scarlett (o'hara)

The perfect red lipstick, discovered. (For this girl, anyway.) The rich berry undertones of M.A.C.'s Dubonnet temper the would-be harshness of a true red: blot for a pop of demure color, line, brush and gloss it over to channel old Hollywood. Lined lids, lush lashes, and I was Chopstix ready last Saturday. Bring on the Elton John.

when the dnc meets fashion week

I'll be in Denver working at the DNC this week, so updates will be limited, if at all. So, in the spirit of things, here's Tracy Reese's take on the season's ultimate fashion statement: politics.

IMAGE CREDIT: TRACY REESE VIA WASHINGTON POST

a little jaunt to praha

New arrivals have hit j.crew!

Not quite the the fall collection I was hoping for, but there are still plenty of solid items among the lot. The retailer's trend towards luxury continues, with handbags reaching towards the $500 price point and collection dresses topping out at $3,500. As J.Crew continues to rely on more on silks and other high-end fabrics, I've been most impressed by the design team's interpretations of the season's latest trends. In an increasingly fashion-conscious culture, CEO Millard Drexler and creative director Jenna Lyons have done a wonderful job re-branding the khaki-cool of J.Crew past.

My picks?

The Lydia Solid Blouse
An awesome holdover from the Spring/Summer '08 collections, re-done in a delicate cotton/silk blend. Ruffles are big this season, and this top is a chic, easy way to wear the trend.

Sequined Chiffon-Ruffled Cardigan
A gorgeous, Chanel-esque blend of black and blue, sequins and chiffon. Slip it on and channel a little Jackie-O glamour. (I did on Friday and it's a wonderful feeling.)

when inspiration strikes

With Serena Van Der Woodsen as my latest muse, I stumbled across these stunning pieces while searching for my own Blake Lively worthy necklaces.  The entire Gemma Redux line is designed by Rachel Dooley, a self-taught designer with a background in mechanical engineering and industrial metals.  Most of the Winter '07 line features intricate twist and tangles, lending the metal a unique drape and the makings of a beautiful statement.  With the pictured 'Matty' piece ringing up at $225, my own neckline will have to wait.  Needless to say, I'll be stalking for the sales.  

IMAGE CREDIT: GEMMA REDUX

tgif: blog-roll

What I've been reading this week ...

Fashionista:

• Whitney Port of The Hills moves on to DVF PR?
• Target hits Manhattan for Fashion Week
• Fashion Week meets the DNC

Fashionologie:

• Teen Vogue: how to break into fashion

The Moment

• Fashion and the under 16 set

No Good For Me

• The Ultimate Fashion Challenge
• Some beautiful works by Helen Frankenthaler

Shopgirl

• Standarddeviationny.com: as if we needed another one

Enjoy the weekend!

xoxo

I've resisted as long as I could. But halfway through disc one of the inevitable Gossip Girl marathon, I think I'm in love. With Blake Lively, her hair and the sweetly vulnerable Penn Badgley. In the inability to claim any of these as myself or my own, I'll have to content myself with loving the show's wild, extravagant style. Bringing things back down to earth (e.g., anywhere outside Manhattan's Upper East Side), I'm loving Serena's pitch-perfect necklace collection and making a beeline to rediscover my own jewelry box. Still, the ultimate question is: how to I get my hair to look like this?

IMAGE CREDIT: CW

what goes around comes around

I'm a big believer in karma. After all, "give and ye shall receive" never seemed such a bad principle to live by. So when I realized my much-loved wrap sweater was missing after an especially sweaty, harried commute, I rationalized: someone far more in need of a pretty cream knit had picked it up, or I would find it waiting on the floor of my bedroom later that night. Although the latter wasn't meant to be, I did manage to snag three (almost-free) Milly samples later that summer. And, in a final stroke of karmic payback, I just ran across this exact replica, all done up in a soft peach and 50% off.

IMAGE CREDIT: BLUEFLY