Spring/Summer 2015 Theme: A Midsummer Night's Dream - blackberries, elderflowers, Titania and Puck

I love it when the New York Times Fashion section, echoes my own choices for a season.

 As I've shared before, each season I pick a "theme" which becomes a running thread through my choices for any shoe, accessory, or clothing purchase for the season.  Fall/Winter 2014 was "Predatory. Provocative. Dark Glamour." and there was a lot of black, sheer fabrics, sensual shapes and flirty details. It was a season of seductive thoughts meant to be edgy and even a bit scary.

With Spring, I feel lighter but not necessarily brighter.  I am feeling muted, languid, capricious and moving from being seductive this past Fall/Winter to enchanting. Titania from Midsummer Night's Dream was the inspiration - all fairy magic, elderflowers and sweet, yet possibly dangerous, berries - to tempt, to entice, to bewitch.


Funny enough, New York Times sees this season in a similar light.  Their collage below showcases their take on the "Bohemian Rhapsody" influences, filled with "a dreamlike state... referencing a romantic love affair with the spirit of Mother Nature."

I'm feeling the need for dreamy fabrics and frothy tulle. The shimmer of iridescence and the reflected glow of dew drops on petals and coating spider webs. Embroidery, eyelet, floral appliqués and dusky prints.

Some items I've already acquired are Sophia Webster's magical, winged Evangeline sandals...

Ann Taylor has some magical items as well. Like this sheer, flower-bedecked top.

... and this eyelet pencil skirt...

My other shoe addition were the Valentino rainbow Rockstud heels. What could be more appropriate for Spring and Summer?

As the season progresses, more will be added to the board.  I love going back to see how the inspiration moves and comes together.

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

I've never been a huge fan of Cinderella, at least the not version that made it to the movies.

I much preferred the 1970s Big Golden Book version... so much so that I have a framed gilded print of the book cover art.

I always thought the art in this book far surpassed the look of the movie.

Possibly only slightly better than the confections that are the Mary Blair concepts images.

But even though I'm not a huge fan of the Disney-fied story (I like the one of the older Grimm versions with the 3 dresses gifted from a magical tree), I can get behind the fancy footwear!

One of my favorite ads we did when I worked at Walt Disney World Marketing showcased the magic and transformation of the right footwear.

So how could I not be entranced by the gorgeous shoes created for the new Cinderella movie.  They're all beautiful and unique.

But the Jimmy Choo sketch really is the magical shoe brought perfectly to life.

I am entranced to say the least. They're utterly gorgeous, nearly unattainable and I'm going to find a way to make them mine sooner or later.

Just wait...

Party Glam - Owls, Sequins and Mohawks

On Saturday night, we went to a local "runway" charity event.   So since the event has a fashion-y spin to it, we decided to get a bit glam and have fun with our outfits.

The husband wore his new tux and I donned a shiny sequin patterned dress from LuLu's.

(insert obligatory bathroom selfie here!)

I wanted to be equally fun with the shoes and bag.  I mean the Kate Spade Night owl bag is always an adorable addition but how often can you really wear the YSL Mohawks.  They're just too kick-ass for everyday mortals.

Such a fun dress in person!

Even with a bold dress, at the end of the day the heels are still the star of the show.  I mean, I fell in love with them from just this image.  How can you resist in real life?

As per usual, we were a bit too much for the rest of the attendees, I'm sure.  But we certainly had fun!

Sophia Webster Evangeline

I had given up hope for the Sophia Webster Evangeline winged sandals.

When they first came out, I loved them but held off. Loved them. Held off.

Then they were gone….

BUT!

Then the other day, they were back and in my size. I know I would regret it if I didn't snatch them up.

So I did...

They are truly perfection. Amazing construction and detailing. And the fit is perfect. I also like that these harken back to her early student collection designs (when she was Sophia Grace - was it really just 2011???).

Plus they are perfect for my Spring/Summer 2015 theme.

Someone asked me, "Where will you wear them?" and I answered "Does it matter?". Shoes like these make any place or event fabulous.

Pop! Fizz! Clink!

On Valentine's Day we had a swanky cocktail party.

 We decided that no where in town would they do something as fancy as we would like so we decided a dress-up, black-tie optional party it would need to be.

I mean, who just wants to sort of get dressed, up go eat a prix-fixe meal with a ton of other people (probably not having a great time) and then come back home.

So we cleaned up the house and planned a bunch of food and a great bar and invited a bunch of friends - couples and not!

The husband looked dashing in his tux. 

And I wore a Sonia Rykiel sequined dress with sheer collar and cuffs paired with the Manolo Blahnik Fiocam black patent mary janes.

I'm glad our friend got a few action shots during the party.  We were having so much fun we didn't get any during the event.  I think this needs to be an annual thing… or at least more often than we've had them, which is like several years apart!

Riding the Rainbow

I haven't even had to live through April showers to get to these Spring rainbows!

How gorgeous are these Valentino Rockstuds.  I think they are going to be "the" shoes of the season.

They are just nothing short of 100% stunning.

Also known as the Valentino 1973 Chevron Slingback Rockstuds.

Neon, neon

I haven't worn this JCrew skirt nearly enough. I love the bright, almost neon, pink of the sequins. How they swish and move and reflect the light.

I paired it with a simple black top and then bookended it with Sophia Webster Daria slingbacks with the black cap and the neon orange and pink patterned straps and heels.

And this clutch just arrived from Kate Spade. The Kiss Me, You Fool clutch is a part of the "On Purpose" collection and I just love it.  I wish I'd had it to wear with the skirt and heels.

I almost never wear my midsize bags any more. It's all about the clutch and Kate Spade does do the best whimsical clutches around.

You'll be seeing this a lot come Spring.

Changing my Spots

It sounds crazy but I think it worked. A vintage leopard coat, teal v-neck and fishnet-y tights, red skirt an a House of Holland double necklace in tonal crystals.

I love to pair the tonal tights with the girly scallop edges of the Manolo Blahnik Erratic Mary Janes. 

Subtle it is not.