America's sweetheart, Cameron Diaz in town for an appearance on the Daily Show, and possibly a visit to faux beaux Arod?

J. Crew is on fire!  Sister company Madewell, a well known commodity among the off-duty-model dressers, launches e-commerce.

You can find this foxy financier scooping up fun finds at NYC's department stores, and the occasional sample sale.  She's always had a head for math and an eye for fashion.  It makes for an interesting combination. She's not one to read a fashion magazine from cover to cover, so she pulls inspiration from movies, TV and surfing the web.  She takes something she's seen that she likes and puts her own little spin on it.  To achieve her personal aesthetic, she mixes unexpectedly feminine pieces and tomboy cool to eclectic perfection.   The result - a totally unique-chic look that is on trend without being overtly trendy.

I snapped a candid of this cool girl as we walked through the West Village after a record release party for our friends, the Kovak Brothers.  She's sporting a Theory boyfriend blazer that doubles as a work-week staple, a Marc by Marc Jacobs silk tank, Hue brand "jeggings" (a fantastic find at $34 that we think rivals J Brand's at $140) and J. Crew patent leather flip flops.

Meet the ultra chic Julia Wilde, a long time friend of mine.  The singer/song writer grew up in a "fashion house," so to speak, with her mom, noted designer Kathryn Conover. I will never forget playing dress up in Julia's attic bedroom, literally tossing around labels like Dior and Prada (and at the age of 9 having NO idea what that meant).  Needless to say, "dress up" at Julia's was a game we never grew out of.

I've always been impressed by her eye for style.  She's a natural and it's always fun to see what she wears next.  Where she finds inspiration for her version of "off duty model" cool is mostly in her own imagination.  She likes to set the trends not follow them, so to achieve her style sensibility flip through magazines from every month and year, not just the recent ones.  Pick and choose elements of various trends and play around to put your own stamp on it.

I snapped this shot just before grabbing drinks at one of our favorite Lower East Side haunts.  Fortunately for me, it didn't take too much convincing to get the former model to pose for a quick pic while wearing a dress by her mom, Kathryn Conover, Club Monacco striped cardigan, J. Crew flower embellished flip flops, a classic straw tote, and Vintage Dior sunglasses.

Mackintosh® rousay trench coat

$950.00 at J.Crew

It's impossible to open up a magazine this season without seeing at least one spread devoted to the trench.  With the borrowed from the boys look at an all time high, the trench coat is a natural "it" item for the fashion moment.  The thing I love the most about trenches, however, is whether they're trendy or not, they are always in style.  So put some of that hard earned cash towards a timeless staple ladies, and pick up a trench coat.  Bonus, they're coming to the end of their selling season so the chances of finding a chic sale option are pretty good.

Every woman would love to have a Burberry trench.  They have great lines, perfected details, and exquisite quality.  On top of that, Burberry has done a great job reinventing the trench coat wheel season after season.  For those of you who prefer putting their hard earned cash in the bank instead of the closet, below are a few great options with reasonable price tags.

Torn By Ronny Kobo Alana Trench Coat

$374.00 by Torn By Ronny Kobo at shopbop.com

Adam Military Style Trench Coat

$345.00 by Adam at shopbop.com

Double Breasted Trench Coat

$1,195.00 at Burberry

Washed Sateen Trench With Check Under Collar

$1,195.00$899.00 at Burberry

Rose Collar Trench Coat

$145.00 at Topshop

Ruffled-Bottom Belted Trench Coat

$98.00 at Express

Laundry by Shelli Segal pearl poly 'Packable' trench coat

$119.00 by Laundry by Shelli Segal at Bluefly

Sateen Trench

$169.00 at Kenneth Cole

How to Avoid Falling Victim to Fashion Faux Pas

Trends can be tricky to decipher.  Each season brings in a rush of trends.  Some have staying power, some do not.  The key here, is that you figure out which ones will last longer than a nano second so that you make wise investments.  Perhaps even more important than staying power, however, is that you only adopt trends that work for you.  Lifestyle, work dress code, age all factor into whether or not a trend is right for you.  The flood of see-through lingerie pants coming into the market right now is a perfect example of a fleeting trend; and one that isn't appropriate (really for anyone) but specifically for someone past their 25th birthday.  I'm here to help you navigate the trendy waters. Stay tuned each month for an update on what's out there in the market right now and tips on trends. So, how do you avoid looking like a fashion victim, avoid wasting money, and keep you closet manageable?  Here are some tips and tricks on the latest trends.

SHORTS - Every year a different bottom exudes feminity, the skirt, the dress, the pant, this season it's the short.  Lucky you, they're comfortable and easy to wear.  Opt for pair with a little length to them (four inch inseam should really be the minimum for this trend.)  Try them in a silk or linen to elevate the look, and pouf! now shorts can work with heels.  Pair them with a wedge heel for an of-the-moment-chic that channels the glam days of the 1950's.

ROMPERS & JUMPERS - These can seem like a trend for the twenty somethings, but there are styles that work for all ages.  If you can't resist the printed camisole/short romper look slip on a denim or leather jacket to add coverage.  If you feel like this trend is too young for you, I recommend trying on a strapless/pant combination or halter top/pant combination.  The pant trend for jumpsuits has either been wide leg, which is ultra slimming, or slightly harem inspired with a tapered calf.  The latter is totally on trend, and I think it will last a while, but if you're looking for something classic go with the wide leg look.

SHOW YOUR STRIPES - Stripes are omnipresent, but this season they are making a big statement.  You can find stripes in the obvious places like t-shirts, but this season also expect to find them in scarves, handbags, pants, shorts, jackets, you name it.  I've abandoned the old adage that horizontal stripes make you look wider, it's simply not true.  A tip: try this trend in slouchier styles.  If the silhouette hangs right it will be flattering not fattening.  So don't be shy ladies, show your stripes!  I know every woman has a few stripes in her collection.  Below are some suggestion for new ways to add some stripe to your wardrobe this season.  For the truly fashion forward, go for the mix and match look, by mixing wide stripes with seersucker, or contrasting thin stripes.  The same wide stripe in varying colors of the Tory Burch tote and scarf below are another great example of way to mix stripes.  Pairing these two accessories with a simple outfit would be super chic.

What's in store for you next month?  A review of the utilitarian trend.  Stay tuned for more.  Anything you're interested in hearing more about?  Leave a comment!

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

-Moina Michael

Memorial Day is such an important holiday, and I hope each and every one of you takes a moment to appreciate all that the troops have done for our beautiful country.  Try to squeeze that moment in sometime between the beach and the backyard barbecue, I'm sure you can manage.

THE SCHEDULE

Beach or Pool Party - you need an outfit that's no muss no fuss.  H&M is doing a sale on bikinis right now!  J. Crew also has fantastic swimwear. Try one of those options for a last minute swimsuit fix.  Now for the cover ups.  Denim shorts are comfortable, and completely on trend at the moment.  Size up for slouchy pair, a la the boyfriend look; BONUS: loose shorts are so much more flattering over a bathing suit than a skin tight pair of Daisy Dukes.  Tunics and caftans are simple and chic.  Take a cue from the Queen of Understated Elegance herself, Tory Burch, who's famous for her high quality tunics.  Calypso is another brand that makes achieving beach chic easy.   On a budget?  Old Navy has some cute and affordable options.  Don't forget your SPF!

Dinner Party - I have a feeling every woman has something in her wardrobe that can work for this occasion.  The key here is minimalism.  Make it a simple patio dress and carry a big scarf to cover your shoulders when it gets chilly.  Not into the maxi dress look?  Cropped jeans, a button down (for the prepster)/embellished top (for the chicster), and a cute pair of summer-is-here-wedges are a perfect substitute.

Monday's Backyard Barbecue - Ahhh, can you hear that?  It's the sound of a Monday spent outside of the fluorescent lights of your office.  Cherish it.  I love the monochromatic look for a holiday like this one.  Kick off your summer white program and accessorize with gold jewelry, or take a hint from Moina here and throw on a red bracelet.  Make sure to carry a tote and be prepared with a swimsuit and sunscreen, just in case :)

Happy Memorial Day Everyone - and HAPPY SUMMER! xoxo