Stylish with Substance

I was hunting down pictures of celebrity recent fashion upgrade, Nicole Richie, and saw a total downgrade of an accessory - her fiancé of 4 months, Adam Goldstein. Yes, girls, Men are Accessories. Dress them well; after all, if he's yours, he's not gay.

DJ AM (ahem, AM sounds like the lame-o radio broadcasting system, it doesn't represent cool tunes for me) is creepy. Look at his poser-cool-boy stare *shudder*.

Check out these pictures, Adam is not a compliment to the runway, and he turns Nicole into an accessory of a fashion crime. Don't get caught in pictures with a schlub while you're looking fabulous, girls!

Meanwhile, Paris just got engaged to ... Paris.

My Best Friend Forever likes to tease me about liking "Signature shoes." He knows about my obsessions, but has the bags and shoes confused.

The truth is, when most handbag designers do shoes in Signature patterns, it is a humorous attempt to gauge money from us. But these daringly-high-heeled Gucci purple-trim ankle strap pumps are impressive, even exquisite, in comparison.

I've been informed about a website, FLOSS in Style, which showcases celebrity fashion and where to get similar items, to "floss" the style. Users can find alternatives to celeb' outfits by selecting a star from a list, viewing different photos, and using the sidebar to the right of each picture. All of the featured figures on the site are famous for being fashion icons, as well as their respective talents. Most of the alternative items are a lot less expensive than the "real" thing (unless it IS the real thing). There are sometimes extra variations of a similar bag, etc. The site has some neat scripting, including little thumbnails of products and a nifty "zoom" feature to really focus in on a neat handbag or fabulous strappy sandals. The "shop" is even interactive; you can submit your own suggestions.

I've signed up and have suggested many items, I played there for nearly two hours my first night and had such a blast. I'll keep going back.

There are new pictures, items, and celebrities being added continuously, so keep checking yourself!

We were referenced among other (big?) "product" blogs, last, but not least, as "great," just great, no name. That's great? Only Pursed* was mentioned from the Lipped world.

Thanks?

We, the product blogs, were called "highly focused and super-creative resources."

It's Memorial Day, which signifies the coming of Summer. Weekend holidays surge at this time. The sun is out (and in, and out), greenery abounds, and we're all hearing the call of picnics and the beach.

We need bags for this occasion!

I love the blooming handbags & totes from Fiorelli. They've been cooing my name for weeks, now. The lip shaped "Salsa" shoulder bag is alluring and creative. Its flower printed canvas is accentuated by golden sequins.

Also quite nice are these bags in a hobo style and small "Sombrero" handbag with bamboo handles.

Marc Jacobs Tank & Colorblock Skirt

Marc! Marc, Marc, Marc, Marc! I could have created that!

I now have the memory of little ella as a wee one with her Barbies. I used to sew and alter their clothing. Oh, yes, the wonderful memories of the fashion-loving child who turned into ... just me.

End of cutesy memory sequence brings us back to this dreadful present. The tank?! THE TANK?! For $68, oh, please! Hanes offers more style (not necessarily great style) for $7 and up.

We've had a rough week at work, no doubt. Now it's Memorial Day weekend, and I've got the bag to cheer you out of a work stress slump and into party mode. This bag, Buti Mirò - Multicolor Art Print Embossed Leather Bag, screams summer fun and is just the ticket. Click to view the larger picture and enjoy your weekend, folks!

Lulu Guinness offers different variations of feminine wallets, referred to as coin purses, on her website. Her designs, such as Lips and high heeled shoes, make us very pleased.

There's a wallet for every occasion, but I prefer the look of the Card Case; I just love that small coin pocket clutch shape. I feel that its form compliments the lips design very well; it follows the angles of a lip!

There is also the Small Wallet, a Large Wallet, and the adorable kiss-lock Coin Purse.

This second design, also in the form of the attractive card case, is named "Fishnet" for it's webbed stockings pattern. We love anything shoes as well as handbags!

The preview for Marc Jacobs' fall line is out in full at Bergdorf Goodman. There are a lot more handbags to preview or preorder, and many are like this Elise Bag, but not quite as nice. Much of his handbag design is quite sophisticated, but not daring or varying in style. We've seen these bags, with their signature push-lock pockets, already from the copycats, which is a shame. I just can't get too excited, although I rather like this Elise's side belts.

Missing from the lineup? The furry mink bag, and the nice purple one. I wonder if they sold out!

Gasp! THIS is the perfect Manolo Blahnik shoe for me! It has the moderate heel and neutral color for wearing anytime anywhere. It is classic, with a bow that is sophisticated, not overtly girly. It looks like a classic pump kissed with ballet skimmer style.

And, joy of joys, it has the lovely name; Balleri. *swoon*

Alas, my purse will have to grow 8 times for me to afford such a shoe.