Bride of the Michelin Man

NYC's arctic freeze this winter has proved that my vanity does in fact have its limit (gasp!). Up until this year, I insisted on looking "cute" in my fur-lined wool coat, never mind the frostbite. Finally, single digit pre-windchill temperatures forced me to admit the impracticality of my stubborn superficiality. I hightailed it to a Brooklyn Industries boutique and begrudgingly walked out with a full length puffer jacket, certain I would be mistaken for the Michelin Man. All doubts were swept away with a swift of the biting winds- sealed into the jacket, I felt as if I was cocooned by a warm down comforter. Besides, this particular item was a steal, marked down from $200 to $69 (and tax free). The chevron stitching and an inner adjustable elastic waistband allowed me to reclaim some part of my petite form. So what if I looked like a toasted marshmallow in that golden brown concoction. You know what they say- when life hands you marshmallows, make s'mores.

Holiday Excess

In January, when the rest of the country is busy making resolutions to lose excess poundage, my yearly resolve is to fatten up- my wardrobe. In light of the economically challenging times, I anticipated deeper discounts and more bang for my proverbial buck. I patiently stalked the iconic Bergdorf Goodman second floor shoe racks, waiting for that final markdown which surely would be record breaking this year. Finally, after the post-holiday crowds thinned out, my credit card charging conspirator "V" and I went out treasure hunting. To our surprise, the chest had already been looted almost empty, from Barney's to Saks Fifth Avenue. I was thoroughly upset- didn't my consuming competitors realize the simple economic concept of supply and demand? When consumers hold out, retailers lure them out with offers that cannot be refused in order to clear unsold stock. In a desperate attempt to save the New Year festivities, we headed towards the birthplace of my addiction- the flagship Jimmy Choo boutique tucked off Fifth Avenue. I was thrilled to find an unprecedented half off sale. While I was plied with size 5.5 stilettos, V gave commentary. In the end, with help from Abigail, my favorite Jimmy Choo-ist, and the rest of the crew (who, by the way, are never snobby as are most New York retailers), I'm still managing to emerge from my winter hibernation a little heavier- by two shopping bags to be exact.



This year, I'm daring to wear animal prints with this sandal that has an understated sexiness. These black suede booties gain distinction with ruching.