Tucker for Target

[net-a-porter.com]

Target has really outdone themselves lately with their designer collaborations. Tucker by stylist-turned-designer Gaby Basora has been announced as a GO International line for Target. The affordable collection is set to be released September 10.

Tucker is best known for lovely and playful patterned blouses and dresses like the pictured styles from net-a-porter.com. Jewelry designer Temple St. Claire will also create a line for Target that will hit stores on August 29.

Eye bling by David Yurman

I love David Yurman, but I must be really out of the loop because I had no idea that he made sunglasses. Some of them are blah, but some are actually quite glamorous (and quite expensive). [nordstrom.com]

The least expensive pair ($295) is the 'Cabled Oval Frame' glasses. They have a subtle cable detail and are available in black and tortoise. I like the nice, big oval shape. They're pretty underwhelming for the price though.
[nordstrom.com]

I think that my favorite pair is the 'Waverly' Cable sunglasses ($325 at Nordstrom). I love the oval frames and signature DY cable.
[nordstrom.com]

Another favorite is the super-cool 'Buckle' Aviator glasses ($425). These are available in gold or silver. It looks just like the iconic cable buckle bracelet, but on the temple instead of the wrist.
[nordstrom.com]

Now for the very pricey pairs. The 'Albion Geometric' sunglasses ($695) feature cushion-cut hematite stones outlined in sterling silver with smoke-gradient double lenses.
[saksfifthavenue.com]

The 'Mosaic' sunglasses are a whopping $895 at Saks. I think they're very pretty but yowza! They have black onyx stones set in gold vermeil. I don't know why this price is so shocking, since many women pay thousands for handbags, and you wear sunglasses just as often - or at least I do. However, gemstones in your shades seems a bit too indulgent.

Alice + Olivia for MAC

[nitrolicious.com]

Yes! Yesterday WWD reported that Stacey Bendet Eisner of Alice + Olivia has teamed up with MAC Cosmetics for a limited edition collection. The line is set to hit stores on June 8 with prices ranging from $12-$19.50. I love the packaging and bright colors like the chartreuse (one of my new favorite colors). That turquoise polish is fabulous, too.
[saksfifthavenue.com]

Speaking of Alice + Olivia, I'm obsessed with this 'Beaded Dress' ($440) from Saks. This dress looks like it could be straight out of the roaring twenties. My favorite part is the deep V back. Oh, please go on sale! At least the makeup will be budget-friendly.

New fave jeans: James Jean's Twiggy

[jamesjeans.us]

My new mantra needs to be don't try things on and you won't have to have them. Oh well. I went into Anthropologie, and they had a denim sale rack. I found a pair of James Jeans 'Twiggy' denim leggings in china doll (a dark denim color) for $69.95 from $114. What a bargain! I don't think they're on sale anywhere else.

These jeans are extremely comfortable. Sometimes skinny jeans can be so tight around the calves, which is no good if you have any calf muscles whatsoever. These are very stretchy and soft. The sizing runs like regular denim sizes.

The best part about these is that they're ankle length, so they hit a tiny bit past the ankle on me (I'm 5'3"). I'm just happy that I don't have to get them hemmed! They'll be great now with flats or heels and then tucked into boots when fall and winter roll around.

Lust: Brian Atwood Maniac Pumps

[people.com]

[intermixonline.com]

Brian Atwood's towering 'Maniac' Pumps have been seen on mucho celebs including Victoria Beckham. I'm really wanting a pair - especially in tan (which I'm having trouble locating) or black. These pumps have a 6" stiletto with a 1 1/2" hidden platform. I'm assuming that the platform makes them easier to walk in than the average 6" pair of heels. [intermixonline.com]

They're available at Intermix for $575. Yes, they are expensive, but I can see paying the money for a pair of classic pumps like these that are great quality and will never go out of style.

Spring boots by Isabel Marant

[nymag.com]

[net-a-porter.com]

How super-cool are French designer Isabel Marant's 'Dana Fringed Canvas Boots'? These boots were part of Marant's Spring 2010 collection. I especially love the camo pair. They're available at net-a-porter.com for $1,160. At that price, I will never be owning those *sigh.* Regardless of that fact, these boots styled with dresses make me think that I shouldn't have stowed away my boots for the next two seasons just yet. [net-a-porter.com]

I like her boho-chic jewelry, and the prices sound much better. The 'Lapis Oversized Oval Ring' ($122) made of blue lapis lazuli and burnished-brass is a great ring. The hot pink 'Feature Drop Earrings' ($120) are definitely statement earrings. I love the color mixed with the Swarovski crystals and howlite stones.

One Day Without Shoes

[nordstrom.com]

I've been trying to take my heels off throughout the day for TOMS Shoes One Day Without Shoes. For every pair of TOMS purchased, they will donate a pair to a child in need. Toms.com says, "We are asking people to go the day, part of the day or even just a few minutes, barefoot, to experience a life without shoes firsthand, and to help spread awareness of the impact a simple pair of shoes can bring to a child's life."

I've never had a pair of TOMS, but I think I'm going to buy this very fun pair called 'Cultural Anthropology' from Nordstrom ($54.95). They're made of recycled twill.

Far out: Textile Elizabeth and James

[intermixonline.com]

Those entrepreneurial fashionistas, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, are at it again with their newly debuted denim line Textile Elizabeth and James. This three-piece collection is a throwback to styles form the 1960s and 1970s. Each pair is named after 70s music icons: Stevie Flared Patch Jeans ($245 - available for preorder), Joni Cropped Midrise ($235) and Jimi Bootcut ($245).

I love their Elizabeth and James line, but I'm super impressed with this denim. It's pretty expensive, and I'm not a big fan of the really flared jeans. I have a pair of J Brand's Love Story bell bottoms that I like, but because of the style, I don't really wear them as often as I should for the amount that they cost.

Kudos to them for thinking away from skinny jeans though, and the patches are cute on the Stevie. The line is available at Intermix.

Bridal shoe heaven

[neimanmarcus.com]

Call me crazy, but I bought my shoes before my wedding dress. I'd always dreamt of having the perfect pair of shoes for my wedding. Though I bought mine months ago, I'm still allowed to look! I saw another beautiful pair today that are fabulous bridal shoes. Manolo Blahnik's gorgeous 4" 'Feather T-Strap Sandals' ($830) are a lovely off-white color. And those feathers, oh my.
Another stunning option are Blahnik's 'Satin Caged Sandals' ($785). Turquoise is such an in color right now, and they'd be the something blue. Remember when Carrie Bradshaw wears blue Manolos with her wedding dress in Sex and the City (the movie)? These could easily be worn again after the wedding, too.

Both are available at Neiman Marcus. Like many Italian-made shoes, these run a half size too small.

Penny lane loafers

[jcrew.com]

I chuckled when I saw the latest J.Crew catalog featuring penny loafers as one of the spring style tips. I've had a Bass pair since middle school which I guess were in style at the time (ohhh, the nineties), but they were always too big for me to wear.

Recently, I've been wanting to break them out since they actually fit me now but wasn't sure what to wear them with. My Bass loafers are identical to the ones sold at J.Crew. [whowhatwear.com]

I think they look great with a pair of black, cropped skinny "Minnie" pants shown at J.Crew (I will post the photo if I can find it). I agree with their styling tips that it's best to go sockless with these, or else it could look a little too MJ. I still think I like these best with dresses though. The ladies at Who What Wear reported this trend a while back. Oxfords and brogues are other popular borrowed-from-the-boys styles.

The G.H. Bass penny loafers are $120 at J.Crew - I definitely don't remember paying that much, but then again, I didn't buy them!

Spring sparkle

[bergdorfgoodman.com]

Sequins were huge for the fall, and I have loved them dearly. Luckily we're still seeing some sparkle for spring in lighter colors.

3.1 Phillip Lim's fabulous 'Sequined Shirtdress' ($925) from Bergdorf Goodman is so interesting. It looks like a men's tuxedo jacket at first glance, but it's a dress a with major bling and double-breasted buttons.
[cusp.com]

I need this dress. Robert Rodriguez's 'Sequined Tank Dress' ($396) from Cusp.com has blush sequins with black lace underlay. Please go on sale!
[shopbop.com]

Alice + Olivia's 'Sequin Keyhole Dress' ($495) from Shopbop.com is a fun color and reminds me of something Elle Woods might wear. [jcrew.com]

J.Crew's 'Sequined Starland Tank' ($138) comes in four different colors including pewter and gold peach (pictured). It adds some pizazz to denim.
[anthropologie.com]

The 'Scattered Sequin Skirt' ($29.95 from $118 - what a bargain!) from Anthropologie features strategically placed sequins in case all over sequins are too much.
[forever21.com]

There's always sequined bags, too! This silver 'Sequin Box Clutch' ($8.99) from Forever 21 is the perfect size for night.

"The Last Song"

I saw The Last Song this weekend. I wasn't exactly dying to see it after the last few movies containing Nicholas Sparks' moniker (i.e. Dear John and Nights in Rodanthe), but my mom wanted to see it since she just finished the book. The first thing I wanted to know from her before I saw this thing was who dies because you know that something tragic is bound to happen. Thankfully she obliged because I don't like surprises (yes, there is a sad/bittersweet ending).

This film is interesting because Sparks wrote the screenplay before the book. Ronnie (Miley Cyrus), a slightly rebellious teen from New York, is sent with her brother Jonah to live at her dad's (Greg Kinnear) house on the beach in Georgia for the summer. Her relationship is rocky with her father after her parent's divorce.

She meets the very cute Will (real-life bf of Miley, Liam Hemsworth) after an accidental milkshake spillage. Ronnie spends her time trying to protect a nest of sea turtle eggs from raccoons. Much to her surprise, the aquarium sends Will out to mark the nest, and the rest is history for these two.

Ronnie's relationship begins to improve with her dad. He's trying to finish writing a song on the piano. Ronnie stopped playing after her parent's divorce, but she was still accepted to Julliard on good faith. Eventually she starts playing again thanks to Will.

The Last Song isn't going to win any awards, but it's enjoyable and definitely required a tissue or two. I don't think people will love it as much as The Notebook, but it's right up there with A Walk to Remember.

April = best Target month yet?

[Target via nitrolicious.com]

Happy April Fool's Day! A fool Target is not because April is going to be a great month for them and Target lovers alike. Zac Posen, Cynthia Vincent and Eugenia Kim's lines will grace Target stores and the Web at some point this month.

I'm most excited about designer Posen's line. It's out on April 25. From what I've seen, it looks absolutely fabulous, and I'm certain that it'll sell out very quickly. Prices range from $16.99 to $199.99. I especially love all of the dresses.

I spied Cynthia Vincent's multi-color wedges in this month's Bazaar and totally freaked out. As a relatively short girl, I love me some wedges. These are so fun, colorful and only $29.99. I will be buying the Gladiator Wedges too - I adore that mustard color. I can't wait to see the rest of the collection.
Eugenia Kim is a New York-based milliner. Most of her hats run in the $200 range. Elle featured a few of Kim's hats for Target in their April issue. There's a mint green hat that I'm crazy about. I can't wait to get a new hat to wear to the beach.

Kim's and Vincent's lines are out on April 18.