Woohooo!!! Three cheers and hallelujah — one of my fashion prayers has been answered. I never thought I’d see the day, but it’s right there in black and white in Vogue’s Accessory Guide for Spring 2010. Move over sky high stilettos and platform wedges, you’ve got low heel competition. KILLER.

I’m giddy with excitement at the prospect of seeing a flood of one to two and half inch heeled shoes in stores. No flood yet, but I’m hopeful that Jeffery Campbell and Donald Pliner’s Spring collections are the start of good things to come.

As affiliates to many retail and fashion brands, we receive a steady stream of notifications about sales that they are running. I have occasionally posted these in “Sale Alert” blog posts. In order to organize things a little better, and also to keep the blog focused on non-commercial topics, we’ve decided to use these notifications to create a special section for sale alerts in the YLF store.

On the front page of the store you will see a new tab called “sales”. Clicking on that tab will take you to a list of the latest sales that we know about. There you can read a short description of the sale, comment on the sale if you have anything to share and read the comments that other people have left.

You will also notice a new section on the front page of the blog (today it is between the 3rd and 4th blog entries) that tells you about the most recent sales.

Let us know what you think of this new feature, and if you can think of ways that we could make it more useful.

It’s no secret that well endowed lasses are hard to fit for button down shirts. That’s why Carissa  Brown of Carissa Rose has spent a good chunk of time creating a button down shirt for busty women that doesn’t pull, gape or bunch. It’s all in the cut, fit and drape of the fabric and Carissa has perfected that for US sizes 4 to 16.

You might remember a company called Bratique Helene that also does shirts for the well-endowed. Well, it’s the same company! Bratique Helene has changed its name to Carissa Rose and I love the new identity. I’ve been referring to Bratique Helene’s button downs as “Carissa shirts” for ages, and now with the new branding of the company, my informal label actually makes sense!

We reviewed Carissa’s shirt here on YLF a little while ago and it passed with flying colours. We’ve also had YLF forum members achieve great success with Carissa’s products. One of the nicest things about Carissa’s shirts is that you can ask the very lovely Carissa herself for guidance. How’s that for service?

And to cap it all off, Carissa Rose was featured on page 94 of the February issue Oprah’s O Magazine (and online here). Carissa said they are thrilled to be featured in O Magazine, and “just as exciting is continually seeing You Look Fabbers become Carissa Rose clients, thanks to Angie’s insistence on good fitting button-downs”.

Congratulations Carissa Rose!

I’m into bold statements this year. First, moto jackets are a must and now Fryes. Every gal needs a pair of fabulous Frye boots, and once again, I don’t make these statements lightly. Frye boots are a versatile, timeless, casual classic. Their appeal cuts across all ages, body types and fashion personas, depending on the style you choose and HOW you wear them.

I’ve been wanting a pair of Fryes for years but comfort was always a challenge. Time and time again I’d give them a whirl, but my fussy feet would complain. But I swear, Frye fairies intervened with this season’s collection as they have never looked better or been more comfortable. There are lots of style options for all sorts of feet and calf widths so don’t give up.

After deciding on the Rory Slouch boots last year, they became an instant favourite. Super soft, extra support, sassy edge and fabulous rugged flair. Very happy feet. That’s them on the right (excuse the gratuitous use of my favourite bag in the picture).

The six styles below have been winners among my clients this Winter. The harness style is very biker-inspired and quite the acquired taste. The billy shorties are more cowboy inspired and especially nice in light distressed hues. The Paige riding style is great for tall lasses with wide calves, while the  Veronica Slouch boots are fab for both narrow and wide calf widths. I personally like them best scrunched.

The Melissa Button’s are refined and more sophisticated. My uber sassy 69 year old client almost went home with these in Bordeaux because they fit the bill of sophisticated, classy and edgy all at once. But she opted for the grey Carson shorties instead because they’re a no-brainer easy option with jeans. As she was trying them on in stores with me, my client  wore denim bootcuts, a black button down shirt, black trench coat, peacock scarf and pewter handbag. The grey of the boots picked up the grey streak in her hair. A killer outfit. She’ll be wearing her Fryes well into her 70’s. What an inspiration.

The downside? Fryes are expensive, even on sale. If you can’t afford them just yet, try to find a pair of boots that are Frye-like. But if and when your budget allows, don’t think twice. Fryes are an investment piece.