HEADS UP

Looks like little Blair may have to ditch her headbands at college but that doesn't mean you have to. If you're feeling your inner Gossip Girl check out bycarolina.com for these sassy and not too pristine headbands.

www.bycarolina.com

DUCK DUCK BOOTS

Listen up boys and girls.... it's time to clear out your closet and find your old duck boots. The older the better, the more ragged the hotter. Yes they're preppy but they're a classic and fit in nicely with the ladylike and gentleman trends that are happening right now. And for those who have to muck around at soccer games or trek through nature walks with your kids, even better. They work and they're an original. The boots are it.

www.llbean.com

EASY ON THE EYES

Are you still trying to figure out how to create a smoky eye? Are you buying more kits promising the ease of the smoky eye but instead of appearing sexy-smoky you look scary-racoony? Your search is over. Ready? Ready for how easy a smoky eye can be? Here it is. All you need are three things. Nars Mudd Club pencil, black eyeliner and black mascara. Line your upper lid generously with Mudd liner then blend with your finger to cover your entire lid (Mudd liner is very soft and acts like a shadow when smudged). Then use Mudd to line your lower lid just outside your lash line. Now use your black eyeliner to line your inner upper and inner lower lash line and smudge both. Add a lot of mascara and you are smoked.

www.narscosmetics.com

ZARA ONLINE!!!

I'm not sure much more needs to be said. Zara is going online. Their current website offers a lookbook but purchasing hasn't been an option. Come Autumn/Winter 2010 that will no longer be the case. Pinch me.

www.zara.com

MY MAMA

For those who say makeup makes you look older, I beg to differ. When done correctly, makeup can erase what mother nature should have never intended. When my mom turned 50 (shown here) she wanted makeup that could make her look youthful but also sophisticated. A little eyeliner, matte neutral eye shadow, tinted moisturizer and gloss easily helped create a decidedly younger version. Mother Nature can suck it.

VAMPED

Balenciaga is doing it. Fendi is doing it. Bergdorf's is doing it. This does NOT mean that you should do it too. While vampires may be hot (yes, I'll admit, I'm as obsessed with Edward from Twilight as any tween girl out there) makeup is not the way to bring out your inner vamp. Stick to dark goth toenails or fingernails... maybe the occasional darker plum lipstick but that's it. Take it any further and you just wind up looking....dead.

BABY MAMA 33 WEEKS

Layering can sometimes make you look like #15 on the football team but when done right, it can actually be slimming and interesting. Just like fabrics and colors in a house, giving an outfit different dimensions, color and texture is super appealing. When you're pregnant, it can slim the belly and also add needed warmth when the weather gets chilly.

TO BUY OR TO RENT, THAT IS THE QUESTION

So you have a big event coming up. Major players will be there from the fashion world but the highest level of fashion attire you have is a last year's markdown from Nordstrom's. You know you can't wear that, but your budget doesn't allow for a brand new $2,000 Prada ensemble either. So how about renting for the night? Weartodaygonetomorrow.com has garments for rent for as little as $200 from designers such as Stella McCartney and Dolce & Gabbana. You have the garment for a week, dry clean it and ship it back. It's just like Cinderella, only you get to pick the dress instead of your fairy godmother.

www.weartodaygonetomorrow.com

FASHION WEEK

For anyone living in the Boston area who can also stay up past midnight...this could be an event worth going to.

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AIM HIGH

There's nothing wrong with having a budget only meant for JcPenny but not knowing how to pick and choose from JcPenny is. Train your eye to the highest level possible. That goes for fashion and it goes for interiors. Ditch those Pottery Barn catalogs and start reading Architectural Digest. Say no to Glamour and study VOGUE and BAZAAR instead. Once your eye is trained to the finer design elements, you'll know exactly what works and what doesn't work in the lower priced markets.

DRESS IN RED

'Tis the season for red. Lipstick is a good start...shoes are even better. But nothing can compare to a simple red dress. You most likely already have a little black dress so this season treat yourself to a little red dress. Giambattista Valli's dress is so simple yet so perfectly draped...it's a must have. Are you RED-Y?

www.matchesfashion.com

RIDE IT

Fall is here. Kids are back in school and unfortunately the air is getting chillier. Say good bye to your flip flops and roman sandals...socks and boots are making their comeback. But it's not time for the heavy, keep your toes from freezing boots and it's not always practical to be sporting the rocker, platformed, studded bootie either. Sometimes you need a steady, be able to stand in them all day, kind of boot. Enter the riding boot. Always a classic and never goes out of style. They can be worn over jeans or with a dress. You can be socialite equestrian girl or total urban it girl. Your choice. Saddle up.

www.madewell1937.com

REAL DEVIL

If you're into fashion, this is a can't miss. Mark your calendars.... September 11 release date.

HAPPY ENDING

Ever had a favorite lipstick get discontinued? A blush? A foundation? It's not pretty. It's horrific and you'll do anything to get your favorite item back. Remember Elaine on Seinfeld? Yeah,, it's like that. When you find yourself in this situation,, there's help. Strawberrynet.com carries discontinued products from all your favorite brands. Just make sure to check their site as soon as you know your product has been yanked out of production,, or you could be really, um, unhappy.

www.strawberrynet.com