Badgley Mischka Pintucked Top Zip Crossbody Hobo

If you have browsed the online shops for Saks or Nordstrom lately, you will have noticed that the crossbody bags that I have blogged repeatedly about are huge for the fall. I think it's because they are so convenient: they hold a ton of stuff, you can be hands-free, that means no spillage while you drink a coffee and send a text, and it can go from day to night by just taking off the cross strap. The latest one to catch my eye is the Badgley Mischka Pintucked Top Zip Crossbody Hobo. The reason I like this bag so much is that it's an unusual take on the hobo bag. Hobos are usually a slouchy almost U shape, but in this case the Pintucked has a more structured body created by parallel vertical pintucks that give the bag it's longer, slightly more refined shape.

It's made of a beautiful, rich leather that comes in Grape (pictured here), Black, Chocolate and Red. It has a leather handle, and of course the very versatile removable cross body strap. It's oversized, so of course there is more than enough interior storage space. I like that designers aren't just designing for the sake of design, they are also considering functionality as well. To see the other colors, or to read more about the Pintucked Top Zip Crossbody Hobo, visit Nordstrom.

Revlon Matte Lipstick

I just may have a new favorite lipstick: Revlon Matte Lipstick. This latest lipstick from Revlon was recently launched with a brand new formula in a variety of creamy, matte colors without a single sparkle or shimmer. If you have seen the runway reports for this coming fall and winter, you will have noticed all of the matte lips, ranging from 60's super nudes to vibrant 50's reds to more modern vampy dark plums.

The formula is amazing, very smooth and hydrating, which is a nice change for a such a highly pigmented color. Have you ever wanted to get that very nude look by using a concealer as a base with either a nude lipstick over top, or a clear gloss, but it usually ends up looking kind of weird? Yeah well, you can get that look with Nude Attitude or Pink Pout without your lips getting chalky or creased looking. I'm really digging the reds and plums like Really Red and Wine Not, but I love the drama of a dark lip. You really should check these out because they are limited edition right now, but hopefully Revlon will decide to keep them around. To read more about the Matte Lipsticks or to check out the colors, visit Revlon.

Fendi Peekaboo Leather Satchel

At the top of my fashion want list for the fall (as in want, but will never get, sigh) is the Fendi Peekaboo Leather Satchel. This bag has been on the market for a while now and has been a huge hit on the fashion scene, selling out almost everywhere it's been released, but the fall version in red leather with the interior tiger graphic print is to die for.

If you have never seen or heard of this bag, it's a large tote made of various materials (patent leather, goat leather, crocodile, etc.) which has a turnlock enclosure at the top of the bag and a center divider, usually done in a different print than the rest of the bag, which sections the bag into two large compartments. The handle is attached to the center divider so that if the bag left unlocked, the leather exterior gapes a bit giving a peek at the contrasting divider. It's like the bag is doing a little strip tease, so flirty and fun. Some have gold hardware and some have silver, but they all have a removable shoulder strap, satin lining, protective metal feet and tons of interior pocket space. The Peekaboo is a an intriguing blend of sophistication and whimsy and it's utterly chic. To read more about it, or to see the rest of the fall handbags collection, visit Fendi.

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis

I thought I would take a break from the beauty and fashion reviews today and discuss this cool band I just came across. I was watching Jimmy Fallon last night, which is still so painful to watch, and he had this amazing musical act on called Kitty, Daisy & Lewis. I had never heard of them before, but I am super glad I stayed up to watch them. They are a three-piece band of teenage siblings from the Durham family and their music is a mix of R&B, swing, jump blues, country and Western and rock-a-billy, to name a few of their influences. What is with all of these uber talented siblings forming bands? So much talent in one family, it's amazing.

So this band has a cool vintage sound and look when they performed last night. It was like I was watching contemporaries of Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie perform in a hip jazz club. The two sisters looked like they were right out of the 30's and 40's, red lips, cat eyes and cute dresses and the brother was at the piano with slicked hair and navy suit. I love fashion and music from the 30's and 40's so it's fated that I love this band. If you want to check them out visit the Kitty, Daisy & Lewis Myspace page. And you can watch the video for Going up the Country below. Enjoy!

Kitty Daisy & Lewis 'Going Up The Country'

MAC Dazzle Lash Mascara

A little while ago I paid MAC do to my makeup for an event, and they did an absolutely phenomenal job (I asked for a pin-up girl look, a la Katy Perry), but what I didn't know was that when you pay for make up applications you get a mascara now. I have to say, I am a huge fan of this change in policy, because mascara is definitely one of those things you don't want to share unless you want a raging eye infection.

I decided to go with their newest mascara, Dazzle Lash, which supposedly creates a "starburst dazzle effect" for your lashes. I interpreted this as meaning incredibly long lashes. The first thing you notice when you open up this mascara is the brush. In a time where giant plastic bristled brushes are everywhere, MAC decided to go in the total opposite direction - small with little bristles. Mac describes the brush as "compact-sized, slightly sculpted brush applicator that singles out and pushes lashes to go bigger, bolder, longer, with a plush, glamorous curve." That is quite a promise.

I have to say though, it does deliver on some of those claims, namely length. The little brush makes for very easy application, and you can even get tiny hairs without putting out your eye, as I have done repeatedly with those over-sized wands, and you can coat the bottom lashes without making a black mess under your eye. I would even go as far as to say my lashes looked almost doll-like, so I was a pretty happy camper. However, the Dazzle Lash doesn't deliver volume. I have pretty thick lashes, so I was ok with just length, but if you're looking for volume and length, you may be a little disappointed. I had no issues with clumping since the brush defines pretty well, and there wasn't any noticeable flaking or smudging. I wore it all night for that event, and I was totally happy with how long it lasted. This is my favorite MAC mascara to date, definitely worth checking out. To read more about the Dazzle Lash, visit MAC.

EverPure Moisture Restorative Masque

I was in a pinch and needed a super heavy conditioner while I was away from home recently, and forgot my amazingly decadent conditioner at home. So I found myself in the drugstore perusing the shelves, which I haven't done in a while due to the fact that I usually buy my hair products from the salon. I have had such bad luck with a few of the drugstore brands that don't offer enough moisture for my very dry hair (Note to the wise, stay far away from Aveeno's new Nourish + Moisture shampoo and conditioner - so drying). After using these products in the shower, my hair is left feeling like straw. To say I wasn't enthusiastic about getting yet another crappy conditioner is a huge understatement.

I have seen the ads for L'Oreal's latest hair line, EverPure in all of the beauty mags. If you haven't heard of it, this line of sulfate-free of hair care products protects color treated hair from fading. Sulfates, which are found in most shampoos and conditioners, strip the hair cuticle leaving your color faded and your hair looking dull and lusterless. It's also 100% vegan with UVA/UVB filters to protect your hair from the damaging effects of the sun.

The Moisture Restorative Masque is EverPure's most heavy duty conditioner, so of course I chose that one. It's rosemary-mint scent smell fantastic, kinds of reminds me of how Aveda's Rosemary-Mint conditioner smells. It's a heavy conditioner, it is a masque after all, and you leave it on for a few minutes. After rinsing, my hair felt pretty soft and it smelled great. I was pretty impressed with the results after my hair dried, it felt soft and looked nice and shiny. It's not as good as some of my favorite salon conditioners, but it definitely takes first place out of the drugstore brands in my book. To read more about the Masque, or the other EverPure products, visit L'Oreal.

The Standard Hotel and Quiksilver Boardshorts

I think it's so cool when two companies, that seemingly have nothing to do with each other, team up to release an innovative product. Such is the case with The Standard Hotels, a chain of chic, upscale hotels and Quiksilver, and internationally recognized surf brand. What do a hotel and a surf company have in common? Well, they have come together to celebrate the golden age of the boardshort by developing a line that hearkens back to the Quiksilver shorts of the 70s and 80s but made with today's materials and more modern fit.

The Standard Boardshorts by Quiksilver have patterns that were inspired by each of the Standard Hotels in downtown LA, Miami, New York and Hollywood. And what I think is so cool, they each have a list of addresses that correspond to that city of five unique destinations that are based on a theme. So, for example, Downtown LA's theme is Art Undercover, so on the waist band there are five different locations around the hotel to check out artsy stuff. All of the locations were scouted by Natas Kaupas (Skateboarding legend and Quiksilver Creative Director), so more than likely there will be something worth checking out at each stop. It's like having a concierge in your pants!

The shorts have a double snap at the waist, have a scalloped leg, which is a feature from the older boardshorts that allows for better flexibility and mobility for surfing, are made of Diamond Dobby Material, a high performance material that has stretch, is lightweight, won't cause a rash, dry super quickly and each pair comes in a specially designed odor resistant waterproof travel bag. How amazing do these sound? But don't feel left out ladies, there is also a Standard Issue Bikini that's based on one of the first designs released by Quiksilver women. All of these products are limited edition, only 250 of each product is available, and they can be purchased online at www.shopthestandard.com, or at each of the Standard Hotels' boutiques, or get this, in a vending machine poolside at each of the hotels. These are the first ever swimwear vending machines, and can be found in Miami, Downtown LA, Hollywood (soon after in NY) which have touch-screens, take credit cards and you can preview what you're buying on screen before you get it - so very convenient.

This is such an innovative collaboration, and the designs for the shorts are so awesome, I couldn't help but blog about it. If you're lucky enough to be in LA from Aug 8-16, The Standard Downtown LA will be hosting the ECHO BEACH RETROSPECTIVE, 1978-1982: Surf Culture Art Exhibition show, full of art, photography, paintings, film, vintage beachwear, and surfboards curated by Will Pennartz of The Surf Gallery. Admission to the art show is free.

Bagtique Patent Top Zip Satchel

Who says you need to break the bank to get a cute bag? I was recently checking out the handbags on Nordstom.com in the Bags under $200 section (which has some great reasonably priced bags), and I came across the Bagtique Patent Top Zip Satchel, a fantastic little patent number that comes in this bright blue, burnt orange or yellow. It has an elasticized pocket that gives the bag its high waisted appearance, with adjustable rolled handles and tons of pocket space inside. Speaking of the interior, check out the kitschy leopard print liner! I totally love it. It's over-sized, so don't worry about not being able to fit all of your favorites, and it has metal feet to prevent the bottom from scratching. The best part though, it's $88. To read more about the Bagtique Patent Top Zip Satchel, or to see the other bright colors, visit Nordstrom.