Designer Crush: Rachel Zoe?

You read that right. When I heard that Rachel Zoe was designing an apparels and accessory line, I couldn't help but think: LA's famously skinny stylist makes for great TV and puts together a killer outfit, but can she design?

Color me pleasantly surprised. Rachel Zoe's new collection is really, really cute. It's effortless trendy and luxe, but you still see hints of Zoe throughout: bell-bottomed pants, warm furry vests and boho maxis. There are pieces of all kinds: fun party dresses, a gorgeous black halter gown, pants, shorts, tops, coats... You could put together a great wardrobe with these pieces.

Any stylish woman of any age would look classic and sophisticated carrying her purses. I'm not mad about the velvet and furry trim on some of the pieces, and the heels, while they have Zoe's signature uber-high heels, are fabulous but nothing new.

The highlights:

Faux-Fur Vest, Tie-Neck Plunge Blouse & Zip-Cuff Skinny Jeans: $295, $225, $175 (My favorite casual ensemble - this blouse should probably be mine)

Tailored Tuxedo Jacket, Tie-Neck Plunge Blouse & Boot-Cut Tuxedo Pants: $425, $295, $275 (if you've been reading my twitter, you know I'm obsessed with white suits, and this one is exactly what I want - easy, breezy, boot-cut!)

Blouson Metallic Maxi Dress: $550

Wrap-Collar Cape & Cuffed Tuxedo Shorts: $695, $195 (it's so hot out, I know it's impossible to think about wearing a coat, but this one is sort of makes me want to wrap up in it... sort of)

Crocodile-embossed back pump: $295

Zoe snake-embossed tote: $650 (a little Birkin-esque, but I wouldn't kick it out of bed)

Remind me why I'm on this shopping hiatus again?

Pre-order Rachel Zoe's collection at Neiman Marcus now.

TBONTB: A thing of beauty

Ok, obviously this isn't a real To Buy or Not To Buy since I just declared my shopping hiatus, but I need to share this glorious Preen dress with the world.

Perfection costs $1646.40 at Net-a-Porter.

This black crepe dress with a beaded taupe chiffon bodice rocks that ladylike trend in the guise of a cocktail dress. It feels like an updated Mad Men look with on-trend midi length but demure aesthetic.

I so, so want it.

And it can be yours for nearly 50% off the original price. So can someone please buy it so I can live vicariously through you?

Shop stop

In my blogging hiatus, I mayyyy have done a little shopping. Ok, I obviously did more than a little.

I thought I'd share some of my favorite purchases of the past few months:

Kate Spade Dotty Heels - These heels are great for a night on the town or dressing up a simple work sheath. Note: Beware wearing new satin heels on dangerous Georgetown brick sidewalks!

Trina Turk Nubia Beaded Halter Dress - I spotted this at a boutique in New Orleans in red pepper and I had to have it - but I needed an excuse. Fortunately, a Bermuda-themed party provided me with the perfect one!

Leifsdottir Rainbow Confetti Dress - This is my new favorite going out dress. I bought it a bit big so it's swingy and fun and loose on hot summer nights. It goes with so much, and the asymmetrical hem (hard to see in this picture) frames my legs fabulously.

J. Crew High Tide Tunic Dress - Because... have you met me? Hey, I'm just proud it's not navy stripes.

ASOS pleated maxi skirt - So this just came today, and I like it a lot. BUT it's super sheer. Do I keep and wear it (as seems to be trendy)? Or send back (free returns)?

So I had a little bit of fun. Maybe too much fun.

A few days ago, I realized I really need to go on a shopping diet (and a taxi cab diet. And a regular diet, but that's another issue all together). I have numerous things to save up for, not the least of which is my wedding (and a fabulous wedding/honeymoon wardrobe).

So the shopping hiatus began last week.

I don't necessarily want to put a hard and fast deadline on my shopping hiatus, but my birthday is in early August, and birthday=presents+parties=new clothes... Makes sense to me! But in actuality, the shopping will be severely restricted for at least three month. It's not a punishment, it's just a lifestyle diet.

I'll miss you, credit cards.

Hit by Cupid's Arrow

I've been a fan of Rebecca Minkoff's delicious handbags for years. I got a Nikki hobo years and years ago, and I've been scouring Gilt sales for an MAB.

However, I think I'd rather save my pennies for RM's newest handbag, the Cupid.

Buy it here.

Love this bag! It's the perfect-sized satchel, and like the MAB, it has the dual strap - one longer and one that just fits over your shoulder. The gold detail is to die for - just the right hint of color without looking like heavy metal.

My favorite thing about this bag is the variety of colors: navy, red, metallic taupe, teal and black. (You can also pick up lavender and a shimmer anthracite with silver details).

Now, I wonder when Gilt will be getting these in stock...

The Gray Lady

I'm a newspaper nerd. Can't help it. Comes from eight years of working on my college and high school papers, interning for trade pubs, and then moving into the PR and press world.

And thus, I need this candle, purported to smell just like a fresh issue of The New York Times. "With hints of guaiacwood, cedar, musk, spice, with 'a powdery note and velvet nuance,' this candle is intended to mimic the scent of black ink on newsprint

(via Refinery29)

So now apparently I'll be swinging by the Ace Hotel next time I'm in NYC to pick up a $65 candle. Just another thing to add to my To-Do list.

Sunday Lust List: Blog-Found Fun

This week's lust list highlights some fun pieces, fab shoes, and darling dresses found on some of my favorite fashion blogs.

1. Giles & Brother Archer Hoop Earrings: $95 (via Refinery29)
2. Joie Sashay Heels: $198 (via The Cut)
3. Splendid Shadow Stripe Dress: $110 (via Capitol Hill Style)
4. Prada Baroque Sunglasses: $290 (via FabSugar)
5. Apple and Ivy Bettingen Circle Button Bracelet: $15 (via Whipped Style, a new DC FABB friend!)

This Week's Facts: Blue and blazing

Hilary Rhoda looking FABULOUS in cobalt. (via FabSugar)

• FabSugar recreated model Hilary Rhoda's Topshop look. FYI - her Proenza Schouler purse cost nearly 9 times as much as the dress!
• Always lusted after your very own Hermes handbag? Check out what a Kelly looks like deconstructed on Styleite.
• I don't know about you, but it's sort of hard to be fashionably creative when it's hot as blazes out. Refinery29 takes some of the hard work out of summer outfit planning.
• DC's own Tucker Blair has partnered with the always-cool Opening Ceremony on a collection of needlepoint belts, reports Fashionista. Nantucket prep meets downtown cool. I love it.
• Get away with beautiful beachy looks at coco+kelly.
• Cheap Chicas shows you how to style your boyfriend's button down.
• Peep the Banana Republic collaboration with Mad Men's costume designer at The Cut. General Twitter consensus is meh - some highlights and some terrible fabric choices. And is it just me or is this like... a couple years delayed?
• Money burning a hole in your pocket? Zara's annual sale starts today!
• Shots are up from the DCFABB happy hour on my BFF Liz's blog So Much to Smile About. Who's that hot tall blonde in the last shot? ;)
• Win $100 to Shopbop over at I Heart Heels.