this first one is really more of a wallet than a clutch, but it's so fabulous that it gets to be included here. had i only known that i was going to find this wallet, i never would have bought all of the other wallets i've purchased in the last few months. and, now i'd have a fabulous snakeskin wallet in the yummiest butter color, lined in even yummier suede, and, at an ultra reasonable price of $195, it would have cost me less than all the other wallets i bought along the way. sigh.
for a more traditional clutch, they have a gorgeous eelskin number that's all ruched and fabulous on the outside, suede-lined on the inside, and has a gorgeous, asymmetrical antique-brooch-looking thing as a closure. this clutch just goes way beyond fabulous, and even though i don't use clutches as often as i'd like, this is definitely a buy that would be in my closet 50 years from now, when i'd be the coolest little old lady on the block, sporting my gorgeous vintage eelskin clutch. the size is just about perfect, at 10" x 5" - it will actually hold all of your evening needs. this one's pricier than the wallet, at $385, but that's still a helluva deal for an exotic skin with this degree of design and attention to detail. i mean, really, even a lauren merkin clutch is $200, for heaven's sake. i want this little cutie sooo badly that i'm just hoping and praying the birthday fairy is paying attention, because this would make a completely perfect gift for me.
if you're a little bit more of a badass than i am, you could certainly pull off the vintage punk vibe of this yummy ostrich clutch - only $285, with all of the same lovely features as the eelskin, plus a stingray accent on the clasp. or you could check out this completely gorgeous snakeskin version, in the yummiest coffee color, for $440.
of the scents i got a chance to sample, the ones i'm still thinking about are vetiver (a spicy, citrusy scent that reminds me of cinnamon, pine cones and orange peel), leaves (a clean, light, almost grassy scent that had me wishing for spring), and magnolia (a scent i've always adored, but never been able to find a perfume to recreate it...until now)...but really, i loved just about all of them. of course, if you want to know the actual contents of each scent, you can always check their official list...i sort of prefer to go with my gut on these things.
first, if you happen to be a size 2 (ahem, j), you should snatch up this darling jersey dress by james perse for $77 in the saks sale immediately. it's only available in black, but this would be a completely excellent work dress, and could even be easily jazzed up for cocktails. plus, nothing is as yummy soft and comfy as james perse cotton. truly fabulous.
same goes for this gorgeous (not to mention flattering) dress by vince, down to $110 in the sale. love the marine blue color, love the cut, and again, looks super comfy and perfect for work.
for some unknown reason, zappos has marked a ton of l'autre chose boots down by 40%just in time for fall. i love these grey foldover boots, which i think would actually be pretty comfy with that nice platform on the toe (you can also snag them in beige, which would be equally fabulous for fall). or, if you love the riding boot look, these are a great choice (i love that they have the riding boot style, but still have a heel...so much more versatile!). check out the rest of the goods here.
and, last but certainly not least, this minidress by julie brown would be just so hot with a long chunky cardigan and heathered tights in a couple of months...for under $60, that's about the best deal around.
been a while since i really ranted about something, but i recently discovered that one of my favorite shoe designers, christian louboutin, was about to venture into the already-well-populated field of handbag design. naturally, i was thrilled....the house of louboutin is right up there with manolo blahnik and jimmy choo when it comes to footwear, so i would expect nothing less than fabulous from the designer's foray into bags.
so, imagine my total and utter disappointment when i clicked over to check out the new goods for fall, and found all of this fug. seriously, there's no other word for it. i mean, every designer has an off collection, but for his debut? there's just no excuse. worst of all? not only am i expected to love this, but i'm expected to pay almost $4,000 for it?? hello?! i could practically buy a kelly for that price. and it wouldn't look like i mugged a chinchilla in the parking lot.
i'm loving banana's new spin on an uber-feminine suit. love the detailing at the neckline, love the sleeves, love the pinup girl silhouette....i just think you can't go wrong. 
and, in true kate fashion, high-waisted, full-bodied trousers are everywhere this fall. while it's true that we've been hip-hugging for a few years now, there's something very flattering about these high-waist trousers, if you style it right. remember, pleats are never your friend. you want a streamlined silhouette. i'm generally opposed to cuffs on these flowy pants, but as long as it's a larger cuff, i think it works - as on these martin fit trousers by banana republic. make sure that if you're going high, you go all the way - this style works best when sitting right below your rib cage. remember, they flatter by hitting you at your narrowest point, not by cutting your tummy in half. highlight your waist with a belt, and remember to tuck in whatever you're wearing on top - this is all about flattering the feminine, so hourglass it up!
in the interest of full disclosure, they're $5 more at zappos than they are at dolce vita, but i think the free overnight shipping at zappos (hello, instant gratification!) makes up for it. plus, you can always get that 110% price guarantee thing from them, if you're willing to spend 10 minutes on the phone.
and, last but not least, as i said - their mod dresses are where milly really seems to shine. if you have the gams for it, the belted shift dress is a no-miss choice, again with impeccable tailoring and style, that will undoubtedly become a long-term love in your closet. or, pick up the hexagon jersey dress, which would be the ultimate choice for the worst of the "i have nothing to wear" days. throw it on with tights and platforms, and you're instantly the cutest thing on the block.
anyway, meet serena - the latest from tory. i'm absolutely loving this shoe. it's like someone took the iconic chanel flat and gave it a nice facelift for the 21st century. i love the cap toe and the contrasting colors - this is definitely a shoe i see getting a lot of wear. 
you can go classic with cream and black, or have some fun with the cream/silver version or the purple tweed (my personal fave). 
they're not cheap, running $225-250, depending on style, but this is one of those buys that i use my handy-dandy "cost per wear calculator" to justify. if my gold reva flats are any indication, these cuties would see plenty of rotation at my house.
from their current line, i'm gaga for the coin wrap necklace, which i think would be just a fabulous staple piece. at 40 inches long, i can see it double-wrapped as a chic daytime look, or worn as a single strand for a night on the town. it just strikes me as incredibly versatile piece that would definitely be in regular circulation in my closet. at under $200, that's a cost-per-wear i can get behind. this is the only piece here that i can't seem to find at gorjana's official website, but looks like you can buy it here instead :)
i also really love the 3-petal necklace, which i think would do wonders to improve the neckline of a boring v-neck top or an open blouse. plus, it's definitely the bargain of the bunch, at $95. i also think this one would make a perfect gift - really, can you think of any woman you know who wouldn't look fabulous wearing this??
and, if money were no object, i'd buy up a handful of their 'regal' bangle bracelets and layer them for a really fun, eclectic look. at $170 each, you might not be able to buy several....but they're so classic and unique that i may just have to splurge and buy at least one.
