Best & Worst Dressed 2010

At the end of the year most people reminisce on the events of the past year. Well I'm going to do that but with the fashion world. Here's my list of BEST & WORST dressed for 2010! Happy New Year Everyone!!

Leighton Meester- Blair Waldorf would be mortified!

Vanessa Hudgens- Animals belong in the woods not on your head.

Britney Spears-Keep trying you'll get it one day.

Gwyneth Paltrow-The stripper wants her outfit back.

Charlize Theron-Cinnamon buns anyone?

Miley Cyrus-We get it! You're a rebellious teen who likes to dress like a hooker. 

These ladies know how to dress on the red carpet, walking down the street and even when headed to the gym. Here are some of my favorite moments of these Best Dressed Women.

Cameron Diaz- Oscars 2010, Oscar de la Renta. 

Blake Lively-Chanel

Diane Kruger-Jason Wu

Keira Knightley-Chanel head to toe! Well her shoes are Mui Mui

Kate Beckinsale-Nina Ricci Dress

Anne Hathaway-Oscars 2010, Giorgio Armani Prive

Working Out in Style

With the New Year lurking in the shadows people are beginning to think about a New Year's Resolution. I for one don't make them anymore because like most people I never keep it! But for those of you who have vowed to get back in to shape and shed a few extra pounds I have some motivation for you...new workout clothes. It's time to leave the baggy sweatpants and old college t-shirts at home and actually wear something that shows off your body while still maintain the level of comfort you need to workout. Here are some of my top picks for workout attire.

Let's start with the basics, a sports bra. Ladies please, for your boobs sake don't wear a regular bra to workout! You need extra support while slaving away on the treadmill. Plus, no one wants to see those puppies flopping around uncontrollably (well besides a man). 

Champion Double Dry® Compression Vented Sports Bra $30 comes in many colors and even has breathable mesh lining to keep you cool.

For an alternative to shorts try these Nike Be Fast Dri-Fit Cotton Capris for $35.00 at Zappos.com. The dri-fit fabric helps keep your sweat level under control and they come in 4 different colors including my favorite black. Pair it with a Hanes V-Neck tee and you're ready to sweat.

LNA makes amazingly comfortable tees and this Ex-Boyfriend Tank Whitney Port is wearing is the perfect top for working out. It has deep cut arm holes and made of 100% cotton. And if you hurry to LNAClothing.com use keyword SANTA for 40% the entire store, even sale items! I bought a few of these tanks yesterday for only $14.00/each! They normally retail for $65.00.

SALES, SALES, SALES

It's that time of year when all the stores are trying to clear the floors and stockrooms of past seasons items to make room for the Spring. Which means lots of amazing deals! I love to shop online and rarely find myself in an actual store anymore but I do my research before buying. If you shop on sites likes Zappos, Shopbop,  & Revolve Clothing don't assume buying from them is necessarily cheaper than buying straight from the manufacturer. Sites that sell numerous brands often do have good sales but don't make a purchase before checking a few other sites first.

A great website I like to use is ShopStyle.com. You can type in the product you're looking for and it searches hundreds of websites for you! Narrow your search by selecting your price range, specific color and size.

A tip for people on a budget, search for coupon codes through Google. It's very easy to find coupons for free shipping and discounts for mainstream stores like Target, Macy's, Gap etc. by simply searching for "Gap coupon codes." Retailmenot.com and CouponCabin.com are the ones I use most and usually have the best deals.

My only advice for online shopping is NEVER, EVER, EVER save your credit card information on the website! That's how people steal your identity. Some websites do this by default so make sure if there's a box you can uncheck DO IT! Other than that Happy Shopping.

New Year, New Look

The new year is almost here so I thought it was time for a new look! Hope you enjoy the new Mode Minx...

#2 & #1

First if all Merry Christmas! Sorry I didn't post yesterday it was a busy day! I'm combining my top 2 favorite things into one post because well No. 1 is just too big for a single post. And now revealing my No. 1 favorite thing is....

I know, I know all my friends are probably going DUH right about now. 2/3 of my wardrobe is from J.Crew. Instead of rambling on about how wonderful their clothes are I'm just going to show you...

#3

I was debating on what to list as my No. 3 favorite thing this morning and after some strong coffee to wake up my brain a lightbulb finally went off! I wanted to choose something I use everyday so my No. 3 is Origins Ginger Souffle Body Cream and Ginger Body Scrub. These two products smell divine and work like a charm. In the winter everyone needs to exfoliate their skin more than usual to slough off all that extra dry skin. The scrub comes in a jar and a speadable version in a tube (shown below).

If you plan on getting a spray tan during the holidays you must exfoliate beforehand! The body cream retails for $27.50 and the body scub is $32 for the jar and $26 for the Incredible Spreadable. They also make great last minute gifts if anyone is hitting the mall today.

#4

My #4 favorite thing is 2 makeup artists from the UK Sam and Nic Chapman aka Pixiwoo. Their You Tube page has over 34 million views! They both have worked for MAC in the past so they use a lot of MAC products in their tutorials (which I love). Both are celebrity makeup artist now working for many fashion shows and photo shoots in the UK. If you ever find yourself struggling to create the perfect smokey eye or red lip watch these tutorials they will change the way you do your makeup I promise!

*photo courtesy of xxxxx

#5

Now time to whip out the good stuff. If you know me you know I love makeup! Maybe even more than clothes...maybe. I can't just pick my favorite makeup product so I'm picking my favorite makeup line.

I only started using MAC products last year and I can't believe I waited so long to try it! So here's a few of my favorites...

Studio Fix Fluid Foundation $26. Natural matte finish with medium build-able coverage. 

MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder $14.50. Use to line your upper and lower waterline for a deep smokey eye

MAC Eye Shadow in Brule $14.50 ($11.00 for the palette refill) I wear this everyday as a base eye shadow. For day I'll use Brule and Cork and at night Brule and Mystery.

MAC 217 Blending Brush. I use this to apply shadow in my crease and to blend the color. It's good to have 2, one to apply the color and a clean 217 to blend the edges.

#6

I just noticed I've never listed any of my favorite hair care products on my favorite things list! Well here ya go...Kerastase is the absolute, hands-down best hair care line I've ever tried. Yes it's on the higher end as far as price but it's worth every penny. Many celebrities are addicted to Kerastase products. Kristen Stewart loves the Resistance Volumactive Mousse, Kristen Cavalleri and Giuliana Rancic are also big fans of the line. I recommend consulting an expert on which products in the line are best your hair because I was actually using the wrong products for a while. Whether your hair is dry, unruly, normal or color treated, Kerastase has a product for you!

#7

Today we are having Christmas with my dad's side of the family so I thought I would post something I asked for for Christmas that I know will be one of my favorite things! 

The ELLEements of Personal Style features 25 fashion icons (including a personal fav Diane von Furstenburg) discussing how to shop, live and dress. Joe Zee, ELLE's Creative Director, is one of the authors along with Maggie Bullock, ELLE's Deputy Director. If you've never read ELLE Magazine you may have seen Joe Zee featured on the former MTV reality show "The Hills."Whether or not you are interested in actually reading this book, at least pick up a copy for your coffee table! Retails for $30 but you can buy it on Amazon for about $16. 

#8

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate (24 hour miracle cream)

                                   

I don't think I can say enough good things about my #8 favorite thing. My skin gets so dry in the winter time I have to apply moisturizer like 3 times a day! Well thankfully with this moisturizer all it takes is an application at night before I go to bed and my skin instantly feels relief. Sometimes if I don't wear a primer I do apply a small amount before I put my makeup on to create a nice canvas for my foundation. It works better than most moisturizers that cost twice as much. The 75ml retails for $25.00. Check online at embryolisseusa.com for retailers.

#9

One thing I never forget to put on everyday is my Michael Kors watch. I receive compliments everyday on my watch and most of those people end up buying one for themselves. The women's watches are oversized but the extreme details maintain the femininity. They're sold in many department stores but if you want to check out the collection just go to Michael Kors website. Prices range depending on the style. The above style is the Glitz Acrylic Chronograph, Black for $225.

#10

I think I wrote Blake Lively off too soon when she first blew up on the scene as Serena Van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl. I have really grown to admire her risk taking fashion choices. Not only does she have the best wardrobe on the set of GG, she dresses just as fabulous in her everyday life. She's a favorite in the fashion world rubbing elbows with Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfield on numerous occasions. So cheers to you Blake, you're my #10 favorite thing, I mean person!

#11

Sometimes it's hard to find a scarf that keeps you warm and is still stylish. Well here's your answer. Paula Bianco Wrap Scarf - as seen on Kim Kardashian - comes in many colors including this beautiful charcoal gray.  It retails for $83.00 at Singer 22.com. It also makes a great Christmas gift if anyone is looking for any last minute presents!

#12

Can you ever have too many pairs of sunglasses? I think not! I received these Tom Ford sunglasses on my birthday this past year and they are fabulous. The pair shown above, the "Jennifer" style, is very popular among who else but Jennifer Aniston. If you are looking to invest in a pair of designer sunglasses I highly recommend a pair from the Tom Ford line ASAP! Some other popular styles are the "Raquel" and the "Whitney." Check out the full line at www.tomford.com

#13

The top 10 is getting close! My #13 item is TOMS Shoes.  They are the perfect casual shoe for an everyday look. You can buy them online or even in Whole Foods! I've worn mine so much they have holes in them. Depending on the style you chose they usual run about $40 a pair. Happy shopping :)

#14

My next favorite thing is not actually a "thing" but it does sell "things." BagBorrowSteal.com allows you to borrow designer handbags, jewelry and sunglasses for a fraction of the cost of the item! Rent for one week, one month or one season (3 months) and return the item when your done. Whether you need a one of a kind diamond necklace for a special event or your dying to have the "it" bag of the season, BagBorrowSteal.com can make that dream a reality. With brands like Tory Burch, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Michael Kors, you're sure to find the perfect bag or jewelry item that fits your taste and budget. Here's a list of the bags on my wish list...

#15

Christmas is getting closer! I spent the day in NOLA on the Holiday Home Tour and I thought of my favorite sweet shop Sucre. Offering a wide variety of chocolates, desserts and my favorite macaroons, it's the perfect end to a day of shopping. Sucre also has Holiday gifts like the macaroon collection in the photo above (15 macaroons for $23). Sucre is located at 3025 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA or online at shopsucre.com

#16

It's getting harder and harder to make this list. Okay for my next item I'm taking it back to basics. Basic tees are like the glue that holds my wardrobe together and my favorite ones are the American Apparel Deep V-Neck Tri-blend tees. They come in about 6 different colors for $22 a pop.  They even sell them in packs of 3!

#17

I've posted these jeans on here before so here they are again, Levi's Leggings in "Night Out." Now whatever preconceived notion you have for "jeggings" forget it! This is one of the best pairs of affordable jean leggings out there I promise. The quality and fit can't be beat and priced at only $35 you must get youself a pair. I bought mine at Zappos because there's no sales tax, free overnight shipping and free returns!

#18

Williams-Sonoma Chocolate Croissants are the perfect Christmas morning treat. They ship frozen, just leave them out overnight and bake in the morning. Order online at williams-sonoma.com for $39.95

#19

Alright my #19 favorite thing brings us back into the world of makeup. I was going to list MAC Reflects Pearl Glitter but it's only available to MAC Pro members so I found a product that's pretty much identical. MAKE UP FOR EVER (MUFA) makes a product called Diamond Powder. It's available in many, many colors including my favorite White 1. You can use these over your eye shadow to add a little shimmer, on your cheekbones as a highlighter, or even over your lipstick. Available online only at sephora.com for $24.

#20

Anyone looking to try out a pair of those Skechers Shape Ups that look like moon boots, DON'T! I bought a pair of Reebok Runtones recently and have fallen in love. They look like a normal pair of running shoes and they are super comfortable. You don't have to sacrifice fashion for these toning tennis shoes. Priced around $100.

#21

Ralph Lauren Cable Knit Throw. Super soft cable knit and the perfect size 50 x 70. Available at most retail stores, such as Dillard's, for about $50.

#22

Lush Bath Bombs! Not only do they make the best smelling bath bombs but the entire line of products is organic and hand-mand. My favorite bath bombs...Avobath, Butterball and Lil' Lush Pad. Prices vary but most are $3.95/each.

#23

My Life is Good Snuggle Mules. These are heaven if you are looking for a Christmas gift for someone or yourself. $26 available at lifeisgood.com

#24

Next on the countdown is one of my favorite dark nail polishes from O.P.I. Lincoln Park After Dark

I love this color because it looks great on everyone's skin tone. With two coats it actually dries a little darker than what's shown in the picture. If you want to go dark without going black, go with this polish you will LOVE IT!

And the countdown begins...

starting off with #25 on my favorite things list. My Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush

I've tried many foundation brushes and this one beats them all! The bristles are thick but don't soak up too much of my foundation. It's easy to clean and the perfect size for quick, flawless application. $35 at bobbibrowncosmetics.com

coming soon...

Gift Guide

The Perfect Palette

I'm loving this Rock for Ever Palette from Makeup Forever! It's the perfect smokey eye palette as well as an everyday palette. For a smokey eye, start with the top right nude color all over your lid. Use the light gray in your crease to create some definition then go for the black. Start in your outer crease and slowly blend in towards the inner eye along your crease. You want the outer corners to be darker and blend, blend, blend! Use a black gel liner along your lash line and a black kohl liner along your waterline top and bottom. Use the white as a highlight on your brow bone.

For an everyday look skip the black shadow and heavy eyeliner but follow the same steps.

Available at Sephora $49.

House of Harlow 1960

Nicole Richie's jewelry line, House of Harlow 1960, has launched some new Fall pieces with a heavy tribal influence.  The collection ranges in price from $35-$220 and offers a variety of styles to suit any fashionista's taste. What I love most about her collection is she has some very simple pieces that can easily be layered with your own jewelry.  There's also a few standout pieces, like the large tribal cuff shown above, that you can combine with a simple outfit for a dramatic look. Available at many online retailers including Nordstrom.com and Singer22.com.

Got the blues...

Don't you wish you looked as good as Jennifer in a pair of jeans? I certainly do. Jeans are the absolute hardest clothing item to shop for in my opinion. I've tried em' all...GAP, Banana Republic, American Eagle, Levi's, and the list goes on and on. But I have finally found the perfect pair of jeans for my shape. Levi's Curve ID in BOLD curve. I have a very curvy figure and I find buying jeans in my size they lose their shape very quickly and I end up hating them after a couple washes. The Levi's maintain their shape and color and don't cost a fortune! Now as far as finding the perfect fit for your body, here's a breakdown of what works best.

If you are curvy...stick with bootcut jeans in a dark wash. Avoid jeans with faded areas around the hips, upper thighs and butt because that's what everyone's going to look at first! We want to make those areas look smaller not bigger! My pick Levi's Curve ID $69.50 levis.com

If you have a boyish/straight figure...you want to create the look of curves. Avoid straight leg jeans they do nothing for your figure! Stick with skinny jeans or for a comfy look, boyfriend jeans. My pick Hudson Kent 5 Pocket Skinny in Under Pressure $178 zappos.com 

If you are petite...you are lucky. Really you can wear any fit except wide leg, they will swallow you. Stick with smaller pockets on the butt that aren't too low. You want to lift the booty not drag it down. Also, play with different washes and avoid cuffing your jeans they will make you look shorter. My pick CJ by Cookie Johnson Faith Straight Leg Jean $150


Most important thing to remember, bootcut jeans flatter every shape and size! So if you have trouble finding jeans for your figure, bootcut never fails.

Elie Saab

Elie Saab's lace dresses have been spotted at numerous events lately. Sarah Jessica Parker wore a long sleeve lace dress to the SATC 2 after party. Blake Lively wore a purple and black lace Elie Saab to a Tiffany & Co. event in NYC and Carrie Mulligan wore a short sleeve version of SJP's dress to a premiere in NYC.

Who wore it best? My vote is for Carrie Mulligan!

November Picks

This new line of lipsticks from YSL is absolute heaven. I received a sample at the makeup counter in Dillards a few weeks ago. The colors are very rich and feel like satin on your lips. Best colors...1 Le Rouge (true red) and 6 Rouge Bergamasque (nude pink).

Levi's Leggings in Night Out $39.99 at zappos.com. Perfectly paired with knee high boots or flats.

Paula Bianco Wrap Scarf $83. This infinity scarf available in 7 colors is perfectly oversized. My favorite is this olive green Kourtney Kardashian is wearing.

NARS Junkie. These beauty essentials from NARS are available for only $69 at sephora.com and in stores. The lip gloss "Ophelia" is one of my all time favorite shades from NARS. The eye shadow palette is beautiful in person and a decent size too. The mini bronzer is "Laguna" and the the mini Multiple is "Orgasm." Perfect Christmas gift for you or someone else!

Black Out

Don't be afraid of head to toe black! It's chic and sexy you just have to know how to wear it. If you dare to wear this trend mix it up with some texture. In this picture, Olivia pulls off the "black out" perfectly. The fur coat and patterned top give an otherwise basic outfit some definition. Try mixing fabrics like tweed, leather and fur to give your "black out" outfit some pop. If you want to add a subtle pop of color try a statement clutch or necklace.

Jennifer Zeuner

I saw this horizontal cross necklace in a People Style mag a few months ago and fell in love. I have been searching for the past 3 months trying to figure out who made it. Well one of my clients was wearing one the other day and finally I discovered the jewelry designer is Jennifer Zeuner.

As you can see, Lauren Conrad and Taylor Swift are big fans. I've also seen Vanessa Hudgens and Rachel Zoe wearing pieces from the collection. The necklace LC and T Swift are wearing is the Large Swirly Initial Necklace. It comes in gold or silver price is $264. My personal favorite (and the one I have on order) is the Mini Horizontal Cross Necklace in Gold Vermeil $121.  Checkout Singer22.com to view the whole collection.

Leather & Fur

PETA beware! Leather and Fur are hot, hot, hot! Well faux leather and fur for now, I fully support not wearing real animal furs and skins. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Mary-Kate Olsen and Rachel Zoe are pros when it comes to these trends. These items are definitely on my want it, need it now list!

Trouve' Faux Leather Legging
$48 Nordstrom

Tough Love Leggings
$68 Quiksilver

Halston Heritage Faux Leather Legging
$175 Revolve Clothing

BB Dakota Graham Faux Fur Vest $90

Alice & Olivia Chris Flutter Front Fur Vest $396

   

Tinley Road Faux Fur Vest $69