Fashion Blog - Couture in the City

Spotlight on Swell.com Handbags: Hot Styles Under $100!

2009-11-11T07:17:29Z

What girl doesn’t love handbags? Not only are they practical and necessary, but you can wear them over and over and they are often provide that perfect finishing touch to your look. When fabulous handbags come at affordable prices, well that’s just every girl’s dream come true and that is why I am loving swell.com. Based in San Clemente, California, Swell is the # 1 surf apparel website that stocks fashion’s hottest styles as interpreted by surf and other beach-inspired lines. I was particularly attracted to the site due to their amazing handbag selection which features the hottest trends- studs, fringe, hobo, embellished, over-the-shoulder, cross-body- all at amazingly affordable prices.

Click here to see the full slideshow

From our friends at Stylehive

Fashion Links Friday

2009-11-11T07:23:46Z

M.A.C. Style Black [The It Lists]

5 Universal Lessons in Style from Tokyo [Omiru]

3.1 Phillip Lim Studded Short Gloves [Chic Intuition]

Splurge vs. Steal: Zipper Booties [Trend de la Creme]

8 Under $20: Anique Michelle [College Candy]

Keira Knightly sports Rebecca Minkoff

2009-11-10T06:05:03Z

Keira Knightly

Keira Knightly wears Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Clutch in Black Patent $325.00.

Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Clutch - Burgundy - $325

Holiday Gift Idea: Audio Chi Headphones

2009-11-11T07:02:54Z

Audio Chi headphones make a terrific and unique holiday gift for the music lover in your life. People are used to listening with “earbuds” that are all but disposable, and have forgotten just how amazing sound quality can be with a pair of really good headphones. Not only that, but Audio Chi headphones avoid that “stereo nerd” look you might expect from substantial headphones. The headbands are quilted for comfort, and the covers for the ear pieces are like works of art. You can really express a sense of style with these headphones.

The Audio Chi W2, like all Audio Chi W series headphones, detachable woven cords to avoid the common problem of damage between the earpiece and the cable. With chrome details and romantic artwork finish on the ear pieces, the music lover in your life will feel like you chose these wonderful headphones just for her. $109.95 from audiochi.com

The Audio Chi W7 makes its style statement in rich bronze, and like the other Audio Chi headphones, has tangle-free, removable cables, and most of all, superior sound quality, with Audio Chi’s Structural Acoustics technology for studio quality sound in a smaller, more wearable style. $109.95 from audiochi.com.

Audio Chi’s W5 has a bold, graphic design and all the great features you expect from Audio Chi headphones. Titanium-coated mylar drivers, and Supra-Aural sound positioning mean that great style does not conflict with great sound. $109.95 from audiochi.com.  This year, transcend the ordinary when it comes to holiday gifts. Give Audio Chi headphones and give the gift of beautiful music year round.

Source: audiochi.com

Real Housewives of Orange County Set to Return

2009-11-12T20:13:09Z

The Real Housewives of Orange County returned to television Thursday night for its fifth season, and it looks like there will be no shortage of drama in the new season. Marriages will hit the rocks, new housewives will clash with veterans of past seasons, and feuds will bubble over.

Gretchen Rossi, a not-exactly housewife who had toruble getting along with Tamra Barney in season four told E! Online “I’m gonna let her know that the way I was treated last year wasn’t right.”

Meanwhile, Tamra’s marriage appears to be somewhat more strained this season, which does little for her opinion of Gretchen, whom she refers to as a hooker.

One thing that probably plays in Gretchen’s favor is that she’s no longer the new girl on the posh, gated block. Alexis Bellino joins the fray and becomes friends with Gretchen. Vicki Gunvlason, the alpha dog in this pack, does not take to the newcomer, which is hardly surprising.

In other news, Jeana Keough is out after the first few episodes this season. She apparently went through a financial slump and had a falling out with former best friend Vicki over a financial matter. This season will certainly not be boring.

White Sands Hair Products Backstage with CW’s Vampire Diaries Actress Candice Accola

2009-11-12T19:34:10Z

Actress Candice Accola as “Caroline”

Candice has thick, natural wavy hair to start.

To achieve this look:

1. Shampoo and condition hair with White Sands Vegan Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner to thoroughly cleanse, while infusing a vital moisture balance back into each strand.

2. Blow dry hair with a medium round brush for fullness.

3. Spray entire head with White Sands Liquid Texture Firm Hold.
Section off 1-inch partings starting at the nape area. Take these 1-inch sections and using a 1-inch barrel curling iron, curl hair from ends to scalp (like a roller). Remove iron and clip into place until entire head is set. Wait until cooled.

4. Remove clips and brush out for a soft, sexy, wavy style. Spray with White Sands Infinity Finishing Spray for a flexible hold that repels outside moisture, while providing a long lasting style: a must on set!

Stay tuned for Katerina Graham hairstyle tips.

Purchase White Sand Hair products at whitesandsproducts.com

Pierre Hardy for Gap

2009-11-11T06:46:22Z

Pierre Hardy has been quietly influencing shoe design for a couple of decades now. The quiet French designer has worked for Christian Dior, Hermes, and Balenciaga before going it on his own. He once told the Independent in London that when he designs shoes, he tries to envision what a girl walking into a shop would love to find there. So far, the approach has worked: his shoes are coveted by the wealthy and the typical high street shopper alike.

Unfortunately, the average high street shopper would have a hard time affording a gorgeous pair of shoes from one of Pierre Hardy’s boutiques. However, in a stroke of brilliance, Hardy has teamed up with that quintessentially American supplier of affordable clothing, The Gap, to bring the masses versions of his shoes that are more affordable.

Two of his designs include these boots that are so chic and gorgeous that you’ll wear them from now until next spring, and you’ll be sad when the weather finally gets too warm for boot wearing. Here’s an ankle boot in a dark sand color that goes with everything.

Don’t they just totally inspire confidence? Can’t you see yourself demanding (and getting) a raise while wearing these? They’re simply divine.

You can also get it in a mid-calf shearling version in a steely gray that will actually make you wish for weather cold enough to wear them in:

Found your winter boots, have you? Excellent choice!

Paris Hilton at Jimmy Choo for H&M collection launch in Hollywood Hills

2009-11-11T06:18:53Z

Weekly Shopping and Goodies

2009-11-11T18:33:23Z

Sweater Dresses - Fashion Hippo

The Fashionable Housewife is having a Sensa Weight Loss Twitter Party on Nov 18th from 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST. RSVP and join in on the fun! Over $4,000 in prizes to be won!!

A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away a Garbo Studded Leather Wallet from Be & D. Enter to Win!

Beseeninhollywood brings you fashion masquerade @ Kress Hollywood

Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy gives tips on how to create that perfect dramatic red lips look!

Couture In The City shares with us celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal’s new fragrance Mally.

Fashion Cents shows you how to turn this season of frugality into luxury. Watch the latest video.

Fashion Hippo found The Best Sweater Dress for Every Budget.

Handbag du Jour hearts the Tory Burch Nylon Ella Tote!

Princess Dominique and Armani Exchange partner to launch A|X:TV and Givaway a $100 Gift Certificate - Enter Now!

Quinta Trends follows The Art of the Trench by Burberry

Shopping and Info loves big diamond necklaces for Christmas even if they are rhinestone.

SomeoneSpoilMe.com has some great gift ideas for Thanksgiving

Style Eyes discusses the latest trend in her post All Laced Up - The Lace Bodysuit

StyleMaven is adding the Christian Louboutin Barbie collectors set to her holiday shopping list!

What’s Haute Magazine wants to know who looked hotter in Balmain Cut-Out Lace Dress: Selita Ebanks, Alessandra Ambrosio, LeToya Luckett or Kate Hudson?

Don’t forget to check out next weeks edition of Shopping and Goodies!

Holiday party Looks from ASOS BLACK Line

2009-11-11T05:45:42Z

The ASOS Black Line is a limited edition capsule collection of terrific looks for the 2009 holiday season. Here are some of the best of the best.

You’ll a goddess in this ASOS BLACK Jacquard Fan Bandeau Dress. Jacquard mini dress with strapless design and fan pleat detail. $122.09.

The ASOS BLACK One Shoulder Velvet Jumpsuit is as glam as it gets. With an asymmetric one-shoulder design, it has side pockets and one long sleeve. Imagine it paired with a sparkly rhinestone belt for even more glam-power. $115.00.

The ASOS BLACK Stud and Tape Cage Bandeau Dress is another brand new look for this holiday season. In purple or black, this satin bandeau dress features contrast ribbon and a “cage” design. $139.00 from ASOS.com.

Here are two stunning trends in one: the ASOS BLACK Leather Sequin Skirt. This leather mini skirt has a high waistband with back zipper, and sequin and leather sequin embellishment. $115.00.

If this isn’t a holiday party shoe, I don’t know what is. The ASOS BLACK BLING Leather Ankle Cuff Platform Sandal features a leather ankle cuff, tapered heel, triple-layer platform, with shiny gloss finish and silver effect straps. $156.00.

The ASOS BLACK Sequin Waterfall Blazer will go over everything from jeans to a little black dress. Sequin covered with open design, it has a high shine textured finish, and long sleeves. $123.00.