Yes, it's rainy today and it will continue to rain and sleet and snow tomorrow, too. Yippee. My J.Crew rain boots and I have become BFFs lately. I drive to work in wellies and then slip into heels or booties when I get to my desk.

Chi-town fashionista Rebecca Miller just designed a shoe umbrella (Shuella, for short) — it's basically waterproof material that you buckle around your shoe and ankle. After you remove them at the office, you just wipe off the excess water and roll them up — much more convenient than clunky, rubber boots, right? The Shuellas come in neon pink, yellow, green, and of course, basic black. They aren't exactly cute. But, then again, I really don't care what my feet look like as long as my suede boots stay dry:

[Shuella in hot pink, $49.95]

The Shuellas certainly seem functional, but I wonder if they have enough traction to keep morning commuters from slipping on city streets and T platforms. So, Stylephilers, dish: Have you tried Shuellas? Would you try Shuellas? Will it ever stop raining?

Hello, nostalgia. This resin roller skate doorstop from Koo de Kir is taking me way back to 1991. I'm racing around the rink — backwards, obviously — in a puffy paint-adorned sweatshirt featuring horses to the bumping strains of "Two Legit to Quit." (And yes, I still am. Thanks for asking.)

[Harry Allen Roller Door Stop, $95]

This isn't exactly a recession-proof, need-to-have purchase, but we should all have a little whimsy in our homes, right? And it's a nod to my late 80s-early 90s childhood without the usual neon trappings and bad hair.

In related news, I suddenly have an urge to break out Dire Straits' "Making Movies" album and listen to "Skateaway" on repeat.

If you've got money to burn, any teenage fashionista on your Christmas gift list would love the new Hayden clutch from Dooney & Burke. That's Hayden, as in Hayden Panettiere, and yes, the actress helped design this calfskin clutch with the slightly garish 24-karat gold plated lion head closure, to be sold exclusively at Dooney & Bourke stores nationwide this month:

One of these buttery beauties will set you back a cool $295. Oh, and the closest D&B; store is in New York. Retail road trip?

First things first: I am completely on Team Britney. I want her star to shine again. I mean, some of my best dance floor moments over the years were inspired by "Toxic" — the least I can do is root for her recovery.

However, if she's going to reclaim her pop throne, she needs to check herself. In the mirror before performances, that is.

To wit, Miz Spears showed up on "Good Morning America" today in this little number:

At first, I though, oh, she's going for a 1950s pin-up look. Too demure to show her navel in a bathing costume and all that. But the orange, peek-a-boo lace shirt is straight out of Janet Jackson's dressing room on the "Rhythm Nation" tour. Essentially, Brit's a hot and confused Halloween mess.

And then, the birthday girl changed into this:

A monochromatic, skankier take on the original. Love the top hat. Love the abs. But is that reverse cleavage (aka the dreaded under-boob)?

I know that this is Britney's "Circus" and we are simply spectators — but she (or her handlers) should invest in a few cute dresses and some sexy-but-classy pieces. Keep 'em guessing, OK?

How much do you love this "Rhiannon" necklace from Scottish designer Luxe Deluxe?

Let me count the ways:

1. It's glamorous — like something your stylish grandmother wore in the 20s.
2. It's a little bit rock n' roll. I'm pretty sure Mick Jagger owns this.
3. The price: $49.
4. The feather!

Thank you etsy.com — as always — for introducing me to these lovely pieces. And now, Philers, we are going to do something never before attempted in this blog: Time travel!

This is a photo of me wearing the necklace in pink on Christmas morning. You know, after I dye my hair black.

Oh, Christina Aguilera. What's up, girl? I've never been the biggest fan of your schizophrenic, trashy style, but lately, you're way out in the left field of crazy. Bowl bangs? Awful, uneven spray tan? Natty extensions? Ew all around.

Maybe your recent unrecognizable state helped convince me that the airbrushed image on your new greatest hits album was Cher:

I don't know. Maybe it's your eyelash stalks. Or the slightly open mouth. Plus, traipsing around in a astronaut's helmet is something Cher would totally do.

At any rate, Xtina, your real life self and your airbrushed album self need to hold a powwow and straighten out all these style shenanigans. Let's try a clean, polished ponytail, light makeup, and a less-vapid expression, for starters. Long bangs are OK, but I swear: I will make endless Stephanie Tanner jokes if I catch you with the rolled fringe ever again.

I adore Narciso Rodriguez's Spring 2009 line, but I didn't love it on our new first lady last night. Normally perfectly put together, Michelle Obama looked like she was going to a cocktail party last night as opposed to her husband's victory speech. I'm not denying that she has great taste and always looks incredibly well put together, but this dress was a case of wrong frock/wrong place.

I was having a lovely Election Day until I read this little tidbit in the Telegraph — apparently Uggs are recession-proof. (In case you were wondering, classic trenches and cheap cashmere sweaters are also recession-proof, according to the article.) Despite the economic downturn, the Australian purveyor of the chunky, celebrity-endorsed boots has reported an increase in sales, year over year:

[These are not OK.]

Before we go any further, I must be absolutely honest with you, dear 'Philers: I own a pair of mid-calf, rust-colored Uggs. I wear them when dashing to the mailbox in mid-winter or when shoveling out my car. (They aren't very waterproof, by the way.) I would never, ever wear them to a restaurant or with a skirt. Gross.

There are just so many other, fashion-forward boot options out there. Why do I still see Uggs on everyone from New Hampshire moms to inner-city high school kids? Maybe it's just the trickle-down effect (described so eloquently by an icy Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada") — the same boots that Kate Moss couldn't live without five years ago are just now spreading to the burbs and less chic locales around the country. Or, maybe women (or men) who hoped to redo their kitchens or overhaul their wardrobe this season can now only afford a pair of comfortable, $150 boots to see them through the long winter. Who knows?

I recently interviewed heels enthusiast Jess Lynn of South End shoe boutique Leokadia for a Globe Magazine column and this is what she had to say about the sheepskin-lined clunkers:

“Yes, I still see them. And, yes, people gravitate towards them. Even my sisters still wear Uggs and I yell at them… They don’t look good. I understand they are comfortable, but there are all-weather boots you can wear when it’s snowing out and be comfortable and fashionable.”

Amen, sole sister.

I'm all for starting kids on the path to style from a very young age, which is why I'm totally digging these new Old Navy (yes, Old Navy) games for kids that use the work of American modernist Charley Harper. I'm so smitten of these alphabet flashcards I'm thinking they may need to be displayed as budget artwork in my condo. Well, we are in a recession, afterall.

The Charley Harper collection also includes children's tees, blocks and puzzles. They'll be available through December and November.

Where am I headed after work tonight? Funny you should ask. Barneys New York is having a one day sale with prices up to 40 percent off, which means I still can't afford that $6000 Prada coat I've had my eye on. Ah well, see you in the sale racks 'Philers.

Sure, sure, some people are all in a tizzy about whether the Phillies will clinch the World Series title tonight. All I can think about? Joe Maddon's glasses. As a friend said of the Tampa Bay Rays manager's specs: "Aren't those a little too fashion-y for baseball?" Yes, especially when combined with a fauxhawk:

I actually love the glasses. They are very Buddy Holly and Elvis Costello, with a dash of Spencer Tracy. And, why can't baseball managers show a little style in the dugout? Apparently, when Maddon left the Anaheim Angels to manage the Rays in 2005, the Angels all donned the trademark, thick-rimmed glasses in tribute.

Maybe Terry Francona could get a few pointers? "Maddon's Eye for the Sox Guy," anyone?

Attention bargain shoppers...

A couple of sales to let you know about. First, Betsey Johnson is running a promotion until the election (see above).

Then the Nordstrom half-yearly sale for women and kids starts on Nov. 5. Save 40 percent or more on shoes, handbags, clothes and accessories.

Now go do your part and help the economy.

Don't get jealous, but this morning I took a shower with Brad Pitt. Before this post gets me into trouble I'll just clarify that Mr. Jolie was not exactly in the shower with me, but his shower gel was. Pitt has teamed with Kiehl's to create Kiehl's Aloe Vera Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser ($16.50).

It's free of parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, and dyes — and it's bottled in 100% recycled plastic. All profits will go to JPF Eco Systems, an eco-charity that Brad created with Kiehl's. Because, you know, he's a dreamy humanitarian.

I know, you're thinking 'Oy vey, why does he keep writing about Christmas in October?' Well, funny you should ask. Aside from the fact that November is ready to park itself on your sofa and demand a glass of Zinfandel, I'm talking about Christmas because I have a book to give you.

All you crafty Catherines will no doubt go nuts for this one. It's "A Greener Christmas," which is full of green (re: twig and berry) projects that you can make for Christmas. All you need to do is answer one simple question, and this book is yours. What is the song that Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen sing together in the movie "White Christmas"? Email me the answer (muther@globe.com). The first correct answer gets the book.

UPDATE: WE HAVE A WINNER!

Alexandra Trexler corrrectly answered "Sisters" and has won the book. Congratulations and thanks to all of you who wrote in.

Wait. You want me to put a vibrating wand mere centimeters from my eye? That could be messy.

Lancôme's new Ôscillation mascara — retailing for $34 — vibrates up and down, which apparently provides better lash coverage. Who knew? The product officially launches in November, but is available now online.

Dr. Courtney says: Not recommended for ommetaphobes (those who fear eyes in general).

So, I wrote a diatribe about sleazy Halloween disguises in today's Globe. Essentially, I'm all about creative outfits — sexy or otherwise — and so over the sexing-up of mundane outfits and passing them off as "costumes."

Librarian on the Run is definitely on the same page:

As a librarian, I'm not going to offer any thoughts on how to dress like the "your book is overdue and I'm going to have to take you behind the stacks and make a man out of you" librarian. No one needs help on how to dress like a ho.

However, on her blog, the local 29-year-old librarian does list some essential accessories for dressing like stereotypical librarian of yore, including lanyards, book-themed jewelry, and oversized glasses à la Angela from "Who's the Boss."

[I've been waiting for a very special occasion to post this photo.]

I'm not one to nitpick, but hasn't the Vessel store in the South End been open for a few months now? I only know this because I regularly gaze into the window and drool longingly over the well-edited selection of products. Well, even if the store has been open for a while, the housewarming party is finally taking place. It takes place on Oct. 30, and their special guest is knife and furniture designer Adam Simha , who I wrote about last year.

The party at the South End store goes from 6 to 9 p.m., and if you feel like swinging by, you should rsvp to rsvp@vessel.com by Oct. 28.

I am obsessed with cool tees, and if you don't believe me, let me show you the part of my credit card bill that goes to Threadless every month. If you want to see how tees are silkscreened, and you happen to be waaaay up in Beverly, Drive-by-Press will be at the Montserrat College of Art Galleries on Oct. 23 demonstrating how they make tee shirts. There's an artist talk at 11:30 a.m. There's also a print-off on Thursday night from 8 to 10 p.m. where you can get your hands inky and buy some tees.

I've never been interested in burning the American flag. Until now. This American flag Christmas tree could possibly be the tackiest holiday tree I've ever seen, and trust me on this, I've seen some ugly trees in my time. If you're looking to join church and state in one tidy holiday, this can be yours for just $199. I think I'll stick with the old fashioned green kind that grows on tree farms.

Madonna's make-up artist, Gina Brooke, is teaching a master makeup class tomorrow morning at the Shu Uemura on Newbury Street. The cost of the class is $250, but the $250 is redeemable in Shu Uemura products. Here are the complete details. Fingers crossed that Gina dishes about Madonna's divorce.

WHAT: Master Class with Gina Brooke, celebrity makeup artist

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 from 9 AM to 11 AM (by appointment with $250 pre-pay redeemable in product)

WHERE: shu uemura, 130 Newbury St.

HOW: Call to book your seat, 617-247-3500