Oct 01

Ultra Velvet for Daytime Drama

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imageVelvet is not just for evening anymore. These ultra modern velvet dresses are just as appropriate for day as they are for night. The look is simple and clean in gorgeous shades and graphic patterns. From burnout designs to pleats and geometrics, velvet dresses are a pretty way to infuse a bit of night time luxury into your wardrobe. This classic fabric has never looked so modern! Pair with simple but bold accessories. We love the shades of black and crimson for fall. Minimal with an avant guard edge, the Alexander Wang Burnout Velvet Combo Dress ($420.00 at Shopbop.com, top left) is simplicity at its best. The dress features a jersey and velvet burnout asymmetric panel at the shoulder. From Diane von Furstenberg’s Grano printed velvet wrap dress ($345 at Net-a-Porter) features an abstract all over animal print in striking jewel tones. I love the three quarter draped sleeves, low v-neck and self tie wide fabric belt. It’s a pretty look for daytime with opaque tights and pumps; remove the tights for cocktails and pair bare legs with some strappy platform sandals.

For more style ideas, click on over to our friends at TheFind!

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Sep 30

Lighten Up! With Illuminated Furniture For Every Room

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imageNeed to brighten up a room? Better than a lamp may just be a piece of illuminated furniture! As there are plenty of sconces, table lamps, ceiling and floor lamps to wade through in your quest for the perfect one, perhaps thinking outside the conventional lighting department could help. No, don’t rip down your curtains. Try instead a table with the glow of a lamp inside, but be warned– tracking down these fancy furnishings isn’t easy as they’re certainly a not on top of everyone’s list. They are, however, if you’re looking to transform your place into a posh pad. Illuminated furniture creates an ambiance unlike that of any spotlight. And, if your lighting concept involves your tabletops, the things that adorn them will see a new light of day. Click through the slideshow for a sample of some shiny surfaces!

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Sep 30

Fall 2009 Trend Report: Leather Leather Everywhere!

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imageUnless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve noticed that leather is coming back in a major way. It dominated the fall ’09 runways and will make a huge statement this fall. It’s the perfect way to add some rock and roll style to any outfit. There are the old standbys like leather (or faux leather!) jackets and leggings, yet the best way to wear leather this fall is in non-traditional shapes. Try a loose fitting menswear trousers (like the pleated trousers from Geren Ford). Leather skirts have a bad rap and aren’t usually considered to be the most classy choice, but can look totally chic when it’s artfully draped or cut like pencil skirt. Want something even more non-traditional? Then leather shorts are for you. Paired with some black tights and killer heels, you have a look that’s tough, quirky and chic! Charlotte Ronson’s high waisted shorts are your best bet. Check out the slideshow for more ideas!

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Sep 30

Hot In The Hive: Clinique Vitamin C Lip Smoothies

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imageOne of the beauty world’s biggest frustrations (other than, you know, constantly having to shave your legs and pluck your eyebrows), is the concept of products made to look, smell, and sound good enough to eat… but actually aren’t edible. What a tease! In fact, one of my friends learned the hard way that the Body Shop’s Nut Butter lotion really doesn’t taste as good as the name and scent implies. What makes the Clinique Vitamin C Lip Smoothies slightly more tolerable than other hunger-inducing beauty products, however, despite my sudden urge to hop over to the corner Jamba Juice, is that the brush-on lip color actually contains all the moisturizing properties and conditioning antioxidants of a hydrating smoothie without the sticky-sweet fruit flavoring that would normally tempt you to lick it off your lips all day long. True, I’d have an easier time curbing my hunger pangs if the bright shades were named after inedible flowers instead of juicy just-ripened fruit, but at least I’m not tempted to eat it instead of wear it!

Price: $17.50
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add Clinique Vitamin C Lip Smoothie to the Hive.

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Sep 30

Coquette Is Lovin’ The Zipper Look!

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imageEarlier in June I posted some cute outfits and accessories with zippers. Well the zipper trend is even stronger this fall, making its way to even more clothing and accessories. I love this Mason by Michelle Mason Zip Shirtdress ($407 at Shopbop) to pair over leggings or tights and this simple Loeffler Randall Double Zipper Top (On Sale for $120.40). Both say stylish without going over the edge in punk. As for accessories, these grey Ruffle Zipper Pumps are beyond adorable… and if you have any money left after splurging on all these cute finds, keep your change in this Colorblock Zipper Wallet! See more at Coquette!
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Sep 29

Hot In The Hive: iTwinge iPhone Keyboard

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imageI think I’m one of the few people left in this world who still refuse to join the iPhone cult. I’ll admit it, sometimes I get a little jealous when I see people at the gym listening to their music and making calls from one sleek device while I’m trying to juggle my PDA and my prehistoric video iPod… but I’m sorry — I NEED a keyboard! REAL buttons that you push. Not a touchscreen with pretend keys and a “word predictor” that tries to guess what I’m trying to type through the inevitable typos. It shouldn’t have to guess! Apparently our friends over at Mobile Mechatronics had the same frustrations, because they came up with one seriously genius idea: the iTwinge. It’s an attachable keyboard that simply slips on over your iPhone, providing REAL push-able buttons for more accurate (and quicker) texting and e-mailing. Of course, I’m not sure if the convenience of having keys is worth having to constantly take the device on and off whenever you’re done with an e-mail or text… so while this clever add-on is definitely worth the splurge for curious iPhone owners, I’m not sure if it’s cool enough to make a convert out of a Palm girl like me!

Price: $29.99
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add the iTwinge to the Hive.

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Sep 28

Donald Fisher, Founder Of Gap Inc, Dies

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imageDon Fisher, the retail legend who along with his wife Doris, founded a single blue jeans store on San Francisco’s Ocean Avenue and eventually, an entire clothing empire, passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer. He was 81. His achievements transcended the retail category: as the store, which stocked Levis, records, and tapes grew into a now $15 billion global business, Fisher maintained a focus on thoughtful expansion and integrity, a sign that his philanthropic goals were just as important to him as his entrepreneurial ones. The road to The Gap was full of ups and downs, but success came in 1969 when he realized the need for an entire store devoted to pants, which was then the fastest growing classification– soon after, the business plan was laid down and the first store opened, and the public loved what they saw. A lack of retail experience did not hinder Fisher in the least– it only left room for more innovation. The Gap label was launched a few years later– never before had a brand name used its store name. Philanthropy played a large role in his ventures. He founded Gap Foundation to help people in underserved communities worldwide grab hold of their futures, and was the force behind two of the most well-known and successful education reform organizations, Teach For America and the Knowledge Is Power program. As avid collectors of art, the Fishers contributed a great deal to SFMOMA, including their own collection. His achievements and contributions to San Francisco and the global community are truly infinite, and he will never be forgotten!
Photos: Gap, Inc.
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Sep 28

Halle Berry And Mary-Kate Olsen Love Genetic Denim!

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imageThe color of your hair and eyes, or whether you have long legs or not all comes down to your genes. So while there’s little we can do to change physical appearance short of drastic plastic surgery, we use clothing to highlight our best features (and to hide the not so good ones). That’s where Genetic Denim comes in. Unlike some companies that create cookie cutter styles that may not look good on everyone, Genetic Denim has a different perspective. They want to accentuate your body type rather than squishing your body into the same mold. Some of my favorite celebrities have been seen out and about in Genetic Denim! Halle Berry paired a shredded tee with The Shane, a cigarette cut jean while out with her daughter. Mena Suvari was seen at Fashion Week wearing The Davis which is a sexy update of the classic boyfriend silhouette. Other stylish celeb fans include Mary-Kate Olsen, Agyness Deyn, and Jennifer Garner. Found in-stores and online, it’s easy to get your own pair. Just be ready to smile for the camera when you slip these on!
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Sep 28

Estee Lauder’s Prescriptives Says Goodbye!

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imageSo many people are going to be upset when they can’t pick up any more custom color matches over at Prescriptives after January 2010. The makeup parent company Estee Lauder told WWD that the economy is the reason that they have reevaluated the line… bye-bye, Custom Blend! While the makeup will continue to be sold online while supplies last, there’s no news whether or not a comparable line will be released to at least absorb some of the customers (like me!) who adore putting on a “colorprinted” foundation. For now, I’m considering picking up a farewell bottle or two of my favorites, because this is one beauty brand that will be sorely missed! What specific brand of makeup would you miss terribly if it disappeared? Share your thoughts over at LimeLife!
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Sep 28

Hot In The Hive: Kymera Magic Wand

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imageIf you’re a Harry Potter fan and you’ve got multiple remote controls sitting on your coffee table (or lost in the crevices of your sofa) then here’s something right up your alley. The Kymera magic wand may look like a prop straight out of Hogwarts, but you can actually use it to create some magic of your own! It is a universal remote with an accelerometer inside, where you can program 13 different functions activated by gestures such as rotating, flicking, and tapping. Since you program the gestures yourself and an available practice mode, there’s no need to be Hermione Granger to get to the channel you want. That means you can put away all those remote controls and replace it with something totally fun, unique, and will mystify anyone who encounters it. It’s currently available for pre-order and ships October 1st, which means you’ll totally have it in time to impress your guests at your Halloween party!

Price: 49.95 GBP
Who Found It: facadeindreams was the first to add the Kymera Magic Wand to the Hive.

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