Rag & Bone Mid-Rise 10" Denim Skinnies. Image courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue.

As someone who JUST posted on this site about a pair of skinny jeans, I have to make this a true confessions type of evening: they sort of scare me.

Don’t get me wrong. I literally worked my ass off to get into a pair, but today I was faced with a strange problem I’ve never had before: I was going to finally try on a pair of these super-skinny, slinky, waxed denim pair of jeans that look like leather pants I’ve been COVETING.

Folks, taking that haul of waxed denim in sizes I’ve never considered wearing caused me to break into a sweat in the dressing room. My deodorant started to fail from SHEER STRESS. I stared at those jeans for a really, really long time before I started trying them on. In a size 29. Which is FOUR SIZES SMALLER than where I started out in 2011.

There is something about trying on a pair of pants that aren’t forgiving in any way that is like an episode of Fear Factor. I would rather harness myself to a helicopter and smash through a construction site than try on a pair of skintight, flaw-enhancing pants. Yet, today, I did it because I realized that I had to get over this ridiculous fear and find the right pair of waxed leather pants. Because I REALLY wanted a pair.

I think after having been almost 100 lbs heavier, I will ALWAYS have a part of me that sees myself as a fashion interloper, someone who is masquerading as a thinner person who can wear those types of clothes. In reality, I AM a dedicated fashion person and I busted my butt (again, literally) to get into these fitted clothes that are truly suited for people like Emmanuelle Alt and Mick Jagger. I have worn baggy and shapeless for too long. It’s time to show off the goods.

And so today, I conquered my fear of skinny jeans by purchasing a gorgeous pair of waxed skinnies. The winning pair is a pair of Rag & Bone Mid-Rise 10″ Denim Leggings, which are super fitted and the mid-rise is a great option for girls like me with a little more junk in the trunk. The size? 29, baby.

The reason I wrote this is to tell you that everyone has something fashion or beauty-related that scares them to death, but you really have to give it a try. When you’re faced with that moment of trying on the dream item, a moment of panic will cross your mind about whether or not it will fit, especially if you’ve tried to get into something similar when you weren’t feeling good about yourself. Honor that thought…and then tell it to suck it. Try it on and find what you love in a size that fits you and go on about your life.

I’ll even go one step further and wear my newly-found , very fitted pants to Fashion Week and take some photos in them so you can see what I mean. Sometimes it’s understanding that it’s not about those pants or that dress – it’s about accepting that this is you, putting yourself out there and trying on a whole new life.

And this is me, right now, about to put myself out there. For all of us out there, trying to make these changes for ourselves, let’s raise a toast this Friday night and cheer ourselves on! We’re making it happen and a little something like Fear ain’t gonna stop us.

Item shown: Rag & Bone Mid-Rise 10″ Denim Leggings, available via Saks Fifth Avenue

Saying "yes" to THIS dress. Jason Wu for Target Pleated Shift Dress in Blush Stripes, Woven Mini Saddle Bag in Cream. Image courtesy of Target.

This weekend is going to be a really busy weekend indeed. In addition to preparing to watch the Giants and Patriots duke it out in the Super Bowl and trying to get ready for Fashion Week, I will be standing front and center with the rest of the world this Sunday, February 5th when the Jason Wu for Target collection hits stores. As in, first thing Sunday morning, ready to do battle.

As a fan of Jason’s feminine-and-fitted work, I’m planning on scooping up some items from the collection for myself and I would recommend you do the same? Want to steal some high design style at a mere fraction of the price? Here are my top picks in the gallery below:

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The Jason Wu for Target collection has separates, dresses and adorable accessories with prices ranging from $19.99 to $59.99 for apparel and $19.99 to $49.99 for handbags and scarves. It will be in stores and online at Target.com from February 5th through March 6th of this year (or until supplies last), so hurry up for this super-fun designer collaboration.

G-StarRAW ARC 3D Super Skinny jeans in Deep Red. Image courtesy of G-Star.

Ladies and gentlemen, please view the first item of purchase for the upcoming wardrobe I’ll be rocking at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Because the minute I saw these gorgeous, wonderful works of magic and cloth, I was on them like cupcakes. Which, if you don’t know me, is FAST.

These are a pair of G-StarRAW Arc 3D Super Skinny Jeans, which are super soft and have a fit that is mind-blowing, to die for and all that.  Here’s the key to G-Star jeans that I like: the composition has stretch but not TOO much stretch. The composition of the fabric is 3% elastane, 31% polyester  and 66% cotton. This means that they’ll give a little but they won’t stretch WAAAY out and once they’ve molded to your shape, they stop.

I couldn’t seem to find this exact color online, but the blue version of the ARC 3D Super Skinny is available there. All the models are available at your local G-Star retailer, which is where you’ll find me this afternoon picking up this cranberry-hued wonder pair.

If you’re looking for a great new pair of jeans in an unexpected hue, these jeans are just the ticket. Just wear them with all your neutrals or be brave and experiment with a brighter top or metallic items. As someone who’s not especially girly when it comes to Valentine’s Day, this would be my pick for a great date night look with just the right undies underneath.

G-StarRAW ARC 3D Super Skinny Jeans, available via their website or your local G-Star store.

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel, by Lisa Immordino Vreeland (Abrams, 2011)

“Elegance is innate. It has nothing to do with being well dressed. Elegance is refusal.” – Diana Vreeland

I have to admit that as a big fan of legendary editrix Diana Vreeland, this quote used to irritate me. What did THAT mean? It wasn’t very nice to say something like that. Because I was raised to be a nice girl and I thought “yes” had a nicer ring to it.

Over the years, I’ve learned that this quote is one of the most powerful items ever uttered inside the fashion industry and carried outside of it. Elegance, that state of blissful style and beauty, can only be gained by learning how to say “no.” The word “no” creates a barrier for things, people and situations that will not fit our idea of who we are and the life we wish to manifest.

The lack of understanding of this phrase has gotten me in trouble more times than I care to admit. I’m a born people pleaser. I used to like to say yes to things and watch people’s happy reactions when I do it. However, the sharp sides of this double-edged sword cut me to ribbons numerous times when I browbeat myself by overextending myself and arousing their disappointment.

This is why “no” has become my new favorite word. Don’t take it personally. Actually, do I mind if you do? No, not really.

The art of perfecting the word “no” is that certain something that really elegant people who seem to have “it” possess. They understand how to politely decline anything that doesn’t benefit them. It might sound self-centered but at the end of the day, you are the only person who can really take care of yourself, so why not exercise the right to refuse anything that doesn’t assist that goal?

“No” has gained me so many more things I want to say yes to that it defies logic. I wish I had known years ago what “no” would do, the infinite power of it. I would have said it way more often. “No” closes the door on people, things and situations that really just don’t fit. “No” has given me a closet of friends (a phrase coined from Diane Von Furstenberg – clothes you love that love you back,) a calendar filled with appointments I really want to keep and a life that feels calm, filled with luxury and beauty and happiness.

Live in elegance. Say yes to yourself. Learn to say no.

Item listed above: Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel, by Lisa Immordino Vreeland (Abrams, 2011) – available via amazon.com

Simple Skincare Kind to Skin Vital Vitamin Night Cream. Image courtesy of Simple Skincare.

I really find that I have very few rules in life but when it comes to taking care of my skin, I have one simple but very important rule: MOISTURIZE.

In my experience, moisturizing your skin is like feeding your face. You know how if you don’t eat breakfast, you feel weak, sluggish and irritated in a couple of hours? That’s how it is with your face. When you don’t feed your skin by moisturizing it before leaving the house, it’s starving all day. Add to that the barrage of pollutants and environmental factors (wind, rain, snow, sun, heat, cold) and it reacts with tightness, redness, irritation, or other such concerns. Then you’re going to add insult to injury by applying really harsh chemicals to it? No wonder it’s mad at you.

It’s time to say I’m sorry to your skin and mend that relationship for good. Follow my daily rule: apply some kind of moisturizer immediately before or after you eat. A good moisturizer and eye cream in the morning and at night, then I basically refresh with a hydrating spray throughout the day to keep my skin hydrated every time I have a snack. My body is fed, my skin is fed and I look like a glowing goddess all day long.

My three basics for hydration are from my beloved Simple Skincare. I apply Kind to Skin Vital Vitamin Day Cream   ($8.79) and the Kind to Eyes Revitalizing Eye Roll-on ($8.79) in the morning and then apply the same eye cream paired with their Kind to Skin Vital Vitamin Night Cream ($8.79) at night. During the day, you cannot catch me without my Kind to Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturizer ($8.79). I am reapplying to my hands after washing them and then I pat my face again to refresh my makeup.

I mean, you have to take a look at my skin. I’m wrinkle-free at over 40 and pretty particular about what I use on my face. If this cardinal rule has worked this well for me, imagine what it can do for you. Follow my big rule and see if you don’t discover that even the strictest rules for better skin are rather simple when you use the right products.

FTC Full Disclosure: I am a Brand Ambassador for Simple Skincare.

Image courtesy of H.Bloom

Ok, so if you read this site, you know that I am ALL ABOUT pampering yourself. I firmly believe in living in a manner in which every day is a celebrate of the fact that you, you marvelous creature you, breathe air. Nothing says, “You are so worth it” to me than floral arrangements. I try to have flowers in my bedroom at ALL times. They make me smile every morning when I wake up.

I’m also a believer in tending to your own floral needs. I love it when men send me flowers, but I can take care of that aesthetic need for lovely flowers in my own home myself…and I do.

Image courtesy of H.Bloom

Hence, when I heard about this fabulous new subscription service, I could NOT stop myself from telling you about it. It’s called H. Bloom and the floral deliveries start at a mere $29 a month (you can spend as much as you want, doll.) The $29 gets you an “Arrange Your Own” service, which delivers a beautiful bundle of loose stems to your door and each week one of their designers posts a video that suggests how to arrange them. The bouquet delivered to your door usually makes two to three arrangements.

This is all for the price of you skipping 4-5 fancy coffees a month. Downgrade the java. You NEED this jolt of happiness every day.

Image courtesy of H. Bloom

Click below to sign up for this service. Because every woman needs to learn how to arrange their own flowers (it’s very soothing, trust me) and you need to learn that the message that your worth gorgeous flowers needs to come from someone who loves you very much – you.

H. Bloom Subscription Service, $29 a month. Click through for more details.

Photo courtesy of ideeli

Attention, celebrity shoppers!

As a fan of both Blake Lively and her magical closet as well as the stylish shopping outlet ideeli, I wanted to let you in on a few items that will be listed for sale tomorrow as part of their new Celebrity Style Series. This new sales series allows you to shop a look of a fab celeb (Lively) at prices that are far below retail (ideeli.)

Put the Do Not Disturb sign up for 11 am when this sale goes “live-ly” because you’ll have to compete with me and quite a few others for that FAB jacket.

Not a member? Become one now. It’s free and it will give you plenty of reasons to miss that crazy staff meeting. Use code ”ag44″ to join.

Celine Luggage Mini in Canvas Cream. Image courtesy of Celine.

Now, obviously, this Celine Luggage Mini in Canvas Cream is a bit much for an everyday treat, but I like to dream big, so, you know, there it is. I have loved these exquisite works of art since they were released and I really, really want one of these luxury handbag works of art.

Someday, there will be a Celine bag in my possession and I will love it like a firstborn child. Which I will obviously love my firstborn child more than the bag if and when I ever have them. But, truthfully, I want the bag first.

Ok, back to the post.

I am a woman who truly believes in rewarding yourself. I lived for gold stars and smiley stickers in grammar school, wanted the accolades that came with being a good student and a great kid. As an adult, those treats became fewer and far between (“You showed up for work today? AND?”) and the effort is WAY harder. I think it’s kind of cruel that when the work gets harder, the rewards disappear.

Hence, you have to do something for yourself. You and possibly you alone are responsible for doling out the accolades for simply showing up.  Did you manage to do something today that was herculean in feat, something that maybe no one even knows about? AMAZING. You deserve a treat. Did you actually put on pants and a top that flattered your figure today? WORK IT. You deserve a treat. Basically, did you get out of bed today and make it happen? HOT DOG. I think you deserve something for all that effort.

Rewards do not have to be expensive or grandiose. Have a cup of your favorite tea at the end of the day. Take ten minutes longer in the bathtub. Treat yourself to an extra exercise class. Use the good china. If I’ve rocked it on a particular day, I allow myself an extra hour of tv that night (I only watch about an hour a day, believe it or not) or I do something that makes me smile. Right now, it’s re-watching the 80′s soap opera Dynasty from the beginning. It gives me life.

Just stay away from sabotaging rewards. There is no reward to high risk items, like overspending and/or overeating. Don’t treat yourself with something that will undo all your hard work. Where’s the fun in having to work harder to undo what you’ve done?

Reward yourself today and every day. Take a moment to celebrate that you are simply awesome. You’re fashionable, stylish and beautiful. Most of all, you’re you and YOU ROCK.

You are, as my personal idol Pat Benatar says, invincible.

Ready for fabulous hair color? Check out L'Oreal Excellence Creme hair color. Photo courtesy of L'Oreal Paris.

Ok, so Valentine’s Day is coming up. Now, we all know that I don’t really believe in Valentine’s Day (I think you should be getting your sexy on AND be appreciated all year long) but let’s say for the sake of argument that there’s a date involved and that there might be a little flirtatious hair flipping happening. Let’s also say for the sake of argument that on said date, you wish to be seen as your Hottest and Most Luscious Self. This is all going well until you realize that your hair color is uneven. Or flat and dull. Or Grey Not In a Good Way.

This means you might have to get your color on for our version of The Big Game. As your coach, it’s my responsibility to walk you through the play book, so let’s walk through your hair color options in terms of Super Bowl pays:

Serious Overtime – Want this guy SERIOUSLY? If you know that you’re going to take this game into overtime and beyond, take a gander at the new L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference hues, especially their new Les Blondissimes & Sunkissed Caramel shades. We’re talking lit-from-within hair color for eight weeks and it’s fade resistant thanks to their proprietary Optimized Fade-Defying System. Even if you’re not blonde but you need to lighten and brighten, this is where you need to go with it.

1st and Goal – Ok, this date has promise, but you don’t have a lot of time to think about if it means happily ever after right now. This is why I LOVE mousse hair color (dripless, fast, pretty much goof-proof.) Check out L’Oreal Paris Sublime Mousse by Healthy Look hair color, which works quickly and lasts beautifully, especially those gorgeous new chestnut and copper shades.

Penalty Kick - You’re not even sure you want to stay through drinks, much less let him see Hair Flipping, the Advanced Moves. This is when L’Oréal Paris Healthy Look Crème Gloss Color works. It goes in quickly and washes out in 28 shampoos (which, evidently in Hollywood is the average length of a relationship.) This is a great way to subtly blend away greys fast or to try a new hue without putting a ring on it, so to speak.

Flag on the Play – This guy is SERIOUSLY LUCKY you’re even making time for this date, but that doesn’t mean that you want him to see you less than spectactular. Make arrangements for your girl to break through with *that* emergency (“The cat again? Oh no! I’ll be right over!) and stick to L’Oréal Paris Root Rescue 10 Minute Root Coloring Kit, which covers those pesky roots in 10 minutes flat.

That’s it. Be sure to wear something super cute, always wear great underwear and – in case of a touchdown – wear protection in case there’s impact getting into the end zone. Have fun, girls!

David Beckham for David Beckham Bodywear. Photo courtesy of H&M.

Ladies (and my boys who love boys,) I interrupt this day for a fashion and hotness alert that is worth a few minutes of your time.

Launching on February 2nd this year is David Beckham Bodywear, a nine-piece line of underpinnings and goods as part of a partnership between H&M and the world-renowned soccer legend. The ad featured Beckham spinning playfully and seductively in the items, specifically the briefs ($12.95) and trunks ($14.95).

David Beckham for David Beckham Bodywear at H&M. Photo courtesy of H&M.

As part of the Super Bowl frenzy, H&M has secured a huge space here in Manhattan  (34th Street and 8^th Avenue) to tease you right up until the ad airs in the 2nd half of the big game.  A full body-length image of Beckham modeling the new trunks will be hand-painted over a period of two weeks and completed by Super Bowl weekend.

Talk about scoring a touchdown.

So, lest you be disappointed or disinterested in either this weekend’s Super Bowl match up or the concept of Valentine’s Day, let me reinvigorate that interest with the video below. Be sure to mark your calendars to do a little shopping for your significant other this coming Valentine’s Day and see WHO exactly get to model a little underwear for whom this year.

Enjoy, ladies and gentlemen.