oops

>> Speak of the devil herself...  I just happened upon the good news that vintage Gucci suede boots exactly like those Miss Miller has been spotted wearing literally everywhere as of late are up for auction on ebay. The current bid is $510, the reserve is met, and the auction is ending in approximately 15 hours.  Yeah, I'm obsessed (more with the boots than the girl, cross my heart).  I figure somebody out there has got to be as equally infatuated, and they would appreciate this information just as much as I.  So good luck, whoever you are, and happy bidding!

>>  So you can find her name in a crayon box...  you can't find her style anywhere (except on Kate Moss, some would argue).  Honestly, I think she's great.  The thing that attracts me most to this so-called "It" girl is her ability to look fashionable and yet comfortable at the same time.  Now that's a feat, especially considering  that the cameras are always rolling on her.  Some would feel the pressure and just overdo the self-styling (cough Messica Simpson cough).  I'm not even just talking about the comfort of her clothing - while it is true that her clothes do tend to look genuinely comfortable (no stilettos for Sienna while walking her puppies...sad...), I also think she looks comfortable in her own personal style.  She's one of the few in the spotlight that consistently reuses accessories over and over.  Like her cowboy boots (above right), for example.  Of course she wears them all the time, you say, that's her trademark!  True, but she doesn't just do it with cowboy boots.  I've also seen her do it with Uggs, her Gucci thigh-high boots, black tights (left), her red Balenciaga bag (right), and even a slate blue tiered skirt.  I think that shows true fashion icon potential.  It means she actually has enough imagination to create new looks using the same pieces, rather than just creating a new look from all new pieces (imagine that!).  And that's something I can really respect.     

**sources: sienna-online.org

>> Dear Nicolas Ghesquiere,

Just because you run over a poor pigeon on the way to work doesn't mean it has to be the inspiration for an entire part of your Fall 2005 collection.  I mean, I know you saw it smushed up against the grating of your car, and it was somehow beautiful and tragic at the same time, but the rest of us just don't see it that way. Sometimes, it's okay to just let things go.  Let's look at it this way:  you put roadkill on your dresses.  Roadkill, man.  Next time, if you have to, go for the discarded snakeskins.  Much classier, trust me. 

Faithfowlly yours, 

fashionologie

Dear ladies,

Let's start with you, J. Conn.  Just because the dress is Balenciaga, doesn't necessarily mean it's looks good.  Use your beautiful mind, woman.  If it looks trippy when you're not wearing it, it probably won't magically look spectacular once you are (no offense, but you don't have a fairy godmother).  And I know you're not trying to cover up the fact that you don't have breasts - you have two kids - there's gotta be something under all those feathers.  We'll let it slide this time, since you were at the MET "Costume" Institute Gala honoring Chanel.  Really, if anything, you were doing Miss Coco a great dishonor.  She's probably turning in her grave - with time, and if you're fashionably blessed, she might be able to bring herself to forgive your trespasses. 

You next, Charlotte Gainsbourg.  Okay, you, dearheart, wore the same fucking dress at Cannes over a week after J. Conn.  This means you had over a week to read about everybody's reactions to the dress (and I'll give you a hint: they weren't good).  You also had a week to realize that you were going to wear a freakin' swan on your chest.  Yes, dear, they are pretty birds.  Just not plastered to your front - that's not what they were made for.  Remember the Bjork Swan Fiasco of '01?  Not an event you want to emulate.  Didn't your mother ever teach you to wear something that flattered your face, rather than take attention away from it?  It's called elegance...sophistication...  Go for it next time, sweetie.

And last but not least, you, Sharon Stone.  Doesn't your basic instinct tell you anything these days?  You know that old saying:  If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again.  It just doesn't work in this case.  What about that Mensa genius you're reputed to have?  Your IQ (or conscience...or something!) should have been screaming, "No, Sharon! Put the fuck-ugly feathers down!"  I appreciate that you like flaunting what you had for dinner the night before, but really, Sharon, do ya have to wear the plucked turkey feathers?  You looked great (especially considering you're 47) from the neck up, but then I looked down.  Try not to run afowl again.

Love and kisses, 

fashionologie        

**sources: gettyimages      

>>  It's summertime - time for that trip to Hawaii, right?  Yeah...not so much for me either, unfortunately.  Don't get all down quite yet - I found something that will make us both feel better. Hawaiistores.com is having a sale on their kukui nut leis.  You better brace yourself for this one: the 30" leis are going for $3.99.  I was seriously under the impression that nothing except a stick was going for $3.99 anymore.  Now I know the leis you're used to seeing are those monstrously tacky fake flower leis from the party store down the street, but these are the real deal, straight from the gorgeous archipelago itself.  Even that trend whore Jessica Simpson knows a good thing when she sees one.  Too bad she probably got hers from shopintuition.com for $30.  AloHA!  Bested again, Miss Simpson!  In any case, go, treat yourself.  They come in black and brown (aka they look good with pretty much everything). 

Note:  hawaiistores.com has a $7.00 order minimum, so team up with a friend, and splurge for two leis. 

** sources: aloha-hawaii.com, shimmer & stone

>> Sigh.... There's just something so damn alluring about a big floppy hat shading a girl's face.  I mean, just look at how Jude's gazing at Sienna - he gets it.  It just adds a touch of mystery...just makes any old tank top and jeans a little bit more sensual. Apparently, Karmaloop thought so too, because they're making you a deal you can't turn down - a big brown floppy hat all for you - for just $9.99. I fell for it - who wouldn't want to look like hot sex for a mere 10 buckaroos? 

For free shipping on this bargain, use SREE at checkout.

**sources: sienna-online.org 

>> Guilty as charged.  I admit it, I've fallen for the whole cowboy boots craze.  Maybe it's because I'm back in Texas that I finally folded, who knows.  I just like the way they look, especially with a skirt, a la Mary Kate or Sienna Miller (left).  But enough of my gushing.  The real reason I've brought you here today is to divulge a special secret. While traipsing through the hell that some call Houston, I came upon a fabulous little place called Texas Junk Co.  Oh good, junk, you're thinking, and from Texas, no less.  She's really gone batty this time.  But I haven't.  At least, not yet.  If you've been arrowed by the boot cupid like I have, you'll soon understand why I'm raving about this place.  It boasts of "over one thousand used cowboy boots from $30," and honey, it's not lying.  I walked into the place not expecting to find much, and came out with a great pair of ivory ostrich-leather boots for $60.  Now that's a bargain.  Yeah, they're a little scuffed, but it gives 'em character.  In my opinion, cowboy boots are like Chuck Taylors - the dirtier and more broken-in and scuffed they are, the better.  I mean, I like what I got.  But if you're looking for the real Sienna-wearing deal, I suggest you visit R.Soles.  They run for about ₤295.

Texas Junk Company:  215 Welch St.,  Houston, TX

**sources: saraloveringphotography, sienna-online.org

>> Look out, Louis Vuitton.  There's a new handbag in town ready to give you a run for your money, and it's not even French.  In fact, it's American. (We know, you're disgusted, you want to speet on eets shoooz.)  Designer duo/husband and wife Be Inthavong and Steve Dumain are the guilty architects behind the whole coup d'etat. Their line Be & D is causing glitterati everywhere to talk, including the likes of Halle Berry, J. Lo, and heirhead Paris Hilton (at least she's intelligent on this choice), who are all fans.  Just look at their Crawford tote above, which is the current hot seller for $1,150.  We seriously think they have the whole shock & awe campaign down pat.  Just look at the golden-turquoise splendor, and you'll know what we mean.  Vive la Be & D, eh, Louis?

Be & D is available at Bergdorf Goodman and Kitson.

sources: Of the Minute and FemaleFirst.co.uk

>> Interesting...  H&M, the Swedish fashion giant, has just enlisted Ms. Stella McCartney to design about 40 women's pieces, which will debut around November, reports Women's Wear Daily and CNNMoney. Ms. Stella will be following in the footsteps of Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel fame, who collaborated with H&M for a line offered last November which sold out within 2 days of its debut. This seems to be a trend for Ms. Stella, who is just coming off a successful line for Adidas, which, we must say, had some breathtaking pieces (the smc bra top on the right, anyone?), especially considering the usual attractiveness factor of exercise wear.  Ms. Stella is going to have her hands full, what with her own fashion house to run, the new H&M line, and a new 99-piece collection for Adidas due out August 17th in Europe and Asia.

What's most interesting about the whole deal (besides the imminence of designer clothes for H&M prices - read:cheap) is the emerging trend of high-end designers working with low-end retailers, going from class to mass.  There's Stella, Karl, and Italian designer Elio Fiorucci, all for H&M, Isaac Mizrahi for Target, Stella and Yohji Yamamoto for Adidas, various designers for the British Topshop, Jean Paul Gaultier for the French La Redoute...and we're sure there's more to come.  Yeah, you say, but Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, among others, have had low-priced lines for some time now. 

So what's the big diff?  Well, first of all, Target and H&M designer prices are a good bit cheaper than the prices at which Ralph Lauren and CK sell.  Second of all, in our eyes, and we would venture to say the general public's as well, CK and Ralph Lauren don't even compare to the level at which Chanel or even Stella stand.  In some ways, we feel like they're selling out.  It's not like Chanel needs the publicity to attract more clientele - those who can afford the luxuries buy them, and those who cannot know about their presence anyway.  Karl is extremely well-established in the fashion industry, so the only half-way decent reason we can think of to explain his partnership with H&M is to boost his ego.  After that stint, he guaranteed himself to be a household name.  As for Ms. Stella, it's more understandable - she has until 2007 to reach the break-even set by the Gucci Group, which owns half of her London-based house.  A little publicity couldn't hurt her.

In any case, we've always seen high fashion as an art form - some of those outfits you see walking down the runway are just not practical for everyday wear (like the one on the left from a Cortana runway show in Barcelona).  But that's what makes them interesting - they're fun to look at.  If the art form is copied and mass-distributed, it simply loses its charm.  If everyone has one, what is there left to admire?  We understand that the quality and time that goes into the haute couture will never be affordable for $20 at Target, but it's the principal of things.  People go to the shows every season to see the new and original, not what they've already seen before.  We just think the designers should be careful about blurring the borders between mainstrain retailers and fashion houses too much. 

On that note, we want to say that Ms. Stella McCartney has pleasantly surprised us.  For a while, we really doubted that Beatle Paul McCartney's daughter had any real cred in the big, bad world of fashion.  But with the Adidas line, as well as her house lines, we have seen the error of our ways (Isn't the dress on the right from her Autumn 2005 line beautiful?).  So we look forward to what she can do in the future with H&M and Adidas, since that's the way it's gonna be.  Don't let us down, Ms. Stella.

>>This season, it's okay if you're flat.  From floral to funky, demure to in-your-face, we've got all the bases covered.  We compiled our top 11 favorite flats for your viewing pleasure.  note: sorry, we just couldn't cut it down to a round top ten, and the shoes are listed in no particular order - we wouldn't want to deflate the egos of these poor shoes

pointy

A fellow shopper once informed me that the black pointy mules I was trying on were called "roach killers, because they're good for reachin' into corners." (ew!)  If that's so, all we've got to say is that these funky and florally pointy flats will do the roach one last honor - it will go out in style.  Free People Canvas Pointed Flat - $88

Yeah, we're cheating a little bit - maybe this is the one that we should have knocked off the list.  So it has a slight kitten heel...we didn't notice, did you?  We just couldn't pass up this fantastic pair.  Between the silvery sheen, the circular punch-outs, and the corset-like side ties, we're drooling.  Irregular Choice 2802-2B - $105.95

ballet

They're simple, they're cheap, they're from Target.  They go with everything, they won't make a hole in your pocket, and they're cute - what more could a girl ask of a shoe?  Target Gold Ballerina Flats - $12.99

We love the vivid green of these crochet pumps - it's perfect for adding a kick to any outfit.  In our opinion, that's what bright-colored shoes were invented for.  Asos Crochet Pump - $28.50

We know Mischa Barton doesn't actually wear Keds with her Sass & Bide, but we, on the other hand, are partial to these cuties.  Funny, since we haven't worn Keds since like second grade.  Keds Knack Canvas Skimmer - $39.99

With their metallic t-bars and their antiqued colors, these flats are perfect for a little '20s-style inspiration.  Just paint your pucker dark red, wrap your beads around your neck, and you're off to paint the town black.  Our personal favorite is the Punch/Brass combination (on the left).  Eileen Shields Juliette - $295

Ever wanted a tattoo, but not for permanent?  These ballet shoes are emblazoned with a cute tattoo-style motif and a lyric from Elton John's "Tiny Dancer," making them infinitely cooler than your run-of-the-mill ballet shoes.  Not to mention their scrumptious chocolate color.  If you want to create your own, check out the custom-made options for $103/pair.  La Voleuse Handpainted Ballet Shoes - $96

antiquated

Expose your inner goddess with these golden jewels worthy of Aphrodite's feet.  We love the t-bar embellished with crystal dotted beads - it's what separates this god from the mere mortals below.  Kristen Lee Star Sandals - $253

We've been to Greece, now let's stop by Rome in these gladiator-inspired thongs.  They're starkly simple, and yet something about them just tickles our fancy.  Maybe it's because they're different from anything else we've seen.  Chloé Leather Thong Sandals - $376

eclectic

These espadrille flats are super comfy-looking and come in five billion bajillion colors - at least one for every day of the week.  At $30.50 a pair, you could theoretically have a pair for every day of the week without doing any serious damage.  Espadrilles Etc. Pilar - $30.50

The season's fuchsias and plums are absolutely faboo.  Not only does this sandal have an eye-popping color, but a fantastic design.  Just don't wear 'em out in the sun for too long, or you might end up with an exceptionally funky sandal tan.  CYD Eccentricities Sandals - $98

>> Call us sacrilegious, but this is one “relic” we would love to worship.  The combination of the long skinny sterling silver cross and the hand-carved red coral rose is impeccable.  So posh, so sophisticated…we just want to grab it right out of that picture and wear it everywhere.   

Weldon Crown of Thorns Lariat  - $105