Shoe Candy

As 2009 comes to an end, I thought I would leave you with wishes of Louboutin's dancing in your head. The below Louboutin's are by far the most drool-worthy pair I've found to date. These beauties are the perfect shoe to go with my New Years dress. . .but with a near $3000 price tag will most likely never find a spot in my closet. :(

Christian Louboutin Jeweled Platform

Check back in 2010 for my top 10 Trend for 2010, and more to come!

Rodarte for Target - Released EARLY!

I'm not typically one to gush over Target's designer collaborations, however, the Rodarte collection is an exception. And, much to my surprise, they have released the collection in stores a day EARLY! These pieces are sure to sell out, so scoot over to Target quickly to see the pieces.

I had a chance to swing by and I LOVE the collection. Everything from the detailing, closures, and even the tag are high quality. My favorite pieces are three dresses in black, gold and light blue that combine elements of silk camisole's with floaty tulle. To preview more of the collection, visit the blog of fellow blogger Louisa at Large who posted a look-book early on this week!

You MUST Know About This!

If you are anything like me, you have an abundance of cocktail dresses hanging in the back of your closet collecting dust. You also are probably on the hunt for the perfect dress for the holidays and New Years Eve. It's not that you don't like the cocktail dresses you already own, it's that you have already worn them, maybe on multiple occasions. Unlike shoes or a sweater, cocktail dresses are one of those items that you only get a handful of uses out of.

Enter Rent the Runway. For a fraction of the price of buying a new dress, Rent the Runway allows you to rent designer dresses to wear for an event! Stocked with the season hottest designer dresses, members can rent a dress costing upwards of $500 or more for just $50-$200, depending on the dress.

You can search by categories such as: New Years Eve, Meet the Parents and Date Night. Stylists are also on call to help with sizing decisions and suggestions on how to accessorize your look.

Unlike popular bag rental site, Bag Borrow or Steal, I find Rent the Runway completely affordable, and the fashionista's answer to never repeating the same dress. They even offer an option of renting a 2nd size for FREE! This ensures that you won't end up without a dress due to fit. I have found that many of these dresses are available right now in stores, so why not go try them on for size and fit there, and then rent them online!

Rent the Runway is a fairly new site, but I am excited to see what happens next season when their current dresses are no longer seasonal. My hope is that they will be selling them for steep discounts, giving members another way to score a top designer dress for cheap!

Want to join? Follow this invitation link: http://renttherunway.com/referral/lprattes

Holiday Look Blog - Look 3

Winter Wedding - evening by thestylemaison

Items in this set:

Diane von Furstenberg Lele silk-chiffon strapless dress, $385

Grey faux fur bolero, 49 GBP

L.A.M.B. Rhett - Black, $200

Monsoon Accessorize - Bugle Bead Bow Satin Clutch, 8 GBP

Betsey Johnson Love at First Tights in Black, $30

An invitation to a winter wedding can sometimes present a tricky situation - what to wear. Often winter weddings are a slightly more upscale events, that require a cocktail dress. Although wearing black to a wedding is perfectly acceptable, many people shy away from it. The problem then arrises of what colors are appropriate to wear which won't overshadow the bride?

Winter Wedding Guidelines

1. Do not wear any shades of white or ivory to a wedding; red should be avoided as well.

2. Ideal colors to wear are rich jewel tones, which add interest, but are subdued enough to not make you the center of attention (it's not your day after all).

3. During this season of sequins, metallics embellishments a general rule should be to keep all "flare" to a minimum.

4. Tights are an important part of a winter ensemble as they promise to not only keep your legs warm, but make any dress more winter appropriate.

5. If the wedding is held in a conservative church bring a pashmina to drape over your shoulders during the service if wearing anything shoulder baring.

6. Avoid anything too tight, low cut or short.

Gift Guide - The Jet Setter

Whether your travel enthusiast friend loves a luxury vacation or is a budget traveler, the gifts below are bound to inspire another adventure. Think outside of the box with a travel magazine subscription, or a city pass full of tickets to attractions in the city nearest you. For the sensible traveler a universal adapter or digital language dictionary are top gift choices. Channel a jet setters inner fashionista with some great DVF luggage or a stylish bag for carry-on liquids.

1. iTRAVL Multilingual Communicator & Dictionary - $549

2. Neiman Marcus Luggage Tags - $18

3. Citypass - $49 $ up

4. Lapin Vilardi St. Germain Jewelry Roll - $50

5. Lewis N. Clark Universal 4-in-1 Travel Adapter - $24

6. Conde Nast Traveller Magazine Subscription - $20

7. DVF Hearts 21in Rolling Carry On - $139

8. Luxury City Guides - $9.99 each

9. Urban Aid: Arrival Survival Kit - $39

10. Pack This! Packing Checklist - $6.95

11. Kate Spade Par Avion Airline Bag - $50

Take it to another level by booking a trip on Gilt Groupe's newest travel sample sale website Jettsetter. With everything from lavish european villa's to local boutique hotels, Jetsetter is a great way to find amazing deals on hotels. Click here to sign up and book your next trip!

Gift Guide - Techies

Although this year was not a huge year in the tech world, there were some new products to hit the market, and old products to gain in popularity. Better yet, many items are cheaper this year than ever before. Below are some of the top Tech gifts for 2009.

1. Flip Ultra Video - $149

2. Kindle Wireless Reading Device - $259

3. Powermat - $99.99

4. Smartparts WiFi Digital Picture Frame - $134

5. Samsung LED HDTV - $2199.00 & up

6. Polaroid Pogo Instant Digital Camera - $199

7. Apple IPhone 3gs - $199

8. Dell Mini Netbook - $299

Gift Guide - Hostess with the Mostess

Holiday shopping is upon us, and there is nothing worse than fighting through crowds at the mall trying to get all of your holiday gift shopping done. Worse yet, trying to figure out what to buy for everyone from your kitchen loving mother-in-law to your techie brother.

My holiday gift giving guides every day this week will help you solve those tough gift dilemma's, all while allowing you to shop from the comfort of your computer. Before you order, don't forget to check out coupon code websites such as Retail Me Not to find coupons to use towards your purchase.

Todays Gift Guide - Gifts for the Hostess with the Mostess

1. Spring Mix Apron - $38

2. Dabney Lee Monogrammed Recipe Cards - $80

3. Agraria Left Bank Perfume Candle - $55

4. ZGallerie Diamond Cocktail Picks - $14.95

5. Assouline American Fashion Cookbook - $45

6. Table Topics Dinner Party Conversation - $25

7. Cheese Grater by The Sarut Group - $38

8. Wine Party Game Tasting Kit - $29

9. Pottery Barn Reindeer Dessert Plates - $78 (2 sets of 4 is a full set)

* Bold items denote what tops MY Christmas Wish List this year

Holiday Look Blog - Look 2

Give your Holiday look an edge with this glam meets rock look.

Holiday Look Blog - Look 2 by thestylemaison

Items in this set:

Free People top, $68

TopShop jacket, 125 GBP

Amazon.com skirt, $100

Sam Edelman boots, $310

Moxsie.com necklace, $88

2009 Holiday Look Blog - Look 1

Holiday season is upon us, and with that comes the many holiday parties to attend. In my opinion wearing red to a holiday party is quite like wearing black to a funeral: highly expected, and nothing special. Unlike the aforementioned funeral however, a holiday party is the perfect time to stand out and show off your style.

Thus my 2009 Holiday Look Blog - keep reading to find your favorite look for your next holiday fete.

Holiday Party Look1a by thestylemaison

Items in this set:

Rebecca Taylor dress, $295

Peeptoeshoes.com.au shoes, 249 AUD

TopShop clutch, 45 GBP

Kenneth Jay Lane necklace, $125

Fantasyjewelrybox.com earrings, $25

"Go ahead and dress the christmas tree, just don't dress LIKE the tree."

DIY - Embellished Tights

As if money has not been tight enough, the Holidays make money even tighter! So I am bringing you this post, strait from style website Refinery29. Erica Domesek, author of DIY blog P.S. - I Made This, posted a special edition of her blog just for Refinery29.

I haven't tried this out just yet, but hope to find some time over the Holidays to test this one out!

I DIY! That Crafty "P.S.—I Made This" Whiz Whips Up 3 Fall Accessories On the Cheap Just for Us

By Roxanne Fequiere, DIY Instructions and Photos by Erica Domesek

It sure ain't easy keeping tabs on our ever-expanding list of swoony must-have jewels, accessories, and clothes—especially for fall!—which is why we're prone to indulging in some DIY to get the look we're craving for less. But for Erica Domesek, a New York City-based lifestyle, design, and style expert, DIY-ing has become an obsession manifested in her crafty chic blogP.S.—I Made This. Driven by the mantra "I see it, I like it, I make it," Erica has garnered plenty of followers, including Vogue Nippon andGQ. And her latest challenge? To grant our wish and re-create a few of our favorite new accessories…yep, three ways to take a bit of craftiness and channel it into full-blown fall '09 fashion!

Materials Needed: 1. A pair of tights 2. Sequins 3. Fabric glue 4. Needle and thread

How to: 1. Place a piece of cardboard (some tights come with it) inside each leg. The cardboard will prevent both sides from sticking together, and will also stretch fabric to work on. 2. Use a super duper strong fabric glue to smother small areas on tights. 3. Cluster sequins on top of glue and spread all over the surface of the tights. Feel free to layer on top of one another for a more three dimensional effect. If you have any sequins or broken mirrored jewelry lying around, use them. Traditional sequins aren't the only option for tights—get creative! 4. Once dry, reinforce sequin clusters with a needle and thread. Use similarly colored thread to blend in with tights and sequins. Sequins and fabric glue available at M&J Trimming.

Tantalizing Trend #9: Embellished Tights

Tights get a makeover this season with embellishments, making them the focal point of any outfit. Keep those gorgeous gams warm by donning tights in a variety of hues, fabrics and patterns.

When it comes to color, some of the most drool-worthy hues are shades of gray, purple and hunter green. Gray offers up a unique alternative to boring black tights; if daring to sport a bolder color, keep the rest of the ensemble more neutral.

Fabric is all about knit leg wear, which is sure to keep those legs toasty on a cold day. This casual fabric is the perfect tool to dress down more formal attire. Take a preppy approach with a pencil skirt, silk blouse and cardigan for work.

Lace, dot and diamond shapes are the patterns of choice for stockings. From subtle to bold, patterns add another twist to sensible tights. Adding a patterned tight is a favorite way to jazz up a solid dress or skirt.

Row 1: B.ella, Banana Republic, Hue

Row 2: See by Chloe, Modal Pellerine

Row 3: Hue, TopShop, Hue

Row 4: Wolford, Cynthia Rowley

Let's Talk Brands

Wolford, my hosiery of choice (dreams), is best known for their seductive spin on hosiery. Unfortunately, at upwards of $50+ for one pair, these aren't necessarily in everyones budget.

Looking to get the most for your money? Hue leg wear is affordable, durable, and comes in a wide variety of choices. From $10 to $25 a pair, it is easy to stock up on all the top trends. (insider tip: TJ Maxx and Marshall's almost always carry these for half the price!)

If it's slimming you need, body shaper favorite Spanx has a whole line of trendy tights to choose from. They also have a cheaper line at Target, Assets, which work just as well as Spanx to suck you in and shape your rear.