The  September 2008 issue of Elle features a smokin’ photo shoot of Vanessa Hudgens (19), Ashley Tisdale (23) and Zac Efron (20). All star in the upcoming High School Musical 3 feature film set to be released on October 24.

The modern Grease shoot showcases a very mature and edgy side of the three young-adults.  Wow! They all look incredible.

These photos will certainly succeed in broadening their adult fan base.

On a style note, these photos are filled with some fabulous pieces by Oscar de La Renta, Roberto Cavalli, Fendi and Christian Louboutin. Love the mix of leather, cotton and silks. A great taste of early Fall 2008.

Read the Elle article here.

Although we can’t see much of it, Vanessa’s shirt-dress (above left photo) by Fendi, $2,690 looks light, feminine and pretty.

Love Ashley’s floral print and Vanessa’s lace-trim yellow silk Roberto Cavalli dresses (above right photo).  Zac’s cotton poplin shirt $1,015 by Dior Homme is so sharp and sexy.

Love the pic of Ashely with her dog, Maui. Her Oscar de la Renta cashmere and silk tank top, $790 and silk and wool printed skirt, $3,290 are so feminine and pretty.  Suede pumps, Christian Louboutin, $660. Monogram canvas dog carrier, Louis Vuitton, $2,000. Great photo!

More  photos after the jump.

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A mix of 1960s & 1970s chic, Tory Burch delivers timeless and bold pieces in her Fall 2008 Ready to Wear collection. Her show was held at Christie’s auction house in New York on February 5, 2008. Burch has developed an unusually strong brand, demonstrating once again why thousands of women are hooked on her classics. Myself included!

Her Fall collection is ladylike, but eccentric and quirky.  Tweedy and Hitchcockian, nautical, and a bit Joni Mitchell. Love the peacock-feather and beetle prints, and mix of fabrics/prints.  The clothes are polished, but still fun.

Dare I comment on the shoes?  Check out the “must haves” here.

Burch even offers a kids line with some adorable pieces. Shop here.

Photos: Style

Violet Affleck has been sporting these cute and comfty Naturino sneakers around LA with her Mom, Jennifer Garner.  Violet has them in navy and pink. Pictures here.

Shoes range from $45 - $62 and can be purchased here.

Another great site for kids’ shoes is The Shoe Zoo.  No sales on the t-straps, but a great collection of Naturino shoes.

*All books are available for purchase from Amazon.

(1) Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too by Adele Faber, Elaine Mazlish

One of my favorite parenting books.  The suggestions really work. Reads like a workshop class, with examples and suggestions.

(2) How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber, Elaine Mazlish

Easy to read parenting book with concepts you can apply to a toddler or young teen. Same author as Siblings Without Rivalry. Wonderful read. Highly recommended.

(3) Loving Your Child Is Not Enough: Positive Discipline That Works by Nancy Samalin, Martha Moraghan Jablow

I love this book! Writing is simple, clear and not judgemental. Concepts are easy to apply.

(4) Soft-Spoken Parenting: 50 Ways to Not Lose Your Temper With Your Kids by H. Wallace Goddard

Great parenting book with practical advice.

(5) How to Talk so Your Kids Will Listen by H. Norman Wright

Another delightful read.

(6) Take Two Chocolates and Call Me in the Morning: 12 Semi Practical Solutions for the Woman on Overload by Emily Watts.

Funny, charming, entertaining and uplifting. Great!

(7) The Power of Positive Parenting: A Wonderful Way to Raise Children by Glenn I. Latham

Reads like a manual for parenting. A little repetitive, long and outdated, but an excellent resource.

(8) The Educated Child: A Parent’s Guide From Preschool to Eigth Grade by William J. Bennett

This book gives very good direction on important concepts our kids should know and what books they should read. It does it in a grade by grade format. The author is Bill Bennett, former Sec. of Education under Ronald Reagan and a brilliant man. Not a pessimistic view of the educational system, but rather, a good idea of how & with what you can supplement your child’s education.

(9) The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan

Since feeding our children is a daily task, I included this very interesting read about the food industry.

An eye-opening and engaging book about origins of the food we eat and the effects of its creation on us, our culture, and our planet.

(10) Screamfree Parenting: Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool by Hal E. Runkel

Dismiss any embarrassment about carrying around a book with the title “screaming” in it for  the principles here are great.  Runkel takes an unusual approach by stating that you need to focus more on yourself and less on your children, which may sound paradoxical until you hear his point. He also stresses that you are not responsible FOR your children, but TO them. Great!

The best family activities on Oahu, Hawaii. Personally tested with children, infant to college aged. These are some of the best on the island.

1. Waikiki Beach - Yes it is where all the tourists go, but they do have  breakwall that makes for a wave-free beach for infants and toddlers. They also have outrigger canoe rides, boogey board and surf board rentals and lessons. My favorite for families with small children.
2. Hike Diamond Head - Just short of 2 miles each way, the hike can be challenging for those 5 - 8.  Bring a carrier if you have young ones.  Kids will enjoy counting the 99 steps and the “cave” that you get to walk through on the way up. Beautiful view. Website
3. Kualoa Ranch - Horsebackriding and ATV tours. Minimum age for horseback riding is 10 and 4′6″ or taller, and ATVs is 16. Short horseback rides for kids 3-7. Jurassic Park and King Kong movie tour, fun for older kids and fans of the movie. My personal favorite is the 2 hour horseback ride.  Website
4. Polynesian Cultural Center - Great for the whole family. Lots of activities. See the luau as well. Whole day activity.  Website
5. Helicopter Tour -  Suitable for all ages. Great way to see the island, waterfall and mountains. Warning that noise and height may be scary for young children. Website
6. Contemporary Museum - In my opinion, the best museum on the island. Great for all ages. Beautiful grounds. Don’t leave without exploring the grounds behind the museum and the food at the cafe. If you are there in July, don’t miss Art Spree at the museum. So fun for kids 2 - 10.  Website
7. USS Memorial and Pearl Harbor - Worth a visit. Toddlers and young children won’t appreciate it, but Website
8. Waimea Falls Park - Lush and green. Fun to watch the cliff divers. Bring your suit if you’d like to swim in the pools. After your visit, spend the afternoon at Waimea Bay Beach (across from the park entrance). Beautiful sandy beach. Some adults may enjoy the rock jumping. Be careful to high surf in the winter.
9. Turtle Bay Resort - Great accomodations and location for North Shore activities. Can often see sea turtles off shore. Website
10. Hawaii Children’s Discovery Museum - Hands on activites, educational games and role playing for kids. Great place to take a break from being in the sun. Best for age 1.5 - 6. Open Tuesday - Friday (9 am - 1 pm) and Saturdays and Sundays (10 am - 3 pm). Bring a picnic and stroll on the grassy park next to the museum.     Website
11. Airplane Gliders - For the adventurous and fearless. Two seater gliders. Teenagers will love the aerobatics flight.  Website
12. Haleiwa Day Trip - Drive to the other side of the island. Some fun local shopping and great food in Haleiwa. Don’t forget to try some Matsumoto Shaved Ice.  More info.
    
13. Sunset Beach - Great 2 mile long beach with good snorkeling and  tidepools.  Can have high surf advisories in the winter.  More info.
    
14. Ehukai Beach - Home to the famous Pipeline. Good to playing on the shore and running up and down the high sand banks. I do not recommend swimming as the waves are huge in the winter and during the summer there are often stinging seaweed and jellyfish. More info.
15. Shark’s Cove Beach - Great place to wear your reef shoes and do a bit of wading or snorkeling. Great snorkeling although watch the strong current. Kids will enjoy wading in the tidepools. More info.
16. Honolulu Zoo - Across the Street from Waikiki Beach. Fun for kids.  Go before 11 am as parking will be a challenge in the late afternoon. Website
17. Kailua Beach Park - Beautiful beach, but can get VERY windy.  Great for windsurfing or sunbathing.  More info.
18. Dole Plantation - You don’t have to love pineapples to go. They have a garden tour, maze and train ride.  Note: The ground is red dirt and will stain.  If it is raining be prepared for dirty kids if they attempt the maze. Don’t leave without trying the pineapple frozen yogurt. It’s delicious. Website
19. Iolani Palace - Guded tours. Historical and pretty. Website
20. Sea Life Park - Very small. Cute dolphin and sea lion show.  Fun small playground for kids. Can swim with dolphins. Website
21. Hanauma Bay - Not the best beach or snorkeling, but unique in that is in a crater.  Entrance fee and must watch safety video. Tourist attraction, so will get crowded. I prefer to spend my days elsewhere.  Website
22. Waikiki Aquarium - On the beach, about one mile south of the main line of hotels on Waikiki beach. South of the volleyball courts.  Small aquarium, but still enjoyable for kids.   Website

19-year-old, High School Musical sweetheart, Vanessa Hudgens is part of  the hottest group in Young Hollywood today.  She is best known and loved by her fans for her role in HSM as Gabriella Montez and as girlfriend to Zac Efron.

Onscreen and in interviews, Vanessa seems like just another young, vivacious, unassuming teen.  Surprisingly normal, right? Well, yes, except for the multiple pairs of Christian Louboutins and Balenciaga bags and being stalked incessantly by the paparazzi.

Being in the spotlight can be difficult for some, but V has navigated her way like a seasoned pro. Always beautiful, stylish and cute, this teen has a great sense of style for someone so young. She has made very few (if any) red carpet mistakes

She does not under-dress and she does not over dress. She has  the balance just right.

Remember the likes of some other teen starlets who made some notably bad fashion choices.

Open about her love for Christian Louboutin, Balenciaga and chain apparel stores, Urban Outfitters and Free People, V has often described her style as “bohemian chic.” Casual, hip, yet sexy, she knows what to pair for day and night and keeps her accessories to a minimum.

Vanessa has gone from an unknown teen to a style teen queen. I hope her style continues to shine on the red carpet…and to think, this is only the beginning.

Let’s take a look at Vanessa’s fashion transformation over the years.

Upper left: One of the first times Vanessa appeared on the red carpet was for the “Thunderbirds” UK & LA Premiere back in July 2004. She was only 15 then and probably still trying to discover her style, but for her first outing she looks sweet and fresh.

Upper right: Just 2 years later, at a High School Musical event, Vanessa looked mature and glamorous on the red carpet in the Red Twig Wendeline Babydoll dress by DVF.

Upper left: In 2006, at the 21st Annual IMAGEN Awards, Vanessa wore a cute black and gold dress, Eclipse Stripe by Cynthia Rowley.

Upper right: Later that same year at the Teen Choice Awards, she teamed a sexy Dolce & Gabbana dress in fuchsia dress with leopard print shoes.

Above: Possibly my favorite dress, a simple Jay Godfrey frock that is stylish and chic, yet still young and sexy.

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