September 21, 2009

Catching up with Fashion Stylist, Grasie Mercedes

Today’s my birthday, and I thought about taking the day off from blogging. But, then I decided, you know what? There’s nothing I like more in this world than writing, so why would I take off on my birthday, which is supposed to be a good day!?

Yesterday, I had the lovely chance to catch up with one of the newest style scensters out there – Grasie Mercedes. She’s the girlfriend and stylist of Damien Fahey, former TRL host and now host of I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here. Grasie’s great because she styles for us Z-listers – the everyday chicsters – and not just the A-listers.

She’s a fashion expert, wardrobe stylist, model, actress and blogger all at one time – whew! Several years ago, she got her start through a friend who designed for American Eagle. She began styling shoots for them (and still does today) and the rest was history – she found her true love! (no offense, Damien)

While she loves the red carpet (January Jones was her fav Emmys look and she can’t get enough of Rachel Bilson’s style), she believes that anybody can achieve the right look with any budget. A few of her favorite shops? H&M, Zara, Target and Ann Taylor. “With tops and dresses, you can go cheaper and build a bigger wardrobe,” she tells me. She agrees that there are those investment pieces, like jeans and boots, and you should definitely invest in a great handbag.

Like many of us, Grasie is always looking to magazines for style inspiration and credits some of the more “trashy” reads like US Weekly and OK for helping her find trends. This fall? She’s loving blazers with scarves – and lots of tights! “You can wear tights under shorts and spring dresses,” she says. What a great way to expand a wardrobe, right?

For more style tips from Grasie, read her blog here. And if you’re running out of time putting your outfits together? Help is just a click away (she even does online consultations!). We may have found our new best friend.