Cozying Up to Keds

I've been dreaming about finding the perfect Fair Isle pattern this winter.  But I never thought I would find it on a pair of Keds! 

I am totally loving these new Fair Isle sneakers and slippers from my favorite Keds.  I already needed a new pair of slippers.... how cute would these be?

The sneakers are cute as well (and come in 3 color options).  I would probably add laces though.  I'm not a fan of the slip-on version.

Who knew sneakers could look so cozy!

Sparkle in my Eyes - Glitter sneakers

I can't resist an overdose of sparkle and shine.  Sequins, rhinestones and gliter are my weakness.  I've got sequin sneakers, I think I need some glitter ones too.

I started with these casual black glitters from Keds (also in silver) -

Checked out the Toms (also in sliver, black, gold and pink) ...

Not sneakers but I love the Marc Jacobs oxfords...

But Miu Miu is killing it with the glitter this season and I'm totally smitten with their sneakers!

Barney's has the silver glitter version with the studs on the cap toe...

But I'm holding out for the trifecta - gold, giltter and giant crystals. 

This is my birthday wish come true!!!

Keds Century - Killing me through Time

I can not believe that I did not know about this until just yesterday. I feel so out of the loop and now I'm totally depressed.

Keds may possibly be one of my favorite shoes for all time. If I had to limit myself to one shoe, say on a desert island, or that I would have to wear for the rest of my life, it would be a pair of Keds Classic Champions in white canvas.

I've been wearing white Keds for as far back as I can remember and I can't imagine a time I haven't had at least one pair in my closet.

But because they are so classic and eternal to me I don't check in all the time to see what new things they have going on. And now I feel I've missed out because they are doing this amazing limited edition countdown of styles influenced by the decades of the 20th Century.

The 1910's Take Flight designs are so cool with an Amelia Earhart vibe. I wish I'd nabbed the white ones but the dark olive style is still available.


For the 1920's there's the Dapper and the Deville - menswear wingtip and Art Deco design.



1930's Throwback in natural, pink and black are the classic Keds we love.



Of course as limited editions, these have a limited run and I'm just killing myself over the fact that I was not able to get a pair of the amazing Dappers. I need need need these. Somehow I have to track a pair down.





Now I will be checking back eagerly to see the evolution over the remaining decades.

Can it get any better than these? I can't wait to find out.

Classic Comfort

I'm not really a flip flops kind of girl but I do like to take a break from heels every now and then. In the Summer especially we're doing a lot of running around and walking to events so I actually need to wear flat shoes.

I tend to prefer the classic comfort options of ballet flats, Keds, Topsiders and Converse.

I'm just as picky about my flat shoes being fun and interesting as I am for the heels. I love ballet flats with color, pattern and detail. Last summer I nabbed this preppy striped pair from American Eagle but Old Navy and JCrew have cute options with color and embellishments as well.



I'm a recent Chuck Taylor Converse devotee and can't live with out them now. I have low tops in red and in silver sequins but a cute pair of high-tops in bubble-gum pink. I'm debating a black pair or maybe a pair of custom created ones from the Converse website.




If I ever had to limit my shoe closet down to a ridiculous low number (like under 10 or something), I can guarantee you that Keds Champion classics in white canvas would make the cut. I can't remember a time I haven't had a pair or two of these in my closet. There used to be a high top version which I had in high school and I miss them terribly. I think I could wear these 80% of the time and not feel out of place.





Right now I'm wearing these Sperry Topsiders in this great green. These are another shoe from my childhood. My Dad always wore them on weekends and I love my pair now. They do come in some great colors (although I think my green ones are out of stock). I'm currently debating if I need a pair of bright pink patent ones.




What are your go to comfort shoes for the Summer?

Ensemble du Jour

I had yesterday off, which was great, but I still had to go out and about. I met a friend for lunch to talk about some website help he needs and then I had to get my 4th shot. I also made a quick stop by Michael's to get a frame for my new poster from Nubby Twiglet.

I have not had an opportunity to wear this dress yet so I decided to wear it for going out to lunch.
It's a Mizrahi for Target dress and is kind of a busy floral pattern in yellow and orange, which I almost never wear.


What I liked most about it was the shape of the dress and the contrast-pattern pleats going down from the waistline. To go to lunch I paired it with a cropped green cardigan and green Nine West Sandals that I've had forever.



They're actually a mite big on me.



But I liked the shape and design so much (and they were on sale at DSW) that I got them anyway.



Today we had to go for the installation of a historic marker at this 1815 home in our town. It was going to be a small garden party and open house, so I wore the dress again, but this time with a white cardi, keds and my white lace parasol. I have to keep my pasty white skin covered from the sun at all times!

But actually it is a gorgeous day out. I let the chickens out early to free range and we have a backyard Movie Night tonight. And I got my timesheets done on Friday night so I am all relaxed!

Saturday Shopping and Wardrobe Changes

I'll admit it, sometimes I forget the stuff I have, especially if I've never worn it or if it's tucked way back in the closet (or if it is in one of the secondary closets out of necessity).

I had to do a few errands (including going a bit crazy at Old Navy - more about that later...) today and remembered that I had this silk bustier top from the Proenza Schouler Go International line. After wearing the dress from the line, I thought this might be safer as a weekend item. Probably not so much for work. I love the top but it's a bit too loose and a bit too busty for the office.

Anyhow, I decided to pair it with my denim skirt and, for modesty's sake, I wore my white cropped cardigan with it.



To tie the colors together a bit, I decided to wear these little kitten heeled white slides from Hype. These are more of the girly little slides that I like so much and used to wear so often.



My fa-vor-ite part of these adorable little shoes are the two buttons on the strap. Super cute.



Then, tonight we had a neighbor's party to go to. I was a bit tired but knew it would be fun, so I pulled it together. I wanted to be cool and comfortable as the party was an outside BBQ/potluck. I ended up wearing a dress I bought today from Old Navy which I had bought because it just looked so fresh and felt so comfy.

Yeah, I know, who is stupid enough to wear white to a BBQ? That would be me.

Actually, I felt the risk was minimal because we had had a late lunch so knew I probably would not be eating a lot. The dress is an adorable white cotton with red smocking and needlepoint stitching.



For some reason this isn't on the Old Navy site yet. Maybe it's too new.



Cute detail, huh?



It was warm out, but a bit buggy. I covered up from the late day sun with a straw hat and the same white cardigan from earlier today. I had a Chinese paper fan to keep cool and wore my favorite classic Keds sneakers. No fancy shoes when you are traipsing across the street, walking in gravel and standing in the grass.

It was a lovely night. My neighbors are all so great. We're lucky to be where we are.

Weekend Warriors

I was never that big into sneakers. I pretty much wore classic Keds Champions all growing up and still do (white or navy only).

But I also totally dig Converse Chuck Tayors low-tops and high tops. They're just as classic but are sportier, less preppy. And while I have white and off-white, I think I like the colors even better. Gap has a great range of the colors this Summer with a great blue - very in line with the Color of the Year, a muted red - a hold over from 2007's COTY, bright yellow and a perfect-for-summer grass green (currently being seen all over the place this year). I like the light black low tops on the bottom left too.



Of course, my red pair from the Fall are awesome too.

I've also seen some done in silver and black sequins which I may just have to get. It will be hard to decide which color. Both are delish.