By Michelle A Heath, on 10.30.09 | Do you own a pair of peep-toes? Wondering what to pair them with?
 Well, I’ve gotten questions from several stylish ladies over the past few weeks asking what to wear with peep-toe shoes. The peep-toe is such a fabulous trend. A great summer-to-fall, sprint-to-summer shoe that can be matched with everything from a cocktail dress to a pair of jeans.
The dilemma starts as the glow of summer disappears and the chilly fall nights take it’s place. Here’s what these lovely ladies asked.
“Looking for a quick answer and thought of you and your web site, the Stylish Eye. Quick question…Is it ok to wear pantyhose with open toed shoes? It is fall and my legs are a little pale and unsightly but the shoes I have that go with my dress are open toed-what a dilemma! How about open toed booties – tights or no tights?”
Ah, dear stylista. Not to worry. I have a bevvy of suggestions to make your legs dazzle in your terrific shoes.
1. Spray tan. I will clue you in to my dirty little secret. Spray tan. I’m not talking go-to-a-salon-and-get-airbrushed. I’m talking use sparingly, under $10 a can at CVS. You might have had a bad experience with spray tan and streaking. Who hasn’t? But it’s come a long way and, if you use it lightly, it can give you a year-round healthy glow. I use Neutrogena spray tan, available at any drugstore.
2. Fishnet. Not everyone feels comfortable in them, but they can be a HOT compliment to any dress for a night on the town. I happen to be  partial to black fishnets, especially with patent leather and suede. If your shoes happen to be a lighter color, the nude fishnet can be a great choice as they give your legs a little somethin-somethin without looking like pantyhose.
3. Opaque tights. If options 1 or 2 don’t work for you, I would get a really dark pair of black opaque tights, with no de sign on them. This option is great with peep-toe booties and platforms. Be sure to hide the seam under your toes. Hate to see those seams sticking out:)
My opinion on a cocktail dress with open toe is to go lighter on the legs but ultimately, you need to feel comfortable. Either way, dear reader, this is one thing I absolutely BAN with peep-toe shoes. You must never, I repeat, never wear panty hose with peep toe shoes. My only exception to this rule is…my Gram, who I love for her stylish flair and, god love her, she is almost 90 years old. You go, Gram. So, if your not my Gram or pushing 90, you are NOT allowed to combine pantyhose with exposed toes.
That’s your peep-toe etiquette from The Stylish Eye. Have a style question? Drop me a note and I’ll include it in a future “Ask The Stylish Eye” post. Until then, go forth and be stylish. 
By Michelle A Heath, on 10.21.09 | Well, my stylish friend, I have a find for you. It starts with my slight obsession for A) all things Chanel, B) all things purple and C) all things nailpolish.
Nailpolish. A girls cheap and easy accessory. Nothing shows off your new cocktail ring like freshly painted nails. When Fall rolls around, I can’t get enough of the vampy, dark polishes. I happened across an equally-obsessed polish maven (another Michelle!) at alllacqueredup.com, a blog dedicated to all things nail polish. You see, I just picked-up the most amazing Chanel polish color and happened to come across her blog post sharing my passion for this new Chanel color, Vendetta.
First off, how can you resist a name like Vendetta? Makes you feel like you’re living in a sci-fi thriller. Second, this color is the most amazing deep purple  with a hint of sparkle. One coat covers flawlessly – not like some of the other dark polishes that won’t be named and streak when applied (you know who you are). Last, it reminds me of the first bottle of Chanel polish I ever bought. I will never forget it. I was a young buck traveling for work in Toronto and happened across Holt Renfrew. I was lured over to the Chanel counter and, in just moments, fell in love with a $20 bottle of polish called…Vamp. For those of you who remember this polish, it was a “stylish” purplish/black – more black than purple. The kind of polish that made your mother ask you questions about whether you had a job and made your boss ask you questions about how much you value your job. I loved it and used every last drop.
Well, Vendetta is the updated version of the amazing Vamp color. It will fit right in with your inner rebel and, I can honestly say, it’s worth every penny.
By Michelle A Heath, on 10.18.09 | The biggest question I’ve had over the past few weeks is…”What’s your top-five must-haves for Fall?” I’ve been thinking about it alot and, I’ll tell you that it’s not easy to pick only 5 must-haves for Fall. It’s hard to pick only a handful of things to add to your wardrobe when confronted with the many choices of great Fall trends. But, IMHO, these trends will survive more than one season and will easily mix, match and update your wardrobe in no time. Why 5? It’s easy to remember and nice to your wallet. So, focus on the Fab Five and consider it your personal shopping list. Each picture is a link to the item in case you want to consider adding it to your Fall wardrobe. Here goes…
 Robbi & Nikki Bow Shoulder Chiffon Top @ Nordstrom 1. Leopard-print anything. There’s nothing like a little call of the wild to spice up your Fall wardrobe. It’s an interesting trend that keeps coming back every few years. This year I’ve seen boots, pumps, belts, scarves, blouses, sweaters and coats (okay, the coat goes too far). I have a leopard-print J.Crew sweater that I bought about 10 years ago and it has somehow survived the test of time. Look for more “subtle” versions of the big cat, which will likely mix and match easier with the other items in your closet. I love this flouncy beauty – great shoulder detail and goes great with Fall Fab #2 and #4.
2. Ankle boots. I bought several pairs of these last season including an amazing pair of purple leather Faryl Robins, which I have already worn several times this season.
 Pour la Victoire grey woven patent 'Elise' ankle booties @ Blue Fly I am semi-obsessed with ankle booties and believe they will last more than one season. Here’s what’s great about ankle booties…there’s alot of different ways to wear them. You can wear them under a straight leg or bootleg pant or jean, which is a nice alternative to a tall boot against your skin all day or all night. You can wear them with a pair of skinny jeans for a very hip look a la Fall Fab #4. You can pair them with a super-opaque pair of tights and a short skirt. I think these grey patent leathers would look Fab with a red plaid miniskirt or kilt and black tights.
3. Colorful, textured scarves. Scarves were everywhere on the run-way and in the fashion mags. Everything from bright colors to ruffles to lace trim. Scarves are a great fall and winter accessory for a bunch of different reasons. They can take a very simple black blazer or navy pea-coat and add a serious punch of color and interest.
 Hollywood Intuition Rouched Scarf in Purple @ Target Scarves draw the eye up to your oh, so fab face – what’s better than that? They are a great way to update your wardrobe on a shoestring. Target, Kohls and all the discount stores have some great scarves for under $20. I say pick up a few different colors or patterns and see how you can mix and match them with your Fall wardrobe. PS: This Target scarf is UNDER $10. Now that’s a must-have!
4. Skinny jeans. I can’t get enough of these staple jeans. I love the J Brand jeans – they have great stretch and come in a fabulous dark wash and a super dark black wash.
 J Brand Jeans 910 Super Skinny Jeans in Ink @ Cusp They are great when paired with a long or flowy top or a layered cardigan and long tee. Contrary to popular belief, these jeans work on a wide variety of body types. I’ve heard so many women say “I could never pull those off!” Then, they try them on and they look amazing. But, if you don’t feel you can pull off the super-skinny look, try a straight-leg instead of the wider bootleg. It’s a nice change, an update for Fall and looks great with Fall Fab #1 and #2.
5. Long, layered necklaces. Again, another trend I can’t get enough of. I’ve seen lots of mixed metals, which is a fun way to combine gold and silver for a new look.
 Aqua Multi Chain with Flower Necklace @ Bloomingdales It’s a great way to integrate the embellished “rocker-chick” look that is a big trend this Fall and do it in an inexpensive way. A fab, long necklace can transform an outfit from blah to bling and take a tired dress or top and breathe new life into it. The runway is showing everything from pearls (not your grandmother’s pearls, mind you) to flowers, to chains to beads. I love this black and gold 22″ necklace from Aqua. It’s a great combo of feminine flowers and bows with rocker mixed metals…and a steal at $35. I think I might have to get one for myself.
As I think about how to make your Fall wardrobe fabulous, it’s not about buying an entirely new wardrobe – who has the time or money? It’s about picking a few great trends and transforming or rejuvenating your existing wardrobe. Now that’s smart and stylish.
There were so many other items that I could have thrown into the mix but these were my top picks. So, what’s on your Fall Fab list? Would love to hear your style ideas.
By Michelle A Heath, on 10.11.09 | It’s that time of year. The nights get longer, the mornings get cooler, the leaves start falling from the trees. Most people go apple picking or pumpkin patching. I on the other hand go closet cleansing. For me, the change of seasons is a perfect time to get my wardrobe organized. You see, I live in the City and that means one rather small closet to fit my entire wardrobe. Blazers, handbags, pants, jeans, shoes, boots, tops, tees, tanks, dresses and sweaters all packed in to one small space.
The challenge for me is that I don’t have the luxury of keeping more than two seasons of clothes in my closet. Some might say it’s the evidence of a larger problem, I say it’s just the way it is. In any case, I can only keep Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter. That’s the reality. So, as I say good-bye to sandals and sundresses, I unpack the bins of last season’s Fall and Winter goodies. As I conduct this ritual at least twice a year, there are some tips I thought I’d share to help you as you organize and turn-over your closet each season.
1. Before you start buying new stuff, be sure you know what you’ve got. For those of you who, like me, love boot-season, you know it’s so easy to start  gobbling up the latest boot styles in September. But, before you start adding to your wardrobe, get your closet organized and know what you have and what you need. You’ll often find that last year’s purchases transition perfectly and you can update them quickly and cheaply with a few trendy accessories.
2. Take everything out. I mean everything. Just shoving things into hidden corners will do you no favors when it comes time for finding those items next season. I literally work from corner to corner in my closet. I start with handbags, work down to dresses and hanging items. Then folded items and I save shoes for last, but not least.
3. If you haven’t worn it in at least two turn-overs of your closet, I am sorry dear friend, but it is time to LET IT GO. I try to think about it like this. If I don’t wear it, haven’t worn it, maybe someone else can? Whether you pack these items up and bring them to your local donation center or sell them on eBay, it frees you from the clutter of stuff you don’t wear and someone else will thank you.
4. Decide how you get dressed and think about how your closet can be organized to make that as fast and easy as possible. Do you wear jeans and tees every day? Put them close to each other so you can easily coordinate your outfit for the day. Wear suits or dress casual? Think about how you can mix and match your blouses, tops, suits and blazers to create new outfits every day.
5. Put as much as possible in plain-view. If your closet is like mine, there’s alot of things to squeeze into a small space. Add or adjust shelving to make it easy for you to quickly scan your closet and see everything you have. Most of the time, those items hidden in the back shelves never see the light of day. If you can’t put everything up-front, rotate the stuff in the back every few weeks.
And last but not least, admire your work and identify your 5 must-haves for the season. This is the part I love best. Maybe your favorite black pants have seen better days and should be replaced, or you could update your jeans and tees with a fun pair of cowboy boots. Whatever it is, create your list and carry it with you. Then, as your shopping, you know what you need and you can focus your time and money. Well, I’m off to do some shopping with my new list. Look for my next post on Fall must-haves and, until then, here’s to closet organization and the joys of Fall fashion.
By Michelle A Heath, on 10.04.09 | I often have a crisis. Not your typical breakdown because of work or life (okay those happen too). More of a “need to have them all, can’t choose, must put pretty shoes in bag” type of crisis. Are you with me here?
It was so refreshing to come across a fellow fashion-crisis lover, Abigail Beshkin, aka Crisis in Denim, who recently wrote a blog post about her inability to choose among three lovely frocks. So,what did she do? She took them home.
Queue ominous music.
That is where choice becomes chosen. If there is a choice to be made, you must make it at the store or chances are you will 1) Fall in love with all of whatever you brought home 2) Justify that you really really need it and will wear it all the time 3) Forget to return it 4) Stuff it in a corner and forget you have it 5) Miss the window to return it (return to either #2 or #4). You see, dear reader, I have fallen prey to this tempting delight. An array of shoes. All too fabulous to leave without. I tell myself I will bring them back. Instead, some combination of #1-5 of the above happen and, well, my closet has seen it’s fair share of my choosing crisis.
So, because I can feel her pain, I decided to help Abigail make her decision on which lovely frock to keep. Let’s face it. A dress is just a dress with out the accompaniment of the perfect pair of shoes. Am I right? So, I picked a few lovelies and matched them with her frocks to help her decide.
I would pair her purple, belted frock with the FABULOUS Harajuku Lovers ‘Airlie’ Mary Jane platforms. Really glams up the dress and accents the belt.
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Then, there’s the purple and grey tweed short-sleeved plaid dress, very Mad Men, with the “jaunty little flower pin with a purple crystal center.” I’d pair this one up with these sexy Betsey Johnson ‘Calais’ peep-toes. Love the accent of the flowers and the purple is sassy!
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And, last but not least, the mod-meets-greek goddess white & black dress. I see this one with a pair of super opaque black tights and these sleek and shiny black J. Reneé ‘Farrah’ beauties.
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So, you see, a style crisis CAN have a happy ending. Especially one that ends with glamourous, affordable and must-havable shoes.
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