Constance White

Constance White, style director for Ebay is a respected fashion expert with over 15 years of experience. She worked her way up the fashion ladder as a trainee at Women's Wear Daily for 5 years before she went on to become the executive fashion director at Elle magazine. Before she was tapped as style director for Ebay, White was a style reporter for The New York Times and founding director and contributor for Talk magazine. She was a correspondent and fashion news anchor for Full Frontal Fashion and has appeared on Oprah, E! Fashion Police, America's Next Top Model, and Project Runway. She is also the author of Style Noir, a book which deals with the history of American American style and how it has affected Western culture from the Harlem Renaissance to the hip hop culture of today. She also gives style advice in the book and has written for Essence and British Vogue. Her position as style director of Ebay is to educate customers about the site's fashion finds (how to tell if an "It" bag is indeed real or not.) Check out her fashion blog and e-zine Style Etiquette.

***My dream career. I'm on my way!***

Constance White at a party for Randolph Duke

Life Lessons Learned While Shopping

Available at Amazon.com

Life Lessons Learned While Shopping is an entertaining guide that author Amanda Ford mixes with funny anecdotes and kernels of wisdom. She holds the mirror up to why we shop, when we tend to overspend and how these truths carry over into our careers, finances and relationships. Life Lessons not only teaches you about when you should splurge on those gorgeous pair of red pumps but also how to say no to those gold lame short shorts that the saleswoman says looks perfect on you. (The same day that you find out your ex-boyfriend is getting married to a supermodel; see a connection?)

I received this book as a gift a couple of years ago and I like to revisit it from time to time when I need a retail reality check. I particularly love the chapter "The best path to follow is your own" which gives sage advice of not being lured in by sales and trends. (It happens to the best of us.) Using these Life Lessons could turn out to be quite a bargain!

Fright Night

Not only are Mary-Kate Olsen's gold gown and oversized fur stole too large but the dark eye makeup only serves to make her look ghoulish. And f.y.i. ribs should be for eating not showing.

Yea or Nay?

One of my co-workers wore a strapless dress with a crisp white shirt underneath and I thought it was such a cute look that I wanted to profile it.

This is the actual dress that she wore (sans belt) with cranberry tights and shoes. (A fashionista herself, my co-worker and I have a mutual admiration society going on.)

So what are your thoughts, is this a look that you would try?

Fashion forecast - Shirtdresses

One of the quickest ways to get work ready and still look polished is the shirtdress and it is making its comeback with colorful graphics and details. Borrowing touches from a man's shirt like a collar, button front or cuffed sleeves, this style from the boys is still 100% girl. Because of its looser fit with waist definition, the shirtdress is flattering on most bodies.

Urban Outfitters Penguin Pill Bottle Shirtdress $198; Bette vintage inspired shirtdress $148 at J. Crew

Lux Picnic shirtdress $58 (Love the detailing!) from Urban Outfitters

Just Cavalli belted shirtdress $750 from Neiman Marcus; Semantiks sateen shirtdress $98 at Nordstrom

I was immediately drawn to this J. Crew San Remo dress when I first saw it but I am not sure how flattering it would be because the print is so busy. Apparently other women were drawn to it as well because they are currently sold out of the dress but you can call 800 562-0258 and they will notify you when the dress will become available.

Delia's Nancy dress $39.50 and Tracy Reese Crimson Sweet shirtdress $440

I love the back of this St. Martin's 40's inspired emboidered shirtdress from asos ($75.08.) I would change the belt that comes with the dress to a wide leather belt, pop the collar and keep the yellow shoes that the model is wearing in the pic. Fabulous!

Espadrilles Excitement

Victoria's Secret caftan dress $65 on sale


E dress me Scallop Eyelet Dresse by Tibi $350

I am responding to "anonymous" who wants to know what to wear with espadrilles. I think that espadrilles are best worn with skirts or dresses. Because of the strap around the ankle if I was of smaller stature (i.e. short) I would not wear them with cropped pants or capris because the strap will cut you off at the ankles. If you are shorter, try wedge sandals instead for a comfy cute look.


Ravinstyle Christina K wrap dress $200 (on sale)


Anthropologie Watchtower dress $138


Delia's Carmen dress $34.50 (Great deal!)

Baker's Rasha wedge $59.95; Carlos Santana wedge $97.99 at Shoes.com

Item of the Day: Espadrilles

I saw these over at The Cheap Chica's site and had to post them. (These are great for a day of shopping for me since I seldom wear flats.)

Mossimo "Patty" espadrilles $24.99 @ Target (also in white and black and available up to size 11) (Gonna go search for them this weekend!)

A few more Globe pics...

Kerry Washington looking gorgeous

Mary J. Blige and Garcelle Beauvais

And the night's greatest winner: Jennifer Hudson!

I think that Jada Pinkett Smith gets it right consistently when it comes to fashion. She is petite but always manages to look fabulous and not overwhelm her frame. Here she is at the Golden Globes looking wonderful:

WTH?

WHAT would possess Vanessa Williams to willingly go out of the house with her hair looking like this? *She was just joking, right? huh? Not a joke?* Damn Damn Damn!!!

Golden Globes Fashion

The fashion winners (and losers) at the Golden Globes:

Jennifer Love Hewitt (To the Ghost Whisperer star: *psst* this ain't working) and America (Not so Ugly Betty) Ferrera

I don't know who this chick is, she was in Babel wth Brad Pitt and I must say that this ensemble leaves me speechless

Sienna Miller a.k.a. "Heidi" and Jessica *remember to stick my booty out* Biel (She looks great though)

Nicolette Sheridan who never looks polished to me and Eva Longoria (styled by Robert Verdi, looking not so Desperate)

Jennifer Garner (I think she looks okay) and *yawn* Beyonce (I am so tired of this look on her)

Cameron Diaz (Notice her skin and hair match her dress) *Hated it!* and Hilary Swank(She always looks amazing on the red carpet)

Drew Barrymore and Reese Witherspoon; Both are going thru breakups, their exes are kicking themselves

Salma "Put those puppies away for once" Hayek and Jennifer Lopez (Does she look this fab because she left Marc"Skeletor" at home?)

What do YOU think?

Proenza Schouler at Target

Mark your calendars for February 4th because that is when design team Proenza Schouler will unveil its Go collection at Target. I did a previous post about this and I am excited about finally seeing the items in person to view the quality. Here are a couple of more pics:

(Can't wait to see the swing coat, still salivating for the yellow heels!)

Ebony & Ivory

Deep black and pure white makes for a crisp color combination that is as timeless as well, black and white. The partnership of these two colors can make a look pop whether bold and graphic or understated and simple.

Adam + Eve long black and white jacket $265; BCBG mixed print dress $188


BCBG Max Azria "Alina" coat $340; French Connection "Snapdragon" top $88

Armani Exchange circular print woven top $88; Alloy "Scarlett" heel $29.50

Xtraordinary polka dot chiffon top $34; Bebe "Halle" peep toe sandal $139

Alloy pleated tunic $24; Harajuku Lovers mini purse in graffiti $22