Singer Alicia Keys can add jewelry designer to her resume. The Grammy-winner has joined forces with Toronto designer Gisele Theriault for a collection of sterling silver and gemstone pieces inscribed with poetry and prayers.  The jewelry line, called the Barber’s Daughters, will be available in Fall 2010.
Lucky New Yorkers, however, can get a sneak peek at Keys’ jewels on Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 23-24) at a temporary pop-up shop at the Collette Blanchard Gallery at 26 Clinton Street in Lower Manhattan.  The hand-crafted jewelry is priced $85 and up.
Keys told Women’s Wear Daily her mission is “to give people beautiful, unique …read more

I love the hipster lumberjack trend.  Or maybe it’s the second coming of grunge with a more tailored twist. Whatever you call it, a piece of plaid is a must have item for your fall/winter wardrobe; particularly if its red and black plaid all over.
Here are a few plaid perfect items I found while surfing Forever 21’s website:
You can’t beat the style or the price.  I picked up a plaid jacket similar to this one at my local Forever 21.
I’m going to put this groovy plaid poncho on my Christmas list; that is, the list of gifts I want for myself.
This …read more

Fashionistas already know that Jimmy Choo’s exclusive, limited-edition line for H&M went on sale today!  Many of you have already battled the crowds for  your piece of the collection.
Alternative hip-hop/dance artist M.I.A. was among the celebs invited to a Hollywood preview of the Jimmy Choo for H&M garb.  The Sri Lankan singer has never been afraid to express herself through fashion as boldly as she does in her kick ass music.  The shark tunic she’s wearing in these photos is no exception.
I like it that M.I.A. takes risks and isn’t afraid to be a rock star.  The shark shirt definitely …read more

Um, am I like too old to covet this life-size, cardboard cutout of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” star Taylor Lautner?  Okay, maybe I am.  But I am a fan of the vampire flicks based on Stephanie Meyer’s wildly popular books and can’t wait to see the ”Twilight” sequel (in theaters on November 20).
 

 
For younger (and young at heart) Hot Mamas who love “Twilight,” Nordstrom’s junior “New Moon Fashion Line for BP” includes tees, hoodies, jewelry, the Luna Twilight Beauty collection,and those huge cutouts of hot vamp Edward and sexy werewolf Jacob.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Image credit: Nordstrom.com

During a weekend visit to my local Macy’s, I spotted a new style of Skechers Shape-Ups.  The shoes claim to tone your muscles and promote healthy weight loss, and based on all the success stories Hot Mama Daily readers have shared regarding the fitness shoes, I had to let you know about the latest color and style.
This “Women’s Work” style ($100 at Macy’s; $115 on Skechers.com) in black reminds me of old-school Reebok sneakers and is more ideal for the cold weather than the “Sleek Fit” Mary Jane style I tested over the summer.
Plus, they have slip-resistant soles, which make them …read more

The boyfriend blazer is a must-have fashion item for the fall/winter season.  I’m about to show my age (again), but I remember the first time this trend was hot in the ’80s. Back then, the style was typified by a single button and huge shoulder pads.
The boyfriend blazer I sported in high school came from the Limited, and was grey with a plaid pattern, double-breasted, and had shoulder pads so big I felt like a linebacker.
The new version of the boyfriend blazer seems less tomboyish and a little sleeker. I found these two great jackets on Old Navy’s website.  Better yet, …read more

At Target you really can expect more, and pay less. In the tradition of Anna Sui, Isaac Mizrahi, and Jean Paul Gautier (his hush-hush line will debut this month), the latest high-end designer to hock his wares at Target is Carlos Falchi.  The Brazilian designer’s luxury handbags retail for about $3000 at upscale department stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks.
So ladies get ready, set, and go stock up on holiday gifts, because Falchi’s authentic-looking, faux snakeskin bags are available at Target ($19.99 to $49.99) through December 27.
Thanks to the generous folks at Target, I already have my large, patchwork satchel in …read more

I spend an inordinate amount of time at my local CVS/pharmacy. Primarily because of all the store’s super sales and the CVS ExtraCare Reward bucks I rack up; and secondly because the lines are usually super long.

During Fashion Week, I visited the CVS/pharmacy Reinventing Beauty event, where I found out the store’s beauty aisle shelves are lowered to 5′0″ so products are easily accessible for the average height woman (5′4″), and was introduced to the latest beauty trends and products for the Fall/Winter season. Here are a few highlights:
DIY: Sally Hansen Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit ($5.99 for 44 strips) is …read more

While doing my periodic Etsy check, I came across this unique engagement ring that makes me want to get married all over again; or at least give my husband a major hint come anniversary time.
 
 
This modern and luxurious 18 karat Gold, Silver, and Chocolate Diamond Ring ($585) by JesseDanger features a band hand-crafted from recycled Argentium Silver, and the 18kt yellow gold bezel holds a beautiful .25ct round chocolate diamond.
 
 
 
For those not going to the chapel, the Vermont-based designer also makes eye-catching cocktail rings like this Silver Asymmetry  Ring with Quartz ($85) made with recycled Argentium Silver and a lovely, …read more

If you’re like me, you go to bed each night with good intentions to wake up early and get to work on time.  And unfortunately, if you’re like me, this doesn’t usually happen.  And I know why.  I spend too much time each morning sifting through my cluttered closet looking for what to wear.
So I came up with these five-time-saving tips to getting dressed and out the door each weekday morning:
1) Organize your closet.  If your clothes are easy to find, they’re easier to put on.
2) Pick out and iron your clothes for Monday on Sunday night, and continue this the …read more