Rivets and the Winter Shoe

I've been riveted by the rivet lately (Ugh, I know! That was bad) particularly in shoes when I discovered the site Romwe. Have you been to that site? They have a large selection of funky -- yet not ugly -- shoes, many of which have riveting.

During the winter months, especially since I live near Chicago, it's hard to keep your feet looking stylish yet warm for work. While I end up wearing my trusty Lands' End boots to and from the car I still need to slip into a nicer pair of shoes once I get into my office.

All-Over Rivets Black Ankle Boots, $99

Bowknot Riveted Black Platform Shoes, $83

Rivet Black Heeled Martin Boot, $155

Riveted Black Sole Platform Boots, $81

What I've really been hankering for is a classic pair of Dr. Marten's 1461s.

Movado Bold

I have a bit of a Movado obsession. It's true. And while I usually stay with the classics like the 800 series and the Sports line, I am in love with the new Bold.

My favorites are the plain white and the white with orange. It's very 80s in a completely contemporary way.

Slouchy, Elastic Waist and Ankle Pants

O.K., so the words slouchy and elastic don't exactly bring visions of chicness to mind -- more like visions of the knickerbockers I wore in the 1980s -- but these silky linen slouchy pants by J. Crew are actually quite fetching.

Casual, but with a twist. The fabric is what really makes them pretty. Seeing them on a shelf in the store, I may have walked right passed them but on an actual body I can appreciate the cute cut.

Style...by Andy Spade

I'm not really of fan of Kate Spade's purses but I do enjoy reading memoir-type books about personal style and quirks. (NB - Isabella Rossellini's Some of Me is completely charming and kooky.) So when I recently found Kate Spade's Style on clearance for $4.99 at a local department store for only $4.99, I thought, "Why not?"

Style features whimsical watercolors, lists of books and movies that show great style, handy color combination suggestions and a ton of quotes.

Sadly, most of the quotes and the opinions in the book were of Kate's husband, Andy Spade, more so than of Kate herself.

There's an overload of, "Andy says..." and "Andy thinks..." and as I'm reading through the pages and flip back to the cover to make sure this was written by Kate, all I can think is, "But woman, what do you think?!"

Then again, what do I know. I'm one of the few people who positively hated Eat, Pray & Love so I'm probably the cracked one.

Five from Martin

I love the simplicity of the Martin Clothes Web site. It doesn't have anything else to sell but the clothes; no gimmick, no extra craziness just pretty clothes that have an understated elegance and chicness to them.

Here are five of my current favorites from Martin Clothes...

(1) Chiffon Back Pleat Dress, $490; (2) Big Tee, $125; (3) Chiffon Ruff Top, $275; (4) Long Tank Top, $58; (5) Ruffle Dress, $95.

Let's Go Downtown!

Upon first glance, it may a bit too busy. Upon second glance you realize, "Hey! That tie-dye is on suede." Third glance, you're hooked.


I'm loving Jeffrey Campbell's Downtown. Funky -- but not so much that you won't be able to wear them with anything. Also available in orange, but I'm swooning over the blue.

Marc Jacobs

My heart belongs to Marc Jacobs, it's true. In an alternate universe, we're actually best friends and everything he designs is all for me: HIS MUSE! Really, could you blame me for feeling this way when you see beauties like these?

My BFF

All from his Fall 2010 Ready to Wear Collection...