Blog Posts by Harper s Bazaar

Take a cue from Hollywood's best-dressed celebs on how to get the right type of attention when you go out for the night.

Photo Credit: Wireimage.com

By now, Brad Pitt is probably used to the mother of his brood grabbing the spotlight whenever they walk a red carpet together. But even Angelina Jolie must have been surprised that she wasn't the one - it wasn't even them together - who stole the show at the L.A. premiere of Pitt's summer hit, Inglourious Basterds, at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The most famous attendants on that balmy California afternoon were a few strips of black leather Michael Kors had artfully culled into a strapless, body-hugging cocktail dress. Within hours of that little number's debut on the red carpet, the brand's boutiques were completely sold out of the $3,295 dress. Since then, Kors has gone into production on that dress no less than three times.

Jolie's look packed a punch, as it effectively tapped into some of the season's key trends:

1. Leather. As with Jolie's outfit,

Want to add a little oomph to your everyday look for all those holiday parties coming up on your calendar? Try one of these seven easy ways to glam it up a bit, without having to step foot inside the salon.

Make Waves
Apply Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine Mousse to wet strands and blow-dry your hair, scrunching it with your hands. Wrap pieces around your finger and pin them close to your scalp. "They key is making the twists random," says hairstylist Recine. Let curls set, and as you take them down, spritz hair with Nexxus Comb Thru Mist, brushing it with your fingers to finish the look.

Do the Twist
"Create a ponytail at the nape of your neck and pin it into a loose bun," says Hollywood hairstylist Léa Journo. Keep it smooth with her Mirroir Glossing Cream ($28).Photo Credit: Sean Cunningham

Embellish It

Part hair to the side and add a sparkly headband for instant glamour.

Look Luminous

Highlight cheekbones and décolletage with Guerlain Sublime Radiant Powder Face & Body.

Try Silver

The Body Shop Define & Sparkle

With a hot new movie and major-league man, Kate Hudson seems anything but normal. But the bubbly blonde is just like the rest of us (with fancier clothes, of course). Click here to watch the video, see the full photo shoot of Kate Hudson, plus her most memorable red-carpet moments.

By Nancy Jo Sales

In his best season ever, the New York Yankees' record-breaking third baseman Alex Rodriguez could be seen knocking 'em out of the park - helping catapult his team to victory in the World Series - as a certain A-list blonde jumped up and down in the stands, cheering him on. New Yorkers dubbed her a good-luck charm.

Peter LindberghImprobably, she was Kate Hudson, the Academy Award-nominated actress, daughter of Goldie Hawn, and one of the stars of the dazzling Rob Marshall-directed musical Nine (in wide release on Christmas Day).

Even in gym clothes without any makeup on, her streaked blonde hair pulled back in a tossed-off bun, Kate glows. And she can certainly turn it out on the red carpet.

From the überchic fashion lover to the consummate hostess to the world traveler -- they're all on your list. And we know what to get them. We've put together the definitive list of the things she's coveted all year, unexpected gifts she's sure to adore, and the things she didn't even know she wanted. Here are 10 of our favorites; click through to see them all!

photo credit: Courtesy Etsy1. Rock Star Detox Body Scrub
Is your favorite party girl dying for a restorative night at home after hitting the holiday party circuit? Help her unwind in the tub and come away glowing - even in the face of a double-booked calendar. $18.95 at etsy.com.

2. Jayson Home & Garden Absinthe Spoons
The ultimate in indulgent bar accessories, these delicate utensils have a touch of fin-de-siecle glamour. $18 each, jaysonhomeandgarden.com.

3. Château d'Estoublon Olive OilPhoto Credit: Davies Starr
The gift that can make any gourmand's mouth water, and every bread and salad course memorable. $95. Berdorf Goodman; 212-753-7300.

4. Dransfield & Ross Coasters
Koi

Looking to calm down and catch a few more z's during the frenetic last months of the year? Here's how to manage your stress by falling and staying asleep.

1. Reveille repetitionphoto credit: iStockPhoto. "Going to bed at the same time is good, but it's better to have a set rising time," says J. Kirby Pate, a Nashville sleep specialist

2. Don't panic if you wake up. "We sleep in about 90-minute cycles, and it's not unusual to rise after the second," explains Pate. "After four to five hours, sleep is not particularly restful. You may wake up a few times, but you'll typically go right back to sleep."

3. Keep dreaming. Find yourself half awake at 2:00 a.m.? Woodson Merrell, chairman of integrative medicine at New York's Beth Israel Medical Center, advises, "As you are coming to consciousness, hold on to your dream. Don't let other thoughts come in." Or take a few Boiron Quietude homeopathic tablets ($10.79), which won't make you drowsy later.

photo credit: iStockPhoto

4. Take a dip. At least an hour before bed, take a bath

photo credit: Christopher Robbins/Getty Images'Tis the season of parties, cocktails...and excess calories. How will you make it through a packed calendar of holiday cheer? By taking a cue from these practically-professional partygoers, that's how. We asked party-circuit regulars to tell us how they stay slim, avoid hangovers, and keep looking gorgeous during these weeks of late nights. Click here to see 16 more tips on looking your best during the holidays.

1. Never go out hungry. "Eat before you go out," says New York City publicist Alison Brod. "Crunchy peanut butter on bran crackers will curb your appetite for hours. The combination of sweet and salty kills multiple cravings at once. She also suggests -- believe it or not -- drinking beer instead of wine. "It fills you up so you eat less." And, show self-restraint when the appetizer platters pass by trying this rule of thumb from Manhattan dermatologist Patricia Wexler. "When hors d'oeuvres are being passed around a party, take one for every three trays that comes near you."
2.

Just when you thought you knew everything about New Moon stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, we dug up 7 little-known facts straight from the actors themselves, who told us just how close they are in a recent interview and played our version of the newlywed game. They spill their true feelings about life in the constant spotlight, women borrowing guys' clothes, and the truth about their relationship.

Get 4 more of their secrets, check out these hot photos, and don't miss their full interview and video, where we reveal even more.

• Kristen on what's sexy "I think it's sexy when chicks wear black slouchy trousers -- fitted, but slouchy. I look at designer clothes on Rob and I'm like, 'I want those pants, man.'"

• Rob on anonymity "I kind of wish people didn't know who I am, that I could just lie, say I'm a speechwriter for Obama. This is what I said before Twilight. And then Obama came along and picked up all these young writers. I found out this guy, Jon Favreau

There's bad fashion, and then there's those looks that are so wretched they nearly render us speechless. Yes, you've probably caught yourself gawking at someone sporting one of these terrible ensembles on the street or maybe you've crept down one of these failed paths yourself. Never fear. These 5 rules will help keep you on the right side of the fashion police. Don't miss 4 more helpful rules here.

• IRONIC GRANDMA DRESSING: We love our grandparents, we really do. They give us cake, tell us stories, and pat our heads when we are sad. They don't commonly, however, serve as our fashion muses (unless, of course, Jane Birkin is your grandma). And that's okay; leave grandmas alone. Also, and this is vitally important, if you are a single girl about town, you will never get a date dressing like this. Housedresses, chunky shoes, and glasses do not say it's sexy time.

• ALL-LEATHER LOOKS: Yes, leather is in. For example, Yves Saint Laurent was having such a leather moment that