The Shorter Days of Fall: Wear Rising Hemlines as the Temperature Drops

As the days of summer quickly escape us, it’s far too easy to slip into our cold weather uniform of pants, sweaters, and boots. This year, shake things up with a new trend—shorts in the winter. The look can be tricky to pull off, but with this fool proof formula and smart tips, all eyes will be on you as you strut around town looking fashionably pulled together.

Cut offs are cute, but for the colder months it’s best to choose a pair that are slightly loose and cuffed. To keep the look seasonally appropriate, pick out something in a heavier fabric: herringbone, wool, and corduroy are all great picks. Once you’ve found the perfect pair of shorts, you might want to throw on tights underneath to keep goose bumps at bay. Keep the look clean with solid-color opaque tights, or mix it up by playing with prints and texture. Try pairing solid shorts with ribbed tights; they will hug your legs like a cozy sweater and keep them just as warm.

Shoes are another important detail when piecing together this trend. Pick a shoe that’s simple, yet relatively substantial. This is not the time to wear your favorite strappy, sky-high heels. Flat boots, ballet flats, booties, or a Mary Jane wedge would best compliment such an outfit. Top it off with a classic cardigan for laid-back polish or fitted blazer for chic sophistication. Shorts for fall and winter is a fresh alternative to the skirt with leggings combo, and a great way to break out of any fashion rut.

Best Bet for Your Body:

Curvy

In theory, the wider the hem, the slimmer your legs will appear. Go for shorts that hug your waist nicely but don’t wrap too tight around the thigh. The nipped waste will create a flattering hourglass shape. www.forever21.com

Athletic

Have fun with prints or texture when picking a pair of shorts. Flirty details on a back pocket can help create an illusion of curves. www.shopbop.com

Petite

Choose a pair of shorts that aren’t too long as not to overwhelm your frame. Those with shorter legs should pair the look with shoes that elongate your gams. This means anything without an ankle strap, or a monochromatic theme between your tights and shoes. www.jcrew.com

Pear

Look for a pair of shorts that emphasize your well-defined waist area (softly pleated or flat-fronted). Solid colors with minimal details are most flattering for pear-shapes figures. www.urbanoutfitters.com

What is Your Body Trying to Tell You? Every pop, ping, and pain has a meaning!

Even if you feel perfectly healthy, your body has clever little ways of letting you know it is in need of some TLC. However, in our crazy day to day routines it becomes easy to overlook these little signals—especially when you don’t feel any pain. That minor but frequent dull ache in your muscle or joints could mean you are in need of more than just a massage. If you are suffering from a vitamin shortage, are lacking some zzz’s, or making a habit of eating your favorite junk foods you’ve probably tuned out the signs your body is sending you. It isn’t easy to interpret these signals but once you make a habit of learning to truly listen to your body, not only will you feel better now but you may also help avoid any further health complications in the future.

Symptom: Muscle cramps in legs

Most likely causes: Sitting or standing for too long (especially in sky-scraper but oh-so-adorable heels) can strain calf muscles and lead to cramps. Dehydration can also cause leg spasms.

What to do: Drink plenty of fluids, and stock up on food rich in calcium, magnesium, and potassium (think leafy greens, bananas, and beans). We would never suggest you retire your pumps for orthopedic clunkers, so just be sure to stretch your legs after sitting or walking for long periods of time in high heels.

Symptom: Cracking Joints

Most likely causes: Even though popping your knuckles can be oddly satisfying, when you crack a joint you are actually causing it to stretch. This causes gas bubbles to rapidly release, and this is why you hear that snap, crackle, or pop.

What to do: Unless you feel pain with a cracking joint, don’t stress over it. In the case you do feel pain, swelling, or the joint becomes red and has limited motion you should consult your doctor. It may be a sign of a joint/cartilage problem such as arthritis.

Symptom: Dry or Bloodshot Eyes

Most Likely Causes: Even though it is painless, dry/bloodshot eyes are not the most attractive. Staring at a computer for too long (hello facebook!), a long night with lots of alcohol and little sleep, or dry/windy weather can cause your peepers to look less than their best.

What to do: Reach for some over-the-counter artificial tears to lubricate eyes after a long night to fake a well-rested sleep sesh. Use UV blocking sunglasses (preferably a wrap-around style) to shield eyes from harsh weather conditions. You should see your doctor if these symptoms are chronic, or severe.

Symptom: Cold Hands and Feet

Most likely causes: Stress can stir up the nervous system, which can lead blood vessels to become constricted. This slows down circulation and can make your tootsies feel like popsicles.

What to do: Try taking deep breaths to relax, and get your nervous system back on track. Keep your hands and feet warm if you are under pressure. If they have a habit of going cold for no apparent reason, ask your doc about Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Symptom: Bad breath or white film on tongue

Most likely causes: It’s not just those garlic fries that make your mouth smell. Not getting enough water, or poor dental hygiene habits (ahem, flossing!) can cause bad breath and even a white film to cover your tongue.

What to do: Even though you’ve heard it before, make sure you are drinking 8 glasses of water a day. Staying hydrated is an easy way to remedy this. Also, be sure to brush twice and day and floss (yes, everyday!) and keep routine visits with your dentist.

Fab Find: Me Char Handbags

Finding a fabulously sexy clutch while shopping radiates the feeling like all is right in the world. Fashionable yet functional bags are simply unforgettable. The right one can add just the right touch to any outfit, and Me Char leather clutches definitely fit the bill.

The designer, Charmaine Ho, was born in Hong Kong but raised in Macau. She studied abroad in Canada and Italy, and then narrowed her focus to fashion merchandising at the Parsons School of Design in New York. She entered herself into a contest for up-and-coming handbag designers and knocked out the competition, earning herself a spot in Cosmogirl! Magazine. Her design inspiration comes from her East meets West background, resulting in a standout collection of leather clutches that are the perfect update for your fall wardrobe.

There's something so refreshing about Me Char’s ultra-stylized options; with their new-wave colors and edgy details it’s a place where modern art meets sophistication. Totally brilliant.

Small enough to travel comfortably, but large enough to hold a girl’s essentials—cell phone, credit cards, and a tube of gloss make finding your go-to bag easy. Pair it with anything from a flowing chiffon dress to classic trousers or a leather miniskirt. Any way you rock it, you’re sure to stir up stares from across the room.

For more information, check out http://www.mecharhandbags.com/.

To purchase, go to intermix.com or mecharhandbags.com.

Oh girl I want to make you sweat..

They say the early bird gets the worm, I say let them have it. When the alarm goes off, the snooze button has a better chance of being put on than my gym shoes. However, there are certain payoffs that come with when you schedule your workout.

Some benefits of morning exercise include:
·A boost of energy! A morning jog can give you a feeling of physical energy for hours.
·A clear head. Your mental acuity improves, so you’re able to stay sharp on your feet for whatever is thrown your way.
·Burn more calories throughout the day. Kick start your day with a trip to the gym, and you’ll raise your heart rate and metabolism, which will stay revved up throughout the day.

Don’t let work stop you from squeezing in a midday workout. This way you can:
·Regulate the amount of food you eat for lunch. A brisk walk and healthy lunch will leave you feeling refreshed (and sans a guilty conscious had you scarfed another slice of pizza at your desk).
·Also, a workout in the middle of the day can help stop you from reaching for sugary snack in the late afternoon and beat that afternoon slump.
·Release any pent up tension, and improve blood flow so you can bring your focus (and sanity!) back to help you get through the rest of your day.

For you who really come alive at night, there are definite advantages to working out in the evening including:
·Your perceived exertion is at its lowest. This means, you may be able to work out harder or faster because you don’t feel yourself to be working as hard.
·Less chance of injury. Your muscles are already warmed up and flexible from the day.
·Great way to release stress from work, school, or home.

In the grand scheme of staying healthy, making your workout a consistent part of your day is more important than what time of day you choose to sweat.

Life Styled: Nicole Richie's New Maternity Line

Maternity boutique A Pea in the Pod, and stylish mom-to-be, Nicole Richie, unveiled a new collection of maternity wear at the Beverly Hills boutique on August 6th. The line ‘Nicole’ calls to Ms. Richie’s boho-chic style fluttered with peasant tops, maxidresses, layered tees, and braided details.

Combining basic colors, transparency, and lighter than air fabrics, pregnant women get the best of all worlds in ‘Nicole’ — comfort, luxury, and style. The look is simple, elegant, and oh so boho chic that will carry over nicely from end of summer to fall wardrobe.

At the launch party, Nicole looked gorgeously pregnant and put together in a LBD that actually is a sleeveless scoop neck tank top from the new line. Many other pregnant celebrities were also in attendance, including Judy Reyes, Golden Brooks, and Tisha Campbell-Martin.
This exclusive line will be sold at A Pea in the Pod stores, with prices ranging from $48 for basic tops to $148 for maxidresses.

Welcome back Project Runway

Thursday night FIDM, Provencho Restaurant and Remedy Lounge hosted Project Runway's Season 6 Premiere. Celebrities, designers, fashionistas, and fashion lovers gathered in the posh digs of downtown to catch a screening of everyone's favorite design show. The seamless reality series kicked off with 16 eager designers ready to show their talent off to the world. Despite the leap from Bravo to its new home on Lifetime, there were no major differences in the show aside from it now being show in Los Angeles. After the premiere, patrons celebrated at the VIP after party and reception featuring DJ Mark Lewis.

Celebrities in attendance included Gillis Marini, Julia Anderson, and Tanjareen Martin. Fashion designer, David Alexander, was also at the event. Alexander, who has dressed stars like Kim Kardashian and Britney Spears, arrived with his model Laura LaRue in a gold structured dress with a cut out back from his collection. Simply gorgeous.

Much of the evening's charm came shining through the edgy ensembles worn by guests. Walking down the hall, you would have thought Heidi Klum and Michael Kors were sitting off to the side commenting on their notecards. In case you missed last nights show, Lindsay Lohan made a surprise appearance as a guest judge. For their first challenge, designers were to create a look for a red carpet event. As always, there were hits and some major misses. Either way, we're excited to watch the ins and outs of fashion drama as it unfolds in this next season. In true Tim Gunn style: Make it work Project Runway.

Mad About Magnes

Some bags are simply wingmen in the world of handbags, meant only to support the rest of the ensemble. The Magnes Sisters had a different idea in mind when they joined creative forces to design their standout collection that demands the kind of attention a girl is more than happy to give. Be ready to share the spotlight once you add any one of these designs to your look.

As prophesied by their Russian grandmother, Dina, Yael, and Tamar Magnes came to the big city to create high-end hand bags, which reflect their “individuality and harmony as a trio.” Using luxurious materials such as Italian leather, natural canvas, vintage wool and silky linings, the bags not only look great slung under one arm, they also come playfully named. Dry Martini, Mr. Big, and Liberty are perfect for any girl with a New York heart.

The sisters have included a slew of colors like yellow, plum suede, and platinum to make sure you’re covered for any occasion. The bags are feminine, but cool and more than ready to handle adventures beyond a nine-to-five workday. For girls on the go, each piece comes equipped with a strap, but many of them cleverly double as a clutch–perfect for an after work cocktail date.

Yay or neigh?

Ok, I love my equestrian inspired fashion as much as the next girl but some designers have taken the look a little too far.  “A. F. Vandervorst kicked off a trendlet at its show in March, putting a Clydesdale sole on boots and shoes,” which has inspired a new look for fall: the hoof clog.  Those words on paper look as ugly as this “shoe” on feet.  The ongoing obsession women have with shoes partially resonates from the notion of sometimes (or a lot of the time) clothes don’t drape our bodies in the way we would like them to, but shoes always look good.  These, however, may be the exception to the rule.  I just cannot bring myself to saddle up and get on board with these.  As much as I love horses, no part of me wishes to resemble one.

To be fair, I will offer space for the designers to explain the creative process in formulating this unique look.  Opening Ceremony’s Humberto Leon said, “We had this image in our heads of herds of running animals… That’s something we’ve always loved, as an image, and that’s how we came up with the idea of these hoof-like shoes.”  Whoa there boy.  I don’t know about you, but I already feel herded around as I rush through the rat race of life.  I would rather not have shoes that make me feel even less human.  Maybe I’m looking at this from a completely wrong angle.  Perhaps, this look allows women to bring out their wild side---animal instincts if you will.  In the end, the look is not for me.  I don’t know of one woman who would ever want her feet to resemble cow hooves.  Then again, I’ve never asked so who really knows?    

Shopping alert!

If you live in the world of online fashion as a bargain huntress (such as myself) then you’ve probably heard the buzz surrounding theOutnet.com.  If you don’t enjoy the thrill of shopping designer pieces for a percentage of its original cost, then you can stop reading right here.  The newest addition to my favorite online shopping sites, not set to come out until the weekend, launched last night around 3 a.m.  It was the sort of joy you experience when walking into a room full of your friends who magnificently pulled off planning you a surprise party; now, just imagine those friends are Chloe, Derek Lam, and (my best friend!) Christian Louboutin.  Ok, seriously people, why are you still reading this?  It’s not everyday fate steps in and hands us such sweet deals… 

Entre nous, just one more reason i love the French.

Most American women would agree that those Frenchies have something going on.  That certain je ne sais quoi they posses is what women all over the world work tirelessly to achieve.  However, some of their best style advice takes no money and minimal effort, and that is to embrace character flaws.  

The April issue of French Elle features eight female European celebrities--including Eva Herzigova, Monica Bellucci, Sophie Marceau, and Charlotte Rampling--all without makeup and all entirely without Photoshopping or retouching of any kind. (Wow!) The mag's headline "Stars Sans Fards" translates to “without rouge/makeup,” but it's a French saying that also suggests a sense of  “openness.”

Of course we've all seen tabloid magazines with headlines such as, "Stars caught without makeup, Yikes!"  The most unflattering pictures are used to scrutinize celebrities, tearing them down to make us non-celebrities feel better about themselves.  (I'm suddenly back in junior high!)  What makes this pictorial so special is that it seems to embrace the organic beauty of these already stunning women.  How refreshing would it be to see the celebs we love in the States, as they are?  Not to criticize them, but to showcase the real beauty of these women.  Women's magazines are constantly telling readers how to bring out and embrace their natural beauty, then put overly airbrushed models on their cover.  Seems a little counterintuitive, if you ask me. There's no doubt these women are beautiful (airbrushed or not), so let's take a cue from our European neighbors and practice what we preach.  Go ahead, and put real women on the covers as they are, flaws and all.  

Save on star style!

Drew looked gorgeously modern while promoting her latest film in a striped Narciso Rodriguez dress. Shop the look without that hefty designer price tag at lulus.com to look equally stunning on your next night out.  A comfortable fitting dress sure to attract attention. 

get your leather, leather, leather on.

I love the look of leather, but my soft side keeps me from splurging on the real deal. Here is an adorable cropped (faux!) leather jacket that would add just a touch of tough to some of springs ultra feminine, floral prints. And don't worry about digging too deep into your pocket for this little baby, it's on sale at urbanoutfitters.com for less than $50!
...your welcome, Happy Easter!

cute piece of the day.

Once again, Lulus.com does not disappoint! Cute wrap around rounded skirt is navy with white pinstripes on one side with a peek of white on the underside. Skirt is pleated three times in front, twice in back. All you need to complete this look is a basic tank, and some knock-out drop earrings.

twitter, twitter, chirp, chirp.

Follow my twats on twitter at http://twitter.com/meehanulove.

That's right people, I drank the punch.

Red lipstick , I adore thee.

Ok, let me just start by letting you know this will not be another "My Quest for the PERFECT Red Lipstick" piece.  I'm going to give it to you straight.  Red lipstick, albeit a classic, is hard to pull off if you don't have the right shade in hand.  New advances in makeup and easy access to how-to articles to help you have made it easier, but with so many shades of red to choose from this process can be overwhelming.  The best advice I can offer you in your search is to take notes from beauty experts as to which shades should look best on you then go out girl, and try them all!  Until you see it on your lips, you'll never know which ones will bring your face to life and which ones make you resemble Bozo the Clown's cousin. 

April 2, day one:

Went to Benefit to get my once a month brow clean up (side note: Tracy at the Santa Monica location really rocks it out).  After we were finished, she shooed me to the make-up counter to receive my post-wax treat--some acne blast and cooling gel. While waiting, I eyed a pretty little shade called "Flirt alert."  There was only one other shade of red, "Frenched."  Taking what I know about blue-based and orange-based reds, Frenched appeared to be the more complimentary color to my cool skin tone.  However, as the saying goes: "Looks can be deceiving."  

The nice enough sales lady applied 'Frenched' to my pucker, and with one glance at the hue in the mirror it dawned on me that should I wear this out I might never be frenched again.  It looked more like a pink desperately trying to be a red, but just wasn't quite there.  Fortunately, Benefit hires honest people whose sole purpose is not just to make a sale but also send women off with products that actual compliment appearances.  With one red shade eliminated, I decided why not give the other one a go?  With as much grace that can be mustered when removing red from ones lips, I cleared the palette with my optimism in tact.  After the second shade was carefully applied, I peeked in the mirror and wasn't completely horrified.  This orange-based hue gave me the fifties pin-up girl look I had been looking for, but until I try out a few more I decided to put this purchase on hold.  

"Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin.  That, or a kick-ass red lipstick."    -Gwyneth Paltrow