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Last week, I thought, it’s almost midnight, I’m wide awake and I have nothing to do. Why not go crash a swim party?!? So a friend and I drove over to a rented mansion in L.A.’s Hancock Park district and indulged in Havaianas’ third Midnight Swim Club, filled with good-looking people and celebs like Jack Osbourne, Devon Aoki, Mekhi Phifer and more. (In the past, Kevin Connolly, Nicky Hilton, Elijah Wood, Shenae Grimes and David Arquette have been spotted.) We oohed and aahed the hanging Havaianas sandals, the bedazzle-your-sandal tent, the make-your-own-photo-book tent and, of course, the bar while gazing at a table full of Crumbs cupcakes.

The Cobra Snake shot gawkers (these are his photos you see) as people debated whether or not to go into the pool (For most people, the answer was no since it was dominated by Havaianas models in teeny swimsuits). But we spotted several brave souls and at least one skinny dipper as we grooved to the DJ’s sounds of everything from Axel F to Jay-Z. This got me thinking, if you and/or your building have a heated pool, or even just a hot tub, why not throw your own pool party … at night? A novel idea. And the perfect excuse to show off my favorite swimsuits of the season … in your best Havaianas flip-flops of course.

Don’t have a pair yet? Score a limited-edition pair by throwing your own Midnight Swim Party and post pictures of it to your Facebook or Twitter account (tag #midnightswimclub). Every week, Havaianas will award the best pool party picture with special Midnight Swim Club Havaianas.

Believe it or not, it’s finally starting to feel like summer in Southern California (OK, yes, the weather is practically perfect year-round but only now have we been hitting the 90s on a regular basis!). For a swimsuit pack rat, this means heaven — and time to stop parading around the kitchen in my new orange-striped Seafolly Capri separates. Finally, I get to take them outside!

Seafolly, a popular Australian swimwear brand, has been around since the mid-70s selling “sexy yet practical” suits. You can instantly spot the subtle retro influences of the brand in its latest line of ultra-feminine, chic suits and beachwear, from strategically placed ruffles and cutouts to polka dots and sailor stripes. Upon first checking out this season’s styles, I — like many bloggers and editors — immediately fell in love with the one-piece Goddess Boyleg Maillot (about $150). It’s supposed to be great for hourglass figures but I was worried that the boy-leg cut would shorten my already short legs, so next on my list were the shirred Capri separates ($77 for the top and $64 for the bottom, as seen on Victoria’s Secret model Jessica Hart, left). I love how the convertible bandeau bra-top makes my non-existent bust look, well … busty! (more…)

Although Glamour’s September issue has declared leopard print back for Fall (at least on J.Lo), as far as I’m concerned, it should never leave! I am obsessed with the sold-out peep-toe Michael Kors leopard-print canvas platform pumps I recently scored at Bloomingdales for under $100 (after lusting over these oh-so-perfect-yet-out-of-reach Manolo Leopard Pony d’Orsays of course), and now I have my eye on Knitwit‘s lightweight, “tofu-cashmere,” animal-print wares: feather-print scarves, tiger- and zebra-print sweaters, and cheetah-print hoodies!

Having tried out one of their cardigans (you may remember it from our March Lust List, I can attest that each 85-percent soybean and 15-percent “cashmere” piece is very well-made, decadently soft and super cozy without being obscenely heavy. Plus they wear well; I haven’t put a run in my scarf (the feather-print one above) yet, and I usually end up doing so on day one. It’s a good thing, too, because Knitwit is a pricey line for casual wear, so definitely look at any piece you buy as an investment purchase. And lucky for both of us, you can take advantage of sales like the current free shipping and $25 off promotions at shopknitwit.com (enter TOFU at checkout). Happy feeding!

Hmm, are they jeans or leggings? I can’t decide. They’re too thick to be leggings and too thin to be jeans. All I know is that I’ve worn them almost every day for a week and I’m not going to stop anytime soon. From the founders of L.E.I., SOLD Design Lab‘s super-stretchy, pull-on skinny jeans (the “Spanx of jeans,” I’ve been told) are quite possibly the most comfortable piece of skin-tight denim I’ve ever worn. I tried a black pair of Spring Street Skinny Pull-on Jeans, a style recently seen on Cameron Diaz, and while she’s tall and leggy and I’m short and curvy, the jeans truly did conform to our body types. There’s no zipper, just a button; and pulling them on sometimes reminds me of those maternity jeans with the stretch belly on them. But who cares? They feel and look fantastic, and for $98, I can afford to get them in white too. I might even check them out in perforated leather and corduroy!

This week, I got the opportunity to meet actress Zhang Ziyi (Memoirs of a Geisha; House of Flying Daggers; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), who was in town at Chong Hing Jewelers to debut Omega’s new Constellation Collection of ultra-luxury watches. One of Omega’s latest celebrity ambassadors, Ziyi joins the company of George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, Cindy Crawford and the infamous James Bond. Her uncommon beauty, grace, femininity and international appeal has also helped her rise to the highest ranking woman on Forbes’ list of China’s most powerful celebrities — all by age 31.

But perhaps what is most fascinating about Ziyi — and I don’t think I’m alone on this — is not just her luxury appeal but her paradoxical nature; she brings such a strong, arguably intimidating presence and zealous dedication to every role — whether it involves dodging and splitting her way through a sword fight or dancing aggressively in foot-high, dangerous platform shoes. Yet in reality, she is this tiny, seemingly fragile girly girl.

I only had about five minutes to chat with Ziyi, so rather than try to ask her the myriad questions I had initially written down, I stuck to the subject we at TDO love best: style. (After all, I believe it can reveal a lot about someone!) (more…)

I normally don’t make a fuss about sales, but it’s payday and I couldn’t resist some seriously glam accessories like this Large Gold Turquoise Bubble Klimt Ring, $116.25, above. Pick it up along with a pair of Miss Havisham Clear Liquid Lucite Earrings, $145, (my fave) for 25 percent off at Alexis Bittar’s annual summer sale, which kicks off July 1st (tomorrow!) online at alexisbittar.com and in his NYC boutiques.

You’ll be able to get discounts on the Spring/Summer 2010 collection, full of sculptural, ethereal, fun and funky pieces made of semi-precious stones and metals. (Inspired by his antique-collecting parents and NYC club days in the ’80s, Bittar makes jewelry fit for the likes of Bergdorf’s, Saks, Burberry, Estee Lauder, Michael Kors — and Sex and the City’s stylist Patricia Field. So this is one designer you’ll want to add to your wardrobe.) Go, go, go!

I finally got the chance to try the new CoverGirl LiquilineBlast eyeliners in Green Glow and Violet Voltage, $7.99 each (above right). While they’re not as intensely pigmented as say, MAC Fluidline, $15, they are very colorful and easy to work with at half the price. I am especially in love with the Green Glow as it really shows up really well on my fair olive skin and has a pretty, shimmery sheen — great for a day-friendly pop of color. Each pencil also comes with a handy smudger tip, which I was able to watch Celebrity Makeup Artist Molly R. Stern use on “Parks & Recreation” star Rashida Jones (above left), just before the 2010 MTV Movie Awards last Sunday.

Molly did an awesome take on a smokey eye, using a rainbow of CG Smoky ShadowBlast shades like Citrus Flair (lime green/copper) and blending the green liner in at the inner eye corners. (more…)

Am I reaching? Nah. In fact, I’m willing to bet my next meal that there isn’t a cookie lover out there who would turn down the Brown Butter Cookie Company’s Brown Butter Sea Salt Cookies. The hand-rolled, sugar-salt-butter combo is so simple, so small, so innocent-looking … and so ridiculously GOOD.

For birthdays, holidays and other special occasions (hint: Mothers Day is coming up!), I always hunt for these at my local gourmet goodie store, The Oaks Gourmet Market in Hollywood. A small bag is about $5 and makes a welcome gift (when it’s in stock), especially paired with a bottle of wine or box of tea. For those of you who are getting hitched soon, these also make impressive favors or mini dessert options. (Picture them piled onto little tiered serving trays — so cute!)

See if they are (or can be) stocked at your local gourmet market, or order a freshly baked batch online from the Brown Butter Cookie Company, located in Cayucos, Calif.

P.S. They also come in chocolate!