Anna and Marc on Jimmy

VOGUE's Anna Wintour and fashion designer Marc Jacobs were interviewed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night. The reason? To talk about next Friday's Fashion's Night Out in New York City. It's the only night of the year when fashion designers, models and editors alike join together to, well, shop. Hundreds of retailers band together to help support the fashion industry with street parties and live performances from the likes of Lady Gaga.

Can't make it to FNO? You can still snag a Fashion's Night Out tee to support your favorite designers and help support a good cause. Forty percent of the t-shirt proceeds go to the New York City AIDS Fund. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the big event. But if any of you see Anna, tell her I say "hi" and that I would never be late when meeting her for lunch.

Watch it: Anna and Marc talk to Jimmy

ReFashion Your Mind

Some of you may remember reading my post, The Minimalist: How to Shop Smart, last month. I was thrilled with the unexpected feedback from readers from all over the world. It seems I'm not the only one intrigued by the concept of "conscious shopping".

Soon after the post was published, I received an email from Michelle, a Production Manager at a marketing firm in Perth, Australia. She contacted me after reading the post, explaining that she had been so inspired by the article that she decided to to create her own "anti-shopping" experiment with eleven ladies in her office. They properly dubbed the experiment The Refashion Challenge. The ladies documented the challenge on their blog baring an equally creative name, Men Don't Get it.

The rules seemed simple; choose six articles of clothing from your existing wardrobe and wear only those pieces for an entire month. Their reasoning? To save money, to be more environmentally friendly and to prove to their husbands/boyfriends/themselves that they didn't need to wear something different everyday just to be considered fashionably acceptable.

The ladies likened the challenge to a "fashion diet" or "Survivor Amazon for fashionistas" and halfway through week one, their musings became reality. They soon grew tired of the black they had chosen for their "six" and were tempted daily by the need to express themselves with color.

One participant, Kat, said she just couldn't stand one more day of being dressed in head to toe black. She later became the first challenge "dropout". "I was feeling really depressed about wearing black (or really dark clothes) every day. In fact my first outfit after the challenge was a white top and blue jeans! I had to break free!", she exclaims.

After two weeks and three additional dropouts later, the remaining ladies refused to give up. They stayed positive and even learned a thing or two about themselves in the process. Michelle learned to give herself permission to wear the same look twice in one week. "I am 41 and never in my life have I repeated clothes within the same week. I think this stems from going to a pretty snooty highscool where what you wore was more important than your good grades!", she says.

The other ladies said they learned to be more creative with accessories while others were relieved that they didn't have to choose a new outfit every morning. These ladies are truly courageous fashionistas who rejected social stereotypes to prove that there is more to life then just clothes and shopping.

Watch the recap of the ReFashion Challenge on the Men Don't Get It blog!

The ladies took daily photographs during the challenge. Check out their looks!

The Beauty Box: The Price is Right

While I love a $100 jar of Creme de la Mer as much as the next gal, I also enjoy a steal when it comes to my beauty buys. There's just something about wondering through the isles of your favorite drugstore (I love Bushard's in Laguna Beach) that makes you feel like your on a treasure hunt. There are no annoying sales girls to bother you and no pricey jars of miracle cream to avoid. It's just you and your favorite CoverGirl mascara or whatever else tickles your fancy.

Here is a list of some of my favorite beauty steals and how I use them. I hope you'll think of me the next time your stocking up at your nearest CVS.



CoverGirl Great Lash Mascara, $4.99




I am not alone when I say that this is probably my favorite drugstore beauty buy. This tried and true formula in the neon pink and green tube makes your lashes long and luscious. I apply mine right after I curl my lashes for an instant eye "pick-me-up".



Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder, $4.25



This mineral based powder is just as good (if not better) than most expensive counter parts I've tired. The application is smooth and also provides excellent coverage at an excellent price. I like to apply mine with a large powder brush right after my concealer for a matte look that lasts all day.



Clairol Perfect 10 Hair Color, $11.99

Perfect 10 Hair ColorAfter years of having my hair colored professionally, I was recommended this hair color by a hair stylist friend of mine. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first. However, after trying this at-home color for myself, I was hooked! It really does work in just 10 minutes and delivers a lasting salon-like color.

Alba Aloe and Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer, $17.99



If I had an award to give to the best oil-free moisturizer from drugstore, this would most definitely win. I love the fact that it's organic and feels silky smooth on the skin. The green tea infuses your skin with antioxidants while the aloe soothes. I apply a small amount right after cleansing and right before I apply makeup.


Talk to me. What's YOUR favorite drugstore beauty buy?

What's Your Bridal Style?

For most women, their wedding day is the most important event in their lives. They dream of the perfect princess gown, the perfect wedding cake and the perfect groom. However, if you are planning a wedding, know someone who's planning a wedding, or have watched someone plan a wedding, you know it's never as simple as it seems.

My fiancé and I will be tying the knot two weeks from today and I happen to know full well the trials and tribulations a bride must endure in order for her wedding day to be "perfect". Even as a Fashion Stylist and a professional shopper, these last eight months have been the most stressful months of my entire life. Maybe it's because I have never wanted a huge white ball gown (I'm more of a LBD kind of gal), I don't really like cake (ok, maybe if it's chocolate), and I already have the man of my dreams. So, what's a non-traditional bride to do in a wedding obsessed world? Get creative.

Below I have included three very different bridal styles for the gal who never pictured herself wearing a big poofy dress or dancing to "At Last" on her big day (I still love you Etta James).

1. Fancy Fashionista

The "Fancy Fashionista" Bride refuses to forsake her uncanny sense of style just because it's her wedding day. In fact, she thinks her walk down the isle should be her personal runway show! With a short, cocktail-style sheath and red Louboutin heels, this bride is all about showing off her personal style on her big day.

2. Vintage Vanity
The "Vintage Vanity" bridal style is close to my heart because it most resembles my own personal wedding style. This Bride would choose to wear her Grandmother's vintage bracelet over new jewels any day and her statement piece is her birdcage wedding veil. She flawlessly combines "something old" with something new.

3. Color Me Bold

It is becoming more and more popular to trade the traditional white wedding gown for a more colorful option. The "Color Me Bold" Bride does not shy away from color when tying the knot and believes she should celebrate her big day with festive hues. This bridal style is not for the timid, but is ideal for the bride who is never afraid to show her true colors.

The Minimalist: How to Shop Smart

Why do we as woman find it so incredibly hard not to buy new clothes? Why have we accepted the idea that we need to buy something new every time we have a special event or when we're just plain bored? Why do we think people care so much about what we wear or how we look? These are the questions that a few brave bloggers asked themselves when they created the website, Six Items or Less. The Six Items or Less experiment is based on a seemingly simple concept, choose six items of clothing from your closet and wear only those six items for 90 days. Sounds simple enough right?

For the bloggers who are participating in the experiment, the project is anything but simple. One participant writes about her struggles to not spend any money on new clothes and is confronted with a self-diagnosed "shopping addiction". Another blogger says that she is convinced the project is causing her to gain weight because she feels she is too"bored" with her wardrobe to workout. And still another complains that he can't clean his "six" fast enough and has been forced to wash them in a hotel sink just so he doesn't have to go naked. Who knew clothes could cause such mental and social grief?

Each person participating in the experiment is doing so for different reasons. Some to save money, some to save the environment, some to become more conscious of how much time and energy they spend on shopping on clothes and some because they are sick and tired of having to figure out what they are going to wear each morning. I find all these reasons commendable and relevant.

As for myself, I can honestly say that there was a time when I would buy what I wanted, when I wanted, why I wanted. I filled my closet weekly with new items, never pausing to ask myself, if I had anything like it in my wardrobe already? What would I wear with it? Or do I really need it? Of course I didn't need it, but I wanted it. Wasn't that enough?

After the economy crashed in early 2008, so did my shopping habits. I would never say I was an impulsive shopper and I would certainly never identify myself as a "shopaholic", but I did have a closet full of clothing I had forgotten I even bought and pieces that I may have worn once, if at all. I look back on that time in my life now and shake my head. However, there are still those key investment pieces that I still wear and appreciate today. These are the pieces that have become my fabulous fashion friends. They are there for me whenever I need them. They instantly make me look chic and put together.

You may find these shopping "confessions" odd coming from a Personal Shopper who spends other people's money for a living. However, I have always advised my clients to only purchase pieces that they know they will wear and love for years to come. It's easy to find a cute top or a cheapy costume bracelet, but it's a rare and special occasion when you find that perfect handbag or fitted blazer.

The Six Items or Less experiment proves that wearing the same six pieces for 90 days can be extremely challenging for some, but extremely liberating for others. When you're banned from mindless spending, you are forced to be creative with what you've got. You also learn that people don't care as much about what you wear as you may think they do. To help you cut down on shopping binges and impulse buys, I find it helpful to ask these five questions when making a clothing/accessory purchase:

1. Do I already own something similar to this?

2. What other items would I wear with this piece?

3. Is this in my budget?

4. Will this piece transition from season to season? Or from day to night?

5. Will I be able to wear this piece five, ten or even twenty years from now?

When you stop to ask yourself these five important questions, you will begin to build a wardrobe full of pieces that you really love and not just pieces you kind of like.

Photo Credits: Numéro Tokyo

Sweet Jane

Jane Birkin is one of those actresses that you just can't stop watching. There is something about her effortless French style that makes her stand out from all those blond bombshells of the 1960's. Jane was thin, perhaps even a bit frail. She wore mini skirts and sheer dresses, yet she never looked a bit vulgar. Her iconic haircut became the style of the decade and her love affair with singer/director Serge Gainsbourg made her famous worldwide.

Jane will forever be one of my favorite style influences. Her look is simple, yet incredibly complex. She made a sheath dress and a bit of mascara look unforgettably chic on and off the silver screen.

Watch it: "Slogan" Starring Jane Birkin

All Photo Credits: Google Images

Married to The Music

Move over boys, the ladies are taking over the music scene. Not only are they known for their killer vocals, but the new breed of female singer/songwriters are also being recognized for their unmistakable sense of style and stage presence. Rock queens like Karen O. of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs and pop iocns like Lady Gaga are on the top of the music charts and best dressed lists around the world.

Here are just a few of my favorite music mavens who mix sound and style flawlessly.

1. Lily Allen

Lily Allen grew up in the UK listening to punk and reggae courtesy of her parents old record collections. The 21 year old singer/songwriter is now known worldwide for her sweet voice and naughty lyrics. Her songs are anything but shy and the same can be said about her personal style. Karl Lagerfeld loved her so much that he asked her to preform at one of the Chanel runways shows last year. Some of her best tunes include "22", 'Him", "Alfie" and "Smile".

-----------------------------------------------------------

2. Karen O.

Karen O. is the lead singer of the band known as the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. Karen's on-stage persona is almost supernatural. With skintight, glow-in-the-dark costumes and her signature black bob, Karen has made a career out of looking cool. The LA native may be a frantic ball of energy on stage, but swears she is reserved in '"real life". The Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs are best known for their songs "M.A.P.S", "Zero", "Heads will Roll" and "Dull Life".

--------------------------------------------------

3. Jenny Lewis

Jenny Lewis is the lead singer for indie-pop group, Rilo Kiley. She now has two solo albums and an acting career. The fiery redhead was born in Las Vegas, NV and is now recognized for her vintage inspired style and bluegrass-like vocals. Lewis has teamed up with music greats such as Connor Oberst of Bright Eyes, Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and The Watson Twins with whom she created the album titled, "Jenny and the Watson Twins". Jenny's versatile voice always sounds fresh and current with hit songs like "Rabbit Fur Coat", "You Are What You Love" and "Jack Killed Mom".

----------------------------------------------------

4. Lady Gaga

Inspired by glam rock icons such as David Bowie and Queen, Lady Gaga is all about the fame and the fashion. Her two albums, "The Fame" and "The Fame Monster" are at the top of Billboard charts everywhere and are being played in every night club from here to Tokyo. Her outlandish get-ups and Michael Jackson inspired dance moves made her an instant pop-culture icon. In her music video for her hit single, "Bad Romance", she wore costumes designed by the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen. Gaga's hit song titles include "The Fame", "Telephone", "Poker Face" and "Just Dance".

-------------------------------------------------

5. Regina Spector

Regina Spector was born in Moscow, USSR in 1980. Spector's first big music break came when she opened for The Strokes' "Room on Fire" tour in early 2003. Her unmistakable songwriting style has been compared to that of Bob Dylan and her unique looks are reminiscent of a young girl born in the 1930's. Regina's voice breaks all conventional standards in songs like "Samson", "Better", "Two Birds" and "Us".

Photo Credits: Various Sources