The Ooooooo-Weee! (More intense than a normal fashion fix, here's what has me feenin')

Happy Birthday to Me!









Yesterday was StyleScrybe's birthday. (Don't worry... I'm still accepting well wishes, gift cards and presents.) There are quite a few pluses to having a birthday in early August: you can easily do something outdoors to celebrate (lunch on the outside patio of your fave restaurant, for instance), it's a great time to take a cruise (next year!) and you can wear your sexiest skirt and most incredible sandals! The one semi-minus is the fact that it's hard to find peridot jewelry that's cute, affordable and doesn't look like your crazy aunt's costume jewelry. If you're a light green gem girl like me, this post is for you. As I was shopping for my gift to myself this year, I came across a couple of cute pieces featuring the stone that symbolizes faith. What I like most about these is that they work whether your wearing jeans or a dress, and they're all less than $200! Now, if during your shopping you decide you'd rather get me one of these than the Donna Karan bag from a few posts ago... have at it sister!

Five, Six, Pick Up... (Hot Summer Flats)

Thong Song
StyleScrybe's got a little limp these days. (I can't reveal all the details, but I suggest not holding your drunk homie's hand to guide her through the club because she might take you with her when she falls. So much for secrecy, huh?) In addition to the pain in my knee, there's also some sorrow in my heart; I've had to stay off my stilettos for a while, so this summer, I'm an involuntary "flattie girl." Not one for looking blending in, I'm avoiding flat gladiators. That basically means I've had to "maintain my sexy" in hot, jeweled thongs (get your mind out of the gutter... I'm talking about sandals, silly). Whether you're anti high-altitude shoes, headed on a late summer sabbatical or hobbling like me, I figured you might be also in the market for a pair or two. With so many pairs out there, you may get overwhelmed, but here are five I found to get you started no matter your budget.

Flat Trippin'

Sometimes you just want something you can throw in your suitcase that's as light on your wallet as it is heavy on style. Bamboo's Joanie78 sandals are right up your alley. They're only $9.99 on Cutesygirl.com.Layin' Low

Some of you want something that's sturdy and versatile enough to take you through the summer, whether you're wearing a maxi dress or a mini. Mastisse's "Lydia" ($48.92 on Endless.com) and Franco Sarto's "Marquis" ($79.99 at Nordstrom) are just what you're looking for.







Keepin' it Short

Every now and then you come across a pair that you wanna wear forever (even after your injury heals). For that, you'll pay a little more, but the consistent compliments make them worth it. Get some go-with-everything multicolored ones like the "Annette" by Cynthia Vincent ($139.99 on Piperlime.com) or the "Navajo Jewel" by Jack Rogers ($125 on Jildorshoes.com).

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might (I'll have this Donna Karan Tote when My Pockets get Right!)

Leo and Behold

Let's pretend I won the lottery, had a visit from my fairy godparent (he or she's out there somewhere, I just know it) or found some other way into a whole lotta chedda. If said fantasy were to come true, please believe a MAJOR shopping spree would be very close to the top of my to-do list. 'Til that happens, let's play a little game of "that's my bag."

StyleScrybe's birthday is quickly approaching, and while it's not time for cake and candles yet I'm already closing my eyes and making wishes. One such wish is that some benevolent soul will buy me the oh-so-timeless Modern Leo Large Tote by Donna Karan (or pay me enough to buy it myself). It's neither trendy nor headed for "it-bag-dom", but it's classic, stylish and durable... the kind of thing that may last longer than most first marriages (another wish on my list). The $1895 price tag is about as hefty as the bag will be once filled with shoes, notebooks and makeup, but the hand crafting and sturdy shrunken lamb leather make it well worth the price.

If you'd like to contribute to the birthday bag fund, please holla at a sista and let me know where to send the collection envelope. Until then, keep an eye out for me at traffic lights with a squeegee.

Five, Six, Pick Up... (Hot Shoes for Barbecues)

Fourth of July Fly

It's Independence day, and while some people still really celebrate the United States' liberation from England, I'm sure there are a bunch of folks who are happy to have a few days of freedom from the office. Oh, plus there's the parties, cookouts and great food. You've already decided which invitations you're accepting and which dishes you're bringing where. The only dilemma: what do you wear on your feet? Stilettos get stuck in the grass, but it can be hard to look hot in flats and flip flops (vacation suggestions coming soon, though). Don't forget you might stop by that pool party at some point, and your girl made sure the guy lineup is tasty as her famed apple pie. My suggestion (by now y'all know it's the StyleScrybe way to stand above the crowd): W-E-D-G-E-S to accent your patriotic palette. All the choices out there may have your head spinning faster than a fireworks pinwheel, so here are five choices I've found to get you started:

Almost Free

If you've already blown most of your weekend budget on food and booze for the barbecues, you'll love how little stores want for these shoes. Cutesygirl.com is only charging $39.99 for these darling blue gingham "Wabi" wedges by Classified, and Amiclubwear.com only asks $18.99 for their adorable blue slingback platforms.
















For the People (with a little change to spare)

You're bringing chips and beer everywhere. Among friends, your top priority is your gear, and it's clear. (I won't tell them You bought the good stuff for your family's grill, my dear). Spangled-banner red is the way to go for you. $93 isn't much to spare at Zappos.com for these edgy graffiti-heeled "Cassidy Too" wedges by Zinc. If you're more of a pinup princess, $75 is a proper price for RSVP's "Farah" red patent pretties.














Ruling Class Only

Democracy isn't digging into your pockets (because then how'd you buy such gorgeous shoes?). You'll be at the country club this weekend, right? Even with all the bbq sauce around, you can afford to wear white. In these Dolce & Gabbana wedges, you'll be quite a sight. (OK, enough rhyming) Pop over to Neiman Marcus and drop the $595. I don't know if I've ever seen a more patriotic pair.

Just So Ya Know... (web time-killers)

Just One of Those Daaaaayyyys... That a Girl Goes Through...(c'mon, sing it with me)

StyleScrybe truly doesn't feel like doing anything productive today. I know you know the feeling (shhhhh I promise I won't tell your boss). Anywho (spelled it that way intentionally), I've decided to share some of my favorite ways to kill time online, listed in no particular order. If you have any of your own, please comment... I'm sure the other gals will be glad you did.

Websudoku.com is free, has literally millions of games and lets you see how your skills stack up against other players. (I can't seem to get past the 50th percentile... I don't let it get me down, though. I'm smart... reaaalllly I am!)


We all have to stay in touch with our inner- stylist/ wannabe art director, right (or is that just me)? At Polyvore.com you get to put together entire outfits using images from all over the web. Then, add little extra touches and voila! you've got yourself a collage. Send it my way when you're done, and check out mine too.


I first learned of this logophile's lovetoy from GalaDarling (she's the bomb-diggity, especially if you're having a bad day). You go to Wordle.net and enter whatever words you wish. Then, specify how you'd like them laid out, your fave font and your color pallette. In a few minutes you have a picture that's worth... well... however many words you want.


Shopaholics, stylelaholics and even salelaholics, this is the spot for you. Once you download the plugin, the self-proclaimed personal shopping engine lets you clip items from all over the net and save them to your own personal style list. Based on your selections, the Stylefeeder.com staff suggests more. Plus, you can choose style buddies, rate items, create wish lists and give other users your opinion on what they've chosen. (Head on over and look me up... you know the name).


Blogthings.com- OK for this one you have to be reeeaaallly bored and longing for the YM days (did I just age myself there?). Sometimes it's kinda fun though. It's one of those sites with a bunch of quizes you can take and then share the results with your friends on Myspace and Facebook.

PS...

Are y'all tired of posts without pics yet? Let me know... just trying to make this thing a little more well-rounded, but more clothes comin' soon!

Just So Ya Know...

1.2.3.4.5. I'm Alive!!!

Sooo... um... er... uh... you know how sometimes you don't call a friend for a while and then feel guilty, so you don't call for an even longer while because you think said friend may be mad or something? Well, StyleScrybe has done that exact thing to all my cyber-girls (AGAIN). My bad. I hope you haven't given all the way up on me yet, though. I've been traveling quite a bit, so this go round, I'm just going to catch you up on a few things that grabbed my attention recently... then we can get back to our (semi) regularly scheduled programming.

1. Freedom Party at Canal Room in NY- If you're in the area and want to dance the ENTIRE night with a great crowd, make your way there ASAP! I normally don't like regular Friday night parties (I'm a little bougie... sue me), but this one had me doin every dance from "the butt" to the "bogle." I'm mad I missed the first 5 years of Freedom.

2.
J Holiday- I can't lie, I semi-slept on his vocal abilities. However, a few weeks ago he sang the National Anthem beautifully at Big Tigger's Celebrity Basketball Game in DC. I got a chance to chat with him afterward, and he's a cool cat, so I'm officially an advocate.

3.
Carol's Daughter Gelee de Soleil Browning Oil- On a recent trip to South Beach with the Cutie Crew, we laid out on the sand to score some of the Sun's smooches (yeah yeah, I know). One of my girls pulled out this beach in a bottle, and i fell in love instantly. It's got SPF 15 (again, I know), so there's a little UVA/ UVB protection, and my tan was puuuurtee after my trip.

4.
Smirnoff Watermelon Vodka- A very good friend of mine put me up on this perfect summer libation. Throw a few ice cubes in a glass, some watermelon chunks and as much of this smooth, sweet goodness as you can handle. It sho' am good! (I tried to resist, but I couldn't... have a sense of humor... kay?)






5.
Rimmel London 60 Second Vinyl Shine- Girls on the go still gotta get their "shine" on, and sometimes when you're stoppin' shows, there's no time to stop at the salon. This stuff got me right in one coat and one minute. My shade of choice is the fantastically fuschia "Stop Traffic."

Mad Props...

I Wanna Take a Minute or Two to Give Much Respect Due...

You know how sometimes you read this blog and ask, "Why can't I write like that?" (Just nod and smile... make a sista feel good.) Well, I had that exact thought today while reading Cintra Wilson's "Open -Toed Fetishes" in the Critical Shopper section of the New York Times. In it, she describes a recent trek to the Louboutin outbost on Manhattan's upper east side. (She pretty much had me at "Fetish") What got me, though, was the way she described said shoe 'sperience so hilariously that i could have sworn it was an episode of some sitcom. One of my favorite parts was her telling of a fellow shopper's shoe triumph:

"Suddenly, a miracle: Lil’ Tesla, whose stature could best be described as compact and sturdy, had successfully donned a variation on the unattainable Nude. Shazam! Her legs looked instantly toned, tanned, considerably longer and gleaming as if illuminated by flashbulbs.

I suddenly understood why everyone in the shop was so miserable. I was blind; now I seethed."

If you get a chance, check it out. If the words don't get to you, the photos of Christian's shoe confections will. Plus... it's always cool when you can start a sentence with, "I was reading the Times yesterday, and..."