HOSTESS GIFTS for Style Maniacs

You can't help but wonder ... did Jonathan Adler create these Zebra Coasters just for Style Maniac?  After all, I'm wild about animal prints and have used zebra and yellow as identifiers for my Style Maniac "brand" since the beginning.  And just last month I finally designed a logo based on these elements that's been twirling around in my head for quite awhile (look for it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, the website, the footer of this blog and more).  Well, truth is, I doubt Jonathan Adler knows a thing Style Maniac.  And his little plates are not cheap.  But the perfectly boxed set and colorful prints seduced me the moment I saw them at the new Jonathan Adler store in Old City, Philadelphia.  Plus forget the coaster idea, they'd be adorable canape plates ... or little dishes to hold jewelry ... or a pretty accent for my desk.  So I bought them as a hostess gift ... for myself.  I can think of a few more style maniacs who might like them as well ....

GUESS WHO's COMING TO DINNER

Fashion, meet Decor.  These designers have you covered from your tabletop to your toes.  See if you can guess who's coming to dance and dine.  {Answers will be posted in the Comments on Friday.}  Have a lovely Thanksgiving holiday!

THE CAT's MEOW

Something's going on between me and Kate Spade.  I've always loved her personal style, liked her designs and have bought a few items from her boutique over the years (including two of my favorite pieces of costume jewelry) ... but suddenly the past few seasons find myself completely smitten.  While still dreaming of those whimsical yet elegant Book of the Month Clutches, I came upon this faux fur leopard delight.  Upon inspection I found the Cat's Meow Maryanne Tote has all the makings of the perfect bag: lightweight, rests on the shoulder, lots of compartments, a contrasting, light-colored lining that makes it easy to find everything, metal feet for when it has to rest on the ground; and of course that timeless print that when done right works with virtually everything  and never goes out of style.  The only thing I don't like: the price {sigh}. But look at the lovely surprise I found in my Inbox this morning: a Kate Spade Friends & Family Fall Discount, offering 25% off any item today and tomorrow (10/15/2010 to 10/16/2010) only. Use code FALLFF10. For more details, see the website. Meow!


Cat's Meow Maryanne Tote by Kate Spade

STYLE MANIAC's NEW FALL WARDROBE

Perhaps you've noticed: Style Maniac has a whole new look for Fall.  And by Style Maniac I mean the blog! She's dressed for autumn, inspired by the fiery russet of a velvet jacket, leopard boots, bags and wallpaper, my favorite coffee cups and the touch of magenta in an October leaf.  Her signature yellow color now shows up as gold and toffee in the text links.   And she has a few lil treats for you: scrolling updates from Twitter, Facebook and the website; an extended list of Links I Love (both in sidebar), plus a showcase of great reader quotes (scroll down to footer for this clickable link).

And this is just the beginning.  Just as the blog posts--and my own home and wardrobe--celebrate the change of season, so will the blog design.  So, dear email & RSS subscribers, don't forget to click through every so often and enjoy the full pretty picture. And to all of Style Maniac's smart, fun and stylish readers: thank you for visiting, commenting and letting me share my mania day by day and season by season with you.

Special thanks to my friends Andrew & Lee.  Our recent Media Bistro Cocktails chat helped focus so many plans for this blog. Stay tuned ...

Leaf image via Backgrounds.  All other images by Doreen Creede. 
Leopard boots: Wilbur Vintage. Leopard wallpaper: Ralph Lauren.  Gold wallpaper: Donghia. Gold coffee cups: Marc Blackwell New York.

A TOUCH OF SPRING

Mercurial weather makes spring wardrobes a challenge.  (Yes, I did say spring--officially less than two weeks away!)  One moment it's blustery cold; the next sunny and warm.  My solution: start with the same black turtleneck you've worn all winter, switch to lighter black pants or leggings, top with a great spring coat in a wild pattern or Popsicle-bright color, add a lightweight scarf if needed and finish with one bold accessory, like my whimsical cocktail ring, above.  Everyone asks:  "Christian Dior?" but it's actually an affordable score discovered while--ahem--shopping for a client.

Ring from Matthew Izzo, 151 North 3rd Street  in Philadelphia.  Photographed on indoor/outdoor version of the fabric for the Trina Turk coat mentioned above.

Photo by Doreen Creede

LUSCIOUS LITTLE COTTAGE

Why can't all beach rentals be this cute? Just one glance at those crisp white walls, zebra chairs and hot pink accents mixed with vintage finds makes me want to reserve this aptly named "Luscious Little Cottage" on Tybee Island, Georgia right now. Bonus: it's just "99 1/2/ steps to the beach." I'd pack a stack of design magazines, some new and old Rebecca Wells books and while away a week or two if I could.

Discovered in Coastal Living Magazine's January/February 2009 issue. Visit www.coastalliving.com to view other enticing beach rentals.

WHAT I REALLY WANT FOR SPRING

Glad some of you had a giggle on Wednesday. Here's what I really do want for Spring. Want it bad. Trina Turk, you make this thrifty thing very very hard.

Zebra coat trinaturk.com.

FAUX FUR FRIENDS

Soft, sweet and looking for a happy home.

Robert Allen "Bambi" fabric. Available through The Redecorators LLC, 215-429-2000.

LEOPARD QUEEN

Can I possibly not yet have featured something leopard?? Those who know me well must be shocked. So, to rectify the situation: a picture of my first floor powder room wallpaper. This Ralph Lauren pattern entered our home ten years ago and we haven't tired of it yet. I highly advocate trying something bold or crazy in small rooms you don't use often. It creates a delightful surprise every time you open the door.