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!

Butterflies Aren't Free

I need/want some new dresses.  

Not that this would look as good on me and not that I have anywhere to really wear it, but I am totally smitten with this gorgeous Lanvin butterfly dress.   I love taupe and black together. 

I'll just ignore the fact that it's $5820.

Le Sigh....

Silky Tie

There are not many sizes left of these JCrew Etta cap toe pumps but I'm just so in love with the gorgeous fabric that I had to post them.

I love the sumptuous colors that are just so perfect for fall.  Rich browns, golds and teals.

I'm going to keep checking back because I hope they will offer more sizes again.

Le sigh!

My Motto

What a Minx

A great lifestyle shot of gorgeous shoes in action goes a long way to peak my interest.

Case in point - How fabulous do these Nasty Gal Minx lucite heels look in this shot?

They're so breezy and summery.  I love the almond toe and cruelty-free materials.  Plus the heel is so fun.

And for $88 they are on trend but inexpensive enough to not worry if they are too seasonal or trendy.

Now if they only started at a size 35, I'd be set!

Back in Black

If you've been sad that the "Urban Shoe Myth" Manolo Blahnik Campari black patent mary jane has been unavailable for a while, you are in luck!

Bergdorfs is selling them again!

It's hard to tell from the site's images, but the heel looks a bit lower than the pair that I have.  I'll have to go home and measure them.


If you want a sexy, classic, never-going-out-of-style heel, this is the mary jane for you.

When you see a shoe myth in the wild, you need to pounce!

Checking in... with Camilla

What a week!

 I'm sorry I disappeared but I was on a work trip last week and then was whisked away to Asheville, one of my favorite destinations, for my birthday.    It was a lovely mini-break filled with relaxation and good food.

But of course when you return to reality, there is a ton to catch up on.  And I have been neglectful here.

I've been pulling old suits and dresses out of the back of my secondary closet because... well, they fit.  I'll have to do another post about that process but suffice it to say I'm a bit "smaller" now and still working towards my ultimate goal.

Today I'm wearing a long black pencil skirt and my pair of Camilla Skovgaard Chastity heels.

It's been a while since I've checked up on Ms. Skovgaard's work and I was a bit sad to see sandals like these:

But then I was heartened by these sexy and edgy sandals... so her design aesthetic.

These amazing boots with her signature sawtooth sole are also pretty fabulous. 

It's good to see that Skovgaard is still creating the shoes I would go for if I wanted to look amazing, strong and sexy.  She has a great style that just epitomizes "power shoe".

Smitten Kitten

I in no way need more loafers, especially black ones.  And I already have mouse flats.

But I'm totally a smitten kitten over these Minna Parikka Caracal loafers with their perky ears.

I love the black and white pair, of course but the hot pink pair are fetching as well.

Must resist adorable loafers!!!

Archiving the Future

Yep!

Already sick of Summer and ready for it to be Fall.  I couldn't even resist buying a cute cardigan, namely the Canine Cardi from Anthropologie's Archival Collection.

How adorable is this cardigan?  It's going to be so sweet with dresses but I plan on wearing it with pencil skirts, tights and chunky wingtip heels.

Sigh... when will the leaves change color and it be cool enough to wander outside in snuggly clothes again???

Hurry up, Autumn!