my jewelry lust is well documented – i think you’ll all attest to that.  but the truth is that i’m obsessed with good reason – in fashion, especially this year, the jewels really do make the outfit!  for fall, the trends in gems are big, strong, and sometimes hard to navigate.  so, i turned to the experts!

ali galgano owns one of my all-time favorite jewelry shops, charm & chain.  this site is so perfectly curated, it takes virtually all of the guesswork out of my jewelry choices.  she carries everything from fallon and tuleste market to house of harlow and alexis bittar, so there are loads of both splurges and steals – always a good thing.  plus, she’s just the sweetest person ever…which always makes me want to spend more money!

with fall coming, i asked ali to share her favorite jewelry trends for the season.  i also asked if we could spread a little love and give one of her picks away to a shoppingsmycardio reader.  yep, always thinking of you guys!  so, i’m excited to tell you that that gorgeous tuleste market necklace you see above is up for grabs! (details at the end of this post!!)

now, without further ado, ali’s picks:

“The Bigger, the Better”: necklaces and earrings keep getting bigger and bigger, as people are pushing the limits of what’s wearable.  any one of these pieces makes a serious statement! (from left: fringe necklace by lulu frost, $375; hammered squares necklace by tuleste market, $170; leather sunburst ring by house of harlow, $45)

“American West”: we’ve seen a lot of designers turn to the american west for inspiration this season. fringe, turquoise, raw stones–a lot of the new jewelry we’re seeing reminds us of the gold rush.  (from left: bronze seedbead necklace by lee angel, $450; turquoise seedbead necklace by lee angel, $213; dina pyrite earrings by gemma redux, $245; red rock necklace by lizzie fortunato, $557)

“Neon Pop”: it seems this season that we’ve completely flashed back to the 80s, with big shoulders, sequins, etc on the runway, along with as much neon as possible. we love the futuristic, tough feel the neon pieces have this year—a lot of the florescent pieces we’re seeing this year are paired with gunmetal hardware. (from left: fallon necklace by marlaina stone, $1500; innocence earrings by erickson beamon, $227; siena necklace by dannijo, $238)

“Chains, Chains, Chains”: from what we’ve seen designers showing this season, the more chains you can cram on your neck and layer with shorter pieces, the more stylish you’ll be. best of all, chain looks can range from punk rock to deliciously girly.  (from left: long crystal and cross necklace by fallon, $250; layered ball and chain necklace by tuleste market, $150 (and our giveaway item!); jac necklace by gemma redux, $369)

i don’t know about you, but i’m crazy excited to add all of these hot fall trends to my wardrobe.  the great thing about most of these pieces is that a little goes a long way.  add a fringed necklace to a tee, mini and boots, and you’ve got a perfect american west look.  pair that tee with distressed jeans and flats, add a little neon pop, and presto, you’re back in the ’80s!

so, about that giveaway! that gorgeous tuleste market necklace that’s up for grabs?  it retails for $150, and is one of my absolute favorites from ali’s picks. i’m dying to pair it with everything from a simple tee to a cocktail dress…it’s sure to add instant glam to any and all ensembles! to win, just leave a comment at the end of this post (as always, if you share on facebook, twitter or any other internet-y place, leave a second comment telling me where you shared to score a bonus entry)!  since this prize is so amazing, we’ll run this contest through sunday night, and announce the winner on monday (9/21). you’ll have to email me within 24 hours to claim your prize, or we’ll find someone else to give it to, so make sure you check back monday!

thanks so much to charm & chain for offering up this truly fabulous prize.  now get those entries in!

i am so thrilled today to introduce one of my favorite handbag designers, adriana castro.  born in colombia, adriana now lives and designs in miami, creating stunning bags in every color imaginable, entirely from sustainably-raised exotic leathers.  the results are striking, updated classics that you’ll never tire of.

for those of you lucky enough to be in the NYC area, adriana is making a personal appearance at henri bendel today from 11am – 6pm, where devoted fans can meet her, see her newest designs, and even custom design a bag with adriana!  i think i would faint with excitement.

for the rest of us, adriana was kind enough to sit down and answer a few questions about her designs, her style, and those beautiful exotic leathers!  click over at the right to check out the entire interview (yes, we’re trying something new…).

shoppingsmycardio:  i love that your designs manage to blend classic silhouettes with modern details and bold colors.  can you tell us a little about what inspires you with each collection?  

adriana castro:  Really, I get inspiration from all over but most of my inspiration comes from the individual skins.  I can envision my handbags just thinking of how the skins will drape and how the different textures will blend together. Also, color!  I am in love with color – it is so powerful. In Miami, where I live and work, I am surrounded by an amazing, vibrant palette…from the tropical landscape,to the unique architecture, I am constantly thinking of new ideas just walking around the city!

SMC:  in this economic climate, so many of us are looking for great deals.  can you talk a bit about the long-term value of investing in an exotic bag today, and whether/why it’s a splurge worth making?

AC:  Right now, you need classic, timeless bags that are not so identifiable the way the “it” handbags were.  An exotic can be carried throughout the year and for many years, always making an impact. Quality accessories instantly elevate your look, so carrying a great handbag is an easy way to always look polished. Exotics are like fine wine, they age really well – the older your bag, the better it looks! 

SMC:  how would you help a woman choose her first bag from your collection?  

AC:  You should choose a handbag that suits your personality and lifestyle!  If you have a social personality and like to be noticed, you should definitely go with bright colors. If you tend to prefer a more classic look, you should stick to more neutral colors – though they do not stand out like the bold colors, they are still very chic and fashionable.

Skin is also relevant. There are some skins that by nature are more delicate than others. So if you are looking for an exotic to carry every day, let me suggest ostrich and crocodile, as they are less delicate than python.

Finally, you should choose a bag that is opposite to your body type. If you are tall and skinny, your handbag should not be.  Also, choose a handbag proportional to your size.  If you are petite, I would not suggest carrying an oversized, slouchy handbag.

SMC: now a couple of fun questions! other than your own designs, what are the three items in your closet right now that excite you the most?

AC:  I am in “spring mode” so I am in love with nudes:  silky, transparent tops and neutral pumps.  So I’d have to say my Anick Vorbe Silk Chiffon Tunics, for romance, my J Brand Low Rise Pencil Leg Jeans for versatility, and my Christian Louboutin Python Pumps, which are so flattering!

SMC:  what one style secret do you wish you could teach everyone out there?

AC:  Style is personal.  You may love it and the person sitting next to you may hate it. It doesn’t matter!  What matters is how you feel.  If you feel beautiful, you are looking beautiful!  Never be afraid to experiment and express your personal style. It’s okay to mix colors and textures without overthinking it too much!

a huge thank you to adriana for teaching us all a little bit about her beautiful line, exotics in general, and for giving some great style tips as well!  i’ll be taking her handbag-selection advice with me the next time i shop, no question!

for those of you in manhattan, stop by bendels on your lunch today to meet adriana and see her stunning bags in person!  the rest of us will have to settle for online ogling at her website.

perhaps, because i test new skincare products almost daily, i’m overly jaded…but is anyone else completely confused and overwhelmed by the skincare options available today?  honestly, i go to the websites of my favorite companies, and i hardly know where to start – by the time i’ve finished looking, it seems like i need $500 worth of products, and i’ll be spending 30 minutes prepping my skin twice a day, applying potion after potion.  i’m exhausted just thinking about it!

as i’ve mentioned before, clarins is one of my absolute favorite skincare lines.  they’re one of the few companies i can completely trust with new products, and when my skin is tortured by some other product i’ve tested, clarins never fails to soothe the beast.  so, in honor of a new year and a fresh start, i thought i’d check with their chief skincare guru, kara peterson, to weed through the mess and give us her top tips for keeping your skin gorgeous in 2009.  

shoppingsmycardio:  can you help us navigate this crazy world of skincare?  sometimes it gets so overwhelming – how can we know which products are providing which results, and whether we should be using brightening products, anti-aging, moisturizing…the list is endless!

kara:  you know, everyone’s skin is so different – i really recommend sitting down with someone who can look at your skin and guide you.  go somewhere that you can get really helpful info, where someone will really sit down, talk to you and analyze your skin.  that might be your aesthetician, or the department store counter for your favorite skincare brand.  there are so many products, but everyone has specific needs – it will really make a difference if you get some personalized advice.

but in general, remember that a facial serum penetrates down deeper to provide concentrated results, a moisturizer helps to hydrate but also to protect your skin’s top layer.  using a serum first also helps to pull moisturizer deeper into your skin, for better results.  

SMC:  what are some of the biggest mistakes women make with their skin?

kara:  i think the biggest thing is to remember, whether you wore makeup that day or not, you really need to cleanse your skin every single night.  when i’m too exhausted, i use our comfort cleansing water – just soak a makeup pad with it and wipe your face.  it does a great job of cleansing your skin, and is so easy!  (editor’s note:  i keep a bottle of this by my bed…when i just can’t face the nighttime routine, i do exactly as she says…works like a charm!)

SMC:  we’re all trying to cut our budgets these days, and for a lot of us, i’m guessing spa facials are going to be off the table for a while.  what treatments can we do at home, and what should we leave to the pros?

kara:  exfoliation will really help your skin’s cell renewal and keeps your skin clean and revived, so make sure you’re exfoliating 2-3 times a week.  blackheads and milia will eventually go away on their own, so never try to do extractions at home – you’ll damage your skin, and potentially leave permanent marks.  lotus oil is great for treating blackheads, it penetrate pores and cleans out debris.  even using biore strips is still a better option than trying to do an extraction yourself.  

one great trick to use at home:  apply a facial oil before you apply a mask:  the oil will pull the mask further into your skin, and really improve its benefits!

SMC:  what are some simple things we can do in this new year to improve the condition of our skin?

kara:  wear sunscreen!  i know everyone says this, but it’s so important.  also, make sure you have the proper cleanser – keeping your skin clean is the best way to keep it healthy.  and when you’re applying any facial product, be careful that you’re not pulling and tugging on your skin as you apply – be gentle. (editor’s note:  clarins uv plus 40 is the best facial sunscreen i’ve tried.  it’s mineral-based, so no nasty breakouts.  just apply a little on top of your normal moisturizer, and it lasts all day!)

SMC:  if we overdo a treatment and get into trouble, what would you suggest to repair our skin?

kara:  go back to the basics.  look for the most simple, natural products you can find – let go of your anti-aging products, brightening products, anything like that, and give your skin 2-3 weeks of a very gentle cleanser and moisturizer.  (editor’s note:  i always go back to clarins’ sensitive skin line when my skin is upset – it’s amazing stuff!)

a huge thank you to kara and the clarins gurus for helping out with this amazing advice – from my experience, i can tell you that kara’s advice about asking for personalized help is a great tip.  don’t feel obligated to buy everything the expert suggests…you can pick up one product at a time, or find similar products in other lines. but having someone with expertise look at your skin and tell you what you need can be invaluable, and you’ll end up saving money on all of the products you’re buying that are wrong for your skin!

it’s no secret that gorjana is one of my favorite jewelry lines. every season, they never fail to debut pieces that are gorgeous, unique, and completely wearable. i get endless compliments on every piece of gorjana i own, and they’re unfailingly the styles that are in heaviest rotation from my jewelry box.

their holiday collection is no exception, and with pennies being pinched by all of us, i love the idea of picking up a stunning new piece of jewelry to help you update a holiday look that’s already in your closet. their olive leaf necklace, for example, is a perfect statement piece – it’s gorgeous alone or paired with a strand of longer beads (i love it with my dean harris quartz necklace).  

but the piece that has barely left my neck since arriving is that lovely silver sand coin necklace above.  at 40″ long, this piece is just amazingly wearable.  i’ve worn it as a single strand, i’ve doubled it over, and i’ve even shortened it by fastening the clasp behind one of the coins, so that part of the necklace dangles down the back.  for dressier occasions, try doubling it and layering with a classic pearl strand, or leave it long for a simple, classic statement with all black.  however you wear it, it’s amazing.

to put a little icing on the proverbial cake, i thought i’d ask gorjana, the owner and designer of the line, to share some tips on accessorizing for holiday affairs. her advice:

Making sure not to over-accessorize is key when it comes to jewelry, especially for more formal events such as holiday parties. The combinations I usually stick to are a great pair of statement earrings with a stack of varying bangles, or a great necklace with a simple earrings and a cocktail style ring.

Don’t be afraid to mix metals. The holidays are all about sparkle and shine, so I love to stack up my gold and silver bangles for a more dramatic look.

It’s simple to update your jewelry ensemble with a new piece that you can layer with all your favorites. I love our Olive Necklace because it easily compliments my shorter, personal necklaces that I wear every day, and also my wraps that I throw on for an evening out.

as a little extra treat, gorjana is kindly giving shoppingsmycardio readers 25% off the entire site through wed 12/17.  just use code SHOPPINGSMYCARDIO at checkout!

i have been so excited to introduce this latest interview!  lauren moffatt is one of the hottest contemporary designers in fashion right now – her looks are coveted by everyone from cameron diaz to sofia bush, and with good reason.  lauren has an amazing ability to design pieces that are both relaxed and sophisticated, and completely unlike anything else out there.  i jumped at the chance to chat with her, and find out exactly what makes this superstar designer tick!

ShoppingsMyCardio:  How did you get started in fashion?  Tell us your story!  

Lauren Moffatt:  For as long as I can remember, I’ve looked forward to getting up in the morning and figuring out what I was going to wear.  I began making clothes when what I wanted wasn’t in the marketplace.

SMC:  I have to ask – I’ve heard that you once lived on a boat?  There must be a story there – I’d love to hear how that came about, and how it’s influenced you (if at all!).   

LM:  I did!  I lived on a sailboat in the Hudson River.  It was such a fun time of my life, and really enabled me, financially, to start the business.  The laid-back, bohemian lifestyle definitely influenced my aesthetic.  

SMC:  Your designs are incredibly popular with the celebrity set – do you design with that group in mind?

LM:  I don’t.  I design for myself.  Luckily, the pieces speak for themselves, and have become popular with stylists and celebrities.

SMC:  I love your designs because I think you have a really strong point of view.  Can you tell us a little about where your designs are coming from, and who your ideal customer is?  Are you designing for a certain woman, or a lifestyle, or something else entirely?   

LM:  I design things that I would like to wear.  They are effortless-looking, while still being special.  I never like looking too “put together,” and our collection reflects that.  Our customers are women who value not wearing something everyone else has.  They mix old with new, messy with neat, and the outcome is just a cool look.  

SMC:  When you actually sit down to design, what do you need around you to be creative?  

LM:  A cup of tea!

SMC:  Tell us about your fall collection – what are some of the key styles you’re most excited about, and what’s your favorite piece from the fall line?

LM:  The high-waisted skirt, the boyfriend blazer and the ladylike minidress are all great silhouettes for fall.  My favorite piece has to be our long wool military coat!

SMC:  I’d love a little sneak peek at spring trends – can you give us an idea of what to expect from your line?

LM:  A lot of gray, with pops of bright color.  Also, you’ll see short silhouettes, but more body-conscious looks.

SMC:  Other than your own designs, what are your three favorite items in your closet right now?

LM:  A fabulous Stella McCartney dress, a pair of perfect vintage Levi’s, and a hand-printed silk scarf from a New York flea market.

SMC:  If you could design for any person, living or not, who would you choose?

LM:  Kate Moss

SMC:  What one style secret do you wish you could teach every woman out there

LM:  Accessories make the biggest difference in your look.  It’s so important not to over-accessorize, but what a great scarf, or bangle, or even just a fabulous pair of earrings will do for your outfit is huge.

SMC:  Last, a few easy ones:

• Eggs or waffles?  Eggs (but Benedict!)
• Polaroid or digital?  I’d love to say Polaroid, it’s so much more romantic, but digital.
• High tea or happy hour?  Definitely high tea.
• Shorts or skirts?  Skirts
• Go out or stay in?  Go out!!

lauren, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us and share a few fashion secrets! you can check out lauren’s entire fall line at her website, or shop styles online at shopbop!

that’s right – the amazingly talented designer, rebecca minkoff, very kindly took some time out of her busy day to tell all of us about her exciting new collection for fall ‘08, as well as to share some more of her fantastic tips on fashion and design!  she also graciously granted us a sneak peek at her fall collection…and trust me, you’re going to want to see this!  just click “read the rest of this entry” below, and check it out!

shoppingsmycardio:  Your new line for fall is amazing!  You’ve really expanded your collection with so many new shapes and styles.  What inspired you with some of these newer designs?

rebecca minkoff:  Well, I was just in Paris recently, getting ready to open up sales there and all around Europe, and I really got inspired being there.  I just thought, “Let’s make a really big group and come out with a bang!”. 

SMC:  What is your design process like?  Do you have a specific bag in mind, a gap in the collection?  Or do you design for a specific type of woman, or a certain situation in life (like the “morning after,” for example)? 

RM:  I would say my design process is wild and varied.  It’s a mix – I get inspiration from vintage shows and research, or I’ll start getting ideas just on the street, like I came up with the design for my Matinee bag when I saw someone on the street wearing a Michael Jackson “Thriller” jacket.  I see great clothing everywhere, and it definitely inspires me.

SMC:  What is the one item in your closet that you just couldn’t live without?  Besides your handbags, of course!

RM:  I have this pair of Ixos shoes, they’re kind of strappy and gladiator-like, but not like the gladiator shoes that everyone and their mother has these days.  These are sort of more bondage-style, but they’re definitely my favorite right now. 

SMC:  The last year must have been amazing for you – I thought you were popular before, but you’ve developed an incredibly loyal customer base, to say the least.  Has it surprised you that it’s gotten to the point that people collect, say, the Morning After Bag in every color it’s available in? 

RM:  You know, it was always what I wanted and hoped for with the Morning After Bag when it came out, so for me it’s more like a dream come true. I couldn’t have asked for that bag to have a better play-out.  And it’s not just in the states – they’re discovering it everywhere now.  The Morning After is catching on in places like London, Singapore and Korea.  And we’re just starting to sell in Europe, so I’m excited about what’s ahead.

SMC:  It seems like you’re experimenting more with texture this fall – the crinkled leathers, the distressed, etc.  Can you tell me a little about that?

RM:  For fall we definitely mixed it up a lot.  We have a faux stingray, patent, crinkled patent, red & cream stripe and a black & cream stripe coming for September.  I really want to keep having a lot of the same shapes but putting a twist on them to keep them fresh so that people keep having a reason to buy the Morning After.

SMC:  What’s your favorite bag from the new collection, and what do you love about it?

RM:  For fall, the Cheri satchel is my favorite, especially in purple patent.  I love how much room it has and how it’s structured, but the more you wear it the more it gets a little slouchy but still retains its structure.  It also has a double strap so that if you don’t want to carry it on your shoulder, you can carry it cross-body.  Almost every girl these days is requesting cross body straps for their bags. 

SMC:  Really?  I had no idea they were becoming so popular…but it makes sense!

RM:  Yes, I get so many questions about why the Morning After doesn’t have a cross-body strap.  And the reality is I’d love to do it, but it becomes a price resistance thing for my distributors.  Straps are really expensive to make because you waste so much leather, and it’s a matter of convincing them not to increase the retail price too much when we add in the strap.  But I’m working on it!

SMC:  What are some other new trends you’re seeing for handbags?

RM:  Well, my Nikki bag is experiencing a huge resurgence in popularity – people are discovering it again, so that’s been great.  Also, our Market Tote was featured in the Sex and the City movie, so that’s been huge.  Also, oversize clutches – we have the Rendezvous clutch for fall, that’s been doing well – I have girls tell me they can take it out in the evening and it holds absolutely everything they need.

SMC:  What’s coming up for your brand? 

RM:  Oh, I’m really excited about our holiday collection, it’s so fun – lots of metallic colors, so you can take them to holiday parties.  I get so many letters and emails from fans of the line, and girls tell me stories about how they love their bags so much that they sleep with them the first night they get them, or that they’re getting in trouble for checking out their bag more than their boyfriend, so we did a whole photo shoot on girls loving Minkoff.  We’ll also be doing a gift with purchase with a heart shaped mirror compact, so that will be exciting. 

For our resort line, we’re using very rich leathers, and a lot of bright, great colors.  We’re also doing some faux croc!  Resort is a really fun collection.

SMC:  Okay, now, some easy questions!  Heels or flats?

RM:  Both, it depends on where I’m going!

SMC:  Coffee or tea? 

RM:  Usually tea, but lately it’s been coffee, since we’re moving our offices, which has kept me so busy.

SMC:  Appetizer or dessert? 

RM:  Oh, dessert – definitely!

SMC:  I’m guessing days off are something you don’t get that often.  What’s your perfect Sunday like? 

RM:  I have a newfound affection for kickball, so we’ll get a group of friends together and go to the park and play kickball.  Or, just go up my friend’s house in the Hamptons – the pretty, laidback part – and just sunbathe. 

SMC:  And, last but not least – I still remember your tip from our last chat about having a tailor put a dart in your old jeans to give them a butt-lift!  Can you give us another fabulous fashion secret you’ve learned?

RM:  You’re going to think I’m crazy, but lately I’ve been sleeping with my mascara on.  You know when you’re trying to get that whole blurred, smudgy effect with your eye makeup?  I usually can’t get it right, but sometimes if I sleep with my mascara on, I wake up and it’s perfect.

thank you so much to rebecca for chatting with us – as always, she is just amazing to talk to!  for those that are lusting after every bag above (like, say, me) – the pre-fall collection is available online now.  and the rest of the collection will release in september, so keep an eye on rebecca’s website! 

shoppingsmycardio: i have to start by gushing a little – i just love le train bleu. you do such a great job of picking really wearable pieces that are still so unique, and i love that you manage to mix in vintage and a few key home accessories as well, without making the store feel disorganized at all. how did you come up with the concept for the store? 

le train bleu: Ah, thanks – that totally makes my day. The homewares, apothecary, and vintage selections are fairly new and just stages in a long evolution. It’s a little known fact but Le Train Bleu actually started as an activewear store, albeit a very eclectic and eccentric one. I started out selling activewear as fashion. We had a lot of dancewear – high-fashion legwarmers (there was a terrific company called Dosty that we couldn’t keep in stock), cool dancewear imported from a company in Italy called Dimensione Danza. You can see a vestige of these roots on the site now if you look closely: we still sell leotards!

SMC: you have a knack for finding designs (and designers, for that matter) that really are “up and coming” – your shoppers get the high fashion look without necessarily the high fashion price tag. how do you decide what pieces and designers to stock?

LTB: It’s very instinctual—I buy whatever makes my heart race. I’ve gotten smarter about it though as I’ve gone along. I do make a concerted effort to have a range of prices. There are some surprises in regards to price though: my core customer is not very hampered by price and it’s not because they’re rolling in dough. It’s a very small niche market of people who are hard-core fashion collectors. They are the trendsetters and will scrimp and save and blow half their paycheck on a pair of high-waist jeans from Australia, because they just have to have them. This means that I can just as easily sell a $600 dress as a $60 pair of boots. It just has to be the right dress. The right boots too, for that matter.

SMC: tell me what trends you’re most excited about for fall ’08.

LTB: Midi hemlengths! I am shocked by how hard it is to find a skirt or dress that falls anywhere below the knee right now but for Fall we’ll have some more options: I’m very excited by the Tibi collection. And the color red—I can’t get enough.

SMC: what trends from last year are you counting on to stick around, and which pieces should we send to goodwill?

LTB: I guess I think more in terms of moods and stories than trends. I would be heartbroken to know that my customers were casting off things they had purchased one season earlier from Le Train Bleu—that runs totally contrary to what I feel about clothes. For me, clothes become dear friends and we might have periods in our lives where we fall in and out of each other’s lives (I do have some things in boxes that I’m not wearing right now, but I know in a year or two they’ll be back in my closet).

SMC: if a woman wanted to choose one special piece to update her wardrobe right now, what would you point her toward?

LTB: A trench coat is timeless and ageless and there’s one for everyone. I think a little structured tailoring is always cool and flattering.

SMC: what are your 3 favorite pieces in store right now?

LTB: On my shopping list right now would be the Speak Easy candle (vapors of gin, pipe tobacco and wood), The Vera Blouse from the Australian line Fleur Wood (very me – a slightly 1970s style via the 1940s in an amazing print and color), and the Bianca Dress from Heidi Merrick (her dresses are so well tailored).

SMC: what is your favorite piece of clothing (or accessory) that you’re wearing today?

LTB: Well, it’s morning and I’m still at home in my ritual of answering emails and drinking my coffee. I’m wearing my beloved cotton Thai fisherman’s trousers.

SMC: tell us about your favorite, never-fail outfit.

LTB: A wrap-around skirt, a very slim cut printed blouse (I love the 70s cut again, lean through the torso and cut high in the armhole) and a pair of heeled boots. If it’s cold, a really tailored great wool coat.

SMC: what one style secret do you wish you could teach every woman out there?

LTB: Relish the choices we have and when the marketplace offers up a style that is perfectly you, stock up. I haven’t worn a babydoll dress or a pair of skinny jeans in my life because they don’t suit me at all but I have been taking full advantage of the high-waist styles that have been offered in the last few years, because that style works well for my body type and my personal style, being a lover of the ’70s silhouette.

bria, thank you so much! i know you’ve given me loads of new ideas for my wardrobe, and can’t tell you how much i appreciate your taking the time to share your advice with all of us!

oh, and for those who are now lusting after everything on the le train bleu website, you might recall from my last le train bleu post that they currently have a lucky mag discount code for 25% off, good through june 1. use code luckybreaks1 at checkout!

(photo of grace’s lovely home, courtesy of d*s)

shoppingsmycardio: with all of the time you spend scoping out new designers, pieces, and artists, how do you restrain yourself from buying one of everything? i guess what i’m asking is, budget aside, what keeps your style consistent?

DS: Right now it would be to focus on quality pieces and let accessories do the trend-talking. When it comes down to it, we’re all on some sort of budget so it makes sense to stick to classic pieces that won’t go in and out of style quickly and leave the fun, trendy purchases to small things like lighting and pillows. Those smaller, less-expensive pieces will let you play with color and pattern without maxing out your credit card.

i’d like to extend a really huge thank you to grace for taking the time to talk with us. she’s a busy, busy lady these days, between the incredible success of design*sponge, her new gig as a contributing editor at domino magazine (my all-time favorite mag, by the way), and the zillions of other projects she’s always working on. if d*s isn’t already in your top blog reads, i hope you’ll change that soon – it’s really a fab and inspirational site!

(ps…if you missed the first half of the interview, catch it here!)

i am positively addicted to her site – it’s the first place i check for inspiration whenever i’m ready for some changes to the home decor at casa SMC, whether it’s a fabulous new serving piece for my upcoming soiree, a new piece of art, or a complete room remodel.

grace is such a sweetheart that she very kindly offered to share some of her expertise and advice with all of us. i loved her answers so much that i’m actually splitting the interview across two days – it’s just too much good information for one post. so, look for the second half later this week. and now, without further adieu…

a huge thank you to the fabulous design*sponge for all of this fabulous advice, and stay tuned for the rest of this interview later this week – grace gave loads of wonderful advice for buying art and restyling your own home.

(ps…i just want to point out that that last tip is a truly fabulous one…i never realized how easy it was to reupholster a chair until i just stopped being scared and tried it. now i’m addicted!)

reform school started out as a brick & mortar store in the los angeles area, but owners billie and tootie quickly found there was such tremendous demand for their wares that they set up the website, and it’s been uphill ever since.

one of my very favorite qualities about the site, in addition to the dozens of fabulous things i never knew i needed but suddenly can’t live without, is their ’student of the month’ series. the owners collaborate with well-known or up-and-coming artists to develop a limited-edition print that is only available through reform school, and is priced to make the work of these amazing artists affordable for anyone. i recently picked up this amazing print by jen garrido (her first print, actually), of whom i’ve been a longtime fan.

there are literally so many things i want to show you all that this post would be ridiculous if i wrote them all up. so, i’m just going to post pictures along with the interview. just click the pics, and enjoy what billie and tootie had to say – they’re just fantastic people!

shoppingsmycardio: i would love to know how you and your partner came up with the concept for this store – i don’t think there’s anything else like it out there. can you tell me a little about how you decide what makes it onto the shelves, and what the overall concept/inspiration is?

reform school: Basically the concept came from our love of several different things…handmade contemporary crafts, sustainable design and independent art and artists. We thought they fused well together and they were all related on some level. Our focus is obviously one of reused or recycled materials. Simply, what makes it onto our shelves are items we find unique and that we would enjoy in our own homes or lives. As partners, we’re always bouncing product ideas off one another and most of the time we’re on the same page. However, if one feels really strongly about something and the other may not be so into it…we trust eachothers instinct to at least give it a shot. So far this has worked out really well for us.

SMC: do you buy one of everything you stock? i’m not sure i’d be able to stop myself!

RS: We’ve learned to control ourselves a bit on ordering but still have a way to go. It’s definitely a huge perk.

SMC: what are your top 3 favorite items on the site right now?

RS: Always the Student of the Month. It’s just very personal to us. It means alot to us that these artists are willing to create something exclusively for ReForm School. We both love the Ayumi Horie pottery, Yu-i Chen scarves, We Are So Good Together print, and of course the Treeblock Treehouse and building blocks for kids. Okay, okay,…so that more than three, but really…we could keep going on and on!

SMC: are there any areas of the site you’d like to expand on in the near future?

RS: Yes, we plan to add bigger items such furniture and it’s always a thrill to discover up and coming artists whose work hasn’t been seen anywhere else. (Such as Yu-i Chen…..she’s unbelievable!) We’re constantly working on more exclusives with different artists and companies.

SMC: i absolutely love the ’student of the month’ series – can you tell us a little about how that came into being? any artists you’re working with that you could give us a sneak preview of?

RS: Obviously when you open up a shop, you want to offer something different and origianal and we are always looking for ways to work more closely with our favorite artists. The Student of the Month is a great way to keep customers interested and it certainly keep us on our tippy toes constantly seeking new artists and product for each month. Look for new work by Alyson Fox, Hammerpress, K-Studio and many more in the coming months.

SMC: normally, i’d ask about your favorite, no-fail outfit. but i’d actually like to know about your favorite, no-fail home decor tips. any words of wisdom for those of us who are desperately trying to make our homes as cool as reform school?

RS: Personally we rely on flea markets, thrifting…and the best…curbside giveaways! Any product from ReForm School would fit well with any decor Just like clothing…always invest in quality pieces. We always ask ourselves…is this something we’ll like 5-10 years from now. It’s a great way to practice sustainability.

a huge, huge thank you to billie and tootie for taking the time to chat with us.

one big ordering tip: if something you love looks “out of stock,” it’s worth checking in with the store before you dispair. they get new stock in so often, it’s entirely possible what you’re looking for is in the shop and just not up on the site yet.

ooh, and….well, let’s just say if you’re not already a daily candy deals subscriber, but you saw something you liked at reform school…well, today would be a really good day to sign up.