Stylish with Substance

A superb sewer, designer Mary J. Malouf is professionally trained in textiles and design. Inspired by the beauty of South Florida around her, she chooses to create handbags for her own line. With a love of texture, her quilted, multi-fabric-ed designs are quality and just enough luxe for any crowd. Her pricetags are well deserved, like this Scarlet collection bag (seen here in red, or 'scarlet', tones) for $175. Your money goes to fund a dream of independent design, not a corporation, and has that handmade touch, so if you have it and red-hot love it, it would be a wise investment.

See more Scarlet bags and Mary J. Maalouf at www.maryjmaalouf.com and her Etsy shop.

• Neiman Marcus Last Call sale - starting Jan. 8th


• Saks 5th Avenue - up to 75% off! going on now.


• Shoes.com first Saturday Sale of 2009! - Only Jan. 10th (plus the winter clearance sale going on now)


• Piperlime - lime tag sale - up to 50% off - going on now!


• Hayden-Harnett - up to 80% off! - going on now.

Alert us of a sale and we may add it! This post will remain "sticky" this week.

The Elliott Lucca brand's work with leather is usually innovative or at least interesting and usually gorgeous. And this mid-sized clutch slash strap bag is on sale for roughly $106.

With its double-diamond-design in a quilted stitch, in lavender, chocolate, olive and black, the bag is 13" x 6" with two removable straps for different wearing lengths.

Isn't that ... 3 bags in one for one modest price? In these times, that's priceless!

Sure, there are bigger and ultra gorgeous, but more expensive, bags in the Catina collection, too. Check it out.

at Zappos

What do you think?

[poll id="11"]

It'll only cost you $50,000 to prevent your wife from using her account at zappos.com. It'll also cost you that same $50,000 to jump start your divorce. Oh but you'll also get this snazzy tee.

Puh-lease.

Buy this rare collector's t-shirt and we'll make sure your significant other never shops at Zappos.com again! When you purchase this limited edition t-shirt, we will permanently disable your significant other's Zappos.com account for the rest of his/her life.

But read the fine print:

Disclaimer 1: Zappos.com, Inc. is not responsible or liable if your significant other creates or uses another account using a different email address. It is your responsibility to monitor how many email accounts your significant other creates or uses.

Worried women, you may simply open another account with a new e-mail address or shop hassle-free if you divorce your husband. (And wouldn't the idiotic bastard deserve it?)

Our 365-day return policy is valid only if you are permanently divorced or separated within 365 days.

Men: it wouldn't be worth it, she'd probably divorce you for all you've got and start spending your old money on Neiman Marcus instead. I partly kid, I partly kid.

And so does Zappos, the sillies.

*Via Shoe Blog*

You know, the kind that leads to more persperation and tonation!

My personal fitness aspiration is to better my body, partially inspired by my toned new boyfriend. (But yes, he loves me the way I am, yet of course wants me to live a long healthy life.) It even makes me think I might want to pierce my belly button like I once had, to show off some "thin bling" (if to no one but him, would be fine). Sure, I'm the ripe old (kidding) age of 27, so I should get crackin'! They don't call them annual resolutions for nothin'.

If you have a similar resolution in 2009, you may have visual daily inspiration with this desktop I made. I made it in standard sizes, plus a widescreen version.

Notice the model is natural and healthy (and happy), not supermodel skinny and miserable.

View more to download and read resolutions

Now I love that kitschy, stitchy handmade look, really. But that charming love doesn't come through with these just by-the/for-the lazy looking "house shoes" by FurParade. Who would wear these? Judging by those toes, maybe a Who (like from Dr. Seuess.) These are women's "size medium" but seem to be for men who think Crocs are too hip. "Love" the scratchy yarn? tie for added fug detail. They make these house boots seem like little sacks for the trunks of Christmas trees. Like those, this design idea should have gone out with the trash.

Sorry handcrafter, you can't always win. And we can't always be nice.

Also check out the non-boot version; suitable for giants. Ho hum is more than right!

The new bags from COACH make me envious for sure. It may be a new year, but the economy is still pulling us down. Now it seems even more bags by COACH are calling to me, teasing me. Each bag is a mixture of classic and detail, just what I love. My top picks are from the brand spank-me new "Penelope" collection.

Many will be great for the upcoming Spring with bright colors and fabric bodies, but the black and white bags are always super cool for Winter.

From $298 to $698 at www.coach.com and in stores.

New W09 COACH by DesignerElla

10. The New "Docs" by Pucci... Pucci???

9. Is there something on my shoe?! by Miu Miu

8. Does my rear look big ... and flabby? By Prada

The heel so overgrew the rest of this shoe that it even turned into a waving mass of what looks like fatty flab. Unattractive.

7. I Beg You to Fuck Me Boots ... by Chanel

6. The Interior Designer Heel by Miu Miu

5. Open for Busy-ness by Balenciaga

4. The Hairy Legs Trend ... as seen by Gucci

3. The Flower Heel by Prada

2. It's a fish! It's a dinosaur! It's ... Prada.

View More

1. "The Toppler" by Louis Vuitton

View More

View a gallery with extra photos of more of the list-topping worsts!

Independent shoe designer, Annejet Kosters, sure has unique vision for a designer. Blind.

Her bio (translated below) makes no mention that her toeless boot/high heel creations are actually healthy in any means for the feet, she seemingly just likes the look - or hopes to capitalize on what is astoundingly both unique and a trend right now. Yes, in winter we truly see "toeless" shoes. What?!

Surely harmful to both the toes and balls of the feet with bunions and cuts ... and to foot phobes, like I, are her toeless bootie and dominatrix boot designs. (Pictured below, respectively.)

People, these aren't peep-toed booties (as is the actual trend, my friends) - no, there's no footbed below the balls. Can the women say, "ow! my balls!" for once!

Warning: Slightly Not Safe for Foot Phobes!

[caption id="attachment_4" align="aligncenter" width="303" caption="Annejet Kosters Toeless Booties Design, modeled"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5" align="aligncenter" width="303" caption="Her dominatrix-styled lace-up boots with curved heel - comfy!"][/caption]

Those dom boots look more masochistic, really, notice the talon to the foot?!

Care to read about this torture fashion designer?

In 2004 I graduated from the High School for the Arts Utrecht in the discipline 3D-Design. In addition to this study, I have the 3-year training Craft Shoe Making followed in Nieuwegein.

 

The first year I worked as a freelancer and took part in various projects and children's collections.  In 2005 I was employed as a stylist at a lady's shoes brand.

Until 2008, I have been employed for two very different companies. Designing women's and children's collections was at the heart of my tasks. Identify new trends, the prognosis image visualization, collection them, materialize, coloring and communication with and visits to sample rooms and suppliers in Italy, India, China and Taiwan were aspects of my work in this period.

In 2008 I started as an independent designer and working on a freelance basis for multiple clients. By different companies with their own vision and style to know and learn, my work is challenging style and my design diverse. As the ideal start for building a collection target I go to a creative match with my clients.

That's not all, though, "big designers" are in on the act, as well. Here are two styles (note the full footbed, however) from Maison Martin Margiela on eLuxury.

Now honestly when the thought is styled properly, like with thick criss-cross straps, making the shoe appear more sandal-like than running-ape-wild-like, looks, well, pretty cute! But the first pair, a F*(k me boot with no toes? Is there anything tackier you can think of right now, if your mind still works after this, that is?

Afraid for future trends? You may or may not want to view the full first ensemble pic on Kiss Me Stace.

Stay tuned for more from the indie designer and what you might want to invest your $$$ in instead!

*Via* Shoe Blitz and Kiss Me Stace