BRITISH FASHION AWARDS

The British Fashion Awards took place last Thursday at the Victoria and Albert Museum. I wasn't impressed!

The ever fashionable Daphne Guinness wore a spectacular dress, but it's hidden by this horrid coat!

Kelly Brook was decent in the yellow off-the-shoulder number, but ummmm, didn't J. Lo do this look two years ago?
Yep, she did, and she did it better.... Better luck next time Brits!

PIPERLIME

So apparently The Gap has launced a web-based company which sells footwear (for women, men and children)! Check out the site at www.piperlime.com.

Olive green leather ankle bootie with metal grommet clasp and accents $210.00

They carry a wide selection of shoes, boots and sneakers from Betsey Johnson to Via Spiga!

Kenzie peep-toe platform sandal in bone $80.00

Check out their premier salons for Oscar de La Renta, Delman, et. al. Get up on it before everyone else does…

The site offers free standard shipping and returns, as well as 10% off of the first purchase with use of a Gap, Banana Republic or Old Navy credit card.

They have featured stylist-to-the stars, Rachel Zoe, as their first guest editor.

Check out Ms. Zoe's sage, but au courant advice below:

Thanks to reader, Shamika, for the tip!

THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS

I may not be the most detail obsessed person, but I can’t stand to see a great outfit fail for lack of attention to a particular element. Why bother with getting your hair done, brows plucked and new shoes if you don’t plan on steaming your dress (see Nicky Hilton below)… No need to get the outfit right if your shoes can stand a bit of polish! Now that the winter months are approaching, be sure to get your entire game tight, or at least pretend that it is…The best way to do this is to have immaculate outerwear. Be sure that your coat, boots, scarves, gloves and hat are in order and we’ll worry about what’s underneath later.

The model, above, is wearing a coat from Charlie Brown's Autumn/Winter 2007 Collection. I'd love to see this coat paired with red leather driving gloves.

With respect to outerwear, my pet peeve is ridiculous gloves. Preposterous gloves will bring your winter ensemble down! See infra: I didn't set out to pick on the Hilton sisters, but if the glove fits...

Here are my picks for fabulous gloves! I’m a big fan of driving gloves… check out this one from TopShop, only 15.00 pounds sterling:

Banana Republic's Shearling Buckled Gloves are $98.00:

Add some spunk to regular 'ole black leather gloves with these studded leather wool-lined gloves from Michael Kors, only $60.00 on BlueFly! :

Styletip: mittens are only cute on the kiddies!

Credit: Getty Images.

SAVE THE WORLD...OR YOUR WARDROBE

It occurred to me that more and more people are becoming socially conscious. I am all for saving the world, the orphans in Malawi or the little kitty down the street, but must one's wardrobe suffer? I believe the answer is NO!!!!

Some people believe that their good deeds will outweigh their bad taste in clothes and a dowdy appearance. I am here to tell you it doesn't. I ask, why cant both variables work together? Must one suffer for the other?

So I challenge you...The next time you donate to charity, run a marathon for a worthy cause, or adopt that orphan from Malawi, ask yourself...am I putting my best fashion foot forward? It takes nothing away from your good deed if you look spectacular. It only adds to how in tune and well rounded you are.

Take it from the celebs who do well and their wardrobes never suffer.


Angelina at United Nations Gala...... Returning from Tokyo........

Oprah at a benefit bash......

These are all simple looks we can replicate.

NEW YORK CITY SAMPLE SALES!!!!

What: Earnest Sewn
Why: Jeans, jeans, and more jeans for men and women priced $60-$85.
When: Nov. 8-11. Wed.-Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 72-76 Greene St., b/t Spring & Broome Sts., ground flr. (212-388-0339).


What: E.D.E. Studio
Why: Handbags sold at Barneys, Kitson, and Fred Segal are up to 80 percent off retail.
When: Nov. 8. Wed., 6-9 p.m.
Where: Surrey Hotel, 20 E. 76th St., b/t Fifth & Madison Aves. (212-529-3238).


What: Delman
Why: Boots and shoes at wholesale and below.
When: Nov. 7-9. Tues.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 730 Fifth Ave., b/t 56th & 57th Sts., 8th flr. (212-399-2323).


What: Ted Baker London
Why: Brit looks for men and women at $60-$450. Cash and checks only.
When: Nov. 8-10. Wed., noon-7 p.m.; Thurs. & Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 215 Park Ave. S., b/t 17th & 18th Sts., ste. 2001 (212-354-7310).


What: Dwell
Why: Modern duvets, sheets, shams, crib sets, and other home accessories at 50-60 percent off.
When: Thru Nov. 12. Mon.-Sun., 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Where: 62 Greene St., b/t Spring & Broome Sts. (212-219-9343).

What: Boucher
Why: Precious and semiprecious jewelry at 15-35 percent off.
When: Nov. 7-12. Tues.-Sat., noon-7 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Where: 9 Ninth Ave., b/t Little W. 12th & 13th Sts. (212-206-3775).

JIMMY CHOO SAMPLE SALE- NYC

Need a new pair of Jimmy’s? Update your closet!
Check out Jimmy Choo sample sale, all items start at 60% off. Sale starts this Tuesday, November 7, 1pm – 8pm & November 8, 9pm-6pm at New York City’s Metropolitan Pavilion—125 W. 18th St. between 6th and 7th Avenues.

HOT NEW HUE: GOLD RUSH

It was only a few months ago when Sienna Miller wore this number to the Anglomania Ball held at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The trend has since caught on...you too can easily add sparkle to the dark autumn/winter months! The little gold dress will bring a degree of sassy sophistication to any of this season's occasions.

Check out celebs and models rocking the season's must-have item:


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The ubiquitous little gold dress is uber versatile, and can be worn with dark (read: black) tights, nude hosiery (or none at all!), with ankle boots, pumps, ballet flats or strappy sandals. Pair with equestrian styled black boots only if accompanied by black tights!

Fool's Gold- It will take much more than an alchemist to make this long gold number work:

My gold choice for the season:

This dress, above, from French Connection ($198.00) is an easy and inexpensive way to glam up any event. Amy Smart wore it to the grand opening of Red Pearl Kitchen in Hollywood this past September, and Samantha Harris wore it the next day to the opening of Ken Paves' Beverly Hills Salon (see slideshow above).

Added bonus: can be worn as a dress or over skinny pants!

Credit: Getty Images; picturemeclubbing.com.

VERA WANG

I am a big fan of Vera Wang (and generally all things wedding related) and as such, was delighted to be invited to a recent Bridal event at the Ritz Carlton in NYC.

I've posted a picture of two of the musuem pieces that were on display:

Though I enjoy eating a seemingly unlimited supply of gourmet wedding cake and drinking flights of champagne as much as the next girl, I was more impressed with the gifts! Admit it...you look forward to the swag bag too:

Here are a sampling of the contents:It doesn't take much to make me happy!

DIAMOND DISTRICT AND DOMINICAN SALONS

After approximately five years of close calls, near misses, and one actual loss –with subsequent recovery, I have finally managed to lose one half of a pair of my beloved pearl and diamond studs.

It all began with my weekly visit to the salon, aka the Dominicans. As most New Yorkers in the know will tell you, if you want a blow out and/or doobie (not be confused with this doobie) that will be straight and full and bouncy, the Dominican salon is where it’s at. Though my loyalties lie with Olga & Bernadara’s in the Bronx (yes, I know, it’s off the island!), I have flirted with Cleopatra’s in North Philly– right off Olney Avenue, cheated with Dominican Beauty –another Philly spot on Lehigh and 7th, and have carried on a full fledged affair with Blossom in NYC on 52nd between 8th and 9th.

Last week, I made my way into Blossom for a quick wash and set when I felt the unthinkable happen. It’s my fault really…as I was getting my wash, it occurred to me that perhaps I should remove the studs, because as mentioned before, they do fall out of my lobes every now and then. But no, what did I do? I ignored the premonition and carried on with my perusal of US Weekly! Yes friends, I heard the chink as it hit the sink and that was it, gone…just like that…it was all very sad, really…

Anyway, that loss gave me the perfect excuse to go shopping again. After all, every well dressed cosmopolitan professional woman should have at least one pair of pearl earrings! So, I made my way over to the diamond district yesterday– this is where I made my original purchase. I visited with a few of the shops, and to my dismay realized that the pearl and diamond combo was not very popular…but then fate smiled on me as I walked over to Jack of Diamonds!


Not only did they carry the combo, but they even decided, after hearing my tale of loss and recovery, narrow misses and close calls, to install screw-on posts! Now, why doesn’t everyone do that? While earrings with screw-on posts require a lot of patience (it takes about 2 minutes per ear to put on and remove), they’re well worth it in the end because they save you money and heartache!




I bought these from the diamond dealers:



















On a recent visit to India, I noticed that every single earring was made with a screw-on post. Come on people, get with it!

These are some of the earrings I picked up on my visit (note the screw-on posts!):

Next time you’re in Mumbai be sure to stop into Parmar Jewelers. Tell ‘em I sent ya!