School girl, schmool girl—this isn’t your throwback to Britney Spears circa 1998, nor is it a tribute to Red Hot Chili Peppers era Seattle grunge wear; spring is turning up the volume on plaid print, and it’s all new, all now, chic and playful. You can go practical and choice a button-up top and check plaid off your list—but why?? when there are so many new ways to wear it. We’re not kidding when we say—you haven’t seen plaid like this before—but after this we think you’ll want to see more. Here’s the newly minted take on this traditional pattern, as seen from the fresh eyes of spring 2011’s hottest designers:

Edgy squared

Think plaid’s got an overly innocent vibe? Not when it’s studded and striped like this trend-forward, mesh clutch from Lane Bryant at Inland Center ($190). Denounce your girly reputation when you pair this with the season’s muted neutrals during your next table-top for two night out.

Perked up patterns

Revive old looks with new ideas–florals and plaid forge new ground when mixed over spring’s full skirts. Pair with a fitted and tucked-in t and a strappy wedge for a warm weather showstopper. This eye-catching pick is from Anthropologie at The Oaks ($98).

Plaid to be had

We’re all in a twist about swimwear’s sexy take on the plaid one piece this season. From vivaciously bright hues, to this version’s twist on tribal—plaid’s got us percolating for more this spring. We snapped this up from Anthropologie at The Oaks ($298).

Pretty Prints-ess

A little sparkle never hurt anyone—get glamorous in the new metallic plaids. Traditional tartan or a modern fade, a little shine can transform a simple T and your style. Our new favorite top is Burberry from Nordstrom at Los Cerritos Center ($150).

Every new season is punctuated with a fresh new color palate, and this year is no different—except that the frontrunner for Spring is technically a non-color.  Startling, sparkling white was the favorite pet of almost every designer and whisks us into warmer weather by brightening up tops, lightweight dresses, handbags, and swimsuits—even denim.  With the racks awash in this crisp hue, we’re diving into the many ways to lead the way in this white hot revolution.  First though, this often overlooked shade has garnered a bad reputation, based on falsities and myths—so let’s clear the air and start with some great white tips that mustn’t be overlooked:

Lightweight. There is no truth to the idea that wearing white adds pounds—in fact, white can be perfectly slimming if one rule is followed:  the right fit.  Worn too big—white looks unnecessarily voluminous, slip into to something too snug and white will highlight your every bump or lump.  Make finding the middle ground a priority.

Sheer genius. White fabric is notorious for being unexpectedly sheer in the right light. Do your homework and check yourself from all angles, in daylight or under substantial lighting, to make sure when you’re sitting, standing, kneeling—that you’re adequately covering everything you intended to cover.

Under there. White is remarkably decisive when it comes to undergarments—only nude or flesh tones will do.  The closer you can match them to your natural skin tone, the better—no exceptions.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s move on to the heart of the matter—let’s get white washed:

White to Your Left

Like Dolce to your Gabbana –white is, to any other bright, the perfect match.  This spring is fast becoming a tribute to all things vibrant—from coral, to hot pink, to lemony yellow—make any color pop against a white partner.  Polish the look with neutral toned shoes and metallic accessories.  We found a great white blazer at Express in Lakewood Center ($98) and can’t wait to wear it against a tangerine top.

Blinded by the White

Can you wear too much white this year?  (The right answer is no).  Go head-to-toe for a monochromatic salute to high style.  Or, for a slightly more subtle take on this same look, pepper your whites with blush, off-white, cream and slight shades of tan for instant chic.  We adore the eyelet skirt from Francesca’s Collection at The Oaks ($38).

White On

Do a daring new denim; choose white and dip into the breezy 70s by pairing them with sheer, floaty tunics and blouses.  Choose a handful of wooden bangles, and your cork-heeled wedges to complete this 2011-style groovy look.  The trouser cut jeans from Banana Republic at Westside Pavilion ($89.50) say all the right things.

Make a break for spring a couple of weeks early, and infuse your beauty routine with a little citrus sunshine.   Peach, coral and an over-the-top pop of orange lips are a staple for this upcoming spring and summer seasons.  We get that this isn’t your everyday go-to lip shade, so we thought we’d run a brief tutorial on how to max out this vibrant and versatile look, starting today.   First—don’t be afraid—you will find the perfect for you hue of orange that will make you fall head over smoochy lips in love with this fun new trend.

Tricks of the trade:

Lay the right foundation. Prime your lips for all day staying power, and to ensure that the cheeky orange color stays put and doesn’t gravitate towards your teeth.

Find your match made in color heaven. Not every orange is for every girl.  If you’re fair and flushed—pink toned corals or peaches will be most flattering, and still be right on trend; if you’re a chic shade of olive or medium to dark skinned—you can go big and bold, and very, very orange.

By day or by night? All typical rules of lip intensity apply: for a perfect pout before the sun sets, look for sheer shades or shiny glosses.  Pair with a complimentary lip liner if needed to boost your color, but keep it on the mild side.  When headed out in the eve, pile on the creamy or matte, all out, opaque color.  Line your lips with foundation to keep your lines sharp and your color from bleeding.

All that being said—here’s our favorite celebrity approved looks and your best picks:

Leighton Meester. Sephora at The Oaks ($30, Raven).

Leighton Meester gets it right with a ruddy orange-red that’s a rousing success.  She keeps it fresh and neat with a touch of peach blush and neutral eyes.  Super chic.  We love this similar red-orange shade from Sephora at The Oaks ($30, Raven).

Jennifer Lopez. Bloomingdale’s at Santa Monica Place ($24, Love Devotion).

Jennifer Lopez makes coral look craze-worthy and pairs it with deep brown shades to take it out on the town.  We love this NARS version from Bloomingdale’s at Santa Monica Place, that’s along these same lines ($24, Love Devotion).

Scarlett Johanssen. Estee Lauder at Nordstrom in Westside Pavilion ($20, Orange Poppy).

Scarlett Johanssen shows off a bright crayon orange and highlights the look with matching blush and gold shadow for a glowing standing ovation.  We like this same orange from Estee Lauder at Nordstrom in Westside Pavilion ($20, Orange Poppy).

Express, $79.

The red carpet’s been rolled up for yet another year, and you can almost hear the entire city take a deep breath and relax.  As the celebrity pomp and circumstance make an exit from stage right – what’s left is the “OMG, did you see what she was wearing” and the “how can I get that look”.   Just as much a tradition as “thanking the Academy” on award’s night is dissecting the styles and looks from the Oscars and making them your own.   While you may not go all out J-Lo for your next date night – even a touch of new trend can update your look and keep you in the here and now.  Here’s the cliff notes version from this year’s big event…

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Mila Kuniz at the 68th Golden Globes, 2011.

There were highs, there were lows, there were sighs of confusion—what is she wearing and why??  The 68^th annual Golden Globes put out this year, as usual, an exciting array of designer gowned celebrities for all us normal fashion frenzied folks to feast our eyes upon.  Now that we’re a few days out we’ve had time to digest the looks and declare the victories in our review below of the finest and fairest.  And, as the of-course-you-want-to-know bonus, we’ve included ideas for how to take the trends of the red carpet and make them yours.  Dig in and feel free to sound off—we’ve been won over by these top leading ladies—which are your winners?

Green and Gathered

We’re teeming with green envy—the ethereal emeralds and jolting jades of the red carpet gowns this year have us in a lock down pattern—Need. One. Now.   Whether laced with ruffles, or cinched with rich draping at the waist, pair with strappy nude or gold heels and understated jewelry and channel the elegance of Catherine Zeta-Jones and the sultry Mila Kuniz—two hands down favorites of the evening.  We loved the vibrant green of this dress from Nordstrom at The Oaks ($178).

Nordstrom, $178.

Anything but Neutral

Carrie Underwood at the 68th Golden Globes, 2011.

Kick your look into overdrive with barely there color. A hint of pink, a soft winter white, or a blush of just the right nude—and suddenly it’s all about you.  Diana Aragon’s stunning cream gown lingered long after she stepped inside, and Carrie Underwood’s pale sparkler called all the right attention to her glowing skin—we want some of what they’ve got. This Sue Wong dress is the subtle and stunning; we found it at Bloomingdale’s in Santa Monica Place ($411.60).

Bloomingdale's, $411.

Long-Sleeved Love

Anne Hathaway at the 68th Golden Globes, 2011.

We’re seeing stars after watching Angelina Jolie and Anne Hathaway dare to not bare their arms.  We love the fun fresh twist on traditional red-carpet looks and the kickback to more conservative times.   Don’t forget to bring on the bling—adorning many of our favorites this year was an abundance of glittering beading and shiny sequins.  This mini dress makes us mega happy with its perfect pairing of these two hot trends.  We snatched it up at Nordstrom at Westside Pavilion ($295).

Nordstrom, $295.

It’s middle of the winter, the holidays are behind us, and spring is still out of reach—all which begs the question—what to wear?  Before you go back to your basic boots and standard sweater– give your look a little va-voom and slip into a sexy men’s inspired suit.  In a sea of cocktail dresses, Jennifer Anniston wowed in her Dolce & Gabbana anything-but-androgynous two piece ensemble at the People’s Choice Awards last week—and the world took note.  So whether you’re walking the red carpet, cozying up at a romantic dinner, or hitting the dance floor with your besties—before you grab that same old, same old—suit yourself in something fabulous and new.  We hit the aisles and searched high and low for our top three picks—check ‘em out:

Great White

This cropped and tailored suit jacket is from BCBG at Westside Pavilion ($198).

Bite off a little something fierce when you suit up in white.  Tame the blinding effect by anchoring your seperates with a pop of a print, or a hint of color.  This sateen version is from Ann Taylor at Westside Pavilion ($169).

Nipped and Tucked

Our hot holiday gift series continues today with part two—what to gift that great guy on your list.  Whether he’s a kid at heart, a tech-geek, a Tim the Tool Man in the making—or some kind of wonderful in between—we’ve done our homework, and these gifts are a hit.

Take a peek:

Dressed Up Duds. He may never admit it, but he likes to be dressed.  Gift him with a twill blazer that will highlight his handsomest qualities and make him strut just a little bit more.  This debonair twill blazer is from J. Crew at The Oaks ($278).

This debonair twill blazer is from J. Crew at The Oaks ($278).

More is More

We found these ones at Apple at Los Cerritos Center ($ 49.95).

They may be tiny, but they blow out the sound on his tech necessities in a mighty big way.  He’ll flip for these mini speakers that plug into his smart phone, laptop, or MP3 and give a bumpin’ boost to his music or video.  We found these ones at Apple at Los Cerritos Center ($49.95).

Candy Man

For office or home (or maybe both) we found this version from Brookstone at Westside Pavilion ($39.95).

He’ll be the talk of the watercooler or the most popular dad or grandpa with this wave-of-your-hand candy dispenser.   For office or home (or maybe both) we found this version from Brookstone at Westside Pavilion ($39.95).

Man Stuff

We picked this up at Sears in Los Cerritos Center ($129).

Men doing manly things is always attractive, and he loves to be productive just as much as you love for him to be.  Pick the mecca of all tool sets and gift him with this  four piece Craftsman Cordless Combo collection—electric drill, hand sander, circular saw and worklight—and watch your honey-do list be whittled down before your very eyes.   We picked this up at Sears in Los Cerritos Center ($129).

Score

JCPenney at Lakewood Center ($9.99).

All work and no play makes him a dull boy.  Get his game on with a mobile dinner table ping pong ball set and watch his competitive holiday spirit light him up, JCPenney at Lakewood Center ($9.99).

Get ready for red this season—whether it’s oxblood, burgundy, poppy, crimson, or cherry—the more the merrier.  Not only is this extroverted color festive and apropos as always for your holiday fete, it’s hot on the list of this year’s on-trend hues for fall and winter.  The runways were alight with dresses, tops, handbags, outerwear and accessories in this unabashed shade, so lucky for us, we should have plenty to choose from when pouring over the options.  We’ll show you our favorite pieces for bundling up, puckering up, stepping out and going-out on the town, all in raring-to-go red.

XOXO

This neutral red from Sisley is a safe bet—this classic color is flattering to all. We found it at Nordstrom at The Oaks ($50, Sheer Plum).

There is no hotter accessory this year than your perfectly pouted and flushed red lips.  If you’d call yourself olive complected—look to brick tones, or if you’re pale or have pink undertones you’ll want to look to berry shades.  You’ll know when you have “the one” when your face glows and your eyes look brighter.  This neutral red from Sisley is a safe bet—this classic color is flattering to all.  We found it at Nordstrom at The Oaks ($50, Sheer Plum).

Lady in Red

Here’s a dress to dance the night away in: Besoni from Barney’s Co-op in Santa Monica Place ($625).

Make this the year you break away from the safety of that little black dress, and try on something song’s are written about.  Stand out in the crowd with an alluring ruffled red dress, but be sure to keep your look current.  When considering your heels, belt and handbag, pair this firey hue with camel, purple, teal or even leopard print—just stay away from basic black.  Here’s a dress to dance the night away in:  Besoni  from Barney’s Co-op in Santa Monica Place ($625).

Ruby Red Slippers

These peep-toe platforms from Betsey Johnson at Santa Monica Place ($238) will liven up your denim for your next night out with the gals, or will give your camel colored sweater dress a little pop of “wow”.

Dorthy’s glittering flats are all grown-up and glamorous.  Sparkling, shiny patent leather, or matte—look to rosy-red heels this fall as an easy  and on-trend upgrade to any look this fall.  These peep-toe platforms from Betsey Johnson at Santa Monica Place ($238) will liven up your denim for your next night out with the gals, or will give your camel colored sweater dress a little pop of “wow”.

Wrap Her Up in Red

This is one must-have, that everyone really must have. We found ours at Louis Vuitton at La Cumbre Plaza ($500).

For those who are already knee-deep in holiday shopping, and those who aren’t—gift her with a cozy n’ chic red-hot cashmere scarf.  This is one must-have, that everyone really must have.   We found ours at Louis Vuitton at La Cumbre Plaza ($500).

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They’re haute and they’re hot—we know you’re knee deep in your holiday shopping and we’d thought we’d put together a little something to take the clock-ticking edge off; below are five favorite gift ideas we’ve scouted out on your behalf.  No one has to be the wiser that you had a little help this year—go ahead, enjoy a little more time relaxing this season, spend a little less time schlepping in the aisles—and we’ll keep it just between us.

Re-Boot

Give her style a boost this season with super sexy, trend-forward leather boots.   Pick over-the-knee riding boots, or knee-high with heels like this strut-worthy pair from Michael Kors at Santa Monica Place ($350).

For the “Kids”

The things that bring him joy haven’t changed—indulge his inner adolescent and gift him with a toy that will keep him busy for a while.  This quadricopter is four times the fun—he can control it from his iPhone or iPad or by hand held remote and has video capabilities that allow him to see a helicopter’s eye view of the flight.   These are selling fast at Brookstone at Paseo Nuevo ($299).

Style Rx

Does he need a little style revival?  Wrapping it is so much better received than giving “advice”.  Give him the gift of looking great—he will thank you for it later.  Start with this D&G wool peacoat from Nordstrom at Westside Pavilion ($1,015).

Lock in the Love

You can never spoil her too much—it’s a myth.  For a sure-thing, pick one of Tiffany’s diamond key necklaces, and watch her sparkle.  We saw this one at La Cumbre Plaza’s Tiffany & Co. location ($12,325).

King and Queen of the Kitchen

You know who rules this domain—and you know how a professional grade full set of cookware will earn you some serious brownie points.  Or, filet mignon points…or, crème brulee points—you see where this is going.  Pick up this 30 piece all clad copper core ensemble from Williams-Somoma at The Oaks ($3,999.95).  It’s the gift that keeps on giving.