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It’s a happy day when one of the bestselling women’s shoe styles is a clog. Yes, a C-L-O-G. Who doesn’t love the “clip clop” sound and ease of putting them on? Just another reason to love the Swedes. I had a pair of tan leather clogs with tassels in the 80s and begged my mom for a pair of navy suede ones. Remember those? The bad part about wearing clogs was falling off them or taking a bad step and hurting your foot on the unforgiving wooden heel. Ouch!

Clogs
Clogs are back and cloppier than ever. Designer brands like Michael Kors, Stuart Weitzman, Tory Burch, Coach and Vera Wang are adding their spin on the updated version of this classic. And you will pay a pretty price for them…

Tory Burch – ‘Brayden’ Slingback Clog – $295 at Berdorf Goodman

Crossbody Bags
In addition to clogs, the crossbody purse is enjoying a bump in popularity. This bag usually features a long, adjustable strap so you can tote it across your body. This is a great idea to relieve your “bag” shoulder from constant wear & tear.  It’s also a super option for moms because you can have more freedom of movement. How many times has your shoulder bag flung around and almost popped your toddler in the head when you squat down?

Badgley Mischka – ‘ Mini’ Studded Flap Crossbody Bag – $119 at Nordstrom

Chains
Chunky chain jewelry is still a great accessory for fall. If you don’t like wearing a thick, layered chain necklace, you can opt for rings and bracelets with chain details like the bracelet pictured below.  How beautiful & fun is that?

Cara Accessories – Crystal Snap Leather Bracelet – $45 at Nordstrom

My friends will quickly confirm I am a ponytail fanatic. Yes, it’s true. Over the years, my hair has gotten longer and my days have become much more hectic. I no longer have time to wash, blow dry and straighten my hair. I don’t quite remember the days when I had lots of time for primping, but those days are over.

Ponytails aren’t a cop-out indicating laziness! They can look sleek, stylish and they are extremely EASY. I’ve read a bunch of articles about the trick to a perfect ponytail – heck, I even bought one of those silly items that’s supposed to give you added volume. I won’t say which one it was, but it’s completely insane and doesn’t work.

Anyway, hop over to Babble’s Family Style blog to read my article 4 Steps to a Perfect Ponytail. Enjoy!

If you love Project Runway like me, you’ll be excited to know Nina Garcia is coming out with a new book! The most recognized fashionista on television, who scrutinizes Project Runway contestants with brutal honestly and great one-liners, has announced Nina Garcia’s Look Book: What To Wear For Every Occasion, will be available on August 10, 2010. Oh, and she’s also the fashion director for Marie Claire. Like you didn’t know!

In the book, Nina Garcia answers the universal question all women at one point ask themselves when attending some of life’s most important events: “What should I wear?”  In her most practical—yet stylish as ever—project to date, Nina focuses her attention on what every woman needs to know when choosing what to wear to any life event—whether it be a job interview, a first date, or even a parent/teacher conference.  And let me tell you, lots of moms need help with this one.

The fun, flirty, illustrated guide features original four-color artwork by acclaimed artist Ruben Toledo, which compliments Nina’s trademark tone of voice. Whether you are already a fierce fashion diva or someone in need of  some couture advice, Nina’s book provides easy to understand, practical examples that will make you look and feel fabulous inside and out. Make a mental note in your stylish brain to get this book!!!

Miley Cyrus is going through her bodysuit phase – just like Madonna, Britney, Beyonce, Gaga, Pink and Rihanna. Who really cares! I understand, she’s only 17 years old and maybe it’s not appropriate for a girl that age to dress so seductively. Plus, she’s a role model to a young generation of girls.

All of this in incredibly legit, but what people fail to realize is if you’re a superstar, you don’t have to wear pants. That’s pretty much the point. Pants are optional when you make a gazillion dollars. When female celebrities stop wearing pants, they are sending out a sign of success. As soon as you see MommyQ strutting around without pants, you’ll know I’ve made it big.

Is there more to debate here? Is Miley a teen dynamo who wants to shed her Disney-created, squeaky clean image? Of course. She wants the world to know she’s an independent tween.  It’s her party and she’ll cry if she wants to.  Is she making bad choices? Absolutely. Will the public forgive her? Minus the moms of impressionable young girls, uhm, yes. Until all of that happens, she’ll keep strutting her stuff in a form-fitting garment that covers the torso and not much more. Let’s talk about something just a tad more important now, okay?

I know we blog about items you must have as a mother. Things you need for survival in this crazy, kid-filled, hectic life.  There is only one thing I can guarantee as a mom. If you have dark circles under your eyes BEFORE the children arrive, you will have bigger, darker circles AFTER they show up.

This is maybe the cutest, coolest, most innovative product I’ve purchased in a while. It’s the ‘Confessions of a Concealaholic’ Kit from Benefit and it works. If you didn’t figure it out from the clever name, it’s a concealing & brightening kit You can find it online at Ulta for $36 and in many department stores.

My favorite item in this little kit is the Erase Paste. Like you, I’ve tried tons of concealers and none of them seem to work like this one does. Now you MUST understand that the biggest part about concealers like this is knowing how to apply them correctly. If you buy this at the Benefit counter, ask one of the gals to show your how to apply everything. No shame in that!

Here’s what comes in the kit:

- “That Gal” Brightening Face Primer
- Erase Paste (no. 2 medium) brightening camouflage for eyes and face
- Lemon Aid Color Correcting Eyelid Primer
- Eye Bright Instant Eye Brightener
- Concealer brushes
- Step-by-step lesson

I think this would be a great gift for an expecting mommy or new mommy. She may laugh at it when she opens the gift, but she’ll be putting it on in the a.m. And thanking you for it…

It’s a  rainy, muddy, dreary day for the running of the Kentucky Derby. The track is wet & sloppy and there is a brisk rain and a cold wind. Yuck! I feel so bad for all of my friends who are there right now. Hopefully they are enjoying plenty of Mint Juleps and feeling no pain. Maybe they’ll win a few bucks too. That would help.

As you know, the Derby Hat Parade is practically more thrilling than the race. You can see all of the magnificent hats by clicking here. It’s like Carnival for your head! Want to see some of the celebrities who have graced Churchill Downs for the “Run for the Roses” – Brooke Shields, Kim Kardashian, Danica Patrick and many more!

I came across this hat last week on Etsy and just had to blog about it. I was reading about all of the women looking for that PERFECT Kentucky Derby hat and I thought this was a great fit. What a lovely hat for baby girl! I’m just amazed at the yarny goodness. You can read more about this beauty on Droolicious.

If you’re wondering what the shoes trends will be this year, I’d say mesh & lace is making a comeback. The challenging thing about wearing lace and/or mesh is how quickly it can go from sexy & sophisticated to a raunchy what-not-to-wear moment. Knowing the difference between vavoom and “no she didn’t!” can be tricky.

Play it safe by wearing an understated outfit and let your accessories do the talking for you. So grab your crimping iron, your fingerless gloves and your leatherette leggings — it’s time to go shopping!

Ditch the fishnet stockings and opt to fishnet platform heels instead. This is the Coussinet Platform Slingback from Christian Louboutin. Go ahead, weave yourself some serious style. Find them at Saks for $1,400.

If you’re looking for a more playful shoe, try on the Candy Stud Pumps, also from Louboutin. You get a little lace and the added bonus of bling in stud-form. These babies are hotter than you might imagine as they are sold out. The last pair in a size 41 for about $965.

Lace is available in hand bag form too! Check out this blue beauty by Rebecca Minkoff. It’s the Lace Mab Satchel and isn’t it fun? It has a detachable shoulder strap and gunmetal hardware. Yummy! Find it at Saks for $325.

A Rhinestone & Lace Bracelet that would make Madonna proud. Thanks to Vera Wang, we can all be modern material girls. This gorgeous little number has sparkly gems and it’s easy to fit on even the skinniest wrist because you just tie it to fit. Retails for $250 at Saks.

No wonder singer Carrie Underwood is such a star. She is draped in bling – literally. Emmy award winning costume designer Soyon An has created a ground-breaking wardrobe for country superstar Carrie Underwood using Swarovski Elements.

The sparkling costumes of Carrie Underwood’s “Play On Tour”, are encrusted with over 152,000 Swarovski Elements, debuting a new, glamorous look for the artist. Soyon An’s experience of designing for shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol enabled her to develop innovative creations that dazzle the audience.

Want to find the individual Swarovski crystals used for Carrie’s costumes? Just click here.

Image: Matt Sperling