Getting Over The Hump

via Zazzle

Happy Hump Day, everyone! You may have noticed a serious lack of blogging here and for that I apologize. I have been siiiiiiiickie sick sick for way too long now and just before I head to Miami. For that reason, I've laid super low and just focused on getting better before Saturday. Today I hope to finally turn a corner and in honor of Wednesday being Hump Day, here are some of my favorite camels for fall! 

Bauble Bar necklace/ Frye Chukka boots (for guys!)/ Loeffler Randall Tasmin pumps/ Loeffler Randall minaudiere/ J.Crew cashmere sweater

Bring on fall!

Wednesday's Look For Less: Espadrille Sneakers

In an effort to tie together Super Bowl Style and a spring wish list, I present you with the fashionable yet functional espadrille sneaker- at two very different prices. I'm dying to get my tootsies in these shoes. Either pair works for me! They are a great casual and comfortable option with all the functionality of your sweaty Asics and all the fashion of a ballet flat or wedge.

 Can you tell which is the budget buy and which you'll shell out for? The pair on the left is the less expensive option for $69 by Lucky Brand. I'm in love with those stripes not to mention the espadrille sole. How cheerful would they be with a pair of jean shorts and a simple tee? The pair on the right are Loeffler Randall gems for $195. (If you read Monday's Currently Coveting post, then you already knew that.) But I love the graphic rafia and the intricate weaving. I would wear these with a moody floral print in a hot minute.

***BONUS ALERT***
The Lucky Brand shoes are currently 15% off at Macy's with the code TICKET. If you worry about yellow showing dirt, then never fear- they come in two other colorways. With 15% off, you could get ALL THREE colors for less than one pair of LR's. Just sayin'...

Tap into your inner French Riviera dweller and go for espadrille sneakers this spring and summer. With all of these different options, you can't go wrong!

Currently Coveting

I can't get these pieces out of my mind! February is an interesting time in the fashion world- New York Fashion Week is later this month (get excited!!), Spring arrivals are starting to roll out but it's too cold to enjoy most of them until March or April. Between the new J. Crew catalog, Marissa Webb (former J. Crew head designer) selling her first collection and Loeffler Randall's new arrivals, the next two or three months have me pinching my pennies for these! 

Marissa Webb Dress/ Rag & Bone Jeans/ Celine Sunglasses/ J.Crew Top/ J.Crew shorts/ J.Crew Tweed Tee/ Loeffler Randall Shoes/ Thakoon Addition Top/ Rag & Bone Booties

When you add the cost of these wishes up, the tally is way out of my comfort zone. However, stay tuned for some Looks for Less later this week. That's what I love about fashion today- high fashion trends get reinterpreted into mass produced stores if you wait a hot minute. 

Do you have a spring wish list going yet? 

Earn Your Stripes

If you're a total Francophile, like moi, then you might be a serious sucker for stripes. Over the weekend, I scored this top from the Gap for under $20 during their 30% off Friends and Family sale. Don't worry if you missed out, though. This tee still only rings up at $23 and I'd be willing to bet their Black Friday sale will be even better...

A striped tee is so easy to wear, it's hard for me not to reach for it every time I go to get dressed. It's natural to want to pull on your favorite blue jeans, a comfy pair of shoes and a puffy vest (om, this might be the exact description of what I wore yesterday) but what about taking that tee a little more Rive Gauche and creating some interesting and unexpected pairings? By mixing in elements like leather accents, studs, sequins and neoprene, your basic tee takes on a whole new, vibrant style. 

Cardigan/ Moto leggings/ Studded Pumps/ Knot studs/ Tee/ Necklace/ Skirt/ Pumps

Mix and match dressy accessories to make your basics sing as we approach the holidays. When in doubt, you can always throw on your favorite jeans and get going! 

How do you wear your stripes?

Loeffler Randall Resort

Snakeskin Quinnie Pointed Toe Flat

They're here! They're here! A new season of Loeffler Randalls have sashayed their way into the world. Snakeskin and suede and espadrilles- Oh my!

Loeffler Randall's new crop revealed itself today and it did not disappoint. I'm l-o-v'ing the Resort line (who am I kidding, I love their fall, winter, holiday, spring and summer lines too!) and am thrilled to see some lower price points. There is a shoe god!

Nadia Espadrille Platform Bootie

Luca Mignon Flat Sandal in Terracotta Leather

Esther Platform Pump in Navy Suede

Sasha Platform Sandal

In case you're wondering, the snakeskin flats are my love. They will be mine. Oh yes, they will be mine.

all images via Loeffler Randall

The Young Woman Who Lives in Her Shoes (That She Doesn't Own Yet)

via Butter Hot Fashion

Today I bring you the story of the young woman who lived in her shoes. It's not the time-honored fairy tale that you heard as a child.

It's the truth.

The young woman gets dressed for work every day. She tends to wear the same daily "uniform"- dark pants/jeans, effortless and casual (yet interesting!) top, same old shoes. One day the girl realized that her whole closet might just transform with the click of just one (to four) pair(s) of magical shoes.

First, she chose the Valentino Rock Star Stud pumps. These shoes would ramp up her black skinnies plus any old top with the fasten of two buckles. And the hotness of them paired with a denim skirt or tailored dress could never be denied.

Valentino heel via Shoe Daydream

Next, a pair of Rag & Bone oxfords for when she's feeling more relaxed would do the trick. They're comfortable and chic when worn with short, floral dresses and/or cut-off denim shorts. Of course, paired with boyfriend jeans, their tomboyish appeal would fabulously counteract a feminine top.

via Hampden Clothing

Of course, her wide leg trousers and jeans can't be left on the shelf, so a pair of Loeffler Randall Deena Peep-Toe Wedges keep her closet and her steps in balance. Anchoring a girlie dress would also come easy to such a perfect pair. And, come cold weather, a pair of opaque tights with a bandage skirt and silk top would make for an easy girls-night-out look.

via Loeffler Randall

But this girl's no diva, and she knows how to get down to earth. I present to you the Heffner-esque Blaise Flat Mocassins. With a pair of leather shorts and a white oxford top, her co-workers won't see her style power coming. And they're a great alternative to her Valentino studs when paired with dark skinnies for a Parisian chic look. She'll be tiptoeing so effortlessly, her powerful outlook on life will change the world.

via Loeffler Randall

The moral of this story, dear readers, is that a girl truly does live in her shoes. Our boots were made for walkin and those boots carry us through our lives. These four pairs, I've determined, will carry me effortlessly all year long. The ebb and flow of tribulations and relaxations will come steadily but having a fab pair of shoes on sure does make it easier to wade those waters.

(BTW- I would never suggest wearing ANY of these shoes in any type of water- that's what rain boots are for. ;0)

Celebrity Doppelganger Day III

LOVING today's Olivia Palermo look. This easy outfit is definitely something anyone could wear to work, a lunch date or a daytime event. It's also a great transitional look from summer to fall and could work again in the spring.

Here's look number three:

What I'm wearing:

Gap trenchcoat (I seriously bought this jacket about 10 years ago. No joke.)

Banana Republic striped tee

Anthropologie necklace (WISH I had a Roberta Freymann like Olivia!)

Loeffler Randall skirt

Target gunmetal wedges

Invicta watch

It's interesting to me that this outfit consists of some of my most frugal finds. Gotta love that! Like Olivia, I love to mix more expensive pieces with affordable ones. It's a great way to shop and build a wardrobe, and I'm happy that another one of Olivia's looks offers that advice!

Two more days to go...

For the Love of Loeffler

Loeffler Randall Honey Perforated Pump

For the last few seasons, I have really craved the MIX when it comes to fashion: mixing upscale pieces with more affordable ones, making the old, new with the addition of a statement necklace or strappy platform, combining dressy (shine) with casual (basic) for an effortless effect.

But no designer does the mix quite like Jessie Randall at Loeffler Randall.

And I am OB-SESSED.

Fleming Samuels (Genna's sister-in-law), Me, Genna Harris (my sis), Ashley Harris (Genna's sister-in-law & owner of Vermillion in Raleigh)

It was one fateful day last March that I met the above coral, ruffled Loeffler Randall dress at Vermillion in Raleigh. It was love at first site, and I nearly snatched it out of an old friend's hand to make sure it would be mine! I have worn it to so many events- from cocktail parties to dinners on the beach- and feel fabulous in it each and every time.

Thus began my obsession...
Sarah Beth Deans, hostess du jour, and me in Loeffler top and eyelet skirt

The uptown-downtown mix of Loeffler Randall is not only its trademark but also what makes it so versatile. Randall's clothing collections feature items appropriate for everything from Saturday night cocktail parties to everyday office pieces. I team the above chartreuse tank with white jeans during the warm spring days, and wear the grommeted skirt with a gray tee and patterned scarf to work. The clothes are so well-made, not to mention beautiful. Every bit of L-R is fun, sophisticated and chic.Loeffler Randall Knotted Pant
Loeffler Randall Spaghetti Shoulder Top
Loeffler Randall Spaghetti Bodice Dress

And did I mention the shoes???
Loeffler Randall Electra Cut-Out Bootie

Loeffler Randall Navajo Sandal

Loeffler Randall Matilde Boot


My sister sports a pair of pink Loeffler pumps, a gift from her stylish sister-in-law.

From season to season, Loeffler Randall has delivered the goods, and this addict can't wait to see what's next.