Trend de la Crème Weekend Reads


April Showers Bring May Flowers

Don't get wet -- look fab with these rain-inspired accessories and springtime umbrellas for the rainy days ahead :)


Assorted umbrellas from umbrellasociety.com

Assorted umbrellas from tray6.com


Valley Of the Dolls: Luella Bartley's 2008 Fall/Winter Collection

According to style.com, Luella Bartley's 2008 fall/winter collection was inspired by Britt Ekland in “The Wicker Man" and the witch museum in Boscastle, Cornwall, UK. But watching the models come down the runway was more like watching an army of Madame Alexander dolls marching towards me, which is sort of creepy in it’s own right. (*sigh* This is probably going to give me nightmares.) Do you see the eerie similarities?












Fantastic Plastic: Modern Jellies

I was never a big fan of the "mesh" jelly shoe of the 80's. They were like cheese graters for my feet. (Band-Aid made millions, I'm sure.) And, after walking in them all day, my swollen feet would begin to ooze out through the gaps, essentially turning my feet into red, swollen, ugly toe-embellished baskets. (And don't even get me started about sitting in the sun too long.) Let's just say they sucked, and in a seriously huge way.

Fast forward to 2008: No more mesh. No more cheap, hard plastic. No more "one size fits all" designs. In fact, I could actually see myself wearing a pair -- especially on an occasion where waterproof shoes might come in handy. (Think pool party, day at the beach, a night out with that friend who always drinks too much and ends up puking on your shoes...)

Melissa Desire + Triton Kitten Heel at lunaboston.com

Melissa 'Ice Cream' Loafer at melissaaustralia.com.au

Melissa 'Disco' Heel at melissaaustralia.com.au

Fendi Jelly Ballet Flat at barneys.com

Luby Lu Jelly Wedge at jujujellies.co.uk

J.Crew Jeweled Ballet Flat at jcrew.com

Melissa 'Indie' Kitten Heel at melissaaustralia.com.au

Marc Jacobs Mouse Slippers at diabro.net

Trend de la Crème Shout Out From NY Mag

Amy Odell, editor of 'The Cut' for New York Magazine gave my "Cleavage Control: The Spillage Stops Here" article a shout out :)

Trend de la Crème for Coutorture: Jellies Are Back

Check out my comps of Christopher Kane's fall/winter 2008 collection to jelly fish at Coutorture.com. Just don't get caught in the tide ;)

Roman Sandals: Better To Roam In?

Photo: CHANEL/Style.com

According to Erik Trinkaus of Washington University in Missouri, modern shoe-wearing Americans have "wimpy little toes." Why? Back in the day of Roman sandals, a flat rigid sole meant toes curled far less and less force was passed through the bones. Translation: Fashionable shoes are going to make our toes disappear. (Okay, maybe that's extreme. But the shrinking toe factoid certainly makes a case for the Gladiator sandal trend.)

Photo: Sandal from Lucina Calzature collection

If you want something authentic, check out Lucina Calzature. Owner Anna Piergiacomi (who is who is also vice-president of the leather-shoe division of the national fashion association Federmoda) worked with an archaeologist and several history buffs to create her modern day Roman-era footwear. (Like the original Roman sandal, she tries to avoid glue, synthetic materials, and chemical dyes. They are also sewn almost entirely by hand.) And if you're nice, you won't have to travel to Italy to get a pair. She offers mail order service :)

Or, you can opt for one of the fab modern styles currently available. Here are some of my favorite flats for Spring '08:



Jeffrey Campbell Roman Bead Tan Gladiator Sandal at lulus.com

Sam Edelman 'Ginger' Gladiator Flat at nordstrom.com


N.Y.L.A. Silver 'Mischa' Sandal at nordstrom.com

Tapeet Black Patent Gladiator at barneys.com


Cleavage Control: The Spillage Stops Here

Are they camisoles? Bras? Bramisoles? Who cares, as long as they do the job, right?. (After all, you're only as secure as your over-the-shoulder support system.) For those of you who are tired of annoying stares from tatty-admiring pervs or just sick of worrying about your girls busting out, these "bramisoles" are just what the cleavage doctor ordered. (Plus, a little mystery never hurt anybody.)

The patented Figs Bra comes with detachable cami-covers (or "figlets") that attach to hooks on the side of the bra and stretch across the chest to cover cleavage. Don't need the coverage? Just take the cami-cover off and wear the bra without it. L-O-V-E T-H-I-S.


Need to completely hide your girls from sight? Say hello to the Carol Wior Soft Cup Lace Camisole Illusion Bra, the Guantanamo Bay of bramisoles. (Hey, this would be perfect for concealing microphones, hidden cameras, a semi-automatic pistol...)

This disturbing looking cleavage contraption is called The Winkee and slips over your bra like a pair of underwear (overwear?) to cover cleavage or give extra support. One question: WTF?!

If you want something that can still pass as a cami under clothes, but looks and feels more like a bra, the Natori Zen Floral Camisole Bra is where it's at. (And it's not as heavy on the lace, which is an added bonus if you're a man who likes to wear women's underwear. Kidding.)

Spring 'Pucci Style' For Fashionistas On a Budget

Maybe you're one of the lucky few that can afford pieces from Emilio Pucci's Spring '08 collection. (Can you say jealous trendinista?) For the rest of us, we can still rock Pucci style with these inspired looks without breaking the bank.

BCBGMAXAZRIA 'Summer Bloom' Tunic Dress at nordstrom.com

Pucci Style Footless Tights at stockingirl.com

Art Deco Jersey Silk Camisole at shophalebob.com



Rina Shah Pucci Print Clutch at bagcrazy.com


The "It" Condom from Proper Attire

I never thought I would be saying this, but the "it" condom is replacing the "it" bag this season. [Well, at least according to Proper Attire Condoms.] Planned Parenthood has come to the realization that tapping into the modern young woman's fashion-obsessed psyche might just get her to carry condoms in her purse. (Hey, designer birth control pill cases worked. Why not designer condoms?) For $6, you can nab a 3-pack of fashionable love gloves cute enough to show off to friends. An interesting idea, but a little heavy on the cheese:

"Old stereotypes about who should buy condoms are so last season! Proper Attire condoms are the "must-have" accessory this season and were designed with sexually active, stylish women in mind."

So last season? Must have accessory? (Are women supposed to feel comfortable carrying them in their handbags, or are they supposed to sling them over their shoulders?) If I had my way, they would be FREE, handed out at stores where sexually active, stylish women shop, and have designer-inspired names like "Lube-y Vuitton," Dolce & Banana," and "Christian La-crotch." Now THAT would be a designer condom!

Designer Sonam Dubal: "Tibet Is Bleeding"

At his show on Sunday, Indian designer Sonam Dubal dedicated his collection to peaceful resolution of the violence currently underway in parts of China. His collection, "Trailing the River Goddess" coincidentally drew its inspiration from three rivers -- two of which are fed by Tibet's glaciers and snowy highlands. These were his sentiments:

"Though I'm not at the center of the violence, reading about it has pained my heart," Dubal explained. "This is my initiative to spread the word that violence leads us only to destruction. Tibet is bleeding and we should pray for peace even though we may not be affected by their problems. It is peace we need."

I couldn't agree more.

So Delish, You'll Want To Eat Your Fingers

Cinelli & Maillet Rings at cinellimaillet.com

Assorted Glass & Celluloid Rings at thecarrotbox.com

Vicente Agor 'Volcanico' and 'Moroccan Garden' Rings at vicenteagor.com

Glass Bead Rings by poppigirl @ etsy

Glass Circle Rings by kpglassjewelry1 @ etsy

Masini Gioielli and Gino Fontana Rings at forzieri.com