Dear Ethers,

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh (arms stretching behind my back).  The Wish List is back!  What tremendous joy I had shopping again, choosing dream pieces without having to lay down my credit card.  Though one day I would like to place an order on some of the glorious goodies I’ve chosen, it’s always fun to fantasize and see something come together from a collection that you’ve chopped and changed.  I mean, of course I imagine myself with a Kate Moss frame when I select such pieces so I also imagine that they would look stellar on me.  But sadly, this girl whose stature of 5′6 and with a bust larger than a 32A would not look catwalk cool.  But that’s what’s so fun about Monday’s.  You can dream!

Today is all about navy blue bliss.  I don’t think this lovely shade gets enough credit and I really love wearing it.  It looks surprisingly good with denim, excellent with white, brilliant with black (just kidding…wanted to see if you were paying attention) and is just a classy, classic color.  I also think it’s a great transitional hue both seasonally and day to night.  Navy can be worn both in the summer and the winter and for work and drinks.

I chose Paul & Joe Sister this week because I really like the playful French fun that they have in their collection this season.  It’s kind of Topshop meets rockstar. Love it!  For a diffusion line it isn’t THAT expensive, though I wouldn’t call it cheap—but compared to something like Miu Miu it’s a steal (I mean, they sell it in Urban Outfitters!).  I also thought it would be fun to integrate beauty into this Wish List because Paul & Joe have such a comprehensive line.

I have mixed feelings about their make-up line.  The packaging is gorgeous.  I think the palettes and the colors for shadows and foundations have tremendous variety.  However, I think it is way too expensive for a brand that isn’t established.  It’s tricky.  You can’t really start off cheaper and then hike up prices.  But a lot of folks haven’t heard of Paul & Joe and therefore wouldn’t pay 30 bucks for a lipstick when blingalicious Chanel is right around the corner with competitive prices. Truthfully, at the end of the day, the double C’s are gonna win out.  I know the line does well in Europe, but I think it is really struggling in the United States.  The packaging is targeted for a younger audience, but again, the price tag is for an older audience.  Anyway, in case it’s new too you, I thought I’d introduce you to it.

So here’s our girl.  She’s going out in L.A. during the day but it’s going to transition to a nighttime hang out too.  She’s got her lightweight dress because it’s sill hot during the day, but she’s brought a long, cozy cardigan when it gets chilly during the evening (hey, chivalry is dead—you can’t rely on gentlemen to offer you their coats anymore!).  Her boots are perfect for walking around in because of the extra gooey, padded platform and if she wants she can stick a pair of tights in her bag if her gams get cold.  She’s brought along some perfume just in case she wants to freshen up, and she’s done up her eyes in this lovely palette that matches the colors of the pattern on her dress perfectly.    This is not a party evening, just a laid back time with friends where she wants to look hip and chic but also be comfortable.  So, welcome back to the Wish List and enjoy our navy nymph.

Meow! This cat print silk dress with a ruffle detail is cute and sexy at the same time. I love how it's got a baggy top that makes it slouchy and casual, but also that dainty skirt which is attached that is short and flirty allowing you to show off those legs. Great for a hot summer day. Or, throw on some tights and voila, you've got your evening look. The sleeves end mid-arm so great for the hip bangle look and again, because this shows so much leg, wait until you see this paired with the rad ankle boots our chica is sporting. Horlane Silk Print Dress, $200, paul&joe.com

How lovely is this cardigan? It looks handmade by someone you love...awww! I think it's the perfect color. An added bonus? It's the same length as the dress, so you'll be totally toasty when night falls! This is a great piece to own because it's a classic. It'll never date because it already has a vintage feel. You could probably wear this as a sweater dress---just add some leggings and some cute boots and you're ready to go. Navy Deneuve Cardigan, $321.75, paul&joe.com

I am in LOVE! These may not look that different from all the black ankle boots out there...but look closely. That sole is what makes these babies ACE! They are going to be so comfy, the ball of your foot is going to thank you. Finally you can be stylish without being in agony. The heel height is sexy, the padded leather looks like badass motorcycle jacket texture. These, paired with the sweetness of the sweet dress above---dead on! Imagine these with tights or bare legs--you are gonna be working it. These are THE black ankle boots of the season. Venus Quilted Booties With Crepe Sole, $634, paul&joe.com

Really cute packaging right? Kinda shabby chic, meets Victorian lady. These colors are the perfect duo to match your dress pattern. The blue is perfect for your lids and the silver is fab for the inner parts of the eye to make them shimmer and catch the light. For more of their endless beauty products look at their ample supply on the website. However, I'm going to recommend a better URL that has, oddly enough, a more comprehensive outlet for their products. Limited Edition Color Powder-The Wild One, $24, www.beautyhabit.com

Truthfully, I chose this fragrance because of the color of the bottle--hey, I'm not gonna lie to you. And honestly, that's what happens a lot in consumer magazines. Products are chosen for their looks and not always for their quality. However, I own this fragrance and it is sweet--literally. Would I run out and buy it? No, but it was given to me for free and sometimes in the summer when I want to smell sweet and fun I'll spritz it on. The Web says it is a sexy, oriental and musky scent. I don't know if I'd agree. The notes are as follow: Top notes: Bergamot/Coriander/Cumin/Ylang-Ylang, Heart notes: Jasmine/Rose/Magnolia/ Heliotrope, Base notes: Oak/Moss/Patchouli/Sandalwood/Myrrh/Labdanum/ Vanilla/Musk. Paul & Joe Bleu EDT, $65 50ml, www.beautyhabit.com

Dear Ethers,

Another week bites the dust.  That means another outfit is dusted off.  This Friday I’ve gone with a cooler looking color palette (it looks like a Fall transition, but totally fab for Summer too). I know the tights and the wool skirt are also making you ask “what season does this girl think we’re in?” But notice the OPEN-toed heels, and the sleeveless vest/waistcoat.  I love working with season benders because it allows for your wardrobe to extend itself beyond and you get more bang for your buck!  I LOVE wearing tights with open-toed shoes and a dress or skirt.  It is my solution for any cold weather or evening attire situation where I want to wear something light, but might find myself getting a bit nippy.  Invest in a good pair.  They’ll cost you up front, but they’ll last you a lifetime.  

This week we’ve got our cocktail party girl look.  She’s wearing subtle colors so she doesn’t upstage her host, but her choices are trendy and the skirt adds just the right amount of excitement with the cut and the color to make a statement.  The heels blending with the tights make her legs look lengthy and the sleeveless waistcoat is a fun way to play down a dressy affair.  The bracelet is simply there to draw all of the colors together and add a bit of texture to the outfit–also she’s not wearing any other baubles, so why not?  To me, this outfit says fun, hip, young and ready for a cocktail and some conversation.  I’d wear the hair pulled back in a slicked-back high ponytail and wear smoky eyes with a bit of color (a splash of MAC Pigments in “Copper Sparkle”) to the inner tips of the eye so when they catch the light they really shine.  It’s all about they eyes with this outfit, so do it up (remember tips from Beauty Trend: Say “Da” For Russia without overdoing obviously–just stay on trend without going over the top).  And if it is a cocktail you’re after, and the barman is game, try an Orange Crush Martini to match that outfit.  If he doesn’t know how to make it, explain it’s 1 1/2 oz gin, 1/2 Grand Marnier, 1-2 splashes of orange juice and 1 scoop of crushed ice.  Tell him to shake his moneymaker for 25 seconds, take a frosted martini glass and strain the deliciousness in!  If he has any orange slices to adorn the rim of the glass, all the better!  Cheers!  Now let’s check this cocktail cutie out.

Dedicatedly yours,

—One of 365

"I like to drink martinis. Two at the most. Three I'm under the table, four I'm under the host." Dorothy Parker

A cute little vest is a great investment because you can wear it casual with jeans, layered over a top or dressy as our cocktail chic-chick is doing above. A really versatile item, the snugger the fit the better. This should show off your curves and lines in all the right ways. The featured piece is actually slightly too big on our girl, but if she could go back in time she would definitely buy a size or two smaller and have it tight! Show off whatcha got and maybe you'll score and extra special drink from the barman. Vest/Waistcoat, H&M Approx. 20 Quid, London

Poof! Literally-of color and design. This is such a perfect cocktail party skirt. Couldn't you totally see Carrie Bradshaw working this at one of her do's? I love the high-waist, the pockets (for slipping gent's digits in) and the tulle underneath to give it that extra stand-out factor that will make YOU stand-out even more. Orange Wool Skirt, H& M Approx. $50 Los Angeles

These really are a must-have investment. They'll cost you an arm and a leg (maybe 2), but they are worth it. I've had mine for 3 years, and have worn them so often and they STILL look brand new. Wear them under trousers for extra warmth in the Winter, team them with open-toed heels in the season- change to keep legs guarded or just rock em' when you want your gams to look sky-high with black pumps and a mini-dress. Really, this is like a bra or a knicker. A MUST! Falke Wool Tights, $65 Any Fine Department Store

These beauties are back. And you'll be seeing a lot more of them. My KG's are FAB! The platform and thick heel make them totally wearable, so you can stand and gab for hours holding that martini glass. You'll also be so tall, you'll be able to tower over the barman to get drinks orders fast! KG Heels, Originally 100 Pounds Sterling Reduced To 50 Pounds Sterling, Harrods, London

Just a bit of fun to add some texture and color to your outfit. Designed to be worn as a necklace but wrapped around wrist as a bracelet. Fun, ethnic and punchy--I say, why the hell not? Handmade Fabric Covered Marble Necklace, Bought From Student In Brighton, England For 2 Quid!