So, let’s say we skip a day of the wash-n-dry. There’s still one big problem: contrary to what reality television would have us believe (I’m lookin’ at you, Kim Kardashian), not all of us roll out of bed polished and ready to go.

The obvious solution is to throw your hair up — out of your face and out of the way. It’s not the best idea, I know — who feels sexy in a messy ponytail? But just think about those amazing Z’s you were able to snag by cutting out the morning wash!

Well, if you ask me, there’s no reason to have to choose between sleeping in and looking good. There are plenty of ways to embrace the pony and keep it stylish — you just have to jazz it up!

Jennifer Aniston has the right idea…

The side part and low pony is a classic combination — and is an instant glam do for the gal on the go. This look works especially well if you can create a part different than the one you wore the previous day, exposing different, less-weathered locks.

You MIGHT recognize this second style:
Yep, the LC signature side braid. This look is perfect for day-old hair; the braid up front will mask any wear your coif may have endured throughout the night. And, to top it off, the look is très chic!

And, just because you want to put it up doesn’t mean it has to be completely tucked back.
Here Jennifer Lopez is working the low-rise pony, keeping it sexy with a looser, retro-curled front.This look frames her face, giving the illusion of a down-do with all the benefits of an up-do!

I propose the dawning of a new age. No longer is the ponytail a last-resort concession for your hair. Make it a first choice for those early mornings — because beauty doesn’t HAVE to be work. I don’t know about you, but I, for one, will embrace any short cut I can find.

Amid this impending weight-loss hysteria, Cosmo published a super interesting article about the emotional power of clothing sizes. And, speaking as a girl gearing up for a fabulous week-long spring break cruise to the Bahamas, I could not relate more.

The battle arises yearly. Lose weight! Get into shape! Drop a size and feel good about your body when it’s time to hit the beach.

But these days, losing a pant size may not mean you’ve actually lost weight. A size 2 nowadays could be as much as 3 inches bigger than a size 2 just 10 years ago — which Cosmo calls “vanity sizing.” When you think about it, it’s brilliant…for them. If I could fit into a size 2 at a store, you’d better believe I’d buy the place out. So, if manufacturers by default make their products just a bit bigger than normal (throwing the size spectrum out of whack), they can make their customers feel good about themselves AND make a huge profit. There’s just something gratifying about being able to drop a size; we’ve become inherently number-centric and it’s only going to get worse!

This got me wondering how well “vanity sizing” works. As a test, I decided to ask 10 of my friends if they’d be more likely to buy clothes from a store that “inflated” their sizes — aka, they’d be able to fit into a size or two smaller than normal. ALL of them said yes. Without hesitation. All of them!

The thing I’ve always loved about bevello is that the company truly does cater to all sizes. When we ran as an online boutique, we put our clothes on all REAL people — real shapes, real sizes. And, honestly, I think that’s the way to go. Because, when it boils down to it…size ain’t nothin’ but a number. Preach!

The 2009 Victoria’s Secret Fashion show has come and gone — this one possibly topping all the rest in VS fashion history.

The show featured a 140-foot catwalk, 100 lbs of glitter, 124 feet of hair extensions, and a $3 million dollar bra. (Yep, that’s just ONE bra — a 150-carat jewel-encrusted bra, worn by Marisa Miller and designed by the Italian jeweler Damiani.) The Black Eyed Peas were musical guests, and, needless to say, Fergie rocked it out.

If you didn’t catch the show on TV, check it out in full on Hulu.

Fun fact: it took over 200 hours to create all the wings you see during the show. Keep an eye out for them!

P.S. My roommates and I find that the show is best watched with a plate of cookies in tow. Just sayin’.

There’s good news here, though: one of the fall’s biggest fashion staples is the blazer. And why not? Chic, classy, sophisticated — yet practical for the in-between season changes.

This midnight black blazer is from the collection of one of bevello’s newest up-and-coming designers — Nick & Mo.

The jacket is wool and fully-lined, so it’s sure to keep you cozy during those cold days. But don’t worry about getting too hot — the 3/4 length sleeves will keep things light. The copper buttons set off the black, and the bright white trim is so mod.

You’ll have four front pockets and a bronze knob securing each sleeve, as well. This blazer is SO Jackie Kennedy, am I right?

And if you’re looking for something brown, check out its twin, also designed by Nick & Mo.

This russet would be gorgeous with any hair color. The edges on this blazer are trimmed with black lace.

Victims of the weather? No longer!

And the bevello fall collection has you covered.

This season, I NEED to own this:
And the bevello fall collection
This gorgeous cardigan vest, made by up-and-coming designer C. Luce, is truly a one-of-a-kind design. I love the ruffles, and the fringe trim gives the illusion of pearls — complete elegance. The rosette on the left side is the perfect cherry to this truly unique piece.

Or try this longer look:

This asymmetrical cardigan, designed by Trinity, can be layered with any bottom and still look fierce. Buttons run diagonally down the right side. Pair it with a cowl neck (like our directors have done!) and you will be, as Rachel Zoe says, OOC (Out of CONTROL).

And, uno mas from Trinity:

The cardigan is rouched in the back to give a nice bohemian vibe, and the beautiful emerald green color just sets the piece on fire. FIRE! The front flows freely at your sides. So chic.

Ah, clothes like these almost make Mondays bearable. Almost?

I know what you were doing Monday night at 9 p.m. Or, at least, I hope you were doing what I think you were doing.

This season promises to be “shocking,” Taylor Momsen (aka Little J) says so herself. You’ve got your Chuck and Blair action (full of the will-they-or-wont-they-last anticipations), your Serena controversy, your Jenny and her epic battle with the high school social circles and your somewhat ambiguous Rufus/Lily/Serena/Dan love…rhombus.

I, for one, cannot wait.

In anticipation of the new season, I thought I’d post these awesome make-up tip videos that help you achieve GG-inspired looks. Check it out!

The Blair:

The Serena:

The Jenny:

Now, if only they had “The Nate” for my boyfriend…

I kid, I kid!

That means I get to do my favorite thing ever: dole out amazing superlatives like it’s my job. And why not start with what was possibly the most insane, WTF-worthy garb of the night.

Yep, that’s right:
The “Who in God’s Name Thought That Would Be A Good Idea” award goes to:

Lady G. I don’t know what that is, but I’m fairly certain her neck was immobilized by that feather brace. Like the phantom of the opera touch, though.

The “I’m Not Stunned” look goes to:

Miss Video of the Year, Beyonce herself. The dress was cute, but nothing spectacular. C+?

The “……………………………..” award goes to:

Miss Amber Rose. Unfortunate arm candy aside, I really don’t know what she was thinking with this look. She reminds me of something from an X-Men comic?

The “Most Sparkly” award goes to:

TAY TAY! Get it gurl. Rock that disco ball.

The “I May or May Not Have Forgotten About the VMA’s And This The Only Thing I Had Clean” award goes to:

Her Madge-esty. Nice speech about MJ (though word on the street is she just read off the teleprompter, psh) but the outfit isn’t so great. But hey, at least she’s covered those scary pilates arms. Meep!

And the “Can I Please Be Her?” award goes to:

MISS KATY PERRY! Best dressed of the night, in my opinion. Love love love the silver and sequins. Very hot look!

Who do you think had the best look at the VMAs??

The two-hour special included initial cuts AND everyone’s favorite part: MAKEOVERS! (Or as they called them, Ty-overs.)

But for those of you who missed it, let’s just do a quick-hits of some of the……amazing girls in this coming cycle:
-One girl has a crazy attitude problem. Shocking, huh?
-After 12 previous televised cycles, one girl still hasn’t learned not to complain about ANYTHING to either of the Jays. HINT: THEY WILL TELL TYRA.
-One girl looks like vanilla ice after her makeover.
-One girl……….has a broken foot?
-One girl used to bring her books to school in a rusty wheelbarrow rather than a bookbag. She also reveals her childhood nickname: Blood Eye. (And then pontificates as to why people always think she’s weird.)
-One girl has the most amazingly thick southern accent EVER.
-One girl is completely insane and so-thinks-she-can-dance. (Note: she, indeed, cannot.)
-Worry not, said girl goes home for ambiguous reasons. Not eliminated, she just…disappears?
-NONE OF THEM HAVE EYEBROWS ANYMORE. Tyra bleached them all.

I think that’s about it. Fun game: Anyone who watched it should totally leave a comment and try to guess who I’m talking about in the above.

Your thoughts on the short cycle?

And I was one of the lucky thousands to see her in concert this past Saturday, as part of her Circus tour. Now, I’d seen her once when I was about 13. I caught her Oops, I Did It Again tour but hardly remember it. FOR SHAME, I know!

But…..last night was phenomenal. Homegirl came from the ceiling, came from the floor, had about 348342 outfit changes and was 100% on point. The show was like an actual circus — they had circus stunts and even sawed the Princess of Pop in half. Say what you will about her tendency to lip-sync, but homegirl is a GREAT entertainer.

So, so, so entertaining. If any of you have the opportunity to go, DO IT. I paid about $45 for my seat and had an awesome view. (Let’s please not talk about the $40 I shelled out for a shirt…I know, it’s a problem.)

The fashion of the show is phenomenal. It’ll almost remind you of Lady GaGa, only not so…eccentric. Lots of lingerie, lots of tummy, lots of tights and lots of SPARKLE. So fab.

She wore the above outfit for a remix of Slave 4 U. I LOVE this genie-esque look!

Enjoy an awesome clip of the tour intro. She definitely has her game back. You go, girl!

In the meantime, I shall sit around and contemplate what I should pawn so that I can buy this beaut:

Ah, yes. The one-strap charcoal dress by Frenzii that is to-die-for.

The top has a certain Grecian flare that I just cannot deny. I really like the one-strap look, too. And you cannot choose a better color — gray, which looks good with virtually any skin tone or hair color.

The waist is ruched for a slimming effect. And worry not, this thick, soft cotton is sure to flatter any body type.

Why oh why can’t Christmas be in September? I envy anyone who has already bought this awesome dress. Send me your photos so I can live vicariously?