zoe plays designer; i die

One of my absolute favorite Fall 2011 RTW collections belongs to everyone's favorite stylist/reality star/mom-to-be, Rachel Zoe.  It's pretty rare that I find a collection where I "ooh and aah" after I see every piece, but hers was most definitely one of them (and that's a feat considering I've never been a fan of 70s fashion, which her collection definitely payed homage to).  Filled with smartly cut, high wasted, wide leg trousers and suits, billowy silk tops, adorable mini dresses, and lots - and I mean lots - of fur and sequins, Zoe managed to channel her love for vintage clothing with a little 70s boho flair and a lot of glam.  Basically, it was bananas.  (You didn't actually think I'd get through an entire blog post without throwing out some Zoe vernacular, did you?)

Because it won't be available until Fall 2011 (and unlikely to fit all sizes or budgets) I decided to channel my Zoe-spiration and find a couple of pieces out there now - reasonably priced and fuller sized - that definitely suit the style of her collection.  And if you've gotta see more (which you should!) check out her entire collection here.

Dresses: (Left) Rachel Zoe, Fall 2011 RTW; (Right) ASOS CURVE Oversized Sequin T-Shirt Dress, sizes 16-22, $152 at ASOS

Dresses: (Left) Rachel Zoe; (Right) ASOS CURVE Embellished Scalloped Hem One-Shoulder Dress, sizes 16 - 22, $60 at ASOS

one fabulous dress, two fantastic outfits

While doing some internet window shopping the other day, I stumbled upon this adorable little dress from one of my favorite sites, Dorothy Perkins.  The colorful print is cheerily fantastic, the cut of the dress flatters every body type (aren't the little pleats great?), and could easily become one of those staples in every gal's closet - perfect for work or play.

Here are my ideas on how to style this cute little number; two stylishly different ways.

 Dress: green/orange stripe dress, sizes 6-22 UK (2-18 US), $60 at Dorothy Perkins; Tights: Spanx Tight-End Tights, sizes A-G, $26 at Spanx.com; Pumps: Steve Madden Stokker pumps in black suede, $100 at Steve Madden.com; Cardigan: Forever cotton cardigan, sizes XXS - XL, $69.50 at JCrew; Belt: Fendi sand leather turnlock belt, 28"-38" waists, $330 at Bluefly.com; Jacket: ASOS Curve Ruched Sleeve Drapey Jacket, sizes 16-22, $135 at ASOS; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Large Vintage Round Sunglasses, $139 at Urban Outfitters.

seriously mighty aphrodite

I've always been a sucker for home decor items that are useful and pretty to look at but have a bit of quirk.  I bought some fantastic antique doorknob hooks a while back from Urban Outfitters and use them to hang my necklaces on (as well as to stare at happily on a regular basis).  I also love sites like Etsy (especially The Love Shop), ShopPlasticLand.com, and Pearl River Mart where I've found some sweet finds.  Anyway, given my penchant for the useful/pretty/quirky, you can imagine how I just about keeled over and died today when I found this...

Behold:  the Aphrodite USB Hub

Aphrodite USB Hub, $36, Fred Flare

I mean, come on.  Doesn't everyone want to look at an Ancient Greek statue replica while working at their desk and charge their electronics at the same time?  Yes, I did buy this.  And yes, I can't wait until it arrives on my doorstep in all its ceramic glory.

houston we have a purple

No, I'm not crazy - it's a polish from OPI's new TEXAS collection, y'all!  I have been dreaming about this day for so, so very long.  And now it will be here on February 2nd!

Keeping with OPI's tradition of awesomely catchy names, the Texas Collection features some hilarious ones like, It's Totally Fort Worth It, Do You Think I'm Tex-y, and Big Hair ... Big Nails.  I'm especially giddy about the last one because down here, it's common knowledge that "the higher the hair, the closer to God."  ...Clearly.

So now to decide what my new mani/pedi color will be.  I have to add on to my usual favorites of Quarter of a Cent-Cherry, Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ, and You Don't Know Jacques, after all!

in america or not in america: that is the question

Oh H&M, why do you tempt me so?  News broke the other day that Swedish fashion giant H&M will be launching a new line, Inclusive, to be sold exclusively online for European sizes 32 - 54, roughly US sizes 0 - 26.  Everyone has been buzzing about this because, well, it's H&M and everyone buzzes about H&M; it includes a bunch of sizes that the usual special collections don't; and, like the ones created for the company by influential designers such as Lanvin, Stella McCartney, and Uncle Karl (aka Karl Lagerfeld), it's inclusive.  Inclusive meaning when the collection is sold out, it's sold out.  Sigh.

So here's the deal with this:  H&M's European stores have had a plus sized collection for some time now - as well as online shopping - both of which the US doesn't have.  And just yesterday on their Twitter, H&M announced that at the end of this year/first of next year, they will launch online shopping in the US.  Major yay!  However.  The Inclusive collection is available online this March.  Hence, the US of A is not going to be included.  Major boo.

I guess the only solution we American ladies have is to find a new Facebook friend on the other size of the pond and talk them into ordering something for us, right?  ...Too obsessive?  I guess we'll just have to wait until next year with fingers crossed that both the regular plus size collection and any future plus-inclusive Inclusive collections will be available stateside.

shoe of the day!

Aren't these peep toe booties by Poetic Licence fantastic?!  I own a couple of pairs of this brand's designs and always get compliments whenever I wear them.  They're just those kind of shoes that you wear when you want a little pop - they're artsy but not over the top and they definitely make a statement.  I'm especially loving the scalloped leather trim, and the color is such a pretty grayish/brown hue.  Oh, and did I mention that they're on SUPER sale?!

"Tempt Me" by Poetic Licence peep toe booties, $98 at Zappos

So what would you wear these with?  I personally like the idea of playing up the girlishness of the booties with a bit of a sexy, casual, boho feel.  See below!

Jeans:  (Left) Calvin Klein boyfriend jean in brushed gold wash, sizes 14W-24W, $69.50 at Macy's; 

(Right) "Always Skinny" cuffed jeans, sizes 00 - 20, $69.50 at Gap; 

Tee: 3/4-sleeve henley, sizes XS-XXXL, $12.50 at Alloy;  Scarves: (Left) Loro Piana cashmere silk square scarf, $1290 at Neiman Marcus; (Right) "Cottonwood Scarf", $118 at Anthropologie;   

Bag: warehouse leather ring detail buckle satchel, $112 at ASOS.

current obsession: stella & dot

I came across this jewelry line the other day and honestly don't know where it has been all my life (and how I haven't found out about it until now!) Stella & Dot, named after founders Blythe Harris and Jessica Herrin's grandmothers named - you guessed it - Stella and Dot, is unlike anything you would see from your traditional company that sells its merchandise via in home parties and trunk shows. Its fans include celebrities like Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Love Hewitt and their designs have been featured in magazines like InStyle, Lucky, Cosmo, and Marie Claire. Not too shabby, right? The jewelry is right on point trend wise, and comes in a ton of different styles. The best part: it's really well-priced for what appears to be great quality, last you a super long time, wear with anything pieces. In fact, I'm considering selling it. Maybe possibly.

Anyway, it's been a while since I've found a site where I seriously want every darn thing and I'm trying to practice self-restraint, so here are just a few of my favorites:

Pave Clover Necklace, $59

If I were to choose one piece out of the whole catalog, it would be this necklace. The design has an adorable vintage appeal (and also features the Stella & Dot clover motif). It's the perfect amount of bling for everyday wear, and because it's both silver and gold, you can wear it with a bunch of other things.

Garden Party Chandelier Earrings, $54

I'm a sucker for this color green, and I love the sort of Moroccan style these earrings have. In fact, I think I already have a pair of earrings that look just like this, but I still want these. Go figure.

Petra Fringe Earrings, $59

I've never been a fan of the whole chain fringe as jewelry look, but these earrings are so understated, they're kind of amazingly awesome. I love how the combination of the chain and the sparkle from the stones make it equally wearable for day or night.

Charm Necklaces, $59+ (chain); $19+ (charms)

These charm necklaces are super adorable and super versatile. The catalog has tons of options for charms including birth stones (like the one pictured on the gold necklace) as well as initials, and other fun designs. The chains come in different lengths, too!

Belle Fleur Earrings, $39

Belle Fleur - beautiful flower - the name says it all! I absolutely ADORE these earrings. Aren't they just so dainty with the right amount of shimmer? I also love the yellow center. And the coolest part is that these earrings have a built in back, so no worries about losing an earring when you're out and about!

Bamboleo Necklace, $228

I probably am obsessed with this necklace because it has all my favorite colors in it. And jade (my favorite stone). ...Or because it's shiny. Either way, this is definitely a statement and investment piece. It was the first item that caught my eye when I opened the catalog, and it's definitely something one would have to wear knowing that a ton of compliments would be coming their way. Can you just imagine how adorable it would be with an LBD?!