#1) Nothing says Modern-Day Betty Crocker like a checker-print mini-dress. LAMB @ Shopbop

#2) Your Bravo bud Kelly Wearstler doesn’t own the boho look you know. For the BBQ challenges, channel Talitha Getty! Sunner @ Shopbop

#3) Easy Exotic you say? How ’bout giving Etro’s swirling prints a whirl? Etro @ Bergdorft Goodman

#4) The recipe for style success: 1/2 sexy, 1/2 fuss-free = 1 silk shirt dress. Tucker @ Saks

#5) Leger & Louboutin are great and all, but is that really kitchen attire? Show your fans that you wear the pants in the Tom Colicchio-Gail Simmons threesome by sporting some trousers. Alice & Olivia @ Bergdorf Goodman

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‘Round this time of year many of us mourn the loss of our youth—specifically that jovial time period where one could indulge on spring break. As per the academic calendar, next week kicks off fun-filled festivities for many glowing, youthful faces, including those on the Victoria’s Secret PINK style squad like models Miranda Kerr and Behati Prinsloo. On Wednesday March 12th, the VS models will host their annual “Rally at the Raleigh” Vanessa Minnillo, Brody Jenner, and more fun-loving pals to partake in twister matches, piñata-bashing and shopping at the bash at the Miami hotel’s super-chic pool. The bodacious beauties will be joined PINK pop-up store. Should you be of a certain-age and have a Miami-bound plane ticket in hand, you too can take part by picking you your VIP pass here.

But if you’re land-locked, here’s something guaranteed to brighten your day: By simply posting a comment below before March 12th, you can enter yourself to win one of 5 limited-edition “Rally at the Raleigh” PINK tees*! Shiny and cheery like the Miami-sun itself, it’s sure to cure—or at least provide temporary relief from—even the worst case of spring fever.

*The Fine Print: To be eligible to win, you must be aged 16 or older, a resident of the US or Canada. A winner will be drawn from commentors’/entrants’ names at random on Wednesday March 12th,2008. Chances of winning depend on number of entrants. Entrants are only eligible to win 1 of the 5 prizes. Winners will be notified via email, at which point Glam Editors will request their mailing address to send their prize.

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Evian: hair savior extraordinaire

Ah Paris: Land of baguettes, Balenciaga, and for me, bad hair. Something in the City of Lights’ soft, nutrient-rich water doesn’t agree with me and my tresses. Last season, I found this out the hard way; picture a tall brunette waltzing through the Tuilleries with the kind of greasy, matted-down hair that would make Napoleaon’s comb-over coif look chic. (Not pretty, but it does help explain why the bed-head look has stayed au courant here for so decades on end.)

Fortunately, a rather impossibly cool friend of mine–who lives in London but travels to Paris for work every other week to consult for the most major of all major French houses–tipped me off to how to cure my lame locks. “Wash your hair with Evian,” she said with nonchalance, “It’s what I have to do when I come here and have to deal with the awful Paris water. Really, it’s so cheap here and it makes your hair look and feel so clean.” While not the champagne-filled bath that Marie Antoinette was rumored to have preferred, the indulgent treatment did in fact, work wonders. So tonight, before the show chaos starts tomorrow, I’m hitting the bottle, hard.

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Madewell spring look

Shopping, you may be surprised to learn, isn’t my favorite activity. However, every once in awhile a store offers up a few components to the storied consumption experience that I can subscribe to, like:

1) Cute clothes & accessories in the $20-$150 price range.
2) A soundtrack that’s neither nostalgic nor cliché.
3) Warm, cozy interiors.
4) Flattering dressing room lighting.
5) Sincerely smile-y, non-pushy salesgirls.

Madewell, the newish brainchild of those chic’n'cheery folks at J.Crew, offers up all this and more at their 7 current locations. I stopped in their newly opened Soho boutique last night, and found it refreshingly unique compared to its many cookie-cutter neighbors. Potted plants! Boutique-like nooks full of hip basics! There’s even a bookshop upstairs! So charming! Swing by on Saturdays, when the two-story boutique has a DJ spinning—this Saturday especially, to check out the Subversive Cross Stitching Circle and get your jeans customized—and chances are you’ll find the same.

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Lanvin Spring ‘08

“Women now are looking at their weddings more like a movie premiere.”

The quote above was plucked from a story in today’s New York Times about modern brides seeking out tres chic L.W.D.s for their matrimony festivities. Despite being wholly accurate, the trend-spotting piece was a teensy-tiny bit dated, as we’ve been eyeing designer’s aisle-ready gowns since last season. After all, what better excuse is there to splurge on Lanvin than looking beautiful on the big day ‘o bliss? Take a gander at a few of our favorite fashion-forward bridal options here.

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Earlier this week the style-aholics over at Elle celebrated Converse’s 100th anniversary by showering the label that gave birth to a billion Jack Purcells with much-deserved accolades. While classicists don’t need reminding about the brand’s timeless cool, wallet-watchers like myself will be thrilled to learn that starting this month, select Converse sneakers–specifically those stylish kicks from the One Star collection–will be available exclusively at Target. Celebrate the brand’s centennial by buying yourself pair or two.

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If you’re as hot and bothered as I am about Marc by Marc Jacobs‘ neon satchels, might I suggest an alterna-accessory? To tide you over till that fine fall day when you can get your hands on the maestro’s ’90s-inspired totes, try slapping a few layers of day-glo nail polish over your precious little digits. Such an inexpensive flash of fluorescent can go a long way in terms of wardrobe updating–or at the very least, it’ll keep you disctracted from those pesky MJ cravings. Added bonus: A little shopping binge at Claire’s is sure enhance this Clarissa Explains It All flash-back.

*Snaps from Style.com & BeautySak.com

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Watch out Top Shop: Old Navy has been getting a lot of buzz in budget-conscious circles (i.e. with our interns and the bargain-hunting babes at Fashionista) and indeed, after a quick e-perusal, it turns out that their new, Derek Lam-ian safari styles and accessories are definitely worth the hype. See for yourself here.

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Chris Benz & Lisa Salzer

Hot-shot young designers tend to steal the spotlight during New York fashion week, but accessories all-stars deserve more than a little credit too. Take Lulu Frost jewelry designer Lisa Salzer, who is a chic, integral part of the city’s downtown style scene. Two seasons ago she dreamed up a line of neon  accoutrements with wunderkind Alexander Wang, and for spring ‘08 Salzer collaborated on a line of reinvented vintage gems for designer Chris Benz (who shows today, BTW). While the rest of the fashion crowd scurries around the fashion week chaos, we catch up with the cool, calm, and collected Miss Salzer:

Where & when did you meet Mr. Benz?
I first was introduced to Chris through our mutual friend and stylist extraordinaire Jessica Diehl, who connected us at a party at Cafe Cluny thrown by Anna Wintour and Amy Astley. It was a match made in fashion heaven.

What was your first impression of him?
I was primarily drawn to Chris’ kind eyes and warm smile and then laid eyes on his prim penny loafers and navy blazer - I was immediately hooked!

Describe some of the inspiration points behind the collaboration?
The collaboration was inspired by the bright bursts of incandescent color that wove their way through Chris’ clothing collection. We loved the idea of layering multiple chains and wrapping bunches of bracelets around the wrist to achieve a piled-on, casually elegant look.

How do you store your own jewelry?
When I travel, I pack my jewelry separately in small plastic jewelry bags that keep the pieces from tangling with one another - nothing is worse than a clump of jewels that you cannot wear! For everyday storage of my jewels I have tons of slender nails tacked into the inside of my closet, where I hang all of my favorite jewelry pieces.

Who are a few of your favorite jewelry icons?
I adore the Lanvin jewelry collections and greatly admire vintage Fouquet and Lalique jewelry from the early 1900’s. As for collectors, Ellen Barkin’s jewelry collection was venerable, but has since been dispersed like seeds thrown to the winds.

What are your favorite flowers?
The fragrance of tuberose is marvelous, and I can’t get enough of gorgeous green-hued hydrangeas for my office.

Who would make your dream dinner party guest list? Alber Elbaz, David Byrne, Anna Wintour, Daniel Day Lewis, Linda Evangelista. All that talent in one room is too mind-boggling to even imagine!

What’s your favorite city other than NYC & why? Tokyo - insane chaos mixed with perpetual order, traditional grinding up and mixing with stark modernism. I find the contrasts of Tokyo to be truly fascinating and alien.

What makes the best NYC souvenir?
John Derian initial plate from E 2nd Street store, signed by John himself.

What’s your favorite store in NYC? Elsewhere?
I love I Heart in Soho for hard-to-find labels such as Tsumori Chisato and Eley Kishimoto, as well as Blue Tree, Phoebe Cates’ Upper East side boutique.

*snaps= Wireimage

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You’ve done the hard part: Caught your crush, lined up a date, decided on a time and place; now all that’s left is figuring out just what in the world you’re going to wear. To make getting dressed fuss-free—and give those stomach butterflies a rest—consult our flirty frock guide. From charming printed shifts to vamp-worthy numbers, here are ten styles that are guaranteed to make them melt.

1) Few garments say “I’m worth it” like a sexy Dolce & Gabbana sheath. Pairing easily with gold jewelry or even worn without embellishments, the Audrey Hepburn-worthy dress is sure to set hearts aflutter. Eluxury, $465

2) Part beach-babe and part bombshell (just like you!) this floaty frock perfectly balances comfort with style. In soft cotton voile and slightly ruffled hem, it works for any romantic occasion from elegant dinners to long walks along the beach. Swell, $58.00

3) Attention all drama queens: Play up your seductive side in Diane Von Furstenberg’s ruffled, flamenco-style wrap dress. Slip on a pair of strappy stilettos and soon your evening escort will be crying Ay carumba! Nordstrom, $254

4) If hitting dance floor is part of your evening plans, a sparkly number a la Foley & Corina’s swingy shift is sure to do the trick. In hot pink silk trimmed with rows of silver sequins, the head-turning frock ensures that all eyes will be on you. Shopbop, $498

5) If showing some skin isn’t your style, take heart: Cozy and chic sweater dresses like Victoria’s Secret ribbed version allow for a more subtle sex appeal. To further elongate the figure when wearing this slimming style, try belting at the waist. Victoria’s Secret, $39

6) Look every bit the lady in Mint’s dainty floral-print dress. With delicate spaghetti straps and a fluid, knee-grazing cut, the refined dress is sure to make your dinner companion sit up straight. Shopbop, $396

7) In lieu of the ultimate date standby—the little black shift dress—try a graphic-print cotton frock instead. Just the thing for casual drinks, outdoor dining, or a low-key movie, Lux’s comfy style is a steal at $58—leaving you with enough moula left over to buy the next round of drinks. Urban Outfitters, $58

A little lace can go a long way: Fashioned from boudoir-worthy silk and trimmed in delicate macramé, Urban Outfitter’s champagne-colored sash dress sets a romantic mood. Urban Outfitters, $78

9) Calling all coquettes: Gap’s cheery empire-waist style fits and flatters all silhouettes during laid-back adventures from cozy picnics to romantic road trips. Gap, $54.50

10) Covered in vibrant hues and cut playfully at mid-thigh, Z/G by Grimaldi’s printed empire dress appeals to those who are wild at heart. Couture Candy, $209

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