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Just in case you haven’t noticed, right now hardware is hot. Studs and spikes are showing up on everything from jackets, to gloves, to footwear, and more. The Prada Studded Medium Tote is the grown-up way to rock this trend and not look like a rocker wanna-be. Gold and sliver studs beautifully outline this supple black leather tote, which is roomy enough to serve as a chic work carryall. Available in black, forest or brown.

Prada Studded Medium Tote
($2.076, Bluefly)

Amanda Seyfried Loves Prada

Handbag Heaven Daisy Glam Rock Tote

HOT DEAL: Use coupon code WINTERSALE at checkout to receive 15% OFF your entire order!

Had your heart set on Prada’s Studded Tote…until you saw the $2K price tag? Yeah, me too. Alas my lovelies, there is hope yet. The Daisy Glam Rock Tote by Handbag Heaven has the same studded outline, the convenient shoulder strap, and lots of cargo space. And—hello!—you can save even more on the already low price by using the coupon code above. Available in black or brown.

Handbag Heaven Daisy Glam Rock Tote
($53.95, Handbag Heaven)

Each season everyone’s favorite shoe genius, Monsieur Louboutin, comes up with a new signature shape and releases multiple shoe styles (pump, sandal, boot version) which revolve around that shape. This fall it’s the “Fifre” shape: a buttoned shoe with an intricately carved out heel. I instantly fell in love with this style & was waiting for what feels like forever for a pair of knockoffs to pop up.

Christian Louboutin Fifre Ankle Boots
($1.195, Barney’s)

Celebrities Love Christian Louboutin

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Charlotte Russe Leather Button Front Booties

UPDATE (01/30/2010): Charlotte Russe has a non-suede black faux leather Loubutin-like bootie.

Charlotte Russe Leather Button Front Booties
($40, Charlotte Russe)

Charles Albert “New 1347″ Booties

UPDATE (12/28/2009): Found a much cheaper Louboutin alternative by Charles Albert.

Charles Albert “New 1347″ Booties
($34.95, Endless)

Steve Madden “TRUMPIT” Ankle Booties

Christian Louboutin seems to be Steve Madden’s inexhaustible source of inspiration. His latest Louboutin inspired creation is the “TRUMPIT” ankle bootie which looks like its designer counterpart’s little brother. The only difference is that the buttons on these here are gold and not black (Cheryl’s version however has gold buttons as well, so there have to be different versions of the bootie). If you’re still looking for the perfect little pair of ankle booties to get you through fall and winter, why not considering these? Available in either black or red suede.

Steve Madden “TRUMPIT” Ankle Booties
($149.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Zappos and Dillard’s & Piperlime.

Last week Lauren Conrad went on a short trip to Sin City to host a party at The Bank Nightclub at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The former “Hills” star celebrated the upcoming release of her second book Sweet Little Lies in a slinky red Herve Léger cocktail number which she paired with black satin platform Louboutins looking all smiles and sexy.

Our Rating:

Hervé Léger Lady In Red Bandage Cocktail Dress

Hervé Léger Lady In Red Bandage Cocktail Dress
($990, Shopbop)

Are these Giuseppe Zanotti jeweled sandals gorrr-jusss or what? I can just imagine them on a bride at a seaside wedding, or with a flowing caftan, with a summery cocktail in hand. They’re just so feminine and I love that they’re jeweled, but with a bit of an earthy feel. But $1.075? That’s practically the cost of a plane ticket to the coastal paradise where I imagine myself wearing these beauties.

Giuseppe Zanotti E00131 Jeweled High Heel Sandals
($1.075, Endless)

P.S.: Also available in black, brown and ivory with wooden platform at Zappos, black at Shopbop & black with mega platform at Farfetch.

Kelsi Dagger “Grace” Platform Sandals

A wonderful alternative to Zanotti’s Jeweled High Heel Sandals are the “Grace” Platform Sandals by Kelsi Dagger. You still get the earthy feeling and lovely details at a price anyone can justify. Available in black, taupe and nude (shown).

Kelsi Dagger “Grace” Platform Sandals
($148.95, Endless)

Faith “Laqueena” Satin Sandals

Another option are the “Laqueena” Satin Sandals by UK-based Faith. They’re more flashy than earthy, yes—but they could be the shining star in an otherwise simple (and neutral) outfit. Available in purple and orange satin.

Faith “Laqueena” Satin Sandals
(£75, Faith)

I love me a hot pair of statement heels. Probably a bit too much since my shoe closet is full of impractical stilettos I rarely wear because I lack the ability to walk in them properly. Still it’s nice to know they’re there. I’d love to add these red patent slingback pumps by Christian Louboutin to my ever growing shoe collection. They are so sexy! So summery! So high! And so out of my budget!

Christian Louboutin So Private Slingback Pumps
($895, SOLD OUT)

Celebrities Love Christian Louboutin

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Jessica Simpson “Astor” Platform Slingback Pumps

UPDATE (01/27/2010): Found another fabulous and affordable Louboutin alternative by Jessica Simpson. Available in several colors such as red, black, white, navy & sand patent as well as metallic gold and nude and pink suede (pink only available at Zappos).

Jessica Simpson “Astor” Platform Slingback Pumps
($78.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Zappos and Dillard’s.

GUESS “Aero” Platform Pump Slingbacks

These beautiful platform slingbacks by GUESS will give you the same Louboutin look without the steep price tag. They retail for $89.95 exclusively at NORDSTROM and come in either red patent as pictured below, black and sand patent as well as a cute printed multi-color version. LOVE!

GUESS “Aero” Platform Pump Slingbacks
($89.95, NORDSTROM)

Who would’ve known 10 years ago that the Olsen twins would once become a serious force in the fashion industry? I didn’t. But over time I’ve learned to love their contemporary line Elizabeth and James (named after their 2 other siblings). With shoes like the bubblegum pink platforms pumps below it really isn’t hard to fall in love. These darlings have everything I love about shoes. They are bold, sky-high and radiate a subtle sexiness despite the cute sorbet color. I’d rock them with edgy accessories and black liquid leggings to avoid cuteness overkill and bring in some contrast to the look.

Elizabeth and James Mason Suede Platform Pumps
($354, Zappos)

P.S.: Also available at Shopbop.

Steve Madden “Terific” Suede Pumps

UPDATE (01/27/2010): Thanks to reader Priscilla who told us about these Steve Madden pumps.

Steve Madden “Terific” Suede Platform Pumps
($80.90, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Zappos and ASOS.

Lumiani “Holly” Platform Pumps

While these suede platform heels by Lumiani are more tamed than their designer counterpart they still serve as a great alternative if you don’t want to shell out $350 on pink pumps. Not a fan of pink? They also come in black, brown and purple suede.

Lumiani “Holly” Platform Pumps
($78.29, Zappos)

I love Balmain and their jeans sure look amazing, but let’s be serious: who would want to spend more than $2000 on a pair of jeans (celebrities and oil sheikh family members excluded)? I know I wouldn’t.

Balmain Padded Knee Denim Jeans
(Price Unkown)

Alloy Indigo Saints Motorcross Stretch Skinny Jean

UPDATE (01/27/2010): Reader Slim_Goodie informed us of this Balmain look-a-like by Alloy. Thx!

Alloy Indigo Saints Motorcross Stretch Skinny Jean
($45.90-$50.90, Alloy)

LuLu*s Mad Max Boot Cut Machine Jean

UPDATE (01/27/2010): Found these black Balmain inspired jeans while surfing LuLu*s new arrivals section. And they cost only $37. Receive 15% OFF your order with our exclusive coupon code “INTHEIRCLOSET” (offer good until March 15th, 2010).

LuLu*s Mad Max Boot Cut Machine Jean
($37, LuLu*s)

Topshop Bleach Bike Skinny Jeans

UPDATE (01/18/2010): Stumbled upon this great Balmain jeans knockoff by Topshop today.

Topshop Bleach Bike Skinny Jeans
($100, Topshop)

Blank Denim Motorcycle Skinny Jeans

UPDATE (09/19/2009): Here’s another Balmain jeans knockoff by Blank Denim. (Thanks Bunnae!)

Blank Denim Motorcycle Skinny Jeans
($82, Karmaloop)

P.S.: Also available in black at Shopbop and Tobi.

Vintage1 Serena Motorcycle Zipper Skinny Jean

If you can’t or don’t want to spend so much $$$ on denim, but still crave the Balmain rock chick jeans, you can buy this Balmain inspired version by Vintage1 which will save you more than 90% of the original’s price (and still they’re around $200 which is not that cheap for most of us). Celebrities like Rihanna and Cameron Diaz have been spotted wearing these Balmain look-a-like jeans.

Vintage1 Motorcycle Zipper Skinny Jean
($198, Singer22)

P.S.: Also available at The Trend Boutique, Free People, Black Label Boutique & Bunny Hug.

Rockstar Denim Ripped Biker Zip Bottom Jean

If you’re willing to spend a bit more to get a closer Balmain look, you might consider these jeans by Rockstar Denim to be a good alternative. As you can see, the stitching detail on the knees is almost identical though this version has a distressed, ripped look which the Balmain jeans don’t have.

Rockstar Denim Ripped Biker Zip Bottom Jean
($229, Singer22)

P.S.: Also available in grey at LUISAVIAROMA.

You know it’s coming. What, you ask? That day in the middle of February that we love to love when we’re in love, and when we’re not…well, never mind about that. Whether you’re in love, single, flirting, or hanging out with girlfriends, a frock like YaYa Aflalo’s Estella Dress should set the tone this Valentine’s Day. But wouldn’t you rather spend $364 on a gift for your sweetie, or a day at the spa?

YaYa Aflalo Estella Dress
($182, The Hip Chick)

Celebrities Love YaYa Aflalo

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Charlotte Russe All Over Rose Print Tube Dress

This Valentine’s day, you can have your chocolates and eat them too, because this rose print dress by Charlotte Russe has all the style of the YaYa Aflalo Estella dress, for less than the price of nice pinot noir. And seriously, could there be a better dress for Valentine’s Day? With its strapless sweetheart bodice, red roses, and sweetly seductive shape, it definitely doesn’t say I’m too sexy for my… No, paired with a classic black patent stiletto, it is just sexy enough.

Charlotte Russe All Over Rose Print Tube Dress
($32.99, Charlotte Russe)

And the winner is… Terri (Georgia Mist)! Her mantra for 2010 is: “Do or do not. There is no try.” – And we think this is a wonderful mantra – not just for 2010, but for life in general. Terri managed to win a beautiful black Givenchy inspired satchel with only 4 entries. What a lucky girl! You will soon receive a fabulous handbag from the nice folks at American Chic (thanks again for sponsoring the giveaway!). Congratulations, Terri!

We received over 500 comments from 124 people. Awesome! Thanks to everyone who entered. We really enjoyed reading all your mantras. They were inspiring, powerful, positive and sometimes a bit crazy. We hope & wish you will make them come true and live true to them. Good luck!

Who would have thought that post-’80s, sequins (and ’80s silhouettes) would be all the rage. But they are, and sequins continue to decorate tank tops, gowns, and dresses—like this Hervé Léger that has been spotted on songstress Beyoncé Knowles. If there is one thing B knows, it’s how to rock a curve-hugging dress.

Hervé Léger Sequin Bandage Dress
($2.800, SOLD OUT)

Body Language Striped Sequin Dress

If you’re a fan of the sold-out Hervé Léger Sequin Bandage Dress, than this Body Language Striped Sequin Dress is your salvation. It’s a dead-ringer for the Hervé Léger, obtainable, and you’ll still have plenty of change in your purse to throw it on and paint the town red.

Body Language Striped Sequin Dress
($105, eDressMe)