Cage Your Feet....

After the modern YSL caged booties from last years, there is no shortage of caged style shoes for savvy gals to choose this season. I have looked at quite a few pairs but so far am not tempted to take any home yet. For some reason, I can't seen to find comfort and style in the same pair of heels. Darn!!! I really like this particular trend for the modern edgy look.1. Jimmy Choo Cage Peep-toe heels $995 via Nordstrom.com
2. Boutique9 "Driven" $190 via Bloomingdales --- Super unique, very similar to Jimmy Choo from above.
3. Dolce Vita "Victoria" $179.95 via Nordstrom
4. Joan & David "Fernanda" $260 via Bloomingdales --- I have my eyes on these lovelies! If these are comfy, then this pair will be mine. The price is not cheap but not outrageous.
5. Nine West "Imelia" sandals $129.95 via Nordstrom --- I like the style but wonder about comfort level.
6. Miu Miu Suede $775 (6 to 8 via Neiman Marcus) --- Miu Miu shoes are quite stylish this season. I am not a big Miu Miu fan but watch me drool this season.
7. Miu Miu Caged Peep-toe $590
8. Miu Miu Caged Wedge $710
9. Pelle Mode "Intrigue" $189.95 via Nordstrom
10. Vera Wang "Sally" $375 via Bloomingdales

What about you, will you cage your feet this season?

Miu Miu Jeweled Bow Flats

Normally I not not a bling-bling sort of gal but I am unusually attracted to these Miu Miu jeweled flats. These lovelies will look great casual or dressy. A pair of gold jeweled flats will be perfect all purpose accent shoes for many stylish outfits. The cost is high at around $595/ or $575 (I forget), but I think a gal can get much use. What do you think?

Sparkle Chanel Rainboots

Recently a stylish gal pal got herself this pair of Chanel rain boots. I am on the fence with this pair of boots. I can't help but like the flowers attached on the side and the fun sparkle element. However living in sunny Socal, I don't know when a gal will have the occasion to wear this pair of rain boots. It is pretty hard to sing in the rain and have fun splashing around when there is no rain in sight. This Camellia flower element also showed up earlier last year as accent for sparkle jelly thong sandals. I think some of these sandals are still available at Chanel boutique. Now I am sure I will just blame all my purchase on my friends. If they don't show me all their goodies then I am sure I will be pretty good too. Right?! ~ smile. Just kidding, I love my savvy friends!!!
I found a pair of Loeffler Randall cage heels and fell in adoration but after trying these babies on, I decided against the purchase. My toes smashed up against the edge. With this experience, I am pretty sure my toes will feel the same way in the Louboutin cage booties from yesterday's post. Wait, I think my wallet just gave 3 cheers! Have a great Friday! ~ xoxo SG

Let's Go Window Shopping!!!

A lot of people have the misconception SG is a shallow shopaholic because I love fashion and style. Well, that is quite hurtful and untrue as they don't know me at all. Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with fashion in moderation. I don't mind spending money on things I like but I am also savvy about my purchases. Again, I can't say investments as none of my purchases pay out dividend. Well, I say hell to these people since I pay for my purchases and I can't please everyone. I saw this Valentino ruffle tote the other day at Saks. It is adorable and just my cup of tea. The leather is not super supple and soft so the ruffle will have some structure instead. It is $1995 which is pricey but Savvy Sis thinks this bag shouts my name.....
I continue to obsess slightly with wedges as they are more comfortable to wear than some of these sexy stiletto heels. Although I adore this pair of Valentino bow wedge, I am fearful they will become dirty quite easily. Of course, you can those these babies for $495.
A gal just can't go wrong with a Burberry trench ($795), especially with ruffle hem. ~Sigh....

This pair of Christian Louboutin cage booties reminds me of YSL cage short boots from last year. I tried the pair by YSL but found the pair lacking in comfort. I can just see my toes wedge against the mesh. What do you think of this pair at $1595? I find it unique yet I have a nasty feeling this baby will torture my feet..... Tell me I am wrong!!!

image: all via saks.com

Poppy by Coach

Apparently Coach is trying to be sensitive to the new economy. They have realized the importance of producing collections that are somewhat wallet friendly. Recently, Coach introduced Poppy, which is a lot more affordable and targets younger audience, age range 18 to 25. After watching an interview of Coach CEO, I think there maybe retail locations for Poppy in the future.
Most of the bags are reasonable and really fun, at lease in my opinion. I see retail falling between $200 to $400 range.

-Groovy Graffiti Hobo 198 (top left)
-Heart logo tote $268 --- SG likes! (top right)
-Poppy Graffiti Glam tote $198 (bottom left)
-Sequin tote in pink $398 --- Consider buying in silver sequin. (bottom right)
-Poppy tee $58
-Heart ring $128
-Poppy pink sequin flats $138
-Barrette sneakers $88 --- I wonder if these are available for kids. I love to buy a pair of Savvy Niece.

This is definitely a young and trendier version of traditional Coach products. I can't say I like every piece but I will not mind picking up a pieces here and there for fun, even if Poppy is out of my age range. ~ smile. What do you think?

image: all via Coach.com

*Don't forget to enter freshwater pearl necklace here, value at $300.

Valentino Bow Jelly Sandals

If you have been following Savvy Mode, it is no secret I am not a fan of jelly sandals and shoes. Jelly trend started Spring 08 but it should go away by now, right?. In the past seasons, I encountered a few styles which almost had me hand over the credit card but alas my inner savvy gal refused to let go. I am still jelly free today. With this being said, it is also no secret I adore Valentino bow pieces. Ah..... I saw these by accident and I had an instant love-hate reaction. I wished the material is patent leather instead of jelly plastic. Why?????
I really like the style but I refuse to pay $275 for a pair of plastic jelly sandals. Friends, please slap me if I consider buying this pair of sandals. Mr. Valentino, can you please make this in leather or satin and leather combo? What do you think savvy gal, is this worthy of $275?

image: Neiman Marcus

New Year Resolution: Avoid Sky High Alexander McQueen Platform & Clutch

Hello darlings! It is so great to be here with all my friends in 2010. I hope everyone had a fabulous new year eve and day. When I saw these, I couldn't help but admire the unique characteristics of these high high platforms. What statement shoes! With that being said, please someone slap me if I ever consider buying something this high. I have been struggling with 5 inch heels (with .5 inch platform in the front) already. I think my face will definitely become close and personal with the floor wearing these babies. SG and high high heels shouldn't even be in the same sentence. Can someone teach me how to walk in high high heels?

A gal pal told me these are about 12 inches including the platform. These are not heels, they are stilts. Well, if I ever buy anything like these, I will be a head above the rest for once in my life. Hm..... worthy of consideration uh? Is it just me or do they look like lobster claws? Can you imagine walking with these at all?

Last but not least, I will avoid interesting bags that are unique and interesting in theory but perhaps lacking in the utility department. This clutch looks absolutely luxurious but I think I will be tire holding it like the model after a while. Well, savvy gals, what are you going to avoid while shopping this coming 2010?

Chanel Converse Sneakers

The other day I saw these Chanel converse sneakers and thought to myself who in the world would buy something like that. I was flabbergasted at the price too. These cost $495. Ouch. I definitely need to look harder for that money growing tree uh....

OH wait... the younger un-savvy SG would buy something like that. Honestly, these are kinda cute but the price is simply un-savvy to me now. I guess we all have to live and learn.I got this pair of white Chanel Converse sneakers on sale years ago. To be honest I was really annoyed with this pair of shoes. I couldn't have worn it a dozen times and the bottom fell off from under me one day just like that. I had my cobbler sew the 2 pieces together because they were simply too expensive to discard. This was not the first time I had an issue with Chanel sneakers. Perhaps I just had bad luck with them. I didn't have an issue with other Chanel shoes.Instead of those gold and silver Chanel sneakers, I rather like these Converse Chuck Tyalor for $59.95. Both style and price are just so savvy. I am in adoration. What do you think?

image: last image via nordstrom.com

Velvety Winter

First I want to announce the winner of the watch giveaway. After throwing all the names into a hat, the lucky gal is........ (drum roll please).... Sandy of Momisodes. I adore reading her blog. She is sweet and her stories always manage to give me a chuckle or two. Congrat! Please e-mail me your shipping info.
It's been quite chilly here in Socal. I finally rotated all my winter clothes out and stored all my spring-summer pieces for the winter. It is the best to shop from my own closet to keep the wallet happy. I found a black velvet top the other day and thought it would be warm and fuzzy with a cashmere scarf. Velvet always reminds me of soft luxury, holiday, and winter.-BCBG velvet black dress $148 via Nordstrom
-Marc Jacob velvet heart top $198 via Saks.com
-Velvet jacket $175 via Ann Taylor
-Twenty8Twelve blue velvet jacket $415 via Saks.comI usually buy velvet in dark colors but it will be fun to buy one in color like the Effortless Velvet in pink on sale for $139. (image via boden.com) I don't know about you but velvet pants usually make me look horizontally challenged. It is just so unforgiving on a gal. I am eyeing the velvet pants above by Ann Taylor for $70 but don't want to insult myself in the dressing room.Well, I may not be too crazy about velvet pants, but I adore velvet accessories because the feel is pure luxury.
-Red Infinity Velvet scarf $145 via DKNY.com
-Black velvet Tory Burch flats $295 via net-a-porter.com --- I am glad we don't get much rain in Socal because I will not know how to keep them dry and clean.
-Purple Marc by Marc Jacob headband $84 via net-a-porter.com --- Headbands usually give me a headache but I really like the bow.
-Purple Miu Miu velvet bow flats on sale $219 via Saks.com --- Need I say more? I just adore the bow and the style. I can image wearing them with skinny jeans or leggings.
-BCBG Mason Skinny Legging $98 via Saks.com --- I like them but have a nasty feeling I need to be 5 pounds skinnier make them look good on me.

What about you, have you pick yourself a luxurious velvet for the holiday yet?

BF's Grill Cod with Risotto & Update on Nine West Bags

The other day, BF made me a gourmet meal. I was so impressed I had to share the picture. I am mentally patting him on the back again. I asked him to give me the recipe so my gal pals can pass it to boyfriends and hubs. BF actually put this down in writing for me so I can share via copy and paste. Of course, we paired the meal with yummy Kistler Chardonnay. Kistler is fast becoming one of my favorite white wines. BF is really spoiling me with superb wines.

Ingredients for Risotto:

1.5 cups of arborio rice/risotto
5.5 cups of organic chicken broth, low sodium preferred
1.5 cups of organic low fat milk
2 cups of sliced chanterelle and oyster mushrooms
1 diced small white onion
4 TBSP of organic butter
3 TBSP of organic canola oil

Ground pepper to taste
Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Make sure mushrooms are dry after washing. Damp with cloth.
2. Dry saute mushrooms in medium skillet to dry/cook in own juice.
3. Remove mushrooms.
4. Use 2 TBSP butter and 1 TBSP of canola oil and saute diced onions at medium. Add mushrooms.
5. Add 2TBSP of butter and 1 TBSP of canola oil in sauce pot. Add arborio rice and stir.
6. Add 1 cup of chicken broth. Mix in and add remaining chicken broth in 1/2 cup increments as it is absorbed.
7. Add 1 cup of milk after 2 cups of broth have been added.
8. Add sauteed mushroom/onion mix and stir in.
9. Add remaining cup of milk and extra butter (this is because cream was not used in recipe).
10. Requires constant attention to mix in broth as rice cooks. Takes about 45 minutes. Cover pot for last 15 minutes to accelerate cooking.

This is enough to serve 4 ~6 depending on hunger level. You can add or subtract liquid as you see fit depending on the consistence.

***Thanks sweetie for typing this recipe out for me so I can share with my friends. I am sure all their BFs or hubs will make this for them soon. ***

The meal was:

Cod fillet, pan seared with Italian herbs and cracked pepper.
Wok-steamed asparagus and french beans

A while ago I fell in adoration with these Nine West pieces. I wanted a closer look so folks at Nine West were kind enough to sent me better pictures for me to drool over.
What gal can resist ruffle? I can have this on my arm as I enjoy afternoon tea at the Ritz.
I don't usually like print shoes, but these are kinda cute.
Doesn't this just remind you of Valentino? Both bags will retail for $89 in Feb 2010. Wow, can you believe I just type year 2010. Incredible! I hope you enjoy these pictures and the risotto as much as me. Have a great day my darling savvy gal pals.

xo SG

Sequins for the Holiday

I don't know if I should be happy or sad there are so many interesting brands at South Coast Plaza. Anyhoo, I visited the new Miu Miu boutique the other day and was bling-ed out by all the sequins bags and shoes in the store. Although I am not a super fan of sequin I must admit this trend is still super hot and will stay for a little while. I can't imagine using this sequin bag during daytime. It is very snazzy for an evening out though. Savvy Sis joked she would look so stylish at a play date. For day time, I can imagine using a small sequin pouch or clutch or even a large sequin tote with my casual jean look for lunch or just to run errands around town. Basically my day time sequin bag choice will not be too structured.

To be honest, I am not one of those gals who feel comfortable wearing an all bling bling outfit. Well, maybe when I was in my clubbing days. I feel a gal needs to be stick thin to wear an all sequins dress. I don't know about you, but I think sequins have the same effect on a gal as being on TV. They both will add that imaginary 10 pounds. Eeekkk....

left: ABS Sequin Sheer Dress $318 via Nordstrom

right: Herve Leger Sequin Dress $2070 via Saks

Nowadays, I prefer to have sequins accessories or a simple top. A bag, or a pair of shoes will add lots of snazzy style without the horizontal challenged look.

-Pink Tote via Kitson $68

-Black Sequins flats via Kitson $125

-Kate Spade gold sequin bow heels $375 via Nordstrom

-Free People black sequins convertible top $58 --- I love this top because it can be a top or a skirt. In my way of thinking, this top is $29 instead of $58 because the skirt is $29. We like multi-purpose pieces, 2 birds with one stone.

A shiny accessory will definitely add some personality and trend to a gal's wardrobe. I won't necessarily buy the latest fashion ready-to-wear but I will always pick up trendy accessories. It is so much more wallet friendly to buy accessories.

-Vera Wang gold sequin scarf $250 via Saks
-Juicy Couture sequin bib necklace $228 via Shopbop

Have you picked yourself some bling-bling sequin pieces yet?

PS Don't forget Marc Jacob earring giveaway on the right hand bar.

Nine West S/S 2010

This really just proves savvy gals can find stylish pieces at all price points and we don't need to spend an arm and a leg to be chic and in the latest fashion trend. I got a sneak preview of Nine West 2010 SS collections. I must say I am pretty impressed with some of the pieces.This is call the Fresh Start which is very feminine and romantic. This is by far my favorite. I have my eyes on the white and hot pink rose motif bags. Of course there are these lovely bow heels which have this savvy gal salivate. (click on image to enlarge) These pieces remind me of Louboutin and Valentino.
Metamorphosis collection can really bring out the edgier side of a gal.

In the Bizarre is bright and colorful but I can't say it is my favorite.

Neutrally Calm collection offers basic pieces for the season. To me it is the Goldilocks collection, not too hot and not too cold. It is just perfect to add a bit of trend without going over the top for any gal.

Of the 5 collections, I must say Vintage America is the least of my favorite but it is just me. These collections will be in store around Feb 2010. Which is your favorite collection?

image: Thanks to Nine West for all images.

My Issue with Over the Knee Boots

Over the knee boots are the latest rage and personally I do like the trend because a right pair of boots can certainly make a gal look leggy. With that being said, I totally insulted myself the other day when I even looked at a pair of Chanel OTK boots. I put this pair of boots right next to me to size up and it came up almost to my hips. Yeah, trying pulling this on.... I will definitely achieve Puss in Boots look in my 5' 4" frame...... *arrrggh* A gal definitely needs to be at least 6 inches taller to even consider this pair of boots. I ended up trying the flat black pair on right. That one was more reasonable; it came up to my knee which made me felt so much better. However both had ouchy retail prices. The OKT pair was like $2250 and the short pair was $1245.

Even though I like OTK boots, so far I have not been able to find a pair to really satisfy me completely. I figure if I am going to shell out lots of gold coins then I need to be happy with my choice. For example, I looked at the Miu Miu on left (via Saks for $1275) but the shaft is 29 inches. Hello, my inseam is only 31 inch! How is that savvy or stylish???? (definitely Puss in Boots look.....) Then, I looked at another pair at Tod's which was similar to Stuart Weitzman (via Saks for $675) but leg shaft was too wide I looked like a fisherman going for the Puss in Boots look. The circumference of the Weitzman pair is 20 inches and my thighs are 17 inches at widest. I think OKT boots should be more fitted to achieve a sleek stylish look.
In the end, I think I am just going to settle for slightly over the knee boots with a fitted shaft. I like the idea of extreme OTK boots but due to height contraint, I definitely need to scale down and find something that fits me and my need to be trendy. What do you think of extreme OKT boots?

Clogs: Savvy or Not?

-images via style.com

At Chanel 2010 Spring Show, Mr. Lagerfeld brought clogs back from the dead. Suddenly, I am seeing clogs everywhere again. The scary thing is I actually still have clogs from years ago that look just exactly like these Chanels. I have a pair of brown. This just goes, if a gal wait long enough, everything in her closet will become trendy again.1. Celine clogs sale 180 via zappo.com (prod no. 364820)
2. Vera Wang Daisey clogs $325 via saks.com
3. Lucky Brand Maddox clogs $88.95 via nordstrom.com
4. Gucci Janis clogs $745 vis gucci.com
5. YSL brown clogs $695 via saks.com
6. Matisse Footwear Savannah Shearling clogs $135 via shopbop.com
7. Gucci logo white clogs $560 via gucci.com
8. Robert Clergerie Helis clogs $595 via nordstrom.com
-images via style.com

Although clogs are not my favorite shoe style, I still wouldn't mind wearing a pair in a fun sporty fashion. So what will you wear with clogs? At the Chanel show, clogs are paired with lace dresses, feminine suiting, and flirty sport outfits. Back in the days, I will wear clogs with jeans, cute shorts and mini skirts. The only issue I have with clogs is the weight and I tend to trip over myself........ What do you think of clogs, savvy or not?

Falling In Adoration with Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor used to be conservative and for the office. In my corporate climbing days, I used to buy Ann Taylor. This couple of years, AT really did not produce anything to write home about. Not to say AT produced yucky stuff, the company just didn't offer anything for a gal to go gaga over. Well, all this has changed this season. AT is younger and trendy. I will be skipping designer brands this season and spend my money at Ann Taylor instead..... All the designs are stylish and office appropriate without screaming WORKING CLOTHES , not to mention the price is pretty reasonable. Yet, I feel equally comfortable wearing these out for a girl's night out. I think gals from many age ranges will agree these are cute. I picked these for myself:-layered sweater cardigan in grey $90
-grey hoodie jacket $85
-grosgrain trim tank top $45
-peach color ruffle jersey top $65
-black drape front top $55
-bead wool shell $75
-mixed media tier shell $70
-dark boot leg jeans $80
-velvet grey jeans $70 --- I adore velvet in the winter. It so luxurious but so comfortable.-velvet jacket $175 --- Emporio Armani made something similar a few years ago
-trench coat in beige on sale $149 --- A gal can't have too many trench. I don't need another one just I want this one.
-ruffle front coat $250 --- I am drooling over this coat. I adore ruffle and the feminine style of this design.
What gal can resist shoes, right? I am trying to decide which pair I want more, plain and simple or ruffle. Isn't the pair on left very Louboutin-ish? (both $175)
Statement necklace are still very much trendy. This necklace will sure make a statement.
-Smoky pearls and ribbon necklace $65

Will you be running to Ann Taylor like me? See ya there.....