Do happy feet equal a happy mood? Find out in today's Must Reads, featuring posts from:

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic reviews Kenzo, the Vintage Edition.

Periodic Elements of Style wants to heal your hands.

A Wee Bit Skint debates two pairs of wedges.

I Spy, Thrift Eye falls in love with an obi belt.

Stained Couture wonders if flirty feet put in you in a flirty mood.

We talked to a few buyers and showroom reps about our noticing that acid green has cropped up in more than one place for Spring 08. A color like this, admittedly, doesn't lend itself to an all-out craze. The fact is, acid green is appearing as much as it ever will, on everything from accessories to frocks. It's a good time for the fad, if you look at the rest of what's appearing on the palate for Spring 08. Nudes especially are an appropriate compliment to acid green, and there are few colors you can say that about. A really nice representation of this color trend, which may convince you that it's not so bad after all, is Jenny Yuen's handbag range for Spring 08. It's something we need to take in doses, and that's perfectly fine for fashion.

We know what Friday's are like for most people, that is, at the end of the day you just need a little video indulgence. We live in an age where most of us are too busy to watch TV (not necessarily a bad thing, eh?) so the You Tube video reigns as the ultimate 15 minute chill out session. Now, every Friday, we're going to bring you our mix of fashion and veg-out videos. This week, still reeling from yesterday's 82 degree day, we've decided to turn on The Beach Boys. With one-piece swimsuits making a comeback this summer, we thought it only appropriate. Below that, the runway show from Lacoste for Spring 08, because if there ever were a low-key, beach-ready collection, this would be it. Finish off your midday break with a clip of swimwear from 1952, you'll see plenty of the references from modern designs, and, be gently reminded that 'the perfect silhouette' is a relative concept.

First things first, we 'aint no blog. We called our weigh-in on the New York Times piece concerning the 24/7 stress of blogging, a Coutorture Salon. To clarify, these bloggers are our Network Partners and we have Salons when we chat about people's conception of our 'digital sweatshops'. This is fashion after all and if we're going to work ten or eleven hours days, you better believe we're going to invent fancy titles for ourselves even if we're stuck in our pajamas for fear that we might not get our dozen posts up before lunchtime (not to mention organize and produce, er, original content). So, the NYT wasn't so off-base in articulating the stresses. What they failed to do was quit their fascination with the concept of blogging and, well, the word itself, and put the whole thing in the context of journalism at large. What do our network partners think? Well let's just say they didn't take the bait either. Check out Shiny Style for her piece on "Blogging Sweatshops"and Girl Woman Beauty Brains for her piece called, "Bloggers' Spirit Lives On".

This orange bag is also green, thank heavens. Part of the Spring 08 Stella McCartney collection, this Pleated Nylon Bag in Orange is meant to tote all your Summertime accoutrements. Measuring over 1 1/2 feet wide, we'd be surprised if it didn't double as a 'get out of the city for a day'-bag. One of the biggest challenges when it comes to Summer handbags, in the first place, is the fact that polished leather bags can sometimes feel a bit mismatched with casual frocks or shorts. Nylon, in a bold color like this and with asymmetrical ruching, mean that you won't look like your carrying around a grocery bag, nor will you feel unbalanced. McCartney's Spring collection of nude and either orange or navy anchored floral garments, lent itself to this bold, matte colored accessory.


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Our network partner, I Am Fashion, has a keen eye for making our favorite trends more affordable. She also, like us, has dug the Spring 08 collections out of the woodwork in spirit of the change in seasons. Lanvin's Spring 08 collection; with so many feminine, vibrant, marketable frocks, merits a 'look for less' post if there ever was one. To be specific, the collection encompassed every key attribute of chic Summer attire. Colors like midnight, Kelly green, dandelion, and tangerine, you imagine bringing life back to the pale palate of a beach or city street. Three bright frocks were floor sweeping, flowing, a vision of sophistication and appropriateness in the heat of the Summer. These dresses are, simply put, one of the only ways one might do 85 degrees gracefully. Check out I Am Fashion's look-for-less alternatives and more of our network Shoutouts here.

The highly anticipated Commes des Garcon for H&M collection will launch in November 2008 in Japan (via two new Tokyo locations). The collection will be released at international locations some days later. The collection will include mens and womenswear, children's clothing, accessories, and an exclusive Commes des Garcon fragrance. H&M is said to have had designer Rei Kawakubo in mind for some time.


Italian fashion giant Giorgio Armani announces additional retail openings worldwide resulting from a seventeen percent increase in profits last year. Armani is also planning together with Emaar Properties, the Dubai-based Public Joint Stock Company, to launch a chain of luxury hotels and resorts in several big cities including New York, Tokyo, London, Shanghai, and Milan. The company already operates a range of cafes globally, in addition to a bar, restaurant, and nightclub.


CEO Giancarlo Di Risio of Versace reports a thirty-two percent decrease in profits for 2007. Failing to comment in detail, Risio ambiguously states that excessive costs may be the culprit. One of the world's leading international fashion houses, Versace designs, markets and distributes luxury clothing, accessories, fragrances, cosmetics and home furnishings under the various brands of the Versace Group.


British fashion brand Mulberry unveils a collection of animal-printed t-shirts designed by illustrator Julie Verhoeven that, says Verhoeven, are "letting loose the Mulberry menagerie of daft animals". Mulberry primarily sells leather goods and they are especially famous for producing bags, both for men and women. In recent years, their product line has also included furniture.


Ten of Prada’s Summer 2008 prototype pieces including skirts, trousers, and boots are to be auctioned off on April 15th. Proceeds will benefit medical research and training at the San Raffaele Foundation. With its emphasis on bohemian style, Prada is considered one of the most influential clothing designers in the fashion industry.


Research Assistant: Zoe Su

Jonathon Saunders Somerby DressThe truth is, the Topshop collection just doesn't compare. Jonathan Saunders, known for his color blocking and silhouette skimming frocks, is close to driving American women off their Marc Jacobs diet. The London designer showed this Somerby dress as part of his Spring collection and it should be a top seller, now that it's hit the stores. The fact is, his clothing is easy to understand and balances the desire to look sexy (body skimming) without being too serious (color blocking). We think this dress is the perfect example. A silk bandage dress can be an intimidating prospect, but, create body-conscious panels of cool pastel color, give it a high mesh neckline, and throw in some flattering front-facing pockets, and you've conquered the issue completely. See our spread below for more of the Spring collection.


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Ever wondered if your favorite products actually work? Find out in today's Must Reads from:

Shoewawa found heels that would make anyone say "wow".

Trendinista finds inspiration in scooter style.

Season 5 reviews a Parisian shopping district.

The Beauty Brains determines if LED photofacials are good for your skin.

Nessasary Makeup reviews Sally Hansen's No Chip nail polish.