Found: A Nice Pair of Hooters

It must be true that birds of a feather flock together because this morning, I've found the prettiest pair of feathered friends.  Maybe it's the Harry Potter effect but I'm absolutely loving the owl motif right now.  This pendant necklace from Spring (www.myspringshoes.com) would make an adorable gift for any owl-loving friends on your list and at $9.99, would even make a fun little treat for yourself.  If you don't want to take the bird theme quite so literally, this sublime feathered clutch from www.asos.com (you must check out if you haven't already) is a showstopper and the perfect thing for the holiday season and beyond.  In fact, feathers are a huge trend for Spring 2011 and graced everything from party dresses to clutches to shoes.  Can I get a 'hoot hoot'?!

Nails Done, Hair Done, Everything Did

Olivia Palermo and the hotness, Johannes Huebl for Mango Fall/Winter 2010 

When I found out that MTV was axing The City after only a few seasons, I cried a little.  I loved my Whitney and her catty fashion friends but more than anything, I adored watching Olivia in all of her upper East side gloriousness.  As much as we all love to hate her, Olivia Palermo knows fashion and she knows she knows it better than you.  Luckily, we'll get to see a lot more of her as Olivia has just confirmed to elle.com that she's working on a new reality show, documenting her socialite life in NYC.    Here she is with her german model boytoy, Johannes Huebl, in Mango's fall/winter campaign.  Swoon! I imagine the dinner conversation went a little something like this:

Olivia:  I'm so fabulous.

Johannes:  You are so fabulous.  But, how fabulous am I?!

Olivia:  So fabulous.

Johannes:  What are we going to do with all of this pasta?

Olivia:  Let's just twirl it on our forks and look fabulous. 

Johannes:  You're a genius, Schatzi.   

Oh, and speaking of biatches, did you hear that Rachel Zoe is preggers?  Can you even imagine what that kid will be wearing home from the hospital?!

Maybe it was the sound of Christmas music playing in the grocery store or the smattering of twinkly lights I saw on my drive home last night.  Or perhaps it's the frost on the ground this morning that made me want to put on my slippers, get my husband to call in sick and stay home and drink hot chocolate (or red wine) all day.  Whatever the reason, I've finally made the mental shift from fall to winter and am officially ready for the upcoming deep freeze.   I always get excited when the temperature drops if only for the fact that 'tis the season for indulging my inner girly-girl.  I usually wear the same blazers and coats over my dresses but this year, I want to have a little more fun.  This gorgeous faux-fur topper from Joe Fresh Style is luxe-looking and totally cozy; a super chic (and gloriously affordable) alternative to your average overcoat.  You're going to see faux-fur everywhere this winter and in my mind, it's an essential addition to every snow-bunny's party wardrobe.  Real Life Runway Tip:  Isabel Marant took an average black ensemble and made it extraordinary with the addition of a little sparkle and a snow-white fur coat.  This topper looks fab with tailored pants but would work equally well with your slinky party dresses or floor-skimming maxi skirts.  Just remember to stay away from red wine-wielding sloppy drunks or you'll have a 'Can't Buy Me Love' suede coat scenario on your hands.  Ooooh, I'm totally renting that tonight!

Bootie-ful Girls

Balmain, Thakoon, Jaeger London, Fall 2010 - photos courtesy style.com 

 

Hopa for your Closet

Like all of you, I'm faced with the same what-to-wear dilemma every single morning so I decided to give my closet a mini overhaul.  The plan was to toss or recycle every single one of my metal and plastic hangers that, no matter what, made my wardrobe look cheap and disorganized, and replace them with wooden hangers.  I wanted to feel like I was going shopping every morning instead of sorting through somebody's junkpile.

Ikea was the destination of choice and I headed for the closet section, ready to snap up a bunch of their Bumerang hangers.  Then, out of nowhere, an off-duty-model type long-strided her way by me (clearly on a mission), turned up her nose at the Bumerangs and headed straight for a bin marked 'Hopa'.  I arrived at the bin and pulled out a 5-pack to discover hangers that looked curiously similar to the Bumerang but noticeably thinner - sort of like me and the model.

The Hopa is a revelation; pretty and gentle on your clothes but unlike its wider cousin, doesn't take up a ton of room in your closet.  I brought home my new Hopas, recycled the old offenders and now have a beautifully colour-coordinated closet that makes me excited to get dressed in the morning.  All that in a piece of wood - amazing.  The Hopa hangers (5-pack for $2.99) are available at Ikea stores nationwide.