one down, 99 to go!

While most fashionistas are done gift-giving by now (and therefore, rightfully so, spending money on ourselves), not this little busy bee. For some reason, I had to be born, get married, and married someone who was born, all in the same 10 weeks that also encompasses Christmas and New Years. So, as soon as I finished spoiling Mr. I-made-a-wish-list-with-one-thousand-items-on-it-from-stupid-Cabela's for Christmas, I blink my eyes and I am daunted by the task of purchasing a…. dun-dun-dun… 1st anniversary gift! That’s right, your favorite fashionista has made it through a whole year of wedded bliss. (Well, mostly bliss, mixed in with a lot of other non-blissful feelings.) So, to celebrate this feat, I feel like a deserve a preeeeeeety great gift. Oops – I mean I’m supposed to GIVE a pretty great gift. My bad! Sometimes I still forget the marriage isn’t really all about me…

Even though much of the relationship actually DOES revolve around yours truly, I have thought ahead about our January 31st anniversary, and I have a lovely gift alllll planned out. However, since the husband loves to read about himself, I’m not going to tell you now. On the contrary, just today he told me all about my presents.

“I’m getting you the traditional year anniversary gifts. I’ve done a lot of research on this.”

“Oh, really?! What’s the first year gift?” I asked, thinking it maybe involved… oh, I don’t know, something sparkly…

“Paper.”

“Oh….. What’s the second year?”

“Cotton.”

“Oh. What's the third year?"

"I can't remember. Something stupid like a table cloth. But don’t worry. You’ll like this – if we’re married 100 years, you get a 10-karat diamond!”

Lucky me… I’ll be 123 years old with a diamond ring that I’ll be too weak to even wear. (PS - what 123-year-old still has enough money from to buy such a thing? i'm not sure i believe that was even on that silly list...) I suppose while I wait it out I can write letters on my paper (which I’m sure will be a ream from office depot or something) and who knows what I’ll do with whatever fruit-of-the-loom product I get next year…

If he really does show up with paper on the 31st, I hope at least it will be something stylish. Like one of these…

*kate spade for Crane and Co (both are stationary labels to love)

*more kate spade for Crane - this one is pretty in pink

*or maybe i need my own personal "calling card," like the high society old ladies in new york... i only wish i had a reason to pass out something as darling as this! maybe when i have my 10-karat ring...

all i wanted for Christmas was... my kate spade sequin shoes (CHECK!)

I don’t know what was on your Christmas list this year, but mine had a lot of… bling. Bigger and better diamond earrings (hmmm, no, those weren’t in the toe of my stocking!) Another diamond wedding band (because one just isn’t enough! And I like the symmetry of having 2 – one above and one below my engagement ring). Didn’t get that either. But was the last present under the tree? Santa baby did remember my list after all, and the husband delivered with some FABULOUS bling I had all but forgot about – those delicious, shiny, sparkly, all-over silver and gold sequin peep toe-bow-pumps. That’s right – BLING for my feet! And that is what makes an outfit complete. (PS - for my flat-happy fashionistas who can't do (or don't need) the heels, her sequin flat is pretty yummy too.)

So here’s to 2010- may your year be shiny and sparkly, and like my shoes, bring you much joy. May it be bright and may you glow! May I blog much and you comment even more… (hint, hint!)

I wish you a 2010 full of laughter and love, designer shoes and handbags, steals and deals, and… maybe a little less hiding Chanel bags and our fab finds in the closet… but just a little. (Can you tell where my new years resolution came from?) Cheers to our new year, Fashionistas!

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!