Classic Literature Gets the Fashion Touch

Cuban-born illustrator Ruben Toledo (husband of Isabel, designer of Michelle Obama's striking chartreuse dress and coat for the inauguration) has recently dressed up a few beloved classics in a chic new look. A fabulously coiffed, LBD-clad Hester Prynne makes her letter "A" look more "Angelina" than "Adultress" on the cover of The Scarlet Letter, while Elizabeth Bennet's rejection of Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) and Catherine Earnshaw's wanderings on the Yorkshire moors (Wuthering Heights) are now witty and surreal landscapes made to appeal to fashionistas as well as literature'istas.  These new Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions will be available starting Fashion Week (Fall 2009) at Amazon.com.

- Lesley Scott

Rihanna Plays Peek-a-Boo with Hanky Panky Lingerie

What makes showing off a lil' summer skin sexy is leaving a lil' something to the imagination.  Layering a brightly colored lace bralette under a sheer top - like one of these from Hanky Panky - is the savvy way to rock the trend in style. Available at HankyPanky.com.

- Lesley Scott

Missoni Fall 2009/Winter 2010 Ad Campaign

The Missoni F/W 2009-2010 ad campaign was shot by "it" photographer Ryan McGinley, with art direction by Doug Lloyd, hair by Jimmy Paul, makeup by Gucci Westman, and styling by Vanessa Reid.

This season, the team wanted to convey a a sense of creativity, elegance, nonconformity, "sublime" unconventionality, and a fresh & different way of looking at the world. Shot in Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Field, the campaign focuses on those moments of positive, light-hearted emotions that have always been a core part of the brand and its image. 

- Lesley Scott

Super Cute L.A.M.B. Hobo for Fall

This eyecatching L.A.M.B. bag strikes just the right note of sporty with some spice...perfect for days when you're running errands and feel the need to wear shoes with some speed - like these coordinating KangaROOS.  Wide-legged denim jeans are a more unexpected (elegant, even) choice than your typical skinnies, while a Christopher Kane baboon-print tee and leather hoodie complete the look.

Where to get it:

Get the Amy Adams Covergirl Look

For the NYC premiere of Julie & Julia, COVERGIRL Celebrity Makeup Artist Molly R. Stern made Amy Adams look red carpet-worthy from the neck up with "a steel and copper smoky lid, gorgeous full lashes, a peachy cheek and a golden amber lip...Amy wore a gorgeous Carolina Herrera gown with a charcoal and white pattern speckled with gold beading, so I borrowed from that exquisite color palette."

Stern shares her tips on how to nab the look for yourself:

For a Glowing Complexion, Drink Up

Your grab-and-go lifestyle doesn't just affect your stamina, weight, and overall health, it also wreaks havoc on skin. Ramp up your beauty regime accordingly by stashing a bottle of Votre Vu's "Snap Dragon" in your bag.  Loaded with vitamins, collagen, aloe vera, and gingko to support healthy skin, hair, and nails - it also comes in a variety of flavors including White Mango, White Tea, Pomegranate, Red Tea, Acai Berry & Green Tea to keep your tastebuds equally excited. Available at VotreVu.com.

- Lesley Scott

Crazy Sexy Knitting Kits

Paris-based knitting collective Wool & the Gang creates handmade knitwear and accessories using yarn sourced from the Andes.  Their DIY "knit-kits" are now available at Net-a-Porter.com and include yarn in colorful shades of fuchsia, navy, teal, grey, and violet; wooden needles; detailed instructions for pieces like chunky mittens, legwarmers, hats, a gilet, and even a "hula-hoop" scarf; and ribbon & patches for customizing your creations.

- Lesley Scott

Spritz on the Scent of Summer

You may love your Fracas, celebrate your Carnal Flower, or inhale the indoles of Jasmine, but I give most white flower perfumes - especially soliflores - a miss; the gardenias, freesias, tuberoses, and jasmines others adore, I abhor. Instead, I reach for fragrances that bring out the aromatic perfection of the "other white" flower: orange blossom. The fruit of the bitter orange tree (Citrus bigaradia) produces bitter orange oil, the leaves give the sparkling grassiness of petitgrain oil, and the flowers are the source of both orange blossom and neroli. The resulting oils have differing type and olfactory characteristics caused by different methods of extraction; ORANGE BLOSSOM, a white floral with a sweeter aroma is extracted with unstable solvents, while steam-distilled NEROLI is heavier, greener, and spicier. However, both have a special, unique quality making it worth trying as many fragrances as necessary to find one you love:

Make Your Own Fashion Plate

Become a fashion plate - literally - by uploading your own photography or artwork at FreddyAndMa.com and creating a must-have motif on melamine plates, each measuring 10 inches in diameter. If you're having trouble getting it to look right, don't stress as they are on standby to help with any and all questions and issues.

- Lesley Scott

Katy Perry: Get the Look

 

Katy Perry was recently spotted rocking these adorable Sam Edelman beaded "Gerry" sandals paired with a summery lavender frock and touches of silver.  To nab the look for yourself, here's what you'll need: