Anthropologies Exercises Cute

Since January, I've been a regular participant at Pure Barre and I'm loving it! While I'd lost a bunch of weight over the last year, the PB classes have noticeably toned me up and helped improve my overall strength, especially in my core area.

And because I was going fairly regularly, I needed to get some new workout gear.  At PB they like you to be somewhat covered up but I also wanted to be cool and comfortable too, especially as it can get a bit warm but I was transitioning in from the cold of outside.

I don't like paying a lot for workout gear so I did a great stock up on cropped compression pants, sports bras and tees at Old Navy.  They really do have great activewear.

But recently I found out that Anthropologie expanded into activewear as well and I love the Pure + Good line.  Their jackets are especially cute, and as I needed an additional option, I nabbed this cute ruffled version

I also got these compression pants with the sweet ruffle, in grey and black.  Some of the reviews have said they were sheer but I find them to be rather thick and not great with breathability.  If you want to keep warm, these would be good options.  They hit me just below mid-calf and are very cute in person.

I got the grey pants on sale but the other two pieces were full price.  If you are buying the higher end yoga/workout gear, I'd say the prices are in line with these.  And they are fun and unique.  I like having a few unique pieces but for general day to day gear I'm sticking to my Old Navy pieces.  Of course, if these hold up tons better than the Old Navy tops, I'll let you know.

Clearly Sophia Webster

Last June I wrote about a new designer that I was keeping my eye on - Sophia Webster.

Her first designs were bright and bold and I was expecting to see her gain more coverage.  I'm excited to say that she continues to delight with here designs out for Spring and Summer.  I'm especially smitten with her ruffle-bow and sequin-bedecked PVC "Lana" t-straps.

I saw these in a number of colors on her site, including red and blue iterations, but the bold black and white is more my style.

These are party and dancing shoes.  You want to kick up your heels and step out and get noticed!  I have another pair I'm dreaming about from Ms. Webster.  She's all the fun, flirty, girly that I love.

I think I have a new favorite designer!

Imitation = Flattery?

Not so long ago the Jeffrey Campbell Michelle, aka "Unicorn", heel was exceptionally popular. This whimsical heel was sold out all over the place, but is back in stock and available in shiny black patent, shiny gold, a beautiful nude and a subtle gunmetal.

The unique piece of this shoe was the spiral hell but much of the allure came from the flirty ruffles that cupped the heel and showcased your ankle.

So it's no surprise that I stopped in surprise when I saw a strikingly similar ruffle on this Carlos by Carlos Santana Venetian d'Orsay pump.

I don't think the lines of the Carlos shoe are as pretty and the price-points are nearly the same.  The influence is obviously there.

Which version do you prefer?

Carlos by Carlos Santana Venetian Pump - in black, blue, tan and red - $99

Jeffrey Campbell Michelle Peep-toe - in black, black patent, gold, nude and gunmetal - $119.95

Ensemble du Jour

I'm sure you can tell I'm a fan of JCrew. Their clothes appeal to the preppy classic eclectic in me like Anthropologie appeals the the more quirky classic.

I love the details and the layers because they pull together great color combinations and they mix up girly and streamlined.



I loved the looks in the latest Fall/Winter 2009 catalog and having just purchased a pair of matchstick cords, the FiFi ruffle cardigan and a sparkly necklace, I did my own JCrew-esque combination.

I'm not sure what it is about this but I find the white, black, sage, sparkly, pearls elements give a sort of deconstructed Chanel feel about it too. Maybe it's just me.

Ruffles! And rolled up cuffs, the better to see your shoes with, my dear!

Cardigan: FiFi from JCrew

Tee: Boyfriend tee from Target

Necklace - pearls: Gift

Necklace - sparkly: JCrew

Bracelet: Etsy by MediaSweetie

Cords: Matchstick cords in eucalyptus from JCrew

Peep-toes: Target

The Last Unicorn

I know the title is a little cheesy but after all the effort going in to finding these, I couldn't resist.

These Jeffrey Campbell Michelle peep-toe heels seem to be a popular as the Corso Como Dodies and, currently, just as hard to find.



I was a little late on the uptake and saw these on Marie's site. Of course she is down with the flashy and fabulous!

After searching around (no luck) then finally pestering a Jeffrey Campbell employee (made them get on Twitter too!) I was able to score a pair from Vintage Fox Boutique. A few sizes are left if you want to get a pair. But keep in mind, these babies run about a 1/2 size small. I got a 6, which is the smallest size they made, and they were not overly loose on me.

I wore these with a dark dress denim pencil skirt and this fancy polo from Anthropologie. What i like about it is that the collar and placket are a creme silk and the ruffles sort of mimic the shoe ruffles.

They are very soft and comfortable and I like them alot... now, would it be greedy to try and track down a nude pair?

I couldn't resist sharing this. When I was younger I read the strangest book called Summer of the Unicorn. It looks like kind of a bodice ripper but is more of a sci-fi/fantasy novel. I actually still have this....

Get one of the $.01 used ones and let me know what you think.

Fall Favorites: Rich Details

A few weeks ago I went through something like 700 images and, of course found a ton of amazing pieces that I just fell in love with. There's far too many to put in one post so I'm going to have to group them and space them out.

The first group are what I'm calling the "Rich Details" group.

Obviously embellishments of all sorts are being integrated into the design of all levels of fashion and almost every garment type being made. I think this is why we are seeing a comeback of items like hats, fascinators and gloves. There is a desire for rich, interesting details and unique elegance.

The most obvious is the use of lace by Prada. I love the colors of the clothing pieces, especially the orange but I love the creamy lace on their bags.



There are ruffles, ruffles everywhere I look. Bruno Frisoni did an amazing job incorporating satin ruffles into modern designed shoes. I love the contrast of modern and old world in these Bruno Frisoni Mesh Peep-toe Ruffle pumps.



The banding design of the ruffle-edged straps on this Bruno Frisoni taffeta sandal reminds me of the collars from Marie
Antoinette. More blue to love.



I think this sandal is so unusual. You'd have to have an equally rich yet somewhat restrained dress to go with these. The straps are so different. Of course I'd want to wear them all the time. What about some skinny black jeans or latex leggings?



I just love how a wide ankle tie can call attention to a small ankle. I find it very sexy. Bruno Frisoni is continuing to do it right with this sandal.



These Valentino booties are sugary sweet but the suede is totally sumptuous and which I think helps to toughen them up just the smallest bit. I'm sure they were meant to be paired with a couture gown but they need far more time out and about than that. Maybe placed on my desk?

I'd wear these with jeans cropped just above them and then a big poofy-sleeved top with a loopy tie or a long coat.



These last two are more restrained but the material they are made with seems so textured.

I love the wool tweed of these Manolo Blahnik pumps. And the coral leather and white accents make them perfect for transitioning into fall while still keeping a bit of the late summer sparkle.



I like when Stella McCartney sticks with satins and velvet. Her stuff still seems a bit over-priced but at least she gets great colors. I can't get over all the blues. And I can't seem to resist them.

These look like total party shoes to me. They would have been great for the Costume Institute Superhero gala.



There are more selects to follow. One thing they all have in common is that they certainly are not plain. But my theory is, if you are going to spend the money, you should get something that stands out. Something that will make people stop, look and admire.

Evolutionary Theory

Sometimes with a designer it is hard to see their evolution and the consistent thread that ties them together from collection to collection. It can be interesting to try and find those connections when each design and collection is so disparate.

But I think it can also be fun to see the obvious themes that morph each year and then how they actually come to life.

In the Fall/Winter 2007 Miu Miu collections (and in the Prada ones as well), we saw a first step of their fanciful creations. I was a big fan of almost everything from this year, especially the ruffled brogues and heels.






For the Fall/Winter 2008 collection, the ruffles went to the next, more futuristic realm.



These are, of course, les wearable than the previous year's shoes, but still, awfully cool.

Now that the beginning Fall and Pre-Fall pieces are coming in, you can see the "safer" version of these ruffles on these gorgeous Prada sandals. They remind me of how my black satin Prada flower heels are the safer version of their Spring 2008 runway cousins.



I would wear these in a second!



Not that I need another pair of black heels but they are just so gorgeous. And would remain wearable forever. It's very hard to resist.

Prada Suede Ruffle Sandals - at Neiman Marcus.

Flirty Ruffles

Although you see a ton of menswear tailored styles coming in for Fall, sometimes you have zig while others zag. I love the stacked brogues and wingtips and two-tone shoes but Fall and Winter is a time for get-togethers and parties and drinking Kir Royals. Sometimes you need a really flirty, girl-y, ruffle-y shoe to go with that party dress or to glam up a skirt.

I love the almost excessive embellishment of these shoes which go to the other end of the spectrum when compared to the more dignified shoes.



These Pedro Garcia Ruffle Ballet Flats in Flint are $335 at Neiman Marcus. They're kind of a silvery lavender and I love the almost distressed look that they have.

These Miu Mius in black suede are the nighttime glam version of the Naplack with the chunky heel that I featured a few posts ago. With a change of materials and a more glam heel, this style goes from quirky school girl to intriguing vixen. Wouldn't they be perfect with a really sleek dress?



Gorgeous. Buttery soft leather ruffles. Pearly lavender. Enough said. Loeffler Randall Ruffle Pump - $375 also at Neiman Marcus.



And when you are ready to dance the night away or make an impression, in jeans or at a company event, these Moschino Cheap & Chic Scallop Edge heels are so flamboyant and "Notice Me" that you need to be ready for all the attention. Of all of the shoes here, these are the ones I would get first. That ruffle is quite nearly perfect. They're $455 at Barney's.

I'm sure there will be some lower cost options available as the season goes on. These are just too pretty for them to not be reinterpreted all across the board.

I'll keep my eye out for ya!