Fab Find: The Perfect Pointed Toe

I love my pointy toe heels.  They lengthen your legs, make anything look sexy and just look so darn good sticking out from a long, wider leg pant or jean.  My obsession with this style was renewed this past Spring when I came across my blue suede shoes (aka the Aldo Fravel).

Perfectly pointed, sleek and classic - no fuss.  This is how I like my heels.  I am still kicking myself for not buying a pair in every color available because this perfect design (at an amazing price) only comes around once in a blue moon.  Or does it?

For so long it was absolutely impossible to find a Jimmy Choo lookalike for less than $300.  Then came the Fravel.  I was shocked and overjoyed all at once!  I thought for sure this style would become a staple for Aldo, but I was wrong.  I have yet to see a Fall version...

Lucky for me (and you), Nine West has provided us with the Boutique 9 Justine Pump this Fall.  The Justine is classically pointed with a 4" heel... flawless.  Best part - she is $120 and available in a variety of hues... suede or patent, take your pick.  I love Shopbop's selection of black, blue and dark purple suede.

Vince Camuto's Kain Pump is my second favorite in this category.  With a price tag of $89, the Kain is hard to beat. However, it is more limited in selection and just doesn't get me the same way the Fravel did and the Justine does now. Still an excellent choice, and the blue suede looks fabulous.  

Whichever style you choose, just make sure you add a pointy toe pump to your collection.  It is back in a big way (not that it was ever really gone), and is the perfect complement for all of the tailored looks that are so popular for Fall.

                                                                                                                - Allison

*Photos courtesy of shopbop.com and piperlime.com.

Outfit Idea: Sweet & Sassy

Around this time every year, the heat starts to get me.  I find myself going through my cooler weather clothes and daydreaming about cool breezes and 50 degree temps.  I don't know why I torture myself...  We still have many very hot and humid days left this summer, so I would be much better off incorporating some of my long lost friends into looks that I can wear now versus coming up with ideas for October.

I have been missing my very best friends... my blue suede shoes.  In the height of summer, I just don't  have a need for them.  It's all about flip flops all of the time.  Therefore, I decided putting together a summer look for night out would be just what I needed.  

Since I'm daydreaming, I am going to include this beauty from J. Crew that I have been crushing on for several months... the Flower Lattice Necklace.  

I love all of the colors used in this necklace.  The use of the cobalt blue and the turquoise gave me an idea... teal and cobalt blue.  I have a sneaking suspicion that this will be big this fall.  I found this Diesel tank (on sale).  A good canvas for the necklace...

Now for a pair of cute shorts... lace shorts are a style that I have wanted to purchase, just never did.  These Sam & Lavi Addison Lace Shorts at Madewell would be perfect!

Perfect!  Just need a bag...  since this ensemble is all about color, why not?  My favorite "go to" clutch just happens to come in pink.  The Clare Vivier Fold Over Clutch...

Now I just need to buy it...

                                           - Allison

*Photos courtesy of jcrew.com, madewell.com, shopbop.com and ssense.com.

Outfit Idea: The Striped Silk Cami

I suppose it is inevitable.  I have realized that there is a point in time, unbeknownst to us, when we start to become our mothers.  Whether it is in looks, behavior, or style... it will happen.  The question is when???

Well, I have come to discover that this change might happen very early in life.  I would like to think that at 33, I am still fairly young.  I would have thought that at this age, I am still original and completely me.  However, I am not sure it that is really true...

After my mom's (aka Mimi's) recent visit, I have been questioning my originality quite a bit.  The long and short of it is that during a shopping trip to our favorite J.Crew (at the Garden State Plaza), the most unimaginable thing happened...

Let me preface this with the fact that Mimi and I were both looking for a cute top, but for completely different purposes... mine to wear with pants/shorts and hers was to wear with a pencil skirt to an upcoming bridal shower.

Mimi was busy trying on different tops, while I searched around the store for a blouse/cami that would be perfect to showcase a necklace or possibly a bunch of bracelets.  I was having a tough time finding  anything until I spied a very pretty soft white silk cami with light blue stripes... it was perfect.  I quickly found my size and headed to the fitting room.

I loved the top!  It was cute, flattering, the perfect length... all that you could ask for.  That's when Mimi noticed it.  I stepped out of the fitting room and her eyes lit up..."I love it, Allison!  What size it?  Can I try it on?"  "Sure", I replied.  It's my mom, what am I supposed to say?

Quickly Mimi tried on the tank, it looked good on her (but better on me!).  The moment she stepped out of the dressing room, I knew it was over.  I had lost my tank.  "This would be perfect with my skirt, and the sandals I was thinking about... "  Ugh... my mom stole the shirt right off my back!

Yes, I know that I look like my mom.  I laugh like her, I act like her, and now, apparently, I dress like her too.  It ended up that we both purchased the Striped Silk Cami that day.  However, we styled it in completely different ways...

Mimi chose to wear the striped cami with the aforementioned ivory pencil skirt, gold sandals, a very cool Cork Invitation Clutch from J.Crew as well as orange necklaces that she also purchased on our shopping trip.  With the help of my sister Meredith (Jack Thread's Stylist Extraordinaire) she sent me some fab pics of her ensemble...

I, on the other hand, wore mine a bit more casually... I added my "vintage" boyfriend jeans (also from J.Crew) and my blue suede shoes.  Since, I haven't updated my clutches in a bit, I had to grab my trusty animal print clutch, although, I would have preferred one like Mimi's...

What do you think?  The fun part is that there are many more ways to wear this cami... I would say we both made a great purchase.  It's destined to be a classic.


                                                                                                                       - Allison


*Photo courtesy of jcrew.com.

Outfit Idea: Blue Suede Shoes for Work or Play

As I mentioned in Friday's post, I had a busy weekend and was feeling a little stuck regarding what to wear.  I decided to start with an item I love, my blue suede shoes, and built from the ground up.  I also found myself at the mall Friday afternoon, and fell in love with this Zoe Karssen Tee at Club Monaco (yes, I immediately thought to wear it with pearls).  

I started calling this shirt my rock n roll tee because I would love to wear with with skinny leather pants.  However it almost May and I do not own skinny black leather pants, so my dark toothpick ankle jeans will have to work.  I forgot to mention that this shirt is a titch on the long side - it's covers your bum very nicely when wearing skinny pants.

My boyfriend blazer, leopard print clutch and pearls worked perfectly!

I had to throw in a "work" look just to prove blue shoes aren't only for nighttime wear.  They would look equally as fabulous going to work, a luncheon, a meeting... what have you.  This pencil skirt is from J.Crew.  It is a navy, ivory, coral/pink and almost a dull gold paisley pattern.  A perfect print for blue shoes...

I love the pop of color!  I am totally wearing this soon, but probably not to the playground...

I had to take a pic of myself sitting just to help you envision how fabulous you would look!  The classic white button down is the perfect complement for the shoes and shirt.  The only thing that would make this look better is the cobalt blue Tory Burch Robinson Satchel sitting right next to me or hanging from my arm... sigh.  Either way, blue shoes are the perfect way to pop a rather plain looking office ensemble.

                                    

                                                                                                                   - Allison

Outfit Idea: The Return of the Blue Suede Shoe

They'rrre back.  My blue suede shoes have returned for another night out.  My leopard clutch and denim jacket are along for the ride - shocking, right?!  I can't help myself... I just love the combo.

The problem is - it's Friday.  A busy weekend is about to begin and I need a few fun outfits.  The weather is chilly and I am stuck.  What do you do in a sticky situation???  

I a firm believer that when in a rut, go directly to the pieces that you love and make you feel good.  Then you begin to build...

Add my LWD (little white dress)...

All thrown together, I have a fab ensemble for dinner and drinks!  

To be continued...

                                                                                                                - Allison

*Photos courtesy of my 5 year old daughter, Grace.

Outfit Idea: My Blue Suede Shoes Part 2

Well, my love affair with my blue suede shoes continues...  I was a thrown for a bit by the change in weather (it turned seasonably chilly!), but I managed to adapt.  I just kept to my blue/leopard/denim theme for the weekend.  This has been a great way to break into wearing bold color, but I look forward to having even more fun with my shoes as the temp continues to rise.

This look was for my sister-in-law's rockin' party Friday night.  Ken Downing was right when he told me I could wear this Rachel Zoe tuxedo jacket with anything!  I love this ensemble so much, I might have to wear it again to a birthday party this weekend.  Shhhh... don't tell!

Saturday night were headed for an elegant, but fun evening out.  My cheetah dress and bold shoe combo fit the mood perfectly!

This weekend I learned that I loved these shoes so much that I need to add another member to the family... a bright blue pair of skimmers!  I have found two cute pairs so far, but both seem to be sold out or on backorder... typical, right?!

These super cute flats with gold studs on the heel are 'Eternal' by Steven by Steve Madden.  

Next up, Madewell's Patent Sidewalk Skimmer... so hard to resist blue patent leather!

I hope to make this addition sooner than later.  I can just imagine the regret if I don't...

                                                                                                                       - Allison

*Photos courtesy of piperlime.com and madewell.com.

Outfit Idea: My Blue Suede Shoes

As an early birthday present to myself, I finally purchased my first pair of blue suede shoes!  Many of you know, I have a slight obsession with cobalt blue.  I have been dying for a pair of blue heels for some time now, but didn't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money on something that (let's be honest) might just end up gathering dust in my closet.  The hunt has been on for an inexpensive, but cute pair of heels that I could test the waters with... 

What happened next must have been fate.  I happened on the most fabulous pair of pointy toe pumps on Nordstrom's website the other day.  Just in time for my birthday weekend!  And the best part, they were only $90!  I have decided to see how many ways I can wear my blue suede shoes this weekend.  Really, this is to prove to myself (and to you) how great a bright and colorful heels can be.  

Yes, I am in love.  The ALDO 'Fravel" Pump comes in a pink and orange too!

Here are my first two looks.  More to come after the weekend!

Dinner with the girls... stripes, jeans, and animal print make a fun combo.

Dinner with my hubby... demure polka dots, jean jacket, my beloved clutch and heels.

To be continued...

                                                                                                                                   - Allison