Head in the Sand

Reminiscent of Kate Spade's bright "Head in the Sand" handbags ("Cindy" in Tangerine pictured below), ShoeDazzle is releasing a modern, stylish ostrich-look envelope clutch called the Samsun for April. It is available in three gorgeous colors and is a great buy for your spring wardrobe. Pair the tan purse with some eye-catching nails in a bright color (like Maalouf's "Aphrodisiac", essie's "mesmeized" RGB's "Coral", essie's "pretty edgy" or Deborah Lippman's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun") and one of this year's on-trend nude platform pumps. Use the orange or red purse to use as a "pop" color with an all neutral-colored ensemble. The Samsun clutch is $39.95 with free delivery. Click here to join ShoeDazzle and get 20% off your firs item.

March's Crushes

All throughout February I was a super exercising machine! I have gotten a lot of positive feedback about my formerly pencil-like limbs gaining muscle and definition. It has been so great that I have maintained excitement about working out and about things related to my exercising efforts. As a result, my biggest crushes are again more sporty than posh; but, they are also more practical for everyday than my crushes often are.

I spend a lot of time in LnA's Jane Muscle Tees. They are typical of LnA's loose, comfy style, plus the light fabric and sleeveless cut, make them great for throwing over a sports bra to workout. I got mine from HauteLook, but, now, LnA's website has them for the same $15 price I paid.

I developed a love for Naked Juice's Protein Zone which has 30g of whey & soy protein per bottle (16g per serving) and is made from real fruit with added nutrient "boosts" but no added sugar. It also comes in a 100% recycled bottle. There are two other flavors, but the pina colada flavored original is my favorite.

Watch Instantly. iPhone app. Enough said.

Newly toned and in shape body.

These mesh running shorts from Nike are another new staple in my drawer of exercise clothes. They are breathable and comfortable and just perfect for my daily one mile run.

This Thermos SiPP tritan water bottle that I picked up from Target is great for getting me hydrated. I stuff it full of ice and then fill it with water and drink from it all day. it is BPA-free and environmentally friendly because it eliminates the need to buy bottled water.

After having a twitter account for almost a year and a half, I have finally gotten into actually using it.

After trying (and failing) to drink my water with lemon lemon in it on a regular basis - lemon juice is reported to be very good for the skin - I opted for this sugared version from my favorite juice company. Though it has more sugar than the proper version, it also has more lemon juice. It is 11% lemon juice and, along with my increased water consumption (see above), I am seeing a real difference in my skin. (My favorite zit zapper helps out too).

I've had a real thing for clutch purses for the past several months now and my love for them is just growing stronger by the day. From this bright knockoff of Alexander Wang's Jena Clutch that ShoeDazzle sold in February to benefit American Heart Health month to this Paparazzi magazine clutch that gets noticed every time I carry it to the Pieces studded leather clutch I mentioned in a previous crushes post, I just cannot get enough of them. I say forget the cross-body bag trend! Nothing is as clean and sophisticated as a clutch.

Personal trainer, Marie Purvis, who helped develop the new Nike Training Club app loved by both me and Lea Michele, is a new favorite of mine. She tweets for Nike and is full of amazing info. If you are at all interested in working out, she is definitely worth the follow.

January's Crushes

December was a month full of renewal for me.  My own personal renaissance.  So many things in my life changed and grew and evolved in that month that it led to a new start in so many different areas: new eating habits, new spending habits, giving up old addictions, changes in interpersonal relationships.  Just about the only thing that did not change was my drastic hate for exercise.  In my new, careful about spending mind-frame, my favorites for this first month of 2011 are some oldies and a couple of thrifty goodies.  (Also, along with this theme, let me recommend to all my fellow shopaholics Tara Siegel Bernard's NYT article on "Why Budgets Don't Work" and how to do it better).

This keeps my Beauty Blender in tip top shape so there's no need to buy replacement make-up sponges.  (Also cleans my make-up brushes)  Available here.

These aren't thrifty - especially in the short term - but for an audiophile like me, they are a must.  Plus, with their long-lasting quality and Bose's excellent customer service they definitely beat paying for new iPod headphones from Apple every year.  Available here.

It really is a crying shame that I never put this on a crush list before now.  My go-to scent since 2007 and still my favorite little pick-me-up whenever my mood isn't its greatest.  Available here.

A favorite of mine and SPiCY's throughout 2010, there is no better little monthly gift for the shoeaholic.  I even like to go just to window shop during my spending freeze.  Look for the upcoming "Brands We Love" on them.  Available here.

After months of loving this little tube (its sulfur ingredient is the same thing that makes many acne masks effective)  it definitely deserves to be acknowledged for how often it ends up on my face.  Available here.

My Yoga Online has been awesome at getting me (occasionally) off my tuchus  - a really huge feat.  There is also a good anti-insomnia yoga video that works wonders.

This Stella & Dot necklace given to me for Christmas by one of my best friends is a definitely a new fave!  Available here.

I've been loving this website since my friend introduced me to it in late 2008.  I've been in love with the facebook app for just as long and, now, I'm in love with the iPhone app as well.

I have become absolutely obsessed with iPhone apps.  From news services like AP and the NYT to social networking apps like facebook to things to help with my huge insomnia issues, I can't get enough.  I fully expect February's crushes to be full of iPhone apps.

I have gone veggie and have completely cut sucrose out of my diet.  These nutritional shakes (along with a good multi-vitamin) help me maintain healthy levels of nutrients as I transition into an entirely new way of eating and they are the only grocery item with sucrose in it that is allowed in this house, so they are my one sugary, yet healthy treat.

Leather & Lace

Though, technically, the title references two different trends this season, we have become obsessed with pairing the two. We have even taken to polyvore to play around with mixing and matching lace dresses, pumps and shirts with leather tops, leggings and motorcycle jackets. You can see SPiCY's vision of how to wear the lace pumps by her favorite Jeffery Campbell here and HiPPi's vision of how to dress with a more colorful pair here. HiPPi also put together a cornucopia of leather accents that complement a black lace top like the one from The Edge by Supertrash.

JC Tabitha Lace Platform by Stacey SPiCY Chesser featuring a cotton jacket

Brocade Crop Top By Boutique, $100
Charm Exposed Zipper Tube Top, $49
Lace Insert Loose Tank by ALLMYLOVE, 28 GBP
Alexander Wang Top with Leather Detail, 340 GBP
Rick Owens Silk-blend jersey tank, $235
Altuzarra Buckle Jacket, $2,280
McQ Wool-crepe tuxedo jacket, $695
Lot78 Ziggy suede biker jacket, $1,050
Pepe Military Leather Jacket, 180 GBP
Current/Elliott The Easy Biker nappa-leather jacket, $835
Sketon Wool Trouser, 129 GBP
J Brand Low-rise glossed stretch-denim jeans, $205
BALMAIN 5967 385B T016 BLACK/GOLD COTTON/ELASTANE TESSABIT, 1,489 GBP
Leather Trousers Shiny Black, 1 760 SEK
LABOUR OF LOVE TR-FOURS BLACK CHECK/RED/WHITE WOOL -, 135 GBP
Jeffrey Campbell Tabitha Lace Platform Pumps, $130

Below are some of our favorite pieces from these two trends.

Lace
Charles by Charles David Nightlight $125.00 or Charles David Nebula $234.00
Go Jane Paneled Asymmetrical Sequin Lace Dress $31.10

Nightcap Clothing Short Priscilla Dress in Black $265.00

Giuseppe Zanotti Lace Slingbacks $650.00
Any version of Christian Louboutin's Bridget (some options include Dollhouse Tano, Anne Michelle Obscene, Farenheit Holly, and Qupid Aja).
Mink Pink Professional Widow Black Dress $77.00
ShoeDazzle Lena $39.95
Purple Shimmer Lace Clutch $32.99
HUE Bold Lace Tights $18.00
J. Crew Collection Elena Lace Shift Dress $595.00

Leather
Alexander Wang Jena Clutch $475.00
Current/Elliot The Easy Biker $835.00
TopShop Faux Leather Skinny Trousers $80.00
The Row Gilmore Leather Top £1,025.00
Ms. Pouty Nicole Cuff $24.00
Tibi Leather Shorts $585.00
Alexander Wang Fitted Top with leather Bustier $375.00
Karen Millen Studded Leather Jacket $687.88
Superfine Swirl Mid-Rise Denim & Leather Jeans $600.00
Alexander Wang Sequined Dress with Leather Bustier $780.00

Booties, Baby!

If there is any one style in shoes that says 2010, it is the hybrid between a shoe and a boot. There is a lot of variation in what to call shoes of this style, shoes, sandals, booties, shooties, boots. The only consistent description is "gorgeous." We've done a little looking around to find some examples of this style of footwear for any readers looking for a pair or two... or ten.

1. ALDO Daven in bone (if you are lucky enough to wear a size 10) - $44.98

2. ShoeDazzle Jessie in gray (pictured) - $39.95

3. BCBG Max Azria Ivory in gray - $195

4. Kelsey Dagger Sydney in natural - $84.50

5. ALDO Vanhove in beige (pictured) - $80

6. Steve Madden Lavvaa in natural - $89.96

7. Michael Antonio Teeter in tan - $78.95

8. Miss Me Adella-1 in camel or gray - $57.95

9. ALDO Vares in gray - $100

10. Bumper Kvass 03 in camel - $49.99

11. Michael Antonio Matteo in tan - $39.99 or beige - $71.95

12. Mea Shadow Nelita - $154.76

13. Dollhouse Tano in gold (pictured) - $34.99

14. Rosegold Vicky in beige - $168.00

15. Pura Lopez S155 in taupe - $248.89

16. Ash Fabulous in stone - $166.33

17. Joan & David Fernanda in natural - $100.38

18. Pour la Victoire Dierda in cognac or light gray - $87.62

19. Mea Shadow Cettina in camel/fuchsia - $130.76

20. Calvin Klein Dylan in Platino - $104.96

21. ALDO Pipilas - $125.00

22. Nine West Hamish in off white or light natural - $98.95 (if you wear a size 9.5, $46.00)

23. Boutique 9 Lizzee in light brown - $200.00

24. Calvin Klein Rayven in light gray - $158.95

25. Bumper Kakoa in black - $39.99

26. Michael Antonio Smyth in gray or red - $74.95

27. Miss Robertson Espen in olive - $132.95

28. Dolce Vita Farrah in khaki - $180.00

29. NYLA Adrianne in bone (pictured) - $119.95

30. Not Rated Tough Cookie in taupe - $40.89

A bag that complements them all and that comes in a myriad of colors is Rebecca Minkoff's Nikki Hobo. It is one of those splurge-that-is-worth-it items that will serve you well for years to come. Endless.com has a large selection of them and they can be found at ShopBop, Nordstrom, Amazon and Neiman Marcus as well.

Also, considering the lightening speed with which the Paparazzi clutches we wrote about last week sold out on ASOS. We have been trying to find alternate places to purchase those bags. We will post them when we do.