Loulou on the Oscars

I ADORE the Oscars! Usually, of course, I am right there with my A-list friends, styling or reporting or cheering, but this year, due to my still-single status, I have chosen to stay home and watch it on television, something I am told other people do every year. Of course, I am surrounded by fabulous girlfriends and eating fabulous food and wearing a fabulous frock, but still, I am at home, just like almost everybody else. This is what my life has come to.
But don't worry - I know that Loulou-Lovers the world over rely on my sharp fashion eye and keen insight every year during the world's most watched fashion event, the Oscars. So, since I have never been one to disappoint my legions of fans, here is my list of the top A-list looks of Oscar night, in no particular order:

1. Sandra Bullock in Vera Wang: Sandra's look was clearly inspired by one of my own memorable Oscar looks from a few years ago, but no matter: It was extraordinary then, and it's extraordinary now. She should always wear red.

2. Halle Berry in Marchesa: Before Halle had this dress, Loulou had it, and although I can't say she looks quite as flawless as I did in it when I wore it out on a big date night with Stephen pre-the-Valentine's Day debacle, she did look radiant and stunning, as always. I hope that I look like that when I am her age!

3. Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein: Sure, she has straight blonde hair and I have dark curly hair, but other than that (and the fact that I have brown eyes and am, ahem, petite) we are almost exactly the same person. Except, of course, that I am much younger. Anyway, I applaud her choice of this jaw-dropping dress. I couldn't have done it better myself. Well, maybe I could have... but whatever.

4. Camilla Alves: She is ALMOST stunning enough to be with Matthew McConnaughey. Almost. She's no Loulou, after all. But she was such a vision in this stunning dress that I have almost forgiven her for stealing Matt from me before we really ever had a chance. (We sat at the same table at a star-studded dinner a couple of years ago, and although I could tell by his occasional furtive glances that he was blinded by my beauty - and my Balenciaga gown - he was already committed to Camilla. I admire his faithfulness, of course, but I will always think of him as the one that got away.)

5. Mila Kunis: This is a girl who knows what she is doing. Of course, it's clear that she has taken a lot of style cues from Loulou, but who can blame her. The color, the cut, the hair - it's all perfect.

Consolation Prize(s)

To make myself feel a little better about my ringless finger, I have made a few small purchases. My mood only improved slightly, but my wardrobe has improved dramatically. Here's what I bought:

1. Ports Dress with Swarovski Belt

2. Pura Lopez Suede Platform Wedge in Blush

3. Alexander McQueen Demanta Fabric Clutch

The Five Stages of Grief

I am so sorry that I have been out of touch, but I have been on a self-imposed sabbatical. Even though I wore the purple dress and those amazing shoes, Stephen did not propose! He did NOT propose! Later, when I confronted him about it, he added hoplessness to heartbreak by telling me that it hadn't even OCCURRED to him. After several unbelievable weeks of dating, it never even OCCURRED to him to propose to me. I am crushed. He's still trying to make it up to me. So far he has sent me:

1 diamond tennis bracelet from Harry Winston
1 Hermes Kelly bag
2 Hermes scarves
1 pair of Chanel earrings

1 Lanvin top (shown)
15 bouquets of flowers
A Malo cashmere wrap
4 pairs of Louboutins
0 engagement rings

So now, as Stephen tries to make it up to me, I am experiencing the stages of grief. Unfortunately, I am not sure exactly what they are, but so far I have already been through denial (which was very brief - my ringless hand made it impossible to ignore the cold hard truth) and now I am in the anger phase.

As if my life wasn't disastrous enough right now, I am really, really peeved because my friend Yvonne just bought the last pair of pink Chanel espadrilles in the entire universe! I may never speak to her again.

Countdown to V-Day!

I don't know where the last several days have gone, but I find myself only four days away from Valentine's Day and I am soooo not ready. This is all I've done so far:

Bought a dress. I decided to go with purple, Stephan's favorite color, rather than a more traditional color like pink or red. Plus I fell in love with this bell-shaped dress from Victoria Beckham.

Bought some shoes. I think these gorgeous lacy Valentinos add romance to the dress.

Bought a bracelet. This knockout cuff from Borgioni is so stunning, I might not be able to concentrate on the conversation.

I still have so much to do. In the next few days, I need to squeeze in at least 20 minutes of exercise, as well as a facial, a body scrub, a waxing, a mani/pedi, an eyebrow shaping, and I need to get my hair and makeup done. I don't know how I will squeeze it all in - I might just have to clear my social calendar for the weekend just to get through this list!

Loulou's Shopping Guide: What to Buy This Week

I know, I know, a week is a long time to wait for my weekly must-have list, but I promise to make it worth the wait. Here are the items I can't live without this week!

Anna Porcu Ivory Cameo Cuff, $2375: I've always loved the romantic charm of cameos, and genius artist Anna Porcu makes them look fresh and hip by adding them to edgy black cuffs. Fabulous!

Givenchy Perforated Leather Sandals, $740: Breezy and gorgeous, these have me dreaming of summer.

Tiffany Reversible Tote, $595: I love the chic, slouchy shape, the luscious suede, and the iconic Tiffany blue that reverses to a wear-with-everything platinum. A warm-weather essential!

Countdown to V-Day

I love Valentine's Day, and I am so excited that this year I get to spend it with someone as special as Stephen. I am pretty sure that he will propose on this big night, so I need to be prepared and I need to look extra special for all of those post-proposal pictures! I've been working on it for days. In the last five days alone, I have done nearly 17 minutes of exercise (don't worry - I spread it out over a few days so I didn't pull anything or break a sweat - safety first!), had two facials, three massages, a skin-firming body wrap and started a ritual of daily deep-moisturizing treatments on my hair. It's a lot of hard work, of course, but I think the results will be worth it. And of course it's just the beginning. So much left to do, and I haven't even picked an outfit yet!

The Loulou Diet

I have often been told that I need to write a diet book, because I eat whatever I want and I never gain an ounce. But I've never dieted a day in my life! According to my diet guru, Chaka Khan (or Chakra Vhan or something - can never remember her name), I eat intuitively well, which means that staying skinny just comes naturally to me. But as a public service to those of you to whom eating well doesn't come naturally, I've decided to give you a few of my secret strategies for staying slim without starving.

1. Drink lots of tea: I drink black tea with agave nectar and skim milk all day long, and usually, when I'm done with my tea, I find that I am no longer hungry and I no longer need a snack. It also has some sugar and some caffeine, and the both give you energy.

2. Pick five guilty pleasures, and eat them as often as you want: Mine are creamy desserts, shortbread cookies, foie gras, French toast, and chocolate. As long as you limit yourself to five guilty pleasures, you won't gain weight, no matter how much you eat! It's amazing!

3. Skip the Gym: Nothing is yuckier than a gym, with all those people sweating, and everyone so unhappy to be there. Plus, it's smelly and those machines scare me. That's why I don't work out at a gym. I find that window shopping achieves the same purpose, but it achieves a dual purpose: You can buy things while you exercise!

Loulou's Five Must Haves of the Week

I've decided, since so many of you count on me for valuable shopping advice, to start each week with a list of the hottest, best items to buy that week! I will do this every single week, unless of course I forget! So, without delay, here are the five items on my radar this week! If you buy them, I guarantee that they will make you more Loulou-esque. And what could be better than that?

1. Marc Jacobs Happy D Bag, $139: This bag is so cheerful and so fun, it can instantly turn a basic outfit into a statement-maker. And it's so inexpensive, you can afford to buy a really cute outfit to replace the basic one, and now you look better from head to toe. It's genius, really! (Actually, it's Loulou-Logic). Thanks Gilt!

2. Mix Jacquard Dress with Open Back, $475: I love this pretty, creamy, swingy dress. You can wear it now with a dark jacket and cool boots, and in spring with strappy sandals. Either way, it's a guaranteed guy-pleaser!

3. Kelly Locke Petite Bardot Clutch, $550: This metallic wine clutch is so chic and so edgy it will instantly update anything you wear it with. And the color goes with virtually everything in your closet!
 
4. Runway Girl Scarf, $125: Normally, if it doesn't say Hermes, I won't wrap it around my neck. It's a matter of principle, and also of safety. (It may be superstitious, but I was brougth up to believe that nothing bad can happen to you if you are wearing Hermes, and so far it has proved to be true!). This time, however, I am making an exception with a scarf from another H - Henri Bendel. I love the fashion-y image on this pretty, colorful silk scarf so much that I may let it take the place of my beloved Hermes, just this once.
 
5. Ikat Caftan Dress, $195: This silky, flowy caftan makes me want to go somewhere really exotic and lovely and be waited on by cute guys with tans. Sigh. This would be gorgeous with coral beaded sandals.

A Tribute to Tuesday

Tuesday is kind of a nothing day, if you think about it. I mean, what happens on Tuesday? Sure, it turns up in Sheryl Crow songs and the occasional band name, but other than that, Tuesday really gets no respect. That's why I decided to take this oft-forgotten day and give it a special purpose, a higher calling, if you will. I am designating it Shopping Tuesday. I know it may not sound fancy, but there is no day of the week that really sounds fabulous with the word "shopping," and Tuesday had nothing else going for it. With a new year, and a new focus, I am making Shopping Tuesday my new cause, my raison d'etre. After all, why should Saturday have all the fun?

Please help me spread the word about this important cause. With your help and your participation, and especially your credit cards, we can help revitalize the nation's economy while simultaneously making our own wardrobes sooooo much cuter. It's totally win-win!

So, in honor of the first ever Shopping Tuesday, I went on a small spree, and here is what I bought:

1. Anda & Masha Anita Hat in Black, $297: So glamorous in a Studio 54 kind of way!

2. Chris Benz Evelyn Long Dress, $1395: The color makes this really special.

3. Apepazza Gaia Wedges in Cranberry, $129: Soooo pretty, and they're such a steal!

Loulou Speaks!

What do you think? That's the name of my new show idea! I am going to see if my agent, Stanley, will pitch it to all the major networks. "Loulou Speaks." It's genius! After all, people have always been interested in what I have to say. Just the other day, mommy was telling me that she thinks I am one of the most interesting conversationalists she knows! And she knows a LOT of people!
Of course I will discuss fashion and beauty and celebrity and all the usual, fun topics that I know and love, but I would also love to cover some more hard-hitting stuff, the issues people really care about. Here are some of my ideas:
Plastic Surgery Gone Wrong
Online Dating Gone Wrong
Is Natalie Portman Perfect or Pretentious?
What is it about Jennifer Aniston that makes EVERYBODY love her, including Loulou. (A 3 Part Series)
What do you think of the new lineup of judges on American Idol?

I'm so excited! I've dabbled in TV before (a cameo on Gossip Girl, the backup singer in that episode of 30 Rock), but I've never starred in my very own series!

Gucci in Little Girl Sizes

Oooohhhh! I am so excited. Gucci just launched an adorable children's line! The pieces are so fabulous, so posh, so Gucci-esque, and the price tag is so teeny tiny! Ooh, and the clothes are teeny-tiny, which is perfect for someone like me, who is, admittedly, teeny-tiny. Now I can buy Gucci without having it tailored! Sure, not everything works for a grown-up girl in her early 20s, but there are a few looks that I love, love, love and have to have!

How cute is this! Perfect if I were to ever spend a day in the country, horseback-riding. Not that I am ever going to do that, but it can't hurt to buy it, just in case.

This is just perfect for a day at the club, upstate, with mommy.

So perfect with a blowout when I finally meet Stephen's parents!

You Heard it Here First: A Disturbing Trend in Europe!

Not to be an alarmist, but I consider it my job to keep on top of important world events and crises, and to report them to you. It's sort of my calling in life, really. Especially when I know that each and every one of you is counting on me for the truly insightful, hard-hitting stories that only I can write. Are you sitting down? Good. I have just finished watching a very upsetting clip about bicycle riding in Europe. Apparently, thousands of Europeans have started riding bicycles on a daily basis, taking them to the store, to work, even to school!!!! These people, many of them professionals in otherwise prosperous, Westernized countries, CAN'T AFFORD CARS. I am sure they don't want to say anything because they are too embarassed, but it really is a tragedy on so many levels. Haven't they even heard of taxis or, gulp, the subway in these places? Are they so behind, technology-wise, that there are no alternative means of transportation? I mean, here in NYC, you occcasionally see someone riding a bicycle, but usually they are wearing bicycle riding clothes and it's a misguided attempt at exercise. But these people are fully dressed and riding bicycles around their cities! I cannot even begin to list why this is wrong on so many levels, but I will try:
1. Women wear very nice shoes in Europe, as all the top designers are from there and make their shoes there, so think of all the Louboutins and Zanottis getting trashed.
2. People show up everywhere sweaty, with their hair messy. This could severely damage the dating scene, leading to a shortage of weddings and babies and eventually a population crisis!
3. Riding a bicycle to a job interview would virtually guarantee that you don't get the job, because your boss would correctly assume that you were crazy, so this could lead to widespread unemployment.
4. Riding bicycles is dangerous. You could fall and skin your knee, veer into traffic, or damage your complexion with all the windburn (I am sure that Lance Armstrong doesn't look so hot up close - I think his photos must be heavily retouched). You could also tear, soil or wrinkle your clothing.
5. Riding bicycles means that you don't have any place to store all of the stuff you buy when you go shopping, which could really hurt the economy. People will have to stop buying things because they don't want to haul it home on their ten-speeds!
6. Car manufacturers, who are already in trouble, will go out of business if everyone starts riding bicycles!

Bicycles are for young children and for professional bicyclists only, and we must do something to stop this alarming trend before it gets out of control and spreads to the United States. Write your congressman! Get involved. You can make a difference!

Dinner with Stephen, and What I Wore

Stephen is finally back from a weeklong business trip, and tonight we celebrated by dinner at our favorite little Italian spot. (Okay, it's Stephen's favorite Italian spot. I actually hate Italian food, but I haven't broken it to him yet. I'm not going to let a few dozen plates of pasta get between me and an otherwise amazing boyfriend!) It's an intimate little place, so I wanted to wear something romantic and relatively low key, so I picked this lacey white dress from Stella McCartney. (Yes, white + lace often = wedding. And yes, it was intentional. It's just a gentle reminder to Stephen that we have been dating for almost two months. He can't drag his feet forever!)

These Jimmy Choo sandals added a little sparkle.

And of course I had to pick a glamorous bag!

Current Events

I've decided that it's time I got more informed about world events, so today I spent some time catching up on my news. I got up early and switched on E! News Daily. I was so behind! I didn't even know that Khloe is now a redhead, and she debuted her new color last night! (I love it, by the way. I think it makes her even more striking!) So I watched some episodes of Keeping Up With the Kardashians that I had recorded, just to make sure I hadn't missed anything else! I can't afford to be so out of touch with current events. People count on me to know about important things like this! But I can't keep beating myself up about it. I've set my DVR to record E! News every morning, even though I won't be getting up at 7 a.m. to watch it. That's just impractical. I also won't let my issues of Variety and WWD and US Weekly pile up, unread, by the front door anymore. After the Kardashians marathon, I spent some time rereading my September issue of Vogue, just to make sure I hadn't missed anything. Overall, it was a very productive way to spend the morning!

Technical Difficulties

Due to technical difficulties (my computer was buried under a pile of clothes!), I was unable to blog yesterday. My apologies. I know everyone is dying to know how my resolutions are going! Well, today I started out with high hopes. I fully intended to investigate some out-of-the-way shops and make some serious contributions to the economy. Unfortunately, it was drizzling all day, so I found a way to spread my financial contributions even farther, without subjecting my hair to any unnecessary frizz! I shoppped online. Fortunately, Bergdorf Goodman, Gilt Group, and Net A Porter were all too happy to accommodate me.  Yeaaaaaa! I feel good. Not only will the cash infusions that I have just made stimulate the economy, but they will make my wardrobe soooo much cuter!

A Different Approach

Today I tried scowling at everyone everywhere, all day long. Shockingly, I was able to frown as much as I wanted to without drawing any undue attention to myself. I'm the only one who seems bothered by it. Who wants to be a grump all day? It made me cranky. Plus I think I've developed a wrinkle. I don't care what kind of looks I get.  I'm going back to smiling. And I'm going to get some Botox for that wrinkle!

Mystery Solved

Here's a Revelation: If you walk around New York City smiling at everybody, all day, all the time, people will look at you funny. Who knew?

Puzzled

I spent all day today just walking around the city, taking it all in. Can't believe how much I missed it! By the end of the day, however, I noticed the strangest phenomenon. Almost every single person I met was looking at me funny. A few dozen quick mirror checks revealed that nothing was amiss, and yet I still got these odd looks from everyone I saw. I am used to getting attention, but usually it's awe or adoration or simply admiration. I haven't been this confused since the debacle on the beach in Daytona, when I figured out that my fabulous platforms were stealing the show.

Loulou's Resolutions

I love New Year's Day! There's nothing like a fresh start to make you feel all rosy and optimistic. Now that I have returned from my self-imposed sabbatical in Daytona Beach, I am ready to jump back into city life. But not before making my annual list of resolutions. I only make fun resolutions that I was planning on doing anyway because, let's face it, who needs another to-do list? Plus, I like the amazing rush that comes from setting and achieving goals, so I try to make the "achieving" part of the equation as easy as possible! So on that note, here are my top 3 resolutions for 2011:

1. Make the World a Better Place: Yes, I know this sounds very very intimidating and not at all fun, but as Oprah and other very successful people know, even the biggest goals can be broken down into itty, bitty steps. So here are mine: Shop as much as possible at as many different places as possible so that I can maximize the positive impact I make on the economy. Improve the welfare of animals by contributing to the zoo. (It's the only place where animals can go and be safe. Animal rights people who want animals to run free clearly do not know that in the wild, animals eat each other! It's a little known fact!). Smile at everybody, all the time, every day. It's very un-New York, I know, but I firmly believe that this town needs more smilers anyway. It's an easy way to lift someone's spirits!

2. Single-handedly bring back some of the more ladylike styles of the past. I will start by wearing pearls with everything and matching my nail polish to my lipstick. So fabulously retro!

3. Manage my Investments Better: I like my investments where I can see them - in my shoe closet. (I think fellow shoe-lover SJP said that first!) That means I am going to have to build a bigger, better closet to accommodate all the new shoes I plan on buying, and I am going to make sure that they get dusted and polished regularly. After all, they are the single biggest investment I've ever made!