Manolo Madness

PETA would have had a field day on 54th Street yesterday, as Manolo Blahnik's semi-annual sale attracted more mink and chinchilla than Dennis Basso stocks.

The line never dipped less than a city block as the shoe-stapo limited entree to one-out-one-in. Nevertheless, a generally less than patient bunch was somehow able to brave the frigid weather with aplomb when the prize was iconic shoes at 50-70% off.

7 was the size to be with abundant samples, mostly at a very attractive 70 percent off (we don't recommend what woman was seen doing - placing 3 pads in a pair of florescent pink pumps in a sad attempt to make them fit!). H&B scored a stunning pair of maroon snake and leopard mules that make her feel very fancy indeed. Plus, she peeked at the spring line which has her very excited for the next sale.

Manolo Blahnik is located on 54th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue.

Missed Target: Isaac Mizrahi heads to Claiborne

Wa wa wee wa... Isaac Mizrahi is headed to Liz Claiborne to give the sportswear co. a much needed face lift. Leaving Target at year's end, Mizrahi will assume the role of creative director for all categories of better-priced women's Liz Claiborne brand in the spring of '09.

Said Mizrahi in a statement, "[Liz Claiborne] made fashion friendly and accessible, and in doing so, she became every woman's best friend. These are all ideas I treasure and I'm honored to have the opportunity to build on this fantastic legacy and excited to reestablish the label as a must-have. And, as excited as I am about developing Liz Claiborne, the collaboration also affords fantastic opportunities for growth in my own brand."

This news comes fresh on the heels of Monday's announcement that John Bartlett will head Claiborne's menswear, under the label Claiborne by John Bartlett.

Tiffany Sings the Blues

The best kind of birdie - the BLUE bird - dropped by H&B's casa on Monday with a most delightful surprise. Hanging from its beak was an equally blue box containing an unequaled Little Blue Book.

Bound in fine-grained leather, Tiffany's new lined journal is the epitome of my chic and at 3" x 5" sized perfectly to fit in even the tiniest Devi Kroell.

Priced at $45 it's a great gift, and a hauterfly wish-list must! Haute dreams deserve a haute page-turner, and well, blue appears to be the new black.

Available at Tiffany stores.

Cause it feels so empty without H&B

SPLENDID READS!

From the Splendicity community, comes this week's most splendid posts.



BEAUTY
A Touch of Blusher shares initial observations on Spring 2008 makeup collections.
makeup loves me wants to know what you think of Lancome's newest ambassador, Anne Hathaway.
Beautynomics says Thou Shall Take Care of Zee Eyes.
Beauty Gizmo reviews the Artemis Heel Smoother.
15 Minute Beauty Fanatic gives MAC's Mascara X a shot!
Is there anything more refreshing than a hydrating facial mist? Style Goodies thinks not!
To start the new year off right, Wardrobe Oxygen is hosting weekly contests for its readers. This week a Sephora Smokey Eye Kit valued at $71 is up for grabs!
What is 'Mom Hair' and can it possibly be a good thing? Find out at Hot Mama Daily.
The Raging Rouge Beauty Blog has announced the Bourjois Beauty Bounty giveaway! Almost $400 of Fabulous New Product Launches will go to one lucky winner!
Ellen from Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint shares her thoughts on the new Conair Nano Silver Collection.

FASHION
Chic By Nature is loving this bamboo fleece hoodie by Kelly B.
STYLEnosh attends Project Runway alum, Mychael Knight's, launch party for his new collection.
Style Tots Poll : Are Crocs Good or Bad For Babies and Kids?
With the Golden Globes cancelled, Haute and Bothered's way concerned for THIS designer.
The Snarkstress wants you to exercise your right to vote - for Hollywood's most stylish, that is.
Teen Style Lounge has found some ultra cute and affordable spring styles you can wear right NOW!
The Fashionable Kiffen lists five steps to organizing your wardrobe for the New Year.

SHOPPING
Check out 50 Fashion Trends In The Style It Less Closet.
She Knows Best presents the Michael Jordan Air Jordan XX3.
Let's Go Shopping is giving away Cosmetics Worth $78.
The Latest Luxe is ready for an early Valentine's Day treat with the Chloe Saskia Leather Satchel.

H&B issues one giant "It's Not Fair!"

All this talk about dolls is having us revert to near tantrum-antics! On Monday, Fashionista reported about limited edition Chanel dresses for Barbie, and don’t even get us started on missing out on Alber Elbaz’s Lanvin clad porcelain miniatures! But, just when we were coming to terms that we were stuck with Cabbage Patch Kids, WWD salts our wound with this mean tidbit:

Viktor + Rolf are getting all dolled up too, creating 7 antique porcelain minis for an installation at Selfridges. The dolls will be dressed in “standout looks” from their past collections including a black glittered face from fall ’01 and a gold lamé dress with matching gold mesh mask (see above right). Oh, the humanity, we say!

Three of each doll will be produced, and they may be available for purchase after the installation ends in March.

Things That Go Pop

Fourth time’s a charm if you’re Karen Walker — the New Zealand designer not the Will & Grace saucepot. In addition to showing in NY’s upcoming Fash Week for the 4th time, she will be the 4th designer to set up shop at Den, a rotating concept store in the E. Village that’s previously featured Rag & Bone, Cheap Monday and Tim Hamilton. The kiwi, known for her vintage-inspired looks, will showcase her apparel, jewelry and eyewear for 3 months beginning in February.

Den is located at 330 E. 11th Street.

The Biggest Loser: Golden Globes Edition

With the Golden Globes cancelled and the writers' strike threatening the Oscars, one question is on everyone's mind:

What Will ABS' Allen B. Schwartz Do???

Inking the Kool-Aid

Holy day-glo, Batman! The last time we thought about Kool-Aid we were using it to dye our hair back when the term alternative referred to music. But apparently the folks over at Reebok have not just been drinking it but chugging the Kool-Aid.

The sportswear giant has just announced its latest collab and well, we’re guessing it wasn’t much of a coup in tying this one down. Come spring ’08, brace yourself for Kool-Aid kicks, a line of sneakers that are not only inspired by Kool-Aid’s brightly colored drinks but the actual flavors too. The soles of the sneaks are scented to match the corresponding “flavor” of the shoe like cherry red or tangerine orange. No word yet on how it stands up to stinky feet or city streets but hey, we’ve heard of crazier gimmicks in our day.

The line will also feature caps and sweatshirts with that big ole dopey grin. And, while it isn’t our taste (anymore!), its got loads of hipster trucker hat appeal that may very well help it take off.

And now he's dead: Shu Uemura

Somewhere in Japan, tons of mink lashes are dotted with tears. Shu Uemura, the Japanese makeup artist and eponymous skincare company owner passed away of pneumonia at the age of 79. A private funeral was held Friday and a memorial ceremony will be held on January 31st.

H&B's NOT stuck under a heavy piece of furniture

She's just been incredibly swamped and begs your patience!

Moped Mob Hits Alexander McQueen

In another round of moped-riding thievery, Alexander McQueen's East End studio was broken into on December 27th to become the latest in a round of robberies that have included Christopher Kane's studio and the London stores of Marc Jacobs, Roger Vivier, Luella, Anya Hindmarch, Asprey and Sonia Rykiel.

A company spokesperson said that the burglary was not a major one - with the robbers making off with computers (although mainly administrative, not creative) and some handbag samples.

Of all the places to be slender

Too Faced Cosmetics has hooked up with Fuze (the beverage co. shlocked by Jessica Simpson's 5-Factor trainer Harley Pasternak) for a limited edition slenderizing gloss. Now, we're all for standing out in a crowd (lip plumpers were so 2007?) but from a marketing standpoint aren't the lips the only part of the body that women don't want to slenderize? Or is this say, for Pasternak's golden client after she's gone all collagen crazy, yet again?

The "guilt-free lip gloss" - their words not ours - is actually designed to curb appetite but then in describing the varieties they say, "Slenderize Gloss comes in three mouth watering shades: Blueberry Raspberry, Strawberry Melon, and Dragon Fruit Lime." Appetite curbing yet mouth watering. Hmm... We're hoping this is not just a limited edition but a VERY limited edition.

Just Haute & Not a Bit Bothered

That is my wish for you!

Natalie Portman Won't Wear Meat

Unlike most vegetarians, the annoyingly-perfect Natalie Portman puts her money where her mouth is, or in vegan speak - just says "no" when it comes to wearing leather. As a result, when it comes to shoes, she's been relegated to Payless and Stella McCartney (although, we imagine things could be worse). But all that's about to change.

The actress has designed a line of animal-friendly shoes for NYC shoe boutique Te Casan that are (oxymoron?) synthetic yet stylish (witness the red mary janes at left!). The line, which officially goes on sale in February, can be pre-ordered in 2 weeks, starting on January 15th. Shoes will hover around $200 with 5% of the proceeds going to some animal rights org.

Frankly, $200 is a bit pricey for vegan shoes if you ask us, but we're happy to see Te Casan get the press - they are a rockin' shoe store where you can find limited edition shoes from up and comers - in the most fashionable of settings. Te Casan? Te amo!

Breaking: Steve Florio Dies

Steve Florio, the former CEO (and until a year ago, vice chairman) of Conde Nast, has died at the age of 58, reports WWD. According to a company spokeswoman, the cause was complications due to a heart attack.

Sale Update: It's like Xmas Early (oh wait...)

Anya Hindmarch has an absolutely gorgeous array of accessories on sale right now that are all pretty cat-fight worthy. Top picks include:

From top left clockwise
Bogart Tote: Was $995. Now $696.
Annalisa Day Pumps: Were $485. Now $389.
Black patent and navy Jourdan: Was $995. Now $696.
Gold Hand Woven Sydney: Was $895. Now $647.
Savour Kindness Tote: Was $595. Now $416.
Slate Beverly Shoulder Bag: Was $995. Now $695.


Sadly, the best deal is the only item we don't want. If your preference runs towards poodle purses though - you can score the deal of the day:
This ugly little number is now $56 from a purported $800+

T or F: Aj Stewart (of ANTM) models for Bloomies

In perusing Bloomingdales.com, I came across a photo of someone most familiar. Doesn't the pic below look like America's Next Top Model: Season 7's AJ Stewart (bottom pic)? Can anyone confirm? Deny?

Lions. And tigers. And SALES. Oh my!

It's like sale-apalooza today! From 8am store openings to early-bird specials, you can practically name your price on thousands of pieces of merchandise with little more effort than a simple clickity click click.

Today's best sale is at Saks, where they have slashed prices on MJ, Dolce & Gabbana, Giuseppe Zanotti, Pedro Garcia, Prada, Brian Atwood, Chloe, Ferragamo, Adam + Eve, DVF, et al by up to 70%.

Coming in at a close second is Bloomingdales, where sale accessories and apparel are an additional 50% off. H&B snagged this leopard jacket by Fashionista (how apropos!), for $96. Meow!

Kate Spade, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf have also cut merchandise up to 50% but the selection and prices aren't nearly as good as the aforementioned sales. Have you gotten any great deals? H&B says, "Share your wares!"

Happy Happy & Merry Merry