WINTER REPORT: Style Below the Waist @ NY Now

It was the lovely Aleeza from Affirmats who inspired this year's boot round-up.

During the summer NY gift show, it's the pedicures and pretty sandals that catch my eye. In winter, I XOXO the skirts, worn jeans, patterned tights and "work boots." I know it's the "stuff" that I'm supposed to hone in on, but stellar personal style is on my list of journalistic priorities too. I am always interested in how sellers of stylish goods get themselves dressed to impress. Here are a few of my favorites.

Clare Frost did not wear these hand-embroidered mules to get to the show, but as she worked the Tulu booth on a bed of soft shag, she had the luxury of swapping shoes. Clare designs these shoes which are based off of Herati makes.

I discovered Sandy in the Lila Handcrafts booth, modeling a "Kameez" (kind of a long chemise), featuring Ralli Applique, crafted in Southern Pakistan.

Katie from Mushmina in great patterned tights by Alternative Apparel that she sells at the store.

I spied Kelly Edmonson's shoes as she walked by me in an aisle and then was happy to relocate her in the Lifeguard Press booth. Kelly got these furry leopard shoes at Anthropologie right after Christmas. She is also wearing a "vintage mermaid skirt."


In the Rhadi & Koko booth, Jane (a different one) wore an amazing emerald silk tunic with Stuart Weitzman boots.

Guys, I did not forget about you, but I'm usually looking at your faces more than your feet.

when I mentioned my "Below the Waist" style blog, a friend told me I had to meet Matt Austin from Chalk Ware. Matt's metallic red hi-tops are made by Creative Recreation. He bought them at Barneys. Matt's shoes were indeed cool, but his chalk sets rank among the best of show.

Ryan from The Wooden Palate is a Frye loyalist. When the California woodworker does home restoration, he'll almost always take photos of the work and use his boots as props.

Dawn and Paul were kicking back in the Central Station/Notre Monde booth. She in "vintage-ish" Frye boots that "take 2 to get off" and he in a pair of El Gringos that he's had for years. It was so great to catch up with Dawn. Her only regret twas that I did not get to see her in her kickass turquoise and brown boots. Maybe later sometime?


And then there's me.

Black Sunday: These black vintage cowboy boots were a Christmas gift. As some of you know I wear a size 12, yet my friend Karen, an antique dealer with an awesome eye, picked these for me and they fit well. I was in a black-on-black mood and paired them with my cheetah jeans. I am sitting on a fab stool @ Made Goods.

Here I am, in soft pink snow boots, standing with Kate and Alice from KalaStyle.

Let it be known that this year the incessant precipitation in NY was a thorn in our stride. My personal footwear plan was derailed, however, the upside is that it gave me time to get my boots restored by a good shoemaker. Cobblers in Florida are far and few between and when you find them, they are a bit of a rip off.

NEW YORK GIFT FAIR: MAD FOR METALLIC

glittery, glinty, sparkly, shiny...

Lamia, the youngest member of the Moroccan Prestige sales force, gets comfy on a silver 40" sq ottoman.

Whether your pleasure is silver or gold, there was lots o' flashy product at the New York International Gift Fair to satisfy one's METALLIC mood.

John Derian was one of the first pioneers to embrace the leather pouf .

 Metallic stars in Pappelina's woven plastic carpets. Made in Sweden.

Studio Salvage Crafts' stools and benches woven with metallic rope 

Metallic threads run through many of Mastour's silk/wool Tibetan carpets

Metallic bags, woven scarves, and zipps from Christen Maxwel

Siemon & Salazar's Gong pendant features fused metallic leaf.

"Moust have" cast brass place card holders from Jonathan Adler.  

Tommy Mitchell's gilded tole flowers.

Chilewich's Metallic Lace Placement in silver or gold

Metallic Leather cuff from Jamie Dietrich

Red Egg's octagonal coffee table gets a coat of silver. From the Indochine Collection.

Steel is a toned down silver alternative at Design Workshop.

New York Gift Fair: La Fleur Stir

Decoupage deer found outside The Library of Flowers booth

I am XOXO-ing some of the new florals recently spied at the New York International Gift Fair. They are not traditional renderings of roses or peonies, nor realistic depictions of lilacs or sunflowers. They are folksy flowers -- a bit boho, a bit nostalgic. These whimsical, often naive specimens look like they might have decorated children's storybooks in the 60s and 70s. They are hybrids; with elements inspired by Frida Kahlo, Marimekko, and Art Deco These blooms are bigger than ditzy florals, and just as sweet, and they are putting me in the mood for spring and redoing something!

Here are a few of my fresh picks ...

1. Jardine Rug by NuLoom

2. Pochoir Pink from Vintage Smith

3. Porcelain Vase with gold floral accents from Jonathan Adler

4. Notecards and journals from Ecojot

5.  August Morgan pillows by Kate Hersch featuring vintage needlework

6. Limited edition jewelry by artist Dion Hitchings for Schmutzerland

7. Wrapping paper from  Snow & Graham

8, Quilted blankets from Utility Canvas

Then, walking back from the Javits, I saw a stenciled design on the side of a small flower stall. 

So I stopped and shot the roses!