Study of Shoes and Stilettos

Chocolate brown snakeskin t-strap espadrilles from Banana Republic…the exact same ones I wore last week.  Whatever, I love them and it’s not freezing or rainy or miserable, so espadrilles must be worn.  Truth be told, when I left the house this morning I was wearing boots, but one look at the slice of blue sky that was so lovely, I marched myself back upstairs and grabbed the first pair of shoes with peep-toes.

This dress started it’s life as a mid-calf, homemade pioneer dress from the thrift store.  I chopped off the hem (although I think I need to take it up another inch or two), took the sides in several inches, and made the sleeves a little less puffy.  I loved the summery plaid and the pockets–pockets!!–so any and all adjustments were totally worth it.

The Details
Dress: thrifted and refashioned by me
Cardigan: Old Navy
Belt: Forever 21
Necklaces: Horseshoe Necklace (no clue where this one came from), Mayan calendar necklace (Mazatlan, Mexico)
Earrings: Claire’s
Turquoise Ring: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Espadrille Wedges: Banana Republic

Black snakeskin boots with 3.5″ heel, almond-shaped toe and enough sass to make it through even the roughest day. I love the slouchy feel, and I love the thicker stacked heel–these boots were definitely made for walking!  The tights are a dark purple-plum color, which is tricky to see from this photo, but it’s been overcast and rainy for weeks and I tried.

It is cold.  It is (still!) raining.  And I would like to point out that I am wearing boots, tights, a wool skirt, jacket AND a scarf.  At the end of May.  Gaaaaah. [/weather rant]

The Details
Black and white striped button-up (that you can hardly see): Old Navy, clearance
Denim military-style jacket: Ross ($12! Win!)
Lime green scarf: SF Chinatown ($5)
Wide black belt: Downeast Outfitters
Charcoal paneled skirt: Macy’s (8+ years ago)
Black ruffled headband: Anthropologie
Purple Tights: no ideaFaux-diamond earrings: Express (a million years ago, I wear them almost every day…or, I did before I started documenting my outfits and accessories for the Internet.)
Black Snakeskin Knee High Boots: Nine West

Magenta, grey and black suede peep-toe D’orsay pump with metallic trim and platform heel, thrifted (seriously!)

Two things:(1)  it has been raining here for almost 3 weeks.  I live in the middle of the desert.  This is not normal!! (2) The upside is that everything is ridiculously green, so I’m trying not to complain too much about it.

I found this skirt on clearance at a department store (Z.C.M.I., which was purchased by Meier and Frank, which was bought-out by Macy’s) 8 years ago and have worn it almost every week ever since.  It still looks great!  I love the paneled seaming and the charcoaly gray color.  Here’s to buying great basics!  *clinks glass

A friend of mine gave me a Piperlime giftcard for my birthday a few months ago.  Usually, I am the type to immediately spend that kind of gift on shoes, but I decided to branch out a little and see what else I could add to my wardrobe.  This silver bauble collar-style neckalce caught my eye, and seemed to be something Kendi would love (when in doubt, repeat this mantra: What Would Kendi Wear?).  I have tried it a couple of different ways and am loving how it brings a bit of sparkle and interest to an ensemble.  Yay for trying new trends!

The Details
Striped T-shirt: H&M
Magenta Cardigan: B.P., by Nordstrom
Charcoal paneled skirt: Macy’s (at least 8 years old)
Wide patent leather belt: Downeast Outfitters
Silver bauble necklace: Piperlime
Bracelets: handmade gifts, Tiffany
Silver bauble earrings: Claire’s
Rose ring: Macy’s
Suede color-block heels: thrifted ($10!)

Gold metallic snakeskin round-toe pumps with peek-a-boo toe cut-outs and a 4″ heel, by BCBG.

These are one of my most-loved pairs of shoes, I have had them for years and they are starting to show signs of wear, but I absolutely adore them and they go with practically everything.

It has been raining like crazy around here for the last couple of weeks (a pretty rare occurrence when you live in the middle of the desert) and I’ve had to resort to inside pictures to save my camera from becoming waterlogged.  So, instead of looking at pretty trees you get a portion of my book collection.

Lately I have become obsessed with cocktail rings, I had a little ring-shopping spree a few weeks ago and am still trying to figure out how to wear the all!

The Details
Teal shirt-dress: Shade Clothing
Gold belts (2 worn): Shade Clothing
Earrings: Macy’s
Cocktail Ring: Ann Taylor Loft
Gold chain necklace: Claire’s
BCBGeneartion Shoes: Nordstrom

Bright pink Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers.

I started collecting Chuck’s a few years ago and have them in a half-dozen colors at this point.  I love them.  They are my ultimate casual shoe.  And today? Today is casual Friday.  Chuck’s it is!  This weekend will be spent in Redrock country, and I can’t wait to see a little sunshine (it’s been raining for 5 days, which is exactly 4.5 days longer than I remember it ever raining here).

Hot pink headband: Claire’s
Stripey T-shirt: H&M
Green cardigan: Old Navy
Pink/purple/metalllic scarf: Express
Horse necklace: Etsy
Jeans: Nappi clothing
Pink rose ring: Koo de Ker
Chuck Taylors: Converse.com

Shiny black patent leather peep-toe stiletto platform with 5″ heel, by Gianni Bini.

A girl can never have too many pairs of black heels, at least, that’s what I told myself when I found these beauties.  The platform heel makes the super-high heel much easier to walk in, and the shiny patent leather and fun cut-outs make these one of my favorite pairs of black heels that I own (and I own, I don’t know, 30 pairs of black heels…ish).

I wear this charcoal pencil skirt all the time, it’s one of my favorite pieces.  And the cardigan is a new find from ASOS.  I loved the lavender stripe and the longer, slouchier cut.

I have developed a bit of a crush on large, cocktail rings, perhaps you’ve noticed?  This purple and blue ring is about fourteen different kinds of fabulous, and looking at it now I wonder how I questioned whether or not to include it in my ring spree last week!  My birth stone is amethyst, and while I’ve never particularly loved purple jewelry, I am crushing on this ring hardcore.

The Details:
Charcoal Pencil Skirt: Banana Republic
Light blue pinstripe blouse: Express
Black belt with leopard print trim: Ross
Varsity cardigan: ASOS
Lavender pashmina scarf: Chinatown, San Francisco
Turquoise earrings: Chinatown, San Francisco
Amethyst ring: Macy’s (clearance! $7.00!)
Silver bracelet: Tiffany
Black patent heels, Gianni Bini: Dillards

American Eagle T-strap sandals.

Yep, I’m pretending it’s actually springier than it really is!  Sandals and a cardigan (and a jacket and a scarf that are not pictured) for a dinner date?  Absolutely.

This ruffled tank top is supposed to be a lemon-limey green, but it looks kind of chartreusey-mustardy-yellow in the photo.  Regardless, I think the belt should be switched out for a darker chocolate brown, the lighter tan blends too much into the top.

This is my first time wearing gold jewelry.  Seriously.  I found the ring and loved it, and decided I needed a few other gold items to wear with it because I am not the kind of girl who can mix silver and gold in the same outfit.  (Do you do that?  Mix metals?  How does that work?)  At any rate, I love the owl necklace and I was ecstatic to dig the orangey earrings out of my jewelry box.

Sandals: American Eagle
Jeans: Nappi clothing
Greenish ruffled tank top: Old Navy
Chocolate brown cardigan: B.P., Nordstrom
Studded leather belt: Banana Republic
Owl necklace: Claire’s
Orange and gold earrings: Mazatlan, Mexico
Gold leaf ring: Claire’s

Chocolate brown snake-skin stamped leather T-strap espadrilles, from Banana Republic

These pics are from over the weekend, something a little casual and blessedly summery.  (A weather trend that has not continued throughout the week, sigh.)  I found this shirt at a SLC boutique and absolutely love it, the stripey knit is soft and the poofy sleeves are divine and I just cannot get over the bow applique on the front.

You may not be able to tell from this photo–or, really, any of them–but these are my best attempt at wide-leg jeans.  Mind you, I’ve had these for a few years, and now they are trendy again!

Banana Republic wedges
All-Star wide(ish) leg jeans, from Buckle
Navy and white stripey top with bow applique, from a boutique
Pile of silver and turquoise bangles, same as yesterday
Turquoise ring, from Mazatlan, Mexico

Navy blue suede sandals with silvery metallic accents, by Seychelles

I tried these lovely suede heels on last fall and fell in-love immediately.  I initially thought of the as more of a “wintery” shoe, what with the suede and the metallic and all.  But I was quite pleased to pull them out for a summery ensemble!  I am more and more convinced that with the exception of snowboots and flip-flops, most other shoes don’t have any rules about what season you should or should not wear them.

This is one of my go-to dresses, it’s jersey so it travels well, is appropriate for pretty much any situation, and the graphic navy-and-white print is a fantastic base for a dozen different color combinations!  Turquoise and magenta?  Yes please!

See me trying to pile on the fun jewelry?  I bought the ring from a beach-vendor in Mazatlan, Mexico last Christmas, and the bracelets have been accumulated from a variety of x-boyfriends, gifts, travels, and shopping trips.

Sandals: Seychelles
Navy and white graphic dress: Ross
Cardigan: B.P., Nordstrom
“Love” Necklace: Forever 21
Turquoise Ring: Mazatlan, Mexico
Bracelets (from top): Turquoise bracelet (Chinatown, San Francisco), Silver bangle (Bohme), Silver chain (Tiffany), Silver balls (Gift my sis-in-law made for me), Silver/Turquoise Bangle (Bohme),

Red patent leather peep-toe sling backs with 4″ heel, by Guess.

I’ve shown these shoes before but I absolutely love them.  Red heels are one of the ultimate staples in my closet, they will always make me feel better about the day.

I am still getting used to this whole “take pictures of yourself” thing–good thing my apartment complex has several mostly hidden places where I can pose in front of my mini tripod without feeling too ridiculous.  I bought this chocolate-brown pencil skirt on a whim and it has become one of my go-to pieces when dressing for work.  Pencil skirts.  You should own one (or four!)  I tried on four or five red necklaces with this top, but the high V-neck and the ruching and buttons down the side made most of them feel like far too much.  Any suggestions?

Shoes: Guess
Sweater: Bohme
Pencil Skirt: TJ Maxx
Bracelet: Tiffany