Enjoying Leopard and Red

It finally hit some real summer heat here today and just now a huge thunderstorm has rolled through.

Because it was so warm (I had I just given myself a fresh pedicure with dark red polish), I slipped on a favorite pair of Jimmy Choo sandals from... oh.... 6 years ago? I paired this with dark red skirt and dark khaki top and jewelry in gold, opals and rubies.

I started thinking about how much I like this sometimes tricky combo.

Case in point - a winter version with a red sweater leopard skirt and red Rockstuds.

Then I was just browsing for pretty inspiration...

I have a vintage leopard coat.  I think I need some red pants to go with it.  I love the wellies combo too!

The Perfect T-Strap

I currently have it in my head that I need a wardrobe of classic t-strap pumps.

What I didn't realize is how challenging it was going to be to find t-straps with all of my criterial.  Closed-toe, high-heeled, not chunky, thin straps, almond toe and un-embellished.

I want something classic and elegant and powerful.

It's proving to be elusive.

The closest I've found thus far are these Gucci pumps.  Luckily they have them in 5 colors - black, red, blue, olive green and beige. There is also a lovely tweed version.

They might be a bit pointier than I would like.  It's hard to say.

Oh yeah and they're $695.

SIGH!

I'll have to keep searching, I guess.

NYC - Yesterdays

So I just spent a quick two days and two nights in New York for work.   I only had time to eat dinner out and be in meetings.

At least the view was good from our conference room...

On Tuesday night I did get to meet up with the lovely Midtown Girl but I have to photographic evidence.  We are bad bloggers, being more interested in our drinks and chit chat than in documenting.

Since I don't have any great photos and I didn't even get to pop into my favorite, Bergdorfs, I wanted to share this great archival footage of 1939 New York.  It's so colorful, I just love it.

I need a longer trip in the city. These 48 hour work trips are much less fun!

At the Dog Park

Lots more traveling going on this week!
 And a new dress just arrived that I may have to pack...

 I loved the Graceful Greenery dress from ModCloth so much that when it came out in another print (and adorable one too!), I had to nab it.

How fun is this Dog Park print???

I also got the black and red clear Bass x Antonoff Maebird oxfords. I will be making an outfit post very, very soon!

Sam & Libby for Target

I was excited, when I popped into Target over the weekend, to see the new Sam & Libby for Target shoe collection.  I have a number of  Sam & Libby shoes from ages ago and they are always cute.

This collection is reasonably priced and had a variety of styles from sandals to wedges to loafers.  I especially liked the ballet flats.

The loafers are great with jeans and the cap-toe ballet flats are pefect with shorts and dresses and skirts. I got the black/creme pair and the taupe/neon yellow pair.

Not all stores will have all the styles, so check online too. The Bree ballet flats, for example, also come in a creme/tan and a light turquoise (which I may have to order as well!)

I think the flats are the best designs in the collections and they look fancier than their price, so snap a few up!

Ensemble du Jour - Graceful in Greenery

I am so excited to be wearing my Spring/Summer dresses. I'm sure I'll be complaining about the heat soon, but as of right now, the weather was balmy and the sun was bright.

I paired my ModCloth Graceful Greenery dress with a lavender cardigan and for shoes, I wore it with chartreuse Manolo Blahnik Sedarabys (for work) and then lupine Converse Chucks (for play).

I love the photo print of a cool floral-filled and wooded glen...

A vintage purse goes perfectly with this dress...

I hope you had a great holiday as well!

Light-hearted for Long Nights

If I was on the look out for fun Summer shoes that were not going to break the bank, I'd head over to LuLu's.

Their site is filled with inexpensive but cute options, including a number for sweet shoes.  Some are knockoff designs, to be sure but I think these options are cute in their own right.

City Classified Rigel Floral Sandal - $21

GoMax Calantha heel - $53

Bamboo Pino White Wedge - $34

Talia Metalic Flats - $19

Shoe Republic LA Fuchsia Pumps - $32

Lots of fun with styles and colors.  Of course, you need to ensure they are comfortable and review the materials, but I like that you can  find some adorable shoes at a great price.

Tabitha Simmons for JCrew

Who is excited to see the new Tabitha Simmons for JCrew collection?!?!

She has a number of cute summer styles but I was most excited to see my favorite heeled mary jane design that she does (typically in silk and $1250).  And in adorable summery floral patterns too.

JCrew is really hitting the florals with their collaborations this year.  I love it.

They're a bit simpler than her typical patchwork, but these are so light and fun and sweet.  Yes, run right out and get them!

Imitation = Flattery? Dior Metal Pump vs Tildon Megan Pump

One of my favorite heel designs from Spring 2013 was the Dior metal strap pump.

I thought the heel was great, the colors were perfect for Spring and the use of the bold metal strap toughened up and modernized what could have been a bit simple and girly.

Yet it still keeps the feminine look that pairs well with the dresses and skirts of the season.

I guess that why I should not be surprised that there is already a knock-off in stores, specifically the Tildon Megan pump.  The lines are not nearly as good and the way the metal strap is done looks cheap. 

I didn't buy the Diors, although I wish I could have, but I certainly would not consider the Tildon's.  they took a beautiful, graceful design and dumbed it down to the point where it is pointless.

Sigh.

Black and Tan

I have been smitten for months with these multi-strap mary janes from Chanel.  They combine the best of the classic black and tan combination with a really modern style.

Seeing them in person was even better.  Sadly, they looked great on.

Talk about temptation....

Sunrise, Sunset

I don't need it but I had to stop to admire it.

 The Furla "Sunset" Candy bag is a thing of beauty.

I would lose the distracting brown strap because it is just marring the perfection of the color execution.

It must be lovely to walk around with the evening sky on your arm.

Diamonds?

Question for you:

Do you think diamonds are gauche for younger ladies, a la Holly Golightly?

And would you wear a (real or faux) tennis necklace?

I had a tennis bracelet, which I had received as a gift, but it was yellow gold and I didn't wear it much.

Would a necklace like this add sparkle or be too boring for words?

Thoughts?

Like An Apple on a Tree, You Missed Me

The harder it is to find something, the more I want it.

 So typical!

I thought this Pack A Picnic apple wristlet from Kate Spade was adorable when I first saw it but held off.  Now it's sold out all over and I am dying for it.

I mean, it is totally cute, right?

It would be perfect for all my cute dresses this summer, right?  Now I need to be searching all over for this sweet thing.

Gah!

Labor Day Be Damned

I'm wearing white today... and not just my pale skin.

 I'm a rebel, Dottie.

Running Around

So... I'm in the market for a pair of running shoes.

My current sneakers are a pair of New Balance 441s and they're pretty good.  I've bought New Balance for a while and been happy enough.  I did get a pair of Merrells with the Vibram soles but I'm not 100% sold on wearing them on pavement/sidewalks.

I've always had a crappy knee and I do have an ankle that likes to surprise give out on me due to an old torn ligament.

Any ideas or suggestions to look for?

For Boston and For the Helpers

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, 

my mother would say to me, 

Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'"

Finding Fendi

The more I thought about the Fendi Studded Pyramid ankle boots, the more I knew I need to have them.

They are a bit chunky and aggressive.  But they are architectural and unique.  I'm kind of digging that they are not my usual single sole pump style.  These are some serious power shoes.

I haven't had an opportunity to wear them yet but I'm looking forward to the reactions.  These are not shy shoes. They're shoes that get noticed.

I hope I'm ready for them!