Image Credit: Top Shop

There is nothing more classic than the pairing of black and white clothing and accessories. You can wear it any time of the year no matter the season. In the past it was a  faux pas to wear a white dress or skirt in the dead of winter. But now it is very much a fashion do.

Notice how this bomber jacket gives a fussy dress a downtown but classic vibe. I also love the opaque tights and black booties.

White tights with your LBD  (Little Black Dress) is usually hard to pull off. But the upper white portion of this Stella McCartney Dress paired with black and white Chanel pumps pulls this look together. The panda mask is a sweet touch.

Both Images: Glamour October 2009

Here are a few of this season’s black and white must-haves. Be creative and wear your blacks with your whites.

Black & white you can wear now:

Top Shop Silk Bow Stripe Tee 50.00

Top Shop Crochet Floral Spot Tee 50.00

This knit is black and cream but I couldn’t resist. It’s just so cute!

Top Shop Knitted Stripe Lace Jumper 70.00

In related post: Check out Trend Alert: Black & White Stripes

I rarely shop at Forever 21. But I was on a mission to find something unique (preferably in pearls) to wear with my winter sweaters. I’m obsessed with pearls and Victorian or vintage looking jewelry. I found three necklaces that were great in price and exactly what I was looking for.

Pearl Necklace Earring Set 5.80

Love Flower Necklace Set 4.80

Eiffel Tower Necklace 3.80

I also purchased three sweaters from Forever’s Twelve by Twelve collection. So cute!

Two out of three can be found online/in-store:

Mesh Trim Sweater 32.00

Lace Covered Sweater 24.00

Last, but certainly not lease, is this adorable cardigan with tulle sleeve and pockets. In-store only.

All images from Ericaweiner.com

Reminiscent of the Victorian era, New York jewelry designer Erica Weiner creates beautiful affordable keepsakes such as a Skelton key pendant or locket. You can also check out Etsy store for limited edition pieces, reworked vintage jewelry,and other unique pieces.

Here are some of  my favorites/must haves:

Black Mini Key Necklace 45.00

Bow and Locket Necklace 40.00

Button Necklace (14K Gold Vermeil) 75.00

Simple Skeleton Key 30.00

From O’Keeffe Necklace 48.00

Micanopy Necklace 80.00

Frayed Diamonds Necklace 168.00

Old-And-New Necklace 218.00

Crystalline Globe Necklace 238.00

I am loving the pastel color palette for the upcoming season. So pretty. So feminine. J’adore!!!

Inspiration photo: Boutique by Forever21. This collection has the same vintage feminine romantic feel as the necklaces from Anthropologie.

My favorite blogger Emily Martin created several "fancy wearables" with her paintings. All of the pieces are beautiful and unique, but the cameo bear locket stole my heart and I knew I had to have it. It arrived in the mail last week and I have yet to put a picture in it. But I have worn my little bear friend several times and love him dearly. Check out Emily Martin’s blogs Inside a Black Apple and fashion blog Some Girls Wander.

Unfortunately, each piece is a limit edition and there are no more left.

Anthropologie Secret Key Necklace 38.00

I was doing a little Christmas shopping this past weekend and stopped into Anthropologie one of my favorite stores. While I was there, I picked up the most adorable skeleton key pendant with jewel bead and diamond babble. It hangs on a long chain and is the perfect compliment to almost any outfit. I paired mine with my J.Crew ruffle corsage sweater, navy tank, and matchstick jeans with Rockport brown boots. This necklace would also go well with a floral dress or skirt.

Image Credit: Gossip Girl Insider

Gossip Girl’s Michelle Trachtenberg has partnered with Coach to design for their Poppy line. Coach describes the line as “refined-romantic with attitude, bringing a punky look to a lush mix of materials and inspirations.” Michelle says, “Getting the opportunity to design jewelry for Coach’s Poppy collection was too exciting to pass up. The collections are perfect representations of my whimsical attitude towards fashion and have that great mix of girly and edgy that I love.” Michelle Trachtenberg for Poppy is set to launch Spring 2010. For those of you who can’t wait, there will be a small preview collection featuring bee motif pieces on December 1st in-store and online. The preview collection will range from 78-128 dollars. In the Spring five additional pieces will be added.

The preview collection is feminine and beautiful.

I’m loving this Poppy Stone Bee bracelet

Adorable Poppy stone Bee ring

Image Credit: Apple

Gwen Stefani is expanding both her L.A.M.B and Harajuku Lovers line to include accessories for Apple. This expansion will include iPhone clutches, MacBook sleeves, gadget pouches, backpacks for your laptop, totes, etc. Prices for L.A.M.B. will range from 50-400 dollars. Harajuku Lovers will be more reasonably priced at 30-100 dollars. This line will not be limited to just Apple stores, but other high-end retailers.

Banana Republic cashmere infinity scarf $98

The infinity scarf, is the update to your favorite scarf. Wear them long or wrapped around once, twice, even three times for a much fuller cozier look. Best of all, it’s easy to achieve the no fuss, chicness of an ordinary scarf, in half the time.

Here’s my favorite infinity scarf by Paula Bianco in a warm rose color. Love the imperfect edges and fullness of the scarf. Pair with your favorite t-shirt and jeans. $92

Here’s Gossip Girl’s Jessica Szohr in a Forenza Infinity Scarf. So chic!

Image Credit: Just Jared

Below are a few infinity scarves that are more reasonably price. Click on the image to purchase.

With the headband making a comeback, thanks to Blair Waldorf, it seems this  trend is here to stay.  Although, not as prominent as before, even Blair is shown wearing less of her signature bow this season, I still love the look. Taking some pointers from the ever-stylish Gossip Girl, I have picked out a few Blair-inspired bands that are feminine and fun.

How to get Blair hair:

1. Step 1

   Wash your hair and allow it to air dry. Waves and curls are always easier to create when hair has not been blown out. While it is drying, turn on your curling iron and put your supplies within easy reach and in front of a mirror. Brush your hair to remove any tangles.

2. Step 2

   

   Once your hair is completely dry, take random, 1" to 1 1/2" thick locks of hair and wrap them around the curling iron, starting at the bottom and rolling up. It doesn’t matter which way you wrap the hair or if the locks are uneven–remember, you’re going for Blair, not Shirley Temple!
   Pay closest attention to the pieces growing from the crown of your head. They should be the neatest. When curling the face-framing pieces, or, if you have them, bangs, make sure to roll the hair away from your face. Copy the picture and experiment if necessary.

3. Step 3

   When you have finished curling your hair, flip your head over and run your fingers through it. Shake it around a bit to create body, and spray your hair from a distance while it is upside down. When you flip your head back up, use your fingers to gently redefine some of the curls and your bangs.

4. Step 4

   

   If you would like to wear your hair down and with a headband, flip your hair in front of your face (like Cousin It!) and use your finger to "part" your hair down the middle by dragging it across your scalp. You should create an imperfect, almost-straight part.
   Put your hair behind your ears and place the headband on, being careful not to disturb the part. Now the fun part, and the secret to "The Blair"…pull all hair that naturally falls in front of your ears out from behind them while maintaining the placement of the headband. Shake your head a bit, re-curl any droopy areas, and voila! Blair hair!
   If you would like to do the chignon, proceed to the next step.

5. Step 5

   Using your fingers and NOT a brush, rake your hair back into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. A side ponytail is another adorable alternative.
   Wrap the ponytail holder around your hair, and don’t worry about bumps or imperfections. Anything slightly "off" adds to the effortless appeal of this style. When it is tied, pull the two outermost locks of hair to tighten the ponytail. This will also create a "poof" at the crown of your head that makes the style seem complicated.

6. Step 6

   

   Not worrying about perfection, loosely wrap the ponytail into a bun. The shorter your hair is, the less dense the bun should be. Remember, you’re Blair, not a ballet dancer. Any pieces that fall out will look simply adorable.
   Use the bobby pins to anchor the chignon, pushing them into the ponytail holder. You will be able to feel when the chignon is secure. Shake your head to make sure.

7. Step 7

   Enjoy compliments from your jealous friends and prepare an answer for the oft asked question, "How did you do that?!"

(How to from: EHow.com)

Image Credit: Kuwait-Style.com