Coquette

Strapless Comfort

I love wearing strapless bras in the summer because you don't see your bra straps when you wear tank tops or any cute summer top. This is totally one of my pet peeves. I'm not into different color bras to show off their straps and I'm not into wearing clear plastic straps either. I mean who are you kidding? You can still see the straps! Making it clear doesn't mean it's invisible.

I got a strapless bra earlier this spring from Victoria's Secret. What I didn't realize though was that the bra made my boobs look squished and basically lower than they were because the bra didn't do well longterm with wearing and washing. So there's nothing worse than having your mother AND your husband on different occasions tell you that your boobs look weird and you need to get a new bra.

I seriously love my Hanes All Over Comfort Bra so in staying with the same family I tested out the Playtex Thank Goodness It Fits Delightful Dots Strapless Underwire Bra (2 for $30) and after a month of wearing it, it's been the most comfortable, functional strapless bra I've ever worn. First off, the bra stays in place and feels snug when you have it on. The cups are also molded well so that your boobs look good. They also come in "nearly" sizes if you are in between cup sizes. Plus the dots are so cute! I've worn this going on TV and at my talk at BlogHer. It's held up amazingly well and now I need to get one in black for evening wear.

Seriously ladies, no need to be a bra snob. I've got expensive bras from Agent Provocateur but who wants to spend all their time handwashing these things? Go ahead and try one of these strapless bras on and you'll know what I'm talking about. It's a great strapless bra that stands up to everyday wear!

Shopbop Designer Boutique

Shopbop's launched a new high-end Designer Boutique (via Shop Diary) where you can get fashions, shoes, and bags from designers such as Derek Lam, Peter Som, Zac Posen, and more. Even if you can't afford any of the goods, just browsing through the various collections is very inspiring. The photography is great.

I'm loving large chunky sweaters and this oversized sweater by Peter Som looks extra stylish with the scarf underneath. My budget can't afford the $1,585 for this sweater so I'll have to rely on my own knitting skills if I plan on having anything like this sweater on for fall.

These Givency Ankle Strap Flats ($430) are darling with their cutout shape and ankle straps for a sexier ballet flat.

Sheila D Reversible Totes - On Sale!

I can't get enough of bags, especially tote bags and I love the reversible tote bags by Sheila D. I posted about them here on Coquette last December, but now these cutes are on sale!! WIth corduroy on one side and a fun print on the other, these bags are the perfect two in one combo. I've got my eye on a few of them but take a look at the wide selection of basic totes ($18 each) and school totes ($25) on sale.

Web Snob Weekly Roundup

• Armor, escapism & lots of volume: Fashiontribes reports on the Top 10 trends from Fall 2007 Couture.


• Be snobulous without going broke with 5 bags under $500 at Bag Snob!


• No longer a cold weather faux pas, patent shoes are hot for Fall. Check out StyleBakery.com's favorites.


• FabSugar's designer spotlight is on Arkansas native Smart Fitzjerrell.


• Shopbop 'Til You Drop (aka SALE!) at 55 Secret Street.


• Calling all makeup junkies! Stiletto Jungle says it's time to stock up, experiment, and generally go crazy. Online makeup superstore Makeup.com just released a hotter-than-hot Coupon Code that will score you 25% off your entire order.


• Stylehive loves the endless possibilities with 5.5 Designers's outdoor piece, the bench planter - be creative and experiment with flowers, bushes, even trees!


• Bag Bliss: Kate Spade says goodbye to Kate Spade.


• Need some "Retail Therapy"? Fashion Indie brings you a month filled with Indie-approved Sample Sales.


• Beauty Snob invites you to treat your skin to a gourmet feast with Be Fine all natural skincare !


• Second City Style's fall style forecast: go ahead...make my gray (dresses)!


• The Chocolate Bar at Henri Bendel is Girlawhirl’s new addiction.


• Kristopher says rock these boss, PETA-friendly Stella McCartney shoes to your fav vegan cafe. Wearing a fur coat.


• Mike Vitale, acoustic musician hits LA-Story's iPod rotation HARD with a sensitive, near-emo presentation of an ordinary guy!


• Just what does it take to be a model? Britain's next top model, Nina Malone gives My Fashion Life an insight into a models life.


• Papierblog compares the Michael Vollbracht era of Bill Blass to the new Peter Som era.


• Think you've got great taste? Test your skill at spotting the splurge vs. the steal with the SheFinds' Taste Test.


• Styleaholic Najwa Moses dishes on her CATFIGHT with Supermodel IMAN.


• The Jewelry Weblog says Wow! to these wonderful bell necklaces from Alex Woo.

Glam Fashion Blogger Cocktails - Bay Area Fashion Lovers Represent

It's nice to know that the Bay Area can host a fun fashion cocktail night and that's just what happened with our Glam.com Fashion Blogger Cocktail night this past Wednesday at Bacar in San Francisco. As crazy as things have been for me, I was passionate about this idea for a fashion blogger cocktail party which Jennine of The Coveted and I talked about doing earlier this summer while hanging out at the Nan Kempner event. Big Thanks so much to Julieta and Liz at Glam for making this a reality and for sponsoring the fun event!

Bloggers and fashion lovers there that night were from Stylehive, Stiletto Jungle, M.I.S.S., The Goods, The Rad Report, Kaboodle, and others, as well as the lovely fashionistas from the Glam blogs - GlamSpree and GlamLive.

Flower Power

Do you get a quick Laura Ashley panic-attack when you think of floral patterns? Don't worry! These days it's all about the bold patterns when it comes to flowers like this C&C California Ava Tank ($55 on Shopbop). The look is fun and fresh. Heck, sometimes they're so zoomed in and up close, you'll just notice the lines, curves, and cool bursts of color!

Here's more flower power picks:

AKA New York Bib Dress ($338 at Shopbop)

Diane vonFurstenberg Tie Neck Dress ($325 at Neiman Marcus)


Vivienne Tam Saddlestitch Dress ($330 at Neiman Marcus)

T-Bags Green Ivory Flower Top ($168 at Shopbop)

Lux Kyoto Tube Top ($28 at Urban Outfitters)

Twinkle Maple Flower Necklace ($141.40 on sale at Shopbop)

Canvas Printed Tote ($14.99 at Urban Outfitters)

Woven Patent Flats

I can't stop seeing red and I'm in love with these woven patent flats that are currently on sale for only $35.99 (from $112) at Intuition. A perfect accent color to any outfit. They also come in basic black.