StyleSpy with Katrina Szish

As far as I'm concerned Hello Kitty is always having a moment, but this month she has been busier than ever.

She released her debut album, "Hello World" which features 11 tracks of original pop tunes performed by up & coming young artists (HK Fun Fact: Hello Kitty doesn't have a mouth because she "speaks from the heart," so she can't talk...or sing).

She opened a posh boutique in New York City called Sanrio Luxe...The 1,200 square foot space is accented with black crystal chandeliers and refurbished Victorian furnishings upholstered in jet black, and it stocks rare products from Japan, handbags & shoes from Italian design house Camomilla, Columbian couture apparel from Mabel Palacio, and Kimora Lee Simmons' diamond jewelry collection (and that's just for starters).

...and in celebration of her November 1st birthday (her 34th!), Hello Kitty created a limited edition t-shirt to benefit her friends at the Humane Society.  It will be available starting this Saturday at Sanrio.com.

Celebrate the last days of summer by treating yourself to a brilliant bargain.  I've been eyeing these Hollywould raffia sandals all season, and even though Labor Day is a week away, the price is definitely right...they're $80 (final sale, all sizes available, SALE ENDS SUNDAY) marked down from $245! 




I'm already fantasizing about what sandy beach to wear them on this winter...

CHECK OUT INSTYLE.COM'S ULTIMATE SHOE GUIDE TO GET GEARED UP FOR FALL.  SEE EDITOR'S PICKS AND CELEB FAVORITES!

...I see eco underpants!


Eco Boudoir, based in London, offers sexy little things that are green and gorgeous.  A perfect gift for the yoga-loving bride...or for you.

Their philosophy: "Eco-Boudoir uses fabrics that are highly renewable and which do not bring pollution to people or the environment in their processing. We challenge the Eco-market in terms of design and branding and challenge the luxury market in terms of sustainability. We have made eco 'sexy'."

Just had to share.




What's your favorite green-goes-glam product?

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????

Scents, like songs, can transport you to a distant time or place.

One of the best souvenirs to score from a favorite destination -- especially a beachy one -- is a fragrance that sparks your senses and takes you back to that cherished place with a single sniff.

Whenever I long for Rehoboth Beach (my childhood seaside paradise), I splash on a few drops of the rugged Chesapeake Bay Spyce men's cologne that I bought at Carlton's, the old-school resort clothier on Rehoboth Avenue.  (The same company, Coastal Fragrance, also offers a version called Seaport, which does wonders reminding me of home when I'm away from home).

Chesapeake Bay Spyce cologne, $30 at Sportys.com

Bond No. 9 bottles the essence of the Hamptons, Fire Island (my pick for sexiest scent!), Coney Island and Manhattan (dubbed Eau de New York), in their New York beaches collection (they recommend storing the bottle in the fridge for maximum cooling sensation).

Bond No. 9 beaches collection, $125 per 50ml bottle at BondNo9.com

Even if you're landlocked, pretend you're not with Restoration Hardware's "shore" cleaning collection.  I use the laundry softener and surface cleaner all year long, and it makes household chores less of a chore.

Shore cleaning collection, from $9 at Restoration Hardware

And leave it to Jonathan Adler to conjure a series of candles inspired by some of his most beloved getaways (and mine!  Mr. Husband and I have spent many a lazy afternoon sipping Domaines Ott at Sunset Beach on Shelter Island!)...

Jonathan Adler Sunset Beach candle, $38 at  Candledelirium.com

What's your favorite scent memory?  If you've found it bottled or in wax form, let me know!

Maxi dresses aren't a new phenomenon.  Not only do they hold a solid place in fashion history, but Nicole Richie made vintage and boho styles her uniform well over a year ago, pairing them with face-obscuring shades.  Angelina Jolie followed, selecting Rachel Pally sundresses as her latest pregnancy wardrobe essential. 

The viability of floor-sweeping hemlines is still strong, yet while this summer's maxi maintains bohemian flair, it's lost its Kumbaya vibe in favor of sleek elegance (something to keep in mind when choosing your accessories; opt for rich gold jewelry and a blazer rather than a sloppy hobo bag and a head scarf).  Think rooftop party in Marrakesh rather than muddy feet at Woodstock.

Katie Holmes wears it right
Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage

Before heading to Miami last week I hit Henri Bendel's on Fifth Avenue in search of wardrobe options.  It wasn't until I stripped in the fitting room that I realized every piece I had pulled off the rack was a long day dress.  I tried on a strapless, ombre column; a bright silk skimmer from Alice & Olivia; and a Hawaiian-inspired floral number by Tracy Feith.  I ended up buying not one but two Diane von Furstenbergs, each with a totally different attitude:

Shop now at DVF.com

A slinky retro halter and a breezy multicolored wrap, which I didn't top off with a hat (sidenote: Molly Sims has been snapped wearing a similar dress).

The best part about these dresses is that with a speedy accessories switch they can go from brunch to a beach wedding -- both of which I have coming up on my calendar.

Cheers to the maxi dress!

I just got back from Miami Beach (work and play), and during my visit I stumbled upon an amazing boutique on Ocean Drive: TAJ by Sabrina.



Shop owner Sabrina Crippa not only stocks sweet, summery pieces by Tibi and Milly, but she is also entering the second year of designing her own label -- and her collection alone is worth a trip to the shop. 



Beautiful cotton and silk tunic tops, dresses and leather sandals embellished with the most dazzling beads, gems and stones reflect Sabrina's globally-inspired aesthetic. 



Sabrina (above, showing one of her designs) grew up outside Milan, and regularly visits Morocco, Africa and India, but Miami has been her home since 1999.

In a season in which global-inspired items should be at the top of your shopping list, Sabrina's collection will make you look and feel as if you've traveled the world and brought back one-of-a-kind treasures.  I'm just happy I got to bring back one such treasure (which was definitely not enough!) from Miami.



Shop for Taj by Sabrina at HeidiKlein.com OR call 305.761.6883 for more information.

Check out my complete Miami Beach wrap-up on CNN.com where you can also check out my weekly show "Inside InStyle"!

I love denim.

I have at least as many pairs of (meticulously-selected) jeans as Eva Longoria Parker (50+).  I also have a keen denim radar. 

I usually fall in love with different silhouettes from different labels (skinny from one, wide leg from another), but I can't say that I've ever fallen madly in love with an entire collection.

That is, until I fell for MiH.

MiH's designer, Chloe Lonsdale, comes from a family who also fell madly in love with denim. 

In the early 70s, Chloe's dad Tony Lonsdale bought a van packed with old denim and tried to sell the contents to several chic London boutiques but was laughed out of the shops.  Resolute to succeed, he opened his own outpost on King's Road and filled it with the stock from the van.  "He figured if he sold it within three months he would be ok," explains Chloe. "He sold out within three weeks."

London's Blue Jean King was crowned.  Lonsdale was not only the first person to bring jeans to the British market, but he is also the man behind the legendary chain of Jean Machine shops.

He soon met his Blue Jean Bride (as she was nicknamed in the press), model Chekkie Maskell, when she was modeling jeans for him from a new denim collection called Made In Heaven.

Turns out this match was made in heaven.

Blue Jean Baby Chloe was born a few years later.  By then Jean Machine shops had taken over almost every high street in the country.  Made in Heaven was the hottest denim brand around -- thanks to its retail success in Lonsdale's stores -- and worn by fashion icons Farrah Fawcett, Jerry Hall and Twiggy.  Tony and Chekkie had become close friends with the creator of Made in Heaven, so they named him as Chloe's godfather.

Fast forward to now: Chloe Lonsdale -- all grown up with a degree in fashion -- has brought the Made in Heaven brand back to life.  The modern incarnation? MiH Jeans.

Touted for it's leg-lengthening, derriere-lifting qualities, MiH has recreated many of the original styles from the 70s.  The Berlin (worn by Chloe's mom, upper left) was beloved by Jerry Hall and Twiggy, both of whom now wear the MiH version.  Scarlett Johansson and Kate Moss count the Berlin among their favorites:  You'll see Scarlett wearing a pair in the upcoming film "He's Just Not That Into You."

For summer, Chloe has created a limited edition version of the Marrakesh (below), inspired by a pair her mom customized roughly three decades ago.  Patchwork details, handsewn stars and patterned lining decorate these super-soft, leggy numbers.   The special Marrakesh will be sold at Neiman Marcus, Ron Herman, Bergdorf Goodman and Net-A-Porter.com for $280.

If retro-chic isn't your style, MiH has loads of other cuts (skinny, cropped, high-waisted, full-leg, classic 5-pocket straight-leg) in a variety of washes and colors (dark, white, washed, yellow).  Some even come in corduroy or velvet.  Chloe has also introduced tops and shorts (keep an eye out for the denim sailor shorts with gold-plated buttons).

And rest assured these jeans look good on a range of figures, as evidenced by the long list of A-listers who love MiH.  In addition to Kate, Scarlett, Jerry and Twiggy, the list includes Elizabeth Hurley, Keira Knightly, Sophie Dahl and Catherine Zeta-Jones. 

Check out the entire collection at MiH-jeans.com.

The bottom line?  Chloe Lonsdale has great jeans...and great genes.

Leave it to Richie Rich and Traver Rains, the glam duo behind the kitsch-cool Heatherette label, to convince one of the world's biggest cosmetic companies to change their iconic black packaging to near-neon pink for a limited-edition collaboration.

That's right, Heatherette made MAC Cosmetics blush.

And I couldn't be more excited.

I was so inspired, I even staged my own product shots (above and below).

Richie gave me the scoop on the collaboration at a dinner party about a week before the debut (check out his self portrait taken avec Style Spy's camera)...

He was rocking killer Chanel boots and glittery eyeliner; he wore a Judith Leiber rhinestone-encrusted owl minaudiere around his neck like a pendant...

and proved his prowess for lipstick with his spectacular ability to pout for pictures (Mr. Husband and I tried to keep up).

I was obsessed with the make-up line, sight unseen...with the lipstick especially, because the only shades I've been wanting to wear for this spring and  summer are intensely-pigmented pinks.  Electric, hot, shocking, neon, peony, fuschia...every last one of them.  Thanks to the Heatherette boys, the perfect stash exists with names like Hollywood Nights, Melrose Mood and Lollipop Loving.

And they look even better once applied -- creamy but bold, light but not sheer.  Perfection.

Don't even get me started on the lipgloss (Bonus Beat is the perfect nude hue), the eyeshadow palettes and the double-sided eyeliner pencils...

This line gets Style Spy's ultimate endorsement: Run don't walk (especially because it's selling out fast!)

Available now at MAC Cosmetics stores and MACCosmetics.com -- click here to see more products and watch the video.

Christian Louboutin shoes always stop traffic, but these sexy architectural-heeled babies are so rubber-neck-worthy they just may cause gridlock.   I love the mix of the natural cork with the red patent leather.  Plus, as far as I'm concerned, the higher the heel the better.  These boast a 4 3/4-inch stiletto wedge.

$835 at Neiman Marcus

Disclaimer:  The Shoe of The Week is chosen because it is either beautiful, artistic, fantastical or otherwise lust-worthy in my eyes.  Comfort, potentially dangerous heel heights, price and practicality do not factor into the selection process.  Remember:  fashion is fun!