Garden Party

On Saturday I attended a Garden Party held by my friends. The dress code? Formal black and white attire. Those being my favorite colors to wear (always chic), I was excited, but slightly daunted by the task of choosing an outfit. What did I ultimately choose as fitting for the occasion? A black jersey dress with black footless tights, black patent leather pointed toe flats, and lots of black and white pearl and chain jewelry. The photo above is of me and my friend before we arrived. (I'm on left, Ali D. is on right)

Some fabulous black and white outfits, with a red sunhat thrown in (all the more reminiscent of "My Fair Lady," don't you think?)

Dinner was served on black and white dishes with black and white accents... how classy!

These young men definitely won Best Dressed. With one looking like a contemporary of Carnegie and Rockefeller, another as a country club boy, and another as a businessman with some tricks up his sleeve, they kept the crowd interested.

dVb Update

No longer only available at the L.A. store Kitson, today I spotted dVb denim at the chic and edgy JMR at Gateway. They have definitely been on a roll with their jeans findings...

Bad fashion... Hilarious Imitation

I know this has little to do with fashion... but I saw this on YouTube and I laughed hysterically. This is partly because their imitation of Hannah Montana is dead-on, and also because the hip-shaker on the right is hilarious! (Somebody please get this guy a contract!) And their fashion is definitely interesting... perfect for the video, bad for real life.

H&M partners with... Roberto Cavalli

H&M announced its next collaborator to be designer Roberto Cavalli. Odd choice for the cheap and chic retailer? Perhaps, especially considering that his glamorous gowns are more often worn by Beyonce than Sienna Miller. Will his designs work when modern style is less about flamboyance? Find out in November when Cavalli's work hits stores.

Photo: Roberto Cavalli Spring 2007 at style.com

Marc Jacobs Tote

I know I've mentioned how important it is to be aware of the environment, and plastic bags are one way to avoid environmental dangers. It is for this reason (along with it's hilarious ambiguity) that I love this adorable tote. You can take it everywhere from the grocery store to the mall to the pool to the school to carry your purchases, keepsakes, or beach reads. Now that's a bag worthy of a dozen names.

Photo: style.com from Marc by Marc Jacobs

The Sartorialist

I saw photos from the famed Sartorialist at style.com for the first time a while ago, but I just barely viewed the street style-capturing photographer's blog today! I have to say that I love it... he finds the coolest fashions on people in major fashion capitals around the world. Check out his blog at thesartorialist.blogspot.com!

dVb Denim

After reading about Victoria Beckham's new line of denim, dVb, I was intrigued by the cool starbursts on the back pockets. Although I'm not crazy about the washes on the jeans, I do like the pocket embroidery. Available at shopkitson.com and Kitson boutiques, the full collection debuts in September. I think Mrs. David Beckham has hit on the next big thing...no?

Photo: shopkitson.com

Simple Life Goes to Camp

Today I watched the new season of the Simple Life, with Paris and Nicole going to summer camp. I have to say, I had my doubts, but the show is actually incredibly entertaining. Despite a few of the heiress' bad-girl moves (writing obscenities on a man, teaching young pageant princesses to flip people off, toilet papering a cabin), the series is very good at making the girls appear human. And one plot line is almost like a soap opera: is romance blossoming with Paris and the hunky counselor? Hmmm...

Colored Jeans

I recently read an article in the June 2007 Harper's Bazaar about new jeans trends... and one of them was colored jeans! It featured paparazzi photos of Ashlee Simpson and Rachel Bilson in Ksubi jeans (name change from Tsubi to Ksubi everywhere except in Australia due to lawsuit), so I went online to try to find some pastel ones, which I remember seeing many of in past Teen Vogues. I found an abundance of bright, rainbow hues, but to my dismay, very few pastels. Other brands making the trendy jeans include Citizens of Humanity, Topshop, Rich & Skinny, and Urban Outfitter's Lux.

Photo: azaleaonline.com

Chanel Frenzy

I accidentally discovered Chanel's holographic silver nail polish duo online, and I love it! The color literally is like a hologram... it looks silver and changes, like a CD! Unfortunately, it's limited edition and not available in the U.S. However, it is being sold on eBay, albeit for massive amounts of money... much like the Black Satin craze. Let the bidding begin!

Photo: Chanel Spring 2007, style.com

TOMS Shoes

I must be on a "save the world with fashion" thing, because I am really loving TOMS shoes. The company donates a pair of shoes to a needy child for every pair of TOMS that is bought. So not only are you getting a cool casual shoe to wear throughout the summer, but you're also helping someone who really needs it.

Image: tomsshoes.com

Roots Bracelet

After seeing a friend at school wearing this Roots bracelet, which sports "Stop Global Warming," I had to have it. I also got the bracelet for friends who are similarly concerned about the earth. The coolest part about the accessory? It's completely made of scrap leather from Roots' leather goods, so it's recycled. And better yet, the entire $5 you pay for it goes to the Global Warming Fund.

Image: roots.com

Wayfarer Sunglasses

The bug-eye look of sunglasses has gotten old. Lately, I've been very into the look of the retro Ray-Ban Wayfarers. Stars from Sienna Miller to Chloe Sevigny to Lindsay Lohan have worn the shades, and the Luella Spring runway (at right) featured a reproduction in several colors. A few months ago at a local boutique (Lolabella) I bought a faux tortoise shell pair that looks just like them for only $12!

Image: Luella Spring 2007, style.com

Juicy Couture Perfume

When the Juicy Couture perfume debuted, I took one whiff of the cute fragrance and fell in love! It is a flirty and fun scent with primarily floral accents... and the bottle only makes it more fabulous!

Image: nordstrom.com

My lookbooks at style.com!

Check out my lookbooks at style.com! They are under the username madwa12, so see my favorite looks from the runways!

Adorable Jeffrey Campbell Sandals

I don't own one pair of rubber flip-flops. It is for this reason that I was so excited to see a classy pair of adorable sandals that could easily go from the pool to the town. These Jeffrey Campbell 'Coco 2' Thong Sandals at nordstrom.com are just $52.95 and they come in three colors!

Image: nordstrom.com

Alice Temperley for Target

GO International for Target, the fabulous line that recruits designers for a limited run in the mass retailing biz, has recently released images for the new line by Alice Temperley, due out in the fall. I thought I was excited when I saw the Proenza Schouler collection, but Temperley's is definitely my favorite. I don't know if it's the styling in the photos or the men's tailoring in the sailor pants and knickers juxtaposed with feminine bows and blouses that excites me, but either way, it is definitely a collaboration I'm looking forward to more of!

Introduction

Because this is my first post, I will let readers know a few of my favorite styles. I am a huge fan of the feminine, frilly look (very Louis Vuitton Spring 2007), as well as the preppy, Americana style (think more Chloe Spring 2007 rather than Abercrombie & Fitch). I love to wear ballet flats and boots, as well as dainty charm jewelry. I like clothes to be put together and clean... none of the "I just woke up and threw this outfit on!" Basically, my style could be classified as French-looking (clean, sophisticated, etc). Anyway, that little introduction is necessary for you to know the logic behind my posts!