THE WELL READ GIRL

Kate Spade sure knows her books AND her pocket books - Spade stores have almost as many vintage display books as they do bags. Which gave her an idea...

Books that are purses!!!

Notice that these clutches are a numbered series from "Kate Spade Publishing." Try to collect every "volume!"

Now you can "read" ...even if you're not in the library!

Or anywhere in particular...

If you'd like to find your own great vintage book covers to decorate with, visit the Database of Vintage Book Covers.

Or just throw down some cash at Anthropologie...

Book covers in spades - these are Andy Spade's displays. Do try this at home:  just print out some of the covers from the Database (above) and frame them! Your walls will be well read.

And, if you'd like to pretend your laptop is a vintage bookstore, visit Kate Spade's special online section "Arguments for Looking at Books Instead of Reading Them," to download wallpapers/book covers with vintage designs.
Images:  Database of Vintage Book Covers, Andy Spade images, Kate Spade ads, more Kate Spade ads.

SUMMER BUGS

Here's the latest style buzz! Not to bug you, but I spot something wonderful. In fact, I love these flats so much they may be winging their way into my closet - and my heart - soon. Won't I look like a lady?

Kate Spade Izzie Flats, from katespade.com.

THE PERSONAL STYLE OF KATE SPADE

The Spade name is synonymous with chic. There's Spade Green, Spade Stripes, and the Spade Shape (that boxy bag). But forget the fabulous arm candy and follow the yellow floral fabric to its source:  Kate Spade herself. As any Vogue reader would know, Mrs. Spade favors bright colors, strong pattern, and a bit of shine. But I'd never seen a full retrospective on her look, so I decided to create one. Here it is:  Kate Spade Style. Morning, evening, and in-between, below are a few snaps of the icon of green.

P.S. Don't forget to join the fabulous give-away! 

Miss Congeniality photo, Vogue via blog Coquette. Plaid dress via Flickr. Pink tights pic. Doll from here. Yellow jacket with bib pic. Yellow rose jacket photograph. All other photographs, Life.com.

It's a Spade Sample Sale!

To the bat phone, Kate Spade shoppers! Or the bat computer! Whatever! KS is having a massive SAMPLE SALE. Yes, it's true. And pigs have flown or something. All they want from you in exchange is a loss of anonymity - your first name, email, and zipcode. But go ahead and give it up. It's completely worth it. And some market research company will end up selling it to them anyway. Oh, and it ends TODAY.

image, katespade.com

Kate Spade Makes Me Hungry

I couldn't help but look at all these brightly colored Kate Spade bags and think of... candy! They're so shiny and scrumptious looking. To prove it, here are a few of my favorites, coupled with their candy twins from Dylan's Candy Bar in New York City. Note to guys (or considering the audience for this blog, more realistically, a note for you to pass ON to guys):  give a girl one of these treats, filled with treats for Valentine's. I guarantee she'll think you're sweet. :)

Bags, LH to RH: Wellie Maggee Bag, Jubilee Stripe Drawstring Opus, Charm City Ostrich MaryAnn, Darien Stevie, London Quinn.

Images:  Purses, KateSpade.com. Candy, DylansCandyBar.com.

Kate Spade Kristmas

A stunning gift display by gifted "wrapper" Sande, of a Gift Wrapped Life.

Here's the skinny (low-fat, sugar-free) on my view of Christmas this year. It goes something like this: every November, I have a psychotic breakdown when I visit the mall three weeks prior to Thanksgiving and see columns trussed up like candy canes. I shout insults at Christmas commercials featuring shiny wrapping and sprinkled snow scenes, while outside the trees are golden. I picket local radio stations who dare to broadcast carols while the Target is still clearing out its Halloween candy sale.

But not this year. I pretty much missed the last two Christmases (crazy job) and this year I find myself feeling... nostalgic. Craving egg nogg. Humming jingle bells. Wanting to soak it all in, every minute. And so I'm going too. Gift giving guides? Hostess gifts? Holiday soiree outfits? It starts NOW! So if you're me last year - relax. Pour yourself a cup of hot coco, shake on some cinnamon, and take a breath, because it's OK to get yourself a gift too! :)

My favorite so far: Kate Spade's $50 and under gift guide.

Bow hair pin, $45.

Red Letter Day candle, $48.

Lady Marmelade Studs, $42.

Perry Scott Clock, $40.

Grammery Park Coin Purse, $50.

All images, Katespade.com

Beauty Bazaar

This Kate Spade necklace was a feature in the November Bazaar. Isn't it stunning? Great for a party, but personally, I'd love it with a fabulous tee and jeans for drinks with the girls. Or maybe a wedding necklace? You'd be wonderful in white.

Image, katespade.com.

Glorious Kate Spade

Glorious Kate! Sequined bows, bubble jewelry, zebra jackets, and pink tweed. Scroll for a little Monday morning joie de vivre. I dare you to be down!

Twinkle toes!

All images, Kate Spade.

Clutch: It Fits the Bill But Not the Bag

I have a love/hate affair with clutches. I collect them, display them, and rarely use them. I hear efforts are underway for a credit card phone, but until technology invents the credit card/lipstick/mirror/keys/pen/hairbarrett/notebook/mascera phone, there is little hope I'll be leaving the house with anything other than my 10-pound purses. But a girl can dream, can't she?

BE & D

Kate Spade

Tory Burch

Judith Leiber (a legitimate excuse to carry books everywhere I go!)

J.Crew

J.Crew

Lulu Guiness

Chanel

Technology Goes Gorgeous

Tory Burch in her NY office.

I remember my first computer, an unwieldy, unappealing chunk of black plastic produced by Dell Corp and accompanied by the greatest technological wonder known to modern mankind:  a WORKING PHONE NUMBER THAT DIRECTLY CALLED A HUMAN FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT. In under a minute. I know. I tried it.  

These days, such an incident would be relegated to the department of minor miracles, but at least one thing has improved: looks. The modern designing woman need not suffer hours awaiting technical support - oh, she'll wait, but she'll have something lovely to look at while she does it. Below, a few ideas for improving your view. 

Thomas Paul calendar mouse pads.

A personalized paperweight at Red Stamp.

An office by Kelly Wearstler. Orderly, but not TOO orderly shelf stacks and a variety of textures keep the look interesting. Most importantly, there's plenty of light - four light fixtures in this view alone.

Vivienne Tam laptop for HP (there's a matching clutch too).

Anna Griffin file folders from Elisabeth's Embellishments.

Kate Spade pencil case.

A Celerie Kimble office. I like this space because it just happens to have a desk tucked in the corner - the room can be used for so many different things at the same time. And the layers of cool color are wonderful. 

Images/Sources:  Tory Burch image, businessoffashion.com. Mouse pads and paper weight, redstamp.com. Wearstler office image, studioannetta.com. Vivienne Tam laptop, hp.com. File folders, elizabethsembellishments.com. Kate Spade pencil case, katespade.com. Celerie Kemble image, Kemble Interiors via lovely blog M.A. Belle.