What happens when you take a winning formula and duplicate it exactly? As an ex-modeling agent, I know firsthand how images are created, but charisma and personality can not be manipulated. MTV’s trailer for the spin off show, The City are aspirational, fashioniable and promote a model like elevation of main character, Whitney Port. As seen in the first two episodes it is the supporting players around Whitney who are much more riveting than Port herself. WP as I will call her, while being groomed for this lead character, simply lacks the confrontational,sympathetic star power of Lauren Conrad. WP, while placed in conflict is not herself a leader, afraid to go against the grain and much too sweet. Fantastic for life, not interesting for so called ‘reality” tv.

The more riveting characters are of NY socialite A.K.A social, Olivia, whom a show could have been completely created around with WP as the supporting BF. Then you have Australian hottie, musician Jay and his model, room mate Adam with soon to be seen, super sad girlfriend. These characters will easily steal the show from WP. Spinning off a hit with a supporting character rarely works. Charisma and flare can not be created, no matter how sexy and fashionable the NYC fashion back drop of the legendary DVF storyline is.

Style tip- If you get a chance to go to NY any time soon, you must go and visit Diane Von Furstenberg’s corporate offices in the meatpacking district. The stairwell that takes you to her highness most certainly look like THE stairway to heaven. If heaven does exist as James Lipton, of the actor’s studio asks, let it be up through DVF’s stairway.

Did Santa bring you everything on your christmas list this year? Was your stocking stuffed with all of your hearts wishes? If not, it may not be too late to run over to Loehmann’s in Pasadena and pick up this Ralph Lauren, chocolate brown, suede over the knee riding boot. With this super score price of under a hundy, any outfit that you put on will be elevated. Boots are instant chic to any simple outfit, over the knee are super chic times two.

Style Tip- What do you do when you want to get your stylist’s approval on your latest purchase? Shoot it for scale next to your 3 month old son Charlie. Looks like Mimi got a new bootie to go with her baby….

Check out Swarovski’s Nirvana ring pictured above. Nothing like a great cocktail ring to set off any outfit and at $115, you want to click not scroll over to Gilt.com As young women we are drawn to everything that is shiny and bright, glimmery and shimmery. As women that same glimmer still shines bright. A cocktail ring is a necessity for every wardrobe.

Style tip- Styling is in the simplicity but not necessarily always being quiet. One fantastic ring can set your whole outfit up. Cocktail rings are confident statements all on their own.
Create your own statement today.

www.gilt.com

I also love this Swarovski large link bracelet. Check out the two links that are emblazoned by Swarovski’s signature rhinestones. Those two links give an architectural element to the bracelet that allows the viewers eye to rest while being mesmorized.

Style tip- Load this link bracelet up with a few of your old faithfuls, don’t be afraid to mix your metals. Consider pairing three at once. Sometimes you just need one new friend at the party for a new and fresh look.This is a solid investment at $95.
Go ahead stack em up.

www.gilt.com

Here is Kelly Ripa on the OMG worst dressed list for 2008. As I post about Madonna below, this dress is fun, but ironically, both celebs should have switched their furry frocks with one another. Kelly Ripa has very slim legs that don’t have the depth of muscle that Madonna’ do. I would have put Kelly in the grassy number which would have suited Kelly’s petite body much better and put Madonna in the longer black Maribou dress. Kelly’s outfit is a case of bad styling not a disaster. This dress is overwhelming Kelly’s frame and the shoes are completely closing her in, Had Kelly worn a chunky cut up shoe like Madonna is below and simply shortened the hemline, this outfit would have worked. In it’s current styling, the no hose paired with the almost go to work style shoe, just took this outfit from what could have been to confusing.

Style Tip-Busy and busy make simple, when creating a risky outfit, two busy pieces will cancel each other out Don’t even think of bringing a work style shoe to the party.

Madonna was just listed in this outfit on OMG as one of the worst dressed outfits for 2008. While Janet Jackson, Solange deserve their honors, Madonna’s outfit is an example of bad styling. I actually think the dress is fun and flirty and a style departure even for the most reinvented master, Madonna herself. What should have been considered when accessorizing this grassy number. I always say, busy and busy make simple but in this case one simple mistake was made that threw off the whole look. Had Madonna worn black opaque tights instead of sheer panty hose, she would have achieved the look she was going for. The hose are simply too Vegas showgirl and Madonna’s legs aren’t long enough to pull it off. On top of it. Madonna has very short, masculine arms, loading up her arms with thick chunky bangles brings your eye right down to the belt in the middle of her waist, which is just too much going on in one area of her body.

Styling tip- Balance is very important when planning a risky outfit of your own. Black opaque tights are a fantastic neutralizer and when you put something heavy with heavy it will balance the weight of your outfit.

You have heard of leg warmers, how about a neck warmer. Making its way into our vocabulary this season, this Felix Ray little number with a bow, is exactly what you need to top off any outfit. I always talk about scarves as toppers. An outfit goes to the next level with the extra beats, if you run warm in turtlenecks, try a neck warmer instead. Grey is the new black. go ahead tie one on

Style tip-Make sure you have an arsenal of interesting scarves and toppers. These inexpensive style moments can be worn as your signature style every day paying themselves off in the first wear.

www.gilt.com

Style is all in the accents. Accessories build up any outfit from simple to smashing. I always say- fine isn’t good- good isn’t great. One extra moment in an outfit can take you from good to great. I love this Made Her Think grey tied up necklace on Gilt.com today. Invest in jewelry that can go the distance in your wardrobe.

Style tip- This piece has a lot of texture and more than one opportunity for styling. Don’t be afraid to spend a little more on statement jewelry. Where you put your money in your wardrobe budget is important. My money is on this little grey number.

www.gilt.com

If you are a client of mine, you know the drill. no matchy matchy, but today’s sample sale stocking stuffer pick is an exception. Gilt.com has Caroline Amato on sale at this very moment. The nip/tuck set in black is a great gift. While it matches and could be considered too on the nose,but when pairing gloves and scarves it is the one exception to the rule. Symetry is everything. The slight architectural stripe of color along the border allows the eye to go right to the edge and for $38 you will have more than fulfilled your secret santa duties.

Style tip-don’t forget the scarf or the glove. For instant quick style, Just add a scarf. if you live in warmer climates, cut the mittens off and go fingerless, for that perfect oliver twist, she’s homeless chic.

Stop reading and go directly to Hautelook.com. Habitual denim is clearing their skinny jeans. Quickstyle! Most of the washes shown are not trending, hence the ridiculous price. This season, it’s dark denim or onyx as I show with Habitual’s velocity jean pictured above. If you have read my book Closet Control (Sterling Publishing) then you know you can steal a pair at Hautelook.com and simply dye them indigo blue or jet black. A couple of packs of Rit dye at your supermarket and your washer or an oversized pot.

Skinny jeans are a double entendre for women. If you think you are skinny or want to be skinny than you own the skinny. If you think, NO WAY you are NOT skinny or your legs aren’t skinny, you aren’t even giving the skinny a try. The use of the word skinny just describes the bandwidth of the leg.. The skinny jean isn’t going anywhere. No longer a trend but a staple. At these sample sale prices what do you have to lose?

Style tip- If you own more than 4 pairs of skinny jeans you do not need another pair. It is very normal to keep buying a shape that you love over and over again. Back pockets and washes are the simplest ways to update your skinny jeans. You can simply take the stitching out with a seam ripper and as I write above dye last season’s wash to this season.

Double style tip-No multiples. Do not keep buying the same shape in several colors. In your denim wardrobe you can own two of the same shape only for the “in the laundry” factor.

Triple style tip-skinny jeans tucked into high heel boots, not so much. quiet down last season’t look with a more organic, apres ski style boot.

quadruple style tip-Always wear a bigger proportion up top. The focal point for your viewers eye is your legs and whether you love your legs or not, you need this proportion up top for balance. Today’s trends are not showing everything at once. It is a quieter sexy and in this example, styled correctly, you are rocking your legs.

Final tip-Heels are your legs best friend. wear them with the skinny and you will feel sexy like a rock star sexy.