Taupe Decisions

For those of you who know me (or read my blog) you’ll know that I’m kinda crazy with my shoes.  A few times of year I begin to itch for a new “investment” shoe – something expensive and something classic.  Something that my feet really appreciate.  Usually these shoes end up being black (like the majority of my wardrobe.)

This time around I’m looking to get an investment shoe in a different color, perhaps a classic nude.  I have been faced with many occasions where I think to myself, “Damnit if only I had a nude shoe to go with this!” so I think it’s about time I make the purchase.

However, summer is almost ending and I’m really not sure how much I’m going to wear a nude shoe over the winter.  I’m a classic black wearer (can’t get enough) and am craving a pair of coffee colored heels (YSL or some Atwoods please) as well as some pony hair leopard print ones and some bright blue ones.

So what’s a girl to do?  Buy one amazing expensive pair of nude heels that I’m sure will come in handy and look great for many occasions or buy cheaper trendier shoes that I might love for a night or two?

Blue Suedes (Suede Blues)

Okay so I know I’ve been talking about getting some blue suede shoes for a while now and have even posted links to some super pricey ones but I was walking through the mall the other day and gleaming at me from the window display of Payless, yes I said Payless, were these ADORABLE, super high, blue suede heels and with a price of under $30.00 I don’t think I can resist!!

(Brash Komet Platform Pump available @ Payless.com or Payless, $29.99)

Coffee Cravings

So I found these Brian Atwood’s at Sak’s and they are SO cheap (for Brian Atwood’s) I don’t know if I can resist buying these either (see why I am having issues people?!) They are the PERFECT color of brown for fall and they are selling quick!  Decisions, decisions.

(Brian Atwood Power Suede Platform Pumps available @ Saksfifthavenue.com, $229.99)

Leopard Lust

There are so many cute leopard print heels out there; it is hard to just choose one.  You can go with these or these or these! Which now that I’ve come across, don’t know if I can resist either…

(Tory Burch Jude Leopard-print Calf Hair Pumps available @ NET-A-PORTER.COM, $325.00)

Nagging Nude

And then something inside me say just buy nude heels, you’ll be glad you did later. (Besides, this is a BEAUTIFUL shoe.)

(Brian Atwood Maniac Leather Pumps available @ Intermixonline.com, $575.00)

Or should I just start playing scratch offs and plan on buying them all?

XXoo

  

5..4..3..2..1..Happy New York Fashion Week! (Almost)

With the kick of New York Fashion week just over a month away (yippie!) and tentative schedules released, (see story here http://www.fashionweekdaily.com/the-fix/article/nyfw-ss-2012-schedule-scoop-part-1-lincoln-center-lineup) I thought it would be a good idea to post some essentials for surviving (conquering) whatever events you attend.

My favorite NYFW essentials:

A Structured Bag

Pick a black one.  It’ll go with everything.

(Dolce & Gabbana Structured Python Shoulder Bag available @ NET-A-PORTER.com, $3,795.)

This Season’s IT heels

This color will be HUGE this fall.  Save your allowance kids, this shoe is worth it.

(Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Leather Pumps available @ NET-A-PORTER.com, $795.00)

A Great Blazer

A good blazer goes with everything – metallic dresses, tapered pants, mini skirts, shorts, heels, flats, you name it!

(Theory Black Stretch Wool Lyzbeth Two Button Blazer available @ Bluefly.com, $345.00)

Something Vintage and Fabulous

One word. Sequins.

(Oleg Cassini Sequined Cocktail Dress available @ VintageCouture.com, $900.00)

(a back up battery for your

Blackberry or iPhone)

Remember – honor the designer and dress according to the essence of their style but don’t forget yours.  If you can’t afford brand new pieces go vintage.  It’s an awesome way to pay homage and not bankrupt you in the process.

Much Love,

XXoo

Monday Musings

1. B by Ted Baker flower top, 25 GBP
2. Yves Saint Laurent clutch bag, 470 GBP
3. H&M slim leg jeans, 30 GBP
4. Qupid court shoes, $26
5. Dominic Jones rose gold jewelry, 140 GBP

Happy Monday everyone!  Thanks to the possibility of having a post published this July as a guest blogger for Envishoes.com, I have now become obsessed with Polyvore.  I had heard of it before but never knew how fun (and easy) it could be to use! (So my apologies in advance, there might be a lot of posts featuring Polyvore collages!)

Anyhow, I decided to do a post for today featuring one of my favorite obsessions for summer - the bustier/corset top. Paired with jeans and heels, these tops add the perfect amount of feminine sex appeal while staying on top of the trend.

Do you Polyvore?

XXoo

Bright S[hues]

Even though I struggle with it, I can’t deny it.  Color is HUGE right now and it seems like the brighter the better.  Given my love/lust/obsession with shoes, I thought this would be a perfect way to incorporate one of summer’s biggest trends into my wardrobe.

Here are some of my favorite bright shoes:

RED

(Trinidad Leather Sandal available @ SteveMadden.com, $99.95)

ORANGE

(Nine West Stylin Sandals available @ Macys.com, $89.00)

PINK

(Belle Sigerson Morrison Cutaway Flats available @ NETAPORTER.com, $195.00)

PURPLE

(Yves Saint Laurent Gipsy Suede Block Sandals available @ NETAPORTER.com, $795.00)

BLUE

(Ellingwood available @ Aldoshoes.com, $70.00)

GREEN

(Christopher Kane Two Tone Leather Platform Sandals available @ NETAPORTER.com, $650.00)

YELLOW

(Giuseppe Zanotti Design available @ Zappos Couture, $595.00)

How do you incorporate color into your wardrobe?

XXoo

It’s Not Old, It’s Vintage

I’ve always had a hard time getting rid of clothes and jewelry (why lie, handbags and silk scarves too) due to the mindset, “You never know what may come back in style!”  Granted, you can’t keep everything forever or you’ll be considered a hoarder but it’s always good to hang on a few pieces that you love.  However, I love it when other people get rid of their old clothes, jewelry, handbags and scarves so that I can turn their trash (I’m using the term trash loosely) into my treasures!

Don’t worry if you don’t have a closet full of fabulous vintage clothing or don’t live by any consignment shops – the internet has made acquiring vintage clothing super easy!. While it may be nearly impossible to stumble across a vintage Chanel scarf for $25 online, you can find a ton of other great things in these online vintage boutiques.  (If you want to find a Chanel scarf for a steal you’ll more than likely have to vintage shop the old fashioned way – hitting antique stores and thrift shops.) (However, if you stalk sites like Ebay and Etsy enough you might also find some great things other people missed.  Just this week I bought a vintage Dior suit in perfect condition for $30.  YES, I SAID THIRTY AMERICAN DOLLARS PEOPLE.)

Turning an outfit into a unique look is easy when you invest in a few fabulous vintage pieces.  Here are my favorite essentials.

BlazerS (noun.) a fun way to spruce up a lackluster outfit while staying warm. Comes in a variety of styles, colors and fabrics.

(Vintage Christian Dior Blazer available @ Thrifted.net, $52.00+)

Statement Bags (noun.) a great investment.  Will never go out of style. An heirloom to be passed from generation to generation.

 

(Vintage GUCCI Rare Black Monogram GG Satin Clutch w/Enamel GG Emblem, $275.00)

Jewelry(noun.) something fabulous that adds a unique aspect to your outfit.

(Vintage YSL Snake Brooch available @ Etsy.com, $49.00)

Silk Scarves (noun.) not just for your grandma.  Wear around your neck, on your head, around your waist, or on a bag.

(Vintage Chanel Silk Scarf available @ Rubylane.com, $200.00)

Sunglasses (noun.) yes, I’m mysterious and elusive.  Might be a movie star or someone important or might have just left the eye doctor and cannot be exposed to sunlight.

(Vintage Carney 200s available @ http://neldasvintageclothingcom.storesecured.com, $45.00)

More Jewelry(noun. Plural.) better than having just some jewelry.

(Vintage Napier Earrings available @ Michellesvintagejewelry.com, $29.00)

Do you own any vintage pieces?  Would you?

XXoo