Style Lush

Spring Shopping

By Tara

Because I'm getting tired of jeans and boots and tights this winter, and because I am a bit overly detailed when it comes to leaving for any trip, my sister's beach wedding in March has me packing and repacking a mental suitcase every opportunity I get. And for those times when my mental suitcase starts to get too full for me, I also have four or five partial packing lists in my purse, just so I don't forget anything.

And then, you know...there's the window shopping. Because every change in season (even a premature one brought on by a pretty beachside destination wedding) requires a little extra window shopping. 

{photo credit: nordstrom.com}

{photo credit: dillards.com}

{photo credit: dillards.com}

{photo credit: dillards.com}

{photo credit: bananarepublic.com}

{photo credit: oldnavy.com}

{photo credit: oldnavy.com}

{photo credit: katespade.com}

{photo credit: katespade.com}

{photo credit: katespade.com}

{photo credit: katespade.com}

Now, if I could just find that unlimited supply of money I've been looking for all my life...

When heels go sky high

by Christina

Remember when putting on a pair of heels made you feel like a lady and 3 inches was considered super high? Man, those were the days. I stay home with two boys so I don't wear fancy shoes more than a time or two a month anymore but I still have a pretty serious shoe addiction. I love to wear heels, I'm 5'3" and wearing a high shoe makes me feel more grown up, literally.

What I want to know is whose idea it was to make 5 and 6 inch shoes with 3-inch platforms? Who can wear these shoes for longer than dinner out? And where are you wearing them? Some of them are amazing and I love them, but it makes me wonder how high is too high? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you work in a corporate environment, do you wear them to work or just for play? In the interest of eye candy, here are a few that are sky scrapers that I'd happly teeter in all in the name of fashion.

 

 

(all via Nordstrom)

Versatile Black Leather Boots

By Sara

When I was 22 and fresh out of college, I wore sky high heels to work. Every single day. My lunch breaks consisted of fast shopping sprees at Nordstrom Rack looking for the next fabulous pair to wear. Fast forward eight years and I can no longer teeter totter my way through the city. I'm wiser now. I know that my feet will start to ache by mid-morning and my back will hate me by the end of the day. However, I still need shoes that look polished and dressed up for work.

I've been on a mission to find a pair of black leather dress boots that are perfectly appropriate with a pencil skirt for work or skinny jeans on the weekend. I think a mid-heel is the right height and I don't want anything too flashy. If you could choose a pair for me, which ones would you pick?

Born, Mallory Boots @ Zappos, $210.00

 

Clarks, Media Storm @ Zappos, $149.99 (sale price)

 

Ecco, Hope Boot @ Endless, $149.99 (sale price)

 

Frye Women's Dannika Campus Boot @ Endless, $347.95

(And yes, the Frye's are my dream boot in my dream world where I have many, many dollars ... let's just pretend for a minute, shall we?)

Sparkling Shoes for New Year's Eve

By Janet

Hands down, New Year's Eve is the most exciting evening of the year for dressing up. Everything is sparkles and glitter and glitz and shine. Whatever you may be doing -- whether it be dancing the night away at an elegant soiree or sitting at home watching the ball drop on television -- I urge you to do it wearing something sparkling. To that end, how about a new pair of shoes? 

Fergie Accente Too, Pewter Glitter, $100

Kate Spade New York Charm, Gold, $325

Anne Klein Watchit, Black Glitter, $70

J. Renee Fiesta, Multicolor, $80

Nine West Choral, Gold, $80

Any of these shoes paired with a little black dress (maybe one already in your closet?) will ensure you ring in the new year in style. Let the countdown begin!

Peacock!

By Leah

About a month ago I bought a shirt at Target that had tiny little peacock feathers over a navy background. It's not the sort of thing I'd normally pick out, but it was on sale, and the peacock motif made me feel like I was getting away with something--maybe because it's animal print without being, you know...animal print.

While looking for a link to the shirt, I found almost nothing else peacock-patterned at major retailers that wasn't completely hideous (these rain boots from Target are pushing it), but there was a ton of great stuff to be found from--who else?--our friends at Etsy. Here's small sampling:

Peacock pendant ($8.95) from The Pendant Emporium.

Smoky crystal peacock ring ($15.65) from Angeltodora98.

Peacock feather earrings ($4.99) from I Am Superstar.

Wooden peacock necklace ($16.00) from Juniper Rush.

Custom painted peacock Toms shoes ($149.00) from Blake Barash.

Peacock pumps with crystal ($60.00) from Paris XOX.

Custom printed peacock feather dress ($24.00) from Wear Yeti.

Handprinted peacock shirtdress ($40.00) from Seal Maiden.

Peacock tie ($30.00) from Cyberoptix.

Reclaimed redwood peacock clock ($65.00) from Nica and the Newfie.

Henna-inspired burned wood peacock spoons (3 for $38.00) from Greenwood Creations.

Peacock pillow cover ($45.00) from Pop O Color.

Peacock hip flask ($16.00) from Lezlee Elliott.

Reader Question: Pairing Tights with Open-Toed Shoes

By Janet

Reader Roz sent in the following:

I'll be wearing the outfit [below] in about a week and a half in Toronto, so it will be chilly which is why I'm thinking tights, but a) the shoes are open-toed, so is that ok? and b) the shoes are grey, so I feel like grey tights would not allow the shoes to stand out.

 

Can you wear tights with open-toed shoes? Absolutely! While wearing open-toed shoes with tights was formerly a fashion faux pas, the combination is totally workable in 2011. I'd suggest you follow a couple of rules. First, opaque tights are key--stay away from sheer hose when pairing with open-toed shoes. Second, avoid tights with reinforced toes. Even better if you can find a pair with minimal or no toe seam.

The safest combination is to match the tights to the shoes--but finding the perfect shade of gray may be difficult, if not impossible, and a perfect match won't show off those gorgeous ruffled heels. Instead, make a bold statement with a pair of colored tights in a pretty fall hue. Depending on your taste, mustard yellow, navy blue, or plum tights would look gorgeous with the cream and gray ensemble.

Most importantly: own it! The rules of fashion are made to be broken. 

{Images: La Posh Style, Kate Spade}

High Fashion: In Love and Out of Reach

by Christina

Do you shop on websites you cannot afford? I do. I don't buy anything from them, but I love to look. If only to day dream about such beautiful things. Kate Spade gets me every time. Here are a few things I'd love to own in another life

Kaleidoscope bib necklace. $398.00

.

Karolina Pump $298. And in every color, please. Perfectly practical for a stay-at-home mom, no? I DON'T CARE!

The Gail Dress $325.00.

Last but oh-so-not least: The Melissa Trench. $645.00

It's all so lovely I could die. But I am already dead as reading the prices knocked me flat.

(images via kate spade)

Boots: A Splurge and Some Saves

By Jennie

I love a good pair of boots (as do many of our other writers: see here, here, and here for a great tip on storing boots) because, to me, boots scream winter! snow! snuggling in front of a fire! Even though I live in Texas.

But, it does actually get a little cold here, so I've decided I need a pair of riding boots this year. I've also decided I need some cheap boots this year. Or, cheap-ish. Definitely more "save" than "splurge."

These ($210) boots lit the need-a-pair-of-riding-boots fire:

Photo source: shoptheshoebox.com

And, here are some very nice pairs that capture the style while slashing the pricetag.

Photos, left to right: Zippy Riding Boot ($59.99); Buckled Riding Boot ($79.50); Tracker Boot ($79.95).

Which ones do you like best? Or, have you seen a different pair of reasonably priced riding boots?

Morgan and Milo Shoes for Kids

By A'Dell

Through the magic of Pinterest, I discovered this darling charcoal grey sneaker with tiny flowers by Morgan and Milo and I can't get it out of my brain. (I wish they made it in MY size.)

Source: None via A'Dell on Pinterest

 

And then, when I clicked through, I found MORE darling shoes for little girls. 

Source: amazon.com via A'Dell on Pinterest

 

 

Source: amazon.com via A'Dell on Pinterest

 

OH, COME ON. How am I supposed to not buy this? HOW?

Source: amazon.com via A'Dell on Pinterest

 

At $50-$60, these aren't the cheapest little girl shoes out there, but holy cow they sure are cute. I wouldn't mind my girls finding these under the tree from Santa.

Fall Favorite: Minnetonka Cally Moccasin

by Natalie

I'm so happy that the temperatures have dipped below ninety here in Austin that I'm about ready to break out my sweaters and my fuzzy robe. (I know. Let's not overreact here.) But the mornings have FINALLY started to be in the sixities, which is my favorite temp this time of year. Time for... Minnetonka moccasins!

I think these might possibly be the perfect fall footwear. I have the Cally moccasin (shown above) and I'm not kidding when I tell you they are the most comfortable things on earth. Soft, flexible, fleece lined... there's nothing about these that I don't love. I originally got these to wear as slippers (which is how they're marketed, as they only have a very thin rubber sole) but they're so affordable that I may have to get another pair and make them my "running around town" shoes. (At $39, the price is right, too.)

I'm thinking that maybe the grey ones are calling my name.

I can't recommend these enough! Get yourself a pair, or maybe put them on your holiday wish list... you won't be sorry!

{Photo credits: zappos.com, me}