Bags at Bluefly

www.bluefly.com

If you don't already check it at least once a week, you will now! BlueFly is one of my go to sites for fabulous luxury items at discounted prices. They add new product every morning at about 6 am EST if you want to be fanatical about and carry some of my favorite designers from Chloe to Helmut Lang. In the market for a new handbag?

Here are THE GIRL LOOK BOOK's top picks for the new year!

Celine Two Tone Leather Bag: 
Originally: $1,750
bluefly: $1,260

Why we love it: Celine has mastered the two tone handbag with this one! A great size for work and can be worn cross body.

Get it at bluefly

Lanvin Bowling Bag:
Originally: $1,550
bluefly: $1,116

Why we love it: A great price for this uber expensive French designer. You will be the envy of all your friends with this butter soft handbag. And that bow!

Get it at bluefly

Bottega Veneta Quilted Leather Hobo:
Originally: $2,380
bluefly: $1,713

Why we love it: Although I would agree that every girl should have the classic Bottega woven hobo in their collection, this is a perfectly constructed twist on the oh-so-chic original. The color is not season specific and can be worn with black, brown, white... anything!

Get it at bluefly

Chloe Drawstring Shoulder Bag:
Originally: $1,695
bluefly: $1,220

Why we love it: Perfect size, perfect color, perfect Chloe.

Get it at bluefly

Yves Saint Laurent Sac Trench:
Originally: $1,595
bluefly: $1,148

Why we love it: YSL has done it again. If you don't already own a suede bag for Fall/Winter, BUY THIS ONE! If you can't tell by the picture it is dark green with chocolate leather stitching and the perfect touch to any outfit.

Get it at bluefly

Le Petit Prince

"Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction" - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

If you haven't already read this little gem, pick it up! Written in New York in 1942 by French writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince makes observations about life and human nature through the eyes of a little boy.

Check out this adoreable necklace on Artfire.com - throw it on in the summer with jeans and a white blouse!

From the girlguide recipe book to yours... Lemon Chicken Breast

From Ina Garten "Barefoot Contessa"

1/4 CUP good olive oil 
3 TBL minced garlic (9 cloves) 
1/3 CUP dry white wine 
1 TBL grated lemon zest (2 lemons) 
2 TBL freshly squeezed lemon juice 
1½ TSP dried oregano 
1 TSP minced fresh thyme leaves 
4 boneless chicken breasts, skin on (6 to 8 ounces each) 
1 lemon 
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the garlic, and cook for just 1 minute but don't allow the garlic to turn brown. Off the heat, add the white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt and pour into a 9 X 12-inch baking dish.

Pat the chicken breasts dry and place them skin side up over the sauce. Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle them liberally with salt and pepper. Cut the lemon in 8 wedges and tuck it among the pieces of chicken.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts, until the chicken is done and the skin is lightly browned. If the chicken isn't browned enough, put it under the broiler for 2 minutes. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and serve hot with the pan juices.

From the girlguide recipe book to yours... Perfect Cookie

Need a go-to recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies? Try my favorite from the Martha Stewart!

2 1/4 CUP all-purpose flour
½ TSP baking soda
1 CUP (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
½ CUP granulated sugar
1 CUP packed light-brown sugar
1 TSP salt
2 TSP pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 CUPS (about 12 ounces) semisweet and/or milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter with both sugars; beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; add the salt, vanilla, and eggs. Beat until well mixed, about 1 minute. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop heaping tablespoon-size balls of dough about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Bake until cookies are golden around the edges, but still soft in the center, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool on baking sheet 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

Yield: Makes about 3 dozen

Isabella Oliver

www.isabellaoliver.com

Whether you need casual wear or something special for an evening out, one thing is for sure: it's not easy dressing when you are pregnant. These days just about every denim brand has their own twist on a maternity jean, but where do you find the perfect top or stylish dress? If your looking for something other than your husband's twenty year old Rolling Stones tee, check out THE GIRL LOOK BOOK's favorite online one-stop maternity shop.

A favorite to celebs like Angelina Jolie and Gwen Stafani, Isabella Oliver offers a chic and well priced wardrobe for the mother-to-be. Don't forget to check out their "maternity no nos" section! Not pregnant? Check out Isabella Oliver 365, the brand's new collection of womenswear.

Here are THE GIRL LOOK BOOK's top picks for mothers-to-be!

Wrap Around Top: $115

Order this in every color!

Get it at IsabellaOliver.com

Ruffle Wrap Dress: $195

Get it at IsabellaOliver.com

Bracelet Portrait Top: $119

Get it at IsabellaOliver.com

Hooded Sweater Dress: $209

Get it at IsabellaOliver.com

Belle Epoque Dress: $679

Get it at IsabellaOliver.com

Riding Boots

If you didn't know already, Kelly Rutherford plays chic Upper East Side mom Lily van der Woodsen on the hit showGossip Girl. She is a wealthy divorcee with two kids and enough drama to always find herself in the tabloids. Off-screen, Kelly's life is not too different. Both have mastered a classic feminine New York look. Every girl needs a pair of riding boots. Kelly's Hermes Jumping boots are timeless, elegant, and a whopping $2,050.

Check out THE GIRL LOOK BOOK's pick for the best choices at every price:

SPLURGE

Hermes Jumping Boots: $2,050

Stacked heel with stitched outsole. Kelly strap in ruthenium hardware.

www.hermes.com

Ralph Lauren Serana: $1,100

Choose cuoio (brown) or black calf leather. Round toe. Stirrup accent with buckle and horsebit. Pull tabs. Leather sole.

Check them out!

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD Burberry Haymarket Riding Boot: $750 Rich Italian supple leather with buckle detail for a hint of attitude. Get them at Saks... Vince Camuto Karena Boots: $198 Leather, Manmade sole. Shaft measures approximately 17" from arch. www.amazon.com

Girl About Town: Bar Rafaeli

iPad Cases

With the recent release of the thinner, faster, iPad2, its clear that like the iPod, Apple has succeeded again at getting in our purses. Here is a look at THE GIRL LOOK BOOK's top picks for keeping this years hottest electronic safe and stylish.

Business Sleek: $570

Smythson Crocodile-effect leather iPad Case.

www.net-a-porter.com

Ivy League: $390

Ferragamo calfskin iPad case (also available in light blue and black).

www.ferragamo.com

Mommy Chic: $350

Mulberry Bayswater iPad sleeve in Petticoat White pebbled leather (also available in black and blue patent leathers).

www.mulberry.com

Jetsetter: $450

Burberry metallic leather iPad case (also available in gold).

Get it now!

Fashionista: $135

Graphic Image python embossed iPad sleeve.

Get it from Barneys

Girl Guide Pick: $170

Also available from Graphic Image: Suede crocodile embossed iPad case. We love that you can personalize this one!

www.neimanmarcus.com

Axel Vervoordt

The Belgian design philosophy of "less is more" has been mastered by the country's most well know designer Axel Vervoordt. His use of earthy tones and natural fabrics can bring warmth to any room whether it be a castle in France or an apartment in New York. In his own words, "There's an art to occupying a house. Practical concerns matter above all else. Aesthetic questions enter the picture only at a later stage. The emotional aspect is important. A house should reflect its occupants' lifestyles and personalities."

I myself have been inspired by Mr. Vervoordt from a very early age. I can remember visiting my Grandfather's house in Knokke on the Belgian coast thinking this is true beauty. The large stone floors and linen draped windows leading to a perfectly manicured lawn. Axel had created a balance between nature and the home. His design to me, certainly reflects a sense of tranquility and peace. But it is his eye for the new and love for the old that allows him to transform any space into a masterpiece. The Axel "look" is one that many have tried to mimic but will never succeed in replicating.

Girl About Town: Natalia Vodianova

Leather Pants

A great pair of leather pants is a must for every girl's closet. Wear them with a white cotton tee, oversized cardigan and a great pair of ballet flats, or dress them up with your favorite pair of heels and silk blouse.

The always fashionable Elle MacPherson outside the Louis Vuitton show in Paris

Check out our best picks for leather pants:

SPLURGE Isabel Marant Soan Cropped Leather Pants: $2,350 Right now I am loving this pair from Isabel Marant on Kate Moss (pictured above). But you don't have to be a model or celebrity to rock these. On sale for $1945! MIDDLE OF THE ROAD Helmut Lang Leather Leggings: $875 These skinny leather pants feature an elastic waistband and faux fly. Faux slant hip pockets and welt back pockets. Check them out True Religion Billie Leather Pants: $594 Classic five-pocket straight-leg style refashioned in smooth leather with tonal stitch details. Get them while they're on sale BEST BUY Miss Sixty Black Leather Pants: $169 These sassy leather pants from Miss Sixty are sure to showcase your stunning assets. These pants are made from 100-percent genuine leather and feature a comfortable polyester lining. Check them out

The Vintage Dutch Bike

I have always loved the look of a classic dutch bicycle. When I was a little girl spending my summers in Belgium, I would see women riding around with their bikes and pretty baskets stopping at bakeries and butchers. It was a scene out of a movie, something I never saw in New York. Bikes are not hard to spot in the city these days, and they have changed from a way to just get around to an accessory. In my opinion there is nothing more chic then a well dressed woman on a classic bicycle. Not only are they fashionable but they're healthy!

But how do you choose the right one for you?

SPLURGE

Hermes Bike: $4,000

Chanel Bike: $4,000

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD

Skeppshult Ladies Nature: $1,895

BEST BUY

Bowery Lane Bicycles Breukelen: $595

Affordable and made by hand in New York! Check back for a full newsletter on Bowery Lance Bicycles.

A Higher Standard: The Standard Grill in the Meatpacking District

www.thestandardgrill.com

It's Sunday again... Football is over and the weather has set an all-time record for being BAD! You could sit on the couch and online shop all day, but I've got a better plan: Brunch! Throw on a pair of wellies and make your way down to the Standard Grill on Washington Street in the Meatpacking District, located just under the High Line. My boyfriend and I were on our way to Pastis last week and we decided to stop here instead and were so impressed. We didn't have a reservation so the wait was about 30 minutes but it was worth it. I should mention that if you are not one for crowds, this would not be your cup of tea. We were seated at a nice table by the window and I ordered the omelet with spinach and goat cheese and it came with the tastiest herb roasted potatoes and buttered toast. Our service was excellent and the food came in about 15 minutes. But the best part? A basket of fresh baked banana bread compliments of the chef (now thats a man who understands the key to a girls heart).

Girl Guide review:

Great food, Great service, Great atmosphere and STANDARD prices! I can't wait to go back this summer! And don't forget: stop by the photo booth on your way out, or if the weather is good rent a pair of skates and take advantage of the hotel's seasonal ice skating rink.

Girl About Town: Hanneli Mustapart

Girl About Town: Olivia Palermo