Leather, Brocade and Temptation

As I get closer to my trip to New York, where I haven't been in ages (shame on me, I know), I realize that I don't have a lot of New York-worthy clothes. I mean, most of my stuff is fun and comfy and good for work but otherwise just eh.

So when Style Spy unfortunately brought the huge YOOX sale to my attention my ears perked up.

Now normally YOOX is crammed with stuff. So much so that it tends to overwhelm me a bit. But I was up not sleeping so I thought I would take a small peak. Nothing serious mind you.

Stupid, stupid me.

I think my wardrobe fears have gotten the best of me because I some how convinced myself I needed all of these things! They're gorgeous and I hope they fit but damn.

First up is this Claudia B. blazer with the cool closure and slightly peplum back. It looks like it could be worn alone as shown for a sexy night out look. We'll have to see if that's a viable option in reality. I'm more worried about showing too much tummy than cleavage.





I always like a good skirt and this Roberto Cavalli is made of an amazing moss green velvet with gold. It may be too much but it could look totally stunning with my velvet Claudio Merazzi heels.





As I was browsing in the skirts section I got totally sucker-punched by this gorgeous silk brocade skirt from Alexander McQueen. I will have to do some serious thinking about what shoes to pair with this... and what top.





What I had actually been looking for were dresses. As I've mentioned, I'm not a huge dress fan and am trying to work more into my wardrobe. I know what silhouettes work well on me and I'm hoping when I try this on it will be what I imagine. The length seems right and I like the v-neck. I may alter the sleeves to be 3/4. But what really drew me to it was the leather detail on the bodice area. It gives it a bit of unexpected toughness that I think is sexy.





Now we just have to try and patiently wait to see if they get here in time and if everything fits! And since it's the big sale, and I've been burned this way by YOOX before, we have to see if we actually get all of them too.

Ensemble du Jour

I did wear something today that I didn't need the camera for, so I can share that with you.

The Outfit
My favorite cropped jeans (I went and bought another pair!) and my grey and pink floral/butterfly print top, both from Target. I brought along my cropped grey Proenza Schouler cardigan from the Go line. But I actually haven't had to put it on here in the office.



For jewelry I'm just wearing my wedding rings, a square cut pink diamond ring and my silver Champagne necklace.



It's a little washed out looking here but I love the pattern in this fabric. The butterflies are so cute. I have an umbrella that almost perfectly matches this too.



The Focal Point
I love the combination of this fuchsia pink and medium grey. I think it goes so well together. Those paired with the dark indigo wash makes for a nice combo. And the super-sparkly Manolos pop against the dark wash too.



This is a nice warmer weather look without being too exposed at work - cropped pants, babydoll top and cute colors.

Poochie Has No Clothes

You may have noticed that this week has been a little light on the outfit of the day posting. The hubby has been out of town since last week fishing which means that I've had to try and keep up with taking care of all the pets, the house, getting ready for work, schlepping the dogs to the doggie day care, going to work and then some community meetings in the evenings.

It kind of sucks.

But he's having a nice visit with his Dad and cousin and uncle so that on the positive side. And I get to go to New York in a few weeks so, he'll have to pick up the slack then. I guess that makes us about even.

Not that anything I've been wearing this week is too awesome or anything. Since I've been carting the dogs to and from the day care place I really haven't worn anything too nice because my older pup likes to lay on my lap while we're driving. And even when they both stay in the passenger seat I still manage to get dog hair all over me. I had to put the lint roller in the car with me because I was so covered. Plus, as the week progresses they get kind of stinky. I can't wait until Friday night when I can wash them. Pe-ew!

I did pull out some more older shoes which were kind of cool but he has the camera too! So I am sans pictures. Once he gets back I'll have to take pics of the shoes I wore (if I can remember that far back!) and post them up.

After this week we'll be back to our regular programming with some added fun of trying to figure out what to pack for the City.

Kick Ass Shoes

I haven't even really had a chance to wear any of my Spring/Summer shoes yet (I was so chilly today I actually was wearing a tweedy jacket to work) when all of the new Fall shoes are now already hitting the market. Time is just flying by.

I'm not sure I would get these and they would be a very large departure outside of my typical comfort zone but I love these sandal/booties by Yves Saint Laurent (even Saks doesn't know what to call them).



I would wear them with jeans or a skirt and then into Fall with some grey tights. Thank goodness tights are still going to be around.

I'm not too sure about the metal embellishment but the heel is just sick! Gah! I love them.



It's too bad these are in pre-order. I'd love to try them on in person when I'm in New York. Just to see if I can actually walk in them.

4 Heels, 3 Ladies, 2 Cities and 1 Big Disappointment

Way back in February the fabulous Queen Marie did a post about these amazing Jil Sander architectural heels she saw in a magazine. Being a Spring/Summer 2008 shoe, they were not yet available, but I blithely gave my heart away to them.

I had been instantly smitten by the grey and pink color combination, the almost non-existent straps, and obviously, the amazing structural heel.



I'm not usually one for overly modern styles but I was just in love with them. When the styles started hitting the stores I immediately looked online. And while there were several in the line that were similar, the pink and grey color combo were nowhere to be found.



So I contacted the main inquiry line and found out that no one in the US had a 35.5 on the stock list. The only store anywhere that got the heel in a 35.5 was the Milan store. Well, distance is no object when you're in love, right?

Vanessa in the Milan store was very helpful and we finally got the payment information all arranged and my heels were winging their way to me.

Except when they finally arrived and I ripped open the box I was in for a disappointment. The heel was pink and grey. Although the pink was more like a grape-y burgundy and the grey was much darker. Not what I wanted at all. I got back in touch with the New York Jil Sander office and they offered to help me by letting me return the shoes to them and by tracking down another option. Sadly the pink and grey slingbacks that I so loved were not going to be made at all! I was so depressed!

But they did say they had an ankle strap version in either pink, pinkish-orange, or grey. The only 35.5s were only available in the Milan store again, so I said send me the pink or pink-ish orange and then patiently waited.



They're both very pretty, no?



A while later the DSL truck pulled up and delivered the long anticipated shoes. I ripped open the wrapping and there they were.... in bright FRICKING ORANGE!!!!



I did not sign up for orange. I would NOT consider them "pink-ish orange". I look horrible in this color orange. UGH!

Yes, they're still a gorgeous shoe but for the cost, I'm not going to keep a shoe that is less than what I wanted. So, sadly, they went back to New York and ultimately Milan. These shoes are better traveled than I am lately.

I will say that the ladies I worked with from Jil Sander were very nice and very helpful, so I don't blame them too much. They just need to not feature heels that they aren't going to make (I'm not talking runway heels, this was featured in a magazine as a item for Spring) and they need to get their descriptions in line. If you're interested in this shoe be advised, the toe strap is very very tight. Just don't tell me about it because I will be so jealous.

Ensemble du Jour

On Friday I got totally lazy and wore my cropped jeans again! They're just so darn comfy.

The Outfit
I wore a amethyst cardigan over a black cami which were, of course, paired with the capris. I also added a large faux pearl choker and bracelet.



The Focal Point
While I didn't build the outfit around them, my Euripides heels from Ashely Dearborn are hard to miss.



They're pretty striking with their bright colors and unusual shape.









Personally I like the more odd or theme-y Dearborns. I that is what put her on the map. I think her latest styles are a bit tamer, which to be frank, don't cut it for me. But if like less craziness in your footwear, I would check out her styles (she does have some of the unusual pieces still too) as they are very well made and Ashely is very very nice.

What's the Buzz About?

These are another one of my favorite pairs of shoes, Buzz from Jimmy Choo. I was in luv with these from the moment I saw them. I got them the same time as I got the Thunder pair. I just couldn't decide between them.



My favorite part is the corset-like lacing on the toe. I find them to be terribly sexy and, even if I wear them with all black, they add quite a punch.



They're good for peeking out of the bottom of jeans but I like to wear them mostly for work because the shape is so sharp.



And, hello!, check out that heel. Gorgeous and perfect! One of my favorite shapes.



I like it when Choo sticks to their classic heels. They do them so well and this heel shape looks especially good on some of their boots too.

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
Finally, I get to wear some of my new shoes for this season. Plus a new shirt. For some reason I can't find my shirt on Old Navy's site or on Polyvore, so this will have to approximate. The color is the same but my shirt is a collarless polo with short sleeves. It was so comfy. I went neutral with a khaki skirt and brought a cropped denim jacket in case it was cold in the office.




The Focal Point
I've been waiting for a sunny day to wear these Bettye Muller slingbacks. The fabric is a pique, I think with a great botanical print. I like how the fabric is in the toe area too, although I don't want to get it messed up. It's too pretty.



I don't think I had a pair from this designer before but I really like them. They feel very solid and well made. I got them from Simply Soles. The colors are warm and a bit muted so they will go with kind of preppy-ish items as well as safari looks too.

Imitation = Flattery?

Its' one thing when I see design "inspiration" taken from established companies and designers but it's quite another when I see styles that look lifted from smaller independent people. It may just be coincidence, but then again it may not be.

This top heel is from dELiAs. It's cute, right? Love the pop culture 80's-ness of them with their neon charm attached.



But to me they look remarkably like the embellished shoes created by ShoeMissy. These are a pair I got from her last summer.



Then there are these fabric heels from Faith. Shoewawa got to preview some of their summer styles and took a picture of these.



I know patterned fabric heels are big this season but when I saw this picture they reminded me of the kimono fabrics that Hetty Rose uses to create her one off pieces.



Obviously you can't directly prove anything but the thought they they could be lifting from these independent designers bothers me more than when a Louboutin or Manolo knock-off is made. These are individuals trying to make a living with their art. They only have themselves maybe someday they'll be bigger and have more stability but now they shouldn't have elements of their designs swiped.

Ensemble du Jour

I had this whole long post written about the history of fashion filled with insights and then a sneak peek into all these upcoming designers and then...POOF! Blogger died on me and it's all flushed down the drain.

So you get my boring outfit post. Sorry about that.

That Outfit
Simple stuff but it was a casual day and I wanted to wear my new cropped jeans, which I love love love! The red v-neck is from Gap and the softest knit. Very light and comfy. I got it a size too big and now wish I had gone for the smaller size. I hope they make this style again in the fall. I'll definitely stock up.



The Focal Point
For me it was being comfy in my new jeans (they have some stretch and were $17 - so great for this summer) but what I like about them is that they let my shoes be seen. I did end up getting these Nine West sandals. I thought the leather looked great, and it does, as well as the style which is a bit of a departure from me. All the buckles give it a slightly tougher edge than I tend to go for. But I like them.



The buckles on the toe are take a bit of getting used to but they aren't uncomfortable. I think the gold and white combo gives it an upscale classic look.




If I can ever find a khaki pencil skirt I like I will be wearing these with it a lot. They are good basics to build on.

Eeeewwww!!!

When I first saw these I was totally horrified. Not only because they are just terrible in their own right, but that they were made by Giuseppe Zanotti, whose shoes I often am undeniably in love with. What does this mean? Is there something within their genetics that links them to shoes I actually like.

No! No! No! It cannot be true.




These look like they only belong on the feet of Darkness from Legend (yeah, I liked it. It was before Tom Cruise turned into a nutcase.) Who, while very cool and wicked, does not possess daintly slyph-like feet.



These horrors cost a mere $800. That may be even scarier than the shoes!

Tea Cups and Tea Parties

On Saturday I went to Target. I know, I know. I should never ever go in there ever again. I needed to get some sunscreen and it was right next door to where I was making a return. What harm would it do to just take a quick spin around the store.

Harmless, right???

Wrong. Gah! There were all things I needed there. And I put half of what I had picked up back on the rack. So that's like saving money, right? Okay, let's just go with that rationalization, shall we?

I got a nice little black rayon dress which will be great for traveling to New York. I also got these cropped jeans in a dark indigo wash. They fit awesome and were only $17. They have some stretch to them too. I was pleased with them. I also got three cropped carigans to wear with some of my dresses. Since it's so hot out but the AC is always on, these should come in handy. They look short-sleeved on the model but they hit me as 3/4 sleeves. And the grey one was on sale for $10!



I liked the dress and grey cardigan so much I decided to wear it to a Ladies Tea tea party the next day. I, of course, had to pair it with my Miu Miu tea cup heels. I mean, come on! What else could I wear???



You don't need to do much to play up these shoes. I opted to wear my vintage gold heart locket and my watch. Both help play up the gold accents in the heels.



To all the lovely ladies from all over the world, it was a pleasure to meet you!

.925

On Friday I wore a simple grey v-neck that had sparkly threads woven in with my Gap denim pencil skirt.



But, oh, the shoes....



Before I was even strongly "aware" of the Celine brand I somehow found these beauties and had had had to have them.



A gorgeous heel and a very comfortable height. And I love the pink lining.



I think the buckles are a bit Roger Vivier but they are such a great graphic counterpoint to the silver croc pattern.



These also came in black, which I seriously coveted too and had much debate about. In the end, I had to go for the silver croc, of course. Aerosoles ended up doing both a black patent and burgundy patent version - I got both of those too. They are some of my best work heels ever.



I love them so much I try not to wear them all the time so I don't wear them out!

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
More red and more shoes I haven't worn in a while.
I'm wearing one of my silky patterned skirts from Target with w black v-neck from Ann Taylor.



The skirt has a good amount of taupe/camel in the pattern so I wore my acrylic and pearl bracelet from Etsy with a really big and long bubblegum necklace.



The Focal Point
I haven't worn these slingbacks in a long while. They're from Jimmy Choo and I bought them ages and ages ago. They have one of my favorite shapes.



One of my favorite parts are the separate thin red straps coming off the front. Plus the flower reminds me of poppies. And is this a great color combo?







I remember getting these and then seeing a total knock-off done by Colin Stuart (another notorious knock-off artist). That just drives me crazy! Especially when it is poorly done. I still wonder how they can get away with it.