Dear Ethers,

I’m shocked it’s another Friday.  It felt like yesterday I was slipping on my little pleated dress and writing my post.  The weeks are flying by……it’s kind of scary actually.  But none of this deep talk!  No sireee!  This is fashion baby, and a Friday to boot and we want to have fun, right?

As you know I root for anything with an elastic waist.  So, I am donning the most fashionable item of clothing that allows me to wear something without a zipper or buttons.  Yep—leggings.  I’ve sung their praises on this blog a zillion times so I won’t tell you how versatile, easy and how they have become the new jean—but I will say that I will be living in them until Vogue or Glamour or whoever the fuck the arbiter of fashion these days is says they must be binned. And you know what?  Even THEN I will wear them to small Eastern European countries who think they are still hip.  In fact, I will ONLY travel to such places because they will think I am on the cutting edge of the catwalk and will envy my stretchy leg coverlets.

I’m wearing a really fun camisole that I think would look as cool with leggings as they would with jeans.  The top  sort of has a 70’s/80’s “I’m a babe” disco attitude which I like—and the back has—guess what—elastic banding!  Could this top be better suite for me?

The shoes—you either love them or hate them.  I’ll tell you what will make you decide.  You hate moccasin fringe-like shoes or you totally dig them.  I am all about the latter.  I always wanted some fringed shoes but thought they had been overdone by now.  But when I saw them in this cool sandal form in a sleek black, and they were comfy as hell, I said, yep, slip those on my tootsies and call them my own.

I like this outfit because this is just a normal, everyday get-up.  This is something I would run out and get the groceries in or would meet a mate for brunch and a coffee wearing.  Is it jaw-dropping?  No.  But it is young, fun and has a bit more pizzaz than a crappy track-suit and trainers and I feel as comfortable.  I also think it has a beat of its own and unlike all the pastel wearing, glittery girls that can be so L.A., I like to bring a bit of dark casual to the streets here

So happy weekend, and I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.  I am seriously overwhelmed with writing—both my deadlines for pieces are due Monday.  I’m writing a fun shoe piece and a really fab style piece about a very famous dress.  More details to come.  One will be a main feature in a major newspaper.  I’m pretty psyched.  But—I wanna impress because if it goes well, this is the direction I want my career to be going in.  I would love red carpets to be simply a dyed rug in my past.

And speaking of red carpets…let’s roll out one for Fashion Fridays!

Dedicatedly yours,

—One of 365

Casual, easy, fun, youthful and just a really easy way to be laid-back and look put together without having to dawn that horrible tracksuit. It's as convenient but has a little more pizzaz and is a bit more "now." I think the tracksuit, although will always be on the market, has sadly seen its day

I don't know why, but I feel like I'm conjuring Drew Barrymore when I'm wearing this top. It's really fun, 80's, whimsical and somewhat child-like but cut for an adult. I don't know if you can see the little ribbons on either side of the bodice, but they are a cute add on to the camisole. I like the tight top half and the loose bottom ruffle drape. I suppose you could dress this up, but the material is not very fancy and I think it's a cool "throw on and run out of the house" piece. Stars Camisole, 10 pounds, Topshop, London

Yes! Viva La Elastic Waist! C'mon girls....you know if you could make couture and hip clothes with an elastic waist you would vote yay. But, sadly, elastic waist= super Wal-Mart style. Leggings are one of the only items we can get away with these days with a whole lot of stretch unless we're pregnant, so LOVE IT! I have these in brown as well and I wear them everywhere. I look better in them when I'm not shoveling cookies down my gob and going to the gym, but they are a happy piece of cloth for me. And a bargain too. Black Leggings, $6.99, Target, Los Angeles

So, as I said before, you either love em' or you hate em'! I love em'....they are really boho fun and easy to walk in for hours. They are a great alternative then just throwing on a pair of crappy black flip-flops. The only negative is that the laces become unravelled sometimes, but besides that, the sole is comfy and they have great ankle support. I like them with the fun and youthful top and I'm glad I got them in black so I can wear them a little more dressy than I would be able to do with a more rugged brown. Black Moccasin Sandals, Dolce Vita, $98, Diavolina, Los Angeles

Dear Ethers,

I have been running around like a chicken with its head cut-off for the last few days and have been very grateful for clothing that has allowed me to look like I didn’t just roll out of bed but kept me comfortable and able to be on the move.  It’s impossible to jump from one appointment to another in 4″ heels (or try driving in them) and unless I need to be really dressy for an event, for the most part, I can keep it casual.  It’s also warm in L.A. so I want to be wearing light gear that’s gonna allow me to move and shake.  No short skirts where knickers might be shown or stifling shirts wear I have pit stains to prove my stress.  So, for this fabulous Fashion Friday, I am dedicating it to the woman on the move.  The woman who wants to look halfway decent, on-trend and chic but can’t be struggling in stilettos whilst doing it.  I’m talking leggings, a barely there racer-back silk tank, comfy bejeweled flats and a rockin’ hipslung belt to tie it all together.  This look is great for Mom’s who need to throw on something quick but wanna be the hottest ticket on the playground.  Students who are late for class and need to jump into something FAST.  And just anyone who wants to look put together but not suffer the consequences.  And the best part–the whole outfit cost me under $150!!!!!  Hey, you know I’m the queen bee of deals.  Oh, and I feel like the leggings and the top make me look heavier than the photograph is portraying  I know on Twitter I have been talking about what a chunk I have become….but honestly, this IS really the camera!  The tank is actually really billowy and hangs beautifully and the leggings—well, they just photograph badly.  What can I say–well, it’s what I always say.  I never claim to be Kate Moss nor does my photographer claim to be Mario Testino.  Bah!  Excuses, excuses.  I hope you enjoy and get inspired to be free and fashionable!!!!

This is soooo comfy!! The belt is there for adornment so it is loose and not constrictive. The tank is made of silk and is oversized so it breathes and the leggings have an elastic waist. What could be more comfortable? And those flats! They have a little peep-toe so your foot breathes and they allow you to boogie around the city because there is no restrictive heel. Gotta love it.

This racer-back tank is made of silk and air! It's oversized with large cut armholes and it feels barely there. It has a slight stretch to it in case you'd want to wear it tighter, but it really is meant to be worn loose and baggy. I love the zebra print with brown, white and pink colors and get this---Nicole Richie owns the exact same one!!!!! Pair this with white trousers to dress it up, jeans to funk it out or leggings to be your comfy self. Decolette Tank, Originally $250, paid $25, Vionette Boutique, Los Angeles

It doesn't get any easier than this! Plain cotton mix leggings with an elastic waist (you guys KNOW how much I love that) are the new jean. They are a fashion staple and if you don't own a pair go out and grab at least one in black. They are so great for just throwing on and using as a layering piece. Pair with boots and a sweater or a tunic and sandals. Leggings are so versatile and comfortable--everyone is wearing them. They look good on almost all body types. They look GREAT with heels, hard to pull off with flats (you see I'm struggling in the photo) and killer with the new over-the-knee boot trend coming this Fall. Brown Leggings, $6.99, Target, Los Angeles

The most expensive piece in this whole outfit. I just like how this belt adds a little funk to the look and breaks up the leggings from the tank. I love a hipslung belt and I think if you have wide hips it can help minimize them. I adore the grommets and the oversized buckle. I've owned this belt for 5 years and it has been such a great investment piece. Jocasi Belt, 65 Pounds, Topshop London

Flats are a must for comfort and for a woman on the go. How can you move and groove in sky-high heels? Impossible! I love these because your feet won't get sweaty because of the peep-toe and the fabric is a nice grosgrain so it's not gonna be sweaty like leather. I also love the color which is a fun and cheerful pink which meshes beautifully with the top and I think goes well with brown. And the little jewels! They are so lovely and add a bit of fun to the whole flat making them not only functional but fashionable. Pink Flats, Originall 35 Pounds Sterling, paid 10 Pounds Sterling, Topshop London

Dear Ethers,

Hark! It is September.  Does this mean the leaves are starting to change and it’s going to get chilly?  Where did Summer go?  I still have white, strapless dresses that have tags still attached and sandals that don’t even have scuff marks on their bottoms.  Well, thank goodness I live in Los Angeles, but for most of the world this means the changing of the closet!  Unwrapping those cashmere sweaters, buying new wooden cedar hanger inserts, and starting to say good-bye to the romper trend. (For some of you that’s a “thank-god.” Though, owning a cute silk butterscotch Marc Jacobs one myself, I loved it!).  So, to debut our Fall look I decided on the lovely Celine which is oh so French, and oh so divine, that you can’t help but look sophisticated in its luxurious fabrics and its “I didn’t try too hard” look.  I know when the seasons start to change I wanna be cozy.  I hate being unprepared for the weather outside and being itchy with bad wool or sweaty by being swamped by too much fabric.  I like light layers that keep me warm.  The Fall is great for layering lightly while experimenting with fabrics that will mesh with your lifestyle.  

The outfit I’ve chosen is the one I would have liked my mom to have picked me up in school wearing and proudly beamed, “Yep, that’s her, that’s the queen of chic.”  My mom tended to enjoy the art of schlep, which is fair enough, but I swore if I ever had kids, I’d always look fab when I was around them so they could be proud of me fashion-wise.  Hey, I’ll never be Kate Moss, but I can be a fashion icon to someone, right?  The Celine look is great because it’s comfy with sumptuous fabrics so you could work in the ensemble and then chill out with the kids after school or a friend after work and not need to change.  The over-the-knee boot look is a Fall staple so girl, you are right on trend!  The ruffled front of the blouse is also tres chic for the season (collars, ruffled fronts–all to be on your tick list).  The over-sized sweater is cut fashionably so it doesn’t look like it’s eating you alive, just comfortably acting like a warm layer.  The leggings are always perfect–hey–you know me—elastic waist=perfection.  And finally, the bag is really adorable because it’s an unusual color with a bit of shearling and suede so you aren’t looking SO heavy and dark for winter yet.  So, shall we “Fall” in love with this look?

Dedicatedly yours,

 —One of 365

This lovely wool-blend wrap coat is a perfect shade of grey. It's not too dark so it transitions well into Fall rather than a heavier charcoal which would be better for Winter. It has a kimono-style fit so sleeves will look lovely billowing out of it and you can even replace the tie it comes with using your own leather cinched waist belt to dress it up. Wool-Blend Knit Wrap Coat, $1,300, celine.com

This silk and cotton ruffle front blouse has a look of "sheer" comfort. It is light so you won't be sweating underneath your wool wrap coat, but it is not flimsy enough to cut right through to the skin. I love the color. I think the taupe is such a unique match with the gray and works so beautifully together. It's not a color combination you'd expect and yet it is seamless in its compatibility. This is again, all about comfort. This is not too form fitting, yet it is still flattering enough to show off your silhouette without constraining your body. The ruffled sleeves will look heavenly edging out from the coat. Cotton-Blend Ruffle Blouse, $760, celine.com

These have become the new staple of every woman's wardrobe. They ARE the new jean. This will be the perfect comfort piece with the elastic waist and the cotton-wool blend. The top-layers will hit the leggings perfectly so nothing will show that shouldn't, and these will be the ideal platform for your KILLER boots coming up next Everyone should own a pair of leggings. Their versatility and easiness is just A+ and you can dress them up or down. Cotton-Wool Blend Leggings, $495, celine.com

I need these. I want these. Some rich Duke reading my blog, donate these to me! The over-the-knee boot is THE look this coming season. EVERYONE will be showing these. There will be grubby, cheap imitations. DO NOT GO THERE. You don't want to be mistaken for a hooker in Hollywood. You need to keep it quality and classy. The leather has to have integrity. The fit has to be excellent. No droopiness. No bagginess. These have to show off those gams. Don't give up. You will find a pair. They are out there for a price you can afford. Just don't succumb to the cheap, call-girl look, okay? Wear over leggings with a short top like we are doing with this outfit and you'll look relaxed and chic. Wear dressed with a tunic. Wear over jeans! These are really gonna take over fashion. If only these were cheaper. Oh Celine!!!! But anyway, how gorgeous is this going to look with our Fall debut outfit? Leather Over-The-Knee Boots, $1,310, celine.com

To compliment the color of the silk-blend ruffle blouse I thought this bag was perfect! I love that color combo with the gray and the taupe and thought this was the icing on the cake. I love the suede and shearling and the understated Celine stamp on the front. I love the messenger style. Again, great for comfort factor. It's adjustable so you can make it handbag length easily. It's sumptuous in fabric, but slightly casual in fashion. This bag makes me want to curl up and sleep inside of it! Dimitiri Shearling Bag, $2,200, celine.com

And just in case it gets a bit colder than you expected, stick these cashmere lined leather gloves in your shearling bag. We don't want any rough hands this season! I like that these are slightly rugged with their seams---makes them seem a bit badass with the boots. All in all the outfit comes together and makes sure you are comfortable, cozy and well looked after. Leather Gloves, $590, celine.com