The Shoes You Didn't Know You Needed

First, fashion-forward boutique Vermillion posted this photo on Instagram six weeks ago.

  
Then came their pics from the Vermillion Spring Fashion Show on Facebook. (Again, the shoes!)

 

Yesterday, Who What Wear posted Peace Love Shea blogger Shea Marie wearing them.

 

What is with the torture!! Now I have to have these shoes. 

I started doing my research and found out these summertime beauties are from Chloe. I spoke to the ladies at Vermillion and not only did these shoes sell like hot cakes but they also said that Chloe has no idea whether they will be able to restock anyone or not. Wow. I had no idea how much I needed them until now!!

Saks had them online for a hot minute but they were the black and taupe colorway. These are equally as chic if you ask me. I might like them even more since the wider band is taupe instead of white. 

  

As luck would have it, the very last pair at Saks was my size. Sooooo I ordered them. What can I say? It's all in the name of research. :) 

Similar options exist all over the place if you're in the market for a pair like these. Check them out below!

Vermillion Spring Fashion Show

Wes Gordon top and pants 

Forget Punxsutawney Phil and his shadow. Do you know how to tell if it's officially spring? Vermillion's Spring Fashion Show. 

On March 9, beautifully made, expertly styled pieces made patrons- virtual and present alike- swoon as they paraded down the store's runway. Vermillion's annual fashion show is an event not to be missed and certainly a place anyone can find extra special pieces to make your closet sing. There are so many great looks to choose from so I thought I'd share with you my favorites. Get ready to break the "thou shalt not covet" commandment.

Jason Wu leather bodice dress and The Woods earrings

A.L.C. leather jacket, Proenza Schouler tank and shorts, Rag & Bone booties

Proenza Schouler top, skirt and bag with Balenciaga wedges

Figue jacket, Carven skirt, Loeffler Randall heels

While I regrettably had to miss this event, I did visit Vermillion a few weeks ago. Let me tell you, there are even more gorgeous goodies available now. All of the most swoon-worthy designers- Carven, Lela Rose, Loeffler Randall, Zac Posen, just to name a few- hang at the ready to fabulously update your wardrobe. Those magenta Balenciaga wedges (Look Four) are to DIE for. Hellooooo tax return...

If you have questions about any of these pieces or other products, make sure you contact Vermillion...or me. But be warned: I'll tell you to just buy it.

all photos by Andy Tenille Photography  

Vermillion Fall Fashion Show

If you haven't been to Vermillion in Raleigh yet, NOW is the time! A fresh flock of fall fashions arrived recently and the Vermillion team put on yet another jaw dropping, heart thumping, uber-stylish fashion show last week. While I had to miss out on one of my favorite events of the year, Vermillion owner Ashley Harris granted me the favor of sharing this fashion feast with you. Remember, these are just a few of the gorgeous looks Ashley and the Vermillion team put together. There's more where these came from... Carven! Rag & Bone! Lela Rose! OH MY!

Yves Salomon coat, 10 Crosby leather pants, Proenza Schouler handbag

Carven coat and dress, Loeffler Randall boots, Celine handbag

Veronica Beard blazer, Rag & Bone jeans, Balenciaga handbag

Rag & Bone sweater, Nili Lotan top, MiH jeans

Proenza Schouler leather jacket, Balenciaga dress and heels

T by Alexander Wang sweater and skirt, 3.1 Phillip Lim handbag

Celine coat and handbag, T by Alexander Wang pants

Veronica Beard trench coat, Lela Rose top and belt, Yigal Azrouel skirt

Celine blouse and fur collar, The Row pants, Balenciaga clutch

Yves Salomon fur jacket, Lela Rose top and pants, Anya Hindmarch clutch

Balenciaga dress and heel, Lizzie Fortunato necklace

Jason Wu gown

Jason Wu gown

The clothes just speak for themselves, don't they?  

What I love about the Vermillion fashion show, and anything from Vermillion for that matter, is that the clothing is always chic and stylish and certainly timeless. High quality pieces you buy from Vermillion are special ones that you'll save and pass on to your granddaughters one day. And oh how I wish I had a ball to go to soon! Don't you?? Or maybe you do! 

What's your favorite look? 

Vermillion's Fall Fashion Preview

Celine sunnies at Vermillion's Fall Fashion Show.

By now you've seen plenty of coverage of New York Fashion Week. But my guess is that you have yet to see one of the best fashion shows I've ever been to. (Okay, maybe I don't get to THAT many fashion shows but who's really counting??)

On September 15, Vermillion held its annual Fall Fashion Preview at the posh Raleigh store. Style seekers and fashion fanatics alike were introduced to Rachel Zoe's new line and the Parisienne chic Celine while re-familiarizing themselves with some old faithfuls- Lela Rose, Derek Lam, Balenciaga and Tory Burch, just to name a few.

Below are a few snapshots from the RUNWAY. Consider this sneak peek your inside track to the best fashion options in town!

Gorgeous Matthew Williamson peacock scarf, Balenciaga bag and Loeffler Randall booties

Diana Broussard necklace, T by Alexander Wang sweater and silk trousers

Side note: This sweater came home with me...that necklace needs to be next.

Lela Rose silk tie-neck blouse and 3.1 Phillip Lim cuffed trousers

Matthew Williamson dress, Balenciaga collar and Loeffler Randall pumps

3.1 Phillip Lim dress, Balenciaga booties

Yigal Azrouel sweater dress

Second side note: I think I'm obsessed with this dress.

Loeffler Randall wedges

Lela Rose dress

Rachel Zoe top and tuxedo

There's a lot more where these came from, ladies...and gents. I can't help but mention that I also came away with an oxblood A.L.C. tee. It's "oxblood," people. Not burgundy.

Check our Vermillion on Facebook for more looks from the fashion show plus updates on new items in store.

In the meantime, I'll be working on my wish list...Isn't Christmas coming up soon or something??

Spiced Latte

Images from Style.com

The spicy colors and lucious furs from Elie Tahari's Pre-Fall 2011 collection warm me up faster than a spiced latte on this chilly day! Might want to add some tights and boots for now and wait until April to show off those bare legs and open toes...

By the way, there are an insane number of fantastic sales going on right now! Calypso has 50% off all sale items, Shopbop is offering an extra 20% off all sale items and, locally, Beanie & Cecil and Vermillion have marked down all fall apparel 50%!

If Santa left some cash in your stocking, stock up now...

Celebrity Doppelganger Day II

Today's look comes courtesy of Olivia Palermo's dog walking wardrobe. Of course, I'll be wearing her dog walking look to my public relations job, but no matter! (I'd never want to be photographed in my dog walking attire of Target workout shorts and oversized tee shirts!)

At any rate, here goes look number two!

I'm digging this Palermo look today. It's comfortable, functional and a tad bit empowering. I feel kind of authoritative in my military inspired jacket, sleek ponytail and black boots.

Anyway, what I'm wearing:

Old Navy military jacket (again, my sis's)

3.1 Phillip Lim floral tee from Vermillion in Raleigh

J. Crew patent leather belt

J. Brand black skinny jeans

Slouchy, flat boots from Sonny B. in Wilmington

Maybe I will TRY to walk Penny around the block in this outfit after all...

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.