Brrrr....

Bonjour Divas!

I've been pulling out my coats and heavy sweaters daily now and I am absolutely LOVING it! I even hear rumors of snow flurries later on this week, which is bringing me great joy. It's almost that season ladies, and no I'm not talking about winter. I'm talking about the shopping season! This is the time of year to spend, spend, spend without guilt or buyer's remorse. And let's be honest, the dreaded B.R. attacks even the best of us. But not at this time. Department stores are getting into the spirit earlier and earlier and the sales are getting better and better. So if you've been hiding that credit card away (I have to admit that I haven't), it's time to pull it out, dust it off, and get to swiping that plastic. Now don't overdo divas. Remember, what you charge, you must pay, so if you're on a budget, do your best to abide by it. And that's all I have to say about that.

In other news, I've been looking in the fashion mags and watching television to see who I thought was actually doing big things in fashion these days. And I must admit, I'm really feeling Mrs. Posh Spice. Honey is working her rags from face to foot and the program that she's on.... yeah, definitely feeling that. So we'll glance at a few of her best looks and oooh and ahhhh at the magnificence that is Victoria Beckham.

I also have a thing for Chanel (doesn't every Duchess?) and so we'll take a look at her Fall 2007 line. It's classic Chanel that will make us all feel like the feminine women that we are. After that, I'll show you a more daring line given to us by Dean and Dan... otherwise known as Dsquared2.

So without further ado, let's do what we do best. Stay warm. Stay fierce.

Ciao bella,








The Duchess

WINTER COATS

How can I rock it and be warm? Let me count the ways....

THEY DON'T CALL HER POSH FOR NOTHING...

Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham -- daring Diva. Style maven. Say what you will about the Spice Girls, but please, please, please give Mrs. Beckham her due. Everytime she steps out, she's flawless. From her makeup to her handbag, she has it all. Loving family, reviving career and a BANGING closet. I am not mad. If I had all the money in the world and could fashion myself after anyone, she'd definitely be in the top five. No wonder Mrs. Katie Holmes Cruise wants to jump on that bus. Check out the luxe life and working it relentlessly is Mrs. Posh Spice.

“Fashion is not Something That Exists in Dresses only. Fashion is in the Sky, in the Street, Fashion has to do With Ideas, the Way We Live, What is Happening.” - Coco Chanel

Wise words from a fashion icon. Check out Chanel's Fall 2007 line. Fabulously designed by constant stylemaker Karl Lagerfeld.




What's Better Than One D? Try Two.

Dsquared2's Fall 2007 line is super hot. It's a lot feminine and a little rock n' roll. Dean and Dan brings us straight lines and costumes that we'll adore in this season's line. Sit back and check it out.

Fantastic Fridays

Greetings and Salutations Divas,

It's Friday. I have a fabulous job. And it's raining so I don't have anything to do. But I have to say that sometimes, it's days like these that I live for. Nothing going on so I can just go home after being at the office all day and relax. Grab a copy of People and W and see what's happening where and who's wearing what. And more importantly, what I should be wearing. And on occasions such as this, when I have extra time, I'm able to walk into my closet, take a stroll around and revert to my younger years when I had fun playing in my clothes. So with that being said, I'll keep it short and let you see what happened with some of our favorites when they played in their own clothes.

Ciao bella,









The Duchess

Let's Play Dress Up

Check out our favorite Divas doing their things at recent events. I'm loving every minute.

Fall Diva

Bonjour Divas!

I woke up this morning and there was a crispness in the air that I have been waiting for all year long!!! I was so excited and knew exactly what I would be reaching into my wardrobe to adorn my body with. I recently purchased a new black sweater that has very intricate details and makes me feel so feminine and fabulous. I've been waiting for just a day as this to wear it and let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

So with that being said, this is the season for sweaters so we'll talk about that. And I'll be highlighting Christian Dior as the designer to look out for. The Spring 2008 line is so divine it's insane and you'll definitely want to see what's coming up.

So sit back, grab your Pumpkin Spice Latte, and read on beauties. It's all about you.

Ciao bella,










The Duchess

GRIN and BARE it!!!

According to our in-the-know friends on the fashion circuit in NYC and fashion directors at Bloomingdales, "lingerie items have become display pieces" and we're beginning to see it on the runway. Everything from corsets to panties, to camisoles and slips are becoming "outer-bare" instead of under-wear. Check out these pictures from recent runway shows during recent fashion weeks:

(Photos: FTWStarface, Retna Ltd. Jacques Brinon, Richard Termine)

Christian Dior, Spr '08 - Louis Vuitton, Spr '08, Marc Jacobs, 2007

See what I mean? Now Divas, I'm not sure if I'm with this or not, but its definitely worth noting since the hottest names in fashion are strutting our favorites models down the runways in their scintillating sex-tumes. Here are a few other ways to rock the outer-bare look.



Runway looks from Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham looking lovely as always.



Beyonce rockin' the corseted belt look.



Corset tops from Victoria's Secret.

Maybe, just maybe I might grab a corset and rock it with a crisp, French-cuffed shirt--that could be quite hot. Maybe I'll leave the lingerie to the privacy of my abode, with a cool glass of wine and my man. ;)

CHRISTIAN J'Adore

J'adore Dior. And I really do. I've been in love with Christian Dior for eons now, always checking out their latest lines, from makeup to bags to ready-to-wear. Even though I'm enjoying this crisp fall weather, Dior has me anticipating Spring. Their 2008 line is so sophisticated and chic. I'm all about being dainty and sweet and this line defnitely does it for me. Don't want to take my word for it? Check it out yourself:





Didn't I tell you? Oh, and did you note the lingerie? The Duchess never lies.

Fashion ROCKS!!!

I know I'm just a hair late on this, but I still wanted to give you a couple of images of your favorite Duchesses working it at Fashion Rocks. Enjoy!

BAPS, Beauties and Beamers

Bonjour Divas,

This has already worked out to be a whirlwind week. There's so much going on with me right now, I just don't know where to begin. And pardon my lateness on the update, I've been meaning to touch base for a couple of days now, but like I said, the Duchess has been busy. First, I'm just going to highlight my weekend because boy was it shop-tastic! Once again, I went into the stores and lost my mind. I shopped out Neiman's and went into cardiac arrest at Saks, but my checkbook AND my credit card are both recovering nicely. I have to let you know that if you consider yourself a true Diva, then you absolutely, and I do mean ABSOLUTELY must have an Hermes scarf. No excuses. I'll tell you why later. (wink) Also, I kind of liked the designer highlight, so I'll keep that going. This week I'll let you know what's going on with Rag & Bone and Milly. You'll want to be paying close attention to both of these because the fall/winter lines are HOT HOT HOT!! And just because it's football season, I have to give it up to my team the Dallas Cowboys! All the haters can just take a seat. But I'm not going to focus really on America's Team. I feeling like showing a little love to America's Sweethearts, the cheerleaders. They are definitely Divas and worked hard to be in the position they're in and represent for the best team in the league. So let's stop talking and get straight to it. Ciao bella, The Duchess

Be on the Lookout...

Vanilly gave Milly a really bad name, but Michelle Smith revived it for all of us glam queens! Milly is quickly becoming one of the hottest names in fashion, acting as the goto line for sleek pieces made with supple fabrics. True to her tagline, "Sexy. Feminine. Glamorous. Sophisticated. Milly.," Smith is giving other designers a run for their money, literally. Take a look at some of her Fall pieces.



Milly burst onto the scene in 2000 and is moving, full steam ahead, with a timeless style. You might have seen some of the pieces on Cameron Diaz, Jessica Biel and Jennifer Aniston. If you fancy a trip down 5th Avenue, stop into Saks or Bergdorf Goodman to shop the collection. If you need a more virtual shopping experience, slide your cursor over to the right and check her out at shopbop.com.

You'll also be interested in knowing that Rag & Bone is a hot one to look out for as well. This fashion label was born in 2001, originally inspired by denim and the classicness of jeans. The goal of designers David Neville and Marcus Wainwright was to fuse history, authenticity and fundamentals into clothing and thus, Rag & Bone was born. Now the name sounds pretty grungy right? But, trust me. The pieces are anything but. The name actually honors an English tradition of the rag and bone man who would gather scrap metal, old furniture, wood and anything else that would help sustain him. So truthfully, think of it as the first form of recycling. Back then, the rag and bone man would trade candy and sweets for scraps for his cart. Today, we trade Hamiltons and Franklins. But it's so worth it. Check out these items the y have for us for Fall.



And if you like what you see... as I'm sure you do... wait until you see what they have in store for us in the Spring 2008 line. No, I won't keep you waiting... check out these pieces. True works of art.

Her Hermes

Now I told you that I would tell you why you have to have an Hermes scarf to officially be a B.A.P. and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Hermes represents the epitome of luxury and style and basically, if you want to represent that, then one of these pieces must be in your collection. Period. When I tell you, it is the softest silk you'll ever touch and you won't be angry at the $300 you dropped on a square of fine fabric, you'll pay attention. Take for instance the orange Twilly scarf represented to right in the classic Hermes orange. Wrap it around your one of the handles of your Chanel, Chloe, Kooba, Louis or Gucci handbag and sweeten your arm candy.

The classic orange is unmistakable from a mile away and will always bring you complements from people wanting to steal your style. What you probably don't know about Hermes is that it began as a saddle company in Paris 168 years ago under the name Hermes-Freres. You'll definitely remember the famous Kelly bag (pictured below) that the Diva Grace Kelly used to eloquently hide her pregnancy. That actually debuted in 1956 and, like mama always said, "Class never goes out of style." Now the scarves, datebooks, Birkin bags and other accessories are some of the most coveted items out there.

Now do I need to say anything more? If you don't have something Hermes, go get it. Now. Pass go. Collect $200. You'll need it at the register.

America's Sweethearts

What can I say about the Dallas Cowboys. Nothing else, but I LOVE them!!! I sit in front of my television every Sunday and hold my well-manicured hands to my face in hopes that Tony Romo will throw a perfect touchdown pass. And when they find themselves in the end zone, I jump up and high-kick my way around my coffee table and give the jazz hands, singing praises of how I looooovvvveeeee those Texas boys. In my other life, I must've been a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. Since I'm not, I'll pay homage to the Duchesses that are holding it down on and off the field.




Here's the dish on the Divas:
1. Deryn Dberbigny - She's 25, from New Orleans and wants to direct her own NFL cheerleading squad. 2. Nicole Hamilton - She's 24, from Nashville and hopes to open her own dance studio and spa. 3. Ryan Ray - This diva is 22, from Fort Worth and is looking forward to a career in speech pathology. 4. Tia Williams - Honey is 23, from Sapulpa, OK (where?) and wants to start her own denim line for women. 5. Ally Traylor - She's 22, from St. Louis and wants to open her own dance wear boutique. 6. Carman Butler - Miss Thing is 33, from Omaha and looks forward to opening a non-profit that will look out for the health and safety of children, seniors and animals. 7. Dara McFarlane - This Duchess is 18, from Nassau Bay and wants to be a publicist! (Like me!)

Work it out Divas. I'm very proud!!!