High Heels for Babies

So long, quaint little booties. Hello, hubba-hubba heels. 

Check out Heelarious, a line of soft, squishy crib shoes for infants ages 0-6 months. It was started by two moms from Seattle who insist they're designed solely for laughs.

Darling readers, I spotted these while shopping at Kitson in Los Angeles, and I couldn't wait to race home and blog about it.  

They're not intended for walking. They're more for giggles. And catching the eye of that hot toddler down the street. 

I don't have a little one yet, but something tells me these heels won't exactly complement the smocked dresses and monogrammed play clothes I'm already planning on.  

It's not that I'm anti-whimsy. Far from it. 

As a matter of fact, these ballerina slipper socks make me want to start popping folic acid just in case! 

What do y'all think? Would you dress your baby in heels? 

Laundry Etiquette

Dear Annabel Manners, 

I live in an apartment building with a laundry room we all share. When people leave their stuff in the washer or dryer, doing laundry takes 10x longer.

Do you think it's OK to take other people's clothes out of the machines?

-- MK in Santa Monica

Dear MK, 

This is a precarious matter indeed. Here's what we know: 

• Abandoning your laundry midway through the project is rude and likely to inconvenience your neighbors. But then again, 
• The person who removes said clothes and unceremoniously plops them on a table or another machine is being inconsiderate as well. 
  

When you're first in line, be vigilant and stay on top of the schedule. If you must step away, just leave a note on the machine that reads,

Hi there! 

I have to run out for a few minutes. If my clothes are finished before I get back, please feel free to pull them out and leave them in this basket. I don't want to hold you up. 

Thanks, 

[Your Name]

If you're stuck behind a laissez-faire launderer or laundress, give them a grace period. As a general rule, it's best not to touch other people's clothes unless you absolutely have to. 

Let's say an hour goes by. I think it's OK to remove your neighbor's things. Ideally, he or she will have left behind an empty basket for you to put them in. In any case, make sure you place them on a clean surface. 

If the clothes are dry and you're feeling charitable, you can do a good deed and fold them, but that may be too intimate. It depends on your neighborly dynamic. 

Whatever you do, don't put someone else's wet clothes in the dryer, insert quarters, and hit the start button. There may be delicate items that will shrink or mutate in the heat.

In any case, go out of your way to be respectful. Hopefully your neighbors will, too!

Graciously yours, 

ANNABEL MANNERS

P.S. Dig the dryer in this picture? Check it out here.

Got an etiquette question? Send it to annabel@annabelmanners.com!

No-Hassle Hostess Gift

I don't know about you, but I could never show up to a party empty-handed. It's just not in my DNA.

A bottle of wine, a quick hors d'oeuvre, fancy olive oil -- any thoughtful little thing will do.

If I'm bringing a something to nibble on, I like serving it on a tray or in a bowl that stays behind as part of the hostess gift.

(The gingham cuties shown here are from Target, and they're $13.99 for the set. Plenty of time to run by and grab one before the weekend!)

Since Fourth of July parties typically take place around pools or in backyards, it's best to bring un-fussy finger food, like chips and dip, great guacamole, bar cookies, or the best browies ever.

I found this recipe in Fine Cooking magazine a few years ago and I've never even considered another. Y'all are going to love it.

Double Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies

• 6 ounces (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into six pieces (more for the pan)
  
• 2 ounces (2/3 cup) unsweetened cocoa
• 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon table salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 1/2 ounces (1 cup) all-purpose flour
• 4 ounces coarsely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate (chocolate chips work, too!)
• 2 ounces (1/2 cup) coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square Pyrex or metal baking pan. (I use the latter.)

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Off the heat, add the cocoa. Whisk until smooth. Add the sugar and salt and whisk until blended. Add one egg and whisk until just blended. Whisk in vanilla and the second egg until just blended. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until just blended. Add the chopped chocolate and stir to combine.

Scrape the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Scatter the nuts over the batter, if using. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with small, gooey clumps of brownie sticking to it (30-33 minutes). Don't overbake or they won't be fudgy!

Transfer to a baking rack and cool completely before cutting into squares.

If you bring these to a party, I promise you'll be invited back!

Beach Music Basics

If you grew up in the southeast and you were raised right, chances are you've encountered Carolina Beach Music.

Need reference materials? Check out the novel by Pat Conroy, the movie starring Bridget Fonda and Phoebe Cates, and these utterly essential tracks:

• 39-21-46 Shape (performed by The Showmen)
• Miss Grace (performed by The Tymes)
• 60-Minute Man (performed by the Dominoes)

It's neither doo-wop nor Motown, and certainly not the Beach Boys (although that's all on my pink iPod, too).

Beach Music is very regional and specific. It's meant to be enjoyed in the sand or on a screened-in porch, preferably with a view of the water.

But even if you're landlocked or halfway around the world, you can still throw a Beach Music party in your back yard.

Here's how:

• Invite a gaggle of friends over
• Make sure you have the requisite tunes
• Learn how to shag
• Serve beer and seafood
• Wear your preppy best

Happy summer, y'all!

Wedding White-Out

Congratulations to reality starlet Kendra Wilkinson, who tied the knot on Saturday at the Playboy Mansion. 

This means Bunnies as bridesmaids. Hef playing host. And a pregnant bride who's launching her own line of stripper poles. 

All this I can abide, honestly. 

My issue is that the groom looks like an ice cream man. 

His blindingly white shirt, tie, suit, vest and shoes were probably inspired by Diddy's famous White Party. Alas, this outfit only evokes the softer side of Sears. 

Technically, Kendra's poufy white dress qualifies as formalwear, which means he really should have been in a tux. 

I'd recommend an old-fashioned white dinner jacket, which would have looked a million times better in the pictures. 

Anybody else craving one of those red, white, and blue popsicles?

Tory Burch Promo Code

Need some fab flat sandals? Coveting a tote bag or a Tory tunic? 

The time is nigh, stylish readers. 

Now you can save an extra 25% on sale items!

Just enter the promo code SALE25 at checkout to get the deal. 

Which do y'all prefer, these little red wedges or the espadrille version currently on sale at Bloomies? 

I'm just planning ahead, really. 

Cute new shoes + a white J. Crew sundress = Fourth of July BBQ perfection!

Monogrammed Bauble

If you ask me, the most dangerous thing about living in Los Angeles isn't earthquakes, car chases, or shady neighborhoods.

It's a charming little boutique called Polkadots & Moonbeams. 

Currently, I'm coveting the amazing monogram necklace you see on Carrie Underwood. 

It comes in gold or silver, and is available in two lengths.

(Having tried on both, I prefer the 16-inch chain. I'm petite, therefore the pendant on the 30-inch version hits just above my belly button.)

Another fave? This Plenty by Tracy Reese party dress.

It looks terrific on. Perfect for the twelve weddings we're all invited to between now and September.

Atlanta girls, this store is our version of Poppy's or Luna.

Chic. Inviting. And fraught with temptation!