fffabulous

vera bradley cosmetic pochette

Every woman I know carries a cosmetic pochette in their purse for regular touch-up. Those pochettes always come in all forms and sizes, and it's always fun to discover new ones. Although I LOVE my Louis Vuitton Pochette Cosmétique, I thought that Miss Erica's new make-up pochette was super extra cute. It is roomy and, to quote her, it matches her LV purse. How perfffect!

"I noticed my mom's Vera Bradley Caffe Latte Large Bow Cosmetic pouch, and I thought the pattern was simply irresistible. I especially loved that it would match perfectly with my Louis Vuitton Horizontal Lockit Purse. But in contrast to LV's, you won't have to break your wallet to buy Vera Bradley. I was more than pleased pay only 21 bucks for the georgeous, super cute Caffe Latte Medium Cosmetic. It is the perfect size, and I won't ever have to worry about liquid or creams accidentally spilling with its plastic lining. And even with lining, you can still throw this pouch in the washer if it gets dirty, as long as you don't put it in the dryer. What's not to love about it?"

fffaqs: which color? which size?

Hey miss fffabulous!

How are you? Those gorgeous shoes are on sale!!! What color should I get first? nude or black? I typically wear a 8, but it seems they are out of 8's. Since they have an open toe, do you think I can wear a 7 1/2? My feet are more on the narrow side. Do you know where can I go to try these on for size?

I really enjoy your fffabulous site! Keep up the good work!

Tina (Erica's Mama)

Hi Tina,

Nice to hear from you! Although I love my pair of black Dior pumps, I would probably go with the nude pair because it's still summertime, and they will look great with pair of jeans and white or other neutral tops. It's also easier to find a pair of black shoes than to find a pair of nude shoes that look this great! As for the size, I think getting them in 7.5 should be okay; I am on the 38.5+ size while my friend is on the 38.5- side, and she wished she had ordered them a size smaller because as any other shoes, they do stretch. Or, as you suggested, go to Neiman Marcus and try a pair of Dior shoes. From my experience, they all do fit the same. And, if you find out that 38 is the size you need, keep an eye out for your size just in case they do restock in the near future; or get them in black as they are still available in 38. Hope this helps!

--miss fffabulous

fabiola molina workout bikinis

If you've been watching the Beijing Olympics as much as I have, you must be dreaming of swimming, swimming, and more swimming; in addition to fantasizing about sleeping, sleeping, and even more sleeping (Personally, I am totally sleep deprived. Argh!). You might also consider getting a fancy swimsuit that is made for swimming, while looking fashionable and sexy. Now, no one wants maxi tan lines while getting in great shape, because that would totally defeat the purpose of being extra fffabulous! Well, since the day I met Miss Erica, she's been raving about the Fabiola Molina swimsuits, and I may just have to get one already! Here is why:

"We all know that the best bikinis come from Brazilian brands, right? Well, make sure you add Fabiola Molina to the list, too. What I love about Fabiolina Molina is the range of versatility this brand has to offer. I used to train for hours on end when I was a competitive swimmer, and the last thing you want is an unsightly swimsuit tan. But of course, I would never train in something that I fear would fall off every time I flip turned or pushed off the wall. So that's why the Sunkini line was so popular among my teammates and I; they minimized tan lines yet magically stayed on us, even at sprinting speeds or off the diving blocks! Plus, they are super cute, too. I prefer the Polyamide Sunkini suits for training because they are highly chlorine resistant, therefore they don't fade easily or go thin.

However, for those who don't spend hours in the pool each day and who just want a hot and sexy suit, Fabiola Molina also offers a bikini line, which features countless combinations of different swim suit styles, colors, and patterns. The possibilities are endless! Oh, and it doesn't hurt that these suits are super affordable...about 50 bucks or less for a bikini!"

fffabulous sale: dior cannage patent pump on eluxury.com

My favorite shoes of all times are on sale! Yes, it's too bad that I paid full price for the three pairs I already own (although I would be tempted to get another pair if they ever came in another color), but I thought my girlfriends —who tried mine and were wowed by their comfort and heel stability—might be tempted to join the Christian Dior peep toe pump club now that they're on sale for $309, instead of $515.

For those who haven't followed fffabulous.com from its beginning, you ought to know that these Diors were my first designer shoes splurge, and there hasn't been a single week since May 2007 when I haven't worn them. I wear my black pumps with anything from designer jeans to a little black dress, during any season from summer to winter (hooray for the California weather!), and for any occasion from work to weddings or even for a night of dancing. Your feet will just be happy in these pumps!!! And I love these Diors so much that I got one pair in nude last spring, as well as a second pair in black just in case my old ones ever let me down. If I were you, I'd get one pair, or two!

If you know of any other shoes that are that versatile, in addition to being so classy and sexy, please drop us a line in the comment section...they may end up being my next splurge.

1 sharon segal dress = 3 fffabulous styles

It's Sharon Segal once again, and this time, it's a Sharon Segal dress! The Sharon Segal Romance Dress is one of the best purchases I have made this summer (along with a couple of Sharon Segal tees, of course). This sleeveless tank dress with a gathered band at the empire waist is very simple, but just like any little black dress, it is the most versatile piece of clothing ever. Click here to read more on how to find the perfect little black dress.

I have been wearing this Romance Dress in black with my Citizens white jeans and my black Dior peep toe shoes at work, and it sure does make a statement —the black and white combo is so classy! I have also worn this dress as a dress (duh!) over and over again during my last vacation with Havaianas flip flops to go to the beach, and again, with my Dior peep toe shoes to go out at night. And despite that, I managed to carry a very heavy suitcase just fine. Ha!

I just wish I had bought it in another color; the electric blue color is quite nice and goes well with jeans and capri jeans. Oh well...next time!

a fffabulous purse

I love checking out Gucci goodies at the Gucci store, whether it is downtown or at the international airport (duty free!). My girlfriends and I decided to go have a look at their purses and sunglasses before the Sex and the City screening (gotta get in the mood, you know?). At the store, I asked to try out the 'pelham' medium shoulder bag. One of my colleagues owns one, and I fell for it right when I saw it; it is such a lovely and classy purse! Although it is a Gucci purse —and you can see that it is one just by looking at the beautiful guccissima leather— it doesn't scream Gucci. Wow, can you believe I am actually saying this after owning so many Louis that do scream LV all over? I love this purse's egg-shell white color, not only because it won't get as easily dirty as a white white purse, but also because you can wear this purse with any outfit and even in wintertime. I know I would. This purse also has a very beautiful lining with shades of green, red and brown (the Gucci colors), and one of my girlfriends was wowed by just the lining itself.  And last but not least, it looks like it already belongs to me on the picture, doesn't it?

In this picture, I am also wearing my weekend favorites: the Sharon Segal flower burnout tank top in white, Kelly Nishimoto's cute bootie pants in pink, and Lisa T. fine jewelry chain and cross pendant.

american eagle boyfriend tank

Tank tops are just so practical to wear in the summer, and they usually add a touch a sexyness to a very casual outfit. Miss Erica was wearing a tank top from American Eagle the other day, and it looked just too cute and super comfy, too. Plus, I love this tank's name!

"I normally don't shop at American Eagle, but I saw the Women's AE Boyfriend Tanks on sale and figured they would make a great basic. When I tried on one of the tops, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was actually good quality and super flattering, and you just cant argue with that for only 15 bucks! The material is breathable and stretchy, and it will fit any figure while holding you in (much like lululemon stuff!). It's the perfect tank for layering underneath clothes, or you can wear it plain and simple by itself. This tank is so basic and practical that I consider it a necessity; thus, I stocked up and bought it in green, blue, and pink. I would have definitely bought one in black, and of course, white, had they not sold out of these colors!"

fffabulous sale: botkier flat sandals at shopbop.com

My girlfriend Lisa was wearing the cutest flats yesterday. These Botkier Ginger Metallic Ring Flat Sandals looked absolutely fffabulous with a pair of shorts and a tank top, but they would look also great with a long summer dress or a pair of jeans. And they are on sale!!! Hurry up before they run out of these fffabulous flats!

frey wille bangles

Bangles are hot this season. And bright colors are too. I absolutely love the Louis Vuitton bangle, and I just came across an equally cute one from Frey Wille: the Heavenly Joy Diva Bangle...although the Endless Love Diva Bangle is extremely cute, too. The Frey Wille Heavenly Joy Diva Bangle is very colorful and big —don't get shy when it comes to accessories 'cause that's what they are here for— and it is made of gold and multi-colored enamel. It is a nice piece that you'll surely wear for many years to come and with more outfits than you'd ever think possible. The only con, in my opinion, is that it's not recommended that you stack a Frey Wille bangle with another one or even a few gold bangles you may already own because you'd risk damaging its enamel. But if you do get one of their larger bangles (my very favorites), it'll surely make quite a statement on its own.

the saint tropez way

I bought one Kiwi bikini about two years ago: I was checking out bikinis in a store in the South of France that was selling only bikinis (and I remember being totally overwhelmed by it) when I came across the Kiwi brand for the first time. I had found one bikini that not only suited me perfectly, but it was also red (yay for the Baywatch look!) and on sale, too. And it doesn't hurt that Kiwi is a Saint Tropez brand. Since then, I always check for new models from this brand and never get disappointed. I love their tops' triangle shape the best; it is classic yet sexy, while providing great coverage. Some also have discreet Swarovski crystals ornaments, which adds a nice touch on a plain colored bikini. This year, I got this very new chocolate brown/savane marron kiwi bikini and I love it!

sharon segal flower burnout tank

I did some major damage to my credit card when I went to the Sharon Segal trunk show at romi boutique back in May. Three words summarized my experience there: I loved everything! Not only did I get the chance to meet Sharon Segal herself, I also had the opportunity to pick the shape and color of all the Sharon Segal tops I wanted to wear this summer. What a delight!

One of the tops I chose was this flower burnout tank top in white. Yes, it is 'just' white and quite simple, but I absolutely love it.  A white tank top is always elegant yet practical because it goes with everything from a pair of blue jeans or capri jeans to fancy sweatpants or white jeans for an all-white look. However, the flower burnout detail adds a very nice touch to what may appear to be a simple white tank top. I usually wear mine on top of a plain white Splendid tank top, but sometimes I wear it with a colorful tank top to give it a different look. Gotta love Sharon Segal!

isis dei case

Miss Erica is infatuated with her laptop; so much that, in addition to adding a fancy Isis Dei Zebra Skin, which protects her MacBook from scratches while keeping it stylish, she spoiled it with an Isis Dei fancy case:

"I purchased a new Macbook a couple weeks ago, and I've been stoked about it ever since. Not only is the laptop phenomenal in terms of function, it looks sooo sheek and cool—it makes me excited just to look at it! (I know, I'm such a nerd!). Now the last thing I want to worry about is damaging my new toy when I carry it around, so I immediately hopped on the web to find some cool cases for my computer. I came across The Nouveau cover by Isis Dei, and it didn't take me long to click that 'Purchase' button! I love how it is black (so it won't get dirty) but has some cool originality with the cool 'nouveau' pattern. This cover fits my Macbook snugly and has a memory-foam inner protection, yet it isn't bulky. Oh, and I learned that they have a neoprene version of this that is also water-repellent too! I love it!"

the purse of my dreams

The Hermès Birkin purse, named for singer/actress Jane Birkin, is THE purse of my dreams. It's a classic yet very modern looking purse, and depending on the size you get, you can either wear it as a very nice evening purse or as a practical everyday purse, the J Lo or Julia Roberts way. The 'problem' (besides its price, but who is looking when it comes to Hermès? You'll wear it your entire life and so will your daughter later on) is that most Hermès stores don't have any for sale: they get sold as soon as they get in. And trust me, I've been to the ones in Boston and San Francisco, and many of the stores in France, and every time I get the same exact answer: you've got to put your name on the waiting list and come pick it up as soon it arrives. That's how popular the Birkin purse is! You don't even have a choice in color; you just get the color that 'gets in'. But since it's such a classy purse, it looks great in any shade...Victoria Beckham, a.k.a. Posh Spice, owns it in a million colors (may I borrow just one, pleeease?), Kimora Lee Simmons recommends getting one in a bold color such as pink or the amazing Hermès orange (I'd totally go for these colors!), and Carrie sports a light green one in crocodile in the Sex and the City movie. Oh, I SO want one!

cinderella shoes

These Manolo Blahnik Something Blue Satin Pumps are THE Manolos of the Sex and the City movie. And, in my opinion, they couldn't have found a better pair of Manolos for this movie; but yet again, if you ever have the chance to go to Barney's and check out their Manolo Blahnik shoes, you'll want them all because they are all equally gorgeous, yet they are unique and totally timeless. My absolute favorites are the Manolo Blahnik high heel leopard shoes and the Manolo Blahnik patent leather open toe mary jane.

Going back to the movie, I love these cobalt blue satin shoes because they are like a fine pair of jewelry with the crystal broach detail, with the advantage that you can walk in them. Ha! I also love the cobalt blue color - I have a big thing for the Klein Blue in general, and my love for blue jeans may just be another reason why I love it so much. And the heel...oh the heel! Do I need to even mention how fffantastic Manolo heels are? You can buy a pair of Manolo shoes without even trying them on because that heel -even a 4 1/4" heel- is as stable as ever. Note that Manolos run small, so always get a half size larger than you typically wear.

I would consider buying these gorgeous Manolo Blahnik Something Blue Satin Pumps because they'd go with everything, from a pair of jeans to a little white suit (wink wink), and even with a very nice looking man called Mr. BIG.

get a glow with aveeno

Off season, I am a big fan of the Comodynes Self Tanning Towelettes for Face & Body, and when the summer comes, I enjoy laying down in the sun -in moderation and with my sunscreen on- to get a nice glow. Lately, I became intrigued when my girlfriends kept talking about Aveeno Active Naturals Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion, saying that it was the best tan enhancer ever. My friend Dee, a fffabulous designer who also designed our fffabulous logo (to be unveiled soon), sent me this small blurb about why she loves this Aveeno moisturizing lotion so much. Aside from being convinced that I should be using this lotion from now on, I enjoyed every word of her review...gosh, Dee is really talented!

"Dear fffabulous Editor:

I am thoroughly enjoying the sun as I sit on my balcony watching the sky turn wonderful shades of blue while reading fffabulous. I wanted to take a moment to comment not so much on summer as to what happens post summer. Right now many people are skipping off to the sand and soaking up sun to get that tan they so love. The smart people however are absorbing less UV and looking to creams to enhance that sunny glow. But post summer, we see too many celebs and friends walking around with that splotchy orange day-glow look that simply reeks of botched self tanning job.

I wanted to mention however that I am one of those perpetually tanned people due to my ethnic background whom many people always proclaim, "I wish I had your skin color!" Well I have a secret too. Women of color and even of darker complexions can use self tanning products to even out their skin tone for a flawless look and an amazing glow. I personally swear by Aveeno Active Naturals Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion. Not only does it work gradually but you can dial up the darkness of the tan. Women of colour have a better go at using self tanners because our skin absorbs more of what turns our fairer friends orange.

So I say don't be afraid of using self tanning creams regardless of your skin tone and don't forget the gloves! I highly recommend Aveeno's product to be added to your list of fffabulous products.

-Miss Dee"

charlotte wears eres

I am currently vacationing in Nice, and what to do while on vacation in Nice? Go to the beach and soak up the sun like no other of course! Lucky me! There is also the option to pay a visit to the Brangelina twins; that may come later during my stay. Ha!

So I haven't bought a swimsuit in 2 years, and it is about time I get a new one. I still have yet to buy a Salinas swimsuit or Rosa Cha bikini that my Brazilian girlfriends recommended to me; but when in Rome, do like the Romans do. Plus, I am French, so it's another good reason to shop French! One of the most famous brands for swimwear here is Eres. I have long fantasized about owning one of their legendary bikinis but never bought one. The fact that Charlotte wears the Niko Milla Bandeau swimsuit from the Eres Swimwear 2008 line in the Sex and the City movie makes it even more tempting to splurge on a nice swimsuit that looks like candy (I love the pinkish-mauve Idole color). I am usually not that into one-piece swimsuits, but this one is too adorable to pass up. Plus, I love the lacing on the front and the fact that this bandeau suit comes with a removable strap. Hooray for minimal tan lines!

a lil bit dramatic

Dang, does it feel good not to be the only one to succumb to romi boutique's newest finds and splurge on yet another cute tee. Masami got another adorable top there and one that I don't already have. Hmmm, is that even possible? Apparently, yes. I absolutely love the LITTLE BIT tees featuring cartoon characters such as Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny and other characters from the Flintstones. Here is the one Masami got:

"After my shopping spree in Manhattan this summer, I promised I was done... but I guess I was wrong! When I saw this vintage-style adorable pink Tee at Romi's boutique in San Francisco, I couldn't resist heading to the fitting room. Growing up, my two fave cartoons were the Flintstones and Casper and I religiously took my daily Flintstones vitamins, I'm serious! Of course this LITTLE BIT DRAMATIC tee with "Pebbles" embellished with orange crystallized Swarovski elements could not go back to the shelf. I HAD TO HAVE IT!! The soft cotton and distressed fabric-look goes so well with my jeans. I was all smiles on my new acquisition. And isn't the LIL' BIT DRAMATIC line funny too?"

love keychain

What's not to like about the LOVE keychain Miss Louise from St. Louis sports in the Sex and the City movie? Nothing! Although, I did do some research and concluded that this beautiful keychain was totally out of my budget. The LOVE keychain was custom created by H.Stern specifically for the movie and costs a small fortune. Check out the June/July 2008 edition of the H.Stern e-magazine to view all the H.Stern beautiful custom made pieces of jewelry that Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte wear in the movie. The LOVE keychain is on page 6!

Anyway, I am not a big fan of knock-offs in general, but when my friend Masami sent me this link to a cheaper version of the LOVE keychain (Masami is so resourceful!), I had to feature it 'in the name of love'. Not only is it affordable, it is also really cute, big (no more excuses to lose your keys; that comment is for me, eh eh!), and it simply says LOVE. And all we need is love, right?

fffabulous sale: j brand love story jean

Although J Brand is famous for its skinny jeans, the J Brand Love Story Bellbottom Jean is the pair that all the celebrities wear—from Kate Moss and Paris Hilton to Katherine Heigl and Courteney Cox. Now that's hot! And don't you all love it when the most fffamous pair of jeans on Earth is on sale?

These jeans just fit perfectly: they make the perfect butt and the longest legs with the flare legs and 35 inch inseam. And the lapis dark blue wash and the charcoal/dark grey wash are perfect for this Fall. Both are classic and will go a long way with any shirt and pumps or any sweater and boots in your wardrobe.

it's fffabulous SATC week

A couple of weeks ago, I watched the Sex and the City movie for the third time (I know it's crazy, but I love this movie even more each time I see it), and I realized that I have dropped the ball BIG TIME on featuring all the cool stuff Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte wear and carry around in the movie. So here it is. Once again, it's fffabulous SATC week for all of you fffabulous fffashionistas. Yay!

I absolutely love the white Chanel purse Charlotte carries when they arrive in Mexico – btw, don't you all love how they travel with such fancy hats, dresses, and heels? I'd so be wearing my sweatpants and flip flops! Anyway, one of my girlfriends owns that Chanel purse in black and it is adorable. It is very similar to the Chanel Medium Lux Tote: it is classic (of course, it's a Chanel) with a modern twist with its unstructured shape. Aaaah! I so want it! Unfortunately, I couldn't find it anywhere (Chanel purses are so hard to find), and I may be tempted to ‘borrow’ the Chanel Medium Lux Tote on Bag Borrow or Steal just for the sake of carrying a Chanel purse around for a week. Plus, all my Louis need to get used to the idea they have to cohabit with a Chanel, and that can't happen overnight, right? Ha!

And, here is a fun poll for you!

chanel gold fiction

When I hear something is 'limited edition', I usually get ecstatic and want it even more. Crazy, huh? It worked once again and this time, for the right reasons. Vicky and I went to get our nails done last weekend, and the nail salon had all shades of the Chanel's limited edition nail polish. My very favorite was the Chanel Facette d'Or Gold Fiction nail polish. How can you not feel like a million bucks when you wear this on your toes AND fingernails??? Everything you walk on or touch becomes sacred (at least in my book). And if you also wear the Huile Prodigieuse® Or from Nuxe, oh my! You're a queen!

Chanel released two other limited edition colors that are equally adorable: the Fantastic color (or should I say fffantastic? Eh eh), which is a subtle plumby red that is perfect for the summer, and the Kaleidoscope color, which is a metallic dark gray that'd look great in the fall, especially if coupled with a metallic purse.

Oh, and I ended up choosing the Chanel Orange Blossom nail polish. This color is absolutely delicious, just like candy. I'll wear Gold Fiction next and Kaleidoscope just after that.

fffabulous.com in flock gloss

Hey guys! No fancy clothes featured today, so you won't have one more reason to spend the big bucks on that insanely expensive pair of jeans I got. Ha!

I nonetheless have some great news to announce. Flock, the social Web browser that helps users connect, discover, and share the best of the Web, released its new Gloss Edition today. And fffabulous.com is one of the 13 default fashion websites (lucky 13!) featured in their Fashion and Beauty Favorites Menu, along with Bellasugar, InStyle, Glam and Fabsugar. Yay!

The Gloss Edition, which will center on fashion, celebrity news and entertainment, is just like any other browser (think Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari) but with a fashion twist to it, as it features media streams for fashion interviews, red carpet events and the latest styles from the industry's top brands. InStyle, Glam.com, ThisNext and Popsugar.com are just a few of the partners that are now one click away for fashionistas, gossip hounds and celeb worshipers to get more of what they love, including profiles of the next best designers, who Angelina is adopting and how to dress for fall. Women in the workplace, at home, in school and around the globe are already visiting these sites daily; now they can access them all in one place at Flock and be the first to know when Matthew McConaughey finally puts his shirt back on, or when George Clooney decides to settle down.

Check out fffabulous.com in Flock Gloss' Fashion and Beauty Favorites Menu and enjoy!!!

Flock Gloss Edition Browser is available as a free software download for Mac, PC and Linux at http://www.flock.com/gloss.

fffabulous sale: anlo drew trouser jeans

It's fffabulous sale time again! Yay! I am usually not a big fan of sales because I've noticed that I either buy clothes that I don't need or I just don't love them as much as clothes I've had a big crush on (you know, that love at first sight thingy?). But my metaphysical ramblings on sales shall be addressed in a later post because I have something very important to talk about.

I went to romi boutique the other day to help a friend find a cool pair of jeans, and I ended up with this gorgeous and super trendy pair of Anlo jeans. Adios, shopping diet! I totally fell for the Anlo Drew Trouser Jeans in Abyss and for a lot of reasons: these jeans have a super nice dark wash, a great trouser-style tab waist, and a wide leg that will flatter any figure. And the high waist is not too high, so don't get scared because you're gonna love it! These jeans also have a few perks I couldn't ignore: they are super long (34" inseam), have fffabulous button details (my girlfriends could tell they were Anlos right away), and they make a great butt (my friends noticed this right away too. Ha!). These jeans are ON SALE, too, for $132 from $220. Nice! And they are so cute that as soon as my friend Vicky saw them on me, she wanted a pair for herself. She tried mine on to check out the fit and size, and she was sold immediately. Not to mention that her order is already in. Doesn't this tell something?

Oh, and talking about sizing, these trouser jeans size big, so get a size smaller than you usually wear for a perfect fit. As an example, I wear a size 27 in Citizens and a size 28 in 1921, and I got these jeans in size 26 and they fit perfectly. Go get them now before they run out!

dress up your macbook

Miss Erica followed my advice and got a MacBook of her own. But I may be the one who follows her advice now that she has taken it a step further by personalizing her brand new Macbook laptop with an animal print skin. I may even get the exact same zebra print skin, since the leopard print skin is nowhere to be found!

"I've recently left behind my old PC for a Macbook, and let me tell you, the transition has been very smooth. My new Macbook is just wonderful to me—it looks good, behaves well, and is 13''. But better yet, I get to style my new baby up! So I bought the Isis Dei Zebra Skin online, which is made out of high quality PET plastic and reversed silk screened for extra protection. It can be applied and removed super smoothly without leaving any sticky residue; so if my computer ever needs a new outfit, I can easily switch it up. Not only is this skin a good way to protect my laptop from scratches, it looks absolutely stunning! The zebra print looks truly amazing; it is stylish and blends perfectly with any Macbook, black or white. I was immediately sold just by looking at pictures of it! Now my Macbook gets to be well-protected and well-dressed! It's great!"

twill twenty two tee

My friend Masami happened to stop by the mall after the gym and bought this very adorable Twill Twenty Two short cap sleeve tee . She liked it so much that after she bought it in pink, she went back to the store to get it in navy blue! This tee is totally adorable, super comfy (100% cotton), and fits perfectly; plus, it goes with everything. And I love the rhinestone buttons that give this tee a nice sophisticated touch without being over the top.

Masami wore her pink tee with a white pair of jeans last weekend and the navy blue tee at work with a nice pair of dark jeans. Both looked amazing, but I especially love the navy blue tee. I am always in black in the winter, and navy blue is a nice alternative for the summer; it is a neutral and it is super classy. And it goes very well with dark jeans. Now I'm gonna have to watch more closely for new stuff from Twill Twenty Two!

fffabulous sale: restoration hardware towels

I always love popping into a Restoration Hardware store to check out their newest stuff (this is actually how I found the perfect Christmas gift last winter, and it was a big hit!). I love their bathroom décor: it is super cute, well equipped with all sort of fancy mirrors, containers, candles, etc., and very well color coordinated with their bath linen collections. I bought the Ultimate Turkish Towels in red a couple of years ago and I still love them so much to this day! And I was happy to hear from my friend Natala that there is a 20% sale on these towels through August 3rd. "Here are some notes on why I love the Restoration Hardware Ultimate Turkish Towels:

• Plushness: these towels are truly plush and luxurious feeling. They are thick and you feel warm when wrapped up in them -- but they aren't so heavy that you feel like if the towel isn't fully tucked it will fall off.
• Wear over time: I have been impressed with how they last -- they dry quickly (so they don't smell damp or moldy) and the color hasn't faded on my towels year after year of use.
• Color selection: I really appreciate that they have committed to a standardized color palette -- that they maintain year after year. It allows me to buy more towels in sky every year during the annual sale.

From a price comparison, I think when on sale, these towels are a deal. High quality towels can be spendy, but these are approachably priced with that 20% discount at $40 for a bath sheet. Those bath sheets are just awesome too."

lisa t fine jewelry

I thought I'd talk about one of the most fffabulous splurges I've done lately. I went to Lisa T.'s private party last May and fell for the most gorgeous chain and diamond cross pendant; but I didn't feel too bad for two reasons: 1. it is drop dead gorgeous and goes with everything; it nicely dresses up any Sharon Segal tee I wear, and it even looks great with a white tank top and sweatpants on weekends; and 2. my friend Masami bought a superb morganite (light pink) and diamond platinum cocktail ring, which she wears every single day; she  gets complimented for it all the time. So worth it!

You can find Lisa T. fine jewelry at the BellaRosa boutique in Los Gatos, and you will easily fall for any of her handmade 18k pave eternity bands (a specialty) or fashionable bangles that I would love to eventually stack.  All her pieces of jewelry are so classy yet modern, custom-made, and simply unique. I'm sure you'll find the perfect ring, necklace or bracelet that was handcrafted just for you! And I already have my eyes on this white gold necklace with unique pave links because it'll look fffreaking fffabulous on me, and diamonds are a girl's best friend!

Pictured here are Lisa T.'s most popular stacking bands ($600 each). You can get one at a time and stack'em up!

jawbone bluetooth headset

If you live in California, you should already know – and maybe the hard way – that since July 1st, you can't talk on the phone while driving unless you are using a hands-free device. I have never used a headset before, and I was motivated to find a good AND fancy one. I came across Jawbone and fell for their gold 'goldy lips' bluetooth headset. It is absolutely gorgeous, functions very well (just remember to have the Voice Activated Sensor rest on your cheek), and people might mistakenly think it is a Louis Vuitton headset (okay, they know me too well!). Also, the Jawbone bluetooth headset comes with 3 sizes of earbuds and 2 sizes of earloops for you to customize your fit. I love it so much that I don't want to take it off...and I was one of these people who used to say: 'take it off, you all look like robots with this on!'. Ha! The only 'issue' I have is that I need to remember to charge one more device when I get home. And I'm not good at remembering these things. Oh well!

And to add to the perks, you can get $20 off your Jawbone headset if you've already gotten a ticket for talking on the phone while driving – now that's smart marketing right there! To get your discount, go to the hands free ticket processor page, enter your state and ticket number, and click on 'process ticket'. You're in for the discount. Yay!

it's iphone day!

I broke my iPhone on June 6th after dropping it one too many times, but the fateful timing of it all couldn't have been better since the upcoming release of the iPhone 3G was announced the following Monday. It hasn't been easy switching back to my old phone, and I can't wait to have a new iPhone. Hopefully I'll get one today. Who knows!

I already love this new iPhone for the following reasons: although my late iPhone saved my life on many occasions with its driving directions capability, I am eager to test and take advantage of the GPS feature on the iPhone 3G. And even though it doesn't seem too big of a deal, I *love* the flush earphone jack on the new iPhone. I couldn't listen to the music on my old iPhone in my car because the plug wouldn't fit. Not anymore. Yay! Last but not least, I am ready to finally personalize my iPhone with a super fancy background--the Louis Vuitton background, that is (pictured here). I know I am pushing it, but isn't that what fashionistas do?

johnny was la dress

My friend Hilary was wearing this Johnny Was LA Embroidered Jersey Dress the other day, and I don’t think she could have looked any cuter. I liked that she was wearing it as a tunic with a trendy pair of jeans –- it's definitely more practical to run after the kids—and it was overall very stylish. The V neckline and the fact that it is smocked at the waist make for a perfect fit and will flatter any figure. And I absolutely love the multicolor floral and bird embroidery; the word "love" is embroidered across the mid-back, which reminds me of a more mature and classy, less rockstar-ish Ed Hardy style. Definitely a must-have for this season!