Dots for Days

Sometimes you have to go big…

And sometimes you have to take the pattern one more step.

Always loving polka-dots, the shirt from Ann Taylor is new.

The tights are from Wolford, which I've have but haven't worn, and then paired with the "urban shoe myth" Manolo Blahnik Camparis.

Dotty for BB

Manolo Blahnik's BB style is fast becoming one of my favorites.  Not only is the design and heel shape perfection, but he's mixing it up with different fabrics and embellishments.  There's a gorgeous black lace version, leopard print and now a playful Italian canvas with bouncy black and red polka dots.

The BB has a great classic shape and, when combined with crisp dots, you get a perfect show to wear for work and into the evening.


Manolo Blahnik BB in dots - $654 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Cooling My Heels

I have to admit that I've been making goo-goo eyes at the mesh and dotty Kate Spade heels since July.

But I know that they I had other shoes in the same color and that I really should hold off.

As the months passed I would stop by the site every so often to look at them and would see that most of the sizes were still available.  After a while I began to hope that they might possibly go on sale and I could snatch them up.

So last Friday, I popped onto the site and saw they had gone down by 25%.  Very very tempting, but I held out.  And literally the next day, there went another 25%.  Sadly, I couldn't get onto the site until Sunday so I ended up with a slight larger size than I would have preferred, but I got them!

Love the navy Lisa pump.   The color is awesome, the dots are fuzzy and the bow is perfection.

And the candy pink Mildred kitten heel is the sweet sister, with its patent cap toe and flirty color.

When they arrived they were even more adorable in person. In fact, all the girls in the office were equally smitten.

Can you blame them?

Darn You, JCrew

JCrew is trying to ruin me.  I cannot resist all the polka dot/plaid/stripe/tweed/snakeskin print goodness.

I actually am tempted by these adorable sweaters and I generally don't like crew neck tops!  We'll see what actually works and stays around for Fall/Winter.

Oh, yeah, I got a pair of cap-toe heels too.  It's sickening how cute all this stuff is!

Perfect Polka-Dots

Not that polka-dots are ever really out of style, but if these Loeffler Randall Natalie cap-toe polka-dot flats aren't perfect for traipsing into Fall, I don't know what shoes are.

They're a beautiful blush and black and the cap-toe makes them extra special.

They're available straight from Loeffler Randall - $295

Picking Polka-Dots - Louis Vuitton & Yayoi Kusama Collection

The fashion world is buzzing over the collaboration between Louis Vuitton & artist Yayoi Kusama.

And rightly so.

Yayoi's use of organic shapes and rigid dots are infusing the often times staid LV pieces with a playful spirit.  I appreciate that LV has allowed it's branding to take a bit of a backseat and is only represented with LV-initial brocade fabric and signature shapes.

It's a great pairing because there is just the right amount of fission between the two.

I love nearly every piece in the extensive collection - which includes clothes, outerwear, collars, jewelry, shoes, sunglasses and handbags - there is one huge thing that jumps out at me the most.

This whole collection is a knock-off dream.

These pieces are simple and classic, differentiated only by the association with Yayoi and subtle LV materials.  

I fully anticipate seeing a HUGE number of look-a-likes come out in the next few months.  From bow adorned heels to dotty-fabric sandals.

I hope that will not be the case.  Yayoi is a remarkable artist who deserves to be respected for her career, not have her work, even that used in a collaboration, stolen for a quick profit.

Beholden Unto You

I always love discovering a new place to buy dreamy decadent shoes.  Somehow, probably through an image on Pinterest, I made my way to BHLDN (aka Beholden), a lovely bridal store based in PA, with stores in Chicago and Houston.

 If the pictures I've seen of the stores and of the products are anything to go by, this is a magical lush experience.   If you were not giddy about planning a wedding before, you will be once you see everything they offer.

Their "about" page spells out their philosophy as:

Our roots are with Anthropologie, so a passion for experience and creating one-of-a-kind moments runs deep. But our offering speaks more to the not-so-everyday occasions—ours is a voice that celebrates a woman’s most anticipated milestones. And one that gives tradition a twist.

We want, more than anything, to help a woman create an event that reflects her own unique perspective… to a tee. We want to give a bride that edit she’s been searching for—with heirloom-quality wedding gowns, artisanal hair adornments, footwear, and lingerie. And we want happy bridesmaids—in mix-and-match frocks with rich hues and unexpected details.

But it goes beyond the dress. Our goal, and the reason we drape, fold, bustle, and stitch, is to start a conversation with our customer—to build a resource where she can come to find inspiration and to share with those closest to her, as well as our broader coterie. BHLDN’s story is unfolding; and we’ll look to our customer for cues and guidance going forward.

There are no checkboxes. No fill-in-the-blanks. On the contrary, we think a moment should be as layered and dimensional as the woman standing within it.

How lovely.

While I'm far from my wedding planning days, I am still interested in pretty headpieces, gloves and, of course, beautiful shoes.

And, oh, do they have beautiful shoes.  Most are in shades of cream and white but a large number of them are picking up on the trend of injecting a surprise pop of color with a shoe in blue, green or even gold.

I had to get a few pairs.  They were too pretty to pass up.

The first pair were the Stratosphere Mary Janes from Chie Mihara.  I think they will be adorable with dresses but imagine having glittery stars on your feet as you walked down an aisle or twirled on the dance floor.

I was enraptured by the color of these saffron slingbacks from Something Bleu.  I love satin heels and these seem to glow.  I love the playful yet elegant bow too.  I'm going to pair these up with cobalt and brown and maybe even pink.

And I couldn't pass up these d'Orsay peep-toes made with vintage polka-dot fabric and gem-encrusted bows.  Limited edition pumps from Bettye Muller?  Yes please and thank you.

I'm not planning my wedding (maybe I need a vow renewal!) but wearing these heels is sure to make it feel like a special day.  I may have to go back to find some equally pretty accessories and see what new styles they discover next.