And here I thought the discount Absolut was the best part of my Costco membership...

Chanel at Costco? STFU.

I thought the only thing of value they had there was the 40-pack of Trojans for a mere $10. Who knew that between the 80 rolls of Angel Soft toilet paper and the caskets, a myriad of designer brand names could be found at your local Costco warehouse?

New York City residents celebrated the opening of its first Costco by rushing the doors and buying out their stock of Louis Vuitton and Chanel handbags. Oh, did I forget to mention they had Burberry and Coach available for purchase as well? Shock me, shock me, shock me, Costco, with your fabulous merchandise. As if the Costco brand wasn’t designer enough already.

And it doesn’t stop there. 7 For All Mankind jeans? You got it. Michele watches?  No big deal. Paris Hilton’s latest perfume… well I’ll pass on that, but if I ever get the urge to smell like a Can Can dancer, I’ll know where to go.

Costco people are a special brand of human. We live life large. Extra large, if possible. Our carts are always filled to the brim with giant boxes of whatever we can get our hands on. And just when we thought life couldn’t get any better, Costco delivers us the crème de la crème of a shopper’s paradise.

These goodies aren’t available at all Costco’s nationwide (…yet), but I’m just happy to live in a world where it’s OK to purchase a discount case of hot dogs and a Chanel purse at the same time.

A laptop, a weekend vacation, a TV, an entire new wardrobe…$700 can sure get you a lot. But it almost can’t get you a pair of kicks. That is, if you want Kanye’s newest line of Louis Vuitton sneaks that cost $700 (tax not included).

Yes, seven. hundred. freaking. dollars.

So what is so special about these shoes that they would cost more than my entire summer wardrobe? (What? I shop at Target…) I mean there’s gotta be something, right? Maybe a built in trampoline or secret compartment full of diamonds?

Nope!

They come in literally every color and style (so do my Nike Shox, and I’m pretty sure those don’t come close to $700),  and they are from Louis Vuitton (which is pretty cool, I guess). And Kanye made them, so they must be the best shoes in the history of the world. At least according to him.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not buyin’ it (literally). I’m pretty sure nothing going on your feet is worth that much money. Unless, of course, these things actually let me walk in Kanye’s shoes. Since they don’t, I’ll be spending my money much more wisely: on a new laptop.

High-end fashion brands like Brian Reyes and Louis Vuitton showcased several looks featuring big shoulders on the spring 2009 runways. While I’m not advocating stealing some eighties-style shoulder pads from (hopefully deep inside) your mom’s closet, you can still rock the big shoulder trend.

And why would you want to? Well, for one, it’s everywhere. And it’s chic, unlike the shoulder pads of the 80s. Still not convinced? How about the fact that wearing a top or dress with ruffled or puffed up shoulders can balance out wide hips and make arms appear slimmer? Yeah, I thought so.

Here are some of my favorite picks at every price point: Read More »

Designers like Christian Dior, Rachel Roy, Junya Watanabe and Louis Vuitton embraced the exotic this spring by incorporating tribal influences into their collections.

Unless it’s already your style, you’re probably not going to be rocking full animal print outfits to your 9 a.m. psychology lecture or feathered and beaded stilettos to this weekend’s frat party. However, adding a few tribal accents to your look could be just the update your style needs this year. Read More »

U.S. unemployment rate hits new high.

Super special food combos that amp the nutrition.

Who got the American Idol wild card?

Chris Brown pushes real life back to April.

Pepsi…natural?

Paris Hilton gets Lauren Conrad’s sloppy seconds. Seriously, sloppy.

If someone circled my fat, I’d kill them.

Louis Vuitton doesn’t want his goods in crappy music videos.

Canada loves Joshua Jackson.

New uses for your toiletries.

Amy Winehouse looking….good?!

Vince Vaughn engaged?! <Heart Shatters.>

[Photo courtesy of NYTimes.] 

With the economy suffering, a lot of airlines have slashed their baggage allowances.  This season, more than ever, it’s important that you pack wisely when you’re heading out to the golden coast of Spring Break wonderland.  And, really, there’s no reason you should be packing everything but the kitchen sink, because each morning the  “what to wear” dilemma probably consists of the options, “solid bikini,” “patterned bikini,” “string bikini” or “tankini.”

No matter where you’re headed for a week-long holiday this spring, there are a few things you definitely DON’T need to bring.

1. Your laptop. If you can’t go a week without updating your Facebook status or checking out Perez, it’s sad.  And if you can’t go a week in paradise without updating your Facebook status or checking Perez, it’s scary.

2. Your entire shoe collection. Shoes can take up the most room in your luggage, and if you’re heading to a beach resort, you really only need a pair of flip flops for the beach, a cute pair of strappy heels for partying, and a pair of sneakers for touristy excursions.  You’re not going to miss your knee-high boots. Read More »

One of the hottest accessories trends for spring is stacked bangles. This trend is not about subtlety, but about mixing bracelets together in a fun, unique way. You can try experimenting with different colors, shapes, prints, sizes and textures. Buy a set that’s already together or try and DIY with three or four you already have.

Here are some of my favorite sets. Just click on the picture to get more info (some that are shown together are actually sold individually): Read More »

[Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!]

You know what blows about winter – aside from the fact that it’s freezing out and we all put on about 15 pounds from eating stew and sitting on our couches in sweatshirts and sweatpants? The fact that it’s grey and miserable for months on end.

Well, we’re here to put a stop to that – because even if it’s ugly outside, there’s no reason we can’t brighten things up with some pops of color. And the trend seen all over the Spring 2009 runways was orange, orange, orange.

The shade showed up in all versions, from bright and rich at Lanvin and Louis Vuitton to muted at Chloe. A jumpsuit at Akris was a lovely shade of persimmon, while John Galliano sent out at least 10 outfits the color of orange Popsicles! Check out the pics of these looks below… Read More »

[Celebrities get paid to look good and serve as a style guide to all us common folk, and part of looking good is flaunting their totally awesome fashion sense. Each week, I will be highlighting my Style Idol of the week: a celebrity who consistently shows keen fashion sense and whose closet I would raid in a heartbeat.

Of course, no celebs are immune to the occasional “what the hell were they thinking?” moment, but for the most part, these celebs look foxy and fabulous and inspire us all to do the same.]

My Style Idol this week is none other than the oh-so-lovely, Scarlett Johansson. Scarlett’s style has wowed fans both on and off the red carpet, though she’s most famous for her glamorous red carpet looks. (And, maybe, her hottie arm candy.) She picks perfect colors that compliment her fair complexion and blonde hair and cuts that accentuate her incredible… ahem… assets. She’s become such a fashion icon, she was chosen to be the face of Louis Vuitton, whose current designer is her good friend, Marc Jacobs.

While she goes out on a limb occasionally, she more often than not goes with classic styles, but puts her own twist with great selections of accessories, be it jewelry, hair pieces or shoes. She’s got a look that’s classic Hollywood and she plays up on that well. Overall, Scarlett dolls herself up in ways that make fashionistas ’round the world drool and that puts her way up there on my Style Idol list. Read More »

President Obama is getting closer (literally) to the White House!

Amy Winehouse: circus act?

Green technology is coming…if the government will help.

Remember those kids who sang “You Can Vote However You Like“? They are headed to the Inauguration!

Dear Will Ferrell: you can’t say that on TV.

Britney Spears to star in next Sex and the City movie? Kill us now.

Sofia Coppola for Louis Vuitton is simply beautiful (not that we can afford it).

American Idol hits Kansas City. Hilarity ensues.

PETA says: help protect the sea kittens.

Jay-Z and Radiohead? What?