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!

Le Sigh - Manolo Blahnik Sammy in Pink Tweed

Even when it's barely the end of Fall, it doesn't seem too early to be thinking about peep-toe heels, especially when they are as sweet, pink and pretty as Manolo Blahnik's Sammy d'Orsays.

The peep-toe d'Orsay style from Mnsr. Blahnik is one of my favorite shapes.  I think a pink bouclé tweed version is definitely a must have!

Ensemble du Jour

I really think I should take photos in advance of outfits I think I might want to wear rather than a week late. Looking at this combo in this light, I'm not too sure about the purples going together.

Oh, well, what's done is done.



I'm wearing a purple cardigan with crystal buttons from New York & Co. over a black camisole and a purple tweed skirt from Target. The heels are the same Target peep-toes from earlier in the week (lazy me!) and elbow-length gloves pushed down to tea length.



Hell-o!



Happy Friday!

Ensemble du Jour

It has been a busy busy week. Coming back from Vegas I had to plunge right back into work and my campaign! Yep, I'm running for town office so I have to be all political.

Don't believe me? Here I am getting grilled in "candidate forum". I hope you can pick me out.



To look all trustworthy and candidate-y I wore a black cami, pencil skirt and tights, my dependable Aerosoles buckle shoes, paired up with my favorite JCrew Astrid jacket in bright blue.



On Wedneday I finally got to wear my new vintage band jacket. I know I'm late to the band/military jackets trend but I'm picky and this was the first one that really met my criteria with fit, color, embellishments and cost. So, yeah, I love it.



The style of this jacket is open so I wore a cami underneath.

Worn with new toothpick jeans from JCrew (which I think I need a size down) and my Ann D. boots.

I will be wearing these boots forever. I just can't get over them.

Yesterday I had a client meeting so I was back to jacket and skirt

I've been wanting a velvet jacket (still looking for a green one!) and loved the soft grey color of this one from JCrew. It from this season if you like it and it comes in other pretty colors.

I'm all about pencil skirts now. I used to love a-lines and wore them all the time but the pencil shape is so flattering and versitile. This purple tweed one just came from Target.

The jacket was such a soft snuggly grey I knew my equally soft and delicate Head over Heels bird pumps.

It's been a busy week. Today I'm wearing brown and orange and looking 1970s... images soon!

What do you think? Liking the more outfit images? I'm trying to be better about taking pics.

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.

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
I'm happy with what I'm wearing today, mainly because I like my accent pieces and I'm comfortable too. The clothes are pretty basic - a v-neck knit top from Ann Taylor and a Merona swishy black skirt.



It's pretty chilly today. I'm wearing my vintage white driving gloves that have black stitching. I. Love. Them.



I decided to wear pearl jewelry to pick up on the white elements. I don't wear pearls a lot. This pin looks like a small tree with faux pearls on the branches. It actually was part of a shirt. When I got rid of the shirt I kept the pin. I'm also wearing a simple pearl bracelet.



I'm wearing my vintage satin corded "luncheon" heels. Comfy, pretty and unique.



The Focal Point
What is tying all of this together? What inspired me today? It's my new eBay find - a vintage tweed 3-piece suit. The suit is all of the same material but I thought I would be too warm with the jacket and skirt so I just wore the cape. I don't think I've ever owned a cape before. I like it. It makes you feel very lady-like, especially when you are walking around with gloves on and your arms through the openings as shown in the picture.



I felt very "lady-who-lunches" today with my gloves, shoes and cape. If only I could have been taking a leisurely lunch and then a bit of shopping. Instead it was home-work-home. I did pop out for a bit of lunch, so I guess that is something. I don't think my dogs appreciate the ensemble as much as I would hope.

Ensemble du Jour

I just realized that, not only have I not posted up any outfit pics in the last few days, but that when I did them on Polyvore, they were all in shades of blues/greens.

On Wednesday I word a heather teal sweater from Old Navy with a brown skirt. I layered on a teal vintage bead necklace.



I did something to my ankle so I've been wearing flats the remainder of this week. On Wednesday I wore these tweedy flats from Target. They're actually from the kid's line, but, hey, they were cheap.



Yesterday I wore a black jersey tie-waist skirt with a black camisole. Over it I layered a bright blue vintage Lacoste men's cardigan. It looks kind of cute here, but I'm not sure I was really feeling it. The sweater is a great color but it's kind of bulky in the arms. I may have to experiment with this.





I'm hoping I didn't look too vintage fashion victim-y. For some reason, I was thinking wearing the bright blue, black and then these crazy vintage loafers looked kind of funky and cool. Maybe I just looked like I fell into a Rat Pack's Goodwill pile. Who knows.

I just got these loafers from eBay. They're a bit crazy. They're black patent with this faux leopard/giraffe "fur" accent. In a way, I kind of dig them but, then again, they maybe a "bit" over the top

After some of that craziness, I am kind of plain and just comfortable today. Gap jeans and a v-neck knit top in kelly green, my vintage Trifari owl necklace and some of the new satin-y printed flats from Old Navy.

I've had a few folks ask me if I'm celebrating St. Patrick's day early because of the green today. If anything, I'm celebrating my lovely new Alto bag from Dooney.

It's so pretty. I love the size and the color is a great emerald green. It has great hardware but it is something I will use

for a good 10 years.

Any big St. Patrick's Day celebrations planned?