Forever Friday: Puttin on the Glitz

For $17.80, how can you say no to this peach sequined skirt from Forever?  (army boots optional)

Glitzy Sequined Skirt

Make a Wish

Check out this sweet little sterling silver wishbone necklace from Freshy Fig's Etsy store.  It's darling and only $26.50.



Simple Sterling Silver Wishbone Necklace

So this is really gonnna happen, huh?

So I previously warned you about some really frightening bell bottom action on ShopBop.  Now it looks like 7 For All Mankind is really running with it. Great.

See for yourself.

Sis' Friends: Jeggings

Now on sale for $59.99 are these Madewell jeggings.  These jeggings have been reader approved and are allegedly great for shoving in your favorite boots.

Madewell Jean Leggings

Good News...

babyGap has a "Glamour Girl" collection featuring tiny baby skinny jeans, stirrups (!!!) and some seriously Suri oversized sunglasses. And you were worried your 12-18 month old daughter wasn't glamorous enough.

Now, I am not sure what a great idea baby skinny jeans are since, in my experience, babies tend to have legs that are a little... how do I say this delicately... chubby.  I know when I am a little chubbier than normal (for instance, around the holidays) my skinny jeans start making my knees look a little fat like overstuffed sausage casings.  So at those times I tend to avoid the skinnies and opt for pants that give me knees a little more room to breathe (which is what typical baby pants do).  Maybe babyGap will come out with a line of babySlimFast or babyBikram to help babies stay in shape for skinny jeans. 

Glamour Girl Collection

Mini Skinny Jeans

No Brainer.

You know I love sequins. and animal print. and pink. so this one is a no brainer.

MM Couture Sequin Top

Pretty. Unusual.

I am totally crushing on this iridescent copper plated necklace from Freshy Fig on Etsy.

Because it's a real live cottonwood leaf, each one is completely unique.  It's lovely and only $32.

Iridescent Copper Plated Cottonwood Leaf

The Leather Enthusiast

I love leather jackets that don't make their wearer look like a cheap imitation of the Village People's Leather Enthusiast.  This leather jacket is light weight and drapey when unsnapped.  It's chic and sophisticated and $250 online only at Urban Outfitters.

Cartersville Leather Jacket

For the DIY-er on Your List

If there is a girl on your list who loves to make home-woven handicrafts, check out this book.  P.S. I Made This has step by step instructions to make over 25 projects inspired by iconic looks, runway trends, and celebrated style mavens.

P.S.- I Made This

All I Want For Christmas...

...Is a pair of $900 leather sweatpants.  The tight-at-the-ankle type.  Maybe 2011 is Hammertime?



See it for yourself...

Naturally Beautiful



Picasso Jasper



Check out this trio of beautiful pendants from the Earth Wind and Fire Etsy Store. 

Fossilized Sea Floor

They make pretty and unique gifts, all for under $50 each.  Just add your own chain.







Ancient Sea Coral



$39 Fossilized Sea Floor

$39 Picasso Jasper

$49 Ancient Sea Coral

Earth Wind And Fire Etsy Shop



Stocking Stuffers from Victoria's Secret

So normally I hate knock off things.  And these Victoria's Secret Lacie Thongs are clearly a rip off of Hanky Panky's thongs.  And I love Hanky Panky.  But the VS knockoff Lacies are actually a pretty reasonable alternative if you don't feel like spending $18 a pair for Hanky Pankies.  They are 3 for $30 and available in the prettiest rainbow of colors.

Lacie 

Also 3 for $30 are the Supersoft Hiphugger.  And they aren't lying when they call these uns supersoft.  The are the softest and coziest cotton ever.  And they are totally presentable too.

Supersoft Hiphugger

Roll With It

This Jewelry Roll from Holland Cox makes the perfect gift for the Jet Setter on your Christmas list.  What a lovely way to keep your jewelry organized.  There are a lot of other pretty patterns to choose from on the Holland Cox Handmade Classics Etsy Store or contact the designer to create your own custom jewelry roll.

Medallion Jewelry Roll

I Want To See Your Peacock

As you may know, I am a sucker for all things peacock.  Including this treasure from Freshy Fig on Etsy.  It's a teeny tiny locket.  It's cool, delicate and would make a wonderful gift for any girl on your list, just add your own teeny tiny picture. The best part: it's only $27.

Mini Peacock Locket From Freshy Fig

Freshy Fig's Etsy Store

Shake Your Booties

I'm loving these Cynthia Vincent booties on sale now at Piperlime for $259.99:


Cynthia Vincent "Dayton" Booties

Sis' Friends: Madewell Jeans

Hello, lovelies. Are you looking for an awesome pair of jeans for under $100? These jeans from Madewell have been tried and tested by one of my most adored friends and have won her stamp of approval.  Madewell is one of those stores that I am always meaning to go check out, but then I forget it exists. So now I really have to get out there and check it out.

Madewell Jeans

The Key to the Perfect Hostess Gift

Need a charming hostess gift for a holiday dinner party? This bottle opener from Anthropologie is so pretty she won't want to hide it in the drawer.

Castle Key Bottle Opener

Oh ShopBop

My favorite part about this little treasure from ShopBop is that it has the word "versatile" in the name.  I am not sure how versatile a skirt can be when it is $1500 and adds about 25 lbs to even the skinniest model. 

Ellery Versatile Ruffled Shade Skirt

Forever Fridays: Party Time!

I still love dresses that look like tops tucked into high waisted skirts.  This is probably because I love tops tucked into high wasted skirts but hate it when my top gets all bunched up underneath my skirt and I have to reach up under my skirt to straighten things out.  It's not very ladylike.  I long ago decided that I need to invent upside down suspenders that would solve this problem, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.  So until I get around to inventing upside down suspenders, I will probably keep buying dresses that look like two-piece outfits.  Like this little gem from Forever:

...AND it's only $22.80

Glimmering Cowl Neck Dress

Just Fab

So this is interesting... a website that pics out shoes and bags that match your personal style and creates a personalized boutique.  All items are $39.95 (with free shipping both ways).   I am not sure what quality these shoes and bags will be... but it's an interesting concept.  Each month they send you new selections based on how you answer their introductory quiz.  Oh and after you make your first purchase, they charge you once a month unless you remember to Skip This Month by the 5th day of each month.

Thoughts?!?

Just Fab

Black Swan

So I know we are all SO excited about the release of Black Swan starring Miss Natalie Portman.  But I am thinking this dress is a little too literal:

I first noticed this dress a while ago and at the time thought ok this is either for halloween or for Miss Emma Watson, because I can't imagine anyone else pulling it off.  Then I saw it again and had a horrible image of this dress falling into the wrong hands.  Like Ke$ha.  The poor dear is already a trainwreck and a half (though I think that is the look she is going for).  I keep having images of her trying to squeeze into this dress with a pair of ripped tights and doc martens looking like she had too much cough syrup and then took a bumpy ride on a time machine back to the mid 90's. 

Ugh.  Now I have a headache. 

BCBG Ballerina Dress

SAVE THIS MODEL: An Open Letter to Revolve Clothing (Update)

UPDATE: After my original post, I received an email from Revolve Clothing which is copied below.   The pictures of the model described below have been removed for her privacy. 

Dear Revolve Clothing,

Not too long ago, I posted about dress for sale on RevolveClothing.com.  In my post, I noted that it looked like either the picture on the Revolve website was super photoshopped or the model had a serious problem.  Since that post, a few of my dear readers have sent me other pictures from the Revolve website showing the same model.


From these pictures, it's pretty clear that this is not a case of photshopping gone wild.  Rather, this is a girl with a problem.  A pretty egregious problem.  Now I understand that clothing looks better on ladies who are tall and thin.  Clothes just hang better (and sell better) when shopper's aren't distracted by any unflattering bulges or what have you.  But this is really taking it to the next level.  This girl is obviously very pretty and obviously way. too. skinny.  She looks like she would be a very lovely model if she had an extra 5-10 lbs on her, but in her current state she just looks tired and SO hungry.  (I guess it doesn't help matters that she is always clutching her stomach like she just swallowed a handful of laxatives)  A grown woman's knees should not be wider than her thighs and her head should definitely NOT be wider than her hips.  Period.



Now, I have recently reached the ripe old age of 30, and I would be very hard pressed to name more than a handful of my girlfriends who didn't have an eating disorder or at least a serious diet phase at one point in life.  I am not going to blame this on the fashion industry (or Revolve Clothing specifically), but jeeze, they really aren't helping here.  By posting pictures like these, they are saying "this looks ok" or "it's not weird for a grown lady to be this skinny." 

But, my dear readers, this does not look ok.  And shame on Revolve Clothing for thinking it does.  So I have decided to boycott Revolve Clothing until they take these pictures down, and I invite you to do the same.  No shopping at revolveclothing.com and no posting about items listed at revolveclothing.com.  I really like Revolve, but there are so many other online stores that sell the exact same products.  Yes, they all use thin models, but there is a line and I think Revolve has crossed it.

And also, on a side note, I am not trying to ruin this girls modeling career.  I think she is very lovely and could have a great career if she just put on a little bit of weight.  Please get help.

Ok, I am done with my soapbox for a while.

xoxo,

Sisyphus in Stilettos



Baby Got Back

I love this cashmere sweater dress by aqua.  Wear it with leggings or skinnies if you aren't as brave as this model here.

It's on sale now for $131.60.

Aqua Cashmere Sweater Dress

Hello, Lady

Check out this pretty little jacket.  It's lovely and ladylike and under $100. 

Afternoon Symphony Jacket

What's Scarier

What is scarier about these pants?  That they exist? or That they are only available in a size 12?

: /

Yikes!!!

In Orbit

This Tom Binns ring is gorgeous! Check it!

Pretty Present Just For You

I've got a pretty present just for you.  This party dress from ModCloth is festive, fun and flattering.  Huge bows can sometimes be cheesy or twee, but I think this one looks well done.

Gift of Glam Dress

Sunday Funday

SUNDAY. This day conjures up many things for many people; a day of rest for some religions, a lazy day on the couch to relax before the work week ahead, a day of traffic jams and delays at airports to get home from a relaxing getaway.

Manhattanites, looking for any excuse to drink have taken this day to a whole other level. In this town, the end of the weekend is known as Sunday Funday. Whether your Funday consists of dancing on a table at a MePa hotspot, a boozy brunch with bloodies in SoHo, football and beer all day at a Murray Hill sports bar, a late afternoon wine and cheese session, or pre and post-theater drinks, there's something for everyone in the Big Apple.

My Funday has for the past few weeks included J&J, otherwise known as my parents. You may think this means my Fundays have been less Funday and more Sunday. However, these two still know how to bring it! Today's adventure started with a coin toss between the ultra posh Plaza Food Hall and Eataly, Mario Batali's latest venture, a Costco sized (or at least what feels like a Costco size) Italian superstore. Since there was no actual coin toss and just the three of us weighing (arguing?) pros and cons in the car, we went with Eataly. Not because I don't love the Plaza, but because Poppa J and I could not bear the thought of having to deal with all the tourists at 57th and 5th this week. Don't get me wrong, I love that I live in the greatest city on Earth and with that means tons of people visiting. However, the holiday seasoning is sometimes maddening in that part of town.

Anyway, we thought we had this brilliant idea of not going to the shopping center of the world and even found a spot on the street (yup, no expensive garages on this funday!). To our dismay, Eataly was so crowded we couldn't even get near a take out counter. Rather than get back in the car, we walked over to Bar Stuzzichini, an old haunt of myself and my two gals, G & L. This place was perfect. Wine, cheese and assortment of small Italian plates, made it an entirely enjoyable Funday. Given the way I felt after last night's activities, dancing on a table at Bagatelle was not going to work for me. Plus, I don't think Poppa J would've been to happy with Momma J and I up on a table. So, while this week's Funday will not end with a Monday breakfast of Emetrol (baby nausea medicine), it was still fabulous.

Also, just so you my dear friends know, despite my above adventure, there are plenty of (bleary eyed) Sundays when I'm perfectly content to sit on the couch, read the New York Times, drink a venti coffee from bux and have a bagel and lox.

Whatever your Funday preferences are, check back here for updates on Funday spots to check out.

Fabulous Top for a Fabulous Night Out

I am seriously crushing on this beautiful navy top.  It has so many things I like: drama, intrigue, sequins.  It shows a little skin but not too much.  And I love how the sheer layer tones down the sequins so you aren't running around like a god damned disco ball (not that that is necessarily a bad thing).  It's perfect for those nights when you want to look fabulous but not like an all out showgirl.

Niagara Nights Top

Something Is Not Right.

Dear Revolve Clothing: There are SO many things wrong with this picture. 

First of all, if this is not a photoshopped picture, please give this girl a cookie. or a whole thanksgiving dinner.  If this is photoshopped, it's still disturbing.  Not a single girl on this planet would look hot with a head that is wider than her hips.  It just looks weird. 

Second, this pose is awkward and makes it look like she has weird flippers for hands.  A sad tired barbie doll with flippers for hands. or turkey wings.

Third, I am feeling pretty meh about this dress.  Maybe it's just poor construction, but I just don't think the top and bottom go well together.  It reminds me of the fashion plates I had when I was little.  I used to love to pair together the top of the wedding dress with the 80's pegged jean bottoms just to see how it looked. Naturally, it looked like crap.  Kinda like this dress.

See it for yourself.

Orange You Glad

Orange you glad you found this little Elie Tahari dress.  It's conservative enough to wear to the office, but pretty and interesting enough to wear to a nice dinner or a holiday party.  It was originally $278, now on sale at Nordstrom for $165.90.

Elie Tahari "Lori" Dress

I Can't Quit You, BP

For some reason I can't seem to quit Brass Plum at Nordstrom even though I recently turned 30.  This is probably related to my Forever 21 affliction, which is holding strong despite the apparent age-inappropriateness.

While some of the items at BP are totally twee, every once and a while they have some cute shit, usually for much cheaper than Nordstrom for Grownups, like this coat:

It's warm and cozy (at least for west coast standards) and faux fur is super hot right now.  It's only $62, so if you get sick of it after this winter, its not that big of a loss. I kinda feel like this is both ugly and hot at the same time.  Thoughts?

Jolt "Cozy" Jacket



Slick your hair and wear your buckle shoes.

These fun t-strap shoes from Sam Edelman are a modern and sexy update on an old friend.  This antique gold pair would look hot with black tights or your favorite skinny jeans.

Sam Edelman "Nivan"

Who's the Baz?!? (Big Red in Baton Rouge)

For as long as I can remember, I've had a penchant for all things Southern: food...hospitality...men. So, when I recently was offered a job in NYC with a company based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, I was stoked on more levels than one.

Much to my chagrin, Gawker (Sis' most trusted news source) just named Baton Rouge the 16th most dangerous city in the US.  As a New Yorker, I'm used to being told that my city is this, that and the other.  However, as an honorary Baton Roug(ian?) I want to set the record straight.

Yes, Baton Rouge is a destination location for LSU and college football fans, and yes, it is often passed over for the rowdier New Orleans, but, and this is a big BUT, it has played a wonderful host to me every time I've been down there. I have never been nervous and have always enjoyed the southern hospitality on display. With that, I give you my restaurant list for if you're ever down in the bayou:

Love Potion Number 9

Hello, Beautiful.  This dress from ModCloth is so fabulous, I want to throw a white party just so I have a reason to wear it.


Love Potion Dress

Forever Fridays: Black Friday Edition

Hey kids.  If you are reading this, you survived Black Friday 2010.  Congratulations.  After all that hard work shopping for other people, you deserve to treat yourself to something special.  May I suggest this "Statement Necklace":

Super Bargain Alert!

Check out this holiday dress for only $9.95 at H&M:

Holiday Dress From H&M

News You Can Use

For my New Yorkers: Coming Soon: DVF, Vena Cava and Botkier Sample Sales!

For Everyone: Big Sale on Shopbop Until Monday

Happy Burlesque Day!!! Send me your reviews!!!

Pop Music as Spoken Word Poetry: the Dougie





In this next installment of "Pop Music as Spoken Word Poetry" I present to you "Teach Me How to Dougie" by California Swag District.  So please put on your William Shatner reading glasses and enjoy (according to the youngs, there is also an accompanying dance, so if you know it, feel free to dance along).




Wishin' and Hopin'

Check out this absolutely beautiful sheer top from ModCloth.  It is so delicate and feminine.  You can swap out the belt for a thicker suede belt for a more casual look or layer it over a cami or a thin turtleneck.  At $47.99 you definitely get a lot of pretty for your buck.

Hope Chest Top from ModCloth

Super Happy Holidays from H&M

I absolutely adore this dress from H&M for holiday parties or NYE 2011. It's only $49.95.  What are you waiting for?

Check it.

Nice Wig, T-Swift?

For the record, I love me some bangs. And I love me some T-Swift.  But for some reason, I just don't love bangs on T-Swift. 

I suspect that it's because whenever she rocks the super straight hair with bangs, it always looks like she is wearing a wig to me.  It's just a little off.  Like when Tyra tries to slap some cheeseball extensions on the white girls on ANTM.  Or bleach their eyebrows.  I am all for wigs of the theatrical variety, but I don't love wigs that are trying to look like regular everyday hair. It doesn't work on Kim from Real Housewives of the ATL and it definitely doesn' work on T-Swift.

Now I know it's super fun to try out new looks.  And maybe she is thinking "this will totally look like it's plausibly my real hear from all the way up here on stage."  But, my dear Miss T-Swift, you aren't fooling anyone. 

: /

Little Monsters

Hello little monsters.  I have a gift for you.  One pair of wackadoo shoes by Mini for Many.  For  some reason, I really like these shoes.  I think they are fun and different and creative.  Especially if you are 5'2" and have some seriously skinny ass legs.

I know my own personal limitations.  I can't wear these shoes.  I would look like Frankenstein's monster.  But for those of you out there who are brave and mini, you should definitely go for it.

Mini for Many Draped Shoes from Revolve Clothing

Fresh Face: pixi at Target

Oh Target, how I love thee.  When I was younger I absolutely hated going to Kmart or Target with my mom.  I was always worried that someone I knew would see us shopping in there and think that we were (gasp!) poor.  The only thing that made it worth the risk was the chance that I would get a sweet new pair of jelly shoes that I would get to wear out of the store.  I still love to throw my old shoes in the shoe box (or medium brown bag) and walk of a store in a brand new pair of shoes.  Its the most delicious instant gratification.

Somehow between the late 80s and present day, Target evolved from a place of potential embarrassment to a joyous wonderland full of everything one needs in life.  And now that joyous wonderland includes a few great makeup collections by legit brands at more affordable prices than their sister collections at Sephora.  One of these collections is Pixi.  I am not going to lie, I did have sticker shock at first.  Most of the items in this collection are priced between $25-$30, which is a little pricey for Target.  But one lunch break, I decided to test drive some of the products to see if they were worth their fancy price tag.

My favorite product in the collection was the Fresh Face Healthy Skintone Booster in Peach.  I was a little scared at first because it is totally peach.  And I was on my lunch break and I still had to go back to my office, so I couldn't make myself look like too much of a clown whore.  But what the hell, I couldn't resist seeing if it justified the $28 price tag.  The prognosis: this crap is awesome.  It totally gives you a healthy glow like you just went for a long run in crisp country air or a vigorous roll in the hay.  I think it even made my teeth look whiter.

buy it!

Costumes from the set of Burlesque

So this is interesting.  Right now, on SeenOn.com (you can log on to SeenOn using your Billion Dollar Babes login) you can buy actual costumes from the set of Burlesque. 

This is especially interesting considering a lot of the costumes for sale consist mostly of undergarments.  For example, you can buy this little number, worn by Kristen Bell, for $499.  This is great news for film buffs and pervos alike. 

In theory, I think its a cool idea to instantly sell movie memorabilia like this, really strike when the iron is hot.  But for some reason, it skeeves me out a little too.

Only three days til Burlesque opens in theaters!

Burlesque Costumes on SeenOn.com

Prohibition is so hot right now.

Hooray, Electricity!

Due in part to HBO's most awesomest new show Boardwalk Empire, Prohibition chic is so hot right now.  This works out well for the Edison in Downtown LA.  Inside, the Edison looks like a sexy old-timey power plant that has been converted into a speakeasy. At times it feels as if you accidentally found your way into the lair of a 1920's mad scientist/serial killer.  I love this, probably because I am a sick bitch.  They have silent films projected on the walls and if you're lucky, you might even catch a burlesque show.



Old timey torture chamber?

They have a kinda bitchy dress code, but it makes the place seem classier (because without a strict dress code it would probably fill up with dumbasses in shorts and flip flops).  Stop by on December 5 to celebrate the repeal of prohibition.



The Edison

108 W. 2d Street #101. Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Me Love You Long Time

I have been really wanting a pair of over-the-knee boots ever since I tried on my friend Nicci's over-the-knee boots at happy hour at the Edison. (What? You don't try on your friends' shoes at bars?)  But Over-the-knee boots are tricky. You want to look sexy but not like a complete street walker. 

Nicci's boots were fabulous.  The Sam Edelman "Sutton" boots shown on the right.  They are currently on sale at Zappos for about $240, down from $298.  The problem is, I am not ready to fully commit to the trend to the tune of a couple of hundred dollars.  I think its totally justifiable to spend a fat wad of cash on a classic pair of boots that will carry you through multiple seasons.  However, I know that there is a high likelihood that after one or two wears my new over-the-knee boots will probably find their way to the what-was-I-thinking basket.

The "Nathaniel" Boot by DV Dolce Vita (shown in grey so you can see the detail) is a good way to ease into the trend.  The heel is not too high, only 2.75 inches.  The suede makes them a little less hookery too (though maybe a little puss-in-boots-y).  I like the detail, its a little western without looking like you just rolled out of the Boot Barn. And right now they are only $111.30 at Bloomingdale's.

DV Dolce Vita "Nathaniel" Boots

Sam Edelman "Sutton" Boots

Sissy Loves Sequins

According to Wikipedia, sequins have been around since as early as 2500 years before Christ.  Such longevity is clear evidence of the genius of sequins.  Sequins are extremely useful, whether they are jazzing up a 7 year old's tap costume or helping a 20-something gal in NYC (or a showgirl!) call extra attention to herself at a bar or club.  The problem is that you have to exercise caution with where on your body you display sequins so you don't accidentally look like the gussied up elephant at the circus. 

Now, at first I was kinda skeptical when I started seeing sequined shorts around stores lately.  There are so many ways this can go wrong. The chaffing!  But the more I see them the more I kinda love them.  I do wish this trend would have come around a little closer to my early twenties, because I don't think that they are appropriate on anyone over the age of 26 (well, they are probably acceptable for celebrities and cast members from the movie Burlesque).

Thoughts?

Sequin Splash Shorts from Shopbop