Scent of the Month

This month's scent is Bond No. 9 New York's Dubai Emerald, a 'modernistic New York-inspired Arabian perfume. Top notes: Saffron, hyssop. Middle notes: Rose, gurjum, balsam. Base notes: Patchouli, sandalwood, amber, cypriol, leather.'

Clockwise from top left: dress, necklace, ring, lipstick, clutch, scent, sandals, nail polish

Olivier Rousteing at Balmain for H&M

We can't wait for Balmain's partnership with H&M, available November 5th. It's a great opportunity to get some of Olivier Rousteing's style for a fraction of Balmain's prices.

Here are some of our favorites from the lookbook:

The looks were so chic at the runway show as well:

Rousteing has been instagramming the collection as well:

images from Vogue (also here) & Rousteing's instagram

H&M's Coachella Collection

Music festivals each have their own style, and H&M has created a collection based on the one that kicks off the summer music season: Coachella. Perfect for running from stage to stage out in the Indio Valley Desert, the collection features lots of airy lace and shorts.

Wide brim sun hats are a must for a bit of shade during the heat of the day.

Cacti! One of our favorite prints.

The collection is available starting March 19th, and will also be sold at the H&M pop up shop at the festival. They are also giving away tickets, if you don't have yours already! That red dress is already on our shopping list...

We Recommend: & Other Stories

We are huge fans of H&M owned COS, and now their sister brand & Other Stories has also made the leap across the pond.  The Swedish brand's US site just went live, and they are opening a store in New York City tomorrow - hopefully they will expand to the West Coast before long!  We love the chic, wearable European classics that they make, and are especially excited to add theses pieces to our Shopping Bag:

Merino Wool Sweater

Pleat Bag

Geometric Jacquard Scarf

Suede Sandalettes

Wool Blend Skirt

Cutout Bracelet

Long Leather Gloves

Mohair Blend Coat

You can shop these items and the rest of their collection on their website.

Can't Wait For: Alexander Wang for H&M

There are so many high-low designer collaborations these days, it's hard to know when to get excited for them and when to pass them up - Altuzarra for Target, anyone?  Often, the attempts at translating high fashion to affordable prices fail, with many pieces looking cheap and of poor quality.  But we think the Alexander Wang line for H&M might actually be worth shopping - the man knows how to cut a t-shirt and when to keep pieces simple, and already frequently works with cotton and jersey fabrics, as well as solids and minimal embellishments.  Sadly these designs aren't the cheapest collaboration around, but if these photographs of the upcoming collection are any indication, we are excited to shop when the line comes out on November 6th.

Images via Alexander Wang's Instagram

Crazy About: Camel & Navy

Clockwise from top left: hat, blouse, sweater, skirt, oxfords, coat, boots, clutch, dress, scarf

Can't Wait For: Isabel Marant for H&M

There are so many high-low designer collaborations these days that it's hard to get too excited about all of them.  But ever since we heard that Isabel Marant was doing a line for H&M, we have been hoping that this is one we could be genuinely in love with.  Now that early reviews are out, all signs point to yes, we can.  The quality is said to be a step up from the typical collabs, which often use cheaper fabrics and trimmings to cut corners, and the collection is extensive and full of beautiful, signature pieces.  Now we just have to wait until November 14th to snag our new fall wardrobes.