LalaLuxe

LONDON SOLE

Nestled into a cottage-like store front on Montana Avenue, Chelsea based British shoe designer, Jane Winkworth's London Sole delivers a unique collection of chic ballet flats in every color and pattern under the rainbow.  

Celebrities and soccer moms alike flock to this treasure chest for leopard, snakeskin and pony ballet flats revealing just the right amount of toe cleavage.

London Sole

1331 Montana Avenue,

Santa Monica

CA 90403

(310) 255-0937

*Insider Tip: London Sole has two huge sales every year where shoes are marked down to $30.00!  The first is during the annual Montana Sidewalk Sale (usually in May) and the second is the day after Christmas.  Arrive early for the best selection.

We Just Can't Get Enough ... Tourmaline Technology

Hollywood can't get enough of the t-ION Tourmaline Travel Iron by Metropolis Technology. Not only is this professional styling iron teenie-weenie but it eliminates split ends and frizz with it's humidity proofing ceramic plates and has a 10-year warranty.

"Fall" in Love with Dame

A favorite amongst in-the-know Westside hipsters, Dame in Santa Monica is off the beaten track but on our fashion radar.

Dana Rossi, the sweet as pie and equally stylish owner, has a keen eye and fills her store with new trends and stunning pieces in every price range.  See just a glimpse of what's in stock below...

Not sure if you can really pull off the bootie trend?  Fret no more, at Dame you can pick up a pair of sassy black patent booties for a mere $49 bucks.  And if they don't suit you - toss'em.

Dame

725 Broadway 

Santa Monica, CA 90401

310-394-2402

Going GAGA

It's not hard to go GAGA over Banana Republic's geometric bib necklace.  The smokey plum and taupe faceted glass jewels are a perfect compliment to any fall outfit.  At $150 bucks, the price is right annnnnnd all the more reason to splurge on another pair of plum Louboutins... Go ahead, you deserve them!

Here's our plum pick:

Shareen Vintage's New Venice Outpost

Here's the scoop courtesy of apperalnews.net ...

The scene: It shouldn’t have been a surprise.

Shareen Mitchell, a doyenne of fabulous and affordable vintage, has been luring starlets, stylists and fashionistas to her out-of-the-way warehouse near downtown Los Angeles for years. So when news of a second outpost broke, this time on sunny Abbot Kinney in the Venice Beach neighborhood, word spread like wildfire. Still, Mitchell was surprised by the reaction she was met with on the inaugural day of her new shop. She had envisioned an intimate affair with a few friends and loyal shoppers stopping by to sip champagne and peruse the pretty dresses in her new location in a cute Craftsman bungalow. Instead, she was greeted with throngs of girls shopping with gusto.

“I love this. It is more than I ever expected,” Mitchell said, standing in a house packed to the eaves with vintage shoppers. “But if it is going to be like this every week, I’m going to need a bigger place!” Ever the hostess and stylist, Mitchell moved among “her girls,” critiquing fit, belting dresses and offering snacks. “You know it’s busy when they won’t eat a bite of chocolate,” she said, holding a plate of gourmet brownies.

The Venice location will be open four days a week on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Like Mitchell’s other shop, there is a strict “No boys allowed” policy and red petticoats on the gate.

Mitchell’s fashion archive collection, which she makes available to designers looking for vintage inspiration, will remain at the downtown location.

For more information about Shareen Vintage Venice, visit www.shareenvintage.com.  —Erin Barajas

Black and Blue

A stunning Abaete strapless dress makes the transition from summer to fall a seamless one.  Pair this asymmetrical stunner with white cut-out stilettos on Labor Day or save it for September, paired with black calf-skin Christian Louboutin booties.

The best part is, the sale price at shopintuition.com.

Eye Spy With My Little Eye ... Bvlgari

Make a statement this fall with , oversized, navy and bone Bvlgari frames. Available online at Nordstrom.  If you're feeling extra matchy-matchy, pair them with Chanel's Blue Satin nail polish on fingers and toes.  

Voila, a polished look from head to toes!

Packing Cosmetics ... A Labor of Love

Arriving at your Labor Day destination with your Nars Orgasm blush crumbled to pieces because you didn't pack properly is a problem of the past thanks to Stephanie Johnson. Jet-away in style with her Belize collection and know that your most precious cosmetics are safe and stylishly secure.  

Our favorite part is the flirty interior - silky mocha liner accented by blush pink grosgrain. Meow!

LalaLuxe Featured on Racked LA!

LalaLuxe Featured on Juli B

Dark, moody and well, mini ... Roberto Cavalli does fall

Living in LaLaLand, there's one thing you can always count on. The mini.  For instance, seasonal looks may be reflected by a rotating color palate - spring pastels turn into beachy brights, and then jewel tones for fall ... but hemlines my friends always stay the same. 

We're having a Kate Hudson moment with this moody silk Roberto Cavalli mini, perfect for all occasions. Pair it with chunky suede boots for lunch at the Malibu Country Mart or dress up at night by adding the detachable gold-tone serpent belt (our favorite part) and a simple strappy sandal. 

Roberto Cavalli Josephine Dress - $2,500.00 at Net-A-Porter. Bare legs year round - PRICELESS!

Sinful Stilts

We're drooling over Barbara Bui's  brown suede and snake 5 inch heels which we found carefully perched in the window of the always-posh, Il Primo Passo.

 

Beth Whiffen, owner of Il Primo Passo and Westside style-maven declared, "I love Barbara Bui platforms because they are super-padded and you can stand in them for hours, even though they look quite dangerous. This one, in particular, is pretty aggressively sexy, but the mary-jane strap tones down the va-va-voom factor a bit. They look best paired with skinny jeans, cigarette pants or knee-length pencil skirts."

Barbara Bui is a French-Vietnamese designer based in Paris. Her shoes are structural, sexy, and very French...tres chic, always.

Who Needs Paris Anyway?

Who needs Paris when we've got Paulette, Beverly Hills? This Parisian gem is home of the most sinfully delicious French macaroons we've ever tried ~ a stylish gift for any occasion (on Valentines Day they made us the sweetest red raspberry heart shaped cookies). French pastry chef extraordinaire Christophe Michalak takes the savoir faire of the French original to a new level, bringing authentic haute patisserie française to classic flavors from the American palate.

Our favorites were raspberry rose, orange blossom and violet cassis. mmmmm

Paulette
9466 Charleville Boulevard at Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

EBOOST - Jet Set Without Jet Lag

EBoost is a must for any frequent flyer. This pocket size serving packs immunity-boosting vitamin C, a large dose of B-vitamins and green tea extract (for alertness), into a refreshingly-delicious, orange beverage that supports your overall sense of “wellness” and helps you fight jet lag like a champ. And the best part is it's all-natural with no sugars or preservatives.

Simply empty the contents of one packet into your on air beverage and voilà!

From Curbside to Poolside - it's all about the LBC

The Little Black Caftan (LBC) replaces the LBD for an insta-chic wardrobe update. Throw these in your carry on with a pair of Miu Miu gold gladiator sandals and you're ready to go! We picked two up at Net-A-Porter...

Day: MICHAEL KORS

Night: TEMPERLEY LONDON

NEWS FLASH ~ DID Syndrome Cured!!!

You've seen her, you've been her ~ that unpolished DID (damsel in distress) at the airport, fumbling her laptop, plethora of fashion magazines, iphone, neck pillow and Starbucks skinny all while running to the gate. Ladies, there is finally an answer to this slovenly disorder. It comes in the form of an elegant calfskin leather carryall by Marka.

The Sinclair, (named after Marka founder Molly's ex) is constructed from deliciously soft Italian calfskin leather. Much of the Sinclair’s appeal lies in its versatility. This bag is the perfect companion, whether accompanying you on your daily commute or a weekend get-away.

Although it’s spacious enough to hold a 17” laptop, papers, files and even a small clutch, the Sinclair is not just for laptop lovers. If traveling, fill it with a change of clothes, shoes, a hairdryer and your makeup bags.

And the best part of all ... it's ON SALE!

A Little Pucci For Your Coochie!

Sorry, we couldn't resist.

Coined the "World's Most Comfortable Thong", Hanky Panky is the mascot for our Mile High Club ~ especially on long flights. Not only do these fancy panties stay in place, they show no lines. Even if you're in coach (gasp), you'll feel like your flying first class in these precious Pucci inspired undergarments.

We picked up a week's worth at Kitson

INSIDER TIP: Buy In Multiples

Packing for a long weekend in the eleventh hour? No time to meticulously coordinate your wardrobe? Fear not, we've got you covered...

Grab your passport and jam a few of these Alexia Admor candy colored confections into a weekend bag and you're good to go, sans iron. These sultry mini-dresses offer the perfect solution for a last minute jaunt. Available at Intuition.

GETAWAY

Made famous by shows like the OC and MTV's Laguna Beach, this once sleepy beach town is Southern California's artsy hotspot and a rising fashion influencer...

photo courtesy of California Image, 

http://www.californiaimage.com/

STAY: On the dramatic cliffs of Montage Resort and Spa. Each room boasts an ocean view in this intimate seaside retreat. Book a ninety minute "Symphony in Massage" where two therapists work in tandem.  The ultimate ménage à trois!

30801 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

BRUNCH: Share Fillet Minion and Crab Cake Benedicts at The Beach House while sipping farmers-market fresh peach bellinis and enjoying the rumbling Pacific below.  

619 Sleepy Hollow Lane, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

DO: The first Thursday evening of every month, local galleries open their doors and offer champagne and special receptions for the Laguna Art Walk.

Not to be missed is Laguna's annual Sawdust Art Festival where over 202 artists to exhibit their original creations.  Louboutin lovers beware, the festival's name bares relevance -  the ground at this event is indeed covered with sawdust!

SHOP: Stella for Dini's jeweled flip-flops, silky summer shift dresses, a great denim assortment, fun jewels and more.

812 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

And don't miss, Gold Digger Shoes where OC style mavens (aka gold-diggers) flock for sinful stilts by labels like Christian Lacroix, Celene and Hollywould.

660 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Stack Attack!

Luscious colors, designed to be stacked or worn alone. There's nothing more satisfying than a right hand ring, or two, or four. Paloma Picasso made daddy proud with these timeless mouth watering gems.

Available at Tiffany's.