Oh boy, have I got a treat for you!  Take a look at these two free iPhone apps:

Can’t attend fashion week? No worries!

Style.com has developed the most fabulous app for ladies who want the latest looks right off of the runways! It literally brings fashion week  to YOU. Shortly after the live shows, you’ll get all of the latest looks uploaded to your fingertips. You’ll be the first of your friends in the know! NYC, Paris, Milan, London … how cool is that?

Ms. Wintour has done it again

That Anna Wintour.  She thinks of everything! How many times have you been left wondering about an item in an ad? (Sometimes the ads are the best part!) How much is it? Where can you get it?  Well, now Vogue has put out the Vogue Stylist app. This lovely piece of technology lists out everything in the latest fashion ads, provides details, pricing  and, of course, where  shopping gals can go to purchase. Not only that but it will let you know the latest fashion trends and even provide product suggestions. Love it!

As I was researching them the other day I got to thinking that, well, that they were stupid.

At least for my body type.

Which, by the way, is a REGULAR, real-woman body.  (Translation: I have HIPS.)

Asking me to wear jeggings conjures up all sorts of images in my brain.  Mostly of being stuffed in a sausage. Or my saddlebags sticking out.  YIKES!

The saleswoman at the local shop where I got them for the shoot said, “You should pair them with billowy blouses and tall boots. So CUTE!”  The billowy blouse that she handed me had an empire waistline.  Oh. Dear. God. Puh-lease woman!  I would look like a PREGNANT stuffed sausage if I wore that ensemble.

Which lead me to this question for the real women & moms of the world:  Would YOU wear them?

“Asking if I would wear jeggings is like asking if I would walk the streets dressed in nothing but glue from the waist down.” – @mommysstillfab

“I AM going to wear them. They were like super stretchy maternity jeans that I can wear below a tunic (sans guilt).” – @makeovermomma

“Leggings, yes. Skinny jeans, yes. Jeggings, HECK to the NO. That’s a total fashion faux pas. Similar to the denim diapers.” - @2cleanornot2

“Would I wear jeggings? NO. I think they’re meant for stick insects.” – @aprilfin

“I wear them! =]” – @honestmamatalk

“They’re called ‘Jeggings!’ I can’t even begin to take that seriously.” – @temerityjane

“They look FAB on a 6ft model & R likely very uncomfortable. + I say NO to crack! My 5’3″ frame says no.” – @lisagorham

I love the Boho-Chic look.  I just think it is one of the coolest looks around.

Don’t you?

Boho-chic fashion combines all of the fun bohemian and hippie influences made popular in the past couple of years by likes of Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Nicole Richie and the Olsen sisters.

One thing all of these ladies have in common?  (Besides oodles of cash?) STICK THIN.  Which I am not.  Ahh, there is the rub.  I’m a pear shape, which does not translate well into many of the garment’s designed with these celebrities in mind.

So, if you are like moi, then you need to get a bit creative when pulling together a Boho-Chic inspired ensemble.  Some tips: Opt for fabrics with interesting texture, color, length, volume and pattern.  Try flower prints, flowing maxi dresses, prairie and peasant skirts as well as billowy fabrics like lace, silk, chiffon, macramé detailing and fringes.  And don’t forget the all-t0o-important accessories!  Invest in bracelets, anklets, necklaces, belts and sandals.

With anchor Leslie Foster

Hopefully, I won’t sound completely brain-dead but in case I do, here are some links to the items I mentioned:

SEED Body Care
The Perfect Truffle
Butterfly Effects
Zen Tara Tea
Decleor
Born Free

Happy Mother’s Day all!

I thought that writing a “light & funny” piece on the Top 5 Style DON’Ts for Hybrid Mom would be a pretty standard assignment.

I never thought I would be called out as a “bad writer, catty, judgmental and @#%^&*!”  But I was.

Why am I telling you this? Partly because it has been slightly consuming me.  Partly because I have never been involved in drama.  People, some of these folks HATE me.  Holy cow!

And I guess the biggest thing that is upsetting me is the fact that I am second guessing my writing skills.  When you insult people you don’t mean to insult, well, you have to either completely dismiss them or re-evaluate your own skills. So for a woman with classic nice-girl syndrome (READ: me), this situation is completely unnerving.  It is enough to make me want to drop the humor altogether. 

Has anyone else out there found themselves in a similar situation of doubt?  How did YOU handle it?

She is 47 and I hate her for it. That is all.

There are many adjectives used to describe the fashion industry and those who make their living in it.

Regardless of one’s personal view on fashion, one cannot deny that what we put on (or don’t) each morning reveals a tremendous amount about who we are. It is an individual expression of our social and cultural views.

Personally, I love fashion but have never been a slave to it.  It is not something that I have had the luxury of spending a lot of time and effort on, although it has become more of a focus for me in the past year.

That doesn’t mean that I am not intrigued by the industry.  Oh contraire.  So when I was offered the opportunity to review the The September Issue, I jumped at the chance.  The documentary film, directed by RJ Cutler, is a behind-the-scenes look into the world of fashion, focusing on the infamous Anna Wintour and the Vogue team as they create the “must have-Bible” of Fashion.

This film is fascinating.  I must admit that I was riveted.

Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief of Vogue, is, by far, one of the most caricatured figures in modern culture.  (Ever seen The Devil Wears Prada? It is rumored to be based on the author’s time spent working as assistant to Wintour.)

Although I had heard, it wasn’t until I watched this film that I realized exactly how prominent Wintour’s position in the fashion industry is. Judging by the footage, the scope of her power and influence is phenomenal. In a 300-billion dollar global industry, it is amazing to witness that no one can really be a successful fashion designer right without her blessing.

Did you know that 13 million people purchase the September issue of Vogue?

Staggering.

The September Issue (trailer here) is being released as a two-disc “Double Issue” DVD on February 23^rd.  The bonus DVD contains over 90 minutes of never-before-seen deleted scenes, commentary with the director and a photo gallery.  To find out more, see the Facebook fan page for the film.

AUDIO CUT ABOVE: The audio cut at the top of the post is an excerpt of an interview I did with director RJ Cutler. In it he talks about the moments in the film that he considers the most powerful.

INTERESTED IN HEARING MORE AUDIO?

• My interview with Uma Thurman. (Yeah, THAT Uma Thurman)
• My interview with Anthony Edwards. (Goose!)

FTC Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this movie for review purposes.

Burka Barbie is real and she is being auctioned off for charity.

Read more here if you don’t believe me. I have no words.

No idea what I just said? That is because I am so excited!  (WARNING: This blog post might be peppered with an unbelievable amount of exclamation points.)

I just got the new issue of Frederick Magazine in which appears my first ever STYLE SECTION!!!  Yes, I am going to be obnoxious about this because really, am I qualified? According to my sister – NOTSOMUCH.

According to my editor – apparently.

NOW do you understand my unrelenting need for exclamation points???!!!!

A magazine girl’s dream to be sure.  To bad I don’t get to keep the fab clothing that I featured.   At least I got the chance to try on the hat before I had to return it.  (It is one of many from the fabulous Tiara Day store. I could live there, truly.)

Come to think of it, this section might end up being more of a problem then a blessing.  I have a feeling my wardrobe might be expanding in the future. Oh well, all in the name of research right?

I need some answers.  I need some comments.  I need some H  E  L  P!

Question: How do you project competence while still keeping true to your fun style?

I work for a very conservative non-profit. That is a fact.  Lovely people. Conservative, but lovely.  (Just so you know, we are talking fashion and appropriateness here, not politics.)

I am a pretty outgoing gal. I love color (lots of it) and projecting my own style. (Okay, I don’t really have a defined style per se, but I know what I like and it is not pearls, IZOD and navy blue. Nothing wrong with that but it is not me. I prefer rock n roll shirts, skulls, and even the occasional hippie-wear. Sans patchouli, of course.)

My point?

My toes. Yes this is a post brought on by toenail color.

A couple of weeks ago I got a pedicure at the beach. I totally went for the blue polish. I love that. I’ve been proudly parading around with it ever since.

But I’ve noticed that others have noticed my toes.

Am I being inappropriate or does it matter?  How do you infuse bits of your personality into your professional work attire?  How? What is right and what is wrong?

No, seriously. I’m asking.  I don’t want to give up the blue toes.

Ladies, how do YOU do it?

BTW – In case you are interested, teamsugar has the lowdown on the colors featured in the pic.

They are::
1. Sephora – 56 Electric Blue
2 & 6. Color Club – All In and Jewel Tone Blue
3 & 7. Essie – St. Barths Blue and Aruba Blue
4. Opi – Lincoln Park at Midnight
5. Orly – Blue Collar