When shopping for the right Halloween costume all you need to do is shop Hollywood Blvd. between Wilcox and La Brea. Why you ask? There are tons of costume shops ripe with absolutely everything you can imagine for the perfect Halloween costume. From extravagant to simple you will find it here.

One sure win is Hollywood Toys and Costumes. When you enter this costume shop, you walk over a skeleton in a coffin (visible through a glass floor). If that doesn’t scream Halloween, check out the large selection of everything from angel’s wings to ostrich plumes; fake beards to kitty ears; kiddie capes to go-go boots. The wig selection is always my favorite. They have loads of them in every shape, color and style. They do however limit you to trying on only three – so make your selections carefully… This shop is also excellent for those of you who have left your costume until the last minute. Pick up your costume in a bag and voila! you’re set for the party at the Houdini mansion.

Hollywood Toys & Costumes

6600 Hollywood Blvd.

Hollywood, CA 90028

Have a safe Halloween girls!

I’m on the market for a new wallet. I need one big enough to house my credit cards, license, receipt collection and numerous discount cards. This is no small feat mind you. Two additional prerequisites are it must not be black or brown and it has to be under $150.

I don’t change wallets in fear I’ll leave something out and I can’t change my wallet per daily purse swap. I’m just too busy. But it also has to look fabulous with all of my purses.

Here are the contenders:

I like Hobo wallets quite a bit. My current wallet is Hobo and its been a great carry all.

I love this Hobo wallet in plum and the size is perfect.

Fossil has a great leather wallet in blue. Its lovely and is an affordable $65.

Rummaging around on the Flight 001’s website for wallets (tomorrow’s post) yesterday brought me to an exciting find. A clear vinyl cosmetic case.  This is an extremely exciting find for this petite gal. Now, many of you may be thinking – So!?  Oooh mon cheries, if you fly often and you are tired of your friends looking at you squinty when you pull a zip lock baggie with your cosmetics from your Balagencia you’ll understand the dilemma.

The Nomadic Inc. case is a mere $5 USD and a godsend. You can leave it in your purse for weeks to come and not look at all ghetto. And, if you’ve ever been pulled aside at security at JFK, LAX, La Guardia, Newark, SFO etc –you’ll be thankful that airport staff will not bat an eyelash except to comment on your new-stylish-cool flat-vinyl-five buck cosmetic bag. I bought four on Flight 001’s online shop. Thank you Flight 001! Not in L.A.? Flight 001 store locations are here.

Flight 001
8235 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323-966-0001

The Circle in Silverlake is having another fantastic sample sale this weekend.

They have a hefty selection of Chip & Pepper jeans that are at bargain prices, in twelve different styles and in all sizes. I have a few pairs of Chip & Pepper jeans in my closet and I wear them often. Their denims are soft and always flattering.

The sale is for this weekend only, so don’t miss out ya’ll.

They’re also featuring new stock from Love Jetsey, Smoke and Mirrors (Emily from Project Runway season 5), Maxine Dillon, and Fresh Faces of Genart.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Blue Notch while I was in NYC. We met at their showroom and their ever charming and knowledgeable rep Sun showed me their Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer collections. And not surprisingly, I was impressed.

I’ve been a fan for Blue Notch for their hip urban designs but also for their choice in fabrics. The designs run small as well which is huge for the petite crowd.Sun walked me through the fall and winter collection first, which was inspired by American vintage. Lots of dark denim and skinny jeans that are clean cut with many straight lines even on the pockets. They’re of course embellished with their signature barbell earring. The weight of the denim was much heavier with a nice smooth sheen from their signature charcoal washes. The washes are organic which makes the pant one more bit amazing.

They also had excellent flannel shirts cut for women’s figures. The arms are cut much higher and fitted in the torso to give some sexy flair to a warm top. I’ll be picking myself up one of these for sure.

There was also a leather collection of pants and jackets that are lamb skin which were very cool.

The spring and summer collection is inspired by sunsets. You’ll see a very light pink on some of the denim for this reason. The denim is a lighter weight – all of a mere 8 oz. and also washed in charcoal. Their great skinnies are available as well as wider legged selections. I fell in love with their jackets as well. The two particular jackets I loved were designed as a classic blazer but in a heavier sweat shirt fabric made of 100% cotton stretch. They run small (the small fit me perfect everywhere) and it sat on my hips. This jacket will also find its way into my wardrobe (it comes in black and white). There was a collection of women’s oxfords and a few t-shirts that were charming.

Additionally there is a selection of summer pants that are all cotton and a nice alternative to a summer denim. They too are a casually classic and straight cut. Honorable mentions to the double layer vests, hoodies and short jumpsuits.

Blue Notch uses the finest of cottons for their fabrics that come all the way from Zimbabwe and Cameroon. There is no detail missed within in the garment and the quality is always outstanding. They pride themselves on having a line that is comfortable and green yet utilitarian. Which for this busy executive, is huge.

Thanks again Sun! As always it was a pleasure! See you in November!

Its a biggy ladies! The sale starts today and ends Sunday Oct 26th. Designers include Costume National, D&G and many more. I can’t wait to dig through this sale on my lunch hour today!

I got an email last week from a reader requesting a few knee high boots that fit tightly to a 12” petite calf. She requested a boot that was leather only, with little wiggle room. As I’m on the market for a new pair of boots I jumped at the challenge and made my way to Nordstrom at the Grove to conduct my research. And with luck on my side, I found a few pairs of magnificent boots I highly recommend.

The Apepazzo Giotto boot was definitely my favorite and on my wish list. They are soft leather and hit just below the knee. I love all of the detail and the buckle in the back. They fit me a little snug (my calf is almost 13”) and were amazing on.

Stuart Weitzman also has an elegant classic boot in suede that is pretty. I want it in brown and black.

If you prefer the very best the Dolce Gabbana pleated shaft boots are absolutely glorious.

Not crazy about Nordstrom? Don’t have a G to drop on boots? Looking for something more affordable? Consider the Cinderella of Boston Legend boots. You can order them online and they ship internationally.