StyleSpy with Katrina Szish

Clockwise from top left:  Milly by Michelle Smith, Spring 2008 collection; Joie sandals, $245 at ShopBop; Jonathan Adler "ropes" wallpaper, $195/roll at Jonathan Adler; Gurkees Tobago rope sandals, $28 (!), at Gurkees

I love anything with nautical rope accents, and I'm only placing partial blame upon NYC's new(ish) nautical haunt, The Rusty Knot, that I told you about a couple months ago.

I also blame my charming, historic neighborhood -- the South Street Seaport -- where anything salty and seaworthy earns instant style points (there's even a chic pet boutique called The Salty Paw, complete with anchor pull-toys and homemade fish-shaped biscuits).

Seersucker shorts, $120, Opening Ceremony for Screaming Mimi's (available May 23rd exclusively at Screaming Mimi's seasonal shop in Montauk, Long Island and their Manhattan boutique)

And while I'm  scapegoating, I'll also call out The Sea Shell Shop in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where I've been sucked in by (sometimes silly) seaside souvenirs since the age of two.   During my most recent visit, I scored a set of monkey's-fist rope coasters for about $6.

A luxe twist on the classic sailor's bracelet
Bottega Veneta, $170 at Saks Fifth Avenue

My favorite interiors and lifestyle guru, Jonathan Adler, recently launched his Wauwinet collection tagged with the suggestion: "think beach grass, boat shoes, sand dunes, and cocktails at five."  At the top of my list is the Wauwinet mirror, which will look great above the small Heywood Wakefield dresser in my hallway.   I'm also coveting his new "ropes" wallpaper (top), which I would custom order in black and white to avoid an overtly preppy look.

Castaner slingback platform at Vivre, $325 (I especially love the black satin pair; the dressed-up fabric upper paired with the rugged rope heel is an unexpected -- and superchic -- contrast)

My rope-is-dope mentality is anything but new, yet I am especially excited because designers are wrapped up with it this season... 

Silver and rope collection by Vellum, from $250 at Vivre

And, of course, that means there is boatloads of booty to buy.

Water optional.