Obsessions of the Day: My List of Birthday Favorites

Every day, I send you these lovely daily obsessions of little things that make my heart go pitter-patter. In honor of my birthday today, I thought I would give you a list of obsessions that would make my heart skip a beat. Here are my new obsessions in no particular order but with equal admiration:

The beauty floor at Bergdorf Goodman - This is one of the most beautiful things you will ever see, beauty addicts. It's sincerely one of the best curated collections of cosmetics, skincare and fragrance you will ever come across in an environment that is elegant and easy to navigate. When in NYC, it's a landmark experience that you will never forget. It's one of my favorite places in the entire city.

Fenton/Fallon For J. Crew - Every single item of jewelry in this collection is sheer perfection. This is a great way to pick up jewelry designer Dana Lorenz' pieces at a fraction of what her original pieces cost. I need everything single thing that she does and this diffusion line is no exception. This fringe cuff bracelet is $115. Buy it and wear it with everything.

Hanes Men's Undershirts - I adore T by Alexander Wang but not everyone can drop that kind of coin on a T-shirt on a regular basis. These soft, durable and sexy tees are a staple in my wardrobe and I purchase packs of them at a time in the tank and tee versions. I take them home with boxes of dye and change the colors, cut the necks, resew the sleeves, add chains and ribbons. Most of the tees I own I've made myself.

Levi's Denim - If you look in my closet, you will see a vast array of jeans, but you'll see quite a number of Levi's denim jeans in varying silhouettes and washes. I discovered 501's in high school and I've been a fan ever since. They always make me look my best and I'm a huge, unwaivering fan. I just wore my beloved pair of Levi's Demi Curve Skinnies in Nickel Grey ($59.50) last night.

Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet - If you read this site, you know that I'm completely obsessed with her fabulous party-worthy clothes. My goal at some point is to purchase at least one piece a month, like her "Jasmine" Bustier Dress ($495).

ADAM Ostrich Feather Skirt ($595) - This came blowing down the runway on the model and it took my breath away. Where oh where has this skirt been my entire life? Silken easy V-neck tee, a glittering arm full of bangles and some dangerously strappy shoes will complete a look that says EVERY DAY is my birthday.

Brian Atwood Shoes - All of us pledge our allegiance to a shoe designer at some point in our lives. Although I do adore my Diors, I have a particular passion for all things Brian Atwood, like these stunning "Loca" Studded Pumps ($800) that you can see in all their glory in the Sex and the City sequel out now (toward the end in Abu Dhabi when Carrie shows a little leg.)

Rick Owens - I bow to the high priest of goth tailoring and there isn't a fashion lover worth her salt that doesn't covet one of his mind-blowing leather jackets. Most women purchase a major designer bag to designate that they've made it. My money will be spent on a Rick Owens Organza-Trim Biker Jacket ($2,010.)

My Amazon Wish List - Most of us update them about once a month. I update mine about once every other day and it's filled with a fashion library I would kill for, movies I adore and other objects I desire, like this fabulous Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) ($499.)

These are just a few on the top of many, many designers that have inspired me. I adore fashion, I love style and I am a sincere disciple of beauty. May this list inspire your own fashion fantasies and may all of you get everything you desire for your birthdays and every day.

Style Icon: Joan Jett

I am a rock and roll fan through and through, so it's no surprise that I adore this week's Style Icon, the fabulous and amazing Joan Jett. Beginning as a teen with The Runaways (I haven't seen the movie yet - yeah, I know) and then breaking out on her own before becoming the lead of the famous Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Joan is a rock pioneer, a chick that performs as hard as she plays. Influenced by the glam rock scene and her own muse, Suzy Quatro, Jett's music has stood the test of time, with her famous remake of "I Love Rock and Roll" landing on Billboard's Top 100 Songs of All Time. Jett continues to produce records and sign artists to her label, Blackheart Records, now over 25 years old. She still rocks out and is one of my favorite glam rock/punk ladies out there.

Joan's style is borrowed from the boys who rock but it doesn't mean that it doesn't have her own feminine twist. Thinking of making an impact this weekend? Try her sporty rocker chic look from a concert where she wore then New York Jets Joe Namath's number during a concert in Norway during her band's heyday in the 80's. Let's go with an Alloy Baseball Tee ($24.90) and a pair of fabulous True Religion "Disco Billy" Black Straight Leg jeans in Homestead Wash ($295).

Let's put a new feminine twist on the item with a Fenton Fallon for J. Crew Necklace ($195) and some glam rocker-approved heels, like these Alexander McQueen Zipper and Skull Sandals ($795). They add just the right feminine touch for a current day homage.

Instead of playing the anthem we all know her for, I'm playing my personal favorite from the rocker, my personal anthem, "Bad Reputation." Joan, wherever you are, thanks for blazing the trail for all of us to be as bad ass as we wanna be.

Fashion Dilemma: What To Wear On A First Date

So, last night I had a first date. After the giddiness wore off after accepting the date, panic set in: what do I wear? Understanding that a first date outfit should show your own personal style yet be comfortable enough so you're not fidgeting, here were my considerations when picking out the look:

• I rarely wear skirts. I have great legs, don't get me wrong, but I think I actually own two skirts. Most of my dresses are of the cocktail and gala event variety, so that's out.
• I wanted to be comfortable but alluring. Sexy without looking slutty.
• I hurt my foot in spinning class, so heels were an automatic out (for this date only)

What did I come up with? Here was my first date look:

Young, Fabulous and Broke "Kane" Top ($140) - the deep V-neck and back is really flattering and the open dolman sleeve is incredibly alluring. It's blousy and chic but extremely comfortable. We went someplace kind of casual so this was perfect. If you're going someplace a little more glam, a cute sequined top would be a better choice.

7 For All Mankind "Guinevere" Skinny Black Jean ($185) - this is the ultimate skinny jean with an ultra long leg that makes my legs look really thin and impossibly long. It balanced out the volume of the top and gave me the World's Best Butt, which I highly recommend as the ultimate confidence builder.

Deborah Grivas Designs Long Crystal Drop Earrings ($45) - Long earrings are your friend for three reasons: 1) they elongate your face and neckline; 2) they magically bring someone's gaze to your eyes; and 3) their movement is incredibly hypnotic. These earrings are alluring and you can't beat them for the price.

Amrita Singh "Alanna" Bangle Set ($100) - Bangles are hypnotic and draw attention to the wrist, which is an erogenous zone. Remember this, ladies.

Now for the shoes. Had I not wounded myself in spinning class (don't ask), I would have worn my Kors Michael Kors "Paris" Sandals ($295). However, I don't believe in excess pain (it's a personal preference), so I wore cute black ballerina flats. I advise heels as a general rule, but ballet flats will do in case of injury. This does NOT, however, give you an excuse not to get a mani/pedi prior to the date. Good grooming is an absolute necessity!

I kept makeup minimal, with a black cat eye, flushed cheeks and a nude lip. I don't believe in non-kissable lip products on dates.

I won't tell you too more about the date (a lady never kisses and tells) or who it was with (everyone deserves a little privacy), but suffice it to say that the outfit was effective. I'd recommend it, or something similar, for your next first date.

Obsession of the Day: True Religion Leah Denim Vest

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge fan of denim. I also hate trying it on. Wel all know the quest for the right pair can be an all-day affair that requires a bottle of water, very patient friends and a really good sense of humor. I've got a fabulous denim item that you can just slip on and look effortless cool in one shot: a denim vest.

Not just any denim vest, mind you: this is raw-edged, ruff-hewn jean fabric at its very best. Faded to perfection with a racerback and hardware detail, this item adds the perfect dash of rocker cool. Layer over a soft tee and skinny denim with a black leather jacket for day-to-night chic; throw it over a sundress and add wedges for California-cool daytime style; or take it into the night over a tank, sequined miniskirt and embellished sandals. It adds instant attitude to any look and will transform just about everything you own with just one purchase.

Beyond cool denim that doesn't require days of time in the dressing room AND can transform my entire wardrobe in one shot? Done and done.

True Religion Leah Vest ($185), available at Bloomingdale's

FSB On the Scene: Levi's Fall 2010 Mens and Womens Collection Presentation at Hosfelt Gallery

Wednesday night brought the fashion fabulous out in droves to check out the Levi’s Fall 2010 Men’s and Women’s Collections at the Hosfelt Gallery. As a lifelong fan of the brand, I wanted to see what an artistic installation of denim could look like. Upon ascending the stairs of the gallery, I wasn’t disappointed.

The party, which started at 5:01 (but of course), was a hot mash of downtown and uptown fashion crowd, journalists, bloggers and Manhattan party circuit regulars. While DJ Leo Fitzpatrick spun hot tunes in an equally steamy room, lithe models stood on platforms, modeling the collection. 

Amid a crush of onlookers, the models posed and preened for the cameras in denim’s finest, exuding Americana cool as only models dressed in the world’s first jeans label could do.  Onlookers sipped champagne and chatted away as they strolled through the installation full of photos of models in the fall collection tacked onto the walls amid racks and displays of the clothes, where you could interact them in true collector style. Because those of us who love Levi's are, in fact, true collectors.

The British indie rock band One Eskimo played a live acoustic set and the whole thing was impossibly cool and edgy, a merger of working man’s rebel cool mixed with uptown chic fashion and society…which, I imagine, is exactly how Levi’s had intended it to be. Which is really what the brand is all about anyway: a rebellious fabric that demands to be comfortable in any setting.

Come fall, look for raw-edged roughness and a reinterpretation of classic items from the label to take control of the trends moving into fall. Distressing, paint spatters and industrial washes were everywhere.  There’s an everyman, country-cool vibe to the collection.

The line has given us American style at its very best: raw, rough, honest and straightforward in its interpretation, this is denim that is a platform for the personality of the wearer.

It doesn’t tell you how to style it; you buy it and make it your own. It’s one of the reasons I adore Levi’s. The world’s first denim line has remained true to its roots: still rebellious and effortlessly real.

Reader Question: Where Can I Get Chic Maternity Clothes?

I absolutely LOVE getting reader questions and one of my favorites just came in recently:

"I am 4 months almost 5 months pregnant going into the last of winter and venturing into spring an summer. (Due in July)  I need help! Trends for spring, I'm not a stick figure and I look like I swallowed a basketball! Shoes? Casual Clothes! Work business casual.  The worst is that clothes only fit for a couple of weeks at a time; b/c the scale is only going up!" - M, Charlotte, NC

Ah, yes, the how-to-look-cute-during-pregnancy question is a huge one, which is why it's also a multi-billion dollar industry. Unpredictable body changes, weight gain and all sorts of things shifting could conceivably make style quite a challenge.

The good news is that there are so many options at so many price points that you really can pick and choose what suits you based on your own personal style before you got pregnant (you know, that hot look that got you there in the first place). I can't get into diaper bags and things of that nature (I would head to some of my fabulous mommy bloggers for that information, like Poshmom.com or STYLEMom.com), but here are some of my picks for maternity chic:

Lavish by Heidi Klum is a line of seventeen basics created for A Pea in the Pod. Let's face it: a supermodel who works on a design reality show who has been pregnant FOUR TIMES should know a thing or two about pregnancy chic. This Sleeveless Shirring Detail Maternity Dresss ($98) is a great day-to-night option and so is this glam Sequined Maternity Tank ($198).

As a matter of fact, A Pea in the Pod has some of the best contemporary clothes out there for expecting women. Some of my favorite labels like Bailey 44, DIANE von FURSTENBERG, Sanctuary and Vince all have spectacular options for pregnant women. Check them out online or at one of their in-store locations around the country.

Every woman needs a good pair of jeans no matter what she's expecting and from all my fabulous pregnant friends, I understand that Paige Premium Denim does a pregnancy jean like no other. The Laurel Canyon Pregnancy Jean in Cottonwood Wash ($194) is a chic bootcut denim option that has a waistband that can be worn over or under your tummy depending on how you feel about the situation.

Then of course you have the woman who practically invented maternity chic, Liz Lange. Available at comfortable price points at your friendly neighborhood Target, Liz has a wide range of products available down to yoga gear. I would recommend checking out her line of activewear, including this Long and Lean Maternity Tank ($9.99) and Foldover Cropped Pant ($16.99).

You know who else makes amazing staples for expecting mothers? The Gap! Seriously, this Ruched Tank Dress ($49.99) is an item that can grow with you and won't feel super tight and constricted. Check out their selection of khakis, tops, scarves and other basics as well.

As far as shoes go, my understanding is that buying footwear when you're pregnant is a complicated business. That and wearing spike heels with extra weight on the front body is not only uncomfortable but depending on the situation it could be dangerous (sprained ankles are no fun). For day, I would suggest a kitten heel shoe with a closed toe or slip-on thong sandal (depends on how conservative your workplace is about footwear) but at night, we all want a little glamour. This is where an embellished sandal becomes your best friend. My pick for shifting sizes is this gorgeous Calvin Klein "Nadia" Antracite Sandal ($108), which screams glamour and won't have your feet begging for relief.

Again, there are virtually tons of options out there and with these and other options, you should have some fun shopping. Remember, this is a fabulous time of your life to enjoy, so have fun with it, including the fashion!

Fashion Insider: A Sneak Peek at the Hudson Jeans 2010 Collection

You've most likely seen the provocative ads with Georgia May Jagger wearing my goal weight jeans everywhere. Oh yes, the daughter of Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall is wearing one of the FSB Obsession of the Day items everywhere I look in print: the fabulous Hudson Destroyed Skinny Jeans with British Flag Detail in Jagger Wash ($297). Le sigh. Le grumble. Le diet and exercise to get into them.

The folks at Hudson Jeans were kind enough to invite me to the market preview of their 2010 collection, so I hustled over to the Garment District to take a look at the hotness that will be clothing celebs and denim addicts everywhere this year. The result: four new capsule collections of pure denim fabulousness. Put on a hat, Jeans Junkies, because these upcoming styles are about to blow your mind:

The Minimalist: Amazing and gorgeous, these are jeans constructed from denim in its purest state and have a very raw, classic denim appeal (think the texture of original classic denim with no spandex or additives - gorgeous). Subtle stitching, they're for the denim purist and the avid collector/wearer (See: Exhibit A: Me).  Available in white, black and pure blue unwashed denim washes, they're something to behold and will be available in Feburary.

Resurrection: Honestly, these are genius and the epitome of "reduce, reuse, recycle" in theory and in practice. Each pair is constructed entirely from recycled denim from the Hudson archives. This means that no two pairs are alike and they are something to behold. The price point on these masterpieces is a tad higher per the handcrafted quality but honestly, if you take your denim collection seriously, you must have a pair. No, no, I insist. Save up and mark your calendars because they're coming in April.

D.I.Y.: Let say you had a denim wish list. What would you ask for when it came to your perfect pair of jeans? Well, rather than playing Mad Scientist with your designer denim, let the good people at Hudson read your mind and give you denim that answers every jeans dreamer's fondest fantasies. Think exposed zippers and cut-off, raw-edged waists. Oh, how will you ever go to work on Monday after unleashing your inner rock star in these babies? Think up a good story now because they're coming at you in April as well.

Subversion: Utterly some of the coolest denim anywhere, this capsule collection is entirely military-inspired with offerings such as the cargo pocket jean. The styles will be available in military green and jet black so get ready to command attention in, yep, you guessed it - April.

Something else that's coming that will have you swooning is an entire collection of supersoft, highly versatile, tissue-weight tees. Oh yes, they went there and once you get your hands on a few of them, you'll never come back.

Sexy, highly covetable and swoon-worthy, mark your calendars to get your hands on Hudson denim, coming to a fabulous retailer near you in 2010.