While I love LA, there are actually two other cities in California that I consider my second homes, and one of them is San Francisco. My mom is a SF native, and I grew up listening to her complain about how horrible LA people are at driving in the rain and parking on a hill, etc... and I've adopted a part of that SF snobbery. So when I found Alice and Isa, an online boutique that rounded up the best in independent design (already good) specifically from SF (even better!), I was more than excited.

Want an adorable dainty ring? Look no further than the Carma Branch Ring, and the nature inspired motif makes it a chic addition to any outfit. The Watch Necklace is such a cute way to liven up a simple white t-shirt, and the pop yellow print is a cute play off of a classic accessory.

And if all this SF love made you want to travel to SF, make sure to take this Large Rectangle, sure to be a staple on your travel arsenal.

How can you call yourself a no-name when stars like Carrie Underwood, Lauren Conrad andKate Beckinsale love you? Well, you pronounce it "a-NAW-nah-mee" for one thing, and this is one denim line that you want to remember. Priced at just $100-$120 and yet so flattering, it's a dream come true--finally, a line that doesn't cost a fortune or make you look like a ______ (insert jeans disaster adjective here).

What's the most amazing about the pair is that it fits you like a glove--a mythical characteristic that used to be reserved for fairy tales and teen literatures. It's super hard for me to find a pair that really fits well, but these had just the right amount of stretch to really hug it all in. They have a wide selection of styles and washes, so you're sure to find a perfect pair to wear for every occasion. Who says you have to just have "the one"? Anomane has a whole line of match-made-in-denim-heaven jeans!

My fave will have to be the Paris Skinny. With distressed details that isn't too much, I can keep wearing it even when the acid wash trend becomes a fad. And how did they know that the lightest wash at the thigh will make my legs look impossibly long and skimpy? They just have their ways, I suppose. I can't wait to pair this with cute flats or tuck them in ankle boots.

Check out their website www.anoname.com to buy online, or check out the listing for a store near you to try it out yourself. Trying is believing.

Style Cravings & Indulgences

Links à la Mode : July 23rd

• A Typical Atypical: A look at the unexpected fashion gems on offer at this year’s new designers exhibition in London – cut-out dresses, paper-like jewelry and more!
• Bonne-Vie: Pincurl project – experimenting with glamorous retro style techniques to create a saucy updo!
• Confessions of a Fashion Editor: Polling for the next Vogue Cover Girl – Bonnie Wright’s first fashion shoot.
• Denimaniac: Camo’s SS 2010 “Horses” collection and thoughts of Meryl Streep…
• Dramatis Personae: Celebrating a two year anniversary with a great giveaway – $50 gift card to BeautyTicket.com!
• Duper: Interview with Raoul Keil, founder of NINETEEN74 and Schon! Magazine.
• Fashion Cents: How to get glam for a movie date so that there is real life lights, camera, action!
• Fashion is My Crush: It’s a mosh pit: A studded DIY belt, some jellies from the kids section at Payless and some concrete comfort.
• Fashion Pulse Daily: Hand-picked favorite looks from 10 of the Paris Couture collections.
• Fasshonaburu:Finding a new hair dresser and how to break up with your old one.
• Idiosyncratic Style: A design board of inspiring comparisons of cool sorbet treats and summer fashion choices.
• Retro Chick: Sunglasses to flatter your face.
• Shop Diary: Cozy up with a snood for fall and how to improvise in these recessionary times.
• Style Symmetry: Interview with Cammila of Dressed Up Like a Lady.
• The Coveted: Turning Red, How to go monochromatic…
• The Musings of Ondo Lady: A look at Style Sample Magazine – featuring articles about a wide variety of bloggers across the world.
• Unfunded: Drooling over the sexy styles of Brandon Boyd and Robert Pattinson.
• V is for Olive: Inspired by a road trip through the American West - taking color palette ideas from nature and applying them to your own summer wardrobe.
• WorkChic: Teamed with Polyvore to show examples of a blouse makeover by style and your office type.

I have been an admirer of city cruisers for a while now, and wished I worked close to home or went to school somewhere close enough that I can bike it every where (would surely save on parking!). The weather has been super beautiful lately to take a little cruise, and it doesn't hurt that its a green lifestyle choice! I also think that cycle-inspired styles really capture everything I love in an outfit--it's effortless, casual, and comfortable enough for a little cruising without breaking a sweat. There's even a blog that's dedicated to cycle fashion. Yum.

For a look inspired by the moto-cycle, a chain headband and tank, along with some navy tights and ankle boots make for a easy cruising style that isn't too frilly. For the classical gal, pair destroyed acid wash jeans and a boyfriend shirt (tucked out, so it can blow in the wind), top off with a floppy hat and make pedaling fun with bright flats. I like this pair because it puts together a girly purple with edgy snakeskin. If it's a cycle date, pull over a hoodie vest on top of a flirty chiffon dress, keep it in place with a studded belt and wear strappy flats.

Ah, summer! The weather is heating up, and one of my favorite summer guilty pleasures is wearing swimsuits with clothes--which comes from my hatred of bras, but I think it's not a bad way to approach summer dressing. I mean, if you're like me and love to buy swimsuits, you probably have a couple on your arsenal that could totally rock a style--especially in an outfit where finding a matching bra is usually a challenge (hate straps showing but hate strapless even more like me?). Then, continue the theme with beach-inspired motifs for jewelry, and you can bring the beach wherever you go!

If you have a funky bandeau, make the straps talk and add some neckline drama to a strapless cotton dress, and a pair of shell earrings will be a fun touch. Have a sexy one piece with a plunging neck? Show it off with an embellished, sheer tunic (make sure to wear shorts!). With this yellow top, a gold starfish will go great. A popular swimsuit trend is animal print this year, and it usually comes with a bright color somewhere--in the print or in the strap. Let them both peek over a deep V maxi dress, and be wild with an edgy seahorse bangle.

Just admit it: getting that "it" bag really is the rite of passage for many a many fashion freaks. Don't try to fool yourself by saying you don't want a bag that every one has--you already know that no new-bag-on-the-block could ever put these clamor-worthy classics out of style, and there's a good reason for it. While shiny new styles are exciting, there just isn't that romance classic bags can offer. How many bags can really tell an alluring story, transcending time and trends with its revolutionary design? The list is a short one, to be sure.

Chanel Lambskin Classic Flap Bag (2.55)

$2675 by Chanel

True story: a girl dreamed of getting this bag for so long that on the day she saved up enough money to buy it, she hyperventilated before entering the store and nearly teared up when she took that shiny, black shopping bag in her hands. Launched by Coco on February of 1955 (hence the spy-like moniker of 2.55), you can find a little piece of the design darling in every detail: the back pocket is where she kept her tip money, the Bordeaux lining is her favorite color, and of course, the little zippered pocket where she kept her love letters. A bag isn't a bag until you have a romantic story or two to tell--this one definitely has 'em.

Louis Vuitton Monogram Speedy 30

$690 by Louis Vuitton

What is it with iconic bags getting "makeovers"? Though this bag recently went through a rather rough reinvention (by an artist who shall remain nameless, at least in this blog), the Speedy has a utilitarian travel bag shape, which makes it perfect for any occasion you can throw at it--whether it be a little getaway or a cocktail party, the monogram will complement any color, fabric, or cut. Since introduced in the 30s, this bag has been later made in various lines and sizes, but the Monogram 30 (a medium one of the 4 sizes) is the daddy of them all. For a lot of people, when you think of a LV bag, you immediately think of this shape--a shape that stood the test of time, and made a luggage company the fashion house it is today (well, helped to anyway).

Gucci Jackie Hobo

$2,316.00 by Gucci at Bluefly

Back to the thing about iconic bags getting remade: this is a legend reincarnated. Again. Since its debut in the 1950s, the namesake of course is the former first lady and perhaps the first politic-fashion icon. Ms. Jackie Onassis was spotted toting this on her shoulder, and soon the bag was nicknamed in her honor. The round edge, fringe detail, and the oversized, slouchy shape is still present, but for this season, designer Frida Giannini pushed the size limit even more and added a strap that allows for a good sling action. How is it possible to make an icon better, you ask? Well, just leave it to Gucci.

Fendi Spy Bag

$1,493.99 by Fendi at Bluefly

Okay, maybe the most debatable of my picks, the Fendi Spy Bag has had its ups and downs--and it's no surprise, because the very details that make nay-sayers cringe are what makes it so original. The knot detailing on the handles maybe looks messy to some, maybe the weaving is too much. But remember, not all icons are universally loveable (I mean, please tell me that not EVERYONE is in love with Madonna) and just one look at this bag and you will instantly recognize it. Isn't that what it's all about? Besides, all it really needs is a cult following for it to be covet-worthy, and while one blogger may not be enough to make it a cult-hit, it definitely is a start.

Hermes Birkin 35

Price varies by style and availability

Ah, the Berkin. There's been songs written about it, and people have probably been murdered for it. It's pretty much virtually impossible to get your hands on one, what with the so-long-its-non-existent waiting list and the gargantuan price tag, possibly worth more than a lot of our lives (take no offense, it's the Birkin). Sure, you can try to find a reputable seller on eBay or get your hands on a reseller at Fashionphile, but can that really compare to walking into a store and dropping this big name? A tip to all icon bags: until you have a book written about you, you haven't really "made it" yet. Maybe one day, honey.

To Hell's Belles with color rules! There are those colors you always tend to avoid... like the Christmas vibe of red and green, blue and yellow, blue and pink... but you know what, breaking rules on purpose makes you look instantly adventurous. No matter if the pieces are trendy or classic, tomboyish or girly, pitting two bold colors against each other is a risk that's worth making.

A not-so-Christmas mix of red and green is best tried with a boyfriend flair: pretend you've raided your bf's closet for that worn-in plaid cotton shirt. Then, tuck in your skinny jeans inside hi-top sneaks. Pair a black oversized shirtdress with an orange scarf that will make Jack-O-Lanterns blush, and nothing livens up a blue dress like a hot pink clutch. Think yellow and blue is a color combo catastrophe? Not when the top and bracelet share a boho vibe.

So go ahead, clash some colors! It'll open your mind to outfits that you never thought possible, but oh-so-do-able!

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old…

Links à la Mode : July 16th

• 39thandbroadway.com – NYC vs LA – The Fashion Week Debate
• Fabulous Finds Gal – Who doesn’t love a gorgeous pin-up? The pin-up poet’s gorgeous and creative new amazing book and insightful interview with the author.
• Fashion Dare – A Nautical Nod
• Fasshonaburu – Everyone has a list like this, places to go before you turn 50, a “bucket list” of things to do before you kick it, etc. Well, it sounds shallow and superficial (and by “sounds” I mean “is”), but I have a list of things I want to buy before I enter my nex
• HiFashion – The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Good Health
• Hong Kong Fashion Geek – Wide-leg pants and how to make them work for you
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – Not Buying It: How has the recession affected your fashion blog?
• Mademoiselle Robot – A London Girl’s shopping guide to Stockholm.
• Meilily – Island Style Pick: Wood & Bead Bracelet
• Our Ocean – A colourful review of the clothes in An American in Paris.
• Retro Chick – Lulu Guinness Holiday Resort 2009 Collection
• Shop Diary – 2 days ago 1stdibs.com, the renowned antiques site, just launched a vintage couture, fashion and accessories designer section.
• The Capitol Fashionista – Modern Fashionista Travel with Vintage Luggage: What better way to add a little touch of class than packing it all up in vintage luggage.
• THE COVETED – Gorgeous New, More Affordable Denim from A|X and a $500 A| Gift Card Giveaway
• The Fashion Planner – ShoeDazzle – Review of Kim Kardashian’s shoe club.
• the musings of ondo lady – Mention the word Biba and you can bet that any decent fashionista will go all starry eyed. This is because along with Mary Quant, Diane von Furstenberg and Twiggy, Biba is right up there as one of the iconic fashion brands of the 60s and 70s.
• The Recessionista – 2 days ago Essential Summer Style Tips–Tips for essential summer wardrobe staples: Tips from The Recessionista Blog and Jones’ New York Style Guru Lloyd Boston
• Think Thru Fashion – Agate Accessories: Find affordable ways to wear the trendy crystal.
• threadbared – How the Uniform Project highlights fashion’s one constant — the tension between individuality and standardization
• tickle – Fresh Catch! tickle grills the designers of Delirius, a line as flirty as NY girls
• Unfunded – All Eyes on Hayden Panettiere and Lace!

I don't think I'm the only one wary of this new trend: straw hats. But what with all the buzz about how it's the "it" summer accessory, you're obligated to try it, of course. But how do you pull it off without looking like you're trying oh-so-hard to incorporate a trend that might soon pass? One word: denim. To look like you've been wearing hats forever, pair it with stylish denim to make it effortless.

Pair a hoodie with boyfriend shorts for an outdoor-ready ensemble. The shells on the sandals are great for carrying on the cool, summer vibe. An oversized workshirt (with rolled up sleeves) and a pleated skirt seems like a lot of volume, but the hat and pretty strappy heels will tighten it all up. For an ultimate lazy look, just throw on a dress and rope heels.

I say don't invest too much in a hat this season, unless you know you will love it and wear it for years to come. One thing that's fun about these straw hats is that the ribbon band is easily replaced--so you can really customize it with funky patterns and bright colors for a whole new look. I think a fat, woven/braided band will look so adorable!

Ah, New York. Just whispering the name under your breath makes you feel instantly sexy--the way the neon lights seem to pulse with every daring step of a New Yorker's stiletto, makes it so unique, and inspire fabulous thing to happen. The latest to come out of the Big Apple? The absolutely stunning Delirius.

Just as New York girls seem unfairly perfect (hullo, Sex and the City, Gossip Girls?), Iyra Paboikina and Katya Patsukevich's sexy line is like those girls you love to hate, who just seem to have it all: sexy yet comfortable, edgy yet flattering. You can snag their flirty designs at Unsung Designers or ShopFlick. Before you go drool over their gorgeously draped tops and playful dresses, read what the Delirius pair had to say when I grilled 'em!

Spring 09 Collection in one word? Elegance

Current style muse? MoMa

Fave NY haunt? Pinkberry's

Deliriusly obsessed with: Fashion

Dress/purse pairing suggestions? Contrast

What goes good with a Delirius piece? You just need a pair of great shoes with a dress and great skinny jeans with any top

Guilty pleasure? Flip-flops

Biggest design nightmare? Are people going to like it

What's sexier: backless or décolleté? Definetely backless

Most annoying fashion fad? Baggy babydolls/cropped tops

Bookmarked online boutique? eBay.com :-) You can spot an amazing designer treasure for almost nothing!

Sexiest outfit? Delirius mini dress with Dries Van Noten pumps:-)