Mad for McQueen

I love waking up to an Email with these fabulous Alexander McQueen scarves. The skulls make give it a little tough feel and the colors combinations are bright and perfect to wear with black (which I love). I'm not sure which color I want, but I'm pretty sure one is necessary for my fall wardrobe.

Photo via Neiman Marcus

Switchables

When my sister and I were growing up my mom had a decoration called "Seasons Rabbit."  It was a little statue of a bunny that came with accessories to dress it up for each season or celebration.  As kids we always looked forward to doing this.  Now we've found a new way to celebrate!

Switchables are actually nightlights that you can switch the stained glass design for each season or upcoming event.  They are great for kids rooms, but I actually keep mine in my kitchen.  It's just another way decorate and get excited for any occasion.  They have so many options!! Check out switchablestore.com for more details.

Trend to Try: Red Hot for Fall

Red hair is definitely a trend this fall! The beautiful pictures of Drew Barrymore are from a shoot she did for Neiman Marcus.  You can just add a tone of red or go for an intense red! (Make sure to bring pictures to your stylist.)

Summer Friday

We've only got one more Summer Friday after this! Here are our picks for this weekend as summer winds down:

1. Fall / Halloween (our fave holiday) decorations from Pottery Barn

2. The gorgeous Rory Ashton earrings we're giving away - enter to win here!

3. The Rachel Pally dress that will be on my doorstep when I arrive home today

4. Sparkly "Happy Birthday" nail polish by Deborah Lippmann 

5. New fave Shu Uemura Shusu Sleek shampoo

6. Pretty, feminine robe by Plum Pretty Sugar

Mad for Minnetonka

It has been a hot summer and we're looking ahead for fall (and maybe winter a little!). We love the boots and moccasins by Minnetonka Moccasin. They're so comfy and you can wear many styles for lots of occasions. I have the three layer fringe boots and they're great with leggings, and I also love to throw them on after leaving the gym to go run errands. 

Our favorites:

1. Suede Studded Moc

2.Calf-hi 3-layer Boots

3. Moosehide Fringed Kilty

4. Double Fringe Front Lace Boot

Gluten Free Cookies

 

I NEVER buy mixes when it comes to baking! When a friend of mine told me she can no longer have baked goods because she found out she has an allergy to gluten, I decided to do my research.  I stood in Whole Foods for awhile staring at all of the "gluten free" items, but let me tell you..... gluten free doesn't always mean healthy.  I came across a couple King Arthur Flour items.  I bought their "Gluten-Free Flour" and one of their Gluten-Free "Chocolate Chip Cookie Mixes."  I used the flour in place of regular flour in another cookie recipe and I LOVED it.  So I recommend that to everyone!

Then I tried the mix...... I would recommend it to people who normally use mixes for their baking.  The cookies definitely need the full baking time! They taste great and are a perfect alternative.  If you don't use mixes then stick to the gluten-free flour and make your regular recipes!

Find of the Day

T by Alexander Wang t-shirts are soft, comfy and perfect when dressed down or dressed up!

Giveaway: Rory Ashton Trinkets

We're so excited to announce our giveaway with Rory Ashton Trinkets. This gorgeous pair of earrings hasn't been named yet and we want you to help name them! Keep in mind, Rory's collections are all inspired by nature and this particular collection is ocean-inspired.

How to enter:

1. Like Rory Ashton Trinkets on Facebook

2. Like The HSS Feed on Facebook

3. Submit your name for the earrings on our Facebook wall by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 2011

The most creative and collection-perfect name will win and we'll announce the winner on August 30 via Facebook and Twitter!

Rules: Only US residents are eligible. The winner will be decided by Rory Ashton Trinkets and The HSS Feed.

Summer Friday

Hello Friday - we're so glad to see the weekend! Anyone have any fun plans this weekend?

Here are this week's picks:

1. A favorite: Bergamot Tobacco Soy Candle from Archipelago Botanicals

2. A wristful of bangles by Bop Bijoux

3. Jeweled sandals from Fibi & Clo (expect a post next week about the trunk show we're hosting!)

4. Kai Perfume Oil - light and lovely!

5. Fall wardrobe starter - a beautiful burgundy dress by Tibi

6. Pretty Paulette Macarons

How To Get The Hair You Want

Here are some tips from a hair stylist's POV on how you can leave the salon with the hairstyle you want!

1. Be prepared and bring pictures! Even when it comes to hair color, pictures are helpful.  One thing that is important in color is what "tone" you would like your color to be.  If you don't know what that means then simply find a picture of what you like and your stylist will know.  It's not good to go into the salon without at least some direction of where you want to go with your style.

2.  Length is subjective.  If you say you want to take "a couple inches" off..... show your stylist what "a couple inches" means to you.  

3.  Talk about your lifestyle and maintenance.  If you are a "wash and go" kind of person then there are certain cuts that require you to style every day and you shouldn't go with those.  If you have super dark hair and would like to go lighter, but don't have the funds to go to the salon every month then mention that so you can figure out an in between color that will work.  

4.  Be honest about your hair.  Stylist are like doctors..... you don't tell your doctor the truth about some bad habits and it is probably the same with your stylist.  If you are washing your hair every day, but complaining about breakage, they are the ones who can give you advice.  It's only going to help you (and I guarantee they can probably already tell what bad habits you have just by looking and feeling your hair). 

5.  Communication is key!  The relationship you have with your stylist is like any other important relationship in your life..... if you don't communicate, then it isn't going in a good direction!  They don't know you are happy or upset unless you tell them.  So if you are returning to your same stylist..... tell them how your cut and/or color worked for you the last time and how it could be improved.  At the end of the day our goal as stylist is to make YOU happy! It is after all your hair :) If you are not comfortable with this.... find a new stylist.

6. Tip! If an assistant is washing your hair..... you should tip them too.  Some people don't know about this salon etiquette and if that's you, don't feel bad.  Start doing that and you will get great service every time you walk in the door.  

Find of the Day

This brushstroke scarf from Tory Burch is great to tie on your purse, in your hair or wear another way as an accessory!

Back to School

There's a lot to miss about being in school: Fridays off, Spring Break and a month off for the holidays...to name a few. I also kind of miss shopping for school supplies. This year I'm inspired to restock my desk with these great supplies and also add a new work bag to tote my laptop around in. Here's my shopping list:

Signature 3-ring binder (with lots of color options!)

Leather Satchel Co. Vintage Satchel

Crystal Pencil Set

Bright Koda Mini Vase

People and Places Set

Silver Julep Cups to hold pencils, pens and other things

Find of the Day

We love these emerald green earrings by Lucky Brand. 

Now is the time to start adding fun elements to your fall wardrobe and these are a great start!

Find of the Day

House of Harlow 1960 Evil Eye Charm Bracelet 

Quick Fix Nails

I love having my nails done, but doing hair all of the time doesn't make nail maintenance easy.  If I'm in a hurry and need to have my nails done I just run over to Rite Aid or CVS and pick up a pack of Broadway Nails (I always have to get the "petite").  I know it sounds funny, but I promise they work AND they actually look nice.  They are super easy to put on and they should last about a week.  Just a little trick to keep in your back pocket when you are in a rush.

Summer Friday

1. Essie "Ballet Slippers" and Quick-E Drying Drops
2. MamaCita Jewelry "Nina Simone Gold Hoops on Etsy
3. Love Quotes Scarf
4. Rene Furterer "In and After Sun Care"
5. Tazo Organic Green Tea 

Designer Collaborations at J.Crew

We love when designers make their collections accessible to a wider audience and that is what Eddie Borgo and Prabal Gurung have done with their collaborations at J.Crew.

We love the Prabal Gurung look with the bow top and blue shorts - so sophisticated and pretty!

Find of the Day

This Coffee and Tea Tower is perfect for your afternoon "pick-me-up!" The best way to enjoy your coffee is with freshly ground beans using this Mr. Coffee Grinder ..... you will notice a huge difference in flavor.

Weeknight Dinner

You should definitely add Giada De Laurentiis's recipe for "Stuffed Peppers" to your list of "weeknight dinners."  The great thing about this recipe is that it also makes for great leftovers.  So you can pack them for lunch the next day!

Find of the Day

We cannot get enough of the YSL arty ring. This investment piece makes a big statement - and comes in several colors to fit your style!

Get Ready Dresses

What is a "get ready dress?" That's what we call the nightgowns, chemises and loungewear that we wear while we're doing our hair and getting ready to go somewhere. We've called them "get ready dresses" for years and have both gathered up quite a collection. These are a few options for you to start your collection - and I'm pretty sure we'll be adding a few to ours!

1. Anthropologie  -  2. Plum Pretty Sugar  -  3. Kiki De Montparnasse

4. Fleur't  -  5. Victoria's Secret

Find of the Day

These bright and fun zebra coasters by Jonathan Adler are great addition to your coffee table!

Summer Friday

We're starting to think of some fall elements with this Summer Friday post. Happy Weekend everyone!

1. Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Tortoise Shell Collection

2. Coach Moreen Heels - Perfect to Transition to Fall!

3. David Yurman Peridot Cable Bracelet

4. Anthropologie Gameboard Dress

5. DANNIJO Jacinda Gunmetal Ring

6. Tory Burch Cosmetic Bag

Find of the Day

We love this forged brass cuff by Kora. Each cuff is handmade in Kenya and no two are exactly alike! 

Check out more pieces by Kora here. 

Wine to Try

While dining at Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica, CA (one of my favorite restaurants) I came across a new favorite wine. "Produttori del Barbaresco, Barbaresco 2006" is an Italian red wine that goes great with pasta! I found it to be rich and full-bodied without being too tannic or dry.  You can order it from thewinestop.com or if you are in the Santa Monica area stop by Rustic Canyon.

Simply Chic

Simple staples to have in your closet:

1. James Perse Short Sleeve Tee

2. T-Bags Strappy Mini Dress

3. Velvet Dress

4. James Perse Fitted 3/4 Length Tee

5. Velvet Dress

Find of the Day

Trish McEvoy Makeup Planner is such a great way to keep your make-up organized while traveling!

Start with a White t-shirt and add...

White t-shirts are so classic, simple and fun to dress up. We love them with a skirt or accented with some fun jewelry.

Start with a white tee:

J.Crew, $22.50

Check out some skirts and sparkles we love!

Skirts (L-R): Tibi  -  RED Valentino  -  Banana Republic

Sparkle (L-R): Melissa Joy Manning  -  House of Harlow  -  Kendra Scott

Find of the Day

Since we started the blog, we've said the Clarisonic Cleansing System is one of our favorite products. It has been awarded In Style magazine's Best Beauty Buy award for 2011. The Clarisonic Mia is a smaller size, perfect for home or travel! 

In My Inbox

I love the start of a new month and I especially love the "shoe/jewelry/t-shirt of the month" E-mails that arrive in my inbox. Here are a few of my favorites.

Sole Society

A personalized shoe club where selections are made for you based on your style preferences. For $49.95 a month, you can add a new pair of shoes to your closet. You get free shipping and you can skip months when you don't find something you like, or just want to take a shopping break. 

Sign up here. 

ShoeDazzle

ShoeDazzle is brought to us by Kim Kardashian and her team of stylists. Similar to Sole Society, ShoeDazzle gives you a selection of shoes based on your style profile. ShoeDazzle is $39.95 per month and also offers free shipping, returns and exchanges. 

Sign up here. 

JewelMint

JewelMint is a great jewelry club created by Kate Bosworth and designer Cher Coulter. You get a new piece of jewelry, selected for you based on your lifestyle and personal style, for $29.95 per month. JewelMint also does monthly collaborations between celebrities and charities, where a portion of the proceeds for a specific piece (selected by a particular celebrity - Rachel Bilson and Sienna Miller have been two of them!) goes to a specific charity close to that celeb's heart.

Sign up here. 

StyleMint

We all know that the Olsen twins know style and that's why we're so excited that they've created StyleMint. You take a survey about your style preferences and you're presented with options for the perfect t-shirt for $29.99 a month. Shipping is free here too and there's no obligation to buy each month - just skip the month if you need to!

Sign up here.