Recently in 2008 Winter Category

Happy Holidays to everyone!  Here's a great last minute gift or fun thing to pick up to serve for Christamas Eve dessert tonight:  a Bûche de Noël!

We're lucky here in New York there are several bakeries that make these. I am sure every city has some options. Payard's bakery is open until 5 pm tonight and they have a beautiful "Bagatelle" bûche with chestnut sponge cake and chestnut mousse. They have 4 different sizes that run between $26 and $65.  Citarella is open until 9 pm tonight, but I'm sure they'll run out way before that.  They have 2 sizes, and I believe the smaller one is $19.  Or, if it's too late for this year; next year you can plan ahead and order one from Williams Sonoma (shown above).  It is no longer available this year, but they have one every year.

There's a nice article in the New York Times' Paris Journal about the French traditions of Champagne and Bûche de Noël for the holiday.

Cheers and Happy Christmas Eve!

Since we're at the end of the year now, I think it's time to award the "Cheesiest Dresser of the Year Award".  I am going to have to say, without bias, Heidi Montag.  (I say without bias because I don't watch her show; and I've heard that if you do, one would have even more reason to dislike her.)

Here are some classic examples:

Yikes, I hope she had this dress taped on because her ridiculous fake boobs are about to fall out. And check out the hooker shoes, um, yuck!

This I don't even need to comment on, it speaks for itself.

Here we've got some really dumb looking and too short high waisted shorts with a weird scarf-shirt thing. Chanel sandals and an Hermes bag cannot even come close to redeeming this.

This dress looks like polyester that cost $10, it's what a hooker wears when she's trying to dress up and look proper.  And the shoes... uggghhhh!

Again horrible shoes, and why is she carrying that bag?  Totally doesn't match. The dress could have worked if she could ever mange to keep things simple.

Hot?  No, just nasty and cheap looking.  And sorry, those thighs are just not thin enough to wear shorts that short.

It's clearly a very sad case.  I wish her better luck in 2009. 

I hate to say this, but I totally LOVE the shoes Lauren Conrad is wearing in this recent photo.  I say 'hate' because I'm no fan: of her, her fashion line or that stupid show.  But I do think she looks pretty cute here with the Chanel bag, the awesome shoes and the silly bee-like sweater worn as a dress.

I've searched all over and I can't figure out who makes them.  No red sole so they're not Louboutin.

Here's the closest I could find:

Dolce Vita "Molly" at Dillards for $150.  The toe on these isn't quite as round, but they do have a good high heel - 4.5" with a hidden platform.

Aldo "Fristac" at Aldo.com for $250.  The description doesn't say how high the heel is (that is so annoying) and who in their right mind would pay $250 for Aldo shoes?  These aren't nearly as cool as Lauren's either.

Last, L.A.M.B. "Finsbury" at shopbop, on sale for $280, regular $400.  These are quite a bit different in detail, but I think come closest in overall coolness level to Lauren's. 

If anyone recognizes Lauren's shoes I would so LOVE TO KNOW what they are, please leave a comment!

Banana Repbulic is having a one day only sale, 40% off all regular priced items, TODAY (in stores only).

They will also do a price adjustment if you bought something full priced in the last 2 weeks.  And, if you sign up for the BR credit card you get an extra 20% off! 

It's good timing because I like their collection right now.  I'd been off Banana for a good year or so but this Fall and Winter they seem to have some nice things.  I got the holiday dress that I really wanted (but didn't want to pay full price for).

Silk/Cotton Lace Dress, $150, on sale ONLY $90 (CRAZY)

It looks better in person!  They also have great scarves, wraps and jewelry that make good gifts for people you don't want to buy clothes for.  Cheers and happy shopping.

Here is a classic for the hideous or fabulous category: Christian Louboutin's Fringe Cutout Boots. ($1,795)

Oh my goodness!  I am kind of shocked that he would put his name on something so ugly. I think the only thing these would be good for is a slutty cowgirl halloween costume.

Anyway, Comments?  Hideous or Fabulous?

If you've got a slick city man in your life then chances are he wears cuff links quite often... but even if not "often" then most men wear them at least once in a while.  And, great bonus - you can borrow them too!  I think cuff links are cool for men because they don't get to have all the jewelry that we do. They are pretty low profile but give the opportunity to add some individual style to a mabye boring suit.

For the non-conformist: King Baby Studio Skull Cuff Links, $380. Sterling sliver.

For the sophisticate: David Yurman Cigar Band Cuff Links, $425. Sterling silver and 14k yellow gold.

For the Gucci boy: Gucci Bamboo Cuff Links, $315. Sterling silver.

J. Crew is offering flat % savings off orders of at least $150 through this Saturday (code TURKEY at checkout).  They usually only offer sales on one category or additional discounts of their sale items, but this is good for the entire collection.

I've written before about pearls like the affordable ones they sell at Ross-Simons, but as many know, the ne plus ultra of pearls is Mikimoto.  Why? Honestly, I never really knew.

During the mid 1800s in Japan natural (non-cultured) pearls were over-harvested and a pearl crisis was imminent. Kokichi Mikimoto spent decades researching seeding oysters to create pearls, he finally succeeded in 1893. And the cultured pearl was born.  Unlike freshwater pearls which can be very odd shaped, sea pearls are round. Mikimoto pearls are perfectly round and lustrous.

A classic 18" Mikimoto strand with 6.5 - 7 mm A quality Akoya cultured pearls with an 18k gold clasp (in either white or yellow gold) is $2,600.

Gucci's cruise collection for '09 has been out for a few weeks now.  In shoes they're showing a lot of faux tortoise, gold hardware, chunky wedges and platforms.

Here's a classic style that they've updated with the tortoise horsebit, the "Hollywood" 4.1 inch high heel open-toe patent leather pump. $595.

In handbags they're showing fringe, heart shaped logo crests, patent tortoise and updates of classic shapes and the hysteria style (and others) from fall and other past collections.

Here's the "Hysteria" Medium Hobo in tortoise patent leather with Gucci crest detail. $1,360.

Here's the "Irina" Evening Bag in metalic leather with the heart shaped logo crest. $695.

They're also showing a few designs with cartoon-like detailing that reminds me of Ed Hardy.

And some classic monogram totes with quirky dog embroideries.

These two faux fur coats by Juicy Couture look pretty nice.  It's a difficult thing to do, nice faux fur that is.  (take a look at the ones at Express for not nice)

Dark brown faux-fur coat with tonal ruffled trim. Peter Pan collar; button front. Long sleeves with button cuffs. Length from shoulders, approximately 22".  $398.

They look so good, you'd hope to not run into anyone from PETA!

Neiman Marcus' always compelling Christmas Book is online today. Good grief, Christmas already?

I guess they want to inspire people to start shopping early. It's always fun to browse through their extremely unaffordable selection in the book... one can dream, n'est pas? Like the Gucci Python Hobo ($3,295) and Marion Gladiator Boot ($995).