FSB Reviews and Asks: Lindsay Lohan's Collection for Emmanuel Ungaro - Yay or Nay?

I took a relaxing day off with friends yesterday to pick apples but my mind was somewhat preoccupied with Paris Fashion Week, specifically Lindsay Lohan's premiere as the Artistic Director of Emmanuel Ungaro, the legendary (albeit, troubled) French label. I predicted that really only one of two things would happen: either the collection would be the disaster most predicted it would be or expectations would be so low that it would be passable but it wouldn't necessarily revive the brand for customers.



After reviewing the collection, I have to say that it's my opinion that the latter took place: it wasn't a complete disaster but it just sort of fell flat. A heart motif was overused (especially in glittering pasties that were confusing and raised Hell with some of the audience members) and it appears that most of the designs seemed copied from Lindsay's own wardrobe (sunglasses from Alexander Wang, draped-y minidresses, etc.)



Although I have to say that the color scheme was very pretty, almost everything in the collection looked like you could pick it up at your local mall and that's probably not what they were going for. Ungaro was known for his impeccable suiting and glamorous gowns on very powerful women, neither of which was seen during this showing. I'm left somewhat confused: does bringing Lohan in to infuse youthful energy into the label mean turning your back on the lush history of the label? Couldn't an homage have been paid without scrapping everything? Judging from the looks from the final runway walk (designer Estrella Archs appeared stern and stonefaced, Lohan was elated with tears in her eyes), I can't imagine that this collection was a completely collaborative effort. If there's a next season, it will be interesting to see how this develops. As I understand it, Lohan has a multi-million dollar, multi-year contract.



One bright spot: I do like this one-shoulder minidress but again, this is one look out of a LOT of clothes.

I'm dying to hear your opinions, FSB readers. What say you: do you love the 80's inspired collection or should it be banished to the sale racks? Should Lohan have been given such influence over the label? Give me your opinions!

New for Fall: Maggie Rizer Tapped As New Face for Dooney and Burke

If you're a fan of American accessories brand Dooney & Burke, you might have noticed some changes lately. As the label returns to a philosophy of “Great American Style,” designer Peter Dooney decided to introduce a strong new collection for Fall '09, which includes a new face for the label: iconic American beauty, Maggie Rizer. The model follows in the footsteps of other recognizable names, such as Mischa Barton, Lindsay Lohan, Emma Roberts and Hayden Panettiere.

In a statement to the press, Dooney went on to explain why model/actress/AIDS activist Rizer was a natural pick for the brand and its customers, saying, "In addition to representing the perfect American girl-next-door Maggie is a dynamic woman, balancing her many projects and her tireless fundraising activities. She lives a hectic life as we all do.”

Just because we're swamped doesn't mean we can't look fabulous while we live our over-scheduled lives. The gorgeous bag you see Rizer carrying in this ad is a new design from the Fall campaign, the Juliette Bag ($185). A casual bag that can be carried by its top handles or slung across the body for hands-free chic, it's a stylish solution for running around town in effortless style.

Check out the new ad campaign in your favorite magazines and then head to your favorite department store or the company's website to check out some of the brand's new and exciting designs for Fall. There's something there for every woman who craves gorgeous American style.

FSB Shopping Alert: The Limited is Coming To Manhattan For a Limited (ha!) Time!

Anyone else miss The Limited here in NYC? This Gen X favorite and current day beloved store for all things fashionable hasn't had a presence in Manhattan for ten years, which has caused the shopping equivalent of a Quest for Fire for me as I hunt down store locations when I travel. The shopping treks can cease, Manhattan shoppers, because The Limited is coming to our beloved Soho for four fabulous days next week!

Recreated as a pop-up store (i.e. temporary retail boutique), The Limited will have live window installations and daily in-store experiences that will not only draw on current offerings, but the rich history of the store as well. Oh yes, ladies, the pop-up store will hail the return of the iconic 80's wardrobe staple, the Forenza collection. Write this down: be one of the first 84 customers each day to purchase a Forenza Collection piece at the original price from the Collection launch in 1984.

Here are the details for you to print or send to your PDA/iPhone:

WHEN: October 14 – 17, 2009
WHERE: The Limited Pop Up Store, 134 Spring Street, SoHo, NYC

Wednesday, October 14 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Fall Styling Tips & Trends by Elliot Staples, VP of Design & Author Nicole Williams, whose book, Girl on Top, launches at the pop-up boutique
Window displays featuring live blogger and female executives dressed in The Limited suiting
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Invitation-only Opening Night launch Cocktail Party (we'll be reporting from this event)

Thursday, October 15 10:00am – 5:00pm
Street-front windows introducing The Limited Doggie Sweaters on live puppies from the Humane Society of NY available for adoption
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Fall Styling Tips & Trends by Elliot Staples, VP of Design

Friday, October 16 10:00am – 8:00pm
Interactive photo booth displayed in windows with models in party dresses
5:00pm – 8:00pm
Live music entertainment by DJ Kiss

Saturday, October 17 10:00am – 8:00pm
Live graffiti artist painting 80’s inspired artwork in the windows

Send this along to your BSBs (Best Shopping Buddies) and mark your calendars for next week. The Limited is coming to Manhattan!

Editor's Thoughts: There Is Beauty In Boldness. Begin Today.

This isn't a normal fashion or beauty post but I wanted to take a moment as the Editor of this publication to share something with you.

Having just completed Fashion Week and moving into a new apartment all within days of each other, I was cleaning out my wallet of receipts and other debris when I came across a folded piece of paper. When I opened it, I was surprised to find a list that I had created years ago - a list of dreams and aspirations.

Let me backtrack: before I started FSB, I spent years sort of hopping in and out of corporate America jobs, trying to find out where I belonged in the world. I dabbled in writing as a hobby but never dared to think it was something I could do to make a living. After fifteen years of working and living in a manner that made everyone else comfortable but it made me miserable, I had all but given credence to the warnings of the people that surrounded me: people who said that I could never make a living as a writer, negated the career since I hadn't gone to school for writing, and many who said that at my age I should be concerned with getting married and having children rather than following some foolish dream. I quietly shoved my dreams down under pints of ice cream and worked to help corporations achieve their profits because I didn't think I was allowed to have dreams of my own.

I think most of us reach a point in our lives where we say, "Is this all there is?" You can do two things when that happens: you can say "Yes, this is all there is" and be okay with it, or you can say, "No, I want something else" and change your life. When I woke up one day in March 2007 and decided that my life wasn't all I wanted it to be, I got really angry and decided to make it more. I curled up in my apartment and made a list of all the things I wanted out of my life. I spent an entire day writing this list, then folded and placed it inside my wallet in an inside flap, where it has remained until today.

Let me further state why finding this list was so incredible: I have lost this wallet twice in the past year, so the fact that all of the contents of the wallet were returned to me without much incident is still astounding to me.

When I opened the list, I was amazed to find that I had created most of what I had dreamed of almost three years ago. I moved myself to NYC a month after I created this note with only two suitcases and $300 in my wallet. What started as small side work as a blogger became a career in earnest when I was laid off from what I hope to be the last corporate position I'll ever work in September 2008. Having not looked at the list, I've achieved a lot of what's on it, but the most striking thing is still that I had the audacity to write it and believe I was worthy of these things. I hold firm to the fact that because I believed I could have my dreams, they started showing up.

I write this note to tell you that FSB is proof-positive that believing you can have what you want is completely possible. I'm also telling you this because at 38 years of age, many people are sort of shocked at the fact that I "started so late." Last I checked, dreams and goal-setting doesn't have an age limit. It's never too late to start.

Here's the challenge: write your own list tonight, then set your mind and heart to it that you're going to give your dreams a shot. Trust me, the fears I faced paled in comparison to the thoughts of living a life that was not all I wanted. When the present or future make me nervous, I look backwards and it pushes me forward.

There is Beauty in Boldness. Begin today.

The Breakover Diaries: Five Ways To Take Care of Yourself

I'm not sure if this is a breakover post as much as it is a "life happens" post, but let's face it: stress can break a body down. If you're trying to do too much or you're feeling down and pulling energy from your reserves, you're going to wear yourself out. I hope these tips will help you:

1) Set limits and say "No" - Sounds easy when you read it but it's hard for most of us. Setting barriers doesn't make you selfish, it makes you smart. Saying "No" and spending time doing the things that YOU want to do (like watching Paula Deen make magic with heart-stopping amounts of butter) enables you to heal, recharge and figure things out for yourself. Start small but work your way into a good solid string of "No thank you's" and you'll create some space to think and heal.

2) Exercise - Working out isn't about physical vanity as much as it makes good sense. Exercise releases endorphins, which help with mood and physical exertion gives you more energy and helps you sleep better. Walk around the park, take a trapeze class or hop into a yoga studio, but working out is the daily appointment that you should NEVER miss. It's non-negotiable, even if you have to get up at 5 am to fit it in.

3) Avoid activities that start with the word "over" - Overeating, overspending and overdoing are three examples of activities to avoid so you can stay away from deficits. Deficits mean you have to fill a lack or a void before you can even get back to some state of normalcy and that's before you can make things better. The best over is "over it" and that's what you're going for with this type of behavior.

4) Do not spend time with people who suck - Look, this is way more simple than you think it is. We have all reached a point in our lives where spending time with people who don't make us happy is time wasted. Hanging out with people who make you miserable or who take without giving back is a complete waste of good makeup and it takes years off your life. Cut them off and be done with it.


5) Indulge! - My favorite indulgences are great wine and amazing bubble baths with a good book. I turn off the phone, pour myself a glass of wine (and great wines are available at almost any price - ask your local wine store) and curl up with a tub full of bubbles and a good book. This weekend's picks are Barefoot Bubbly Extra Dry ($7.99 - see, told you about the price), Lush's The Comforter Bubble Bar ($8.75) and The Style Strategy: A Less-Is-More Approach to Staying Chic and Shopping Smart by Nina Garcia (Harper Collins). Don't call me tomorrow evening. This is what I will be doing.

The best investment is always made with the Bank of You and deposits are made by taking care of yourself and doing things that make you happy. Start with this little list and start doing only those things that cause you to feel good when you go to sleep at night. Life is too short to spend it worn out, drained and upset and taking care of yourself is always in style.

FSB Beauty Quickie: In Los Angeles on Saturday? Meet LORAC Creator Carol Shaw at Ulta!

Hey, you beauty fans? Do you like in the Los Angeles area? If you don't, is George Clooney flying you in for a hot date this weekend? Well, either way, if you're a fan of LORAC Cosmetics like me, then do I have a treat for you: head to Ulta Huntington Beach and meet Carol Shaw, the creator and president of the brand!

When Shaw isn't creating her much sought-after beauty products, she works on A-list celebrities like Debra Messing, Nicole Kidman, Rachel Bilson, Naomi Watts, and Teri Hatcher just to name a few but she's dying to meet you so rearrange your plans, tell George you're heading out for a little shopping with the girls and head to Ulta Huntington Beach to meet her. Guests will get inside scoop from the master herself, receive VIP makeup consultations from LORAC and ULTA Makeup Artists, and walk away with complimentary beauty essentials including a mini TANtalizer Baked Bronzer. Plus, if you make a purchase, LORAC is offering a full-size Co-Star Lip Gloss.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Meet LORAC Creator, Celebrity Makeup Artist Carol Shaw

WHEN: Saturday, October 3rd, 12pm - 5pm

WHERE: ULTA – Huntington Beach
7777 Edinger Avenue, Suite 130
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714.891.9708

Have fun and send pics over to me. I want to see my FSB readers having FUN with all the right people! Then head back for your date with George Clooney. I mean, a girl can't have a date with a movie star without a celebrity-quality makeup job, now can you?

The FSB Hot Style List: Fast Lips, Hot Fall Fashion Picks, Madonna's New CD and Hot Cocktails

I'm a firm believer that every woman should have a list of favorite things that helps her sip, shop and live in style. Funny thing is, since I work in fashion and beauty, this list changes on a weekly (sometimes daily) basis for me. I thought I'd start sharing what I'm digging on this week. What's on my mind this week as fall officially makes it arrival?



This Laura Mercier Lip Watercolours Palette ($48) has saved my life for almost two months now. Available for fair and medium complexions, these highly pigmented shades can be used one at a time or together for dazzling impact in a hurry. It's right for the season and a great value for the woman on the go.

As I'm surveying my fall wardrobe, I didn't realize that I don't have a good versatile short boot to just throw on and leave the house. These uber-hot Sam Edelman Lakota boots ($225) will be just the thing for fall.



I want a faux fur vest but I don't know if I want to invest a lot of money in the trend. Then again, I don't want to sacrifice quality and walk around in something that looks like it was made from Muppets. This Fred Flare Faux Fur Vest ($60) looks and feels amazing at a great try-the-trend price.



This weekend is all about nesting, since I'm unpacking after moving into my new apartment. While I unpack, I'll be dancing around to Madonna's new album, Celebration, a compilation of her greatest hits. If you care to get into the groove with me right this minute, here's an old and rare Madonna track, "Burning Up."



When the neighbors complain, I'll just offer them one of the hot cocktails I'll be cooking up this weekend. It's called a Galliano Toddy (I'm a fashion nut down to the names of my drinks and I am not ashamed of this fact, people). Here's the recipe if you feel like warming up your own humble abode this weekend:

Galliano Toddy
1 oz Scotch whiskey
3/4 oz Galliano® herbal liqueur
1/4 oz grenadine syrup
1 slice lemon
2 oz boiling water

Pour all ingredients into a hot cup, sprinkle with grated nutmeg, and serve.

Enjoy and look for more hot picks for next week as the weather cools down. So many awesome things coming on FSB!