfy basics that you can make your own, this is the place to go.

The Japanese characters for UNIQLO sound like "U-NI-KU-RO" which is, to a Japanese ear, the shortened version of "unique clothing." "Clothes as lifestyle components" is the Japanese retailer's mantra, and I'm so loving that this Tokyo-based export wants us to be part of its world!

Unfortunately for us American ladies, the only U.S. store is the NYC SOHO Store, the brand's largest retail outlet in the world. Thank goodness for the Internet!

UNIQLO's website layout is pretty genius - super-clear pictures, great tidbits of global fashion snapshots, fun interactive features and search tools that are ridiculously easy to use and make a lot of sense (a combination that is very rare in online shopping these days).

Some of my favorites are:

*DI Shipley & Halmos Waist Sache Dress
*DI Shipley & Halmos Sleeveless Dress
*EFC Hooded S/S T Tunic
*LTWT CNT Stretch Layered Dress
*Dry Stretch Full Zip Parka
*Illustrators S/S Graphic T

Now go explore the rainbow!

If there's one shoe you must buy...

...let it be a nude/neutral-colored platform pump. Beginning with the current season, this shoe will be the most versatile addition to your wardrobe and the accessory you never knew you couldn't be without.

Equally excellent paired with dresses or suits, a closed-toe or peep-toe version in tan, khaki, nude, even gray can turn an otherwise standard outfit into a super-chic one. There's something very sexy yet understated about a shoe like this, no?

Some ideas are:

*Nine West "Rocha" (pictured above and absolutely perfect, but I'm partial to Nine West)
*Banana Republic "Jacky" Platform Pump
*Donald Pliner "Zina" Pump
*Type Z "Sireen" Pump

Let's see what you find to kick your jeans, dresses, office-wear (and heels) up a notch!