Hello ST readers! I'm so sorry about being MIA for the longest time. It's been a pretty busy two weeks, which is why I haven't had time to be online much at all. I hope everyone had a great Spring break, or for those who haven't had theirs yet, I hope you will have a fun, relaxing break. I definitely needed it to rejuvenate myself after a stressful week of finals. But now that a new quarter has started, I'll hopefully have more time to update.

Now onto the fashion! I've recently been gravitating toward more vintage-y, boho pieces when shopping. I don't know if it's just my personal taste or the sunnier weather. Either way, I love finding unique, no-fuss items that make an outfit look so effortless. I do hate it though when I run into a shirt or skirt I fall in love with, but then look at the price tag and I'm forced to sullenly put it back on the rack (ie: I found the cutest skirt last weekend, but didn't want to pay $60 for it). But lucky for me, Forever 21 has been stocked full of boho chic pieces that are way more affordable.

1) Tribal Mini Skirt, $15.80
2) Drew Platform Pumps, $22.80
3) Fringe Shoulder Bag, $24.80
4) Faceted Flower Ring, $5.80
5) Printed Banded Knit Top, $16.90
6) Painted Reptile Bracelet, $3.80

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New boutique openings are always fabulous news. It's just another place to find special pieces made with high quality fabrics and materials. Lorena Sarbu has recently opened a new store in Beverely Hills, California which is filled with unique clothing and accessories from European designers. Although I haven't been to see the boutique myself (I am about three hours away from it), I heard it is filled with everything from "sexy swimwear to cocktail dresses, fur vests to chiffon blouses". Need I really say more? Here are a few exclusive pictures of the boutique (decorated in Lorena Sarbu's signature colors of red, black and gold) and merchandise.

If you do happen to be near this boutique, and are able to check it out, please let me know what you thought!

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It's always a downer when you are in a desperate need for a little shopping therapy but you don't have the extra cash to splurge. One of the best (and cheap) ways to re-invent your wardrobe and make your clothes seem new are to do DIY mini projects on them. I personally wouldn't try to put any embellishments on shirts or sweaters for fear of ruining them instead, but ripping up tights with a simple pin is easy for anyone to do.

I saw this DIY: Ripped Tights post at Miss at la Playa's blog, and I can't wait to try it on a pair of my old tights.

Here's an excerpt from her post:
" This is very easy to do. Remember how upset you used to get when your tights ripped? Now you can wear them instead of throwing them out. Follow the trends the girls from LA in The Cobra Snake are wearing.

Maybe it is too much for you, but I assure you that if you do it well, some runners on your stockings will look très bien.

YOU NEED:

-A pair of tights. It can be any colour, but it looks better on black. You can use an old pair with previous runners on it, but if you want to buy new tights for this experiment, you can go to H&M, there are good quality tights just for 3 $.
-Pins

STEPS:

1. Put the tights on. It will be better as the holes/runners will be at the exact place you want them to be, plus, the ripping is easier as the tights are stretched.
2. Take a pin and pull out a thread. Then, with your hands, pull the thread until a runner appears.
3. Stretch the fabric to extend the runner.

IF YOU WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE THIS:

Just pull more threads with the pin to create paralell runners. This is my favourite effect, it looks like you bought it like that. Don't make any holes, it won't look too grunge.

FOR A MORE EXAGGERATED LOOK:

When you pull the thread with the pin, start a runner and with your hands make holes along the runner. "

All images and steps courtesy of Miss at la Playa.

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Lately I've been itching to get my hands on a funky, statement necklace. You know what I'm talking about. The kind that you can wear over a plain white t-shirt and suddenly you go from "I-just-got-back-from-the-gym" to "Yes-I'm-still-that-girl-whose-closet-you-want-to-raid". Okay, that might have been a little over the top, but you know what I'm talking about. After seeing Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere pull off a wonderfully, handmade tulle necklace, I've been dying to find a unique necklace to work into my own outfits.

1) French Connection Burnished Gold and Black Necklace, $41.28
2) Layered Flower Collar, $50.00
3) Sherbert Button Necklace, $30.00
4) Asos Short Linked Leaf Necklace, $9.91

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Everyone gets into a fashion rut sometimes, and to get out of it there are a variety of methods. My favorite method is definitely looking through my fashion muse's past outfits. I love getting ideas on how to put things together, and it's even better when I have all the essentials in my closet already.

Although most people would state a celebrity's name when asked about their fashion muse, it's not unusual to take a look at your peers. One of my go-to websites for this is Weardrobe. Fashionistas from all over the world post pictures of their favorite outfits, and it doesn't hurt that the website has a contest every week in which you can win $50 gift cards to your favorite stores. Here is a small peek into some of these fashionable girls' wardrobes.

Jessica Shcroeder in a warm and unique winter ensemble.
Bianca Rose showing off her handmade cut-off shorts.

Amelia knows how to mix two fun patterns.
Casey Catherine being funky in a feathered headdress.

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I managed to catch the 2009 Oscars this year, and of course found myself anticipating all the amazing fashion. There were so many stunning dresses, shoes, and accessories. And so, I thought I would share my personal favorites of the red carpet.

Who & What: Marion Cotillard wearing a Haute Couture Dior dress and shoes, and Chopard jewels.
Comments: I'm a sucker for dark, princess-y gowns. I think they're such a refreshingly different take on poufy, full-length dresses. The bright blue accents on top are sublte, yet keep the dress from fading into the background. And who doesn't love Dior?

Who & What: Penelope Cruz wearing a vintage Pierre Balmain Haute Couture gown.
Comments: Overall pretty simple, but the lace detailing takes it to a whole other level. It goes so well with her, and I can't get over the exquisite stitching on the dress!

Who & What: Anne Hathaway wearing an Armani Prive gown.
Comments: Another vision in white, Anne manages to look sleek and sophisticated in this strapless number. I love how the sequins start out small, and gradually increase in size as they reach the bottom of the dress. It's almost "fish-scale" like which normally wouldn't be appealing, but it works on her.

Who & What: Marisa Tomei wearing a Versace gown and Van Cleef and Arpels jewels.
Comments: Another extravagant dress that is toned down by it's amazingly simple color. The geometric shaping from the waist down give it some great visual interest to an otherwise subtle color tone. And she pulls the gown off so well.

Who & What: Vanessa Hudgens wearing a Marchesa gown.
Comments: I'm usually against mermaid style dresses, but the fact that its black doesn't make me think too badly of this design. The length is very appropriate for the Oscars, and black and white is always a classy combination.

Who & What: Natalie Portman in a Rodarte dress.
Comments: I love that she went for a gown in a eye-popping color. She manages to stand out from the rest of the red carpet fashionistas in a flattering strapless chiffon dress. It doesn't hurt that she look so amazingly gorgeous.

What were some of your favorites?

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I am currently obsessed with this JJ Winters Suede Fringe Bag. Honestly, I never was a big fan of fringe, especially on shoes and bags. But for some reason this bag grew on me quite quickly. It's in a nice messenger, hobo shape with a braided handle that gives off that same bohemian vibe that the fringe does. But the main reason I'm fond of this fringe bag compared to all the other versions floating around is the fact that it comes in gray. I know it doesn't seem like such a high criteria, but I can't seem to find a cheaper version in this color anywhere. Fringe bags tend to come in only two colors -- black and brown. But with the $400 price tag the JJ Winters bag comes in, all I'll be able to do is lust from my computer screen.

Vanessa Hudgens carrying around her fabulous JJ Winters Suede Fringe Bag that should be riding on my shoulder instead.

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