I don't think there's any celebrity who has cleaned up better than Nicole Richie. Remember The Simple Life? (I watched every single episode.) She was a riot, and a bit of a liability. Since then, she has pulled herself together nicely and transformed into a fabulous designer, not to mention an even more fabulous mom. After creating her jewelry line, House of Harlow 1960, named after her daughter, Richie also developed a chic maternity line and a shoe collection--all of which are affordable to non-celebs!

With such a busy life, and now, with two kids in tow, Richie manages to balance it all while staying in style. Her wardrobe staples and go-to pieces are practical, easy and gorgeous. From maxi dresses to oversized cardigans, from fitted blazers to flat leather boots, moms and non-moms can learn a style lesson or two from her.

Shop her jewelry line now at Bebe.com. Pieces start at $38.

--Venus Tsang

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

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

I must confess: I am a huge fan of super-stylist/accessories queen Rachel Zoe. While I hope I'll never say, "I die" or "bananas" in quite the same way she does, I still fawn every time I see the shoe collection at her studio, and I swear my heart started palpitating when she showcased her enormous jewelry collection in the latest episode of The Rachel Zoe Project.

That said, Zoe still departed from her never-ending stream of Halston gowns, vintage Chanel necklaces and Blackberry-mania long enough to create a collection of chic and affordable accessories for her QVC line, just so that the public (me) can get my hands on some RZ-worthy merchandise.

The collection, which launched in September, is (miraculously) not sold out yet, and this particular faux-python tote is currently at the top of my wishlist.

The celebrity stylist, who dresses A-listers Anne Hathaway, Eva Mendes and Demi Moore, knows the power of accessories in punching up an outfit. That's why the entire line is made of bags, scarves, wraps and faux-fur vests. So sassy!

To demonstrate how I really feel about the collection, I'll say it: I die...

If you haven't yet, don't forget to check out Rachel Zoe for QVC before everything is sold out!

--Venus Tsang

A recent study sponsored by the Institute for Aging Research and Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston, MA found that women wear shoes that cause pain. Okay, no surprise here. We've known for quite some time now that our heels are causing blisters, bunions and toe-crowding madness. (It's a small price to pay to be statuesque and fashionable.)

"The foot is the new face. Unfortunately, we need to understand that 5-inch heels are just not practical for day to day wear," says Dr. Suzanne Levine, a podiatric surgeon in New York City. "The aftermath of extended use is dramatic--many women suffer from heel shortening, nerve pain, hip and back problems and displacing nerve tissues. Plus, there is always the not-so-glamorous formation of blisters and bunions from short-term wear."

But in addition to pumps, this study also discovered that women who have worn or currently wear sandals and "slippers" (Do they mean ballet flats?) were in the pool of individuals who have a higher risk of chronic foot pain. More than 60 percent of the ladies surveyed were guilty! Odds are, so are you!

Dr. Lori Weisenfeld, a renowned New York City sports podiatrist, says your good ol' flip flops don't offer enough support for prolonged periods of walking. "For extended walking or standing, it's best to use a shoe with support or to add arch support inside a shoe that's too flat," Dr. Weisenfeld says.

Dr. Tracey Vlahovic, podiatrist at Temple University's Foot and Ankle Institute, says the same about the ballet flats you love. "[Flats] may look comfortable, but [they] can be painful to your feet. [Like heels, some] can cause severe heel pain, blisters and crowding toes, and worsen conditions like hammertoes and bunions."

What does this mean for us, fashion mavens? The research suggests that smart shoe choices are good for you in the long run. So, perhaps you should opt for shoes with good support and hard or rubber soles if you want to avoid pain in the hind of your foot, and around your ankle and Achilles' tendon? Hmmm... Now that leaves us with athletic shoes and sneakers. (Grrreat, Ysolt says sarcastically.)

Ugh. What's a girl to do? If you work in an office, you have no choice but to wear power pumps or dressy sandals and flats. I guess until your office dress code is altered to meet the needs of your delicate feet, your only choice is to wear the most comfortable pair of flats and/or heels you can find. It's not like Nikes go with pencil skirts and dress pants, you know?

--Ysolt

For years and years, we always assumed that headbands were just our go-to for bad hair days, exercise outings and general lazy days. But recently, pretty hair accessories have been all over our radar--thanks to Boho queens like Nicole Richie and Rachel Zoe, and to TV high society's Blair Waldorf, who practically wears a different headband every episode on Gossip Girl.

While we don't have our own Dorota (tear!), we do have access to a million different kinds of hair accessories from the basic stocked shelves of Walmart to my personal favorite, New York-based brand Pas Comme Les Moutons (which was actually featured on GG).

Anyway, since we've figured out that headbands are back in style, here are three different ways to wear them whether it's a lazy day or it's a night on the town:

 

Lindsay Lohan rocks the everyday headband look by wrapping a thick black band twice around her head while wearing her hair down. She wore it for a day of shopping--a perfect day look that can easily take you into night.

 

 

Eva Mendes wears this bejeweled beauty on the red carpet, and it seems every girl should invest in a pretty, statement headband for special occasions. You can wear it with a sexy ponytail like Mendes, pull everything back into a classic up-do, or wear it like a crown with your hair down.

Jessica Szohr, the Boho Brooklyn babe of Gossip Girl, wears an adorable headband while on a date with hunk Ed Westwick. The thin, braided material makes it special, while the little flower detail really makes it pop. Szohr threw up the rest of her hair into a messy chignon, but added this headband to pull the look together. So chic!



--Venus Tsang

Celebrities from Lauren Conrad to Ashley Olsen count the Hollywood boutique Intuition as one of their go-to stores in Los Angeles, and now owner Jaye Hersh has given the rest of America a chance to shop Intuition with her new line, Hollywood Intuition for Target.

The collection, which offers accessories like handbags, scarves, and jewelry, carries great options to take you from summer to fall. With prices ranging from $2.99 for a headband to $29.99 for a handbag, the accessories are super adorable and super affordable.

Hersh told Women's Wear Daily, "We took the trends coming to the market and tried to make them accessible to the Target audience based on the celebrities that come into my shop."

She also said of herself, "I'm very approachable; I'm a working mom. That's the Target customer. I'm not a designer; I'm actually a shopkeeper."

Sounds exciting, doesn't it? Hurry and Shop Hollywood Intuition for Target before stock runs out!

Pictured: Large Satchel - Orange, $26.99 at Target.com

--Venus

Neon is in this fall. From bold dresses to sky-high heels, the daring hues have been spotted all over the runway. However, if you're like us and aren't exactly sure about wearing lime green and bright orange in such intimidating doses, accessories are the answer. Punch up an outfit with a banging belt and some colorful jewelry! Here are a few of our picks that fit the bill, and are versatile enough for you to wear over and over again.

Danielle Deleasa, the new fiance of Kevin Jonas, is a lucky girl. Last week, the oldest Jonas brother surprised his long-time girlfriend by showing up at her door, on his knees and with a one-of-a-kind Jacob & Co ring in his hand.

Needless to say, she accepted!

We bet that she is not only ecstatic about Kevin's ultimate declaration of love, but also about the proof of his love--the stunning, platinum-crafted, cushion-cut 3.72 carat diamond ring--uniquely created just for her.

All we can say is that hopefully we'll be just as lucky someday.

--Venus

I'll admit it: On the days that I just keep hitting snooze on my alarm and eventually wake up realizing I have 15 minutes before I've got to be out the door, I'll throw on the fool-proof outfit (also known as the first things in my drawers) of a simple tank and a pair of jeans, or if I'm going to work, a tank and a plain high waist skirt.

Inevitably, I always end up at the mirror thinking to myself, Bleh, you look okay. Just okay. And boring. And then I turn to amazing accessories to rescue my boring outfit. I add a bright colored belt, put on some bangles, and throw on an incredible pair of jeweled flats just before I shut the door. Once my basics are dressed up, I no longer feel boring and am confident about what I'm wearing.

Accessories can absolutely make--just as they can break--an outfit, and this summer, big, bright, and bold accessories are in. (Lucky me, more snoozing!) Statement jewelry will take you from day to night, from a long day at work to a romantic dinner with your summer date.

One of the best places to find daring jewels: Anthropologie.

Pictured is the anthropologie "Raffia Bauble Necklace" ($158 at Anthropologie.com), and it's sure to add some color to a crisp white shirt or dress up a scoopneck sweater.

--Venus

When Brazilian flip-flop brand Havaianas exploded onto the scene a few years ago, everybody wanted a pair.  Available in many different colors and patterns, there were enough options for the Havaiana flip-flops to be a means of self-expression--if you preferred the thin strap to the thick strap, if you preferred the pair in metallic gold or patterned with the British flag--you could choose what you liked and still be a little different.

Now, there is another kind to throw into the mix: "4Nite" Havaianas that glow in the dark.

You can buy them in an assortment of colors and glow patterns, and they are just in time for summer and frolicking on the beach until night falls and your flip-flops start glowing!  You know what's even better? This pictured pair is on sale! ($18.99 at ShopFlipFlops.com)

P.S. Planning to pick out a pair? Make sure to show off your bright nail color too!

 

--Venus

Toywatch, which boasts colorful watches for men and women, has found its latest famous wrist: Michelle Obama's.

Spotted wearing this purple one in Paris, Mrs. O joins the ranks of other celebrities--from the Hilton sisters to Michael Jordan--who have also been seen wearing their own Toywatches.

This purple Ultra Violet wrist candy ($195 at ToyWatchUSA.com) is part of the neon plasteramic watch collection. Other neon colors include Kryptonite Green, Plutonium Pink and Atomic Orange.

Don't have the dunds to splurge on your own Toywatch? You can try to win one by following The Ellen Show on Twitter. Good luck, fashionistas!

--Venus

This past New Year's Eve festivities required a little pick-me-up. By that, I mean I needed some "chicken cutlets" as some ladies call 'em to hold up the "girls" in my little black dress. At 21, this was never an issue -- then, I didn't need a thing to push anything up. Now that I'm pushing 30, I can't help but notice a bit of a sag. It's a drag, really.

Luckily, I used the Fashion Forms' Red Carpet Ready kit by Melissa Rivers, which included strap tamers, silicone gel petals, lingerie tape, and an adhesive body bra. And the best part is, they come in this really cute evening clutch.

The outcome: Cleavage success!

I know the holidays are done and over with now, but odds are you'll be wearing snazzy cocktail dresses in the months to come (especially with Valentine's Day and warmer weather looming).

 

--Ysolt

 

What do you use to hold up the "girls" ??

I've never been one to love labels. In fact, my motto has always been: The cheaper, the better.

I'm going to divert from my usual budget mantra because the holidays are upon us and I couldn't help but feel love at first sight when I laid eyes on this D&G gold cuff.

Okay, so it's a whopping $295 at D&G boutiques and Nordstrom. Sure, it's not super-obscene for D&G, but it's still out of my price range. Regardless, I'm putting the fabulous bling on my holiday wish list. Fingers crossed that someone buys it for me (or at least find something that comes close).

--Ysolt

Tell me what's on your wish list!

I kid you not. I found an online store that sells eyeglasses for as low as $7.95!!!

I realized the other day that I need back-up lenses for the office. From time to time, I forget my glasses at home. Then, I get to work and can't see a thing, and it ends up costing me a lot of squinting and valuable work time wasted. So I decided I wanted to purchase an extra pair for emergencies. The only problem: Hello, Christmas--I have no business spending $200 or more on a new pair of eyelgasses.

I did a long tail search and found EyeBuyDirect.com where cute eyeglasses start at $7.95. Believe it! If you're a bit of a label whore though, there are designer ones on the site by Diesel, Giorgia Armani (pictured) and French Connection UK for only $99.95 each (still a fraction of what they cost elsewhere). When you visit the site to make a purchase, just have your eyeglass prescription ready.

--Ysolt

How much would you spend or have spent on a pair of eyeglasses?

In an effort to save money (while still maintaining my fabulousness), I turned to the idea of building a bag. Heck, if you can build your kid a bear, why not create yourself a handbag? It's a thought.

I know what you're thinking—building a bag would probably be costly. After all, it's practically one-of-a-kind and especially designed. But after creating one at MicheBag.com, the price tag didn't scare me one bit.

After choosing a style and picking two shells—you can rotate back and forth to match with your particular outfit—my purchase came out to under $100. Not bad when a decent-sized Coach purse (not those itty-bitty wristlets and clutches) these days cost upwards of $300. Aish!

So, now I have two cute purses in one. It's okay to be jealous...

—Ysolt

What do you think of the idea of building a modular handbag?