Lucy In The Sky With Ruffles

So it's a well known fact that socialite designers are about as ubiquitous as celebrity designers.

Why, you so cleverly ask?

Because through the world of Vogue (socialites are quite often among Wintour's minions), websites like New York Social Diary, and blogs such as A Socialite's Life, these uber-privileged ladies who lunch -- with their buttery perfect blonde hair, rail thin arms, and endless supply of borrowed couture -- have somehow become celebrities. Case and point: Tinsley Mortimer, who not only gets photographed by Patrick MacMullan at all the proper NYC events/galas, but also walked a Heatherette show (for once trading her side-pinned hair for gorgeously wild sexpot curls). Heatherette and the Upper East Side don't really go hand in hand, but leave it to ole Tinsley to make it that way.

The "perfect" socialite, however, has to be Lucy Sykes Rellie. Not only is she one half of the famed Brit Sykes sisters (Plum is the other, you know of Bergdorf Blondes and Wintour minion fame), she has a dashing husband named Euan (who is either gay or so metrosexual it's nearly crime), a cutie-pie son named Heathcliff (yeah, thumbs down on the name though), press all over the place for just being Lucy, and her own children's clothing line, which has now expanded into a women's collection.

And I just love some of her pieces.




Oh Mrs. Rellie, must be so nice having a butt-load of money, a dapper husband, modelesque physique, and design talent.

Why must the rich have EVERYTHING?!

I'm Lovin' it: Sprinkles cupcakes. Had one after my interview for 944 Magazine with alice + olivia's Stacey Bendet, and I swear every guest at my future wedding is getting one before they go home. It may be awhile for that, though, y'all.

I'm Over it: Happy hours that don't go past 7 pm. I should be able to order a vodka soda with a crab mac 'n' cheese every hour on the hour at the Belmont.

Track of the Day: "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland. This is SO the jam to define my summer of 2006. After going on baby hiatus, Canadian gal Nelly (go Canada go!) is back at it with rock hard abs and some fly music. As Ali G would say, "Respect!"

* photo property of style.com

Scouts Honor

Last Thursday I attended the packed red-carpet launch party of GirlsGuideTo.com -- founded by Brette Ashley Borow in 2005 to help girls transition from high school to college and beyond -- at the Day After Nightclub on Hollywood and Highland. Unlike most scene-y Hollywood parties, this one benefited the Susan G. Komen Foundation with auction proceeds going to the organization and included a concert by music artist Shari Short. Prive Salon, Murad, Ed Hardy, Lisa Kline, Ineventions PR, Kyocera, and Desperate Housewives were among the high-profile sponsors of the evenings festivities.

Mixing and mingling to the tunes on Dj Hapa's turntables, celebs spotted in the crowd included Silas Mitchell (Prison Break fans know him as the crazy schizo inmate, who is actually incredibly nice and completely sane in person!), the wild It Girls of Echo Park, and cast members from Scrubs, Big Brother, the film Date Movie, and the upcoming Redline.

At the end of the night, everyone left with a bag stuffed full of goodies. Which, of course, totally made the event that much better.

The only thing missing from the swag was a box of mint Girl Guide cookies.

www.girlsguideto.com

alice +olivia In Wonderland

Tomorrow is the store opening of alice + olivia on Robertson Boulevard. And I'm going.

Partly work, mostly fun, I'll be diligently taking down quotes for my next 944 Magazine article while staring at how teeny tiny co-hosts Mena Suvari and Maria Menounos are in the flesh (and we know how itsy-bitsy they are on-screen!).

On Thursday night, I'm getting a personal walk-through the collection with a+o designer Stacey Bendet. Slightly nervous, I must say! I will, of course, give you an update at the end of the week.

God, I love fashion.

www.aliceandolivia.com





I'm Lovin' it: The Melio Blanco chocolate brown suede fringe bag I got from an AdoreShop Magazine event awhile ago. Didn't think I'd be a fan to the fringe, but I suddenly go modern-day Pocahontas with it slung on my shoulder.

I'm Over it: Expensive mascara. I just bought a tube of Dior Show mascara a month ago and it's already drying out. I mean, it really was great until it went all Sahara Desert on me. So so so mad. There goes $23.

Track of the Day: "The Adventure" by Angels and Airwaves. Goofy Tom DeLong from Blink-182 started up another band post-Blink, and he's got a bit of a new sound with A&A. And I kinda likey.


* photo property of shopbop.com

Desank-you Very Much

Yes, as of today I am now a year older. And wiser, I suppose. Except for the jeans I wore. They so do not go with my shoes. Quel horreur!

Onto bigger and better things. Like Desanka.

Desanka is everything feminine, girly, floaty, goddess-y, with a little bit of edge and SoCal chic rolled into one. The collections are just so gosh darn pretty, it makes me blush. Desanka Fasiska, the creative mind behind this eponymous line, was born and bred in Los Angeles and briefly dabble in NYC before heading back home to the west coast. Her line launched in 2002 and since then has steadily grown in popularity. I mean, you know you've arrive when Style.com features your designs! * comment is somewhat snarky because it's CondeNet, but also mostly true

Luckily, you can find Desanka in every it-boutique in town: Satine, Brunette, Sirens and Sailors, Tracey Ross, Beige, Blonde, Planet Blue...the list rambles on.

I feel pretty, oh so pretty.

www.desanka.com

I'm Lovin' it: My new hairstylist Don, the owner of super-cool Dej Salon in Studio City. This charming, hockey-lovin' (aw, snap!), snowboarding, surfing, Vans-wearing, ex-Xtreme sports guy is not only smoking hot (and straight, but sooooo taken unfortunately), he cuts some bad ass hair. I've wanted long, side-sweeping bangs FOREVA and Don delivered without me saying more than: "I part my hair on the side, I change my style up all the time: feathering, curling and straight, and I haven't cut my hair since December." A man that can read my mind is a man close to my heart.

www.myspace.com/dejsalon

I'm Over it: Having no iPod for working out. My roomie E. and I are supposed to go for a long, long run after work. I have no idea how I'm going to keep my head busy during that time. I'll talk to myself. Yeah, that's it.

Track of the Day: "For Me" by The Beard featuring Philippa Hana. Make sure you download the Martinez Cosmic rework. You'll feel like you're in some ultra-exclusive lounge somewhere in the sexiness of Manhattan.

* photos property of desanka.com

Why....

Is everyone I know calling me a day or two EARLY for my birthday?!

Even my dear old granny.

Ahhhhhhhh!!!!

I'm Lovin' it: Bowie at Ma'Kai. See you on Friday!

I'm Over it: My hunger pangs. Lunch time, yo.

Track of the Day: The new song by Hard Fi that Alt Nation satellite radio is playing! I'm going nuts-o trying to remember it. Gotta pull a Rihanna and call an SOS.

Mother's Day Gift Guiding

For those who let it slip, Mother's Day is coming up on May 14th.

Here's a helpful gift guide so you don't go crazy at the last minute.

For The Super Stylish Expectant Mother:

Fortune Tees. These adorable (and hilarious) fortune message tees -- created by co-founders Carla O'Brien and Megan MacEachern -- come packaged in take-out boxes and have been a serious favorite among celeb moms Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie, and Kate Hudson. Stop by their same-monikered store in Los Feliz (4647 Russell Ave., Los Angeles CA, 323.663.0169) to snap up shirts declaring, "A Surprise Will Appear In My Pants" (for the little tyke) or "Woof" (for those still celebrating Year of the Dog).

But for those uber-moms who juggle kids, a household and a career, then this is the one for you: "A Cocktail Is In The Near Future".

www.fortunetees.com




For The Chic Party Mom:

Jl Marks. Jessica Marks is an east coaster turned western and a Journalism major turned fashion designer. Her creations are a little Betsey Johnson and Dolce & Gabbana, sprinkled with a bit of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper -- circa the 80s, of course. Jessica travels the world searching for the best vintage fabrics, meaning one-of-a-kind ready to wear you can find at her Moulin Rouge-inspired store on West 3rd Street (8216 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles CA, 323.655.4111). Lounging on a comfy couch, drinking a mimosa, and trying on pretty dresses? Sounds like the perfect Mother-Daughter day to me.

www.jlmarks.com




For the Mother Who Likes To Put Her Best Foot Forward:

Skandlz shoes. Founder Patricia Wells is a SoCal gal who knows the Pacific beaches like the back of her hand. She also knows that beach-faring fashionistas need footwear that can go from a day shopping trip in South Bay to a dressy dinner along Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. Each shoe in the original line is hand-made, polished, then embellished with a mother-of-pearl inlay in pump, wedge, and sandal silhouettes. Find them in various boutiques in Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, and San Juan Capistrano. Nothing wrong with mothers being a little Skandl-ous sometimes.

www.skandlz.com

For The Eco-Conscious Momma:

Annatarian. The three R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) are taken to heart with this eco-friendly line of dresses by Anna Mkhtarian. Using vintage, recycled, and organic fabrics, she spins anything from kimonos to the 40s to vintage muumuus. Joining the surge of celebrities advocating for the environment, Annatarian is not only making the world a more beautiful place, she's making you more beautiful, too.

www.annatarian.com



For The Jewel-Obsessed Mother:

Erica Flaum Designs. Like Annatarian, Erica Flaum is inspired by nature: the color of wild flowers, of late afternoon sun, of the ocean. Whether it's her Swarovski crystal belts or chunky turquoise necklaces, A-listers like Eva Longoria, Cheryl Hines, and Hilary Duff have fallen in love with her creations. Your mom might say skip on a present this year, but there's nothing like gorgeous gems to put a smile on her face.

www.ericaflaumdesigns.com




For the Fashion Critic Mom:

Her Style Source by Susana Mercedes. After taking a leave from the world of high-falutin' couture fashion, Susana decided to embark on a new path: vintage, either restored or inspired. With a background in local and international art museum boards, Susanna combines her knowledge of garment history and her Guatemalan fashion roots (her mother was a skilled seamstress) to restore vintage and to create new vintage-y looks. How ecstatic would your mother be if you gave her a near replica of her favorite dress from the 50s? Nothing beats a walk down memory lane.

www.susanamercedes.com
www.herstylesource.com




That leaves you 10 days to buy your madre a present.


* All photos property of the respective websites listed above