Shoes So Nice, I Bought Them Twice!

Hail to Zara! Long my haven for affordable clothes that not only look the part, but feel it too.  Why pay for stifling polyester or too-loose-to-last stitching?  I mean, I know they sell polyester, but they also sell very affordable Mulberry silk (which is so so so comfortable).

I digress--shoes.  They also have fantastic shoes.  I bought a pair about two months back and the moment I slipped them on I knew it was love.  The first day I wore them I got compliments with every step, earning them a prized spot atop my shoe tower.  

Yes, a tower, and yes, it really is beautiful.  

And so are the shoes.

Amazing, right?  

To sweeten the deal, they only cost $89.90! Which, if you've read a single post from my blog, you know is a MIRACLE.  

So of course when I learned that Zara started producing these in black, it was a no-brainer.

I'm thinking that they'll be perfect for the holidays, particularly New Year's Eve.  Now if only they would hurry up and ship...le sigh

100% Obsessed.

It's that time of year again!  So, naturally, I'm planning what I'll be wearing for the holidays.  After hours of brainstorming and research I landed on a red silk swing dress.  Of course I don't know that one exists, I just know that it would make the most adorable outfit if paired with opaque black tights and moto boots.  To start my quest I went to ShopStyle.com, which is, for all intents and purposes, the Google of shopping.  I mean, you can literally put it anything you want and then sort using relevant filters.  It's basically my favorite site ever.

So, anyway, here I am searching for my swing dress when the most unexpected  of results pops up.  

This dress. 

I mean, it's not at all what I was looking for, but do I care?  No.  No no no no NO.  It is a.ma.zing.  I feel like it's Little House on the Prairie in the Orient.  Sooooo fantastic. 

Jil Sander Navy, you complete me.

The only hold up is that it's $2,220.                                                                               ugh.

<dreaming>*cough*hint*cough*Christmas idea anyone?</dreaming>

Fall Fixation: Black & Gold

Fall has finally arrived!  Time to sift through my closet and plan for the season.  This year, I'm enamored with the black and gold.  It's so versatile, and so classic.  

I'm particularly fixated on footwear.  I'm craving a pair of black patent leather ballet pumps with a gold 1-1.5" heel.  I know, not specific at all, right?  Well, I've searched high and low, but I still haven't been able to find the perfect pair!  The closest I've been able to come thus far is the Delphine by Gucci.  Sadly, they're suede and have a slightly open toe.  Not to mention being over $400 on sale.

I spotted a few other super cute pairs too, but they're still not exactly what I'm looking for...

Studded Heel Ballerina by Zara

Tabaret by Sigerson Morrison

Pointed Studded Ballerina by Zara

Ballerina by Dior

Amy Pump by Tory Burch

Bonnie by Diane Von Furstenberg

For now, my quest continues, but I'm just not sure how much longer I can hold out!  Maybe one of these lovely runner ups will end up gracing my shoe tower....

Lookback: NYFW Spring 2013 (Part 2)

A topic so nice, I'm blogging it twice!

Here are a few more of my favorites from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.  Enjoy :)

Honor NYC: Such Perfection!

 

Cesar Galindo: Perfect Pulled Together

 

Badgley Mischka: The Right Shine

Bibhu Mohapatra: Love the Angles!

 

Emerson: Such a cute braid!

Fotini: Simply Elegant

I'm sorry, but what's up with the 2nd model's face? 

Jill Stuart: Sheer Delight

 

Jenny Packham: SO 70's

Lela Rose: Timeless

Reem Acra: All in the Details

Ruffian: Love that print!  

It's reminiscent of Boy by Band of Outsiders  

Lookback: NYFW Spring 2013 (Part 1)

The Spring 2013 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York was certainly one to remember!  From collections focusing on the feminine silhouette, to sheer textiles and 60's throwbacks, not to mention the return of the pant, it was certainly a week to remember.  

Why oh why is Spring so far away?!

Check out some of my favorite looks to see what it's all about!

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Not enough?  Check out Part Two!

Quest Completed!

Leather jacket purchased!  First, let me clarify by saying that I purchased it a few months ago at Nordstrom's Anniversary sale.  So....this post is a smidge late, but relevant all the same, because I'm still abSOlutely obsessed.  Plusssss I've been searching for a leather jacket for over 2 years (I'm a little bit of a perfectionist), so a month or two really isn't that big of a delay in the scheme of things.

 BEHOLD!  The Veda 'Max' Leather Jacket!

It's amazingly versatile and ohsofantastic.  The collar can be zipped all the way up for a futuristic look (think Aeon Flux), or folded down for a more subtle look.  My second favorite feature?  The fabric panels on the inside of the arm! They stretch to hug your arm for the perfect fit.  

There are a variety of colors and finishes, though I got mine in a buttery black.  Find your perfect match at Nordstrom, or one of these alternate retailers...

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Is the 'Max' not your match?  Check out some other leather loves for the season!

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Happy hunting  :)

Crystal Cravings!

After months of waiting, Chanel's Fall/Winter 2012/2013 collection is here!  Bangles, pumps and clutches all encrusted in crystal.  Swoon!  

Finally I can sate my crystal cravings!  Budget permitting, of course. Especially since this is Chanel and I'm not an heiress...Womp womp.  :p

On a serious note, if these are my worst dilemmas, I'm a very lucky girl.

....is it September yet?

I ask because that's when Kimberly McDonald is launching her homewares collection!  There aren't a ton of images online, but this Lucite box with a beautiful geode perched atop the lid is stunning. 

I've been a bit obsessed ever since I first saw it (though for the life of me I cannot recall where).  Think of all the notes and baubles  it could hold--much loved mementos on display.  Luckily, my answer was only a Google search away, where I was able to locate this article on McDonald's collection, courtesy of British Vogue.  

And while it pains me that September seems so far away...it is my birthday month.  Maybe it's perfect timing after all.

Lolla Dress FTW!

Last weekend I had a complete blast at Lollapalooza in Grant Park in Chicago, IL.  Three days of fun in the sun (oh...minus a storm that required an evacuation) with great music and friends.  The only drawback, is that  Lolla destroys clothing. I've lost two pairs of shoes and a few shirts and a pair of shorts to the festival over three years, so this time, I prepared.  I went out of my way to buy clothing that I was alright with destroying.  My journey led me to Macy's, where I found this SUPER cute dress.  It's the Pansy Tank Dress from Cynthia Rowley's Print Edition.

First and foremost, it's black.  All the better to hide the grass stains and dirt.  Plus, it's a super breathable jersey knit.  Not enough?  There's a bit of a train in the back--perfect for lounging in the grass.  BUT, the real kicker?  The pansy print on the front makes me look super skinny.  BINGO.

The best news?  IT SURVIVED!  I'm ecstatic that it didn't have to go down as a one hit wonder. 

Sadly, I can't seem to find it on Macy's website, but it is still available for purchase on Cynthia Rowley's site.  Better yet, unlike most of my obsessions, this one is super affordable at only $88!  Even if it isn't your speed, you should definitely check out the Print Edition Collection.  I'm certainly a fan!

Oh, and just in case you were wondering about the rest of my outfit,  details are below....

-Bow trimmed fedora from Forever 21...$6

-LeSportsac bag I bought for my first Lolla

-All Saints sandals from two seasons ago

-Kate Spade Rory Sunnies (featured in this post)...now only $76

According to Webster, I Need These!

I was recently browsing Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale when the most perfect shoes to exist.  EVER.  I present to you Valentino's 'Ascot Corset' Voice.  Need proof?  Please see exhibits A and B, below.

The polished leather and timeless shape make the boot a classic choice.  But the bow detailing on back is what pushes it over the edge into the land of i'mgoingtocrymyselftosleepatnighteverynightifican'townthese.  Population me.  Now, according to Merriam-Webster, a 'need' is a physiological or psychological requirement for the well being of an organism.  Um...Check?!  A condition requiring supply or relief?  Double Check.
But alas! Perfection comes at a price.  $1,495.00 plus tax to be exact.  

So please excuse me while I curl up into fetal position and pray for the mother of all sales.

(While you wait you can check out the miracle Nordstrom's website, here.)

Not Just for Wrestlers Anymore

So, maybe I'm just super weird (ok, let's be honest, I am super weird), but I used to love watching wrestling. 

Grown men in ridiculous costumes? Check

Hilarious "plots"? Check

MTV instructional show? Check

and, above all, shiny shiny belts!  

Talk about an accessory, those belts are insane...ly awesome!  And Balmain agrees.  Just check out this couture version he had walk the runway.

But alas, like many of the shiny things that catch my eye, it's horribly impractical.  Womp womp.  Luckily I spied some options that are easier to wear outside the ring.  A few options for your closet are below.

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While I don't own any of these personally, I have added two others to my closet collection.

                         

The first, the Roxanne Thin Rose Gold Plate Belt by Nicholas is available at ShopBop.  It was also featured in my With a Twist blog post.  

The second is The Bold & The Beautiful Belt by Mettle made from upcycled silver.  Sadly, you can't get this exact belt anymore, but its gold tone twin is, again, at ShopBop.  I think it looks fantastic when paired with a solid hued dress, as seen below.

Whatever you pick, now you can feel like a champion (even at the grocery store).