Halloween Hoe Down: The Best Last Minute Costumes Ever!

Hey Ladies, It's that time a year again! It's the time when shirts get pulled down and skirts get pulled up and you'd never leave the house without fishnets. Confused? I'm talking about Halloween and all the costumes that will be parading around on Saturday. Why is it that just about every Halloween costume has to be the super sexy (read: slutty) version of whatever? There's the super sexy cat, super slutty police woman, naughty nurse...the list goes on. So, I thought I'd give those of you who haven't gotten a costume some last minute ideas.

photo right: And let's not forget the Flirty French Maid (*sigh*)

So easy, you can do these at home!

SUPER SEXY JUDGE

Shorten an old zip up robe or graduation gown (about mid thigh).

Carry this...

and don't forget these!

SUPER SLUTTY PLUMBER

Take a old dingy T-shirt or button-down work shirt and pair with saggy, jean cut-offs (butt crack optional).

Put this on a tool belt or just tote around all night.

...and for the finale, no Plumber would be complete without these (oh look they have little handcuffs on them).

OMG, I can't believe this costume actually exists (just add fishnets). Why?

Hey, I who am I to judge. If there was a law against sequins and shiny stuff on costumes I may be in a lot of trouble.

A Chorus Line: Vegas Showgirl Style

We may be in a recession but everywhere I turn I see sparkle and shine. Everything looks better when you add a little flash!


photo right: Drapey sequin jacket $168, Eight Sixty (pair this with leather for a dramatic night look).














Badgley Mischka Platinum Open Toe "Humbie" Pump $200












Badgley Mischka Platinum "Hart" Pump $190

Pair any of these pieces with basics (i.e. a black suit, jeans and a T, little black dress) and create a little razzle dazzle of your own.





Note: If you think all this sparkle is getting out of hand, wait to you see my Halloween costume (consider yourselves warned).

Where Do You Winter?: Resort 2010

Where do you Winter? Well, if you're like me, it's typically the same place you Spring, Summer and Fall. But you don't have to spend your Winter in the Caribbean (although you wouldn't have to twist my arm to get me to do so) to appreciate all that Resort collections have to offer. Designers and some retail boutiques (i.e. Banana Republic, J. Crew) offer Resort Collections that arrive a couple months after the Fall collections and a couple months before Spring. This tradition dates back when those in the colder climates would migrate to warmer spots during the Winter months (must be nice). And just where were people supposed to find a bathing suit or clothes to wear on a yacht in December?: hence Resort collections (okay that's enough of the history lesson). Even though it's Monday and I'm not even close to a yacht vacation who doesn't love a little pick me up in the dead of Winter?

photos right & below: BCBG Max Azria Resort 2010












Why should the Spring and Summer clothes get to have all the fun? Layer these looks with Fall essentials like opaque tights and heavy cardigans or rev up the jet and send me a postcard.

Tory Burch Resort 2010

Groupie Love: The Sartorialist Comes To Los Angeles

Happy Friday everyone! As usual, am I ready for the weekend (long live Friday evening through Sunday around 6 or 7PM when I start to groan, "I can't believe it's already Monday"). I just wanted to share what us Fashion Junkies were doing last night in the City of Angels. Worldwide blogger and soon to be iconic people watcher (photographer), Scott Schuman, from The Sartorialist had his book signing last night (so many people came out). The book is a collection of photos from his blog of stylish (from his point of view) people around the world. I love to check out his blog and see what's going on in streets (relating fashion of course-for everything else I check the ybf). The book, also titled The Sartorialist, is now available in a paperback copy (mama couldn't spring for the $175 hardcover copy-beautiful coffee table book though).

photo right: Me and my fashion plate friend, Sonia.






I got my copy. Hey, bloggers are super important. Especially when they talk about fashion and really important stuff like that (wink, wink).

Hump Day Humor

I don't know about you, but I can use a pick me up to get me to the end of the week (and no, it doesn't involve Vodka). Good ole' blood pumping exercise has often gotten me energized and just melts the stress away. It's good to see everyone's getting in on the action and benefiting from a little fitness. Just don't try any of these moves unless you're equipped with a video camera and really good insurance.






And yes...to men's delight, pole dancing is now recognized as legitimate exercise.

In The Army: Military Looks For Less

above photos: Balmain


Here we are again at the beginning of another great week, welcome back! As all the various Fashion Weeks come to an end I am beginning to see another trend, Military. This is a trend that always comes and goes in a variety forms (usually seen first on the streets as opposed to the catwalk). However, this is an easy look to achieve and best when taken in small doses (no head to toe army fatigues please). But don't feel any pressure to go high end with this trend. Be all that you can be without breaking the bank.



Disclaimer: Keep in mind many of these items (in the authentic Army Green or Khaki colors-again no camoflauge please) can be found at a local Army Surplus store. If you are creative and have a good tailor on hand you can create runway ready looks on your own (i.e. change buttons, add sequins or studs, take in at the waist, or crop a shirt or jacket).










Double Breasted Military Jacket $34.99, Old Navy.
Personalize a basic military jacket by adding extras like shoulder pads (to give it an little more of a Balmain feel), and/or metal studs around areas like the collar, shoulders or pockets.





















Dallas Military Blazer $47.50, Delias. Try layering this with a top of the same color underneath and pairing with tough black leather.

Heritage Officer Jacket $180, Banana Republic. I love this for a polished and timeless look (worth the investment). In Winter friendly sturdy wool.

Lombard Jacket $75, BB Dakota. Only for the bold, who don't mind grabbing attention. Go full out Military in the style of Michael Jackson. Keep this look under wraps by pairing with low key pieces (i.e. denim).

We Girls Can Do Anything...Right Barbie!

OMG, I couldn't resist talking about the cutest and most stylish Barbie dolls I have ever seen. You've got to believe me, I'm not into toys and I'm way past the Barbie stage (although I was known to a have a mean collection including the Dream House, Corvette and Pool) but I absolutely love the So In Style (SIS) African American Barbie Dolls. Each teenage doll is dressed in fashionable little outfits, have their own interests and hobbies, and come with cute little sisters to match (see more on the dolls, their stories, and the designer, here). Perfect for your super stylish daughter, little sister or just about any closet Barbie fanatic. By the way, Happy Friday!

photos: Mattel.com

Cute, cute, cute!...Now that I look at them they're a little Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle don't you think?

Happy Birthday to You: One Year Later and Still Drug Free

I can't believe I almost let this one slip past me. So without further adieu, Happy Birthday to the best blog a girl could ever have! It's Better Than Drugs is a year old (give or take a couple of days-I barely remember my own birthday) and every birthday blog has got to have a wish list.

1. World Peace



2. Affordable Health Care For All



3. Clean Air



4. A Weekly Massage



5. A Puppy

And Maybe this...

The sight of snakes (or spiders) freaks me out, but I've always loved a great snake inspired piece of jewelry. It looks sexy and forbidden a' la Garden of Eden. Hypnosis Long Necklace $320, Swarovski.

You can see more detail on pic of the bracelet (try to ignore the actual snake-yikes). So perfect with a sleek all black ensemble or just about anything else you want to add a little sex appeal to.
Hypnosis Bangle $280, Swarovski.

Lucky You: Designer Shopping Meets Your TV

Mark your calendars for some good TV. Lucky Magazine and HSN have joined together with seven designers for two days of shopping. Okay, I know HSN and designer clothing don't really mix. Whenever I flip past HSN I usually think "Wow, this is where women find those hideous Santa Claus sweaters." But this event looks like it should be safe since designers like Tracy Reese, Kooba, and Rebecca Taylor are involved. Tune in Friday, October 16 @ 8PM ET and Saturday October 17 at 8AM ET (check out hsn.com/luckyshops for more info). Don't hesitate to report right back to me immediately if you see anything remotely close to a Jingle Bells themed
sweater.
Photo right: Corsage by Tracy Reese $89.90, HSN

Minkette by Rebecca Minkoff $350, HSN

Event Price $250

Louis, Me No Likey: Louis Vuitton's Spring 2010 debut

Hip, hip, hooray for Friday! But a resounding boo and hiss for Marc Jacob's collection for Louis Vuitton. The collection's Spring 2010 debut at Paris' Fashion Week is proof that you should never be a slave to fashion. The sad part is some poor soul is going to shell out thousands of dollars to get her hands on the designer's latest. But who knows, there may come a time you need just the right outfit when you're feeling a little Brady Bunch, meets Army General, meets Foxy Brown.

Knock My Socks Off- Can I Really Pull Off Wearing These Socks?

I flip through a lot of magazines, so that's lots of fashion spreads and millions of ads. Every time I see a girl in a pump with a little ankle sock or a knee-high sock with boots I always think it's a cute look (in a private school uniform kind of way). But can real people really get away with wearing knee socks in real life? Maybe.
photo right: courtesy of LuckyMag.com

The Verdict:

The ankle sock is cute in a sort of retro 80's (a la Madonna) school girl vibe. But, if you were anywhere around to witness Madonna parade around in these socks or you actually wore them yourself, it's a pass. If you were an infant in the 80's or born in the era of MC Hammer (Bell Biv Devoe or the Backstreet Boys), go ahead and strut your stuff.

The knee-high or over-the-knee/thigh-high sock is a different story. I think this sock can be worn a variety of ways depending on the look you're going for. But be careful to avoid looking like a year 2000ish Britney Spears video (you remember that with the pigtails and the short plaid skirts).

• Layering- My personal favorite. This can work for a variety of people because you can start with a shorter dress, skirt or wool shorts and wear with tights as a foundation and try layering a thicker textured over-the-knee and then pull on rugged knee-high boots (just make sure they are shorter than the socks) for a chic country look. Pull it together with a more polished blazer or leather jacket to avoid a Little House on the Prairie look. **The more adventurous and fashion forward can skip the foundation tights and go with a over-the-knee or thigh-high sock with a short dress, long cardigan, and any type of boot (ankle/knee length) for a hot look.


• School Girl Chic- Throwing on knee-highs with a short skirt without layering is cute for the super young (no one over 21 should even think about doing this) or if you're a Japanese Harajuku girl (oh yeah -or one of Gwen Stefani's back up dancers). Please heed this look with caution.

I Heart Ronson by Charlotte Ronson

photo courtesy of Jcp.com

Cotton Solid Thigh-High Socks $15, American Apparel.

Aah...Springtime in Paris

Welcome back to another week. This week it's all about Paris as Fashion Week for Spring 2010 marches on. Paris has so many chic designers I found myself daydreaming about my fantasy vacation in the City of Lights.






Sonia Rykiel Spring 2010 RTW. This vintage inspired design is so ladylike. I'd probably swap that hat out for a similar vintage veil hat. And something about this just makes me want to grab a baguette. Check out the entire collection here.


















Givency Spring 2010 RTW. Nice twist on the Parisian stripes. I might stroll through a couple of museums in this one. Find out what else Givency has to offer here.



















Costume National Spring 2010 RTW. I'd be ready to do some real power shopping in this. Not the best option for trying on clothes. But when you look this fabulous, does it really matter? See the entire collection here.

















Stella McCartney Spring 2010 RTW. Something sexy to slip in for drinks after a great day at the Eiffel Tower. View Stella's entire collection. I know what you're thinking-These shorts are short, but it's my fantasy vacation and here my thighs are perfect and these shorts are totally appropriate (aah, I love Paris).

Luxury Travel: Do it Sample Sale Style

It's finally Friday and wanna get away? You no longer have to rely on Southwest Airlines to get you there. The Gilt Groupe (of famed online designer sample sales) has unleashed it's newest venture, Jetsetter. Just launched Wednesday, Jetsetter is a new online site offering luxury travel packages at sample sale prices. I can't believe someone actually combined two (or actually three) things close to my own heart: travel (luxury at that), sample sales, and saving money. If you're already a member of the Gilt Groupe you're set to start jetsetting. If you're new to the site (I'll let that slide although to told you to get signed up like last year-see) the sales are just like the Gilt online sample sales, for a limited time only (usually 2 days). So what are you just sitting around and reading this for? Hurry and get signed up , there's a luxury trip waiting for you!