Until the “Dress Air” series, that is. The brainchild of Cole Haan, one of America’s leading casual luxury brands, Dress Air is the first state of the art high heel that uses Nike technology. An innovation in fashion, the partnership is a marriage between style and technology, to create high-heel shoes that women can actually enjoy wearing.The Nike “cushioning” Air “bags” incorporated into each shoe, counterbalances a woman’s weight while she walks and stands in her high heels. This is the same technology used to increase athletic performance in sports shoes.

The new Dress Air collection includes chic, fashionable styles like wedges, sling-backs, pumps, sandals, and even boots, all with towering four-inch heels. Finally, it’s possible to be both comfortable and beautiful at the same time.

The neat part about this clothing is although it is casual and comfortable, the pieces are nice enough to dress up with scarves, jewelry and other accessories to make them quite fancy should the occasion arise. Take the Kimono Dress for example, from the Fall 2008 collection. Add a large piece of jewelry to the v-neckline and even a fancy shawl and this dress can become a winter cocktail party outfit.

Quite dazzling is the rust colored empire gathered sleeveless top that easily goes from office to evening wear. Wear it with a pair of dress pants, a pretty skirt or even jeans and the top is right at home in all circumstances. The rest of the collection consists of wide leg pants, scooped neckline kimono tee, long sleeve v-neck tee, short gathered rib waistband skirt, and a few other tops and skirts.

Excellent coverage in “green” magazines, quality workmanship, caring ideals, and sharp looking clothing has made Habitude’s line of casual wear very popular. Last year, they created a sexy holiday collection so it will be interesting to see if another collection is available for this year’s Christmas season.

A quick excerpt:
“Although Kris’ pins are rightfully classified in the bridal section, as many brides wear the hairpins with hats and veils, more women are choosing to wear hairpins in order to add pizzazz to their outfits. And hairpins complement any outfit. Choose a delightful flower motif, sterling silver pin of light green jade, red jade, black onyx, quartz crystal, smokey quartz, or rose quartz.”

Don’t these look stunning?

THE ROCKER CONVERTIBLE – By ROWDY

Rowdy designs bags for active –and fashionable- parents. The Rocker Convertible (pictured here in Copper) brings out the natural rockstar in mummy and daddy! Made of durable pebble grain material, this chic and sleek diaper bag can be carried over the shoulder, or as a backpack. These bags feature removable spill-resistant liners, insulated bottle holder, changing pad, and also removable clutch purse for your own things! Also available in black or green. (I personally prefer the copper though, it’s so edgy!) - About $110.

DIAPER DUDE CAMO DIAPER BAG

Now here’s a diaper bag dad’s need not shy away from! No more flowery prints, or cutesy patterns; Diaper Dude creates diaper bags designed with hip dads in mind. This cool camouflage-printed messenger-style bag is funky but functional. It features an ergonomic design and padded back for comfortable carrying, as well as lots of compartments and handy add-ons (like the matching changing pad, stroller strap, and removable cellphone pouch, for instance) for the hip-dad on the go. - About $60

PETUNIA PICKLE BOTTOM CAKE SOCIETY RASPBERRY SATCHEL

Petunia Pickle Bottom makes the most elegant diaper bags, and the Cake Bags are probably their most beautiful design. The Raspberry Satchel comes in the most gorgeous pink cut velvet and coordinating wool tweed fabrics, and can be carried 4 ways: as a hobo or clutch, on the shoulder with the coordinating shoulder straps that can also be used to convert it to a backpack; or attached to your stroller with the Valet Stroller Clips. This design features a built-in changing station, as well as numerous pockets (to stay organized in every possibe way!) and a matching embossed plastic Cake wipey case. - About $325

Caribelle Batik from St. Kitts – You cannot go to the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts without visiting Caribelle Batik. This historic grounds and property called Romney Manor are breathtaking. Upon entering the store, you will see the beauty of the locals’ work made from one hundred percent Sea Island Cotton. Shorts, bathing suits, pareos, t-shirts and all manner of clothing for men, women and children fill the little shop. Perfect for cruise wear are the lovely kaftans, halter top styled sarongs, pretty flowered dresses and wrap skirts.

Androsia from the Bahamas – Androsia, a Batik manufacturing plant in Andros, is known for its beautiful resort wear. The designs are favorable to swimming and cruising with cute little lizards and turtles, families of dolphins, sea horses and sand dollars, hummingbirds and flowers, and a mix and other fish. One of the unique features of Androsia is they encourage special orders tailored to the customer’s wishes.

Art Fabrik Boutique from Grenada – Typical scenes from the islands in gorgeous blue, green, orange and pink fabrics are displayed in this St. George’s market boutique. It is a large effort with over forty-five artisans who studiously work to complete the wonderful selection of pareos, t-shirts, dresses and beach wrap.

The advantage of Batik from the Caribbean islands is that it is lovingly handmade by locals providing them much need jobs while at the same time providing customers with quality and luxury products. And remember that when you first receive Batik pieces, it is recommended to give them one wash in hot water to remove the excess dye and make the material a little softer for wearing.

Balenciaga’s newest release is the Giant Hobo. It stays true to Balenciaga’s quintessential timeless design, with its luxe leather, oversized hardware, and studded detail. The newer hobo-shape is slouchy, but still distinctively Balenciaga. The large size of this Giant Hobo makes it the perfect carryall; but it’s one carryall that’s stylish enough to transition beautifully from daywear to weekend wear. The style has been seen by celebrities toting it in neutral beige and deep jewel-tone green; but this Spring, Balenciaga released its Giant Hobo in pure winter white leather. I’m loving this gorgeous white B-Bag! Sure the gold hardware sounds a bit overmuch, but somehow Balenciaga pulls the look together beautifully.

We’ve gotten these photos through The Lingerie Post - our favorite lingerie blog. :) More pics in their Vanilla Lingerie post!

So pwetty!

Why would that be? Well — GENIOUS design-work, maybe?

I love it.

Photos from A Runway A Day.

Want to delve yourself into sports but you simply don’t have time for it? Settle for the next best thing! This Betsey Johnson Stitch It Up Satchel will make you feel like a glamorous equestrienne sans the horse. Fashion does cover all bases and this fab bag proves that even horse shoes can fit itself into the world of style.

How much is it worth? This beauty will cost you $295. Ring one up for me please!

Highlights of the collection are the Runway Dior Jazzclub Flapped Bags, instantly recognizable by its unique slouchy hobo-like shape, and oversized toggle closure. The popular favorite is the Zebra Flapped Bag (pictured below.) This scrumptious piece is dressed in the current zebra print (in a pony-finished leather,) and manages to be trendy, yet maintain a timeless appeal, with its polished logo-engraved silver hardware and silver chain straps.

The Flapped Bag is also available in leopard print, as well as aged lambskin leather in classic neutrals like black, white, and beige. The Dior Jazzclub Handbag Collection can be purchased at Eluxury.com (Zebra Print Flapped Bag price: $2,250)