Meet Designer Adam Lippes!

Who can resist cute fuzzy things and 2 hours of Bloody Marys? Join designer Adam Lippes today and get in on the fun! (Me? Jealous!)

Trend Alert! Cuffed Jeans

Today I'm wearing rolled up/cuffed jeans - thoughts? It's not a trend most plan to wear, believe me, I know. You know what? I absolutely hated this look when Katie Holmes wore it with her boyfriend jeans; I even blogged about it (big difference=mine aren't boyfriend jeans)! It's now one of those extra little things that I think contributes to an outfit. Just roll up your jeans, add some killer heels and have fun with it. It sort of dresses things down a little bit - makes you not take your jeans so seriously (you do, right?).

I love Rachel Bilson's cuffed jeans here and she makes it look so classic, like it's not even a trend, per se. It's all up to you in how you want to style it (aka - try not to mock Katie Holmes so much). The reason I like it? My darn jeans are always too long when I first buy them, so it's a great way to wear them with flats and heels. Although, I recommend wearing with heels every time. Hey, if you've got 'em, flaunt 'em!

Photo: Le Fashion Blog

Nicole Steps Out in Style

I love Nicole Richie. Her style is so effortlessly cool - and she still manages to radiate this vibe at several months pregnant and carrying a child in her arms! I mean, look at her bangs here. I would LOVE to keep my bangs this long, but heavens knows that involves a weekly trip to the hair guy, and at this point I hate going even once a month! (In fact, last weekend I was so put off from driving across town I cut them myself! And they actually didn't turn out half bad...)

Next, scroll to the black shades. Check. And down to the simple white tee beneath a classic tailored blazer topped with eye-catching jewelry (sure to be from her line House of Harlow). Check, check and check. All the qualities of chicness. And she makes it look so easy, right? Sigh...

Style Secret: Dress up a simple tee with ornate jewelry - just make sure the tee is just that, simple.

P.S. If you follow me on twitter @iheartheels, you'll notice I was all prepped to watch Nicole on Larry King Live last night. However, because of yesterday's breaking news with Exodus Tyson, Nicole is rescheduled for Thurs. this week. Stay tuned!

For the Love of Shoes

I can't even tell you how long I've been a fan of Nine West. The brand just radiates adorable. And it knows how to make affordable, yet still on-trend shoes us fashionistas crave over and over. Sure, I'll splurge every now and then on a juicy pair of Kate Spades or MJs (that's Marc Jacobs, of course). But, let's face it. I haven't filled my closet to the brim with $700 pairs of shoes - it's mostly affordable versions (and sale items, natch) of trends like metallics or gladiators - shown here. In fact, my gladiators are Nine West!

The Joely ($170) is sizzling this summer - it was even featured in the February issue of Vogue (hello, fashion bible!). Snakeskin and 4-inch heel? Just make sure you wear something cropped. The better to show them off, my dear.

And when your feet start to hurt from wearing your 4-inch heels, slip on the Noadiah ($79) skimmers in Pewter. The bow detail is adorable - and while I'm a heel fan, who said flats had to be boring? Slip these on with your LBD. In my mind, metallics will never be dead. Pure chic forever.

Casual Cool - Loving Splendid

I'm back from a long, relaxing weekend of doing-nothing bliss (oh, except shopping, of course! bought some killer capris...). I'm trying to get back in the swing of things, but for some reason it takes me ages to do that (yawn). For now? I would like to share with you this adorable photo of Salma Hayek and her little one - Valentina. Can you say adorable!?

Salma's wearing a loose jersey long sleeve tee by Splendid, one of my fav comfy brands (and lately I've been allll about comfort!). You can get a short sleeve version for just $60 (try shopbop.com). I'm loving the patriotic blue and white stripes - so cash cool.

P.S. Check out the Splendid Littles line at splendid.com (Valentina's not wearing it here, but many celeb tykes are drooling over it! literally...)

Organic is Chic!

Organic tees feel soooo good. And these days, there are more and more stylish options (used to be you couldn't find something actually good for the Earth and sexy!). I'm loving the David Lerner Collection seen here on Sophia Bush.

She's wearing the DL Pocket Tee ($68) on a recent shopping trip in Brentwood, Cali. You can just tell it's soft and comfy just by looking at it, no? (It's made from 100% organic hemp!) I love, love the gray paired with white (distressed!) jeans. The entire DL Organic Tee line features the perfect slouchy tees, racer-back tanks and even button downs. And celebs are CRAZY about DL. Add Vanessa Hudgens, Halle Berry, Nicky Hilton, Miley Cyrus, Lauren Conrad, Megan Fox, Hilary Duff, Megan Fox, and Jessica Alba to the lust list.

Style Secret: Pair something so simple like this tee with big jewelry and instantly chicify your wardrobe. It's that easy!

Flip-Flops for $1?? Enough Said.

Distressed Jeans, Anyone?

Don't you just love Erin Lucas and her spunky charm? I swear I was bumping into her leaving a fashion show this past Fashion Week, but was way to scared to ask (so I just stared!). Erin, a star on The City (one of my guilty pleasures), was actually the inspiration for my fringe bangs (even though you can't see them on her here). She rocks such a unique look, I love her for it.

Check out her jeans here - they're by Anoname ($110). Skinny+ripped=super-fab and I think I want a pair. I've been obsessing over the ripped/distressed jeans look now for weeks, and just can't wrap my head around spending a lot for a pair (I mean, they're ripped, right?!). But don't they look so darn cool with a tee and jacket. And they would be cooler during the summer, right? Ok, I think I'm talking myself into a pair, sigh...

Spotted! Jessica Stroup in Brian Reyes

Love, love this darling striped shift worn by Jessica Stroup of 90210. It's classic chic Brian Reyes (a fav and good friend of fashion princess Rachel Bilson and her stylist Nicole Chavez (who is the nicest gal ever, by the way!).

Check out how the waist nips in and the striped are vertical not horizontal (I don't care how many people says you can wear stripes no matter - uh uh. You have to be careful!). This dress is so simple, yet can do no wrong, right? Sometimes it's not about overdoing it, just keeping it simple.

Rock On

Something you probably don't know about me? I used to LIVE for my rock music. We would drive hours and get home at 1 am from concerts in Memphis, of course the best venue in the country for the hobby. I was a champ at getting seats in the first 10 rows (suuuuper dialer!). Now, I'm not so much focused as music (I've traded punk for peeptoes, maybe?), although I still heart it. But every now and then I glimpse back at my old (now "vintage") U2 concert tee or signed ticket from a band, and realize I really was a "rock princess."

All this to say I'm digging Vera Wang's new Rock Princess fragrance ($45). I've been wearing it all week and feel like such a glamour girl. It's so different than all the other fragrances on my counter - and the bottle? I mean, look at it, it's super-star chic! That bottom ring is really a ring to wear topped off by a cute little crown. And of course, the scent is a combo of bad girl and Barbie girl - it's sultry but at the same time sweet. Here are the notes:

Peach, Raspberry, Bergamot, Heliotrope, Rose, Jasmine, Lily, Cashmere Wood, Musk, Iris, Coconut

Bonus: The bottle is actually modeled off a Vera Wang fabric design. Rock on!

How to Pick a Swimsuit

Picking out a swimsuit each summer is a motion I go through every year. I don't know about you, but if I'm going to don one, I'm going to don one I love - proudly! So every year, I search for the perfect new suit that will make me happy (it doesn't hurt that I have a pool, so I really and truly do get tons of use out of it every year!). This year, I'm thinking of trying something bright and funky and straying away from my safe solids I'm prone to pick. Maybe hot pink or bright orange - gasp!

Designer Shoshanna Gruss is the swimsuit queen and she gave me some advice on how to pick your new swimsuit this summer. Enjoy!

What are the key swim trends to look for this summer?
Look for bright pop colors like neon pink, orange and green. Tribal prints are popular as well as ditsy floral prints, big bohemian florals and graphic black and white.

What are the best colors for every skin tone?
Navy and black are universally good for every skin tone. Both colors are flattering and look good against the lightest skin tones and the darkest.

How do you find a swimsuit that flatters your shape?
Big Busted
Look for halters which offer the most support. Also look for boning and underwire which will act like a bra and securely hold you in place.
Curvy
Look for one pieces with ruching to slim your middle. When shopping for bikinis, stick to bottoms with tie strings so they are easily adjustable.
Flat Chested
Strings are most flattering. If you want to enhance your chest, look for ruffles or ruching which will create the illusion of a bigger chest.

What is the best way to care for swimwear?
Don't put bathing suits in the washing machine; this will weaken the elastic. Instead, wash in cold water with a delicate cleanser such as Woolite.

Girlfriend (Shopping!) Getaway: Hotel ZaZa

Hola chicettes, I'm back from my crazy weekend in the Big D - Dallas, that is! Saw tons of swoon-worthy heels, bought a couple of sorbet-sweet, candy-hued summer dresses and drooled over all the hot handbags I saw (everything really is bigger in Texas!). Most of all, I kicked up my feet at Hotel ZaZa - apparently the place to see and be seen in the city (L. and I were barely outta the cab when we were met by former Bachelor star Brad Womack and his date. And taking a stroll down the hallway, we swear we passed Sly Stallone.)

The hotel is known as the place for the rich and famous - Jessica Simpson loves to eat at the restaurant, Dragonfly (and we sampled the fare for brunch ourselves and found it pretty tasty indeed!). See, my good friend H. (we've known each other since junior high but became the best of friends in college) is getting married (married!) next month. She's been dating her dude for six years, and so my other three best friends and I had to have a celebration for her. Let me say, she wore one of those silly veils (upon S's relentless insistence) the whole time, and I hid my face in my hands (I get embarrassed very easily). It didn't take long for us to hit up Urban Oasis, the picture-perfect poolside hangout shown here. It was packed Friday night as Porsche after Land Rover after BMW rolled in. Saturday? We spent all freaking day at the mall - so long my poor wedges started killing me! But I did find that perfect boho top and breezy sundress I had been lusting after. (H. found her Starbucks and that's all she cared about!) And what's a day without Barneys - it's a fix I must satisfy once every six months or so.

Speaking of, the ZaZa's rooms were gorgeous! We had a HUGE room - and it even had two showers (complete with Molton Brown goods, one of my absolute favs, yum!). Ours wasn't a suite, but the hotel is known for its super-fab "theme" concept suites like the Bohemia style here. Pretty "sweet," right? At the end of our hall (and where we swear we saw Sly) was the Magnificent Seven Suites - where you have to have a key to even access entry into the hallway. We were mystified and in awe of it the whole time. Some of those suites are larger than my house at more than 2,000 square feet - gasp! But, we certainly couldn't complain ourselves.

Daily chocolate on our pillows, coffee delivery in the mornings and a business center where we could print out boarding passes before we left? Everything was so taken care of we didn't worry about a thing. Only which pair of shoes we preferred for dinner that night (and trust me, that took us awhile).

College Chic

It's been a few years since I've been out of college (ok, plus, just a few more), but I still get excited about things related to the good ol' UofA. And Victoria's Secret PINK has a Collegiate Collection that will be adding a new school every day (starting today) - how exciting! If I recall, some of their stuff from last year was super-cute, and even if you're not in college yet or already graduated, it's all worthy of wearing on a cash (as in casual) day.

Click here each day to find out which school has been added to the "Class of 2009." There are 24 new schools and the line will feature fleece pants, hoodies, tees, shorts, dresses and even flip-flops. Check it out - you def deserve an "A" in style this year.

P.S. Speaking of college, I'll be unplugged for the next day or two on an out-of-town excursion with my closest friends from school. Of course, I'll still be twittering away, so follow me at @iheartheels, if you don't already. Air kisses! xoxo

Natural Cosmetics Giveaway!

I love natural cosmetics (so good for the skin!) and it seems everyone is jumping on the bandwagon, and I say good for them! This time it's Whole Foods Market (yep, the grocery store!) and they're giving I Heart Heels readers the chance to win a Mineral Fusion Spring Blossom kit worth $90. It includes blush, lip gloss, blotting papers, eye shadow and DVD full of tips and techniques.

Here's all you have to do:
1. Click here and listen to the podcast.
2. After listening, click on the “comment” text to leave your comment.
*Please enter: www.iheartheels.com in the “website” field on the comment form.
3. You will then be entered in a drawing, and on May 30, one winner will be randomly selected to win the kit!

Goooood luck - beauty chicks!

Wear What You Mean

Sir Alistair Rai sure puts the fun in funky. Celebs all over have been sporting the line, including this Gandhi V-neck ($63) worn by Kristen Bell in New York the other day. Other trendsetters spotted in it? Jessica Szohr, Rihanna, Angelina Jolie and Jessica Alba. Not a bad line-up for a simple tee. But, it says so much, no?

Wear it with a cool scarf to add a pop of color and an old-school fedora just for kicks. So downtown cool/politically chic, indeed.

Chic in the Sun

I've been hooked on Michael Stars since I was practically in junior high (to my husband: this is a designer, honey). The line is so classic, everyone can wear it. And that goes for their newly-launched eyewear collection, too. For spring 2009, there are three styles of shades ($88 each), but I'm really crushing on the Dolce Vida style here (couldn't it be the name, too? so fab.) It's the fun and hip aviator (I'm not downing the aviator, but hey, can't it be a little more fun and a little more hip sometimes?). The orchid hue is just to die for!

Wear these in the sun (99.9% UV protection) alllll the time - wear them with everything! So much cooler than those old black plastic things you've been wearing for years, no offense.

P.S. The line even includes optical/reading glasses in several styles, too. Check them out here!

Exclusive Interview! Lisa Rinna

Some days blogging can never be more fun - who can beat chatting with Lisa Rinna on your cell?! Girl's got major projects going (Playboy, dance DVD and a self-help book), and she spilled to I Heart Heels on all the exclusive deets. Being fit has always come natural to Lisa, thanks to good genes. But, wow! Did you see her on Dancing with the Stars the other night? She's been looking a-mazing. She tells me that "after two children, I needed something to jump-start my figure, and Dancing did that." Dancing also inspired her workout DVDs - and the latest of four Lisa Rinna Dance Body Beautiful: Ballroom Body Blast was just released last month ($14.98).

The DVDs, in fact, were created to show viewers just how much fun dancing can be, and Lisa collaborated on them with her choreographer from the show, Louis van Amstel (although you don't even have to have a partner for the four dance workouts on it!).

This month, you won't just catch Lisa dancing, you'll also catch her posing. Yep, that's right. Lisa posed pregnant for Playboy in 1998, and she's come full circle at 45 posing again for renowned photographer Deborah Anderson who had been helping her shoot for her new book (more on that later) at the time. Lisa describes the photography as "quite stunning," "really empowering" and says she was "really pleased" with how it all turned out. But, although she never says never, she tells me she is not planning to do it again.

Of course, during the interview, I had to throw in a few fashion and beauty questions. And to my surprise (I totally thought she was a heels person, all the way, but credit her for honesty!), Lisa claims she wears Converse tennis shoes and Havaiana flip-flops most of the time. Lisa knows her fashion, too, as host of TV Guide's red carpet coverage and owner of west coast, celeb-fav shop, Belle Gray. Her fashion obsessions of the moment? Genetic straight-leg jeans ("I love the fit and wear them every day!"), anything Rebecca Taylor ("I love her sweaters and the femininity of her style.") and James Perse V-neck tees. She also can't get enough of Kate Somerville's products. In fact, she met Kate for the first time at the airport, went in for a facial days later and immediately became addicted. "It changed my skin." Lisa says of her once acne-prone skin. "Now, I use it religiously."

So next on Lisa's schedule? Her new book Rinnavation: Getting Your Best Life Ever ($26) comes out next week - May 19. And she was so excited to talk about it because it's taken three years to finalize. The book morphed from a pure diet and exercise book into a semi-autobiography self-help book with secrets on everything from fashion & beauty to spirituality and motherhood. She calls the book "very inspiring," "freeing" and "cathartic" as it discusses her journey of how she's suffered and how she overcame her sufferings. For instance, did you know she grew up in a town where she was one of the darkest skinned? "I was teased like you would not believe - horribly teased as a child." It's these things that shaped her life and then, this book. Even during the writing process, she learned more about herself. "I'm the one who has to do it," she says. "You find it yourself and create everything that happens to you." Next week, you can find the book at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and most major booksellers.

P.S. I also asked Lisa about her Mother's Day weekend full of doughnuts, chocolate cake and sticky buns (and she laughed!). Know what she said? "I'm known for not saying no! When I'm with my kids, it's important for me to show them it's ok to have sticky buns. I never use the word "fat" or "diet" or "skinny" because I want my girls to know you can look great and eat." Then, she reminds me she gets back out there after those sticky buns and starts dancing again - sigh, we knew it wasn't that easy.

Don't Forget! You can follow Lisa on Twitter @lisarinna and check our her own blog here.

The Secret to Slim

Last week, I polled you all on how many times you wore shapewear under your clothes. Most everyone agreed they did not wear them every day - and most only wore on special occasions. Listen, I feel your pain. Most aren't comfortable and hardly worth hours of tugging as your stomach cramps and you try to gasp for one more breath of air. You should be wearing shapers more often - you just have to find the right ones!

Of course, you all know I'm a Spanx fan. But you know there are so many shapers out there now that are getting a little overshadowed by the cuteness of Spanx? Enter Donna Karan's new shapewear line - Body Perfect ($45). I've been wearing these suckers (the High Waist Embrace) for about a month now and you know what they're perfect for? Wearing under white jeans!

It's a nude shaper that lets you smooth out all of your bulge, but I promise it feels completely comfortable. It stretches all the way from your mid-thigh to right at your rib cage. So everything is slim and trim (and the fabric is so freakin' sturdy I never, ever worry about tears). I have to admit my white jeans (after many washes might I add, thank you!) are a little snugger than when I bought them last year. These shapers helped me ease into my jeans with no problem and you can't even notice when I wear them. I guess my secret's out now, huh? (turning red...)

(Purchase at BareNeccessities.com)

Trend Alert! Ruffle Hems

At the InStyle Hair Issue launch party last Thursday night hosted by John Frieda Root Awakening, the stars were out. In their Notte by Marchesa, no less!

Both Ali Larter and Olivia Palermo busted out the ruffle hemlines and I'm not sure what to think? Do you heart them or hate them?

Ruffles are the utmost in feminine and so is hot pink (as seen here). That's why I just can't stop myself from crushing on these frocks - even as over-the-top they may be (and Ali's fringe bangs help, too!).

Just remember to keep it simple elsewhere when ya got this much going on below! Classic black strappy heels and a subdued clutch. Oh, and the flirtiest pout you can muster. Deal?

Don't Forget to Enter! Shoe Giveaway!

You don't want to miss out on the I Heart Heels one-year anniversary shoe giveaway. I'm ecstatic to be giving away a pair of Mary Norton heels (worth $545!) and a $75 Piperlime.com gift card (choose your own heels!). Enter here before it ends Saturday.

Air kisses, xoxo

C'Mon, Heart Your Mom

Sunday is Mother's Day, and I have some super-cool stuff I couldn't resist sharing with you. Among them? This awesome "Bicycle Built for Three" by Cynthia Rowley. How awesome is this ride? Some spoiled baby would love riding in the breeze in this, for sure.

Now what to really get your mom? Check out this orange woven tote by Cole Haan - perfect for a day at the beach (and if she's like my mom - she loooooves the beach!). (And no, this isn't a hint, mom!)

Now, beauty-lovin' moms? I can't stop burning the Glowology by Noodle & Boo Love Light candle ($24). It's such a fresh scent and and it's wrapped in a soy blend of essential oils. So good for the environment and for those moms sensitive to too strong scents (I know I myself like something more subtle!). And Noodle & Boo has sooo many other heavenly products out there, too. For mommies-to-be and new moms!

Wanting to really pamper your mom this year? Get her a gift set! That way she has everything (and she liked at least something you got her.) This one by Carol's Daughter is amazing and includes the new fragrance, Pearls, in a perfume and body creme ($50). Plus, it all comes in a keepsake jewelry box. She can't say that isn't sweet!

Last, but not least, is the Space NK (one of my new fav obsessions) Tuberoli Luxury Fragrance Collection ($125). It comes with an eau de toilette, shower gel and body balm. And it smells amazing! Honeysuckle, jasmine, black currant and peaches - so yum. She will l.o.v.e. you for this one. (But we're not saying she didn't already. She's your mom!)

-xoxo

Get the Look: Aveda/Matthew Williamson for H&M

I said the other day I just don't get all the hype of Matthew Williamson's H&M collection. And I still stand by that - it's just not for me (although, I do LOVE the swimsuit below!) (I'm more of a classic brown and olive green boho girl than a flashy colors-of-the-rainbow chic, but to each his own!).

What I do get is the hair at the launch party the other night. Amazing! Kurt Lowry of Aveda was the exclusive hairstylist, and I thought the models looked so pretty. That subtle, beachy carefree vibe that really makes you wish you could do it yourself, right? Kurts calls it "natural summer hair" and he even used beautiful scarves like the one here to make the look even chicer. Here's the step-by-step guide to get this coveted hair - yay! (I know I can't wait to try!)

1. Draw a clean straight part. Use a straightening iron (from roots to top of the ears) so hair is smooth against head.

2. Place clips from ear to ear in a horizontal line to separate top from bottom (products will differ).

3. Apply Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener onto the top part (creates a high-gloss look!).

4. On the bottom part (below clips), mix Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam with Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion and brush through (this adds texture, volume and hold!)

5. Still below the clip line, wrap sections of hair around a one-inch curling iron (you want ringlets, girl!). Use a diffuser to set into waves.

6. Use fingers to loosen curls, and spray waves with Aveda Air Control Hair Spray (for thickness, texture and shine!). For textured hair only, add Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil for more shine and gloss but without the thickness.

7. Spray the Protective Veil all over hair (less flyaways!).

8. Then spray Aveda Brilliant Medium Hold Hair Spray up top for high shine.

9. Remove the clips and spray more Hair Spray for light hold.



















[Photo Credit: Jon Gurinksky for Aveda]

I Heart Heels Turns One...Huge Shoe Giveaway!

I've been singing "Happy Birthday" all morning and whistling in the hallway. Why? Because I Heart Heels turns one year old today. And I can hardly believe it! It's been such an adventure starting this blog, and I am so happy and grateful for all of YOU - my readers - for keeping this going (tears roll down my cheeks).

I started out with just a few of you (you know who you are!), and it's now grown to many thousands of you. I can't thank you enough, and I really hope you are still enjoying what you've come here for - fashion and beauty.

With that being said, I know my readers and I know you love all that weepy conversation, but let's get to the good stuff right? Ok! I actually have TWO prizes to give away in honor of my anniversary. The grand prize winner will receive these Mary Norton Spring/Summer 09 Carlyle heels in turquoise ($545-with black diamond stones!) and the runner-up will receive a $75 Piperlime.com gift card to use on your fav pair of heels (or I guess you can use it on sandals). Piperlime is the shoe destination and you can choose from hundreds of top shoe brands and styles - squeal!

Just enter your info in the box below, and I'll announce the winner at the end of this week. Best of luck, heel lovers, and here's to another chic year! -xoxo

Padma Lakshmi's New Jewelry Collection, PADMA

I think it's cool when designers infuse their own culture or interests into their designs. That's why I'm intrigued with Top Chef Padma Lakshmi's new fine jewelry collection, PADMA. It just launched today (!) and it's inspired by her Indian heritage as well as her cooking: seeds and pods, such as cardamom, lentils and cloves (and those are things I have no clue about, so I'm extra-enthralled!).

Beautiful cuffs, necklaces and earrings abound and range from $300-6,000 bucks (something for everyone, no?). You can find these golden treasures exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman. Couldn't you see yourself wearing these with your fav maxidress or a pair of cuffed jeans? So boho chic it's crazy!