Thursday's Facts: Good ideas and bad ideas

• Just As Beautiful, a glossy mag aimed at the plus-sized market, launched recently. Fashionista asks: Is this a good thing? Maybe it would be, if they didn't use those laughably bad fonts and a cover image more fitting of a girlie mag.
• Capitol Hill Style says preppy has returned, but I'm not sure it ever left. And I also don't think being preppy restrains us to look like a Polo ad. What do you think? Are we bringing preppy back?
• Cheap Chica's Guide to Style argues for splurging on a Burberry trench. This is a true investment piece that is worth the cash. While it's rare to find a Burberry trench on sale, I must note, Tyler found one at Nordstrom Rack. Price tag? $250. Needless to say, I was not so lucky.
• Now that it's officially fall, bloggers are rolling out posts on coats like it's their job (well, for some, it is). Refinery29 has six trendy styles of coats to wear this fall. 
• It's (almost) October. Do you know what you are going to be for Halloween? Tyler and I are thinking maybe Bill and Sookie from True Blood (like the rest of the world) or John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi. The New York Times says that the big trend for costumes this year will be BP oil spill-related. 

I see London, I see Milan

The fashionable elite have moved on to Paris, but I am still swooning over some of the amazing looks we saw in London and Milan. Both destinations showed much more color than we saw in New York, and critics agreed that Milan had one of their best showings ever. To be honest, I was a huge fan of the wearability we saw in NY, but more collections from our European counterparts knocked my socks off.

Case in point: Erdem, Holly Fulton and DSquared.

Here are my top looks from London:

Tribal chic by Holly Fulton (peep the entire collection... seriously)

Anything and everything Erdem

Christopher Kane's neon sophistication 

Peter Pilotto's pretty but edgy prints 

I'm not typically a House of Holland fan, but his S/S '11 collection had some jems, like this.

Antonio Berardi's neutral romance - with an edgy jacket

Matthew Williamson's desert island party girl

And from Milan:

Jil Sander's beautiful bolds (Credit: The Sartorialist)

Prada's bold orange (and that fur? I die)

Moschino Cheap and Chic is lemony fresh

Versace's fringed Grecian goddess

DSquared's casual, androgynous nerd

Fendi's airy summer frock

Want more from Europe? Check out the following:

• The Cut's Thirteen Best Looks from Milan Fashion Week
• Fashionista's Ten Best Collections from London Fashion Week and Nine Best Looks from Milan Fashion Week
• Refinery29's Ten Best Looks from London Fashion Week
• DC's own Samantha On Style witnessed London Fashion Week firsthand

Stay tuned for coverage of the Paris collections. Think Balenciaga, Balmain, Rochas, Dries van Noten, Zac Posen... Are you salivating already? Tres chic!

#Fightbreastcancer TODAY

Credit: 69-seconds.org

Did you know that every 69 seconds, a woman dies of breast cancer someone in the world? That's how long I waited for the metro this morning. That's the time it takes to reply to an email, make a reservation on OpenTable or download a song on iTunes. That's the time it took for me to write this sentence. And that's all the time it takes for you to be a part of the fight against breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R), an organization that leads the global crusade against this terrible disease, kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a worldwide effort to mobilize the online community and break the Guinness World Record for Most Widespread Social Network Message in 24 Hours.

Today, I am encouraging you to take action against breast cancer in the easiest way possible: using social media. Here's how you can help:

• Tweet using the hashtag #fightbreastcancer.
• Visit www.69-seconds.org to learn more about the global breast cancer crisis and to take action.
• If your Facebook posts are public, update your status to show your support for Komen and its efforts to #fightbreastcancer. If your Facebook posts are private, consider making them public for the day so they can count toward the Guinness World Record.

It costs nothing, but it's worth so much.

Although I have been involved with Susan G. Komen for years - in college and beyond - breast cancer had not affected me too deeply. Though I know people who have survived early stage or postmenopausal cancer, it was never a frightening beast always looming over my shoulder. I was happy to help fight it, but the cause wasn't personal.

This year, though, I learned one of my best friends Liz tested positive for BRCA, a hereditary gene that is linked to increased instances of breast and ovarian cancer. And I've seen a powerful voice in DC's online community, CityGirlBlogs, through her cancer diagnosis and initial chemo treatment on her amazing and brave blog.

Komen always argues that breast cancer affects everyone - even those who don't have the disease. And now I know. So it would mean a lot to me if you could spare your 69 seconds to #fightbreastcancer today. Besides, don't you want to be part of breaking a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD? I know I do. 

Thanks so much! And stay tuned, because I will have big news coming up later this week on more ways you can help #fightbreastcancer!

Wednesday's Facts: Warm and fuzzy links

Yeah, this is about how I feel today: underwater and cranky. (Credit: I Can Has Cheezburger)

• Wardrobe Diaries has created an inspiration board for October. Think boots, shearling, chunky knits... all the warm fall goodies that you wish you wore on the first day below 70 in DC in who knows how long.
• Speaking of being warm and cozy, FabSugar has found 15 fabulous coats you need to buy now. You probably don't need all 15 - maybe just seven or eight. 
• Warning: If you don't want to go into credit card debt, you may not want to look at Shopbop's latest Diane Von Furstenberg editorial.
• All Things Lovely takes plaid off the lumberjack and onto the stylish girl. Love these looks!
• If you are like me, you covet Olivia Palermo's chic street style. Frugal Fashionista and Fashion Under $100 recreate two of her latest looks for way less.

Designer crush: Lorick

Abigail Lorick, well known as the designer behind Gossip Girl's Eleanor Waldorf, has been on the scene for a few years. A young designer, she's had several successful showings over the past couple years, and her stuff has sold quite well on Gilt Groupe (I'm never able to buy a piece!).

Her Spring/Summer 2011 collection, Linear Dawn, featured a very pretty, muted color palette with sheer fabric accents, cool hats, and socks with heels! Here are some of my favorite looks:

Credit: Style It

And here's a current look that just might make its way into my closet (Serena and Blair actually wore this dress on Gossip Girl during an episode where they act as models for Eleanor's line):

Barlass Dress, available at Revolve: $237

Now all I need is a pair of glass slippers

Sometimes, a girl just wants to be Cinderella.

Monique Lhullier

Naeem Khan

Monique Lhullier

David Basso

Donna Karan

Marchesa

Lela Rose

Reem Acra

Tuesday's Facts: A little oxymoronic

Credit: Acting Like Animals

Today was a stressful day between work and wedding planning. Then I went to Zara to blow of some steam and some dollars and could not find my credit card for the life of me. Panicked, I ran back to my office and found it had fallen out of my wallet into my day planner. But it ruined my shopping buzz. Yes, the problems in my life are small (mostly).

• The Cut shows us how to buy 21 Fashion Week trends for under $200 each. Why shop for spring 2011 when fall 2010 is only just setting in? Because we can, my friends.
• Wardrobe 911 showed us 15 items in three separate increments to add to our wardrobes to give us +25 looks for fall. Here's how to put them all together for a business casual look.
• The Capitol Fashionista captures some of the best gowns from Elizabeth St. John at DC Fashion Week 2010. I love that the designer puts straps on many of her gowns!
• I'm SO EXCITED for Glee's Britney episode tonight - the songs, the dancing by other Brittany and, of course, the cameo! Rebecca Minkoff lists her fave musician cameos on primetime tv.

A look for less: Mulberry Alexa

Alexa knockoffs are everywhere - and why wouldn't they be? It's a truly fabulous bag. But I actually kind of love the subdued grey/blue of this Forever 21 version.

Versatile briefcase purse: $29.80

So head to forever21.com and save yourself $1100.

My new uniform (or how to dress up a basic)

Much like careers, men or pets, no one outfit is perfect for everyone. However, there is no match for wearing a staple uniform of a perfectly tailored basic with beautiful accent accessories. The chicest women I see on the street are always in well-fitting, simple garments with unique and effective (but editorialized) jewelry, scarves. shoes, etc.

Here's how to put it all together:

1. Start with the perfect basic. 
My favorite look is the sheath dress. For me, a sheath dress is almost always worth the investment. You can go in a neutral color (black, beige, grey) or a bright color - I think both options are equally versatile. These are easy to tailor to your body type and always accent the best parts of a woman's body.

Elie Tahari belted wool jersey dress in Alpaca, available at Saks: $368

Diane von Furstenberg Minuit day jersey Jori dress, available at Cusp: $298

2. Then add 1 of the following bold accessory options. 

Layer it up.
Find a fun jacket or cardigan to add pizazz on the top of the out

Victoria's Secret chain link jacket: $59

Add some special earrings.
God knows I love a pair of crystal statement earrings.

J. Crew glass ornament earrings: $29.99

Wear some fun tights.
Tights can keep you warm when it starts to get a bit chilly. They can also make a shorter skirt more conservative, or in the case of these Wolford tights, add a bit of sex appeal without being slutty.

Wolford Individual 10 Back Seam: $50

Don a statement necklace.
Statement necklaces have been trending for several years now, and I hope it doesn't go away. It's so chic but adds so much personality to any outfit. Just make sure you keep your other accessories very simple if you go this route.

Anthropologie Sit-A-Spell necklace: $178

Get well-heeled.
Try a bold color or a fun cut - or both, like this Kate Spade.

Kate Spade Chrisette heels: $298

3. Finish it off with more simple accessories.
Go for basic pieces to finish off the look: neutral heels with a bold jacket, simple studs with a big necklace, etc.

Cole Haan Air Miranda, available at Zappos: $198

Marc Jacobs Paradise Rio satchel, available at Saks: $995

Majorica 12mm faux pearl bracelet, available at Nordstrom: $145

Kate Spade square studs, available at Piperlime: $34.99

And remember: there are very few things tackier than over-accessorizing. Unless you know and understand the art of minimalism, remember the age-old adage: When accessorizing, always take off the last thing you put on.

Monday's Facts

Credit: Animals Have Problems Too

• Loving camel this fall? FabSugar tells us how to incorporate the trend into our wardrobes.
• Vogue lists their 100 top pieces for fall... and all are under $100! I will take one of each, please.
• I don't know about you, but I'm typically in skinnies, flats and a cardi when I travel. Unfortunately, I don't have an affinity for air travel that it seems many celebrities have based on their fashion choices. Styleite shows us which celebs dress like normal people (read: no sky-high heels) and which make the airport their personal runway (*cough* Victoria Beckham *cough*)
• Want designer clothes on the cheap? Take them to China and have some copies made! It's (mostly) totally legal, The New York Times finds.

Fashion Week for DC: Oh what a night

Earlier, we talked about Spring 2011 looks that the DC woman could wear to work. Now, we'll get to the fun stuff - what she's going to wear while she's out being a social butterfly.


1. The fun coat
DC's weather isn't the most predictable. Like, it's the first days of fall and it's over 90 degrees. A coat is crucial to taking your outfit into all seasons, but everyone wears a black coat. So a fun print or color coat says, "I live and work in DC, but I'm not restrained by suits and lawyers. I am an individual with taste."

Tibi puts a spin on the black coat with a spring jacket, complete with floral pattern.

Choose a bold colored jacket, like this Rebecca Taylor trench.

Or you can mix both color and pattern, like this fabulous Milly coat.

2. The party girl outfit
Every DC girl likes to live it up every now and then, whether it's dancing in Georgetown, chilling on the roof of Local 16 or even bar-hopping in AdMo.

Carlos Miele takes the simple white outfit up a notch with a gorgeous cropped jacket.

Not a white fan? Try Christian Cota's black formal shorts and super sexy deep v-neck top. I bet the boys will come a-knockin'!

Or go a little dressier, and mix two colors that aren't usually paired together, like in this DKNY look.

3. The chic cocktail dress
As much as I'd like to pretend I am always going to cocktail events, the facts of life mean that I have to work, and go to the gym, and run errands, and I cannot be a perpetual social butterfly. But every now and then, the savvy DC girl has a cocktail event to go to - Sinatra Soiree, Young Benefactor's Jolly Holiday, or even just a work function - and she needs a classy elegant cocktail dress.

This Erin Fetherston number is so spring, it hurts.

Naeem Khan put a floral befitting a vase on a modern, sexy cut and it totally works.

Juan Carlos Obando took bold colors and sexy shapes and made them seem tasteful and fun.

 Every girl needs something sparkly, like this Elie Tahari dress, in her closet.

A little bit edgier, this 3.1 Phillip Lim dress is a simple color, but the texture livens it up.