Leopard-print is one of the biggest trends for fall. It popped up on countless runways during the Fall 2010 shows and is a clear editorial favorite in almost every September issue–check out Jennifer Lopez decked out in leopard print Dolce & Gabbana on the cover of this month’s Glamour. We’ve been fans of the print for awhile and love to mix it into our outfits using just about any accessory. Just last month I found a fantastic blue and pink leopard print pencil skirt by Lanvin at a consignment store for my mom. She’ll wear it now with a sleeveless black shell and sandals and in the fall with a sweater-set and tights. Here are a few of our favorite leopard print pieces for the fall…accessories are a great way to get in on a “loud” pattern without going overboard. Meow!

1. Leopard Stole, Stephen Sprouse for Louis Vuitton, 2. Nina Leopard wedge-bootie, $109.95, 3. J.Crew calf hair belt, $60, 4. Banana Republic calf hair mini chain bag, $69.50. -L

When the right side table catches our eye, we obsess over all of the different ways we can use it before actually buying it. A great side table can live on the side of a sofa in the living room, on either side of your bed, and even looks incredibly civilized tucked next to the tub. It can go places. Our way of thinking is that versatility is prized above all else. In our constant search for great pieces, we’ve tagged six sleek side tables we think are worth considering. Be on the look for them here as well as at tag sales this summer and in the grassy fields of antique shows wherever you live.

1.Wisteria Acrylic round side table. Designed after an 18th century European piece, this table has been turned into a modern treasure using transparent acrylic. This shape and design will look great in any room, and at this price it’s a commitment piece. $699.00. 2. Anthropologie cascara side table An embossed brass top caps off this handmade barrel-shaped table. With time, this piece will take on a more weathered-looking patina. We’d love a pair of these in front of any loveseat. $398.00. 3.Maine Cottage stella sofa table Maine Cottage Furniture custom colors all of their pieces in 40 luminous, vibrant hues like this wonderful blue. This statement piece would make a summery sun-room shine, even in stormy weather. $890.00. 4. CB2 paperclip side table This wood and sculptural metal table mimics an iconic mid-century style. At $199.00, this piece is perfect for first-apartment dwellers. 5. Wisteria bamboo-leg table. This table is totally glam and would be terrific in any bedroom. It’s got an antiqued mirror top which will be very forgiving over time. 6.  West Elm martini side table Lauren especially loves the shape of this table, and so do I. It looks chic on one side of a sofa-(two are too many). A standing lamp on the other side (of same sofa) balances it well, and provides a light source. Rest your martini on top of this shiny tabletop, and chill out. $129.00 — S & L

At this time of year, many of my suburban neighbors are planting mums and hanging faux Halloween cobwebs. I’m doing some of the same–though I’m not a big fan of polyester cobwebs. (Stay tuned: we’ve got ideas for Halloween decorating and we’ll post them later this week.) My focus is wicker furniture, and bringing it back inside the house before it gets too cold. A couple of years ago, I bought six great wicker dining chairs from Gardener’s Eden because I liked the look of them surrounding my round mahogany dining table. I wasn’t even thinking about how practical it would be to use them inside and out. I love using the same wicker chairs on the front porch during the summer time. When the wicker moves outside, I replace them with a hodgepodge of tag sale chairs. Now that I’ve welcomed the wicker back to the table, I’m finding that the informal and lightweight nature of wicker furniture relaxes people. The room looks more interesting. So I’ve got my eyes peeled for great wicker pieces that can work inside and out. Last week, during a visit to view fall market at the Decoration and Design building in New York, Lauren and I stopped by to see the Manutti Belgian Outdoor Furniture collection at the Michael Taylor Designs showroom. They had a huge selection of really fantastic wicker pieces–this trend is definitely catching on! Below, a Michael Taylor chair. Even this past weekend, at the Rhinebeck Antique show, Lauren and I were struck by how many unique wicker pieces were for sale. This wonderful 1920′s settee (below) came from a French bistro in Paris. This chair is American, from the 1930′s. It was one of a pair. A great neutral yellow sofa that was surprsingly comfortable, and not surprisingly sold by the time we saw it! You can also find great wicker pieces at retail stores, if your needs are immediate, and I say go for it. You’ll use them indefinitely, in or out. IKEA’s Majby Chair (below) with armrests for $79.99. Crate & Barrel’s Captiva Arm Chair is a little over $325 each. They’re super sturdy. Target carries a Smith & Hawkens collection called Maraton. A set of four cost $749. Wicker furniture has never looked more chic, so why not choose pieces that are truly versatile, for indoor and outdoor use? – S

Ever since the point d’esprit body stockings came down the runway at Ruffian’s Fall ’09 show, I’ve been dying to add a pair of polka dot hoisery to my wardrobe. And it looks like I’m not alone. In just the past few days, The Sartorialist’s Scott Schuman and Style.com’s new fashion blogger Tommy Ton have both featured women wearing the trend on the streets of Paris fashion week. It’s about time stockings came back into fashion! I’m so tired of basic black tights! Anybody else agree? Below left, a shot by Tommy Ton for style.com, and right, the tights add texture to an all black look captured by Scott Schuman.
Below left, A close up of another woman wearing the stockings (Tommy Ton for style.com), and right, the Ruffian body sleeve styled under a corset top and skirt for The New York Times. Love the idea of full body swiss dot, though probably not the most practical, and certainly not universally flattering. 
So, if you’re looking to get in on this trend–which I believe is way overdue–I’d suggest the stockings below by Wolford. At $55, they’re a fairly inexpensive way to give your little black dress that extra kick it needs this season. Just keep telling yourself: I don’t need a new dress, I just need a new pair of stockings! I’m telling you, they totally change things up. – L

At Home magazine sponsored its second annual “celebration of style” event last week in Greenwich, Connecticut. Event sponsors included HB HOME, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Mis en Scene, Nanz-Remains Lighting and Waterworks. Since many of these sponsors have stores literally across the street from one another on East Putnam Avenue, I was able to poke my head in and gather some inspiration the afternoon before the actual event took place. It was a private tour, when all of the vendors were showing their best. For me, ideal. I made a couple of observations…(below, the main seating area at HB HOME)
1. White upholstered pieces with jewel tone accessories were plentiful. By jewel tones, I mean, lots of green, red, orange, and golden yellow. These colors all compliment each other beautifully, and they are perfect for the upcoming seasonal accessories surrounding Thanksgiving and the Holidays. The white sofa draped in a bold red blanket below at Mis en Scene was killer cool.
2. No trims, frills, little excess. All of the rooms were relatively simple-and lovely. Pillows were used to add color and interest. Not surprisingly, pillows are a relatively inexpensive accessory. Below, a beautifully styled vignette at Mis en Scene. Those pillows are fab; Lauren loves them.
3. It’s all about the table top vignette. We like to study these carefully stylized table tops to learn from the pros. Thankfully, gourd lamps are still in fashion! HB HOME displayed many and my favorite was this one (below), in sky blue.
4. HB HOME hung these great Slim Arrons prints. I thought they were very Mad Men.
5. Using one very architectural piece in a room like this rocking chair is a must. We love using gourds as accessories, too (see our DIY Harvest tray post!). As you can see, HB HOME really had it together.
It’s always good to get out and see what the market is showing at the beginning of each season. Once you have an idea in your head of what you like, and what the trends are, it’s much easier to find vintage replicas or less expensive versions when you’re out shopping. Though as we all know, the ideal room combines both new and old pieces. – S

Think denim shirts are just for cowboys? Think again! The original uniform of the wild west is back. And this isn’t its first second-coming—my mom wore them in the late 70′s as a college student in NYC. On the Fall 2009 runways there was a resurgence of studded jean jackets, and button-down jean shirts. Even more recently, the resort 2010 collections showed little jean anoraks (Rag & Bone) and a cap-sleeve chambray top at Alexander Wang. And taking a cue from ready-to-wear designers, brands like J Crew and Madewell have put out some really great, and affordable, options. With Gap’s boyfriend chambray shirt at $49.50, this is one trend we can all get in on.
Clockwise from top left: J Crew Selvedge chambray shirt, $98, Madewell denim workshirt, $88, Current/Elliott the night shirt, $215, Gap boyfriend chambray shirt, $49.50.
When I first started noticing the rising number of denim shirts in the market, I was a little worried about how to style them. But I think they are actually easier to wear than you think. They should be treated no differently than your basic white button-down. You can even pair them with jeans! I know, know, denim on denim sounds awful, but it can actually look really chic (especially if the jeans are a little distressed). I decided to put mine with a long Dries Van Noten skirt from a couple of seasons ago and a simple gold sandal. A little eighties-style knot in the front and I was ready to go! A denim shirt is a great way to dress down just about anything. The one I’ve got on below is from J Crew.
And lastly, I have to show you guys my new haircut! Last week I did a photo shoot with hairstylist Oribe (he’s coming out with a product line), and he chopped off my hair! He gave me the “classic Vidal Sasoon bob.” What a change from my long, shapeless hair! Once I get some of the photos from the shoot I’ll be sure to post them (my three-day, no wash hair does not do the cut justice). What do you guys think of it?! – L