The collection is very Christian – jackets, skinny pants, skirts, dresses, tee shirts, with strong ruffled details… so it’s no surprise Christian bought boyfriend, Brad Walsh the ruffle-panel Burberry top he wore to the Project Runway Season 5 Wrap Party.

Check out more pics from the party here.

I’ve created an outfit that plays into a few of my current favorites:

1. Bold use of color
2. Whimsical, slightly vintage-looking touches
3. Birds!

Besides all this, the absolute best thing about this outfit is that every piece is available at Forever 21 online.

1. This whimsical blouse has a gorgeous colored print. The pairing of a flowy shirt with shorts gives a good proportion and silhouette.
2. The organic wood appearance of this bird necklace is perfect matched with vintage-looking attire.
3. I’m loving linen or cotton shorts for summer. The high temperatures this week will be in the upper 90’s, so you can see why shorts have become such an attractive option! This pair is classy, not trashy, and the fabric is versatile enough to be worn with many different tops.
4. Keeping with the bird theme, use this oversized tote to carry your books, magazines and other kitsch.
5. The color of these sandals is absolutely perfect: not too bright, not too dark. The eyelet detail is also timely, since I’ve been reading that eyelet is becoming more prominent again.

See you next time!

The current giveaway has two fabulous clutches up for grabs: a bronze Harley clutch from Botkier, valued at $465, and a mirrored silver version from Jalda, with a retail price of $470.

All you have to do to enter the giveaway is become a member of ideeli (there’s no fee to join), the members-only shopping community offering privileged access to luxury lifestyle brands (the latest and the hottest handbags, jewelry and more) with prices up to 90% off! Join now for a chance to win one of these beauties, as well as a chance to win one of 20 1st Row Memberships (which gives you a better shot at scoring the best loot during sales!)

You do not need much. A good picnic basket, some plastic containers that are easy to pack, a blanket, an umbrella, and a few picnic chairs. It can be done near a tree by a river, at the beach, or at the top of a mountain after an enjoyable hike.

To give you a few ideas, here are a few of my favorite items. Perhaps you can find some good ones for yourself too. For some ideas on what food to pack, check out my latest post on La Tartine Gourmande.

And let’s enjoy the good weather, time out and picnics.

Plenty of baskets to choose from:

If you decided to prepare deviled eggs, now you have the solution to carry them around easily:

And then you need some plates, forks and glasses, and why not, a colorful container to carry your food:

Blankets

A table and an umbrella:

So is it the weekend yet?

Then, as if they’d never been here, they left for Fashion Week. The show at Bryant Park was incredible. Victoria Beckham sat front and center with Heidi, Michael and Nina wearing divalicious oversized shades while the finalists’ models stomped down the runway, and of course, by now you know Christian Siriano took the top prize. Tonight, the madness starts all over again! Check our Project Runway page every Thursday to shop the winning look, score Bluefly loot and much more… and of course, I’ll have fun fashion recaps for you right here.

[photo from Sex and the City: The Movie (courtesy of Melcher Media/Collins) by Craig Blinkenhorn © MMVIII New Line Productions, Inc.]

For a little personality, belt it the way Sarah Jessica Parker did in the Sex & the City Movie. And if you just can’t do bare arms in the office – or the air conditioner’s set to arctic – go for a cropped blazer vest and leave it open over a cute blouse. You can always rock it sans the blouse when you meet up with the girls for after work drinks – just please make sure you’re wearing clear deodorant.

There’s something really romantic and pretty about 70’s-inspired looks. Just check out how hot the cast of the original Charlie’s Angels looked.

Ready to travel back in time? Try these looks on for size.

1. This loose chiffon blouse brings to mind the easy-breezy looks of the 70’s.
2. I adore these wide-leg, high-waisted jeans. Perfect vintage style at a great price.
3. Bangles add a bit of rock-and-roll.
4. Sky-high green wedges add a modern color to a decades-old style.

1. Plaid has a girl-next-door look on the hanger, but is surprisingly sexy on.
2. A belt ties the look together and gives a good proportion overall.
3. I like the dark wash of these wide-leg jeans, and the large cuffs help the jeans dress up a bit easier.
4. Blue wedges equal a down-home, patriotic color scheme without looking hokey or cutesy.

1. Embroidery was a huge 70’s trend. Pick up a modern version from Urban Outfitters.
2. These jeans still have a wide-leg look, but aren’t too trendy or over-the-top.
3. Subdued colors on these wedges lets your shirt stand out.

1. I like the vivid colors (love navy) and flower pattern on this blouse from Forever 21.
2. Gold bangles give an outfit a good vibe: really fun and flirty.
3. I like the vintage-looking pattern on these red wedges.
4. Light-colored denim is more true to the 70’s. This pair doesn’t have an overwhelmingly high-waist or big flare, so they’re more versatile in your everyday wardrobe.

What’s your favorite decade for vintage fashion?

I love The Company Store, their sheets are fabulous and always in really fun colors. Wait one minute, what do I see as I am flipping through their catalog pages? These absolutely fabulous Urbino ottomans!! They are so fun, I especially like the turquoise option. The embroidered medallion on top creates a unique accent. I see this ottoman as a lovely addition in a bedroom, perhaps next to a vanity, or as spare seating for guests in a Living Room! They have a very distinct Moroccan feel, which we’re seeing all over the magazines right now.

This next find is one of my favorites. The sleek Metropolitan Table gives a great retro feel to an otherwise ordinary table! It has an ebony finished glass top which seems to just jump off the surface, and the double nickel legs compliment the octagon shape nicely. All this from Linen Source? Who knew!!

Do you look at certain stores for items other than the ones they advertise? Do you have a secret catalog or website with great finds? It’s always the hidden treasures that get the most compliments, after all!

This was my dilemma about two weeks ago when the sky suddenly flashed lightning and flushed the streets of NYC with inches of water. Thankfully, I had on flip-flops, but the next day, I saw a smartly dressed sister sporting a much chicer alternative – the rain flat. I’m sure she had to deal with the squishies (water must get in those shoes), but they’re rubber so, who cares?

Either way, it’s a sight better – and more comfortable – than Wellies in sweltering heat. Do yourself a favor and save the minidress and rain boots look for fall.

Now, I just need to find myself a pair! If you have a pair of rain flats you’re gaga over, please let me know where you found them!