Show Some Skin The Sophisticated Way With A (Semi) Backless Top

imageIf you’ve got it, flaunt it, right? Not if you’re going to work or school. Or if it’s too cold out. Or if flaunting it for the world to see just isn’t your thing. So then what? If you don’t want to don micro-minis and plunging halter necks, does that mean you’re left with super-conservative, matronly garments? Far from it! The woman’s back is an alluring area that up until recently was overshadowed by the more outwardly seductive legs, decolletage and derriere. However, as we get more mature, so do our everyday tasks and personal style. I’m still a sucker for a hot mini-skirt, but looking fly is no longer my only concern. A great way to cover all grounds is to uncover your back! Backless tops and dresses are a perfectly elegant and sophisticated way to show off your toned back and effeminate side while still staying appropriate for various occasions! Another bonus? The backless look makes your frame seem leaner and thinner! Check out the slideshow for some sexy, backless favorites!

view slideshow

InStyle Celebrates With 15 For Fall!

imageInStyle is celebrating its 15th birthday with 15 For Fall, a celebration of style featuring collections of the season’s most shop-worthy items. InStyle editors cherry picked 15 of their favorite items from 27 fabulous fall collections so you can shop the season’s ultimate must-haves and enjoy videos featuring styling tips. Enjoy exclusive deals, discounts, shopping incentives and special events marked with the “15 Special Offer” icon. Special offers include free shipping from luxury brands like YSL and Jimmy Choo, a complimentary facial or makeup service at Shiseido, a $15 gift card at Aveda, and more. Have an iPhone? Here is the app link so you can browse and shop the best of the season anytime. InStyle is also giving away four 15 for Fall $1,000 shopping sprees through the end of September! Enter every day for a chance to win. I know I will! To find out more about InStyle’s fashion choices and giveaways, click on over to our friends at ShopDiary!

Hot In The Hive: Too Faced Lip Bronzer

imageJust because summer is drawing to a close, it doesn’t mean you need to ditch your fab summer glow and banish all your tan-enhancing products to their train-case storage. In fact, there’s one place that might have been neglected by your bronzing beach days — your lips! While the idea of a tan is certainly summery, the bronze-y shimmer of this Too Faced Lip Bronzer is completely fall festive. The tropical flavors and scents may have you nostalgic for poolside days of your recent past, but the three pretty golden-based shades and skin-soothing conditioners never go out of season! Plus, as a compulsive buyer of all lip gloss, especially shimmery versions of natural hues, I can’t help but be on board for this sun-kissed take on the nude lip!

Price: $17 each
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add Too Faced Lip Bronzer to the Hive.

Sheer Story: Dresses That Bare Just Enough!

imageI popped over to the Karen Millen boutique last week to check out some dresses and fell in love with this Karen Millen ruched silk dress ($299). This fall, it’s about going bare without having to really go bare — find a dress with a sheer top or sleeves to give just a hint of what’s under. For more slightly sheer looks, try Elizabeth and James’ gauze t-shirt dress– it’s a sophisticated spin on a casual classic. Alice + Olivia’s embellished dress is just that, with sheer panels, lace, and rhinestones adding to the mix. Click over to Coquette for more sheer dresses and other fashion and shopping finds.

Buzzworthy Deals From Saks, Ralph Lauren, Linea Pelle, And More!

imageFree makeup and free MARC, need I say anything more? Today’s Buzzworthy Deals are here, and quite awesome, if I may say so myself…

Spend $75 at Benefit Cosmetics and receive a free 24K sexy gold set! Just enter GOLDKIT9 at checkout. Offer expires on 9/1.

Shop Ralph Lauren’s End of Summer Sale for up to 70% off! Our pick: the Dietrich crested jacket, on sale for $109.99. Schoolboy blazers are hot for fall. For a shrunken fit (and price), try the kids’ section!

Receive a complimentary iTunes playlist with any Marc by Marc Jacobs purchase from Saks! Use code MARC9A at checkout. Also, receive an exclusive Marc Jacobs iPhone/iPod Touch case with your $250 MBMJ purchase. Use code MARC9B at checkout. Go here for details!

Take an extra 25% off sale items at Linea Pelle with code BYEBYE, now through 8/29. Hello, Dylan.

Check back Thursday for more Buzzworthy Deals!

Hellz Bellz Invades Karmaloop With “Style Warriors”

imageHellz Bellz has finally launched their much-anticipated new Fall collection, “Style Warriors,” now available at Karmaloop.com. Designed to celebrate women who escape the mundane and predictable in every facet of their lives, this first delivery features an awesome cut-n-sew collection! Drawing upon cross-cultural sophistication, and a diverse Aztec-inspired color story, Style Warriors truly embodies the aspirations of iconoclast women. Great attention to detail, use of color (lots of red, green and elephant gray!) and emphasis on form, function and durability in addition to the fashion-savvy female philosophy that is Hellz all culminates in a refreshing take on modern fashion. Watch the slideshow to check out the collection, then cop your Hellz at Karmaloop.com!

view slideshow

Canadian Designer Valerie Dumaine Modernizes The Classics

imagePersonally, I’m so excited that “Mad Men” has started up again. Aside from the great plotlines, the show acts as a beautiful reminder of what I love about vintage dresses — the idea that we should dress for every occasion. Okay, I realize that it’s just a TV show, but my grandmother would say that it’s how she lived her life — in style. Maybe it runs in the family. Anyway, as much as I like vintage dresses, sometimes I want the modern equivalent: sexy, well-presented, yet with immaculate details. Montreal-based designer Valerie Dumaine perfectly quenches these cravings, with mid-century silhouettes with shorter hemlines and contemporary elements. Her new fall collection is available now, and with price points in the $125-$150 (US) range, you get unique dresses with a vintage modern twist. My favorites are the Cairo Tulip Dress, the Ines Pencil Skirt, and the Jean Pencil Dress! Once you’re done browsing, don’t forget to head over to The Coveted for more vintage fashion done modern!

Tried & Tested: The Best Cotton Tee On The Market

imageJeans always get front and center when it comes to icons of American style. But everyone knows the silent star is really the T-shirt. Where would James Dean, Marlon Brando, or Michael Jackson have been without the super simple, super sexy white t-shirt? There are several elements that elevate the standard tee: color, graphics, fit and, most importantly, fabric. The latter is what makes Market tees so amazing. The recently debuted line believes in simplicity. So they limit their collection to a variety of plain, cotton t-shirts that still manage to be infinitely comfortable and sexy. Drew Barrymore, Blake Lively and Lindsay Lohan have all been snapped while wearing them. What drives them to the brand is what will make you fall in love, too: buttery fabrics, rainbow colors, and the perfect fit. We got to test-run these tees and got more compliments than we can count. They’re perfect paired with jeans and sneakers or a chic mini-skirt and heels– and the prices are equally attractive at $24 to $35. Click over to our friends at The Frisky to check out Market’s latest styles and colors and find out where to buy them online!

Revenge Of The Nerds: Geek-Chic For Back To School!

imageBack to school season, and all the planning that goes with it, is right around the corner and for many, the main concern is not upcoming classes, nerve-racking tests and potentially scary teachers. The biggest worry is what to wear! That first day of school outfit is important and can define who you are for the rest of the school year, especially if you’re the new kid or an underclassman. It’s important to be trendy, but not look like you’re trying to hard. One must be an effortlessly chic fashion queen. The last thing you want to be known as is a geek! Or do you? What if the latest trend is a nerdy style and to show how fashionable you are, you’re taking tips from what used to be the outcasts? Geek-chic is in so think rimmed glasses and loafers as the new staples and make room in your closet for a sudden influx of cardigans and sweater vests! The trick is to take the nerdy look and add subtle sex appeal with a few key accessories and some interesting colors and patterns. For tips and ideas on how to make the geek-chic look work for you, check out the slideshow!

view slideshow

Maria Sharapova To Launch Cole Haan Collection This Thursday At Rockefeller Center

imageTennis sensation Maria Sharapova will be lacing up her shoes to compete in the US Open just days from now, but not before slipping into a slightly more chic pair as she celebrates the launch of her Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan collection, this Thursday at Rockefeller Center. The 22 year old former Wimbledon champion will debut the collection alongside DJ Nick Cohen and children of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Jr. Tennis Development Program, the New York Junior Tennis League, and the City Parks Foundation. The athletic-inspired collection features Nike Air technology, so whether you’re a tennis fan or just appreciate a stylish pair of sneaks, you’ll want to check this out. Shop the Channel Gardens Cole Haan Rockefeller Center store (620 Fifth Avenue) from 6-8 PM on the 27th and you’ll receive 20% off your purchase!

Cole Haan Rockefeller Center Store
620 Fifth Ave.
212-765-9747
Channel Gardens Event commences 5 PM
Unveiling with Maria Sharapova at Channel Gardens 6 PM – 6:30 PM
In-store event 6 PM – 8 PM