Footwear designers Antonio Berardi and Marc Jacobs are selling these soaring “heel-less heels” in their prêt-a porter collections. These styles weren’t just created for catwalk appeal; they’re actually selling them at a retail level. Apparently fashionistas are champing at the bit to buy them. I’m not one of those fashionistas and I can think of a million other ways to spend $3700. I can’t imagine what it’s like walking in these ridiculous shoes. Much like tiptoeing on stilts perhaps. They’re bad for your feet, back and posture and they don’t even look nice. Am I alone?

Heel-less heels from Marc Jacobs.

You may have noticed the “Bloggers Choice Awards” icon on the right hand side of our blog. We have submitted YLF for consideration. Unfortunately there isn’t a fashion or style category, so we are in the category “Best Blog About Stuff”. We’d appreciate your support if you feel that YLF is worthy of consideration. You have until the end of the year to form an opinion and cast your vote. For those of you that do vote for YLF, we thank you in advance!

I suffer from dry skin, especially around my nose, chin and cheek area. Winter’s harsh dry air and central heating left me feeling under-hydrated, no matter what I applied. I tried everything my esthetician suggested. I even tried good old Vaseline. I was this close to bathing in olive oil.

Then it dawned on me that my late Mum had the same problem and she used “Eight Hour Cream” from Australian cosmetic house Elizabeth Arden. I bought some and started applying it liberally to my nose, chin and cheeks twice a day with my moisturizer. Voila! The positive effect was noticeable almost immediately. I also apply the cream to my chapped lips because nothing else works.

Eight Hour Cream seems to sooth minor skin irritations and any part of your skin that is peeling and flaking. I have very sensitive skin and normally can’t put anything on my face, so I’m relieved to have found a gentle, effective and affordable solution. A tube costs $17 and lasts forever because a little goes along way. I can’t wait to tell my esthetician how clever my Mother was.

Dry cuticles, ashy elbows and knees, dry heels and scraped knuckles are all in a day’s work for Arden’s Eight Hour Cream. It’s fabulous.

I talk about the trench coat at the beginning of every season because it is a crucial part of any wardrobe. It is an ideal lightweight coat for a four-seasons-climate, and the only coat you’ll need for warmer regions. A fab trench pulls together most outfits and can be dressed up or down: styled up a notch with dark denims or slacks and dressy shoes; or casual with jeans and fashion sneakers. The trench cuts across all lifestyles, age groups and body types and it’s a question of finding the style that works best for you.

Some things to remember as you search for that perfect trench…

• Trench coats don’t need to have a strict, dressy and classic appearance like the traditional Burberry style. They can be playful and casual. The voluminous trend has given rise to the unbelted A-line and cocoon shaped trench which can be equally chic.
• Spring trenches are often lighter in weight, brighter in colour and shorter in the sleeve than the styles we see in Autumn. You can get away with having one trench for year round use if you choose your style wisely.
• Make sure that you purchase a trench that works for your lifestyle. Keep the fabric and look casual if your life is casual. Select a dressier style if you dress smart casually or business casually daily. It is easier to dress a smarter trench style down than it is to dress a casual trench style up.

I have a black, fully lined, machine washable, stretch sateen single-breasted trench coat that ends just above my knee. I’ve had it for years and it’s the most versatile item in my wardrobe. I wear it casually with jeans and Converse, or smart casually over a dressy top, dark denims and heels. It’s perfect with my slacks on business casual days and takes me straight to a cocktail party at night over a short formal dress. It cost a pretty penny at the time, but the investment has proved its return a hundred times over. I cannot imagine my wardrobe functioning without the perfect trench.

An assortment of casual (top left), smart casual and dressy trenches (bottom right). My Spring trench needs replacing and I have my eye on the white Soia and Kyo style (center bottom row).