Holiday Shopping Event

Mark your calendars!

Holiday Shopping Event
December 3rd 6-9pm

RAFFAELE E PAOLA
270 W. 19th St.
B/W 7th and 8th Ave.

NYC
212.633.0828

GUEST HOST: DEREK WARBURTON of Derek Loves Shopping!

STYLE ADVICE
COCKTAILS
HORS D’OURVES
PROCEEDS TO THE BOTTOMLESS CLOSET

eBay Playlist: Searches and Scores

Vivienne Westwood is one of my monthly searches on eBay. These boots are the real deal but alas not my size. Vivienne Westwood Pirate Boots.

Etsy Playlist: Hunting for Handmade

On this week's Etsy Playlist is the shop 57 Thirty Three. I love their dark yet strong graphic imagery. Inspired from pop art, politics, and rebellious silent film stars they print and spray with solvent free, water based inks on American Apparel tees, and hoodies for women and men. Pictured here are two of my favorites (from top to bottom):

Rage is not Revolution; $32. Men's tee.

Anna May Wong Rebel 2 Sided Top; $34. Women's Tee.

Shopping for a Cause: Tom's Shoes

My latest covet: Toms Wrap Boots. The boots are inspired by the colorful leg wraps worn by champion Argentine polo horses.

For every pair of shoes purchased, Tom's will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One for one. Toms has given over 10,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina and 50,000 pairs in South Africa. Read more about their cause. Plus, the boots are vegan if you're anti-leather.

These boots are affordable ($120), lightweight and versatile. Depending on how you wrap them, you can get several different looks. I'm thinking about wrapping them open over contrasting tights so you can see the other color underneath. I love the elfish shape of the foot too. Kind of sleek equestrian meets Lord of the Rings (I may be a nerd but you know those elves were hot).

Tom's also has a separate fun website with styled looks and a video about a "polo widow" who invented the boots. They come in olive (shown above), red (shown below), rust, brown or black. Happy shopping!




Thanks Likecool for finding the awesome boots!

Designer To Watch: Hoakon Helga

I'm in love with this line of handbags by Hoakon Helga. They are super stylish, slouchy, and one of a kind since they are made out of recycled leather. Therefore the leather is worn in, soft, and with subtle details of it's past built in (like it's former jacket pockets). The large bows add a feminine touch that I can't resist. I have the red suede Monarda bag on my new Wists!

Shopping for a Cause: Housing Works Sample Sale

Fashion for Action is a sample sale featuring more then a million dollars in designer merchandise at 50-70% off, open to the public November 14-16 at the Chelsea Thrift Shop, 143 West 17th street.

This year’s benefit is hosted by Marc Jacobs and the organization hopes to raise more then $500,000 for homeless people living with HIV and AIDS in New York City.

eBay Playlist: Searches and Scores

Inspired by Grace's earlier post Exposed, this week's eBay search is for vintage or retro style garter belts. I love this pink and black lace one from Broad Minded Clothing. Truly worth showing off!

Etsy Playlist: Hunting for Handmade

I just want to snuggle up with chunky knits when I'm running about outside in the cold. For this edition of Etsy Playlist I have found Pixiebell Elfinwear. The shop is filled with chunky handmade hats, scarves, cowls, and the very cozy Earthly Fae Hood (pictured above, bottom) which is both a hat and a scarf in one! The colors are muted and neutral and the yarns are eco-friendly and recycled. Prices range from $29-60.

Designer to Watch: REBELDNCE

I've come across an emerging label that I really must share. The new Paris/NYC label REBELDNCE designs "for urban nomads" and I like what I'm seeing. Their look is rugged, downtown, utilitarian and full of attitude. Functional fabrics like anthracite coated denim, heathered wool and heavy jersey are tough enough for work and play. Truly the wardrobe for the urban nomad.

They design for women and men, and I included a pic of their men's pleated denim vest with XXL hood at the bottom because I'd wear it in a second. So far no stores are listed on their website but I'll post an update when they do (the day after I go shopping). In the meantime, feast your eyes. (top to bottom: heathered wool fringe vest, coated denim skirt, coated denim jacket, heavy jersey mini dress, heathered wool cropped jacket & coated denim jodhpur, hooded denim jacket, and men's pleated denim vest.)

Exposed: Garter Belts and Silk Stockings Are Back

Refinery29 first reported on the exposed garter belt trend and I was so enamored of this shoot in V Magazine I had to share.

The Under Cover spread photographed by Coppi Barbieri reads: "Beneath some of fall's hottest dresses, it's as if minimalism never existed." All designer credits are listed on the spread in case you have to have any of the sumptuous slinkies.

This spread is so beautifully decadent it makes me want to wear silk and lace under my clothes every day. It's like how French women say wearing beautiful lingerie makes you exude confidence because you feel sexy. We should all try doing this before piling on our winter layers.

Love Indie Shoe Designer: 80%20

I've been a big fan of 80%20 ever since I met super-cute designer Ce Ce Chin at a shoe show. I started my affair with a pair of hidden wedge booties with fringe (wore them through rain and snow and they're still perfect). Infatuation turned to love when I got my hidden wedge sneakers trimmed in metallic (they made my legs looks svelte in shorts all summer). Now I'm trying to decide on a new pair.

Maybe these hot retro 80's boots (top) or some patent wedge booties to get me through another long NYC winter (bottom).






















Check out how cute Katie White, the lead singer of the Ting Tings, looks in hers. She even tells Elle UK that 80%20 is her favorite shoe designer. (photo, The Independent)