Do or Don’t: Mary Jane Boots

I was flipping through a back issue of Vogue the other day when I saw a Prada ad that totally stopped me in my tracks. What was so attention grabbing that I put down my glass of water and stared in wonder? I’m glad you asked:

Apparently I’ve been living in a hole because these Prada boots have been around for a while. So long, in fact, that they’re on sale at Saks for $560 (down from $1,400!).

I can’t for the life of me figure out the appeal, other than some sort of shock value or brand worship.

I should admit that the red and nude pair I’m showing you here is my least favorite. It’s also available in a variety of other colors (and even python print), which look like mary janes paired with a contrasting color sock.

But the question remains: why spend that kind of money on a shoe when you can create the same look much more inexpensively and with the added bonus of versatility (you can, after all, pair a regular pair of mary janes with socks, tights, or your actual leg!).

What do you think about them?

Lust List

1. Anthropologie
2. Totokaelo
3. Anthropologie
4. Madewell
5. BHLDN
6. Burberry
7. Max Mara
8. Diane von Furstenberg
9. Marc by Marc Jacobs

Must-Have Fashion for 2012

pleated skirts: Halston Heritage, White House | Black Market, Baby Phat
lace: ModCloth, Alice & Olivia,  Qupid
military/safari: Old Navy, Marc by Marc Jacobs, OTBT
’20s inspired: Donna Morgan, Stephan & Co., Seychelles

 

PS check back tomorrow for Golden Globes fashion!

Winter Basics

I went shopping with my sister just before Christmas to try and finish off our lists (shopping with her is always a mistake ). She talked me into buying a pair of G by Guess boots to make herself feel better for buying them (don’t try and deny it, Michele!). She also argued that if she got the brown pair and I got the gray/black pair we could share since we have the same (huge) foot size.

Now, I’d be lying if I told you she really had to twist my arm. They were on sale and after that combined with coupons, I got them for less than half the regular price (score!).

On top of the awesome deal goodness, my new boots have really rounded out my winter basics. My new uniform of sorts is usually a variation on these basics:

shown here: Old Navy cardi,  Frenchi scarf, Forever21 skinnies,
G By Guess boots (via eBay)

Sometimes I’ll substitute leggings and/or a dress. Sometimes I’ll add a second cardigan. But more often than not, this is what I’m wearing this winter (maybe one of these days I’ll show you a photo of my actual outfit. Maybe).

What about you? Do you have a “uniform” you’ve been defaulting to lately?

One Dress, Three Parties

While I’d love to use holiday parties as an excuse to shop, who has the money to buy a new outfit for every occasion? Not this girl! Instead, choose a versatile dress that you can make fancy or casual and use it all season long.

Check out the outfits I built around this red ModCloth dress:

dress: ModCloth; earrings: Marc by Marc Jacobs; necklace: Betsey Johnson
cardigan: Zara; bag: Cole Haan; shoes: SoYouShoes; tights: Wolford
dress: ModCloth; scarf: Simply Vera Vera Wang; pants: American Eagle
cardigan: Mango; bracelet: Juicy Couture; shoes: TOMS
dress: ModCloth; earrings: Kate Spade; necklace: Coast; jacket: ModCloth
tights: Commando; clutch: Lulu Townsend; nail polish: OPI; shoes: Bakers

They couldn’t be more different, right? If you pair one of your favorite staples with different combinations of accessories, no one will be the wiser!

Do you plan on using the same dress for different parties this holiday season?

Get the Look: Emma Watson

If you’re anything like me, you need to be comfortable when holiday shopping. Cute heels and fitted dresses may be super cute, but not when you may need to pounce at a moment’s notice (it’s a warzone out there, kids!).

The thought of dressed up and super chic vs. comfy casual immediately made me think of girl-crush worthy Emma Watson. That girl can rock an amazing gown on the red carpet and she looks adorable while running errands or hopping onto a plane. Love her!

Forever21 top, Forever21 leggings, Rampage flats, Old Navy cropped military jacket, Old Navy beanie (Emma Watson image  via Pinterest)

Loose and stretchy, this look is absolutely perfect for a day full of power shopping and maneuvering your way through crowded aisles. It’s definitely going to be my holiday shopping uniform this year! What will you wear?

 

Today I’m linking up with Monday Mingle, where a bunch of fab ladies come together in the name of fashion! Click the photo at left for tons of inspiration!

Like Mother, Like Daughter

If there’s one thing that having girls has taught me, it’s that many traits seem to be inborn (please brace yourself for a couple of sweeping generalizations that may only apply to my very specific little universe).

For one, girls like to talk. A lot. In fact, they like to talk so much that you can tell where they are just by listening for a second. Silence? My child is either:

1. asleep (which is very rare)
2. not home
3. up to no good (like the time she decided to play hairdresser with her cousin)

My husband most likely uses this same trick to verify my whereabouts.

Next, girls like pretty things. We like sparkle and ruffles, bows and beads (this is generally where the princess obsession comes in).

Many girls grow into women that still like these things. So much so, in fact, that it’s often damn near impossible to tell the difference between big girl pieces and children’s wear.

1 J. Crew :: 2 Old Navy :: 3 Gap :: 4 J. Crew :: 5 Steve Madden :: 6 J. Crew

My daughter and I would both do a little happy dance at the idea of owning any of the pieces shown above.

Three are women’s pieces and three are children’s. Can you tell the difference?

Time to Pile on the Texture

There’s something about fall that immediately makes me turn to texture. I guess it’s all the cozy knits that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when it’s far from cozy in the outside world.

But once I start, I just can’t stop. I want texture everywhere!!!

1 Dirty Lush hat :: 2 Rag & Bone sweater :: 3 ModCloth scarf :: 4 Lowie socks :: 5 Free People cardigan :: 6 Wigwam socks :: 7 MUK LUKS rainboot :: 8 Marc Jacobs cardigan :: 9 FM908 wool coat :: 10 MeMoi tights :: 11 ModCloth mittens :: 12 Lowie dress

Texture adds so much to an outfit! It instantly makes it more rich and visually interesting.

Using just one texture keeps a look simple and classic. If you want a more bohemian vibe, experiment with the addition of more colors and a few different textures.

Are you as crazed as I am in the colder months? There’s something so comforting about a great knit, isn’t there?

Shoe Porn: Cozy Toes

Confession: I’m a little bit of a shoe fiend, a trait which I seem to have already passed to my daughter (who goes straight to the flashiest pair of platforms she sees in the shoe department).

Since funds are low, we’ve done a lot more looking than buying as of late (though I did score a pair of Guess lace-up oxford pumps at Marshall’s for $25 last week!), but that’s ok. Looking is almost as good as buying.

So I’ve decided to do a Shoe Porn series to share what I’ve been drooling over and dreaming about.

This week, it’s warm, cozy shoes that don’t sacrifice style:

Get the Look: Justin Timberlake

Confession: I’m writing this post solely so that I can drool over photos of Justin Timberlake and call it “work” (and no, I don’t mean the photo at right. More on that in a second).

But seriously.

Who says us ladies can’t take style inspiration from well-dressed men? Especially right now when menswear-inspired fashion is kind of a big deal.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about the frosty-tipped poodle look from Justin’s boy band days (what’s with the purple glasses JT?). Oh no, I’m talking about the much more mature hottie who is starring in the new action movie In Time.

In more recent years the former Mickey Mouse Club star has been rocking a more dapper look, similar to those of icons like Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin. And I don’t know about you, but I’ve been loving it up! There’s nothing quite like a well-dressed fella.

But instead of just giggling like schoolgirls and getting all week in the knees, why not use Justin as inspiration? Here’s an example of a look Justin wore in GQ and an idea for a lady’s version:

Sheer blouse, $45 :: Vest | H&M US, $25 :: Zip up jacket, $68 :: Zara cropped pants, $60 :: Kelsi Dagger black high heels, $100 :: Cara Accessories silver bangle, $78 :: Marc by Marc Jacobs silver stud earrings, $48 :: Oasis green tote bag, $70

What do you think? I love it. I added a pop of color for fun and feminine details like sparkle and bows to “girl” it up a bit. It’s simple and pretty classic while remaining on trend.

And before I go, I have to leave you with this: