Oh, hell no.

I always like to research and determine my wardrobe's additions before the stock hits the racks... it's really helped me buy key pieces for a season. Given that I work in a fashion-related career, I am always thinking a year ahead. Because when I invest in pieces, I would much rather be on the right side of the trend's bell curve and get two seasons wear out of them. (Note: Two seasons refers to the first season being the pioneer season, second season being the "it" season. After that, I either retire the piece or if it's something I LOVE then I will hold on to it and wait for it to cycle back. I currently am doing this with a cashmere poncho that I have.)

Now... as far I can see, S/S 09 isn't what we haven't seen. The 80s resurgence is dead, gone, OUT. The 90s are the new nostalgia... Grunge is back: plaid, babydoll dresses, torn black stockings, shredded denim, leather jackets, oversized tee shirts, slim straight leg jeans and motorcycle boots, dip dyes... Basically, get used to dressing like Courtney Love.

The other end of the spectrum is that slick, chic Calvin Klein inspired minimalist look. Think lots of slim black dresses and clean, classic stiletto pumps. Hair is worn pin straight... It's something I will definitely admire from afar because it totally does not meet my lifestyle. Within this, there are lots of cut outs and sheer panels within the sleek silhouettes this spring.

Now, there are two trends that I am going to have to say No Thank You to:

The boyfriend jean. You know... a man's denim cut, with its longer rise and wide straight legs. These jeans are not to be hemmed but rolled at the bottom. The best ones this season are distressed with enough holes to make Joey Lawrence go "WHOA!"

I am passing on the boyfriend jean only because I am petite and long torso-ed. I tried on a pair at work and while they fit me well and were on point for this trend... I looked stumpy. It was terrible! I will rock distressed denim, but I am sticking to my skinny jeans and straight legs to do the job!

The second trend, I feel like 99% of the population should pass on. This is one of those trends where you have the right to wear it but it's not right to wear it. And that trend is:

"I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced."

The Midriff. With it popping up on the runways of Prada (shown), Derek Lam, Zac Posen, Top Shop... it's reclaiming its fashion trend status. Join me and say NO to the Midriff! Even if you are in Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition physical shape, the midriff is cheesy as hell.

Friends don't let friends Midriff!!!

Holiday Cards!!!

My friend Krissy, who was also my Secret Santa this year, gave me this card. On the front it reads, "Peace on Earth, good wine to you." The inside reads, "Goodwill, good wine... No need to be picky." Um, yeah. That pretty much sums it up!

I opened my Secret Santa gift while at work (it was not a work place SS... it's an international swap that my fashion forum has been doing for like five years now) and my boss was definitely checking out my stash: a Buddha Board, a shape shifting/moldable sculptural writing pad, an eco-friendly cork covered journal, Desktop Dodge Ball, funny mirror decals of glasses and mustaches, re-usable adjective labels for wine glasses to REALLY make a party interesting, a monkey ornament and TWO frickin' pounds of chocolates.

My friend Mica in Chicago mailed me this card. On the inside she scribbled, "Nothing says Christmas like a glittery polar bear butt. Happy Chrismukkah." I giggled... because when I think of glitter, I think of Mica. Coincidentally... mica is the ingredient in makeup that makes it shimmer and sparkle. Don't ask me how I know that. Just trust, that if we're ever competing against each other on Jeopardy! you're going down.

I am going to lock myself in my bathroom...

... and I won't come out until I figure out how to texturize my hair like Kate Moss' Interview shoot, photographed above.

My new cut is pretty similar except longer in the front and with a fringed bang, but equally as layered and choppy. I absolutely love it.

Crazy!

My boss and I had errands to run for both the store... and well, our own holiday shopping.

So, we're heading towards Sephora at the Saint Louis Galleria because I needed more Philosophy On A Clear Day face wash... and we see all these mall cops running, tackling youths and pushing them into the concrete hallways so they can be held in Mall Jail. There was a 20+ person fight!

Crrrrrrazy.

I got my roots done today. What was supposed to take 45 minutes ended up taking about 3 hours! No more appointments on my "lunch break"... days off ONLY, good to know!

I need to finish my Christmas shopping and find something to wear for New Year's Eve, stat!

Staying in.

Saint Louis got super-blasted with a snow storm. It's total nastiness outside... the whole city smells like chemicals because salt can't melt as much snow and ice as there is on the roads.

So, I've been taking it pretty easy the last couple of days. Yesterday, I relaxed and worked on Christmas cards for friends. We made cheesesteak pizza at home. Kaci asked me to help her find a handbag... Twist my arm to make me look at handbags... I'm trying to convince her to get a Botkier. Then again, I am a Botkier fangirl.

For those thinking about getting a handbag from Saks: you can't count on people returning their impulse/gimme buys (You know the type during a sale-- they'll buy as much as they can to prevent others from purchasing, and return the bulk later). Saks has instructed their SAs to not put designer handbag returns back on the selling floor... They are shipping them off to their NYC flagship for a doorbuster on Dec. 26th. The sale will be double-discount and if you are preparing to go, go early and make sure to wear protective padding! Those wilderbeasts are violent!

I've decided that it is impossible to be poorly dressed in New York. New Yorkers get the absolutely best sales... to the point that they are practically giving the merchandise away. New York flagship exclusive sales, sample sales... As if it isn't depressing enough to be stuck in flyover country!

Today, I ventured out into the winter wonderland for lunch and a haircut. It would have been cheaper to get my hair cut on Friday, when I'm getting my roots retouched but my appointment is during my lunch break and I didn't want my hair to take all afternoon.

I love my new hair cut! Seriously... It's still long, but it's got a great edgy shape-- think a longer version of a hybrid between Posh's bob and Debbie Harry's rock n' roll shag. With the platinum color, it is f-u-n.

Right now, I'm just enjoying a Starbucks in bed... Justin's studying for his finals. After dinner, I'll head out to the Tan Co. in Clayton. I think later on, there won't be traffic on Forest Park. I might need to figure out an alternative route with the interstate being closed, because the idea of traffic congestion on Forest Park makes me want to claw my eyes out.

I should probably throw my white Burberry parka in the washing machine. I have a feeling that I will be wearing it all week... should probably make sure it is clean!

New Marc, meet Max. Max the Cat, meet Marc.

Who doesn't love Marc Jacobs and Siamese cats? If you don't, you have no appreciation for beauty. Right now, my parents are probably clapping and giggling that "Max is on the Internet!"

The only flaw I've come across with the bag is that there isn't a specialty pocket to keep my cell phone separate from the other things I carry in my bag, like my keys. I've been completely spoiled by Botkier bags.

I've also been carrying it for a whopping 3 days and I already had an "accident." Soap squirted on it while I was in the Trattoria Marcella ladies' room... apparently the soap had alcohol in it, because it bleached out some of the lambskin dye! I'm hoping it will either patina even or the whole bag will get a cool, distressed downtown look after heavy use.

Bust out that holiday cheer!

Add Bubbles To Taste and this picture of Dolly Parton would like to wish you a Happy Cleavage Day!

It's the more joyous eve to "Fuck I've Got A Wicked Hangover From All Those Free Drinks I Got Last Night" Day.

Happy Holidays!

If it gets me a pony or a Malibu dream house...

Remind me to not go into a MAC store with just a general idea of what I would like to buy. What I mean is, don't let me go in there and ask for a "pink lipstick." Soooo... frustrating. I think I was there for over an hour. Everything looked good on my sister. I, on the other hand, had everything look awful. The "artist" helping me either picked out Barbie hues, example: 

Or even worse, matte pale beige and baby pink shimmer lipsticks. 

So, my various looks were: Barbie, club rat, Paris Hilton and suburban teen girl. Just because I have platinum hair, does not mean that I aspire for any of those looks. Okay, maybe urban hipster biker Barbie... that's hot! (/ sarcasm off)

Contest for aspiring designers!

Okay, nothing can top hearing Heidi Klum stating that you are the final "in" but Stacy with UsTrendy just emailed me that they are having a contest for aspiring fashion designers, which includes some production and an outlet to sell your designs:

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to decide what the world will wear next, the way a designer like Versace does?

Now, you can!

In an attempt to democratize a sometimes top-down fashion industry, UsTrendy is facilitating a revolutionary process through its website, UsTrendy.com. At this site, aspiring fashion designers can upload their designs for other users to view and vote for their favorites. The top-rated clothing is then produced.

UsTrendy is currently taking submissions for its Spring 2009 Design competition. The winning designer will score a $3,000 grand prize, including production and exclusive promotion and sale of their clothing line on UsTrendy.

The next time you need the perfect outfit for a fun night out, or you just want to look and feel fabulous, don't fret! It's UsTrendy to the rescue!

Now you can have a say in what you want to wear! It's clothing made especially for us by us!

What could the mystery package be?

I'm due a shipment from Amazon.com... Christmas present for Justin as well as my father's. I won't write what I got Dad, since he reads my blog. The latest gems from him are "Why do I have to read on your blog to know you're coming this weekend?!" and "I don't need to know what kinds of thongs you wear!"

But they should be packaged as one shipment. I received one slip a while ago... and now there is a new slip. What could it possibly be?

Presents from Justin's family? Happy Hannukah. Present from my Secret Santa? That'll make me feel like a procrastinator because I'm not shipping mine until Monday-Tuesday so I can use the nicer/less depressing post office in Nashville. A duplicate Marc Jacobs bag? OH FUCK, I'll have to go to the leasing office tomorrow and make sure so I could return that and get $$$ put back on my Amex immediately.

Monkey from anonymous fan? Unlikely. Would be amazing, but unlikely. And I'm sure the office would leave a note on my door like, "Hey Nikki, pick up your fucking monkey. We can't keep feeding him the leasing office cookies. He's getting gassy."

I've repeatedly asked Justin to pick up the first package from Amazon, since he's been home all day... so my new course of action is to leave the house a few minutes early and get them both myself. I can take the packages and put them in my car on my way to work... unless it is a monkey, in which case I will probably take it into work and have it hand out bottles of water while wearing designer kids' jeans...

...I'm thinking, leave the house 10 minutes early?

Blingy Blonde

You know, that shade of blonde that's not yellow or silver/lavender... just pure white gold? Shiny, light, and shimmering light blonde... A serious case of blingy blonde envy.

Example:


(Pictured is Clairol's Magic Opal)

Well, I think I figured out how to get that extra sparkle for major bling. Mix clear semi-permanent gloss (I bought mine at Sally Beauty Supply) with Paul Mitchell's platinum toning shampoo and slop the mixture on dry hair for about 15 minutes. I added some shea butter hair mask for conditioning as well... and today, my hair looks great. Okay, fucking great. It's bright and shiny.

Like, my co-workers knew that a salon didn't do it because I worked the day before and my roots are getting touched up next week. Yes, we keep up on each other's hair appointments.

I'm totally loving my blonde locks!

MINE!!!!

My Marc Jacobs Carter, Jr. satchel in Charcoal leather went out Fedex overnight this morning.

That baby should be arriving at my parents' in Nashville... no sales tax, because there isn't a Saks 5th Avenue in Tennessee. The savings in tax will pay for my gas when I drive down on Sunday for a few days.

The bag is MINE. I'm so excited!

Barbie... the bitch OWNS.

The lastest from Reuters:

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A federal judge in California on Wednesday ordered MGA Entertainment Inc to stop selling its popular Bratz dolls and banned it from using the Bratz name, finding that "hundreds" of Bratz products infringe on copyrights owned by rival toymaker Mattel Inc (MAT.N).

So what do we think Barbie's celebration purchase will be? Pink corvette, new pony or Malibu dream house?

Anglophiles, rejoice!

I just got an email about a new discount site across the pond, Catwalk To Closet.

I wanted to share with you that they are giving new members the opportunity to purchase Bruce Oldfield sunglasses for about $20 American (ten British pounds). The glasses retail for about $250 American.



The only catch? The shipping from Jolly Ol' England will set you back about $30. It's still a great deal on a pair of designer shades, but I passed since I am practically married to my Tom Ford's.

As for an update on BagGate... Either a Saks in Richmond, VA is ringing me out and overnighting (for free) my Marc Jacobs bag or Saks.com is allowing me to pick out an alternative bag for the same price. I desperately want my Marc, but I wouldn't turn down an YSL, Mui Mui or Prada bag either...