fffabulous

small town jeans

I have found yet another pair of jeans that I couldn't ignore. A lady was trying on a pair of those Small Town jeans at the Bella Rosa boutique last weekend, and they looked so cute that I couldn't resist trying them on too. And I was so committed not to buy anything that day!!! Argh!

Small Town has the cutest jeans for this summer season. They are super fitted with a flare leg (makes a great butt!), super slimming, and super long, too. This isn' t mentioned on the jeans description page, but they are –at least—37'' long. But that means your legs will just look that much longer, especially paired with some nice high wedges or heels. Super flattering!

I think you should try them out (order one size bigger than you usually wear as those size small), and I am sure you won't be able to resist the temptation either. They are truly...well, super!

cute booty pants

If you have me figured out, you should already know that if I'm not wearing my weekend capris, I am probably wearing fancy sweatpants. And that's why I bought yet another pair to add to my collection! Yay! After owning a pair of sweats in blue, black, and white, I found a new pair of totally adorable sweatpants at the Bella Rosa boutique the other day. This time I got them in pink, because it is a nice change from the neutral color sweatpants I already own; plus, pink is a super cute and feminine color for the spring and summertime...and do I need to add that it makes a nice statement?

These sweatpants from Imasu by Kelly Nishimoto are absolutely amazing. They are comfy and soft, and they are unlike any other pair of sweatpants I have seen around. I love the satin belt and the back pockets: so unique, and it makes for the perfect touch. All my girlfriends loved these sweats when I wore them, and now they all want a pair! No wonder, Kelly named them the "Cute Booty" pants, and that they surely are!

Check out the stores that sell this line and go get a pair of your very own Cute Booty pants. And keep an eye on Kelly Nishimoto and her Imasu collection (Imasu is Japanese for the phrase 'to be' for living things...awwww!). I absolutely love everything she does!

sexy back

I hate shopping for swimsuits in general and even more so when it comes to workout swimsuits. Although most brands offer a large range of suits with cute patterns, I have never seen a swimsuit at swim practice that has blown me away with a 'wow, I HAVE to buy this suit!'. Okay, I know the point is to get a good workout and not to look like a pin-up at swim practice, but still, I like to look fffabulous wherever I go and at whatever I do.

I recently came across this really cute Speedo swimsuit, the Camo Axcel Back Endurance+ swimsuit. I love the camo inspired design (it's my next favorite print after any animal print), and I especially love the open back with the thin straps. One of my male friends mentioned to me the other day that a woman's back is one of her sexiest features—especially at the pool in a swimsuit—so anything that makes my back look sexier while minimizing tan lines is a win-win situation. In terms of sizing, I always get confused by the swimsuit charts, so I recommend you go to a sports store and try on a few swimsuits to figure out your size (tip: if you can easily bring the straps to your ears, the size is good). Note that this swimsuit is 50% Poly/50% PBT, which makes it 20 times more fade resistant and chlorine resistant than other lycra swimsuits, therefore it won't be as stretchy as you are used to. Oh, and I bought this suit in blue because it's like water!

And keep in mind that you can also get a 15% off on this swimsuit with coupon code SP177SUM at checkout (offer valid through June 4, 2008, 11:59pm ET). And for more fantastic coupon codes on your favorite brands, check out CouponCowGirl.com.

travel in style

One of my girlfriends 'commutes' between London and San Francisco every other month shared her latest travel splurge with me: the Samsonite Black Label Spinner Upright and the matching Samsonite Black Label Duffel Bag. She started with an apologetic "this is the most extravagant purchase I've made in years, but I just love it... the colors, the style, and it's Samsonite too." Doesn't she know that there is no need for justification in my book when it comes to buying practical yet stylish things, whether it be clothes, jeans, purses or accessories? And it doesn't hurt that this line of luggage is extremely durable and resistant, too. She got the Spinner Upright and the matching Duffel Bag in pink/red, which is super adorable and a nice change from typical, hard-to-identify black luggage we see everywhere. This way, she can easily recognize them on the baggage carousel right away. Now that's smart!

I wish I had known about the Samsonite black label luggage line before I invested in my equally expensive, black suitcase. I would have probably picked the brown and beige color – a nice neutral color – to match my Louis carry-on...

accessorize

Fancy and classy clothes always go a long way, but they're even better when you accessorize them well. One of my girlfriends got the Louis Vuitton Monogram Inclusion Bracelet GM for her birthday and it is so chic and bold. I absolutely adore it!

This resin bracelet contains multifaceted Swarovski crystals, as well as tiny golden brass LV and monogram logos that seem to 'float' in it. How cute is that? I especially love the parme color, since it is a classy yet subtle color that goes with everything. For a full effect, I'd pair this bracelet with a bunch of gold bangles or the Louis Vuitton Monogram Inclusion Bracelet PM so that it's not alone.

It's a bit on the pricey side, but it's a unique piece that you'll wear for years to come. Plus, it's a Louis, so you can never go wrong!

tan sandals

If you had to buy only one pair of shoes for this summer, they should definitely be this pair of Loeffler Randall Tan Scarlett Vachetta D-Ring Platform Sandals. These high heel sandals are classic – they are super cute, extremely comfy, and will last you more than one summer. And not to mention, they'll go with everything, including those white Citizens jeans and those Anlo Soophia jeans. And, as pictured here, they'll look fabulous with a pair of shorts or even a mini-skirt. Trust me, with these shoes your legs will truly look amazing!

They also exist in black, but I think the tan sandals are much sexier and a better fit for a summer wardrobe.

white denim

I completely gave in to light denim and bought a pair of jeans that are even lighter than those fancy Anlo Soophia jeans. I purchased this pair of Citizens of Humanity Ingrid Flare Jeans in white a couple of days ago. It was an easy choice since I already own three pairs of Ingrid jeans in different shades of blue (yes, three--and I love them all!). You really can't go wrong with this pair of jeans as they are truly a classic: they are as long as I like them to be (35''), and they make for an amazing butt and the perfect figure with the flare leg. These are perfect for the summer, especially if you match them with a white tank top or a bright colorful top and tan wedges.

I'm all set for this summer. Until my next purchase, that is. Ha!

the spandex effect

The lululemon athletica Groove Pants are probably lululemon's most popular pants, and they are the coolest ones too. Every single one of my girlfriends owns at least one pair -- and so do celebrities, such as Elle MacPherson. Miss Erica got her first pair last summer and is still raving about them, and for very good reasons, too:

"lululemon is the best! Their jackets are super flattering and universal, but even more so are the pants. Those who know me call me the 'spandex queen', yet despite the millions of pairs I own, I can truthfully say that my lululemon athletica Groove Pants are my absolute favorite. Even though they may be a bit pricey, keep in mind that they are reversible. So that's basically 2 pairs for 1 price in my mind. I love the fact that on one day, I can sport an all-black, never-fails-to-match side, and the next day I can flip them to show off a cute color stripe or pattern design (and no one would ever know it was the same pair). And did I fail to mention that you will never look so good in spandex? They make my legs look longer and hold in my waist and thighs, making me look 5 lbs lighter automatically! They are magical!"

issey miyake's bilbao bag

I love it when the ladies tell me about their favorite things. This way, you don't have to read about Louis Vuitton purses every single week, and I discover new stuff that I can add to my fashionista "to-buy" list. Miss Eva recently shared this very cute purse with me that can accessorize any outfit, really. And you can now get it on Issey Miyake's new website.

"The Bilbao Bag by Pleats Please by Issey Miyake is one of my favorite go to bags.  What is so great about it is you can bend and fold it into different shapes and styles.  Because it is so versatile I'll use it to trek my things to work, then empty it out, bend it so it's half the size and I have a hot clutch for post-work drinks.  The Issey Miyake online store has the Bilbao bag in several different colors as well as other pieces from the collection that are just a versatile."

denim forever

Louis Vuitton never ceases to surprise me. I love that LV can create a modern looking collection of purses that also carries a sense of timelessness to it. You’ll never get tired of your Louis purse – or any Louis, really – and it’ll never get tired of you, no matter how much wear and tear you make it go through (I speak from personal experience here). Now, doesn't this sound like a perfect relationship? If you ask me, I'd say 'YES!, which is why I may sound like a broken record when it comes to Louis Vuitton.

A few years ago, Louis Vuitton released its denim collection and along with it came a couple of very nice new designs. I bought the Louis Vuitton Monogram Denim Baggy PM two summers ago, and I am always excited to bring it out of my closet when the days get warmer. The Monogram Denim Baggy PM is a very functional purse (the size is perfect for everyday whereabouts) and has a casual, yet feminine allure to it. The denim canvas is really modern, and the two outer pockets with buckles gives it a trendy look without being over the top. The lining is a beautiful saffron microfiber that still looks brand new, even after two seasons' worth of getting keys, cell phone, agenda, and wallet every five minutes. You can dress it up or down, but it looks super cute with any pair of jeans (you really don't need to match the blues!). Plus, you know it's a winner when your grandma (who only owns Chanel and Hermès purses) thinks it's the cutest and classiest purse of the summer. That was one compliment I won't forget.

light wash denim

If you've been shopping for jeans lately (and I know I have!), you may have noticed that jeans have become much lighter this season. Forget the ultra dark wash jeans we saw everywhere last winter; it's all about light wash and white jeans nowadays. Although an all-white outfit always looks super classy and sophisticated, wearing a white pair of jeans everyday is not that practical (unless you adopt a 'no kids, no pets, and no cup of coffee policy') and it is definitely not as versatile as our traditional pair of blue jeans. So I tried a couple of light wash pair of jeans and I fell for an Anlo one -- the Anlo Soophia Round Pocket Trouser in Fiji. It makes for the perfectly cute fit -- especially around the butt and waist -- and makes your legs look much longer than they already are with the flare cut. And Anlo is so good at pockets; they always flatter a lady's figure, and the front pocket gives it a unique style, too. This pair of jeans fits true to size (if you are a 27 in most Citizens, you’ll be a 27 in these Anlo jeans).

And how do you make this pair of jeans even more delicious? Mix it with a long white tank top, add the Lyric Culture All You Need Is Love tee on top (let's call this 'the cherry on the cake'), and present it on some sweet platform sandals. Serve when hot. And trust, you'll be hot, too!

the designer touch

Google wow-ed me yet again -- and touched my sweet fashionista spot -- with the launch of the iGoogle artist themes a couple of weeks ago. They are so cute!!! Imagine watching the stock market go up and down (but hopefully more up than down), the temperatures get hotter as summer arrives, and my inbox get fuller with party invitations, all with the Dolce & Gabbana leopard theme in the background (did I tell you lately how much I love animal prints?). It reminds me of that leopard-print carpet that every single celebrity has in their fabulous walk-in closets (gotta love Kimora Lee Simmons' closet), which I shall have one day, too!

What iGoogle artist theme is within YOU?

spring resolutions

Miss Erica is back to her New Year's resolutions (or should I say Spring resolutions?) and bought a pair of Nike shoes to get her running going. I personally love that they are pink (I love pink!), and that she bought two pairs at once in different colors (which justifies why I should own more than one pair of my favorite Dior pumps); and here is why:

"I've never been a big fan of running, but recently I committed myself to completing a half marathon in July. Knowing that, I've been trying to get back into the swing of things, getting my body back into shape as quickly as possible. Of course, the first time I tried to run again, my calves started to tighten up, and I could feel the onset of shin splints and knee pain. Immediately, I knew I had to invest in a new pair of good running shoes. All I had were a two-year-old pair of beaten-up Asics that offered me no support. After going to a few running stores, I tried on a pair of the new Nike Air Zoom Vomero 2+. Now let me tell you, I didn't choose these shoes...they chose me! The moment I put them on, I felt like I was floating on air! They offer so much support, and when I run in them, I am no longer aggravated by my shins or knees. And it doesn't hurt that they are super cute, too! I love them--so much that I ordered a second pair online in a different color within a day of buying my first pair!"

like cinderella, baby!

How could one pass up this beautiful frock? One of my girlfriends tried this BCBG Max Azria Acetate Jersey Gown out and she looks absolutely stunning in it! The drape is wonderful and the color looks amazing against her skin. While trying it on at the store, she sent her husband a pic via her cell phone, and he texted her back saying that she looked smoking H-O-T! Needless to say, it's now in her closet awaiting the next special occasion to make her husband swoon!

Did I mention that you should always get a dress that fits you and makes you look hot, even if you don’t have an event to wear it to right away? This is my fffabulous tip to all women because the day you are in urgent need of such a dress (and trust me, this day will come), you will already have it! I am glad my friend followed that advice!

BCBG kicks

My friend Yvette has been shopping A LOT at BCBG lately (it’s not me, for once...Phew!), and she has made some amazing purchases, including the BCBG Max Azria Cotton Poplin Dress and the BCBG Max Azria Runway Silk Dress. Of course, a lady needs fancy shoes to dress up these outfits. And it just so happens that the BCBG Maz Azria Satin Sandals make for the perfect pair:

"Seems like I've been on a real BCBG kick lately. Every time I walk into that store, I find something I love. My husband and I were invited to the SF Olympic Club recently and our hostess was sporting this fffabulous satin sandal. I had to have them. As quickly as you can say, BCBG, I scooped up a pair in black. So sexy!"