Pout About It

[Gettin' lippy: Models at (clockwise from top left) Gucci, Bottega Veneta, YSL, and Rochas boasted major attitude without saying a word.]

My favorite beauty trend for the fall: giving some serious lip. The girls at several fashion powerhouses exhibited their trendsetting potentials with darkly bold lips in shades ranging from black cherry (Rochas) to bordeaux (YSL) to borderline black (Bottega Veneta). And it doesn't matter how comfortable you are experimenting with your look--the lip's intensity can run from subtle to severe depending on how many layers of product you apply and the kind of product you use (a gloss, a balm, a stain, or a lipstick). 

So come September, trade in your basic, fancy-night-red tube of lipstick for something a bit inkier, a little more femme fatale edgy. Just start your primping by creating a simple canvas--forego blush and eyeliner and stick to a simple swipe of mascara and some highlighter in the corners of your eyes. Choose your shade of dangerous red-black, remember to blot (read: you don't want lipstick on your teeth), and don't be surprised if people stand up a little straighter when you walk by. Eyes will be drawn to your lips, after all, a pretty sexy spot if you ask me.

I'M LOVING: 

1. YSL Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain in No. 2 Brun Glace, $32, sephora.com// 2. Tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Stain in Moody, $24, sephora.com// 3. Benefit Cosmetics Eye Bright, $20, sephora.com// 4. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Blackcherry, $4.99, target.com// 5. NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Volga, $25, sephora.com// 6. L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Gloss in Plum Rush, $5.99, target.com

xo Heidi 

Catty Girl

Cat-printed pleated silk crepe de chine dress, net-a-porter.com

In order to love this dress, it'd probably help to be a cat person, but being a dog person who just loves fashion is sufficient as well. I'm really into anything gamine lately (think style a la Felicity Jones and Alexa Chung), and the boxy cut and quirky print of this Victoria, Victoria Beckham frock deftly satisfies my keenness. I'd pair it with flat loafers and a breezy pony or braid throughout the summer, and come fall, I'd simply add black tights (textured or sheer) and a schoolboy blazer. Really, the only quandary that keeps this dress from being the cat's meow--I truly do crack myself up--is the $1000+ price tag. Solution? Forever 21, of course. Horses, cats...potato, pot-ah-to. You'll quickly forget species specifics when you score the following knock-off dress for a cool $27.50.

Tiny Horse Dress,  forever21.com

xo Heidi

[PRESS PLAY: "Road to Nowhere" by Talking Heads. Available on iTunes.] 

NYFW '12: Jason Wu-Oscar de la Renta

New York Fashion Week is over (the shows continue over in Europe), but I'm still reeling over the all of the beautiful sartorial creations debuted last week. So, naturally, my list of favorite collections continues.

The second set of reasons I'm looking forward to fall:

 Jason Wu

[The young newcomer continues to stun with his unparalleled designer's eye. This season he took cues from the far East, boasting colorful brocade pantsuits and draped silk skirts. Red and black add a major dose of sex appeal to an otherwise conservative gown, while a simple cape is made exotic with heavy embellishment.]

Jenny Packham

[After seeing Kate Middleton strutting around in Ms. Packham's design last year, I can't help but picture the Duchess wearing each gown sent down the runway this past week. While the elegance of the dresses are an obvious choice for Kate, the interesting details (like choker necklines and sequin-studded shoulders) remind me that Blake Lively and Carrie Underwood are also fans of the brand.]

Marchesa

[Ever the connoisseurs of intricacy, Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa yet again baffle and woo me with their complicated, one-of-a-kind confections. Gilded satin ball gowns and ethereal, feathery mermaid silhouettes can really make a Midwestern girl wish she had some fancier weekend plans. And hey, check out the eagle on the third dress pictured! The trend lives on.] 

Michael Kors

[Oh, how this line makes me want to cuddle up next to a fireplace in a cabin in Aspen! But since I have neither a Colorado chalet nor the money to buy these lustworthy Kors pieces, I will commit to memory this coziness--turtleneck sweaters, relaxed checkered trousers, long-sleeved maxi dresses, and long menswear vests--and hunt it down at more reasonably priced retailers.]

Milly

[Bright and eclectic, the ensembles at Milly can easily add a pop of fun (and neon pink) to any girl's everyday wardrobe. The flouncy metallic skirt, the tweed short suit, the lace print frock--all of these are totally wearable with a pair of black tights and a layered coat or tee. Best part: there's no way an inexpensive seller like Forever 21 will be able to pass up recreating such lively looks (with much lower price tags).]

Monique Lhuillier

[Red, black, and gold are the go-to colors for Ms. Lhuillier this year. Although she exhibited a darker, sultrier collection than typical, she didn't leave behind her signature romance, as proven by the floaty gowns, sheer panelling, and lace trim. It's the blood red and use of heavy metal that are fresh for fall. Bravo! She's invented a gothic I want to try.] 

Oscar de la Renta

[Oscar de la Renta has purely amazed me this season. I've really only regarded him as a gown designer in the past, but with working-girl sets and Jackie O-worthy shifts, he has clearly proven his talent extends beyond the realm of Red Carpet. How a man can design such unapologetically feminine, ladylike pieces, I don't know, but looking through his collection, I am oh-so happy to be a girl.]

xo Heidi

[PRESS PLAY: "Only If for a Night" by Florence + the Machine. Available on iTunes.] 

Lust List: Pink & Red

[It's Valentine's Day, but this is a different kind of lust.]

This may come as a surprise considering I have a blog about style, but I've never considered myself much of a girlie-girl. My sense of humor is far from ladylike, and I'd much rather watch "Family Guy" than "One Tree Hill." Sure, I love dresses and makeup, but clothing obsession is about the extent of my girlishness. Oh, and there's also my current love affair with the color pink. I've always been a secret fan of the sweet hue, but the recent shade-mixing trend (pairing non-matching shades of one color, seen here) has undoubtedly amplified this fondness. Maybe it's just the intoxication from today's holiday speaking, but I'm ready to don powder pink, fuchsia, coral, and even red...all at once. 

So I spent some quality time at net-a-porter.com, and between periods of staring at my computer screen hoping that someday I can purchase even just one of the beautiful designer duds, I managed to select my favorite pink-y pieces. Because, hey, a girl can dream. Don't call me a changed woman, though--I will not watch "The Vampire Diaries" with you no matter how much you pay me.

1. Sunshine Beaded Stretch-Crepe Dress, Preen// 2. Color-Block Jersey Dress, Juicy Couture// 3. Perspex-Heeled Two-Tone Satin Sandals, Stella McCartney// 4. Dreamer Ruffled Swimsuit, Zimmermann// 5. Two-Tone Silk Crepe de Chine Shirt, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel// 6. Low-Rise Skinny Jeans, Rag & Bone// 7. Christina Lace Dress, Lover// 8. Stretch-Twill Dress, Red Valentino

xo Heidi

[PRESS PLAY: "Sundress" by Ben Kweller. Available on iTunes.]