Kendi Skeen from kendieveryday.com in Brahmin's summer 2012 catalogue (photography courtesy, er, stolen, from Brahmin's summer 2012 catalogue)

Our very own (well, McKinney’s very own) cute-as-a-button Kendi Skeen from kendieveryday.com and owner of one of our fav shops, Bloom, stars in Brahmin’s summer 2012 catalogue with only two other young ladies. You. Go. Girl. And I think you deserve a round two with those Christian Louboutins. Check out the catalogue and shop the looks at our Galleria Dallas store.

photos by Mario Sorrenti, courtesy of Barneys

Jane Aldridge of Sea of Shoes blog fame hinted that she spent a little time in front of famous fashion photographer Mario Sorrenti’s lenses back in November, but now we know why. Josyln from D Home rushed over this morning with the newest Barneys New York catalog, starring the lovely red head amongst several other style icons.

Just me and Martha.

Today I interviewed Martha Stewart, who, you may have heard, was in town signing her books at Williams-Sonoma at NorthPark. Take a look at what the famous homemaker has to say about entertaining, weddings, and loving breakfast. Then go buy her six-pound book.

Due to a shortage of time, my interview was shared with an NBC Guy.

NBC Guy: Okay we’re good and uh, it’s just easier if you look at Bailey.

Martha Stewart: Yeah, okay.

NBC Guy: First, tell me about the book.

MS: Well I need a book. Can I have a book please?

Bailey Powell: I have a book.

MS: So I’m here today to sign books at William Sonoma, and it’s my new book called Martha’s Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations. It’s hefty- six plus pounds (laughs). It’s a book about my own personal style of entertaining and it’s our 75^th book at the company, so it’s a big deal.

NBC Guy: What do you think about Dallas in general? I mean there is a lot of entertaining here in Dallas.

MS: Well, I think the people here in Dallas have a history of entertaining, a long history- very gracious, beautiful homes, wonderful facility with their guests, so I enjoy coming here. I love to see what they’re up to.

NBC Guy: That’s literally all I had. Bailey if you have anything…

BP: Okay! I saw your bridal shower feature for your friend Hannah with the Maine-inspired theme. I was wondering if you had any unconventional Dallas ideas for a bridal shower.

MS: Oh! Well I’d have to think about it. I’ve never catered a wedding here but I do come to  some giant weddings. I think Dallas throws big fetes. You know, 600 is small for some people. I remember the last wedding I came to there were so many food stations, foods from everywhere. There were over 800 people or something. Who knows 800 people?

BP: You do!

MS: (laughs) I think in Dallas they do.

BP: If you had one piece of advice for the Dallas bride what would it be?

MS: It’s very difficult to give one piece of advice. Just get organized. It’s all about organization and it’s also about not being a bridezilla.

BP: What is something that you always wish people would ask you?

MS: I mean, I have a program called “Ask Martha”. I don’t presuppose anything specific. You know, what’s my favorite recipe, what I like the best in food, those are the kinds of questions I get mostly.

BP: What’s your favorite recipe in the book?

MS: In this book… I think it’s the dessert that’s the baked plum with vanilla ice cream with a beautiful puff pastry Gustav on top. It’s a nice recipe.

BP: What’s your favorite event? Do you have a favorite one in the book?

MS: I like all the parties but I love breakfasts. I love the burgundy dinner. It was de-licious and the wines were great.

NBC Guy: I guess the last thing I have for you is to finish this sentence: I love doing what I do because _____________.

MS: Oh okay. I love entertaining because it brings together a lot of elements that are good living. It’s cooking, it’s in your table, it’s inviting friends, having great conversation, and that’s what entertaining is all about.

photography by Jason Acton

Look so perfect, that is. If you didn’t already know, Dita von Teese was in town this week, bringing her Cointreau MargaDita cocktail and show, Burlesque: Strip Strip Hooray! to Dallas. After having photos taken with her (and sharing it with the world), everyone keeps asking, “Is she followed around by some sort of invisible PhotoShop machine?” I don’t know the answer, but intern Molly Boland got a couple tips from Dita that might shed some light on the subject (and her flawless beauty). Jump for details.

So, Thursday night rocked. I went to the launch event for Dita Von Teese’s latest namesake cocktail. It’s already been a hit in New York City and LA, so naturally Dallas is excited about the drink and this star’s visit to the Big D. The Queen of Burlesque calls her newest creation the MargaDita and it’s a spin off the original margarita – which has been popular since the 50’s. I’ve always been a history kind of girl so besides the fact that this new beverage has a story behind it, I found myself getting lost in this woman’s old fashioned beauty – and I wasn’t the only one. It was near impossible to talk to anyone at the event without making a mention of Von Teese’s exquisiteness. Her perfectly fair skin and graceful posture are enough to make anyone want to travel back in time to the days of corsets, floral dresses, and bold red lipstick. I was lucky enough to sit down and speak with Ms. Von Teese and was blown way. She could be the most soft and well-spoken woman I’ve ever met, not to mention intelligent. She educated me of the history of burlesque and spoke about the art form’s past and presence in Paris. She even spilled a few beauty secrets!

Remember 3 Ss: No Sun, no smoking, and lots of sleep. Von Teese said that’s really the key to beautiful skin. As for her workouts, the performer finds it important to have variety of activities when exercising.

What I loved learning most while at the cocktail reception last night was this historic lady is an artist, not just a performer. She does her own hair and makeup, creates her own costumes, which, she said, can be pretty heavy, and designs every detail of her show from lights to music and choreography. I left the event feeling as if I sort of had a new role model. --Molly Boland

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT HERE.

*Update: 3 pm Dallas time, not 4 pm

Mischa Barton on whowhatwear.com

I love this “quirky” look Mischa Barton’s sporting today on Who What Wear’s blog. I scrolled slowly down the outfit. Bugs, love ‘em. Pleated skirt, so in style. And then BOOM. Those gorgeous Charlotte Olympia pumps. Just shot a similar pair myself at Forty Five Ten. The pretty girls above are hanging out at the boutique, just waiting for a loving home.

rzrachelzoe Rachel Zoe
What to do when stranded in Dallas…order everything on the menu? XoRZ http://post.ly/26Bj6

Pair #2.

Tony Lama, headquartered in Fort Worth, is responsible for the new boots seen on the feet of Lady Gaga in honor of her song, “Born This Way.” According to Gagafashionland.com, the boots took a whopping 500 hours to hand-create. Look closely and you’ll see images of unicorns, wings, rainbows, and the words “Born This Way.” The second (right) were also created for the megastar.

Khloe Kardashian did an anti-fur ad for PETA. Hm...

According to a PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) press release, a protest will accompany Kim K’s spokesmodel appearance for FusionBeauty at Nordstrom Galleria tomorrow. From the email:

Holding signs that read, “Fur Is Butt Ugly” and “Fur Is a Bad Asset,” PETA members will confront Kim Kardashian as she arrives for a promotional event at Nordstrom on Wednesday. Kardashian has been targeted by PETA for her obsession with wearing fur, exotic-animal skins, and leather.

I’m all for fighting for animal rights (I’ve even spent years as a vegetarian), but I’m not so in love with the poster’s slogans. Fighting animal cruelty by picking on a woman’s body image doesn’t seem like the right approach to me. In any case, though, isn’t fur a little dated? Even Chanel has switched to faux fur.