Neutral News

Thanks to the likes of Celine, Etro, Banana Republic, and Chloé, neutral camel hues are emerging as the must-have colors for fall. In fact, the majority of windows I photographed in San Francisco contained some form of the versatile yet conservative color. Whether you choose a knit cape, a suede waterfall vest, an updated trench coat, or some khaki trousers, it's not hard to find ways to integrate camel colors into your wardrobe. Such items look equally chic when paired with denim as they do with wool trousers, skinny cargo pants, or floor-grazing maxi dresses.

Fall Style at H&M

Barracuda Film & TV sent over these two videos featuring fall trends at H&M. So what's in store for fall? This autumn we'll see the "Casual Chic" look, with plenty of accessories and influences from the late '70s, early '80s, and even a little bit of the '90s. There is a wide variety of inspiration, ranging from the tailored style with uniform details, trench coats and parkas, to a more romantic style with cut-outs and patterns. Camel, black, wine red, green and other natural colors dominate the palette. The garments are made in both luxury materials such as silk and fake fur, as well as more comfy knitwear materials with a nice autumn-y feeling.

Women's Trend Guide AW10 – Interviews with Ann-Sofie Johansson (Head of Design at H&M), Hannah Teare from Tatler Magazine, and blogger Susie Bubble.

Fog City Photo Diary

My absence from the blog the past few days can be explained by a short trip to San Francisco. Fortunately, the weather was warm and pleasant upon my arrival, providing the ideal backdrop for outdoor activities and photos. Highlights include: catching a Bob Dylan performance just minutes before it began, walking down Lombard Street, scoring two Quontum dresses at the LF sale for $36 each, discovering a new cupcake shop, visiting MoMA for the second time, and stocking up on international fashion magazines at Fog City News. I also did a fair share of shopping, naturally, and I'll be posting store window photos soon.

Hwy 101

view of Union Square from the hotel

Golden Gate Bridge

bottom of Lombard St.

cupcakes from That Takes the Cake

Bob Dylan at the Warfield

cable car near Lombard St.

hot chocolate from the Rooftop Terrace at MoMA

Fixated On Fall

Although summer in southern California seems to last well into the month of October, I'm already hunting for what I've deemed to be my fall staples: faux fur-trimmed jackets, maxi dresses in drab olive and gray hues, lace-up hiking boots, lace skater dresses and lace crop tops, camel coats, capes, slouchy skinny jeans, Fair Isle knits, subversive-looking knuckle rings, and almost anything with a leopard print. What I look forward to most about cooler weather on the horizon is the opportunity to experiment with layers, textures, and new trends. Recent shopping trips have yielded a few more store window photos to serve as inspiration for potential future purchases.

Sneak Peeks and Pre-Sale for Target's Designer Collections

If you're like me and you've been waiting to shop the Tucker, Mulberry, or John Derian for Target collections, then tomorrow is your lucky day. On Friday August 20, Gilt Groupe, the invitation-only online shopping phenomenon, will host an exclusive Target Designer Sale beginning at 12pm EST and lasting through the weekend.

Prior to availability in Target stores and on Target.com this fall, the virtual pop-up store will offer limited quantities of select styles from three upcoming Target limited-time-only Designer for Target collections, including Tucker for Target (women’s apparel), Mulberry for Target (handbags) and John Derian for Target (home décor).

This sale is a new take on the “Target pop-up” shop concept for which Target has become known. Once only accessible to fashionistas in a specific location, this virtual pop-up store offers the whole country early access to the highly coveted limited-time-only collections before anyone else. (All items are final sale since they are in limited quantities and members are being provided early access.)

The collections will be available in Target stores and on Target.com this fall: Tucker on September 12th, John Derian on September 5th, and Mulberry on October 10th.

**Click here for a special invite to shop the sale and check out the preview images below, where I've selected my favorite pieces from each collection.

It's Only Fair

This week I experienced the lure of the local fair with its sugary snacks, stuffed animals, live entertainment, dizzying rides, dozens of vendors (selling everything from taffy and alpaca sweaters to spas and grandfather clocks), and ocean views from the top of the ferris wheel. Food choices ranged from chocolate covered bacon and fried Twinkies to Pink's hot dogs and funnel cake. I'm already looking forward to next summer so I can do it all over again.

Balloon Animals and a Lookbook

If you follow me on Twitter, then you may know that I spent Monday at jury duty and was unsuspectingly entertained for hours (with about 200 other prospective jurors) as one kind-hearted gentleman constructed elaborate balloon animals. While I wasn't watching him construct a 6-foot dragon, an octopus, or teaching us how to make flying mice or birds resting on a hoop, I read a copy of Nina Garcia's fourth book (that I received), entitled Lookbook: What to Wear for Every Occasion. Confession - before going to jury duty, I flipped directly to page 266 for her advice on what to wear for this occasion that everyone seems to dread.

While I rarely make it into the courtroom let alone on a jury, I believe it's still important to look polished and professional for this occasion, as it shows that you take pride in the first impressions you'll make. To the young woman who wore animal print boxer shorts and an oversized college sweatshirt with slippers, I know the feeling of wanting to rebel by dressing casually, but could you at least wear something suitable for being seen by hundreds of other people in a serious courthouse setting? The jury summons requests that prospective jurors dress in "business casual" attire.

Now back to the topic at hand - Nina Garcia's latest book. It's illustrated by Ruben Toledo and extends tips on everything from what to wear when you break up with your boyfriend and what to wear to an art opening to what to wear for Rosh Hashanah and what to wear when asking for a raise. Sprinkled throughout the book are highly amusing quotes by notable people. For example:

"I loathe narcissism, but I approve of vanity." - Diana Vreeland

"You don't learn style from watching people on a runway. Fashion happens every morning when you wake up." - Shalom Harlow

"When you ask people about their clothes, what they do is tell you about their lives." - Delia Ephron

Nina's wardrobe tips and the scenarios she writes about were chosen based upon the most frequently asked questions she receives from women around the world. Her advice is both practical and easy to follow. So the next time I find myself at a loss for ideas on what to wear when getting my hair done, going dancing, or most importantly, what to wear on an average weekday, I'll keep Nina's book close at hand for a quick dose of confidence and inspiration.

True Religion Comes To Santa Barbara

As I shopped in downtown Santa Barbara this afternoon, I caught a glimpse of the ever-changing retail scene. Not only did Free People recently open, but True Religion will join the growing roster of retailers in Santa Barbara as it holds its grand opening (a couple of doors down from LF) at 935 State Street on August 12. The special grand opening event with ELLE magazine is from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, although, my deepest apologies, the RSVP deadline is today.

In case you're already attending, or planning to attend, it includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a DJ. An ELLE Merchandising Editor will be on hand to help guests shop the assortment of styles.

Receive a deluxe gift bag with a qualifying True Religion Brand Jeans purchase.

Up In The Air

This past weekend I attended an air show, complete with plenty of stunts that left me gasping in admiration and awe. Having spent the good part of a day wandering around, chatting with pilots, inspecting aircraft, munching on junk food, and enjoying the mild weather, I learned a few things:

1. Always wear ear plugs or headphones while attending an air show. It gets loud - think major roaring and sonic booms.

2. A hat and sunglasses are must haves for shielding yourself from the sun, especially when you're gazing up at the sky.

3. Sunblock is also key for avoiding a sunburn.

4. Men always look better in uniform, especially when it involves pilots wearing aviator shades and jumpsuits. And single ladies, take note - there are plenty of men at air shows.

5. Wear comfortable footwear and clothing that's functional. You might be standing or walking for hours. This is not the time for short skirts (they're too hard to sit down in) or high heels.

Who Wants Roomservice?

Courtesy of marketing whiz Ty McBride, here are images of the first ever Solestruck.com lookbook. If you're a footwear fanatic like me, then you might have noticed that Solestruck carries an extensive selection of on-trend footwear, and furthermore, you may even be stalking their site for new arrivals. The official lookbook will be up this week featuring looks from the following brands: Jeffrey Campbell, Senso, Sam Edelman, DV, Osborn, Report Signature and many many more. Shot on location in Portland Oregon, the lookbook is called ROOMSERVICE. Enjoy.

The Santa Monica Place Grand Opening

Shoppers in the L.A. area might be interested in this news...

Something special awaits the first 500 guests at the new Santa Monica Place on Friday, August 6: each of the first eligible 500 guests arriving at the 3rd Street entrance before the project's official opening will receive a free Santa Monica Place Gift Card, with dollar amounts ranging from $10 to $500.

The three-level, open-air Santa Monica Place opens with an exciting roster of retailers and restaurants, including Bloomingdale's, Nike, CB2, Louis Vuitton, Kitson, Juicy Couture and many more, plus the new Dining Deck with chef-driven restaurants and in indoor-outdoor food court – all with incredible views.

The Grand Opening Celebration, which begins at 10 a.m., stars KCRW's Jason Bentley and The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers, as seen on The Oscars and So You Think You Can Dance. The new retail and dining destination is located at 3rd Street and Broadway in Santa Monica, with other entrances located on 2nd Street, 4th Street and also on Colorado. Stores and restaurants will open immediately following the 10 a.m. Grand Opening Celebration.

The opening celebration kicks off a weekend-long set of special events, including: the launch of The Mannequin Collective (an art exhibit featuring the works of 100+ artists, designers, retailers and local cultural institutions), live bands, interactive art programs, and dance performances. One highlight is the first SunSets, where KCRW DJs will spin a live, happy hour soundtrack on the Dining Deck every Friday from 5-7 p.m.

“We're planning a great day full of special experiences – including this very limited gift card giveaway for the first 500 guests who arrive on Friday morning," said Adrienne DeVore, Senior Manager of Marketing for Santa Monica Place. Gift cards will be distributed to the first 500 guests in line at the 3rd Street entrance just ahead of the project's 10 a.m. opening.

**Edit - I received an email today with this information: KORS KASH Giveaway - Michael Kors will be giving away gift cards to the first 100 customers that enter the store on 8/6. Giftcards range from $10- $100 and one card with a $500 value.

*This limited, first-day sweepstakes is void where prohibited. No purchase is necessary. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age, residents of the US excluding Florida and New York and must be present to win, with a limit of one complimentary gift card per person. Gift Cards will be given at the entrance located off of Third Street Promenade at Santa Monica Place to the first eligible 500 in line at 7:30 am on 8/6/10. If there are not 500 eligible guests in line at 7:30 am, we will continue to give away the remaining Gift Cards until the earlier of (i) 9:30 am or (ii) when the 500 Gift Cards have all been given away. Official Rules are available at the entrance located off of Third Street Promenade at Santa Monica Place.

The Material Girl Collection Review

Out of sheer curiosity, I shopped the Material Girl Collection at Macy's today. As I entered the store and approached the merchandise, I was a bit surprised to see the racks looking relatively untouched and nothing short of pristine well after the store's 10 am opening. This particular Macy's stocked mainly summer items such as tulle skirts, tank tops, body con tank dresses, bandeau tops, and mini skirts. Sorely lacking were the studded motorcycle jackets, the jewelry, and the peplum dresses. Upon inquiring, I was informed that the jewelry would arrive later in the week.

In terms of colors and prints, this collection had it all: stripes, florals, plaids, animal prints, blue, purple, cherry red, lemon yellow, heather gray, and so on. Studs and lace inset panels seemed to be strong features on a few items, as were form-fitting silhouettes. Price points hovered under the $40 mark, and comfortable but stretchy cotton spandex blends seemed to be the norm on many items. As far as sizing, the collection runs true to Juniors sizing, with the only exceptions being the embellished t-shirts, which run big.

Although I gravitated most towards the body con tank dresses, I was disappointed that the collection wasn't more fashion forward. I found that many items in the collection are similar to things that stores such as Topshop or Forever 21 were selling 6 months ago: studded leggings, poufy tulle skirts, trompe l'oeil t-shirts, studded cross body handbags, and mini skirts with sporty exposed zippers.

After peering at almost every item, I narrowed down my favorite choices to a handful and marched to the fitting room for some photos. As a reference for sizing, I pulled smalls in the tank dresses, a size 3 in the cargo pants, and an XS in the blue lace inset t-shirt.

Although I liked (not loved) each piece, I decided to pass on the floral skirt, lace t-shirt, and cargo pants. The two tank dresses fit well, were comfortable, and made of sufficiently thick cotton with 5% spandex. So I brought the two tank dresses to the register to pay, but after waiting for two minutes, with no employee in sight, I decided to leave. If Macy's can't keep an employee at the register (or within sight of the register), I wasn't going to wait around. I'm not usually that impatient, but I didn't feel motivated to wait, and I'm not sure the customer in line behind me was motivated to wait either.