Beverly Thrills

Elie Tahari sent Spring sportswear looks down the runway that pleasantly reminded me of one of my all-time favorite movie characters...

That's right, ladies! It's Phyllis Neffler from "Troop Beverly Hills!" I love, love, LOVE this movie and certainly was mesmerized by all of Phyllis's couture wilderness girl uniforms as a child. But even as an adult, you have to appreciate her penache for fashion and wonder what the modern Neffler would don for the Annual Jamboree and Tuesday night troop meetings.

Tahari's spring fashion show presented glamorous yet functional sportswear that wasn't too trendy but still inherently modern.

Below are a few looks that I could definitely see Phyllis wearing now for meetings, cookie sales and cocktail parties.

I adore the mixture of khaki cotton with gold lame and bronze leather. It makes me want to find a chic khaki skirt or blazer to go with this Haltson Heritage lame top (that I don't own...yet!)

So, as Robin Leach would say, here's wishing you khaki wishes and cookie dreams!

Golden Delicious

Last week, while perusing my online universe, I came across this gorgeous picture.

I love the hair styles on these two models, especially the antique rhinestone hair clips, but the gold dress in this picture is so AMAZING.

Imagine my surprise when I just HAPPENED to be browsing the Rodarte Spring 2011 show on Style.com and saw this!

There it is in all of its full-length glory! Clearly it's a dramatic, over-the-top, mixed-media gown, but I just love it! Maybe I could love it even more if the hemline was shortened to the knee...maybe.

I've had a crush on Rodarte ever since Reese Witherspoon appeared at her "Monsters Vs. Aliens" premiere in this flawlessly cut space-age dress.

Rodarte's mixture of colors and textures is just so interesting season after season.

Here are a few more gorgeous looks from the Rodarte Spring fashion show...

Recognize this one?? It's the OTHER gown in that gorgeous photo that started this entire blog post!

Although all of these spring fashions are lovely and inspiring, we cannot ignore that the official start of fall is just days away! So as you're gathering your fall and winter wardrobe, take a cue from Rodarte and consider mixing textures. Then this spring, your base layers will stand perfectly on their own...and maybe you could add a small rhinestone hair pin just to kick the looks up a notch...

Vermillion Fall Fashion Show 2010

GORGEOUS Alexander Wang dress style with Subversive necklace and Loeffler Randall pumps

Vermillion, the one and only Southern mecca of glamour and style, hosted yet another jaw-dropping, envy-inducing fashion show at their North Hills boutique in Raleigh last night.

Owner Ashley Harris put on yet another wonderful event featuring looks from Lam to Lim styled with help of chic team member Julia Kerr. Their style concoctions did not disappoint as look after look paraded down the runway, each one better than the next. None of us wanted the show to end!

ALC leather jacket, Loeffler Randall bustier, pants and (my fav) brick-colored booties

One of my favorite looks- 3.1 Phillip Lim suit, AKA leopard print blouse, Loeffler Randall nude patent leather pumps and Gabrielle Frantzen necklace

Sonia Rykiel dress and mittens, Balenciaga boots

3.1 Phillip Lim fur scarf

Anya Hindmarch fur vest, 3.1 Phillip Lim blouse, Balenciaga bag, MiH jeans, Balenciaga leopard print flats

Lela Rose strapless dress and brocade jacket with Balenciaga black pumps

Another one of my favorite looks: Derek Lam dress, Gabrielle Frantzen necklace, Loeffler Randall pumps and Anya Hindmarch coat

Derek Lam brocade skirt and embellished sweater

Jason Wu gathered skirt, blouse and jacket with Loeffler Randall booties and Diana Broussard necklace

Matthew Williamson fur coat and Loeffler Randall over the knee boots

Derek Lam jacket, blouse and leather inset pants with Balenciaga pumps

Before the show, guests were greeted with champagne and apps as they had the chance to mingle with some of their best friends. And while it was great to see old pals like Tory Burch and Alexander Wang, the day was made even better by the presence of two of my oldest friends, my own sister and mother, and Vermillion staff and customers who I've come to know over the years through our shared love of fashion.

Some of my favorite girls!

My sis in a Tucker blouse (another favorite of mine!) and Loeffler Randall pants. TOO CUTE!

Other old friends! Halston Heritage, Lela Rose, and Derek Lam all present!

Of course, once the show was over, it was time to SHOP! Fall was in full force at Vermillion and fashionable treats filled the store, just waiting to be gobbled up! Customers always have the best time at this store. Certainly having such a wonderful selection of clothing and accessories at your fingertips is a draw but the fun, friendly atmosphere created by such a knowledgeable and passionate team makes Vermillion truly unique. Every single person at this store welcomes us with open arms and smiles on their faces. It makes you wonder why you'd ever step into a place offering anything less. I can stay at Vermillion all day...and I pretty much did!

Gorgeous Halston Heritage blouse that I tried on at the suggestion of Ashley.

Mom's feet stylishly adorned by Balenciaga animal print boots!

So while I can't stick the store in my pocket or watch the fashion show again today, I will take with me the memory of yet another fabulous day at Vermillion...and maybe these brick red Loeffler Randall booties, just in case I need yet another reminder...

Celebrity Doppelganger Day V

It's the final day of Celebrity Doppelganger week! Thank you all so much for your feedback this week. It's fun, of course, to select these looks and dress up every morning, but without your comments and reactions, I wouldn't know if my plans were successful or not. So thank you again!!!

Now to talk shop! I happen to adore today's featured Olivia Palermo look. She's just kickin back in her pristine Upper East Side apartment in six-inch stilettos and sequins. No big deal, right?

But that effortless glamour is certainly what drew me to her outfit, so here is look number five...

What I'm wearing:

J. Crew paillette cardigan

Alice & Olivia Inside Out tee

Joe's Starlet jeans (same pair from Monday)

Gray faux suede ankle booties from Target (!)

Invicta watch

Silver and gold chain necklace from Wade's Designs

Sequins for daytime? Really?? Admittedly, I felt a little disco walking across the sun-filled parking lot at 9 a.m., but I also have a little extra pep in my step! As I've mentioned, I work in a creative industry and can get away with this look at work, but other people might want to consider a similar style for a fun dinner with friends or a more casual nighttime event.

During the course of this week, I've certainly learned quite a few things. One being that dressing in the vein of someone else calls for more risk and experimentation but, like most risks, once they pay off, the reward is great. Olivia's style also called for many more inexpensive pieces than I had expected. Go figure, right?! I happen to love the mix of high and low and am glad to see that our Park Avenue princess does too. But overall it was exhausting to try to look like someone else, so this week has been a good reminder to always stay true to yourself. I'm looking forward to getting back to my own style, but I'll be happy if a little of Olivia's creeps back in now and then too.

Celebrity Doppelganger Day IV

Today's Olivia Palermo look is a bit funky compared to her normal Park Avenue polish. I think the black and white striped jacket pushes her look into a more graphic, mod direction. But, of course, I had to try to reinvent this red carpet outfit because of her cool leather shorts! Funny how I don't have a white button down in my wardrobe but I do have leather shorts...

What I'm wearing:

Banana Republic jacket

Nanette Lepore top

3.1 Phillip Lim leather shorts

Sam Edelman python flats

Lia Sophia Art Deco cocktail ring

Since my ring isn't visible in the picture, here's an e.c.u.

Olivia's ruffled, white button-down adds a demure twist to this otherwise trendy look. I chose to substitute tops since I didn't quite have the right one. Same goes for the jacket. But I do think this is an interesting combination that I never would have thought of before.

Also, her red velvet flats are adorable. Those are hard to compete with, so I settled for polished, pointy-toed flats in python. That way, I could add a bit of texture but I definitely lacked for color. Maybe red flats are an essential in a modern girl's wardrobe?

I also learned that I can't rock the high pony like Olivia and immediately took my hair down after seeing this picture!

Only one more day to go! This has been a fun project but I'm sort of glad it's coming to a close...trying to be like someone else is exhausting and, guess what, you should just be YOURSELF!!

Celebrity Doppelganger Day III

LOVING today's Olivia Palermo look. This easy outfit is definitely something anyone could wear to work, a lunch date or a daytime event. It's also a great transitional look from summer to fall and could work again in the spring.

Here's look number three:

What I'm wearing:

Gap trenchcoat (I seriously bought this jacket about 10 years ago. No joke.)

Banana Republic striped tee

Anthropologie necklace (WISH I had a Roberta Freymann like Olivia!)

Loeffler Randall skirt

Target gunmetal wedges

Invicta watch

It's interesting to me that this outfit consists of some of my most frugal finds. Gotta love that! Like Olivia, I love to mix more expensive pieces with affordable ones. It's a great way to shop and build a wardrobe, and I'm happy that another one of Olivia's looks offers that advice!

Two more days to go...

Celebrity Doppelganger Day II

Today's look comes courtesy of Olivia Palermo's dog walking wardrobe. Of course, I'll be wearing her dog walking look to my public relations job, but no matter! (I'd never want to be photographed in my dog walking attire of Target workout shorts and oversized tee shirts!)

At any rate, here goes look number two!

I'm digging this Palermo look today. It's comfortable, functional and a tad bit empowering. I feel kind of authoritative in my military inspired jacket, sleek ponytail and black boots.

Anyway, what I'm wearing:

Old Navy military jacket (again, my sis's)

3.1 Phillip Lim floral tee from Vermillion in Raleigh

J. Crew patent leather belt

J. Brand black skinny jeans

Slouchy, flat boots from Sonny B. in Wilmington

Maybe I will TRY to walk Penny around the block in this outfit after all...