Fall Wish List

J. Crew, merino ethereal ruffle cardigan, color tbd

Ciao Bella Frankie

J. Crew, vintage cord pencil skirt in graphite

A Great Fall Bag, like this one from Coach.

Crane & Co., Scottie Dog Notes

Barbie Convention

Today I went to the Barbie Convention. I somehow convinced my editor to let me do an article about it, so that comes out tomorrow, and it was one of the most fun articles I've ever done, since I got to talk to someone who actually designs Barbies. And then I met up with him today and we talked about how much we love vintage Skipper and Midge.

Here are some pics of the convention, from a VW designed for Barbie (you can't see the compact in back in lieu of a trunk) to shots of vintage dolls.

This is the original Barbie design, but this one is made with tons of tiny diamonds. So pretty.

Lots of doll accessories — I recognize some of the hats and purses.

Skipper is so cute, and my mother has this PJ set and stuffed cat.

I love Midge (Barbie's best friend), and my mother also has this dress. It was always one of my favorites.

The Generation of Dreams dress. It has pictures of lots of old Barbies.

Big Barbie cases that you could get your picture taken in.

The VW car designed for Barbie.

Parked outside the hotel.

If you want to go to the convention, public day is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's at the Marriott Wardman Park and admission is $7.

I Love this Headband

This is the cover of yesterday's Express Styles section, and it turns out the headband is only about 5 dollars from Forever 21. So while we're at it, I also like this one and this one.

A Preppy Promotion

The web site Tucker Blair wrote in to let readers know about a special promotion for the holidays. Now through Dec. 24, there is a 50 percent off coupon. The code is holiday08.

I'm partial to this green headband.

The Rule of Cheap

Just like the "rule of ugly," which states that any time you don't wash your hair, or have a spot on your dress, someone will talk to you in a bar, the "rule of cheap" has been invoked a lot recently.

I have these shoes that are a rip off of those Tory Burch flats you see everywhere. I got them last fall at Macy's back home, when I was searching for black flats. I wasn't completely sold on them, but they were on the sale rack and cost $8.

I get a compliment on these shoes every single time I wear them. Sitting in court watching a trial, someone commented on them. People at parties ask if they're Tory Burch. Sometimes I want to pretend that they are, but it's such a better story that these shoes cost pennies a compliment, as opposed to some items of clothing, which run me upwards of $50 a compliment.

The rule also applies to this green peasant skirt ($15), pink J. Crew skirt ($20), and hot pink J. Crew purse ($15). Unfortunately, my higher end items never get this sort of attention.

I Want This Coat

How perfect is this for fall? Via Boy.

Blair's Pink Dress

Can someone locate/purchase this for me? Thanks!

Vineyard Vines Opening Party

Last Wednesday I went to the opening party that Washington Life threw for the new Vineyard Vines store in Georgetown. It was a nice party, with sushi, an open bar, and pink whale hats, which it seems that only men were wearing. I picked up a cute headband, since we all know how into headbands I've been lately (though for the record, my headband obsession began well before my Gossip Girl obsession). Apparently one of the guys from The Bachelor was on hand, and while I may not have the best taste in television, I've never seen the show and so I wouldn't recognize him. The store is a nice addition to Georgetown, where I've been spending much more time lately.

Late Spring Accessories

This is my favorite time in Washington — warm enough to wear all my dresses but not so humid that they're sticking to me and my hair is constantly frizzy. Since I already have a million dresses (though that hasn't stopped me from picking up three new ones already), I've decided to focus on updating my accessories. Here are some of my most recent acquisitions.



J. Crew finally has more beaded flower tie belts in stock, so I have the pink one.



This is my new necklace, which I had custom made from Yumi Chen on a long chain, since I'm kind of obsessed with long necklaces right now.




My new purse from Fornash. The size is perfect for a night out, it goes with everything, and I've received innumerable compliments on it.

Highlights from the J. Crew Spring Collection

Masako eyelet dress

(The perfect Laurel Parade dress)

Giraffe-charm necklace

(The perfect complement to animal print flats)



Polka-dot bow skirt

(The perfect office-to-night-out skirt)



Tie-front dress

(The perfect spring brunch dress)

Love

Silk organza Nina halter dress

Favorite Spring Coats

It may not be warm enough to wear them yet, but these new spring coats cry out for April weather.

Monsoon, £70.00

Betsey Johnson, $420

J. Crew, $158

Banana Republic, $168

Gap, $69.50 (the one that just made it into my closet)

J. Crew in Italy; or, Things I Must Have

J. Crew's new collection is up today. The highlights:

Swiss-dot Fontana dress

Featherweight merino ruffle cardigan

Gayle ruffle trench

Beaded-flower tie belt

Headbands

It's January, which means I have nothing to do (besides work) until classes start up again. It also means that I've gotten sucked into a new show — Gossip Girl.

One of the reasons I watch it is for Blair Waldorf's headbands, since headbands have become an everyday part of my wardrobe over the past year. My favorite is her red bow headband, which I have fruitlessly spent the last thirty minutes trying to locate online.



The closest I've found is this one, from Forever 21, which is cute and only $3.80.

New Dresses

I've returned from Boston, where I caught a Celtics game and also managed to buy four dresses. One is for New Year's Eve, one is for work, and two were too perfect not to buy.

The New Year's Eve dress.

No picture of the work dress, but it's dark wool and sleeveless.

Tartan: Romancing the Plaid

A fellow Scotland-phile alerted me to Tartan: Romancing the Plaid, a really cute book about the pretty fabric.

My favorite tartan? Lindsay:


If your family is Scottish, find your own tartan, here.

Atonement

L and I went to see Atonement on Friday, and came to the same conclusion — it's a good film, but without having read Ian McEwan's novel it would be hard for someone to really 'get' so much of went on in the book. Still, it's a beautiful movie, and I think the director captured the feel of the story quite well.

Also, I've fall madly in love with the green dress that Keira Knightley wears, and am now on the lookout for something similar/an occasion to wear it.

Scottie Glitter Critter Sweater at J. Crew

J. Crew's winter theme is Scotland, which is obviously exciting for me. But the store has always featured scotties and westies prominently in their collection. I someday want one (or a pair, since the last time I was in Scotland I noticed that everyone has a matching set of dogs). Here's the latest addition, and I absolutely must have it.

Holiday Clothes

I just ordered this top online from American Eagle to wear to holiday parties and events. It also comes in really a pretty purple and a navy, but I love the red. Now I just need a black cardigan, preferably with sparkly buttons, to wear over it, and I'll be set.

New J. Crew Fall Clothes

Amazing. The strapless dress is my absolute favorite.

1. Strapless wool jersey dress
2. Vintage violet cami
3. Fleur-de-lis locket necklace
4. Kaylie wool jersey dress