Bye Bye Blogspot - Hello SidewalkisaRunway.com

I am moving on up in the world and transitioning from blogspot to my own domain, www.SIDEWALKISARUNWAY.com. If for some reason you decide to type THEsidewalkisarunway.com instead - don't you worry - I've got that covered and it will re-direct!

My posts on Facebook & Twitter will be for the new site, so if you click externally that's ok too.

Grazie mile.

Hervé Léger - Body Bondage

Hervé Léger (via Max Azria) bandage mini dresses are shaping up to be the new Roland Mouret Galaxy dress - i.e. worn by multiple celebs, multiple ways on the red carpet. This silhouette, however, is not as forgiving as Roland's, and requires a seriously hot bod and no carb intake on day of said red carpet event. Bebe definitely has the short & skimpy market covered, so it's no surprise they knocked off this celeb favorite - for a fraction of the cost.

All dresses $98, shop BeBe.com

Halloween Like A Queen

Get Creative - don't just go to Ricky's and pick up a costume in a package, unless you're a dude! Marie Antoinette is one of the most fascinating icons in history - due in large part to her dress and how it drove the French crazy, in more ways than one. Of course it's hard to achieve 3 foot hair, but the Sofia Coppola version of Marie Antoinette can be easily interpreted into best dressed girl on Halloween.

If in need of a little more inspiration, one of my favorite books "Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution" (Caroline Weber) - goes into detail about what was worn from her first steps at Versailles, to when she was beheaded - and all of the history in between. Fortunately, I learned way more about the revolution from this book than from public school in PA.

For the readers in Austin, an AMAZING place to buy/rent costumes, hats, & jewelry is Lucy In Disguise With Diamonds in SoCo. Jewelry is grouped by genre (Greek, Hip Hop, Victorian), and there are fabulous sales people who help you find exactly what you're looking for - be it sequin hot pants or a Top Gun style bomber jacket.

Forever21.com $5.80


Forever21.com $4.80


AmericanApparel.net $34


Asos.com $58

Atrévete - Calle 13 Style Blowin' Up

Calle 13 was my senior year muse. For those of you who don't know, Residente Calle 13 is a Puerto Rican group that's huge in Latin America, like our Coldplay but verrrry different. I would ride the E train to Queens (listening to some Reggaeton) trying to make some bills, and then head back into the city for a 6-9 class - all in my boots w/ the fur, 80's door knocker earrings, and puffer jacket (with more fur).

I was ridiculous! I still have a strong affinity for it though - and now that Calle 13 is ALL over MTV, I'm deeply regressing and daydreaming about nail art in East Elmhurst. When it comes to Latina style, all you really need is color, confidence, and a metrocard.


Nail art via Valleynyc.com in the Lower East Side, but you can get this anywhere, just ask for it!



An absolute favorite - Girlprops.com $9.99



Build your own bag @ Emotional Baggage $100, Etsy.com



Rocawear.com $75

Pound The Pavement

I dream of the day when my shoes will have their own home and won't be hanging on some rickety fixture on the back of my door. My man has to adjust it about every month to make sure it doesn't collapse – like it did many a time in our tiny New York apt. Anyway, the point here is that I don't have a walk in closet and it is NOT full of Louboutins.

I have only splurged once on shoes: During a visit home (Philly has great outlet venues) at the Neiman Marcus Last Call – I bought a pair of Chanel ballet flats – totally necessary and justifiable, but a little different with clear plastic sides and patent black toes. To this day they are absolutely unbearable to walk in, but worth it to pass down to future gens – only $150 (regularly $600)!

So, you can imagine the thrill of the hunt when I discovered these two very affordable and "interpretation"- friendly sites for shoes. AmiClubwear.com & GoJane.com, which offer zillions of styles - most for $30 or less. Balenciaga, Prada, & Dior "interpretations" – are very close replicas aesthetically, just obviously made of less pricey materials. Now that I'm in the thick of car culture, I'm more willing to opt for these more economical shoes - as I don't have to hike up subway stairs or dodge cabs anymore!

All shown are under $25, and all from Amiclubwear.com - excluding killer Sex and the City Dior-esque gladiators, from GoJane.com (Free Shipping over $50 for both, fabulous).

Unlikely Inspiration: Bebe Hol 08 Campaign

10% off BellaDawn.com: Code "Sidewalk"

Hey girrrrrrls - if you're in the market for jewelry that reads Rachel Leigh, but rent is due in a week, check out one of my new key sites www.BellaDawn.com. Thanks to the advent of Twitter, fashionista's get to connect on a whole other level - and you benefit!

Enter coupon code "SIDEWALK" when you check out, and you'll receive 10% off your purchase. As you know, the more you spend, the more that 10% means - and we all have to do our part to stimulate the economy!

Natural Lime Green Stone Necklace $38 www.BellaDawn.com