COCKTAIL CHATTER: The Street Style Maverick

I absolutely love Bill Cunningham. He is the ultimate authority when it comes to capturing street style -- he lives and breathes it and it shows.

COCKTAIL CHATTER: Calloohh Callet

I absolutely love this. What a simple (yet genius!) idea. Such a great way to carry your phone, work ID and a little cash when you run out of the office to grab lunch! Check out TheCallet.com.

COCKTAIL CHATTER: "Shopping Bulimia" - Disease or De-stress?

Recently the term "shopping bulimics" has been hitting the net with fire power. The terms refers to shoppers who "binge" by ordering a large amount of items from online retailers, before receiving the items and "purging" by returning the majority of the pieces (through free shipping, of course!).

I have to admit that I am definitely guilty of shopping bulimia. Scouring the latest on Net-A-Porter or Anthropologie.com has become somewhat of a ritual for me as I sit in bed and click through 'spring essentials' before I go to sleep.

While reading this NY Post article I just kept thinking, "this is me!" But I had never put a label on this strange consumerist cycle in which I often find myself. The actual process of having an entire store at your fingertips, clicking "Place Order," and then opening up your box of goodies a few days later is one that I am quite familiar with.

The process cures me of that itch to spend money but, in the end, doesn't have as much of an impact on my wallet because I, like my fellow "shopping bulimics," return the majority of my purchases. The things I do keep I put more thought into rather than count them among impulse purchases I may have made in-store. I can live with them online items for a few days (most online returns don't have to be made for 30 days) -- drape them over a chair or try them on with pieces I already have. I don't have to make the 10 minute impulse decision in the dressing room that might land me a new pair of trousers that are actually too short to wear with my suede, peep-toe heels.

Although this the process of returing adds extra work to retailers who must process these orders, ship them out (usually on their dime), and then process and repackage returns, in the end, they are getting product into customers' homes.

There's definitely something psychological associated to this cycle; although, for me, the jury's still out on whether this is a harmful "addiction" or just a way to cure the shopping tick.

SARTORIAL SANITY: The Runway's Resident Bad Ass - Erin Wasson

COCKTAIL CHATTER: Zoe Chanel, Chanel Zoe

It looks like Rachel Zoe was 'inspired,' to say the least, by Karl Lagerfeld's Fall/Winter 2010 Chanel collection.

SARTORIAL SANITY: St. John the Victorious

Growing up, St. John was always the brand my grandmother went to for what she called the epitome of 'timeless.' From my grandmother and mom drooling over the classic knits and opulent tweeds, I always thought that St. John was an 'older' house. But last Fall I bought my first St. John piece--a grey, cropped and ruched jacket.

I am now officially converted to the 'older is wiser' team and am taking queues from my more 'sophisticated' family. Pairing these pieces with younger and more modern designers makes for a classically cool look--just like the industry defining brand has done in combining a simple white t-shirt with a fur muffler and a formal floor-length skirt.

SARTORIAL SANITY: Rachel Zoe's preggers belly spawns genius

I was pleasantly surprised by Rachel Zoe's eponymous Fall 2011 collection. The pregnant designer (who still does not appear to be showing) pleasantly surprised with tailored pieces and innovative reincarnations of classic styles--a direction I was glad to see did not follow her signature strictly bohemian ways. From wool capes to slim fitting military suits and metallic cardigans, Rachel keeps things cool, sinfully chic and uber-wearable. In homage, 'I die.'

COCKTAIL CHATTER: Muffler Memories

I am absolutely smitten by this image shot by Scott Schuman aka "The Sartorialist." When I was little my sister and I loved to play dress up. Our favorite dress up accessory? A vintage cream, fur muffler. I have no idea where it came from but whether we were having tea with the queen or walking the red carpet, our little hands were always tucked inside the soft safety of the muffler--quite a sophisticated security blanket, no? Hah! Anyway, it's safe to say that you don't see mufflers too often anymore but, as with everything else, it appears that chic stops here, in Milano--hands safely tucked inside Chanel.

COCKTAIL CHATTER: Well, hello Dr. Martin...

While I grew up in Chicago, my dad worked in Manchester, England so my sister and I were always jumping to and from across the pond while we were growing up--I can do a pretty spot-on English accent. And when most of my classmates throughout elementary and grammar school were buying their back-to-school Sketchers, I was picking out my back-to-school Dr. Martins. The classic English shoe (although, the original Dr. Klaus Maertens was actually German and later joined in an unlikely partnership with an English cobbler) wasn't always the most popular among my American friends but I loved the fact that visiting my dad in Manchester always meant going to pick out a new pair of "Doc Martins." Although they've come and gone in American fashion, there's something so British about them that I love. So it's safe to say that I was more than a little psyched to see their S/S 2011 collection. From pastels to suedes to animal prints, the doctor has definitely been popping some modern pills.

TINSELTOWN TAWDRY: The Worst of the 2011 Golden Globes - Better luck next year girls!

Somebody's got to take the prize home and for this year's Golden Globes my worst dressed was Sandra Bullock. I have to say that I do like this gown and I do appreciate it when starlets go for something that is generally out of character but with Sandra, this takes it too far. This look, in all of its eye-shielding bang glory, is too young for Sandra who should be embracing her age rather than trying to hideout in a 20-something-year-old's Bohemian gown. From shrouded to crowded, there was now doubt that January Jones's own Golden Globes were out to play last night. I do like the bodice of her Versace gown but the fringe skirt takes it from chic to costume. I usually love Olivia Wilde's red carpet choices which is why, although she looked beautiful, I was disappointed with her look this year only because I thought she could have done better. I feel like I've seen a version of this Marchesa gown on every young starlet who got carried away with sequins and tulle--this looks like something we'd see in a Taylor Swift video. Although, I do give her props for her killer yellow Louboutins. From all covered up in Burberry to a little too much flower power in Valentino, Leighton Meester and Michelle Williams also landed on my 'Better Luck Next Year' list for trying to make a statement and stuttering to get it out.

TINSELTOWN TAWDRY: The Best of the 2011 Golden Globes

Although this year's Golden Globes red carpet fashion wasn't quite as racy or out there as Ricky Gervais' hosting material, there was a cool reminiscence of old hollywood glamour with a chic, minimalistic twist. Piper Perabo is my pick for best dressed in her black satin Oscar de la Renta gown; Eva Longoria also wasn't afraid to go black in her Zac Posen that fit like a glove. But blush and nude tones stole the show with Anne Hathaway in a disc-sequined Armani Prive, Dianna Agron looking stunning in a shimmering J. Mendel and Scarlett in a bohemian, vintage inspired Elie Saab. Both Mila Kunia and Catherine Zeta-Jones rocked emerald green (a big trend at this year's Globes); Claire Danes and Emma Stone took things to the lighter side in pretty pastels that stood out brilliantly on the scarlet carpet.

SARTORIAL SANITY: The Art of Time

I am obsessed with these watches from NYC's Dedegumo. Each piece is completely unique and handmade by Japanese artists before they are imported to Dedegumo's U.S. store. I love that these pieces of art bring the literal process of telling time back to a sort of art form in itself. The antique metals combined with the rustic leather give such an old world look that would be beautiful on its own or complimented with a wrist-full of bracelets and bangles.

COCKTAIL CHATTER: I'm Baaack...

Well, it has been quite a while. I guess that my absence has been proof that I am not one who greatly succeeds with multi-tasking. Since I landed a new job, things have been busy and I have an unhealthy pile of Post-It notes full of things that I've wanted to share with you. Here's to getting through the stack!

COCKTAIL CHATTER: Show some blogger love girls!

I love model, Rumi Neely's blog, Fashion Toast and was so excited to hear that she's going to be collaborating with DANNIJO on a line of rings, cuffs and necklaces to be sold on Tobi.com. Pre-sale is going on now so check it out!