Dog days of Summer

Sorry guys, but I just can't bring myself to post this week. So I'm taking a powder. With the democratic convention in full swing and Britney Spears all cleaned up there's just not much to say. So...I'm going to take a little break, read a book (I know!), have a cocktail and hopefully come back refreshed and renewed. Until then,ciao bellas.

If I win the lottery

this Fall I am going to get me one of these!

Baby name madness continues

Gwen Stefani has named her new son Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale. Seriously. I guess we should be glad she didn't name him Pismo or Venice.

Great clutch

I found this quite by accident during my morning surfing. It's a Ecru Carmen clutch. I love the big buckle, the metallic shine and the contrast of the brown at the bottom. How perfect for nights out on the town this Fall? It's just $42 over at Amici Accessories. Click here for the link.

My next job...Cookie Butler

Here in California after the big dot.com bust of 2000 a lot of people quit their jobs, took their earnings and started their own companies. A bunch of them were cupcake baking companies. I know, you're thinking how many cupcake shops can one City need? Well apparently, a lot of them. So, when I heard recently that Mrs. Fields has filed for bankruptcy, I started thinking this might be my moment. You see I just love baking cookies, and I'm good at it. So I thought why not start a business where clients e-mail me throughout the day with their cookie requests. I get to bake to my hearts content and they get to come home to fresh baked cookies. Imagine you're having an awful day, your bus was late, the boss yelled at you, someone ate your lunch. What do you do? E-mail an order for cranberry oatmeal cookies, ginger snaps, snickerdoodles or just good old fashioned chocolate chip. They appear on your doorstep in no time and voila! You're having a better day. It's like the perfect job!

Not afraid to be photoshopped

Have you seen the new US Weekly cover with Jennifer Love Hewitt on it? The headline screams that she's lost 18 lbs! It's like all of her curves have been erased. She's tall and lean, yes and she wants you to know it. I find this so disappointing. I was so proud when she lambasted the paparazzi last year after those hideous bikini pictures surfaced. (Note to self: black boy shorts, never a good call...just saying). She basically said she loved her body, so back off. Then she went and lost 18 lbs. (like she has it to lose?!) and became an Olsen twin. Yuck. Girl, get your bootie back, and work it like you love it. Hollywood may reward you for your stick figure, but the rest of us won't. Where are all of the fun, fierce women who love their bodies?

A new lipstick can change your life

I truly believe this. And no one does it like Chanel. Their ads are sleek and glossy, the lone lipstick silhouetted against a plain background almost ready to be worshipped. Phallic to be sure, but true to form it made me lust for it. My pick for Summer is Portofino. Named after the famed Italian vacation paradise, it's a bright, cheery pink that will give you lips to die for!

Fall forecast

Things I'm loving for Fall:
- menswear vests
- reptile peeptoe heels
- ladylike suits/dresses
- motorcycle jackets

Not so much:
- spectator booties
- tie front blouses
- granny cardigans

The jury is still out on:
- trouser jeans
- booties

Very interesting...

Happy Friday everyone. I woke up this morning to find this gorg Report Kait bootie in my e-mail. Don't you just love it? Piperlime's got it online for just $115. Seems really reasonable to me. Now, when is Fall going to finally be here so we can wear all of these fabulous fashion finds? I'm so ready!

What do you think?

80's prom queen or just plain fabulous? I can't decide. I picked this up over at Saks Fifth Avenues site in their new designers feature. I have to say, I like what I've seen from Richard Chai. That's his work your looking at. What do you think? Love it? Hate it?

Fire engine red

I know you all must be starting to think that I work for Banana Republic or something. I assure you it isn't so. It's just that they are having such a great season. I seem to want to buy something new from them every week. Just yesterday I came across this gorgeous red wool trench which I'm dying to try it on. This ad just screams "sexy stewardess" to me. Okay, maybe I've been watching too much Swingtown, but it's cute, right?

Katie Holmes channels a fembot

at the Tropic of Thunder premiere. And is it just me or is Maverick losing his hair?!

Talk about a fish out of water

So this weekend I took a bunch of old, holey jeans to the shopping mall and donated them. Cotton Incorporated is doing a promotion to take your jeans and recycle them into insulation for houses. What a great idea, right? Well, the nice ladies who accepted my ratty old jeans gave me a $10 gift card for a store of my choice. The choices I was given? Forever 21, American Eagle, Tilly's and 2 others I'd never heard of. Talk about feeling out of the loop! Well I panicked and opted for American Eagle since I knew there was one on Union Square. I went down there yesterday to avail myself of my discount and man did I feel like a fish out of water. I don't think anyone in there was over 16! Anyhoo, I did find this cute tank top, so the story ends well. I just hope I have the guts to wear it.

A perfect day

So Fashion Guy and I went hiking yesterday. Yeah, you scoff, but you when you hear that I've dropped 2 dress sizes doing it you may think twice. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Warm, sunny, blue skies, just a perfect California Day. To congratulate ourselves for having gone over 4 miles (small victories people), we stopped in at Alice's Restaurant in Woodside to have lunch. While we didn't score a table out on the patio, we did have the most succulent burger I've ever eaten. It had bacon, swiss and grilled onions on it. Mmmmm! With an ice cold beer and an order of onion rings on the side it was just about heaven. If you are in the area, you've got to try this place!

Finally!

I gave my magazines up over a year ago because I was just depressed about not being able to afford what they were selling. Now the rest of Americans are following suit. According to Jossip.com circulation is way down. Could it be because you can't afford that $2,500 purse featured in the Fall issue? In my case it sure is!

Is it over so soon?

My most recent movie star crush James McAvoy is looking a bit beat down these days. I kind of figured he'd jumped the shark after seeing Wanted this Summer. If you haven't seen it yet, my advise is don't. I fell hard for JM in The Last King of Scotland. He was a charming, snarky guy with a Scottish brogue who just slid through life. I quickly worked my way through his oeuvre. I hit the theater for Becoming Jane, Atonement and Penelope. I even rented Starter for Ten and Shakespeare Retold (which p.s. is definitely worth watching). I read every interview, and even looked for his promotional appearances on things like The Daily Show. I don't know when I became so disenchanted. Maybe it was his drunken red carpet ramblings at last year's Oscars. Or perhaps it really was that ridiculous pairing with Angelina Jolie. I hear he's busy right now making a movie with his wife. I'm hopeful, but I'm putting him on notice, it'd better be good buddy or your going down.

Just one more

I have a closet full of little black dresses. I love them for evening, and for day (with a jacket of course). They're just so flattering and versatile you can never have too many. Besides, the designers subtly change the style each year, and as a Fashion Girl I feel I must stay au courant. So...when I saw this adorable LBD over at Banana Republic, I knew it was time to shop. The front draping is perfecting in sync with Fall styles. I love the a-line skirt, so right for camouflaging for a big dinner. Oh, you know it happens. Just add a pair of Stuart Weitzman's new reptile skin peep toes and I'm good to go for a night out with the Fashion Guy.

You named him what?!

Kelly Rutherford, Serena's high society Mom on Gossip Girl (and ex-victim of Melrose Place), was overheard recently saying that she named her 2 year old son Hermes. Apparently she really likes their clothes. Her signature accessory on GG is her Hermes belt. I wouldn't name my kid after it though. Seriously, seek help lady.

Green with envy?

I am. Saw this gorgeous Fall dress over at Banana Republic this week. How great would it be with a pair of brown slingbacks and an envelope clutch? I loved the twist detailing at the shoulders. Simple, yet chic just like me. ;-)

Best part, it's on sale! Love it

I'm Batman

Everyone has been asking me recently if I've seen The Dark Knight and what I thought of it. This is a tough question to answer. I usually just cave and say, "It was long". The truth is it just wasn't that interesting. I know, I know sacrilege! "Heath Ledger was a genius". Well, he actually was quite spooky in the role of the Joker, but a genius? Um...no.

I found myself spending more time thinking about trivial issues than examining plot points. For instance, why does Batman talk in that silly low voice? He sounds like he's been chewing glass. I also wondered several times if that was really Christian Bale in the Bat suit. The face shape didn't look right and that, combined with the weird voice, got me thinking there's a stuntman in there instead of an actor. Also, if Gotham is set in Chicago where are those ferries heading too, Michigan? See for yourself. You'll have plenty of time during the film to watch for these details, balance your checkbook or re-do your manicure. Next up in the series: Batman: Zzzzz.

A touch of glass

So it being a Sunday and all the Fashion Guy and I thought it was time for a little culture. We headed over to the DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park after brunch to check out the Dale Chihuly exhibit. The place was packed. The glass itself was beautiful and just about close enough to touch. The colors are so bold and the shapes are so original it really does feel like art. I'd only ever seen it in the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas and as a decorating option it seems a bit over the top. As art though you can see the skill employed in producing these pieces. I'd definitely recommend you see the exhibit, just be prepared to fight the crowds!

Yoo hoo

Dear Metallic Coach Bag -

I know in the past when you've asked me out I've always said no. You just weren't my type. But recently I've had a change of heart. It's like I'm seeing you in a whole new way. You're sleek and sexy. Perhaps we are the perfect match after all. Will you give me a second chance? I promise I'll be worth it.

XOXO,

Fashion Girl

So cute I just about died!

Saw this on Splendora.com this morning and just had to share it. Wish I had a kid to put it on. Too cute!