Both soccer superstar David Beckham and his wife, Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham, have posed for Armani ads in their underwear - and little else. Now the two have been photographed posing together for Armani’s Fall 2009 campaign, coming soon to a fashion magazine and/or billboard near you. What do you think of their new joint ads? Does this just mean double the eye candy, or is it a little TMI to see a married couple in such provocative poses? d

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Beyonce and her mother, Tina, are set to launch a new junior apparel line inspired by Queen B’s alter ego, Sasha Fierce. The collection, officially called Sasha Fierce for Dereon, will be available in Macy’s, Dillard’s, and specialty stores just in time for back to school shopping at the end of the summer. According to Tina, the look is “edgier and trendier and reflects Sasha Fierce’s daring and outgoing attitude.” Accessories, which are intentionally “really over the top,” include huge sunglasses, chains in mixed metals, and studded shoes, while the clothes - such as leggings, bodysuits and a one-shoulder dress - will be more subtle in order to give the accessories room to shine. So what do you think? Are you excited to go back to school next year as Sasha Fierce? (Or, if you’re a little past the “back to school” age, will you be picking up a few pieces from the junior’s section anyway?) Or do you think Beyonce should leave her outlandish style on the stage, where it belongs?

Spotted: Leighton Meester back to work as Blair, shooting Gossip Girl this week. If you love her bright cheery floral dress as much as you do looking at Chuck in his suspenders, then you can get your floral fix over at Forever 21. They have a great selection of flirty floral pattern dresses, perfect for summer nights. xoxo.

Today is the last day of the Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual Sale! To celebrate the savings, they’re currently offering 20% Off on orders of $50 or more when you enter the code 20OFF50 at checkout. That means great discounts on everything from their signature bras and panties to swimwear and clothing, including this adorable mini caftan dress. A little something for everybody, no? Check it out before it’s too late!

Last night’s BET Awards were most notable for being the first big awards show after Michael Jackson’s death, so one of the main focal points of the broadcast naturally became MJ and his legacy in the entertainment world. That’s not to say, however, that the main feature of any celeb-studded awards show - the fashion - was completely overshadowed. There were still plenty of hits and misses to discuss. Here are my picks for Best and Worst Dressed of the night:

Alicia Keys, in her embellished Jenny Packham minidress, is my choice for Best Dressed. I love the color and the exotic beading on this dress, and the length and sheer fabric are just right for summer. I also adore the Louboutin sandals and the champagne-colored satin clutch, accentuated by one long, swinging tassel. Her hair and makeup were flawless as well.

Tyra Banks fails to make me smile with my eyes with this ill-fitting, slapdash ensemble - a great example of an interesting idea that was poorly executed. I understand that she wanted to try something different, but in my opinion, the proportions of this menswear-inspired outfit just don’t work, from the billowing sleeves to the fitted vest to the tapered pants and the heels. Nothing seems to go with anything else, and it looks like she just came from the office! Now we all know that Tyra isn’t working a day job as a receptionist, so there’s really no excuse. The center parted hair that just hangs there doesn’t help matters.

Did anybody catch your eye - for better or for worse - at the BET Awards last night?

Even though it’s summer, there are summer breezes.  Especially at night.  You need a nice little layer to keep the chill at bay and this funky cardigan from Urban Outfitters is exactly what I want to sport this summer.  The ruching on the sleeves is such a unique touch, the open front allows for a breezy style and the deep plum is a great color for transitioning into fall.  Love love love.

For decades - no, scratch that…for centuries - woman have been on the hunt for methods to make their lashes look longer, fuller, thicker, and darker. It’s no stretch to say that almost every woman has at least one tube of mascara in her makeup bag. But now, for the first time, you have the option to try something other than mascara or falsies to plump up your lashes: You could actually stimulate lash growth with Latisse, a new drug applied topically to the lash line from the makers of Botox. (No lie!) You’ve probably seen the ads with spokesmodel Brooke Shields, or read the article in the June issue of Allure. Of course, like any drug, Latisse has some scary potential side effects, most notably “brown iris pigmentation which is likely to be permanent.” This means that Latisse could actually change the color of your eyes. I want beautiful lashes as much as the next person, but I’m more than a little uncomfortable with the idea of risking a permanent alteration in my eye color. Plus, I’m a bit squeamish in general about the thought of using any drug in or near my eyes, unless I absolutely have to for medical reasons. But that’s just me. What do you think of Latisse?

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I heart Jessica’s bag. And the color of her dress.  And her sweater.  That is all…for now.

If you are a fan of Gossip Girl, Anna Sui and Target, then on September 13th you are going to freak your freak.  Anna Sui has designed a Gossip Girl inspired collection and you can hop on over to The Cut to check out the different looks, each named for the character that inspired them:  Blair, Serena, Jenny and Vanessa.  There is at least one look from each character that I want to own.  And I have a feeling they are going to sell out quickly!  I am marking my calendar!

It is with a very heavy heart that I have to report that it’s official: Michael Jackson has died. The Internet has been abuzz with the news for hours, ever since TMZ broke the story, but it has now been officially confirmed by reputable sources including the Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times. Say what you will about his personal life, his troubles with the law, and his apparent addiction to plastic surgery, but Michael Jackson was a consummate performer and a hugely influential style icon (single glove, white socks with loafers and floodwater pants, zippered red leather jacket, etc.), as well as a distinctive vocalist and an amazing dancer. Instead of posting a recent pic, I’m going to share one of my favorite photos, from back when MJ was cute. Rest in Peace, Michael. The world will never forget you.

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I am of the mind that there is absolutely nothing better than the smell of coconuts in the summer. Normally, I prefer to smell a little more mysterious and complex, but the fresh, tropical scent is just so alluring when temperatures begin to rise. Last weekend I popped into Bath & Body Works and picked up a brand new shower gel and body lotion in Exotic Coconut, and it is seriously my new favorite olfactory indulgence. (And, even better, they’re having their Semi-Annual Sale through the end of June, so the bottles are marked down to $4 each from their usual $9.50!) I’ve been sniffing myself all day just to catch a whiff of the coconutty goodness. What’s your favorite summer scent?

Staying on trend this week with finding celebrity summer looks we are digging, how about this updated bohemian look from Leighton Meester?  The dress is gauzy and flowing in its fabric, which lends a little summer glamour despite the darker colors.  Since the top is modestly cut it allows the skirt to be short and reveal summer ready legs.  And if you are showing off those legs, nothing is better to help than sky high gladiator heels.  Her light colored bag really brings out the summer time feel, tying everything together. Here are a few ways to get the look and make it your own:

Dress Shoes Bag

So this week a male model admitted that he…wait for it…it’s a shocker…DIETS.  Oh heavens!  The frank candor of such a man.  I know, I know.  It is all a little bit ridiculous but for some reason this has garnered headlines all over the blog world.  A lot of people seem to be of the opinion that this male model is brave(?) for admitting he struggles to meet model standards.  People are also saying, “Why can’t female models make the same admission?”  On one hand I can see why they think it would be a good example to young women that wish they could look like models - it would show them that it takes “work” to look so thin.  But I think it is a dangerous line.  It could also start a thought process of, “Well, my favorite model only eats once a day.  That is good enough for me too.”  It’s not realistic and it’s not healthy.

What do you think?

It’s summer, so of course Megan Fox isn’t the only star who’s out and about in super casual clothes. The cameras also caught Katie Holmes rocking a pair of cuffed denim Bermuda shorts. Do I actually like this look?! I feel so conflicted! I think Katie’s facial expression pretty much sums it up. On one hand, I’ve always found long shorts kind of repulsive. But I do like how she paired hers with a pair of heeled, studded gladiator sandals. It toughens up the whole look and gives the shoes a chance to shine, as well as keeping her away from “slob” territory (which is where this outfit would probably fall if she had on flip-flops, say, or old sneakers). What do you think of Bermuda shorts? Are they cute or not? If you want to steal Katie’s style here, you can get  a similar pair of shorts at Old Navy for just ten bucks…or I guess you could make your own by taking a pair of scissors to some old jeans. (Is this what happened to those baggy boyfriend jeans that Katie was so fond of last year, hmm?) Don’t forget the gladiator sandals (love these by Nine West), long tank, cropped, fitted jacket and bemused expression!

Megan Fox may be burning up the red carpet with her daring dresses at premieres for Transformers 2 around the world but I like the laid back Megan that went on a coffee run this morning the best.  I really am a fan of a fedora and there is a casual sexiness to a burnout tee.  Add in some peach flats to match her hat and she has got the coffee run look down.  Wanna recreate it for yourself?  Here you go:

Grab a fedora from ModCloth, a burnout tee from Urban Outfitters and some pretty flats from Zappos.   Don’t forget to add some skinny jeans and aviator sunglasses!

Living in NYC, you come to know Ricky’s.  Especially around Halloween.  They always have the best costume collections and costumed characters outside the store luring you in.  And once you venture inside you realize that Ricky’s is more than just costumes - it is a bona fide makeup/accessories/beauty store.  They have great cosmetics, hair products and even sell Havianas.  All of this is important because Ricky’s NYC just stepped off the streets of New York and into your computer with their new online store!  If you are looking for discounted Kiss My Face or a hot pink wig - Ricky’s got it for you.  Click on over and check out the eclectic collection they have to offer!

Now through the end of June, you’ll get an additional 15% Off of all sales items on the Urban Outfitters website - no code necessary! That means tons of big savings on cute summer pieces, like this scoop back cami ($19.99) or this sunny yellow and white dress ($69.99). Can’t wait to start browsing!

Smith’s Rosebud Salve is the best! The consistency (a little goopy but not sticky), the scent (slightly rose-tinted), the shine, the versatility (use it on chapped lips, chafed heels, flyaway hairs, unruly brows, etc.)…even the packaging - that retro-looking tin  - is great. So naturally I was very excited to come across this cool trio of balms from the Rosebud Perfume Co. In addition to the original Rosebud Salve, you’ll also get full-sized tins of Strawberry and Minted Rose Lip Balms - all for $16. Considering the individual tins retail for around 6 or 7 bucks, this is basically a Buy 2 Get 1 Free deal. Enjoy, fellow balm addicts!

Smooth, soft, hair-free armpits that smell delish and don’t require a razor to maintain…sounds like a fantasy, right? Well, if the ad campaign for Dove’s new Visibly Smooth anti-perspirant/deodorant is to be trusted, it might just be a reality. Unlike the lazy, single-purpose deodorant you’re currently using, these little babies are multitaskers: They’ll make your underarm hair “softer, finer and easier to remove” while “smoothing and conditioning” your skin. Eventually, you ‘ll even find yourself reaching for your razor less frequently. But the reason I want it has nothing to do with its hair thinning or skin conditioning properties; it’s more about the scent. Wild Rose deodorant?! That sounds awesome! (For some reason, you don’t see a lot of rose-scented deodorants, and I looove the smell of roses.) For those of you less fond of flowers, you can also choose Nature Fresh scent. And, if you hurry, you can score a $2 off coupon from Dove’s website! Very nice.

How’s this for a shocker: Remember Kimberley Vlaminck, the Belgian teenager who claimed that she asked a tattoo artist for 3 stars on her face, fell asleep during the tattooing session and woke up to find her face half-covered in stars? Well, if you guessed that she was lying, ding ding ding! You’re right! The truth finally came out during an interview with a Dutch TV crew, in which Vlaminck states, “I asked for 56 stars and initially adored them. But when my father saw them, he was furious. So I said I fell asleep and that the tattooist made a mistake.” As for the tattoo artist in question, Rouslan Toumaniantz, he’s not losing any sleep over the whole ordeal: “I don’t regret it. To tell you the truth, this has given me some publicity.” He has, however, decided to make future clients sign consent forms before inking them. Sounds like a happy ending all around, really…well, except for Kimberley’s dad, who’s probably even more mad! So what do you think - are you positively floored that she made the whole story up?!

Love them or loathe them, Uggs have become a staple of many women’s wardrobes.  They have been criticized for their bulky lack of style but embraced because of their unrivaled comfort.  Well, Ugg is previewing their fall collection on Nordstrom.com with a Fall 2009 Trunk Show and let’s just say Ugg must have gotten the style memo.  How adorable are these new ‘Highkoo’ style Uggs??  I absolutely love them!  They have several new styles available, like the equally adorable but tougher-looking Kensington, and you can pre-order their new styles now through July 5th.  Remember when Uggs were impossible to buy because they were such a hot commodity?  With styles like this, we might just see that phenomenon happen again.  Pre-ordering might be your best bet if you want to make sure you get your hands on the updated style you like best!

Cameron Diaz looked like the true movie star that she is as she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday.  Ms. Diaz is undoubtedly a stunner and her sunny summer look is one that I want to replicate this season.  She wore a white Oscar de la Renta dress with a red patent leather belt and red pumps. Here are a few ways to pull off the same style on a budget:

The dress to the left is from Forever 21 and would work because of the high neck line and floral overlay.  The dress to the right is from Delia*s and has an eyelet pattern and full skirt. Both come in under $50 and could be accessorized in many ways throughout the summer.

Making sure that your “reds” match, add a red belt, like this one from Kohl’s, and some red pumps from Steve Madden and your outfit is taken care of - the Cameron-Diaz-confidence is up to you to complete the look.  That and some fierce red lipstick!

So I decided to put my money where my mouth is and try out the baking soda as exfoliant trick that I wrote about last week. Speaking of money, I may be stating the obvious here, but wow - this stuff is cheap! I picked up a little box at Target (because, in fact, the only baking soda we have in the house is sitting in our fridge, absorbing odors!) and I think it cost me something like 46 cents. I decided to try it out in the shower today. It was hard to get a good “paste” consistency going, because the baking soda kept dissolving when it came in contact with the water, but I finally scooped up a little and patted it onto my wet face. After massaging it in for about a minute or so, I rinsed, and was surprised by how soft my face felt. Everything looked nice and rosy too. All in all, this worked at least as well as my regular exfoliant, St. Ives Apricot Scrub, and for way, way less money. Did anyone else try this out yet? Do share!

Here’s a great tip for everyday bargain shopping: Did you know that Forever 21 features a list of sales items on their website, updated on a daily basis? It’s true! It’s called the Daily 21 Specials, and it features 21 items at 20% Off. It’s a great way to save even more money on their already affordable clothes. And really, who can’t use a little extra cash in their pocket nowadays?

I’m not a big fan of Jessica Simpson, but word of a new beauty-based reality show will always catch my attention, and it just so happens that the two have coincided today. None other than Ms. Simpson, she of “Is this chicken what I have here or is this fish?” Newlyweds notoriety, is set to host a new series for VH1 next year called The Price of Beauty. In it, Jessica will “travel the world to examine beauty standards and treatments.” Lest you think Jess will act as a mere reporter, she also promises to “participate in some of the crazy things people to do to feel beautiful.” Now, call me crazy, but I think this premise has serious potential! I’m fascinated by the different beauty treatments women use in various countries, and I think it will be interesting to see some of them in action. My only real reservation is that this will have some sort of patronizing, “dimwitted celeb mingling with the common folk” vibe to it, not unlike The Simple Life with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. (Not that I ever watched that show, but I got the drift.) I’m also a little afraid that they’re going to make this a sort of Jackass for the beauty crowd, with Jessica attempting some really outlandish stunts week after week. For some reason, the words “manure facial” keep popping into my head…I don’t know why. Anyhow, I’m looking forward to it. Hesitantly. What do you think?

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It’s been quite an exciting week on the affordable beauty front! First, we learned that you can use corn starch as a substitute for dry shampoo, and now this: The most gentle and effective exfoliant may already be in your pantry (or absorbing odors in your fridge). According to this post on Makeup Loves Me, baking soda is a fabulous facial scrub that will leave your skin smooth, soft and glowing, with no irritation or breakouts. Just add a few tablespoons of baking soda to water in order to form a paste, work it into your skin, and rinse off. I can’t wait to try this! (Just don’t use the box that’s been sitting in your fridge, okay?!)

I am a total nerd when it comes to cool glow-in-the-dark stuff, so it makes complete sense that I am nerdily excited about these awesome glow-in-the-dark flip-flops from Havaianas! They’re $28 each - a bit pricey for flip-flops, but c’mon, they glow - and they’re available in 4 different colors. Apparently you wear them all day, and the solar energy from the sun charges ‘em up, and then when darkness falls, bam! Your feet are treated to glowy goodness! Sounds like the perfect accessory for an all-day beach hangout that ends with a bonfire or BBQ at dusk.

While browsing through the blogosphere today, I happened upon this post, from Shimmer Kisser, in which Katrina questions the validity of the old “3 month rule” when it comes to mascara. She makes a number of convincing points as to why she thinks it’s a total scam perpetrated by the mascara industry, designed to sell more mascara by fostering fear in consumers. For example, why would it be so terrible for your eyes to have a “bacteria-laden” mascara wand near them when you presumably touch them with your germy fingers all the time? And why don’t we do the same thing with lip gloss, which is probably much nastier than mascara considering it goes on our mouths, which are basically germ central? She finishes up the post by sharing a picture of her lashes coated with 3-year-old Great Lash - and, yes, it does still look great. So what’s up with the old 3-month rule? Total racket or what? A few commenters wisely pointed out that the biggest danger is in the formula itself going bad, and I know I’ve noticed a foul smell issuing forth from some of my older mascara tubes, which always earns them a one-way ticket to the trash can. But what about throwing away older tubes that seem perfectly fine? Is it a smart safety precaution, or are we being scammed?

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In case you missed it, Gisele is expecting!  It was only a matter of time, since Gisele has been talking about how she wants a large family and it looks like her and Tom Brady are on their way!  People magazine reported the pregnancy earlier today and the news is spreading like wildfire.  The couple themselves has not yet confirmed the news, but a close friend has and the picture accompanying the article is pretty rich evidence.  Congratulations to the happy couple!  This is going to be one genetically blessed baby…

Lauren Conrad made a rainy New York City day seem a little sunny with her adorable dress and enormous umbrella. She has been making her rounds promoting her first work of fiction, LA Candy.

To get a similar look, hop on over to Urban Outfitters (avoiding the crop tops: see below) and snag this dress that is on sale for $29.99, down from $58. Add a skinny black belt and let the sun shine! But don’t forget your clear bubble umbrella in case you get caught in a summer shower!