JZ + BJ

Check out my latest Style Expert stint on the history of Betsey Johnson on Bography Channel's Fashion Groundbreakers.

Got Polo?

I met these fine folks at Sulon on Flatbush in Brooklyn on an MTV Style shoot with Maluca. They've got the lock on hood glam. Nails did. Hair did. Purple leopard print skinny jeans over spiked Loubie-inspired high high heels. Mz. Diva Jonez is taking you to school.

Cheap Chic: Vintage Chic by Jess Zaino for The Epoch Times

Vintage and thrift shopping has never been more accessible and chic as it is now. Across the globe, girls and guys who love to scour for that special designer find, get lucky in the most obscure places. The definition of vintage is ‘representing the high quality of a past time’, so much like a fine wine, an outfit that was considered du jour a decade ago, is now worth its weight in style. I live on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and on my block alone, are six different thrift, consignment and vintage shops. I highly suggest a stop on the UES for any avid shopper that visits our city. The shops in my neighborhood, known for its more mature, affluent demographic, are stocked with the best vintage has to offer, as far as cheap chic finds are concerned. If you love a signature Chanel suit, you can expect to purchase one off the rack for a minimum of $5000. A leisurely stroll to sift through the merch of a consignment shop, especially on the UES of Manhattan will, on any given day, offer a pre-owned, perfectly preserved Chanel, for 5% of that price. There is nothing more chic than savings like that. And if conservative isn’t your thing, vintage includes rock n’ roll t-shirts from past decades at places like Electiques in Soho , where you will find a stand-out assortment of vintage Louis Vuitton luggage, from suitcases to steamer trunks, amongst an original 1976 Black Sabbath concert tour tee. My personal favorite is Designer Resale by Myrna Skoller on East 81st Street where, upon entering the huge, underground store, you can find an early 1980’s Betsey Johnson, hanging next to a Zac Posen piece from his debut collection, next to a Lela Rose suit set from last year, all retailing for less than $500. A true, appreciated Cheap Chic vintage.

Stella and Dot Style How-To

If you've ever wanted to play stylist, accessory brand Stella and Dot is the answer. A company inspired by and created for strong women who are designing irresistible jewelry. Their vision is of a world where STRONG WOMEN LIVE BOLD and joyful lives. They know what they want and they work for it. They inspire each other with exclusive in-home Trunk Shows by Independent Stylists. Passion and joy are their best accessories. Stella and Dot amazing pieces are designed in New York and San Francisco by award winning trend-setters who also create jewelry sold in Neiman Marcus and Fred Segal, their boutique style jewelry has been featured in top fashion mags, not to mention the cheap chic affordability, as much of the line is under $50.

Eye See You

Of late, I've been working with MTV and the spectacularly talented, Miss Heather Holliday. Not only is she an expert sword swallower, fire eater and knife thrower, but she's got a mean sense of her own brand of NY Hard Core meets Betty Page style. I'm inspired! While I won't be donning any show costumes any time soon, I am on the lookout for a sexy pair of vintage cat eye sunglasses. And as luck would have it, Miss Holliday pointed me in the purr-fect direction. Fabulous Fanny's on 9th Street in the East Village has an incredible catalogue of vintage pieces. I'm thinking about getting proper spectacles and replacing the lens with darkened sunglass lenses. If you're not in the area, or spending a pretty penny on accessories for your peepers is not your thing, you can buy them online here for $14.

smile.

After cleft lip surgery, Brazilian girl sees new face for the first time.

My Big Pink Crush

My favorite part of NYFW is the pomp and circumstance at the tents, around the tents, and even beneath the tents of Lincoln Center. It's the underground where the true style lies. Last week, I caught this AMAHZING hot pink, hard leather briefcase from The Cambridge Satchel Company on a cutie waiting for the subway post-show. I loved it so much, I seemed to stalk it, seeing it rocked as a proper briefcase, a clutch (as you see here) and even a backpack. Crushin' proper, I went online to investigate and what I discovered about the newest apple of my style eye is that it has a name, The Fluro, comes in four deliciously neon colors with the option for monogrammed personalization, and is a classic satchel with a contemporary twist. Le Sigh. I'm in love.

The Glam List: NYFW Edition

fashion for compassion

we are thick in NYFW spring 2012. most of the shows take place in the current headquarters of Lincoln Center and a few off-site collections show at sites like milk studios and other new york artsy landmarks. the fashionati are in full force as editors, buyers, and fabulous people watch the future of fashion walk the runway. what's so great about this week, is that the main shows actually spawn a slew of alternative shows, giving way to an indie voice. more specifically in this case, an Indian voice. last night at the ritz carlton in battery park, SAYWE held a fashion event entitled fashion for compassion. I was invited by my adorable friend, one life to live cast member and bollywood star, shenaz treasury, who walked the "ramp" (as she called it), closing the pria kataari puri show. of course, I cheered for my friend loudly, but I was also cheering as loud for the amazing clothing. long, flowing turquoise ombre pieces embellished with intricate beading by hand. rich fabrics! stunning colors! the clothes took my breath away. and after seeing some not so hot shows at the NYFW tents, the fashion for compassion show was a breathe of fresh, fashion air.

My 9-11

”Peace in my heart brings peace to my family. Peace in my family brings peace to my community. Peace in my community brings peace to my nation. Peace in my nation brings peace to my world. Let there be peace on earth, And let it begin with me.” As a native New Yorker, I am proud of my city, thankful for my country and compassionate for our world.

#FNOnyc

young love at the missoni for target premiere

last night was the unofficial kick off to New York Fashion Week and the private priemere unveiling of the missoni for target collection. long legged supermodels in see thru missoni, magazine editors with arms piled high with amazing missoni for target housewares and a young couple in love sneaking kisses in the corner. otherwise known as emma roberts and chord overstreet, the former rocked a missoni for target cardigan over denim with heels and bought hundreds of dollars of missoni for target merch, with her own credit card!!? you go girl! that's hardly ever seen from a celeb... there's no doubt why she bought so much too! the line is great with its signature prints and interesting colors, they carry not only clothes, but lingerie, kids, home, travel bags and accessories too! I had to fight for the one cereal bowl left and a child size dress, just to join in on the feeding frenzy. honestly, I could've just waited for the 400 piece collection to be available online but it was much more fun doing it this way. ranging in price from $2.99 to $599.99, with most items less than $40, Missoni for Target will be available Sept. 13 through Oct. 22, 2011 at all Target stores and Target.com.

knockin' boots

Fall is officially here. and so is the rainy day weather that accompanies it. and with the rain, comes the perfect rain boot! I am not prepared. and now that the Hunter boots have been pulled out of what it seems, every NYC girl's closet, it's time for me to find that perfect pair. I like to think that I have a unique sense of style, so a standard Hunter ain't my stylo. A riding boot hybrid from Saks Fifth Avenue is another story. I also dig on the Steve Madden Tsunami boots that have that rocker motorcycle chic. And if going rugged is more your thing, as I think it might be mine this season, the original, trusted boot from L.L. Bean is a classic.

my top pick for FNO

thanks to my new bud, daniel fletcher of fletcherlives.com, I'll be making be seen at this fashion scene, know what I mean, jelly bean?

the september issue

if you haven't caught the amazing r.j. cutler doc, the September Issue about the process and creation of vogue magazine's annual "bible", make sure to download on netflix and pick up the latest copy with kate moss on the cover at your newsstand today. with new york fashion week coming up, weee!, you won't want to miss out on any of the sexy trends that are happening this Fall.

lose the fake - let's get real!

this month, Sept. 2011, I turn 35 years young. ahhh! as I reflect on my three decades of living, I recognize I have quite a dysmorphic view of my body, I have such unhealthy thoughts towards myself and over the course of my life, I have lost and gained 500 lbs. its a daily struggle and currently I am 15 lbs over my comfortable weight and it really reflects itself in my living because I don't feel good about myself - I put on my big jeans and they are snug. I'm at a high weight that I thought I'd share it but I'm too embarrassed about it - I'm a shorty and got curves, and this is the year I am going to take control! my body continues speaking to me, rather yelling out at me from the inside, take care of this! people on the outside don't see that its an issue for me but its been a lifelong struggle. at 11 years old, I started binging and its been a roller coaster and a fight with my body ever since, so NO MORE! this is the year, the month before my birth year to take control, I've done a lot of interpersonal work this year and I am ready to release this last majorly heavy piece to finally balance out my wholeness. I've joined forces with Ms. Rosie Battista, who created the lifestyle experience, Sleeping Naked After 40, and while I am not 40, I do want to sleep naked. Because I don't! I sleep with three pairs of sweatpants on next my hottie naked boyfriend. Which is not cute! Rosie has customized a three month eating and excercise menu for me, and we'll be speaking weekly, daily if needed, to get me through this with support. And I'm choosing to put it out there in this medium because I know lots of women struggle from the same thoughts and feelings and if I can do it at the ripe 'ol age of 35, you can do too! SO, thank you for reading. And thank you for your support. I hope this helps you as much as it does me. let's do this!

Click here to get the secrets to start building your healthiest sexiest body ever!

wear white after labor day ; )

click here, rebellista, for all your post labor day fashion fantasies come true.

spirit preceeds style

...I now interrupt your regular style programming for a quick dip into the spiritual realm. with a hurricane and earthquake showing up in nyc this past month and the other upheaval stuff going around, I am reminded by rev. karen weingard that "THE NEW WORLD IS UNFOLDING...Consciousness Precedes Form

So much in the world is changing. Dictators are overthrown...people are asserting their rights...weather conditions are topsy turvy...and being centered in God becomes our only compass. I believe that these changes are creating a requalification and transformation of who we are uniquely. We are being forced to go within...to center ourselves in what is truly real...as well as to prioritize our values.

Our universe is in the pattern of powerful evolution into truly becoming a world where we move from Love. That means that we must become the loving beings that God intended. It also means that we treat one another with great respect, compassion and kindness. We're in a time where we don't know what to expect and we need to live fully aware of the present moment. We are being provided with an opportunity to wake up more than ever. Our consciousness has expanded and in our desire to be more authentic...and to be in our integrity, we are shifting the collective.

How exciting it is to realize that we have a powerful role in how the world unfolds...There are many questions that we can ask ourselves; What is really important? Are you starving yourself of the spirit that you are? Who are you really? How do you want to show up moment to moment? Are you willing to let go of any ways that you have controlled or manipulated those around you. Are you swirling out of control...or are you anchored in the eye of the storm which is that silent safe place that is the I AM PRESENCE?

In one week on the east coast people experienced an earthquake and a hurricane...Quite a shake up! What is being shaken loose in your life? What is collapsing under the shifts that you're moving through? Are you willing to live in a world where Love is truly our guiding energy? I
believe that LOVE is the frequency we need to embody and vibrate with. These are interesting times and it's exciting to remember that we chose to be here right now...That means that we are needed to show up as the love we truly are...The Universe needs YOU and the Universe needs me too!