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.

How to: Craft the Perfect Valentine's Day Card (All My Single Ladies, Included)

When your mother is Helen Van Buskirk, you have crafting in your blood.

This Valentine's Day, whether your Prince Charming is sweeping you off your pink pedicured feet or you're going out in search of yours with all your single ladies, look no further than this whimsical website for an as easy as 1-2-3 map to making the perfect V-day greeting: website http://students.pepperdine.edu/krvanbus/crafts/opening-page.html.

Created by the gifted Kathryn Van Buskirk for your crafting and viewing pleasure. Enjoy.

Men are from Mars

Samantha Potter. America's Next Top Model Cycle 11 runner up. Left: Before makeover. Right: After makeover, totally fierce. 

Men and women were not created equal. Men and women are inherently different. Not to say that men and women cannot possess similar characteristics, but in the realm of equality, men and women are not, nor were they intended to be equals. God's Word is very specific about their varying roles and makeups. Women have been campaigning for, and gaining equality throughout history. But is there a way to speed up the process? For women to shatter the glass ceiling and step onto an equal playing field? 

I have a theory. Women who highlight their masculinity seem to gain more respect than those that play up the female stereotype. I can't help but wonder, is the key to an equal playing field as simple as appearing more like a man than a woman?

The boyfriend jeans. The menswear trends. Short, fierce haircuts. Are these motifs a step towards powerful androgyny? If we wear trouser pants, vests, button down shirts, and looser, less curve hugging denim, do we gain more respect?

Serena Van der Woodsen wears ties to school all the time. Is that just an unconventional display of accessory, or a subtle cry for equality?