Accessories

Ladies, I think it may be time we all admit that if we start buying accessories for accessories we really have a problem. I still remember my mom’s lipstick cases she had; black leather, structured, with a little mirror when you opened up the case. I actually whined and whined that I needed one also to hold my Barbie shoes. And because my persuasive skills began at such a young age, I won- I got that case! But it has to be a fact that us ladies can accessorize like it is no one job. Hence all my talk is about lipstick cases. You can argue that the case is able to protect your lipstick and make it easier to find, but you and I both know when you drop that case in your purse it will still be just as hard to find.

Leave it to Coach to coyly design a cute lipstick case that might also not even get lost. The Coach Optic Signature Lurex Lipstick Case is designed to look like a small wristlet. Because of the strap, my guess is that this lipstick case will be much easier not to lose. Featuring a cute frame closure and a tiny mirror inside, this accessory will help you get those lips ready to pucker up. After all, when you are on a hot date and need some gloss, no one wants to go purse diving looking for it . Measuring 2 1/8 (L) x 3 3/4 (H) and available in 3 colors; black, lilac, and tan, this could be the perfect gift for any accessorizing lady out there. Buy through Coach for $68.

Oh yes, it is here. I have always raved about Coach producing new lines constantly. As if handbags, coats, glasses, and watches were not enough- Coach is now proud to be producing baby goods. I, for one, am thoroughly excited. Not that I have a baby, or even plan on having one anytime soon- but because when I do have a baby, I plan on dressing it in ridiculously cute clothes and buying ridiculously cute accessories. Now, my mom has always told me how impractical it is to spend big bucks on baby clothing and shoes, because they grow out of them so fast. So I do plan on listening to my mom; I will not buy them the ridiculously cute designer gear. I will let her do it.

For starters, every new mommie needs an adorable baby bag. I’m going to opt for the corny yet always classic and cute pink if it’s a girl blue if it’s a boy combo. The Coach Optic Signature Baby Bag is actually stylish to be worn even if you are not toting new baby. If you are looking for pocket space, this bag features an inside zip pocket, five open pockets, a back snap pocket, and two side gusseted pockets. I’m gonna bet that with all those pockets and all the baby stuff you have to carry, you might be lovin’ the pocket to ‘baby stuff’ ratio. Along with the pocket party, this diaper bag contains the ever needed changing pad for the dirty clean ups. I love the simplicity of the bag but the fun touch of the optic signature jacquard fabric. The inside is lined in fabric. For you dimensions junkies, which come in handy, the straps are 21 1/4” while the overall bag is 15 1/2 (L) x 11 3/4 (H) x 5 1/2 (W). Turn your mommie changing woes into designer fun for $398 via Coach.

I always want to dress my baby in cute hats. I have to give props to my mommie because she always had all 4 of us dressed so cute. I am in love with the softness of the Coach Baby Pom Pom Hat. I’m actually wondering if I pulled, tugged, stretched, and wore it long enough just maybe it would fit my own head. This hat is made of cashmere and there is only one size available. Again, I wonder if it is one size fits all expandable type of hat. Probably not. This adorable little thing comes in light blue and pink also. For $98 through Coach any baby can be stylin’ and warm all at once. Now, if you have a hat, you have to get some matching mittens. What could be cuter than a baby with matching accessories? Umm… I venture to say just about nothing (oh, maybe that English Bulldog puppy I want soo bad!!). The Coach Baby Mittens are so cute that I want to fly back into the past and ask my mom to get them for my little baby hands. Made of none other than the softest imported cashmere, these mittens can make any little finger feel warm and cuddly. If any of you are looking for baby shower gifts, don’t you dare leave out the mittens if you get the hat or vice versa! Just for an extra precaution, the mittens have an attached string to help you keep from losing one out of the pair. These little guys also come in light blue or pink and are on sale for $98 at Coach.

Now it is time for the itsy bitsy tiny 10 little toes. We are looking for cuteness and warmth for this season, and Coach sure has it. For starters there is the Coach Baby Booties. These booties are simple and cute- just the way I like them. Like the hat and mittens, these booties are made of cashmere and are offered in light blue and pink. Grab these baby treats for $98 via Coach. But if you want your baby to really stand out with some fashionable tootsies, you need to opt for the material of the season- shearling. Ah yes, shearling is even being used for little baby feet. The Coach Optic Signature Shearling Baby Slippers scream out ‘Stud in the making’ or definitely ‘Diva in the making’. These little slippers show off the Coach Optic Signature fabric pattern. There is even more. The leather strap has a stylish turnlock detail and the slipper gleams with its shearling trim. To finish this petite treat off is a suede outsole. Hey, if you are buying stylish shoes for yourself, why not do the same for your baby (this is where my mommie would come in handy JK). Buy these through Coach for $128.

And finally, what childhood isn’t complete without a teddy bear? I know I have had the same bear since I was about 3. My sister’s teddy bear has made it through so much in life it is ridiculous ‘Barf Bear’ is still alive (don’t ask about the name, that was so her choice). We had surgeries performed on our bears numerous times, and I don’t know where I would be today without ‘Bear-Bear’. The Coach Baby Bear is ultimately cute and topped off with a little Coach Signature fabric satin scarf bow around the neck. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you much about the bear itself or its dimensions (knowing our designer luck it is probably a beanie baby- I will have to look into it this weekend). Nevertheless this teddy bear is quite cute. Buy this pink or blue themed bear with its matching colored nose for $58 via Coach.

If you still haven’t found what you are looking for, try the Coach Baby Cashmere Blanket (for $198), the Coach Baby Bear Suede Picture Frame (available for $98), or the Coach Enamel Teddy Bear Keyfob ($48 through Coach).

Oh how I’d love to be a Coach Baby kid!!

Let’s talk some Burberry today. For a light start, we got the Burberry Luggage Tags for $130.00. A ridiculous amount of money, considering you can get generic tags for a buck fiddy or the free paper ones at the airline ticket counter. Still, if you don’t know what to do with your money, and you already spend several G’s on a full Louis luggage set, you might as well spend another half a grand on these tags to round off the luxurious bunch. They come in sets of two, in either Jacquard Canvas or Metallic Leather and can be ordered right here.

If you ladies want to treat your man with something that’ll make him stand out at the weekly golf outing with his buddies at the range, get him this Burberry Bag set. For just under $500, you get a carry-all bag for all of his misc golf equipment, along with a useful seperate shoe compartment. The signature black check nylon canvas on lightweight, shower-resistant polyester assure that moisture, dirt and mud stay where they belong. Get ‘em right here through Saks.

After the resident webmistress had spent some time bored and browsing the new Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, she emailed me and instructed me I simply had to cover this – and the webmister agreed willingly. What may result from this is a compilation of perhaps the craziest gift ideas for the… shall we say… well-heeled folks that roam the lands. Very few will actually be able, much less even willing to please their family, friends or significant others with these gifts, but they are very cool to look at nonetheless. Let’s get started.

I sure as hell have never seen one of these on sale in a big department store such as NM, but I really like the idea. I’m sure many of you have been on dates before that ended up in a photobooth sooner or later, capturing the romatic moment on a strip of snapshots that eventually helped spark the relationship to another level. Such a wonderful cliche, but so true. For almost half a century this photobooth madness has been going on, and now you can get your very own customized booth for yourself. This Photo-Me Classic Photobooth features a customized NM exterior and uses proven technology to ensure efficient operation and ID-quality color photographs. In about 4 minutes your captures are done and within another 30 seconds, you’re ready for the next round. What a great party item to have – it’ll make sure your celebration, party or get-together will stay memorable for a long time to come. The downside: it’s gonna cost ya. $20,000 to be precise. But what are 20 grand if you can get eternity?

If your childhood included a treehouse, it was something your daddy nailed together with a bunch of 2×4s and provided you with your own little getaway hideout to escape from the meanness of the world. Or your parents, which is redundant. Former musician and artisan Roderick Romero envisions that grownups should have getaways of their own, but his structures differ from what daddy created in the backyard shack when you were young. Romero designs and constructs breathtaking, naturalistic sculptures that nestle into branches as if they had grown there. Clients of his include famous names like Sting and Donna Karan. He uses indigenous wood from naturally fallen trees whenever possible and has incorporated musical elements for some of his branch dwellers. Each and every treehouse is unique, which has its price; the sculptures start at $50,000. I’m pretty sure it’ll make a great party deck, too.

Next up my absolute favorite. The Dreamboat Limited-Edition Levitating Sculpture is a nerd’s wet dream come true. Don’t laugh, it’s true. This work of polished aluminum, strong magnets, and tasteful mahogany floats on the crest of a magnetic wave, floating with ambient air currents but never losing altitude. Star Trek, anyone? The magnetic levitation system, invented by sculptor and installation artist Tom Shannon, utilizes permanent magnets that never lose their strength, helping the piece hover indefinitely until it is physically moved. The sculpture is available in a 16-inch limited edition of 100 ($18,000) or a 6-foot limited edition of 8 ($90,000). If that is not the coolest way to spend nearly $100k, then I don’t know what it is. More info here.

Sir Elton does not need an introduction. What needs an introduction is the opportunity for someone lucky to score an exclusive 1.5h concert for a private party of up to 500 people with Elton John himself for a mere 1.5 million dollars American. All the profits are donated straight to the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF)> EJAF has distributed over $60 million to worthy programs in 55 countries around the globe since its founding. The price of the concert does not include the travel or production expenses, hence it’s safe to say that the price will go up by a significant margin before the gig actually takes place. Great gift for a greater cause, thumbs up to Elton for making this happen. (info)

Lastly on our journey of ridiculous extravaganza, I’d like to mention the $3,500,000 Moller Skycar Prototype. There’s been a lot of fuzz about this particular vehicle in the past months, in print, television and on various internet sites. This ethanol fueled, personal vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle is the first of its kind in the world. Moller claims it to be the first feasible solution for personal air travel, whether it’s as afforable as their website claims is a whole different story. Either way, you can purchase the very first working prototype after its inaugural piloted test flight scheduled for later this year or early 2006. More info on the red bird here.

Some ladies and fun and flirty while others are bad to the bone! Any of you fit in the category of bad to the bone? Any of you prefer motorcycles, leather, booze, and dangerous men? Even if you don’t, there may be that little side of you trying to peek out from time to time. So dare to be a ggressive, determined, and strong charactered. Because if you do,Roccobarocco will be waiting to suit your needs. The Roccobarocco Piccadilly Black Studded Leather Baguette Bag. This bag is made with polished silver metal round and diamond studs. Other features include white contrast stitching and a ring detail with the engraved signature. With a width of 11.02″, a height of 5.02″, and a depth of 0.79″, this bag may leave you a force to be reckoned with! Be a rockstar for wearing this bag- purchase it via Forzieri for $185.

If you want to be the boldest and most daring lady there is, I suggest you buy some jewelry with this bag. But not just any jewelry. I’m talking about the Zoppini Zo-Dark Corset Lacing Stainless Steel Cuff Bracelet. Oh yea. This baby for sure will draw all the attention to you. Guys love a girl in a corset, and if this is as close as you will get, he better appretiate it. I’m not sure all of us could pull this off, but it is worth a try. This bracelt is flirty and rugged all in one. The cuff style bracelet is made ‘in polished stainless steel with a deatil of black corset lacing for an extravagant and stylish accent’. Whoever of you is up to the bold statement challenge, start it by purchasing this bracelet via Forzieri for $106.

As I have found out with age, many men actually prefer women without makeup on. Yea, that’s no lie. But to most of us women, it is part of our daily routine. I remember my cycle with makeup. It began around 6th grade with a lip gloss obsession. I’m talking juicy lips that probably attracted flies like a sticky pad. I moved on in 7th grade to some eye shadow. But it was barely noticeable. Around 8th grade, things went terribly downhill with my thought that dark makeup made me look older. Yet with time and experience, I learned how to apply makeup and not look like a 5 cent hooker. But where to keep all the makeup? Why not in a fun Kate Spade Heddy Small Floral Print Cosmetic Bag? Made with the fun color wheel of green, pink, chocolate, lime, cream, khaki, peach, and black, the floral print bag is colorful and fun. The bag also has a green zip with leather zip pull and loop at one end so you can hang the bag. The inside is lined with a taupe and green spotted print fabric. If you need a little new bag to carry your makeup, try this bag for $55 via Net-A-Porter (also comes in medium size for $65).

For those of you who are not aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I am sure many of you know women or have personally been affected by Breast Cancer. I have not only had family members who have died from it, but dealt with my own huge scare just a year and a half ago. Luckily, I am fine, but from that day on I began to try to help support the cause. Whether it is donating money to research, taking part in triathlons, or just telling the woman next to me at the cancer center that she would be another courageous and beautiful fighter, I have tried to be a part of fighting for a cure.

Coach has joined the Fight Against Breast Cancer for the month of October by giving $100 in proceeds from each Positively Pink Watch toward the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The Coach Positively Pink Watch is not only cute but also will make your heart feel good since it is for a good cause. As if the specs really even matter, since all of us as women should be contributing to breast cancer research, but this watch is made beautifully with some of the most gorgeous details. The watch features Swiss quartz, mineral crystal, and a silver dial with Swarvoski crystal. The theme is pink, so the watch has a pink bezel, a pieced pink leather strap, and has an engraved ribbon logo on the back of the stainless steel case. If this isn’t enough, you can also count on the watch to be water resistant to 99 feet. On sale for $298 via Coach (remember $100 of those dollars goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation), this watch could not be for a better cause and could not adorn you in pink any better.

If you want to really go all out, or chose between one or the other, Coach also has Special Edition Multi-Jeweled Keyfob. If you have been looking for a cute little key ring, this one may be the winner- not to mention 50% of the proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This pretty little key ring is decorated with a cluster of crystals set in silver Coach logos. To spread the hope, the enamel of the keyfob is in a pretty pink color. The keyring is nickel and measures 1 1/2”. If the watch was too much, there is no reason all of us can’t spread some hope and love by buying this keyfob- which is a mere $58 via Coach (remember half of the proceeds of this will go towards the Breast Cancer Research Foundation).

Sometimes I just wonder about styles. Vlad hates (I mean hates) the look of slippers. I always kind of liked them with the right outfit. How about you gals? Do any of you like them or own any? My biggest issue is that since I am tall, I wear a size 10 shoe- I swear I’m not some monster, just a tall girl! I tried one pair of slipper like shoes on, and hated them. Ever since I have not given them a chance. Maybe I should reconsider. For a girl who has a big shoe size – but narrow feet- could these slippers be pulled off? What do you all think- or do you have any personal experience with shoes like these?

The Delman Suede Ballerina Slippers are made from a curry/golden colored suede with tonal grosgrain trim and a cute little bow on the vamp. The toe has a peep toe opening (which is not my favorite) and there is a 3/4″ covered kitten heel (which is a plus for me since I am already 5′10). If you want to have your toes twinkle in these shoes, buy them for $225 via Bergdorf Goodman.

Today I want to highlight my Chloe Winter Runway Pick of the Day. Why… ‘Because I said so’. For Fall/Winter ‘05-’06 Chloe has some appealing apparel. My pick today is this lovely dress. Now I just need somewhere to wear it

I’m feeling an accessories day today. Most handbag lovers are accessory lovers, I think. Layered and big necklaces are ‘in’ right now- for the moment at least. The Juicy Couture Multi Strand Necklace fits all the checklists of being a totally hot accessory at the moment. Using raffia, crystal and gold brass beads, the necklace is more than you could wish for with all of it’s multi-strands. The chunkiest part of the necklace is the one strand of large raffia beads. Along with the raffia beads are two strands of gold beads and three of glass in gold settings. The necklace fastens at your neck with stone colored ties. This is a fabulous little number on Net-A-Porter for $260.