As a personal stylist in Los Angeles, the majority of my clients are creative professionals. Meaning they are 100% business but they work in a creative industry (think movie and television executives and fashion industry types). These women need to look professional while still expressing their creative side. Meaning there is no room for boring navy suits and pantyhose – save those for the White House.

Showing your sassy side while keeping it pro can be difficult. How do you balance the latest “it” shoe or bag without looking unprofessional? How do you wear a classic Theory suit without starting a snooze fest? Those are common questions that spill out my client’s mouths.

Lucky for you all, I do this for a living. Here are a couple of tips and tricks to nail the creative professional look. 

What you’ll need:

• A great fitting black blazer
• Slim fit trousers (solid, patterned, or basic black will do)
• Equipment blouses
• Pointy toe pumps
• A well made leather tote
• Statement jewelry

Shoes // Leather leggings // Blazer // Top // Bag 

How to get the look:

1. Wear at least one business-like garment. Whether it is a classic blazer, a pencil skirt, a button front blouse, or a shift dress – something on your body should say business. I’m a sucker for a blazer; nothing pulls a look together better than a blazer.
2. Be well heeled. A successful businesswoman is always well heeled. You can go trendy but be sure you are wearing closed toe shoes that are clean and polished to perfection.
3. Say it with accessories. Take a professional ensemble to the next level with jewelry that shows your personality. How amazing would a classic black suit with a crisp white blouse look with a colorful statement necklace? One simple addition to your look can take you out of boring town in a flash.
4. Neutrals are nice. Try wearing a non-businesslike silhouette in a professional atmosphere by wearing it in a soft neutral color. Something as wild as a motorcycle jacket can look downright conservative when you opt for a camel color instead of an inky black.

Lauren Messiah, is a Los Angeles based stylist and the creator of LaurenMessiah.com, a blog about designer deals, the hottest trends, and Lauren’s life as a fashion stylist.Lauren styles some of Hollywood’s most successful women in entertainment, celebrities, fashion editorials, and national ad campaigns. Lauren has been featured in Marie Claire, Vogue Italia, Grazia, WWD, OK! Magazine and Health Magazine.

The Kardashian sisters minus new mama Kim were nothing but smiles on their June 18th Brentwood froyo run, the girls’ first public outing since the birth of their new niece. Looking casual, cool, and very LA, the stylish duo didn’t scrimp on style amidst the family excitement. Not that we’re surprised.

Khloe kept things edgy in an ironic dripping Chanel logo tee and faded distressed denim. In proper Kardashian fashion, her outfit wasn’t complete without a pair of stilettos, in this case studded with a sky high heel.

“Little” big sister Kourtney was a vision of vintage beach glamour; her striped shorts, tied up blouse, and coral wedges were topped off with a luxurious white turban headband. Both Kardashians’ outing ensembles called for shade from the paparazzi, which they got thanks to some oversized black sunnies.

With aunties this chic, baby Kimye (quite possibly named Kaidence Georgia Donda West) is sure to be a style star from the start. In the meantime, we can try our own luck at looking Kardashian kool in Khloe and Kourtney’s looks for less.

1. Chanel Drip Tee, available at Skreened.com for $24.99
2. Light Denim Shorter Length Super Skinny Jeans, available at River Island for $80
3. Marc by Marc Jacobs MMJ 342/S, available at Couture.zappos.com for $98
4. Calfskin Cross-Body Bag, available at Brooks Brothers for $149
5. Nude Strappy Sandals, available at Wallisfashion.com for $44

1. Tie Front 3/4 Shirt, available at Ann Taylor for $58
2. Genie by Eugenia Kim Penny Twist Turban Headband in White Lace, available at Boutiquetoyou.com for $36
3. Spitfire Novocane Round Sunglasses, available at Urban Outfitters for $35
4. Gold Omega Cuff, available at BaubleBar.com  for $28
5. Stella McCartney d’Orsay Patent Cork Wedge, available at Bergdorf Goodman for $342
6. Emma Cook Stripe High-Waisted Shorts, available at Matchesfashion.com for $118

Meticulous print coordination, trendy accessorizing, ahead-of-the-game piece pairing—extravagant day-to-day style can be exhausting. For a more practical approach to Monday-through-Friday fashion, it’s important that the modern woman knows what her go-to classics should be and how to effortlessly put them together.

These simple pieces should be easy to find and quick to coordinate but still make for a standout result no matter what the occasion. A feminine pencil skirt, a cool white tee, a few styles of perfectly fitting denim, a tailored blazer, and a LBD or two will become your new posse of best friends for less-is-more styling. When choosing each piece, think clean lines, classic silhouettes, and sophisticated colors. Neutrals like white and black (totally on trend this season), camel, cream, and gray transcend the seasons, calling for lighter touches during spring and darker for cold months. In addition to your safe solids, go for pieces with always-in geometrics like polka dots, floral, and stripes.

As for accessories, less can be more as well. A dainty gold pendant plus a chunky watch are all you need when it comes to daily jewelry. Make sure you have a beautifully made, roomy everyday bag that color coordinates with the rest of your wardrobe. Footwear musts are simple too: a comfortable pair of smart pumps, cool flats, sleek boots, and cute sandals. Lastly, invest in a dark pair of sunglasses for an effortlessly chic final touch to every ensemble.

Tsk, tsk, forget to pay your taxes and risk time in the slammer. Just ask the designing duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana! The two were just sentenced to serve one year and eight months in jail for tax evasion.

The ruling is a result of a business transaction in 2004 where the brand sold its signature and D&G lines to a Luxembourg-based holding company Gado Srl. According to Vogue UK, the problem with the sale is that Italian authorities think it was done to avoid paying Italy’s taxes—an accusation Dolce and Gabbana have both denied.

It took the jury three hours to reach a verdict and the duo is expected to appeal the ruling. The prosecution is calling for not just D&G’s incarnation but also their company’s board member Cristiana Ruella for two years and their accountant for three.

Yikes.

The men aren’t the only two celebrities to be convicted of tax evasion. Nicolas Cage, Wesley Snipes and Joe Francis have also been found guilty of not paying their taxes.

Feel free to tweet your support to the designers using #freedolceandgabbana.

She may be Roc Nation’s latest addition, but Kylie Minoque has been in the industry for years—25 to be exact. The Australian import celebrated career, and the extravagant outfits that came with it, earlier this week with the release of her chic coffee table read, Kylie Fashion. “I look back at a piece and think, ‘I wore that for 77 shows around the world with all the pain, tears, blood, joy, and all sorts of stories and emotions along with it,’” she told ELLE about the many costumes featured in the retrospective tome. Aside from unreleased photos and sketches, the book contains Minogue musings from Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier, and the Dolce and Gabbana dream team. [ELLE]

White-on-white never looked so fresh. Jessica Alba cleaned up for the UK’s Sunday Times Style in Bottega Venetta, Calvin Klein, and Georgio Armani for the Eric Guillemain-shot spread. Inside the edition, the Sin City siren expounded upon motherhood and managing an Honest, eco-friendly brand. [Fashion Gone Rogue]

Remember that dress line we told you ABC was licensing for Revenge? It turns out its not the only project costume designer Jill Ohannesson has in store. The industry vet plans to launch a menswear line inspired by the show’s Nolan Ross character, and a separate brand for plus-sized women. [Fashionista]

While we’re on a nostalgic tip, rewind back to news of Georgia May Jagger fronting a Sisley campaign with her beau Josh McLellan. Well, here’s the full campaign—all 13 images. [Fashion Gone Rogue]

It’s a big win for the Minkoff sister-brother pair! Rebecca Minkoff and her co-founder/company CEO Uri Minkoff were awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the retail and consumer products space for the New York region. “It is so rare that siblings start businesses together and to do so with such a talent as Rebecca has been amazing,” brother Uri said of the accomplishment. “The Ernst & Young Awards are the pinnacle of entrepreneurship recognition, and we are so honored to have been recognized by them. What a journey it has been and it is only just the beginning.” [GLAM Inbox]

You may not be familiar with Nathan Bogle, but the brand he co-founded in 2002, Rag & Bone, may ring a bell. Although the designer parted ways with Marcus Wainwright in 2006 and was replaced with David Neville, he’s readying for a return to the fashion space with a new menswear line, Jardine. [The Cut]

With brands from BCBG Max Azria to Zac Posen debuting Resort 2014 collections, it may not be easy to sift through the season’s trends. Luckily, style savants at the New York Times have rounded up vacation-ready must-haves. Get ready to stock up on nautical wears, lace pants, python, and cropped sweaters paired with modest hemlines. [T Magazine]

While you’re busy coloring Cara Delevingne, Louis Vuitton was doing the same for a one-off scarf. The LVMH luxury brand teamed up with street artist Eine for a custom stole that will be available on June 24 at Selfridges London. [Vogue UK]

Festival fashion favorite Stone Cold Fox is about to enjoy a hot time in the city this season with an exclusive collection for Urban Outfitters.

Ninás by Stone Cold Fox, created by Cydney Morris and Dallas Wand, pulls from the California company’s archives for six pieces, including a long-sleeved lace dress, scalloped shorts, a crochet-back dress, lace-strap camisole, a button-front babydoll dress, and a crochet top – a personal favorite of Morris.

The brand, known for its beach-ready dresses and vintage-inspired pieces, taps into the feel-good California vibe to bring to the East Coast and beyond. “We took some of our favorite silhouettes from past collections, re-worked them, and made a beautiful collection for Urban Outfitters,” Morris said. “We wanted it to feel fresh, bohemian and a collection where you would want every piece for summer time.”

Bonnaroo might be over, but there are still plenty of festivals and summer hotspots where you can rock these bohemian threads!

Plastic is always fantastic when it comes to Barbie, and while she has a legion of fans across generations, none are on the same level as Jason Wu.

Though he’s now one of Michelle Obama’s go-to designers as well as the new artistic director of Hugo Boss, Wu got his start styling the much smaller fashionista with a collection that boasted over 150 dolls! And it wasn’t just the clothes he took to either, he took beauty into account as well. “I remade Barbie clothes. I would buy Barbies and take them apart and then remake their looks,” he told Interview. “I used them for hairstyling. It was a whole process. I had a lot of dolls—like 150.”

Wu admitted that would spend top dollar to dress Barbie in nothing but the best, putting the sewing skills he learned from a fashion student when he was in elementary school to the test. “My mom would give me, like, $200, which was a lot of money, and I’d go downtown to the fabric store and buy a little piece of the expensive fabric that was in the glass case—of course. [All] you could buy was like a half-quarter yard. But I would take that and draft patterns to make clothes for the dolls,” he explained.

He’s not the only one who adores the now former Malibu mainstay. Trina Turk recently partnered with the moppet on a beach-ready collection while Stephen Burrows, Bob Mackie, Tim Gunn, and even The Blonds have dressed the iconic doll. With all of his previous experience with Barbie, we’re crossing our fingers for an official Wu/Barbie partnership.

Amid gallivanting around London with her bestie, Melissa, Rihanna found a moment to Instagram a picture of her outfit. Sound familiar? Only unlike anything we would ever Instagram, the singer was sharing a pair of shoes designed specifically for her by Sophia Webster. Called the “Riri 1,” the pink, yellow and blue leather shoes feature cut-outs and the designer’s signature beaded heel.

Rihanna shared her excitement Instagramming “I spy something beginning with R—the “RiRis” by Sophia Webster!! Thank you lady, humbled and loving these!!!”

We are too. Though, it doesn’t hurt that the outfit RiRi is wearing shows them off perfectly: Topshop bleached overalls, a Spoon Attired mesh beanie and Givenchy pink mini bag.

Lookin’ good, Ri!

If a proper beach bag isn’t fit for your summer adventures, a casual canvas tote may be more your style. These practical purses are durable, versatile, and easily carried and cleaned, making them the most convenient carrier of everything from your sunscreen to your sneakers. Best of all, these bags are anything but boring. With an array of graphics and catch phrases to choose from, you’ll be toting your things with style and sensibility.

1. I’m Really a Mermaid Tote Bag, available at Wildfoxcouture.com for $15
2. Maptote Canvas Tote, available at Nordstrom for $17.50
3. Eden Parrot Shopper, Accessorize.com for $17
4. Bicycle Tote, available at Forever 21 for $3.80
5. Retro Lips Canvas Tote, available at Forever 21 for $3.80
6. Wisdom by Winston Tote, available at Modcloth.com for $
7. Maison Scotch Skull Tote, available at Madisonlosangelos.com for $25
8. Madness Is The Lust Bag, available at Karmaloop.com for $24

Designer: Rebecca Taylor

Inspiration: A toughed up twist and sporty influence on feminine fashion

Trends: Taylor takes her signature girly-girl style up a notch by adding an urban edge: lace and mesh detailed skirts with sweatshirt pullovers, sweet skater dresses with daring cutouts, and so on. Floral moto jackets and colored leather vests paired with paneled trousers are easy to wear from the office to a night out on the town, as are her shoulder-embellished tees worn over tailored shorts. Taylor completes each look with a pair of metallic pointed booties.

Colors: zebra stripes, heather grey, black, lavender floral print, persimmon colored blossoms, blue slate.

Who Should Wear It: Chic young ladies who push the fashion envelope with their style details. Lauren Conrad, Taylor Swift, Jessica Alba.