Designer Heather Williams has channeled her architectural inspiration into shoes that are high-heeled, strappy, and luxe. On her bio page, we learn that "H Williams footwear and handbags are designed for a confident, chic, independent woman. The collection encompasses a definitive sense of movement with attention to patterns and details. H Williams 2009/2010 collection are complemented with precious materials; python, croco stamp and brushed metallic. All hand-made in Italy, the collection reflects a great respect for the history, tradition, and quality behind Italian footwear and handbags."

In November, theshoegoddess.com had a chat with Williams, and she said this about her new line:

"The Shoe Goddess: Who or what inspires you most?
Heather Williams: I pay really close attention to art and architecture. I have my most creative ideas when I'm fascinated or perplexed and it forces me to become creative. I had no idea how to construct a bridge, but staring at the Brooklyn Bridge one day inspired me to develop one of my most popular Spring 2010 models, the 'Olivia.' [Above.]

"TSG: Talk about the inspiration for your latest line.
HW: For almost two years, I've been based in Italy and spending short periods of time back in New York. My most recent collection, for Spring 2010, was sketched while I was back in New York. I noticed myself paying close attention to how different the architecture in New York is from Milan. My Fall 2009 launch collection was inspired by Italian architecture. I drew inspiration from the Brooklyn Bridge (Olivia), the Flatiron Building (Chiara, Jesse), and the stunning evening skyline in Manhattan (Rueda)."

I scoured the Web for retailers and prices for this line, but came up empty-handed. But I found a few other H Williams shoes, which ranged from $300 - $500. If you like the bridge style and want to know more, contact H Williams here, and follow her on Facebook.

Whenever I get a new cell phone, I obsess over protecting it from every scratch, but after fruitless shopping for a case that's not too bulky or too expensive or too blah, I usually just give in to the basic black leather case. Yawn. Now that I'm finally ready to join the modern era and get myself a BlackBerry, I started noticing all the cases for those and discovered ... Gizmobies. Forgive my excitement, but now NYC area residents can buy these at the Gizmobies store in Midtown or via its online store (more below).

Made of a thin yet durable gel-like material, Gizmobies provide superior padded protection, come in tons of colors and patterns, and are thin enough that your phone or PDA slips in and out of your pocket or purse easily, yet provide a great grip so that your device won't fall off a table or your lap. You can easily change skins without any trouble at all -- they peel right off, and don't leave any residue.

I recently chatted with Andrea Balkin, who owns the New York area Gizmobies franchise, and here's what I learned: Gizmobies were started about three years ago by a successful technology start-up team with the goal of inventing a product that allowed iPod and cell phone owners to customize and protect their device but keep it pocketable and enhance its aesthetics without adding bulk or weight.

Andrea noted, "I purchased a Gizmobie for my iPhone 1G at the beginning of 2009 and fell in love with the fact that my phone, my most used possession, now felt great in my hand, looked really cool, and had excellent protection! No more ugly bright pink rubber case, which got stuck in my pocket, collected dirt in it, and looked so very pedestrian.

"I loved my Gizmobie so much that I wanted to get another one, but found that there was no place on the East Coast to purchase them. A budding entrepreneur myself, I knew that Gizmobies would be an instant hit out east -- especially in the iPhone Apple mecca of Manhattan!" And so ...

If you're in the NYC metro area, you should stop by Andrea's kiosk in the Manhattan Mall, on 6th Avenue at West 33rd Street. It features more than 130 designs, with new ones arriving regularly, for most BlackBerry phones, Nintendo DSi and Lite gaming systems, Nokia N97 mobile phone, and the Apple suite of devices; iPhone, iTouch, iPod, and Nano ($20-$25). Gizmobies for laptops are due out before the Christmas holidays.

Gizmobies offer a lifetime guarantee that allows the customer to mail the product back to the company's headquarters in Las Vegas if anything should happen to the product. Gizmobies are made in the USA.

Check out the gallery for examples of the array of patterns available, and how Gizmobies look on some popular devices.

Lancôme has bestowed the first definition on Julia Roberts in the ongoing epic "Another Day, Another Celebrity Endorsement." Cynicism aside, Lancôme has, through the years, had a bevy of beautiful women endorsing its products -- Isabella Rossellini, Kate Winslet, Anne Hathaway, and numerous models. Roberts is the newest, according to a WWD exclusive:

"By her remarkable personality and career, Julia Roberts is an emblematic woman of her time," said Youcef Nabi, president of Lancôme International. "Her exceptional talent, her radiance, and her strong commitments perfectly echo Lancôme's values. We are convinced she will embody the brand in the most sublime way possible."

Lancôme executives declined to share details on the relationship between Roberts and the brand, including the amount the actress is being paid to sell the products, the length of her contract, and specific duties, saying more would be revealed early next year.

Roberts, who is said to command salaries upward of $20 million for her acting projects, is in post-production on two films - Eat, Pray, Love, and Valentine's Day.

The WWD article goes on to say that "getting Roberts - or any other star of her caliber - to appear in U.S. advertising a decade ago would have been a longshot, although many stars consented to appear in product advertising outside the U.S. ... however, the celebrity culture has become ubiquitous, and the stigma once associated with selling products to middle America seems to have disappeared."

Mineral makeup is not a new concept but has only in the last few years exploded in popularity. The loose powder foundations and blushes, the most popular items, are light, finely ground loose minerals that are buffed into the skin using a wide, fluffy brush. The main ingredients (minerals such as mica, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide), have been the basis of most makeup foundations for decades, but many dermatologists report that because mineral makeup frequently eliminates classic irritants such as fragrances, binders, synthetic dyes, talc, and preservatives, it is considered purer and can be kinder to the skin.

Because titanium dioxide and zinc oxide have anti-inflammatory properties, certain mineral makeups can also have a calming effect on the skin, particularly important if you suffer from inflammatory problems such as rosacea or acne. Mineral makeup also is known for being noncomedogenic, and many manufacturers claim it also offers sun protection. This is mostly due to to the high content of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide -- two ingredients commonly found in traditional sunscreen. But mineral makeup does not replace sunscreen, rather, it adds a modicum of extra protection.

Many consumers say they are initially drawn to try mineral makeup because of skin health claims -- more specifically, that its pure formulations are safer and better for sensitive and acne- or rosacea-prone skin. Those who love it rave about the light, natural, long-lasting glow. Others, however, complain that it's drying, irritating, and accentuates wrinkles. Some say the colors have an ashy undertone that is a particular problem for ethnic skin types. Others says it's messy and expensive, but fans say the containers last an inordinately long time, and if you're careful when applying, it's no messier than any other makeup.

The bottom line is that mineral makeup is another option that, like all makeup, will be loved and used by some but not by all. While there are several "boutique" lines available -- BareMinerals, Sheer Cover -- mineral makeup can now be found as part of many major brands' lines and can be purchased in a drugstore or big box store.

Source: WebMD. Read the full article for more.

Seeing that Barney's New York is the exclusive vendor of the Serge Lutens Mascara Comb, that gives us a glimpse of the type of upscale customer who would indeed purchase this product. Lutens is a fragrance and make-up guru and creates his cosmetics collection of "exquisitely textured gems of color and deluxe formulations." This mascara has a comb wand, lash-by-lash applicator that purports to lengthen, refine, and shape lashes.

So, are you buying this claim, either figuratively or literally? Tell us in the poll below.

Chocolate-lovers, brace yourselves: Chocomize lets you create custom chocolate treats. You pick the chocolate (dark, milk, or white, all premium Belgian), then select from more than 80 ingredients (nuts, fruit, herbs and spices, candies such as Gummies and marshmallows, decorations such as edible gold, or "other" -- try bacon!), then select one of three charities, to which Chocomize will donate a portion of its profits. Gift certificates are available, or you can join the Chocolate of the Month Club, and even order in bulk for weddings and parties. Check out their fun blog, too.

You may be wondering why we would promote "simple" clothing when, after all, Luxist is all about luxury and the high end of living. The answer is because sometimes you just want a t-shirt -- or a basic pair of pants, or a simple dress -- that fits, is flattering, and is made of quality material, and you're willing to pay a bit more to get something that will last longer than an item purchased at The Gap.

I recently stumbled upon Reality in Style, which, according to its website, "was created in 2009 by college best friends Denise Apicella and Rachel Blakeman. After several decades of working in various fields, Denise and Rachel were continuously frustrated by the lack of comfortable, stylish and high quality clothing." After some research -- polling real women -- and "after picking up one too many backless shirts, Denise and Rachel decided to create an affordable clothing line emphasizing comfortable fabrics and styles designed to flatter different body types."

I haven't purchased an item from the line, as it doesn't offer petite sizes, but I simply put it out there for those readers who wear what a (former) friend called "grown-up sizes." The dress shown, for example, is called Tony, and is sleeveless stretch-cotton with a pleated belt accent. $395, available in even sizes 0-14.

See the gallery for some other basics.

Actress Megan Fox and her Marilyn Monroe tattoo will be in our sights even more now that she is replacing Victoria Beckham as the face of Emporio Armani underwear and Armani Jeans. Reputed to making $2 million in the deal, Fox will show off her great figure in print ads and on billboards. The ad campaign was shot in early fall in Los Angeles by fashion photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, and according to WWD, the campaign will roll out worldwide in January. Fox is best known for appearing in form-hugging outfits in the blockbuster Transformers movies and recently starred in Jennifer's Body as the lead. She also got the full-on New York Times treatment as the cover story in its November 15 Magazine.

Katherine Hughes, of Stuart Hughes, has designed what is likely the world's most expensive iPod. The iPod Touch SUPREME's body was re-formed using 149 grams of solid, 22-carat gold, with a rear Apple logo from 21 grams of gold that houses 53 VVS1, color F diamonds. The front outer section has been set with 300 VVS1 diamonds, also color F. The main navigation buttons has 12 diamonds of the same quality set in 16 grams of gold, all of which surround a single cut pink 2.10-carat diamond, color G-H. A true limited edition -- only three available. £139,995, or $231,776 USD at today's exchange rate.

Leave it to Hammacher Schlemmer to come up with something this high-end for your cat(s). The Feline Tree House is made from mature dragonwood trees harvested from sustainable forests in Florida and Georgia and is built during a 16-hour process that requires 1,000 individual cuts. The tree is left in its natural state -- gnarled branches, bark, lichen, and all -- and the platforms are custom-cut to fit each tree. It's very house-like indeed, with with cedar shutters, shaker shingles, and wall-to-wall frieze carpeting. Spacious too: 18" x 22" with carpeted 16" square and 16" x 24" perches, as well as a carpeted cradle tucked among the branches, all permanently attached to the trunk for stability. All carpeting (except the cradle's) is held in place with hook-and-loop fasteners, making cleaning easy. Realistic camilla silk foliage and two hanging cat toys complete the house. Minimal assembly; 72" H x 19" W x 28" D, 92 lbs. At $874.95, this is for cats who are on the "nice," not the "naughty," list this holiday. Though truth be told, if I had the room and could justify the cost, I'd get this for my cats anyway!

[Thanks, Raeann]