By mid-summer I tend to start fantasizing about my fall wardrobe. Even though I am still wearing dresses, skirts and rompers, I can’t wait to put on jeans, boots, and big sweaters. So now that September has arrived, it’s finally time to talk fall trends. I’ve been keeping lots of lists, but Leopard is the first trend I want to cover because many of these pieces are transitional and can be worn right now.

I am not a big fan of animal prints in general but leopard (and occasionally cheetah) can be very chic when worn sparingly and with the right coordinating pieces. It’s a tricky trend because it can look cheap depending on the quality of the fabric and the actual design of the print. So while you need to spend a little more on these pieces, you don’t need many of them to incorporate the leopard trend into your wardrobe.  One leopard accessory and one piece of clothing can be worn in many different ways throughout the season. To get you started I chose a few pieces that are available online now:

1. Botkier ‘Maddie’ Suede Crossbody Bag $345 – The color, shape and fabric of this bag are completely unexpected and yet so versatile. On the weekends, I would wear it with jeans, biker boots and a crisp white shirt. At night it would look great with wide leg jeans, or pants, and a tweed box jacket (maybe one in black and white with a hint of gold to bring out the yellow of the bag). Buy it at saksfifthavenue.com.

2. Tarnish Asymmetrical Animal Print Fedora $75 – You are too cool if you can wear this hat well. Be forewarned – you must look good in fedoras to get away with this one. But if you do, this is an accessory with attitude that will immediately dress up your drab, black winter coats. But it at nordstrom.com.

3. Anlo ‘Jordan’ Dress $260 – A darker version of the leopard print looks great on all skin colors and this is the perfect transitional weight. Wear it now with sandals and later with low motorcycle boots and a cropped jacket. Buy it at nordstrom.com.

4. Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Leopard Print Faux Fur Coat $545 – Despite what may seem like a large price tag, this is a great print at a great price and something you will have forever. Buy it at saksfifthavenue.com.

5. See by Chloe Printed Silk Dress $390 – The subtle color and sparse print of this dress make it so sophisticated. Another great transition piece, you can wear it now with nude strappy heels and later with boots and a blazer. For a more casual look this fall, I would put this on with my biker boots and a black boyfriend sweater so it just peeks out the bottom like a skirt. Buy it at net-a-porter.com.

6. AKA New York Cocoon Top $238 – The only leopard top you will ever need. Wear it as a shell under a blazer with wide-leg bottoms, or with black skinny jeans and sky-high suede booties. Buy it at shopbop.com.

7. Ann Taylor Perfect Leopard Flat $158 – Super cute leopard flats never go out of style and can instantly make a boring outfit fun. When you’re feeling uninspired and black seems like the only color in your closet, put this print on your feet and just look like you made an effort. Buy them at anntaylor.com.

8. Tolani Leopard Print Scarf $99 – Just like the flats, this scarf can instantly dress up an outfit. All the the black, grey and brown in your wardrobe will pair perfectly with this pretty piece and you will get a lot of mileage out of a small investment. Buy it at singer22.com.

There are many leopard options out there but we hope this helps inspire you to shop for a few great pieces for fall.

xoxo Melina

What do you do if you’re a retail giant who needs to break into a younger, contemporary market that likes to shop boutiques? You open one! I have to admit I was not on the cutting edge with Cusp, Neiman Marcus’ answer to Barney’s Co-Op, Intermix and Scoop. The first stores opened about three years ago but, in my defense, they were all in semi-urban locations and none near NYC. Now, NM is putting some serious advertising cash behind their little sister store, with extensive campaigns in all the fall fashion mags and online. After surfing their website several weeks ago, I knew they were MKIA material but I decided to visit a store before making my endorsement.

I was in DC this weekend and stopped over in Georgetown just to checkout one of the first Cusp locations and I was not disappointed. Now that I’ve been there, done that I am happy to give a glowing recommendation of their e-commerce site. It’s like visiting a virtual, mini-department store with all your favorite contemporary clothing, shoe and accessory brands. That includes a well-curated assortment of beauty products, such as Chanel Les Vernis Nail Colour, and the entire line of Hanky Panky underwear.

They make shopping the site interesting with a Trends section listing unexpected search categories like “Instant Gratification”, where all the pieces are priced under $2oo and “Play It by Ear”, featuring just earrings. The brand mix is extensive and I just want to name a “few” here – La Rok, Parker, Elizabeth and James, French Connection, J Brand, Alice & Olivia, Beyond Vintage, Frye, Belle by Sigerson, Madison Marcus, Dolce Vita, Pour Le Victoire, Botkier, Cynthia Vincent, and Foley and Corinna. Check out the site at www.cusp.com for the full roster of designers and products and if you happen to be near a store, I’d recommend stopping in – the design is fresh and the selection is fun!

Happy Shopping!

xoxo Melina

Bright, neon colors for summer. Not exactly original, I know, but is this trend actually wearable? After scouring my piles of magazines and seeing images of bronzed photo-shopped models in 80’s inspired electric bikinis (um, no thanks!), I decided it was about time to explore more reasonable options.

Remembering that a pop of color can go a long way, I found flattering frocks and accessories in vivid hues that will give your closet good vibrations all summer long (and they are all under $200!):

1. Fierra Y Back Tank Dress, Alice + Olivia: $198 – Simple and sexy, just as the summer should be! Be perfection in purple with this no-frills dress that you’ll be grabbing for again and again for every night out.

2. Cotton Racer-Back Tank, Splendid: $44 – The key-lime color of this casual tank will look great paired with white jeans and a nice tan.

3. Neon Lights Belt, Madewell in Pop Pink: $32 – Keep it together and understated with this skinny belt that adds the tiniest burst of color. Cinch a dress at the waist, or sling it through the loops of pants at the hip, either way you can’t go wrong with this chic and playful accent.

4. Olvera Pocket Dress, Patterson J. Kincaid: $89 – This orange-blossom/coral color reminds me of a Tequila Sunrise, which could be your perfect accessory! Wear it as a beach cover up or throw on some heels for a sweltering night out. The best part? It’s on sale right now!

5. Disco City Tote, Foley & Corinna in Electric Blue: $198 – I have this bag in grey and I wear it all the time. It’s so versatile and I absolutely love the azure blue color. This high-voltage accessory can bring any outfit from boring to bangin’.

6. Patent Ballerina Flats, Bloch: $150 – You’ll be walking on sunshine with these peppy fun flats that can bring any summer outfit to life. They will also work well into fall when you need to spice up an all black ensemble.

7. Skinny Mini Skirt, Naven in Vegas Blue: $140 - Tuck in a cute tank and you’re good to go with this high-wasted electric mini.

8. Drape Back Top, Amanda Uprichard in Hot Pink/Black: $106 – I bought this top in the spring and love wearing it with my black skinny jeans. It’s sexy and yet leaves plenty to the imagination. The black band in the back is great for hiding a strapless bra so you can feel supported while showing off some skin!

Now go get yourself a gorgeous neon number and crank up the heat on your summer wardrobe.

xoxo Lauren

It’s about time! J.Crew’s newish sister store, Madewell, is finally online with its own e-commerce site. If you are not familiar with the brand, the clothes are a little less preppy and a little more bohemian. And the prices are similar, if not slightly more reasonable, than J.Crew. With only a sprinkling of stores throughout the US, the site is a long time coming for those of us who can’t get to a store or just prefer to shop from the comfort of our homes.

I had a great time shopping Madewell.com. Here are the contents of my cart…too bad I can’t buy it all!

1. Romantic Ruffle Dress: $88 – Love the ruffly sleeves and skin skimming, yet flattering, silhouette.

2. Metal Mesh Drape Tank: $58 – This rocker meets surfer girl tank comes in three colors. The mesh panels dress it up, making it an easy staple piece that can go from day to night.

3. Panama Hat: $58 – A great hat at a great price. This girly twist on the original will go perfectly will all your summer outfits and is a stylish way to shield yourself from the sun.

4. Boardwalk Shorts: $72 – The trend of the season, silky shorts in the perfect summer pink. These will make your tan legs look great and the color, despite what you may think, can go with almost anything.

5. Cascade Color Drop Necklace: $98 – Metal chain necklaces are everywhere right now but I love this boho version with the colored stones.

6. Mariposa Skirt: $88 – Love the shape, love the exposed zipper, love the print. You will get a lot of use out of this mini.

7. Academy Blazer: $168 – Pair it now with a flowy dress or skirt and in the fall with skinny jeans, this versatile blazer will be one of your favorites. It’s all in the details – the tailored shape and gold buttons will inject instant fashion into any outfit.

8. Drifter Top: $118 – I’m a sucker for pretty tops that look like they came straight from the 60′s and this one has my name written all over it. It’s the perfect piece to wear with denim cutoffs and go see a summer concert in the park!

9. Scarfi Creazioni Panarea Multi-Lace Sandals: $78 – Instant Italian chic! These sandals are actually made there on the island of Panarea. They come with two sets of straps, in black and periwinkle, so you can wear them all summer long.

xoxo Melina

Let’s be honest…we like to look at celebrities. We want to see what they drive, who they hang out with and, most importantly, what they are wearing. So when I discovered Singer22.com about a year ago I was giddy over the idea that I could shop the clothes right off the celebrities’ backs. Ok, some of them are just the new brand of pseudo-celebrity who got lucky on reality television but who cares? They have access to the latest designers and trends so why wouldn’t I be interested?

The only site of its’ kind, Singer22.com has ingeniously made trendy celebrity street fashion readily accessible to all. Catch Rihanna strolling in Manhattan in J Brand skinny cargos and an LnA tee…you can buy the whole outfit here.  Party dresses and hip casual clothing in the boho/punk-rock genre is the general theme of this massive online storefront, although there are definitely more polished looks in the mix.

Hard-to-find t-shirt brands such as Lauren Moshi (seen above on Reese Witherspoon), Wildfox, and Rebel Yell, which are extremely hard to find in street retail are all available in abundance. The latest hot frocks from Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Gypsy 05, Alice and Olivia, Pency, Parker and many more stock the virtual shelves of this fun, funky fashion world where dressing like a celebrity is just a click away. You can also find your favorite accessories such as Jeffrey Campbell shoes and Rebecca Minkoff handbags.

And now for the downside…you can only return your purchases for store credit (good for one year). But they make the exchange process easy and, truthfully, you know you will use it eventually. The links below (and images above) are just a small slice of Singer22.com’s vast summer selection (left to right):

Alice + Olivia Sheila Asymmetrical Cut Out Dress in Black: $242 - Current/Elliott The Captain Trouser in Army or Khaki: $162 - Naven Party Dress in Pop Pink (Black and Purple also available): $379 – Paige Premium Denim Verdugo Jegging in Dusk: $158 - Blue Moon Summer Lovin Dress in Summer Tie Dye: $175 - Lauren Moshi V-Neck Swing Bow Top: $94

Looks like you have a new excuse to sneak a peek into the lives celebrities and their favorite fashions. Don’t worry, we won’t judge.

xoxo Melina

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of anything and everything sparkly. So it makes perfect sense that I was stopped in my shopping tracks when I saw Tracey Tanner’s collection at ABC Carpet & Home.

If you’ve ever been to ABC here in NYC, you know there is a lot to look at. Every inch of their 5-story space is filled with amazingly fabulous home furnishings and accessories. But for me, Tracey Tanner’s pieces stood out among the crowd. Her little pouches and makeup cases are made with extremely soft leather and are adorned with a hint of glittery sparkles and distressed metallic patterns. After a little at-home research, we learned that the Brooklyn-based designer has a vast collection of leather goods with unique, on-trend details in classic shapes and colors.

I bought the small makeup case in “Sparkling Frost” to hold credit cards and cash because my wallet is always too large for my evening bags. I may also use it as a change purse. When I found Tanner’s website, I fell in love with her handbags, jewelry and small accessories.

The Brooke and Casey bags come in a lovely neutral palette and versatile shapes. Her rugged, rocker-inspired wristbands are also a cool find at an affordable price. The MKIAs really like the “Distressed,” Triple Wrap band as well as the “Bar,” 4 Row cuff.

With edgy details, girlie sparkles, and sophisticated designs, Tracey Tanner makes leather goods really good.

If you are not familiar with this online fashion powerhouse, wait no longer.  They are the quintessential internet boutique that offers the inventory (over 300 designers) and site sophistication to compete with the big boys (e.g. Neimans, Saks, Bergdorf, etc.) Their ability to showcase the apparel and accessories in a quick, digestible format that feels both high-end and intimate is simply unparalleled.

We recommend subscribing to their mailing list to receive their fabulous “lookbooks.” Talk about fashion inspiration!  These online guides feature trends, runway reports, and individual designers in a unique editorial style that the glossy mags can’t touch. Their emails, which may tempt you to shop (that is the idea), will no doubt keep you educated and if nothing else, help you shop your own closet with an editor’s eye.

They recently introduced free worldwide shipping in 3 days or less (and free returns within the USA.)  Hello customer service!  We love you shopbop.

The questionable weather ahead does not change the fact that Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching– and I couldn’t be more excited. Rain or shine, I have already dusted off my bright summer dresses, cleaned my aviators of scratches, and gotten myself a much needed pedicure (with Melina’s polish picks, of course!). All I need now is a fashionable beach blanket that won’t make me look like I’m five years old again and still making sand castles.

Good thing I found Scoop’s double-sided beach towel that not only is eye-catching as a terry-cloth blanket or towel, it functions as a wrap as well! So now, when my warm and sunny dreams of laying out and getting a tan this weekend are dashed by 60 degree weather, I can cuddle up in this over-sized pareo. Not only can you be the most stylish person on the beach, you can be the warmest too.  These genius creations are sold at Scoop stores or online at libastyle.com.

Do you ever feel like you are not in control of the contents of your own handbag? It’s exacerbating to always feel as though you’ve left something behind. For me, it can be one or any combination of the following: keys, wallet, makeup bag, one of my two blackberries or my indispensable Ipod.

This scenario happens as often as it does because I own (and like to utilize) my rather large collection of totes, hobos, shoulder bags, satchels and clutches. And like most women with a lot of handbags, I usually want to wear a different one each day (or at the very least every other day). Unfortunately this involves the frustrating task of shuffling the contents from one bag into another.

Let’s be honest ladies, with all the crap we carry around this can be a very time consuming process. Such an effort can be a major deterrent for the bag-switcher and prevent us from showing off all the sacks in our arsenal.

Enter the VIP (Very Intelligent Pocket)Bag.

This efficient little wonder will make the bag-switching process effortless. It neatly compartmentalizes all your daily necessities into one, pretty little pouch with pockets galore so that when you switch you don’t sweat. With the VIP Bag we can finally carry around “everything but the kitchen sink” and still be organized.

This is very big news for me and although we try not to make Miss Know It All NYC-centric, this event is too important not to announce. If you’ve ever traveled to the UK and London specifically you most likely know about TOPSHOP. For those of you who don’t know, this British retailer is best described as a bigger, better version of H & M. Its also slightly more expensive, but for good reason – their designs are not only better, the clothes are better quality.

You don’t need to be in Manhattan to shop TOPSHOP…they have a very successful website that is easy to navigate. Their most identifiable designer is Kate Moss whose lines are always exciting and very “on-trend”.  They also feature collaborations with a rotating crew of cutting-edge designers, most recently with Jonathan Saunders and Preen.

TOPSHOP NYC is located at the intersection of Broadway and Broome in SoHo. If you can’t make it to the store, hit the website to get your TOPSHOP fix immediately: TOPSHOP.com