Don't be late for KATE!

In my job as a fabulous fashionista, (yes, I actually get paid to work in fashion, and I also get the privilege of describing myself that way) I recently had the opportunity to launch the Kate Spade apparel collection for the first time. For those of you who don’t know Kate like I do (but as an educated fashionista who reads her monthly magazines you should), it is a delectable collection of many entities; she originated with handbags, and has since expanded to shoes, sunglasses, and recently jewelry. Most, most recently though, Kate Spade New York (that is the official title, as it is now actually owned by Liz Claiborne – minor detail – and it’s ok because Tim Gunn from Project Runway is Liz’s creative director, so it’s still all in good hands) launched a delicious line of apparel.

The fall 2009 collection is the first to hit major retailers, including select Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale’s doors nationwide. Designed by Deborah Lloyd, formerly with Burberry and Banana Republic, Kate Spade apparel is all you would expect… but then more.

A cheeky little blouse (which has a cheeky little name to match - all pieces in the collection have girl names, so I am just waiting for the "Erin" to emerge!) has hot pink lip stick prints all over it with the most adorable peter pan collar… and then on the inside, near the label, is the phrase “live colorfully.” A Chanel-like grey and black tweed jacket has chiffon trim and a grosgrain ribbon belt, and then, when you unbutton it to put the precious little thing on, you’re surprised with… pale, pale lovely antique-looking pink silk lining. It’s the little details like that which make this collection so high quality, but also so much fun. And there is so, so much more - I'm not even going to get INTO the sequin cardigan - you must see it to believe it - GORGEOUS! I want to buy these yummy little pieces and wear them to death! Why? Not just because it’s something new, but because it’s something special.

And that – I believe – is the beauty of fashion. Pieces are supposed to be special, and they’re supposed to be fun. Someone very wise once told me – after I cried about an important Coco crisis – “its just clothes.” Just yesterday in the elevator, I heard a woman say the same thing. Yes, we may live and eat and breathe fashion, and fashionistas, you know I love that attitude! But, we must remember – fashion is OH so much fun. Which is why, if you hurry, I’m going to let you do something realllllllly fun – shop the exclusive, 4-day-only Kate Spade Sample sale!! Click HERE now, and don’t say I never gave you anything!

My Philosophy

Ever since I started living with a boy (some might say MAN, I would still say BOY), my big brown eyes have been opened wide to the blissful blessing of… PRODUCT. You know the product I’m talking about – all those miraculous lotions and potions that make a girl swoon just at the scent. The beautifully designed bottles that house the concoctions to make our skin soft, our hair silky, and ourselves… even more lovable then before. It’s true!

Now, before I tell you my favorites, we need to stop and breathe in the beauty for a second. BECAUSE, if I didn’t have my lovely shelf of perfumes, my basket of lotions and hair products, and my shower caddy full of delicious body washes and bubble baths, my world would be, well, sad. And, it would smell like a man! I find it so disappointing that when the husband takes a shower, he has the choice to dowse himself in oddly-named bottles of AX or Old Spice. First of all, the brand names are disappointing at best. (AX? What is that? And why is it the only thing on the shelf besides Old Spice, which obviously = old man?) Second, the options within are disturbing! You can make yourself smell like “Pure Sport” (Does that mean sweat? Or locker room? Gross!) or other bizarre scents such as “Surf’s Tide” (Perfect. Now he can smell like salt water.) To make it worse, the bottles are hideous (bright reds and blues, which totally clash with my bathroom’s color scheme), and of course, since they are made for lazy men, they are always industrial sized, no matter where you buy them.

Then, on the other side of the bathroom, in a precious corner of the bathtub, you find… Hope. And Grace. And Purity. And Love. No, no; I am not making a metaphor. I am being literal! All in delicate pastel pinks and purples, soft whites and ivories, my body wash and lotion are called Grace, my face moisturizer is called Hope, my face wash is called Purity, and there is a delectable little number on my wish list named Love. Philosophy Cosmetics make all of the above, and I kid you not when I say these products really do make you believe in miracles (which is, sweetly, the product line’s own “philosophy”).

If you want product that gets the job done, look no further. I started using this on my honeymoon when my best-maid-of-honor ever so graciously sent me off with some travel sizes, and I got hooked for life. Gorgeous presentation for your powder room shelves, and even better results for your beautiful body. Plus, a perk for the mind: all of the bottles share inspirational words of encouragement. I read my Grace bottle in the shower all the time, and find it a perfect way to start my day:

“life is a classroom. we are both student and teacher. each day is a test. and each day we receive a passing or failing grade in one particular subject: grace. grace is compassion, gratitude, surrender, faith, forgiveness, good manners, reverence, and the list goes on. it’s something money can’t buy and credentials rarely produce. being the smartest, the prettiest, the most talented, the richest, or even the poorest, can’t help. being a humble person can and being a helpful person can guide you through your days with grace and gratitude.”

And, then, I lather that all over my green loofah (the husband has the purple loofah, which I was incredibly angry about, because I bought myself the purple and him the green, but he said something dumb about "real dawgs wear purple") and poured that nasty Pure Sport all over it, so I was stuck with the green and begin my GRACEful day. Take your pick - and find your own philosophy...

Fabulous Flats

OH, fashionistas. Since I last blogged, so much as happened. Seattle shopped the Nordstrom Anniversary sale (I am proud to report not only did I track down every item on my wish list, I also provided fabulous finds for some of my favorite fellow fashionistas), suffered through a massive heat wave (which really did not coordinate well with all the fall merchandise we just bought at the Anniversary Sale – perhaps that explains why no one seemed able to dress for the record-breaking weather), and celebrated the annual Sea Fair (another occasion where people had wardrobe issues; this time, it seemed women opted not to get dressed at all… a rather disturbing choice for most observers in nearby boats – such as myself and the husband – yikes!)

Also – amidst the chaos of all the above, the husband discovered a MASSIVE SPIDER in our kitchen! This is not an exaggeration – this little monster was 4 inches in diameter. (Or is that radius? Who cares. It was huge!) It was a pretty monumental moment in our short marriage, so I am noting it here. Five minutes post-spider-death, I heard what sounded like a Lamaze class taking place in my bathroom. No, it was just the arachnophobia husband, panting and taking deep yoga breaths, still recovering from the act of killing the biggest spider ever. As he smashed it (I am pretty sure there were tears of fear in his eyes), he viciously yelled, “And tell your family!” I kid you not. The man sent the spider a death message for his relatives. Again, this is what I live with.

Back to the happenings - last but not least, this little fashionista got a new job! But don’t worry! It is still in the fashion industry and it is really even more fabulous. Yet, this new endeavor requires me to be even quicker on my feet… meaning, wait for it… yes, I have had to stoop so low (literally) as to purchase flats. Multiple pairs, in fact! You may feel as depressed as I, knowing that the lie I have been living for years as a 5’5” person is over, but I promise you, this new gig is definitely worth it, and my feet are thanking me already. (Another bonus - I predict these shoes are going to be extremely helpful in my spider-smashing future.) So, at least a couple days a week, I am back to 5’1”. (Pitiful.) Considering I have not purchased flats in years (except for those gladiators you know I love), I did some major research on my purchases, and am here to enlighten you as well. Below are my favorites. Be sure to let me know if you find any good ones, too!

First... let's be honest; they are FLATS, so we don't want to deposit a whole paycheck into them like we might do for some Chanel pumps. Instead, let's be practical for once. First things first - we need a perfect pair of black flats to go with anything and everything. This one is ideal - it's the beloved patent, but a simple shape, and a sneaky little tiny heel, to provide a bit of height - just enough! Plus, Jessica Simpson, despite her romance problems, actually makes pretty comfortable shoes. Or, the Ruby and Bloom is a perfect little ballet flat - so reminds me of Gwyneyth Paltrow - effortlessly simple and chic. (I love it in the metallic colors too - I might buy a few of these actually!)

Then, we need a pair that will go with all of our basic black, but also back to solid colors. Something to jazz up our outfits a bit. We may be a few inches lower, but hey, we can still feel fab! So, let's rock the animal print. I LOVE these leopard ones by my friend Charles by Charles David, and I think they are a great price too.


Happy speed walking, fashionistas! Could it be - the flatter the shoes, the faster you shop?? Hmmmm.... i'll let you know.