Cool Summer Watches!

From Life & Style, on newstands this week.

You can't see this that well (so click on it to enlarge to full size), but they are featuring my Swatch! Cool. I don't really know how to work any of the fancy features they are talking about..I just liked it cuz it's big and gold, you know to tide me over 'til I get my gold Rolex like Ashley (speaking of, I know I have been deficient in my posting of Olsen fashion the last month or so due to my prolonged trip...so expect an update soon)!

Hope you all are enjoying the summer! Stay cool.

xo,BG

FYI: 'The Row' is Now Available Online

Continuing to continue on in the hoopla surrounding celebrity fashion lines, wanted to let you know that MK and Ashley's line "The Row" is now available online from the always cutting-edge chic British establishment Browns. Previously the line was available only at Barneys NYC and Maxfields in LA.

If you live in NYC and haven't checked out the collection in person yet, do! It is a wonderful line, with great basics to build into your wardrobe. The pieces are a bit pricey so beware, but they are definitely quality items worth investing in. Selma Blair is already a fan and we all know she is the queen of cool when it comes to style!

Oh, and for the more budget conscious cats they have a new lower price-bracket line set to launch this fall aptly named Elizabeth and James (after their other lesser known sibs). That line will be available at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Intermix.

One of their awe-inspiring T's that are being praised for their couture style cling and unbelievable drape (due to the infamous "single seam"). Get it here.

Oh and apologies again for the scattered and infrequent posting. I am off in far-far-away lands where connections to the Internet are rare, inconsistent and definitely not high-speed. In the meantime enjoy catching up on old posts.

Ciao Dahlings...
XO,
BG

Celebrity Fashion Lines: The Demise of the 'Real' Designer?

The 'celebrity perfume' phenom seems like its been around for ages, but the recent furious increase in 'celebrity fashion lines' (think SJP, the Olsen Twins, JLo, Kate Moss, Madonna, Kylie Minogue....Oy it gets tiring just typing the masses in) has some critics questioning where this leaves the 'real designers'?

The NY Times featured the topic in today's Style section, check it out!

Thoughts?? Much as I love MK and Ashley (and the new 'Row' line), I gotta admit that the whole thing (more-so the Madonna/Kate Moss/H&M/Topshop bit) does seem like a bit of a celebrity wash. Some lines appear solid like 'The Row', others seem just lame, such as SJP's 'Bitten'. The fact that celebrities have so much more financial capital to build upon and the tails of their success, seems to give an unfair advantage in an extremely cut-throat and competitive arena. Is fashion going the way of pop music? Are we selling out in some way? How much of a free-market approach is 'too-much' when it comes to the creative arts like fashion?

It appears to me that too often money is driving fashion rather than talent.

Olsen 'Pic' of the Day: Mary-Kate in LA with Beau Max...Rocking the Long Scarf and Prada Fringe Bag

Mary-Kate in LA yesterday with beau Max.

Love the long scarf look. Adore the faded black skinnies..I think they have zippers, which is doubly cool (and also makes them possible to get on, while still giving you the max thinness at the ankle!). Love aviator Ray-Bans (these are the smaller frame version) but not such a fan of the blue/purple tinted lens... and speaking of I have a few pairs of Ray Ban Wayfarers to feature on Steal my Clothes! Also, personally, have never been a huge fan of the upper arm cuff...I just think its uncomfortable and looks weird. She's still working the strappy sandal/heels and Prada fringe purse. Me: not so much buying into the fringe trend...its never been much my style, looks cute on her though.

A Week in Belts: The Olsen Twins

This week in LA and NYC, The Olsen's working the belt. Love that little skirt that Ashley is wearing, similar look to the skirt she was rocking a few weeks ago. In fact, maybe it is the same one...that would be very Ashley!

For some great wide statement belts see the post I did earlier in the year. And if your feeling thrifty check out this belt from Forever 21, its very similar to one I got in London last year from Topshop, which has turned out to be indispensable (I throw it onto dresses, shirts, whatever, totally takes the outfit to a new level). And at a $5.80 price-point, how can you go wrong?

Invasion of the Brits...MET Costume Institute Gala

Gosh, so much to talk about. Last nights MET Costume Institute Gala....and the dresses!!! And then coming up tomorrow, Kate Moss at Barney's. OMG, it's too much. Starting today there is an ongoing witty commentary by Simon Doonan on the Barneys website. An excerpt below:

"Is she here yet? Is she bringing Pete? Is she going to clamber into the window like she did at the UK launch?...Can I come to the Party and bring my extended family? Oy Veh!!!!!

I have been at Barneys for twenty years and nothing-no store event or opening-has rivaled the insane, frenzied, build-up to the arrival of Kate and her Topshop line. I would put it right up there with the Invasion of the Faukland Islands, and the first episode of AbFab, or at least the launch of the DVD of Abfab."

Geez people, have we forgotten about the other huge, major Brit on the scene, hello: The Queen!!!

Right but anyway, yes back to important things like Topshop. Argh, I can't believe I am actually willingly going to subject myself to the madness that will be tomorrow.

And, my fave five pics from last nights gala:

Cam D. Love how she always contrast colors. Love the turquoise accents with the bright fuchsia.


Scarlett Johanson

Jessica Stam

Mary Kate Olsen

Ashley Olsen

Liv Tyler


And some of the more interesting and creative dresses:
Margherita Missoni

NY Socialites Tinsley Mortimer and Zani Gugelman

Kirsten Dunst

and Miss Anna herself.

TaTa dahlings, have to run.
xo, BG

Olsen 'Pic' of the Day: Ashley in Beverly Hills

Ashley yesterday in Beverley Hills. Cute sandal/heels.


Great shot of the new heels.

Still sporting the Givenchy 'Nightingale' Bag. Gotta love Ashley for that consistency, she has said that she finds a bag she loves and wears it to death, then moves on to a new one...doing that a few times a year.

I have lots of beautiful bags but it seems most of the time I go out the door with my LV Speedy 40, its huge (yes I picked the enormous size that some people don't even know exists, as I said before, for me: bigger=better), water resistant, practical and beautiful, plus I figure it has the least chance of getting stolen, with all the fakes in NYC, I assume those not really in the know would figure it was fake anyway and not bother!

Tell me do you use the same bag daily or switch it up often?

Olsen 'Pic' of the day: Ashley in Soho, NYC

Ashley in Soho this past Saturday. Looks like she was making her usual Wolford run. I know I've mentioned Wolford's a million times before...but if you want a nice luxury fix for under a 100$, maybe even 50$ (depending on the style) then picking up a gorgeous pair of Wolford tights is a must. I would also suggest Fogal, another one of my favourites.

Olsen 'Pic's of the day: Mary Kate in LA

The return of the plaid shirt. Different Plaid shirt, same theme. Love this look.

MK last week in LA. Funny I just bought a great pair of red leopard-print vintage 80's skinny jeans just like the pattern she's holding (a scarf I believe...). Love, love the shoes, tho I couldn't wear them myself without falling over!!

Olsen 'Pic' of the day: Ashley in L.A.

Ashley in LA yesterday.

Ahhh, that bag. We love how Ash finds a bag she adores and sticks with it. That's definitely wise advice for those of us on a budget. Much better to splurge on one beautiful thing (an investment) and use it often than many cheap pieces which will be trashed and out of style in a few months. And speaking of great investment pieces, my Morabito is officially, really and truly actually ready. Mr. Artbag called this morning to tell me she was ready to come home. I will post pics soon.

P.S. love the skirt.

Ta girls...off to the Upper East Side.

Olsen 'Pic' of the Day: MK leaves Maxfield's

MK leaving Maxfield's on Thursday.

The outfit is a bit too Rock n Roll for me, especially with the torn seams of the skirt/long t-shirt, but other elements are par for the course great; ie the tights, delicate layering, heels and subtle variation in shades of black.

Really love the gold touches, the Rolex, and studded belt.

We love Olsen style.

Enjoy!

Olsen 'Pic' of the day

MK, yesterday leaving a studio in NYC.

Love navy blue with black (I know it used to be a don't way back when, but whatever) and the use of layering here is very delicate with the shorter shirt over the leggings/tights...and of course great heels. Blazers are one of my big staples, and navy with gold detailing (buttons are best) makes a small but beautiful impact.

Ashley Olsen in Color?

Wait, is that Ash wearing color???

Style Review: Miss Simpson and the Olsens

Nay:
Ugh, please stop with the mish-mashed together sloppy look, and please, please STOP with the weird long skirts. Its just yuck. Personally I usually love both 'rag-tag' Olsen style and the Jessica Simpson 'sexylook', but these recent departures are just a big NO in my book. At least in both cases there is a beautiful bag for some redeeming value.


JS down under last week w/ boy-toy John Mayer.



Ashley shopping at Maxfield's in West Hollywood yesterday.



Yay.
How we like to see our stars...well-dressed and inspirational.


Ashley house-hunting in Beverley Hills Thursday. Love the boots and you can't go wrong with black tailored pants/leggings. The scarf is interesting and she wears it artistically.


With JM in January. Love this look, much more polished and 'put' together rather than 'thrown' together.


In Italy last month. Not the best she has looked by far, but way better than those long skirt clingy things she has been sporting as of late...things just seem to be going downhill fashion-wise with JM in her inner circle. Like the blond hair much better. We want the old Jess back. Whah.

P.S. I don't mean to pick on these two, there are obviously FAR worse fashion "no's" to focus on in the celebrity world (hello Britney, we are talking to you), but normally I admire these girl's style...and well Britney, she never had any style to begin with...