Style Snatcher (On a Budget)

Taylor Tomasi Hill has emerged as many fashion insider's favorite It girl, influencing the way we dress and shop without some of us even realizing it! Even if you haven't heard of her yet, chances are you're already familiar with her work as the accessories editor for Marie Claire. Her personal style definitely reflects her accessories-focused approach to fashion, enabling her to turn the most basic wardrobe staples into fantastically put-together outfits.

The look above has me pining for winter days out and about...and over-the-knee boots. Hill's base for her outfit is really quite simple- a grey sweater dress and opaque tights with boots. But layer on the fur vest, cable knit scarf and fingerless gloves plus up the cool factor on the boots and add an infamous vintage Chanel bag and we're suddenly in serious fashion territory!

Here's my style snatch of her fabulous wintertime outfit- scaled down to real world prices. After all, there's no need to blow it out of the water when it comes to your accessories, especially if your purchases are seriously trendy...

Sparkle & Fade sweater dress from Urban Outfitters- $48

Rachel Rachel Roy Faux Fur Vest from Macy's- $99

Merona Cashmere Scarf from Target- $24.99

Guess Riselan Over the Knee Boot from Macy's- $139.30

Diane Von Furstenberg Parcment Fingerless Gloves from Shopbop- $98

Chanel Vintage 2.55 quilted bag from Luxe Voute- $825 (similar)

Sorry to blow the real world budget on the Chanel bag, ladies, but for some accessories, there is no replacement...I think Hill would agree.

Cool, Clean Collections: Jenni Kayne

Shot of designer Jenni Kayne and her son from her website.

On a Monday morning, like today, when I want to think as little as possible about what to put on and how it all looks together, I'd be a much happier girl with a little Jenni Kayne in my life. Since she debuted her own line in 2003 (by the way, she was only 19!), Kayne has consistently made modern yet classic sportswear for the American woman. She tends to rely on a directive color palette and impeccable tailoring, making her pieces easy to mix and match within her own collection as well as with clothes you might already have in your wardrobe. The overall look is California cool- effortless yet desirable. Perhaps that why stars like Kristen Bell, Rachel Bilson and Sophia Bush are such huge fans.

While Kayne's overall aesthetic may be quite simple, she keeps the looks interesting by introducing varying textures, sometimes as unexpected as a faux fur tee! Check out the pieces from her Fall, Resort and Spring collections.

Fall 2010

Fall 2010 (LOVE the fur collar!)

Fall 2010 (my personal favorite- leather anorak paired with a silk skirt)

Resort 2011

Resort 2011

Resort 2011

Spring 2011

Spring 2011

Spring 2011

How refreshing Kayne's looks appear in this era of oversized. For petite girls like me, Kayne's designs are a breath of fresh air. I also love how you could really wear almost any of these outfits at any time of the year. There I go again with my love for year-round dressing!

So if you're looking for something cool, classic and casual, seek out Jenni Kayne immediately!

Digging These Rocks

Excavated pyrite from Elba, Italy

Break out your old rock collection. Take apart that crystal radio. (Remember those?!) Pyrite is back and in full effect!

The mineral nicknamed fool's gold has been showing up in various pieces of jewelry all over the place lately. Its greenish-golden hue and interesting geometric crystal formations make it a complex yet glamorous addition to anyone's jewelry box.

I first spotted the latest use for this organic wonder in a Lela Rose necklace from her Fall 2010 collection. Her new medium proved an appropriate addition to her line, inspired by a recent trip to the Galapagos Islands. Lela explained to Style.com that she wanted to explore more textures already found in nature. Remind us to thank Mother Nature...

Lela Rose Pyrite Necklace from Neiman Marcus

Lela Rose isn't the only designer digging the complex mineral. (No pun intended.) Check out some other pyrite pieces below!

Luv Aj Fool's Gold Choker from Shopbop

Lady Grey Geode Ring

Lady Grey Geode Earring

Danni Jo Rocco Pyrite Necklace

Break out from bling and into this subdued new gem. You'll be sure to have something different and always interesting...

Present Perfect: Not-So-Basic Black & Luxe Neutrals

If yesterday's vibrant metallics and jewel tones are too loud or fussy for your taste, this post on your not-so-basic black and neutrals is just for you. There's no reason to go out and buy wildly sparkly or bright outfits if you'll only wear them once a year, so the nude neutrals and l.b.d.'s of today could prove appropriate for an array of events in your future. These pieces have become wardrobe staples with which you'll be able to mix a variety of textures, colors, and accessories if you want to play them up. Or feel free to keep the look monochromatic for a thoroughly minimalist vibe. Either way, you'll be sitting pretty year-round.

L.B.D.- Lindsey's Black Dress-code

On a personal note, I have never been more drawn to black as I am this year. But black, for a redhead, can really suck the life out of my complexion. Therefore, for me and for many of you reading this post, it's important to keep in mind the mixture of textures when you wear black (a la Celine below). A flat, plain black top or dress can really make us look lifeless, but add a little sheen or sheer and the fabric suddenly becomes quite alluring. So when you wear black, remember to mix your textures- a jersey dress with a velvet jacket, sheer tights and patent pumps is always interesting, elegant and timeless.

Celine Fall 2010 Runway Look

Rebecca Taylor Asymmetrical Black Ruffle Dress from Net-A-Porter

L'Agence Mesh-Panel Mini Dress from Net-A-Porter

Halston Heritage Asymmetrical Jersey Mini Dress

Neutrals:

The new neutrals offer a refreshing perspective on versatile dressing. Not only are these an unexpected yet appropriate option for winter but they will most certainly carry over into the spring and summer. Once again, year-round dressing saves the day, closet space and wallet. For now, offset ivories, creams, pale pinks and taupes with black jackets, belts, bags and shoes. Or for day time, keep your color palette autumnal with brown boots and emerald green accents. (Wouldn't the Chloe look below be gorgeous with an emerald green tweed jacket and Frye boots for a glamorous day out on the farm?)

Chloe Fall 2010 Runway Look

Alice & Olivia Georgette Draped Mini Dress from Net-A-Porter

Helmut Lang Draped Jersey Dress from Beanie & Cecil

Paul & Joe Prasline Asymmetrical Wool-Crepe Dress from Net-A-Porter

Troubador Sans Souci Dress from Beanie & Cecil

With any of these gorgeously essential pieces, you could never go wrong. Add a sparkly earring and gigantic cocktail ring to push your look into an evening of glamour. Black shoes and tights will keep you warm at night.

Even though it's early, I'm wishing you all a beautiful and meaningful holiday season. Here's to good cheer, good friends and the opportunity to express our sartorial creativity!

Present Perfect: Metallics & Jewel Tones

Marc Jacobs' Arabian Nights Holiday Party 2007

This weekend, I got my first dose of holiday party style at an engagement party for one of my best friends. It's always so fun to see the what winter fashions everyone has chosen, but it also had me panicking- "Holidays ALREADY?!" Just last week I was posting on cold weather skin issues. Now I'm already feeling like I've got to swipe the milk and cookies before Santa gets here!

Don't get me wrong, though. I absolutely love the holiday season- for the most part. But, friends, it's already time to think about what to wear for all of the fantastic events coming up in the next two months!

Here are some looks that might prove festive for your holiday fetes and tips on how to wear them...

Metallics:

As the new neutrals, metallics are a fun and easy way to add some holiday flair to your wardrobe. For the chillier temperatures, anchor gold or silver pieces with black tights, skirts, pants and shoes. Suede booties would be my shoe of choice but any cold-weather appropriate black shoe will work. In these fun frocks, you'll sparkle brighter than the lights on the tree...but keep the hair and make-up simple as to not compete with your embellished threads.

Tory Burch Fall 2010 Inspiration

Adam Strapless Wool-Felt Bead-Embellished Dress from Net-A-Porter

A look from Isabel Marant's Fall/Winter 2010 Fashion Show from Style.com

Proenza Schouler top and skirt from Net-A-Porter

Tibi Mara Jacquard Dress from Net-A-Porter

AllDressedUp Banaba Mini Dress from Net-A-Porter

Jewel Tones:

In a room full of dark and dreary colors, jewel tone pieces can really punch up the fashion factor during the winter. These bold, rich hues flatter all kinds of skin tones, proving very necessary during the bleak winter months when are healthy tans are fading to pale and pasty. Anchor the looks with simple black heels- you want your accessories to flatter your outfit, not compete with it. However, you can afford to go a bit more daring with the make-up and hair. Keep your entire look bold and vivacious, and you'll be sure to shine brighter than those red poinsettas.

Diane von Furstenberg Fall 2010 Runway Look from Style.com

Sachin + Babi Fall 2010 Runway Look

Tibi One-Shoulder Silk Dress from Net-A-Porter

Alice & Olivia Kellye Dress from Net-A-Porter

Adam Draped Sandwashed-Silk Dress from Net-A-Porter

Stay tuned for Part Two of the Present Perfect series, due out later this week.

Happy Holiday (Shopping)!

Spring Forecast: Sunny with a Chance of Leather

Style.com image from Marni's Spring 2011 Fashion Show

The luxe of leather has certainly come back with a vengence during the last year or so. It's not that leather was ever really "out," but anyone who's been watching fashion has more than likely noticed that traditionally casual pieces are now being made in the non-traditional fabric- leather tees, shorts, shifts and cropped jackets have suddenly become the new gold standard. And, for spring, designers have kept hold of that idea and taken it one step further by adding a dose of color or a hint of effortlessness!

Elie Saab on Style.com

Costume National on Style.com

Michael Kors on Style.com

Hermes on Style.com

Burberry Prorsum on Style.com

Suddenly, leather looks so much less constricting and so much more carefree and nonchalant. I used to picture leather pants as super tight, rock-n-roll pieces that only certain brave souls with amazing figures could get away with. But now, leather pants have taken on the same look as your favorite work slacks. How do these designers do it?

In stores now, you can see the leather casually draped into a skirt (a la Haute Hippie below) or chicly cut into a an a-line day dress (Jenni Kayne). The look is less daring dominatrix and more approachable girl-next-door.

Haute Hippie leather skirt on Shopbop

Marc by Marc Jacobs draped bustier top on Shopbop

Jenni Kayne shift dress from Shopbop

Camilla and Marc leather jacket from Shopbop

The new leather pieces are sumptious, soft and seasonless, which is great news for someone who might have sprung for leather shorts at the end of last summer...For spring, I'll be grabbing a khaki trench and a white silk top to add some easy breeziness to my shorts. But maybe this winter, a drapey Camilla and Marc jacket would be useful too...