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!

Hello, bootsy!

There have been a lot of boots around our home lately. So much so that someone (I wonder who?!) has taken to calling me “Bootsy.” Is that supposed to be affectionate? Not really sure, but it is accurate! We (and by we, of course I mean ME), have got little black booties, grey knee-high boots, black mid-calf boots, and most recently…. A pair of bright yellow rubber boots. You might be thinking that last item doesn’t really fit with the rest of boot collection, but I promise, it does! I am now the proud owner of Hunter Wellington boots, and I think you should be too.

Here’s why:

1. When the husband saw the black version of the boots, he said “What are these? They look like what people wear to milk the cows on the farm!” These were my friend Molly’s boots. Molly is not a farmer, but actually quite the fashionista. The girl dresses in designer duds and pretty much works her own little runway every day – not exactly Susie homemaker milking the cows. However, she was quick to point out that Hunter boots were originally designed for such hard work! (The design originates from the 1800s - talk about vintage!) Though Molly and I wear them now to Sunday brunch or college football games with our skinny jeans, they have the durability to really endure much more than that. (Though I was recently reminded that tailgating can be quite strenuous on the feetsies!)
2. They come in several fabulous colors, and even more phones are the Hunter “socks” (like fleece liners) that come in a wide variety as well. You can get a few pairs of those, change them out, and your boots look totally different! I did the yellow boots with the grey liners, but I am particularly intrigued by the leopard ones, and I think they will appear on my holiday wish list.
3. They last forever. Partially because they are a littttttle pricey $115, but more so because they were made for those farm “people” the husband thought of.
   
4. Hunters are also available for kids and toddlers, which let's be honest, makes them even more adorable.
   

Now it’s your turn – pick your welly, pick your color coordinating sock, and go splash through some puddles! Or, just take yourself out to breakfast. Enjoy!

Happy holidays, Fashionistas!

Not only have we recently launched the fall sale season (watch for Chanel and Gucci to markdown the beginning of next month), but another season is also upon us – the HOLIDAYS. Which, to true fashionistas, equals HEAVEN. What could be better than excuse after excuse to shop? For yourself (please oh please let the Christmas party invitations keep coming so I can keep filling my closet with darling dresses to wear to them) AND – ok, more importantly, for others! I am a firm believer that a fab fashionista is also a generous gift giver. Obviously, because it goes back to the fact that we LOVE to shop – for anything! I honestly receive just as much joy finding someone the most perfect gift as I do finding myself the most perfect… pair of boots. Red lipstick. Wear-it-with-everything necklace. WHATEVER. Gift giving is a favorite form of shopping, and a guilt free one too! Spending money is a totally different story when it’s for someone else.

Case in point:

“Honey, I bought myself a $200 dress today – but it’s really cute and I’ll wear it forever!”

or

“Honey, I spent $200 on your mother’s Christmas gift but I know she’ll really love it.”

What do you think induces a better reaction in this household?

But, besides buying presents for others and decking yourself out for all those delicious parties I know you’ll be invited too – there is another fashionista festivity of note: THE TREE!

Now, the you must “outfit” your Christmas tree just as you would dress yourself; this is absolutely a fashion project, and the complete look is so important. The tree is essentially your staple piece for the holidays! This thing has the potential to see all your friends and family, appear in countless photographs, etc. etc. Just like your special occasion outfits, I feel your tree should definitely have a theme, or at least a color story. Because I have been looking forward to getting my tree since September, I have been planning (or plotting!) my décor scheme for awhile. Last month, I asked the husband what he thought our theme should be for the tree. The creative genius responded: “Christmas.” Soooo orginal. For those of us who have a little more… how do you say… STYLE…, we might gravitate toward some of the following ideas:

Metallic (silver and gold ornaments with white lights)

Winter Wonderland (white lights with light blue and white, bright ornaments)

Fashion Friendly (themed ornaments like little shopping bags, purses, shoes, and sunglasses in fun colors – available at Nordstrom NOW!)

Chanel (a little extreme, but could be super cute! check out the dream tree featured above - AMAZING!)

Fortunately for me, the husband was lenient about his lame theme ideas, and instead of “Christmas” we (and by WE I mean I, because he was plugging away at the computer doing his normal Sunday regimen – fantasy football) decorated our tree in gold, silver and chocolate brown, with these amazing white LED lights that will supposedly last like longer than we will! (Pick those babies up at Target for as low as $9.99 a box.) I also found a ton of great ornaments at Target for some recessionista prices - check out the tubs full of ornaments ready to make your theme come to life.

So, since I’m so modest, I can admit that my tree is gorgeous. However, the path to get it here was not. Four hours, five tree farms, and a mini-tour of Hobart, Washington (have you ever heard of that place? Neither had I.), we were completely tree-less. WHO KNEW that it is essentially IMPOSSIBLE to buy a tree before Thanksgiving? That is, unless you go to good old, reliable Fred Meyer. Oh, Freddy’s. Thanks to your lovely parking lot with your pre-cut trees that probably left the forest in October, I had my very own Noble Fir, on November 22nd! The husband says I have problems with "delayed gratification." When I asked what that meant, he said that buying a Christmas tree the week before Thanksgiving was a prime example. I don't care though - me, my tree, and he are all living happily ever after together until Christmas. Or, more likely, until the thing dies... next week?

I hereby dedicate this blog post to the Issaquah Fred Meyer - for honoring those of us who struggle with "delayed gratification," or to put it more nicely, those fashionistas who bought their ornaments early and were just a little too excited to "dress up" their tree.

Too much TV? Nah....

Fashionistas! Fall has brought so much fun that I have not even had time to write to you lovelies. The change of seasons marks many occasions, including the completion of my summer book club (see below for a two more delicious reads), more reading, as I catch up on all the fall fashion magazines and then go find the fabulous trends in real life, and perhaps more importantly – the return of fall television – THANK GOD.

First things first – true fashionistas are tuned into Project Runway, now on Lifetime, which is already about halfway through the season. Now comes the good stuff. The crazies have been filtered out, and we are left with a group of, though self-proclaimed, “true” designers who really have “talent.” Hmmmmm… questionable? Absolutely. But that’s where the fun is! The husband, who has watched the show in years past but was suddenly too good for it this year, even tuned back in when he saw the insanity coming down the runway in episode 2. If you’ve missed it so far; it’s not too late. There have been 7 episodes, and at about 42 minutes each, you only need…. Well, like 300 minutes. Which is… 5 hours-ish? Totally worth it. Why? Because Logan from Seattle is still on, and yes, his designs are decent, but he himself is worth looking at twice! Watch full episodes for free here.

Next, I am THRILLED that Brothers and Sisters is back on with that darling Calista Flockhart. Her character, Kitty, is often spotted in designer duds, and guessing “who” she’s wearing often keeps me busy on commercial breaks throughout the show! For more double duty as an audience member/trendspotter, watch Desperate Housewives the hour before. Those ladies are always decked out in everything from Dolce and Gabbana to Michael Kors.

My friend Addison (Kate Walsh) on Private Practice is also a fellow fashionista. Last season, Addison loved her Gucci. This season… I’ve only seen her in scrubs. But there’s only been one episode! So I’m not worried. Both her and Naomi, her BFF on the show, always have the best designer shoes and handbags too. I appreciate this, because as doctors, I feel like they can afford it, and should be dressing to the nines. Little details like this really affect the authenticity of television!

Finally, my goal (in all my spare time – as you can see my evenings are really booked up with this tv schedule!) is to really get into Gossip Girl, because it is a fashionista’s HEAVEN. The most recent US Weekly featured a small spread on the show’s wardrobe closet, and this thing was basically a WAREHOUSE of the most beautiful, expensive, fabulous pieces. The show has really become a walking runway, and is nearly a must-see for people in the industry. Oh darn. I’m forced to watch another show….

I hope this gives all of you a good guide to follow fashion from the most comfortable place… your couch. Please let me know if I’m missing anything!

*yes, I finished my (individual) summer book club! Here are my final must reads:

“Bringing home the Birkin” by Michael Tonello – a TRUE story about a funny, funny boy fashionista who travels the world to buy and sell the coveted Hermes Birkin handbags. Michael’s writing is fun, fresh and the tales of his adventures make me not only want a bag, but I also want to be his friend!

“Little Earthquakes” by Jennifer Weiner – so hysterical, I started following Jennifer on Twitter and she is funny on there too! In this novel, her humor extends beyond single girl life and into motherhood.