(t)oki doki

I'm sure by now, you've seen the toki doki brand. they've been on everything from america's top model to l.a. fashion week to cutie lesportsac bags. started by pooneh and her hubby, who also started hard candy, they are at the forefront of the fashion/art mix. they hold unbelievable events and have thought so out of any box to build buzz that their urban hello kitty-like looks from japanimation inspired italian artist, simone legno would beat out anybody in a pants-off brand-off.

high school musical 2

I headed down to disneyland on tuesday to cover the premiere of high school musical 2 for j-14 magazine. it was a hot and sweaty day so thank gosh I was given a shady spot on the blue carpet to get my interview questions in. the celebs made their way down the carpet in front of thousands of screaming teen fans. what a sight! cindy crawford was decked out in roberto cavalli and most of the young HSM2 cast was wearing bebe with the exception of vanessa hudgens who was in a floor length red satin gown reminiscent of old hollywood. paired with her dress was chanel's black satin nailpolish of which she told me was her absolute fave. up and coming moviestar, zac efron was in country club casual in slip on vans and a breezy brooklyn industries blue button down. after the premiere I headed over to the house of blues with my new access hollywood buddies (including billy bush) for a after-work drink. turns out, the access hollywood.com hostess had a ticket into the theme park which I promptly took off her hands, paid up my bill and excitedly headed over to the park. for four hours, I rode the rides and enjoyed disney solo (including the new finding nemo sub ride that for a line two hours long was no big deal). I finished off with a frozen mickey treat, disney gifts for S and a fireworks show over cinderella's castle. I had a pretty magical night!

a nice ports.

have you seen the line, ports 1961? perfect name for perfect cocktail wear. if you're in need of a dazzler for an impressive night out, all the hollywood chickadees are wearing it. and as a stylist insider, I can tell you its true.

baby makin' hips.

I've got a big bum. and not in a sexy badonk-adonk way but in a large, flat pasta-making way. and on top of that (literally), I've got a short yet small waist. it is pretty difficult for me to find a pair of jeans that truly flatters and feels right. the low riders give me muffin-top and the newly-popular high waists accentuate my thighs. I ain't too proud to share my womanly wardrobe woes, so I'd like key you in on a denim secret -- maternity. if you can get over the fact that you are not pregnant and would be willing to wear pregnant pants, you may find a world of wonder in these jeans. I was shopping for a preggers client the other day when I popped into two maternity clothing stores and ended up walking out with a pair of the jeans (in small) for me (don't worry ma - I am not pregnant. yet). they have the great elastic band that makes my rump look round and the flare at the ankle to bring the look up to date. in the small size, it flatters the tummy and fits perfectly. and like that seinfeld episode, I take out the tags so no one knows (should they see) that I'm rocking maternity jeans. so lets please keep this between you and me.

triple xxx, errrr.... A

here's a trend that everybody with a car should tap into - triple AAA. my car broke down the other day in an underground parking garage and thanks to months of my mother and boyfriend pleading for me to acquire the service I did. and boy am I glad I did. I was running an hour late on a dinner party I was throwing when the incident went down and it took triple AAA fifteen minutes to come and tow the car back to my place for a $50. a year fee. this is most definitely something you want to have in your closet of life.

bite me.

sarah jessica parker does it again. for a while now, she has been designing clothes for her line, bitten. I had read about it but only knew of it as a wardrobe myth. like finding chanel at the salvation army or socially acceptable knock-offs. I caught a seventeen magazine spread that used alot of the line which was so cute that it motivated me to get online and look it up. bitten is exclusively sold at steve and barry stores and I had never been to one, let alone know where one is. turns out across the street from the beverly center in the beverly connection is a steve and barrys where the old old navy used to be. I headed out just before closing time to see what the fuss was about. sjp has designed everything from great wide leg sailor pants to flats to bras to workout gear. and ALL UNDER $20!?!? and so cute to boot. there is such a wide selection that I was shocked we havent heard more about. I walked out with a sweet tote in distressed gray for $10!? I would've bought out the whole line but I ended up in the store after it registers closed. I'll be back tomorrow. locate the nearest steve and barry's yourself and get bitten. you'll be glad you did.

kickin it old school

stopped by the reebok fall preview party at the chateau marmont tonite. hosted by kari feinstein in bungalow one, with morty spinning, it was a charming get together for a classic brand. they are putting alot of work into resurrecting the brand and I hope it gets off on the right foot come fall (pun intended). the pieces were sportswear to be expected with some throw-back neon numbers thrown in for good measure. very cute for the teen set or a harajuku girl armed with a spray can. walked away with some fab goodies, including a nights stay at the chateau, which is divine because its my fave. on the way out, ran (in my new reebok kicks) into robbie williams and jamie sigler. that place never disappoints.

boobs!

being a female means always having to buy a good bra. since I first picked up a leopard-print number at ross a few years ago, my favorite and best fit has come from the betsey johnson intimates line. it was time for a new bra (mine can get pretty worn out from wear) so I headed into victoria's secret to pick up a BJ special (ross has since yet to carry any more of her pieces). for $42 I picked up a cream colored number that has me feeling so supported and sexy that I was inspired to post this blog. in my bra. and nothin' else. its that good. you can check out the selection and make an online purchase here. this spectacular line of pretty underthings has got my stylist stamp of approval.

buy the friendly skies

I found these awesome sunglasses in the atlanta airport today. they remind me of something diane keaton would wear in an early 80's woody allen film. keep an eye out on your next flight out for the fab airport store named bijoux lerner where all the fun accessory goodies are $10.

mind the gap

OMG! have u seen the new gap ads as shot by annie leibovitz? for a clothing brand that went down hill, they sure know how to work it out with their marketing skills. besides john mayer (thanks perez for the pic), the big leibov-ski also shot sarah silverman and ken watanabe. you'd think with these names they'd get a little cool cred...

sample of a sample sale

for the ladies that asked, I usually get emails or fliers for the local sample sales. in fact, if you are in los angeles, you can go to this one...

Vanitas of California is going to be participating in a fabulous group Sample Sale, including Wilen and N.Fem. There will be Amazing clothes at Amazing prices!
If you are a woman, have a woman in your life, or know a woman, I suggest you stop by!!! :)

When: Saturday July 21 from 12-4pm.
Where: 7600 Melrose Ave, Suite N (upstairs), LA 90046.

libertine has arrived!

took a pop in to target this morning to pick up some necessaries and saw a wild crowd of women tearing apart the new libertine line for the GO! collection. yup. it's here and it's kinda cool.

cheap and chic

I head to tampa on monday for a couple of home shopping network appearances and I decided to pull some designer duds for myself to rock on air, considering I am a trend expert and all. I am very lucky to have friends in high fashion places and was able to pull a fab moschino dress and three pairs of moschino heels from my friends at bluPRint who rep such unbelievable lines as oscar de la renta, zac posen and more. I also borrowed three dress from my fave new line, mon petit oiseau from my friends at bollare. I'm on air the 23rd and 24th of this month so (like waldo) watch for the cute couture. p.s. for the girls that ask, a stylist usually pulls clothes through a PR house to style out the subjects/celebs in the most fashion-forward yet to be released finds. p.s.s. it's a good idea to keep and build your contacts at the local pr firms/department stores for such occasions.

that's all folks

me and andi hit up the warner brothers studio sale a couple of weeks ago and walked away with some fab finds. the studio sale is when they rid themselves of all of the wardrobe, sets, misc. pieces that are used throughout the years on the different television shows. you pick up a cute purple gap tee and chances are you walking away with television history. it was fun to rummage (for hours) over the racks of clothing and furniture looking for fun and cheap finds. as a style expert, I was able to decipher between a pill-y, unwearable no name from a comme des garcon original. we were pretty happy to have me around.

sicko

see michael moore's new movie sicko and get to talking.

in the (k)now

if you're looking to stay tres chic, c'est chic, follow these simple trends:

- bangles, bangles and more bangles layered up
- big tassles on your bags ala 80's chanel
- red lips and red nails
- channel annie hall with menswear-inspired wide leg trousers and fitted tops

happy trending!

marc my words

people tend to have misconceptions when it comes to designer shops. a fear of the unknown (and exorbitant pricing) keeps many a good shopper out of a prada or a versace. well fear not high fashion lovers! I am here to report from the front lines that marc by marc jacobs on melrose has the freshest affordable trinkets this side of target. I picked up a quilted oversized bag, a gold wallet, flips and a tee for S. and another carry-all bag for me, while spending close to $100!?!? if you're not in the la. area hit up their website or check out eBay. rumour has it, someone is selling some of the cheap stuff there. speaking of rumers, if you are in the la. area, rumer willis is a shopgirl at the marc by marc joint. perhaps an ashton sighting is in your fashion future?

and the award goes to...

the mtv movie awards are happening this week which means its swag time in l.a. and no one does it bettter than the doe-eyed miss kari feinstein. this chick keeps it cool and calm and together depsite the chaos that surrounds the annual gift-giving event. yesterday me and S. caught the valet truck up with my girl claudia and proceeded to take shamelessly the goods that the gifters had to offer. the style lounge was held in a private residence up top bev hills where room upon room was filled to the brim with folks ready to dress the musique elite for the awards show. reebok was stocked on sneakers and were happy to give out pumps for the boys and old school neon joints for the girls. they win the award for most giving and prepared. I loved the creative and sweet prints done up by papier, whimsy and was happy to stock up some very cool new wrapping papers and note cards. check em. cheap and cute. they get the most likely to succeed award. coming in best overall performance of a brand is marnie rocks. this chick from texass was working the room and every guest like they were her best friend. funny enough, she had a genuine enthusiasm about her interactions and goods and I was happy to unload her of a gigantic black cocktail ring and gold python-skinned waist bag (perfect for our new york trip next week, despite S.'s hate of the look). it was a great event with some really fun celeb sightings like elisha cuthbert and miss perez hilton (me missed out on jessica alba. poopers). again, major propers to kari feinstein for the tremendous work she does putting the event together.

phu bu

my fashionista friend, phu put together a very cool fashion/art exhibit/show last night at the cabana club in hollyweird. she did a great job parodying the money-luvin crowd and an even more impressive job making reconstructed clothes out of thrift store finds and target bags for her one of a kind zoe winston line. made for us, by...phu.

trend predictions

I see the future... and it includes suspenders and body suit shirts. worn together or seperately. to the future in style, ladies!

true blue, baby I love you

if you're looking for the hottest new nail color of the season, look to the skies. literally. everyone is rocking the blue these days.

I wear my sunglasses

I love the sunglasses. In the past I've always made the decision to spend 1/2 my rent money on sunglasses rather than on my, well, rent. I have several favortie pairs of Chanels, Dior and a great pair of Chloe with some Ralph Lauren, Ray-Ban and Betsey Johnson thrown in for good measure. Lately though, I've been more interested in my $5 aviators that I picked up at the Fairfax flea market. What's great about them is they are chic and classic (like a Michael Kors) but I can lose them, break them, sit on them, throw them out and still go and pick up a brand new pair for next to nothing. It's the great sunglass debate. what's your stance?

lotsa mozza

my family is obsessed with the food network. even my sister who lives in switzerland gets her daily fix of paula deen and the gang. when my dad is home in the daytime, he doesn't miss a second of mario batali. as a result, we've been to all of the batali restaurants in new york. recently the big red MB opened up his first west coast venture, mozza. being the pizza and batali fan I am, I was dying to pull a hard to get rez. last night I had that opportunity. mozza, located on highland off melrose looks similarly to batali's new york joints with the simple bold colors of tuscany and a killer wine selection. the eggplant companata and marinated peppers were a great start and the margherita pizza (despite the 12 other more fanciful pizza concoctions) was buttery and yummy and filled with basil-y goodness. a glass of their slightly overpriced red was a perfect accompaniment. buon appetito!

the other jessica

I had a fab time down in tampa with the home shopping network and even got to meet some very interesting and recognizable business folk. I happened to appear after master chef wolfgang puck several times so we would run into each other in the halls. that man is made of good energy and vibes (as S. says). no wonder he is a culinary whiz cum worldwide personality. also on the list of amazing star sightings was none other than ken paves, ruler of jessica simpson's locks as well as so many other celebs. he did a line of clip ons with ms. simpson and was doing an HSN special for them annnnd staying in the same hotel as moi. I approached him and the entourage at lunch by the pool and asked for a photo for my blog. I seriously asked for a photo from this guy. while he was eating. for my blog. only a die hard trendster would get super psyched over a hairstylist. what a dork I am. I did however, get the shot.

breaking night

if u happen to be up at 2am - 4am EST (thats 11 - 1am west siders) tonite/early saturday morning, I'll be hanging out on the home shopping network talking about shoe trends and my personal fave, mens-wear inspired clothing for the ladies.

what's black, white and read all over?

staying in business hotels, you'll often find a usa today or the like under your door each morning. that means, each morning after you've read the paper you dispose of it in the garbage. there is no recycling available for it. that's ALOT of paper. daily. nationally. I will be writing the hilton HQ to suggest a recycling program for all of its hotels and probably will reach out to some other major chains as well. will u?

swamp meet

I'm down here in tampa, florida working with the home shopping network. I'm staying over a week which gives me plenty of down time to explore the local watering holes. literally, there is a huge natural water and nature preserve behind my hotel with a surrounding boardwalk that is incredible. when I'm not styling out clothes or talking trends on the teevee, I'm huntin' gator. there are six gators in the preserve, one of which I saw today. and six turtles. and many beautiful birds. and a big fish. it's nice here. I think I'll rent a car later in the week and check out the award-winning beaches of the mexico gulf. is this business or pleasure?

mad in brooklyn

s. rocks the brooklyn industries. do you?

hair hoppers

all of a sudden, I'm obsessed with pics and posts of my hair. meg is taking the finger wave portion of her cosmetology test tomorrow and to prepare, she did up my 'do 1940's style in nyc this past weekend. my goodness, what effort and time ladies had to endure back in the day before flat irons and the such to stay beautiful.

from amie

what?! another myspace friend, amie liked the pic below so much, she made one of her own.

for vella

my myspace friend davella asked if I could send a pic of my hair for her. well since I was shooting with tv guide's channel the fashion team today I thought it would be a good time to take a shot. little did I know they would straighten it not giving vella the desired affect of my naturally curly and rambunctious hair. I hope this will do for now, dear. as I've mentioned, check out my girl andi who is my stylist at getadamnhaircut. until next time, I'm off to new york. hoppy easter.

peace out

war is not kind to animals and other living things. start a peaceriot. clothes for a cause.

it's all in the bag

the new spring 2007 barney's bag catalougue came out last week. oh my dog, I love em'! especially the jil sander stingray tote and bottega veneta woven ostrich tote. what a really covet is the fendi canvas tote for spring/summer. two for me, please.

silver metal

me and S were at the sycamore springs mineral baths in morro bay earlier this week chillin when his silver jewelery turned all sorts of iridescent colors. the pieces were sentimental so no doubt S was bummed. but being the smart boy he is, when he got home, he brushed the jewelry with a toothbursh and toothpaste and voila! they came correct. just like that. good as new. so here is a trendster tip for you: if you're jewelry turns a funky color in a hot spring or otherwise, its nothing that a little toothpaste cant fix.

jetsetter love letter

booked a gig today with the home shopping network and am flying out at 4am tomorrow to florida to shoot. see you's later. xo.

bashshmox studios

here we go again with a slew of new fall 2007 shows for l.a. fashion week at the factor's smashbox studios. I hit up the sue wong show yesterday as well as voom by joy han. luckily I had my front row seat for sue wong but sadly didnt have anything for the voom show. it was my bright idea to wear a voom dress and make nice with the show pr girls which I did and even luckier for me, ran into the costumer for modern girls (who now dreeses the tv guide channel kids) who had several front row tix, one of which was offered up to me. the sue wong show was of course, a spectacle, as it is every year. she is the only one who does it right with rock n' roll charged mod music and more than 50 looks!?!?! in l.a. thats unheard of. usually you get a couple of deconstructed tees with girls carrying malti-poos. she has a very specific look of asian-influenced ornate beading and flapper style dresses. we had alot of that this show. some pieces I loved, some of seen before. I did however get to say hello to some familiar friends and even did a little on-air tete-a-tete with my look for less brother, james aguiar for full frontal fashion. the voom show was cute as heck. alot of people left not liking it but I was a big fan. volumous print dresses with dark black tight and high high black patent leather pumps ruled. I think joy han has her lovely harajuku-like style that is a breath of fresh air in l.a. now if only her pieces weren't so pricey.

wino forever

I'm so into amy winehouse it hurts. her album came out today. it's brilliant. she's brilliant. she's brilliantly fecked up. go get it.

i heart stuart house

bring your heart to our house. john varvatos and event partner, converse, close the street and opens the doors of his west hollywood boutique for an afternoon of shopping, bidding, live music, food and fashionable festivities on melrose and robertson outside his flagship boutique to benefit stuart house, a nationally recognized program of the rape treatment center, serving the special needs of child victims of sexual abuse and their families. joe and I threw on the chucks, took out our checkbooks and headed on over. it was a family affair with a ton cool games and craft tables for the kids (including glitter tattoos which of course, I had to have), in n' out burgers and a slew of celebrities. I ran into laura donuts there who I made pose in front of the silent auction mc, drew carey, so it wouldn't look like I was taking his pic. ha.

happy birthday bree!

I love girls night. especially when its to celebrate a very special girl and her bday. my beautiful friend bree held a tre fab gathering of the girls last night at the belmont. she got some really great gifts including a birthday dress from tart, a clutch from paul smith, a mani/pedi from le vie l'orange and from me, a photobook that reads "my bitches" on a lovely script font. in addition, I bought disposable cameras for everyone to take shots to fill said book. yip! in a very obnoxiously lovable way, tali and I tried to get the dj to play hip hop but no such luck. we had to delight in our sprinkles cupcakes over old rock which is cool coz we roll like that.

show us your boobs

spas and shops come together for a good cause at the second annual spa boutique for a cure this saturday, march 10. held at the bel age hotel off sunset, the event features spa treatments, designer shopping, music, food and giveaways with ticket proceeds going to support breast and ovarian cancer charities. spa-ing and shopping? sounds divine. let's go kick some lady cancer beehind.

palm spring punk

I've got it bad for trina turk.

these shoes weren't made for walkn'

in an attempt to walk up a very steep hill in very high heels the other night, I broke the wooden heel of my favorite steve madden white slip-ons. oh, the devastation of losing something so dear to me. I picked up those heels somewhere in our great land when I was on tour with fma live! and loved them into the ground. literally. I stopped in to dsw today to see what I could find and came across a sexy pair of j-lo (eesh) slip ons. I think they'll do for now.