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Week In Review: We Get New Fashion Inspiration From Michelle Obama, Mogul Lessons From Kate Moss, And More

2009-11-13T21:38:24Z

Must-Reads:

Michelle Obama taught us a thing or two about basic black and bright tweed. Fashion notes: taken.

We got quite the scoop on Kate Moss, who might very well be inventing the newest slashie career, supermodel/tycoon. Needless to say, we’re rather interested in following her every move.

Jimmy Choo for H&M is debuting this weekend, so get a sneak preview now in order to be prepared for hitting the store with the inevitable crowds.

Sales & Deals:

Save up to 65% off casual sweaters from Martin + Osa

Take up to 50% off evening tops for jeans at Couture Candy

Save 50% off slouchy boots at Steve Madden

Taste Tests:

Which waterfall cardigan won’t wash out your savings?

Which festive sequin leggings can you find for less?

Guides To Check Out:

We love boots and wouldn’t want anyone to be excluded from wearing them, which is why we’ve put together a guide to boots for wide calves. Now that the temperature’s really starting to drop, pair them with a puffer coat and skinny jeans for a perfect casual cold-weather look.

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Take A Good Look At December’s Vogue Without Heading To The Newsstand

2009-11-13T20:16:15Z

We’re as enamored as ever of Grace Coddington, Anna Wintour’s creative counterpart at Vogue. According to the creative director, Lady Gaga “turned up completely naked under a white rubber raincoat” to be shot for their December issue. Check out the video to hear unflappable Grace relay that tidbit.

Lady Gaga’s spread for the magazine was Hansel and Gretel themed, also starred British model Lily Cole, and was shot by Annie Leibovitz. Doesn’t it make crawling into an oven look like going to the circus?

Cate Blanchett is the issue’s coverlady (we just can’t bear to call her a “covergirl”) and inside the magazine, she calls herself a theater geek and talks about not being either “cautious or careful” when it comes to career choices. And of course, her incredible editorial spread just makes us her seem even more inspiring.

Between Gaga, Lily, and Cate, somehow my hankering for pale and unusual frocks just tripled. I’ll cop a more casual version of Cate’s glittery Vogue look with Free People’s white gold sequin slip dress. I also like the laney dress from Cynthia Steffe; it retains the fluffy detail of dresses worn by Lady Gaga and Lily Cole in their fairy-tale themed shoot, while being quite a bit more wearable for a non-pop star/non-model.

Now, what to pair with a winter white dress? We’d recommend an evening bag and your best faux fur for the ultimate fun, luxurious look.

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Round-Up: Heard On The Web This Week

2009-11-13T19:37:53Z

SheFinds wants to help you prepare for holiday madness by sorting out all the best dress pants, so you’ll always have a chic alternative when you just can’t stand to don one more cocktail dress.

StilettoJungle is raving about fabulous winter tights for under $6.

Allie is Wired takes a look at Shakira’s new dreadlocks.

BagBliss walks you through the 4 easy steps to finding the perfect Coach Wallet.

BagSnob has a Gucci tote with a nice shape and a very discreetly placed strip of embossed logo leather for those who don’t care to advertise their designer choice.

BeautySnob has the Bare Escentuals RareMinerals facial cleanser, which is a powder activated by water.

Coquette is loving Audrey Tautou’s Chanel Cometes Star Pendant Necklace from the Chanel No. 5 ads.

FashionPulseDaily snags an exclusive interview with Candela NYC Designers Natalia Kuks-Jacobs and Gabriela Perezutti-Isacson

Real vs. Steal: Taylor Swift’s Net-A-Porter Dress. I’m Not Obsessed will show you how.

The Jet Set Girls show off the new Louis Vuitton Label Line.

Kristopher Dukes is wanting, wearing, and hating Giuseppe Zanotti rubber-wedge boots.

SecondCityStyle interviews eBay’s Style Director Constance White and learns out how to give back this holiday season.

Shopping and Info loves these sheepskin lined ballerina flats for winter.

StyleBakery.com shares 15 styling tricks straight from the fall runways.

Stylehive is obsessed with animal prints , but these aren’t your typical striped and spotted separates by any means.

Have brown eyes? TheBeautyStop found an eyeshadow kit that might be perfect for you.

TheShoeGoddess and Gossip Girl love shoe designer Alexandre Birman.

Is your closet ready for holiday? Check out eye4style to learn all about Rent the Runway, a new dress rental service that ensures you’ll never be seen in the same outfit twice.

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Party Dresses For Women Who Are Too Popular For Their Closets

2009-11-13T21:27:40Z

‘Tis (almost) the season to be jolly…or more importantly, to get dolled up. If holiday fiesta invitations are already stuffing your inbox, the time is nigh to begin your party dress hunt. When it comes to a holiday gathering you’ve got a lot on your mind, so to make your life a tad bit easier, we’ve found some very stylish, and even cheap, party dresses for women with way too many a festivity on the agenda.

Hollywood events have seen tons of fashionable celebs like Blake Lively sporting the one-shouldered look lately. We like Shoshanna’s festive style and luckily, you don’t need Gossip Girl hair for this one, as a neat up-do is the perfect finishing touch. For something a little more subtle, try Aqua’s ruffled frock; the detailing at the bottom definitely makes this party dress stand out.

Banana Republic’s silk rosette party dress is fancy enough for any festive attire occasion, but with its modest neckline, you can also don it for your office’s holiday event. If you’re in the market for something playful, ramp up the basic black party dress look and wear Alice + Olivia’s strapless number, after all, nothing says “party” quite like a bouncy, tulle skirt.

Once you’ve got the party dress down, you’ll want the proper shoes and bag to match – luckily for you, we’ve got guides for all that – unfortunately, we can’t provide the bubbly or strategically placed mistletoe.

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Put The Spotlight On Your Feet With Modern Vintage Shoes

2009-11-13T20:32:39Z

Call me crazy, but my idea of a perfect outfit almost always focuses on the shoes. I like to pair them with simple black dresses, the better to offset an interesting statement heel. Enter Modern Vintage shoes, which hit just the right, fun note – even Heidi Klum thinks so. The model is teaming up with the brand’s founders to release a collaborative collection in early 2010.

I love the line’s two-tone Zoom pumps, which will get me through a day of work straight into a cocktail party, and the particularly funky Thalia heels (which also happen to be deeply discounted at the moment). The Modern Vintage Livia boots are super sleek, and in my opinion, will long outlast the bootie trend. Last but certainly not least, the Evandra mary janes perfectly embody this fun brand, with a look that’s both old-timey and totally contemporary.

Now what these shoes call for is a little accessorizing that can stand up to their distinct look – I think a brooch and a perfect pair of earrings will do the trick just right.

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Check Out A Sneak Peak Video Of Jimmy Choo For H&M

2009-11-13T21:54:47Z

Can’t wait until Sunday to catch a glimpse of Jimmy Choo for H&M in the flesh? Check out the ladies of FabTV as they go behind the scenes for a sneak peek at Choo’s affordable shoes, bags, and dresses - just as we suspected, there are plenty of studs, sequins, and fringe on these loud, ultra-glam pieces and so far, we’re liking what we see.

If you’re not good with lines, then you may want to skip next week’s Choo-frenzy at your local H&M, especially since you can get your hands on some similar items right now. We suggest Beyond Vintage’s sequin dress (it looks like the style Nicky Hilton’s wearing in the clip, only nicer) and SR Squared by Sondra Roberts’ very reasonably priced fringed tote.

For more top picks, be sure to browse our guides for the best in fall handbags and cocktail dresses.

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Lengthen Your Leg And Save Your Feet With J. Crew’s Marlene Heels

2009-11-13T18:23:51Z

We’re quite impressed, not to mention relieved, by J. Crew’s Marlene crisscross heels. They perfectly execute that sought-after illusion: the hidden platform. With a 3 1/4″ heel and the aforementioned quarter-inch platform neatly tucked away in the front, the shoe stays trim and elegant while giving you a lift – without making you feel like you’re about to topple forward. The Marlene shoe was created because, as Jenna Lyons (J. Crew’s creative director) says, “We all want to wear high heels all day but we can’t!”

Truer words were never spoken. Don’t worry, we’re here for you – we’ve got more comfortable high heels to help get you through the festive attire season.

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Deal Of The Day: Take 50% Off Slouchy Boots From Steve Madden

2009-11-12T22:22:43Z

Whether you wear them over patterned tights or trendy leg warmers, tall slouchy boots always look effortlessly cool. Check out Steve Madden’s affordable takes on the latest styles, now made even more affordable by a much-appreciated 50% discount.

Since it features a leg-flattering slouch, this casual, flat boot ($75 from $150) is a useful addition to a winter dress and tights or those painted-on leggings you love.

With a slight wedge, you’ll get a little extra height and plenty of comfort in Steve Madden’s chic, triple-buckled Carrlina style ($80 from $160).

For more subtle slouching, we like Steve’s elegant (but edgy) heeled design ($72 from $120) with moto boot-inspired accents. Or take a look through our guides to the best in high heeled boots and foldover boots.

More Sales and Deals:

80sPurple: 20% off everything with the code holidayjump

New York & Company: 30% off everything

YOOX: Up to an extra 30% off fall/winter collections plus free shipping

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Friday’s Sample Sale Scoop: Marquis and Camus, American Vintage, Kenneth Jay Lane, And More

2009-11-13T16:01:11Z

Editor’s Pick: Marquis & Camus jewelry at Editors’ Closet

American Vintage clothing, Tadashi evening wear, and a multi-designer scarf sale at ideeli

Romeo and Juliet Couture, Tei Spa Essentials, Frankie B jeans, and AV Max jewelry

Yanuk denim and Pikolinos shoes and handbags at Rue La La

Tusk leather goods at Editors’ Closet

Belli Skincare at Billion Dollar Babes

D & G handbags, Yansi Fugel clothing, and Ed hardy outerwear at Beyond the Rack

Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry, Gryson shoes and handbags, 3.1 Phillip Lim clothing, and Monique Lhuillier clothing at Gilt Groupe

Zobha Yoga exercise wear and Alexis Hudson handbags at Gilt Fuse

Take a look at the online sample sales happening this weekend, and then shop for festive attire and party shoes to start getting into the holiday spirit.

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Project Runway: Bryant Park Is In Sight, Now Edit, Edit, Edit

2009-11-13T15:49:20Z

With Bryant Park as the ultimate prize, the final three designers set to creating 12-piece collections that will wow the New York fashion elite. Tim set off visiting the three ladies as they created their looks over a series of weeks.

Carol Hannah moved to upstate New York to reduce distractions. On her drive there, she stopped at Duke University, and drew inspiration from the chapel at night. Tim likes her looks so far, but wants her to edit.

Irina stayed on the Upper East Side to create her collection, but she ultimately draws from her youth in Coney Island to create an ode to New York City. The dark color palette drew concerned criticism from Tim, but Irina pushed on.

Althea went home to Dayton, Ohio, to work on her looks, which weirdly mirror some of Irina’s. Tim’s biggest criticism is that her 12 pieces don’t look like they’re for the same client, and encourages Althea to edit, edit, edit.

With just days to prepare for the show, Carol Hannah is hit with a stomach virus that zaps her energy. Good thing Heidi brings back Gordana, Logan and Christopher to assist the finalists. And surprise, they’ll have to create a thirteenth look for the show. Until then…

As the temps drop, dressing for comfort is all about layers, layers, layers. The knit Preen Line Tiny Baker biker jacket brings all the style of cropped jackets with the comfort of a knit sweater. Best of all, the details make it a standalone piece over jeans or skinny pants. Similarly, Old Navy’s Metallic Cable Knit Cardigan ($34.50) has a relaxed, but fitted shape, with elbow-length sleeves and a stylish stand-up shawl collar—at a fraction of the price.

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