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Though she tells People magazine she’s “fragile” and “not in a great place right now,” Heidi Montag insists she’s the happiest she’s ever been, despite her mother’s bewilderment with her surgically-produced physical transformation.

Montag recently saw her mother Darlene Egelhoff for the first time since her plastic surgery marathon in late 2009 during which she had 10 procedures in a day. The reunion, which took place in Crested Butte, Colorado, Montag’s hometown, didn’t exactly go as planned.

Telling People that her mother looked at her like a “zoo animal” and a “circus freak,” Montag insisted that the only problem her mom had with her new plastic face and body was that “Spencer was there for me and she wasn’t.” Spencer is the widely disliked reality television star that Montag is married to. Mom also expressed her feelings that the great pressures of the music industry are warping Heidi’s self image, but Heidi says that her surgical changes are necessary to her career as a pop star, because part of being a pop star is being “the most beautiful, inside and out.”

Heidi’s sister Holly, who also appears on the “reality” show The Hills on MTV applauded her sister’s action, saying “She’s being very strong and holding to her own morals and I’m very proud of her.”

The Grammy Red Carpet is probably one of the most trying things to try to dress for. Sure, everyone wants to look good, but with an edge. Straight up “Old Hollywood” glamour is a little out of place here, but it’s also easy for stars to get carried away and end up looking ridiculous. There’s a fine line between an “outfit” and a “get-up”, and at the Grammys you can expect a lot of stars to cross that line. Time for some armchair stylist action.

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I adore Beyonce, and I wouldn’t begrudge her any award she’s ever gotten. I thought she handled that whole MTV Music Awards thing with Kanye West with great grace and class. And since I’m starting out by saying these things, you can probably guess that I wasn’t crazy about her dress at the Grammy awards. It looked as if it were made out of pull tabs from soda cans. I think that sparkle and glitz are great – in fact, they’re perfect for the Grammy’s, but she looked as if she could’ve been Isaac Hayes date when he won the Grammy for “Shaft” in 1972.

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From the hips up, I thought Pink’s dress on the red carpet was awesome. She’s really a beautiful girl, even if she doesn’t fit the sweet sugar-princess stereotype. But I just can’t make myself like those fishtail hems. With the ombre effect, where the closer to the hem you got, the darker the dress got, I couldn’t help but think of it being dragged through mud or silt or something. Someone should have grabbed a pair of scissors, lopped the dress off just above the knee, and then run like hell because she would probably come after them to mete out some instant justice. The dress would have looked 100% better, though.

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Taylor Swift also went the edgy black dress route and got it just right. She has the slender figure that demands a certain level of sophistication to avoid looking like a teenager playing dress-up, and her KaufmanFranco  jersey halter dress was perfect for her.

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It almost pains me to say this, but Miley Cyrus was also a hit in a black dress by Max Azria. It is a similar pain to that I get when I see her line of clothing she collaborated with Max Azria on in Walmart. It upsets me that I like some of the designs enough to want some of them, even though they’re for teens. Ah, well. Miley looked lovely, and that’s the bottom line.

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To me, the Grammy Red Carpet winner was Katy Perry. In a sugar-pink Jenny Packham dress, she channeled just enough old-school Hollywood, while showcasing her curvy figure with just the right amount of rock-and-roll suggestiveness. The sparkly earrings and bracelet punctuated the look perfectly. It gives me hope that she’ll pick a great wedding dress when she and Russell Brand say their vows later this year.

Brown believes that every woman possesses natural beauty, and if she has the right skills and tools, she can enhance her own beauty and in the process enhance her confidence. The campaign features real women – not models or celebrities – with their before and after testimonials, photos, and videos. They form the heart of the campaign, which you can learn more about by clicking this link.

The campaign includes a video contest where women show and tell how they go from pretty to powerful by using Bobbi Brown cosmetics. Videos are accepted through February 9, and all women who love the power of makeup to help them maximize their confidence are invited to share their stories and tips.
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Fifteen finalists will be selected to receive a selection of Bobbi Brown cosmetics and the new Color Strips collection that they can use for their next Pretty Powerful video. Starting in March, this new round of 15 Pretty Powerful videos will be open for votes on http://bobbibrown.com/prettypowerful.

Every time someone casts a vote, Brown donates $1 to the Dress For Success organization, which provides underprivileges women with suitable clothing for job interviews and advice on career development. Brown will personally select three grand prize winners, all of whom will go to New York for brunch with her and a master class in makeup techniques. You can check out Brown’s own video on the Bobbi Brown Cosmetics YouTube channel.

So what are you waiting for! Show the world what makes you Pretty and Powerful.

Cristobal Balenciaga was a designer among designers, with his exceptional sewing skills and drive for perfection equal to his gift for design. Even Christian Dior called him “the master of us all.” Today, Nocolas Ghesquiere is head of womenswear for Balenciaga and brings a fresh, young interpretation of the classics to the late designer’s fashion label. The shoes are no exceptions!

One perfect example of hip takes on the classics is Balenciaga’s black leather peep-toe boots, combining the sexiness of the boot with the sexiness of the sandal. The leather front covers the foot to the ankle, except for the peep toe. A strap around the back of the ankle has a gold colored metal buckle. They also have a platform and an approximately 5 inch heel. A long, bias-cut skirt will flutter gracefully around these shoes, drawing flattering attention to them.

If you’re looking for the ultimate pair of platform booties, then these leather platform ankle boots with tie detail are your solution. Made from supple suede, the toe is softly squared, and the vamp is pleated with a tie detail at the side and side zipper closure. It has a rubber sole, a 4.25 inch curved heel, and a platform of approximately 1 inch. Again, a long skirt would look great with these, but it should be a fairly plain skirt so as not to compete with the awesomeness of these boots!

Balenciaga’s Yoox collection for Fall and Winter also features these luscious Shoe boots with suede inner vamp that zips, and varnished patent leather on outer vamp and stiletto heel. The toes are squared off, and there is a bow detail where the inner vamp meets the outer vamp. And speaking of inner vamp, wearing these shoes will definitely unleash your inner vamp. They’re so sexy you may leave scorch marks as you walk! They’ll look great with skirts or slacks, particularly those with a more tailored “menswear” look.

Cristobal Balenciaga was the best of the best, and today Nicolas Ghesquiere continues that tradition with styles that are hip, new, and uncompromising in quality.

Christine Mighion, jewelry designer from Indiana, realized her calling in jewelry design after taking a metalsmithing class at a local museum. Soon after, she started selling her jewelry at local galleries, designs that go beautifully with favorite old jeans and a tee, as well as with a dressed up look.

She is also dedicated to being socially and environmentally responsible, choosing suppliers associated with ethical and environmentally safe mining practices. She also supports national charitable organizations like the Ronald McDonald House, as well as arts organizations and environmental organizations.

All her pieces are made from recycled 14K gold and stones that have been responsibly mined. Prices range from under $100 to $670.

A perfect example of “goes with everything” beauty are her 14K Gold Lotus Petal and Tanzanie Hoop earrings. Each gold lotus petal features a dainty 2.5 mm tanzanite stone. The petals are all handmade from molten gold. The petals and hoops have been hammered to have a gorgeous matte satin finish for a beautiful, modern look. These would be at home with your everyday work clothes as well as your casual weekend pieces.

A perfect Valentine’s gift would be Christine Mighion’s 14K Gold Lotus Petal and Tanzanite Necklace. Beautifully coordinated with the earrings, this 18 inch, 14K gold ball chain features a 3 mm tanzanite stone on a gold lotus petal. Because each petal is made by hand, no two are alike. All lotus petals have a matte satin finish.

Speaking of Valentine’s Day, wouldn’t it be fabulous to receive this 14K Gold and Rhodolite Garnet Stacking Ring Set? Made from recycled 14K gold, one of the bands has on 3 mm garnet and the other band has one 3 mm garnet and another 2.5 mm garnet. Bands are 2 mm wide and have been hammered to a matte satin finish. You could wear this every day and it would never look out of place.

Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it, so it’s time to start dropping some hints!

The “She” in ShopSheBoutique.com stands for “She Has Everything.” The shop is tops for sophistication, glamour, and everything that is fashion forward in Chicago. The blend of styles is eclectic with influences from Europe to the California coast. Casual knitwear and gorgeous dresses are She Boutique’s specialties.

If you don’t have a chance to shop the 2,200 square foot boutique in Highland Park, you can shop online at your convenience. Do you have a little black dress, otherwise known as the LBD? If not, why not? If so, wouldn’t it be great to have more than one? Here are some great designs to lust after.

If you have great legs and don’t mind showing them off, then this Alice + Olivia dress with a sculptural skirt will have everyone doing a double take when they see the asymmetrical skirt. The asymmetry is designed to be flattering, suggesting curvy hips and great legs.

The Paulina Dress in black, by Black Halo features draping reminiscent of some of the best party wear of the 1980s. It’s sophisticated, dressy, and designed with a sophisticated front slit.

SEA’s Jersey Pleat and Silk Zip Up Dress is almost the anti-LBD. With a fitted waist, and side pleats at the waist band, it closes with a long zipper that runs from the collar to the bottom of the waist. Perfect when worn with black ankle boots and attitude.

The Black Beetle Criss Cross Dress is a lovely, ladylike dress. It has a princess seam across bust and built in boning from the bust to the waist. The criss cross trimmed skirt is topped with a tulip-shaped bubble layer. It also has an invisible back zipper and back keyhole opening.

You  know another great thing about these fabulous black dresses? If you use the promotional code: “coutureinthecity” you’ll get 25% off your purchase! No excuses now!

Shop shopsheboutique.com

Photo from fOTOGLIF

Photo from fOTOGLIF

Nominee Diane Kruger’s glamorous asymmetrical Jason Wu gown was the inspiration for the soft, romantic side-chignon that celebrity stylist Mark Townsend created for the SAG awards.

How to get Diane Kruger’s look:

“I started by taking a small amount of Moroccanoil® Treatment and finger combed it through Diane’s dry hair” explained Townsend. “The original Moroccanoil® is super light-weight and absorbs right in, to give the hair amazing shine without weighing it down.

“I then took 2 inch sections of hair and wrapped them around a 1 and 1/2 inch curling iron to create waves all over the head. Next, I took a small amount of Moroccanoil® Hydrating Styling Cream in my palms and then raked my hands through the hair to break up the waves, eliminate any fly-aways, and give the hair a soft hold. Next, I gathered her hair behind her left ear and loosely braided it, gathering about an inch from the bottom, then looped the end of the braid back up and pinned it behind her left ear.

I finished by giving the style hold with L’Oreal Elnett Extra Strong Hold Hairspray followed by a light misting of Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray.

Moroccanoil® products used to create Diane Kruger’s look:

Moroccanoil® Treatment. a proprietary argan oil-infused formula, is exclusively designed to give hair a natural-looking silky, lustrous shine and a frizz- and static-free finish. It strengthens, conditions and revitalizes hair while significantly reducing drying time by up to 40%.

Moroccanoil® Hydrating Styling Cream gives beautifully hydrating and natural-looking hold while eliminating frizz, and adding definition and shine.

Moroccanoil® Glimmer Shine Spray creates an instant mist of long-lasting, incomparable shine while protecting hair from the damaging effects of UV light and free radicals.

Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung is many things: TV personality, model, DJ, writer, photographer, downtown-cool style icon, best-dressed-list mainstay . . . and now she can add fashion designer to the list. She’s is partnering with Madewell, the heritage denim label that’s part of J.Crew Group, to create an exclusive collection for her first-ever collaboration with any label due to debut fall2010. Chung will translate her widely admired aesthetic and irreverently sexy tomboy look to this limited-edition Alexa Chung for Madewell collection, which will include covetable jeans and a tightly-edited group of key pieces to wear with them. The collection will be sold through madewell1937.com – which will also be launching ecommerce this spring and in Madewell stores nationwide. Chung will also be the creative muse and face of the collection for a planned fall ad campaign.

“I’m very excited for my first collaboration and thrilled that it’s with Madewell,” says British-bred Chung. “This partnership came together organically and is a great fit as the brand is so classic and really encompasses my style.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the team and I can’t wait for my friends to wear it!”

The evolution of the relationship between Madewell and Chung was a natural one: When the Madewell team, already inspired by Chung’s innate style, learned that Chung, in turn, was a Madewell fan (and a regular at Madewell’s Soho store), they knew their mutual admiration could be spun into a partnership fusing their creative sensibilities.

“Alexa’s style is inspiring and inventive, yet unbelievably approachable and down-to-earth,” says Madewell design director Kin Ying Lee. “The way she puts everything together is so spot-on and so perfectly Madewell. What excited us the most about Alexa is that she has such a clear point of view, and she enthusiastically brings that to the collection.”

In the lead up to the collection’s launch, the latest developments about the collection will be tweeted by Chung at twitter.com/madewell1937, and additional updates will be posted on madewell1937.com.