Fall trend alert: peep-toe booties

We haven't yet located the exact passage, but we're sure there's some mention in the Bible of an Eleventh Commandment:

XI.
Thou shalt expose thy toes only in Summer,
And then, lo, only in sandals or the occasional peep-toe pump.
But nay, never in boots.
'Cause that's just wrong.

Well, they say rules are made to be broken, and this one is being shattered to bits in Fall/Winter 2008. We never thought we'd see the day, but sure enough, the peep-toe bootie is this season's hottest fashion find. So if you're in the mood for something different and a little wacky (and the danger of frostbite in your area is relatively low), spice up your wardrobe with something like this hot little pair from Tory Burch.

(Oh, and if the current economic news leaves you a little leery of the price tag, you'll be happy to know there are equally cute options available at Payless.)

So, what to wear them with? Well, darlings, the models we've seen make a statement all on their own, so we'd recommend going simple with the rest of the outfit.

And, you will take care of those toes, won't you girls?

Happy fall, everyone!

Even if the weather in your area is still doing a remarkable imitation of summer, take heart—it's the first day of fall!

Sure, it might be a little early to don cozy jackets and boots, but it's never too soon to hit the stores to get those Fall 2008 essentials in place.

So what are we looking for this season? Dressingwell lays out the top 10:

1. Gray and purple hues
2. Ruffled blouses
3. Ankle booties (a yummy holdover from last fall!)
4. Floral skirts
5. Cropped tuxedo jackets, great for day or evening
6. Colorful oversized handbags
7. Menswear details (think oxford pumps, tweed pants, and blazers, blazers, blazers!)
8. Ballet flats (go for a slight heel and pointy toe, like on this Tommy Hilfiger Avery flat, for a look that's au courant)
9. Patterned tights, a great way to add texture, color, and fun to any outfit
10. Jeweled necklaces

Got all that? Well, what are you waiting for? Hit those shops and celebrate the season with hot fashions for cool temps!

(Image: nordstrom.com)

Let's get together: tailgate party

Even if you can't tell a linebacker from a quarterback, hosting a tailgating party is a great way to get your gang back together after the flurry of summer's activities.

Now that both college and pro football seasons are in full swing, you have your choice of Saturday or Sunday to plan your event. Just keep these tips in mind for a party your friends will cheer about:

• Ask guests to come wearing jerseys or their favorite team's colors
  
• Have some fun with your decor; visit your local party supply store for colorful plates, cups, party favors and decorations
• Nothing says "tailgating" better than a big pot of chili, and you can choose from hundreds of recipes at FamousChiliRecipes.com. Make sure to set out accoutrements like shredded cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, and crackers.
  
• Arrange furniture so you'll have zones for those who will be watching the game and those who won't
• Set up the majority of the food in one location (like your dining room table or even the kitchen), and scatter bowls of snacks around for easy access
• Make activities available for non-game-watchers; for example, set out games like Cranium or Jenga
  

And if a cooler full of beers just isn't your thing, mix up a batch of Big Game Punch to offer your guests a special treat:

• 2 quarts cranberry juice
• 1 pound clementines, not peeled, and cut into slices
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 quart lemon-lime soda
• 1 liter spiced rum

In a saucepan, bring the cranberry juice, clementines, cloves, and cinnamon sticks up to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside. This will infuse the tangerines and spices into the juice. Chill the infused juice completely.

In a punch bowl, whisk the chilled juice, soda, and rum together. Chill the punch completely before serving. Serve the punch in a pretty punch bowl and ladle into glasses filled with ice. (Source: Food Network)

Fashion Week highlights part III

You didn't actually think our Fashion Week commentary would be complete without checking in on the kids from this season's Project Runway, did you?

We have to admit, many things about this season left us scratching our heads, this more than all others: six designers showing at Bryant Park? The three finalists plus three decoys? Are you kidding me? The show started with 16 contestants ... and nearly a third of them make it to the tents? OK, we'd best not get started down that road. On to the fashions!

For the much-maligned Season 5, we're going to call it a showdown between Portland, OR–based Leanne Marshall and Korto Momolu from Little Rock, AR by way of Liberia. Both ladies have impressed us all season with their innovative uses of fabric, their attention to the tiniest details, and their impeccable tailoring. Since the whole PR show featured 60 looks (10 from each of the—ack— six designers), we're just going to focus on our top two.

Korto Momolu: The designers didn't get many opportunities to send classic eveningwear down the runway this season, and it's a pity, because it's where Korto really shines. We love this jewel green halter gown for its sophisticated, fluid lines and the interesting twist of using beading as part of the halter. Using a satin this shiny is always a risk because the fabric shows every little flaw, but here, there clearly aren't any. Bravo, Korto!

Leanne Marshall: After her distastrous showing in the second episode (and the dress that inspired the Project Rungay boys to dub her "Judy Noodles"), Leanne took off and never looked back; she's the only designer this season to win back-to-back challenges. The look at right perfectly embodies what Leanne does best: bend fabric to her will and let it do the talking. Often teased about her shy, quiet demeanor, Leanne calls herself "the silent fashion assassin"—and this season, she just may eliminate all competitors on sheer talent, proving that nice girls can finish first.

(Source: Project Rungay)

Fashion Week highlights part II

Even thought there was a refreshing shortage of florals at the Spring 2009 shows (As Miranda famously quipped in The Devil Wears Prada, "Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking."), the masters of print patterns still had plenty to work with in adding flair to their already famous silhouettes.

Oscar de la Renta: The mark of a true master is the ability to wow us season after season without sacrificing his point of view, and no one does this better than Oscar. Of course we expect to see classic lines and feminine silhouettes, but this season, he kicked it up a notch (bam!) by using some eye-popping geometrics and, of course, his beloved ikat (a staple in Oscar's collections since Spring 2005). The silver maco bead embroidered strapless gown at right was the final piece of the show—good thing, since it's definitely a show-stopper.


Diane von Furstenberg: No one does prints better than Diane, and her hippie-inspired Spring 2009 line reminds us why she's the reigning queen. The show was awash in colorful patterns from ombrè to wild abstracts in purples, fuschias, oranges, and reds. And as far as we can tell, not a traditional floral in sight. Beautifully tailored and impeccably matched, each look was so expertly crafted that only in retrospect would one ask one's self, "Did she really mix an orange abstract trouser with a fuscia cardigan?"

(Sources: FabSugar and Coquette)

Who says no white after Labor Day?

Sure, Labor Day has come and gone, but the whole "no white after" rule has gone the way of corsets and pantaloons. (No lesser an authority than The Manolo has spoken on the issue many times; need we say more?)

Now that we're free from the surly bonds of seasonal propriety, why not celebrate by treating yourself to the beautiful Wendy Glez Blanc Triangle Cami?

Made from all-natural fibers (100% silk with 100% cotton trim), this delicacy is the ultimate in breathable comfort ... after all, it's not exactly flannel season yet! And with adjustable straps and side ties, it's figure-friendly enough to be work over jeans or under jackets.

Don't forget to complete the look with a pair (or two) of matching Wendy Glez Blanc Bikini Knickers!

So even though summer is officially over, you can still wear your whites with fashionable pride ... and with the Wendy Glez Blanc Triangle Cami and Knickers, white has never looked—or felt— so cool.

Fashion Week highlights part I

From what we've seen so far, you can forget about dreamy pastels and nap-inducing floral prints in Spring 2009 ... because next season, it's all about color, color, COLOR, baby!

Inspired by artist Bruce Nauman, designer Doo.Ri infused her spring line with bold pops of neon, from shocking pink to out-there aqua. "I was inspired by his work and his use of neon art," she told Fashion Week Daily. "I wanted to inject that through the colors, the fluorescents, on a background of gray."


Anna Sui chose to venture south of the border for her inspiration: pops of color amidst rich earth tones, embroidery, and colorful lace accents. Styled with bold, fun accessories including chunky beaded jewelry, straw hats and bags, and even cowboy boots, her models looked like they'd just returned from spring break in Cancun ... but in a good way.


Even the notoriously restrained Vera Wang couldn't resist getting in on the fun. "I wanted to play," she noted after the show. "There was toughness, but also magic kingdom pale neon colors. It was like being an artist; it's girly with a tough act. That's who I am." And play is exactly what she did, layering sheers over unexpected pieces like leather pants and even having some fun with menswear-inspired jackets and blazers. Nice to see our Vera breaking out of her comfort zone and exploring new territory while still staying true to her aesthetic.

Stay tuned for more highlights!

(Source: Fashion Week Daily)