Ann Taylor's New Star

Once again, Ann Taylor has boosted its star power. This fall, Hollywood leading lady Naomi Watts is the face of the brand. She follows Milla Jovovich for Spring 2010 and Heidi Klum for Holiday 2009. Shot by esteemed photographer Peter Lindbergh, the shots feature Watts wearing the brand's iconic leopard print, little black dresses and lots of sparkling statement jewelry (another signature item for the brand). The fall collection was inspired by Ernest Hemingway's A Moveable Feast and is a mix of European sophistication and classic American style. Fall marks the one-year anniversary of when Ann Taylor designer Lisa Axelson started to inject more fashion into the retailer—which previously looked predictable and boring. The turnaround at AT has caught the attention of Hollywood—stars like Rachel Bilson, Vanessa Williams and Mad Men's Christina Hendricks are fans. Tell me, do you shop Ann Taylor?

Posh Nails

My favorite new nail color of the moment is Revlon's Posh Pink. It's the perfect Barbie pink and seemed exactly what my nails longed for after a very bright neon pink color that attracted all sorts of attention. I love the way Posh Pink looks after one coat or the recommended two coats. It even looks amazing layered under a light sheer color to give it more of a pearly sheen. Today, I'm wearing Posh Pink on my toes and Grape Icey on my nails. Revlon nail polishes retail for less than $5 a bottle—so they're affordable and chic. Tell me, do you wear Revlon nail polish? What's your favorite summer color?

Holiday Preview: Loft

I really love a retailer who can turn out clothes that look more expensive than they actually cost. Loft, formerly known as Ann Taylor Loft, continues to impress each season with outfits that only look like they would cost a bundle. The retailer's Holiday 2010 collection preview was filled with so many delights: fur-trimmed wool jackets, embellished cardigans, textured fabric skirts. These are just the sort of cozy chic pieces you want to wear during the winter season when there are so many parties and cocktail events after work. The nice thing is the majority of Loft's prices are under $100; luxury pieces like a wool jacket would probably retail for under $200. Like what you see? The Holiday collection will arrive in stores and online in October. Tell me, do you shop Loft?

Time to Make Pie

I like to do almost nothing when it's sweltering outside. Well, just paint my nails various pastel shades (currently love light pink, neon pink and light green), drink chilled red vino, watch bad t.v. ... and bake. I know it may sound crazy that I bake when the temperatures are soaring near 100 degrees. But I had some delicious fresh blueberries and I'm currently trying to master my mom's pie crust recipe. This was my fourth attempt. I think I did a pretty decent job with the lattice crust. In case you'd like to try this recipe at home, here it is: One recipe for 9-inch double pie crust, 4 cups blueberries, 3/4 cup sugar, 3 tbsp. corn starch, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. salt. Mix sugar, corn starch, cinnamon and salt and sprinkle over washed blueberries. Then, pour into pie crust. Top with lattice crust. Bake for one hour at 375 degrees F. Tell me, do you like to bake when it's baking hot out?

Scentsational Nails

Remember smelly markers? Well, here's a drugstore find that is worth schlepping, no running, to Walgreen's, CVS or Duane Reade right now for. The find is Revlon's Scents of Summer Nail Collection, retailing for less than $5 a bottle. The scents are so fun and smell good enough to eat. The collection includes a hot pink Bubble Gum, a soft pink Cotton Candy and Peach Smoothie. The smell lingers as you're applying the polish and lasts for a bit after the polish dries. And yes, the colors are really amazing—bright and shiny. And for less than $5 a bottle, it's much more affordable than typical nail polishes—even at drugstore prices. And those polishes don't even smell edible! Tell me, do you like Revlon nail polish? What's your favorite color?

First Lady Style

Lady O! Her style is so refreshing. It seems like just yesterday when the First Lady was typically seen wearing conservative business suits and low-heeled pumps—even on a hot summer day. That memory still in mind, I just had to post this photo of Michelle Obama taken on the Fourth of July. She's wearing this cute, colorful halter top (red, white and blue, with touches of yellow and black) from Suno's Summer 2009 collection with white capri pants to greet members of the U.S. Armed Forces. If you're not familiar with Suno, it was founded in 2008 by Max Osterweis and Erin Beatty. The collection known for its vibrant prints is available at Opening Ceremony, Barneys, Ikram, Liberty and soon online at www.sunony.com. Tell me, are you a fan of the First Lady's style?

Beach-Chic Nails

Finding your nails need a little sprucing up before you partake in the weekend festivities? In the spirit of the holidays, here's some inspiration straight from the Chanel Resort 2010/2011 fashion show, which took place in sunny Saint Tropez. Notice the model is sporting a light blue nail color—which will arrive on store shelves in August—while her toes are painted Jade Rose, a soft pink beige color from last year's famous Jade collection. The beauty message here? No need to match your nail colors gals. Get beach chic by sporting a nude color manicure and then brightening the look with a pastel shade, like a light blue pedicure (or vice versa). And we're not suggesting you wait till August to get Chanel's light blue color. Head to your nearest drugstore for a range of pretty pastel shades and soft beiges a la Jade Rose. My favorite? Maybelline's Express Finish 50 Second Nail Color, about $4.50 a bottle, in the green "Minty" color and blue "Pie in the Sky." I like OPI and Essie for the beiges. Tell me, what's your favorite nail color for the beach (or pool or BBQ)?