I’ve been obsessed with Fiona Paxton’s ultra-statement necklaces for the past year and I may just need to take the plunge and splurge on one of her pieces. The RCA trained textile designer has worked in fashion for over 10 years developing prints and embroideries for big-name clients- think Chloe, Armani and Moschino. Her eponymous collection puts her past work experience to good use. Bold geometric patterns and intricate hand beading are the signatures of pieces. I love the way that they drape over the neck almost scarf-like.

Now, if only I could decide between the Sylvie, Connie, Paxton Lane or Paxton Dott necklace…

Scott Schuman’s blog, The Sartorialist, began simply because he wanted to share photos of everyday people, going about their lives, that he thought looked great. These “street style” blogs are now quite numerous and have huge influence on designers, stylists, photographers and other taste-makers. What keeps me going back to The Sartorialist is that Schuman doesn’t simply post photographs of outfits- he posts photographs of people. While some street style blogs always have their subjects pose for the shot, awkwardly doing their best model pose, quite often Schuman shoots them unawares and captures a fleeting moment of time. It’s his style of photography, not just the style of his subjects, that makes his blog one of my weekly must-reads.

Now you can give your coffee table a touch of Schuman’s style with The Sartorialist book, which was released earlier this month. Featuring 500 pages of photographs-favorites and many never before seen- and some commentary, I can’t wait to get lost in print version of his beautiful photographs.

Join me? The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman

Vogue Daily has a post up about a new collaboration between (my fave) Essie Nailpolish’s Essie Weingarten and Madison Avenue jeweler Judith Ripka. The three limited edition shades: Queen of Hearts (classic red), Put a Ripka Ring on It (sheer, sparkling pink) and Heart My JR Jewels (deep burgundy) are certainly pretty, but what makes this collaboration so exciting is a little something extra Weingarten and Ripka decided to throw in: “I wanted to make the pie really sweet,” says Weingarten. “Instead of just adding gold and platinum to the polishes, I told them to throw in a diamond!” Hidden away in three out of the 30,000 limited-edition bottles is a one-carat diamond, emerald, or sapphire.

But thinking of all the 5yrs old bottles of nailpolish that reside in my bathroom vanity… how will you ever know if your bottle is one with a golden ticket?

While I may sometimes take secret pleasure in tabloid magazine articles about celebrities without makeup (Stars! They Have Dark Under-Eye Circles Just Like Us!), this was certainly not the case when I stumbled across this editorial in the September Issue of Harper’s Bazaar.

No, there is no comfort to be found in the makeup-less faces of Kristen McMenamy, Nadia Auermann, Shalom Harlow, Amber Valleta, Helena Christensen, Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer and Tatjana Patitz . Not a blemish in site. Instead, all I can think after seeing these images is: “I really need to take care of my skin”. Cindy Crawford is 43 years old! It is my new goal in life to have her skin when I am her age… Oh, who am I kidding- I don’t have her skin in my mid-twenties.

I think it may be time to invest in an age-defying skin moisturizer such as Dermalogica AGE smart Dynamic Skin Recovery plus SPF 30.

Image Source: Models.com

Do you remember playing with tangram puzzles as a child? The ancient Chinese puzzle consists of seven simple shapes that can be arranged to form different shapes- animals, people, numbers and letters. The objective was to create a specific shape, using all seven pieces without overlapping. While today this may not seem like the most thrilling pastime, and perhaps it never really was, the shapes the puzzle creates are awfully cute and nostalgia inducing.

I came across this totally adorable Clara Tank from Dolce Vita and was completely smitten. The zipper detail, neckline ruffle detail and most of all- the tangram animal print- make this top a must-have. I love the cheeky originality of the print.

I don’t know what it is about these Elizabeth & James Stock Moccasins, they aren’t exactly groundbreaking and certainly aren’t at all sexy, but I am kind of obsessed. And I am not the only one, my roommate and I (who wear the same size shoe) have been contemplating buying a splitting the cost and sharing them. While the idea is great in theory, I have a feeling that in practice, it will be less so. I think that what is so appealing about these shoes, is that they are the ones that you reach for everyday. They are comfortable and chic without being trendy, a perfect fall flat that goes with almost anything. Perhaps instead of splitting one pair, we should buy one in each color (khaki and tan haircalf) and share! That way, no fighting over who gets to wear them on what day (inevitable fighting over what color goes better with what outfit we’ll just have to live with).

In anticipation of the third season of AMC’s “Mad Men”, Banana Republic has partnered with the network to celebrate the influential style of the hit series. “Style and fashion are at the core of ‘Mad Men’ with its 1960’s aesthetic highlighting the classic silhouettes that are still popular today,” says Jack Calhoun, president of Banana Republic. “Banana Republic is known for its modern take on these classics, such as the suit, trench coat and classic white shirt, so the partnership is a natural fit for both brands.” I couldn’t agree more, and am totally in love with this partnership. I stopped by my local Banana Republic and absolutely loved the Mad Men inspired windows and style guides- which feature character profiles with corresponding styled outfits and tips on how to get their look. While I’ve only seen one episode of the show (soon to be remedied by my roommates purchase of the DVD sets of the first two seasons), I don’t need a favorite character to have a favorite piece (or two) from the “Mad Men” inspired collection. I love the structured silhouette of the Lightweight Wool Sheath Dress and sweet bow-tie of the Summer Orchid Silk Geo-Print Bow Top.

Source: Stylist.com

If you’re anything like my friends and I- or Nicole Richie, the Olsens, and Reese Witherspoon (to name a few celebrity Fashionistas)- you have probably been obsessed with the Givenchy Nightingale bag for some time. If you are anything like me, however, that lovely leather work of art is just a tad bit out of your pricerange. Just a tad. Which is incredibly sad, because it is truly one of the best bags out there, in my humble opinion.

Today I stumbled across the Rembrandt Small Satchel from BCBGeneration. Swoooon. The silhouette and straps are reminiscent of the Nightingale, but the zipper detail makes it not quite a blatant knock-off. And the price tag? Almost as beautiful as the real thing…

I’ve been making it a point to spend as much time in the sunshine this summer, trying to get at least one beach or pool day in during the weekends. So far so good… I have a great tan going and the time outdoors in in the sun helps melt away my weekday stress. The sound of the water, kids playing or doggies splashing, and the warmth on my skin is like free therapy.

Of course, what’s good for my mental health isn’t necessarily good for my skin, which is where slathering on the sunscreen comes into play. I was introduced to the best sunscreen by a friend this summer- Neutrogena Cooling Body Mist Sunblock. The one-touch continuous spray cools your body as it hits your skin. I’m not sure what miracle ingredient makes this possible, but I am addicted. I kept reaching for the bottle to cool myself down. Requires much less energy than running into the waves, and is better for my skin! You must give it a try…

My reasoning for being excited about Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Makeup Remover Pads is two-fold. One, I am incredibly lazy when it comes to washing my face before bed, yet hate eye makeup smudges on my pillowcase (oh ya, that whole leaving makeup on before going to bed speeding up the ageing process and clogging pores thing is kinda a drag too). Two, I am a constant eye-rubber, which means by the end of my day, I inevitably have mascara smudges under my eyes. So, these ultra-soft, 100% cotton eye make-up remover pads, which remove all traces of mascara- liner and shadow too should I ever wear them- plus contain a blend of ginger extract, basil, turmeric and chamomile oil to calm, soothe and protect delicate skin, will be a welcome addition to my beauty arsenal. I plan on keeping a pot in my purse for mid-day touch-ups, and one by my bed, for a last minute clean up at the days end.