u m e e

Little Black Muu Muu ($160)

Deena White, designer for Umee, has created a line that is both elegantly chic and flirty fun! When I look at her clothing, it's the detailing that's important - with the embellishments of a few ruffles, pleats or bows. I actually saw her clothes at a trunk show at the Contemporary Museum a few weeks ago and they are stunning. Her clothes are quality and her prices are reasonable. Best of all, it's made here in Hawaii.


Ruffle wrap skirt in green ($85) Just LOVE the kukui nut buttons

I guess why I'm so drawn to her clothing is because she puts a fun twist on business casual attire! I hate to buy work clothes! Some of my friends know this... I'll drop $$$ on a cute cocktail dress, top, shoe... But when it comes to what I wear five consecutive days a week I pinch my pennies. Strange, I know... I guess I feel it's because simple skirts and suits are all too generic. I can't wait to be my own boss and wear whatever I want. However, Umee's ruffle wrap skirt (pictured above in green) is far from generic. It comes in various colors so it's appropriate for the office yet beachy chic and can easily transition from work to happy hour play time!


Sarong skirt ($90)

For any future brides-to-be, Deena is coming out with a wedding line this coming summer, July 2009!

Ruffle Strap Dress ($145)

More from Umee:

Red Hibiscus Top ($60)


Pearly Plumeria Strapless Tank ($70)

Photo credits: Umee
Look out for smaller sizes (size 0s) coming soon to her website! Right now Umee is only available online - check it out!

Umee
www.umee-brand.com

Mad about Shoe(s)

SHOE SALES!

Barneys New York
with designers like Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Lanvin, YSL, Fendi and Stella McCartney!


Alexandra Neel $429 (was $720) & Manolo Blahnik $599 (was $995)

Christian Louboutins $599 (was $995) & $719 (was $1,195)

Givenchy $969 (was $1,620) & Fendi $379 (was $640)

Yves Saint Laurent $539 (was $895)

Photo credits: Barneys

eLuxury
with designers like D & G, Balmain, L.A.M.B., Jean Paul Gaultier, Dior, Loeffler Randall and Tods!

Dior $450 (was $750) & Jean Paul Gaultier $531 (was $885)

Loeffler Randall $357 (was $595) & Nina Ricci $425 (was $725)

Photo credits: eLuxury

*Happy shopping/window browsing!*

Model as Muse @ The Met

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

Marc Jacobs and Kate Moss in Marc Jacobs

LOVE the back!  Drapey back!!!

Photo credit: JustJared

First Paris and now NYC... Anyone want to pack me up in their carry-on and trot around the globe to peruse fashion exhibits?! Takers???

Tonight was the MET's Annual Costume Institute Gala.  This year the exhibit is entitled "Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion" and focuses on how social changes have defined our culture's view of feminine beauty which have been personified by the figures and faces of iconic models.  "Model to Muse" specifically captures the progression of these changes over a span of five decades from 1947-1997.  Magazine covers, various photographs and garments made famous by the models who strutted down the catwalk will be on display to characterize these diverse time periods and the constant evolution of beauty.  The exhibit opened today and runs till August 9, 2009.

Ashley Olsen in her own line, The Row

Again, drapey back (I'm a fan if you haven't noticed)!!!

Love that black, embellished chain going down her back... 

Photo credit: NewsDay

With over 13 pages of photos on WireImage, you know the event huge.  And who wasn't there?!  Let's try to put things into perspective with a little bullet-point list (though this does not do justice!):

• The Planners:  Co-chairs Anna Wintour, Justin Timberlake and Kate Moss arrived with daughter Bee Schaffer, paramour, Jessica Biel and primary sponsor Marc Jacobs, respectively
  
• The Models: Tyra Banks, Bar Refaeli, Heidi Klum, Elizabeth Hurley, Cindy Crawford, Iman, Claudia Schiffer, Brooke Shields
• The Fashion Doyennes:  Stella McCartney, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan, Donatella Versace, Tory Burch, Diane Von Furstenberg... And then there was John Galliano ;) 
  
• The Musicians: Rihanna, Madonna, Kanye West, Bono, Ciara
• The Actresses: Renee Zellweger, Eva Mendes, Anne Hathaway, Liv Tyler, Marisa Tomei
• The Starlettes:  Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Emma Roberts,  Katy Perry
• The Trump Card:  Donald and Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump and Ivanna Trump
• The Power Couples:  Tony & Eva Longoria Parker, Tom Brady & Gisele Bündchen
• The Attack of the Kates - Kate Beckinsale, Kate Bosworth and Kate Beckinsale 

Some of the fashion highlights/lows:

Our girl! Always the fashionista...Rachel Bilson in Bally

Photo credit: Just Jared

Anne Hathaway in Marc Jacobs... What's up with her hair?

Photo credit: NewsDay

Kate Beckinsale in Marchesa...Can't decide if I love/hate the train

Photo credit: FabSugar

Rihanna in a Dolce and Gabbana tuxedo jacket and capris... Mixed feelings?

Photo credit: NewsDay

Madonna in Louis Vuitton... Uhh... What was she thinking?!

Photo credit: NewsDay

Again, I love Kate Hudson in her gold Stella McCartney gown

Photo Credit: FabSugar

Eva Mendes in Calvin Klein... Classy and sophisticated

Photo credit: FabSugar

Kate Bosworth in Stella McCartney... So 50's chic in the red lipstick and black lace

(Bruce Willis likes it, I guess)
Photo credit: FabSugar

Kate Hudson - Cartier at 100

Kate & Demi @ Cartier at 100
Photo credit: WWD

Recently, Cartier celebrated it's 100th anniversary in America by throwing an opulent bash in it's NYC 5th Avenue Mansion. Cocktails were flowing, h'ourderves were passed and a posh crowd of A-list celebrities like Kate Hudson, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Anne Hathaway, Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, Eva Mendes and Elton John were dressed to impress. Some of Cartier's most divine pieces were on display including Elizabeth Taylor's famed "TAJ MAHAL" necklace and Steve Wynn's 231-carat diamond.

But jewelry aside, this is about Kate! Kate Hudson looked absolutely stunning in her cut-out black gown. Critics have gone as far as to say she looked "trashy", but I think she looks hot! The sexy, open sides make quite a statement and she pulls it off amazingly. Perhaps another color could make the dress seem garish, but you can't go wrong in black. Kate's diamond encrusted choker necklace is the most beautiful piece and delicately pulls the look together!

Photo credit: Zimbio

Rachel Bilson: New Columnist for InStyle!

Rachel Bilson in Herve Leger at the
Whitney Contemporaries Art Party & Auction in NYC
Photo credit: Just Jared

Have I ever mentioned how in LOVE I am with Rachel Bilson? Ever since I met the acquaintance of Summer Roberts through The OC, the girl crush formed. She's so cute! And I love her style! So you can imagine my delight when I found out that "Ask Rachel" will be a recurring monthly column in InStyle where readers send their inquiries seeking Rachel's fashion advice.

Pick up the May 2009 issue of InStyle now! Below are excerpts from the issue including Rachel's debut column for the magazine.