Coldplay Foreplay

Yes!

So I've finally scored a pair of tickets to the sold out Coldplay show at the Forum Los Angeles. After losing many a-bid on eBay for a pair of seats, it occured to me that Craigslist was where I had to go searching.

So thanks, Craigslist (and Cathy Dao from the OC), for coming through in a pinch.

You know I have to read all the crazy postings first.

Case and point: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/dmg/130034980.html

I'm Lovin' it: IMGFashionWorld. You can watch all the runway shows live through the web. How haute is that?!

I'm Over it: Being over Myspacing. I mean, how can I really have been over it when I never even started? Yup, I was suckered in. Damn, and I tried so hard not to.

Album of the Day: "Hot Fuss" by The Killers. Yeah yeah yeah, I know it's been out forever already but I just got my copy in the mail the other day. A win off eBay. And currently on repeat in my car.

Jamiroquai Is The New Boss

Jamiroquai may be known for his catchy tunes and outlandish chapeaus, but soon he's going to be known for much more.

Dipping his toes into the singer-slash-designer category, Jami (or Quai?) is designing a dozen pieces for Hugo Boss. You can expect his collection to have the same funky stylo as the man himself.

And no, he's not doing hats.

Jamiroquai To Create A Fashion Line For Hugo Boss

I'm Lovin' it: YSA Botanica bar soap with papaya. It cleanses, fades blemishes, and is super gentle on the skin. My complexion's improved ten-fold since beginning to use it and nothing else. I think skin care companies put ingredients in their product to purposely ruin your complexion, so you keep on buying their stuff. It's one big derma-conspiracy. Go natural, baby.

I'm Over it: Being almost 25 and still single. Ummmmm, what am I talking about?! I'm over that right about...now.

Guilty Pleasure Track of the Day: "Unpredictable" by Jamie Foxx. R-Shizz thinks his steeze is cheese, but I kind of like the guy. Maybe it's those sexy piano skills.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY R-SHIZZ!

Wow, you don't look at day over 20!

PS. Everyone join us for the festivities at Busby's in Santa Monica tonight, 10 pm sharp.

Good times.

xoxo HH

L.A. Hearts H & M

Now my darlings, don't kill yourself with excitement.

Every West Coast stylista has been waiting for this moment FOREVER (well, sorta). Brace yourself for the news.

H & M is opening two Southern California locations by the end of this year!

Location #1 will be at the uber-trendy, always busy Beverly Center. Has anyone ever had a alcoholic beverage at the bar/coffee stop on the lower floor? Only in SoCal do they have the balls to serve liquor at a mall.

Location #2 will be at the (also trendy) Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. Props to H & M for not forgetting the peeps up "north"!

Don't believe me? Click below and jump for joy.

H&M Continues Expansion Into Southern California

I'm Lovin' it: Online purse store Amici Accessories. A revamped site makes for easy navigation -- and more pleasing to the eye. Price points are extremely reasonable -- and the purses are cute, cute, cute. Instead of bags being in theme categories (interesting idea, but a bit velveeta, if you know what I'm sayin'), they're now broken down by style. Go to this site and prepare to validate that old, but oh-so-true adage: a girl can never have too many shoes or purses.

I'm Over it: A certain celeb-watch blogger constantly calling Jake Gyllenhaal gay. It's NOT Gyllenhomo, okay?! I love you P.H., but cut my future husband some slack.

Track Classic of the Day: Van McCoy's "Do the Hustle". I can't listen to this song and not start doing the shoulder shake. Bust a move.

* photos property of ebay.com and amiciaccessories.com

The Kaiser is in Paris

Karl Lagerfeld can do no wrong.

I would have DIED to be at the Chanel couture show in Paris, but instead fellow Canadian punk rock princess Avril Lavigne and fantastically tacky Brit Victoria Beckham somehow made the guest list before me.

Chanel couture is breathtaking. The layers upon layers of gorgeous material and detailing always give way to haute couture masterpieces. This time in Paris, Lagerfeld decided to send out all the girls in flats and barely any accessories. Obviously models aren't lacking in the altitude department, but the flats/no accessory combination is the perfect way to show off how simply beautiful Chanel is.

Lagerfeld seems to favor the neutrals: black, white, and grey. One particular outfit had the model wearing it look like the most fashion forward French maid ever. An interesting styling choice was the sheer black dress split up the middle to the belly button layered over a pair of black iridescent pants and topped with a simple cropped jacket. It was masculine and feminine -- and very Karl for some reason.

Maybe it was the sheer black lace wristlets, which struck me as the female version of Lagerfeld's ubiquitous fingerless gloves.

Heil Kaiser Karl.

I'm Lovin' it: Reese Witherspoon on the cover of February's W Magazine. She looks so un-Reese-like, in a red Louis Vuitton patent leather mini dress and rock chick slicked back bangs. So much for Sweet Home Alabama.

I'm Over it: People outbidding me last minute on eBay for Coldplay tickets at the Los Angeles Forum next Saturday! Y'all better not have that automatic bidding system. Cheaters.

Track of the Day: Okay, there's this track I heard on Alt Nation (Sirius Satellite radio, yo) by The Postal Service -- also helmed by Death Cab For Cutie lead singer Ben Gibbard -- but can't for the life of me remember the track title. Anyone? ANYONE??

* photos property of fashionweekdaily.com

Dial 9-4-4 In Case of Style Emergency

Guess who has another freelance writing gig!

Haute Hippie found out last week that she's now a freelance writer for the newly launched Los Angeles edition of 944 Magazine. This glossy publication has already been in San Diego, Phoenix, and Las Vegas for awhile, but now us Angelenos have a version to call our very own.

The Book Soup store newsstand on Sunset Boulevard is right by the office. Make sure you snag next month's 944 Los Angeles issue.

Or else.

I'm Lovin' it: Chloe's silk box pleat top. It infuses all of this season's biggest fashion elements without looking overdone. Puffed sleeves, white palette, waist-cinching bow belt, feminine and conservative, yet undeniably sexy. Perfect with a pair of black skinny pants -- and a pomegrante martini.

I'm Over it: Awards season. Year after year, the awards shows seem the same. I no longer watch the actual ceremony, just the red carpet for fashion. But please, don't let Issac Mizrahi feel up any more actresses next year. Scarlett J. was certainly scarlett in the face following her Issac encounter.

Track of the Day: "Perfect Situation" by Weezer. The video's pretty darn entertaining, with Elisha Cuthbert doing a spot-on performance as a boozed-out rock chick. Was Courtney Love coaching her off-stage somewhere??

* photo property of net-a-porter.com

Watch Dog

Watches are sexy.

The only complaint I have is that men's watch designs look way more pleasing than women's. A few year's ago I bought myself a huge silver men's style watch and have worn it nearly every day since. Haute Hippie will never go back to the dainty female timepieces! How boring.

My friend Jibba was in town during the summer before hopping a plane to Buenos Aires for a year. Before landing in La-La land, he managed to score a Nixon watch style I'd never seen before: a silver and wood number with rectangular links and face. So hot. Apparently, he got the last one in Canada, but a quick search on eBay today proved quite fruitful. Click here for Nixon's Rotolog Wood watch.

It seems watch fans are digging digitals again. These babies remind me of Bill Nye the Science guy or this nerdy boy from my high school who knew no shame in pretending to shoot imaginary Vulcans in the hallway. Here's Nixon's The Dork talking watch.

Then there's the playa-playa, smooth operating man who needs to look flush when he tries to pick up the ladies at SkyBar or The Lobby. He likes to show a bit of shine when reaching out to get a drink from the bar. Here is Nixon's The Player watch.

Another great watch line is Vestal. My company just signed them on to do their publicity, and I'm super stoked for all the great events we'll be throwing. Vestal is on par with Nixon watches -- it's all about the laidback surf and skate lifestyle. What's even cooler is all the people Vestal sponsors, from snowboarder Andreas Wiig to surfer Dion Agius to skater James Brockman. Uh, so when's the next party??

Hey ladies, Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Need to go gift hunting for your man? One of these will make him a happy camper indeed.

And he'll have no excuse to be late for your next date.

I'm Lovin' it: The fact that Style.com recently featured a pair of Gucci purple high altitude crocodile peep-toe ankle strap shoes as a must-have for Spring/Summer 2006. I bought a doppelganger pair over a year ago at A.J. Wright. Only mine are chocolate brown Bongos. For $12.99.

I'm Over it: The fact that French women don't get fat. Of course Americans wouldn't be such heffers is they chain-smoked and drank wine all day, and only consumed cheese and froglegs -- I mean bread -- for dinner.

Track Classic of the Day: "Rock the Casbah" by The Clash. Sure, Will "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Smith may have sampled the track for one of his goofy songs, but ain't nothing beats the original. Love that boogie sound.


* photos credited to ebay.com and style.com

Of Kors, My Dear

Michael Kors.

Utter his name and visions of the rich and shameless, jet-setting St. Barts/St.Tropez/Palm-and-South-Beach/Hamptons trustafarians and social elite come to mind. Golden tans, va-va-voom hair, private jets, yacht parties, white Eres bikinis, jewelled wedges, and an obscenely high limit credit card -- maybe even an AmEx Black Centurion to boot.

Last spring and summer seasons, I burned up the internet trying to score either an authentic pair of MK (not Olsen, kids) turquoise-jewelled wedges or a really, really, really great knock-off set. The closest I came to was a design by Michael Antonio, but truth was I wanted the real thing. And couldn't find it. Now Kors' jewelled wedge idea is everywhere, thus devaluing the style and making me glad I saved the dinero. Besides, only Carmen Kass has the bronzed gams to make the shoes look THAT freakin' hot.

But good, old Michael has a couple gems from his Spring/Summer 2006 ready-to-wear collection that make up for my shoe search blues:

Ah, the life of modern day jet-setters. Think Liz Hurley and Fabian Basabe, except more of them. And minus the Estee Lauder modelling contract and La Perla heiress wifey.

I'm Lovin' it: Flipping out my hair ends, seventies-style. But don't become all flip-Nazi like Madonna is these days. Think Farrah Fawcett. And Jackie Burkhart from That 70s Show.

I'm Over it: Cowboy boots. Los Angeles is not Dallas, y'all.

Track of the Day: "Cash Machine" by Hard Fi. There's a little reference to that old nursery rhyme about dear Liza and a hole in someone's pocket. Hard Fi's version is not as sing song-y, but is still majorly catchy.

* photos credited to style.com and starworld.indya.com

I Love Short Shorts

I can't wait for springtime to come.

The Spring/Summer 2006 shows runways littered in hot little numbers outfitted with short shorts. I never thought I would ever love wearing shorts again -- being forced to wear hideous navy blue pleated bermudas during my private school days proved to be a traumatic experience -- but I took the plunge and purchased a pair of black long pair from Gossip in Paseo Colorado in Pasadena. Paired it with newly inherited magenta suede knee length boots and my much-adored off-the-shoulder 80s inspired BCBG sweater, and voila! Super sleek outfit. Huh, you say? Trust me, it's slammin'.

Breaking into the long shorts silhouette made me yearn to go even shorter. I'm thinking vacation-in-St. Barts length, not Daisy Duke. Cuffed and either mini plaid-patterned or solid, with sky-high wedges (Dolce Vita, if you can't afford Chloe), fluttery top and a smart three-quarter length summer blazer for lower temp nights. Long necklaces and tons of bangles. Nude or Galliano sailor. Anything goes really, as long as your wear it like you own it.

Moral of the blog: get yourself a pair. And that's the long and short(s) of it.

I'm Lovin' it: Property Room. It's the eBay equivalent for stolen property confiscated by the police. You can find anything from brand new, unlocked Motorola Razrs to clothing and accessories -- but don't worry, nothing's fake. So go ahead and bid for that Louis.

I'm Over it: Nicole Richie and Steve-O of Jackass fame. Yucky, yucky, yucky. Who wants to date a guy who papercuts the sides of his mouth for fun??

Track of the Day: "DOA" by The Foo Fighters. Makes me want to throw up the rock-on sign and start headbanging. Dave Grohl is the man.

* photo credit to style.com

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Awards season is here. This means stylists are going insane trying to find the perfect dress for their A-List clients. Our office has been busy with their comings and goings, borrowing gowns and bags for the big day.

The outfit is, of course, of utmost importance since the paparazzi will be out in full force, intrusive camera lenses ready to click away. These images will be splashed on WireImage on the web, as well as every publication on the magazine rack, so looking gorgeous is a must.

Shiny hair is something only celebs, models, and socialites have the luxury of showing off 24-7. Around the clock hair teams are a godsend, especially when used in conjunction with proper mane product. Right now, I'm just loving the Urban Elements line from L'Anza. The double-team of deep cleansing shampoo and daily revitalizer conditioner gives you that glossy, healthy hair only seen in commericals. My hair no longer feels like the over-processed, over-heated haystack it once was. And it kicks the butt of Keratase any day!

Clothing, make-up and hair -- the holy trinity of each and every celebrity. God bless fashion.

I'm Lovin' it: Long necklaces slung over the shoulder. One of our clients had them styled that way for a fashion show and surprisingly, it looked absolutely amazing. Just make sure the necklace is thin and delicate or you run the risk of looking way too try-hard.

I'm Over it: Magazines harassing you with new subscription deals every single week. I've already paid to get the magazine for the entire year! There's no need for doubles, Conde Nast-y.

Male Artist of the Day: Jack Johnson. An acoustic guitar playing pro-surfer with an amazing voice, born on the shores of Hawaii? I'll take to the waves any day if it means running into him yodelling away on some remote beach.

Phoebe Philo Forever

You bet I'm sad.

Phoebe Philo, the queen bee of Chloe and master of bohemian chic, announced her resignation from my favorite fashion house in pursuit of motherhood and change this last week. Don't get me wrong now. I'm all for taking the time to raise your children right and to follow the beat of your own drum, but no one takes the cake when it comes to constructing fluttery, feminine, and flattering designs like Philo.

But don't you worry, this won't be the last we'll see of Miz Phoebe. And if you are lucky enough to own an original Philo-designed Chloe piece, hold onto it for dear life. Or put it on eBay and let the price war begin.

Just make sure I end up the highest bidder.

Fashion Week Daily - Phoebe Leaves Chloe

I'm Lovin' it: Discounted duds at online boutique Fifteen Dollar Store. Like the name claims, everything is $15: dresses, tops, bottoms, shoes, accessories, the list goes on. That's right, kids. Go nuts.

I'm Over it: RSVP-ing for events I don't go to, but probably should. Had the chance to google at Adrien Brody -- who I will admit having a huge celeb crush on -- at club LAX, where he hosted the launch of Intersection Magazine. What did I do instead? Mixed and mingled at The Abbey again. Thank the lord Miz Egan, a fashionista acquaintance of mine, cameo-ed the event and said I didn't miss much.

Guilty Pleasure Girl Group of the Day: The Pussy Cat Dolls (aka. PCD), otherwise known as America's version of Britain's favorite pop-tart exports The Spice Girls. Lead singer Nicole Kea Scherzinger is my hero: gorgeous (must be that mixed-breed magic of Filipino, Russian and Hawaiian), rockin' bod and beautiful set of pipes. "Stick Wit U" gets stuck in my head all the time. Sad, but true.

If The Shoe Fits

Happy New Year, y'all!

And there's no better way to ring in 2006 than an itty bitty trip to Main Street in Surf Town USA -- Huntington Beach -- for a little shopping blitzkrieg at The Shoe Lab.

I'd been in H.B. a dozen times before and this amazing shoe store somehow missed my (usually) en pointe fashion radar. Wherever you find shoes, accessories and clothing, you know I'm in the immediate periphery ready to pounce.

The boutique's aesthetic doesn't stray too far from its name. You walk into a white-walled, minimalistic atmosphere with opaque glass displays, allowing the shoes on display to shine rather than be swallowed by decor and other paraphenilia. Huge full-length mirrors are great for a head-to-toe perspective, but the three side-by-side ankle height mirrors near the front door are just perfect for a tootsie-only view.

Dolce Vita wedges (closed and open toes in a rainbow delight of colors), BCBG pumps with scalloped edges, Matiko metallic flats, Miss Sixty pointy toes, Diesel kicks, and definite wish-list Fornarina dark green suede slouchy Nico boots called out my name from their displays. The pink 20%-25% off signs sweetened the deal even further. Oh, and my birthday's on May 4th, folks.

Shoes, sko, souliers, schuhwaren, sapatos. Whatever language you want to call them, all I know is that a nouveau set of kickers always wipes the style slate clean for a brand new year.

I'm Lovin' it: Beth Bowley's cashmere kimono at Sugar Boutique on La Brea. The color looks as rich as a vintage Royal Jewel emerald and feels as luscious as a chocolate-covered strawberry from Godiva. I tried this on and couldn't take it off -- and not because it didn't fit. (What's with me and dark green these days?!)

I'm Over it: Brangelina vs. Vaughniston. I'm definitely Team Jolie. And I really do hope Brad's bun is in Angelina's oven. It's so unfair how damn HOT that child's going to be.

Nouveau Classic of the Day: "Precious" by Depeche Mode. Fresh off their new album "Playing The Angel", this single has been totally burning up the airwaves, as well as my car stereo. Long live these New Wave kings!

* photos courtesy/property of zappos.com and stockteam.com