Coquette

DVF Style: Print and Pattern

Diane von Furstenberg, fashion designer and CFDA's President, has been making headlines recently in the Wall Street Journal discussing the fashion industry's desire to copyright designs due to the high level of counterfeiting. (Read more at Counterfeit Chic.) She should know. As the designer and inventor of the wrap dress, her styles have been copied so much that she's even sued Forever 21. But isn't it always better when you have the original? DVF has outdone herself with this spring's line of flirty print dresses and Diane has got prints down. Snatch up an original like this Renny Wrap Dress ($325 at Shopbop) with belled sleeves and contrast prints.

More looks at Shopbop from Diane von Furstenberg:

Antonio Dress ($275)

Keane Dress ($275)

Cassidy Wrap Dress ($285)

Kyle Wrap Dress ($325)

Piedra Dress ($325)

Coquette Answers: Alarm Clocks

Olivia in Berkeley asks Coquette:

Dear Coquette-
I am in search of a new alarm clock. My old one died a while ago and I've been using my cell phone ever since. Can you help me find something simple in design, easy to use, and not too crazy expensive? I know this isn't a "sexy" topic but hoped that you or some of your readers might be able to help.

I've been looking all over and to me the Sonic Boom Alarm Clock ($42.95 at ADCO) is fun, different, and affordable.
The tagline is great, "Designed for Girls Who Just Want to Have Fun". I love the multicolor display, pink heart, and the price is affordable. There's also an attachment so that you can put this on our bed to wake up via a vibration (I kid you not!), quoted as the "powerful, 12-volt bed shaker". Hmmm.... Well this is fun and at least it's not Hello Kitty.

Another fun one I came across is Clocky ($49.99 at Elsewares). It's a hilarious alarm clock that's got wheels. Yes -- it will roll off your night stand, so you'll have to get out of bed to turn it off. Not sure if I really want to be annoyed running after an alarm clock but the novelty of it gets a mention.

Here's more alarm clock picks organized by price starting from the lowest:

Digital Mood Light ($19.99)
Change the display to any color to suit your mood.

The Twilight ($24.95 at Alarm Clocks Online)
It's actually electric but has a nice retro feel.

Retro Alarm Clock (£22 UK prob around $40 US not including shipping.)

Jonas Damon's LED Alarm Clock ($90 at Charles and Marie)

Beech Wood Clock ($120 at Elsewares)

If any readers have more suggestions for Olivia, please leave a comment!

Who makes these cute flats?

Christie sent this photo in of Kate Winslet's cute flats asking me who makes them. Aparently Kate's got them in black, red, and purple. These really are cute flats and I love the cutouts! I'm leaning towards Marc Jacobs but their flash site is annoyingly buggy for me lately. I running around for work so I don't have time to research. Can anyone help answer this question?

Year of the Octopus

New trend alert! Octopuses are everywhere, and they are quickly becoming the hottest adornment for your clothing, accessories, and yes, even jewelry. This silver octopus necklace is available for only $24 at fredflare.com. It's the perfect hipster necklace to pair with your cute summer tees and tanks. But check this out, this eight-legged baby's got some tiny bling too. It's definitely the perfect amount of sparkle to wear on a fun night out!

If you're crafty, check out my Octopus Roundup on the CRAFT blog.

Maker Faire and this week on Coquette

Bonjour mon petites coquettes! I just wanted to let you know that this week is a crazy work week for me because we are preparing for our big event! The Maker Faire brought to you by MAKE and CRAFT magazines happens this weekend in San Mateo. I'll still be posting to Coquette but you may find that my daily posts happen later in the day than usual. Thanks for being patient with me!

Of course, you can always make sure to save the dates May 19-20 and come to the Maker Faire to say hi to me! I'll be working the CRAFT booth and workshop area. There will be lots of events for happening for everyone. You'll love shopping at Bazaar Bizarre, or bring some old clothes to swap and refashion at the Swap-O-Rama-Rama, or learn a new craft at our many CRAFT demos happening around the fair. Also don't miss the fashion show at 5pm on Saturday! That's not to be missed. Diana Eng will be coming again so I'll have plenty of coverage and photos on the CRAFT blog and will note anything cool here too.

• Here's some highlighted CRAFT events and demos.
• Some recent blog coverage at the CRAFT blog.
• Get the whole Maker Faire schedule.

To make things easy, you can buy your tickets online and pick up at Will Call at the fair!

Pictured above: Last year's fashion show, cute owls from Cathy of California who will be selling at Bazaar Bizarre again, and crafter Brookelynn Morris making an LED bracelet. Brookelyn and Moxie will be teaching needle felting at the Needle Felting Playground.

Web Snob Weekly Roundup

• SheFinds: Dresses with Pockets -- Hot or Not?


• Yes, you can wear a dress in emerald, fuschia, purple or any other bold color. According to Fashiontribes, the secret is accessories in nude or metallic tones.


• The Antrobus Convertible Bag is the perfect solution traveling light says Bag Snob!


• FabSugar styles up with Ready-Made Prom Outfits.


• Are you sure that’s maternity wear? My Fashion Life says it sure is...


• Want to know what the StyleBakery.com editors are loving? They're sharing all the products they can't live without this season.


• eBelle5 reveals Jessica Simpson's version of Rafe's Rivington Handbag.


• An organized handbag makes girlawhirl’s life a little more manageable. Girlawhirl finds options from Alexandra Bee and Purseket.


• Kristopher does a non-tribute to the YSL "Tribute" shoe.


• Give Someone Special the Gift of Love. LA STORY Suggests David Martin's Something In Your Eyes CD.


• Are reusable designer shopping bags truly the future? Papierblog finds out.


• Second City Style interviews Project Runway winner, Jeffrey Sebelia.


• Najwa Moses catches up with sneaker blogger Ms. Exclusive Sneaker Aficionado Illuminati.


• Hot Trend: Alice in Wonderland - Have your own mad tea party and revisit your childhood with these Lewis Carroll-inspired finds at the Stylehive.


• Already looking toward summer jewelry accessorizing, The Jewelry Weblog discovered some yummy fruit jewelry.

Color Takes Over at the Costume Institute Gala

It was the fashion event of the year to celebrate couturier Paul Poiret at the Costume Institute Gala in NY. Every celebrity seemed to turn into a fashion model/manniequin on the stylish arm of their favorite fashion designer. The ones that stood out from the rest wore it well with splashes of color. Color, color, color! It's all about hues in cool blue greens or hot like red magentas to purple. My pick for best dressed is Liv Tyler in a sea green Calvin Klein dress. Her look was clean, simple yet completely glamourous thanks in a large part to her red lipstick.

Christy Turlington, with her hubby Edward Burns, looked stunning in this teal Versace strapless gown.

Lucy Liu with Zac Posen and wearing a purple Zac Posen looked amazing. Why isn't she in any movies lately?

Jennifer Garner with Valentino wearing vintage Valentino Haute Couture. Her loose updo hair style gives her overall look a modern elegance.

Ginnifer Goodwin looked 40's hot in Marc Jacobs and Christian Louboutin peep toe heels along side her boyfriend Chris Klein.

The color of this magenta Dior dress looks amazing on Cameron Diaz. She always takes a leap with her jewelry and the turquoise earrings and necklace definitely stand out for a unique look. I love that she has created that to be part of her signature style.

Model Stella Tennant to me was the only one who looked good while daring to be different. She looks downtown cool in this purple Burberry mini dress, along side photographer Mario Testino.

Of course I have to mention Kate Moss. Our favorite fashionista stayed with basic black, yet still looked stunning in a dress from her Topshop Collection.

And here's color gone completely wrong with Kirsten Dunst in vintage YSL.

(Photos: Style.com)

Just Like Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

I am totally getting yellow fever lately having just purchased the Anthropologie cardigan I posted about here and then I'm about to knit the two-tone ribbed shrug (light yellow and light green) from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel of Glampyre Knits. Of course I just got notice of Fred Flare's Best of Summer like, Ever email and I am dying over this cute Soundgirl Lemonade Dress. Look at the cute heart belt buckle and heart buttons!! Simple Sublime! Quite steal for only $56, no? Hurry, you only have 2 days left to snatch this dress in the color of the season!

Oh and I'm so excited I'll get to meet the Fred Flare peeps at the Maker Faire coming up in a week and a half! They are a vender at Bazaar Bizzare which is a part of the fair. Get your tickets now!

Kris Nations Jewelry

Kris and Kim Nations of Kris Nations, the jewelry line, made a recent appearance on a local Bay Area TV show, The View from the Bay (which crazily enough I was on twice last year). Coquette readers will know that I frequently showcase some of Kris' beautiful jewelry because quite frankly it's some of the best that's out there. It is most of my jewelry that I wear on a daily basis and thankfully I happen to be good friends with them. There used to be a time when the sisters lived downstairs from me in our old apt flat on Steiner St. Back then, I only needed to run downstairs to borrow a necklace to complete the perfect outfit. It was a dangerous slippery slope because of course as time progressed, we all moved away and got married, so these days I find myself splurging each season on a few great pieces that I know I'll wear over and over again. The recently won the Rising Star Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners. If you're a jewelry designer or a fan, watch the video of Kris and Kim Nations and get inspired.

Here are some of my favorites from the new collection from Kris Nations:

Mini-Tusk Hoop Necklace in Turquoise ($88)

Triple Blue Opal Charms ($115)

Go-Go Pendant in Yellow Jade ($88)

Triple Hoops in Gold ($65)

Leaf and Horn - Coral ($87.50)

Bird in a Hoop ($82.50)

Chain and Hoop Bracelet ($98)

Ebony Wood Ring ($30)

Carved Wood Bangle (on sale $8)

Wood Bangle with Etched Motif (on sale $8)

See the rest of the collection at Kris Nations.

Crystal Clear

Clear seems to be in with all the recent sightings of clear shoes and bags (which I don't really care for). I love the look of clear in jewelry and nothing beats this simple, clear lucite thin bangle from Intuition ($20). It will go perfect with any outfit.

These clear jewels will match anything you have on too:

Oversized Lucite Choker ($45 at Intuition)

Fragments Small Lucite Earrings ($30 at Shopbop)

RJ Graziano Clear Long Necklace ($75 at Nordstrom)

RJ Graziano Clear Ice Cube Charm Bracelet ($75 at Nordstrom)

OSS Necklace ($80 at Tadam Jewelry)