Every 5-10 years, as well all know, a group of hot young things move into the Hollywood scene by way of hot TV shows, movies or music, and push out all of our classic femme fatales. Will they succeed against the creation of insanity that is fame, or will they explode in a fiery ball of delusion (and, I don’t know, shave their head)?

These are The New Sirens: talented females poised at a young age to take over the femme fatale creed.

Taylor Momsen, of Gossip Girl fame, definitely earns her spot in the first installment of The New Sirens for her unabashedly punky, tough, yet delicate appearance.

Known on the set of the famous CW show as the “Little J that could”, she’s portrayed as a girl who gets very few breaks in life when compared to the super Upper East Side girls at her private school. This also described her introduction to Hollywood, in my opinion. She first popped up on all the gossip blogs as looking “sweet”, “young”, “cute”… But now she’s got her legs (and how…).

Taylor Momsen in 2007, getting confused for Taylor Swift, no doubt…

The new Taylor Momsen aesthetic is brazen, edgy, and tough-myterious-girl-in-the-motorcycle-bar-esque - which I absolutely adore. Considering she’s only 15, she’s definitely someone to watch.

On the set of Gossip Girl, looking a bit more Vivienne Westwood than Eleanor Waldorf.

I love her easy, punky style… Could it be that it’s just the caliber of difference between “earlier” and “present” that makes me swoon? Because the transition is amazing.

Ms. Momsen definitely doesn’t hold herself back when it comes to public appearances. The above photos may be casual and rock-tastic, but don’t think that she keeps her style locked away just for on-set appearances…

Momsen rocking out some pout and some smoke at Fashion Rocks 2008.

Beautifully blocked black & white at a Diesel event, 2008.

Dishing up a bowl of extra saucy in a lacy, strappy dress with booties. Meow!

Her daring, but trusty black and white palette is just about the only shred of “innocence” her style has left. Everything else seems to be laced with dangerous smokey eyes, brave micro-minis and all the aesthetic of a rock and roll goddess. Proving once again that punk rock girls can be stylish, and not subscribe to the complete trash-slut aesthetic of the Rock of Love girls…

Keep your eye on this one, she’s a knockout.

All photos courtesy of the amazing Fashionista and TaylorMomsen.org.

xoxo.

Photo by FredArmitage

Posts about flats on B&B are not few and far between… But there’s something to be said about the value they hold to city girls. Particularly the girls who work office jobs, or have some type of job that deems their work attire “high heel appropriate” who need to look great at work, but not kill their arches and ankles hiking up city streets to transportation vehicles.

That’s where I find extreme solace in the portable flat. These flats are comfortable, slim, flexible and, if you’re lucky (or here), attractive, too!

Best part? They’re all under $50! I know how you guys love that stuff. <3

Qualifications for Portable Flats:

• Slim in height (for easy purse-fitting)
• Flexible enough to walk up hills, down hills, over hills, up stairs, etc…
• Neutral colored, for maximum “go-with-ed-ness”
• Comfy, of course!

Here are some options for those walkin’ city girls:

Bamboo Widely Grey Flat $24 from Lulu’s
Use code “brokeandbeautiful” for 15% off!

Soda Scout Brown Snakeskin Flat $18 from Lulu’s
Use code “brokeandbeautiful” for 15% off!

“Priceles” in Gold Leather from ##stevemadden
$59.95 $39.95
Also available in Black

“Screamer” in Silver Snake Print from ##stevemadden
$59.95 $39.95
Also available in Black Patent

Houndstooth Plaid Flats from Charlotte Russe
$18.99

Now it’s even easier to be car-free in the city!

xoxo.

Ever since I laid eyes on the Gucci Babouska Messenger Bag ($2,395? Sure, I’ve got that on me, actually…), I’ve decided that I absolutely need one… I even went as far as to justify one with the thought: “I’m moving into a huge city! What if I need to talk on my cellphone while I’m drinking coffee and walking? DISASTER! I need a cross body bag.”

Where there’s a will, there’s a way… So with a little creative searching and some help from Zappos (who now sells clothing… Hello!), I finally chose one: Jessica Simpson’s Pearl Tote.

I love the color, the straps, the versatility - everything!

This is the first piece of Jessica Simpson’s…. well, anything that I’ve ever bought. I’ve tried on some of her shoes, which I found dreadfully uncomfortable, but the sight of this beautiful bag persuaded me to give her stuff another try.

The bag arrived two days after I placed the order (!!!) and I was elated. It was the perfect color, the perfect size… The perfect bag! The price only hurt a little bit, as it was on sale from $108 to $97.20.

(Excuse the crappy photos, and the mess… I’m moving, how fun!)

Doesn’t look bad as a regular handbag, either!

It definitely holds a LOT of stuff! And I love the pink gingham.

My view, hehe!

I only have ONE problem with this bag. Two days after I started using it, it started getting this awful indigo stains on the PVC material that I can only imagine came from my jeans. But I’m unsure why it rubbed off, because my jeans weren’t wet, nor was the bag! Odd, and annoying.

I don’t know what to do to remove them! I’ve scrubbed the stains with a wet paper towel and color comes off onto the towel, but also stays on my bag! Grrr… I just wear the stained side towards me, out of sight.

Overall…

Pro:

• Gorgeous color and texture
• Can be used well as a cross-body, OR handbag
• Gingham is cute!
• Holds EVERYTHING!
• Adjustable straps

Con:

• Awful, stubborn stains
• Kind of annoying “Jessica Simpson” plaque on the side

So overall, I definitely like the bag… And if anyone knows how to remove those stains - please let me know! It’s made of PVC, not leather, so I’m clueless.

xoxo.

Everyone loves ‘em. There are few things better than the feeling you get when you’re sitting at your office, dreading your next meeting, drinking stale coffee, and you remember…

You’re wearing the sexy panties…

Just like the feeling of meeting with an ex-boyfriend who wronged you, and remembering that he’ll never see the sexy garter belt you’ve got hidden beneath your pencil skirt.

Or your boyfriend’s ex, who will never amount to the hotness that exists in the lacy, hot pink bra you’ve got concealed beneath your sweater.

It’s a feeling of power, confidence, and for me, a Secret Agent kind of obfuscation that can only be achieved in one way: pretty undies.

BUT! I have a problem. I, like many other women, were “blessed” with a naturally huge rack and, as we bust-tacular ladies know, larger bras are not exactly the most pretty things you’ve ever seen.

Oooh, sexy.

This has been the life of me, and many other women who are blessed/cursed/afflicted/etc. with a huge rack.

But there’s still hope! A sneaky little website titled Gigi’s Closet offers a little santuary full of gorgeous lingerie - no matter what your size is!

Just check out some of their options for us busty gals:

Goddess Deliliah Full Cup Bra
$38

Simone Perele Argnetina Full Cup Bra
$95.20

Fantasie Cally Full Cup Bra
$74

Fantasie Rimini Full Cup Bras
$62 $37.20

How important are attractive underthings to YOUR wardrobe?

xoxo.

If you’re a Betsey Johnson fragrance fanatic… Today is your lucky day - Er… The rest of this year is your lucky rest of this year, because Betsey is giving away a free lipbalm with your next fragrance purchse until 12/31/08!

Want to test out Betsey’s stuff, but need a little more info? (So do we, it’s only 15 days old!) Check out what FabSugar had to say on the subject:

The dainty bottle and packaging—which features Betsey’s signature leopard print and rose patterns—reflects the clothing line’s sweet and sexy sides. The fruity, ultra-feminine scent includes hints of juicy pear, tangerine, grapefruit, black currant, freesia, lily of the valley, red apple, cedarwood, praline, amber, and sexy musks.

… Sexy musks? Praline? Apple? Sounds amazing!

Let me know if you try it, I want to hear all about how wonderful it smells!

xoxo.

I’m 100% sure that my upcoming move to Chicago will be a life-changing experience… Physically, emotionally, obviously geographically… A new lease on this crazy life.

So why not share that with my beloved blog, as well as you? I don’t see why not, really! So ta-da!

What do you think of the new design? I thought it was getting awfully cluttered in here, so a little sprucing up was definitely in order.

Did I get everything? Is it in tip-top shape? Let me know if I ought to add or remove something - I’m genuinely interested!

Enjoy!

xoxo.

I’ve been seeing little feathery heads popping up not just all over the city or country, but world. These girls wearing headbands adorned with gorgeous plumes remind me of the early 1920’s when women would run rampant with their gin & jazz, taking over the male-dominated music and bar scene by storm, donning their shapeless shift dresses and feathered headbands.

These days, we don’t need much encouragement to take over a bar (well, some of us), but these headbands from Stella Accessories emulate the power, confidence, and swagger of early 20th century ladies.

Stella’s got everything from blue to brown feathers, many to few, and huge to small. If you’re ready to experiment with these gorgeous accessories like I am, Stella seems to be the way to go.

… And don’t think that you have to spend a fortune, either! Stella’s hair accessories range from only $12 to a semi-painless $22! Not bad for a lifetime of fancier ponytails, eh?

Four roommates started this hair accessory business after commiserating about the difficulty involved in finding unique hair flair. Where did the name from from? Their pet Pomeranian. What could be more appropriate?

Feather Hair Clip with Pearl Bottom $12

Maroon Feather Headband $18

Teal Feather Headband $18

Cobalt, Green and Black Feather Headband $18

Yellow Headband with Orange Feathers $14

Large Peacock and Orange Feather Hair Clip $16

They have tons more feather headbands on this page, as well as countless other hair accessories for less dough than I’ve seen in a long time!

Just slip on one of these gorgeous plumes, throw your hair up in a sleek ponytail, and you’re off for a unique, sassy look any time of the day. If you want to get exotic, clip a feather patch near the crease of a french roll.

Come fly with me!

xoxo.

Broke & Beautiful’s very first guest blogger is makeup artist and fashion addict, Erin Bush of Passion for Pretty! She’s here to fill us all in on the hottest cosmetic trends of the season.

Do you think Amy Winehouse when they hear “cat-eye”? (eeeek!) There really is a fine line between Amy Winehouse and being chic.

This fall, the cat-eye I am referring to is the sexy and super mod cat-eye! This entails dramatically lined eyes that make for a bold and flirty statement, making eyes POP with a Catwoman like allure. So break out those pencil-sharpeners, liquid liners, and magnifying mirrors… Cat-eyes are back for the Fall!

Truth: This is not the easiest look to pull together but with some practice, the right tools, and a delicious Martini (oops, lol) steady hand you too can rival the likes of Mrs. Jolie-Pitt herself. But lets get one tiny detail straight before you begin, dramatically lined eyes are a strong statement so don’t go overboard with extra makeup! Eye shadow should be clean and neutral in color unless you are going for a street walker type look. (I swear I would not judge you, just talk about you on my blog) You do have a choice in lip though: either ruby red/deep vamp lip for a classic finish, or a nude glossy lip for a fresh, modern, fashion-forward face.

You fist must decide which liner product you would like to use; you do have a few options:

• Gel liners are pushing pencils aside because there’s no more irritated eyes or embarrassing smudges. Those looking to line the inside of the upper and lower lids are obsessing over gel liners - their formulations are water-resistant, won’t run and last for hours. The liners are easy to use and go on smooth without having to pull around your eye but using an angled liner brush.
• Liquid liners are for those who have the patience to practice like a pro. They glide on gracefully and can look amazing if applied precisely. Start from the middle of your lash line and extend out while resting your wrist against your cheek or other hand. Then finish by connecting the line from the corner of your eye to where you made your first mark in the middle of your lash line.
• Pencils are probably the easiest to use since most women are familiar and comfortable with using an eyeliner pencil. The only issue with a pencil is that you will not have the staying power that you would get with a gel or liquid liner meaning that your cat-eye could head South through out the course of the day making you look a bit raccoon-ish!

Now that you have decided on your liner, you are ready to follow these steps to have purrrrrrfect cat-eyes! (I couldn’t resist!)

You will need black liner of your choice,  a wash (even, thin layer) of a neutral, low shimmer color as your base, a semi-matte or darker brown for the crease, and highlight color of your choice.

1. Start with a clean eye-space; if you fill-in your brows, you can do them now or later
(I prefer to do them first).

2. Apply your wash of neutral eye shadow onto your lid, pull it outwards to cover your entire lid. The color should be slightly lighter than your natural lid color.

3. Apply your highlight color starting below the inner portion of the brow. Pull the brow outwards along the underside of the brow, following its natural arch.

4. Apply your semi-matte deeper brown into the outer crease.

5. BLEND!!!

6. Now, with your liquid liner, use the applicator it came with if that suits you (this is what I did), and apply a fairly thin line along your upper lashes. If you do not like the applicator that comes with your liquid liner, you may want to try a fine-pointed liner brush or an angled brush. I find that if you tilt your head up and look down at the mirror, your lid will close enough to allow you to get close to your upper lash line while still being able to see. If there’s too much liquid liner on your brush, don’t fret, just wipe a bit of the excess on the back of your hand - remember, less is more. You can always build the liner’s intensity and thickness up, but it’s harder to correct it once it’s already there!

7. Taking your liquid liner brush and using the bottom lash line as a guide, act as if you are extending your lower lash line upwards by making a small flick. Where you have made the flick, use your liquid liner applicator to connect the flick back to the upper lashline, creating a kind of a triangle.

8. Apply your highlighter to your inner tear duct area and line your lower lashline if you choose.

9. Apply two coats of lash thickening and lash lengthening mascara for FAB lush lashes.

10. Viola, you have a cat eye!

Good luck ladies and line responsibly!

Smooches & Cat-Eye Quick Claps
Passion for Pretty

You can find Ms. Passion for Pretty swooning over the latest YSL pumps, or cluing her readers in on how to Help Find a Cure for Breast Cancer via aesthetics, gadget, and spa products… Go visit!

One of my favorite trendy online e-tailers, Lulu*s Fashion Lounge, has once again offered the readers of Broke & Beautiful 15% off their orders when this code is included at checkout:

BROKEANDBEAUTIFUL

I know most of you are familiar with their cute jewelry, gorgeous dresses, and ever-increasing list of designer-brand shoes…

So get over there are start using the coupon code, as it expires November 1st!

Love & Lulu’s,

xoxo.

I’ve decided to make a post about my history buying things from ebay and thrifting, as its the most ecologically-friendly method of shopping, not to mention extremely discounted!

So, here’s the deets:

I don’t have one.

Right, I don’t have a history of buying things on eBay, or thrifting… I’m a total and complete newbie at both! Well, less a newbie when it comes to eBay as I’ve sold many things… But I have no idea where to look as far as cool eBay stores, or how to thrift efficiently.

It seems that every time I go into a thrift store or GoodWill, all I find is oversized Christmas sweaters (not my bag), and granny-style penny loafers. Ack!

So, teach me! What are your favorite stores? Do you HAVE an eBay store to share? What should a new thrifter look for while shopping in a consignment store or second hand store? Anything to be careful of?

I’m the grasshopper now - teach me!

xoxo.