Check It. Drive.

Drive is the best movie I've seen in a long long time. An unexpected end-of-summer treat, Ryan Gosling is at his absolute coolest as a stunt driver / getaway driver in Los Angeles. The film is beautifully shot, and I think Angelenos will especially appreciate the opening driving scene. Carey Mulligan is perfect as Irene, a subtle and sweet neighbor down the hall. There's so much to love about Drive. See it! Now playing at the ArcLight Hollywood (my favorite), and other theaters worldwide.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: via Collider

Check It. Striped tops.

I have been stripes-obsessed for quite some time now. It's great to see that this trend is still in full swing for fall, judging by J. Crew's current collection. Stock up this week with a free shipping offer on their women's tees and knits - offer though Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. EST.

The Long-stripe boater tee pictured is $72. Their Vintage cotton stripe shoulder-zip tee ($42.50) in 'spicy cinnamon' would be perfect gear for casual fall cooking nights with friends and good red wine.

Gap's Supersoft striped crewneck T is also a great basic striped top. Petit Bateau's Women's marinière too.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: J. Crew

Check It. Restless.

There's just something about the way Gus Van Sant sees and portrays love. The filmmaker's line of work over the past few decades has been varied, from Mala Noche to Good Will Hunting, My Own Private Idaho to Milk, but there are always those moments, those glimpses of love that make it a unique Van Sant work, through and through. He's able capture love in ways that are vivid, raw, sometimes even surprising. Without you even expecting it, those moments stick with you long after the credits have rolled.

Van Sant unabashedly tackles the subject of love head-on in his latest film, Restless. The story, written by first-time screenwriter Jason Lew, follows the teenage romance of Enoch Brae (played by first-time actor and son of the late Dennis, Henry Hopper) and Annabel Cotton (Mia Wasikowska), a relationship bookended by death. It's first love, always doomed, but beautiful nonetheless.

It's not surprising that the film has caught some of Van Sant's devotees off-guard since premiering at Cannes earlier this year -- it's probably his most blatant movie yet, this simple coming of age tale marked by first love. And teenage first love is difficult to portray without seeming contrived or overdone. The script does have its rookie moments, but Van Sant ultimately saves it, quite simply because there's really no one better at getting to the heart of youth in turmoil.

For one, Van Sant captures innocence beautifully in the film, helped further by a whimsicalness in the twosome's affinity for vintage fashion. The contradiction of old styles and the actors' fresh faces parallel the struggles of the characters, as they attempt to take hold of adult realities while also discovering the beauties in growing up. Hopper, especially for his first feature, was pretty fantastic in his control -- it's an understated role, of one always quietly in mourning, and he held it well. Wasikowska was beyond a perfect fit, exuding confidence and strength within a frail exterior. She really takes control of the film, and you really can't take your eyes off of her.

Restless may not be a daring film, per se, but as may often happen with Van Sant, you may be surprised with what sticks with you.

Restless opens in selected theaters this Friday.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Sony Pictures Classics

Check It. Les Jeans de Chanel.

Lately I've been excited over Chanel's Fall 2011 metallic nail polish line, and now this!

On September 8, Fashion's Night Out in NYC this year, denim-inspired Les Jeans de Chanel will debut.

I love the flat muted tone of Blue Boy, it reminds me of soft cotton, á la James Perse T's.

Join the waitlist today, and while you're at it, blue jean baby, download Elton John's "Tiny Dancer".

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Chanel

Check It. Andy Warhol x incase.

These days, it can be really difficult to stride the fine line of honoring art by commercializing it, or doing it a disservice. The Andy Warhol Foundation, thankfully, is doing it all right. It hasn't been scared to put Warhol's enigmatic art out in this world, but it also hasn't done it too much. And that's mostly because it's chosen the right sort of classy projects.

Like this one. This collection could be the sole reason for wanting an iPhone 4, or for returning my beloved DODOcase. Available as cases for your laptop, iPad, and iPhone, the Andy Warhol x incase collection is the perfect way to bring some Pop Art into your life. The designs include Elvis (one of my most favorite Warhol pieces), Camouflage, Flowers and Cow Wallpaper. And the best news: they're all pretty affordable and in the normal price range for designed cases, with the iPhone cases starting at $40 and iPad cases at $80. Some pieces are only available for preorder right now, so get on it now in case you miss out on this great collaboration.

I wonder what Andy would think of an iPad?

-- Chau Tu

Check It. Lulu Frost for J. Crew.

As a big fan of art deco design, of J. Crew, and of classic yet fun jewelry, I am loving the new Lulu Frost for J. Crew line.

My favorite is the thin deco bangle in navy, but everything is really great and wearable, from the crystal and resin earrings to the pendant necklaces.

Princes range from $45 to $135.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: J. Crew

Check It. White Vinegar fix.

Back in the early days of the BEAT, Lauren wrote about the wonders of white vinegar as a household cleaning agent. Last night I tried vinegar in laundry for the first time, and it worked!

We had a couple plush Ralph Lauren Home towels that just wouldn't shake a musty odor, even after plenty of washing and thorough drying. I did a little research online and a common fix seemed to be washing towels in hot water with a cup or so of white vinegar (inexpensive and widely available in supermarkets), then re-washing with detergent right after.

My towels came out like new! Soft and fresh. I was thrilled with the results. If you have any towels or clothes that maybe sat in a damp pile for too long and picked up a stink, try vinegar to get rid of it.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Check It. Attack the Block.

It's a peculiar thing watching Attack the Block while being aware of all the riots and madness going on in London and surrounding whereabouts right now. There's a youthful grittiness that's almost all too real in this film, and can hit particularly hard if you think about it too much.

Thankfully, there's enough fast-moving action, witty remarks and just plain heart to distract you and have you enjoy this fun-filled adventure of a film. Attack the Block was directed by first-time director Joe Cornish, a friend of Edgar Wright (who also produced the film), and it's obvious that Cornish looks up to Wright's fast-cut storytelling pace. It's refreshing, keeps the movie young and holds well with the script's banter.

I went into the theater not knowing much anything about the plotline, and I think other moviegoers should do the same. But if you're curious, the basic story follows a group of British teenagers as they encounter a pretty crazy, out-of-this-world (wink wink) night. I was extremely impressed by the cast of actors -- many of them young and new and right of the gate (similar to Super 8 earlier this year; the kids are killing it!). They really help to bring you into this South London world, and you strangely might not ever want to leave.

Attack the Block is playing at the Arclight theaters, L.A. Live and other theaters.

-- Chau Tu

Check It. National Ice Cream Sandwich Day.

National Ice Cream month may be over, but today you can celebrate an entirely (ok, maybe not entirely) different holiday, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day.

Tofutti Cuties chocolate ice cream sandwiches are a really satisfying and guilt-free treat. They are great for vegans, or people with allergies, as they are dairy-free. Even as a non-vegan myself, I really enjoy the flavor, just like I enjoy some soy chocolate milk once in awhile. Each sandwich has 6 grams of fat - a far cry from some ice cream bars out there.

If you'd rather go the more traditional route, there's always Klondike. Or Diddy Riese if you're at all near Westwood Village.

Enjoy!

Tofutti Cuties are available at supermarkets, such as Gelson's, HOWS, select Ralphs, and at natural foods stores.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Tofutti

Check It. 'Stroked' [The Monday Download].

Warning: this post will probably make you feel very old.

The Strokes' Is This It is now officially a decade old. TEN years. !!! It's been ten years since you first heard those oh so familiar and now oh so classic first chords of "Last Nite," ten years since Julian Casablancas oh so distinct mumble-drawl caught your ears, ten years since you couldn't get this New York, too cool for school, leather jacket- and skinny jean-wearing dudes out of your brain. A lot has been said about the garage rock revival that The Strokes helped to revolutionize those years ago, and a lot more has been said about what has happened to them since.

But neither here nor there, it's time to reminisce. Or maybe even better -- pay tribute. Stereogum's put together another one of their cover compilations, this time honoring none other than Is This It. And as usual, they've got some pretty great names and bands contributing, from Real Estate to The Morning Benders to Peter Bjorn and John to Owen Pallett. Everyone's got their own feelings about cover songs, but either way, they do serve their purpose: making you rethink the original in a new and fresh way. And the notes the musicians gave on The Strokes and their songs are pretty interesting as well.

Worth your time and listen -- at least until you're ready to spin the original again. Listen and download here.

-- Chau Tu

Check It. Coral pedicure.

Deciding what color to get for a summer pedi? Coral. It's an ideal compliment to gladiator sandals! Carey Mulligan was picture perfect on the Comic-Con red carpet last weekend, with Essie (our favorite) shades of Capri on her toes, and sheer Blushing Bride on her fingernails.

Other great shades of coral:

Girls Just Want To Have Fun, by Deborah Lippmann

Tart Deco, by Essie

Mango Bango, by Essie

Paint My Moji-Toes Red, by OPI

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: via mml pr

Check It. LBD: An Homage to 'Breakfast at Tiffany’s.'

There's nothing quite as iconic in fashion as the LBD: the Little Black Dress. And possibly the most famous of them all? Audrey Hepburn's classic from Breakfast at Tiffany's, of course.

Both are being honored in the new exhibit at FIDM, "LBD (Little Black Dress): An Homage to Breakfast at Tiffany’s." It's the 50th anniversary of the film this year, and to celebrate, Givenchy has created a line-for-line replica of Hepburn's dress, now on display at FIDM. The exhibit is also showing other important LBDs throughout history, including those by Chanel, Christian Dior and Monique Lhuillier; and those worn in film and TV like Alias and True Lies.

Holly Golightly would approve.

LBD (Little Black Dress): An Homage to Breakfast at Tiffany’s is showing until Aug. 13 at the FIDM Museum & Galleries, located at 919 S. Grand Ave. in downtown. Admission is free.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: FIDM

Check It. 30 Scoops in 30 Days.

We featured LA Weekly's Elina Shatkin's ambitious feat of writing about 30 burgers in 30 days back in the day, but alas, she's done it again. This time, it's season- and weather-appropriate: 30 Scoops in 30 Days.

That's right: she's got the lowdown on all the big ice cream, gelato and frozen yogurt spots all over town, and it'll probably help you decide on where to indulge in that icy goodness next. It's perfect timing, really. Check out her nifty map and guide here. Happy scooping!

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: LA Weekly

Check It. Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter.

You know when a product smells so good you just want to eat it? That is definitely the case with Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter. I got a teeny sample jar of it earlier this year, and have been majorly enjoying it occasionally on freshly shaven legs (and some on my arms (not shaven) too).

This is a fluffier and more delicious (not literally) version of the Kiehl's Creme de Corps longtime cult classic body moisturizer, which has gained even more fame recently thanks to Equinox.

An 8 oz. tub of Kiehl's whipped body butter is $35

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Kiehl's

Check It. Gladiator sandals.

This summer, everyone and their mother are wearing gladiator-style sandals. I've been a big fan since a classic H by Tommy Hilfiger brown leather pair I got in college. Today there are countless variations, but I still gravitate toward the simple ones.

A few favorites:

Bernardo (Mistral Sandal shown above, their Mojo Sandal is great too.)

J. Crew (lots of options here. I'm loving my Salinas in black.)

Steve Madden (if you're not looking to spend big on this trend.)

Happy trails, and don't forget a pre-sandal pedicure!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Bernardo

Check It. TOMS Eyewear.

Back in November, we told you about the eyeglass company Warby Parker, who do the TOMS thing in giving a pair of glasses to a person in need for each pair purchased. Well, now TOMS themselves are in the eyewear business, and the styles are worth a look.

TOMS doesn't just give a pair of sunglasses to someone squinting in the sun--in partnership with the Seva Foundation, they do full-on eye exams (and then medical treatment, prescription eyeglasses, or surgery) and give sight to people in need in Nepal, Tibet, and Cambodia.

The sunglasses line is super appealing. They are made in Italy, feature hand-painted striped design on the arms, and come in many styles including Wayfarer-like shades, big round Nicole Richie/Olsen twin style ones, and my favorite, the classic aviators.

Check out the new TOMS store that opened this past weekend on Larchmont (143 N Larchmont Boulevard).

TOMS sunglasses range in price from $135 to $145. More info: toms.com

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: toms.com

Check It. Travel candles.

Sometimes you need a little extra comfort from you're away from home, and travel candles are a great way to fill a foreign space with a scent, and therefore a mood, that you love.

I recently picked up this cute (and great smelling) Fleurs de Nuit travel candle at Catbird on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. The beauty of a travel candle is it's lightweight, has a lid, and is a cute small size that's just right so you don't end up wasting (or toting around) a half-candle's worth of wax.

Anthropologie also has great travel candles.

Barneys too.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Check It. Jean Paul Gaultier's Classique Summer Fragrance.

I'm a sucker for limited edition (and attractive) beauty product packaging. Jean Paul Gaultier's Classique Summer Fragrance for 2011 is on shelves, and has all the right notes. While rose isn't normally something I go for in a perfume, its orange blossom, lemon, and jasmine make this 'Classique' a perfect summer scent, with some vanilla and musk in there too for good measure. And the bottle is marvelous.

The iconic designer is currently north of the border for a Montreal Museum of Fine Arts exhibition, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, that opens Friday. The show is set to travel to Dallas next, and then to San Francisco in March of next year.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: fragrantica.com

Check It. Evil Goods' California Decks.

Nothing like showing off some L.A. pride while you're cruising down the city streets. If I could hold my own on a board, I'd totally be riding on an Evil Goods California deck. Cut into the shape of our beautiful state (how hasn't this been thought of before?) and emblazoned with an L.A. decal, the skateboard is definitely the sort of limited edition goodie that's worth splurging for. I'm even contemplating just getting one to put on my wall! But whatever you do plan to do with it, get your pocketbook out quickly: they are limited edition and have already sold out of its first run. Buy your deck for $120 here (check the column on the right).

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Evil Goods

Check It. Essie's Wedding Collection 2011.

Essie is famous for their vast selection of pale pink polishes. I have a handful of favorites, including Adore-a-Ball, Ballet Slippers, and Sugar Daddy.

Now it's June, prime wedding season, and their 2011 Wedding Collection added another favorite to my list: Better Together. It also contains a perfect classic red, First Dance (on my toes, below). A trendy pastel blue (think Hard Candy circa 1995), Borrowed & Blue, and another pale pink, Made to Honor, round out the collection.

The cute box set of four mini bottles is just perfect--I never finish a full bottle of nail polish, and it usually ends up getting heat or sun (or age) damaged about halfway through and changes color. With these convenient 5 ml bottles, nothing will go to waste.

Check out our favorite L.A. nail salons.

Happy manicuring!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: essie