We’ve certainly got a decent range in design and pricing; Dolce Vita’s Peyton and Asos’ Ariel are both under $120.  Eighty Twenty’s Adair is also affordable (and unique), though you could go with Steve Madden’s Maybeth if you’re more into functional minimalism.

When it comes to the designer world, Opening Ceremony has two designs lasting from previous seasons that are still trend current and happen to be on sale; enter the Margot wedge and the Stefania 1.  For current season deliciousness, Jil Sander and LD Tuttle‘s styles are formidable to say the least, though you’ll certainly be paying for the pleasure.

Zipper jewelry can be trite, though a wee zipper ring is just subtle enough to pass even the most stuffy of scoffers.  In the same realm is the spike collection, represented well by Wendy Nichol silver spike and Joomi Lim’s hematite piece.  For perfect minimalism, look to Pamela Love’s cross ring, while macabre fans will enjoy both the lower key Zoe & Morgan Stacking Flowers and Ollipop’s Mexican inspired Bone Queen piece.

These are far more practical than the original footless style, though need not be pigeon holed as welly socks.  These are excellent summer layering pieces just waiting to be burst forth from their packaging.

At $30 per pair they aren’t the cheapest sockies on the block, though they can certainly be taken from hotter days to cooler ones with ease.

WaterCan has been gifted with a $20,000 donation by Naturalizer as the winner, with runner up charities Boys And Girls Clubs and WWF with $1,000 donations respectively.

Thanks for supporting a great cause, and remember that all three of these charitable outfits deserve continued donation as they are all worthy causes.

This is Dermalogica’s new redness relief cream, which is so new in fact that it’s not publicly available until May 2011.  This is a naturally green tinted cream (no artificial colorants or fragrances) that you apply to your afflicted areas, which completely absorbs and works brilliantly to combat that redness. It also provides a bonus SPF 20 line of protection just in time for summer.

It absorbs within about five minutes after application, and there is no hint of green left – only a lesser red area where applied.  Makeup can be applied afterwards quite easily and does not destroy the effect as the tint is already absorbed into your skin.

I love this product, and I know you will too.

With my last visit to the Dermalogica HQ in Vancouver, I also learned about FITE, their micro loan program designed to empower women across the world.  With every donation, you get to see the profile of a woman who is benefitting from your financial donation.  Check it out!

That’s not all..

Since the Shopbop promotion is running all spring and summer, we’ve got more $200 gift code prizes to give away – one every month.  We’ve also got a contest with Oak NYC coming up in a few days.. stay tuned!!

This is going to be a brilliant year for creativity and bliss, and I can’t wait to roll out some new bits and bites via demiCouture.  Happy first day of January and happy New Year.  It’s 2011, and I’m strangely but solidly optimistic.

BRING IT ON.

So far we’ve seen very loud designs; crushed velvet from Lily Lewis for Topshop ($34), all over sequin by Kokin ($455) and knitted styles like Alice Hannah’s ($35).

For springtime think aheaders, Missoni’s boho wrap style is a style many brands will be reflecting in their collections.  They truly remind me of Chloé’s 2006 desert romp ads, don’t you think?

Resort collections are the ultimate ‘fuck you’ to the average consumer, and during the daily dollar crunch (not to mention the additional holiday pinch) just rubs me especially badly.  In the meantime, I’ll just be perusing Net-A-Porter’s new ins, wishing I was hopping off to some tropical resort where the locals feed me copious amounts of unlimited food and liquor.  </end rant>

The dress is now 60% off, which brings the price of the piece down to a rather measly $10,031 (€7,645).  If you’re in the mood, this is one piece I would be all over like white on rice.

Lament with me!