Cheap Chic: What to Wear in Cabo Wabo

Confessions of a Shopaholic. Story. Of. My. Life. What a fantastically inspiring and appropriate story. I feel as though Rebecca Bloomwood and I are such kindred spirits. I too, surrender to impulse buys, succumb to a purchase because I feel sorry for a salesperson, and spend more than I have. I even experienced mannequins speaking to me after I saw this major motion film. The ones in Forever 21 stood on top of display tables and gestured towards the piles of picked through trendy merchandise and said, "See the mess I have to put up with? I can barely see my feet through the rummaged little mounds." The ones in Barneys New York CO-OP stood tall with their artificial noses stuck high in the air as they chuckled degradingly down at me and said, "Look around all you want. Just don't touch anything because all of my clothes are a bit too rich for your blood." And then under her breath, "Try Forever 21."

Besides convincing me that plastic, wooden, and wax women without ears or movable joints can speak, this film was a completely positive experience. It was jam packed with fabulous fashion eye candy. One costume element really stood out for this upcoming Spring season. It is the bright statement necklace.

If you're planning on taking a little vaca to warm weather and palms this spring or packing up your printed swimsuits and short-all jumpers for a week-long party in Cabo Wabo, you'll need a statement necklace for your spring fling, just like this one that Rebecca Bloomwood wears when she visits sunny Miami.

The featured Betsey Johnson collar is (sigh) just about all sold out on eBay and BJ's website. Rebecca's anchor necklace was paired with a crisp white blazer, to maximize its standout potential.  

I scoped out some sunny equivalents at local discount stores for your shopping pleasure. This Erickson Beamon for Target 36" Red Seed Bead Lobster Pendant Necklace is only $39.99.

Why I love it: Look at those little baby crystal peepers! I dare you not to smile at the playful details. The Sebastian to your Cabo Wabo Ariel.

This Haskell necklace is sold at Loehmann's for only $16.97.

Why I love it: The blue and green are reminiscent of a Grecian skyline and will really pop against white fabric as well as a bronzed bosom. The flower shape totally reminds me of the floral print Marc Jacobs consistently splashes across canvas bags, metallic jewels, and feminine frocks.

Happy hunting for your newest Spring statement piece and don't forget the SPF! 

International Lip Service

My first stop when I landed in London last month was Topshop. Literally, my first stop. I didn't even bother waiting for the bellhop to deliver my bags to my hotel room. I traded in my dollars for pounds and hit the street. A short walk from The Crowne Plaza, St. James stands one of the UK's 300 Topshop retail outlets. 

I made a beeline for the sale section, in hopes of filling my arms with as many pounds of Topshop apparel I could carry, for as little pounds as possible. As I scanned and slid each hanging treasure behind its former, I stopped when I spotted this printed party dress.

Immediately I could picture Patricia Field hand selecting this print for one of Carrie Bradshaw's quirky outfits. I had to have it. It was speaking to me, saying, "I'm one of a kind. I turn heads. Bring me home to the states and I'll make you the envy of everyone who sees me. I'll spice up your post graduate wardrobe with a hint of youthful flirtation. And I mean, hello, February 14th is right around the corner. If not then, when?"

For a bargain, I invited the flirty frock to make the voyage with me overseas. I donned it for my sister's 25th birthday party in SF. I balanced its overtly feminine print with a grey three quarter leather bomber. The corseted strapless was a smashing success. Plenty of attitude with a hint of risk. 

To my delight, my dress was featured in the February issue of Nylon, the holy grail of hip fashion magazines. 

Each month, Nylon features a pile of newsworthy themed goodies. The contents of this mythical Mary Poppins' bag are sprawled across the last page of the magazine to leave the readers with a lingering taste of eye candy, and in this case, some Hershey kiss candy. This month, my Topshop lip print dress is featured in "Bag Check." I knew this dress wasn't lying to me when it said it promised to be the life of the party, as well as the page. 

And that's no empty lip service. 

Cheap Chic: Snow White

Last week, FabSugar (http://www.fabsugar.com/) put out a Trend Alert for white jewels. She said "Winter white always feels crisp, and white jewels pack a serious punch. Think about it; when everything else is gray and dingy, white brightens. White enamel is a cheap alternative to ceramic or glass, so feast!"

I agree. And white jewelry is often overlooked and forgotten. Plus, wearing white always makes you look more tan, and in my albino winter phase, I could use all the illusion assistance I can get my hands on. 

Fab suggested the Zirconite White Solid Cushion Cut Enamel Ring from Target. It goes for $15.99. 

Kathryn took me shopping in the enchanted village of Brentwood, Ca this holiday weekend and we couldn't resist poking into the Free People shop. Look what I found in a dainty little bowl on the front counter:

This feminine little Flower Garden Ring is hand crafted and made of vintage materials and semiprecious stones. I'd say that's a deal for only $24.00. Little metallic accents dot the surfaces of the rose and daisy flower bunch. What a great way to send myself belated Valentine's Day flowers.

Celeb Sighting: Mena Suvari

Spotted: Mena Suvari at the Grove Theatre in LA, Sunday, February 15, 2009.

The Dish: This petite actress had quite the weekend. She celebrated her 30th birthday on Friday the 13th, no doubt spent Valentine's Day with fiance Italian-Canadian concert promoter, Simone Sestito, and went to the movies with an unidentified brunette friend on Sunday. Suvari was spotted standing on the regal staircase in the theatre lobby waiting for said friend. Suvari wore black skinnies tucked into heeled black boots, many layers of tees, tanks, and a sweater, and accessorized the look with a large sparkly shoulder bag. A handful of large body guard-looking men floated around her, but didn't accompany her into the screening of Confessions of a Shopaholic. Don't worry. Kathryn and I did. We also escorted her out of the theatre, and by escorted, I mean coordinated our timing perfectly as to zip our way in right behind her as we exited the theatre. 

So I know you're thinking, what's the big deal? She was in American Pie like a million years ago. Well, check out the rock she was flashing from her ring finger. It it enormous. Enormous and beautiful. These photos don't do the sparkling gem justice.

Hmm, maybe I should look into the Italian/Canadian performing arts.

Home Style: Fortune Cookie Karate Chop

And now, a brief detour from wardrobe style to home decor style.

I was touring model homes in the newly developed Dougherty Valley and I noticed something about every single pillow sprawled across each couch and each bed in the model homes. They all had an indent in the middle and two ear-like points sticking up like a Pokemon character.

Here's what they looked like:

Well that's an interesting touch, I thought. They didn't have the same come-here-and-jump-onto-my-fluffly-goodness quality that most pillows have. They seemed so posed, like they were ready to be photographed, which is coincidental, since I couldn't leave the model bedroom without snapping a photo.

It wasn't until yesterday's episode of MTV's The City that I realized this look is actually an intentional decorative touch. Observe self-appointed "social" Olivia Palermo karate chopping her pillows, prepping for a visit from her friends. 

So there you have it. The next time you're having company over or feel like sprucing your home to look its best, don't forget to swiftly karate chop your pillows right on their heads so that they transform into pretty little fortune cookie shapes.

Spotted: Ugly Betty's Jacket in My Closet...Yikes

Uh oh. I was just catching up on last Thursday's episode of Ugly Betty when I happened to alarmingly notice that Betty was sporting the same H&M tweed jacket that I had just purchased recently on sale in Walnut Creek.

I rewound the scene three of four times and darted my eyes between my computer screen and the multicolor tweed left sleeve that was hung so neatly and proudly in my closet. The bright red sale "$30" ticket still attached. 

I panicked. No one wants to see their clothes on a character referred to as UGLY Betty. That's not a good sign. It's great when you notice a celebrity wearing the same Jessica Elliot gold wishbone necklace that dangles gracefully from your neck. But it's another to see your new purchase on TV's most poorly dressed character. 

Personally, I believe the jacket is reminiscent of a Chanel tweed skirt suit. Of course, when I wear mine, it will not be layered over some brightly patterned silk blouse with a giant bow protruding out from beneath. I'll pair it with a simple tee, dark denim skinnies, and tasteful neutral heels. Check out how MTV's The City star Whitney Port styled a similar jacket and transformed the look from Ugly Betty to Total Betty.