I’m an absolute sucker for a wedge. I love the height, and it’s the perfect heel if you walk a lot. But with so many to choose from, how do you pick? Right now I’m looking for something that works for a Saturday afternoon in the city, or margaritas with the girls. With a lightly padded insole and brushed paint design at the wedge, the Tinker black patent by Charles David (available at Zappos.com $103) is very cute. But then again, the Ginny black patent by Donald J Pliner with a microfiber hemp-wrapped heel works for me too (available at Zappos.com $217.80). Tell me, which one do you like?

Left: Tinker black patent, Charles David. Right: Ginny black patent, Donald J Pliner.

I recently started watching The Wire - a riveting HBO series that’s so addictive, it’s difficult to watch just one episode at a time. Available on Netflix and HBO On Demand, I’m up to season 2 in which the bad guys are Greeks smuggling drugs, prostitutes and stolen merchandise. It’s fantastic and it’s gotten me thinking about my fascination with everything Greek.

My sketchbook and early ideas for the Bucklette based on Greek forms

When I was in college, I took various classes on Greek art, history and mythology. I was interested in everything: the building and design techniques used in architecture, the beautiful mosaic tile floors of the temples, engaging legends about gods and goddesses, and the invention of water technology, cartography, philosophy and democracy.

Design ideas for the Bucklette

In fact, I’ve thought so much about Ancient Greece that the Bucklette designs were inspired by and named after the goddesses represented in the myths of that period. The first design featuring flowers, foliage and a small bird is called Chloris, after the goddess of flowers and the personification of spring. Currently in development are designs based on Persephone (goddess of the underworld), Aphrodite (goddess of beauty and love) and Artemis (goddess of the forest and the hunt).

Free t-shirt and the Chloris Bucklette design

So in honor of spring and the love for all things Greek (including juicy tales of gangsters), order a Bucklette in April and get a free t-shirt with our Chloris design.

Travel. In my mind, it’s a cure for burnout and an amazing way to learn about different cultures, politics, history and art. To see how other people live, find out what’s important to them and what they are doing creatively, inevitably leaves an imprint — one that I rarely forget. Since my last trip was such a wonderful experience, I thought I’d share with you some of the things that made it so great. Hope you enjoy!

The city of Salta

Argentina in a word: captivating. The people were warm and friendly, the weather was amazing, the landscape was breathtaking and the food was simple and delicious. Dinner starts at 10 pm and the menu? A huge plate of meat. It’s all about the beef! The empanadas and grilled chicken are top notch too. Great big beautiful Malbecs are easy to find with Mendoza and Cafayate producing near by. What also struck me was that each night, the streets are packed with families, music and tango. Life there just seems so pure and simple.

Historic building used as market in San Telmo (Photo by Jeff Alexander)

An outdoor photo exhibition and construction in Puerto Madero

Personality. The neighborhoods of Buenos Aires are as lively and diverse as the country itself: La Boca, a colorful and touristy enclave on the water; Puerto Madero, home to the most expensive hotels and finest restaurants (our final feast was at Cabina Las Lilas, touted as one of the best in Buenos Aires); the antiques district of San Telmo and host to a world class flea market; and the fashionable area of Palermo Soho (lots of skinny pants, ethereal peasant tops and gladiator sandals) with some jumping nightclubs pumping music until 6 am. There’s professional tango (Café Tortoni, reservations required) and impromptu street performances everywhere.

Fashion in Buenos Aires (Photos by Jeff Alexander)

Street tango - love the shoes (Photo by Jeff Alexander)

Market stall, San Telmo

Art and sculpture. Malba is not only an architecturally significant museum, but it’s also home to some of Buenos Aires’ most celebrated works. Frida Khalo’s Self-Portrait with Monkey and Parrot is a highlight, as was an entire wall of portraits by Fernando Bryce. I also fell in love with the work of Alejandro Xul Solar. In Recoleta, there’s an amazing solar-powered flower sculpture that opens and closes in time with the sun created by architect Eduardo Catalano. And the Recoleta Cemetery - literally a city of the dead - is an incredible maze of mausoleums that’s nothing short of spectacular. I followed the crowds to the final resting place of Eva Peron (Evita) but didn’t spend too much time there. It’s worth a look, but it’s not the most interesting. I could have easily spent the entire day studying the hundreds of intricately designed metal doors weathering to perfection in the afternoon sun.

Solar-powered flower (Photo by Jeff Alexander)

Metal doors in Recoleta Cemetery

Jaw-dropping beauty and indigenous crafts. To see what life is like outside the capital, we took a short flight to the province of Salta, an area rich in Incan history. With a rental car, we explored towns to the north and south. After hard rains, the drive was full of twists and turns, dangerous rock slides and washed out roads. But we were rewarded with majestic views of natural sculpture in terracotta colors against radiant blue skies, gauchos, saguaro cactus and fabulous street markets. In the dusty town of Purmamarca at the base of the slope of the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors), artisans utilizing materials available in nature, in abundance and with great imagination create jewelry, pottery, ponchos and dolls, carpets made with looms, lampshades, tables and doors expertly crafted out of dried cactus.

The dusty streets of Purmamarca

Door made out of dried cactus, Purmamarca

A few of our finds: a scarf, doll and blanket

I loved Argentina. In ten days we saw a lot, but I get the sense that we didn’t even scratch the surface. I think one would need at least a few months to get a true sense of it all – it’s just that big. Maybe one day I’ll be able to return to get to know her a little better.

Photos by Jeff Alexander.
Click to see more Argentina pics by Jeff.

Buenos Aires Hotels
Posada Gotan (Boedo) Run by a Frenchman with outstanding advice.
Cypress In B&B (Palermo) Get a room away from the street, less noisy.

Salta Hotel
Carpe Diem Bed & Breakfast Friendly hosts, lovely garden, great coffee and Internet in every room!

I guess you could call me practical. When it comes to clothes, I usually buy the basics. I stick with pieces that are classic and versatile, and I rely heavily on accessories to add spunk. I’ve never spent more than $500 on a pair of shoes (those amazing but not-so-practical $900 Manolos I couldn’t pass up but promptly returned don’t count) although one of these days I’m going to break down and indulge in my Christian Louboutin fantasy. Seriously.

I’ve always been interested in items that have multiple functions or clever, unexpected applications. I guess that concept was in the back of my head when I came up with the Bucklette. I was excited with the idea that a belt buckle could also function as a mini purse. And don’t think it didn’t occur to me how much money I would save not buying handbags and belts!

So at a time when the economy is pinching everyone’s pennies and it’s wise to invest in products with added value or those that pack an extra punch, I thought I’d explore a few items with multiple functions that give you the biggest bang for your buck.

There are so many ways to wear the Cotton Spandex Jersey Bandeau Pencil Dress by American Apparel, it’s a wardrobe must. And at $41, you can’t beat the price.

Aside from being a wonderful substitute for butter and a vital ingredient in my marinades, olive oil is an extremely versatile product. Shave your legs with it, remove makeup, moisturize cuticles and control flyaways.

The 100-way Bra by Victoria Secret seems to be able to do it all. $50.

In addition to extending the life of your manicure, nothing stops a run in your tights like a dab of clear nail polish. It also makes a good substitute for glue if you’re in a pinch.

After forcing your noggin through that little hole in your shirt, you look down and find deodorant all over it. A quick rub with a dryer sheet will take that away. I also stick them in shoes to keep them smelling fresh. They’re great for dusting too.

Aside from the obvious, non-gel toothpaste can also: dry out a zit, whiten your sneaker soles, clean the bottom of your clothes iron, remove ink or lipstick stains from clothes and polish the chrome on your bathroom sink.

It’s not just a pretty pendant with a heart of gold, it holds a tiny pot of lip gloss and a mirror too. Lip Gloss Heart Pendant by Juicy and Sephora. $58.

Not only is this interesting mat made from recycled newspapers, it works as a hot plate or as funky wall art. Even better, it’s made by a coop in the Philippines that helps women artisans work together in groups, obtain government help in skills training, buy raw materials, gain access to low interest loans and obtain titles to their land. Recycled Hot Mat $14.

If you happen to be in New York between now and March 1, I highly recommend this exhibition. I saw it at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and it was incredible!

Calder Jewelry
December 9, 2008–March 1, 2009
The Helen and Milton A. Kimmelman Gallery, Lila Acheson Wallace Wing, Modern Art, 1st floor

American-born artist Alexander Calder (1898–1976) is celebrated for his mobiles, stabiles, paintings, and objets d’art. This landmark exhibition will be the first museum presentation dedicated solely to his extensive output of inventive jewelry. During his lifetime Calder produced approximately 1,800 pieces of brass, silver, and gold body ornaments, often embellished with found objects such as beach glass, ceramic shards, and wood. Calder Jewelry will feature approximately 90 works—bracelets, necklaces, earrings, brooches, and tiaras—many of which were made as personal gifts for the artist’s family and friends. While Calder’s more diminutive avant-garde creations converged closely with the aesthetics of the modern age, they always remained personal and unmistakably Calder.

For more info, visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s web site.

Created especially for visitors to the Bucklette Blog, these tags are great on your holiday gifts. Right click to download the image. Then print on card stock, cut at the dotted lines, address and attach to your packages. Viola! Visit us often where there’s always new content, and we’ll be uploading new holiday tags every Tuesday until 12/23/08.

Created especially for visitors to the Bucklette Blog, these tags are great on gifts for the stylish people in your life. Visit us often where there’s always new content, and we’ll be uploading new holiday tags every Tuesday until 12/23/08.

Welcome!

If you’ve come to the Bucklette Blog through bucklette.com, I hope you’ve taken the time to check out the site and more importantly, the one-of-a-kind fashion accessory that will free you from the worry and inconvenience of carrying a bag when you only need the essentials. If you found us another way, perhaps you’ll check out the rest of the site after some entertaining reading.

My name is Sandy and I am a Philly native. I love design — interior design, graphic design, architecture and fashion. I have traveled extensively and I am continually inspired and awed by the people and beauty that surround me everyday. I’m a total foodie - I love to cook and entertain (current favorite cookbooks are Mario Batali’s Babbo and Modern Moroccan). My friends have often been guinea pigs for many of my meals. Some good, some not so good.

I am not someone who eats like a bird or is naturally thin so I have to work out. I mix it up and do what I enjoy — power vinyasa yoga, run, bike, swim and play tennis.

I would love to hear from those of you who are interested in fashion, accessories, design and food. Feel free to comment on our posts, ask questions, or participate in any way you feel comfortable. Thanks!