Snapette: This app (to the right) is for the fun and fashion hungry! Its touted as the “global go-to applications for die-hard shoppers.” It virtually lets you window shop the most coveted bags and shoes in stores near your current location and around the world. Check out the hottest trends in New York, Paris, Tokyo  and beyond by reading what’s being posted.

GO TRY IT ON: Now that you have found the uber outfit, what would your best friend say– or what would a professtional stylist think about it? You can even create a network of Personal Stylists! Whether you need some inspiration, get advice or just a second opinion, this app puts more fun in fashion.

Obscura: (right) Now that you are in the dressing room and emailing your friends for fashion advice, you may not want everyone to see everything. Or OMG, you spotted an unbelievable dress or outfit when walking down Madison Avenue, but you want to protect the person’s identity. You can censor your own photos with a black triangle, a mosaic, or even stars! Its a cool way to “cover up” if your photo is too revealing in any way. The Obscura app was actually created when a Belgium based ad agency “Famous” was tired of being censored online, deeming the lingerie brand, La fille d’O, showed too much skin.

Nothing says summer like a beautiful white bag- and there are so many great ones to choose from this year. Just in case you need a fresh view on whats out there- here are a few fabulous ones that caught my eye.

I love the Bottega Veneta Woven-Trim Cervo Tote because its chic and user friendly- if you look closely, there is a useable zipper that goes all the way around, so you either have a flat bag or an expanded tote. And this is the perfect design and soft leather for packing and travel. Plus its a gorgeous bag.

This beautiful BCBGMAXAZARIA Harlow Exotic Lizards Envelope Clutch was a birthday present this year from a dear friend. Its a great bag for several reasons. First, it holds 3 X what you think it will (not what you typically get from a clutch), second the “envelope flap” has a magnet it sort of snaps closed so  your belongings are a bit more secure, and finally its incredibly durable as well as packable.

Ok, for the last bag… Jimmy Choo has created a bold moc croc RAPHAEL “trolly” bag to lust for. Seriously. Jimmy Choo bags are not only luxurious, but I just want to say thank you to the design team for so being so considerate to the buyer/owner.

Why do I say this? Their bags are as beautiful on the inside as the outside, and they are very user friendly. For example, this bag has an exciting and fun leopard interior (note: the lining is light so you can find whatever you have packed- ie not a black hole), there are always enough deep pockets for your cel phone/s, and the quality of the materials they use is superb. I am a Jimmy Choo fan indeed.

My # 1 tip for packing efficiently is to choose clothes that can be worn multiple ways. For each item I can wear 3-5 different ways I’m able to use a smaller bag or save all that (room in my luggage) for shopping!

Here are my top 3 choices for incredibly stylish dresses that can literally be worn 5 different ways!

I own 2 of these gorgeous dresses by Wolford (appropriately named Fatal for a reason). I love this piece as it can be worn as a long dress (above), short dress, skirt, and even as a top! And its the perfect thing to pack because it rolls up easily and weighs virtually nothing.  Your best bet is to have someone at Wolford show you the multiple ways you can twist, roll it in half, or “rouche” this dress to look like a million.

Next is the Spring 5 in 1 Dress from Thieves is made out of a beautiful draping jersey, that looks incredibly comfortable and easy to pack.

And finally, Norma Kamali creates this outstanding All in One dress that is beautiful, resists wrinkles, and can be worn as a boatneck strapless, as a halter dress (my favorite way), and more. Check out this Norma Kamali video to see how to change the styles!

People often ask me what luggage I use and what I recommend for frequent travelers. What bag I choose really depends on the kind of trip I’m taking. Here are five suitcases that, in my opinion, work extremely well for business travelers.

They’re quite different from one another but each of them has fabulous features. You just need to decide which option is right for you own travel needs.

1. Samsonite Black Label Cosmolite 32” Spinner Luggage

This amazing hard luggage is so light that when it’s empty you could almost lift it with one finger. The Samsonite exclusive Curv material can withstand the roughest handling, and the four multidirectional spinner wheels make it super-easy to maneuver.

2. Louis Vuitton Waterproof Keepall 55

I have to say, I love Louis Vuitton products for traveling, and this classic duffle with a shoulder strap is both durable and chic—but this one has the added advantage of being totally waterproof as well. When  zipped, it traps the air inside and lets no moisture in. [Read more →]

As you know, scarves are one of the hottest trends this spring! I love scarves, and like most women I have a drawerful of them, but I’d never really thought about what versatile, packable travel accessories they could be (beyond the usual way of wearing them) until I was looking for something on my bookshelves the other day and came upon a little hardcover book bound in unmistakable Hermes orange that I’d forgotten I had. It’s called Le Carré Hermes: Having Fun with Your Hermes Scarf, and it illustrates 30 different ways to wear a scarf!

Unfortunately the book doesn’t seem to be easily available any more (the copyright date is 1998), but here are a few of my favorite suggestions for things you can do with a scarf.

1. This is my favorite, and its so simple and obvious that I can’t believe it has eluded me all these years. Tie the top and bottom corners together on both ends and wear it like a shrug around your shoulders with your arms through the armholes you’ve created. If you’re wearing a little black dress, the scarf will add a splash of color and a bit of warmth.
2. Wear it as a belt through the loops of your pants or jeans, or remove the belt from your trench coat, thread the scarf through the loops, and tie it in the back. [Read more →]

Ah, springtime is just around the corner! If you look in any woman’s bag (especially one who travels) you will surely find a cosmetic bag. A brand that has become an all time favorite of mine is Stephanie Johnson.

The “Katie Bag” (right) is from the gorgeous faux Python Calcutta Collection and is included in the Limited Edition In-Flight Insider Vacation Kits. It’s as durable as it it is chic, and it can even double as a clutch!

The Madrid Pink bag (it comes in black too) is another stunning little bag with ultra-feminine rosettes that you might find it difficult to use just for your lipgloss.

And then for a more basic small bag, that has a subtle snake skin patent sparkle, is the Main Street Collection. I own several colors in this line, including the Lime (below).

I a big fan of these bags for 3 reasons- they satisfy my travel guideline of being 1) stylish 2) functional 3) durable. Carrying something that’s simply attractive isn’t good enough, it also has to stand up extremely well to being (literally) crushed in my suitcase. I sometimes use a couple at once, I put a small one with in-flight necessities in my handbag, and a larger one packed that holds all my cosmetic and skin-care needs in my luggage.

I love being able to create a custom bag- one with my choice of colors, the length of handles that I prefer, material of my choice, color hardware, color lining, and add my initials (should I be so inspired).

Now with Longchamp, you can create your own customized bag, either their leather Le Cabas model or the nylon Le Pliage bag, in 4 simple steps!

The great thing about The Cabas line (above) is that its made of this beautiful soft leather that’s durable enough to withstand being squeezed into a suitcase, but then it looks perfect when you unpack it.

What makes the Le Pliage totes (below) so useful is that they are sturdy but light nylon bags that fold up neatly, and I always have 1 or 2 tucked away in my luggage just in case. I also love the fact that they’re waterproof, so they make great market or beach bags and you can carry one instead of your good leather bag on rainy days.

While out and about, I often carry one with me to hold my purchases (much nicer than a bunch of shopping bags) and then use one or both if I need them to hold all the extras I’ve bought that won’t fit in my suitcase on the flight home.

I know that it’s sometimes hard to find a computer bag that doesn’t look like—well, a computer bag. But Knomo makes some that can really pass for a roomy handbag. They’re sleek, in great colors, some quilted for a Chanel-ish look, and come with either a short handle or a shoulder strap.

If you’re traveling for business, going from a meeting directly to a restaurant, and don’t want to look as if you’re carrying taking your briefcase to dinner, this could be just the bag you’ve been looking for.

Are you looking for the perfect present for the jet setting man in your life? I know, it can be a bit daunting. You want to get something that you know he will love, appreciate, and that is special and unique to him. In my opinion, you can’t get a better gift than something that is custom made.

Almost without exception, custom-made shirts almost always look better than the ones you pull off the rack. That’s because very few men fit precisely into the measurements offered by most retailers.

Custom-shirts take more into account than just the thickness of your neck and the length of your arm – they use a greater array of measurements (12 to be exact), so you can look your best.

I am delighted to have discovered a company where you can purchase a beautifully made custom shirt for far less than the standard $250. Clifton Charles uses superior Peruvian Pima cotton to make high-quality dress shirt for just $99.00 a piece! How is this possible to buy a gorgeous shirt for this price? The company accomplishes this through innovative technology that cuts out the middleman and allows them to ship directly from their factory. And, it takes just 10 days from order to delivery instead of 4-6 weeks.

Clifton Charles has 2 packages that are amazing gifts for men!

· The Gentleman’s Look Package: $99.00 Includes 1 custom-made dress shirt, complimentary measurement, a color/style analysis and membership/access to the Clifton Charles website, where the customer’s profile will be stored for future purchases.

· The Gentleman’s Life Package: $155.00 (value of $200.00), includes 1 custom-made dress shirt plus a gift certificate for a day of grooming services at John Allan’s in New York or Chicago, including scalp-massaging shampoo, conditioning treatment, hair cut, shoe shine and a manicure. And the fun doesn’t stop there, you can also enjoy a nice glass of smooth scotch and a hand-rolled cigar to close out the day just right.

Clifton Charles has recently launched their new line tailored Suits, Sport Coats, Trousers, & Top Coats. If you have any questions or for more information about the Clifton Charles exclusive events and custom clothing, click CONTACT.

Having a bag that’s uniquely yours is certainly a luxury but it also serves the practical purpose of making your luggage immediately stand out from the crowd when you’re traveling.

The height of decadence might be having Louis Vuitton design a piece from scratch to your specifications, but you can also order one of their iconic classics with a stripe and a monogram in the color of your choice.

Or you might go for one of Tumi’s Accent Your Alpha bags. The International Expandable Zippered Carry-On, made from Tumi’s signature, virtually indestructible “ballistic” nylon can be customized with a leather luggage tag, leather initial patch, add-a-bag hook, and a nylon accessory pouch in a contrasting color of your choice.

Finally, if you simply want to put your own stamp on it, the luxury leather designer and retailer T. Anthony will monogram virtually any one of their fine leather products, including their luggage.