Fabulous Tulle Confection

Nancy is particularly loving the beautiful confection of the dress Angie Harmon is wearing by Monique L’Huillier, as am I. I am also loving the Carolina Herrera black and gold lace gown that January Jones chose, which is quite the departure from the red hot Versace number she wore at the Globes. I also think that Nicole Kidman’s Nina Ricci gown is stunning. I love the lace back. Overall, I am impressed with several of the nominees and presenters choices.

Watching all of the beautiful dresses has inspired me to put together a few fabulous Red Carpet Ready looks from new pieces on Covet Shop that would make any girl stop traffic and a dead ringer for a Hollywood starlet….

My first ensemble would be…

Stunning Valentino Taffeta Dress

This gorgeous Valentino taffeta dress paired with a stunning little Bottega Veneta clutch and satin peep toe Jimmy Choo heels…

Bottega Veneta Precious Evening Clutch

Jimmy Choo Perfect Shoe

Next up, a more modern sexy look, a strapless coco Fendi bubble dress, Giuseppe Zanotti sandals with chain-mail detail and a fabulous Jennifer Elizabeth Cuff…

Fabulous Pleated Fendi Bubble Dress

Fabulous Gold Giuseppe Zanotti shoes

Jennifer Elizabeth Persephone Cuff

And lastly, you can never go wrong with a super sexy Herve Leger bandage dress, some gorgeous Elizabeth and James lace sandals and some sparkly jeweled hoops courtesy of Jennifer Elizabeth…

Herve Leger Bandage Dress

Love these shoes, love the buttons up the back!

Elizabeth & James Lace Sandal

Equally amazing walking out the door

And finally a touch of sparkle for the extra added glam!

Jennifer Elizabeth Sparkle Hoop Earrings

There is something for everyone in all of these looks whether it is classic, modern or sexy. Happy shopping and make sure to check out Covet Shop for your next fabulous find! Looking forward to the Oscars and the gowns!

Until next time!!

XOXO

BPT

Secondly, Nancy got engaged and was recently on vacation in Mexico. Props to her BF-now-fiance for cleverly not being predictable and popping the question AFTER the trip instead of during it. And  Nancy has happily taken to her new status well by properly obsessing over her gorgeous ring. Best of wishes to them!! I’ve been so busy with the baby that haven’t heard the full story yet, but look forward to catching up with her this week.

What's hotter than a defrocked priest?

So what’s packed in fabulous Nancy’s bag for a trip to the tropics? When I travel to Mexico, my imagination goes wild so course I’m envisioning their trip was something out of “Night of the Iguana,” the 1964 classic (shot off Playa Mismaloya, near Puerta Vallarta) dripping with scandal. Though, unless their travels included an encounter with a defrocked priest at hot as Richard Burton, it was probably slightly more tame.

Below, her guidelines for a stylishly packed bag.

- Array of bikinis in prints and solids (including a new Eres suit…love!)

- Cover up tunics and light dresses; lots of maxi dresses

- YSL straw tote beach bag

- Favorite straw Panama hat

- Silk tops, including a new studded top from Jodi Arnold; denim short shorts

- For shoes: Havaianas and jelly slides, Missoni wedges

Sooo, if you’re looking for inspiration from Covet Shop, we’ve compiled these two outfits, as styled by Nancy. Muy bonita.

Roberto Cavalli Long Floral Printed Dress, Jimmy Choo Prize Sandals (sold), Gucci Buckle Sunglasses

But ladies, it’s not all about the fashion – for beauty picks, Nancy smartly likes to “keep it simple” for trips and just include basics like bronzer, lip gloss, Bumble Surf Spray, and mascara. But since I’m the beauty chick here, I’ve taken the liberty of adding some of my faves. First, take a peek at M·A·C’s impending “To the Beach” collection – not available until May 28, but you heard about it here. For me, the joy and design of the packaging weighs in at about 70% of my purchase influence (since ladies, let’s face it, lots of beauty products work equally well), and — well — as a beachaholic these new items are stunners. They just make you happy, period.

Lipglass in Easy Lounger, new Cream Bronzer...take me away

We’ll leave you with these three beauty essentials for your escape – trust me, this is just about all you’ll need to look fantastic – in addition to the lip gloss and bronzer, of course. Oh, and some deodorant.

Don't scare beach-goers with your pasty legs; prepare beforehand with Jergens Natural Glow (comes in various shades, plus the choice of Revitalizing or Firming); Korres' delicious Lip Butter; and Bumble's Surf Spray (Nancy's pick)

First up: Mindi Smith, a professional stylist and redhead-about-town equipped with a to-die-for closet and, as you’ll see, some of the most haute hippie style in town. A woman after my own heart (as a Boulder grad, myself).

For the Bohemian, or the Mod Squad, in you...

“Haute Hippie” Outfit No 1, at left:

“Those shoes, those shoes, those shoes!,” says Mindi.  ”The lucite wooden heel?  Are you kidding me?” Unfortunately they were snatched up almost immediately, but all the more reason to check Covet Shop “What’s New” as often as you can. Mindi “loves the keyhole” in this Cavalli dress, and designed these looks to wear to a cocktail party or an afternoon wedding — anywhere you’d like to definitely make an appearance or impression “as you’re gliding about.”

For her, the key to looking effortlessly chic is comfort…and this, she adds, “honestly, really looks comfortable.”

Roberto Cavalli Long Floral Printed Dress, Chloe Lucite Wooden Platform Sandals, Bottega Veneta Woven Hobo, Marc Jacobs Gold Bar Sunglasses

“Mod Squad” Outfit No. 2, at right:

Meow. “This reminds me of you, Nicole,” says Mins. “Love the new ‘pattern play’ coming off the runway for spring and this dress nails it.  Very mod, very now.” She recos wearing this this to market appointments, to lunch, dinner or to drinks.  Nothing too formal because it is a shift, but, she comments, “…it definitely goes from office to work lunch or dinner easily in the summer.”

Marni Circle Shift Dress, Jimmy Choo Prize Sandals, Temperley London Flag Bag

A more refined Bohemian...

Classic Bohemian, with a Twist:

This outfit, also by Mindi, exemplifies exactly why stylists are good at their job: They have ways of arranging looks in ways you’d never have dreamed, that reinvent pieces in a different light. Take this Balenciaga dress, for example. I’d never think of picking this out for fear of its potential frump-factor, but Mindi designed this around the belt and has instantly made it something covet-able and super hot.

“I originally styled it around the dress (who wouldn’t?) but the belt is stealing the show and that bag is sick!,” she says. “I would wear this anywhere, to lunch, on a date, to a funeral or a party.  You cannot go wrong with a LBD from Balenciaga.”

Like these picks? Mindi is available for personal styling/shopping. Just contact her here.

Gucci Buckle Sunglasses, Balenciaga Baby Doll Dress, Salvatore Ferragamo Gancio Patch Tote, Marc Jacobs Cut Out Pumps, Giuseppe Zanotti Python Wedges

And now…the next stylist…Brianne Tammaro, an industry sales/design veteranette and friend of Nancy’s from Parsons (both are alums). Brianne currently works at covet-worthy Italian brand Blumarine.

Black, white, day, night...

Laid Back, and Luxurious:

Brie really loves the black/white trend we are seeing right now (so do we!), since it’s “…really clean, and black always looks professional but also stylish – especially for New York.” She has paired a boyfriend-like cardigan over a cocktail dress and would wear this with these fabulous flats during the day for a “laid back luxurious” look. “By adding the white bag, it adds interest to my ‘uniform of black’ that I tend to wear during the week.  However, the black dress can also be sexy for night so I like that it is a ‘day-to-play’ look.”

For day, Brianne suggests the flats, of course, and “wearing the cardi open, scrunching up the sleeves and adding some fun jewelry.” But for evening…throw these dangerous Giuseppe Zanotti booties in your oversized bag to put on after work…and start your night on the town on the right foot.

Temperley Mini Kaleidoscope Dress, Roberto Cavalli Jewel Cardigan, Giuseppe Zanotti Platform Booties, Salvatore Ferragamo Gancio Patch Tote, Christian Louboutin Mousse Clou Flats

We’d love to see YOUR styling creativity! If you think you have Covet Shop-worthy style, please submit your styling/picks, and reason for your choices, to Nancy [at] Covetshop.com. We’ll select a winner, who will receive $50 toward their next Covet Shop purchase, and post their look on the Covet Shop blog. Deadline: Wed., April 21.

Irish lassies! Shop no further

Heading out Wednesday for a St. Patrick’s Day party? For those going to a classier affair than your basic frat house tavern, might I recommend the below. We absolutely cannot believe this fabulous Stella McCartney dress has not sold yet – I’d personally pair it with a super short, cropped leather jacket and some peep-toe booties like the ones I scored from Beacon’s Closet yesterday. If you need further inspiration, see how Lindsay Lohan styled it here.

DVF Dylann Wrap Top, paired with the designer's Biby Pant; Stella McCartney Double Layer Dress

Spring essentials: The trench

If you purchase nothing else this spring, grab a new trench. Of course trenches never go out of style, but we’ve seen them celebrated in unique ways lately. Vogue UK suggests belted with the buttons undone, while Gryphon has debuted this bell-sleeved version designed by mother-daughter team Judy and Jane Aldridge (of Sea of Shoes fame).

We’re of course suggesting this Covet Shop version, which brings a a bit of noir-ish, yet feminine, glamour to the staid classic.

Who's That Lady? Turn heads with this Dolce & Gabbana Ruffle Trench

Spring essentials: The new bag and sandals

Nothing puts a spring in your step more than a delicious new bag or some strappy sandals to go with your fresh new pedi. My picks this week…

Sigerson Morrison Davis Sandals, Bottega Veneta Woven Hobo

Spring essentials: The light sweater

Toss either of these gray sweaters in your oversized bag for when it gets chilly people-watching at your favorite sidewalk cafe, and try belting them with any of these smokin’ new belts (from Miu Miu, YSL, and Gucci) posted this week.

Shrug, Blugirl by Blumarine; 3.1 Phillip Lim Pocket Sweater, Miu Miu Rocker Belt

On point were panelists Deirdre Sullivan (Social Media, PR, & Partnership Director at IDEELI), Orli Sharaby (Sr. Social Marketing Strategist, Lifestyle at 360i) and Ziv.

Needless to say, our ears perked up when the discussion turned to…

1) Up High or Down Low: Do trends emerge from haute couture or street style?

At left, remixed street style looks from Looklet, on-the-street with the Sartorialist, and a look from the Weardrobe 100. Couture runway looks at right

This is, as panelists pointed out, about the creative vision, inspiration and fantasy of couture — as opposed to real human beings going about their daily lives (albeit very stylishly). Who’s inspiring whom and despite the tension between the two, are they more intertwined than may be obvious? According to Ziv, the most inspirational online style influencers are focused on unique pieces that represent who they are; and the key is mixing high and low. “There are no more trends, seasons are irrelevant,” she says. “They are all about putting their personality out there.”

2) The future of fast fashion, vintage and consignment

Fast fashion? It has it’s place, but — said panelists — for bloggers and new designers using social media to promote their brand, building identity and voice means pieces that feel fresh. “No one needs another jersey dress in this economy,” said Sullivan.

“People are consuming way too much,” said Ziv. “Now, I’m seeing people buying, wearing and selling to the next generation. These objects can and should be preserved — not something disposable.”

We agree. A quality garment has a history, a story that can and should be passed along.

Vintage bags, grab 'em while they're hot. From left: Louis Vuitton Neo Cabby GM; Chanel Vintage Floral; Bottega Veneta Clutch

Case in point: Almost all our vintage pieces — such as all the hot items we listed in this first post about Virtual Vintage in October (including my faves, the Dior floral pant) — get swiped up so fast it’s become hard to keep up. However, on a sad note the NY Post recently reported that many of the classic vintage shops on 7th and 9th streets in the East Village and throughout the city have had to close shop. Let’s hope that’s not the case. We need on and offline inspiration in our constant hunt for those iconic pieces around which to craft personal style.