While browsing the web and waiting for family to arrive this morning, I came across these cute shoes that definitely should have been on my Christmas list. They’re like a cross between traditional Vans shoes and ballet slippers, and they’d be perfect with jeans and a cute top. Even better, they’re on sale right now for $24.99 (marked down from $40).

BONUS: If you use the coupon link below, you can get free shipping over $25. That doesn’t help a lot if all you want is the $24.99 slip-on shoes, but they do have a ton of accessories under $5. Why spend the $5 on shipping if you could be getting accessories instead??

Free Shipping over $25 at Alloy.com. Use code AERAFF. Offer expires 1.8.07.

If you’re between the ages of 22-30, you can probably remember many long afternoons spent watching Saved by the Bell. And of course, one of your favorite moments was probably the “Very special episode” where drugs came to Bayside High. Everyone’s favorite obnoxious feminist / super student, Jesse Spano, succumbed to academic pressures and became addicted to caffeine pills.

If you don’t remember it, here’s a brief clip of the scene:

Anyway, Busted Tees has come up with a shirt to commemorate the scene that will live on in infamy. Check it out here.

Now, you might be thinking to yourself, “It’s December, half the winter is over, why do I need a coat?” That’s definitely the wrong way to think about things. I like to think, “It’s December, half the winter is left, and there are so many cute coats I could be enjoying over the next 2-3 bitter months!”

I’m sad like that, I guess. All the same, the wool coats below are really, really cute, and several are actually affordable on normal human salaries - less than $100.

1. Hannah Coat - I’m a big fan of dressed-up classics, and the buckle on this coat is a really sweet touch. It definitely brings it out of the realm of “plain winter coat” and into the realm of coats that usually cost $500 or more. Right now, it’s $79.50. What do you think?

2. Chic Applique Coat - I try to hate the folks at Boden, really I do. They have convinced me, time and time again, that I will instantly inherit their carefree but sophisticated lifestyle the moment that I unwrap their delivery. To date, it hasn’t totally happened, but that may be because I don’t own this coat. It’s very Doris Day. $99.

3. Alfani Belted Wool Coat - This is probably not the place for my own little therapy session, but I’d like to let you in on a little nightmare of mine. It begins with me in a winter coat. It’s huge, and shapeless, and makes me look like a total beanbag. My waist has completely disappeared. Then it occurred to me that I could avoid that problem in my waking hours by getting a coat with a cinched waist. This one does the trick. $186.75 on sale.

4. Soft Wool Coat in Cream
- This coat reminds me of kept wives and, well, stains. While a near-white coat is definitely not for me, most people would look pretty fantastic in a coat like this one. $385.

5. Melinda Coat - The Melinda plaid wool peacoat is very clean cut and effortless. Even if you’re wearing nothing more than a plain white shirt and jeans, you’re going to look a hundred times better with the bright plaid pattern completing the look. $98.50

Basic black and white tank tops are great to have around, especially the extra long kind. They’re plain, but they go under pretty much anything, and they’re especially awesome when paired with shirts that are otherwise too short to wear without exposing a bit of midriff/backside. Right now, Delia’s has extra long (27″) black and white tank tops for $14.50 OR $5.99 each when you buy more than 1. And seriously, who would buy just one when two tank tops are actually cheaper than one? I know the picture shows a teal top, but they don’t appear to have any of those left. In my mind, that’s not a huge deal, since black and white Solid Layering Tanks are most useful to me anyway.

If you order $25 or more, you can also get free shipping with the link below. It’s good until January 8th of 2008:

Free Shipping On Orders Over $25 at dELiA*s. Use code DTRAFF. Offer expires 1.8.2008.

I’ve been trying to get my significant other to upgrade to a cooler wallet for 6 years now. Completely immune to my charms, he continues to carry the same old boring black leather wallet. So unfortunately, I’m pretty sure that he wouldn’t go for this awesome Stainless Steel Wallet. I’m making this post for those of you who are more fortunate - those of you whose boyfriends are open to stylish changes in their lives, or those of you who want your own stainless steel wallet to carry in your purse.

Uncommon Goods has the one below for $75-85, depending on whether you want the wallet or the credit card holder. Take a look:

It may seem a little nerdy, but I think solar-powered bags are pretty cool. In fact, I would proudly carry this Solar Powered Messenger Bag, secure in the knowledge that my gadgets would be charged as long I had sunlight. I’m sure it’s a great conversation starter, too, since they’re still fairly rare.

If the Messenger Bag isn’t your style, they also have a Solar Powered Backpack, which is probably a little better on your back, especially if you carry heavy loads. The backpack is $230 and the messenger bag is $240.

I’m not exactly sure why I titled this blog “What I’m Not”, but I own the domain and it’s a little too late to think about that now.  In the future, I’ll be discussing my favorite products of interest to women and possibly the occasional men who may drop by.  I certainly won’t encourage THEIR presence, though.

If you have any suggestions or thoughts, please feel free to e-mail me or add them to the comments section.  I’m always open to new ideas!