{illustration reblogged via One Girl Show Design}

I hope you all enjoy your holiday, long weekend, and I wish you all the best of luck on Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. With a global recession going on, there are going to be serious deals to be had! Happy Thanksgiving & Day After!

There are more great deals to be found at Hayden-Harnett through Dec. 1st!! With heavy discounts, items added daily, and no crowds or lines this online sale is one you just can't miss! Even better, there are free gifts with purchase! I have my heart set on this dress...



PLUME Silk Wrap Dress, Navy Feather $298 $181.78 @ Hayden-Harnett

In addition, to apparel there are handbags & accessories galore so if anything you can put a serious dent in your Christmas shopping list.

Britney Spears will be gracing the cover of Rolling Stone's December issue (on newsstands November 28, 2008). She looks healthy & happy. Read an excerpt from the article here.

View the Britney photo shoot for Rolling Stone here.


Watch the behind-the-scenes footage of Britney photo shoot:

As you can tell, I am finding it nearly impossible to contain my excitement. Check out this Circus video teaser & you'll see what I am obsessing over...


Seriously, I can't get over how fantastic she looks! The full video for "Circus" will be released on Dec. 5th on Entertainment Tonight.

Writing letters to Santa and mailing them off to the North Pole is a tradition as old as time for many children around the world. Macy's is using this tradition to capture the true spirit of the holiday season by collecting these heartfelt letters at Macy's stores in special Santa letterboxes and giving back. For each letter received, Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.


The Believe Meter will measure America’s belief, based on our collective spirit – including the amount of letters received and other current events that reflect the season’s generosity. So show Macy's & Santa you believe by dropping off your letters to Santa at your nearest Macy's location!

Learn more about the program here.
Locate a Macy's letter box here.
Download special stationery to send to Santa here.

M.A.C. Cosmetics is teaming up with Sanrio Global Consumer Products for a Hello Kitty color cosmetics collection! The line will hit M.A.C.'s website on Feb. 10th, nationwide retailers on Feb. 12th, and international stores sometime in March.

The limited edition products will be split into two collections: the Hello Kitty Colour Collection and the more high-end Hello Kitty Kouture.

The Hello Kitty Colour Collection will contain: six shades of lipstick with names like Fashion Mews and Strayin’, each $14; six Lipglass shades, each $14; and two tinted lip conditioners, $14.50 each; two eye shadow palettes, which each contain four shades and retail for $38; two shades of pigment are $19.50 each, and two Reflects Glitter stockkeeping units — one blue, one pink — are $17.50 each. Four Glitter Eye Liners, each $16.50, two shades of Beauty Powder, each $22; three shades of nail polish, each $11; a black mascara, $12, and false lashes, $12.Shades range from pinks and turquoises to lavenders and greens.

The Hello Kitty Kouture Collection will contain: two shades of Dazzleglass, each $28, each feature a reusable silver chain pendant with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals on black with a pink crystal bow. Sheer Mystery Powder, $90 and available in three shades, is packaged in a silver powder compact with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals with a pink crystal bow on a black background.

In addition to the Hello Kitty Colour items, a Petite Makeup Bag, $22, a medium Makeup Bag, $35, a plush doll, $42, purse mirror, $22, and three-brush collection, $49.50, a mirrored key clip, $16, beaded bracelet, $34, tote, $45 and soft vanity kit, $55, will also be available (many of which will be online & M.A.C. store exclusives).
This collection sounds to be very promising (and almost sure to sell out). I for one, can't wait for the fun to begin!

P.S. a waiting list for the items will go live on Jan. 7 at maccosmetics.com (Just in time for MY birthday!)

via WWD

The full preview of Britney Spear's album Circus is live NOW on imeem:


Me=Freaking out! I love her.

There are new promo pics, documentary stills, and dance rehearsal pics on BritneySpears.com and they are fabulous! It is great to see them constantly updating that site given that it has been dead for years. In addition, Britney will be performing live here in the Big Apple the day her album, Circus, hits stores (Dec. 2nd). The performance will be aired live on Good Morning America, but if you're in NYC and want to go--you'll have to score tickets... (click here or here, if you're interested!)

A still from Britney's MTV mini documentary"For The Record":


See more of Britney photos after the jump (including some fab shoes!):














All Britney photos via here

The leather jacket has been a fall/winter essential just as the lace cocktail dress is ubiquitous at winter parties. This trend is equal parts naughty & nice, and I simply can't get enough of the sexy, edgy styles! See below for some of my favorites:


{top} Zac Posen Lace satin blouse $950 @ Net-A-Porter; Rebecca Taylor Lace panel dress now $178 @ Net-A-Porter; Stella McCartney Louise Dancing bra $175 & Stella McCartney Louise Dancing thong $45 both @ Net-A-Porter;Mayle Fleur D'Elle Belt $250 @ La Garconne; Lover Angels Leather Shorts now $620 @ La Garconne; Organic Crop Biker Jacket $1135 @ La Garconne; Organic Crop Biker Jacket $1135 @ La Garconne;

{middle} Aminaka Wilmont Zipped leather skirt now $1,138 @ Net-A-Porter; Thurley Lace mini dress now $417 @ Net-A-Porter; Miu Miu Rosette leather jacket $2,835 @ Net-A-Porter; Tibi Lace Collar Top now $120 @ Net-A-Porter;D&G Dolce & Gabbana Lace shift dress $725 @ Net-A-Porter; Sigerson Morrison Tall Snap Boot $990 @ La Garconne;

{bottom} Rupert Sanderson Kit Kat shoe boots $1,100 @ Net-A-Porter; IAM $89.99 @ Nine West; J Dauphin The Gift $330 @ La Garconne; Short lace gloves @ ASOS; Rachel Comey Usher with lace insets $292 @ Gargyle.



{top} IRO Perfecto Leather Jacket $440 @ Shopbop; Zimmermann Revelation French Lace Yoke Top $470 @ Shopbop; IRO Perfecto Leather Jacket @ Shopbop; Nicole Miller Strapless Lace Dress $385 @ Saks; Rebecca Taylor Lace Dress $595 @ Shopbop;

{middle} Caroline Hedaya Lace Ruffle Dress $429 @ Shopbop; Rory Beca Tippi Lace Top with Cami $324 @ Shopbop; Torn by Ronny Kobo Ann Lace Bustier Tank $69 @ Shopbop; Lace Lady Dress $175 @ Banana Republic; Kova & T Lace Leggings $120 @ Saks (or $110 @ Shopbop);
3 BCBGMAXAZRIA Satin and Lace Dress $318 @ Saks;

{bottom} Paige Denim Black Label Hyde Park Skinny Leather Pant $595; Marc by Marc Jacobs Leather Funnel Neck Minidress $494 @ Nordstrom; Jenni Kayne Pleated Leather Miniskirt $650; Geren Ford Snap Placket Leather Skirt $474 @ Shopbop;

Several people have emailed me asking me if I knew who Beyonce was wearing during her Saturday Night (SNL) performance of "If I Were A Boy". (Watch it below):


Beyonce was wearing the "Johannson Tulip Dress" by a new label, MARTISSE New York, who has just released a small pre-market capsule collection for Fall 2009. You'll have to wait to see more from Brooke Martisse, the designer behind the line, but this is definitely a fantastic precurser to what is to come. Brooke is an experienced designer with a resume that includes stints with many of New York’s top design houses including Douglas Hannant, Carolina Herrera, Lafayette 148, and Lela Rose. Expect more sexy, sophisticated body-hugging dresses in the seasons to come.

{still from Alyson Fox's A Small collection A/W 2008 lookbook video}

The weather forecast for the New York city area is saying there is a chance of snow. I know the first snow never really lasts, but I can't help but be a tiny bit excited. Call me crazy, but the first snow is always the best. That got me thinking of the snow sprinkled ground in the lookbook images of Alyson Fox's winter collection. Here are some of my favorite images from the collection, that you may recall from this post I did in March.

Winter:

I love the nighttime images featured in the Dace A/W 2008 lookbook. Dace's fall line is full of simply cut pieces with modern yet flattering shapes, and lady-like prints. I am especially coveting the print on the Dace Bonnie Tunic. Check out my favorite images from the Dace lookbook:


View the entire Dace Fall/Winter 2008 collection here.
Shop the collection here.

Nantaka Joy's lovely nature story collection will forever be one of my favorites. These file folders were sold at select Anthropologie stores, but given their high demand were hard to find. The good news is that there is currently a limited quantity available at the Nantaka Joy web shop, so act fast if you want to beautify your file cabinets:

Nantaka Joy limited edition Woodcut Floral File Folders (set of 8) $20 each

Twilight, the movie, opens today at theatres nationwide! I know many of you die-hards have already seen the movie at midnight, but my tickets aren't until tomorrow afternoon! I am so excited! I plan on wearing something similar to this to the movie tomorrow (adding some mittens & a warmer jacket--it is F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G here)

Jess Gonacha's colorful illustrations and paintings never fail to make my day. The color, pattern, detailed line work, and figures are nothing short of perfection. As I was browsing her site today, I found myself swooning over these prints:


{top} All dressed up $15; This is the moment $15; @ Jess Gonacha.
{bottom} Camp Out print $15; Abundant Thoughts print $15; @ Jess Gonacha.

I recently purchased this coloring/activity book at Anthropologie as a gift for my niece. I am so in love with this book--each page is so unique & beautiful, I had to share it with you. Here are some of my favorite pages:

Wouldn't this be a fun journal/sketchbook for those of us who have outgrown our coloring days*?
Get yours at Anthropologie (find a store near you here) for $28.

*I am pretty sure that is impossible--for me anyways!

The latest holiday goods at Kate Spade have put a smile on my face. Check out my current top 10 favorites from Kate Spade (in no particular order) :


{top} be merry be bright $34; glendale kaylee $395; lovely $298; all @ kate spade.

{bottom} tuileries bracelet $195; pocket stripe scarf $195; harvest moon wire flower brooch $125; hollywood boulevard pearl cluster ring $95; lady marmalade large ball pendant necklace $165; airline cosmetics pouch $55; & holly heights gift tags $15; all @ kate spade.

I love these relaxed looks from the Austrailian line Rittenhouse. They are proof that chic comfort does exist:


View the entire collection here.

Purchase Rittenhouse online at Creatures of Comfort.

For a complete list of U.S. stockists click here

Maria Vettese of Port2Port has created yet another gorgeous letterpress calendar. She has combined original photographs that she has taken over the course of the year with vintage illustrations. This will be her final calendar project! (*tear*) The images from my favorite "months" are pictured below:


View the images from all months here.
Purchase the calendar for $45 at the Port2Port shop

I really love this photo of Britney rehearsing for her upcoming European performances! Every day, I get more excited about Britney's new album and MTV documentary, so it is good to see that it looks like she is working hard.

Check out more exclusive dance rehearsal pics of Britney Spears posted here. There are some new "For The Record" promos floating around including this one



Britney Spears: For The Record will air on MTV on November 30th (I can't wait!)

You better believe I've already pre-ordered her new album Circus on itunes (in stores 12/2/08)

Watch 2 more "For The Record" video promos after the jump...

I am addicted to hats & vintage styling, so I couldn't resist these 1920s style cloche hats with their modern colors and details! Check out my favorite hats by Vancouver-based designer, Claudia Schulz:


View more of Claudia's work here

Anthropologie's holiday store windows are up and they are spectacular! The thread wraped flexible flyer sleds hanging in the window made it impossible for me to resist taking photos and posting them here. The interior displays will warm your heart as well. I keep meaning to snap a few photos of the cascading wood dress display or the pink eraser lined shelves, but I always get distracted by the million things I am tempted to buy there! I'll save those interior shots for a later day. In the meantime, check out my latest photos and get into the holiday spirit!

Paper Link Chain Display:


{detail}


Stacked Ornaments:



Tinsel Clean Up:

{detail}


Flexible Flyer Sled Display:


{detail}


Tangled Lights Display:


Ornament Curtain:



Am I the only one that wants to make five thousand paper link chains now? Also, I wonder if I can get one of those fancy sleds...

{"and then" by lenaah}

Avirl 14th is one of the most beautiful & inspiring videos I've seen in ages. It was created & posted by flickr user lenaah, whose photos are a permanent fixture in my flickr favorites. Watch it here, I promise you won't regret it.

I am loving these looks from Lyell's Holiday 2008 collection. As with all of Lyell's past collections the vintage styling draws me in. The lace cut-outs and mustard printed dress have my yearning for more!


View the entire lookbook here

I find myself consistently swooning over Vena Cava's fall 2008 collection. I adore the prints, fine details and versatile styles. Many of the styles are now on sale at various retailers, which makes it even more enticing to add them to my closet. I have a feelings I will be loving these looks far beyond Fall 2008...

View the entire Vena Cava collection here

I haven't really been in the mood to blog, but I will be back with some fabulous posts next week. If you're looking for some style inspiration...check out my latest style boards over at polyvore:


91: She will be loved by platinumblonde


92:Void by platinumblonde


97: Someone Took The Key To My Heart by platinumblonde


90: Blue Ribbon Style by platinumblonde


87: November Rain by platinumblonde

xo, Melanie