Fall Favorites

It is hard to believe that fall is already here... well almost here. With the weather in STL flip flopping from fall to summer temps and back again, now is the time to invest in classic transition pieces that will last you from now until spring. Two of my favorite transitional pieces this season are from J. Crew. This blouse and skirt can be mixed into your existing wardrobe to create numerous looks to take you to the office or out on the town all season long.

 Natasha Top in Polka Dot

Pair this flirty top with skinny jeans or the skirt below for warmer days or throw a blazer over it for colder temps.

Leather Tipped Bell Skirt in Black

For a great office look on warmer days pair this cozy skirt with the shirt above and black tights or throw on your favorite black sweater and knee high boots once colder temps arrive.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Add some bling to your Memorial Day festivities with this fabulous find from Forever 21. This super soft, comfortable and stylish shirt is the perfect way to show your patriotism this Memorial Day. Pair it with a pair of cut-off jean shorts for a look that is as American as apple pie. Best part is it's only $16!

White Hot

Memorial Day weekend is here which means, if you are one of those that adhere to old fashion rules , you can finally break out the white. This summer white is popping up everywhere. But this season there are two pieces that stand out from the rest.

 Citizens of Humanity Kelly Stretch Bootcut Jeans

If you only buy one new piece of clothing this season it needs to be a great pair of white jeans. White jeans are a timeless piece that look great on almost every shape, and are an easy way to add clean sophistiation to your look. The one downfall to white jeans is the see through factor, so make sure you are buying a thick quality denim. You may have to pay more for white jeans then you do your regular jeans, but a nice pair of white jeans will last you year after year and they will always be in style. This Citizens of Humanity pair runs about $135 at Nordstrom. They are thick enough not to be completely see through, have just a touch of stretch to hug you in all the right places and the bootcut is flattering on all body types. For a more tailored look you could go for a skinny or straight leg style but stay away from anything super tight. You can pair your jeans with just about anything, but one of my favorite looks is to pair them with a light chambray denim shirt.

 (pic by Pacific Coast News.com)

If there is one person who is known for white this year it's Kate Middleton. Before the wedding dress that won over the world Kate was known for this white ensemble that took over the internet. Many people are afraid of the transparency of white swimsuits but as long as you find one that is properly lined a white swimsuit can be a girl's best friend. Donning a white swimsuit tends to make you look more tan and therefore trimmer.

I found this budget alternative to Kate's suit at J. Crew.com. It has a modest fit and is completely lined to avoid transparency.

Such Great Heights

I like tall shoes as much as the next girl, but at 5'9" some of the spring shoes that are out now border on giving me altitude sickness. However, for you shorties out there Nine West has some insanely cute sky high espadrilles coming out for spring. Check out their entire collection online. If I were a few inches shorter these two would be must haves for my spring dresses. Happy Shopping!

Nine West Braxton-$99

Nine West Rope- $79

Music to My Ears

While there are many things to love about St. Louis, the ability of its radio stations to play the same song simultaneously on four different stations and once every 15 minutes is not one of them. And while I still like pop music as much as the next person, this issue has lead me to prefer music that you can't find on local radio yet still maintains a mainstream albeit slightly eclectic sound. So in a departure from the norm I decided to write a post to share favorite albums and songs of the moment. Check them out when you need a break from Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, and Diddy Dirty Money.

Albums

(All albums can be found on Amazon)

Adele's 21 is easily becoming my favorite release of 2011 so far. Songs you must hear are: Someone Like You, Set Fire to the Rain, Turning Tables and Rolling in the Deep.

Touring with Adele later this year (only in the UK sadly) is another favorite Amos Lee. Released in late January Mission Bell hit the top of the Billboard charts in it's first week of release. Songs that you must hear are: Learned A Lot, Violin, Stay With Me, and Windows Rolled Down.

The first single from Mumford & Sons' Sigh No More, Little Lion Man, has already started to trickle down to radio stations like The Point and Z107.7 but there is plenty more to choose from. Some others to check out are:The Cave, White Blank Page, and After the Storm.

Florence + The Machine has definitely hit the ranks of mainstream with their 2009 album Lungs, their summer stop at the Pageant sold out in the first week. Tracks like Dog Days are Over and their cover of You've Got the Love are all over the radio but some of the other not so well known songs include: Girl With One Eye, Cosmic Love and My Boy Builds Coffins.

Tyrone Wells made somewhat of a name for himself when his song Sink or Swim was chosen for the previews for the debut of Season 6 of Grey's Anatomy. He's set to make his mark on St. Louis in April when he performs at the Old Rock House. His 2010 album Metal and Wood has some of his best work including: Give Me One Reason, Running Around In My Dreams, and a mellowed cover of Kings of Leon's Use Somebody.

Songs

Here are 10 songs new and old that are getting significant time on my ipod that will make great additions to your summer playlist.

1. Two Door Cinema Club- What You Know

2. Bon Iver- Blood Bank

3. Lykke Li- Get Some

4. The Dead Weather- I Can't Hear You

5. The Naked and Famous- Young Blood

6. New Young Pony Club- The Get Go

7. Ryan Adams- Come Pick Me Up

8. XX- Shelter

9. Band of Skulls- I Know What I Am

10. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club- Beat the Devil's Tattoo

Happy Listening!

Highlights from New York Fashion Week Fall 2011-Part 2

One of the highlights of this year's fall fashion week for me was the first fall line from a designer and brand that I love: Olivier Theyskens for Theory now know as Theyskens' Theory. Theyskens added his edge to the line while keeping the look of stylish sophistication that Theory is known for. I have added a few gems from his collection as well as a few fabulous day to night looks from Preen and Rachel Roy and hard edged leather done right at Cushnie et Ochs. (Photos by Style.com)

Theyskens' Theory

Theyskens' Theory

Theyskens' Theory

 Preen

 Preen

 Rachel Roy

Cushie et Ochs

New York Fashion Week Fall 2011-Menswear Highlights

The women weren't the only ones being provided with fabulous fall fashion. Here's a few highlights from prominent menswear designers Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein. You know what they say "every girl's crazy bout a sharp dressed man" ! :) (all photos by style.com)

 Tommy Hilfiger

 Tommy Hilfiger

 Tommy Hilfiger

 Calvin Klein

 Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein

New York Fashion Week Fall 2011-Vivienne Tam

Here's a few highlights from Vivienne Tam's Fall 2011 show. Enjoy! (all photos by style.com)