Sleek & Chic: Gucci Gets it Right

I know we're barely crawling into Fall, but according to fashion- it's all about the Spring 2010 season (as we speak it's Fashion Week in Milan). I'm going to be brutally honest, I haven't been knocked over by any one collection (I know, I think I may make a doctor's appointment tomorrow). But I'll tell you what I do like: a sleek, monochromatic look. I'm sure you've mastered all black. Try pulling together a great look with a variety layers and textures in a lighter shade of the same color family (like this gray or a cool tan). Very minimalist and very chic. I think it's a fresh idea for Spring whatever designer you choose. Trust me on this, I know what I'm talking about. Who are you going to listen to someone like Vogue's Anna Wintour? Come on, she's had the same haircut for like 20 years (or something like that...um...you know I'm kidding, right Anna?).

photos: Gucci Spring 2010 RTW. You be the judge. See the entire collection here.

London Calling

The Trench Coat is hot for Spring! They were all over the runways in London during Fashion Week for the Spring 2010 season. It's not just a peeping Tom's best friend, it's a versatile (and classic) piece to add to your wardrobe. You have a variety of variations to be on the lookout for: traditional, short, long.



Burberry Prorsum Spring 2010 RTW. Check out all the trench coats in Burberry's Spring collection here.

Aquascutum Spring 2010 RTW. View the entire collection here.

• Wear a traditional knee length trench with anything from work wear, a t-shirt and jeans, or a cute Spring dress.


• You can style the shorter, fitted styles as the main attraction and showcase as a dress or throw over slim fitted pants and a tank top.

Friday Flashback: Bobby vs. Whitney

Happy Friday girls! Well sometime around his famed gumby cut and before "crack was wack" Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown were on top of the world. Enjoy this blast from the past from America's (former) sweethearts.

Stress Less

Okay let's admit it, the recession is effecting all of us. Whether it be employment woes, the rising costs of living (gas prices are like $3.25 a gallon), or just constantly hearing over and over again in the media how bad everyone's doing. How much shopping can one do without digging deeper into the your own personal finance recession (I must admit a new dress or pair of shoes every now and then never killed anyone and does make me feel good)? Honestly speaking sometimes I just get stressed. How do I spell stress relief? These things sure might help.

Start with a deep breath, then try Yoga.

shown: Cat pose. Check out more stress relieving poses here

Then take a warm bath. There's nothing like a little aromatherapy. Add an oil with a soothing scent like Lavender, Chamomile or Vanilla.

Origins "Calm To Your Senses" Lavender and Vanilla Oil $22.50

Finally...Slip into something comfortable and get some well deserved rest

Victoria's Secret Soft Sheer Nightie $28. I always feel better and more relaxed after a bath and slipping into something sexy and comfortable. I must say, I love cotton!

Fashion Week Roundup

Happy Monday to you (I know, Happy Monday?)! Now that the dust has settled just a little on Fashion Week, I've had a chance to view a number of the collections (Front row? Not this year, more like in front of my computer). Here's a couple of tidbits from the Spring 2010 Ready to Wear shows.
right photo: Rachel Roy Spring RTW. View the collection here.









DKNY loves The Suit













The Short Suit













The Boyfriend Suit










The unconventional Sporty Suit







View the entire Spring 2010 RTW collection here. I'm just going to ignore the fact that almost every dress or short is paired with a pair of biker shorts underneath.





Helmut Lang does Denim





A body conscious take on Black Denim
















An interesting use of denim in creative shapes and silhouettes


















The Harem Pant returns


See the entire Spring 2010 RTW collection from Helmut Lang here.














Nanette Lepore has Dresses in Rainbow Brights











What's Spring without a dress?



The Floaty Mini Dress in Technicolor Yellow










The Long Dress is luscious in tiers of fierce florals

This Bustier Dress is short, sweet and vintage inspired.




Check out Nanette Lepore's entire Spring 2010 RTW collection here.

Straight Laced

No these aren't your grandfather's long lost church shoes, they're one of the latest fashion trends-the oxford. Hey, the weather is cooling off (well it will eventually), and soon you may want to wave goodbye to your fluorescent pink pedicure and possibly give your feet a rest from all the stilettos (your calves and future bunions will thank you). The oxford is the perfect partner to Fall's menswear trend. Sport a casual look with a relaxed button down and straight leg trousers, skinny jeans and a t-shirt or super preppy with a pencil skirt and tights. As long as you add some type of feminine accent (i.e. "hi, I'm really a girl" red lipstick), very cute! Yet another item I have to restrain myself from buying (operation "Genise buys absolutely no clothing for the entire month of September" going 18 days strong). Enjoy your weekend!
above photo: Cole, Rood & Haan Co. "Jitney" Oxford $350

Steve Madden "Tuxedo" Flat $69.95

DKNYC "Hera" Oxford $149. These actually aren't flat but still a oxford none the less. I love the color combination of these shoes and would pair them with black patterned legwear and a skirt.

Shall We Dance

Coming to a ballet barre near you...Fall is full of dance inspired clothing. For a while now, everywhere you turn you see an endless supply of leggings (and what's not to love they're comfortable, versatile and sexy), but spread the word-the bodysuit is back! I haven't seen such a display of leotards and catsuits since 1993. Looks like body conscious fashion is here to stay. But a word to the wise, full disclosure in a one-piece bodysuit is not for the weary (read: the one-piece will show every line, curve and/or bump on your body). So if you get dance fever this Fall (and I probably will), these pieces are best used for layering under an oversized cardigan, mini skirt or with a long top (loose or fitted). But if you got the goods and want to strut your stuff (a la Amber Rose), who am I to stop you?

photo above right: Cotton Spandex Jersey Criss Cross Short Sleeved Unitard $38, American Apparel (great with over the knee boots)












Cotton Spandex Jersey Double U Neck Long Sleeve Bodysuit $36, American Apparel. A super sexy layering piece. Try with skinny jeans, or belted with a pencil skirt.








The one-piece bodysuit gone wild!

Photo of Amber Rose courtesy of theybf.com

Red Hot Hottie

Happy Monday all! I usually don't post about celebrity fashion, but I was particularly inspired by some of the artists red Red Carpet choices (specifically Beyonce's hot little red number-Loved it!) at MTV's Video Music Awards.

photos: Courtesy of theybf.com
Beyonce gives Taylor Swift (another Lady in Red) her time to shine after this fiasco (oh Kanye, so tacky!)






Preen Band Dress $440 Not quite the hotness that was Beyonce(honestly you'd need a minimum of $2000 more for the dress and a body courtesy of 6 months of worldwide touring), but given the color, cut and and addition of sky high pumps you should be able to make some heat of your own (not bad for someone who doesn't have to be on stage in 2 minutes).

Extra! Extra! Read All About It

Thank God It's Friday (so cliche' but 100% true)! All my emphasis on not buying any clothing this month has clouded my head. I miraculously let the hottest movie event for fashionistas slip my mind. Good thing I have fabulous friends to pick up the slack when I've completely gone insane. So now I have my tickets and I'm ready to see September Issue! It hits select theaters today (in Los Angeles and select cities-check info here) and chronicles the day in and day out of Vogue magazine's editor, Anna Wintour (the actual muse for the Devil in the blockbuster movie and book, The Devil Wears Prada). Well don't just sit there, run out and go see this movie and tell 'em Genise sent you (oh no, you're not going to get a discount or anything and I'm sure they have no idea who I am but, it's just kinda fun to order people to do that). Enjoy!

Photo: The real Devil, Anna Wintour, courtesy of TheSeptemberIssue.com

Shopping Secrets

I have a confession to make. I'm on a one month crusade to prevent myself from buying any clothing. That's right, no new dresses, $20 pair of designer jeans, not as much as a new pair of socks (I may have already messed up on the socks-two pair of $1 socks from Target shouldn't count-ok it does count and I won't let it happen again). A girl's gotta look though. I'm never going to stop my constant magazining (yes I made that word up), window shopping and one of my favorite pastimes, web browsing (what, do you want me to go into severe withdrawal mode?) The more I refrain from shopping the more I realize I can shop right here at home. I love the idea of rethinking the way you wear clothing you already own. Why not create new looks with the stuff you have hanging in your closet too? Try this:

Mix Sweet n' Street
Take a pretty dress (feminine sundress or something you wore to your cousin's wedding) and toughen it up with a leather jacket, heavy metal accessories or rock n' roll ankle boots. Instantly pretty and sweet goes street...

Dark Flower Bandeau Dress $90, Top Shop Lace Corset Dress $90, Top Shop

Hurley "Bowery YC" Leather Jacket $202

Dress Down with Denim

It's always fun to take items that you typically don't wear together (or very often) and turn them into everyday casual items. Take the sequin mini dress you wore on New Year's Eve and throw over leggings and a top off with a jean jacket (if you're really feeling bold skip heels and wear with flats or Converse All Stars). Adding denim instantly takes any item down a couple notches...

Knitted Sequin Dress $160, Top Shop

Hue Footless Tights $12.50

Pleated Denim Jacket $59.50, Gap

Farewell Summer, Hello Fall

Happy Labor Day! Hopefully you're reading this before or after a day of fun and relaxation (and if you're lucky great barbecue). Now that summer is officially over, tomorrow we'll be smack dab at the beginning of Fall. You probably think I'm going to recommend you start shopping for a new Fall wardrobe. As much as I love shopping, I think it's totally ridiculous to buy a new wardrobe. A smart girl knows just how to transition a Summer wardrobe to Fall (I can't even think about throwing on boots or a jacket tomorrow but a girl can be prepared-it's still all of 99 degrees here).

Two Simple Rules

1. Add layers. Layer on warmth with opaque leg wear, scarves, or long sleeve tops.


2. Toughen up accessories and outerwear. Swap sandals for boots and linen for leather. Bring out the hardcore handbags in deep colors and heavy materials.
   

Start with a simple silk dress you used to throw on with strappy sandals or flat gladiators during the summer...

Silk Twist Neck Dress $59.99, Banana Republic.

Add heavy opaque tights (you can still wear your strappy sandals or add a boot)...

Donna Karan Crocodile Pattern Tights $23.90

Top with a long belted cardigan or tough leather jacket (if the crisp Fall air is too cold, add a turtleneck under the dress too)...

Cotton/Wool Long Cardigan $98 and Double Wrap Belt $50, Banana Republic.

Mike & Chris "Janus" Ruffle Leather Jacket $645

Voila! Summer meets Fall.

Labor Day Love

Congratulations, we made it-the three day weekend is here! Since I know everybody is about to get their last weekend of the summer on, why don't I help move things along with some fun music that'll make you smile. It's Friday and there's no reason not to be ecstatic about it. Hey, don't worry about the silly details of where you're going or what you're going to do over the Labor Day weekend-it's a free day off (are you crazy?) just enjoy!


This video is a funny blast from the past. Take note of the fashion and various feathered hairstyles showcased in this video. This should add some reinforcement to my movement to end the wearing of all biker shorts (outside of actually riding a bike or working out in a gym).





This song always pumps me up and makes me want to dance. Another thing to be pumped up about-leather is back! Check out SWV's head to toe leather outfits in this video.

Last Chance for Summer

Kiss summer goodbye, but don't forget to stock up on summer favorites. This is the perfect time to save big on swimwear. I love to catch all the last minute Labor Day sales and snatch up the last of the swimsuits. I've never been a fan of paying full price for anything and bathing suits are no exception. But, I will admit every summer I ultimately get hit with the full price tag for a bikini right before that vacation or pool party. Pick up at least one now and you'll be ready to hit the beach first thing next year at a bargain price. Don't worry about buying last season's styles. Unless you're buying the one plastered with Ed Hardy all over it (seriously, everyone please just back away from Ed Hardy), trust me, it'll be in style next year.


Victoria's Secret Metallic Dot Triangle Top $9.99 and Double String Bikini Bottom $8.99. Victoria's Secret is still one of my favorite spots for a variety of designer and bargain priced swimwear. You can now buy swimwear both online (best selection) and in store.










BCBG MAX AZRIA Leaf Block Triangle Top $58.50 and Bottom $58.50. It's no secret, I'm a fan of bright colors and bold patterns for swimwear.


















Trina Turk "Vivacious" Bandeau Top $61.90 and Hipster Bottom $55.90. No one does Palm Springs Chic like Trina Turk-love her. Trina Turk always has the cuts, colors, and patterns that scream poolside summer. On sale, even better!