Your Post-Christmas Shopping List

1. Something sparkly

You can buy this pretty bracelet at dreamyvintage's etsy shop.

Ranjana Khan crystal drop earrings at The Limited for $89.

2. Something furry

Love the fur shoulders & skirted coat

3. Something sheer

4. Some funky tights

All That Glitters... Should Be Worn

It's sparkle season! The Christmas tree isn't the only thing twinkles at night. Have you embraced the season's sequins? Here are some of my favorite formal gowns from the past few seasons.

I LOVE this dress but I'm still in the process of finding out pretty much anything about it. Let me know if you have any info on it!

I am in love with this Badgley Mischka Fall 2011 Beaded Cowl Neck Gown worn in S5.E10 by Kaylee DeFer playing Charlie Rhodes/Ivy Dickens in "Gossip Girl." The velvet, the sequins, the beading - absolutely luxurious.

This Polyvore creation is by Gossip Girl Fashion, which is now one of my new favorite places to check for GG fashion.

How can you not love T-Swift's dress? IT'S TO DIE FOR! She wore this gold Reem Acra dress to the 2009 CMAs where she became the youngest winner of Entertainer of the Year. She also won Female Vocalist, Album of the Year and Best Music Video for “Love Story.”

Taylor Swift in Reem Acra, CMA 2009

Living room makeover!

Hi all! Check out what I did tonight!

I took a really pretty summer table cloth from Target and hand-sewed some corners into it so it would cover my messy bookcases. Simple! I didn't cut anything out of the fabric, though, in case I want to use it to cover more space in the future! Whaddya think?

And don't you just love these frames I got at The RSVP Shoppe on Broad? ONLY $12 EACH!!!

VS's Hypnotic make-up is sure to hypnotize

Victoria Secret has launched a small collection of lipstick, eyeliner, blush/highlighter and eyeshadow in a pretty palette.  Aside from the pretty pinks and purples featured in this collection, the cases may actually steal the show.  Decorated in geometric shapes of pink-and-orange or purple-and-blue, outlined in gold, the cases are worth showing off.  I certainly hope they continue the collection and even make the palettes interchangeable.

Givenchy Fall 2011 Couture

Sigh. Riccardo Tisci once again does wonders with his Couture collection for Givenchy. The immense attention he gave each detail created a stunning collection. One day, when I'm famous, I'll ask him to make my wedding gown - as long as he covers everything up!

Oh, How the Mighty Have Fallen

...again.  Remember earlier this year when Dior's genius, John Galliano, was jailed and subsequently fired after making anti-Semitic comments (which were also caught on tape)? Well, his protege, Bill Gaytten, has been released from his cage and has quite literally created a circus. In the Dior Couture fall 2011, the poor models looked like they had been layered in taffeta, gazar, and organza and then dragged through a children's birthday party. And then to make things worse (or to clarify Gaytten's inspiration - as if you could have missed it) Karlie Kloss was dressed in rags as a sad Pierrot for the final look. Following its review, Style.com asks the question, "what's next?" Perhaps Gaytten won't last.

Send in the clowns....

She has a gumball on her head. Really.

Confetti anyone?

A little Cirque, no?

A/W 2011 Trends: Snakeskin

One of the A/W 2011 trends to watch out for (warning - it bites!) is snakeskin.  Along with a variety of fuzzy furs, snakeskin has stolen the show for A/W.  This time, it's not in skin-tight pants (oh, no!) but floor-length skirts, sizable accessories that can swallow more than a python (okay, I'll stop with the pun fun) and boots Pretty Woman couldn't wear.  Prepare yourself - they're fierce!

I'd get one in black and tan, just like these models.

I know I should be staring at the bag (I adore it) but I love the blurred dress opposite.

A/W Is All About Texture

When A/W rolls around and we're left with the brown-tinged colors we see on the trees, texture comes out to play!

I am dying for the concealing rosettes on this Valentino fall 2011 dress.

Like in this photo for Nina Ricci fall 2011 - the rich velvet and romantic lace coupling. (Remind me to make something out of velvet this winter!)

Love Those Hose!

Apparently Fashion Gone Rogue has its own editorials since... I have no idea. But I checked out a few of them and fell in love with these hose! Anja Konstantinova wears them backwards and I think I'm going to have to buy them and try it out for myself come winter.  I'll keep you posted. ;)

Sidenote: I want something from this S/S Gucci '11 collection.

Speaking of Barely There...

Samantha Gradoville is so HOT in Exit's S/S '11 spread.  Photographed by Benny Horne and styled by Catherine Newell-Hanson, Miss Samantha is "caught" wearing little and lots in this composition.  May I once more pay tribute to the GUTS these girls have for wearing so little in front of everyone?

Isn't this unusual?

Dare to Bare

Summer means wearing less - less makeup, less clothing - less!  But is what's left getting too little?  Maybe, but it doesn't stop me from loving these styles and wanting to try them on! (Also, wishing I had the confidence to wear them down South!  Maybe if I were in New York I could do it, or at least encourage other people to do it.)

Perhaps I'll find something in an after-season sale (of course summer doesn't end so soon in the south) and I can wear it at night.

*Remind me later how I think I can make this!*

Paris fashion week.

*Although this may be more suitable to my sewing capabilities.*

Also French Fashion Week.  Ah, those heels!  Do you think she got her leotard at American Apparel?

Man Repeller blogger Leandra Medine takes the sheer trend to America, incorporating the recurring hippie influence.  Perhaps I should try with a knitted vest first.

And here she takes it to the streets in a less-sheer dress.  I am loving the angled skirt hem of this year.  And check out that hat!

Burberry’s take on ’11 eyeliner trend

Here's Burberry's take on the '11 cat-y trend: smokey, yet defined with a winged end.  I call it the Smokey Cat.

Burberry fall '11. Cara Delevignge stares right back Mario Testino through sexy, smokey liner.

Fall '11 Trend: Eyeliner

Flipping through the first few pages of the August 2011 Vogue, I saw advertisements from the usual suspects: Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi (and as you know, the list goes on and on and on for about 100 pages)...  Anyway, I noticed a trend - heavy eyeliner. Not so heavy that it makes you think of punk rockers; it was more like thick cat eye.  Sometimes just on top, sometimes also on the bottom. But always with a point or wing. I can't wait to try this new, very defined eye - it's been a little smokey for too long.

Anja Rubik for Fendi photographed by Karl Lagerfeld. This is one of my favorites from the fall campaign.

Dolce & Gabanna fall 2011. LOVE the sequins and lace.