SHOES/ACCESSORIES

Alexander Wang has recently become my absolute FAVORITE young designer. His clothes are edgy, yet entirely wearable by everyone of all ages. His recent Fall collection gave off an “I dress for no one but myself” air, with lots of leather, zippers, and soft, slouchy tees.
The look is very Kirsten Dunst-y thrown together, for those of us who want to look effortless but hot. Besides vintage t-shirts and a pair of worn skinny jeans, there are several other essentials to get this hot rock-chick look. It’s made more modern and feminine with chic touches such as a black blazer with 3/4 length sleeves.
Lightweat wool peplum blazer $198 Bananarepublic.com
A buttery soft brown leather bag gives the look a little more edge.
Foley and Corinna Mid City Tote $444, Bloomingdales.
And some Sigerson Morrison ankle boots, SALE $245 finish off the look quite nicely.

Add a thin gray tee and your old, distressed, skinny jeans, and you are now grunge-chic queen!

Today I’m going to focus on shoes that are on sale and are great for an office environment. Now, of course I don’t know where everyone specifically works, so there may be a pair listed that isn’t appropriate for where you work. Use your judgment.

I find this Sable Peep-Toe Slingback (Sale – $39.99) from Banana Republic to be very cute yet respectable, and I bet your co-workers will think the same. The peep-toe may not be right for every work environment, but that’s what casual Friday’s are for, right? This is available in black or brown. Honestly, for this price – I might splurge and get one in both colors.

This Michael Kors Leather Pump (Sale – $188.00) from Bergdorf Goodman is a great shoe for work. See, the tan color looks very proper and polished. But something I learned from reading about Marilyn Monroe is that she would wear shoes that matched her nylons/tights because that helps elongate your leg. So with a bare leg, or flesh-toned nylons, wear these pumps and you’ll be known as the ‘woman with the mile-long legs’. Nothing bad with that! Unless you object to being worshiped.

Hello darlings! No, not you. I’m talking to the shoes. These are round-toe Miu Miu Patent Wedges. (Sale – $215.00) Cute enough to gobble up, I think. Enough shine to perk up your day, but nothing that will blind anyone. Plus, oh-so conservative when paired with a skirt and a fitted blouse. They’re from Barney’s New York.

Ciao for now,

Jessica Rae

I’ve been using a black Donna Karan wallet for the longest time. It’s professional looking and matches with virtually any purse and outfit I use. But right on time with springs colorful selection, I decided to put away the mature black, and go for something that’s a little more fun. What I found was a pleated leather coin purse that doubles as either a wristlet or a wallet. It’s washed with a pale aqua color, and I love that the coin purse effect reminds me of being a little girl (I was shy, but I loved to dress up and be theatrical). Yet, it is definitely polished.

Being so pleased with my purchase, I want to help you guys find some choices for new wallets of your own. Loosen your grip on your old one. You deserve something new and fun.

While I’m feeling more encouraged to try things with a dash of fresh yellow, I’m still a little iffy on it. But the Barneys New York Classic Leather Ladies Wallet for $225.00 is wildly appealing to me, even so. The shock of the color is balanced nicely with the very traditional design of the wallet. Uptown ladies, meet your go-to wallet for Spring/Summer ’08.

Metallic and snakeskin (embossing)? Sign me up now! This Jill Stuart ‘Tribeca Metallic Cassidy’ Clutch Wallet for $175.00 from Nordstrom is fantastic, in my humble, yet undeniably fashionable, opinion. It has fifteen card slots, and do you really need anymore than that? This is completely glamorous in a way that almost has me start singing that horrible Fergie song.

To invoke a more relaxed vibe, I don’t think you can go better than with the Crosshatch Stem Wallet for $88.00 from Anthropologie. Whether green is your thing, or you like orange, you’ll find the wallet in a corresponding hue you’ll love. It reminds me of both leaves, and a dragonfly.

In honor of coin purses being so cute, I must include the Embroidered Coin Purse for $18.00, also from Anthropologie. The hard part isn’t deciding whether or not to buy it. It’s deciding which of the four colors you like best. I love the green, but the purple is so pretty…

Ciao for now,

Jessica