Fashionator - a Blog by the Beauty & Style Editor at iVillage

I don't know about you, but I'm super excited to see Sex and The City 2, especially because my daily dose of Samantha and Charlotte (my favorites) has been reduced to watching SATC reruns on TBS...

As I wait patiently for the movie to come out, I'll make due with this gorgeous photo taken of Kim Cattral and Miley Cyrus filming a red carpet scene in New York City. They were wearing identical dresses--how cute?! But each star accessorized their ensembles differently.

So who wore it better? I'm a little afraid of Miley's killer choker and dominatrix gloves. However, I love Kim's statement necklace (right). While it's a little much with her dress and belt, I feel like I could wear it with a white tee, jeans and a cardigan--it would look amazing.

I don't know where hers is from, but I found a similar piece at ShopTheLook.net for just $24! It's a similar color and baubles, and I can't wait to get my hands on it to spice up my wardrobe.

--Venus Tsang

Okay, I'll admit it -- I like Olivia Palermo. And despite MTV's best efforts to make her seem like the Wicked Witch of the (Upper) East compared to Gilda-esque Whitney, she's become a real-life Blair Waldorf, the high-society queen bee whom you end up rooting for in the end. Plus, she always looks fiercely flawless, even during this season's turf wars with Elle's PR director. So how does she do it? I got the scoop from The City's uptown girl on fall fashion, her to-die-for skin and, of course, the show:

What are your must-have items for fall?
Roberta Freymann's statement necklaces, designer Brian Reyes' gorgeous jewelry collection, Chloe's Gemma bag and Topshop's grey lace-up booties (pictured).

What makeup products can't you live without?
I can't give away all my secrets, but I am a huge fan of Guerlain and YSL products.

Do you shop online? What are some of your fave shopping and fashion sites?
I do buy some things online, mostly shoes because I know they'll fit. But there are so many great fashion sites out there -- WhoWhatWear.com, Style.com, WWD.com, Grazia.Daily.co.uk.

In one episode, we saw you shopping on Canal Street. Do you shop for bargains?
I always love a bargain, but I think it's easier to find a deal in a situation where you can negotiate prices. I've found great pieces at antique markets, flea markets or road shows.

Do you have any fashion regrets? Anything you've bought that you'll never wear?
I always try to buy things that I know will work with what I have in my closet, or something that I know I'll grow into.

Do you think you're portrayed accurately on the show?
I think that what you see of me on the show is a very small aspect of my life on the whole -- you only see me in a very limited capacity at work. I don't think that anyone can really get a true sense of what I'm like as a person by watching those few minutes I have on screen each week. And, of course, it's entertainment television, so things tend to get played up and dramatized. I don't think anyone really has that much drama in their everyday life!

Do you ever cringe, laugh or cry when you see yourself on the show?
I do cringe occasionally when I see something on screen that didn't play out quite the same way in real life, but it's a half-hour show and I realize there's not room for everything to make the final edit. The editing can get frustrating sometimes, but at the end of the day it's all for the sake of entertaining our viewers.

Are you friends with Whitney? Do you hang out with her?
Whitney and I don't really get the opportunity to hang out much. We're both so busy with work and filming, and then trying to catch up with our regular lives. But when we do see each other we are absolutely friendly. I enjoy running into her and catching up on how she's been.

--Michele Laufik

Hello, tutus, military jackets and funky high-top sneakers... for babies, toddlers and kids! Stella McCartney for GapKids has finally arrived, and fashion-y moms everywhere are stoked. "For years now I've wanted to create a collection for kids. It's really exciting for us to do a boys and girls collection with Gap for the first time. I think it has a mix of the playful and practical. I tried to create a whole kids wardrobe," says Stella McCartney. "There are pieces that are classic and sort of timeless and hopefully very chic, mixed with more playful and a little bit cooler pieces. It's a reflection of our brand and a great way to experience it."

The only snag, say some moms, is that the collection is a little steep compared to the other choices out there, like The Children's Place and Kohl's. "My son, who's four, is growing by the minute," says stylish mom, Iris Asuncion. "If I buy him an $80 sweater now, we'll only get a handful of months out of it--if we're lucky--and that's too much to spend on a seasonal item." It's not the wisest choice for many parents with growing toddlers--even for the fashion-forward ones who like to style their kids super-hip.

Regardless, many moms are loving the new children's clothes. Some are gaga over key pieces, like leopard print knits ($98) and velvet tuxedo jackets for girls ($78), and monster and superhero tees ($28) and signature corduroy pants ($58). And rumor has it that T-shirts in XLs and XXLs at various stores are out of stock with adults buying children's tops for themselves, according to Gap shoppers who went to the store yesterday to do the same!

What do you think of the collection? Love it or hate it?

--Ysolt

"Every man wants to be Don Draper and every woman wants to be with him," says Michele Laufik, iVillage producer and fan of AMC's Mad Men. If you want to live like a Mad woman, it's easy with some classic '60s lifestyle advice.

For one, you can bring back cocktail hour--here are recipes for a Tom Collins and an old-fashioned cocktail. You can also wear red lipstick, which is very old-Hollywood chic, yet so hot right now. And what goes better with crimson lips than a Mad woman body a la Betty Draper (who's played by January Jones)? "She was told by producers to gain weight... because they want a soft, voluptuous woman," adds Laufik.

Need some fabulous dresses to go with your curvy Mad woman body? We hunted and discovered affordable Mad Men style a la Shabby Apple's Manhattan collection...

From left:

Upper East Side: bright blue dress with pleats on skirt ($72 at ShabbyApple.com)

Washington Square Park: plain cranberry dress with pleats on skirt ($72 at ShabbyApple.com)

Fifth Avenue: brown and white giraffe print skirt and white shirt ($82 at ShabbyApple.com)

--Ysolt

In the November issue of Elle, five of Hollywood's leading ladies talk about their favorite fashion designers, preferred roles in movies, and Hollywood stereotypes. Although the actresses are all across the map, play decidedly different characters, and lead separate lives, one thing they share in common is a departure from the mainstream Hollywood image. Each is a beautiful, strong woman, but in her own unique way. From big screen siren to paparazzi-magnet to under the radar star, here are some telling sound bites from Hollywood leading ladies Katie Holmes, Julianne Moore, Emily Blunt, Zoe Saldana and Renee Zellweger.

Katie Holmes on fashion
"I love Alaia, for sure. Stella McCartney. I like Ralph Lauren because I feel like it's very American, and I'm pretty all-American, from Ohio. Isabel Marant and a new designer, Sari Gueron..."

Julianne Moore on types of characters she is drawn to
"I think my connection to acting has been through reading. I'm interested in scripts. People ask me, 'What role are you dying to play?' It's really: What story do I want to be in?"

Emily Blunt on adjusting to life in Hollywood since moving from the UK
"I feel the fear of the business creep under my skin in Los Angeles in a way that it doesn't in England. It's funny--I feel like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, unless you're in Hollywood! It's shameful how you have to look a certain way. Women are simply not allowed to grow old gracefully. That's why I love playing character parts, because I'm not pigeonholed into trying to remain young forever to play the ingénue or romantic lead."

Zoe Saldana on being known as a beautiful Hollywood actress
"It's sexy to know that guys find you attractive. It's empowering."

Renee Zellweger on whether a successful movie career requires sacrificing your personal life
"A friend of mine couldn't decide between moving to New York or staying in Los Angeles., and another friend said, 'Do everything!' I thought, That's it, do everything."

I don't know about you, but I come away feeling inspired by these ambitious, assertive women, and have so much respect for Emily Blunt, who I always loved but now feel I know better!

To see the rest of Elle's "Women In Hollywood" covers, visit Elle.com.

--Venus Tsang

I recently became obsessed with Giuliana & Bill on the Style network. The two of them are just so darn cute together. And, uhhh, can I get Giuliana Rancic's wardrobe, please? The E! News anchor and managing editor has the chicest dresses, most adorable minis and even her daytime denims and tops are fab.

I caught up with Giuliana last week, and I just had to pick her style brain! What I learned? Yes, she has a stylist. His name is Jose Camilo, and he styles her for E! News. As for her regular life, she's a total shopper and--without question--a fashion maven. She even shops for hubby Bill Rancic. "I love to put him in collared shirts with sweaters on top and nice jeans," she explains. "He looks really great in European designs, so I tend to shop at nicer places for him."

As for her own style, here are the deets...

What's in your makeup bag?

I always have my Lorac Blush/Bronzer Duo (in hot & spicy) for a nice glow, M.A.C. Lipglass (in florabundance) with M.A.C. Honey B Lip Liner, and my ChapStick Fresh Effects (in green tea mint) for my lips. I love the tingle it gives me while it moisturizes my lips. I can't have chapped lips on the red carpet when I'm standing six inches away from celebs. First, I line my lips, then apply ChapStick as a base before my MAC Lipglass. It creates a flawless lip and lasts longer.

What are your fall must-haves?

I just bought a few men's blazers in black and navy blue by MM Couture--very affordable and super-stylish. I've been wearing them with simple neon or bright T-shirts over super-tight LNA stretch pants and my new black, above-the-knee Balenciaga leather boots. They're the equestrian style with four-inch heels-very fitted at the leg and tall. So hot!!! I just got two tight leather motorcycle jackets--one in black and one in turquoise from Secret Circus of London. Love!

What's a major fashion "do" for women?

Every woman needs a few pairs of really high wedge-heel shoes. I hate flats and live in heels, so wedges are great because they're the most comfortable heels to wear. They make every outfit look hotter!

Where do you shop?

I love H&M. These days, the affordable stores are coming out with amazing clothes, so you don't have to spend your entire paycheck on your next outfit. I tend to buy trendier items from stores like H&M and Forever 21, and more classic pieces from Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus.

What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty means confidence to me. When I feel healthy, confident and secure... I feel beautiful.

Such great fashion and beauty advice from Giuliana, right?! Love her! Tell me whose style you're loving these days! Maybe I'll have an opportunity to pick their fashion/beauty brains soon, and share them with ya!

--Ysolt

Jackie O. and Michelle Obama aside, Washington D.C. is not really known as a fashion capital, with most lady lawmakers sporting modest pumps and sensible pantsuits. But former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright wins our vote for her covert political style.

In her new book, Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat's Jewel Box, Albright explains why an accessory can be a girl's (or a diplomat's) best friend. Taking a cue from the fashion great Coco Chanel, who once said, "It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory of fashion that heralds your arrival and prolongs your departure," Albright tried to communicate messages to high-level officials -- with her brooches!

It all started with Saddam Hussein. When she was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, the Iraqi press published a poem calling her a serpent. In response, she wore a snake pin with a dangling diamond (pictured) to her meeting with the dictator. "Before long, and without intending it, I found that jewelry had become part of my personal diplomatic arsenal," says Albright. "Former president George H. W. Bush had been known for saying 'Read my lips.' I began urging colleagues and reporters to 'Read my pins.'"

How to "Brooch" the Subject
As lots of working gals know, corporate environments can sometimes stifle your awesome personal style. So if you're stuck wearing button-downs and blazers to work everyday, learn from Ms. Albright and add some "oomph" to an outfit with one of these fun brooches. Here's what we would wear to:

Those never-ending meetings: This sterling silver brooch is based on the molecular structure of caffeine, making it the perfect pick-me-up for any wardrobe. And it's so funky and cool that you'll wish those folks on the conference call could see it. ($55 at SupermarketHQ.com) 

A job interview: This Swarovski-embellished owl pin by Kenneth Jay Lane will show that you're wise beyond your years and clearly ready for the new position. ($118.59 at Pret-a-Beaute.com)

Ask the IT guy for help: Need help defragmenting your whatizit or locating your cache? This "Hi" computer key brooch by Vicolo Paglia will definitely win the tech guy's heart and may result in lots of upgrades. ($43 at FarFetch.com)

If you're in the New York area, visit the Museum of Arts and Design to view more than 200 pins from Albright's collection, now through January 31, 2010.

--Michele Laufik

Every year around this time, I experience a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. I think to myself, another year has come and gone, and I get further and further away from being that jittery little girl bouncing from door to door with my neon pumpkin bucket. Halloween used to be one of my favorite holidays, where I would hoard all the candy and make it last for months, but now the excitement is often diluted with stress of getting older (and a conscious effort to not eat so much candy).

But this year, I'm celebrating. I'm going to revisit my childhood with another bright orange pumpkin bucket and a great costume. Guess what I'm going to be? Hello Kitty! If there's anything that's going to remind me of being 8-years-old, it's this iconic kitty who is celebrating her 35th birthday this year! So, what better time to pay homage to her, right?

I true Hello Kitty fashion, I'm going to wear a little red bow in my hair and throw on a pink dress, and maybe draw some whiskers on my face and paint my nose yellow. But I realize that I probably still won't look like Hello Kitty, which is why I'm picking up these Hello Kitty Rainboot (pictured) and a Hello Kitty Raincoat. That way, everyone will know exactly who I am.

And though I may never wear the raincoat without the pretense of it being a Halloween costume, I still think it's a pretty good keepsake--who says grown women can't enjoy a blast from the past every once in a while?

So happy birthday, Hello Kitty, and happy halloween to all of you, fashionistas! How are you celebrating this year and what are you dressing up as?

--Venus Tsang

You know how much you love those nights when you get to slip into your comfy boyshorts and jammies and veg' in front of the TV? For these special occasions, my own must-have list includes a cozy fleece blanket, a bowl of soup and a stack of magazines... And the most comfortable pair of undies that I own.

Recently, I've discovered a new pair that looks like it fits the criteria, plus some extra oomph! Uranus Apparel is a new brand that makes 100 percent eco-friendly undies for women out of soy products like soybean oil and tofu. Sounds crazy, right? It also took me a little while to imagine having tofu anywhere but my mouth, let alone have it made by a brand whose name is just asking for pun jokes.

But I'm a girl who strives to be eco-friendly--I recycle my bottles and rarely print paper--and this soy underwear idea seems a very sensible one to me! Besides, I'm going to be wearing them on my lazy nights in and under my clothes anyways, aren't I? Amazingly, the soy fabric is soft and comfortable, like a cheaper and more earth-friendly version of silk or cashmere. Plus, soy material is durable, long-lasting and washable (it'll only get softer the more I wash it)!

I was about 90 percent convinced at this point to wear 'em, but if you want to see where the last 10 percent came from, watch this video. She's one of the three Uranus Apparel founders:



Fun, yes?! Tell me about your fave loungewear!

--Venus Tsang

You might not think this concerns you--you're not a designer, you don't live in New York City, you don't work in the garment industry... But if you care at all about the clothes you put on your back, you'd want to rally, too. New York City's Garment District, blocks that span from 35th to 39th Streets between Ninth Avenue and Broadway, is in jeopardy.

"The [district] is at serious risk of being consolidated and commercialized, if all goes according to NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plans," according to CocoPerez.com. "The Mayor intends to move all of the approximately 250 fashion manufacturer's factories into one building, which would be about 280,000 sq. ft." Without adequate space (not to mention proper zoning regulations to control production overseas), the Garment District will transition to the point of extinction. Cheap labor in other countries like China has threatened the "Made in the USA" label, and designers are fighting back.

This past Monday, a documentary premiered on HBO on the very subject called Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags, which shed some light on the 100-year-old design center. The Garment District once welcomed immigrants and gave them a place to work. Today in New York alone, $10 billion in wages are generated and 175,000 people are employed through fashion--25,000 of those people work in the Garment District--says the New York Daily News. Those numbers may fall if the Garment District isn't saved.

So how does this affect you? With the clothing factories right at their doorstep, designers like Nanette Lepore, Michael Kors and Zac Posen can pay closer attention to their production. "I can cut a sample in the morning, put it on my model in the afternoon, and then let the factory start sewing after I fitted it on her," says Lepore. "In China, you can't think that they're going to fit it properly because you're not watching. The nuances are small--an eighth of an inch here, a quarter of an inch there. We're able to control it because we're right here."

The quality of fashion in the USA will be compromised if we don't do something! So today, designers like Nanette Lepore, Zac Posen, Michael Kors, Anna Sui and Betsey Johnson are rallying in the name of the Garment District and the very clothes that you put on. If you're in the New York City area and want to join the fight to keep clothes "Made in the USA," fashion bigwigs and supporters alike are meeting at the button-and-needle statue on 39th Street and Seventh Avenue at noon. Hope to see you there!

--Ysolt