I'm a t-shirt and jeans girl at heart, which means I adore denim but refuse to pay hundreds for the designer stuff. The lovely founders of Alias Premium Denim feel the same way, which is why they started a company that sells premium denim jeans for only $40. I tried the "Sweet Dee", a dark wash, low rise, bootcut style (ie. a must-have for every woman), and I was really impressed with the fit, color and softness of the denim. They're also nice and long so I can wear them with heels or flats. If Alias Denim can dish up jeans this great for $40, I don't see why other companies can't do it too!

Get yours at www.aliasdenim.com

When I give gifts, I love to scout out new and unique products and brands, which is why I love TONIC tees. This for-profit company has teamed up with London-based fashion designer Luella Bartley (remember her Go International line for Target?) to create a series of four limited edition t-shirts. Part of the proceeds from the sale of Tonic tees benefits charities in four key areas: the environment, education, poverty and social welfare. Each shirt is paired with a different cause: The super soft "Scary Douglas" tee that I'm wearing (with my Forever 21 high-waist dress shorts) provides one year of dental care to two kids in Colombia. If that's not enough to make you wanna buy your own, Hollywood celebs like Rachel Bilson and Petra Nemcova have already been spotted sporting the fashion-forward tees, which retail for $45. Tonic tees make the perfect trendy/chic/eco-frinedly gift that benefits global causes that are in everyone's thoughts this year.

Get yours at www.tonicgen.com.

In this look from Stella McCartney's Fall 2008 ready-to-wear collection, the designer puts two of the season's top trends to very good use: Black lace and the bubble skirt. It's a dramatic pairing that's still youthful and chic. To get the look for less, head to Forever 21 and pick up their lace romance top (thanks to an anonymous reader for the tip!) and belted knee length knit skirt ($17.80). Finish the look with some versatile black ankle boots by Diba (which bare an uncanny resemblance to Christian Louboutin's Orniron Pleated Booties). It's a pretty literal take on a trend, but why ruin a good thing?

Get the look:
Lace Romance Top at Forever21.com, $19.80
Belted Knee Length Knit Skirt at Forever21.com, $17.80
Diba Mallorie at Onlineshoes.com, $69.95

I have recently subscribed to your blog, and am really loving all the neat finds and trends you post about. However, I have one problem... so much of the fashion seems geared toward tall people! I'm all of 5'1 and am wondering what would look good on a short person (that does not make them look shorter, or stocky) -- such as boot(ie)s, tunics, etc. I would really appreciate some style tips! —Claudia

I am so glad you asked this question, because it gives me the opportunity to share some styling secrets specifically geared toward short fashionistas (ladies 5'4" and under).

So here's the secret: There is no secret! In fact, there are no rules, as far as I'm concerned, when it comes to what short women can or can not wear. Height is important but dressing for your body shape and wearing clothes that fit are the keys to finding fashions that flatter.

But don't take my word for it. Let's take a look at some short fashion muses who defy the rules and own their style--and their height:

This is beyond thrilling: In March, Alexander McQueen will kick off Target's new Designer Collaborations with his Alexander McQueen Collection At Target.com, a version of his secondary line, McQ. Whereas Target's Go International focused on young or emerging designers, Designer Collaborations will bring established designers to the (slightly older) masses.

Here's what we can expect to see from the genius that is Alexander McQueen: