BCBG Max Azria “Nasha” color-blocked dress
This off-the-runway piece makes my heart pitter-patter. That sexy neckline, pops of neon, shoulder cutouts, flowing skirt…sigh. So cool.
BCBG NorthPark, $598

7 For All Mankind cut-off shorts in Pink Whiskered
7′s summer collection is a throwback assortment with patchwork denim, metallic skinnies, and variety of printed jeans, like ikat, floral, and tribal. I’m in the market for the perfect cutoff shorts, though, and this pair is it.
7 For All Mankind NorthPark, $178

Christian Louboutin Lady Max spiked sandals
I’ve always loved spikes, chains, and anything else that says, “I’m a badass.” And then spikes saturated the trend market, and girl next door started wearing them, and it took the fun out of it. But these sandals could renew my love for the look. Subtle but wicked.
Barneys New York, $1,495

Lizzie Fortunado “Midnight Cruiser” tribal print iPad clutch
I love all the Lizzie Fortunado statement necklaces, but the leather collection of cross-bodies, satchels, and oversized clutches with the tribal print motif are equally wonderful.  I’d pair this with solid black attire (as per usual) and let the bag shine on its own.
V.O.D., $450

Amore & Sorvete Black Bouquet print and mesh cutout bustier one-piece swimsuit
I’m into the on-trend athletic, scuba-inspired swimwear this season, but I like this version, which veers to the sexy side (with a pinch of girly) with the sheer side panels and neon floral print.
asos.com, $259.19

Lanvin eagle belt
I love this belt paired with a feminine dress for the edgy-meets-ladylike look, but I’d throw it over just about anything for a bit of rock-and-roll flare.
lanvin.com, $2,150

A Emmanuel Tobias creation. (photo by Candace Moore)

The Pin Show is an annual event that features a flock of independent fashion designers and their wares. In this May issue, Krista Nightengale highlights the best in show: Mario Gallegos’ “Mario Alberto” collection of romantic cocktail and evening wear, Charlotte Elliot’s “Yomono” corset line, Isabel Varela’s “Izavel” womenswear collection inspired by menswear, Emmanuel Tobias’ avant-garde collection of gowns and headpieces, and Shona C. Gilbert’s “Shona” vintage-made-new jewelry line. Read it all here.

Kelly Wearstler fall 2012 RTW (photography courtesy of style.com)

Kelly Wearstler’s making an appearance at Forty Five Ten this evening to celebrate the boutique becoming the third location for shopping her home collection. (Wearstler’s flagship store and Bergdorf Goodman are the other two.) If you weren’t invited to the private affair, don’t stress, you’ll soon be able to shop the line with wild abandon. You can also preview and pre-order her fall RTW collection this weekend, so stop in between Thursday and Saturday to admire the bold prints, medley of textures, and blazing colors, all in a nod to the 80s.

photography courtesy of Jonathan Adler

The beloved modernist designer with a knack for colorful prints and crisp, white (and often cheeky) home accessories is opening doors to a new 2,600 square-foot space on McKinney Avenue. (Near Forty Five Ten and Nest, a Jonathan Adler stockist.) The company’s motto reads “If your heirs won’t fight over it, we won’t make it.” Clearly worthy of some Dallas drama. I love seeing what the Nest buyers pick as favorites to sell from each collection, but it will be nice to have access to the full shebang up the street. I may be an all-black-all-day kind of girl, but I keep my kitchen pretty bright, and I’ve got my eye on some tableware.

Slated to open late April.

1. Positamo melamine serving bowl, $28
2. Carbs, Pep Pills, and Glitter vice jars. Sounds about right. $138 (tall) and $88 (small)
3. Enamel serving set in turquoise, $78
4. New ikat rocks glass, $9/glass

photography by Matthew Shelley, design by Charlotte Tobin

Ashley Burghardt, former 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas winner, handbag designer, and now fashion designer has a lot of her plate these days between her burgeoning business and design work. It’s always a pleasure spending a few minutes with the delightful Ashard Richley founder and I enjoyed getting to chat (and a laugh a little) over the contents of her latest bag(s).

Ashard Richley "Half Hour" bag with wallet flap.

1. Lipsticks from NYX, L’Oreal, Revlon, Maybelline, and MAC. “It’s a new obsession of mine. I like to add a pop of color with my shoes, my bag, and my lips. And I’m cheap. CVS all the way.”
2. Vitamin case. “I take, like, eight different vitamins a day.”
3. Camera. “It’s a must-have all the time for funny things at the office, inspiration, and whenever someone might be carrying a bag.”
4. Ashard Richley “Envelope” clutch. (Doubles as an iPad case.)
5. Zinc lozenges. “I’ve been fighting getting sick because I’m always running around like crazy.”
6. Earbuds. “I haven’t purchased a handsfree set yet, so I stuff my phone in my shirt and that’s my ghetto hands free.”
7. Pantone color system. “I use this to match colors for my bags.”
8. Business card holder.
9. Thread. (We left the needles and giant scissors out of the photo.)
10. Kale Naturals face lotion. “I stole this from my husband Richard.”
11. Burt’s Bees lip balm tin. “My lips get so dried out.”
12. Hairbands, Q-Tips (“for fixing makeup”), bobby pins (“to go from day to night”), and Band-Aids (“for shoes and also when I’m sewing samples–I do poke myself quite a bit”).
13. iPhone. “My baby. I can’t live without it.”
14. Revlon Extra Life No Chip top coat nail polish.
15. Gloss collection: MAC clear Lipglass, MAC gloss in “C-Thru,” and Lip Shine in “Essence”
16. Excedrin

Update: Forgot to mention that Ashley is a pretty competitive Draw Something player. Check out her “canoe” doodle after the jump.

A few 20th Anniversary pairs. (photography courtesy of Neiman Marcus)

By now you’ve probably seen a design here and there from Christian Louboutin’s 20th anniversary collection. But have you truly celebrated yet? Didn’t think so. Head over, my friends, to Neiman Marcus NorthPark today for the 20 Years of Glamour event from 1 pm to 3 pm. Eighteen pairs of the limited edition (read: collector’s item) red soles will be on display in the shoe salon on level 2. We’ll see you there.

Geoffrey Henning's Smoking Jacket Sketches for DIFFA 2012 Collection (courtesy of Strauss Marketing)

Last year’s denim jackets were fantastic, but I’m thrilled for this year’s sexy array of smoking jackets. The Smoking Haute DIFFA Collection 2012 will be debuted and up for silent auction on Saturday, March 31. Purchase tickets now for this favorite annual black tie affair which includes cocktails (lots of those), a seated dinner, live auction, runway show (which is quite a spectacle), and backstage celebration. Sure, this fancy ordeal has a fancy price tag, but proceeds benefit North Texas HIV/AIDS charities. Besides, you don’t want to hear everyone talking about how much fun they had at the DIFFA event when you didn’t attend, do you? If you love the menswear-for-ladies look like I do, you’re probably pretty excited to see these tuxedo jackets dolled up, couture style, but until then, I leave you with Geoffrey Henning’s smoking jacket sketches. Sigh.

from gap.com

You’ll be happy to know the Diane von Furstenberg’s DVF for GapKids and babyGap collections will be available at NorthPark next week on Thursday, March 15. Pick up mini wrap dresses for tiny hineys and printed separates for the pre-teen set.

Neiman Marcus’ spring trend list includes yellows, pinks, dangling earrings, silver shoes, and lots of bold prints. From top left: new Lela Rose, Herve Leger bandage dresses, Escada’s back-detailed jacket, a to-die-for Piazza Sempione sweater, a perfect Stella McCartney little black dress, the On The Go (read: workout wear) section full of delicious fabrics to make you pretty while you sweat, and shoes, glorious shoes: Valentino pumps with studs, silver Chanel pumps with emblem camellia flower, and iridescent blue pumps.

Michael Kors spring 2012 ready-to-wear (photography courtesy of style.com)

Mid-Size Tribeca Chronograph Watch, Golden/Tortoise (courtesy of MK)

It was love at first sight when I set eyes on Michael Kors’ new gold and tortoise print watch for spring. I don’t do animal print, but I dig Kors’ chic safari look, and it’s been condensed into one beautiful watch. (See right.) Then, this morning, I see that Tootsies is hosting a Michael Kors spring 2012 watch and jewelry trunk show this Wednesday, February 29. It absolute kismet! Okay. That’s it. I must have it. I’ll also take the silver snake chain necklace with a faux-horn charm. And the gold ring with slice of turquoise. And the braided leather cuff…

DO

- Get there as soon as possible. I arrived at 9:45 this morning, and the shoes/boots selection was already picked over. There are still plenty of the Billy Reid/K-Swiss collabo sneakers left, but, let’s be honest, those have always kind of looked like garbage. The dozens of pairs available back up my point.

DON’T

- Ride your bike. Despite the fact that I had a backpack, I could only buy what I could cram into the sack slung over my shoulders. Also, I didn’t want to look like a child molester wearing a new peacoat, on a bike, on a 80-degree day.

And, yes, I realize I’m probably the only person dumb enough to ride my bike to this sale.

DO

- Go a size down. Reid fashions his shirts wide, and his cuffs even wider. It’s a distressing and slightly emasculating quirk. Case: I’m 5’10″, 170 pounds. I like my shirts slim. I left with a small dress shirt, with the slim fitting.

DO

- Expect to wait. Check-out line took me 20 minutes.

DON’T

- Get all hung up on changing in an open room with dudes everywhere. This is a warehouse sale; there are no changing rooms for men. There are, however, three mirrors that seem to have been stolen from a college dorm room.

DO

- Check out the ties. They’re all $19. They’re a bit slimmer than I wear, but if that’s your thing, go for it.

DON’T

- Wait. Seriously. Go. Whatever you’re doing at work isn’t really that important. You’re a surgeon you say? I don’t believe you.

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.