Shoesday Tuesday: Spring in Your Step

It's times like these that I wish I was 5'10" with long, slender legs for days, because that's the only body type who I think could really do these amazing shoes justice:

Spring in Your Step, Modcloth, $153.99

Appropriately named "Spring in Your Step," these shoes are phenomenal! I just love the idea of wearing them out to a party or for a nice dinner out, or to just about anything, really! Call me crazy, but I think they're amazing and I'd die to wear them! They certainly have the potential to be a major fashion disaster, which is why I would suggest wearing them with a simple LBD with a nice short hemline. Nothing obscene of course, just short enough that even though you've got an enormous flower "growing" up the side of your leg, you can still have a decent amount of skin showing. 

I also like that the interesting details of these shoes doesn't stop at the flower- the heel and the sole of the shoe are full of fun, unique details as well. And yet, somehow, the shoe doesn't seem over-done. In fact, the heel and the sole details only help add to the overall effect, making the look of the shoe much more purposeful. How many times have you seen a basic shoe with an embellishment somewhere on it that somehow seems incongruous, or disconnected from the overall design? This shoe does not feel that way at all. It feels like a well-thought-out and well-executed statement. 

Tweet your thoughts on these shoes with the hashtag #ShoesdayTuesday so I can hear what YOU think about these statement heels! 

Summertime Sunglasses

I posted a few days ago about my new prescription glasses, but I neglected to mention the other excited purchase that was made at the eye doctor that day. Better to just show you:

Are they gorgeous or what? I fell in love with them after I fell in love with my FYSH UK frames. Of course, my mom, being the generous lady she is, decided to buy the sunglasses for me. Just because. (Did I mention she works for the doctor I go to? Hence the reason she was there the same time as me.) Anyway, after my appointment was over and I was checking out, these gorgeous sunglasses were on the desk with my chart, already paid for an waiting for me. How sweet was that of my mom? I'm really looking forward to rocking them this summer. I tried to get a good photo of them:

But the photo stinks- it's so dark. Not sure why I put them on a navy background for the picture. Not my smartest move. Anyway, in case you can't tell, they are the burgundy/red version of these sunglasses by Coach:

You can purchase them here if you're interested, but they only seem to be available in black or brown on the Coach website. Boo for you, I suppose. Anyway, the fabulous red sunglasses has got me thinking about the possibility of a nice pair of red prescription glasses frames. Not anytime soon, after all, I just got my fabulous new Fysh UK frames, so I plan to enjoy those for a while first. Check back soon for a picture of me wearing my exciting new glasses! I still can't believe I'm actually excited about a pair of prescription glasses! I'm more excited about them than I am about my new sunglasses! I suppose there's a first time for everything... 

Rate My Look- Howdy, New Glasses

Today I worked from noon to 5:00 and the sun was still shining when I left work. Isn't daylight savings so great? Just when you're ready to lose your mind from the short, dreary, winter days, the middle of March rolls around and all of a sudden, the days are longer again. It's awesome.

As for my outfit, I was able to snap a photo on my drive home, when the light was absolutely perfect. My pictures over the winter have been dull, with poor light- it was too cold to take pictures outside and the inside liht was rarely very good, at least at home. Needless to say, I'm happy for the better light for my photos and for my mood!

Top: Marshalls

Skirt: Old Navy

Belt: Super old, I don't even remember where I got it

Ring: Target

Cowboy boots: Consignment Shop

Necklace: Garment District

Glasses: FYSH UK

The skirt is re-mixed from this outfit, and the shirt is pretty basic, so I have never really talked about it. It's good to have basics in your wardrobe, but I'm often guilty of having too many quirky things with too few basics to pair them with. Speaking of quirky things, would you like a close-up view of my new glasses? No one seemed to want to venture a guess on my post yesterday, but I think if you know me well, the answer was obvious: 

Yup, I got the super funky flower-y ones! Are they fabulous or what? I've actually ENJOYED wearing them these last few days! The color looks great against my eye color. Normally, I don't like wearing glasses because they tend to cover up what I consider to be one of my best features. These glasses seem to do just the opposite. I'm sure I'll be back to contact lenses before long, especially with spring and summer fast approaching- sunglasses will be more appropriate soon. 

So what do you think of my outfit? Is it a little too cowgirl for you (especially with the "Howdy" necklace)? Or do you just think it's fun? I like it- and it was remarkably comfortable to wear at work. Those boots are magical- they are the only pair of heels I can not only survive in for several hours at work, but my feet don't even need "recovery time." They are magically comfortable, despite the three-inch heels. I can't explain it, but I'm not going to complain. Magical cowboy boots are fine with me. Fabulous glasses and cute necklaces? Also fine. 

Carly Foulkes And Amazing Pink Dresses

Have you guys been paying attention to the T-Mobile commercials with Carly Foulkes? I die over nearly every one of the fabulous pink and white dresses they have her in for each of those commercials- they're all SO adorable! The vintage silhouettes, the bold prints, the flattering necklines- I love everything about them!

My favorites are the last 2, but you can get a look at them in action in these actual T-Mobile commercials: 

The commercials may not be the most brilliant ever written, but I'm happy to watch them for the fashion alone.  So by now you're probably wondering where to find your own adorable pink dresses. Well, I've found them for you: 

Donna Ricco Stretch Cotton Party Dress, Nordstrom, $98

Polka Dot Dress, Delia's, $44.50 

Ringspun Dress with Contrast Panels, ASOS, $125.51

Aqua Avril Dress, ASOS, $304.81

Swing Petticoat Dress, Starlets & Harlets, $129.99 

Vintage Pink Watercolor Dress, Etsy, $380

Few of these are quite as fabulous as Carly's in the commercials, so maybe my Etsy shop will need to have a few additions in bright pink and white prints. But first, one for me! The tough thing is finding fabrics in such awesome prints, but trust, I'm on the hunt. If you're interested in being the recipient of one of these dresses, email me and we'll talk measurements and whatnot. 

Accessories Anonymous: New Glasses

I have been wearing my glasses more frequently than I am accustomed to and as a result, I've become extremely dissatisfied with my current pair. They are several years old and while they are still cute and stylish, the prescription is out of date. Through most of my adult life, my glasses have been something I wear at night before I go to bed and in the morning before I shower. In other words, they're functional to me, but not part of my every day look. Since the great pink-eye epidemic of 2010 (which I suspect may not have even been pink eye), I've been wearing my glasses more and more frequently, as opposed to my contact lenses. While I still intend to wear my contacts most of the time, I decided I should probably update the prescription in my current pair of glasses. Or, better yet, consider purchasing a new pair of glasses- frames and all.

So, I made an appointment with my eye doctor last week. I couldn't believe how fabulous some of the frames were that I could choose from in the optician's shop! It was actually FUN shopping for new glasses! I couldn't believe my eyes- pun intended! Haha!

But seriously, I fell in love with the designs of the company Fysh UK. (Pronounced like "fish," but spelled with a "y." Doesn't that automatically make them cooler?) Sure, there were plenty of well-known designers to choose from- Calvin Klein, Coach, Kenneth Cole, etc., but the Fysh designs were so unique and exciting, that I found myself truly looking forward to wearing glasses! Check out some of their designs:

Style 3301

Style 3309 (Doesn't this one remind you of Mondrian's artwork?)

Style 3404

Style 3410

Style 3411

Style 3414

In the end, it came down to two pair, both of which are pictured above. Can you guess which ones ended up being mine? Leave a comment- I'll be posting a picture as soon as they come in with my (super strong) prescription. I'm so blind. 

Anyway, if you are in the market for a new pair of eye glasses, I strongly recommend you check out Fysh UK. You will have to find a retailer near you, since you can't exactly purchase prescription glasses online! If you live in New Hampshire and would like to know where I got mine, I'd be happy to recommend my eye doctor. He is amazing! And the optical shop in his practice has a nice selection of all sorts of glasses- not just Fysh, of course. Just email me for info. 

Another thing I like about their line is that Fysh has style that are clearly masculine or feminine as well as several that could easily go either way. But even if Fysh isn't your style, visit their website because they have a guide that can help you select a style of frames that will work best for your face. Called "FYT YOUR FACE," that particular section of the website explains how to select the most flattering frames in terms of shape, size and color. Check it out! 

Accessories Anonymous: Fabulous Etsy Finds

I have been very busy lately and not able to peruse my favorite Etsy shops quite as much as I would like to. Online shopping- even online window shopping- is one of my favorite things to do, so I decided to spend some time on Etsy today finding really beautiful items to show you. There's no particular theme aside from the fact that they are all accessories and as I said before, they are all beautiful. Enjoy!

"Anita" leather bag, Art On Crafts, $135

Nude Color Wrap Style Belt, A Room of Your Own, $29

Stretch Rosette in Rustic Green, Garlands of Grace, $21

Red Autumn Leaves Brooch, Black Swan Designs, $23

"Hard Candy," Miss Annie May, $86

Taffy Scarflette No. 3, Flutter, $35

Doesn't it feel good to look at beautiful things, knowing they were also carefully handmade? Somehow, pieces from Etsy and other (masterfully) handcrafted pieces just seem so much more special to me. I'm always willing to spend a little more on them than I would something similar in a department or chain store. Also, Etsy gives me great ideas and inspiration for making some of my own pieces. They often don't come out quite as beautiful as the original, but it also helps me learn a little more about my craft. 

Have you spent some time on Etsy lately? Leave a comment and tell me about your favorite Etsy shops. I'm always looking for new ones! Have an awesome day! 

It's Not Spring Yet

Whenever we get to March, I start to dress as if spring has already arrived. By now, I'm so sick of wearing tights and thick socks and boots and scarves and heavy coats- all I want to do is starting pulling out all my spring-y sun dresses and flowery skirts and light, flow-y tops and sandals- oh my gosh am I dying for sandals!

Unfortunately, I live in the northeast, where it sometimes snows in April. My point is this: winter is not over yet. Spring is not yet here. I need to accept this reality and do my best to cope by wearing appropriate clothing and accessories until the temperatures actually begin to rise. Of course, if I had this lovely winter coat, that might ease the burden a bit:

Sovereign Style Coat, Modcloth, $259.99 (out of stock- BOO!) 

It may be winter white and a very warm wool blend, but the contrast detail on the coat just seems to be beckoning spring. Yes, those appear to be flowers in the design- and what says "spring" more than flowers? Even if I was crazy enough to buy a nearly $300 wool coat on the cusp of spring, it is unfortunately sold out for the time being. But with the pin tucks at the waist and the beautiful collar and buttons, I'm afraid if it was back in stock in my size, I'd be knocking that money out of my checking account so fast, Modcloth's collective heads would be spinning.