Summer Skies

As the days grow shorter and the dark comes earlier, I'm excited for Fall but I'm still drawn to bright blues like summer skies. I think it's instinctual. Personally, I hate the heat but I love a bright sunny day that's around 72 degrees. Perfect convertible weather.

These blues just jumped out at me...

Christian Louboutin Simple Pump in Turquoise
$595 at Barneys

Gucci Peep-toe Signature Pump
$250 at DSW

Dolce Vita Apple Pump
$150 at Nordstroms

Mulberry Postman's Lock boots
$695 at Net-a-Porter

Jessica Simpson Evoni Pump
$90 at Nordstroms

Ensemble du Jour - 6-12-10

Saturday I was able to have a fun day out with my sweetie. He suggested that we go out to lunch and to our favorite antique store. I love when we go out to something other than doing errands because I use it as an excuse to wear some of my favorite things, like hats, that I just don't have the time to incorporate on my way to work.



It was very warm out but I knew we would be running in and out of the air conditioning. I wore a very bright floral dress (and probably my only yellow piece of clothing) with a light cropped cardigan. The dress is a few years back from Target's Isaac Mizrahi line.



I wanted a very summery mix and to play up the green too. So I used my Stephen Jones boater, a vintage wicker-y bag, my lace parasol from Venice and Jessica Simpson Pegeen heels.

Here is the dress without the cardigan. The waistline is a bit above my natural waistline so it has more of an empire feel to it.

The fabric on this is the best part. The bodice has the bigger pattern.

The skirt is pleated with a smaller pattern on top of the box pleats and a larger pattern in the folds. The dress is even lined so it's a pretty nice quality for a mass merchandiser.

Because it was so warm I kept the jewelry simple - a very delicate gold chain with pearls and a gold bead.

A hat close up with the green and navy ribbon.

I like the preppy colors of these shoes but they are not great for walking a lot, I'll admit. I ended up changing into my favorite Keds after we ate lunch and before we walked around.

I was happy to receive several compliments as we visited the shops. It's funny how, when you take the time to put on something just a bit nicer, like a dress, how sweetly people respond.

3 Second Fashion Show - 5-4-10

This is a pretty typical work outfit for me. Neutral top, in this case a jersey wrap top, and a cute skirt with fun heels



The skirt is from Target a few years back. I love the double tiers and scalloped edges.

The shoes are the Jessica Simpson Hardie peep-toes.

I actually have to say that the Jessica Simpson shoes had more good designs than most of the other "celebrity" lines (I'm looking at you Paris Hilton line). I wonder where they hired their designers from?

Color Study - Purples

I'm really spacing out these Color Study posts, aren't I!

I'm being totally lazy by doing some of the easier ones first. Black, red and brown will be excessive. But let's pretend we're going sort of in a spectrum of color.

Today is all about PURPLE! Admittedly there are not that many and I realized there is an overlap with one shoe. Not very organized of me.

Only 7 in this group.

Row 1:

- Melian Nichi - These were slingbacks but I cut off the back strap because it was too loose.

Row 2 - left to right:

- Christian Louboutin Prive 120 in Lilac suede

- Stuart Weitzman Bocaccio

- Manolo Blahnik Sedaraby

Row 3 - left to right:

- Ashley Dearborn Eurpides

- Luella heart heels

- Jessica Simpson Jada wedge slingback espadrilles

I love all the delicate shades but here are some of my favorite details.

More to go on Flickr!

Eeeewwww!!!!

I have, in the past, give a few begrudging props to the Jessica Simpson line of shoes. Not only is it not the Paris Hilton line (shudder!) but that must have a decent designer on staff because some of her shoes are pretty cute. I really do hate to admit it because I can't stand the girl or anything she wears. Which I take to mean she has little to do with the pieces that fall under her name.

But maybe she's trying to get more involved now, because that's the only thing that can explain this monstrosity.




I'm sure there are ladies out there who love this (and I actually kind of like the heel/sole of it) but the whole picture just completely turns me off. It just looks way too clunky and overdone.

Bah!

Take it away and bring back your original designer.

Week In Review

Since I've been slack in the outfit recapping department lately, I thought I would put a few of the latest ones in one big post.

The other day I wore a really comfortable green wrap dress from Target. Mine was a bit lighter green than this one but it conveys the idea. I wore a white camisole under mine just to be safe.



I wore my green jade bracelet and for shoes I wore my Sinamon sandals from Nicole Brundage.








My favorite part of these shoes are the pinked edges to the straps.







They're also very interesting due to how the straps wrap around. They are attached to the heel, go over the instep and twice around the ankle.



Yesterday I was very casual in my denim pencil skirt, a lavender tee from the Gap and my Jessica Simpson silk madras wedges.





Yes, I know. Jessica Simpson shoes. But, hey, I like the colors and think they are cute. I've come to grips with the shame.




On Wednesday I wore one of my favorite outfits. A simple 3/4 sleeve white knit top with the Mizrahi huge peony print skirt. I just love love love the giant floral print on this. So big and bright and pink.



For jewelry I wore this dainty littke necklace made of crystals and pink topaz briolettes.



For shoes I wore these little fabric mules from Kate Spade. These are back when I thought Kate Spade was doing some really fresh, unique and pretty designs. I have this same shoe in two other fabrics - a tan & black zebra and a muted mulit-stripe. But this is my favorite of the three.

And these shoes are a testament to how I treat my nice shoes with care. They are a very light color fabric shoe. You'd think they'd get dirty very very easily. And they could. But I've had these shoes for at least 9 years. And while they may be due for some new heel taps, they are almost pristine.





Kate Spade - make more pretty things like these again!











I also like how they fit right on the front of your foot. They're almost retro slipper-y in shape and, I think, ultra-girly. Another version of flower feet.

Decisons... Decisions.

I have a wedding to attend this Summer and I'm thinking I may wear my new dress from Target. It's sort of casual but the color and detailing give it a dressier edge, which I think will be a perfect match for the style of wedding this is going to be.

The question is, what shoes do I pair it with? I'm not sure if' we'll need to be walking through grass or not so I'm leaning towards wearing heels but there are a few options to choose from, each of which will give the outfit a different feeling.



The options, starting from the top left, are:

The Jessica Simpson Hardie peep-toes. The circles go well with the embroidery and they have that neat graphic look.

Prada "flower heels" black satin peep-toes. Elegant yet also a heel to stand out. A dressier option.

The next option are the YSL "Tribute" slingbacks. Simple, elegant, but not boring. It would be more about the dress than the shoes, although they hold their own too.

The most sensible in the bunch are my Old Navy sandals. I wouldn't have to worry about walking in potential grass or anything and the shine makes them dressy enough, but they're just flat. Miss out on an opportunity to show off my heels? Maybe I'll bring these as a backup.

The JCrew satin mary janes are great for a wedding but they might be too conservative. I like pairing a really colorful shoe but the pink satin might be too staid with this dress.

Alexander McQueen rose-embellished anklestrap peep-toes. Will this be the perfect time to finally wear them????

And last but not least... I don't have these Kate Spade heels, but boy do I wish I did. I just love them. They're dressy but the ribbon is grosgrain so they're not too fussy. These are the perfect pair, right? Then I would need to buy them!

What do you think? One of these or any other inspired ideas out there?