I may have overpacked

When we travel by car, all of the space available makes me a bit frivolous.

Four pairs of boots is not too many for a week, right?

I definitely need my Sorel boots for the snow.

And the Hunter wellies are a must too... it will be slushy or rainy, right?

And the Betsey Johnson black boots are a basic.  So they need to come along, of course.

And the Frye Melissa boots are just too pretty to leave home.  Maybe I'll only wear them in the house.


Other than that....


I only brought 2 other pairs of shoes.



So totally not overpacking.  Right?  Right????

Making a Recommendation

Let me give you a recommendation...

If you're around 5'4" get this Zara Fitted Checked Dress.

It hits you at the perfect point just below the knee, has great quality fabric and details (for only $99) and looks great in a 1960s kind of way.

I paired it with deep red Blahnik BB heels for a wiggly vibe.

Get it while you can!

Time to Shine

I'm not big on the "office holiday party" picture but we did at least have a venue to dress up a bit.

 My husband wore a navy velvet JCrew blazer and pants in a dark grey with a plaid bow tie. I wore Zara's Jeweled Print Tulip Dress paired with Miu Miu silver glitter pumps and a silver belt.

Details!

Isn't this print great?

I adore Miu Miu glitter...

This dress has such a great shape, I really need to find more in this style.  Two more parties to go.  I may have to wear this again for at least one of them!

Smart-Tee

I love a good smart ass tee. I can't wait until these arrive!

The Be Kind to Animals... shirt is via Etsy and the f-bomb shirt is via The Bloggess' Zazzle store.

 Sass comin' atcha!

Two Years, Too Late?

Two years later, after Wendy Brandes has been extolling the virtues of her Ash Thelma wedge sneakers, I'm on the bandwagon.

These just arrived and I'm curiously excited to try them out.

I don't think these are the exact same shoes but I did love the variety of outfits paired with wedge sneakers in the Pitch Perfect finale (not my typical movie choice - so blame my Pop-loving friend).




Now I want them in white too! Gah!

Audio Files

I'm no audiophile but I'm excited about my new mini Jambox from Jawbone.  It's super cute and small. And since we watch most of our TV via the computer or a tablet at the dinner table, small portable speakers are a must.

I don't use speakers at work (that's what the headphones are for) but I can't wait to test this baby out watching Bob's Burgers!

Buying BBs

Manolo Blahnik really knows the way to keep me buying their shoes. They tend to take my favorite style - lately the perfection that is the BB pump - and make it available in tons of different fabrics and colors.

And they are continuing with their "made-to-order" option, now via Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

I first fell in love with the BB when I got a pair in neon lime green (similar to the current Cocorita option) but I've now expanded my collection to black, red, and the grey/burgundy Bipunta cap-toe version.

But I'm thinking ahead to spring and I really think I need the marine blue and nude options.  Of course the fuchsia and cobalt are beautiful too. 

I love that you can chose your height preference too... although I think 105mm is the only option to truly showcase the slender, iconic BB heel.

Ribbon Wellies Are Back!

For those of you who have been asking me for years where they can find the be-ribboned wellies, well... Joules has a new style in two colors!

There is black with gold and navy with red.

The style is slightly different than the pair from 2010 and they are $167 but I KNOW you want them!

Le Sigh - Prada Spring Summer 2013 Sandals

I don't need them but I sure do love them.  Even as Fall sets in, I still love these Prada heeled sandals.

Le Sigh, indeed.

Semi Formal Sequins

So I'm attending a wedding in mid-November and feel like I have nothing to wear (of course!) so I'm on the hunt for the perfect dress.

 As this is an early evening, Autumn, semi-formal wedding I don't want to wear short and sleeveless. Plus that's just not my comfort zone anyways. But I want something interesting and in a good color.

 I'm thinking this sequin stripe dress from ASOS may be the perfect dress.

I like the mix of colors and the relaxed shape paired with the shiny sequins.

I'm thinking I'd wear my burgundy patent Via Spiga Refer loafer heels with it.

These are really gorgeous shoes and I think the color will be a perfect match. The good thing is that if it's too cold I can wear burgundy tights for a tonal look. Not sure what clutch I'd wear with it but I'm thinking a black stone one that I have.

 Of course, I'm still shopping around....

Macaron Dreams

I'm glad pastels are still in for Fall.

I'm dying to get this Creme De Couture eye shadow palette.  I know I'm too make-up lazy but the colors are just as dreamy as a pile of macarons are to indulge in.

Le Sigh!

Art in Asheville

We went and had a lovely weekend in Asheville, one of our favorite places to visit.

Days of great food, gorgeous weather and finding new wonderful local artists.

I was drawn to this adorable owl locket by Marisol Spoon...

But was drawn to their amazing art in hand carved frames.  I had to take this lovely one home.

I love that the Fall art and antique shows are gearing up. There are always some great discoveries out there!

Antique Treasures

Over the weekend we went to my favorite antiques festival.  There are some amazing vendors and there are always a million things I want to bring home with me.

But while I'm identifying trends, I try to limit myself to just a few special items.

This season it was a vintage clutch with gold metallic threads and squares.  Very modern and glam.  I had been needing a gold but not all gold clutch and this was perfect.

The other item just jumped out at me.  It's a very dreamy 50s-60s babydoll nightgown with black mesh over a pink satin-y base and a long pink satin ribbon, edged in lace.

I've already been lounging around in my new nightgown.  I can't wait to take the clutch out for a night on the town.

Dreamy Rose Heels

I'll be right back.

I'm busy searching for these dreamy heels....

Le Sigh!!!!

Fall/Winter 2013 Themes - Fallen Leaves and Pumpkins

It's time for the turn of the seasons.  It's time for my favorite part of the year - Autumn.

As in the past, I have a theme for my wardrobe as we travel into the cooler months.  In the past I've had:

Clean Collage Prep and Chromatic French
Pastel Ice Cream Sundae and Vintage Garden Party
Chic School Girl and Deep Woods Floral
Cotton Candy Carnival and English Summer Picnic

This Fall it's - Fallen Leaves and Pumpkins.

For each I typically do a Pinterest board of inspiration and things to buy/purchased.  It's great to see how I can build on each season - taking some items out and adding some in.

Before I begin, I think about the textures, patterns and colors I want to focus on, as well as what items I have that would be perfect or what I need.

For example some theme items are: leopard print, red, black, brown, aubergine, orange, oxblood, taupe, emerald, stripes, metallics and thick lace.

I'm ready to get cozy in tall boots and slim jeans, Breton strips, and faire isle sweaters paired with whimsical skirts.

It's time for crunchy golden leaves!

Falling For Tall Boots

Fall is the time for tall boots.  And I am smitten with the following two styles - both classics to last for ages.

The first is the re-release of the Stuart Weitzman 5050 over-the-knee boot.  It comes in a ton of colors but I think the basic black is by far the sexiest.  And not just because of Miss Kate here.

They are made to go with skinny jeans in the Fall and short skirts for Summer.

The Frye Melissa lace-up riding boot is another classic style. Just like the tall boots I wore for dressage, this boot style will be around forever.

These would also go great with tucked in jeans but they are such an American style staple, you could wear them with long skirts and floaty dresses.  

Stride through the seasons in these grounded styles.

Ensemble du Jour - Labor Day Dressing

Yesterday we had a lovely day off and spent it trying a new restaurant and leisurley browsing at the nice mall in Charlotte, South Park Mall.

I decided to wear a dress I had not had an opportunity to wear yet - my JCrew sequin stripe dress.  I love the heavier knit and the marine shades of the multi-sized sequins scattered in an ombre pattern.

I paired this with my cobalt Celine Luggage tote - always a handy size to carry.

For shoe, I'd thought about wearing my marine sequin Louboutins but decided to be more neutral and tie in with the color of the creme fabric.  I ended up wearing my lacy Enzo Angiolini Eamaxino peep-toes.

Found a few cute tops for Fall, which I'm eagerly anticipating!

Hurry up cool weather!