Diary of a Fashionista Blog

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Not that we don't drool shopping online, but Harvard Sweet Boutique brings on more salivation than even the most gorgeous lambskin handbag. (Well, almost.) Every brownie, cookie and cake is concocted from scratch, made freshly by hand, and while we wish we could snatch a batch for ourselves at the local supermarket, these baked goods are made for giving. The tastiest treats (in our humble opinion) include the Vanilla Sea Salt Caramel Brownies (regularly $20, Store Adore price $16) and the Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies (regularly $18, Store Adore price $14.40). If you find yourself becoming a real Sweet Boutique junkie, join the Monthly Sweet Treat Club. That's one subscription we'd trade our monthly mags for.

To redeem your 20% discount at Harvard Sweet Boutique enter promo code "AdoreCookies09" at checkout.

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Missed an episode of Project Runway? Be sure to catch up on all the drama and fashion as your favorite winners and finalists from past seasons blog their way through season six.

Recapping the 11th episode is season one favorite Austin Scarlett. Be sure to check out Austin's website, austinscarlett.com!

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Missed an episode of Project Runway? Be sure to catch up on all the drama and fashion as your favorite winners and finalists from past seasons blog their way through season six.

Recapping the tenth episode is season five finalist and fan favorite Korto Momolu. Be sure to check out Korto's website, kortomomolu.com!

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Romantic ruffles, breezy fabrics, and flowy silhouettes were all the rage on Brian Reyes' runway. See the show below for some girly fashion inspiration and tell us which of his looks is your favorite:

For effortlessly edgy style, look no further than Tracy Reese's runway show below. Check it out to see what actress Gabrielle Union loves about her designs, and how to get the bold hair and makeup look to complement the totally wearable runway looks:

For more behind-the-scenes action at Fashion Week, go here.

Asymmetry may be the hot fashion trend on the fall runways, but for hair, it's all about the sleek and smooth style. The three things you need for frizz-free hair, fast:

1. A flat brush
2. A blowdryer nozzle
3. Anti-frizz cream

Once you have these three tools, check out the video below for how to put it all together into an easy, smooth style:

Not since the era of Camelot has there been so much attention paid to First Lady fashion. It's safe to say that Michelle Obama, is without a doubt the nation's first "hip" First Lady, managing to exude class and refinement without losing that touch of spontaneity and je ne sais quoi. Here, Marie Claire chats with Mandi Norwood about Michelle Style, her new book chronicling the First Lady's style which hit bookshelves May 5.

1. Michelle vs. Jackie-O: how do the fashion icons compare?
Michelle O. has a much more accessible style than Jackie O. While Jackie very often had clothes hand-made just for her, or at least collaborated with designers to create clothing to her specifications, Michelle buys off the runway and off the rack. This, of course, means that it’s really easy for the average woman on the street to mimic Michelle’s style and feel close to her. I think many women feel like they know Michelle Obama because she’s very real, in the way she talks the way she behaves and, yes, in the way she dresses.

2. How is Michelle's sense of style a good role model for women in these economic times?
Michelle Obama clearly doesn’t dress according to price tag. We get the very strong feeling that if Michelle loves a dress it isn’t because it comes with a high price tag - it’s because it makes her happy or feel good. For so many years, women have felt that they have to spend a lot of money and wear designer labels to be truly stylish. Not so, says Michelle Obama, who proves you can dress from Talbots, Gap, J Crew, White House Black Market and look completely on point fashion-wise.

3. What are some of Michelle's most conspicuous "Do's?"
She dresses very knowledgably - she understands what suits her body shape and rotates similar silhouettes. She isn’t afraid of color and wears a vivacious range of brights which makes many of her outfits so memorable. She balances soft and strong - strong silhouettes with soft, feminine separates such as cardigans. And she mixes designer labels with affordable pieces which is the essence of modern dressing.

4. How does all this media attention to Michelle's wardrobe strike you? Why do you think this is the case?
We’ve been craving a smart, savvy, sexy fashion role model for so long now we simply cannot get enough of Michelle Obama. Bear in mind, we’ve only had the likes of Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson to take style inspiration from which, for many women, was a very depressing state of affairs. Along comes Michelle Obama and not only is she extremely accomplished and professional, but she clearly enjoys fashion, too! It’s a compelling combination.

6. Some have criticized Michelle's constant wearing of cardigans...what's your take on that?
Look, we’re not talking about a woman who walks onto the global stage in old slippers and moth-eaten cardigans. We’re talking about a woman who combines strong, sexy pencil skirts with soft, feminine, cashmere cardigans. A woman who manages to balance comfort and chic. If Michelle Obama were striding around in a masculine, structured, shoulder-padded jacket, everyone would be suggesting that she isn’t comfortable with her femininity and is trying to hide it.

7. Will Michelle single handedly bring back the brooch?
The brooch has been in and out of fashion for centuries. This time around, I do think Mrs O. can be credited with its re-surge in popularity, but she wears her brooches in a very organic way. She doesn’t look like she’s just walked under a tree and an insect or bloom has dropped off a branch and onto her shoulder. Her brooches are always well integrated into her outfits.

8. What are the lessons to be learned from Michelle's way of dressing?
Wear strong silhouettes balanced with soft fabrics and separates. Don’t be afraid of bright colors. Keep accessories simple. The most flattering dress for a woman over 35 is on-the-knee-length. And if you’re going to go sleeveless, for goodness sake, make sure your arms are strong and toned. No wibbly underarms, please!

9. How would you advise women looking to invest in confident clothing for the modern times, taking cues from Michelle?
*Keep clothes simple and unfussy. The more embellishments, the cheaper clothes look.
* Wear blocks of bold colors – modern power dressing is about creating a powerful presence and nothing says confidence more than a purple or red sheath dress.
* Invest in good-quality accessories since you can always elevate a cheaper item with an expensive belt.
*If in doubt, dress a half size bigger. Nothing crushes your confidence more than feeling like you’ve squeezed yourself into a dress that’s too tight. Michelle Obama never wears clothes that look like they’re straining at the seams.

10.What designers would you like Michelle to invest in that she hasn't already?
Mrs O. is already doing a pretty fine job in wearing a great cross-section of designers. I’m happy to see her in Michael Kors, Moschino, Junya Watanabe and Jason Wu. It doesn’t get more diverse than that. However, I wouldn’t mind seeing her in a few pieces from Vera Wang or Peter Som.

11. How do you predict Michelle's style will evolve over the next few years?
As her confidence and comfort level grows, I suspect we’ll see her take more risks with her clothing selections. She’s already evolved from the security zone of her Maria Pinto sheaths to more avant garde designs, from designers such as as Junya Watanabe and Azzedine Alaia. We know she loves whimsy, so I’m looking forward to being surprised by wonderful and unusual styling details. And every now and again, being wowed when she steps onto the global stage in another killer outfit from a chain store.

Michelle Style is in bookstores now.

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Missed an episode of Project Runway? Be sure to catch up on all the drama and fashion as your favorite winners and finalists from past seasons blog their way through season six.

Recapping the 7th episode is season four finalist Rami Kashou. Be sure to check out Rami's website, ramikashou.com!

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Next time you buy a pair of Gap jeans, do it guilt-free: you could be helping a gal in a factory across the globe. How? Gap has teamed up with the nonprofit International Center for Research on Women to help female factory workers train to be managers. "Men definitely occupy more management positions," says Bobbi Silten, Gap's chief foundation officer. "This gives women the opportunity to compete." Gap's investment makes sense, given that women produce more than 80 percent of the retailer's clothes. The program, called Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement, which started in India in 2007, recently expanded to Cambodia, and will hit Bangladesh next.

Marie Claire has teamed with StyleCaster.com to bring you daily style inspiration based on the weather forecast for your city. It's a personal fashion finder for those mornings when you can't find a thread to wear.

Enter your zip code to get a climate-appropriate outfit, then click forward for more fashionable finds.

Grab this widget now to get a front-row seat for fashion week trends. The outfits displayed will be inspired by designers showing at New York, Paris, and Milan fashion weeks. Want more from Fashion Week? Get a backstage pass to the latest news from NY Fashion Week here.

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Monica Prestia, founder of StefaniBags, chooses her stock of handbags to reflect the tastes of the girls she sees on the street. After all, she lives in Brooklyn and is always observing). Our top picks for this season’s newest styles? Bags with zippers! The Kooba Ryder Tote in purple suede (regularly $595, Store Adore price $446.25) is a sleek standout. Sure, the deep-V and asymmetrical zippers are a bit kooky, but we find the look thoroughly irresistible. The Olivia Harris Double Buckle Ball Hobo (regularly $395, Store Adore price $296.25) does the zipper thing with a contrasting leather trim. Finally, for a squared away look, and a pocket for everything, we adore the Linea Pelle Dylan Zip Tote (regularly $495, Store Adore price $371.25)

To save 25% on everything* at StefaniBags enter code “Adore25” at checkout. (*Offer excludes Tolani scarves.) Hurry, deal expires October 15th!

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Speak up, win big. Fall is nearly here and who doesn't want something new to welcome the change of seasons? How about a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards? Use it on shoes, bags, a great top or just do something fun.

Participate in our survey to enter our September sweepstakes (it’ll take no more than 5 minutes, we promise!). We want to hear from you - what do you love, what do you want more of? Tell us here.

Missed an episode of Project Runway? Be sure to catch up on all the drama and fashion as your favorite winners and finalists from past seasons blog their way through season six.

Recapping the 6th episode is season two winner Chloe Dao. Be sure to check out Chloe's website, chloedao.com!

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

The hair you'll be craving this fall? Soft and simple, to balance out bold accessories and makeup. Below, learn how to kick casual waves up a notch with a new part and the right products. The result: a quick, modern look that's effortlessly chic and goes from day to date:

For more behind-the-scenes action at Fashion Week, go here.

Could it be that Whitney Port, of Hills and The City fame, prefers to be behind the scenes? Below, she hits the runway with her own fashion line. Go backstage with Whitney and then check out her show below. Does this reality starlet have what it takes to make it in fashion?

For more behind-the-scenes action at Fashion Week, go here.

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Your home is your personal canvas. Paint it with bold brush strokes at Burke Décor, an e-shop specializing in contemporary home design straight out of the pages of Domino magazine. From floor to ceiling and everything in between, the site has us coming back again and again to craft our wish lists and stock up on no-brainer accents and accessories. Fresh wallpaper designs by Graham & Brown and Linda Barker abound, from florals to geometrics to damasks, and you’ll find a plethora of peppy pillows from KoKo Company and Thomas Paul, as well as other decorative goodies like modern clocks trays by iBride. Need to narrow in on a look or gather gift ideas? Shop within boutiques with pre-selected items boasting themes like “Pimp My Dorm,” Hollywood Regency" and "Red Heaven."

To save 20% on all orders over $150 at Burke Décor enter code “ADORE” at checkout.

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Get your texting fingers ready—the stylish Kyocera Sanyo SCP-2700 for Sprint comes with a full QWERTY keypad for easy texting and it comes loaded with outstanding features such as a 1.3 megapixel camera, Sprint Family Locator, Sprint Mobile Email Work, Social Zone application Bluetooth and more. Best of all? It can be yours for free!

To win the Kyocera Sanyo phone, head to our Twitter to get the secret code and then click here to enter.

Missed an episode of Project Runway? Be sure to catch up on all the drama and fashion as your favorite winners and finalists from past seasons blog their way through season six.

Recapping the fifth episode is season five finalist and fan favorite Korto Momolu. Be sure to check out Korto's website, kortomomolu.com!

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Mesotherapy, a technique popular in Europe for firming skin that involves quick, prick-like injections, is now used for stimulating hair growth. (Rumors have attributed Jude Law's apparent thickening to the shots, but his rep wouldn't comment.) By injecting the vitamins or drugs (like prescription Propecia, typically taken orally to lower hair-thinning dihydroxytestosterone levels) directly into the scalp, less medicine is needed than with an oral dose and there are fewer side effects, explains New York City internist Dr. Alexander Kulick, who recommends six to nine treatments ($400 each) every year. While the shots are painful (hundreds are needed to cover the scalp), the results might be worth it.

Want long locks without the needle? The latest hair products borrow from skin creams and lash-growing serums to give you long, lusciously thick locks.