Hello from Norcal!

Hello from Healdsburg, CA! I'm currently up in Sonoma County on a business trip and am LOVING the chance to visit this beautiful part of California during such a festive time! With the chance to mix work with play, I've been lucky enough to stumble upon some amazing eateries and boutiques. I don't have the time to do as detailed a post as I would like at the moment, but here's a quick sneak peak of one of the fabulous finds here in Healdsburg:

Can't wait to tell you all about this boutique when I get back to LA!

Playing Dress-Up for the Holidays

The temperature in LA has dipped low enough to keep me snuggled up indoors for the majority of the day. Despite the chilly weather, I'm excited for the coming holiday season! I love seeing all the stores decked out in Christmas decor and it reminds me that it's a good time to start thinking about picking up some fun holiday dresses.

BCBGMAXAZRIA One Shoulder Satin Dress ($248) BCBG dresses were always a staple at my college banquets and this one is absolutely perfect. It's clean-cut enough to wear to office holiday parties, but still offers a sassy kick with the gorgeous zipper-lined shoulder bow and pockets (still loving pockets oh so much!). One shoulder anything reminds me of this horrific red one shoulder shirt I wore back in high school and  as such, I haven't been able to bring myself to go back to that style ever again. However, this dress just might be enough to quell that memory. Being that 20-something in the office means we have to walk that thin line between classy and youthful--this dress manages to promise both!

Arden B. Taffeta Ruffle Front Dress ($78) The strapless mini is my fallback for all my evening wear dilemmas. The silhouette has never failed me in presenting a fitted, slim, and mature look... even when I feel like over-indulging at those holiday gatherings. The added touch of the pleated ruffles (for that GORGEOUS neckline) and banded high-waist also sets this dress apart from the other strapless dresses I already own. This is my favorite must-have for the season based on look and price. Can't wait to see how it looks on!

Despite how much I love my dresses, it's a shame that us girls can't wear them (usually) to more than one main event. That leaves me thinking twice before spending too much on a dress I'll never see again. Luckily, I found some more affordable options for the social butterflies out there who need a few options for the season.

Forever21 High Sheen Dress ($22.80) It's easy to think of red as being the go-to color during this time of year, but this deep violet dress would be a great contrast on anyone's skin! The sweetheart neck and layered skirt are fun and flirty. Pair this up with some gold strappy heels and a long strand of pearls for a dressed up and sophisticated look. My only concern about this dress would be that sometimes F21 tends to make their frocks awkwardly too short, so hopefully it's not the case with this one! I suppose we must give up something for not paying $322 for the Foley + Corinna version.

Forever21 Sparkling Tiered Dress ($24.80) This is another take on the tiered skirt, but the high waistband and sequined layers are perfect! This dress mimics another dress I have from the summer and I'm loving that this would be a comfortable choice for dancing the night away. Since it's black, I wouldn't have to worry about the sequins looking tacky as long as I don't over-accessorize. The key would be to balance out the dress with some colorful heels and a simple long necklace.

Happy dancing, ladies!

Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale GOODS

Tuesday was VIP night of Rebecca Minkoff's much anticipated NYC sample sale. I went after work and thought maybe just maybe if I go at 830 the line wouldn't be so bad. Yes and no - it was really easy to get into the sale (no line) but once in, the checkout line snaked around the room, crowding around the tables with all the purses on them, making it an extreme workout to fight your way through people with your coat and bounty of bags. Nonetheless, I discovered my inner endurance and stuck it out, and ended up with a few yummy purchases:

Newest additions to the fam

From left to right: Matinee (unknown color, think this was made just for the sample sale. Similar to taupe but texture is different), Saddle Morning After Clutch (hereafter referred to as "MAC"), Plum MAC.

Matinee in mystery color

This is my new work bag to alternate with my black HH Conrad. I like how this is a cool tan/beige color with to the silver hardware so it feels more versatile than a more yellow/gold palette. It's very chic casual when paired with mostly blacks, but still dressy enough due to the structured shape. The Matinee is probably my favorite RM shape.

I've always wanted a dark red purse, eye-catching but not too loud (i.e. not tomato red), muted enough to be classy yet still pops against a dark monochrome outfit. First I followed around a girl with the plum MAC draped on her hoping she would put it down, then I felt like a sad little puppy so decided to go find my own color MAC instead. I picked up the warm brown MAC since I don't have any purses to carry when I'm wearing my cognac boots, then magically at the end of the night I saw not one but TWO plum MACs, and of course they came into my hot little hands to compare. The one I ended up choosing has this beautiful pebbled leather *drool*! Love love love it.

Bathroom shot

The strap on the MAC is longish, and being a petite girl, it dwarfs me if I use it normally. But after reading forums I picked up a few tips on shortening the length and this is my favorite style. A little Chanel-esque =P I can also double up on the strap and make it even shorter.

Plum on left, Grape on right

Earlier this spring, I went to the sample sale and scored my first RM - a grape Morning After Mini. The color is gorgeous, but I just don't find myself giving it the love it deserves since it's a hard to match color, and the bag is heavy due to the size and hardware.  I'm actually thinking of selling the Grape since the Plum is so similar in hue. Also, just have to point out the pebblyness of the Plum leather vs. the smoother Grape.

MACs in different colors.. that's okay right?

The MAC in front is the Grey Skies color, it's my roommates, I just like seeing all of them together =P

The best part? Rebecca herself was there at the VIP night and I asked her to sign the Plum MAC!!! She's so pretty too, tall and skinny, very put together looking. I also got rung up by her brother, the CEO of the company, haha. I like that it's a family business!

All in all, I'd say it was a successful sample sale. AND I mentioned it to a coworker and a friend and they're both dying to go this weekend! It's so fun to spread the excitement of sample sales and love of purses!!!

Boots Loot

They arrived! The boots I posted about below are finally here! Today we'll be discussing the case of Melissa Button v. Paige (harhar, remnants from my Legal Studies days)

When I first pulled both pairs from their boxes, I could feel my boyfriend rolling his eyes without even turning around to see his face, since I also thought what must've been going through his mind, "They're the SAME!" But the great differentiator between males and females are girls' attention to minute detail and the ability to build pro and con lists very quickly to convince herself of one boot over another. So here goes:

- Leather on the Melissas felt more raw and wet, I don't know how else to describe it. The Paige Tall riding boots felt very smooth, and right away I could tell this was why the Paige's were more expensive. It could just be a preference thing, and not an objective quality issue, since my roommates both preferred the "more real leather" feel of the Melissas

- Flap on the Paiges definitely made my calves in front look wider, but the clincher was the back dip that even more so emphasized my big calves. Ew. I did like how the Paige flap looked in theory just not on me, gives an updated look to classic flat boots.

- Sidenote: Piperlime's circumference disclosure was off! It lists the Melissas as 13 inch around, but I'm definitely bigger than that and they still fit! Think they're around 14 or so, but I probably can't wear thick socks and thick jeans.

- Sizing on the Paige was funny. I wasn't wearing socks so that could the culprit but every step I took with them on exhaled a small but distinctive farty sound. Maybe there was a tiny whoopee cushion in each foot or it could have been excess air, but I didn't want my shoes to come with sound effects.

So in the end, I chose the Melissas! SCORE they were also the cheaper of the two.

And some pictures!

Exhibit 1. Paige on left, Melissa on right

DROOL at the luscious leather.

I'm super happy I can check off Flat Black Boots from my Necessities list. I've sprayed these with rain protectant so hopefully I can trot down the street with these rain or shine and these babies will last forever.

Reverse-Reverse Online Outlet

I recently discovered REVOLVEclothing.com's online outlet, Reverse and can' t believe I didn't know about it earlier! The site offers real deals on a bevy of goodies, free returns (like its parent company), and $5 flat rate shipping on all orders. After some quick perusing, I'm excited to say that there are definitely some great finds!

Gaspard Yurkievich Scallop Back Heel (orig. $381, sale $141) I la-LOVE the orange detailing and scalloped back! Why, oh why can't I be a size 8?!?

Susana Monaco Barathea Tie Coat (orig. $550, sale $193) I'm always on the lookout for perfect white coats and this one is absolutely gorgeous. The cropped sleeves and dainty collar are a perfect contrast to the more traditional winter coat.

MASON by Michelle Mason Belted Halter Dress (orig. $352, sale $124) A girl can never have too many black dresses! This would be an instant classic for a night out and the pockets and plunging neckline make it fun as well.

With so many options, this will quickly become one of my favorite online shopping destinations. Sample sale prices without the hassle of waiting for start times or worrying about no return policies!! Reverse is by invite-only so click here to join! :)

Mmmilitary Coats

A guy in uniform may not do it for me, but there's something about a military coat - the epaulets, the big buttons, the double breast maybe? - that really tingles my aesthetic senses. It's only the first few weeks of October and already I'm feeling the chill in New York City; it's a good day if the temps are up around the mid-60's. If this were school, that would be an almost fail. NYC is an autumn fail, skipping past the gentle transition and plodding straight through to winter. BUT! The "almost" is salvaged by cozy scarves and warm coats to snuggle into... starting with beautiful military style coats that I'm loving:

Browsing through VS, this coat immediately caught my eye. Dark navy coats are a great way to change up the usual black jacket, and the double columns of buttons nip in on top, and flares out with a pleat. Girly on bottom to balance out the military look. The model's hair is in the way, but I think there are also epaulets on the shoulders! Once you have one or two basic coats, the next step is to shop for details, details. Given a choice, I would definitely go for the Sangria Red, yup.

Then, I went snooping around the Internet for other variations of this coat, and omg I found my dream military jacket, the Stella McCartney Felt coat, as seen on Anne Hathaway and Demi. DROOL, the color, the horizontal closures, the tie belt. If only, if only.

(photo by www.profashionelle.com)

Adding a Perfect Touch with Pearls

Lately, I've become absolutely obsessed with accessorizing with pearls. As a little girl, I was gifted with a pink strand and was adamant about wearing them everywhere. Now at the age of 23, I remember why I always loved them. They're a perfect way to dress up any outfit! Check out one of my favorite looks spotted recently on One Tree Hill (I know, no one watches this show but me):

Just found Tiffany's style blog recently and am loving it (I think it's my new favorite blog of the moment)! Her post here shows a beautiful pearl necklace from Marika King that I am dying to get my hands on! It's sold out for now, but will hopefully be available again soon.

I picked up a simple long strand of pearls from Nordie's recently and am going to keep my eye out for more to add to my collection. They will be the perfect touch to my darker fall/winter wardrobe. Here are a few other pieces that have caught my eye:

Betsey Johnson Tulle Trim Pearl Necklace ($48). It's simple and elegant, and the black tulle adds a fun touch! The black and white effect offers some similarity to the Marika King one.

Nordstrom Long Strand Illusion Glass Pearl Necklace ($48). I'm loving the layering possibilities and the fact that the pearls are spaced farther apart.

Forever21 is always an easy stop for fun and cheap accessories. Here's a pretty strand of faux pearls with a blush pink satin ribbon interwoven throughout. Priced at only $6.80, I love!

And just for fun, I saw this while shopping in SF last weekend. With a price tag of $598, it's probably a bit out of my price range, but looked so gorgeous wrapped up in a row of 4. I will probably have to stick with more affordable pieces for now, but am going to love all the fun possibilities they offer! Wear more than one piece at a time, tie on a satin ribbon, take them out to play or off to work. Why not have some fun with a classic staple?

Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale

It's here! Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale, which only happens once a year, and is different from all other sales because the prices drop BEFORE the season starts. Which means there are actually all sizes and colors available! But you gotta act fast, because the sale ends August 3.

The Anniversary sale features the newest fall styles at lowered prices, so you can nab that coat/jeans/sweater/dress/boots you would've bought ANYWAY right now! Usually, I like to buy for the season, and am terrible at taking advantage of stocking up on pieces for the opposite season. Yes it's what you're should do, but who can think about puffy jackets when I want to do is run out to Central Park and soak up the kisses the Sun generously gives out?

Maybe I'm growing up, but I'm learning an adult skill called planning ahead. It's smart to start collecting for the fall/winter while the getting is good. I picture myself as a squirrel boarding up acorns for the winter haha. Here are my top picks for the Anniversary Sale:

Adriana Papell dress in Deep Blue.

Beautiful and work appropriate dress. I love the neckline - mandarin collars are so flattering and the V isn't too deep.

A girl needs to have some florals in her closet.  The dark background and chiffon material makes it less casual, and underneath a leather jacket would edge it up even more.

Michael Michael Kors double breasted jacket

Thinking ahead to winter, need more jackes and I like the color, but am wondering if this is too similar to my Theory jacket? That one is dark blue, also double breasted, with three rows of buttons..

Omg if there were a perfect little leather jacket, this would be it!! The collar is perfect, and I think the collar is the most important part of a leather jacket.  The color is unique, it's cutely cropped, it has epaulets, and slashy zippers! $300 is a little steep though... hmmm.

/edit: I took the plunge and bought the leather jacket, buuuut it was disappointing. The picture doesn't show just how flashy shiny the buttons are, and also that the zipper is actually asymmetrical and goes diagonally across the chest. Those features, along with the epaulette shoulders and slashy zippers on the front make this jacket entirely too much to handle. A leather jacket is already calling out for attention, so I prefer more toned-down details. Back to the warehouse this one goes.

I miss California and all the Nordstrom stores. There are none in NYC, how tragic!

If the Shoe Fits

Have you ever heard of the phrase "to wear many hats"? It means to play different roles and to assume a new set of rules/functions based on that identity.  The analogy is true for me and shoes (I don't wear hats because my hair is already flat and I don't need any more help in that department, no thank you!)

Lately I've been on a shoe buying binge, and have justified each purchase by telling myself that each has a separate purpose - one is fancy going out, one is summer casual, and another is sporty practical (do you appreciate all my double adjectives? It's like I'm giving them a proper name. That or I'm further convincing myself of all their different utilities, ha!)

First, I recently moved into a new apartment and one of the best features is the top floor gym! Seriously, it has been a year since I've regularly worked out, and even longer when I last bought a new pair of running shoes.  I'm a little embarassed to admit that my current pair are K-Swisses that I got my freshman year of college (um, definitely thinking about deleting this last line), so with all these incentives, I decided it was high time to get a new pair. I knew I either wanted a pair of Nike Shox or Asics; the former because I like the look and cushion from the Shox, and the latter because I've heard great things about the comfort of the Asics running shoe. Well the cuteness of this pair won me over:

Nike Shox Turbo Mesh Si (what a mouthful). The Nike website showcases the shoes better...

Looove the color combo. Ladyfootlocker and all those similar companies were having sales on the exact style I was looking at, buuut they did not have the black/white/pink! Had to get this pair, but the baby blue pair would've been a second choice. There's a guy version of this shoe also, and I'm digging the black/white/yellow.

A note: when I ordered, the sales rep said Nike's tend to run small, so I got my normal size (6.5) + a half size up (7) just to see. After putting on socks and lacing them up, there's a bit of toe room in the 7's.  Not a lot, but I'm thinking that my feet will swell up and won't want to be restricted by a tight toebox when I'm working out. (You can tell I havn't actually worn my shoes yet, just admired its pretty color combo in its box.) I believe the rule of thumb is to order half size or full size up, depending on the company's usual sizing standards, and Nike is one to size down. If you get a pair that's tight, you end up with painful toenails, blisters, and decreased incentive to run. The key is to get a snug pair so that your feet don't move around too much, but not tight that it suffocates them.  The 7's give me about a half inch of room in front, which are good.

The second pair of shoes came after I realized I can't walk around all summer in NYC with just flip flops. I've always thought the gladiator trend was cute, but wanted to find ones that wasn't too out there. These fit the bill:

Seychelles Get Outta Town sandals

I've had a pair of Seychelles before, and the padded soles are the best part, super comfy! I'll be able to walk around all of Union Square, up to Central Park, and down to Midtown with these. I got the dark brown for practical reasons, but I love love the yellow! They're so cheerful and brighten any summer outfit. When I put these on, the side strap make my feet look slightly wide but they are cute nonetheless.

The last pair was purchased on a whimsy, after a random trip to J.Crew's final sale. Additional 20% on top of already lowered prices, making the decision to buy these babies easier. I was doing okay in the fancy heels department, let's face it, they all get dirty and stepped on at clubs anyway, and was only allowing myself to get a black strappy pair. Sadly, these are neither black nor strappy but they are beautiful!

J.Crew Greer pleated sandals in Golden Cypress

The pleats and satin material sold me. I really wanted to get the natural/shell color but satin + light color in a shoe just clashes with my sense of responsibility about shoes. They would be dirty and messed up in no time. This richer color will be great for fall, and the heel height is perfect for more conservative outings, like brunch with parents, or a wedding.

Summer Sandals

Summer's pretty much here and with the beautiful change in weather, every girl needs a cute, comfy pair of sandals! Now that I am no longer a scrubby college student at Cal, it's probably time to trade in my beloved Rainbow flip-flops for something a little dressier to pair with my summer outfits (hello dresses and skirts in bright colors!). Unfortunately, despite all the choices that are out there, finding a pair I've liked has been more of a difficult task than I expected.

Finally, thanks to some help from a co-worker, I picked up a perfect pair from Urban Outfitters!

   

The Ecote Braided Leather Sandals are exactly what I've been looking for: simple, cute, comfy, and will go with any outfit. I've been wearing them for a week now and love that they are so lightweight and soft. The sandals come in five colors (all very cute and wearable) and are only $28! They may not be the dressiest or trendiest pair of sandals, but I'm loving how easy they are to slip on for weekend and nighttime outings.

These sandals also appear to be a huge favorite of The Hills' girls. Lauren Conrad has been spotted out and about in black and cognac versions while her BFF, Lo Bosworth, was recently seen with the ivory Ecotes while donning a cute summer dress:

(photo credit to Pacific Coast News)

Kensie: Party Pretty

I took the day off from work to run some errands and see the dentist today! It's amazing what one extra day in a weekend means--I am definitely looking forward to only working 4 days a week in May.

One fun thing I got to catch up with on my day off was the stacks of magazines which have piled up over the past months (yikes!). I must confess that after spending 70% of my week in business casual clothes, I haven't really added much to my "normal" wardrobe lately. While checking out the March issue of Elle, I came across a gorgeous advertisement for Kensie.



The Spring '09 collection focuses on fun and flirty dresses, all priced under $200 (most are $158). I've never seen any of the pieces in person, but the line is carried at a multitude of boutiques, Macy's, and Nordstrom. As the weather gets more and more beautiful each day, any of these dresses would be cute for spring outings or warm summer parties. Most of the designs utilize a soft bone color and their high-waists and full skirts offer some figure-enhancing shapes (something I desperately need at the moment). I love that the brand is very focused on a light and romantic essence which is carried out via its ads, website, and mantra. As I become more and more bored with seeing the same dresses on people, this is a refreshing choice for the months to come!

Who says we can't still have some fun now that we're working? In the words of the brand, "We love to play."

Verna Necklace

I've been itching for some new jewelry recently.  Apart from a pretty  Open Wave pendant necklace that I wear everyday (thank you Sherry!), I am unadorned and don't wear much jewelry.  Lately though, maybe because spring is coming, and I want color and vibrancy into my outfits, I've been focusing on acquiring accessories to jazz up outfits.

So I jumped onto Etsy, a website where independent sellers can showcase their handmade items. I first learned about the site through other beauty fanatics who loved the handmade soaps and lotions that people sold.  But I adored the jewelry section more - so many unique pieces featuring the stones/materials that you like, and getting to support smaller designers.  It could just be the Berkeley influence, but I feel better paying an indie jewelry maker than forking money over to Urban Outfitters for an inflated wing necklace that dozens of other girls may have (which I've done before).

Anyway, I ended up choosing this gorgeous gold-filled wire and cobalt pearl necklace from thepebblecollection that resembles leaves from a branch. Love the bold color (cobalt/royal blue is one of my favorite colors to accent with), the classic appeal of pearls, and the warm gold will look better against my skin than silver does. Can't wait until it arrives!

My other choices were this round tree pendant (the seller has a lot of nature tree/leaf themed goodies) and these dainty silver wire leaf earrings. I really like the organic shapes of these pieces. Maybe next time??

In the Bag

What's in the bag? See for yourself..

Yes, this is the Hayden-Harnett Conrad bag from this post! I luurrrve it; it works both as a classic black bag for the office, AND dressy enough for meeting up with friends afterwards. The leather is super supple and soft (look at the shine on this baby!), and now I completely understand girls' love affairs with purses and handbags because I am officially OBSESSED. This marks several milestones - my first HH, and my first black bag.

The lining is gorgeous! I love peeking into my bag.

Compared to other girls' purses I've seen, I consider myself a light packer O.O Inside, I carry:

• small notebook with weekly to-do list and for jotting down random notes, + pens
• Lacoste wallet from Century 21
• Longchamp makeup bag with 1) Prescriptives Virtual Matte pressed powder, 2) Lancome Juicy Tube in Fruity Pop, 3) MAC Hello Kitty lipgloss in She Loves Candy, 4) MAC SlimShine in Ultra Elegant, 5) Kiehl's #1 lip balm, and 6) sample size of Prescriptives Virtual Matte foundation which are for emergencies but I've never used. I bet you can't tell I love lip stuff =)
• Neutrogena handcream
• 3G iPhone (I waited 4 hours in line the 2nd day it came out)
• elbow-length gloves to keep my phalanges warm, essential for NYC winter
• earmuffs - useful in theory but I don't like how they mess up my hair since they go around the head

Not shown but still in the picture is my Blackberry, which fits perfectly into the right external pocket, and my Metro card which lives inside the left outside pocket. When it comes to bags, I still need function in addition to fashion, so I love that this bag has so many pockets. Along with my building keycard and work keycard, sometimes I transfer my phone into the ingeniously magnetic (!) back pocket for easy access.

I must say, my first foray into the realm of purses was a success, and converted me into a believer.

ASOS: As Seen on Stars

I love weekends. Besides being an oh so much needed break from the struggles of the work week, I get to go home. This weekend I came home to a nice surprise: my ASOS order that I'd totally forgotten about!

ASOS is an online store I've often checked out, but been hesitant to order from since it's based in the UK. ASOS, which stands for, as seen on stars, specializes in just that. You can easily search the site by celeb and grab your own version (or even the real thing) of something that Posh, Alexa Chung, or Nicole Ritchie have been seen wearing (and who doesn't want to look as fabulous as them?)! I love finding the weekly Style Update emails in my inbox as they offer some great tips and style choices (seriously, you need to subscribe to this).

After having absolutely no time to shop and being in desperate need of some new clothes, I finally decided to place an order. I've read mixed reviews online about the quality of the clothes, but thought I might as well give it a try. The items range from designer must-haves to more affordable ASOS-brand pieces--there is plenty to choose from! The site even offers a spiffy video of the item on the runway. Shipping was only $6 despite being sent all the way from the UK and I'd say my package took about 2 weeks to get here.

I picked up a shirt, high-waisted tulip skirt, leather work tote, and a bunch of necklaces. Overall, the items were pretty true to site-image and description. The shirt has an odd sizing and didn't turn out as cute as it looked on the model, but hey I guess I'm no model... The necklaces are as fun and versatile as I hoped they would be! I will defnitely be purchasing from ASOS again. For now, those style updates will have to do! See below for my favorite pieces from the order:

Tights R' Us

The past few years have seen a boom trend in tights - opaque black, bold colored, patterned, textured, etc.  You name it, somebody's wearing it.  Personally, I love it - what a great way to keep wearing your pretty dresses and skirts in the cold winter! Even in balmy California, where tights were an accessory rather than a necessity, I liked opting for tights to complete a look. Whether paired with a shorter hemline and boots, or a knee skimming line with heels, tights help with the transition of an outfit while being cold weather appropriate.

 

The beauty of tights is the variety that it comes in - take advantage of the choices to complement the rest of your outfit. With a lighter spring or summer color and fabric (like chiffon), pairing a matte black leg can tone it down and make it go out-worthy.  If your ensemble is all black and you want to stir things up, try a colored tight for a change.  At work, paired with a conservative pin stripe or black skirt, I like a textured pair, something with a cable pattern, or a striped pattern. It lends a more interesting aesthetic than a smooth black leg. If it's really cold, I like thick knit tights as opposed to the thinner nylon versions - sometimes I'll wear these under my jeans for warmth!

Due to the neutral palette of my closet, I mainly own darker hues, and haven't been brave enough to try a brighter choice.  If I were to be more adventurous however, a cranberry/burgundy or a deep purple plum would be my top picks.  Since I'm less likely to wear colored tights often, I'd get mine from a cheaper store, like H&M;, or Target.

A note: I am strictly a fan of tights only for going out, not leggings, not footless versions. Some people may be able to rock that look, but I'm quite conscious of my disproportionately large calves, and wearing a clingy pair of leggings that hit right in the middle would make people laugh. At me.

My favorite pair of basic black tights are Capezio Transitions ($14.50). What gives these a special kick is the ability to transform from footed tights into a legging version if I don't want my tights to show (i.e. if I'm wearing open toed strappy shoes).  It looks like a large hole in the bottom of my foot, but it doesn't stretch out. Capezio is a dancer brand, so these techy tights are even more legit, since dancers require durable tights that last for a long time.  I also like the waist band because it stays put and doens't have to be pulled up, as is the case with other brands.

For the Cadillac of tights, Wolford is reputed to have the best, most opaque black tights.  Nina Garcia of Project Runway fame mentioned it in her book. Of course at $50/pair, these things better come with free drinks or something. If on sale, these are justifiable, but otherwise, my Capezios and DKNY pairs will suit me just fine.

Isla Fisher's Scarf Style

As we face colder days here in LA this week, I realize that it's probably time to pull out my scarves for the season. I must admit that I'm a little addicted to my H&M pashmina-esque scarves, but usually take the simple route of just draping them around my neck (out of laziness and lack of creativity). It gets the job done of keeping me warm, but there are definitely more fun ways to play them up.

Luckily, the stars are always there to serve as inspirations for all of us. I love Isla Fisher--she's so, so pretty and seems like such a sweet girl. Popsugar caught her in LA on Monday out and about and looking cute as always. The temperature has actually hit the low 50's here, and double-looping the scarf securely around the neck does for a simple, but very practical look.

As a side note, I can't wait for Confessions of a Shopaholic!!