Cheryl Shops

In my last post, I wrote about love, lust, and shopping. To continue with that theme, think about the first month or two in a relationship. Not that is-he-into-me-or-not uncertain period, but that giddy, euphoric, holding-hands, making-out-everywhere, butterflies-in-your-stomach, barely-coming-up-for-air phase. That is how I feel about San Francisco. I wake up to an amazing, sunny view of the city and that pretty much sets the tone for the rest of my day. I feel lucky to be here. That and whenever I fill out an address form, I think, "Oh yeah, I live in California now!" and giggle.

Speaking of addresses, my apartment is right on the edge of Lower Pacific Heights, which I've quickly concluded is the best neighborhood of the city in which to shop. Key in this conclusion is my proximity to the Fillmore Street branch of Steven Alan; I will admit, it reminds me a little bit of home, and I do find that comforting (hey, you never forget your first love, right?). I recently stopped by the store after a few hours of day drinking outside in the sunshine, and I promptly locked eyes on Clare Vivier's Duffle Petit bag. This was no case of beer goggles; it was more like I walked into the bar, er, store and spotted the man, er, bag of my dreams. It's a classic shape with the option of double handles or a longer, adjustable shoulder strap; the size is big enough to hold all the essentials but not so big that you feel the need to overload it with crap. (Ahem, like I used to.) Vivier has also started lining her bags, which is key--I'd been deterred from buying one in the past for that reason alone. What really sold me, however, is that it is monogrammable. In my old age, I'm becoming very vain, and thus I like to see my initials slapped on everything. Sheets? Sure! Stationery? Of course! But those are so practical. Monogramming a bag says, "I'm SO not going to sell this purse on The Real Real six months from now!"

I almost pulled the trigger--after all, I owe myself a bag, which is my traditional present to myself when I get a raise or a new job. However, I have a more immediate concern: furnishing my apartment, which happens to be significantly bigger than my apartment in New York. (That's right, I said BIGGER. First World problems, I know.) So I am on a clothes-and-accessory-shopping diet*, but as soon as I'm ready to binge, I'm marching myself four blocks up the street and slapping down my Amex. After all, once you find The One, you don't want to let it slip away, do you?

*Okay, so I am human. I cheated and bought this garment-dyed hemp T-shirt by Jungmaven and it was the best $30 I've spent in awhile. It. Is. So. Soft. Seriously, new favorite T-shirt. It's for men, so size down; I think I'm seriously going to buy one in every color. Once my shopping diet is over, of course. Of course.  

The weather this week was a revelation. I am writing this from my apartment, whose windows are wide open and letting an unseasonably cool breeze blow inside, thus reminding me that fall will be here before we know it. And this year, dear readers, I intend to buy a leather biker jacket. Not a black one—I am by no means edgy enough to pull one of those off. But I think this AllSaints sage leather biker jacket is just the right amount of cool. The color is somewhere between green and gray, which is much softer and more accessible than black, plus you can wear it with pretty much any other color, since it's still a neutral. It's made of supersoft lambskin, and AllSaints tends to cut their jackets very well with high, snug armholes and slim fits through the body. Of course, a great-fitting lambskin jacket is definitely a piece that requires a bit of investment, and while this one is a fraction of what a similar style by, say, Balenciaga or Rick Owens would cost, it's nothing to sneeze at. Still, I may just treat myself. If this glorious weather sticks around, I may need it sooner rather than later!

I don't talk about my day job here—mostly because I don't want to get fired—but I will say that last week, something rather unexpected happened, which was that I got promoted out of the blue. With that promotion came a raise, and I have a rule, which is that whenever I get a raise, I treat myself to a new bag. Since I was not at all expecting this windfall, I must say, I'm enjoying exploring the possibilities of what to do with it. And while my desires tend toward the classic, part of me wants something slightly more impractical. The current front-runner is the 3.1 Phillip Lim floral Pashli mini satchel, which has "impulse buy" written all over it. First of all, it has the word "mini" in its name, which is code for "way too small for everyday use." Then there's the floral print, which is a bit limiting (or my new favorite fashion word, "specific"). Not to mention the price, which is still a bit above my comfort level. But if I may pay devil's advocate with myself, one of my favorite bags is "mini" (my Balenciaga first), and I carry it all the time, practicality be damned. The floral print is, yes, specific, but with the black trim, it's just neutral enough that you can get away wearing it with everything (hey, it's a statement piece!). And as for the price, well, I'm worth it, aren't I? All I need to sweeten the deal is one of Les Nouvelles' periodic promo codes. Stay tuned...

For the most part, I am very feminine. There are exceptions—I operate the power drill in my household, and I don't cook—but I could never be mistaken for a tomboy. So when it comes to clothing, I try not to dress too girly, because I feel like it would just be too overwhelming. Which is not to say that I don't like pink and ruffles lace—I do—but like all good things, I think they should be used sparingly in one's wardrobe. Valentino is a designer who disagrees with that notion, and I had always written him off because of it. However, two things made me start to rethink the label: One, the brilliant documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor, which made me bawl at the end due to its utter, sheer beauty. Two, the current designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, have given the label a more modern, more wearable aesthetic over the last few years. Yes, there are bows and ruffles, but they are balanced by the toughness of the excellent rockstud accessory line; there is a more wearable element throughout. In other words, the Valentino client probably has a job now. And while my job doesn't pay me quite well enough to afford, say, this $2,200 rockstud tote, there are many affordable options in Valentino's contemporary line, RED Valentino. I am particularly taken with the RED Valentino bow tote, still not a bargain per se, but comparatively a worthy investment at $595. The pink might be overkill, but the black version pictured here is just tough enough. Not to mention a practical size—like I said, today's Valentino girl is a working girl (not that kind of working girl!). I might not be ready for bows on my clothes, but when they add a chic flourish to an everyday tote such as this, I am totally ready to go girly with my accessories.

Let's talk about Yves Saint Laurent. Pardon me, Saint Laurent. The incredibly talented yet perhaps a bit rusty Hedi Slimane took over for Stefano Pilati last year and showed his first ready-to-wear collection, for spring/summer 2013, last October. The collection was pretty much panned by critics, who were perhaps a bit ruffled by the questionable actions of Yves Saint Laurent's publicists. Retailers, however, were reportedly salivating over the very '70s-influenced styles, and, well, after all my years in this business, I tend to side with them. So, apparently, does Gwyneth Paltrow, who was spotted all over L.A. carrying Slimane's duffel bag and igniting many a fashionista's lust for the next It Bag. Hey, we're only human.

So, the collection has finally hit stores, Barneys New York in particular, and while the clothes are admittedly great, I only have eyes for the Classic Duffel. Admit it: It's a gorgeous bag. It's a totally classic shape, and it's not plastered with Ys, like the bags of the Pilati era (which are still great bags nonetheless). It's streamlined and clean, with one outer slip pocket, a detachable shoulder strap, and a subtle, tasteful, small embossed Saint Laurent logo at the front. Clearly there's a new sheriff in town. But like his predecessor's reign, I have a feeling the bulk of the fashion house's revenues will come from accessories, and thus the duffel is priced to get the most bag for the buck: The small size is $2,150 (the medium is $2,650), which puts it higher than even YSL's previous moneymaker, the Muse. The (perhaps sad) fact is that lots of people will totally pay that amount, and, if I had that amount of disposable income, so would I. Like I said, it's classic, and it's a beauty. The clothes may be subject to the whims of fashion critics, but the luxury houses know it's the bags that butter the proverbial bread. Pass the basket.

When I was a teenager, I thought I was fat. Part of this was due to the usual adolescent insecurity, and part was due to the fact that I danced, but even when you weigh 15 or 20 pounds more than the teeny-tiny ballerinas in your company, you feel like an utter cow in comparison. The thing was, I wasn't fat. At all. But it took me a very long time to shake that notion. As in, most of my twenties, and maybe a little of my thirties. So a few years ago, I really started taking care of my body—a big component of this was starting Core Fusion at Exhale, which to this day is the one type of exercise (aside from dance) that I actually like doing. And at some point I realized that not only I am still not fat, I wasted years of my life thinking I was. If I could go back in time, I would tell my 16-year-old self to show more skin, be more confident, wear things that are shorter, tighter, sexier. In other words, dress like teenagers do now!

So while I spent much of my life covering up in tankinis, boy shorts, and other camouflage-oriented swimwear, I've discovered in the last few years that I can wear bikinis. And while the styles I like would probably be considered tame in, say, Brazil, I've found that traditional triangle tops and side-tie bottoms look best on me—and I would venture that with their adjustable, customizable construction, they'd look good on a lot of people, perhaps testament to their enduring popularity. Now, considering how little fabric is involved in bikinis, people often balk at their high price tags, but when you are practically almost naked to the world, you want those tiny triangles of Lycra to be as well constructed as possible, so as to best support and flatter your assets. And, believe me, there is a lot of construction and refinement of fit that goes into a swimsuit. My favorite suits, by Vix, tend to run close to $200, for example, but I firmly believe that when it comes to swimwear, you get what you pay for. (And if you take care of it properly, it can last for several years, if not more.)

MW and I are planning a Caribbean spring break of sorts, which has me eager to replace several of the older styles in my arsenal. The first one that caught my eye this season is this soothing, tie-dyed beauty from a collaboration between A.P.C. and Tooshie, which is a French swimwear label not widely available here. There are 11 pieces in the collection, including some one-pieces and some swim trunks for the guys, but the traditional bikini is my favorite. It's simple, and yet the bottoms are slightly wider on the sides and thus a bit more forgiving than the traditional style. I look at it and just think summer. The stumbling block, however, is the price, which is a bit outside of my swimsuit comfort zone and hence why this qualifies as an object of desire. Then again, I think of all the years I wasted covering myself up on the beach, so maybe it's worth it, to make up for all that lost time. And considering it's only a matter of time before things start sagging and drooping, perhaps there's no time like the present. Carpe diem! Which, in my book, is Latin for "Wear a bikini!"

Sometimes when I write about certain products here on Cheryl Shops, I wonder if any of you, dear readers, will buy them. I wonder about this, because I totally buy things I see on other blogs! This happens especially with personal style blogs (you know, the ones with gratuitous photos of bloggers wearing supercool, sometimes overstyled outfits); all it takes is a beautiful shot of something and I'm typing in my credit card number faster than you can say blogspot. (Which brings me to the inevitable question, should I be taking photos of myself? This makes me nervous for a number of reasons, but as time goes on, I have a feeling it might be unavoidable.) Case in point: the photo at right of Bee from Atlantic-Pacific sent me straight to DVF.com, where, unfortunately, her Ethyl wrap maxi dress is sold out. (If you like the print, however, I suggest the equally delicious Maximos, coincidentally on sale.) Here's the Ethyl in a different print--it's more dreamy rather than graphic, and I think it perfectly captures that '70s-bohemian-in-Laurel-Canyon moment that's happening in fashion right now. At full price, DVF dresses require a bit of an investment, but think of the robust market for vintage DVF--her designs are so timeless, they never go out of style. Which is more than you can say for much of what personal style bloggers wear (Jeffrey Campbell Lita, I'm looking at you).

As loyal Cheryl Shops readers know, I love shoes. Little-known fact: second only to my love of shoes is my love of jewelry, however I don't write about it as frequently for two reasons. One is that I have pretty particular taste, and two is that I have pretty expensive taste, and, after all, this blog is called Cheryl Shops, not Cheryl Covets. However, every once in awhile, I feel compelled to write about something extraordinary, and that brings me to Soffer Ari. Back during Fashion Week, I went to a fine jewelry showroom where, among other designers, I was introduced to his work. Ari started making leather pants for the Sunset Strip's rock stars back in 1995, and his business eventually grew to include leather, sterling silver, and diamond jewelry--you know, the various rock star accouterments. If there's one thing I have a weakness for jewelry-wise, it's that dark, chunky, Gothic, rocker look, and that's exactly the kind of jewelry Ari makes. On his website or at his L.A. store, you can find Maltese-cross cufflinks or earrings for under $200, but the most eye-catching stuff is on the higher end--a decadent mix of luxury and debauchery. My absolute favorite piece in the collection is the diamond-tipped bullet pendant, which hints at something truly scandalous and rock-and-roll but is, I am assured, nonfunctional. It carries a true rock star endorsement--Guns N' Roses' very own Slash (yes, Slash!) has one, as pictured here. It comes in two sizes, as well as in a diamond-less version, but I think the black diamond is the most striking. Of course, it might take a headlining gig (or several) to afford it, but what's more rock-and-roll than splurging on something supercool?

For the last three days, Tommy Ton has been posting gratuitous shots of Celine clothes, shoes, and bags at his Jak & Jil blog, each post filled with more drool-worthy items than the last. He kicked off with a two-paragraph analysis from T's Sally Singer, and I fully agree with her assessment: Phoebe Philo's designs combine luxury and utilitarianism into a new minimalism that looks more modern than anything else out there at the moment. Philo, as you may know, started under Stella McCartney at Chloé, then took over the house when McCartne left and remained there until early 2006, when she left to spend more time with her family. Philo joined Celine nearly two years ago, and has since transformed the brand from a stale old French house to one of the most directional and influential around.

Celine can currently be found at Barneys and Bergdorf's in NYC and at the Celine store in Bal Harbor, Florida; sadly, it's not sold online, however a handful of the bags and shoes recently turned up on Bluefly for about 20% off retail (not bad!). I, however, am holding out for this hobo--quite possibly one of the most perfectly luxurious and chic bags I've ever seen.

The story of my life, basically, is that I have champagne taste on a beer budget. Of course, this has forced me to become a better shopper, and "never pay retail" are words I've come to live by. There are exceptions to this, however, and here's where we come to my kryptonite: perfume. Like most beauty products, it almost never goes on sale, and when it does (discontinued, gray market), you probably don't want it. I find everything about perfume seductive: the back-lit shelves, the scent strips, the pretty bottles, the way the scent interacts with your own chemistry, the fact that you can look like an absolute wreck, but the second you envelop yourself in a cloud of scent, you feel as glamorous as you want to be. All of these qualities are magnified with niche scents, and one of my favorite lines is Bond No. 9, whose MO is to name their rapidly expanding roster of fragrances after NYC neighborhoods and streets. Bond No. 9 tends to draw the most attention for its bottles, but, thankfully, they chose a more subdued (yet still totally glam) design for their new Bond No. 9 Signature perfume. I say thankfully, because the perfume is so fantastic, I'd hate for it to be overshadowed by the bottle. The star of Bond No. 9 Signature is the trendy oud, plus notes of rose, tonka bean, and musk; it sounds simple, but the result is incredibly rich, warm and creamy. The lasting power is fantastic--I sprayed it on my arm in the early afternoon, and by the time I went to bed that night, it was still in full effect, not to mention the coat I was wearing that day still carries a faint trace of the scent. (It reminds one of a line about women and their perfume from a Sondheim song: "Even when they leave, they still are there.") Ingredients that smell so divine and last so long do not come cheap, however, and at $330 for 3.3 oz., Signature is Bond No. 9's most expensive scent (save for those that come in Swarovski-crystal-encrusted bottles). Still, that much perfume will last a long time (especially when it's so potent), and the cost is a fraction of what, say, a designer handbag would cost. And while it might not be on sale, it's currently Beauty Week at Saks, meaning you'll at least get a sample-filled tote bag with your purchase--which, in the beauty world, is almost as good as a sale.

Years ago, I was admiring my then-boss's boots, which were a gorgeous warm lilac color, in buttery-looking leather with a spindly, sculpted heel. "They're so comfortable!" she gushed. "They're Jimmy Choo!" Those boots likely cost more than I made in a week, but they certainly stuck in my mind. Under the direction of Tamara Mellon, Jimmy Choo has since ventured into a flashier, ultra-fabulous direction, but with the launch of Choo 24:7, the company is getting back to its roots with a capsule collection of more iconic, classic styles. Prices start at a reasonable $415 for flats (but, really, who wears Jimmy Choo flats?), and $495 for a classic mid-heel pointy-toe pump and slingback, which, in spite of being practical and classic, are still quite sexy (it's all about that elegant Choo stiletto). Prices--and sex appeal--creep up with the peep-toe platform and this lovely-looking wedge sandal. Two of my favorite pairs--which, of course, are the two most expensive--are the Private platform sandal and the Glenys gladiator sandal, both with, again, that sexed-up Choo heel. Nevertheless, these are investment shoes--take good care of them, and you'll have them for years. The best part? I can picture my boss in all of these, but, even better, I can picture myself in them as well.

Being a New Yorker, I have a lot--possibly too much--black in my closet, particularly when it comes to blazers, skirts, pants, and boots. Counting everything from booties to knee-high boots, I'd estimate that I have at least 10 pairs, most of which I do routinely wear, and this year I will probably buy at least another pair. (Because, hey, they're all different!) My last few purchases have been booties, which I've found work with both pants and skirts, and while I have a patent Sigerson Morrison and a cutout Loeffler Randall, what I don't have is a great platform bootie. Which is why Alexander Wang's Anya booties are totally perfect. The 5-inch heel will put me over 6 feet tall and elongate my legs in this season's ultra-skinny pants, while the 1.25-inch platform will help with the comfort issue. The sculpted heel is ultra-hot, and the pleating gives the bootie an interesting texture, avoiding the fin-like effect that some booties can have on one's feet. In fact, the only thing that's not perfect about them is the price: $590. However, unlike Wang's drool-worthy handbags, they aren't sold out everywhere, which at least makes them attainable--and in light of how much a pair of Louboutins or YSL shoes costs, $600 for boots almost seems downright reasonable. The Anya boots are also available on Wang's newly-launched e-commerce site in black or in chalk, with a forward-thinking clear heel (a look that's been showing up all over the spring runways). Hey, what's another pair of black boots when I already own 10?

Object of Desire: Donna Karan Eldridge Tote
The days of the It Bag may be over, but I am always thinking about my next bag. For fall and winter, I definitely prefer a black bag--better to hide the seasons' grime, and black looks best with my leopard coat--and while I already have two or three serviceable black bags, I kind of want a new one. The thing I love about my current purse, the Botkier James hobo, is that it has both a shoulder strap and a longer, crossbody strap, a best-of-both-worlds situation which allows me to have my purse and wear it too, if you will. I would, however, like something a tiny bit bigger and, ideally, something that inspires me to break my compulsive purse habit.

Enter Donna Karan's Eldridge Tote. Much like her ingenious cozy wrap sweaters, the bag can be worn multiple ways: Lengthen the strap for a crossbody style; button the sides and shorten the strap for a hobo; unbutton the sides for an expanded tote; or tuck up and button the ends for a much more compact version. Even the silver charm that comes with the bag can be worn shorter and wrapped or long and dangling. In other words, you can wear this bag so many ways that if you get tired of it, the only step left for you is purse rehab. For those of us still suffering through It Bag flashbacks, the Eldridge has an understated--yet, with its Fortuny-inspired pleats, still luxurious--look that's perfect for these don't-flaunt-it-if-you've-got-it times. It's so stunning, perhaps Lindsay Lohan thought it would distract us from the fact that she's not wearing pants in the above photo. Of course, this bag does take a lot of "it" (cash, that is), with a price tag of $1,495, however, that's significantly lower than many comparable bags, which can run well over $2,000. And when you look at it as four bags in one, that's like less than $400 a bag, which certainly less than I've spent on my last few bags. Nothing like a little math to justify a splurge, but with so many ways to wear it, the Eldridge is worth the investment.

Object of Desire: Stella McCartney over-the-knee boots
Ironically, as the weather in NYC has finally started to warm up, I've started thinking about fall. Crazy, I know. But fall's runways were all about the legs, and one item that just kept cropping up everywhere was thigh-high boots. Seriously, if there's one item worth investing in for fall, it's boots, and be prepared to wear them with everything from dresses to boyfriend shirts and blazers (hey, who needs pants anymore?). Over-the-knee boots are slowly starting to trickle into the stores (expect more later in July and August as stores clear out their spring/summer merchandise), and one of the first to arrive is Stella McCartney's over-the-knee boots. Yes, they're faux leather, but being owned by the Gucci Group has its advantages--all of her shoes (and bags) are manufactured in Gucci's Italian factories, so the quality is high, from the balance in the sole to the fit in the leg. While not exactly a bargain, the boots are a fairly good value for the money, and keep in mind that real leather boots will be significantly more expensive. They're also, obviously, animal-friendly, if that's your thing. The boots aren't in stores yet (they're only available for pre-order), but that will hopefully give you enough time to save up for a pair.

Object of Desire: Proenza Schouler PS1 Bag
Proenza Schouler has been in the news recently more because of Kiefer Sutherland's head-butting of co-designer Jack McCullough's nose, but the duo definitely deserve attention for their new line of handbags. Which, if you think about it, is kind of ironic, because unlike the flashy, logo-heavy designs of the past decade, Proenza Schouler's PS1 bags are understated, clean, and almost anonymous--which is key in these recessionary times, where flaunting one's luxury accessories is seriously declassé. The bags are, however, quite luxurious, with prices to match: a small leather clutch is $895, medium day bags are $1595, and large bags are $1995; python versions of these range from $1735 to $4250. All are gorgeous, of course, but if you want to really splurge, why not go for the $14,400 large PS1 croc bag? Yes, for that price you could get a Birkin, but the PS1 doesn't have a years-long waiting list, nor does it shout conspicuous consumption. With its crossbody strap, it's also much more youthful--a sought-after quality among the fashion flock. It bags may be dead--or perhaps hibernating--but if there's any bag that can rouse us from our deep sleep, I think it's the PS1.

Object of Desire: Goyard Trunk by Assouline
With all of the heavy "recessionista" reporting going on in the media lately, leave it to the New York Times to write a rather amusing article about the rich shopping on the down-low in today's Style section. Ridiculous premise aside, the takeaway is that there are still a lot of wealthy people in this city, and they've got money to spend. If I were one of them, I'd spend it on this limited-edition Goyard trunk, filled with 100 Assouline books. Revolve Clothing, a Cheryl Shops favorite normally on par with Shopbop and the like, is offering "The List" this holiday season, a series of one-of-a-kind supergifts, kind of like the random million-dollar gifts in the Neiman Marcus catalog. Their first offering is this pristine white trunk, a collaboration between Goyard, the famed French luggage maker, and Assouline, the French publisher of art books. I've sung the praises of Goyard before, and I love Assouline's little biographic fashion books--they're light on words and heavy on photographs, and you can usually find them in used-book stores, so I pick them up whenever I can, because they make wonderful references. So I don't know what's more appealing--the old-school Goyard trunk or the mini Assouline library. Of course, for $20,000, that money could probably be better spent making a donation to an actual library, but I doubt any library houses its books so stylishly.

Object of Desire: Boucheron Delilah necklace
A few weeks ago, I dragged TiltzyBeauty with me to see the Desir show at Spiegelworld down at Pier 17. The show just closed on Sunday, but, in case you were wondering, it was a Cirque du Soleil-esque cabaret show featuring nearly every socially acceptable sexual fetish (whipped cream, cross-dressing, bi-curiosity, etc.), presented in an artsy, Moulin Rougey, 1890s Paris kind of way. The more important part is that Boucheron was one of the sponsors of the show, and in fact they had a tiny pop-up store set up within the Spiegelworld sprawl. (Boucheron, in case you haven't heard of them, is a 150-year-old French jeweler known for outfitting Maharajahs and movie stars, and is now owned by PPR, making it a cousin of Gucci, Balenciaga, YSL, et al.) Whether anyone actually purchased anything there, I am not so sure, but Tiltzy and I definitely ogled all of the goods--jeweled animals, geometric pieces, and even bejeweled sunglasses. But the piece that I couldn't take my eyes off was the deceptively simple Delilah necklace. Designed to look like a scarf, it's a long woven gold necklace with gold chain fringe at the ends, designed to be wrapped or tied around the neck. It's absolutely stunning. It's also $17,000, but a nice little feature of Boucheron's new e-commerce site is that you can hide the prices--and, hey, what you don't know won't hurt you.

Object of desire: Loeffler Randall cutout booties
Remember Tuesday when I said I wasn't excited about fall yet? All it took was one email from Saks Fifth Avenue, featuring these gorgeous, gorgeous cutout booties from Loeffler Randall to start visions of sweater dresses and black opaque tights dancing in my head. Now, last year I was a little on the fence about booties; my compromise was high-heeled oxfords. But this year, I am totally ready to rock the ankle boots with skirts. I think the reason these booties appeal to me so is the cutout--showing a bit of instep is sexier than wearing a regular old boot, and it almost gives them the look of a pump with some sort of footless tight or sock, rather than a straight-up bootie. I am in love. At $575, I'm going to have to save up my SaksFirst gift cards for them, but I have a feeling it will be worth it. They will be mine--oh, yes--they will be mine.

Object of Desire: Golden Goose boots
I have been looking for the perfect pair of brown riding boots for what seems like forever. The shade needs to be not too dark; the toe not too pointy nor too rounded; the sole not too chunky; and the hardware not too ostentatious. I hate any kind of boots with zippers, so it needs to be a pull-on style. And while I realize that some breaking-in will be necessary, I'd prefer a softer leather that will age better. So when I got an email a few days ago about Golden Goose's boots at shopbop.com, I thought I had found my perfect pair. Witness the Charlye: perfectly broken-in, the perfect shade of brown, the perfect shape, and so on. Not so perfect? The price. $1,050, to be exact. That's two pairs of Louboutins, to put things in perspective. I'm even more incredulous that they're almost sold out. Regardless, I'm somewhat relieved that my size is no longer available--it wasn't meant to be. In the meantime, my search for the perfect riding boots continues...

Object of desire: the Balenciaga motorcycle messenger bag
Speaking of luxury shopping, there have been mumblings about the death of the "it bag" this fall, something that perhaps everyone but luxury retailers and magazine editors would be open to--I know I would be. So I was happy to see this story in the Times today about anti-it bags, little purses worn across the body or on the shoulder with a long strap. They're not exactly cheap, but they're not the obnoxious, gargantuan swinging from the elbow of every Hollywood starlet and Long Island housewife either. I am totally behind this--I'm currently in the market for a cross-body bag, actually--except I need something a little bigger.

So what a coincidence that I should receive an email today from Kirna Zabete, announcing the arrival of Balenciaga's fall line, including the delicious motorcycle messenger bag pictured below at left:



I've resisted buying a Balenciaga bag in the past because they've fallen victim to street-vendor syndrome: When you can buy knockoffs on every street corner in New York, the original suddenly looks a lot cheaper. However, I've noticed that after a dalliance with Marc Jacobs' Stam bag, the vendors have moved on to the Goyard St. Louis tote (or "Gooyar," as I've noticed the bags actually say). So maybe the time is ripe for a Balenciaga messenger. The version pictured here is $1,125, but if anything is worth a splurge, it's a handbag--if you break it down on a yearly cost-per-wear basis, it's like $3 per day. (Hey, it's cheaper than your daily Starbucks habit!) Don't you love how I rationalize things? Seriously, though, if you're going to drop the dough on a luxury item, why not do it on one you're going to use every day, right? Right.