The Best Cinderella Shoe Ever?

(style.com)

Has Valentino made the the best Cinderella shoe ever? I think so.

x Sea

Please and Thank You

(style.com)

x Sea

Fall Inspiration: A.P.C. FW 2012

So I have been on a long road trip down to Florida and back and it seems I have left summer behind. To be honest I am pretty glad about this as it seems that I all want to wear are coats. The APC F/W 2012 lookbook perfectly encompasses everything I want: mod coats, mini dresses, tights, loafers, and peter pan collars. Perfect for wearing while sipping on cider and looking at the changing leaves.

x Sea 

via HighSnobette 

The Anthem

For all of you rocking the Salvo swagger.

(You know who you are.)

x Song

--

Is that your grandma's coat?

Pokébomb

Have you seen these fantastic Pokémon photo-bombs? 

Just some of my personal favorites...

x Song

Fall Wishlist

So to try to stop myself from overspending I have made a wish list. While I obviously cannot get everything from this list, when I do shop I can only pick from items off the aforementioned list. 

1)Steven Alan Julieta Dress
I remember this dress from last fall when it was released in a polka dot pattern. I skipped on it but then I saw it on a girl in Soho in the spring. I realized my misstep and added it to the list for this fall. 

2) Girl. by Band of Outsiders

I think this dress would be perfect in winter with tights and boots or in the spring with flats. 

3) Lover Poppy Flip Dress

Lover. No explanation needed. 

4) Peter Pan Collar Shirts

More to fuel the addiction!

4/5) J Brand 811 in Smoke and Sago

I had finally found the perfect fit of jean that I don't need to get hemmed, black and green would be perfect for fall and beyond. 

6) Black Skirt

6) Knee High Brown Leather boots

My black knee high boots from five years ago finally died so I am looking for the perfect pair of brown knee high boots to take their place. Still searching...

What's on your list for Fall?

x Sea

Valentino vs. Zara

When I saw Garance Dore post these Valentino shoes I thought I had died too. My six year old self immediately exclaimed wheeeeeee... then I saw the price, $1,395 is insane. My thoughts of wheeee immediately burst into daayuuum then into ughhhhhh. Yes, many exaggerated letters. However, for the many of us not blessed with so much expendable cash Zara has created a lower price option. 

While the strap is black, gaudier studs were added, and it doesn't have the sleek heel. I have to say not bad Zara, not bad. Ultimately the choice is up to you, $1,395 or $89.90? Do you splurge or save?

x Sea

Moonbouncers: Victim of a Trend

=

I have fallen for a trend. While I have not worn sneakers regularly for many years I couldn't resist the Isabel Marant Betty/Bobby model. I remember when I first saw them I truly did not like them. That all changed a year ago. Somehow I became brainwashed and wanted these shoes so badly. I wouldn't say it is because I am a Marant fanatic. (I have the Dicker boots but that can be more easily explained by my ankle boot obsession.) Yet I couldn't get these weird sneakers out of my head. I spent a good part of a year trying to convince myself that I didn't like them but I was continually drawn back to them. I then began looking for a cheaper model to see if that would satiate my palate but all the heels were poorly done. What I like most about the Marant sneaker was how well hidden the heel is. All of the other sneakers show the heel, curving in like a wedge, which is not what I wanted. 

I ended up caving and getting the real deal from Steven Alan. While I feel like I was still slightly brainwashed I havent regretted the purchase yet. The leather, like with the Dicker boots, is amazingly soft. The heel itself is extremely comfortable and bouncy, hence my nickname for them as moonbouncers. They remind me of those weird toys from the 90's Moon Shoes, billed as "mini trampolines for your feet", but slightly less weird. Yup, only slightly. All in all I highly recommend them as their only real drawback is the slight pinching at the toe.
x Sea

Shirt Just Got Real

Now that I'm back at school and I actually have to see real people (because apparently, the ones you can't see don't actually count), it's becoming more and more difficult to dress like a normal person. Good thing I came up with a few tricks of my own that lets me keep up the hermit look while still looking appropriately collegiate. One of my favorite looks is the "boyfriend skirt" where essentially, I wake up in my dad's old button down, wiggle it down to my hips, tie the arms in the front and throw on a tee a la Alexander Wang. In no less than five seconds, you've got clothes on and you're ready to go!

And I know, I know-- the 90's were excellent for quality summer hits and Freddie Prinze Jr. rom-coms, while the fashion has yet to age well into "vintage."  But before you are ready to cross off the 90's grunge swamp flannel, think about the different modern twists you can add, like the detail of the sleeves and the pattern of the button-down; the possibilities are endless!

So hide your kids, hide your wife, and hide your pants because this is so much better. 

x Song

Hopelessly Devoted to You

Back in 2008, when I was a sophomore in college, there was nothing more that I wanted than these Chloe Susan boots. However, I ran into a small problem when not only were they far beyond my budget but they sold out. I kept thinking about these boots,  looking at the fakes hoping something would match them but nothing came close. When Chloe decided to rerelease them I was ecstatic, finally they could be mine. Yet there was still the problem of price. I decided to consign a bunch of my clothing in hopes of raising money to finally be able to buy them, in black of course.

x Sea

Happy (belated) Birthday

Happy Birthday to the beautiful, talented, and creative Song! You are the best co-blogger a girl could ask for!

x Sea

Downton Abbey

One of the only shows that I watch, Downton Abbey is nothing short of beautiful. Whether it's the lush backdrop of English country, the buttery leather of Matthew's riding boots, or the Dowager Countess' one-liners, Downton Abbey is one glittering manor of Edwardian beauty. 

While I mostly watch the show for Maggie Smith, I cannot help but weep with jealousy over the beautiful clothing featured on both the women and the men. (Note: Sybil's harem pants in Season One.) Apparently, I am not the only one to take note of the Edwardian fashion, with designers like Ralph Lauren, Burberry Prorsum, and Bottega Veneta taking a page from the show.

x Song

Dresses from Bottega Veneta and Ralph Lauren featured in the Downton ladies' Vogue shoot. 

Ralph Lauren FA '12 collection

Oli + Me Lace Ring

I came across Oli + Me sometime last year after reading about it in a couple of blogs. The company was started by Grace Lee, who created effortless fine jewelry when she could not find any to purchase. I really like that she only uses 14 and 18 karat gold, especially since I am allergic to silver. However, one of the pieces that I can't seem to get out of my head is this amazing lace ring. It would be mine if only the price tag wasn't a little too high. If your budget is a bit looser than mine you can buy this beautiful piece here.

x Sea

The One That Got Away

 

One of my top ten things in life ever: soft things. 

("Things" being my favorite sherpa throw, my mother's cashmere shawl, your dog, and the mink collar hanging in my grandmother's closet that I only touch sometimes because it scares me a little.) Given enough time and heavy petting, I could probably wear a bald spot on all of your favorite fuzz. And even though it is still technically the summer, I have already been on the hunt for a new fuzzy companion.

I absolutely love the peachy bulky angora and the loose-fit, slouch of the purple knit. Since last winter, I was looking for a lavender sweater, myself-- preferably one with a mid-sleeve to wear in the in-between seasons. After searching high and low, east and west, over the river and through the woods, I finally found the perfect sweater at COS for only €55! 

But then, the inevitable wahwah moment:

 they don't ship to the US.  

x Song

Mulberry Small Bayswater

In direct contrast to my previous posts on stopping spending and regrets I am now posting on one of my happiest purchases. On a whim I splurged on a Mulberry Small Bayswater in Khaki, which was on super sale on LaGarconne. This whiplash decision made me wonder what the heck I had just done a mere five minutes later and gave me anxiety for a couple of days about what a huge mistake this could be. However, as soon as the package arrived, I was at ease. The beautiful but unusual green made the perfect neutral, offset by the soft gold hardware. The bag size is perfect where it isn't too big but can fit a book and my large headphones. And while I have loved the Bayswater shape for years and years the added strap on the Small Bayswater makes it so much more city friendly.

x Sea

Elle Fanning

As you all know, Song wrote a post admiring Kiernan Shipka the twelve-year old wunderkind. And while it may be sad to be jealous of a 12 year old, I have to say I am jealous too. Not only of Kiernan Shipka but also of Elle Fanning. I think her zany style is so cute from the on going parade of quirky glasses to beautiful dresses. It is at once so age appropriate while still being fashionable.

x Sea