What do you think of Carmen Electra’s glammed up style?

Photos: PacificCoastNews.com/Catherine Deane

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Leave your standard khaki trench coat behind and inject a ray of sunny yellow into your outerwear wardrobe. This vibrant, collarless silk crepe tailcoat features a dramatic hem – cropped in the front; long in the back. Features princess seams, horizontal welt pockets and a round button & chain fastening at the placket. Silk lined.

Sass & Bide Double the Distance Jacket, $575, shopbop.com

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Miley Cyrus also wore a short white dress that resembled a suit jacket, paired with black and white heeled sandals, and former MTV veejay ‘Downtown’ Julie Brown went for a white pantsuit with a silver crystal tie and a black fedora.

Even couples got in on the black and white action. Swizz Beatz paired his off-white suit with a black fedora and rounded sunglasses, while his wife Alicia Keys wore a curve-hugging long black dress with her hair in a twisted updo. Singer Monica wore a maxi-length white gown with a deep keyhole front and side split, and she paired it with Christian Louboutin Daffodile leopard print calf hair pumps. We would have chosen a more delicate shoe with this dress but Monica still pulled it off. Her husband, Phoenix Suns guard Shannon Brown wore a black suit with a white tee underneath, plus black sunglasses and sneakers.

Two of our favorite looks for the night were that of Brandy and Carrie Underwood. Brandy looked gorgeous a short mauve, ‘fringed’ style Hervé Léger by Max Azria dress with Christian Louboutin peep toe pumps and her hair in a curly fro. Country singer Carrie Underwood stunned in a Cinderella-style pink and grey tulle Oscar de la Renta gown, paired with silver peep-toe pumps and a pearl, crystal and sapphire covered Cara vanity case.

And let’s not forget about the guys! Justin Bieber rocked his usual look of a denim jacket, T-shirt and jeans, while Usher looked dapper in a eye-popping blue suit, and Robin Thicke looked suave in his black and silver suit jacket with a tee and jeans.

Check out more awards looks in the slideshow below:
[slideshow]

Photos: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America

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One by one, the audience heard from beauty experts from brands like Trish McEvoy, Chantecaille, Laura Mercier, Chanel, M.A.C., and more. There were raffle prizes handed out by hot male lifeguards, a wonderful energy as everyone was introduced to amazing new products, and I even got up on the runway to show off my Trish McEvoy Arabian Nights Gel Eyeliner!

To achieve glowing skin, I highly recommend the Clarisonic Mia 2. With two speeds, this new model allows you to customize your cleansing, and it works wonderfully with your favorite facial cleanser. After your skin is cleansed, achieve that natural glow and fight aging with Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Active Vitamin D Serum Oil. Worried about fine lines? Check out Osmotics Cosmeceuticals Crease-Less Non-Surgical Alternative which features a blend of peptides and wrinkle-filling spheres to relax and prevent lines and wrinkles.

The hot trend in make-up this season is gold shimmering eyes paired with a pop of color on the lips. Chantecaille’s new Coral Reef Palette features a beautiful collection of coral and neutral browns for cheeks and eyes. Gorgeous gold coral is embossed onto each color in the palette, adding that gold shimmer that is so hot this spring. Tawni raved about YSL Glossy Stains for lips. Her shade du jour was #17, a gorgeous pink, and she told me that they truly do last from day to night without needing touch-ups. Want to go bright and bold? Smashbox Cosmetics Be Legendary Lipstick is long-wearing and comes in beautiful bright shades to keep you on trend.

Nothing pairs better with a bright lip than a perfect foundation. Achieve even tone, texture and radiance with Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation. It is lightweight for warmer weather, yet is buildable to allow you to achieve the coverage you want. Looking for sun protection in your foundation? M.A.C. Matchmaster Foundation contains SPF 15 and will keep you looking flawless while protecting your skin.

The hot fragrance of the moment is Valentina Eau de Parfum by Valentino. This sensual, feminine oriental floral is perfect for spring. It is a delicious blend of tuberose, orange blossom, and strawberries that really makes a statement. The bottle itself is absolutely gorgeous, it is a must-see in person!

The runway show concluded, and then the fun began downstairs in the cosmetics department. All the brands had make-up artists on hand for make-overs and consultations. There were amazing gifts with purchase, as well as Nordstrom-exclusive value sets. I loved visiting all the counters and I was like a kid in a candy store with all the great products and sets being offered.

Tawni told me about Nordstom’s new beauty stylist program, which is a personal beauty shopper that is trained in all the lines and able to help you with all your beauty needs. Talk about one-stop shopping! If you are in the NY metro area, I highly recommend a visit to Nordstom Roosevelt Field’s beauty department. Cosmetics Manager Tricia Dlouhy has a great team of sales associates that can help you find the perfect products to meet your beauty and skin care needs.

I had a great experience at Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show 2012; the only downside is that I have to wait a whole year to experience it again! Visit Nordstrom.com to view any of the products mentioned in this article, as well as to shop online.

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Me, pictured in some of my discount finds

When it comes to savvy shopping, here are 3 basic rules I live by:

1. Set a shopping budget
You set a budget for your bills and a budget for your savings, so why not one for treats for yourself too? After all, you work hard and you’ve earned it! I set aside a little each month because as a fashion writer, I come across stuff that I love and covet everyday, but having a set budget keeps me from splurging on all of it. Which takes me to my next rule…

2. Ask yourself, is this an investment piece?
When I was younger, I was all about shopping on trend. Now that I’m older, I need less trendy stuff but instead go for more classic items, ones that have staying power. When I shop, I look for items that I know I can wear year after year, like a little black dress, a classic and comfortable pair of pumps, or a structured blazer or handbag. If it’s something I know I’ll only wear once or twice, unless it’s for a special occasion, I won’t buy it.

And finally–
3. Sell gently-used items you no longer wear or use
Remember those trendy items I mentioned? Well, once the trend is over, they’re just taking up valuable space in your closet! And remember that one man’s/woman’s no-longer-wanted trendy ‘trash’ may be another’s ‘treasure’, so sell them, and stack up some cash as a result! Of course there’s the largest online marketplace, eBay, plus other stores like Beacon’s Closet and Buffalo Exchange, where you can sell your clothes for cash, or trade them for new ones. Alternatively, you can just donate them to Goodwill or The Salvation Army, write off the donation on your taxes and feel good about giving too!

What are your personal rules for savvy shopping? Share them in the comments section below!

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Fifth Third Bank via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Fifth Third Bank.

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Which beauty products are you most excited about adding to your beauty routine for spring?

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Is your mom far from the average mom? Well buy her an above-average gift! La Mer Collections ‘Neon Odyssey’ Watch is far from your average watch. It has a classic face with teal and slate leather straps that wrap around the wrist several times in a design that resembles layered bracelets. With metal studs and a rose-gold ionic plate framing a white face, it’s the perfect gift for the fashion-forward mom. Also available in neon pink and neon yellow.

-La Mer Collections ‘Neon Odyssey’ Watch, $118, Nordstrom.com.

Echo’s Sundial Pareo lightweight scarf is a great accessory to instantly update your Mom’s summer wardrobe. This semi-sheer scarf features a colorful sundial print mixed with a colorful graphic print. It’s a super versatile summer accessory. Your mom can wear it loosely around the neck, over the head, or even tied to that new handbag you got her (see our next gift idea!).

-Echo Sundial Pareo, $58, Bloomingdales.com.


The kate spade new york Beverly Breeze Tote is ideal for any Mom who is constantly on the go. It’s spacious enough to fit all of mom’s needs, whether she’s heading to work, running errands with the kids, traveling or heading to a day at the beach! And the bold fuchsia, purple and red chevron  ’print’ on a polyurethane and patent leather just screams summer!

-kate spade new york Beverly Breeze Tote for $368 at Bloomingdales.com.


Take it from us – moms ALWAYS appreciate jewelry. If diamonds aren’t in your budget, gift this modern, multi-colored necklace that can be worn with almost any outfit.  Handmade in Rio de Janeiro, the Lanno Aline Necklace incorporates multicolored, twisted waxed cords that make a subtle statement, especially when worn with neutral hues.

-Lanno Aline Necklace, $92, shopbop.com.

A fabulous straw hat is an absolute must-have for summer, and we found one for Mom that is both stylish and practical. This Laundry by Shelli Segal ‘Zoe’ Two Tone Fedora provides a little shade on those bright sunny days. Mom can wear it to the pool or while spending an afternoon running errands.

-Laundry by Shelli Segal ‘Zoe’ Two Tone Fedora, $38, Nordstrom.com.

What will you gift your mom this Mother’s Day?

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Memorial Day marks the unofficial kicks off to summer and frankly, we’re excited! This means weekends at the beach, barbecues and other summer fun. Memorial Day weekend is a great time to get away, especially to the shore, and packing for it is quite easy. Just stuff your favorite beach bag with a sexy swimsuit, a pair of sunglasses, sandals and a chic sundress or cover up. And don’t forget the sunscreen!

Check out more warm weather goods for Memorial Day weekend and beyond, at Marshalls.

Presented by Marshalls

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1. The Color Surge in Bloom Mother’s Day gift set by Clinique is a wonderful kit that will give your mom everything she needs to create a bright and beautiful look this spring. The 6-pan set includes Color Surge eyeshadow, High Impact mascara, Glosswear lip gloss, Take the Day Off makeup remover, and  a Blushwear Cream Stick. Included is a pretty pink floral make-up pouch to store it all in.
Buy for $43.50 at Nordstrom

2. Treat Mom to the wonderful new scent, Valentina by Valentino. Housed in a gorgeous bottle adorned with flowers, this woodsy, fruity floral is perfect for spring. Bergamot is unexpectedly paired with white Alba truffle as the top note, creating a fresh scent. The fragrance also infuses strawberries with a floral bouquet, as well as amber and cedar. Mom will feel like a queen in this gorgeous scent.
Buy for $108 at Neiman Marcus

3. If your mom prefers eco-friendly cosmetics, gift her some beauty products from the Alicia Silverstone for Juice Beauty Collection. This line of organic beauty products contains certified organic juice base, shea and cocoa butters, and recycled pressed paper packaging. Our picks include pairing the Alicia Silverstone for Juice Beauty Irresistable Glow Facial Highlighter, and Alicia Silverstone for Juice Beauty Purely Kissable Lip Color (Alicia’s signature color). Both hydrate the skin and lips and will give your mom (or you) just a touch of natural color.
Buy for $22 and $16 at ULTA Beauty

4. Does Mom love to do her nails? Give her the gift that keeps on giving even after Mother’s Day with the Julep.com Maven program. Julep is the website for all things nails, including hand and nail care, foot care, nail polish, design ideas, etc. The Julep Maven program is a monthly subscription program for nails. Based on a style quiz, polishes and nail care items are selected for the recipient. Boxes are only $19.99 with free shipping each month, and the value of the items is always well over the cost of the box. Is your mom an ‘It Girl’, ‘Bombshell’ or ‘Boho Glam’? Whatever her preference, you can order a gift subscription for her for 3,6, or 12 months at julep.com.

Remember, for Mother’s Day gifts, you can’t go wrong with beauty! Let me know what you decide to gift your Mom, and don’t forget to treat yourself to something special too.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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What’s Haute: Tell us about ‘skin’. How did you come up with the concept/brand?
Susan Beischel: I came up with the concept and brand because I was looking for something comfortable and sophisticated, yet sensual and modern, that fit the way I wanted to dress. And it wasn’t in the market. I was also looking to scale down in size and effort: I didn’t want to change my closets, I didn’t want to rotate my clothes from season to season, I didn’t have a lot of space in my closet, and I no longer wanted to own a lot of things. I wanted a wardrobe that would serve many purposes, that would go many places, and that would allow me to be myself; to be comfortable and appropriate in many settings. I wanted to be fashionable yet “seen” for the person I am, not the print I am wearing and I didn’t want to feel like I was wearing the latest costume.

WH: What kinds of items can we find in your current collection?
SB: Items for 24/7 dressing. Underwear, t-shirts and camisoles, chemises and dresses, yoga pants and cardigans, lounge pants, layering tees, robes and wraps, and tubes and skirts for beach or boardroom. Gowns for opening night or for ending the day.

WH: What’s your inspiration for next season’s collection?
SB: ’Cloak yourself in kindness.’

WH: What’s your favorite way to wear ‘Skin’, and which item is your favorite piece?
SB: My favorite way to wear skin is to wear my robe as a business blazer, the same robe/wrap as a day dress, or then as a yoga wrap, and my robe/wrap is my favorite piece!!!!

WH: Besides ‘Skin’, what are your top 3 favorite brands/designers?
SB: My favorite brands/designers are the brands that care about my health and healthy living. I love Buddha Chocolate, a brand of organic artisinal dark chocolate bars made locally in Brooklyn and sweetened with locally grown honey. I love Intelligent Nutrients, an organic cosmetic brand, because I can trust all of their products to be healthy and non-toxic for my body, and the scents are soothing to my senses. For fashion I love Ann Demeulemeester for orginality, sophistication, and creative genius.

Skin sent me their Ribbed Tunic for review. Made of 100%superfine ribbed pima cotton, this top is one of the softest, most comfortable ones I’ve ever owned! The Violette color is vibrant (my photos don’t do it justice!) and the cut is relaxed yet flattering. And did I mention how soft it is? I wanted to lounge around in it all day!

Check out the full collection of luxurious loungewear and underwear at skinworldwide.com.

*Special thanks to skin for the tunic and the interview!
—
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with stories of entrepreneurs – from how they got their start onto the path leading to where they are now. I especially love to read stories of women who saw a need and acted on it to fill a void in the marketplace. As such, I’ve decided to create a space to showcase women entrepreneurs on What’s Haute, called ‘Women On Top‘.

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Shop Gwen’s haute look:
Kelly Wearstler ‘Rio’ Crop Leather Moto Jacket | Acne Pistol black leather ankle boots | Stella McCartney Sunglasses

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Trends we spotted
Cameron Diaz (in metallic Stella McCartney) and Rihanna (in an ‘alligator’ Tom Ford dress) both opted for simple column dresses with deeply plunging backs. Both could have wowed more but still looked beautiful.

Peplum dresses were also in full effect. Solange Knowles rocked a yellow version by Rachel Roy), while Hunger Games star Elizabeth Banks wore a printed Mary Katrantzou peplum gown and Eva Mendes stunned in an orange Prada number.

Metallic was also popular last night. Several celebrities rocked the shiny dress trend, like Jessica Alba (in a metallic bronze Michael Kors Grecian-style dress), Carey Mulligan (in a metallic Prada fishscale dress) and Anne V in a metallic fringe dress.

Orange was a popular color, as seen on Eva Mendes, Kristen Bell and Katharine McPhee. Classic black or white gowns ruled the red carpet as well, as seen on Gisele Bundchen, Mary Kate Olsen (in a custom gown by The Row), Rosie Huntington Whiteley, Ashley Green and Claire Danes.

What were they thinking?
Kirsten Dunst wore a frumpy, two piece orange and white suit that left us scratching our heads. This was the Costume Institute Gala, not a job interview! Another head-turner/scratcher was Beyonce Knowles in Givenchy. We know the new mom is proud of her bounced-back body but she was basically wearing a mesh bodysuit with plumage. It got the photogs attention, for sure, but not really one of her best looks in our opinion.

Twilight star Kristen Stewart was another whose look left us confused. She posed with Nicolas Ghesquière in a Balenciaga look of a leopard print sequin tank paired with a colorblock leather skirt and white strappy sandals. Overall, it wasn’t a good look. Alicia Keys underwhelmed in a black Givenchy pantsuit. And Christina Ricci wore a bespoke Thakoon black lace dress with a humongous ivory colored fanned neckline and bow attached to the back.

Which celebs were your hautes and nots at the 2012 Met Ball? Check out the photos below for more red carpet fashion!

[slideshow]

Images: Getty

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Check out the collection below.

[slideshow]

What do you think of Baby Phat’s Spring/Summer 2012 boho look?

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Take a peek at some of the ‘gilded’ gold, turquoise and bejeweled goodies that will launch October 4:

About the collection:

H&M is proud to announce a special collaboration with fashion icon and legendary Fashion Director Anna Dello Russo. An idol of the blogosphere whose flamboyant outfits are endlessly documented by style photographers and broadcasted globally through the web, Anna Dello Russo proved her unique sense of style creating a special collection of accessories for H&M. Unabashedly glamorous, precious and playful, the range is an expression of Dello Russo’s taste for ornamentation. Available from October 4, 2012, at the peak of the global fashion weeks tour, in around 140 stores worldwide and online. The collection features jewelry, sunglasses, shoes, bags and a trolley allowing H&M customers uniqueness at an affordable price.

“I am excited by this collaboration: this is the first time H&M involves a Fashion Director in a special project. This is the sign of an important evolution in fashion, and I am both thrilled and humbled to be the one chosen to lead it. I wanted to create precious accessories that are impossible to find. As a stylist I know accessorization is essential: it is the personal touch to any outfit. With these pieces everybody can have fun, turning an ordinary day into a fantastic fashion day”, says Anna Dello Russo.

“It’s been extremely exciting to involve Anna Dello Russo in this project, something completely different from what we have done before. Anna has a fantastic eye and a strong taste, apart from being a veritable fashion icon. She produced an extravagant range of accessories that will get H&M customers and everyone in love with fashion excited. The collection is a celebration of excess, fantasy and decoration” says Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor at H&M.

What do you think? Are you excited over this accessories collection?

Photos: Magnus Magnusson

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