Macho Watches

For most of my adult life I've been on the search for the perfect watch. Among other things, it must be oversized, chunky, and sporty...but not so-sporty that it has multiple "bells and whistles" I'll never touch nor understand. From the first moment I spotted Chanel's J12 Collection of watches, I've been pretty much consumed with the idea of having one casually hanging from my wrist one day. That "day" is still just a dream at this point so I must continue my search for the affordable, normal-person version.

At one time, you almost had to exclusively shop the men's watches because women's weren't nearly as cool - they were just too...girly, of course. Now, however, I'm noticing that watches are more and more being dubbed as "unisex" and this has been good news in my search.

Toy Watch has been an excellent score in the men's-watches-for-women trend. These watches are very cool, sporty and relatively inexpensive due to the fact that they are, despite appearances, plastic! The above are from the Sport Chrono Collection, which is graphic and vivid and comes in lots of facing colors including hot pink, white and purple in addition to these. $250

These 2 lookers are from the Toy Watch Oversize Collection. The black has a nylon band and the steel is acrylic hence the relatively affordable price tag of $195.

These classics from Timex are also really close to what I have in mind. The stainless steal version is the Women's Sport Luxury 3 Hand for $100 and the second is essentially the same watch but with a white leather band and face for only $80.

These are from Kenneth Cole and I daresay this white Old School watch is my favorite! There's just something really fun about it and it's only $95. The other is called Time Will Only Tell and even though it's big and chunky, it's also pretty refined. Would be a great work wardrobe staple.

Gap Jewelry??

Not sure how I missed this, but apparently The Gap has started selling jewelry??...albeit in very short supply and seemingly in such a way that no one on the planet can possibly be aware of it. You would literally have to stumble upon it on the website to know it was there at all. Apparently, they introduced their first-ever jewelry line earlier this month on July 7th in adult Gap stores nationwide, but honestly I haven't been in a Gap store in months for all the same reasons why the rest of the country hasn't either.

Hopefully the sparse offerings aren't a sign that this initiative is short-lived - it would be interesting to see this develop, especially if the price point stays under $30. These days, The Gap needs to do whatever it can to get customers in the door and if jewelry can help, so be it. I thought the below necklace ($29.50) and bracelet ($19.50) were the cutest of the pieces currently on the site and, again, hopefully we'll see a bit more down the line.

On an unrelated note: As I was snooping around The Gap site, I came across this really cute leather satchel pictured below. It is a little on the expensive side at $150, but would I say that if it wasn't from The Gap? Not sure, but it's cute.

Tie-Front Blouses

Everyone seems crazy about the tie-front blouse these days - eluxury even has a whole "Trend Watch" section devoted to them, which is where I found the lovely Zac Posen version above. So, it's no surprise that nearly every retailer currently has some iteration of this trend in store...some better than others, of course. I actually have a few of these blouses hanging around my closet from the last time they were all the rage and I'm thinking these will look great with all the super-slouchy trousers coming out for Fall.

Here's a peak at every type of tie-front blouse you can imagine from stripes to shiny to flowery. Happy shopping!

STRIPES: These are some of my favorites...obviously, because of my love of stripes. French Connection Frankie Stripe Shirt ($39.99), Old Navy Tie-Neck Top ($15.00), Gap Fitted Tie-Neck Shirt ($32.99) and ASOS Pinstripe Top ($108.15) and

SHINY: These shiny silks offer a dressier and sexier take on the tie-front blouse. Forever 21 Artisan Collar Tie Top ($22.80), Victoria's Secret Silk Charmeuse Top ($58), Newport News Silk Charmeuse Keyhole Blouse ($25) and Victoria's Secret Tie Front Blouse ($68).

FLORALS: Floral prints add an even more feminine touch if that's what you're after. Some of these would be really cute under a suit jacket or cardigan. New York & Company City Style Petal Print Mesh Top ($29.95), Victoria's Secret Tie-Neck Silk Blouse ($48), GO International Tie Front Top ($26.99) and Old Navy Floral Print Bow Tie Top ($24.50)

RANDOM FAVORITES: These are just a couple that I couldn't resist including....Anthropologie Gingham Blouse ($128) and French Connection Hissy Tie Shirt ($69.99).

Edie Rose by Rachel Bilson

If you haven't already heard, frequent CS fashion favorite, Rachel Bilson, is just about to debut her new collection - Edie Rose for DKNY Jeans - within the next couple of months. However, I must caveat this all by saying that the line is being categorized as "junior sportswear", which usually means "probably will not fit" and/or "inappropriate for 30-year old woman". Nonetheless, I am excited about this and hoping for the best.

Women's Wear Daily is reporting that the launch will feature "15 pieces, including a sportswear mix of button-down tops, sweaters, jackets, T-shirts, dresses and two jeans styles — a straight leg and a skinny leg, both available in a dark wash. The entire line will wholesale between $19.50 and $49.50 per piece, which is in line with the DKNY Jeans range. The color palette is made up of mostly simple black-and-white, with a pop of yellow." The collection should start showing up in Macy's, Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom's in September. We'll keep a look out and report back with first impressions once it arrives, of course.

In the meantime, here's the few preview pictures I could find. Honestly, I'm feeling pretty underwhelmed by these pictures. With the exception of the jackets, which I would like to take a closer look at, nothing else really interests me. But, again, I'm going to stay optimistic that the other pieces we're not seeing here are really exciting.

Style Envy: Kate Bosworth

It feels like Kate Bosworth sort of just blossomed into a fashion fixture overnight. Even her Sunday-morning-walkin'-the-dog outfits are now scrutinized and dissected for the masses. What I like about her style is her incredible simplicity and her consistently streamlined silhouette. There's never any "fuss" to her.

Here are some of my favorite looks, though I have to admit I almost excluded a few that were clearly taken during her "scary skinny" phase....I had almost forgotten how bad things got for a while there...but the outfit could not be ignored!

Fun details can breath new life into the LBD! And, her black-on-black ensembles always look edgy, not scary.

Conversely, she does sweet white and lace well, too. I have to admit the headpiece worn with the flapper-inspired dress wasn't something I originally liked on Kate (and she's worn this more than once!), but I'm slowly coming around to it.

These are some of my favorite looks from Kate - I love a great black/white combo and she knows how to work this look without ever being mistaken for wait staff.

Here are some more colorful ensembles. ..always youthful and never over-the-top.

Prints are worn pretty sparingly. These are the types of prints I can actually admire because the colors are usually muted and sophisticated.

A girl after my own heart! I love stripes!

Girlish details (a ruffled neckline, a statement necklace) are smart and always balanced by simple hair and makeup.

Style Lexicon: Ruching

I consider myself somewhat of a fashion geek. It's not enough for me to casually flip through a fashion magazine. I actually have to mark pages like a maniac so that I can carefully "study" them later. And, if there happens to be a word I don't fully understand - a sewing technique, a fabric variation, a color - well, then I have to get to the bottom of that. Not only do I need to know what the word means, I have to know how to pronounce it and what it actually looks like and feels like. There are more ridiculous ways to spend your free time, trust me....

So, every once in a while I'll share a tidbit I've learned or come across under the post title of "Style Lexicon: __________". Consider it your fashion "Word of the Day" because you never know when you might have an unexpected lunch with Karl Lagerfield and you'll want to know what you're talking about. So, let's begin....

Today's Style Lexicon Feature: RUCHING

Ruching (pronounced ROOSHING) is French and literally mean "to gather, ruffle or pleat". It's sometimes also spelled as "rouching". Basically, a strip of fabric or ribbon is gathered in a repeat pattern and as the gathering thread is drawn up the strip forms scallops or petals. Ruching is a labor-intensive, time consuming technique that, like many other art forms, is experiencing a resurgence in current fashion trends. Here are some pretty pictures to illustrate the art of "ruching":

French Style 101: La Redoute

For those not already hip to La Redoute, it's considered "France's favorite shopping source...for designer fashion, chic apparel, shoes, accessories and more- it's like shopping Paris wherever you are, whenever you want to." La Redoute has been in business for 75 years and is a household name in France with a long history in the fashion world. They even offer limited-time collections by world-class designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor & Rolf, Jean Paul Gaultier and Ungaro.

Did I also mention that La Redoute is très cheap? So, I guess it's like the French version of H&M, only you can actually order online, which already makes La Redoute much less frustrating than our beloved. Granted, not everything on the site is what I would envision as the height of French fashion (why so many peasant skirts??), but there are definitely a few French-girl-staples to be had. Here's a few I'm eyeing:

Retro Sweater $49.99

ET VOUS Tie-neck Knit Dress $29.99

Sailor’s Tank $9.99

LAURA CLÉMENT Stretch Straight-cut Jeans $19.99

LAURA CLÉMENT Retro Sheath Dress $44.99

SOPHIA KOKOSALAKI Wool Crepe Vest $34.99

Pencil Skirt $24.99

Reptile Foot Fetish

One of my favorite fashion secrets is the versatility of a reptile-print shoe. The trick is that even though they're exotic and rich-looking, they are essentially "neutral" and thus can be worn with everything. Plus, we all know that when outfits are too "matchy" they look outdated and predictable. This is such an easy way to add a little chic-ness to any outfit that needs a "little something" and even to those that don't.

I've learned this lesson by enjoying three joyous years with the perfect pair of Nine West reptile print peep-toe heels that I happened upon at TJ Maxx. By now, these shoes have complemented nearly everything in my closet and have been resoled 3 times as a result. But, I'm starting to accept that it's time to say goodbye - a shoe can only take so much - and I'm on the market for a replacement pair. Here's my progress so far - feel free to weigh in on your favorites....and, no, the above Christian Louboutins are not an option, unfortunately.

Payless Krime Exotic Print Platform Sandal - $12.99

These may as well be free they are so cheap. These are really cute and great for summer.

Women's Mossimo® Vida Peep-Toe Pumps - $26.99

These are really fun. I love the side cutouts and platform bottom and even though the colors are a little wild, they'll still work as a neutral.

Forever 21 Mystic Patent Pump - $27.80
I'm sort of on the fence about these, but for some reason I keep going back to them. They just seem very cool to me and versatile for the winter wardrobe, too, which I struggle with.

Rampage Maria - $50
A classic pointy-toe dress pump - the most wearable of all for sure. A great investment.

Chinese Laundry Attitude - $49.99

Another great investment - the super metallic finish will make these even easier to wear.

BCBGirls Fairy - $98

I know, these are a little on the pricey side, but I couldn't resist - they are my favorites!! I thought they were just really unique and super stylish.