reLYME

I was half-tempted to begin this post with, What the..., but decided against it.

Gossip Girl's favorite blonde, Blake Lively, was selected by Karl Lagerfeld to be the ambassador for Chanel's new Mademoiselle handbag line. The campaign ads, photographed by Lagerfeld, should make their rounds in April.

Now, of course, Lively would not be someone that I would've guessed to fill this role, but Lagerfeld does indeed always have a vision. He is quoted as saying of the actress, “She’s a kind of American dream girl...She’s full of life.”

Surprisingly enough, I am looking forward to peeping the ads when they're available. Lively is a different face than we've seen in the past, but for Chanel, who constantly tugs at this girl's heart strings, can I handle different?

What are your thoughts on Blake Lively as the face of Mademoiselle?

*Photo credit: Courtesy Photo

The following post was masterminded by Heather, reLYME's new and adorable fashion-obsessed contributor:

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New Years Day resolutions have always been my Achilles heel. I absolutely refuse to make them anymore since, without fail, I will either ignore them or feel guilty for my self-improvement incompetence.

However, January fashion resolutions are another story. This is the month I purge my closet of things of which I need to let go (I only wish purging my life of bad relationships was as easy!) and look to the future. What looks good on me? Honestly? And what is merely wishful thinking (black leather jeggings, anyone? Let those garbage bags go, my friends. Let them be free in their native habitat. The landfill).

This is also the time to be informed of next season’s trends and start deciding which ones your body type can pull off. A number of other fashion blogs have covered (extremely well!) the 2011 spring trends, so I won’t go over everything again. I’m sure as informed fashionistas you know the drill for next season: elevator flats, high wasted voluminous trousers, and clean crisp lines a la Chloe or Miu Miu’s last collections (or what A Dubs calls “Neo-Minimalism” in this month’s Vogue). If it has a frill, toss it. Get out your neon yellows, oranges and greens. Platforms, platforms, platforms (think space age, not the 70’s). And how could I forget the huge patterns that almost look like abstract art? In short--get ready to get modern.

Instead of going over every trend in detail, here are a few practical ways you can integrate them into your wardrobe. These are all steals in my opinion, so there really is no excuse for procrastination.

So, here it is, for your viewing (and purchasing!) pleasure: reLYME's MUST HAVE list for Spring 2011! And all six are under $300! Honestly, does it really get any better than that?

1) Manicure: Chanel nail polish in Black Pearl, $25.

This stuff might seem a bit on the pricey side for nail polish, however, it is seriously worth every penny. This is the nail color for spring.

2) Trouser: Alice + Olivia Linen Eric Pant, $264.

High wasted and wide-legged without swallowing your figure whole, these pants are easy to walk in and also cut the dramatic line that will be necessary come spring. Available in black and white.

3) Blouse: Vince Cowl Neck Satin Blouse, $220.

Angular but feminine, this blouse is classic with a twist. I love the dramatic drape effect.

4) Blazer: T by Alexander Wang, $175.

Once again, love the angles! The back makes this piece interesting, but the front is fitted and modern as well.

5) Shoe: Sam Edelman Wynn, $180.

The curve of the platform, as well as the asymmetrical design, gives this boot a modern feel while the black zipper detail gives it an edgy punch.

6) Bag: Urban Outfitters Cambridge Satchel Company Briefcase Bag, $158.

For real leather this is a steal. Briefcase bags and men’s wear accessories will be huge in the spring, and this bag gets you down to business in style.

And that, ladies and gentleman, are our six must-haves. Do you agree with the list? Have any additions I missed? Let us know! Also, as a side note, Net-A-Porter is having a massive sale right now. And I don’t care how low your bank account is—that’s why God invented VISA (that’s what I tell myself, anyway!).

Happy shopping!

It's no secret. Audrey Tautou has replaced Nicole Kidman as the new face of Chanel No. 5. (She is also going to be starring in Coco Avant Chanel!) And why not?

Aside from mastering the art of being ambiguously adorable and sexy at the same time, the Amelie star also embodies class and sophistication.

The first images of the full-length commercial are already being released.

I, for one, am absolutely thrilled. The commercial, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, will be released as a teaser at the end of April 2009 on chaneln5.com. However, you can watch the entire commercial beginning officially on May 5th, exactly 88 years from Chanel No. 5's introduction to beauty counters.

Until then, you can watch the original commercial starring Nicole Kidman:

You had to have woken up pretty early in the a.m. if you had wanted to take advantage of the cosmetics settlement. As a result of a class-action settlement, beauty companies like Clarins, Clinique, and Chanel began handing out free products today, and for the remainder of the week while supplies last.

All that was necessary was a signature attesting to that fact that you've purchased makeup within a certain time period, and you were given $25 worth of goodies. (Sorry, beauty companies. Your loss is my gain! Cha-ching!)

I'd nearly forgotten all about today--a beauty junkie's holiday! Though I was only able to nab a Clinique moisturizer, and was slightly disappointed in my failure to obtain the Lancôme Fatale Mascara I'd been secretly meditating over since learning of this settlement, I'm still happy that I walked away with something for nothing!

So, can you still partake in the luscious beauty giveaway? Perhaps, if you visit a mall in Smalltown, America, in the next seven days, where they haven't heard of Estée Lauder, I'd say you might stand a chance. It's worth a shot. If not, I'm sure many of our fellow Americans will be auctioning off their free products on eBay. Good luck!