O So Chic

Beyonce's European Vacation Style | Chic or Not?

2010-08-30T00:02:00.020-04:00

While us mere mortals longed for some semblance of a vacation, Beyonce -- along with Jay-Z and family and friends -- cruised along the coasts of Italy and France in a luxurious yacht. The hardest working woman in entertainment took her annual European trip and visited hotspots such as St. Tropez & Cannes in France, Portoferraio & Portofino in Italy and Monaco.

About the fashion...

Beyonce’s style throughout the trip featured many summer and fall 2010 trends.

Prints, prints and more prints! Tribal/ethnic, animal… you name it. While photographing the sights in Portoferraio, Beyonce wore a leopard print cover up over her bikini. A leopard print tote was the bag of choice for many excursions as well.
After docking in St. Tropez, Beyonce appeared in a colorful look combining a host of prints. Yahoo's omg! described the ensemble as "garish," but I think she pulled it off. The Boxing Kitten “Kitt” shorts and Dries van Noten ikat blouse seem to just go together, for the occasion.
In Cannes, Beyonce rocked the summer essential – the romper. She chose an olive, green romper and accessorized with gold accessories and shoes.
In Portofino, the singer went for a more rugged look. Once again wearing muted greens, Beyonce donned a draped top and cardigan with short shorts. The boots pictured are actually “Camouflage Tulip” from House of Dereon's Fall 2010 Collection.
Every outfit was accessorized with chunky, statement jewelry. On the beauty tip, Beyonce kept the makeup to a minimum and is clearly still in love with her eggshell/tiffany blue nail polish.

What do you think of Beyonce’s European Cruise Style?

The 62nd Emmy Awards Red Carpet Fashions

2010-08-30T00:00:00.017-04:00

The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards took place last night. To be honest, I don't know who won what. I can tell you, however, who wore what! Some dresses were gorgeous, others were underwhelming and a few were overwhelming. Here's a recap of some of the notable red carpet fashion trends.

Both Kim Kardashian and Glee's Amber Riley went for the white, grecian goddess look. Amber wore a Melissa Masse dress while Kim chose a Marchesa gown and accessorized the look with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. Eva Longoria's designer of choice was Robert Rodriguez. Her black gown was a mixture of textures with its corset top and feather detailed on the skirt. Rutina Wesley, who plays Tara on True Blood, mixed up the popular colors - black and white- in a painted Douglas Hannant gown with a thigh high slit.

Another popular color on the red carpet was blue. Mad Men's January Jones chose an interesting knee-length gown with a train from Armani Privé. Glee actress, Lea Michelle, whose 24th birthday coincided with Emmy night, wore a ruffle-tiered, navy gown from Oscar de la Renta.

The Closer's Kyra Sedgwick wore a flattering burgundy gown courtesy of Monique Lhuillier. Dianna Agron of Glee fame, wore a strapless, tiered Carolina Herrera gown finished off with a black bow.

Cheryl Hines and Julie Benz both chose light colored, flowy, one-shoulder gowns. Cheryl's silver gown featured asymmetrical pleats and a tassel at the shoulder. The Pamella Roland gown Julie Benz wore had a cutout detail at the waist.

What were your favorite/least favorite Emmy looks?

Aaliyah | Music Memories

2010-08-25T19:00:00.003-04:00

Aaliyah was my favorite female R&B artist of the 90s & beyond. When the "Are You That Somebody?" video was released, I took the TV hostage until I learned and mastered the entire choreography. I even recorded it for easy playback lol. (I know I'm not the only person who recorded music videos back in the day). I wanted the burgundy tipped hair "Baby Girl better known as Aaliyah" rocked in the "Try Again" video. I even bought Tommy Hilfiger and swept my bangs to the side to emulate her trademark style.

A week or two before summer break was over, my friends and I were on our way to the amusement park. Coincidentally, that day, we busted out some Aaliyah tapes. I'm not sure why we were listening to Aaliyah tracks. It may have been the buzz surrounding her latest album that had us digging for the "old" stuff.

On the way back from our end of summer excursion, news spread of Aaliyah's passing. My mother who had to deal with my Aaliyah obsession throughout the years was thoughtful enough to purchase the Aaliyah album the next week.

9 years have passed and I still remember that day like it was yesterday. Today, I just wanted to share some of my favorite Aaliyah videos/songs.

Are You That Somebody?

One In A Million

If Your Girl Only Knew

Rock the Boat

The One I Gave My Heart To

My White Shorts Dilemma

2010-08-23T00:00:00.023-04:00

I have these white shorts. I bought them 2 years ago in anticipation of a cruise to the Caribbean. The ship sailed and docked and two summers later, the tag is still on The Shorts! I make every excuse not to wear them: 1) Fear of a ketchup and mustard incident at a cookout. 2) The Shorts will end up dirty due to a subway ride. 3) I'll rub my eyes and get a streak of black eyeliner on the white shorts. 4) A random kid with painted hands will hug me.

The Shorts won't ever be as white as they are now!

The shorts are cute. They fit well and some days, the outfit planning process would be simpler if I just threw on these white shorts. Whenever I see someone wearing white pants/shorts or "all white everything" - I think about The Shorts. I actually decided to wear them last week but - of course - the idea was nixed for fear of looking like I coordinated outfits with a friend.

LaLa rocking a white ensemble on the streets of NYC

The end of summer is fast approaching. Let's see if I can rock my white shorts before the seasons change. Then again, there's always next year.

Blog Cafe 2.0

2010-08-17T07:58:00.004-04:00

Arie Rich of KMP Blog

This has certainly been an eventfully summer for O So Chic. We've been out mingling, getting to know other bloggers, and meeting the people behind some of our favorite blogs and twitter handles. Last week, we attended Blog Cafe 2.0 where we were lucky enough to meet a few more bloggers, come face to face with readers (so cool!) and catch up with some old blogging friends.

O So Chic with Temple of Glam, La Dolce Vita Fashion Fix, Makeup by Kim Porter, Her Goody Bag, The Fab Chick

The brainchild of Arie Rich of KMP Blog, Blog Cafe is an annual blogger and reader meet and greet. The event was held at PS 450 lounged in Murray Hill/Kips Bay. The house DJ played a great mix of music as attendees exchanged business cards and twitter handles, posed for pictures, and listened eagerly to see if they were the lucky winners of one of seven gift bags up for raffle. Sadly, Melanie and I were not as lucky as we were during the Kitty Bradshaw Blogiversary Party. It's okay though, our friend Misha of The Fab Chick took home a Target tote bag filled with beauty products, a book and household appliances, maybe she'll be inclined to share with us. (Wink, wink).

One of the coolest parts of the night was walking in and seeing the drink menu. There were three specialty cocktails created for the event and one of them was called the O So Chic. It was a sweet concoction make with vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice and cherry juice. I cannot tell you how exciting it was to hear our peers say, "I'm drinking your cocktail."

Melanie and I forged a few new (blogging) relationships at the event and are already looking forward to Blog Cafe 3.0. Thanks for much for having us Arie!

P.S. I was one of three lucky winners of a $50 gift card from Spa Week Daily, one of the sponsors of Blog Cafe 2.0. What should I use it for? A facial? A body polish? A hot stone massage? There are so many options, I'm getting excited just thinking about it. I cannot wait to luxuriate during Spa Week.

Fab Link Round Up

2010-08-12T10:45:00.002-04:00

Fall fashion trends, beauty tips and more in this week's round up...

Trend Alert: Clogging into Fall 2010 - The Fab Chick

Statement Rings at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards - O So Chic

Fall 2010 Taste Testers, Leopard and Mix Prints - Champagne Dreams

Eat, Pray, Love and Shop! Must-Have Styles from the Movie - Everything She Wants

Learn some summer skincare tips from Eucerin. - Makeup By Kim Porter

Fall Fashion Wish List - Temple of Glam

Fall Trend Report: Ruffles - Her Goody Bag

Behind the Blog: Overcoming F.E.A.R. In Jamaica - La:Dolce:Vita Fashion Fix

Statement Rings at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards

2010-08-10T00:40:00.007-04:00

Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts, Jenna Dewan at the Teen Choice Awards

The annual surf board hand out, otherwise known as the Teen Choice Awards, aired on Fox last night and though I wasn't blown away by most of the red carpet clothing, I did spot a couple of cool statement rings. I am currently looking for a replacement for the beautiful, big, sparkly, Marc by Marc Jacobs ring that I lost at AOL's Blogger's Night Out event last week. (I took it off to get my nails painted in the gorgeous Essie Chinchilly gray and completely forgot it at the manicure station.) I had some good times with that ring and I can only hope that it's living on some fabulous girl's finger now.

A statement ring is a quick and easy way to add flair to an outfit. Since I'm prone to losing things, I don't want to spend a ton of money on a new ring. I'd hate to buy something expensive and forget it the next time I get a manicure, or take it off to wash my hands. I've picked out a few rings that might serve as a replacement for my beloved Marc ring, and they're all under $100.

If you were me, which ring would you choose?

First Row:

Bear Ring, $25 (TopShop); Double Multi Flower Ring, $6.99-$18 (Urban Outfitters); Crystal Point Ring in Gold, $85 (Grayce by Molly Sims)

Second Row:

Kendra Scott Ramsee Ring, $75 (Max and Chloe); Triple Threat Cocktail Ring, $78 (Henri Bendel); House of Harlow 1960 Tribal Cabochon Ring in Coral, $80 (Boutique to You)

Third Row:

Oversized Stone Embellished Ring, $19 (Arden B.); Ollipop Green Stone Ring, $39 (SWELL); Grande Dame Ring, $78 (Henri Bendel)

P.S. If you attended AOL's Blogger's Night Out and happened to find a ring - chunky, silver with rhinestones and the words "Marc Jacobs" inscribed on the bottom - and would like to return it to me, be a dear and send me an email. I'd love, love, love you forever!

The First MTV TJ - Gabi Gregg

2010-08-09T11:26:00.005-04:00

Twitter was aflutter with anticipation last night. Can you imagine winning the new, coveted role of MTV TJ (Twitter Jockey)? We all -- well most of us -- tweet for free throughout the day. Whether you're using it for personal or business reasons,Twitter has become a powerful social media tool. Gabi's MTV TJ win demonstrates just how influential Twitter and other sites have become.

MTV preselected 18 candidates to compete in "Follow Me: The Search for the first MTV TJ" and allowed Twitter users to nominate 2 more. For several weeks, contestants participated in MTV TJ Challenges which eventually led to the Top 5. At the live finale last night, text votes determined who would win the one year, $100,000 contract to be the social media face of MTV – tweeting, facebooking and blogging for MTV.

I've "known" Gabi for a while now. Once you read a person’s blog and tweet with him or her, you basically know them – right? Lol. I stumbled upon Gabi’s plus-size fashion blog - Young, Fat & Fabulous - in its infancy stage and knew of her desire to live and work in NYC – the “concrete jungle where dreams are made of.”

The Detroit native's blog has thrown some major opportunities her way. Gabi is a vlog contributor for Vogue Italia’s "Vogue Curvy" and has received a multitude of major international press. Her huge following allowed her to host the YFF Conference last month in NYC with readers & bloggers coming from around the world to attend.

With all of this loyalty and support behind her, it was no surprise that she was the leader at each round of elimination throughout the live finale. Gabi's whirlwind year just keeps getting better. After an early morning news interview, Gabi sent a twitpic of her new MTV ID as she headed to her first day of work. Congrats to Gabi – the first MTV Twitter Jockey!

Essie Chinchilly Nail Polish | A Gorgeous Gray

2010-08-06T12:03:00.010-04:00

I don't remember the last time I felt inclined to wear a gray nail polish. Actually, I do. It was during a dance recital many moons ago and I decided to test out this gray shade for the day. Colored nail polish was forbidden at my Catholic elementary school so this was a special treat. To my dismay, someone saw my nails and inquired about my health! They said my nails looked "dead and unhealthy." I explained that it was polish and made my way to closest bottle of nail polish remover.

During last night's AOL Blogger's Night Out Bash, guests were treated to -- among other things -- manicures at the StyleList nail salon. "Gorgeous Gray" seemed to be the nail trend of the evening so years after my gray incident, I decided to try out gray nail polish again.

The popular color - touted as "Gorgeous Gray" - was actually Essie's "Chinchilly." It's described as a granite gray hue. It's a great gray nail polish because it appears to have a taupe/khaki undertone which makes it an extremely flattering color. I love it and I know Melissa is fawning over her Chinchilly nails too!

Fab Link Round Up

2010-08-06T12:00:00.001-04:00

Fab fashion & beauty links from our friends in the blogsphere

Get Your Skin Back Into Shape With Microdermabrasion - Makeup By Kim Porter

Heineken Inspire Tour - NYC | J. Cole, Wale, Rick Ross & More! - O So Chic

Review: Material Girl Collection by Madonna at Macy's - Her Goody Bag

Karl Lagerfeld Says Fashion Is About Moving Forward - La:Dolce:Vita Fashion Fix

Heineken Inspire NYC

2010-08-03T00:00:00.029-04:00

Heineken Inspire is a multi-city tour that extends from May through August. Heineken & Team Epiphany take over cities for 2 days each month, uniting popular artists, DJs and partygoers. They've stopped in Miami and Chicago & the last leg of the tour will be in LA. The headliners for Saturday's NYC installment were Roc Nation's own J.Cole & the "Prince of the DMV" - Wale.

As guests walked past the green carpet and into the venue, they were greeted by the sounds of DJ D-Nice who played a seamless set with the Heineken big screen as his backdrop. It was a Heineken event so of course there was unlimited beer on tap. Not to worry, Heineken fed us too! I'm talking about falafel, dim sum, reuben sandwiches, hot dogs and more. Guitar lessons were provided and there were games set up around the venue.

J. Cole fans were definitely in the building. He had no hypeman but fans took over that role, rapping along to every word and chanting "Cole World" -- the name of J. Cole's upcoming, debut album. He performed a set including "Who Dat," and his verses on the Miguel track, "All I Want Is You."

Wale was up next and took stage presence & crowd participation to another level. He made his way into the crowd & even got up close & personal to the nosebleed section.

Wale brought fans onstage to videotape his set & autographed Nikes, Heineken glasses & t-shirts at the end. He performed tracks off of Attention Deficit such as "Pretty Girls," "Chillin," "World Tour" and "90210".

We knew that there would be a surprise, special guest but mum was the word. While we waited for the last act, we went to the screen printing booth to get made-to-order, silk screened Heineken t-shirts.

Weren't we all excited when the smoke cleared & Rick Ross took the stage. He performed his top singles: "BMF," "Hustlin," "Aston Martin Music" which features Drake & Chrisette Michele, "Super High" & ended with a "BMF" encore. I secretly hoped that Diddy would pop up onstage doing his diddy bop lol. Alas, he didn't.

We were glad we rolled out of bed for this event because we would've missed out on guaranteed fun. If you don't believe us, ask the ladies who were smelling and taking pics of Rick Ross' towel in Chipotle!

Fab Link Round Up

2010-07-29T14:12:00.001-04:00

It's that time of the week again and we're spreading love - the blogger way. From makeup tips/products for brown skin to the controversy surrounding Essence Magazine's new Fashion Director, check out these posts from across the web.

Bronzers for Brown Skin - Makeup by Kim Porter

Wanna Be Featured on Temple of Glam? Submit Your Favorite Summer Look - Temple of Glam

Get the Look: Kimora Lee at Inception Movie Premiere - Black Style Central

Shut Down. No really, phones off! - The Bliss List

Jacqueline Laurita of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" Cleans House - Everything She Wants

Make Your High Heels More Comfortable - Her Goody Bag

The Importance of Online Plus Size Magazines - Stylish Curves

Essence Magazine Hires a White Fashion Director? - La:Dolce:Vita Fashion Fix

Comic-Con 2010 Fashion

2010-07-26T14:02:00.001-04:00

Vanessa Hudgens, Blake Lively, Scarlett Johansson

Once a giant fan fest for comic book lovers, Comic-Con has slowly become more and more mainstream and Hollywood stars showed off some hot Summer looks as they discussed their upcoming projects at the San Diego Convention Center.

Vanessa Hudgens got glammed up in a Black Halo cutout dress and leopard print shoes to pub her upcoming project Sucker-Punch. ScarJo stumped for her film, Captain America: The First Avenger in a Dolce and Gabanna pant suit and corset. And I just have to mention Gossip Girl Blake Lively's number from the Preen Resort collection. The star bared her decolatage in a low cut white top and balanced the daring neckline by wearing a pair of high waisted paints on the bottom at the panel for her film, The Green Lantern. She is seriously becoming one of my favorite style stars.

Kat Dennings, Jamie Chung, Amber Riley, Julie Benz, Aisha Tyler

Someone must've sent out a memo about the Entertainment Weekly Syfy being an All Black Affair because Kat Jennings, Amber Riley, Julie Benz and Aisha Tyler all showed up to the event in LBDs and Jamie Chung donned a black top and skirt combo. Tyler is a girl after my own heart in that belt. I am obsessed with belts, and just this weekend I was nearly heartbroken when I forgot Roger, my favorite waist cincher, at the movies. Luckily, it was safe and sound under a few popcorn kernels when I returned to the theater to look for it, and all was right in my fashion world again. (Yes, I did name my belt Roger after Carrie's belt in the first Sex and the City movie.)

Jena Malone and Emily Browning

Actresses Jena Malone and Emily Browning, broke against the all black grain, during their Sucker Punch panel. The both wore sheer white blouses. Malone kept it conservative on the bottom with black pants and sandals, while Browning showed off her legs in a pair of shorts and gold-peep to heels.

Who knew a comic book convention could be so chic? Or maybe you think the stars didn't look chic at all. So tell us, who was chic and who was not so chic at Comic-Con 2010.

Fab Link Round Up

2010-07-22T16:24:00.002-04:00

From the 70% off summer sale courtesy of my favorite retailer to Twitter-inspired beauty buys, check out these links from around the web...

Take Summer into Fall with ASOS.com - Her Goody Bag

Darren Sharper Looking Good at the ESPY's - Champagne Dreams

Like a Bad Breakup, Erin Wasson & RVCA Are Over ...but the look book is amazing - La:Dolce:Vita Fashion Fix

Embrace "Ambrosia" ... it started with a tweet & ended with an obsession - Temple of Glam

The Limited | Holiday 2010 Collection Preview

2010-07-22T11:14:00.006-04:00

August is almost here & the 90° weather is a sure reminder that summer is still in full swing. In fashion however, retailers have begun to clear out the summer stock to make way for fall/winter lines. Yesterday evening, O So Chic had the opportunity to attend The Limited - Holiday 2010 Collection Preview in SoHo.

Sequin dresses, shorts, wool coats, houndstooth skirts, and chunky scarves adorned mannequins and live models alike. Amidst a sea of neutrals, fuchsias and green ensembles gave pops of color to the holiday collection.

The little black dress section of the preview featured chic cocktail dresses accessorized with large, statement jewelry. Whether you're looking for clothing for work or play, the Holiday 2010 Collection has got you covered.

While attendees perused and snapped photos of The Limited Collection, DJ Kiss kept the party fun & carefree, playing hits from Prince to No Doubt with disco in between. Guests indulged in the open bar, mingled and were like kids in the candy store - literally. The Limited's "Life is Sweet" theme translated into candy provided by Dylan's Candy Bar.

I can't speak for everyone, but I'm totally over this sweltering summer and ready for fall [fashion] and The Limited - Holiday 2010 Collection made me even more eager for its arrival.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week | SWIM 2011

2010-07-21T09:03:00.001-04:00

Red Carter, Cia Maritima, Beach Bunny, Red Carter

We're only half way through Summer 2010 but swimwear designers are already looking toward the 2011 swimsuit season. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM 2011 was held at the Hotel Raleigh Miami Beach last week. Dolores Cortes, Beach Bunny Swimwear and Trina Turk presented their collections for the first time, and Mara Hoffman Swim and Red Carter were among the labels that returned to Miami.

It wouldn't be a Fashion Week without a few celebrity faces in the front row. Actress Selena Gomez sat alongside TV personality Kim Kardashian and her sisters Kourtney and Khloe at the Beach Bunny show. The Kardashians were undoubtedly looking at stock for DASH, their fashion boutique.

Mara Hoffman, Trina Turk, Delores Cortes

Melanie and I live in the "concrete jungle where dreams are made of," so we don't get many opportunities to hit the beach, which means we hardly ever get to wear our swimsuits. However, the coverups presented at the shows were so gorgeous I think I could wear them out to a barbecue or picnic. No?

Geek Chic | iPhone 4 Cases

2010-07-19T13:22:00.002-04:00

So there's been this massive hoopla with Apple and the new iPhone 4. From extremely limited stock to 3 week long waits -- there is now this reception issue. Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, announced last week that iPhone 4 users could sign up to receive free "bumpers" to alleviate the reception problems. (My phone works!)

If you're not hopping on the bumper bandwagon and are looking for cases that protect more than just the edges of your precious cargo, you want a basic iPhone 4 case. ~~With the white iPhone 4 set to arrive this month, get a head start on your iPhone protection options.~~ From colorful geometric designs to the multi-functional, check out these chic iPhone 4 cases.

top row: TPU Case with Inner Circle Design, $6.99 (Handheld Items); Conceptual Snap-On Case & Screen Protector, $9.95 (HDAccessory); iPhone 4 ID Credit Card Cases, $34.99 (Case-Mate);

bottom row: Leopard Print Snap-On Case & Screen Protector, $9.95 (HD Accessory); iPhone 4 Gelli Cases, $19.99 (Case-Mate); iPhone 4 Silicrylic Case, $29.99 (Incipio); iPhone 4 dermaSHOT Case, $19.99 (Incipio); iPhone 4 Flower Graphic Case, $8.99 (Handheld Items)

Fab Link Round Up

2010-07-15T09:00:00.002-04:00

From blogger hosted fashion conferences in NYC to book release parties, check out these links from our fab friends in the blogsphere!

The Young, Fat and Fabulous Conference - Stylish Curves

MAC In The Groove Collection Review (w/ swatches!) - Makeup By Kim Porter

The Genius of Joan Rivers and Other TV Beauty Products - Everything She Wants

Top 5 of the Hottest iPhone Apps - KMP Blog

Look for Less: Christian Louboutin Madame Butterfly Booties - Her Goody Bag

Platinum Release Party with Aliya S. King - The Fab Chick

Topshop Fall 2010 Campaign and Behind the Scenes Footage - La:Dolce:Vita Fashion Fix

Summer Must-Have | Sunscreen

2010-07-15T00:10:00.002-04:00

You hear it time and time again especially during the summer,"Wear sunscreen." "UVA and UVB rays from the sun can cause major damage to the skin."

I didn't heed the warning and now I'm paying the price. A few days ago I was stunned to find my skin peeling off while I took a shower. I nearly slipped on the suds from the shock. Imagine seeing flecks of my beautiful brown skin floating in the white porcelain tub. Gross! As if that weren't enough, for the rest of the day, the dry skin on my shoulder taunted me. It looked like a wall with peeling pain and I couldn't help but pick at it. Later that evening I exfoliated and rubbed an aloe leaf on the damaged skin (thanks for the tip The F$%K it List). My shoulder looks next to normal again, but nevertheless, this is not an experience I want to relive.

Dermatologists recommend using products with at least SPF 15 for everyday outdoor activities (traveling to and from work, grocery shopping, etc). If you spend longer times in the sun, you may want to use something with a higher degree of protection. Use a water resistant sunscreen if you participate in water sports. Be sure to cover all areas that come in direct contact with the sun. Choose a moisturizer (or mattifier for oily chicks like me) with SPF for your face.

No matter what brand or type of sunscreen you choose remember to stay in the shade if you can, and wear protective clothing. I know I wouldn't be caught dead in long sleeves in this weather but a big floppy hat, a la Samantha Jones in Sex and the City: The Movie, could be quite chic.

Here are a few SPF products for the face and body that I came across while researching sunscreen "best of" lists.

Dr. Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15, $39.50 (Murad); Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30, $16.99 (Drugstore.com); Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sun Block SPF 45, $7.99 (Neutrogena); Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20, $42.50 (Sephora); Anthelios 40 Sunscreen, $32 (Anthelios); Banana Boat Sport Performance Dri Sunblock Lotion SPF 30, $9.99 (Amazon); Up & Up Sport Sunscreen with SPF 30, $9.44 (Target)

Summer Must-Have | Shorts & Culottes

2010-07-13T00:00:00.087-04:00

Of course shorts are a summer must-have. On days when it's too hot for pants or you don't want to worry about your dress flying up a la Marilyn Monroe's famous "The Seven Year Itch" moment -- shorts are your best bet.

Shorts, as we know, are available in a few different lengths. Hot pants -- are admittedly hot and aren't for timid, shrinking violets. These short shorts almost aren't even shorts anymore! Mid-length shorts that hit mid-thigh are the more commonly worn and universally flattering shorts. Bermuda shorts graze the knee and are perfect for those looking for a bit more coverage.

Isaac Mizrahi, Andrew Gn, Chloé, Tibi

Spring 2010 Shorts/Culottes

If you don't know what length or cut is most flattering on you, try on an assortment of shorts. The goal is to have your legs looking as long and lean as possible! If you're looking for a more free flowing pair of shorts, culottes may be for you. Culottes give you the skirt/skort look while wearing shorts.

Khaki, denim, high-waisted, prints, and nautical inspired are some of the many shorts styles you can find. Check out our chic shorts picks!

top row: Sparkle & Fade Belted High-Waisted Shorts, $48 (Urban Outfitters); Cocoa Powder Shorts, $39.99 (ModCloth); Midlength Tab Button Shorts, $44 (Arden B.)
middle row: Tibi Josephine Shorts, $119 (shopbop); MM COUTURE by MISS ME Culottes, $57 (Revolve Clothing); Pinstripe Linen Shorts, $17.80 (Forever 21); Lucca Couture Chiffon Scallop Short, $48 (Urban Outfitters); Roll Down Waist Short, $50.54 (ASOS);
bottom row: Ella Moss "Sedona" Shorts, $98 (Nordstrom); Dolce Vita "Deion" Culotte Shorts, $145 (Far Fetch); Genetic Hadon Short, $39.95 (Free People)

Couture Fall 2010 | Chanel

2010-07-08T08:50:00.001-04:00

They say you can't know where you're going until you know where you've been. Perhaps that was the thought in Karl Largerfeld's mind when he decided to place an enormous gold lion - the symbol of Coco Chanel's zodiac sign - in the Grand Palais, where the Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2010 show was held.

Young Hollywood stars, such as Jessica Alba and Gossip Girl's Blake Lively and Leighton Meester, sat beneath the lion's glare, as Largerfeld presented the luxurious Fall collection.

Largerfeld did not, however, present anything over the top. Instead, he let the details tell the story of the clothes. Knee length suits were presented in rich fabrics, some sparkled, and coats were trimmed with fur. The most elaborate parts of the collection were the chunky, gilded bracelets, and slouchy boots - one pair was even adorned in pearls.

From the lion, to the rich fabrics, the collection said one thing, "I am woman. Hear me roar!"

Couture Fall 2010 | Christian Dior

2010-07-07T09:04:00.001-04:00

Bright. Blooming. Botanical. These are just a few adjectives that describe the latest Christian Dior haute couture collection.

Designer John Galliano's Spring 2010 haute couture collection for Christian Dior was fit for a day at the racetrack. This season, Galliano was was inspired by 1953 "Tulip" collection presented by the label's namesake. This collection is a floral frenzy.

Skirts appeared to be upside flowers is bloom, with cinched waists expanding into full, tulip-shaped skirts. Models walked the runway with colored plastic headpieces reminiscent of the cellophane that comes wrapped around a bouquet of flowers. Keeping with the trend, the models belts were designed to look like the bouquet's bow.

Most surprising was the color palette. Usually, designers tend to go darker for the Fall season. Galliano, however, did the opposite. The collection was made up of vibrant hues - from turquoise and purple to red and yellow.

Galliano's decision to present such a bold collection for the Fall ensured that his collection will definitely stand out above the rest.

KittyBradshaw.com's 2 Year Blogiversary Party

2010-07-01T10:55:00.004-04:00

Every now and then in New York City there is an event that is just phenomenal. One you'll tweet about later and will think, "when I have an event I want it to be just like this."

MySkin.com computer stations

That was the case at Kitty Bradshaw's 2nd Blogiversary Bloggers Networking Event. Kitty took the idea of a Johnson's Girl Talk Cause Party and transformed it into a lavish event. Held at the APART style showroom, the party was quite possibly THE blogger event of the year. Kitty promised that bloggers would be treated like royalty and they were. There was something going on in every room. MySkin.com set up computer stations for bloggers to log on and receive "unbiased skincare advice." Melanie and I enjoyed the complimentary manicures from the Sakura Nail & Spa techs. (I can't help but smile everytime I look down and see the hot pink Priti nail polish on my hands.) There was a fabulous footwear display by Nina Shoes. Flowing from two bars were drinks courtesy of Smirnoff Vodka and Skinny Water. It wouldn't be right for me to write this post without mentioning Tonnie's Minis cupcakes. The bite sized cupcakes are delicious and they're so tiny that you can enjoy one without worrying about messing up your summer diet, if you're on one.

Footwear display by Nina Shoes

The party was not only a celebration of the second year of KittyBradshaw.com, it was also a cause party to raise money for the Angel Street Thrift Shop. Several of Kitty's sponsors donated items that were raffled off to attendees. We must've had the luck of the Irish because I won a Smartbox Serenity Spa Card, and Melanie won twice! She will be the proud owner of an aqua, structured shoulder, sequin dress from the Fall 2010 APART style collection. She also won an FSL Cosmetics set and a gift box filled with cheese and cheese accessories courtesy of Cabot Creamery.

APART style gift bags

If that wasn't enough, guests were given great (pink) gift bags stuffed with the latest issue of Time Out New York, Gap's Do the Red Thing bracelets and Johnson's Baby Oil products. I got a purple and green turquoise APART cover up. I can't wait to wear it to the beach this weekend.

Samantha of OMO Writes gets a manicure from a SAKURA nail & spa tech

Of course, one of the most crucial elements of any event is the guests. As we know from her tweets, Kitty worked tirelessly to compile a list of hard-working bloggers. It was so great to meet some new people (Demetria Irwin, Beauty and the Feast, The F$%k it List, The Obsessionista, and Fit for Fashion), put faces to Twitter handles we've been following (Arie Rich of KMPBlog, TheFabChick, FashionClimax), and to catch up with old blogging friends (Temple of Glam, OMO Writes, John Simon Daily).

Congratulations to Kitty on a successful event. There were so many wonderful and inspiring bloggers in that room and I was so happy to be included.

Summer Must-Have | Cross Body Bags

2010-06-25T00:00:00.082-04:00

Cross body bags come in handy on those days when the oversized handbag is a drag. Not only is the cross body bag a chic alternative to handbags and shoulder bags, the mere design of the it distributes the weight of the bag, giving your shoulders and back a break.

During Spring 2010 presentations, models strutted down the runway with an assortment of cross body bags. Louis Vuitton sent models down the catwalk with large cross body bags adorned with tassels and fur tails. Models on the Marc by Marc Jacobs runway rocked vibrant, mini cross-body bags.

A cross-body bag doesn’t necessarily have to be worn across your body. Wear it as regular shoulder bag or tuck in the strap and carry it as a clutch. Cross-body bags aren't limited to the messenger bag look either. Unique shapes, chain link straps, grommets and other details give the cross-body bag some personality. Check out this selection of the summer must-have -- cross-body bags.

first row: Leather Chain Handle Bag, $90 (Topshop)

middle row: Leather Zip & Tuck Lock Detail Across Body Bag, $30.44 (ASOS); Marc by Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock "Percy" Crossbody Bag, $198 (Nordstrom); Patent Camelia Cross Body Bag, $60 (Topshop)

bottom row: Gianni Bini "Tina" Cross-Body Bag, $48.30 (Dillards); Quilted Pyramid Shoulder Bag, $19.80 (Forever 21); Kooba Sam Grommet Crossbody Bag, $345 (Neiman Marcus)

Summer Must-Have | Jelly Sandals

2010-06-23T00:00:00.009-04:00

This summer seems to be the return of retro footwear. First, clogs showed up on the Spring/Summer 2010 runways. Now, celebrities are donning jelly sandals.

At Coachella, singer Solange Knowles wore DVF gladiator-style jellies. Actress Anne Hathaway has been spotted around town in a clear pair and First Lady Michelle Obama wore her jellies with a Tracy Reese dress at a White House picnic.

From gladiator sandals to ballet flats, jellies come in an array of styles and colors. This is also one celebrity trend that fits into just about every budget. You can snag a pair from online retailer ASOS for just $16.91 or, get your first pair of Chloe sandals for just $79.00...Cheap and chic!

Clockwise:

ASOS FAB Jelly Gladiator Sandal, $16.91 (ASOS); Diane von Furstenberg "Jaya" Jelly Gladiator Sandal, $52.50 (Bloomingdales); Chinese Laundry Sweet Caroline Jelly, $39.00 (ShoeBox New York); Zigi Soho Gellin Sandal, $24.94 (DSW); Melissa + Campana Women's Clear Sparkle Jelly Flats, $65.00 (Kitson); See by Chloe Ankle Wrap Jelly Sandal, $79.00 (Barneys)