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Lanvin Suitcase Honeymoon Set

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Ladies, let me make something clear: you do NOT have to be a new bride to snap up this nifty and unique Lanvin piece. Alber Elbaz, who not too long ago designed an engagement ring for Van Cleef & Arpels and, more recently, launched a Lanvin bridal line, clearly has matrimony on his mind. With that, he's created what he calls a "honeymoon suitcase"--a white glazed canvas case with silver-tone hardware, wood handle, clip fastenings, fuchsia printed lining and printed honeymoon accessories. Talk about a fab wedding present! The multicolored printed accessories included with the case include a printed cotton tote bag with grosgrain handles, pompom-embellished raffia flip flops that come in one size and a large printed pareo that's both versatile and stylish. Note: the white bikini in the shot is not included, but available separately at Net-a-porter.

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Lanvin Suitcase Honeymoon Set for $740

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Bimba & Lola

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I went to Madrid a few months ago to visit a friend who moved there for work. While the gorgeous city has got every designer brand you could think of (and many of them are conveniently close to the city's major museums!), the best discovery I made while I was there was Bimba & Lola. I keep meaning to start a Facebook group "Bring Bimba & Lola to the US!". The store has an amazing selection of affordable (think about double the price of Zara), ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, and jewelry. They have a slew of boutiques around Spain and recently expanded to Asia (they have locations in Portugal, France, and a few other countries as well...). If you're traveling to Europe or Asia I urge you to look at their site to see if there's a Bimba & Lola boutique in the city where you'll be! The boutique targets 20 to 40-somethings and they've got a slew of original pieces that will take you from the office to the bar. The over-all aesthetic is feminine, but understated and most of the designs come in both neutral as well as popping colors.


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Cameron Diaz in Lanvin Pearl & Raffia Flats

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No one does the L.A. boho chic quite like Cameron Diaz. Sporting the right accessories helps, natch! The actress landed at LAX in Los Angeles over the weekend looking fresh and relaxed--and her sandals no doubt helped. Cameron wore Lanvin's leather and macramé t-strap espadrille with pearl embroidery, toe ring and adjustable ankle strap while exiting the airport and they looked chic with her cropped jeans and simple navy blue tissue-thin long sleeve tee. What I love about these flats is that Alber Elbaz included some whimsical references to his Lanvin ready-to-wear signatures: the pearl accents are a nod at his signature tulle-wrapped necklaces; the raffia at some of his delightful hats. The leather soles give these flats an instant boost in luxury--perfect from the countryside to the country club.

$595, available at www.barneys.com

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J.Mendel Resort 2011

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I can't remember the last time I was this bowled over by a resort collection. Gilles Mendel, the master creator of all things couture-like at J.Mendel, unveiled his Resort 2011 confections on not a blank-faced model or boring mannequin, but New York City Ballet dancers--for whom he has designed their costumes for the June 5 gala performance of "Call Me Ben." But while the ballet may tell the story of gangster Bugsy Malone, there's nothing Forties or notorious in sight. Instead, Mendel focused on the lightness and "ballet feeling" experience of the dancers, incorporating similar design principles. The results were taking J.Mendel's already-heavenly cocktail dresses and gowns--mostly cut from tulle, mousseline and organza--and kicking them up a notch or three. Think glam ballerina. And can we talk about the shoes? The Casadei for J.Mendel footwear collection--beribboned and encased in pleated silk mousseline--is, pun intended, tutu sweet!

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DVF Kula Sandals

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Barring from the beach, I am just not a flats wearing kind of girl.  To give you an inkling why (if you have not seen me in person), my son's 5 yr old BFF said to me the other night: "Miss Tina, you look like you're 8 years old."  Needless to say, he got TWO cookies that night but seriously, it's because I'm so short that he said that (tho I'd like to think I have the same dewy skin as a teeny bopper!).  As much as I love a high heel, however, it's really taking a toll on my back so I'm on the hunt for cute flats.  Of course it would be Diane von Furstenberg to make flat shoes flattering and sex!  Check out the Kula strappy sandals with glittering hardware-- are you thinking what I'm thinking?  A Mediterranean summer?!?!  Yes please!   
DVF Kula Sandal for $245

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Naomi Watts in Stella McCartney Sandals

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It takes a certain level of confidence to pull off an aggressive sandal. Naomi Watts has never been one to back down from a challenge, be they Gucci bondage sandals or, as this photo from the "You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger" Cannes photo call illustrates, a pair of Stella McCartney yellow satin sandals. Naomi is on the petite side, and normally I would refrain from recommending a thick ankle strap because it cuts the legs oddly, but these work on Naomi--perhaps because the hem of her wildly exotic dress is cut higher up front, thus showing from leg. These Spring 2010 cork platform shoes are oddly reminiscent of last season's Versace runway sandals aren't they? I do, however, like that Stella calls "Sunflower"--very cute!

$795, available at Stella McCartney boutiques

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Shoe Snob: Jimmy Choo Limited Edition Shoes

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Did I say I was all done with buying new shoes?!  Apparently I spoke too soon as I just picked up these amazing glittering platforms.  I could not resist pink sparkly shoes!  Did I mention they're super lightweight and ultra comfortable?  Jimmy Choo made the shoes (left) as a limited edition item for Saks and according to my SA, only Beverly Hills and Dallas locations got them.  I was actually on a Lulu Lemon Athletica run when I happened upon these shoes walking to the valet parking.  I slipped them on for fun and they fit perfectly, begging me to take them home.  Never one to leave gorgeous shoes homeless, I did.  I also brought home the shoe on the right, the metallic color was too pretty to pass up and after looking at 4 figure shoes, $425 seemed quite reasonable for fabulous shoes.  Or am I just insane? 
Jimmy Choo Limited Edition for Saks

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She may have carried a Roger Vivier silver sequin Prisme clutch while walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival while premiering her "Robin Hood" film, but Cate Blanchett's relationship with Bruno Frisoni goes far beyond a simple bag loan. The Oscar-winning actress collaborated on a pair of exquisite thigh-high boots with the genius designer--who designs for both his namesake line and that of Roger Vivier-- that she wears for her role as Maid Marion in the Ridley Scott blockbuster. Couture Snob has a first look at the original sketch Frisoni created for Blanchett. "Janty, the brilliant costume designer who gave togas a new lease of life in Gladiator, wanted a pair of high boots as part of Marion's costume and I suggested the equally brilliant Bruno Frisoni as his design sense is so iconic and modern," said Blanchett. "I was over the moon when he said yes. I knew his design would be striking but what arrived surpassed my expectations, the boots where sleek, sexy and helped give Marion that contemporary edge that Janty and I were searching for. I didn't want to take them off. I was slightly freaked out by the amount of mud that I had to wade through as I didn't want to get these gorgeous boots dirty. I hope my girly anxiety added an edge to my performance!"

For his part, Frisoni said, "When Cate asked me to create her boots for the movie, I was so excited I started sketching while we were still on the phone. In my mind I could see not only the boots but Cate as Maid Marion herself! Cate is an incredible actress and person. I admire her modernity, which is fragile and strong at the same time. That's how I picture her: a woman in men's clothes. I wanted to create some boots that were both feminine and masculine. Sexy: seduction on a horse!"

Alas, for those interested in owning their own pair, a Roger Vivier spokeswoman said there are no plans to the shoes. But perhaps they will have a change of heart? After all, it took a Facebook page for Betty White to host "SNL."

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Christian Louboutin Sample Sale

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"If you leave your shoes unattended, they will be put back!" In a scene that was strangely reminiscent of airport travel today, Wednesday's Christian Louboutin sample sale was all about precision shopping and neatness of thumb. This year's sale wasn't open to the public--evident by the many women who desperately tried to enter in vain--but once you were checked off and upstairs, it was quite like heaven. Most of the good shoes were priced $250 to $350 (still a bargain given their at least 50% mark down) and there was plenty to choose from. If you stayed too long, a Louboutin worker, who's clearly spent some time in military boot camp, would ask you to head to the cashier to check out. Overall, it was a pretty civilized affair. Some women bought just a single pair while others bought more than a dozen--not to mention handbags. "No boxes on the window sills please!" one worker shouted. "Ma'am, you just knocked a pile of boxes onto your daughter's head," another was overheard saying. I didn't witness any fights breaking out this year--a good thing given the propensity of women when it comes to shoes. I was half hoping Christian would pop his head into the sale and caused pandemonium, but alas my personal wish was not fulfilled. I left empty-handed, but my guest sure didn't!

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Leighton Meester in Pierre Hardy

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Simply put: Pierre Hardy shoes are hot. In all my years working in fashion, I have never met a pair of Pierre Hardy shoes I haven't loved--or loved on a woman's feet. To wit, check out Leighton Meester, who donned a vertiginous bronze leather heel with gold hardware. Yes, it is an intense shoe, verging on terrifying for most women perhaps, but for the adventurous type with the calf muscles to pull it off, the rewards are plentiful. First off, given the multi-strap ankle tie, it would be fair to warn petite women or those with less-than-slender legs to be cautious wearing these shoes (translation: they can cut you off at the ankle and make you look short). But once on, they make such a fabulous statement on the foot--particularly if paired with a more subdued color or overall look. I'd dare wear these shoes with a minidress as I would a tailored wide leg pantsuit.

$1,240, available in alternative colors at Neiman Marcus, Beverly Hills CA or at www.pierrehardy.com

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