Recission Perk

One potential upside of the recession is that 'Cheap Fashion' has now become all the rage and perfectly acceptable. While people may have shopped religiously at F21 and H&M, they may have been hesitant to own up to the true origins of their favorite top, jeans or handbag. Now that the 'public' has fully embraced this trend; it seems like designers are more and more willing to associate their brand with this fashion providers. Drum roll please.... Jimmy Choo is designing a line of shoes for H&M. I can honestly say I thought that would never happen, but I am very excited for JC's debut. Who knows maybe H&M has decided to step it up after the smashing successes that Target has had with their Miss Tricia line, but I am liking what I am seeing!

Flat Attack

Coming up on 5 months in SF, I have learned my lesson; if you want to wear heels, stash some back-up flats in your purse because those hills are DANGEROUS. You will break you ankle; it is just a matter of when. Now in order to pack this back-up shoe collection, I have to carry a bigger bag than I would like. No super small clutches when you have to carry around some flip-flops. Luckily, SF is not the only place where ladies run into this problem, and Katie Shea (left) and Susie Levitt at CitiSoles have developed a folding shoe that you can quickly stash in your purse. The upside: you can finally sport those envelope clutches with ease. The downside: what to do with the heels...

A Little Sunshine in Your Life

I am a big fan of the bright colors whether it be in the form of dresses, flowers or eyeshadow (at least in high school). These bright shiny friends will definitely add some pizzazz to your spring / summer dress collection. Just consider it a reward for all of your toiling in your drab blacks and grays this past winter.

ShoeDazzle or ShoeRip-Off?

Kim Kardashian recently started a company called ShoeDazzle. Essentially you answer a couple questions so the website will have an idea of the type of shoes you like; you pay $49.99 a month to receive a pair of shoes (I guess you can opt out if there is nothing you like); you are mailed a pair of shoes and either you can keep or return them. It is awefully hard to judge the merit of the company on the surface. Personally I didn't care for any of the styles shown on the site. One piece of the puzzle I didn't understand was if these shoes are designed by Kim & Company if they just send you shoes from another designer. I have always wanted a personal shopper to be fair, but somehow I don't think Kim and I have similar tastes... at all. An interesting idea to be sure, but I am sensing a crash and burn kind of like her reality tv career, but at least she has Reggie.

Uggs Schmuggs

I am deal finder. I hate to overpay, and in my opinion buying a pair of Uggs is a total ripoff. Granted I completely appreciate what they have done for women's footwear. They have turned the tables and justified comfort over fashion so two thumbs up to them for that breakthrough. However, their price gouging is less noteworthy when you can get a pair of Bearpaws that are amazingly comfortable for at least half the price... you don't have to tell me twice. So my hat goes off to Uggs for saying down with fashion, hello comfort, but I would rather save my extra $75 towards something else.... like Bearpaws in black and brown.