Reader Challenge: Wedding Wedge

I have a friend that is getting married this Fall. Last week I came across this dress from French Connection and sent it to her thinking it would be a great "dancing dress."

French Connection Illusion Sheath Dress

She is wearing a stunning Vera Wang gown, but this would definitely be easier to move in later in the night. 

Since I've seen "the dress", I couldn't help by ask what shoes she is going to wear. Unfortunately, she is yet to find the perfect pair. We all know good shoes are nearly as hard to find as a good husband! 

Since I found her a great dancing dress, I figured I may as well help her find the right wedding shoes too. The wedding will be held outside on grass, so a wedge will be the most practical choice. Here are some great options at a variety of price points. 

First I thought I would start with more traditional options that compliment the elegance of the dress. 

Jimmy Choo Fearne $750

Loeffler Randall Allegra Wedge $375

LK Bennett Erica Glitter Print Leather Peep Toe Wedge $360

Kate Spade Radiant Wedge $350

BP. Roxie Wedge Sandal $59.95

I'm kind of obsessed with these! They also come in a champagne color. 

Klub Nico Moxie Laser Cutout $294.95

Badgley Mischka Melaney II Wedge $215

And while I am all about elegance, I also like the fact that you can "hide" a really fun pair of shoes under a wedding dress. These aren't a wedge, but they would certainly be stable enough to walk in grass. 

Lien.Do Gliding Stripe Heels $99.95

And either of these could easily be her "something blue". 

Jeffrey Campbell Rodillo-hi $145.00

Aquatalia Surprise $395

Good thing I am not the one getting married because this would be far too difficult of a decision! 

Not Your Average Homecoming Dress

A friend recently wrote for some advice on a dress to wear when her husband returns from serving overseas. Talk about a challenge! I can't imagine the pressure of finding the perfect thing to wear after being away from your +1 for so long. His homecoming will be in April sometime (which means the weather could be amazing, or not-so-awesome), in the afternoon, and she said she ideally wants something patriotic. While Spring lines are slowly making their way into the stores, here are some possible options. 

These two from Lilly Pulitzer are cute and conservative. Of the two the second is my favorite with a tasteful, deep v-neck (I mean seriously, they've been apart for a long time - a little skin never hurt anyone).  

Lilly Pulitzer Charlene Dress

Lilly Pulitzer Whitaker Wrap Dress

Kate Spade delivers some cute red, white, and blues, all of which could easily be worn again and will definitely make her stand out in a crowd.

Kate Spade Julian Dress

Kate Spade Villa Silk Dress

Kate Spade New York Britta Dress

And last, but not least, my "old reliables." A DVF wrap dress hugs the body in all the right places and is a timeless classic. She can wear this dress for the rest of her life and every time she puts it on think back to that very special day. 

DVF New Jeanne Two Silk Jersey Wrap Dress

To add a little patriotism to the plain navy, a red patent pump could be fun!

DVF New Julian Two Matte Jersey Wrap Dress

M, I hope these give you some ideas. I'm always willing to go back to the interwebs for more searching - I love a good fashion challenge. I'm so happy that your man is coming home to you!

It's in the Bag

As you may have read in a post a few weeks ago, luxury doesn't necessarily mean quality, especially when it comes to handbags. A few weeks ago I was having a conversation with my hairdresser about expensive handbags.
Bottom line of the conversation, most of them are not worth their expensive price tags. I might insert one exclusion here, the Chanel 2.55 will always have my heart and someday I may justify the ridiculous price and buy one.

In the meantime, I thought it would be good to share a few of the brands that I think have prices and quality that match up.

1) Kate Spade
My first "expensive" handbag purchase was actually a Kate Spade Sam Tote. I bought it my Sophomore year of college. This is what it looked like. It was pretty much the signature Kate Spade bag and everyone had them (everyone being lots of girls in my sorority).

I think it was around $125. It was a big purchase for me. I remember eating s**t on the sidewalk outside of the YMCA in Tacoma, WA (I attended the University of Puget Sound) and scraping up my hands and knees, and more tragically, getting a gigantic scuff on the coveted bag when it was just a few months old. It was a sad, sad day.

Back to Kate Spade. Since then I have purchased a number of Kate Spade bags. The quality of the bags are excellent, most of the designs are timeless and they are functional for everyday use. And, they usually have at least 20% off one to two times per year. Here are a few of my favorites from the current collection.

 Bow Terrace Justine $328

 Cobble Hill Clarke $278

Cobble Hill Curtis $348

2) J Crew

J Crew's bags are on-trend, well constructed, functional and fashionable. They too have frequent sales that allow you to get the bags at a lower price (not something the luxury brands ever do). I don't actually own one, but I have many friends who do, and they having nothing but good things to say. Here are a few of the bags that I would gladly add to my collection.

 Tartine Satchel $325

 Biennial Satchel on sale $278

Biennial Hobo on sale $260

2) Cole Haan
I definitely have an allegiance to Cole Haan. In my Nike days, I received an employee discount that made the bags hard to pass up. While Cole Haan is no longer owned by Nike, I still believe the quality of their bags makes them worth the price. I have multiple bags that I have used and abused for years, and they are still in fantastic condition. And, they also have frequent sales of %25 off or more.

 Belport Leather Crossbody tote $348

Crosby Bucket Bag $298

Village Satchel on sale $229.95

I know there are plenty of other brands out there that offer beautiful bags at reasonable prices. Which are your favorite?

Pretty in Paisley

I saw a photo of Jaime King in this beautiful Giambattista Valli dress in a recent issue of In Style. Love, love, love! (only $2100)

In fact, I have been a fan of paisley print for a long time. Here are a few other paisley printed items I would wear.

Clover Canyon Bordered Paisley Top $198.00

J Crew Collection Paisley Blouse $250

J Crew Jules Dress $228

Eight Sixty Nordiac Paisley Dress $59.99

Kate Spade Alanis Dress $324.99 (on sale)

What are your thoughts on paisley?

Kate Spade to the Rescue

If you read the blog regularly, you know that my recent purchase of two dresses for the wedding weekend didn't turn out so well. Kate Spade to the rescue! Since I'll be wearing white on the wedding day, I wanted to find a dress with our wedding colors--navy and kelly green--to wear at some point over the weekend. The Kate Spade Striped Blaise Dress is just what I was looking for! And I can definitely wear this again!

My favorite part. Business in the front, party in the back! Did I mention gold is an accent color in the wedding? Kate Spade, are you reading my blog (a girl can dream, right?)?

While in the store, despite all attempts to stay focused, the latest colors of Kate Spade Gumdrop Studs were just too good to pass up-they are a favorite of mine. I came home with the coral, but the other new colors are neon yellow, green, and pink. Now that is a POC! It's an ear party! 

Thanks Kate for helping a sister out (KKG forever!).

Score! Again!

Katie and I have posted a number of times about the amazing finds at the consignment store Consign Design in our hometown Ketchum, Idaho. Seriously, this place is a designer gold mine! We have scored brands like Dolce and Gabbana, Diane Von Furstenburg, and Etro.

Earlier this week I came home with my biggest fashion finds yet, a Missoni cardigan and a pair of gold Ferragamo Sandals, both in practically new condition and for the combined price of $171! I know...you're jealous...right? 

These Ferragamos are the perfect addition to my shoe collection. Gold, with a bow and a low heel. 

Please ignore the sock lines around my ankles....They retail for $475!!!

And here is the Missoni Cardigan! You know how much I love cardigans!!!

Here are a few of the other treasures I spotted in the store!

This Naeem Khan dress is floor length. Not something I would have an occasion for, nor could I pull it off, but I am sure there is someone out there who could make this dress look amazing!

Ombre Prada flats (both looked never worn). The ones on the left are a 38 (I am a 38.5), and I considered trying them on, but instead I exercised self-restraint.

Marc Jacobs Handbag

Classic Kate Spade camel with a black bow! If only I wore heels regularly...

These Jimmy Choo sandals were purchased shortly after I took this photo!

 Bettye Muller Flats...also in my size...

Next time you are in Sun Valley/Ketchum, check it out! Or, plan a vacation. You can ski, hike, bike and get some amazing shopping in! Sounds like a perfect vacation to me. 

Basic Black

Just before Christmas I realized that I don't have a good, basic pair of black heels. Impossible, right? And so began the search...

If I had my pick I would have bought the Kate Spade Karolina, which I already own in nude. But, at $298, they cost a bit more than I want to spend right now.

So, back to the search...Piperlime had a 20% off sale last week, so it was perfect timing. Here are a few of the shoes I considered.

Enzo Angiolini Smiles $99

Vince Camuto Elaine $89

Bandolino Eladia 3 $69

And here's what I settled on...The Vince Camuto Zella $98. What do you think?