Look out Ms. Wang with your evil empire of everything from shoes to china! Monique Lhuillier's new line of eveningwear just hit stores! Select styles from Monique Lhuillier’s new diffusion priced eveningwear collection, ML Monique Lhuillier is now available at select Saks stores and Saks.com. The collection includes gorgeous gowns and cocktail dresses which retail between $398-$798! 

“This is an important milestone for me – to bring my design sensibility to a larger demographic of women who seek glamorous, modern eveningwear,” says designer Monique Lhuillier.

Hallelujah, Monique! We praise you and can't wait to try some of these on! As a Monique bride I am of course partial to her styles!

Check out ML Monique Lhuillier at Saks in select stores and online. 

Spotted, Denise Richards photographed carrying her Patricia Nash Rodano in Tan Croc (Under $250) around New York City while promoting her new book. These affordable vintage-inspired handbags, created by Patricia Nash, are not only fashionable but being worn by young celebrities, like Whitney Port and Miranda Lambert.

Now that summer is winding down (booooo!) the only thing we have to look forward to is our fall 2011 wardrobe must haves! Here are a few trends from the runways that are going to be huge this Fall!

Camo-Inspired Outfits

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Maxi-Skirts: Big skirts are going to be even bigger this fall. Especially paired with slouchy sweaters!

Choker Necklaces

Bright Pants

Leather and Lace (Not together but both will be back!)

Anything embellished in lace will work this Fall!

The Pencil Skirt: Something almost every woman already owns. 

Slits Up to There!

Faux Fur. This can be on anything, head to toe, including faux-fur trimmed vest, faux-fur lined boots and faux-fur tipped bags.

Blue!

Best Place to Buy a Wedding Dress in New York! My Mediocre Experience with Saks Bridal.

So, not too long ago I got married and I thought I’d share my wedding dress shopping experience. I’ll be short and sweet. Budget-wise I knew I didn’t want anything too insane (like a 20,000 dress) but I knew it was my big day and that I’d have to get something pretty special. I went in with an open mind and went to all your NYC bridal store staples. Saks, Kleinfeld’s, Vera Wang (here and on Long Island), Bergdorf Goodman and Mark Ingram. The first thing I learned is that they don’t let you walk around and pick out what you like, because no matter who you are, you don’t really know what you like until you try it on. Trust me, I didn’t believe this at first but it’s true. You tell them what styles interest you and they emerge from the back rooms with dresses they think you’ll like/look good on you. It’s a trying process. Anyway, what I found out I thought many of you would like to know. Saks was not all its cracked up to be! I don’t know if it was just the person I had helping me but my experience there was NOT one to brag about. I ended up with a Monique Lhullier two-piece corset/A-line skirt. It was fabulous. However, the service at Saks was well below par. If I am spending that much money, I want impeccable service! I was the bride after all! Everything about my experience screamed frustration. They were extremely unhelpful in every way. When I came in for my fittings they were supposed to have picked out shoes to try on as well as lingerie. Neither task was completed or even acknowledged. In fact, one of my bridesmaids had to run upstairs and get me bras and shoes to try on mid-fitting. The next fitting we came in and my dress and shoes were “misplaced.” We had to wait for over a half-hour while they relocated it. Instead of apologizing I was comforted by the fact that if they lost it they’ll pay for a new one…small comfort when my wedding was 10 days away! They found it of course but the entire process was ridiculous. Oh and the manager there is so unfriendly! Not who you want to be dealing with while you’re supposed to be having fun. My sister purchased her dress from Kleinfeld’s and while yes, to some extent you feel like it’s a bit factory-esque, at least they know what they’re doing! Overall, if you’re going to purchase a dress, if Saks is the only place that carries it, it’s one thing but I would never recommend going there. You miss out on the excitement of the bridal experience somewhat due to the staff’s lack of excitement (and occasional incompetence).

Ever had the thought, “Can I wear Spanx to the gym under my clothes?” I mean you’re wearing spandex at the gym, your tightest clothing and your flab is left unconstrained! Doesn’t seem right, huh? Well, the heavenly ladies over at Spanx have solved your problems—They did the unthinkable and came out with workout gear! Just when you thought they couldn’t help you anymore, they’ve done it with a fantastic line of power pants that flatten your tummy, pants that firm your figure, the ultimate workout top that makes you appear slim, and even workout socks (no they don’t make your feet look skinny!)

Spanx sent me a top to try out and I was so impressed. First of all don't be wary that you won't be able to breathe, because the tops are just made to make you appear slim, it doesn't actually suck you in like typical Spanx products. While I did look quite slim (if I do say so myself), the feeling is one of lightness, airiness and breathability rather than a feeling of tightness, which is perfect because who wants to feel smothered while your sweating your butt off! 

Check out the new collection on Spanx.com and enjoy free shipping until the end of September—no BUTTs about it!

Stay tuned, we should have a giveaway in the near future for one lucky reader!

We are so excited for Karl Lagerfeld's upcoming collab with Macy's for this fall!

The collection will feature women's apparel reminiscent of the designer's signature style. Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse Only at Macy's will be sold in approximately 235 Macy's stores nationwide and on macys.com beginning August 31.

Get ready for refined dresses, airy tops, modern tweeds and Lagerfeld's signature high-collared neck, priced on average from $50 to $170.

Where do those in the know go when they want European and designer clothes without the designer prices? Fashion insiders skip the usual suspects like Loehmann’s and Century 21 in favor of Brooklyn’s best-kept secret: Lester’s Warehouse Outlet. From must-have styles from seasons past to one of a kind sample collections, the warehouse is the ultimate destination for high-fashion finds. The Brooklyn mainstay houses labels like Current Elliott, Tucker, J Brand, Vince, and Elizabeth & James, spurring smart Manhattanites to hop the B train in search of a bargain.

Unlike other outlets, Lester’s Warehouse Outlet offers the same level of professionalism, care, service and selection as all other Lester’s locations—the qualities that have kept customers coming back for over 60 years. With sought-after styles for all ages at 50-80% off, Lester’s Warehouse Outlet makes the whole family clamor for fashion. A hidden gem, the outlet is tucked away in a quiet pocket of the borough, without traffic and crowds—leaving you free to focus on your shopping.

WHERE TO FIND IT: 2411 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11223-5021