Best Affordable Christmas Wine for $8.99



I don't blog about wine often, but I just had to share this delicious, affordable find.  Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet wine is available virtually everywhere (I picked up mine for $8.99 on sale at Target not too long ago), and it is absolutely delicious and very, very drinkable.  It pairs well with everything from turkey and ham to veggies and dip.  Its a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon -- the Italians love red wine blends, and this wine is definitely a reason why.  Serve this at your next party, and let your friends complement your excellent palate.

The winemaker's notes say this wine shows an incredible nose of chocolate, deep rich blackberries, red fruits and a creamy mocha finish that is unmistakable in its intensity and length, and that it's reminiscent of a blackberry chocolate cupcake with a mocha coulis.  All I know, is that it tastes yummy, and you should try it.



The Dos and Don'ts of Maxi Skirts: J. Crew Edition

Okay, I really actually do adore the J. Crew Summer Stock Maxi Skirt pictured above .  But first, let's talk proportion. The poor chick frankly looks like a bag lady that happend upon a quality sweater in the trash bin.  If you go long and drapey on the bottom, then you need a more form-fitting top to show your shape.  If you pair baggy with baggy, you just look like a bag lady, and nobody wants that.  Now, this doesn't mean that you need something super-tight a la skank city.  Take the J. Crew Floral Chiffon Maxiskirt  pictued below.  The top is a bit more form fitting, allowing you to actually see more of the model's shape.  I probably would have gone even a tad bit more form fitting, but you get the point.  Now, don't even get me started on the color combo....

Seriously? J. Crew Denim Jumpsuit

Photo Source: J. Crew.com

I am pretty much speechless on this one. This J. Crew denim jumpsuit isn't even flattering on the model. I have no idea how on what planet J. Crew thinks this jumpsuit looks chic...and at $298 bucks, I have no idea who is lining up to fork out so much cash for one of these.  Granted, it's only $300 for an entire outfit...if you are trying to look like a clown or a prison inmate.  Yes, there is such a thing as too much denim...and this is an example.

Love: Chanel Wedges...eBay Find of the Week

So cute and perfect for spring, not to mention iconic. Buy them here if you are a size 41/11 and have $600 to spare:

http://cgi.ebay.com/CHANEL-08P-BLACK-CAMELLIA-OFF-WHITE-WEDGE-SHOES-41-11-/130489369846?pt=US_Women_s_Shoes&hash=item1e61c5c4f6

Happy Valentine's Day

Orvieto, Italy - mid-September 2010

Happy Valentine's Day! Spend some time with your loved ones, even if they aren't the traditional "loved ones" -- friends, family, and co-workers that have your back.

Looking Forward to Spring: Wonderful Wedges

Wonderful Wedges by nycandparis featuring wedge sandal shoes

If you are in a place like where I live, there is still snow on the ground, but that doesn't mean I can't start thinking about spring...or summer even. I feel like spring is just around the corner, even if I am still wearing knee-high boots, scarves, and puffy coats.  Watching all of the clothing lines roll out their new spring collections has been contributing to my eagerness to get into the spirit of spring, get in the spirit of spring. I've started zeroing in on my favorite trends, and one of them is definitely wedge sandals in a nude or brown color. There are so many out there in every price point, it is impossible not to find some that you fancy.  Going with more of a nude color definitely works to lengthen your legs as much as possible, especially if you pair them with a shorter skirt, cropped trouser or shorts. But they also look just as good peeking out from underneath longer pants for work, and they still keep their magic leg-lengthening effect.  So what are you waiting for? Go forth and find your own pair of wonderful wedges!

T-Strap Leather Wedges
$650 - saksfifthavenue.com
Wedge shoes »

Calvin Klein Fanya Wedge Sandals
$128 - piperlime.gap.com
Wedge heels sandals »

Chloé Wooden wedge leather sandals
$575 - net-a-porter.com
Wedge shoes »

Braided Wedge
$695 - barneys.com
Leather sandals »

Cross over wedges
205 GBP - harveynichols.com
Wedge heel shoes »

Pour La Victoire Women's Tarissa Wedge Sandal
$151 - endless.com
Strappy shoes »

Cynthia Vincent "Leah" Demi-Wedges - Sandals - Bloomingdales.com
$295 - bloomingdales.com
Wedge sandal shoes »

Back Tie Wedge
$795 - barneys.com
Platform shoes »

Aerosoles At First Plush
$69 - piperlime.gap.com
Shoes »

Sanke-Embossed Leather Demi-Wedge Sandals
$325 - saksfifthavenue.com
Snakeskin sandals »

Womens Soul Cal Wedge Sandals
30 GBP - republic.co.uk
Wedge sandal shoes »

On Sale - Kelsi Dagger - Camellia Flat Strappy Sandal Nude
$54 - moxsie.com
Wedge shoes »

Nicole Able Wedge Sandals
$99 - piperlime.gap.com
Slingback shoes »

Misbehave Women's Nicee Wedge Sandal
$26 - endless.com
Wedge sandal shoes »

J. Crew Avenelle cutout wedges - burnt sienna
$198 - jcrew.com

Rainbow Brights | NET-A-PORTER.COM
220 GBP - net-a-porter.com

Seriously, Why Would You Wear a Bag that Needs a Bra? The Helmut Lang Loki Bag.

So Barneys New York is launching an exclusive pre-sale on Facebook to give people an advance opportunity to buy the bag pictured above, the Helmut Lang Loki Bag.  So the question is, why would anybody be clamoring a bag that looks like it needs its own bra?  God forbid either of those zippers opened in public, and I'd be worried about getting cited for indecent exposure.  Not to knock Helmut Lang, but this bag is not making it onto any "must have" lists . . .

Ann Taylor Sketches: Beautiful on Paper

Photosource: Anntaylor.com

Usually around the beginning of a season, Ann Taylor posts some of the sketches that inspire the designs for the clothes featured in the upcoming season.  I love seeing the images behind in the designs, and how beautiful the fashion sketches are.  I just really wish that beauty of the sketches translated just as beautifully to the clothes.

The top sketch above is for the Blurred Bronze Sheath Dress , which I frankly think is a terrible look.  It screams nineteen seventees thrift shop find to me (not that the seventies or thrift shops are necessarily bad things).  Its just that the fabric, and cut aren't the best they could be.

The second sketch is for the Perfect Trench Topper.  Now, I am a huge fan of a classic trench, and I love the way they can look effortlessly chic and sophisticated, but this trench just doesn't do it for me. It is perfectly cute, and there is nothing wrong with it, but for $228 I just expect a little more out of a trench. The placement of the pockets does nothing for a woman's hips, and the A-line shape are more shapeless than shapely.  The only positive is the collar, which is cute and warm at the same time. 

I still love seeing the sketches, but I am still waiting to see some that are really well translated to the actual clothing.

Seriously? The $900 Camel Toe.

Photo Source: ShopBop.com

Okay, I seriously don't get it.  I just don't get it.  What could possibly be so flattering, such that a woman would be induced to pay $875 plus tax for a pair of booties that clearly define her big toe?  It is like the booties scream, "wear me, and I'll make your feet look like a camel's hooves!" While the split is more noticeable in the camel color, which is my personal preference, you can also find these lovely foot distorting shoes in black (pictured below).  And if anyone figures out the mystery behind these shoes, namely, why the heck they were ever manufactured, please feel free to enlighten me and the general population.  If you really feel compelled to track these down, you can find Maison Martin Margiela Perforated Booties here.

 

Jamaica Photo Diary

Jamaica/New Year's/2011