The Boots are Made for Serious Walking

Tee & Scarf- Urban Outfitters

Jeans - American Eagle - seen here / similar

Boots - c/o Timberland - similar / similar

Tote & Bracelet - Randolph Street Market

Sunnies - Sears

It's that time of year again when we get to utilize our entire wardrobe. Chilliy a.m.'s and p.m's with sunnier peak times means we can don anything from boots and tee's to skirts and sweaters all in the same day. In an effort to keep summer around as long as possible I've been hesitant to start wearing anything related to fall apparel, but these these peanut butter hued boots from Timberland's Earthkeeper's line are helping soothe the transition  I can tell they're going to be in heavy rotation given the goes-with-everything color and comfortability; so great for the autumn city explorations I enjoy so much. The fact that they just so happen to match perfectly with the oil cloth and leather tote I picked up earlier this summer at the Randolph Street Market is just icing on the cake! The new Timberland store is opening in Chicago today and I can't wait to scope out the rest of the collection, I've got my eye on these. 

Happy almost fall y'all.

Disclosure: I received product in return for this post, however, my opinions are my own, based on my experience and interaction with the brand. As always, if I don’t love it, I don’t tell you about it. Read my official (i.e. “wordy”) disclosure here.

Sherbet Sandals

If this doesn't say spring, I don't know what does.

The best of this seasons trends - sherbet hues and color blocking, in one fabulous piece of footwear!

How was your weekend? Ours was sunny, warm and very green!

Snow Shoes

L to R: Roxy / The North Face / Sorel / Sorel 

The weekend dumped another snowstorm on the city. While I enjoy snowy strolls, I'm not a fan of the slip-sliding or shoe ruining that comes with it. That's why, roughly between say December 1st and April 30 I pretty much only sport snow boots outdoors. My beloved Coach pair has a cost per wear of probably a penny by this point. And while I'm not looking to replace them, an incident I witnessed this weekend inspired this cute boot round up {female exits a cab, steps into a snow bank while wearing stiletto's, loses a shoe and stands there freezing, balancing on one foot while her friend tried to find it.} And I had to ask myself, just why? when there are so many cute boots out there. Now get out there and snow safely & (stylish!)

Spot the Steal - All That Glitters

Spot the Steal

Mandarin & Magenta

I admit, when I bought this punchy skirt I anticipated wearing it more often than I do. (I mean, it’s totally fun right?!) Luckily, I found this top on consignment over the weekend and it basically begged for a colorblock pairing, allowing me another opportunity to don le skirt. The dilemma, though – what shoes does one wear with such a bright ensemble? I opted for the most excellent, go with everything pair of taupe platforms (courtesy of Wanted). The shade is perfect for those times when you need a brown-ish that’s not too heavy or a tan that’s not too yellow.

A Sweet Sole

Seriously j'adoring these shoes.  They'll be available on Asos in March, which means I have a month to re-work the budget and try to squeeze them in. {Heeey, Ashleigh! Remember your 2011 goals?? We're right here if you need a reminder.} The sweet pink & peach color block remind me of Benefit's Sugarbomb blush in shoe form. Add gunmetal hardware and a two-tone gray heel - wowza!

Note: platform sandals aren't nearly as hard to walk in as they appear, I've actually found some to be quite comfortable. The thick heels provide a sturdiness that keeps you from wobbling in your new, higher altitude :)

Via Refinery29

White Out!

When Carrie threw out the White Denim in Winter outfit challenge I couldn't resist. Though not afraid of the concept, I've always refrained from wearing white bottoms after Labor Day for no other reason than that rule was always just stuck in my head. My eye would skip right past the bright white in my stack of jeans and I somewhat worried how this would come together..."How can I made a pair of white pants look wintery?" I thought over and over, especially when Snowtorious B.I.G dropped nearly 2 feet of snow outside. I think I solved the dilemma with with texture and layers, adding my Mom's (now mine) beloved vintage rabbit fur jacket to the mix - isn't it amaaaazing?! (It was a gift to her from my Dad before I was even a tiny thought and wearing it feels like a constant hug :) And to keep it fun I threw on some polka dot tights.

P.S.  To be festive, I wore the top half of this outfit to the Chinese New Year parade on Sunday - it is the year of the Rabbit after all!  (White jeans were removed due to tons of dirty, slushy snow!)

The details:
Black Rabbit Fur Jacket - Vintage Mom's
Denim Shirt - American Eagle
Grey Thermal - Aerie
White Denim - American Eagle
Metal/Pearl Necklace - Macy's
Black Elastic/Leather Belt - Vintage Mom's
Polka Dot Tights - Hue
Black Platform Slingbacks - Carlos (also seen here)


Be sure to check out my fellow posters today for more awesome white denim inspiration and see the full lot at Carrie's blog.

Kai - All Kinds of Complicated
Lisa - In Dramatic Fashion
Higgenbottom - Dressing the Higgenbottom
Kara - Sprinkles in Springs

This is my first official outfit post and I quite enjoyed it, thanks for the challenge Carrie, keep 'em coming!!

Question: Open Toe Shoes with Hose/Tights

My adorable Dad posed a fashion question to me from a co-worker because he says I'm a professional. (How sweet is that??) Although I'm flattered and definitely have an opinion I don't necessarily consider myself the expert so I thought I'd defer to you fabulous people so we could offer up tons of opinions!  (Another reason I love blogging, instant answers.)

The question is: what does the fashion world think of open toe shoes with hose/panty hose? Also hose/panty hose with open heel shoes?

To get us started, here's what's I think, please add/advise as you see fit! Thanks stylista's, can't wait to hear what you have to say!

Open toe shoes

Tricky....for me, the issue is hose versus tights - otherwise known as sheer versus opaque. Panty hose in any sheer form are in my opinion, a no-no: the seam at the toe screams 'ick'. However, tights with open toe shoes are usually fine based on the actual openness of the shoe. I go with the half rule, if more than 50% of your foot is showing (minus the top portion of your foot that usually always shows), tights not necessary. (Example, strap-y sandal, cut-out slip ons, etc.) But if it's a peep platform, cut-out bootie or bare back clog, I say go for it!

 Open heel shoes

Pending the type of shoe (discussed above) and proper seasonality of it, this is acceptable in most cases.

P.S. The picture above is my feet in the fall, wearing navy tights and brown leather open toes. I heart those Aldo shoes and can't wait to be reunited in the spring. *sigh*

Christian Louboutin Releases 'Peace of Shoe'

Christian Louboutin has released a limited collection of shoes named "Peace of Shoe." The silk peep-toe platform trimmed beauties feature hand-stitched embroidered Indian ribbon and are available in 3 colors in 3 cities:  champagne in New York, lavender in Miami and pink in Los Angeles. The best part...all proceeds from each $1495 sale are going to the Grameen Foundation, which provides the world's poorest citizens, especially women, small loans to start or expand small businesses and eventually support themselves.
That's what I call design with sole. :) 

Boardwalk Empire

 Hip Hip Gin Gin  alerted me/us about Boardwalk Empire on HBO and I was so blown away by the photo shoot for Vanity Fair I couldn't help but share. Short shorts + tall shoes = the perfect combo. And OMG the shoes...

Must. See. This. Show.  
Drats!!  We don't have HBO, does this call for a break down?!

Yellow is my New Neutral

Yay for Summer sandals! I'm declaring these my neutral this year. So far I'm wearing them with eve-ry-thing. At $24.99, you should too! 

Doll Shoes

 Photo by maisiecousins

It's good to be Barbie.

Very Superstitious - The Writing's on the Shoe

Are you superstitious? I'm quite the opposite. I love 'unlucky' things, in fact, they're my good luck charms. This morning I put on a new pair of shoes (that's a lucky day right there) and noticed my favorite number 13 written in pen on the bottom. I didn't do it, the hubby didn't do it, so where did it come from?? A sign from above I'm about to get lucky? Perhaps...

Less than Fierce

 Image via Color Collective

Feeling like it would do me a world of good 

if I could let out a big roar like this. 

Wearing fierce heels wouldn't hurt either.

Yellow Wedding Shoes

Drooling over this yellow wedding shoes theme. Even the guys went for it!

Photos by Kate Webber via Style Me Pretty. See the full gallery here.

One Day Without Shoes

Can you imagine a life without shoes? As I try to fathom it I'm reminded of the times I've justified a purchase because I 'need' them.  The reality is, I don't need anything. But there are plenty of people who do. It's good to know there are companies out there doing great things in the world - like Tom's shoes. Did you know that for every pair of Tom's purchased a pair is given to a child in need?

Tom's shoes has declared April 8th 'One Day Without Shoes' to spread awareness that most children in developing countries grow up without shoes. Tom's is asking people to go the day, part of the day or even just a few minutes, barefoot, to experience a life without shoes first-hand, and inspire others at the same time.


Across the country, groups on campus, at headquarters and within communities will be going shoeless for walks and events. I'll be kicking my shoes off under my desk today as well as going virtually shoeless. I hope you'll do the same.

Spread the word. And feel free to use the picture below on your blog, twitter, or facebook today.

Gold Shoes - You don't always need a reason

via Beautiful via Maisie Cousins 

When I first saw this photo I thought "Why do I like this so much?"

Then I thought, "Why not?"