Hunter's New Look

For many of us, Hunter rain boots have become an all-weather staple--and thanks to the rainbow of available colors, we've been able to keep things interesting. I've had my eye on a pair of candy apple red Hunters for a while now. That is, until I saw Hunter's new look; behold, the Champery Wedge Rain Boot.

Yes, the design geniuses at Hunter have done it again, this time bringing a new level of style to their functional boot. With the addition of 3 1/2 inch wedge and a 1 inch platform, the Champery is what I like to call "dress up" rain boots. And for those who care for a little name dropping, the fabulously classic Hunter "H" logo is embossed--larger than life--on the side. To say that they're tempting is gross understatement. But I will say that, if I had the Champery in my footwear arsenal, I might not mind a few rain storms... In fact, I might actually sing in the rain.

Image: Champery Wedge Rain Boots in black $175 by Hunter, available at Bloomingdales (http://www.bloomingdales.com/).

Orange for Summer (not like on Jersey Shore)

This summer, I can't get enough orange. No no, not like on Jersey Shore! I'm talking about orange in the most fashionable sense, as in a serious pop! of color. I know I'm not the only one out there who feels this way. In fact, I have discussed the merits of a firey Cajun orange with my dear friend, Ash, on many occasions. And then the subject came up in line at Starbucks just this morning...

While waiting for my drink to be ready--in what was unfortunately quite a long line of patrons--the girl to my left leaned over and asked, "Do you know the specific nail color you're wearing?" In fact, I did; it was a recent purchase from Target (who is now carrying OPI and Essie, if you can believe it!): Hot & Spicy by OPI.

You may recognize this bold nail color from Refinery 29's nail color prediction for 2010, posted all the way back in January. Well, right they are! What they dubbed "persimmon perfection" brings all the summer sizzle a girl could need in one itty bitty bottle. It's best worn with a tiny bit of a tan and is the ideal contrast to a summer white or nautical navy. So if your nails are in need of a late summer pick-me-up, I highly recommend that you give them the pop! of color that they so deserve--and go orange for summer.

Image thanks to Refinery 29 (www.refinery29.com).

Watch It Go!

Watches have never really been a go-to accessory for me. Yet, I received an amazing Coach watch (The Whitney--pictured at left, in case you're curious) as a gift from my husband several years ago, and it was the perfect style for me, functioning more like a bracelet than your standard utilitarian watch. However, utility is all the rage these days! My fashion-savvy sister caught this trend early last year, purchasing a chunky blinged-out version by Michael Kors. Since then, I've become increasingly aware that oversized utility watches are everywhere--and the trend will continue this fall... Watch it go!

For fall, the oversized watch has evolved slightly. Borrowing from the boys' camp, these watches are heavy on hardware (and often just heavy in general!), with large faces and thick straps in a variety of functional materials. While I still adore my Whitney, now I also see the appeal of a utility watch. These menswear inspired time pieces can really make a statement when paired against an otherwise feminine outfit. Below are my personal top three, and as you can see, with an inherently casual aesthetic, each could easily be a go-to accessory for the everyday.

As an added bonus, since function comes with a lower price tag than the glitz glam of luxury, this is good news for fall fashion budgets. Although, diamonds are a girls' best friend, a rubber or canvas watch strap is definitely a friend to her wallet! And not for nothing, but I can't resist adding a little plug for vanity... When you wear an oversized watch, it makes your wrist look itty-bitty--and what right-minded fashionista out there would argue with that? In summary, it's all pros and no cons, so your homework assignment should be an easy one: find your favorite!

Images, in order of appearance: (1) The Whitney Watch by Coach (www.coach.com/); (2) The Scout Leather (for men) in silver $80 by Nixon (http://www.nixonow.com/); (3) Black Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch, 45 mm $250 by Michael Kors, available at Bloomingdales (http://www.bloomingdales.com/); (4) Vintage Field Army Watch (for men) in olive by Timex $150, available from J. Crew (www.jcrew.com).

Pump It Up!

When I received an email from Bloomingdales the other day, announcing Burberry's new fall accessories, I was too intrigued not to look. They are indeed--as advertised--"a study in modern classics," not that I would have expected anything less from the Brits... That said, there is one particular item that I am now fully coveting: the Bridle Housecheck Platform Pumps. Good thing my birthday is next month!

Truly, the Bridle pumps are nothing short of extraordinary. These classic leather pumps come in a warm, chestnut-ish brown color called "redwood" that is reminiscent of falling leaves--and is basically the perfect color for fall. Of course, as with all Burberry pieces, no detail goes unnoticed, with a lining of Burberry's signature plaid, delicate scalloped edge trim along the platform, and tonal seaming. The bottom line: pump it up! I want these. Now. AND I want someone to buy them for me. Okay? Thanks.

Image: Bridle Housecheck Platform Pumps $495 by Burberry, available from Bloomingdales (www.bloomingdales.com).

In Remembrance of Summer Reading Lists

Remember summer reading lists? These days, my reading lists are mostly self-imposed or for the sake of my book group, but nothing compared to the pressure of finishing up a book just in time for the first day of school. My dear friend, Talyn, and I would often take snacks and camp out in Harvard Yard to try to get our reading done as summer vacation came to a close; the only trouble is, the squirrels are eerily tame there--and one of us reads much faster than the other... Still, I sort of miss the enforced academia, the tiny black and white print on countless pages of classic literature. Fortunately for me (and any other resident dorks out there), now you can wear the best and brightest of your summer reading list! I kid you not.

Established in 1984, Out of Print is a clothing company with a mission to celebrate the world's great stories through fashion. So there ARE other resident dorks out there in the world of fashion--hurray! Their line of tees feature iconic book covers, many of which are now out of print. Among other classic works, their collection includes The Catcher In the Rye, Moby Dick, and even The Hound of the Baskervilles. Okay, NOW do you remember summer reading lists? Even more fantastic is that they have a men's line and a women's line so if you're sweetie is as bookworm-ish as you are, you'll be in fashionable company. Plus, they're cozy too! According to the Out of Print website, each shirt is treated to feel soft and worn like a well-read book. And if you really want to feel good about your purchase, you should know that for every tee-shirt sold, Out of Print will donate one book to a community in need, thanks to their partnership with Books for Africa.

As the end of summer approaches, you may be lacking that looming deadline of "must reads," but you can easily fill that academic void with a few "must buy" tee-shirts instead. So go ahead, do it in remembrance of summer reading lists. It might just be a good story...



Images, in order of appearance: (1) Tales of the Jazz Age tee $28, available from Out of Print (http://www.outofprintclothing.com/); (2) Moby Dick tee $28, also from Out of Print.

Fall Fashion Preview: Military Madness

With the hot summer days dragging, what has kept me going lately is...the air conditioning (sad but true). So in order to preserve my sanity and maintain my priorities (fashion!), I've been doing a bit of wishful thinking and looking ahead to fall. I have to tell you, the fashion forecast will make you mad for military--and I mean that in the best way possible. This fall, military chic will be everywhere, and the designers we know and love have truly outdone themselves. So without further ado, how about a little sneak peek?

It's better in leather: Probably my favorite fall item so far is the Heirloom Arturo jacket; not surprisingly, it's also amongst the latest and greatest from one of my favorite designers, Diane von Furstenberg. And DvF nails every detail of this military-inspired leather jacket, from its commanding structure to the eight brass buttons down the front. If I told you I salivated a little when I first laid eyes on this quintessential statement piece, would you judge me?

A woman in uniform? Don't mind if I do! Especially when the uniform in question is a classic army green, conjuring an "army surplus" aesthetic that is as functional as it is edgy. Made of a comfortable stretch cotton to boot, this dress features an off-center zipper, structured collar, and drawstring tie waist that accentuates the feminine elements of military chic.

Take it literally: Not that I needed another reason to anxiously anticipate the fall collections, but my love of all things camo print has been fully disclosed countless times before. Once again, the key to camo is balance; because the print is so bold in and of itself, it's most effective (and most high fashion) when applied to classic looks. For precisely this reason, I'm in love with these camo print flats from Michael Kors' KORS collection. The traditional ballet flat style gets a fierce makeover, with a camouflage printed leather upper that will add a hint of military madness to any outfit. I'm thinking: these flats, plus a pair of dark skinny jeans with a white tee= classic. Of course, if you're in the mood to spice up your 9 to 5, why not wear them with a basic yet elegant black suit?

The best part of this fashion forecast? There's SO much more to see--and if you can't hardly wait, thanks to the miracle of pre-sales, some of these style goodies are available now. But for those of you who can be patient, it will be worth the wait; military madness will soon abound. While some may lament the end of summer, believe me when I tell you that your wardrobe will be grateful for the upcoming season. After all, who needs a silver lining when you can have camo print, brass buttons, and army green?

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Heirloom Arturo leather jacket $875 by Diane von Furstenberg, available from Bloomingdales (http://www.bloomingdales.com/); (2) Uniform Stretch Cotton Dress $295 from Marc by Marc Jacobs, also available at Bloomingdales; (3) Olympia Ballet Flats $185 from KORS Michael Kors, also available at Bloomingdales.

Don't You Step On My Blue Suede Shoes

I was killing time before a dinner date the other night and browsing the shoe selection at Nordstrom (as luck would have it, they are having their Anniversary Sale from now until August 2), when all of a sudden, I found myself electrified by a serious pop! of color: hello, blue suede shoes! Certainly not the most traditional color scheme as far as footwear is concerned, I couldn't help but fall a little bit in love with a pair of royal blue suede platforms. And to think, they're on sale...

Like Carl Perkins' classic rock 'n roll song, the Scarlet Platform Pump by Calvin Klein are timeless, with a round toe, a chunky wrapped heel, and an elevated platform--and all in a brilliant electric blue?! Guaranteed, you won't need to warn anyone not to step on these blue suede shoes. As an added bonus, the 3 3/4 inch heel isn't overly sky high, so you don't have to sacrifice comfort for a bit of rock 'n roll style either.

Can you tell that I'm seriously tempted? As we've discussed before, a little pop! of color can go a long way, and such fiercely fabulous footwear would instantly transform any outfit. Indeed, it's my own personal belief that shoes are a totally acceptable way to make a fashion statement in practically any setting. Although you might not be able to wear suede pants to the office, you can definitely bring some swagger with a pair of suede shoes. After all, if a trend is cool enough to make its way into the rock 'n roll ranks, you sort of have to, well, roll with it... Just don't you step on my blue suede shoes!

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Carl Perkins "Blue Suede Shoes" album, image thanks to Amazon (http://images.amazon.com/); (2) Scarlet Platform Pump in royal blue suede $72.90 (on sale!) by Calvin Klein, available at Nordstrom (http://www.nordstrom.com/); (3) Scene from Gossip Girl, with Blake Lively's character, Serena van der Woodsen, rocking a pair of electric blue heels, image thanks to Culture of Cute (cultureofcute.com).