How to...own the riding boots look

These shoes are no longer just an essential for a horseback rider, it's now making a huge statement in the fashion industry.  Already, unlikely stars such as Kirsten Dunst, Lindsey Lohan, Jessica Alba, and Rachel Bilson had grown a like to the trend.  My favorite one's are RL (see picture).  The classic look is an essential for anyone's wardrobe, but is not always easy to make this look chic.  Here are top five tips to help you with the riding boots situation.  Overall, anyone can wear them, but the new sensations don't come cheap.

How to...

Tip 1:  Tucking them into some dark rinse jeans, leggings, or pairing them with a nice skirt is great!  Be sure to listen to your instincts, and pick the right color for your boots.  Be sure to let them show at all costs.

Tip 2:  Make an classic look pairing with a crisp white oxford shirt, over a nice blazer (Search "Constance Billard's Guide to Style").  It makes the entire look clean, but still give an outfit with a little edge if you add a urban scarf.

Tip 3:  Keep you coats above the knee, maybe even to your thighs.  It hiding the look, it'll make the outfit a mess.  You won't be able to them, and it'll make you look shorter.  A nice fur trimmed hooded parka is perfect!

Tip 4:  Long and lean.  Another little secret is that it makes you look taller.  It really shows off your legs, and provides a flirty look for anyone.

Tip 5:  Brands are not always true as they say they are.  Be careful you are making the right decision when picking your boots.  Overpriced is not always the way to go, but underpriced may be as well too cheap.  Just be warned that you have to be sure that these will last you forever.  I can say that the look may not be in style for a long period of time, but trends comes back into fashion eventually :-).  

The Blake Also Rises

With her trademark long blonde hair, and how tall she is, Blake is so recognizable in a second! Not only that, but stars on the hit teen series "Gossip Girl" who she plays the It girl Serena van der Woodsen. Already with 3 wins, and 1 nomination, big things are soon to come from this rising actress. So you think she had it all right? Dead, wrong. Lively had gone through some tough times during high school while she was filming the movie "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." She quotes, "In High School, there are so many cliques. You're never safe. In between my junior and senior years, I went away to film Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and I came back ready to do things with my friends that we always did, but things change. People get older, and there are some inside jokes that you don't know about that have happened. You feel lost for a while, and it's hard to come back from that. Then the friends who have 'replaced' you are territorial. I've experienced that a little bit. There are catty, insecure, and gossipy girls everywhere, but for me, I don't think it's a matter of any of them being genuinely bad at heart. I just think maybe the different ways in which people are raised make them different and insecure. They point out the bad things in others just to make themselves feel better. It's everywhere." Look where she's come from? Being a strong woman she is now, we can all look up to her like that. Being proud of who she is, and confident enough Blake will always have a smile on her lips! She's not just another actress, she knows the whole feeling about cliques and high school. And the quote pretty much sums it all up. In the picture, Blake is photographed in just a simple white shirt paired with some black pants and great printed heels. With her personality shining through, she still looks like a goddess! Do you think her outfit is cheap or chic?

No More Ask Jeeves...

Ready for your fashion and beauty crises to be answered?  It's extremely easy now!  With one click of your button, click style.  Provided by Style Network, you get every other day of the week a new question answered by the "Style Spy."  It's just like that!  Another fun little cool gadget to have on your Mac (if you have one), there's a cool widget called Ask Style.  It's free, and so helpful!  I use on my computer everyday!  Just click Ask Style and you'll be at your upload page!  Good Luck all fashion glamazons!

*Here's your lucky preview of the widget!

A Girl Like Her

From a the an action-packed book series, I had gotten an exclusive interview with our very own Lisa Barham writer of The Fashion Forward Adventures of Imogene which is by far one of my favorite series!  On the right is a picture of her new novel!  Fashion has a huge impact on the book, and so does Lisa's life.  Here's the amazing interview.  And feel free to post a comment on who you want me interview.  Here it is:

Q:  How did you get your first job in fashion?

A:  I went to F.I.T. (Fashion Institute of Technology) in NYC.  They have an amazing placement office, and often get first dibs on fashion industry job openings.  While still in school, I consulted with the placement office after school and weekend jobs (anything to break into the fashion business).  I was frequently a dresser at designer shows, an intern at some of NYC's biggest dept. stores, and in a few 7th Avenue showrooms.  Not long after I graduated [and] I took a job at a Fashion Forecasting Service.  The rest is history.

Q:  How would you describe your personal style?

A:  Personal Style.  For one thing, I am a pack rat--I have a slew of Manolo Blahnik shoes that are anywhere between five and fifteen years old, vintage Levis, some great designer pieces, faux Lacroix jewelry, etc.  I don't buy a lot of clothes.  But I do love special pieces.  I'd never want to go out looking as it I was styled.  I think it's very important to be yourself, and let your style develop over time.

Q:  What stores and websites do you love to shop?

A:  I don't shop very much, but when I do, I'm at Jeffrey, in NYC--one of my fave shops.  I also like discovering little, out of the way shops, that not everyone knows about I also love to swap things with my friends.  That's a blast!

Q:  What fall trend are loving?

A:  I am loving the black lace trend for the day I see cropping up.  It looks like 1950's cocktail evening--but for the day!

Q:  Where did you get inspiration for your book series?

A:  The inspiration really came largely from my experience working for a fashion forecasting company and then later, in the entertainment business.  When you live and work in a big city, in the fashion industry and the entertainment industry, you do come across more than a few interesting people and situations.  Some of that clearly left a lasting impression, so I guess you could say that I had a bit of real life inspiration.

Q:  Any obsessions lately?

A:  Obsessions?  Moi?  OMG, dear heart don't get me started.  I'm obsessssssssssssed with fashion!  Designers, clothes, accessories.  The list is endless.  Though, now that fashion week is over, my heart stop beating so fast.  I'm kidding (er, mostly).

Last Questions (sigh). 

Q:  What is your #1 tip for girls and women out there?

A:  I think I'd go back to answer number 2.  Relax.  Just be yourself.  Don't try to be someone you're not.  Find out who you really are and be true to that, and be proud of who you are.

Fashion-forwardly yours,

Lisa

What I Spied With My Little Eye

I had my take on the Spring fashion shows, and would like to give you a little tip on what's hot next spring.  Already, the whole southern belle look is a given for me, and I am stocking up from the latest cowboy boots, hats, wide leg jeans, and much more!  This week, each day, I'll report our designer of the day!  Hermes is our lucky winner!!!  Congrats to an awesome collection!  And yes, it's so chic, you just can't get enough of it!  The collection is all inspired from jet-setter style, to classic rodeo it was full of endless possibilities.  Immensely, it made a huge statement in the fashion industry.  I saw this was an irreplaceable collection, and wouldn't change a thing.  So what is next for Hermes?  It's too late to tell, but good things will come all.

*The favorite looks of Hermes' Spring '09

Compulsive Shopper Much?

Based the best-selling novels by Sophie Kinsella, now Confessions of a Shopaholic is now a post production.  Rebecca Bloomwood is an over obsessed and compulsive shopper who lives for fashion.  She has it all, until she runs into a wall.  Suddenly her credit card gets declined, and is now in search of a job.  When a posistion opens at a savings magazine, things seem to look up, but not for long.  Starring Isla Fisher (Definitely, Maybe) comes a story about finding yourself.  The movie touches everyone's heart.  Opens in theaters in February of 2009.

*For All Fans of The Devil Wears Prada, and the famous Shopaholic series! 

You Are So Lucky

Why is that so many average women have trouble picking their own personal style.  Everything has a label, and if it didn't, how would we live in this 3-D world?  My guess, it that they take no time to think about how to conquer fashion.  Style is one of those things that is yours.  No one can take it from you, even if why are people judge.  So why am I bringing this up do you ask?  I'm taking the time let you know all these questions of yours (and mine) will be solved.  Welcome to The Lucky Guide:  Mastering Any Style.  Everything from the punk rocker, american classic, and my favorite euro chic.  This is another well-written and helpful book from the authors of the best selling book Lucky Shopping Manual Kim France and Andrea Linett.  In the book, you'll learn how to conquer each style, but make it personal, and you!  It also includes their number one picks for best stores and websites of each style, our favorite celebs who pulled what style off, and just fabulous tips that will encourage you so much to pursue a style.  Already, so many people are on the waiting list for this guide, and of course I am waiting just like the rest of them.  The guide hit the stores and websites on October 7.  Check out www.amazon.com now to pre-order your shipment of the memorable guide to mastering any style.  

*These are various covers of The Lucky Guide:  To Mastering Any Style

O.M.G for O.P.I

Major Beauty Alert!  While I was shopping on today, I searched the mall high and low for something to wow all of you.  Done, done, and done.  Sephora has a new product, that is so cool. Not only that, but has stocked up on it with tons of colors!  That's right, it's O.P.I. nail polish.  As you know of course, O.P.I. is one of the best nail polishes out there.  This nail polish is $9, and all though may be pricey for some of you, it's way more worth than Chanel's or Dior's. Unfortunately, I was unable to get myself one (sigh), but here are some of the fall must-have's of their colors.  Starting from the left:  What's a Tire Jack?, Opening Night, Caffeine Fix, Brunette on the Internet,  Run With It!