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!

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.

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.

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.

Retro dresses

[style.com]

Wow, Mad Men fever is everywhere. Even Banana Republic is doing a marketing campaign with the AMC show. After finally catching up on my August magazine subscriptions, which feature a ton of fall items despite the heat, I am most looking forward to the fifties retro-inspired looks. I adore the ladylike dresses (bouffants optional) from Prada's and Louis Vuitton's Fall 2010 collections.

I also love the chunky-knit legwear that was paired with the Prada dresses. I can't find them online, but I just purchased some Prada-esque Hue thigh-highs at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for the bargain price of $8!

J.Crew fall arrivals

[all photos jcrew.com]

Fall clothes are hitting stores despite the sweltering heat, which means that there are some amazing summer sales to be found. I swear that everytime I got into J.Crew I find a bargain. I love fall though, and J.Crew's newest arrivals definitely have me wishing for chilly weather!

The collection includes a lot of muted tones and neutrals, plus there are some stripes, military, chambray and sequins thrown in. I adore the motorcycle jacket-esque 'Rimini Cardigan' ($98) featured in both the e-mail blast at top and in the photo in the nutmeg color. I could easily see that becoming a fall wardrobe staple.

An interesting item is the very-Rachel Zoe 'Mongolian Lamb Vest,' which is going for $800. Wowzer. Or, there's always the lamb tote and purse.

Hopefully when the time rolls around to actually wear these items, there'll be some good sales going on. Here are some other pieces I'm loving...