Ensemble du Jour - 6-22-10

I had actually planned on wearing this top with the rose print skirt from yesterday but the colors didn't really work. So I saved it and went for a more streamlined yet still soft look with a charcoal cropped cardigan and a khaki pencil skirt.



I really like these three colors together. They are all dreamy and pair together to in a nice feminine way.

The rosette on the shirt is such a neat element and becomes the focal point.

What I really wanted to wear, though, were these pale pink heeled sandals. They're the same color as the top with organza butterflies on the heels. The grey cardigan picks up the grey stripe on the wings.

The heels are Colin Stuart from ages ago. The butterflies are still holding up, thank goodness!

I believe I got them from the Victoria's Secret catalog 8+ years ago. They were not expensive, as far as I can remember. The top was from Anthropologie and the skirt and cardigan were from Target.

Making Waves

Back when Victoria's Secret used to have somewhat decent clothes and cool sexy but not totally trampy shoes, I got these Colin Stuart boots. What's funny is that I think they are totally tame just with a really interesting detail...



But back when I worked for a certain corporation that had a "Look Book" these were considered "crazy!"

Why?

Because while the front half of the boot is a simple black knee-high boot, the back half is a pale suede with criss-crossing black straps.



I think from farther away it looks like the boot is completely open in the back and that the straps might be lacing up my legs (Yes, I am totally pale enough that this could be considered a feasible scenario. And yes, I might be crazy enough to wear boots like that to work... maybe...).

Inevitably when I wear these, and they are not my "everyday" black boots, I will get a startled question about if they are tied up the back. At this certain corporation I even was asked if they followed the dress code guidelines.

They did. And I would know because I pushed those boundaries almost everyday and carried around a copy of the code about shoes. Funny aside: when I started there you HAD to wear pantyhose (and this is in FL, people!) and you couldn't wear shoes like mules or open-toe shoes, but you could wear slingbacks. Then they loosened up the restrictions a bit. You could wear mules and open toe shoes and sandals but you still had to wear hose. We're not talking cute funky tights and heels, we're talking "flesh-tone" pantyhose with sandals.

Um... ew...no.

Anyhow, these definitely make people take a second look, if only to try and figure them out. I love the color of the suede and luckily haven't marked the heels up or anything. Knock on wood.




I think I've had these about 5 or 6 years now. I <3>

Since they are a bit flashy I tend to wear simple outfits with them. We're not talking hot pants and spandex or anything. Usually a streamlined skirt and top.

Oh, the rule that I had to be sure I was complying with: the tops of your boots had to be covered by the bottom hem of your skirt. No, I'm not kidding.

I think I may have been off of that an inch or so.... ; )

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
Well, I bumped my toe over the weekend and had to redo my pedicure so I decided to go with a nice bright red. Since I do wear red polish all the time, I wanted to take advantage of it by wearing some super cute red shoes.

I'd have rather been wearing a cute red printed tee and a short white pleated skirt. But I have to be an adult and go to work, so I wore a white 3/4 sleeve v-neck and a white linen skirt.



I wanted to counterpoint the sweetness of the shoe with more Asian-influenced accessories. I'm wearing my Christmas gift birdy necklace along with a cinnabar bangle.



The Focal Point
My bright red pedicure influenced all the choices! These are my cute gingham and floral red and white sandals I got to wear with it.













I've had these for ages but I don't get to wear them all that often. Typically I wear them with cropped jeans but it was just too hot for that. I got them from Victoria's Secret a million years ago before they got totally trashed out. They're a little country but I just adored the mix of patterns and the ruffle-y strap across the toe!

All Tied Up... With Indecision

It's sunny today!

I actually felt like I could pull out items that are suited for warmer weather. Finally.

I've been rummaging in the back of my closets the past few days. We're planning on having a Clothing Swap at work, so I've been going through all my stuff for clothes and shoes to give away. Have you ever done a clothing swap? It's great. What were doing is - all of the ladies in the office are going through their stuff as well. We'll bring it all in one day and it's just a big free for all. Everyone just sifts through all the stuff and you take what you want. Then anything that's left over will go for donation. Since most people are just bored with their stuff, it's a great way to "recycle". We're going to have cupcakes and make an event out of it.

Anyways, I've been going though all my shoes too and have been evaluating those shoes that haven't received much wear and attention. Some are vintage but some are new ones that were great in concept but then not-so-great in reality - either because of fit or some style detail. I'm trying to be ruthless!

Anyway, there were a few pairs of shoes that are in the "maybe" pile right now. Today's pair being one of them.





The shoes in question are black satin ballet style heels. I wanted to give them a shot so I paired them up with an outfit in black and white with a flippy graphic skirt from Target and a new cross-bodice jersey top I got on sale at Ann Taylor. The skirt hits me above the knee so it goes well with the ankle ties on the shoes.



Okay, here they are.

They're not a fancy brand or anything. They're Colin Stuart and I probably ordered them from Victoria's Secret (before they got totally trashy) about a million years ago.



The "ribbons" are not actually satin ribbons but actually made of fabric so the bows are a little stiff. The reason these are up for debate is bacause of the shape of the shoe. What I look at them by themselves I'm not sure they thrill me. But when I see them on I kind of dig them.



The heel is pretty awesome and they are easy to wear. I don't get a ton of use out of them but when has that ever been a concern. They already have a home in the closet so that isn't an issue.

I do like them with this skirt.





I'm pretty sure they were inspired by of a pair of Chanel or Gucci heels if my memory serves. The remind me of the shoes that Carrie wore for the cover of her book in SATC (I need to find a picture of those to compare.)

What do you think? Stay or go?