December : 2010 : InStyle.com What's Right Now

Our Top Picks for 2011 Designer Planners

Dec 27, 2010 @ 10:49 am

Courtesy Smythson, Samir Hussein/Getty Images

The countdown to 2011 is officially on! And what better way to kick off a stylishly organized year than by treating yourself to a new planner. (Yes, these are still available, despite your smartphone/iPad/Outlook!) Our pick: The Smythson Panama Diary, $205, which features a cover illustration by rising Scottish designer Holly Fulton (inset). Fulton, who won the 2009 British Fashion Award for emerging talent, admits she’s addicted to her own planner: “I actually use two planners—one to keep me right and one to keep everyone at the studio right,” she told InStyle.com. “If we lose either of them, it’s chaos!” Fulton uses her personal planner as a date, sketch and address book. “Like having a wallet you love, your diary will be with you every day, so it’s important to get one that stimulates you aesthetically when you see it.” Check out our gallery to find the right 2011 datebook—at the right price—for you.

— Anne L. Fritz

See the Photos

Courtesy Goop, Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Try the Trend: Customizable Fashion

Dec 23, 2010 @ 12:59 pm

When Gwyneth Paltrow launched her holiday gift guide on GOOP, one of her top picks was this customized Louis Vuitton Mon Monogram Pegase bag. Turns out, customizing your own products is a hot trend. “Personally I just love wearing something that is exactly what I wanted it to be,” Jodie Fox, co-founder and director of fashion of Shoes of Prey, the company that let’s you customize your own shoes, told InStyle.com. “And, it’s also incredibly exciting to respond to a compliment on my shoes by saying, ‘I designed them.’” Since the site went live in October 2009, sales have doubled every quarter and the company has already expanded from Australia to China, Russia and the United States. (Lucky us!) Check out the gallery to see Shoes of Prey heels and some of our other favorite customizable products.

— Anne L. Fritz

See the Photos

Courtesy Photo, Mike Marsland/Getty Images

Victoria Beckham’s Handbags Are Selling Out Quick!

Dec 23, 2010 @ 12:40 pm

When Victoria Beckham previewed her first handbag collection last fall, we just knew it would be a hit. Though the collection hasn’t even landed in the States yet, two of the bags went on sale yesterday on the British Net-a-Porter site—and the $2,600 leather and nubuck shoulder bag (shown bottom) is already sold out! Could the other hexagonal chain crocodile purse ($13,771) be next? Perhaps! The complete collection features six bags ranging in price from $1,800 to $13,950 and goes on sale next week at Bergdorf Goodman in New York, Neiman Marcus in Los Angeles and Net-a-porter.com. Be sure to score yours early.

MORE:
• Preview Victoria Beckham’s Spring 2011 Collection
• See Victoria Beckham’s Red Carpet Style

— Anne L. Fritz

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for ACE Awards, Courtesy Net-A-Porter, Courtesy Amedeo M.Turello, Courtesy Urban Outfitters, Getty Images, Courtesy Photo

Kanye West Shops at J. Crew, the Year’s Most Popular Pants, and More!

Dec 23, 2010 @ 12:34 pm

1. Spotted: Rapper and fashion fan Kanye West browsing footwear at one of our favorite prepster stores, J. Crew. [NY Post]

2. What pants did almost every celeb wear this year? Skinny green cargos by J. Brand, of course! But you knew that one. [RCFA]

3. Unlike Kate Middleton, Prince Albert of Monaco and his fiancée Charlene Wittstock will have an non-traditional royal wedding in July. [People]

4. First mood rings, now mood-changing lipstick. What will they think of next? [Refinery 29]

5. Sad holiday shopping alert! Rainy weather in southern California has kept shoppers indoors. How painful. [WWD]

6. The era of Fake Bake is not over! Over 18% of women still visit the tanning bed: ouch. [Bellasugar]

Dave Allocca/Startraksphoto.com

Kate Hudson’s Surprising Hair Secrets

Dec 23, 2010 @ 11:28 am

Kate Hudson‘s hair always looks as effortless as it does perfect, but when InStyle caught up with the actress for our January issue, she revealed that her prep routine is actually the opposite. “I’m wearing every product on the shelf,” Hudson laughed. “Seriously, after an event it can take four washcloths to remove the ‘natural look.’” As for deciding between going for a curly or straight style: “It depends on the weather,” she said. “Unlike most women, I love the humidity. It helps enhance my natural curl.” For more Kate Hudson hair and beauty secrets, pick up the January issue of InStyle magazine, on newsstands now.

MORE:
• Chanel’s Nail Artist Picks His Top Manicure Moments
• Our January Cover Girl Is… Gwyneth Paltrow!

Poll: How Do You Feel About Color?

Dec 23, 2010 @ 11:03 am

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic, Courtesy Photo, Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Color—it’s so personal! While some will adore wearing spring’s hottest hues, others will run for cover. Are you envious of green dresses, craving some orange accessories, puckering up for pink lipstick? Then there are the more profound questions surrounding various shades. Is black ever appropriate for a wedding? Do white walls create tranquility, or look boring? But most importantly: Are you in favor of Nicki Minaj’s full-spectrum locks?! Tell us!

UPDATE: This poll is now closed.

More

Eric Ryan/Getty

See Karl Lagerfeld Star in a Volkswagen Commercial

Dec 22, 2010 @ 5:01 pm

Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld (shown here with Keira Knightley) announced last week that he’d be starring in an upcoming Volkswagen commercial, and alas, his big small-screen moment is here. The spot came out today, and it’s oddly intriguing, despite the fact that we can’t understand a word he’s saying because it’s in German. But who can resist 32 seconds of Lagerfeld clutching his camera with an extra-long lens talking about cars? Not you! See the full video after the jump. More

— Sharon Clott

Courtesy Reiss, Ann Taylor, Kate Spade

Every Online Sale Worth Checking Out!

Dec 22, 2010 @ 4:29 pm

Whether you’re hoping to nab one last stocking stuffer or you’re on the hunt for the perfect New Year’s Eve dress, you’ll want to cozy up to your computer because that’s where all the last-minute deals are. But don’t procrastinate a second longer—some of these deals are only good through the end of today. Get clicking!

FREE SHIPPING IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
• AnnTaylorLoft.com: 40% off most items with code: HOLIDAY. Plus free overnight shipping on orders placed before December 23 at 2:59 p.m. ET
• UrbanOutfitters: Free overnight delivery if you spend $100 or more before December 23 at 10 a.m. ET
• ShopBop.com: Free overnight shipping on orders made before December 23, 7 a.m. ET

SALES AND DISCOUNTS
• AnnTaylor.com: 40% with code: SAVE40, offer good on both the Sarah Metallic ballet flat, $88.80 and the pavé bangle set, 46.80, (shown) both prices after discount
• Modernvintage.com: 30% off with code: 30OFFMV
• LordandTaylor.com: 20% off in stores and online with code: GIFT
• RedEnvelope.com: 10% off with code: SAVE10
• Juicycouture.com: 30% of jewelry with code: SPARKLE30. Ends at 11:59 p.m. ET today!
• BananaRepublic.com: 25% off sale items with code: BRSALE25
• KateSpade.com: Up to 60% off, including the jeweled brooch, $122, and Knightsbridge Zippered Darcy, $297 (shown)
• Barneys.com: Up to 60% off
• Reiss.com: Up to 50% off, including the Courtney bustier dress (shown), $227.50
• Gap.com: Up to 50% off
• Bloomingdales.com: Up to to 40% off
• Piperlime.com: Up to 40% off
• Antropologie.com: An extra 25% off items already on sale
• OldNavy.com: Sale items starting at $5