Christian Louboutin Fall Collection: The Passion of Louboutin

Photo Source: Neiman Marcus.com

As my friend from work just said, upon receiving an email from Neiman Marcus with the above shoes featured, "ummm, i'm sorry . . . even if you're 4 feet tall dating a 6'9" NBA player these shoes are ridiculous!"

And I have to say that I agree...I love the uppers on the shoes above, and while I admire their architectural beauty, at 5'10 I would would tower to 6'4 in the stacked SIX INCH HEELS!!!  In Europe, I marvel at European women teetering on cobblestone streets in high heels. However, I still don't see even European women attempting six inch heels in daily life (I have been proven wrong, though).  It seems that shoe trends have now reached the point where you either go flat, or you go big...six inch big (oh and by the way, the shoes pictured above also feature a one and a half inch platform). 

Paging through the Louboutin Fall 2010 collection, it seems that many heels feature platforms and are upwards of five inches in height.  I don't know who is buying these shoes, but it has to be somebody.  Frankly, I stick with the run of the mill heels that are three inches or less.  My pick is below, the Solana Suede Wedge Pump -- it still gives you height at just under 3 inches, and they are heels you can actually walk in (and they won't break your neck on cobblestone streets):



Fashion Show: Banana Republic Spring/Summer 2011 -- Its all About the Little Details

Photos Courtesy of Banana Republic.com

Watching the Banana Republic Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Show tonight, I appreciated the little details that kept the looks fresh.  A chunky necklace here, the pop of a collar there, a few ruffles here, a faux brooch there.  The Collection was what most of us have come to expect from BR -- crisp basics with a little twist here or there to make us want to add another "basic" to our wardrobes.  Looks one through four above were by far my favorites, and it looks like we can look forward to some interesting jewelry offerings from BR come Spring. I have to admit, I love the ruffly vest in look number 3 above -- the color is great, and I absolutely adore the collar and flower detail -- it looks a bit J. Crew-esque, without being outright stolen from the brand. The white dress (the last of the looks above) was a bit ho-hum for me -- paired it with boots and she could be on the prairie.  But all in all, I think BR successfully found some cute little details that will keep us coming back to the brand.

Target Find: Pixi Lip Booster

Photo Source: Target.com

I have to admit: I love my Pixi Lip Booster.  At $16, it is a bit expensive for a lipstick purchased at Target....it definitely isn't a super-cheap drugstore find, but the extra cost is definitely worth it.  The top color pictured above is Elf, and the bottom color is Freya (my two color pics from the line-up).  Both colors go on somewhat sheer and shiny, and give your lips that shiny, wet look, but in a way that looks sophisticated rather than slutty.  Elf is a beautiful, sheer berry color that fades nicely and evenly (no nasty ring is left on the outer corners of your lips after drinking that first glass of wine).  Freya is definitely my favorite, though -- it is a fabulous sheer nude color that is right on-trend for fall.  Finding a great nude is super-difficult -- most nudes aren't flattering and instead of warming the face they suck the life out of it.  Freya is different -- it has just a bit of mauve/pink that adds a bit of depth and makes you look healthy while keeping your lips subtly beautiful.  The lip brush applicator gives you great control while applying it (a mirror is almost optional) -- plus it stays on a really long time....definitely longer than most other lip glosses that I've tried, but the consistency isn't all gloppy and gross.  Go forth and boost those lips!

Happy Fall!

Orvieto, Italy -- September, 2010

Saturday Style - Skinny Jeans Tucked Into Boots Solved

A co-worker came to me this week, and let me know that she finally wanted to embrace the skinny jean tucked into knee high boots trend, and asked if we could help.  My co-worker "M" is petite (about 5'3''), a size 0 or 2 and a wee bit "hippy" (her words, not ours -- meaning she has some hips, not that she is donning bell bottoms and getting in touch with the earth).  She asked if she could still embrace the trend -- especially if she chose flat boots.  Our response?  Of course she can!!! She also indicated that because this is a "trend" she didn't want to spend more than $200 on boots, and less than $100 on skinny jeans.

First, the jeans.  We put her in Banana Republic Ultimate Skinny Dark Wash Jeans because for people with hips, these jeans are cut perfectly -- they fit perfecftly in the waist (no gaping), they hug the hips (not too tight -- I think these jeans are a bit more relaxed in the thigh, allowing for people with hips to get into them) and the length is absolutely perfect for tucking into boots (they hit literally right at the ankle, no bunching).  At $89.50, they fell below budget (and they are even cheaper if you can score a coupon).

Onto the boots.  We found Steve by Steve Madden Intyce Boots in a perfect cognac, whisky color, that is right on-trend for fall.  $129.00 they fell wayyy below budget.  And at The color is also a fabulous neutral that goes with blacks, browns, and literally everything in-between.  Plus, cognac looks especially rich against black.  Just pair these boots and the jeans with a black turtleneck and you have instant, easy, effortless chic.

Which brings us to topping the look off with the J. Crew Marled Amadé Sweater. Because M was shooting for a casual day look, we chose the marled look of the sweater for a nice, cozy-chic autumn feel.  She also wasn't ready to try skinny jeans without a bit more coverage up top, but we assured her that for evening, she could switch this sweater for a sleek, basic black turtleneck (pictured below) and the look would be that much richer looking.

Finally, for extra credit, we accessorized the look with the Mulberry Oversized Alexa Bag. A bag so great, it can't be wrong.

We love this look, because with just te jeans and the boots, you literally have infinite possibilities.  Just open your closet, and you have plenty of outfits.  Throw on a white blouse and a cardigan, or a v-neck sweater with a ruffly blouse underneath.

Double Happiness -- Which J. Crew Coat To Pick?

Photo Source: J. Crew Catalog

Today, when I woke up, I was pleasantly surprised that J. Crew is having a 20% off all outerwear sale (good now, through Sunday).  I was even more pleasantly surprised when I figured out that the secret 20% off sale for J. Crew cardholders (enter JCCSALE - expires tonight) could be layered with the 20% off outerwear promotion.  I had been coveting one of the two above coats for awhile...my lust was enhanced when I saw a girl at Starbucks the other afternoon wearing the Colletta Coat above in Dark Plum (the coat pictured at right, but in the color pictured on the coat on the left).  She looked great, the coat looked great, and the color looked like a great neutral that could be worn with black and/or gray outfits for a punch of color.  But confusing the choice is the classic Lady Day Coat (the coat pictured above at left) with its classic lines, and classic grey color (the color pictured on the coat above at right is Cobblestone).  With so many great choices, which coat to choose?

Just In: Loeffler Randall + Wedding = Awesome

Photo Source: Refinery29 

If you have every been shopping for bridal shoes, you know that typical bridal shoes range from kitschy to downright tacky. Fortunately, for the engaged amongst us, it looks like there are more choices on the horizon.  Loeffler Randall is launching a bridal line this spring, but if the shoes are as pretty as they are hyped to be, maybe the rest of us can snag a pretty shoe or two as well.  Read more about it here:

Loeffler Randall Launches A New Collection Of Bridal Shoes For Weddings

Wrong. On so many different levels...Current/Elliott Pioneer Paper Bag Trousers

Photo Source: milk

The first rule of thumb when looking for clothing, is that if the article of clothing makes the super-skinny model look fat, chances are that they will make a normal person look like an elephant.  Which brings us to Exhibit A above...the crotch might as well be hanging down to her knees, and the pleats might as well be disguising her non-existent belly.  There is absolutely nothing flattering about these jeans, and if she accessorized her outfit with a red nose and suspenders she could probably join the circus!