Spotlight: Boutique

Kitson has taken over Robertson Blvd. in LA. It is the perfect place to shop due to its trend-setting styles and accessories. It attracts celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham, and other A-list notables. In fact, Kitson even endorses and sells the fashion lines of such celebrities.

If you're looking for that signature designer piece or just something that fits the season, Kitson is certainly a one-stop-shop you're looking for. On a budget? You can still shop at Kitson! That's what's so great about! You can spend $500 on a LAMB handbag or $25 on a trendy bright colored clutch. Either way, you're getting superior product for a stellar price.

On a personal note, having purchased from Kitson.com myself, I was disappointed with the service of DHL (the shipping service they use). Not that it's any fault of Kitson brand however it does make me think again before ordering from the website. Try it for yourself and see; it may have been a single, independent, occurance in my life.. but who knows?

Some of my favorite things right now...


Yosca - Zig Zag Bracelet


Deux Lux - Sparkle Wallet


Crystal Rock - Purple Flowergirl Tee


All items can be found on shopkitson.com


ENJOY! :)

Lots of things bubbling over here..

First and foremost, I want to apologize for being MIA without any type of notice. I have been preparing for great things to come!!!

Let's just say-- this blog is going to fabulocity... that's right, I said it.


Be prepared,
Alicia


PS- I guess I should update everyone on my recent published work:

The Pulse Magazine
April 2008
Menswear
Spring/Summer Accessories


The Hartford Courant
March 2008
Letter to the Editor
"Website Isn't The Culprit"

The Lauren Conrad Collection

It's official-- Lauren Conrad, designer for the Lauren Conrad Collection and reality star of The Hills and the late Laguna Beach, will be showing her new line at LA Fashion Week Smashbox Studios in March.

I saw some of her pieces on the Tyra Banks Show a few months back and I like the designs; they are simple, versatile, and chic but are they worth the price tag? I don't think so. Dropping $135 on a LCC dress is not what I had in mind. For basics, the price point for LCC is too high.

PROJECT RUNWAY SPOILER!

If you're a fan of Project Runway and don't want to know who made it to fashion week or what any of their collections looked like.. I'll give you some space to discontinute furhter reading. Otherwise-- scroll DOWN!




























Ok, So the final episode before Fashion Week left us all hanging wondering who was going to show their collections at Bryant Park. It came down to Christian Siriano and Jillian Lewis and... ? Exactly, the judges gave both Rami Kashou and Chris March a chance to create a collection and then they would decide whose collection would go down the runway. HOWEVER, An inside pass to Bryant Park allowed us to see who was there...

EVERYONE!

That's right, all five contestants got to show their personal collection at Bryant Park: Christian, Jillian, Rami, Chris, AND Sweet Pea!

Here are a few teasers:


Pleasently surpirsed by Sweet Pea


Less than satisfied by Rami


Love/hate relationship continues with Jillian


Not impressed by Chris


Of course, Christian takes the show


Catch the show every Wednesday 10:00 PM (EST) on Bravo.




Update- The full collections are available to view on BravoTV.com

Forgotten Accessories

I feel like there are certain accessories and additives to an ensemble that get looked over or forgotten. There are a lot of things that you can add to (or take away from) an outfit to make it more aestetically pleasing and sylish. Below I have chosen some of the things that I think should be utilized more often.

BELTS:

Versatile

Pencey Prep Belt

Glam

Omega Sneak Belt

Simple

Etienne Aigner Leather Belt

Adventurous

Equestrienne Braided Belt

High Fashion

Leather Corset Belt


SUNGLASSES:

Simple

Juicy Couture Bunny Plastic Sunglasses

Glam

Dior Shield Sunglasses

Classic

70s Aviator


SCARVES/WARPS:


Fun

Adrienne Landau Sequin Chiffon Scarf

Comfortable

Loro Pianca Stola Nur Wrap

Stlyish

Emilio Pucci Silk Orchidea Scarf


With those in mind, look for similar items on your next shopping trip. Accent your spring and summer wardrobe with versatile and classic pieces that can be used many time with different outfits.

Things I'm excited for..

I love spring-time. Check out some of things that I'm personally excited for in the next months to come.


Rebecca Taylor




Catherine Malandrino

HOT SHOES!

Great designer shoes under $100!


Kenneth Cole "Hit The Spot" sandal



BCBG MaxAzria "Alhambra" sandal



Cynthia Vincent "Octavia" flat






And SPLURGE on:


Yves Sant Laurent "Tribute" platform




For more visit Bluefly

Mr. Hilton..

No, Not that Hilton family.


Perez Hilton, "famous" interner blogger that pokes fun at celebrities, is really irritating. I love his blog-- it makes me laugh, it's got nice photos, it's interesting-- but he is SO gross.

Look at the picture of him with Kelly Osbourne. Ugghhhghhghg- Don't even get in the picture if you're going to look THAT crap-tastic.

...and that's all I have to say about that.

Valentine's Day- Yay or Nay?

Got a hot date tonight? It's a little late to try and go shopping for a cute outfit but here are some ideas that are easily replicable from anything you must have in your closet.





The ivory chiffon tiered mini by BCBGMaxAzria is the perfect flirty dress for a night out. Pair it with a cropped jacket or fitted blazer to dress it down for dinner and then remove the jacket if/when you go dancing afterward. You're never overdressed--you can only ever be underdressed.




Alice + Olivia brand is most well-known for the ability to take clothing and make it figure flattering and girly. These wide leg pants are versatile; they can be dressed up with a sexy blouse and pumps or they can be dressed down with some flats and a collared button-down. Either way, wide leg denim is the way to go for a date that is more casual-- like going to dinner and a movie. Add a cute top to these pants and some dangly accessories to make your outfit date-worthy; tuck it in to make yourself more sophisticated, or leave it loose to look more casual.



..And what about JEWELRY?
The fun thing with accessorizing is that it gives you the chance to tell your story in simple pieces.

*Simple

by Jorge Morales
www.shopbop.com


*Funky

by Malababa
www.shopbop.com


*Cute

by Danielle Stevens
www.shopintuition.com


Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Are you for real?

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt-- at it again.


Is Heidi's video for real? If anyone isn't up to par, Heidi Montag, LC's ex-bff from The Hills, and her on-again-off-again fiance/manager made an amateur music video for her single "Higher." Not only is the video just Heidi in a bikini prancing around on the beach but the song is annoying as can be. I don't suggest you check out the video-- just take my word for it. The more you watch, the bigger their heads get. For example, refer to PerezHilton.com to see her response to all of the "comments" about her video. Her and Spencer had "no idea" that anyone thought negatively about her video.

They never fail to make me want to choke myself.

Thanks guys.

Rachel, Rachel, Rachel..

Rachel Zoe, celebrity stylist-- worked with Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan, and Mischa Barton-- well known for accusations that she promoted poor body image for her younger clients insisting they keep a small figure in order to fit in to designer sample sizes so Zoe could score more free clothes for them. She was also rumored to be the "supply" for drug habits amongst young Hollywood. True or not true; all of that has nothing to do with how disgusting I think Rachel Zoe looks.

I had the "luxury" of meeting Zoe at Bryant Park about a year ago. Not only did she show up late for Michael Kors but she spoke with every camera crew on the way out. Her skin looks like leather and I'm tired of her dressing/acting like a 20-year-old-socialite-wannabe. I also remember reading a quote from Nicole Richie about her separation from Zoe; something like "I want to get rid of negative influences in my life..." and "I've never met a stylist that has a manager and a publicist..." I can admit it, Rachel Zoe has talent for making celebs. look fabulous; then again, that's what every stylist has a talent for. She also has a talent for really making me shake my head every time I see her.

Rachel, If you're paying any attention-- grow up, be the 45 year old woman that you are, stop tanning, and start eating.

Same shit, New year?

Michael Kors is one of America's best and most well-known designers. Not only is he a knock out for Men's Fashion but his creative mind is always at work making innovative things for women. I love Michael so much because of his understanding that women want to go from work to dinner to the bar without bringing a wardrobe along for the night. His creations allow women (and men) to leave the office and still go out without looking like a frumpy office clerk.

I am disappointed in MK's most recent selections for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park.


Fall 2007, RTW

Fall 2008, RTW


It's hard not to notice the striking similarities in his collection from last Fall. As much as we all love and cater to this type of look, we want something new!

Still a Hot Mess

Britney Spears is having a hard time getting out of the lime light lately and for good reason. The roller coaster ride diva has been in and out of the court house (amongst other institutions) for the past few months in regards to the custody of her two sons. Now it seems she's moved on to other "news worthy" things. First of all, it's come about that her manager has been the one administering her medication, her father is allegedly moving in with her, her 16 year old sister is pregnant (and giving the baby to her Award Winning Mother) and a judge granted her leave from the psych. ward despite the pysch.'s "medical opinion" that she is still not well.

When is enough, enough?


Hey Paparazzi! Give it a rest. Britney, Go back to Louisiana.

I do not support the purchasing or production of fake/knock off hand bags.


With that said, I also dislike websites such as Bag Borrow or Steal, Shoulder Candy, and other websites that allow people to "rent" expensive designer hand bags. If you're going to use a handbag for one week and then return it--- is it really worth almost a hundred dollars? Just for that one week? Then every week after that is another 60-something dollars... you might as well just save your money, buy the real deal, and use it everyday for the next three months and totally get your moneys worth.


These types of websites usually offer some hand bags up for sale-- after they've been rented out 1,000 times and, as I like to say, are "retired." But even then, if you're STILL going to spend 900+ dollars on that hand bag, wait another week's paycheck, dish out an extra hundred dollars, and buy it brand new.


The theory behind the whole process is extraordinary but in reality, purses are not CARS. They are practical works of art-- fabulous manipulations of leather, suede, and other tough materials. They carry a woman's "prized" possessions, her necessities for the day, and most of all many of her deepest secrets. You can't share that.


It's true, what they say. You never look in a woman's purse.



--Alicia

Double Take

Amongst many celebrities and totally random people at Paris and Nikki Hilton's News Years bash at LAX Night club in LA, there was a surprising RSVP from----






Yeah, Larry Birkhead. Random? I thought so too. After such a traumatic life at such a young, ripe age, I wonder who Dannilynn was with that night...?

Forget the New Years Resolutions..

INS & OUTS for 2008


OUT:
-Red string bracelets
I believe these have been out for a little while now but I see them trying to hang on. They've had their final play and they're gone for good; at least until Scientology decides that red bracelets are a must-have.


IN:
-Silver and gold
Silver and gold seem classic and timely but they always reinvent themselves. Right now dazzle your wrists in silver and gold bracelets and bangles that have simple accents to them; Try diamonds and rare jewels in easy patterns/designs.


OUT:
-Thigh High boots with a short skirt/dress
For some reason this is a favorite look for Kim Kardashian and I can hardly say that she pulls it off nicely. I can't think of one person that makes high boots, 5 inches of skin, and then the hem of a mini look good.


IN:
-Knee high boots with leggings or tights
Go for the more subtle look. It's not the boots that ruin the ensemble, it's the bare leg. Try the boots with leggings or tights underneath your mini and it's sure to turn the look around. It will be more comfortable and it will look a lot less trashy.


OUT:
-Real Fur
It has nothing to do with PETA's attack on the Olsen's, I think it's just time. Not to say that no fur will be worn all year, but it seems to have faded out-- only the elitists will sport this look.


IN:
-Belted Trenches and Original pieces
Many of the celebs are sporting belted trench coats, thigh length and longer. Another hot trend is the idea of wearing original designs and patterns, people like Kate Hudson and Carmen Electra have chosen to go bold with black and white and red, grabbing a lot of attention from the paparazzi. Also looking nice are the return of men's blazers on women's bodies.



That should be enough to start your year off right!


Remember, it's not always about the changing trends, it's about how you work with what you have!

Until next time,
Alicia

Happy 2008!

Well, Now that Christmas and New Years are out of the way.. I can finally get down to business. Expect big things in 2008, seriously.

Fashion week is already in the air-- that means stress. This season is hopefully going to be different; different shows, designers, sponsors, celeb. encounters, etc. Last season I ran in to Natasha Beddingfield (literally), Robert Verdi (always looking sexy), Nigel Barker, and before that Rachel Zoe, and so on and so on.

Anyway, I have a lot of shows that I'm looking forward to this time around but I'm so busy right now that it's going to come down to the weeks schedule and what I'm ABLE to go to.

I have a lot of projects underway too. So I'm very excited to be posting on New Years Day-- setting the tone for the rest of the fashion year!

'Til tomorrow,
Alicia
:)