near perfect boots

Ever see a pair of shoes walking by and they end up haunting you forever? One of my boutique buyers had the coolest pair of boots from Tory Burch. Gorgeous, easy to wear, mid-calf black leather with an easy square 3 inch heel and sexy gold buckles running up the side. Of course, purchased last year so my hopes of finding THE exact pair were dashed... but those beauties stuck in my mind ever since.

BUT - I found this pair of Jeffery Campbell's on Revolve last night. After a good night's sleep, I still love 'em and think it worth the $181. Not the spitting image of the TB boots but an excellent option for every day.

fall item: pleated skirts

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010

While long, full and lady like made a strong skirt statement this Fall, I'm gravitating towards a pleated option that is equally feminine but a tad less costume like and a more seasonally transitional piece than a below knee length wool skirt.

My aunts traveled to Shanghi this summer and brought home Oggi, a Japanese fashion magazine, that reminded me this skirt is cool and versatile as well as an excellent substitute for this season's favored silhouette.

Outfits for inspiration...

From Oggi magazine

This week Who What Wear mentioned Proenza Schouler's wool blend take pictured below. Somehow I missed this piece on my daily scroll of what's new and it's now sold out on Net-A-Porter. $600 is a seemingly reasonable price when you consider it's a staple for years to come. Consider that it will cost far less per wear than the $100 trend skirt you buy from Club Monaco and wear once only to give away two seasons later.

Proenza Schouler Fall 2010

a sparkly something

Every girl needs a beaded jacket in her closet. Definitely a stop above the jean jacket or classic black blazer which can be so expected sometimes. I love this navy one from Parker, a NYC label who is a go-to source for sexy, fun tops and jackets. Its relaxed, swingy silhouette is sophisticated and chic.

Piperlime has this cool function (like Polyvore) were users can create set looks with items from the site.

Here are a few styling ideas I like:

september magazines

Good thing the inch thick September issues of Vogue and Elle didn't arrive on the same day... My mail lady is a saint for doing her part to spreading the gospel. Does that shirtless little boy nustling in JR's bosom weird anyone else out?

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!

And ... because I love the movie...

my better half

J.Crew's Fall look book - inspired by the concept of Edie Beale goes to summer camp - is fantastic. Cat's out of the bag that J. Crew, under Jenna Lyons, is the go-to place for cheap, chic garb any season of the year.

Can't afford the designer inspiration? Use it as just that - inspiration and head to happier price points.

My wardrobe strategy is this: find a few pant styles that work. I've nailed down three or four pants (gap, J. Brand, DVF) that work best for my body leaving ample room for tons of tops and blouses to dress up or dress down. One such is the Novo stripe wrap top .. one of my FAVORITE pieces from J. Crew this Fall. Soft, feminine, and fun, but strong and graphic. An easy, chic top to wear for Fall. Amp up the drama with over the top accessories or let the top do the work with minimal add-ons. Styling options are endless here... Love it!

Stuff I want: Lam's Ram

No doubt Derek Lam's Nyla hobo bag will be whispering to me in my dreams... "buy me, buy me." Other than the sleek, easy to wear shape, the ram hardware caught me eye. If animal lure is true, this bag is certainly the strong, powerful, virile type in the handbag world.  If only I were an Aries... Bag Snob goes deeper into the matter.  A little info about the significance of Lam's ram:

The Fall '10 rams head detail is a new generation version of what I did for my very first bag collection. Everybody kept asking me to bring it back, and so with some updated tweaks, it is back. But the original rams head bags from Fall 2006 remain unique and will not be reproduced ever again. This way, I wanted those who have the original bags, my early supporters, will always know they have something special."

If only I had an extra $1200 in 2006 to spare. Perhaps a new eBay search is in order...

cashmere mounds

We all know that camel is a major statement this Fall season. This weekend while on vacation in NYC for a friend's wedding I did a little shopping. One of my fullest bags came from Uniqlo... totally stocked up on some very sexy v-neck and wrap sweaters in black and camel.

I do believe investing in cashmere isn't a bad idea. It doesn't ever go out of style - kinda like Santa Clause. However, do you NEED to?... not when Uniqlo exists. Stop by and for the price of one J.Crew piece you can nab three equally good looking, good fitting sweaters. $39.99!!! Leaves you a little more for those fabulous shoes and accessories.

I also met the love of my life... a 3/4 sleeve, deep scoop neck tee fabulously fabricated in 89% cotton and 11% spandex. $9.99!!!

Jus saying...;)

Stuff I want...

Found in Alice + Olivia's 4am finds... Rosalie plaid dress... a top for me. So cute for fall! Good for a low key night out, a weekend at the lodge. 

Lusty, Musty Leathers

I've got leather on the brain. Lately every outfit for clients and myself has incorporated a vision of leather. I don't own a good leather yet, although it's high on my list.

Ms. Lively (one of my favorites) is sporting a very cute cropped slate grey leather with skinnies, nudie mary janes and a tee. Predictable, comfy and chic. A few looks I love and jackets to lust over. Enjoy!

Blake Lively

Olivia Palermo

Ashely Olsen (She looks a little Valentino w/that tan, but nevertheless paired with a white shift or vintage slip, her leather jacket looks chic and fun.)

From AllSaints, $400

Miu Miu, $2315

Suits You A Little Sassy

Love the pop of color these pants bring, add a blazer and you're good for work.

Love the oxford, trench combo - so chic and classic.

While on Oprah.com, a few other outfits caught my eye. Essentially because they are solid outfits that can be assembled from even a small budget. It's easy to fall into generic, blah blah corporate suit girl. I used to work in the Ren Cen and some days it's like a sea of zombie suit ladies. Devoid of personality, playfulness or imagination. Basics with style... who knew?

navy jacket (Esprit, $160)—in a seasonless cotton blend—and gray flannel pants (Express, $80) top striped (Kate Spade New York, $225)

If it works for Amelia...

Karin Nelson called out the aviator hat as a stand out accessory this season. I couldn't agree more. She says:

WHILE the film “Amelia” may have flopped, Amelia Earhart’s fashion sensibilities have taken off. Aviator caps, the slick leather toppers worn by old-timey high-fliers, have been turning up on the runway and around town. For the real deal, U. S. Wings, a company that supplies the military, offers a handmde sherpa-lined and unlined version, named the Snoopy flying cap (left).