Jimmy Choo at H&M... begs the question "how gaga are you for cheap Choo's"?

pics: nitrolicious.com

I must admit, mastermind Tamara Mellon of Jimmy Choo working with creative advisor Margareta van den Bosch of H&M has a great strategy tie-in for enhancing their merchandise by capitalizing on the "fashionably-cheap" concept especially during recessionary times, very apropos. While already on their roster of Haute includes Stella McCartney, Viktor & Rolf, Karl Largerfeld and Roberto Cavalli we now have the first shoe designer in toe. With Jimmy Choo in the lineup this holiday season, it is yet another example of how to enable people, brilliantly in a time where most are thinking twice before splurging! Apparently teenage girls are at the top of this list. Good place to start.

So Stiletto lovers, what do we think? Anything for a Choo? There are reports of salivating, insane line ups of 'sex-and-the-city' aspirers waiting patiently for their turn to indulge as easliy as Carrie could hop over to Prada or Gucci and pick up something fun for the night or to cheer her up after a rough day. Given the buildup it's no real suprise that people are in love with this notion. Just look at the interesting bevy of celebrities showing support, these fabulous smoking 'hot couture' pics (as I like to refer to it) have been plastered everywhere, not to mention the hype globally surrounding it all like a cat in heat!

I'm more than curious to see if the "name" supersedes the quality. By that I mean, what percentage of people will sacrifice quality for quantity once they actually get the goodies home and on their personal real-life runway. My guess is, a lot. I love what H&M can do for fashion. Everyone gets to look cool. While I'm not overly excited about the quality of the designers changing dramatically to do this, it's a smart move when you think about the mass marketing opportunities and how many demographics are now open to trying it out because of the exposure. I'm already seeing visions of "Reitmans vs. Haute Couture" Ad's with amusing and live new material dished out, straight off the streets.

While I ponder all of this, at the end of day for 150 smackeroos or a lot less for some, you can flash your hot new Choo's-du-jour under the table without having to file for bankrptcy! Enticing as that sounds, it begs the question "are people so hungry they will settle for fast-food-shoes"? Is doing the Choo at H&M indulging in a cheap fling causing the cycle of fashion addiction to fall to new levels of obesity? Is Choo to H&M what salads are to McDonalds? Fake trickery? Or is it simply fun for all?

While I know I would not personally wait around for hours in crowds to get the Choo's, to be honest it's mostly because I hate lineups. Also, for argument's sake if I knew I could get the real deal at Winners for example, for the same price as H&M but twice the comfort, that would be my first choice. I'd rather wait. I know that most people probably don't care when you consider the fact that Nine West and other regular brands are already in that price range. When given the choice, why not get a pair of Jimmy's for a fraction of the price. It's the holidays afterall!

Another stilletto confession of mine is that I'm a believer in quality over quantity even when it comes to the hottest fashion. That being said, anything can be overdone when abused. Being a shoe addict I can tell you, the truth hurts. It hasn't stopped me from wearing stilettos of course it's just that I'm more aware of going down the road of "is the pain worth it"? But don't take my word for it, even Posh is supposedly getting "foot surgery" to remove bunions caused from years of stiletto abuse. And we all know what she wears - the good stuff! So can you imagine what the ones made in China will do to your feet? I'm just saying. Think about it. And with surgery comes quite a few unecessary & unwanted "stiletto -free" days. So, balance even for the addicts is probably necessary. I'm living that one. "Holiday shoes" are sounding more and more appealing. Live in the moment for the moment just remember to alternate those hot spikes!

Were in changing times and this may only be the begining of a new expression "Let them wear Choo's" since it's becoming more and more evident through the various collaborations which in turn are 'improvements' to main stream shopping - we can have our cake and eat it too! Will your tootsies hate you long after you've settled for cheap? Or does it just make the real duds worth the doe? Perhaps this is the groundwork for the millions of budding shoe addicts still emerging and this will be the encouragement they need to go for the gold one day. :)

Tell me, how gaga are you for cheap Choo's?

'Tis the season...where should one shop?? Fabulous Recessionista ideas on how & where to save money.

Picture from Martha Stewart website.

Every year it's a dilemma for many... "I don't have time to shop" and "where do I begin?"

But this year I'm sure many people are also contemplating how they can also save money. Here are some simple tips that work for me and perhaps it will save you some time and cash this year. :) "Recessionista" friendly people!

Make it simple - make a budget and a list:

1). First thing is to make a list of all the people you want to get something for.

2). Second thing is to decide on a total budget you want to spend on everyone.

Divide evenly so you have an average per person and if you know that you want to spend more on certain people put that amount beside their name and then subtract that from your total so you know how much you have left for everyone else. So, now that you have your list and dollar amount you can begin!

For some simple suggestions for those in the $20-50 range these are my suggestions:

1). For the avid readers - shop or pick up a Gift Certificate (GC) at Chapters - can't go wrong here, people will have tons to choose from especially once things go on sale... right after Christmas!

2). For the all-things-girly - shop or grab a GC at Sephora - if you can't find something yourself that you think they'll like.

3). For the "newly moved in" or always looking for something for their place pick up GC at IKEA, Pier One or Winners (yes they have a home section too).

4). For those who love pampering - GC for a manicure or spa treatment- great for all the holiday parties and family gatherings for any girl or perhaps a massage?

*The great thing about GC's is that you can get lots online or if you do decide to go out, go on weekdays when it's less busy avoid the big line ups! Plus, surprisingly sometimes no matter how well you know someone, sometimes a GC is a better way of truly making someone happy and giving them the choice, not give you the "oh. this is a great pair of snowman socks again. Gee thanks" response.

Other suggestions to save money. My favorite, stay at home and start from scratch:

Picture from Martha Stewart website.

1). Bake sugar cookies, coconut macaroons, seasonal Christmas muffins or baked goods of your choice and wrap them up in cute bags with ribbon to give away.

Picture from Nigella's website

2). Make your own personalized vodka and gift bag it. ( suggestion - check out Nigella Lawson's recipes for chili and pomegranate vodka in her Nigella Christmas edition. Also try making lemon or chocolate vodka).

3). Make homemade mulled wine or apple cider. So easy!

This is when getting the "cheaper" stronger wine is not an offense it does make the best mulled wine. ha ha! I like simple recipes from Jamie Oliver or Williams-Sonoma as suggested in the links above MMMmmmmmm.... sooo good! That will warm you right up and if you're making it, you get to taste!

Picture from Williams-Sonoma website.

4). Send out homemade cards. You can get simple ones from your local craft store that you can paint, draw and decorate yourself or use photographs!

5). Use natural "green" ingredients for decorations - pine cones, berry wreaths, seasonal flowers like poinsettias and amaryllis as well as holiday greenery for table, mantle piece and staircase decorations. The smell will be fantastic!


Picture from Martha Stewart website.

And last but not least for a little inspiration - watch Nigella's Christmas Kitchen if you want something easy and fun to make for your girlfriends and there's no swapping of gifts.

So hopefully this year this might have helped a little and instead of the dreaded shopping and what to do, it will be happy shopping, baking and all that jazz!
I'm putting on the carols and heading to the kitchen myself. :)
Good luck!

Pastries & Cupcake heaven!

Montréal is the city of L'amour... which to me, means Hot fashion but also Delish food!

One of my personal little favorites I like to go each and every time I am there is "Premier Moisson" the boulangerie that makes your mouth water, even if you just ate! Apart from the smell of freshly baked croissants, flaky pastries, french bread, pecan tarts, pain au chocolat & rich tiramisu to name a few... it did not disapoint... I assure you.

Looking back at the pictures alone make me want to move back and spend every morning being first in line with coffee and paper in hand. Also duly noted cute little cupcake shop we stumbled across beside the Notre Dame church in Old Montréal called "Les Glaceurs" Glaces & cupcakes. YUM!!!!

So beautiful you didn't want to eat them! They also have freshly made gelato all natural ingredients but the cupcakes stole my heart. I had to have the Red Velvet with Marscapone/cream cheese icing which I was informed was their best seller. People come in and buy a dozen at a time. I could have just ate the icing by itself! MMM....delish!!

Ah, Montréal I will be back. On gloomy days, these little delights are a feast even for the eyes!

Ah, the "Joie de vivre"... if you can't get there anytime soon check out reviews for "ten best cupcakes" in Toronto, in the meantime at least you can feast your eyes here mes amis!