StyleSpy with Katrina Szish

Marc Jacobs' iconic "mouse" shoe is officially celebrating it's 10th, although the designer has offered countless charming and increasingly figurative incarnations during the decade.

As a means of celebrating the shoe's icon status, Jacobs did what only Jacobs can do:  He masterminded a collaboration so brilliant that it ensures the (limited) anniversary edition will transcend mere icon status. 

This shoe isn't a shoe -- it's art. 

Jacobs enlisted the help of my most-revered urban artist, KAWS (aka Brian), to craft the latest mouse flat.  KAWS is known for his postmodern graffiti art, some of which resembles Mickey Mouse.  Thus, in addition to his automatic hip-factor, he is a man who knows mice.  Well played, Marc.

Only 200 pairs of the black flats exist worldwide, and they are available immediatement at Paris' drool-inducing Colette.

Whether or not you collect KAWS pieces (like I do), I don't know that I would recommend wearing these shoes.  Just display them on your vanity or bookshelf, and keep the packaging should you ever want to auction them "MIB" on Ebay...or at Sotheby's.

Until now, my all-time favorite Marc Jacobs collaboration was with Takashi Murakami for Louis Vuitton.  I bought myself an original cherry blossom monogram bag and managed to get Mr. Murakami to sign it at a gallery opening (a "vintage" snapshot from the 2003 event with my apparently very serious and very scruffy friend Michael Taylor). 

To my nearly uncontainable delight, he not only signed the bow-clad bag (pictured above!), but he DREW A PICTURE on the inside flap.  Needless to say, that bag doesn't get out much.  Who needs a retirement fund when you've got that baby stashed away?!

My weekend plans?  A visit to www.Colette.fr followed by a Vespa ride across the Williamsburg Bridge to track down the artist...and a signature. 

As a big fan of all things POP, I am always mesmerized by products inspired by POP-CULTURE and POP-ART that boast both form and function -- particularly when said products look like kids' toys.

I suppose for many these products do double as kids' toys, but due to their inherent functionality, I also consider them "adult toys" (in the most innocent way, of course; but that headline got your attention, didn't it?)

Take a look at three I'm currently coveting:

1. TOY WATCH'S NEW NEON PLASTERAMIC, $195

Like a swankier Swatch (my all-time favorite), Toy Watch nods to the neon trend with this bright series.  Considering the continuation of the all-things-colorful trend, TheCoolhunter.net makes a wise observation: "..the Toy Watch could be the new RayBan Wayfarer."

2. DREAM KITTY'S SOLAR-POWERED HELLO KITTY CHARGING STATION, $159.99

This 5x3-inch, eco-friendly charger powers to full capacity after 6 hours in the sunlight, or after about 1 hour plugged-in.  Charge computers, cameras, cell phones and MP3 players.  The charger even has a built-in LED that provides 48 hours of interrupted light.

3.  MIMOBOT USB FLASH DRIVE, from $39.95

Launched in 2005 by mimoco (MEE-mo-co), these limited edition artist-designed flash drives carry all the typical tech-y stuff (files, pictures, documents, presentations) without making you yawn --- or yearn for something chic.  There's something very Gwen Stefani/Harajuku Lovers about these cute little pals...I like the stripes and bears, but there's also a Princess Leia version for those truly pop-culture obsessed.

WANNA PLAY????

This just in: signature pieces from St. Kilda -- a celeb-favorite jewelry line -- are now available online directly from the designer, Nora Kogan.

Scarlett Johansson has the Aditi earrings with pearls (shown with emeralds
above)...

...and Keri Russell wears her anaconda necklace all the time.

Nora Kogan was born in Russia, but her fine jewelry collection is inspired by -- and named after -- the Melbourne, Australia seaside town in which she grew up.

Tiger tooth earrings, pale pink amethyst and gold, $240

Both delicate and decadent, Kogan's designs incorporate yellow, rose and black gold, and are accented with everything from rubies to white diamonds to pink sapphires.

To shop or to find out more, visit StKildaJewelry.com

So my apartment (read: home) is possibly going to be scouted for a feature film tomorrow morning, reportedly starring an actress with whom you are all familiar.   My digs would be said actress' on-camera home (decor and all!  the location scout spied us through an unshaded window from the street outside and liked the modernist vibe.  Go me!)...before she gets committed to an insane asylum.  Seriously. 

Yes, of course Mr. Husband and I consented -- because how cool is that?! -- but then I started thinking about the privacy factor.  As in, "Hello!  Welcome to my very small NYC abode, packed to the rafters with lots of stuff and then some more stuff and occupied by two humans, four furry mammals and one amphibian.  Oh, and if you hear a strange banging on the floor, that's just our supermodel neighbor knocking her broomstick on her ceiling because she can hear us talking."

The glamorous life, baby!  That's me.  You betcha.

Anyway, I just thought this was a fun fact to share.

Will let you know how it goes.

And that's it for another day in the life of your trusty Style Spy, this time in the unique role of having been spied on...

This 12 oz. ceramic Baleen whale teapot has a happy Jonathan Adler vibe with an even happier price tag.  I actually found the very same teapot on three different websites with prices ranging from $28-$40!  Score the $28 version at Stash Tea. 



The little brown whale is even cuter in person...Mine is permanently displayed on my living room bookshelf.

Check out more home decor ideas -- and celeb favorites -- right here on InStyle.com.

Ikat textiles are at the top of Spring's "It" list -- whether in the form of scarves, dresses or housewares -- but I found these chic Bahasa throw pillows priced like they're going out of style.

ON SALE for $15.89 (22" square) and $23.89 (16"x35" rectangle) at Z Gallerie

I have been spying tons of elephants lately (not real ones, that would be scary), particularly in the world of home design.

There are re-issued classics...

Eames miniature plywood elephant by Vitra, $185 at Accurato.com

George Nelson Elihu the Elephant Zootimer Clock, $130 at Nova68.com

Alexander Calder 3D Elephant Puzzle, $69.99 at Nova68.com

There are modern interpretations...

Siecle champagne flute, $195 at Vivre

Smythson Correspondence Cards, $90 for ten at Smythson

Elephant bedding (cotton percale or flannel) from $19 at The Company Store

And, of course, there are elephants you can wear...

Roberto Cavalli bracelet, $700 at Vivre

Tory Burch Bailey top, $275 at ToryBurch.com

Even celebrities are embracing the elephant...

Hilary Duff image courtesy of Kenneth Jay Lane

Kenneth Jay Lane bangle, $140 at Saks Fifth Avenue

But why now?  Is it simply an offshoot of Spring's global/tribal fashion trend?

Perhaps a viral marketing campaign launched by some young, hip GOP strategist? 

Or has everyone simply had it with pigs?  As in, forget the piggy bank...I want an elephant bank!

Jonathan Adler bank (also in black, baby blue and white), $68
(Donkey version also available.  That Jonathan Adler is so PC.)

If you don't want to save your pennies in a ceramic elephant, you can put your pennies towards saving a real elephant.   Like Eleanor here, orphaned in Kenya when she was 18 months old.

Visit SheldrickWildlifeTrust.org for details.

Perhaps "herd mentality" isn't such a bad thing...

Looking for a birthday gift for a Pisces pal?  Here, seven suggestions straight from a fish's mouth (that would be me)...

1.  KATE SPADE "MOLLY" SANDALS

$175 at Kate Spade

2. HERMES BEACH TOWEL

$510 at Hermes

3.  CHRISTOFLE STERLING SILVER KEYCHAIN

$160 at Vivre

4.  PRINCESSE TAM TAM BIKINI

About $160 at Saks FIfth Avenue or Princesse Tam Tam

5.  GORHAM STAINLESS STEEL FLATWARE

Service for 12, $129.95 at Barrons

6.  LINEN SEQUINED THROW PILLOW

$70 at Beautiful Pillows and Home

7.  JONATHAN ADLER LAMP

$350 at Jonathan Adler

Cupcakes and champagne are always a nice touch, too (no "drink like a fish" jokes, please)...

STYLE SPY RECOMMENDS: 
A ROMANTIC DINNER WITH YOUR SWEETIE AT NYC'S NOBLE

What:  A cozy, gourmet eatery and wine/liquor bar

Where:  7 Spring Street (just West of Bowery), 212.777.0874

Why:  Besides gourmet comfort food (lobster bisque, roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, foie gras-stuffed burgers, and warm chocolate cake), this tiny gem boasts an enomatic wine serving system (revolutionary technology that preserves the integrity of opened bottles of wine) stocked with rare offerings you're likely never to see served by the glass again.   Worth a trip just for the vino. 

Tips:

-Try the Gevrey-Chambertin, a stunning Burgundy, if they have any left!

-Make a point to ask for Chris, Noble's wine guru -- his extensive knowledge of wine and food-pairing suggestions is part of the charm

Mr. Husband, formerly the wine director at the famed Spotted Pig gastropub, gives the wine list a rave review

Champagne is always appropriate.  But this holiday season the bubbly stuff is making an especially toast-worthy style statement.

In NYC, Moët & Chandon has opened its first-ever pop-up champagne crystallization boutique in SoHo (455 West Broadway between Prince and Houston).   So chic!  So sultry!

For a flat fee of $30, you can have any bottle of Moët (pre-purchased -- the shop doesn't sell bottles of the good stuff) personalized with Swarovski crystals -- names, dates, monograms, anything up to seven letters. The bedazzling will be done in two days or less.

But be sure to pop in soon.  Boutique Moët is open only Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout December from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.  The doors will close for good on December 30th.  For more info visit www.moetsoho.com.
 

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Two of my favorite designers, Victor & Rolf, lent their quirky creativity to a limited edition bottle of Piper-Heidsieck Rose Sauvage, along with a flute and  champagne bucket -- all crafted to appear "upside down." 

According to the design duo: “When we were contacted by Piper-Heidsieck the first question we asked ourselves was how can we make this bottle, which we think of as iconic, look a little bit like us?  How can we make something new out of something eternal?” 

The result?  They turned a classic icon on its head...literally. 

Get your piece of fashion history for $90, and celebrate New Year's Eve in style (I welcomed the millenium with a bottle of Piper-Heidsieck decked out in full red patent leather corset regalia, designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, and it was a very good year).

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Karl Lagerfeld designed this perch skin guitar case for Dom Perignon when he shot the champagne legend's recent rosé campaign with Eva Herzigova.  The case holds half a dozen bottles of the house's rarest rosé vintages, plus three flutes.

Dom Pérignon Rosé Guitar Case, Limited Edition
$150,000
Available by special order
212.251.8247

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And then I got this from my trainer Alicia at Complete Body:

A literal buzz kill, but hey, that's what kick-butt trainers are for...sigh...