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.

Don't worry, no post debate commentary here.  However, like everyone else, saving money is on my mind.

Yet, being the Style Spy, it's only fitting that I save with, well, style.

There are loads of partisan purchases to be made this election season, from TOMS political party shoes to Hidalgo's gold and diamond rings.  But, my favorite keepsake is also the most practical.

Take your financial future into your own hands with Jonathan Adler's ceramic banks ($78 each).  The only way they'll crash is if you drop them. 

I've been making little deposits in one of my own for the past few months.  Any guesses at which one I bought???

Today, celebrity-favorite designer Roland Mouret launches five limited edition dresses from his bespoke collection on net-a-porter.com.   

Designed specifically for the superb shopping site, the dresses are classic Roland Mouret constructions:  curve-hugging, waist-cinching, below-the-knee sheaths made even sexier by the addition of accordian pleats and subtle drapes.  Hues include grape and deep forest green; each dress is $2,065.

Mouret, of course, has mastered the art of creating the perfect, sexy-yet-sophisticated silhouette.  Even more impressive, he has mastered the art of making women look -- and feel -- extraordinary.

                                             --ROLAND MOURET

Legendary home to all things retro-hip, Screaming Mimi's (est. 1978)  renowned vintage boutique in New York City has also earned the impressive accolade as THE place to go for haute haunting garb.  A special team of stylists hunts for the best costumes year round, and the shop boasts endless archives and a staff well-versed in all things pop culture.  They have tricked out trick-or-treaters from Chloe Sevigny to Tatum O'Neil to Trudi Styler to supermodel (and bride of the White Stripes' Jack White) Keren Elson.

Known for getting in the holiday spirit via their kitschy-cool window displays (Simon Doonan eat your heart out), this year is no exception.  The theme?   

HALLOWEEN IN OUTER SPACE

Laura Wills, the boutique's owner and founder, explains:

"We chose this theme because it is the 50th anniversary of Sputnik and
the dawning of the space age which made us think of all kinds of characters
from films and tv of the past decades inspired by space fantasies...
Barbarella, the Jetsons, Star Trek, even David Bowie in the movie the The
Man Who Fell to Earth as well as Ziggy Stardust. Astronauts, aliens and now
that water has been found on Mars, maybe there's an Elvis character out there
somewhere?  It's a good time to offer a fun escape and let people masquerade as something far from planet Earth." 

Despite an out-of-this-world theme, Screaming Mimi's is always down-to-earth.  Prices are not astronomical, and you don't need an appointment to launch your costume search.  They make everyone feel like a star. (har har har)

Screaming Mimi’s is located at 382 Lafayette Street in New York’s NoHo neighborhood.

Channel your inner GG (double entendre intended), and make a beeline for the main floor of Bergdorf Goodman in New York City.  Today.  As in now.

(Read while you run.  That's why we have Blackberries.)

Gucci cuts the ribbon on their accessories boutique and -- as if the thrill of that alone weren't enough -- the luxe label has created fifteen one-of-a-kind bags exclusively for the posh outpost.  Each is crafted in Bergdorf’s signature lilac color (how convenient for us that purple is the shade of the season!) and boasts an engraved silver hangtag that announces “GUCCI loves Bergdorf.” Now that's some Bergdorf Bling.

All your favorite bag styles (“Hysteria”, “Jockey” and “Indy”) are represented in patent, Guccissima leather and "precious" skins (croc, ostrich and python).

Speaking of exclusive, take a gander at the gorgeousness that awaits...Style Spy scored this picture of a purple python Indy just for you.

Prices start at $1,295 and reach a crescendo of $29,800.

Stock market, schtock market. 
I'll race you to 57th Street.

As you know, October is Women's Cancer Awareness month, and there is plenty of shopping to be done for treasures both fashionable and philanthropic.

One of the coolest items I've seen is Aquatalia by Marvin K's special edition Wasabi boot; the best-seller has been reimagined in rose ombre patent.  Love these!  Sleek-n-chic!  Instant rainy-day-blues chaser! (I have them in black, but I may need to add to my stash...)

Marvin Krasnow (aka Marvin K, founder and creative director) has teamed up with Saks Fifth Avenue to benefit the Key to the Cure program -- a percentage of sales will be donated to local organizations through the Entertainment Industry Foundations's Women's Cancer Research Fund.  The rose ombre Wasabi boot (also available in grey, olive and berry; $285 per pair) is featured at Saks stores in New York City, Boston and Chicago. 

Want to meet the man behind these must-have boots himself?  Krasnow will be at Saks in NYC on October 16th from 5 to 7pm to help kick off Saks’ nationwide charity shopping weekend hosted by celebrity ambassador Gwyneth Paltrow.

PS

Looking for a gift that gives again and again?  I still adore the Jiffy E-Steam travel steamer...

The McKing of to-die-for design debuts his Spring 2009 collection tomorrow in Paris.

What, oh what is one to wear to such a dazzling event?  A frock from seasons past?  Pish-posh!

I'm not even going to be there and I will still be paying homage to the master, albeit while watching streaming video or looking at pics on InStyle.com.

Lucky for us, McQueen and his pals at Net-a-porter.com have made it very easy to be a McPrincess.  Net-a-porter.com (my most adored online shopping source) is offering eight items -- exclusively -- from the Alexander McQueen pre-spring collection (watch the video here) two months before they will be available anywhere else.

You can get same day delivery in Manhattan and overnight delivery across the country to ensure you'll be properly outfitted in time for the show. 

This curve-enhancing peplum dress is my must-have... 

...what will you be wearing to the show???

Whether you fancy Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan or Sean Connery as your spy guy, we all have a little Bond Girl envy in our hearts.  With that in mind, I rounded up some cool gadgets that inspire my inner Ursula for CNN.com's latest edition of "Show and Tell."

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!

...well, not exactly.   While Jamaicans everywhere are celebrating their country's track and field triumphs at the Bird's Nest in Beijing, I am celebrating Sophie Eyssautier, a French native who left behind a successful design career in Paris to move to Jamaica.  And, if I had a gold medal to bestow upon the best Jamaican-based design talent, it would go to Eyssautier.

At the urging of friends, Eyssautier opened Sophie's Callaloo Butik in Negril in 2002.  The label, called Callaloo (named after Eyssautier's favorite green, leafy Jamaican vegetable),

includes clothing and accessories for women and children (sundress above) as well as housewares, and is sold in a handful of Jamaican boutiques (although Noisette in Brooklyn occasionally carries a few pieces).

I got my first peek at Callaloo in the exquisitiely-curated boutique at Rockhouse Hotel (everyone from Bob Dylan to Nanette Lepore has checked in), and quickly learned of the label's success as items sold out on a daily basis.

As quoted in a local Jamaican magazine, Eyssautier says, "It is most important that my creations are made entirely in Jamaica.  I was tired of looking on labels only to find they were made in faraway countries."

 Each piece from the Callaloo collection is handcrafted, whether a beaded T shirt, printed bag, tank top with quirky embroidery (surprisingly Marni-esque), a madras infant onesie, or a flowing cotton dress perfect for Caribbean days and nights.

Best of all, indulging in a few pieces won't cramp your travel budget.  Bags cost about $30 or less, dresses max out at $60.  Prices go down from there.

Hungry for some Callaloo?
Check out www.callalloo-jam.com for more details.