Greed

It's Fashion Week in New York and even if you're not involved directly with it, you have to get a bit caught up in the upcoming Fall/Winter season and just what you'll be wearing...and wanting.

Now if you follow my other blog (peteysplayhouse.blogspot.com) you'll find out what has been occupying my heart and mind (as well as my wallet) lately. And believe me, if you know Petey, you know he is PRICELESS.

That said, there's something incredibly satisfying in window-shopping the web. Load up shopping carts, splurge on a few items way out of reach of your budget, and kind of redefine your personal style at the same time.

Let's start with this Giles & Brother bracelet. I love the toughness of their jewelry, interspersed with rhinestones. Feminine but with a rocker edge.

I saw this sweater at my friend Elizabeth Charles store of the same name. She's got one here in New York and another in San Francisco and both are filled with a gorgeously curated collection of cool, wearable clothes for women of all ages. (Constantly fear dressing too young for my age these days.)

I love this coral and minky brown cashmere sweater. Kitten-soft and one of those items you just know you'd reach for over and over again. Flattering, comfortable and appropriate for so many occasions, especially as my Fall will be spent in NYC and my winter on Hilton Head. (This may become a purchase...)

On my first trip to Paris, I bought an Hermes scarf. There's something about the ceremony of unfurling these banners of brilliantly designed silk that far surpasses nabbing one on sale on eBay or at the sample sale. The little books showing how to tie them, the samples of perfume slipped into the bag -- and oh, can we mention those classic orange boxes tied up beautifully with brown ribbon? Each subsequent trip to Paris has included a trip to Hermes on Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honore for a very special souvenir - a scarf, a bottle of cologne, an enamel bracelet.

I did find a gorgeous burgendy leather and gold-plated Collier du Chien bracelet at a Depot Vente in St. Germain, near St. Suplice. I have no idea who previously owned it, but it's fun to imagine it was once on the wrist of a diplomat's wife, a film star, or a fashion editor. I love it and know I'll wear it more as the weather cools.

However, take a gander at this sterling silver version. Drop dead gorgeous. Dream on...

A good bit closer to earth is this leather cuff from Balenciaga. A bit of tough motorcycle chic. And I adore this unexpected color.
I once had the silver wallet version of this continental wallet in my hands. At the YSL boutique near Fifth Avenue. I was returning from a doctor's appointment and feeling posh and deserving of this beautiful wallet that I'd admired for quite awhile. But then when it came down to actually buying it, and I discovered the wallet was actually $50 more than this continental wallet, which pushed it up over $500...well, I just couldn't. Currently, this very model is available on Bluefly for $350. A big savings...but still, for a wallet???

This is the newest Longchamp bag and if you haven't seen the inter-active video featuring Audrey Marnay and an assortment of fashion bloggers, then run to the Longchamps site right now for a motorcycle ride all over Paris. How can you NOT love the bag after all that? The colors are so good. I'd choose this gray-green.
Remember her masquerade ball during Paris Fashion Week? Her naked and gap-toothed Lara Stone on the cover of French Vogue? Her sizzling sex appeal and kohl-lined eyes next to Anna Wintour's icy demeanor and mask-like sunglasses? Her mysterious exit from French Vogue? When it comes to Parisienne style, there's only one Carine. And how much fun to spend some hours in her world through this upcoming book?

I'm on a big makeup kick now, thanks to discovering Lisa Eldridge's amazingly easy-to-follow tutorials on her namesake website. Plus it's just so relaxing listening to her plummy English accent encouraging you to pat the minky shadows into your socket line. So I've been rethinking my makeup and actually spending a bit more time and consideration into my daily look.

After a summer of playing on the beach and hanging out with kids and horses, it's time to pay some serious attention to my neglected nails. I've been begging Ji Baek of Rescue Beauty to create the perfect camel for me but she's opted for some lovely but cool-toned shimmers this season.

So you can imagine my glee when I spotted this limited edition Camel polish from Dior. LOVE.

I wear sunglasses year'round, not just for fashion but for eye protection as well. And few things can change up your whole look like a fabulous pair of shades. I'm a bit over those huge bug-eyed versions we've been wearing for the past decade, ready for something a bit different, perhaps a bit more retro.

These Miu Miu Noir collection, while large, still have a vintage vibe, especially with the non-traditional tinted lenses and color combinations.

May have to at least give them a try-on when they're released next month.

There's a beautiful Diptyque store just down the street on Bleecker. It was gorgeous before but now they've just reopened after a renovation and it's even more exquisite. A jewel box of those elegant black-and-white labels and heavenly, intriguing fragrances. Like the Hermes store, a visit to 34 Blvd St. Germain to smack candles on hard pillows and then inhale the scent released in the jars is a ritual. Origami folds of bright tissue paper make them gifts you kind of hate to give away. Anyhow, they're celebrating their 50th anniversary with a new collection of 34 Blvd St. Germain scents. They had three of their parfumers design frangrances, all of which are somewhat inspired by artists and writers. The candle scent, called Curiosities, is described as a combination of old wood, charcoal pencil shavings, amber and paper.

I've been "test-driving" the cologne Eau Mage. As a writer, I love the inky black liquid, almost the color of smoke. The scent is dense and complex, a bit of musk and spices. I like it. It's warm and definitely a sophisticated scent for colder weather. What you want to catch a whiff of on a scarf or glove or the neck of a sweater. (May have to get this, too...)
I've been a big fan of Stubbs & Wooten velvet slippers ever since they started embroidering colorful skulls and pirate motifs on their very classic/preppy flats. They are so comfortable and a bit less expected than a loafer or moccasin.

They now offer bespoke shoes where you can choose the style, color of velvet, trim and then add either a motif or a monogram. And I readily admit, I love anything monogramed.

So just messing about, here's the uber-expensive model I designed. So that's my dreamy shopping list for fall. Not overly extravagant, considering the sky's the limit when it comes to online window shopping.

Now...what's in your shopping cart?