The Marion Mille Collection is a rich testament to crisp, chic French style. The designer’s story is similar to other designers who have made it big: she studied fashion and applied arts before freelancing and joining Vanessa Bruno in May 2000. Voluminous knitwear and jersey form her signature silhouettes and embody the spirit of this luxe label.

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Amy Schwab, creator of bold belts that will get you noticed and then some, has introduced a collection of Grab and Go fabric bags in two sizes: More Than Enough and Just Enough. The former is fitting for stashing your makeup, keys, and Blackberry; the latter makes a cute coin purse with just enough room for your identification cards. Organization (hey stranger), here you come.

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We’re convinced you simply cannot have enough play clothes this season (or any season for that matter) and Bay Area-based GG Blue indulges us with bright dresses, comfy loungewear, boy shorts, tanks and tees. They’re made for strutting the urban sidewalk or meandering an island shore. With duds that transition this effortlessly, you best book a vacation, pronto. These pieces are just begging to be toted to a land far, far away.

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Craving handmade, luxury leather goods? Of course you are: the smell of leather is the ultimate pheromone, and you know what they say about a young woman’s sandal fancy come spring. Scope out the work of New York’s Lucia Nenickova. She uses only the finest leathers from the best tanneries worldwide to create belts, bags (hand-stitched with linen thread coated in beeswax), and sandals (the latter are hand molded with an arch for extra comfort). They are a must for every wardrobe.

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There is such a thing as being sexy and somewhat conservative at the same time. We’re totally enamored with Marlova’s cashmere sweaters and dresses, all of them in gorgeous, go-anywhere muted hues and standout silhouettes that are both sexy and refined. Summer hasn’t even arrived here in New York and we’re already looking forward to the Fall 2008 collection shown here. The strapless dresses show off your figure (especially your sexy décolletage) with plenty of chest support, so you’re not over-exposing your cleavage.

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Recently, René Furterer USA hosted a “20 Years of Excellence” party at diPietro Todd Salon in downtown San Francisco. Nine models walked the runway with elegant updos and 1950s Parisian-style garb, and it made us think: why haven’t we ever tried this famed hair care line? Inspired, we turned to the full range of nature-based products for the hair and scalp. Our favorites forever? The Anti-Frizz Program featuring Fioravanti complex, a smoothing compound made with 15 plants and acerola cherry, and vitamin C concentrate to add shine, bounce and enviable softness.

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True fashionistas (ugh how we hate that word) always mix things up. There’s never a dull item in their wardrobes, which means they typically shop at indie stores nestled off the beaten path. Of course, every now and then a mega retailer offers something fun and fearless. In this case, it’s Bloomingdales where we found this Jocelyn Celeste Flutter Jacket with bow. Wear this to cocktail hour just for kicks. Just be sure to don a smirk and plead the fifth when people ask where you bought it.

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Go nude. The Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Lip Pencil by Kitten Vixen, made with organic ingredients, is the secret to a natural-looking pucker. The gorgeous nude shade compliments all lip colors and the moisturizing formula leaves your mouth soft and silky. Top it off with dramatically glassy-looking gloss for a look that’s plenty sexy.

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Taaz.com, the most advanced, realistic-looking makeover technology to ever hit the web, officially launched yesterday. Founded by face recognition scientists at UC San Diego, the site aims to assist you in experimenting with various makeup looks without having to resort to soap and water removal (you can also change up your hairstyle in a pinch). Users can potentially use the technology to improve their favorite photos, modeling portfolios, or MySpace and Facebook pics. Simply upload your photo to try the latest in lipsticks, eye shadows, blushes, mascaras and more—the impressive tool will provide you with a shopping list that will help you navigate the department store cosmetics counter. A Social networking feature allows you to share your makeovers with friends.

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If you don’t have your own private jet to whisk you around the globe, look on the bright side: Bay Area airports are now catering to travelers who love to shop on the run. Barcelona-bred women’s clothier MNG by Mango has opened in SFO’s Terminal 3 with threads for young urban women, and Oakland International’s Terminal 2 has bragging rights to the country’s first Techshowcase for big name electronic devices. Other Oakland airport shops include luxury eyewear retailer Sunglass Icon, and Under a Silver Moon which carries gifts from the Oakland Zoo and Children’s Fairyland. It’s not exactly Rodeo Drive, but it satiates a craving for credit card action.

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