Tuesday: peach satin Gucci slides

So I finally broke down and did it. After months of whining about the return of the skinny jean, I marched myself down to Barneys and bought myself a pair of Citizens of Humanity Ava Straight Leg Jean, Dark Paris. See, they’re not completely skinny — not stove-pipe Mick Jagger trousers with a 5″ ankle width — they’re just straight. After seeing a couple of friends go this not-quite-super-skinny way, I decided that’s a compromise I too could make, necessitated by my lack of bird legs and my having hips of any kind.

And it still wasn’t easy. Even as I stood in the dressing room on the 8th floor of Barneys, I could barely look out of the corner of one eye at my image in the mirror. It’s just so weird, after years now of wearing (and loving) low rise, bootcut jeans, to see myself with such narrow ankles. Especially since I lived through skinny jeans the first time around. Remember the ones from the ’80s with the zippers at the ankles? Oh yeah…

Of course, the big plus is I get to showcase my shoes. But what heel? I don’t think I’m tall enough to pull off the flats. How long should the jeans be — covering the ankles, scrunched up over the heel? So many adjustments to make. Ooh, plus number two: I can wear them with all my long, cuddly Lainey sweaters. Take it from me: How I learned to stop worrying and love the skinny!

Technorati Tags: skinny jeans, Citizens of Humanity, bootcut

Thursday: Chanel cap-toe flats

I love kitsch and I’m not afraid to admit it. I mean, I know in my heart that one of these days I will have to get rid of all those bobblehead dolls and other NBA memorabilia that I’ve been collecting all these years. This may sound shocking, I realize, coming from a fashionista, but I think it’s all OCD-related hunting and gathering.

In any case, a few months ago I was walking through one of the carbon copy street fairs that populate our fair city during the summer when something caught my eye: a giant piece of shrimp nigiri bound to a fluffy white… pillow. I stopped in my tracks. Now a sushi pillow qualifies as kitsch of a supremely high order — and ironically enough, it’s not even made in Japan. Nope, the geniuses behind the Original Sushi Pillow are a couple of Asian American musical theater actors. And I am now the proud owner of a giant piece of edamame, which I will put… oh, who knows where? But I know I had to have it! Thanks, Cindy and Mel!

Technorati Tags: sushi pillow, edamame, collecting, kitsch

Tuesday: straw Prada wedges

There’s no sudden crispness in the air, or foliage changing colors, or kids returning to school, or even new episodes of Lost. Even without those harbingers of autumn, I’ve hit the moment when I just cannot help myself: I need to start shopping for fall. And I mean now!

One of the first things on my list is a cape. This Derek Lam “cape jacket” is pretty great if you’re not fully committed to the Little Red Riding Hood look.

Wouldn’t it look amazing with these Valentino boots? They are to die for. And die I just might, if I actually shelled out $1390 for them. Ooooh, tempting!

And after a few seasons in the wilderness of style, I think Prada may just be back in the handbag department. I love this military green tote.

Okay, maybe I can’t wear boots or a cape yet, so the least I can do is buy myself one thing that I can wear now-ish. I think this Missoni dress just may be perfect for summer-into-fall dressing.

Technorati Tags: fall shopping, fall fashion, boots, cape, Missoni

Thursday: linen Gunmetal peeptoes

There’s something so tantalizing about walking by a department store like Saks on a hot summer day in the city. I have a friend who actually goes a block or two out of her way just so she can walk by those doors on her way home from work — it’s like breakfast at Tiffany’s, without the breakfast. First and foremost there’s the waft of the air conditioning, set to a chill that makes you more amenable to trying on the cashmeres and wools of the fall/winter season. And then there are those very cashmeres and wools that make you think that fall is just around the corner… I was at Saks yesterday and not even the consolidation sale could tempt me into looking at sundresses and tanks and cropped pants. I am, as the kids say, so over the summer.

P.S. If you can’t even bear to leave the house to get a shot of chill at Saks, sit in the A/C and check out people.com’s new blog at www.offtherack.people.com!

Technorati Tags: summer sale, autumn fashion, shopping, off the rack

Tuesday: Manolo gold lizard sandals

I’m trying not to talk about wedding planning all the time — and let me tell you, it’s no small feat, because it takes over your life. But forgive me this once, I just have to ask: Is it really so crazy (like at least one male who will remain unnamed thinks) that one of the deciding factors in the choice of venue is whether it goes with the dress?

Okay, so most people probably pick the venue first, pretty much before all else. But not me. Well, did you expect anything less? Of course the dress came first, quickly followed by the shoes. Just so happened that the first venue I liked had the right vibe for the dress. For reasons too boring and agonizing to get into here, that location fell through. So it’s back to the drawing board. And it’s been difficult. Perfectly lovely venues are just less than perfect because “they don’t go with the dress.” Too modern, too plain, too white, too whatever. Just not quite right. I’m not being stubborn. I’m not a bridezilla (…yet). If you’re reading this blog, I think you get it.

Right?

Technorati Tags: wedding planning, wedding dress, bridezilla