A 2-in-1 Crime

[LEFT: Forever 21 leggings. RIGHT: Something I wore when my mom dressed me]

So... these puppies (above) popped up on Forever21.com today. A few months ago when they started selling STIRRUP leggings (which should only be worn if you are atop a horse) I held my tongue. Now they've gone too far.

The leggings trend is easy, comfortable and fairly cute (so long as your top is long enough to cover your cha-cha) but I draw the line at the built in skirt. I rocked this look in the third grade. Third grade is pretty much the cutoff point after which someone should shove a "you are too tall for this ride" sign in your face if you even go near the rack. Because, really? It just sends the message that you aren't savvy enough to match your leggings to your skirt without factory assistance, and that is just sad.

80-90% Off = My Kind of Sale

[PHOTO: Designs by Tysa]

If you're not a member on Hautelook.com (dude, no "about me" to fill out - you just get a login a.k.a. secret pass to the bargains) you might wanna shoot me an email right the f now.

Today at 8 a.m. Pacific Time (11 a.m. Eastern) they're having a 90% off sale.
Nicole Miller, James Perse, Frankie B., Rachel Pally, Mike & Chris and B. Chyll to name a few. Tysa and Gold Sign (a denim line by Adriano Goldschmeid of AG Jeans) blowout sales are also dropping at the same time with deals around 80% off.

Hit me at HeartsLikeStars@gmail.com if you want in, I'll send you an invite. If you're lucky.

(Faux) Vintage (Faux) Jewels

Having just ripped through Season One of the Showtime series The Tudors on DVD in a matter of one day, it's to be expected that my obsession with vintage costume jewelry has kicked into overdrive. Every scene has Catherine of Aragon or Anne Boleyn flaunting some gem-heavy pendant, brooch or headpiece that would have any girl who can recall her youthful (okay, or grown-up) princess fantasies drooling in envy. Even the boys rock amazing shoulder-draped bands of jewels (see photo.)

Jonesing for a few sparkling imitations on the cheap, I hit the website of my favorite contemporary costume jewelry brand: 1928. Here are the ones I could make a royal dent in my bank account for (P.S. - Use code DELIGHT08 for 20% off):




Midnight lace necklace, $28; Cielo rojo necklace, $72; Aquamarine pendant, $16; Gold tone teardrop, $37; Amethyst brooch, $19; Drop earrings, $16; Sapphire set, $9.99.

Lash Rx: Would You Hit the Pharmacy for Better Lashes?

The FDA just recently approved a new prescription drug called Latisse that claims to help you grow sweeter eyelashes if you dab it along your lash line. (It contains the active ingredient from a glaucoma medication that has the side effect of increased eyelash growth.)

Side effects?
1.) It may permanently change the color of your irises brown.
2.) It may temporarily darken the skin of your eyelids.
3.) It can make you grow hair anywhere it touches.



Would you try it? I think I'd def recommend it to teenage dudes with scraggly mustaches.

My Blogging Soul Mate

Yes. I found her. There is finally someone out there on the fashion blogosphere that has the same opinions about Dov Charney as I do:

The Office's Mindy Kaling. Check it out.

Also, AA's new circle scarf seems that it can do just about anything. [Insert a sexual joke that Dov Charney would probably make here.]

Bye Bye Dry

A few weeks ago I got a package from fab California-based beauty retailer Planet Beauty (physical stores are only in CA, but luckily they have a neatly designed online store. Think more like Sephora, less like Sally...)
Since then, I've been enjoying super-soft hair and skin thanks to ICON shampoo and conditioner, and a rich hand and nail cream by the nail gods at O.P.I. called Avoplex.

ICON's Drench Moisture Shampoo and Free Moisture Conditioner are fresh-scented and leave hair feeling clean but not totally stripped. Since using it, I haven't been as addicted to my smoothing lotions and shine sprays, despite my higher frequency of heat styling since the cold rolled in to Boston. They're also light enough to use on a daily basis, and I've noticed no buildup or heaviness after a couple of weeks consistent use. I'd give them both an "A"!

Avoplex is rich and non-greasy with a light citrusy scent, and it does maintain hand softness longer than your typical cream (thanks in part to its avocado oil content.) Still, it couldn't switch me from the Neutrogena "Norwegian Formula" cream that - while a tad greasy due to it's petroleum content- is still my go-to for chapped hands and dry cuticles.

Cheap Booty

5 for $25 panties at Victoria's Secret switch to 7 for $24.50 until Sunday. Code: PTY7

Free Fashion Mag, Anyone?

Want a free subscription to Nylon Magazine? Get it here courtesy of Urban Outfitters.

Enough With the Opening Acts!

Okay so I was wrong. Looks like Alexander McQueen is not the next GO: International designer in their capsule collection parade. January brings us Thakoon (cutest pieces pictured above, whole shebang HERE. Pretty m'eh...) and Rogan Gregory is back AGAIN (seriously? his last collection was boooo-ring!) in April.
When is my dear, darling fashion idol bestowing his affordable wares on us?! Summer would be so wrong for him - if they don't release his this winter, then I'll happily wait for next fall for something dark, textured and moody. Dying to know what the deal is.

Cyber Monday - Sit On Your Ass and Save!

So I didn't make a post about "Black Friday" sales because I just can't advocate subjecting yourself to that much obnoxious humanity in one day under any circumstances (RIP the Wal-Mart casualty. Ugh, what an unfortunate place to die!)
However, I am ALL ABOUT cyber Monday. From the theft of company time to the ease of sitting on your ass eating a bagel whilst agreeing to purchase items you can't feel guilty about until they arrive a week later, it is my kind of event.

I'll be posting codes and sale alerts all day today as they roll into my spam folder. Here are a few of the early arrivals:

Purses
BagHaus.com - 20% off all bags and Free Shipping

Clothing
Bluefly.com - 20% off cashmere
CharlotteRusse.com - 25% off the whole site
WetSeal.com - 20% off the whole site, Free Shipping over $15
XOXO.com - Code: XOXOHOLIDAY08 = 30% off all sale items
KarmaLoop.com - Code: CYBER = 25% off any item
Levis.com - 20% off tops and jackets
ChickDowntown.com - Code: CYBER for 45% off anything or 30% off sale items
TheLimited.com - 40% off coats; 30% off pants; 25% off bags and jewelry. Free Shipping, no minimum purchase.
ArdenB.com - 30% entire site
Banana Republic.com -Code: EXTRATEN = 10% off anything; Code: ONEDAY = Free shipping, no minimum purchase
PacSun.com - 10% the whole site
JCrew.com - Code: EXTRA30 = 30% off all sale items
Newport-News.com - Code: 538 = 25% off
OldNavy.com - Code: SAVENOW = 20% off anything; Code: ONEDAY = Free shipping, no minimum purchase
Overstock.com - 15% off clothing
FreePeople.com - Free shipping, no minimum purchase
American Eagle Outfitters - Free Shipping, no minimum purchase
Gap.com - Code: ONEDAY = Free shipping, no minimum purchase


Undies
VictoriasSecret.com - Code: GET20 = 20% off your entire order
Aerie.com - Free Shipping, no minimum purchase

Accessories/ Housewares
FredFlare.com - Code: MO = Free Shipping, no minimum purchase
ShanaLogic.com - 20% off select items

Shoes
Piperlime.com - Code: MONDAY = 20% off everything
ChineseLaundry.com - 20% off everything
Shoebuy.com - Code: HOLIDAY = 15% off and Free Shipping
Shoes.com - Code: MONDAY = 20% off entire order
NineWest.com - 20% off one pair of shoes; 30% off 2 pairs of shoes
SteveMadden.com - Code: THANKSGIVING30 - 30% off entire site; Free Shipping, no minimum purchase
SeychellesFootwear.com - Free Shipping, no minimum purchase

McQueen for Target

He is probably the LAST designer I would imagine signing on for a Go: International collection, but one I'm overboard with excitement to learn that rock n' roll/ goth/ fairy tale fashion master Alexander McQueen is next on the roster for the bargain retailer!
Says today's Womens Wear Daily:

The collection has a muted color palette of black, white, gray and tan with accents of cobalt blue and bright pink. Studs and mesh give items an edge. There are studded jeans, shorts and denim jackets with asymmetrical closures, short tuxedo jackets and matching shorts, dresses in a blue and white painterly fabric, a one-shoulder dress in a gray-and-black zigzag pattern with a thick black belt, a T-shirt with the image of [Leila] Moss [of Brit band The Duke Spirit]

No official date for the launch has been released, but if we're following the typical Target Go collection schedule, we should expect it to arrive later this month. I'll post pics as soon as they hit the press. In the meantime, poke around his website and check the archive pages. You may join me in freaking out.

Comme des Garcons for H&M: Clown Chic?

From the photos I've seen, this capsule collection is chock full of ridiculous pieces (low-crotched capri pants, anyone?) that don't seem worth the jacked prices (the advertisements featuring the beautiful Missy Rayder with hair styled like my 4th grade bus driver don't help.) But even more unfortunate is the fact I haven't had the opportunity to investigate in person. The collection is in 200 stores worldwide, 8 in the US, and 3 of those are in Manhattan. Two more are in L.A., one in San Francisco and one in Chicago.

So Chicago is considered to be more fashionable than Boston? I know it's not THAT hard to top the land of khaki and loafer, but really....Chicago? Sigh. We've got a long way to go, Boston.

Sigerson Morrison's Target Collection Must-Haves

The Sigerson Morrison mini-collection for Target hit stores this week, and already my two winning picks have been wiped out by online-shopping budget fashionistas. Both pairs have real suede uppers and are studded with silver crystals - giving them that Desperately Seeking Susan glam that 80s-born babes totally eat up.

Flats are $29.99 and booties are $39.99. If you want them, get your ass to a Target store STAT. They have colored crystal versions for sale, but they are just a shade too tacky for me.

Kate Moss Topshop Holiday '08 Picks

Kate Moss' Christmas '08 Collection hit Topshop yesterday, and according to Black Book Magazine, almost all of the pieces Kate was snapped wearing at events sold out within the first hour they were available online. Crackhead as she may be, girlfriend can sell you dress.

Still, there are plenty of good pieces left, if you're prepared to drop some (in some cases major) cash on limited edition items. Here are my picks:

Beaded cami, $250; 1920s dress, $310; Sequin dress, $260; Flying hearts dress, $100; Jersey scarf top, $36; Breton tee, $70; Wet look jean, $90; Fringe jacket, $160.

The one piece I'm bummed is sold out? The sequin cummerbund belt. Sigh...

"Stylista" Puts on a Lame Show

According to some reports, ELLE Magazine is kicking Vogue's ass in ad sales lately. But this in no way means Editor-in-Chief Anne Slowey is the new Anna Wintour. Poor Anne didn't get the memo though, and she's copping the legendary Wintour persona hardcore.

I watched the premiere of the new CW reality show "Stylista" this Wednesday, where a gaggle of obnoxious college-aged kids compete to be a junior editor at ELLE. In the process they have to impress head cunt Slowey --whose contrived attitude and cold expressions suggest she's watched The Devil Wears Prada way too many times-- with their editorial and ass-kissing skills.

Maybe it's just because the in-house drama, bitchery and elective stereotypes hit too close to my freshman housing memories of Parsons School of Design. Maybe it's because I know most print publications are teetering on the brink of a fiery demise thanks to the Internet, so who gives a rat's ass (ELLEgirl is just a website these days...) Or maybe I'm just holding producer Tyra Banks to a higher standard of talent selection (HAH.) Watching the show was more embarassing than entertaining.

Victoria Jackson Street Attack

Let me preface this by saying I don't live in an affluent neighborhood. I have a really cute place and everything, but for the most part my outlying neighbors are blue collar workers and illegal immigrants. So when I was accosted on the street this morning by two pretty, body-spray doused girls hawking pricy makeup as I passed a filthy Dunkin' Donuts and the office of one of those TV commercial lawyers they spoof on The Simpsons, I was a little suprised by their choice of hunting grounds.

"We're doing a promotion for Victoria Jackson Makeup today, did you get yours?" the fast-talking one asks me.
"Nope." (Wait isn't Victoria Jackson that lady who used to be on SNL? I thought. I Googled and apparently its another VJ. With a shabby-ass homemade website who used to sell on QVC.)
She shoves a gift bag into my hand. Free stuff? Okay.
"Shes a big hollywood makeup artist. Look at this stuff -pretty right? Well if you buy this today you can have it for 80% off and we'll give you her entire collection free."
Holy shit she didn't even stop to breathe. Wait, what? I thought this was a promotional gift bag!
"Uh, no thanks."
"Okay." Then she rips the gift bag out of my hand.

As I walked away, all I could think about was, what if I had just taken the bag and kept walking before she could continue? And has anyone ever refused to give the bag back? Whoever thought of this sales approach was just asking to get robbed or hit.
And now I'm pissed because just from touching the bag I smell like the girl's body spray.

Spend $25, Get $60 worth? Deal!

My favorite sales are the kind where you "buy one, get two free." It's a rarity to find one outside of the produce section of the grocery store, but those of you heading to the Clinique counter at Nordstrom next month will certainly find a generous deal.

If you spend $25 at a Clinique counter, you get an adorable, large silver makeup bag designed by Trina Turk and stuffed with Clinique goodies. Not the tiny little packets or tubes some places give you (*cough* Sephora...) but a full sized Long Last lipstick, a compact with blush and two eyeshadows, a jar of Repairware Lift cream, a travel-sized tube of Rinse Off Foaming Cleanser, a Lash Doubling mini-mascara, a SPF 15 mini Long Last Glosswear, and a cute little lipstick case with mirror. (All together worth $60.)

My suggestion? Go grab a couple of great Clinique mascaras as stocking stuffers for your besties, and keep the goodie bag for yourself!

Promotion runs Nov. 5 -Nov. 22.

LA Fashion Week

I feel like LA Fashion week is as fake as the tits that inhabit the city. LA Fashion week seems to happen just for the sake of having a fashion week in LA. Sure, La La Land is filled with designers, celebrities, PR firms, and bloggers with nothing better to do with their time than complain about fashion. You would think that the organizers would put a little more effort into making this an event not to be missed. This year, it seemed very phoned-in. Perhaps it’s because this may be the last Los Angeles Fashion Week…?

I suppose some of LA’s hotspot locations were probably in use for the third premier party of Beverley Hills Chihuahua. Fashion Week took place in Culver City. Now, I like Culver City. I think it has some interesting things to do and see, but, right now, with construction off the 405, it is not the most attractive part of LA. (Technically, it’s not even in LA.) Furthermore, Fashion Week took place at Smashbox Studios located in an industrial park. After a show (if you’re one of the many people who’s name got misplaced on the list to go backstage), you’re left dawdling around for forty-five minutes in a warehouse with nothing to do but sip vodka Red Bulls to pass the time. I would’ve loved to hit up a Starbucks or walk around a busy sidewalk because, frankly, I did look fantastic. (Here’s a link to the BeBe dress I wore.)

Additionally, when Lauren Conrad’s bitter classmates volunteer their time to check in guests, it does not make for a happy crowd. With vacant expressions and ill-desire to check the guest list passed the letter “A”, of course, they informed me my name wasn’t on the list. After I used the word “miscommunication”, their befuddled look made it seem I was somewhat intelligent and important and they gave me a standing-ticket to the Samora show.

Her Paris-inspired Spring ’09 designs were such a refreshing site after the stress of actually arriving. Filled with ruffles, pleats, and chiffon, it made me realize that hot pink and lime green can look good together and not be only reminiscent of cheap Easter baskets people buy at CVS. What whetted my appetite were her black and white designs that had that French flair, but, also, vaguely resembled the fashion on Mad Men. Here’s a pic of my fave:

Get Your Bake On

I know it's not even Halloween yet, but baking season is upon us. My favorite time of year has finally arrived! Baking can be so much fun but it can also be a big mess. There's no reason that we should have to change into old clothes that we wouldn't be caught dead wearing in public just to bake our hearts out. Every fashionista should have her own stylish apron to protect any outfit from a messy kitchen.

Here are some of my favorite aprons that will keep you cute in the kitchen this holiday season:


Sweetheart Hot Pink Apron, Carolyn's Kitchen - $42
Marilyn Apron/Bandeau Red & Black, Carolyn's Kitchen - $29.95/$18
Dorothy Apron/Garter, Carolyn's Kitchen - $39.95/$12

Lucky Ladybugs Apron, Anthropologie - $38
Parisian Cafe Apron, Anthropologie - $32
Bib Ava Leopard Apron, Jessie Steel - $32.95

Bib Audrey Cupcakes Apron, Jessie Steel - $32.95
Fancy Party Pink, Jillie Willie - $25.50
Suzie Homemaker, Jillie Willie - $33.50

Sale Alert!

20% off at SteveMadden.com - coupon code: privatesale20
Good until Sunday!

One Fabulous Secret

Just as the dry autumn air rolled in to Boston, I received a sample of a super-rich body treatment called Malibu Secret.

Perfect timing! My elbows and knees (and legs and arms and...) always get so dry this time of year, especially after a hot shower. Following the lead of Los Angeles' poshest beach babes (Lauren Conrad, Lindsay Lohan, Pamela Anderson to name a few fans of the stuff) I slathered the smooth cream on my thirstiest skin and let it soak in. The result was a long-lasting (all the way to my next shower) baby-soft skin with a super-feminine floral scent that lingered several hours.

For a specialty product used by celebs, Malibu Secret is reasonably priced at $25 for 7.25 ounces. As women of a certain age tend to say, prevention is easier than correction. Keep your skin hydrated while you're young and it'll stay looking youthful. And even if you missed the boat on that tactic, it's never too late to start. This is a product that will benefit women both young and uh... experienced. It contains a mix of natural butters and extracts as well as a few "scientific miracle" ingredients that help increase collagen and cell proliferation.

Want some? Get it at Rejuvenation Gifts!