Street Beat: Lady Melbourne Australian Style

Haute couture may have been born in Paris but it is clearly alive and well Down Under by the looks of Lady Melbourne seen here in a smattering of delights from her enviable wardrobe. The self-described “girl about town” spends days shopping in her beloved city and sharing her vintage treasures with the world in her Etsy shop.

Want to take a virtual tour of Melbourne’s hot boutiques? LM takes you into the hidden laneways to give you the stylish scoop via YouTube. Still can’t get enough? Here are a few pieces to get you started.

Photos courtesy of
http://ladymelbourne.blogspot.com/

Zoa Double Layer Butterfly Sleeve Dress Couture Candy

Banana Republic Cabochon Cluster Ring Banana Republic

Urban Outfitters Wide Leather Tab Stretchy Belt UrbanOutfitters.com

Mom Was Right: Eat Your Veggies

...or at least slather them all over your face for good skin.

The latest additions to the Yes To Carrots natural skin care line are Yes to Cucumbers and Yes To Tomatoes. Aside from being the key ingredients to a yummy salad these latest additions to the pharmacy brand favorite are perfect for Sensitive and Acne prone skin.

As you may know, tomatoes are prized for their high Lycopene content - an anti-oxidant which is excellent at fighting free-radicals and preserving healthy skin cells. It's also an anti-inflammatory which is ideal in treating sensitive skin conditions like acne or rosacea. Cucumbers, on the other hand, are known for their cooling properties that help keep skin supple and fresh. Its rejuvenating vitamins softens skin for a smooth appearance - making it a wonderful ingredient for Normal to Sensitive skin types.

If the natural veggies aren't enough to make you hungry to try them, consider the additional ingredients that make these lines so beneficial: spirulina, an algae with high amounts of protein, green and red tea, both potent anti-oxidants, and Dead Sea Mud & Minerals which cleanse, detoxify, and mineralize the skin naturally. They're also purported to help improve cell metabolism, and stabilize the skin's moisture content which results in nourished glowing skin.

As a total skin care junkie I eagerly dove into the 'mater and cuke assortment and the results were very satisfying. The Tomato Facial Wash and Cucumber Mask left my skin feeling very clean and healthy without that tight feeling normally associated with products for oily skin while the Cucumber and Aloe Body Gel left me feeling all tingly refreshed. I ended my little spa pampering treatment with the Tomato Tender Touch hand cream and settled in with a good book and a restful evening.

Find them at your local pharmacy or online here.

For more information about finding the right products for your skin type complete your personalized regimen on Always In Style.

Michelle Obama Rocks The Blue Carpet

(photo via NY Mag)

Since this is a company blog, tossing around political opinions is understandably frowned upon...but that doesn't preclude me from raving about our "First Lady Elect" Michelle Obama's winning style on the blue carpet.

Resplendent in a silky custom Narcisco Rodriguez creation from his Spring 2009 collection, she took a runway look and made it totally wearable: kissing the sheer crotch goodbye (as if anyone would want that...um...ever?), opting for a more conservative neckline, and making it her own with fab earrings and yes, that tiny cardi which may not have been the most stylish choice but certainly made sense for a chilly Chicago evening. I like the criss-cross affect at the waist which I think works for her Bodyline as well.

Reviews have been mixed from the blogosphere so I encourage you all to chime in with your style verdict!

#1 On My Holiday Wishlist: Vivienne Tam Notebook Clutch: UPDATE!

Remember not so long ago when I fell head over heels for this chic clutch, I mean, notebook?

Well Santa baby, I've been awfully good this year so just keep that in mind when shooting off that All Staff memo to the elves.

Due to the huge demand from similarly obsessed stylistas, the good folks at HP have stepped up their game and are offering the chance to reserve it just in time for the holidays.

To get yourself on the reservation list, or to enter for a chance to win one, click here.

I'm A Lumberjack And I'm Okay...

Major cuteness alert folks:

One of my fave trends this season is plaid. There are so many ways to "make it work" from English countryside chic, à la Ralph Lauren, or retro fabulous com'e Dolce and Gabbana per esempio.

Another chic alternative? This buffalo plaid check in a bright cobalt. It's like something I would've worn circa 1990 curled up in front of the tube for my beloved Northern Exposure.

Though I can't bring back the highly missed series, I can channel Maggie O'Connell's outdoorsy girl look with this sweet jacket from Le Robo.

Trends Report: Frugal Fashionista

A sluggish economy calls for a little belt-tightening, but just because the belt isn’t Gucci doesn’t mean it should be any less glamorous. Not long ago, you wouldn’t dare utter the words “frugal” and “style” in the same sentence – fortunately, that isn’t the case any longer. The positive side of an economic slow-down is that it forces us to be more creative with our resources…it also means there are plenty of deals to be found.

Wallet-Friendly Shopping Tips:

• Heading out to the mall? Ditch the plastic and bring an envelope of cash with a small amount and stick to it. When you’re outta money, get outta there.
• Multi-Task. Look for pieces that can be dressed up or down and easily layered or accessorized. A classic sheath is a prime example, and there are plentiful options under $50.
• Inexpensive accessories breathe new life into your wardrobe: a patent bag, for example, is dressy enough for a special occasion, yet adds a funky twist to your everyday denim.
• Want to look like movie star without a starlet’s budget? Draw inspiration from the web: there are tons of personal style blogs that interpret red carpet and runway looks into real life reality – including our own.

Chadwicks Ponte Knit Sheath Chadwicks

Anya Hindmarch for Target Python Clutch Target

Nine West Usagi Peep Toe Pump Amazon.com

Ta Da...The Results Are In.

Thanks to all who participated in my splurge or save game from this morning.

Bet you couldn't wait to find out the details...I know I couldn't believe my eyes when I found out what they were:



First up is the "save" option, the BCBG Petler boot is a mere bag of shells, in other words, a sensibly priced $179. Find it at Endless.



The second lust-worthy option? Loeffler Randall's Matilde boot which rings up at $695. If you've got the spare change laying around snag it at Shopbop.

So my next question is...do these prices sway your decision about which one you'd like?!

How Festive!

I normally don't post home or decorating related items but my heart just died a little when I saw these Fun and Festive Holiday Popmats.

Maybe it's because I'm feeling a little nostalgic today, what with my Billboard Hits from the '70s blaring in my headphones, but I really adore these 3 dimensional placements. They're a pleasant reminder of the holiday craft projects of my youth, sans glitter and paste. Designs include a reindeer, a fireplace with all the trimmings and a holiday table, complete with mini turkey.

They're a surprisingly affordable $24.75 for a set of 10, and aside from their extreme cuteness, they're made of 100% recycled paper, so they're eco-friendly.

As an added bonus, they're sure to be conversation starters...a good way to avoid a tête-à-tête with your drunk Uncle Larry or explain to mom why you're still childless at the ripe old age of 25.

Find them on Delight.com

Splurge or Save: Which Boot Do You Want?

Happy Monday kiddies!

Let's play a game. Can you tell me which of these tall drinks of amber deliciousness is the splurge and which is the save?

Bonus points if you can name the designers.

You won't win anything other than my unwavering admiration and a chance to flaunt your mad shopping skills.

Let's hear it...I'll post the details about both later.