Halloween Haute Hippie

Halloween. Every woman's excuse to dress as trashy as possible, all while being completely appropriate for the macabre holiday. Slutty cop, slutty candy striper, slutty construction worker, slutty gangster. It's every man's favorite night of the year!

Picking a costume for Halloween is much like picking an outfit for a date. What message am I trying to send, cute or sexy? What shoes should I wear that will let me to be on my feet till the wee hours of the morning without having to kill myself? Should I carry a purse or a clutch or anything at all? What make-up goes with the attire? How can I dress to impress? Nerve-wracking, to say the least.

This year, I'm thinking a sexy, sultry Alice in Wonderland. A carbon copy of Gwen Stefani's "Whatcha Waitin' For" Alice get-up would be ideal (complete with petticoat and white knee high stockings!), but I think I'll have to go with either of the two options on www.buycostumes.com. Oh, and as suggested by a friend of my l'il sis, I'll have to carry around a bottle with a little "Eat Me" sign.




Ah, nothing like a perfect double entendre for a good, ole modern day Halloween weekend.

I'm Lovin' it: Any clutch from Noelle Handbags. Got my yellow, pink silk-lined one for a cool 20 spot at a great sample sale downtown. Noelle and her BF are utterly adorable, and so are her creations.

I'm Over it: Short days and long nights. Winter's just around the corner, and the only good thing about it is the opportunity to finally wear boots (knee-high, stacked, stiletto, round-toe, take your pick!) without feeling out of place in (not-so-at-the-moment) sunny California.

Oh Stella, Yeah!

I know you all know by now that I love the fashion house Chloe. Fashion fanatics definitely know that Stella McCartney designed the house before Phoebe Philo, and fashion phobes may know that Stella is the daughter of Sir Paul McCartney. Regardless of her rock 'n' roll heritage and her defection from Chloe to start her own eponymous line, Stella comes up with fabulous clothing: whimsical, feminine, and always en pointe.

We all know the pros of buying Stella McCartney (like the knowledge that you'll always look amazing in it), but the one lone con can be summed up in four words: heavy on the pocketbook. But don't you fret, fashionistas, because Stella is the queen of fashion collabos. Fresh from her recent partnership with Adidas she has now jumped into the arms of another clothing conglomerate, the nirvana of stylish men and women everywhere (except the west coast, damn you!) on a budget, the infallible and always fashionably reliable H & M. It'll be your only chance to snag the best of Stella's runway favorites at affordable price points. Look for New York city to go wild next month as Stella McCartney's limited edition H & M line hits the shelves next month. Check back on October 27th to preview the entire collection. You can log onto the H & M site and sign up for an email reminder to be sent to you on November 9th. I know you don't want to miss this one.

Expect line ups to start earlier than the crack of dawn and to wrap around the block ten times. Wear your cutest, comfiest flats (guys included), clothing you can slip in and out of in thirty seconds, and have your shopping game face on with a venti soy chai latte in hand for instant energy.

You're going to need it.

I'm Lovin' it: Anything along the Orange County coast. Was in the (real) OC today for dinner at The Cannery and dessert at The Cheesecake Factory. Let me just say that the Tuxedo cheesecake is heaven to the tastebuds and hell to the hips. And speaking of the real OC, aka. Laguna Beach, my girl R-Shizz had an LC sighting on FIDM's campus last week. Apparently not as cute in person, but had a bangin' body. However, R-Shizz gives LC benefit of the doubt...rain is never good for one's hair.

I'm Over it: Pumpkin-spiced anything. I've OD-ed on it in the past couple weeks for sure. Give me a few days and I'll be ready to go again.

Madness at Marciano

So yesterday night found me at another (typical) L.A. regional magazine-slash-store event, this one being the Marciano store at The Grove in conjunction with Los Angeles Magazine and the fabulous non-profit organization Step Up Women's Network. You'd think the combination of a well-known store like Marciano, a great regional like L.A. Magazine, and a commendable non-profit like Step Up = a fabulous time for networking and fun, but I almost felt like it was a cheesy club scene masquerading as a high-profile event.

My first pet peeve: What was with all the Guess employees dressed in those horrifically trashy front-draped and ruched, stretchy and shiny mini dresses?! Were they trying to channel current Guess hi-zzo model of the month, Miz Paris "Almost Latsis" Hilton? Oh, and not to mention each and every one of them wore a clashing lacy bra underneath, showing it in its entirety to the viewing public. Who was their stylist? He or she should be fired for sure.

Pet Peeve, numero deux: The bad crowd. Trashy Guess employees with way too much make-up and open-toed sandals from Frederick's of Hollywood, skanky and drunk Hollywood types who somehow finagled an invite, magazine peeps who looked lost in translation, all clashing with the goody Step Up gals manning the event. And the only good-looking fellas were the ones serving the bubbly. Oh yeah.

The perks: Free champagne, delicious mocha cookies, scrumptious mini brownies with a fresh raspberry on top, the $138 gold and studded hip-slung belt I drooled over, the semi-cute Marciano tank as a gift, and the super-cute Step Up beads at night's end.

The final assessment of the evening: I felt like I was trapped in a really bad club on the Jersey Shore, surrounded by goumbas in trucker hats. I kid you not, I saw two dudes sporting the hats SIDEWAYS. You are not Ashton, kiddos. And even if you were, that was sooooo 2002.

Ah, can't wait for the next shindig.

I'm Lovin' it: The Fall/Winter 2005 collection of New York-based shoemaker Kristen Lee. Her white urban cowboy boots are perfect for this fall...and winter...and possibly next spring...

I'm Over it: Trying to find a Halloween costume! Boo, the one I wanted to buy online was sold right out. Gots to find me another one.

Fashion Week, L.A. Style

L.A. Fashion Week is here again! Kevan Hall kicked off this edition, and by the sounds of it, his show was a little on the normal side. The line was not particularly exceptional and apparently models in Los Angeles just don't know how to strut it on the catwalk. However, the following Louis Verdad presentation was everything and more. The man has a fabulous eye for detail, all of which gave his traditional silhouettes and influences a modern, fresh twist. One woman I spoke to said she was dying to own each outfit that came out Louis' runway. Even Charlize "Aeon Flux" Theron came out to grace Smashbox Studios and pay homage to this Angeleno designer. Not a bad testament to Louis V., numero deux!

Some fab outfits seen this weekend:

Isn't the detailing on the back of the skirt in Image 3 heavenly? It looks like it would give you more curves than 50s pin-up diva Betty Page. And don't get me started on the Louis V. outfit in Image 1, because it's too chic for words.

Tomorrow, Haute Hippie is paying a visit to the Fashion Week Design Suites. Which means I'll have even more juicy style tidbits to share with you a demain. That's tomorrow en francais, for all you anglophiles!

I'm Lovin' it: The prospect of reading Everyone Worth Knowing by Anna-Wintour's-assistant-alum Lauren Weisberger. For those who pored over The Devil Wears Prada, look out for her new book ripping into the inner workings of the PR world. Being in publicity myself, this little roman-a-clef should be a hoot.

I'm Over it: The rain. Seriously now, go away and come again some other day!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

When a woman changes her haircut or color, most people assume she's ending a chapter in her life and signalling the start of a new one. When I changed my haircolor this past Saturday night (with the help of my homegirl R-Shizz), it was just to get rid of my roots. Now, it's been awhile since I've bought boxed hair color, for the past nine years preferring to leave my tresses to the salon experts. However, for a little less than $10 at Rite-Aid and a little help from a girlfriend, I could banish those ugly couple-inch roots for truly a fraction of the price. Sounds like perfectly logical (and economic) thinking, does it not?

Without going into too much extraneous detail, let me impart my beauty moral of the day: If you're feeling even the slightest bit uneasy about fiddling with your own mane hue, listen to your gut. It may seem like a good idea at the time, but you'll just end up freaking out after taking hair matters in to your own hands, wake up the next morning frantically scheduling a rescue hair appointment with the nearest available salon, take whatever stylist will have you, end up with horrid orange streaks, and have to fork over more money to fix what could have so easily been avoided in the first place. Oh, and don't go to Infinity Salon. Your hair will end up looking, well, like mine at the moment. Let's just say it's not a good thing.

I'm Lovin' it: Absolutely enamored with Beyond Belief's Witch Hazel Astringent. It leaves your skin clean and soft, soothing redness without stripping any important natural oils. Best part? It's only $2.99 at your nearest Sally Beauty Supply!

I'm Over it: Though I love wedges, I do not love wedge moccasins. Something about them irks me aesthetically, that's for sure. I don't think it's possible to make any kind of moccasin sexy. Case and point: Minnetonkas.

Haute Hippie on Mini-Hiatus

So, so sorry that I've been MIA for the past four days. Been crazy busy with work and a November magazine deadline! I promise to be back in action tomorrow, have a "hair-raising" story to relate to yous all anyway...ciao!

xoxo
Haute Hippie

Scenester

Haute Hippie has been published! I've just started as a beauty and fashion freelance writer for In The Scene, an online magazine for the L.A. and South Bay areas. It's got everything from lifestyle to gossip to where you can get good eats. You'll have to register to log in, unfortunately, but it'll only take a millisecond of your time.

Happy reading!

PS. I'm the second Beauty and Fashion article in this month's October issue

I'm Lovin' it: My Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. I've switched from Clean & Clear after two years, and my skin is all over this Neutrogena stuff.

I'm Over it: The "Nick and Jessica: Splitsville!" rumors, courtesy of US Weekly. I really think these two belong together. Here's hoping with a little couples therapy, it'll be the Lacheys forever, till death do them part!

Coincidence? I think not, The Daily!

So turned on my little laptop when I got home today, ready to peruse my usual after work reading haunts on the web. First stop: Fashion Week Daily. Of course, the Runway Reports from Paris headline The Daily news these days. Lo and behold, there was one written up for Chloe. To my surprise, it seems the author of aforementioned write-up, one such Yasmine Mohseni, has come up with the same tagline-slash-article-hook as yours truly!

Haute Hippie's blog Chloe, Chloe, Chloe was written last Sunday, October 9th. It ends with, "This season, it looks like Chloe is suddenly all grown up."

Flash forward to today's Fashion Week Daily.

Ms. Mohseni's Runway Report on Chloe was published this very day, Tuesday, October 11th, with the article tagline "The Girl's All Grown Up".

Hmmmm...coincidence...or not? You decide. Ah, the woes of claiming intellectual property!




I'm Lovin' it: The Family Guy. I can't get enough of it! One word sums up this show's humor: random. No wonder why I get such a kick out of Steve Carrell in Anchorman.

I'm Over it: People who hate on David Beckham. He's a gorgeous man of style with a sexy Brit accent who plays a mean game of soccer for millions and millions of dollars a year in Madrid. Oh yeah, and he's married to Posh Spice, but that is SUCH a sidenote... (Note to fans: there's a book in Barnes & Noble dedicated solely to photos of Master Beckham. Yup, already drooled over it)

Follow Your Nose

My name is Haute Hippie, and I am a fragrance addict.

It's true. I step into Sephora and somehow can't stop from steering myself toward the fragrance section. My technique is downpat. Spritz one of those convenient white pieces of cardboard in the silver containers with this month's parfums du jour, clear the nose palette with the small jar of coffeebeans on hand, then repeat again and again, until it's time to agonize over which one to walk away with. Like many a beauty-obsessed chicas like myself, I can spend hours upon hours luxuriating in the endless brands of product that make Sephora women's heaven on earth.

Perfume and Cologne Picks From This Fragrance Aficionado (oldies but goodies, as well as newsies):

1. Angel Innocent. One of my BFFs from high school bought a huge gift basket of this Thierry Mugler fragrance for my 23rd birthday. I never feel sexier than when it's on, and it seems the fellas agree on that point when they inhale the seductively sweet scent. Know a very stylish guy who wears Angel Men, and he is by far the best-smelling man I've ever (albeit briefly) dated.

2. Christian Dior Addict. This is the current scent I'm dousing myself in. Got it last week as a "just because" present from my mother, courtesy of Loehmann's at the bargain price of $33. Sexy and elegant for under fifty bones? Can't go wrong there.

3. Hanae Mori for Men. Fresh yet masculine, you will never want to let your boyfriend (or boy-toy) go if he's got HM on. Trust me on this one.

4. Flower Bomb by Viktor & Rolf. Leave it to this Dutch duo to come up with the idea of pair a detonation device with flora. It's tea, bergamot, orchid, freesia, and patchouli all packed into a pink crystal grenade bottle. Explosive.

5. For the ultra-modern and minimalistic gal or guy, anything by Kenneth Cole is just for you. White hyacinth, black violet and fresh citrus notes keep things light. I picture New York in the springtime when I smell KC.

I'm Lovin' it: MTV's Laguna Beach. Went to a friend's BBQ and had a full on conversation with strangers (including the guys!) about who to love, who to hate, and if you were on "Team LC" or "Team Kristin". Check out Hollister tees if you're a hardcore fan of either, or better, both.

I'm Over it: Anything Li-Lo. That redhead/blonde is reaching the point of overexposure, and it's not her chest this time. (What chest now, anyway?!)

Chloe, Chloe, Chloe

If someone asked me what fashion house would best sum up my sense of style, I would -- without a doubt -- say Chloe.

Thank the lord Phoebe Philo is back in action after a year of maternity leave! It is wholly apparent in this collection that Britain's favorite it-girl designer export hasn't lost her creative touch. In fact, it seems motherhood for Philo has given a fresh breath of inspiration to this continuously gorgeous brand. Chloe is best known and loved for its flowing, slouchy, chic yet casual look, and it sure looks like Chloe's Paris of spring '06 has a little more structure.

I'm head over heels (swear, no pun intended) for the black round-toe, leather ankle tie platforms (also seen on the runway in white) Jessica Stam is sporting with a canary yellow coat in the first image. I can't get enough of shoes that equally distribute your weight, meaning no hard-core pressure on the balls of your feet and no scrunched up hammer-toes from witchy stilettos. (And everywhere, men breathe a sigh of relief...I think they're afraid of women with access to pointy objects).

This season, it looks like Chloe is suddenly all grown up.

I'm Lovin' it: W Magazine's exposee on Tom Ford. For this article, Steven Klein captures Mr. Ford with his typically sexually-charged and provocatively edgy photography (loved his spread of Brad and Angelina). Hey, you can even sneak a peak at Tom's tush in picture #5.

I'm Over it: Banning McDonald's from ever entering my mouth again. Coming home from Nationale (Hollywood and Wilcox, y'all) last night, a friend politely usurped an entire container of large fries from an extremely generous man at a stoplight (she only asked for one fry!), prompting us to make a food stop at the Golden Arches. Sorry, Morgan Spurlock, ever now and then I have to go Super Size Me.

Bergdorf Babe

Peter Som, Alice Kim, Anne Keane, Patrick Robinson, ALT (nee Andre Leon Talley), Stephan Gan, Joe Zee, Anna Sui, Monique Lhuillier, Doo Ri, and Richard Chai. It's such an amazing thing to see people of various ethnic backgrounds at the forefront of American fashion, whether it's their place to innovate or to arbitrate. Roopal Patel, the chic and beautiful fashion director of luxe department store Bergdorf Goodman, is one such inspiration. Indian-born, yet quintessentially American, Ms. Patel dictates what will and won't grace the shelves of Bergdorf's fashion department -- she's the ulimate fashion counsellor for the luxury market and masses. Not only is it refreshing to see a woman of color in such a prominent position, it's also a source of pride and inspiration for those of us who aspire to attain her level of achievement in the dog-eat-dog-you're-so-over fashion world. Forget Bergdorf Blondes (sorry Plum Sykes)...kudos to Bergdorf's number one brunette!

I'm Lovin' it: The mouth-watering deep fried apple pie and vanilla ice cream dessert at Luna Park, located on the corner of Wilshire and La Brea. The caramel-doused dish is so scrumptious and the pie comes as two empanada-like pastries. Good thing I ate the (also delish) Cobb salad prior. Perfect for sharing a deux.

I'm Over it: Any night-time hotspot that requires you to be on the list. Bar Marmont, here I come!

PS. Happy Birthday, Tiyson "Stupid You" Reynolds!

Patrick for Paco

In what initially appeared to be a bleak and dismal start to Paris' ready-to-wear free for all (courtesy of Rick Owens and Yohji Yamamoto), Patrick Robinson's Paco Rabanne revival collection was absolutely breathtaking. Yes, I know. Anything kimono or kimono-like may be a style preference of mine, but no one can argue the design mastery it takes to refashion 500 silk vintage kimonos into something old and something new, all while paying homage to the vision of Paco Rabanne.

Every girl wants to feel pretty. Most girly-girls out there want to know when they put on an outfit, they'll feel so utterly feminine, and Paco Rabanne under the creative direction of Mr. Virginia "Vogue Editor" Smith will do just that. His tenure at Perry Ellis proved that the boy sure can design to make you feel desired -- remember his SJP-slash-SaTC-inspired collection? Scores of Carrie Bradshaw lookalikes trounced down the runway, making you feel like an extra on the show, privy to those gossip-filled Sunday brunches and Manolo hunts around Manhattan. Except these were glamazon, ten foot tall Carries! I adored that collection and I adore this Paco Rabanne one just as much. Like I said before, everything always comes back to Sex & The City!

I'm Lovin' it: The new Elle Accessories magazine. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of a good accessory. The perfect platform shoe, a dazzling lucite cuff, or an amazing crocodile clutch can spice up any whatever outfit and make you a Glamour "do"...or at least get you photographed "On The Streets" in the New York Times. It's about time something like this came around...and you gotta love its gorgeous editor-in-chief Kelly K. Bensimon. Keep a leash on this one, Gilles!

I'm Over it: My new 5 am wake-up call. No longer will this gal get her proper beauty sleep. Unless I make my current bedtime, oh...say about 10 pm.

Mad About Milan

I am a Milan Fashion Week girl through and through. The top models may have jumped on the plane already, now with Fashion Week venues switching over to gay Paree (ie. Paris), but I just can't get some of Milan's collections out of my head. European fashion is elegant and subtley sexy. It's glamourous and feminine and fun and feral all rolled into one. It's as much bruschetta and Fellini as it is Missoni, Dolce & Gabbana, DSquared, Versace, Miu Miu, Fendi, and (a new personal obsession of mine) Alessandro Dell'Acqua. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've ooh-ed and aah-ed over something in an editorial spread, only to find out once again the credits read A. Dell'Acqua! If I were Milanese, I'd be in skirts, dresses, and heels drinking an espresso at the quaintest cafe every single day. Bellissima!

Here's a quick preview of some of Milan's feminine ensembles:

Roberto Cavalli

Bottega Veneta (love the skirt!)

Doesn't Carmen look like an goddess in this Roberto Cavalli number?

Alessandro Dell'Acqua

Missoni

I'm Lovin' it: The 80s band Starship. For all yous who grew up in the decade of NKOTB, Jem & The Holograms, stir-up pants, jelly shoes, scrunchies, and snap bracelets: remember the movie "Mannequin" with Kim Cattrall, pre-Sex & The City? Theme song by Starship. Hey Sara, nothing's going to stop us now 'cause we built this city on rock and roll!

I'm Over it: Shunning the discount outlets like Loehmann's or A.J. Wright. Found a gorgeous white and gold striped Galliano-inspired knit top at A.J. and an elegantly loose black with gold flecks Sass & Bide-inspired knit cardigan at Loehmann's. Score!

From WestHo to The 'Bu

I'm event-ed out. Not that I've been going to a soiree every night this week, but I'd been so low-key for the past while (my liver is thanking me profusely for the detox time) that I'm definitely feeling the effects of two late nights in a row. Also can't count out the super late bender last weekend, which has seriously thrown my entire sleep schedule off-kilter since then. Ugh, lifestyles of the young and shameless.

Thursday night I went with a publicist friend of mine to a charity urban fashion show at the creepy, but eerily beautiful celebrity Scientology Center on Franklin in WestHo. A client of my friend was the closing line for the show, and she was literally bouncing off the walls with excitement because it was her first one ever. It was so refreshing to see her effervescence, especially with the slew of fashion shows in NYC, Milan and (up-coming) Paris that have somewhat become such a norm these past few years. Needless to say, her debut was a success and though the event went on for entirely way too long, it was worth it knowing all proceeds from the night were going to the American Red Cross. Could have done without the scientology recruitment speech by some guy before the show, but all in all a very noble soiree indeed.

Friday night was not so much noble as it was debauchery. Rip Curl, in conjunction with BWR PR, threw a big party out in Malibu for the up-coming Rip Curl surf event. It's the only event I've ever attended that said "No RSVP required" on the invite. Why, that's unheard of in LA! Needless to say, there were scores of surfer boys, sun-kissed and casually chic girls, good music (my booty's tired from shaking it all night!), a Malibu breeze on the patio, and one semi-celeb sighting as me and crew left the joint: Brody Jensen from The Princes of Malibu reality TV show and the stepson of the music man himself, David Foster. B's definitely a cutie, ladies. But seems very aware of that fact, too. Wonder if step-daddy David reinstated Brody's house account at Nobu yet? Note to self for the next surf party: Jack D and that damn Russian water (ie. vodka) are not a good combo if you want to hit the gym in the morning. Yup, yet to happen, y'all.

I'm Lovin' it: Surf company-sponsored parties in Malibu! They've been the best events I've gone to so far since moving here. Try to get on the list, you won't regret it. Rock on Rip Curl and Quiksilver!

I'm Lovin' it, part II: Check out Girlie Designs at www.girlie-designs.com. Linda Antwi is such a sweetheart and newly-transplanted Vancouverite like myself! I'm just mad for her turquoise bolero, cropped tie-front jacket in brown, and black bat-winged, off-the-shoulder top. As they say, Canadian girls rule!

I'm Over it: Smoke from the three raging fires ravaging Ventura County. It's getting bad out there.