best dressed: december

Favorite: Nicole Richie single-handedly has everything I want in this photo: a giant red Chanel 2.55 (check), Louboutin boots (check!), and an Alexander McQueen skull scarf (ugh, check). Her kids are so lucky. Trust me, it's awesome to have a super stylish mum. 

Jessica Stam -- no wonder; I'm a sucker for leopard and for Stam!

Stam without the coat. Badass.

Fearne Cotton 

Sofia Coppola

Bar Refaeli -- obsessed with her Louis Vuitton scarf.  

Dita von Teese

Camilla Belle 

Krysten Ritter

Nicky Hilton -- Stephen Sprouse Louis Vuitton scarf double-take! Extra points for wearing it to Taco Bell. 

xox
Jessi Lou

chanel pre-fall 2011

This is what I'm taking about, Chanel. This collection was, in a word, spellbinding. There was something ultra Alexander McQueen-ish meets ancient Shanghai, but still kept to its Chanel roots with classic tweeds. I died over the jacquard golds and champagnes with punches of wine and red. It was gorgeous to say the least.

A collection fit for royalty, but at the same time, the pieces seemed wearable to me. The problem I've had with most of Karl's past designs is that they could rarely be pulled off with the exception of on the runway. How would someone in the real world wear this if they dared? Or, let's say, a college student who wanted to thrift around for a gold brocade top? The styling in this collection not only gives aspiration, but an actual piece that you could really wear it with. Okay, a beautiful gold skirt (or top, dress, what have you)...charcoal gray tights! Or something red or purple! Perfect. 

"that's quacktastic"

There's something about duck boots that charm the crap out of me. They're impossibly preppy and some are just so ugly they're damn near adorable, but I am intrigued. I first fell in love with them at the beginning of fall when Tommy Hilfiger put them in his collection. I fell in love yet again when I saw these at an LL Bean store in Maine. They were not quite as stylish and without a heel, but rugged and cute nonetheless. Kicking myself, still, for not buying them!

Tommy Hilfiger puts a cute twist on duck boots.

(Duck) boots with the fur... Joan of Arctic Boot

Classic Bass boot. Can't go wrong.

Another Sorel beauty.

Wallet-friendly courtesy of Target!

The words "sassy" and "duck" aren't together enough in the same sentence, as far as I'm concerned. I mean, these babies just need some black tights, a chunky sweater, statement necklace, and voila! Pick your poison to make these unconventionally stylish.

Oh, Chanel Iman, you read my mind. (Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2010)

Preppy meets edgy with liquid leggings. Nice one, Olivia Palermo!

I don't know who she is, but she looks super cute! 

national velvet

Everyone is infatuated with all things velveteen. It's a beautifully delicate texture that begs to be felt. The mere thought of the word invokes images of cuddly stuffed rabbits (saddest book EVER!), creepy '70s dolls with perfect hair, and the smooth sounds of Lou Reed and Nico. Now, with winter and holidays just around the corner, we think of shorts, dresses, skirts, and leggings. The velour trend is in full-swing, and it's the perfect fancy touch to any holiday outfit or just an extra special addition to a pair of denim or a tee.

Velour-wearer beware: Don't be weirded out when people want to touch your new silky soft blazer.

Nicole Richie in gorgeous blue velvet shorts. 

Alexa Chung wears her own design of velvet shorts for Madewell. 

Althuzarra Fall 2010

Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 (last year, yes, but still relevant...and Jessica Stam!)

Rachel Bilson in a velvet blazer

Marc Jacobs Fall 2010

Stretch Velvet Double U-Neck Long Sleeve Mini Dress

Velvet Leggings

Urban Renewal Curatorial Burnout Velvet Maxi Dress

Velvet Dynasty Top

Velvet Schoolboy Blazer

xox

Jessi Lou

"she's like heroin to me..."

Some of my favorite movies also happen to be some of the most bizarre. I'm so excited for "Black Swan" to come out that I decided to watch my favorite Darren Aronofsky film, "Requiem for a Dream." I don't know how this never won an Oscar. All actors were amazing, even Jared Leto before he turned into a total douche.