Lust: Leoparddddd

[instyle.com/Talbots]

You may have spied the ads in the September magazine issues starring supermodel Linda Evangelista wearing a fabulous leopard coat. Then, if you're like me, you were probably shocked to see that the ads are for Talbots! The brand, most popular amongst an older crowd, has undergone a rebranding effort. [saksfifthavenue.com] [net-a-porter.com]

Leopard is one of the hottest trends of the season. This is great news for me because I generally don't stow away my leopard print items anyway. If money wasn't an object, I'd buy Christian Louboutin's 'Kathena Pony Haired Satchel' ($3,495) at Saks Fifth Avenue. Is this purse glam or what? I love the chain detail and the patent straps. It'd be the perfect bag to carry to work. There's also an equally fantastic clutch on net-a-porter.com for $1,795.

[net-a-porter.com]

These Lanvin 'Leopard Print Ballerina Flats' ($795) are truly an investment. They also have a concealed heal to elongate the leg. Genius![leifsdottir.com]

Another more affordable leopard item (they call it horse print, but to me it's more leopard) that I want is Leifsdottir's 'Aficianado Cardigan' ($288). It looks great with black pants and a printed blouse as shown. OK, now please go on sale!

Payless fall designer collections

[all photos payless.com]

When I looked last week, Payless Shoesource still had the summer designer shoes on their site. I got an e-mail about the BOGO sale today, so I decided to look again, and the fall designer collections are up! I'm pretty impressed with the Lela Rose, Christian Siriano and newcomer Isabel Toledo's fall collections.

My favorite is Lela Rose's 'Suede Chop-Out Shootie' ($44.95). I'm obsessed! I need them in both the black and taupe. I love that I could wear these now and throughout winter. As for the Siriano shoes, I'm digging the 'Parisienne Exotic Platform Pump' ($34.95). I like that they're pointy-toed without looking like "witch toes." My sister described the gold insignia as ugly, but it doesn't bother me that much. I do like it much better on the toe of the eggplant 'Royalty Satin Flats' ($34.99) though. The 'Midnight D'Orsay Evening Pumps' ($44.99) are classic and elegant.

Isabel Toledo is new to the Payless scene. You may recognize her name since she designed Michelle Obama's Inauguration dress. Her shoes are interesting. I'm not as big a fan of them as Rose's or Siriano's, but maybe I'd like them better in person. The 'Toreador Pump' ($44.99) is pretty. Check out the rest of her collection here. Here are a few that I liked... The BOGO sale (buy one get one half off) is going on now through September 6. Have them shipped to your local store and pay no shipping. Also, use the code 30500 for an additional 20% off. Seriously, you can't beat that!

Chanel Paradoxal

While in Nordstrom this weekend, I perused the Chanel makeup counter. It's a pretty sure bet that their colors will become the "it" color of the season. I ended up buying the gorgeous purple/gray/taupe color (depending on the lighting) "Paradoxal." I can't wait to wear it.
Lucky for me, the lady also informed me that they'd restocked "Nouvelle Vague," the jade shade that has been sold out, so I bought that one those too. I decided to apply it first since it's still summer afterall. It's a dead ringer for Tiffany blue.

These polishes are not cheap at $23, but the color stays on my nails well, and that's saying something since my nails tend to repel polish.

I also picked up a bottle of Chanel's newest cologne, Bleu de Chanel, for my fiance. He usually wears Tom Ford, but I think he'll love this because it smells divine. Chanel describes it as "a provocative blend of citrus and woods...fresh, clean, profoundly sensual—a signature statement of determination and desire." What's not to like about that? It's $59 for a 1.7 oz. bottle.

Gilt Groupe's Target sneak peak sale

[target.com/gilt.com]

Gilt Groupe had a sale on designer items for Target today at noon. There are still some items left! I'm so excited about all three of these collections: Tucker by Gaby Basora, Mulberry and John Derian. Everything is so fabulous, and you can't beat the prices.

I love Tucker's fun printed dresses, Mulberry's carry-all satchels and Derian's quirky and unique home goods. I didn't really want to order anything because I don't like paying a lot for shipping, but it's a genius idea nonetheless.

Derian's collection hits Target September 5, Tucker on September 10, and Mulberry on October 10. So excited! Here are a few of my favorites that I saw on Gilt today...

Genie in a bottle

[usmagazine.com/J.Crew] [jcrew.com]

J.Crew has some interesting (for lack of a better term) sparkly harem pants in their fall collection. Katie Holmes sports them for the J.Crew catalog along with her other castmembers, including Josh Duhamel, for the upcoming film The Romantics. J.Crew is apparently a marketing partner for the film.

Now, back to those genie pants. I actually kind of like them. They're a whopping $650, but I guess that's to be expected with hand-applied sequined pants. I like the slouchy look of them.

If the harem pants are too much, there are other sparkly items that I am digging. I love how J.Crew pairs something as glam as sequins with utilitarian basics like a burnout baseball tee, striped cardis and brown belts.'Metallic Sequined Bell Skirt' - $275 'Sequined Jersey Bloomer' - $95'Sequin Pencil Skirt' - $138

'Galaxy Tote' - $595

Just add tights

[saksfifthavenue.com]

I'm all about versatility. If I can wear something again and make it look new, I'm sold. Plus, being able to wear something to work and for a night out is important too. I'm so excited about dresses that I can buy now and just add tights to later as it gets chillier.

Nanette Lepore has some seriously cute stuff in her fall collection. One of my favorites is the 'Belleza Dress' ($348) from Saks. Sure, it's made of merino wool so I probably couldn't break it out until September, but it would look good with peep-toe booties until it's time for the tights.

[topshop.com]

Top Shop's 'Grey Bloom Bishop Sleeve Dress' ($100) feature fallish colors, but it works now since it's cotton and has billowy, non-clingy sleeves - which is crucial in August. It'd look great with a faux fur vest later or clogs. [anthropologie.com]

I love everything about the 'Parlor Games Dress' by Anna Sui for Anthropologie ($188). The silk dress features Victorian chairs. It works now since it's so light and later when paired with - you guessed it, tights! [forever21.com]

The bargain find 'Belted Artist Dress' ($22.80) from Forever 21 would be best with a different belt now and would look great with a chunky-knit sweater belted later.

[jcrew.com]

J.Crew's 'Washed Silk Shirtdress' ($148) can be paired with just about everything from wedges now to oxfords and boots. Plus, chartreuse is one of my favorite colors, and it comes in spiced chartreuse and bluegrass. A belt could easily be added, too.[bananarepublic.com]

The 'Silk Crinkle Print Dress' ($100) from Banana Republic would work to wear to a wedding or in the fall paired with ankle boots and a cardi or tailored blazer.

[hm.com]

This denim dress from H&M is a mere $39.95. I've always liked black and denim together, so I'd wear it with boots later and either long sleeve tee (or turtleneck) underneath or a leather jacket.

Lust: Halston Heritage Pleated Clutch

[chickdowntown.com]

The gorgeous gunmetal color of this Halston Heritage 'Alice Pleated Clutch' ($245) from chickdowntown.com is what immediately drew me to it. At a roomy 7" x 14," it'd work equally as well for nighttime as it would for everyday. The lightly textured leather and gold logo makes it look rich, and the pleats make it look different from your standard silver handbag.

Fall clogs

Now that fall shoes are out, clogs are absolutely everywhere. They've been steadily gaining popularity since spring (blame it on Chanel). I've been wearing my Alice + Olivia for Payless white linen pair all summer, but I haven't felt right wearing leather closed-toe clogs during 100-degree weather. Luckily, as temps start to cool, these clogs make great transition shoes as I wait until I can wear my over-the-knee boots, etc. [bananarepublic.com]

Banana Republic's 'Ginara Sling-Back Clog' ($120) is fabulous and practical. I love the grey smoke color. I would pair them with opaque tights and dresses. [urbanoutfitters.com]

Another favorite pair of mine is Sam Edelman's 'Studded Clogs' ($168) from Urban Outfitters. They're available in leopard, which is obviously my first pick, black and brown. I love the fact that they're also super-tall and slip-on, which means you can simply kick them off when foot pain sets in. [Nordstrom.com]

Coach also makes a leopard pair, 'Rana Clog' ($218) at Nordstrom. Rana's also available in black and brown.

Steve Madden's 'Carnee' slingbacks ($129.95), also from Nordstrom, are extremely cute. The chunky wooden heel reminds me a lot of Jeffrey Campbell clogs. I like this brown color - it appears to be almost like a brick red. They're also available in black suede.

Naked eyeshadow palette

[ulta.com]

I've been in a serious eyeshadow rut. I was looking for a palette with everyday colors plus a few more sultry night-time options. I chose Urban Decay's 'Naked' palette from Ulta ($44), and I must say that it's my new fave.

All twelve colors are so pretty. The majority of the shades have a hint of shimmer. This shadow lasts all day, too. It comes with a travel-size eyeshadow primer, which I think really helps. I'm partial to gel eyeliner, but the dual black/brown "24/7 Glide" pencil goes on easily and stays put all day. Another plus is that the palette isn't huge, so it fits nicely in a makeup bag for traveling. It's definitely going to be a honeymoon-must, and at this rate, I might need to buy another one!

Autumnal

[shopbop.com]

Shopbop's e-mail this morning was titled "Wear Fall Color Now: Transition Pieces in Autumn's Signature Palette." Oh, I do love the rich tones of fall.

I immediately picked out this dress by Haute Hippie. It's kind of an odd shade of brown, but that's what makes the 'Take Me Now Ruffle Dress' ($475) so unique. The color is called brick, and I'd say that's a pretty accurate description.
Also, how gorgeous is this Lela Rose strapless dress? At $1,295, I won't be purchasing this dress, but I do really like the color and style. It'd make a lovely bridesmaid dress for a fall wedding.