I usually try to keep it cool and act professionally when I am out at stores meeting with retailers and representing my company. But last week, something so phenomenal happened that I jumped up and down like a sugar-stuffed seven-year-old in the middle of one of my favorite boutiques.

The news came courtesy of Kevin Quinn, the owner of accessories boutique, StyledLife. Although his store has no shortage of fashionable items from important designers—Lambertson Truex, Missoni, Alexis Hudson, Dunhill—the news that he would be carrying handbags by London-based accessories designer Anya Hindmarch put him in a whole other playing field.

Since opening her first accessories shop in London at age nineteen (in the early 1990s), Anya Hindmarch has been a favorite of fashion editors and stylish celebrities including Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, Madonna, Claudia Schiffer, and Reese Witherspoon. Her bags and collections have become so popular and sought after that her London shops have been the target of two robberies, one of which resulted in thieves grabbing £20,000 worth of merchandise.

StyledLife will be the first store in the Twin Cities to carry Hindmarch's handbags, and Quinn told me that it was no easy feat in securing the exclusive. And although I would die to have a bag from her collection (I am especially in love with the Perry, shown here), for now, my version from her Target collection will have to suffice.

See Anya Hindmarch's handbags at the new StyledLife boutique when it opens in late October. To guess where the new location is, click here.

Anya Hindmarch for Target will be available starting October 5th in Target stores and online.

Greg Walsh is known around town for his edgy take on classic design, something he has put into play for years in homes and commercial enterprises. Many of those projects, including his recent work at the Calhoun Beach Club, have been featured in our magazines. His latest endeavor, the store MartinPatrick3 (121 N. First St., Mpls.) in the North Loop, sits in the building next to Jetset Bar, a block down from where it used to be—tucked away within the more interiors-driven ID inside design storefront.

The new retail space allows the greatly expanded inventory of "men's essentials," including watches, messenger bags, barware, books, office items, and home accessories, to beautifully shine. And it's all within a sophisticated design envelope that marries classic display cases and more modern lighting and architectural finishes. The classy style is clear as soon as you approach the storefront.

Cases of wood and glass at the front of the store display messenger bags and other small luggage items, watches, and other accessories.

Looking toward the back, the style transitions to one that is slightly more modern with wood veneer pendant lights and built-in TVs. Here you'll fine great barware, eyeglasses, books, and other accessories. Check out the cool architectural models displayed at the counter and the funky green safe on the back wall.

Manager Greg Griffith showed me around the space as I considered items to feature in our November GoodStuff story. I love how wallets, watches, and the like are grouped by colors and displayed in cloches.

Here's a sampling of pillows with a classic modern look.

Furnishings such as this chest and table lamp sport a masculine style. But many of the decorative and fashion items are neutral enough to work for men and women.

The store opened last month, but I hear it's already quite a hit. And along with other neighborhood standouts such as Odegard, Circa Gallery, Poliform, Montaggio, and Lappin Lighting, it's one more reason to make make it part of your Saturday design fix. It was part of mine last weekend. Enjoy!

As we update our wardrobes for fall with cropped jackets, wide-leg jeans, and a warm scarf or two, we should also consider a hair and makeup update. Like fashion, hair trends change with the season, and I'm a big believer in experimenting with different looks. I recently talked to Juut experts to see which colors, cuts, styles, and products are hot for fall 2008.

Juut hair director and master stylist Woody Theis on hair:

Q: What are the big standout trends for fall and winter 2008?
Theis: We really saw three stories in fashion and hair. The first was Ethereal Romance (shown below)—romantic and soft with waves that loop down. The model we used was sort of rocker, so we gave her chunky rock 'n' roll bangs with waves falling down. The interpretation of this could be anything from very soft to very edgy—or kind of a David Bowie-glam-rock look.

The second story was a 1960s mod look: Structured Whimsy (below). Think about hair being hiked up at the crown like Edie Sedgwick—sexy and modern but still understandable to our guests. It's swept softly and has an architectural feel. We found in clothing that there were a lot of really structured, futuristic fabrics—plastic looking, shiny, very formed, and tailored. We wanted to give the hair some structure.

The third and final story was Victorian Countryside (below). In fashion, we saw a Southern influence with lace, plaid, and ruffles—a very ladylike feel. We made the hair very soft with loose, loopy curls. The haircut shape was round and full—proper but sexy.

Q: What cuts are popular for fall? Lengths?
Theis: It’s really all over the place. We're starting to see more short hair, but mid-length to long are still popular. The short hair I’m seeing is very short at the sides and clean, but the fringe is kept very long. It's sporty looking. We create a floppy front but make it soft and clean over the ears.

Q: What about hair color?
Theis: Lot of reds again, coppers. Not solid red but something like a rich brunette that has red within the color—on the sides of the head or peaking through.

Q: What would you suggest for up-dos or easy styles for fall and holiday parties?
Theis: Headbands are still big. That '60s feel is very 'in.' And for a romantic feel, pull the hair back at the sides, and do a low chignon at the nape of your neck. The chignon has been popular for a couples seasons, but this season it’s really messy, so brush it forward so that it's fuzzy around edges. It's soft, but the foundation is still structured.

How to you combat hair frizz in cold-weather months?
Theis: Aveda has a new shampoo and conditioner called Dry Remedy. It's an intensive treatment that’s a mask for your hair, which is really important for fall because of static issues. You want your hair to look hydrated and healthy.

Q: What about men's hair?
Theis: Men's hair is still really groomed like last season and clean over the ears. What’s different is that the front is cut quite strong and straight across but clean at the hairline. If hair is longer, it's brushed straight back with pomade.

Next blog: Fall makeup trends.

Earlier this week, I joined photographer John Abernathy on a shoot at the rooftop garden at Marj and Irv Weiser's loft in the Mill District. It's a beautiful design by Tangletown Gardens with big rectangular containers and a lush mix primarily made up of gorgeous foliage. An interesting side note: Marj is the sister of Joe Dicker (from last week's blog . . . the south Minneapolis garden). You can see both gardens in their full splendor in Mpls.St.Paul Home next Spring, but here's a preview . . .

John's at the camera, catching Marj and Irv in front of their large-scale container gardens. What a backdrop!


A container filled with succulents sits on the table. You can see the more loungelike seating area in the background.

The tall container gardens feature grasses and leafy foliage with some subtle color mixed in. The design creates privacy and helps shelter the winds.

Here's a closeup of the beautiful mix. I'll get the full plant IDs for the article next spring. Marj told me she has Tangletown make labels so she can remember the exact plant names in case friends ask about them.

These boxes feature a wonderful rust-color finish that pretty closely matches the pergolas. They subtly define the Weisers' garden as separate from the rooftop space that all of the building's residents share.

Here's the view you take in from the rooftop deck, just for fun. As you can see, it was a beautiful late summer evening. I look forward to sharing Marj and Irv's full story next spring. For now, have a great weekend, whether it's out in the garden or enjoying the fantastic weather otherwise.

I didn’t coin the phrase, but I live by the frugal chic mantra. Of course, bargain hunting is subjective. Is a $120 dress a deal? Depends. Who’s it by? Is the quality there? Is it a great addition to your wardrobe? Does it blow your budget?

I hope you’ve seen our annual Shops issue that’s currently on the newsstands. I wrote a story entitled “Bargain Hunting 101” and offered up some of my top spots for steals and deals. I’ve been a bargain hunter as long as I can remember. Part of it is the thrill of the hunt. And trust me, there are plenty of times I come up empty-handed. I don’t buy for the sake of buying. I don’t buy just because it’s a great deal. But, I sure make the attempt, which is one of the tricks, to find some great sources and visit often—sometimes early.

Take this past weekend. My parents had my twins for the weekend. I was out with friends Friday night (at Smalley’s in Stillwater, BTW, it’s great!), and though I got back to Golden Valley late (like 2 a.m. late), I still set my alarm for 6:30 a.m. so I could hit an estate sale and get a good number. Lucky me—I was number three in line. I still get a charge out of buying $20 chairs, $10 artwork, and $50 bookshelves. For this reason, I can’t give up my SUV just yet.

Our October issue should be hitting mailboxes right about now. Our subscribers will see our cover story on “Frugal Chic.” (It will be on newsstands next week.) We broke out our story by fashion, home décor, arts and entertainment, and food and dining. It’s not comprehensive, but it’s pretty darn good. Our team of editors tapped our collective expertise to share some great sources and celebrate the frugal chic lifestyle. One quick story: While pulling some props from Pier 1 for our shoot, I ran into one of the most stylish women in town—Angie Wicka. I told her what I was working on and she said (as she was eying some patio décor), “I’m all about the frugal chic! Have you been to Marshall’s yet? I bought a bag at the Marshall’s in L.A. and had people stopping me on the street to ask where I got it!” So, make sure you check out our next issue. And if you think we overlooked some of your favorite haunts, comment here!

On a related note, one of my editorial partners in frugal chic is Melissa Colgan. This week alone she has donned two different—and utterly fabulous—dresses, one from H&M and the other from Target’s Go International collection. They both look ten times more expensive than I’m sure they were. Melissa and I (with our videographer Kyong Ham) hit the HomeGoods store at HarMar this week to create an installment for our StyleParlor.tv. Check it out, and then hit the stores because if you love that zebra rug (8x10!), it’s only $190!

Frugal Chic For Home

In case you haven't noticed, autumn is almost here! Children are back in school, Starbucks has brought back its Pumpkin Spice Latte, and it is finally cool enough at night to need that extra blanket. And the return to the season that helps ease us from the hot and humid days of summer to the often bitterly cold months of winter means that it is also time to start thinking about changing our wardrobes.

Tuck away your lightweight sundresses, linen pants, and espadrilles, and pull out your favorite fall pieces. Take stock of what you have, and then watch our two videos, "Fall Fashion Trends" and "Fall Coats," to get an idea of how to best supplement your existing wears with some fresh fashions.

What am I craving? A bright red coat, a par of slouchy jeans, enough oversized knits to fill a trunk, calf-height brown boots, and maybe something a bit sparkly, such as a great cocktail dress or funky layering tank.

"Fall Coat Trends"

"Fall Trends 2008"

Picture this: The windows of a tiny storefront in midtown Manhattan are emblazoned with bull's-eyes, all bright and shiny and awash in enough primary colors to actually appear like, well, one of the millions of corner shops in NYC's mass of ethnic neighborhoods. That is if those ethnic bodega's had Target's art directors. Instead of focusing their tired eyes on the windows of nearby Bergdorf, Barneys, or Bendel, the people of NYC are affixed on the store windows, eagerly peering through, hoping there dreams are coming true.

"Wwwwhhhhennnnn will Target open in Manhattan?" I hear a particularly frustrated stylista plead as she peers in the window.

Another one laments, "The Target in Brooklyn is always sooooooo picked over."

Yet another nearly screams, "What is this? Are we finally getting a TARGET?!?!?!? Is it here?"

Just when I thought no one could adore Tar-jay more than a Twin Citian like moi, I get nearly toppled by a bunch of trend-hungry New Yorkers who are just as starved for their Boots toiletries and organic towels as they are for cheap and chic clothing. (Top Shop still hasn't opened.)

The reason? It was the VIP opening of the Target Bullseye Bodegas (four in all) throughout the island of Manhattan. After successfully launching a pop-up shop earlier this year, Target did it again, this time for a four-day run that coincides with the finale of Fashion Week. In addition to Jemma Kidd cosmetics and décor items for Dwell, there was the launch of the retailer's thirteenth GO International Collection by Jonathan Saunders and the Sigerson Morrison for Target and Anya Hindmarch for Target collection— nearly a month before they hit Target stores and target.com.

After shuffling my feet (a shuffle was as far apart as my feet would move in the jam-packed space), I left with two fabulous items: the black "Glitz" suede studded flat ($29.99) by Sigerson Morrison for Target and the patent and faux python structured satchel ($44.99) by Anya Hindmarch for Target. While I knew that I could get these pieces sans sales tax and without overstressing my suitcase in mere weeks at one of our many local targets, I just loved the architectural feel of the bag and the flats gave my tired soles a little reprieve from the five-plus-inch Alaia's that I'd been cased in all week.

Sigerson Morrison and Anya Hindmarch collections available at Target stores and target.com in October.

As a girl surrounded by dark, cold, and snow for the majority of the year, there is always something about the collections put forward by Michelle Smith of Milly that feeds my need for wanderlust and escape. For spring, she is taking us on the ultimate vacation—Marrakesh circa 1970. The boho looks may not be groundbreaking, but the sense of free-spirit playfulness that they evoke could make even the most devoted of snow bunnies long for a crotchet bikini and multi-hued caftan.

The mood was entirely different at Cynthia Rowley, where instead of presenting her Spring 2009 collection, she showed "Collection One for 2009." Losing the sense of a specific season left room for interpretation of what a woman wants to wear in the spring—sheath dresses in clean lines; a fresh palette of nude, black, white, navy, and oceanic blue; and fabrics that on simpler shapes create a sense of intellect and interest—sheer netting, shiny leather. The resulting modern lines, clean cuts, and simple coloring was incredibly refreshing, especially coming from a designer who usually opts for looks that are overtly saccharine and unstructured.

Picking up on the femininity trend that was so popular for fall was Anthropologie's brand-new line, Leifsdottir. This is the first time that Anthropologie will be offering one of its collections for wholesale purchase by other retailers, and I, for one, can't wait to see these looks offered on a larger scale. The clothing offered a feminine complexity that wasn't seen at many of the other shows—vintage buttons, layers of artsy trims, ruffles, embroidery, and dressmaker tailoring. The quirky, art-student-goes-to-the-seaside styles will fit right in with the wardrobes of Anthropologie's devotees, but individual pieces have an heirloom quality that would soften up any wardrobe.

Fashion Week has become a hotbed for political statements. There are the PETA protesters, a group that calls for curvy girls on the runway, a whole booth dedicated to health in the fashion industry (brochures aplenty on binging and purging), and now there is a new quiet stand taking place at the tents. Giving edge to her feminine and lighthearted fashions was Nanette Lepore's decision to take a stand for saving the Garment District. The staff's T-shirts, the runway backdrop as well as buttons and a pencil were emblazoned with the slogan, and to drive the point home, much of the bead-detailed fabrics looked like many of the lush textiles you see propped in the windows in the Garment District.

As for the clothes, Nanette Lepore knows her base and doesn't disappoint it—the garden party-themed clothing had a palette of bright poppy, turquoise, and jade paired with neutral khaki, taupe, and brown. In addition to the aforementioned beading and ribbons, ruffles were another point of interest, appearing in some form on most of the pieces. Many of the looks were also topped with chunky, colorful resin necklaces appearing like a mélange of garden florals.

For a brand such as Brooks Brothers, which has been around for 190 years, there is not much incentive to mess with the basics. Devotees to the brand expect to get their nice suiting and country club attire from the retailer, and Brooks Brothers always delivers. And although the Spring 2009 collection presented new iterations of many of the classics—sherbet-colored polos, suede loafers, tennis garments, weekend khakis, linen suits—it was Thom Brown's collection for its Black Fleece line that is wowing the fashion elite. The British tailor knows how to make a suit appear bespoken—nipped in wasp waist for the ladies, wide lapels for the boys—and he also knows how to make it interesting for the eyes—mixed prints in black, white, and gray; sumptuous fabrics; and interesting button detailing. A favorite was a YSL-style le smoking that was perfectly tailored and visibly sliming.

Set to a live performance by Brazilian musician Seu Jorge, Carlos Miele's show once again proved his skill at designing gorgeous goddess gowns. The whisper-light layers of chiffon were abstractly printed with scenes inspired by the Brazilian rain forest, and cuts ranged from mini to maxi, strapless to halter, all equally flattering to the feminine form. But Miele also proved his chops at daywear, showing an incredibly wearable military-style vest and slim cropped pants. Light embellishment was also important in this collection with Brazilian-sourced stones used as trim in necklines or cuffs.

Cool temperatures brought us an early taste of Fall a few days ago, but Summer—with its gorgeous gardens—is still in full swing around the Twin Cities.

As we hurry to wrap up the last of our garden photo shoots for the season, I thought I'd give you a preview of one of my favorites: the beautifully layered landscape at Lona Turner and Joe Dicker's South Minneapolis Tudor. I scouted it recently with Scott Endres of Tangletown Gardens. It's full of ideas for choosing plants and planning such features as pathways and outdoor rooms for smaller city spaces.

This is the landscape from the front, showing the boulevard garden. The kale is gorgeous this time of year.

The backyard includes a meandering stone path that connects a small dining patio to the house. The birdbath adds a charming touch.

This water fountain, which has weathered to a wonderful patina, blends in with the garden.

Here's the dining patio. It sits next to a bamboo fence Joe built. Lona tells me she loves to relax there with coffee and a book.

The side yard offers yet another relaxing escape. On the right-hand side you can see part of Joe's herb garden. People tell me he's quite the cook. (He has an amazing collection of some 1,000 cookbooks.)

As many of you know, now is a great time to purchase and plant perennials and other landscape elements, and big sales are on at most nurseries and garden centers around town, including Gertens, Bachman's, Tangletown Gardens, and Tonkadale. Whatever your weekend plans, have a good one!

There are designers that are edgy and avant-garde, who set the trends and create interesting and fantastical clothing and accessories, and then there are designers who make clothes that all women want to wear. Monique Lhuillier falls into the latter camp. In her collection informed by a tropical-island getaway, Lhuillier showed clothing and accessories that were at once light and fresh but also properly chic. The evening wear—as always—was pretty much perfect, as she lightened things up from fall with less beading, opting instead for light-as-air tulle appliqués and delicate, tailored draping. For day, Lhuillier experimented with denim, topping an indigo pencil skirt with a billowy, wheat-print blouse, confirming that the queen of evening elegance is becoming just as relevant for day.

The mood became exceptionally more lighthearted at Betsey Johnson. The show explored youth and all of its fantasies—little girls in nursery-print jumpers licking lollipops, pirates, and Peter Pan come to mind. While the clothes definitely were over-the-top, they spoke to Johnson's strong points—fashion should be sexy, youthful, and above all, fun. This show is always one of the highlights of the week; the audience always seems a bit more relaxed, the clothes are only a part of the show, and even the models cast aside their pouty grins, dancing, skipping, or sashaying down the runway.

After the Betsey Johnson show, I nearly ran out of the tents because I knew that the PETA peeps would be lining up to protest the show of furrier Dennis Basso. I have made a point of not wearing fur while I am in NYC for fashion week (I really just don’t want to be dripping in blood for my $25 vintage finds), but the hysterical screams and bloody-animal-tossing group quite frankly scares me. As I was hurriedly walking down 42nd Street, checking messages on my Blackberry, I came within, um, blood-throwing distance of PETA's arch nemesis—Anna Wintour. Now there are many people at fashion week who get excited for the celebrities, but I could really care less. I get excited when I see the editors who awe and inspire me—Nina Garcia, Glenda Bailey, Charla Lawson, Tonne Goodman, Meredith Melling Burke, Andre Leon Talley, Robbie Meyers, Virginia Smith, Linda Wells, Cyndi Levie, and of course, Anna Wintour. So you can imagine my state of nervous awe at seeing her so closely, surrounded by three other Vogue staffers and four body guards who were sneaking the group of fur-lovin' Voguettes through the back door of the tents. Of course, I kept hurrying along, just glad that I had worn my Alaia heels.

Later in the evening, after coming down from my see-Jesus high, I grabbed a seat at the Vivienne Tam show. I always admire Tam's way with pattern and color, and she definitely didn't disappoint for spring. From peony prints, cutouts, and tulle appliqués to suiting reminiscent of the late Yves Saint Laurent. While the suiting was attractive, the more feminine looks in dusty pinks, crimson red, hibiscus, plum, and persimmon were the highlights of the show.

I can't imagine a better way to start a Monday than with a fashion show by Carolina Herrera. Last season, the designer excited the audience with looks inspired by the English countryside—plumed hats, heavy tweeds, a fall palette of powder blue, mustard yellow, persimmon, and brown.

But for spring, frills are minimized for a return to the basics of classic and feminine style. The show started with tailored separates in saturated colors—bright persimmon, raspberry, marigold, and teal—before dipping into something a little bit more unexpected for spring—classic black and white. The wide-leg pant, again, played an important role (this time in a diaphanous silk) but slimfitting cropped pants in black or white were also an important look. To please her legion of loyal fans, femininity and softness were added in the form of soft and tailored ruffles and formfitting strapless dresses had red carpet written all over them.

Later in the evening at Ports 1961, designer Tia Cibani was inspired by the paintings of Canadian artist, Emily Carr. The tree-lined shores of the Pacific northwest informed her strong, linear silhouettes and use of color—a neutral base punctuated by roe red, harbor blue, plum, lavender, and fresh lemon-yellow. The strong blocks of color and austere tailoring were made feminine by embellished details such as frayed paper yarns and silk fringes.

Furthering the clean and bright organic feel was the jewelry created for the collection by London–based Lina Peterson. The designer is known for using a wide range of materials often not associated with jewelry, and she didn’t disappoint with her interpretations for Ports. Copper wiring was twisted into long necklaces and hunks of wood and yarn were strung together in an oversized choker.

I have been impressed with the wearability and design aesthetic of Cibani's Ports 1961 for the past few seasons, and lucky for us, her collection is now carried at Macy's Oval Room.

It was beyond refreshing to wake up this morning with the sun shining. After my plane ride though hurricane Hanna (such a gentle and sweet name for such a nasty storm), sunny skies and eighty-degree weather were welcome and refreshing. So much so that I walked the forty blocks from the place I am staying in the Upper East Side to the Bryant Park tents.

The first show I saw was Lela Rose, a designer known for her unapologetically feminine looks. While the collection showcased Rose's dedication to the feminine silhouette, her architectural lines, precise tailoring, and use of saturated colors gave the collection more universal appeal.

Almost every look included a piece in either lapis blue, yellow sapphire, or jade, which were paired smartly with fresh-looking plaids, dip-dyed fabrics, and, on a few of the last looks, hints of metallic.

The trend towards spring sophistication continued at Tracy Reese. Inspired by modern romance, nature, and form, Reese presented frothy creations in watercolor pastels—eggshell, teardrop blue, nectarine, pale oleander—but the show was at its best at the end, when Reese presented, for the first time, her Black Label collection—floral appliqués, goddess slips, and a pastel-garden motif.

While Tibi's Amy Smilovic may be known for her bohemian prints, a certain level of restraint was shown in her spring collection. Staring out with clean, nautical-inspired pieces (seersucker and linen suits, pleated trousers, boyfriend blazers) gave way to Mandarin-inspired dresses and even a selection of drapey jodhpurs that made me think of a Spanish cowboy. Tying together these disparate ideas was a color palette of bright orange, citrine, Crayola yellow, and lapis blue. The increased attention to clean-line tailoring is also a welcome change from her more ethereal and loose shapes of past seasons.

The final show of the day for me was Miss Sixty. Although I appreciated some of the beachy rock n' roll looks, I felt that this show felt less like a collection and more of an assemblage of trend pieces. A few favorites did emerge, however, including some great looking high-waist jeans.

Yep, you read that right! Even undergarments are going green . . .

For more than two decades, Mary Green has been a prominent name in fashionable intimate apparel. A proud supporter of environmental causes, it was inevitable that she would eventually design an eco-chic line of undergarments. Using leftover silk remnants and unused dyed elastics (sourced from Chinese garment factories), she created her new Eco Panty line.

Each panty is hand cut with at least four prints, which means each pair is one of a kind. End result? Fun colors mixed with sexy prints make for some cute little thongs! Check 'em out at Jessica Gerard's fine lingerie boutique Flirt, where a new shipment just arrived. $16.50 each.

Flirt,1330 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-698-3692

Twice a year, the world's greatest designers, premier department store and boutique buyers, and lucky members of the media ascend upon four cities to determine what it is you'll be wearing next season. For months, the designers have been putting together their collections and will send them down the runway in front of thousands of tastemakers. Shows are lauded or panned and trends are decided in a four week time period that takes this elite group to New York, London, Milan, and Paris.

I am lucky enough to, for the second time, take part in New York Fashion Week. As I write, it is Saturday morning and I am sitting at the airport getting ready to stuff my stuff into the airplane, excited to settle in with a stack of British fashion magazines. In a few hours, I will be hoofing around Midtown, stopping into some of my favorite stores, and just taking in the sights and smells of the best city in the world (at least, in my mind, it is).

For the next week, I will be reporting back to you, via the blog, about not only the clothes coming down the runway, but I also what it is like to participate in such an event. I hope to bring you insight into not only the scene in Bryant Park, but I also want to put a finger on the pulse of the city. What are all the tastemakers and real Gossip Girls wearing this fall? What is lighting up the windows at Bergdorf, Bendel, and Barneys? As an outsider, what is it like to be in NYC for such an event?

My first set of shows are on Sunday, but for today I'm going to catch up with old friends, do a bit of shopping, and take it all in. Stay tuned.

So many strong possibilities for our September "Home Tours" story package came across my desk over the last few months. But when my colleagues and I saw Clyde Jorgenson's place on Lake Minnetonka, we immediately knew it would be the perfect grand finale. I found out about the house from Karen Melvin, the photographer for the Home Tours feature, and Bette Hammel, a writer who was married to the late Dick Hammel, a highly regarded modernist architect who was one of the founders of the firm Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, often referred to as HGA. Bette and Karen are working on a book, The Legendary Homes of Lake Minnetonka, which is being published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press next year. Last week they took me on a boat tour of the lower lake's most important homes. I'm only including a few . . . trees obscured some of my favorites . . .

Here's Clyde's Ferndale home, which we featured in the Home Tours package. Once owned by the Northrup Family, it's often called "The White House of Lake Minnetonka."

This home sits close by. Owned by Ray Johnson, the founder of the Museum of Russian Art, and his wife, Susan, it blends modern and classical Italian elements. We featured it in our Home Tours package back in 2005.

Several properties down is this historic home once owned by Calvin Griffith, who, as many of you know, owned the Twins from the '50s into the '80s. The color scheme looks great on the lake.

This is a fun camp-style home (the main house is high in the trees; a smaller cabin sits on the shore) on Big Island. Also to be featured in the book, it's jointly owned by descendants of the original owners, the Fruens and the O'Connors of St. Paul. The home has been in their families since the 1930s. I understand it's pretty primitive—a quintessential summer place.

Here's a Ralph Rapson-designed home in Cottagewood on the south side of the lake. One of two Rapson properties that sits on this stretch, it is also featured in the book. It's a little tough to see it through the trees . . .

So many great houses owned by (or once owned by) such big names as Dayton, Pillsbury, Bell, and Gabbert line the lake, and Bette (who lives in a great modern home on the lake as well) and Karen know many of their stories. Speaking of which, here they are, my gracious hosts . . .

Bette at the wheel of her twenty-six-foot Sea Ray deck boat . . .

. . . and Karen sitting back, next to me.

Read more about Clyde's home in the September issue, and be on the lookout for the book next year. It's sure to provide lots of backstories and remind us how important it is to preserve the architectural gems circling the lake. I look forward to taking the book out on the lake with me next summer!

Some of the first images from the Jonathan Saunders for Target Collection for GO International are starting to make the rounds. The collection, which will be in Target stores and on target.com, launches October 5 and is in stores until November 1.

I first got a small sneak peek at the collection back in July when I was looking for an image of the collection to run in our fall Shops magazine (which just hit newsstands—pick it up and read my behind-the-scenes story about the success of GO International).

Though not necessarily my style, I really appreciate the many art references Saunders makes with his Target collection. From blue ombre reminiscent of Rothko's colorful works to Mondrian prints and Klimt-style mosaics, the individual pieces create a greater sense of a concise collection than has been shown by some of the other GO designers.

Lucky for me, Target is setting up another pop-up shop (this time in Midtown Manhattan) next week during fashion week. In addition to a chance to purchase the Saunders collection weeks before it's available in stores, the Sigerson Morrison and Anya Hindmarch accessories will also be available—a full month before they hit the rest of the country.

And if you haven't heard, the next GO international collection will be from Thakoon Panchigul, designer and close personal friend to many of NYC's socialites, and creator of the gorgeous floral Radzimir kimono dress Michelle Obama wore on the evening her husband accepted the nomination for democratic nominee for president of the United States. I have a feeling we will get some amazing and gorgeous party frocks, just in time for the holiday season.

A few weeks ago, I had sort of a fashion-related mental breakdown. I stood in front of one of three closets that I have full of clothes (In a one-bedroom apartment, that is a lot of space dedicated to threads.) and wined, for probably the millionth time, that I had nothing to wear. But how can that possibly be? How can I have closets full of clothing but nothing to wear?

Well after thinking about it for a couple of weeks, I came to a few conclusions on why, it might be, that I can never find anything, in closets full of clothes, to wear.

1. I am a compulsive buyer. If I see something and I like it, I buy it. It really doesn't matter whether or not it goes with anything else I have.

2. I shop under stress. Whenever I have an event to go to or need a particular outfit, I run to the store and scoop up whatever I can find. I rarely think about anything more than if it's appropriate and if it fits.

So what to do? I want a closet that works for my lifestyle and me. I want a closet in which I have clothes that can go from casual weekend night out to workday meetings to photo shoots to the occasional party.

This weekend, I went through the entire contents of my closet, looking at the things that I always wear, the things that week after week, season after season, year after year, I always pull out when it seems that nothing else works: little black dresses (they mask a multitude of flaws); anything black (I get amazing mileage from a great pair of black slacks); tank tops in black, white, and gray from James Perse; v-neck T-shirts (again, in black, white, and gray); any spin on a tuxedo jacket; long sweaters; gold jewelry; and scarves.

It was very much an epiphany for me: Why in the hell am I purchasing anything that doesn't fit into this category? Save for a fabulous investment piece that can be worked into my wardrobe from time to time, I feel like the code to my personal style is above, and it is a formula that I need to not forget when I am shopping.

So as part of a social experiment, for the next sixth months (save for the aforementioned investment pieces), everything I buy must fall into the above categories. I want to get the most mileage out of the things I am wearing and have as few regrets as possible.

My first test: fashion week. As I rightly learned last time around, there is absolutely no way I can be the best-dressed or worst-dressed person there. So instead of packing all of my "on-trend" or even "designer" clothes in some massive overstuffed suitcase(s), I am bringing one carry-on size piece of luggage with five outfits that will make me look professional, appropriate, and, above all, allow me to feel comfortable and like myself.

So what am I taking? Here is my list:

Wide leg, high-waist pants, one in black from Anthropologie and one in brown tweed by Christian Lacroix (the tweed could get really hot, so I will be wearing just a black James Perse tank with them).

Three dresses: One gray with ruffle detail on the neck by Vroom and two LBDs that I picked up this weekend at Target.

A dark floral skirt, which I'll pair with a simple black v-neck T-shirt.

Two scarves (the tents at Bryant park are really hot, but when I am in and out of stores, I might get a little cool).

My black five-plus-inch Alaia heels and a pair of nude shoe boots.

A handful of jewelry, including some gold chains, a few strings of pearls, some vintage bracelets, and my favorite gold Dyrberg/Kern rings.

I have already pre-packed my bag and am delighted to say that I actually have room left just in case I am inspired to shop for myself while I am out there (but only looking for items that fit into the list above.)