Hello Lover...

I'd like to start this by stating that I'm not big on logos. At all. I feel that clothes should speak for themselves, and that it shouldn't take a splashy logo on things to signify how much it cost, or how great the piece is (exception - Chanel). One item that has become ubiquitous with college campuses and citys alike is Tory Burch Reva flat. They aren't my favorite flat by far...especially since they're SO highly recognizable. But...Miss Burch has turned out a shoe that has made me fall in love. Behold - the Tory Burch Jude Pump:

From the front, we have your standard, everyday black patent pump (abet some interesting design detail at the platform). But from the back...

WahBANG! Talk about a sexy detail. It's like a mullet shoe! Simple and classic in the front, party in the back. Now, how to make this appear in my closet...

Absence makes the heart...

So, basically I've been MIA for about forever. School has taken over my life, as well as the studying that goes along with the school, working, GREs, yada yada. Anywhos, let's discuss my current favorite color of all time - poppy. It's turned into an obsession that has extended to painting the walls of my room this cheery, red/orange gem of a color. It's such a happy hue. I love it combined with neutrals such as tan and cream, and additional pops of color, like sunny yellow, bright pink or turquoise.

TopShop bandeau dress, $110
Madewell scoop neck top, $22
Forever21 three quarter sleeve top, $20
Hudson Jeans cuffed shorts, €169
Armani exchange, $49
Charlotte Olympia satin platform pumps, $626
Armani Exchange zipper bag, $29
Large Zinc Letters 'LOVE' | Wall Decoration | Homeware | Oliver Bonas, £18

"You see how picky I am about my shoes, and they only go on my feet"

I love going out. Let's be real, it's always fun getting dressed up with your besties and hitting the town (or in our case, the dance floor). There's always one part of the going out ensemble that, at least for me, tends to be a tricky balancing act - shoes. There's nothing I hate more then having to park myself on a bar stool because I chose shoes that are closer to torture devices then cute accessories. Lately it seems that shoes keep getting higher and higher! I'm sorry, but I don't believe that anyone can spend an entire evening dancing and strutting in 5.5" heels. Especially for me, being a size 5, these crazy high heels are just too tall for the length of my feet. I put them on, and feel completely pitched forward (and want to throw the shoes out the window in less then 10 minutes). When wearing dresses or going to more casual places, some nice gladiator sandals work well, but when you're "up in the club" you want some lift, as well as a little sexy. So, I'm on a mission. A mission for some hot, height-boosting, sleek black wedges. With wedges, your weight is evenly dispersed over the entirety of your foot, as opposed to heels, which center your weight over two points of the foot - the ball and the heel. I always feel like I can be on my feet longer in wedges then heels. After long and arduous hunting, I feel I've found a few options that may do the trick (and also come in the rare and elusive size 5!) without breaking the bank. I'm hoping with a good insert, I'll be back on my feet, dancing the night away in no time.

These cuties from Target look eerily similar to a pair of Dolce Vita shoes that I've been loving...and for $30? Can't go wrong! Target

A little higher (and a lotta more expensive), these Cole Haan wedges have Nike Air technology built in. If that doesn't make for a comfy shoe, I don't know what will. Zappos

These from White House Black Market seem the dressiest of the bunch, and with the contrasting textures, there's great visual interest. The delicate straps also adds to the sexy factor.

White House/Black Market

Feel free to link to any additional options in the comments. I'm always open to suggestions!

Savage Beauty

The current MET exhibit - "Alexander McQueen - Savage Beauty" is seriously making me depressed that I no longer live in NYC. I would absolutely kill to see this exhibit, as well as hit up the gift shop! Mainly for these beauties:

Yes'm, those are MINI Alexander McQueen Armadillo shoe ornaments. I'm dying...dying...dead. Seriously, someone send me one of these. I'm obsessed!

*ETA: They're available on the MET website! My mother is refusing to hang this on the tree. Little does she know it's going front and center.

Current Obsessions...

• Cat Eye Eyeliner - I've been loving the resurgence of the cat-eye look in makeup. For what seems like years now, we've seen the smokey eye as the bold eye look for evening. I think it's time for a change! For day, this look can be subtle, and emphasizes the eye while making outer lashes look full and thick. At night, it's pure glam, channeling the most glam of them all - Elizabeth Taylor. Leighton Meester rocked this look at the Met Costume Gala, while it popped up on the runways of both Lavin and Phillip Lim. 

• Royal Wedding Hats - I'm dying for this trend to make it's way to this side of the pond! As I have a wedding in October, I'm considering busting out a substantially smaller version of these toppers.

• Taking Back Sunday - One of my favorite bands! They just put back together what was arguably the best line-up ever assembled, and recently dropped a new EP. I've been loving their single, El Paso, for it's hard hitting sound. Taking Back Sunday is back baby!

• Bright Lips - I've been completely taken with the trend of bright, bold lips - especially in hot pink and vibrant red. I haven't completely taken the plunge, but I've been taking a dip in the shallow end with sheer glosses and tinted lip balm. 

   

Gap Attack

Lately I've been seriously loving Gap. They usually have a reputation for being fairly conservative, basic, and well...boring, but I really think Patrick Robinson has done wonders! I find that they're still great for solids and basics, but are also gravitating towards a bit more edge, and punching up their basics with fun details that go beyond a simple crewneck sweater in 20 different colors.

Some of my favorites from their current offerings:

  

 

 


And I must say, their upcoming fall lookbook has also peaked my interest! I'm super excited about warm and sunny summer days, but these looks have me thinking that the crisp fall air won't be so bad.

 

 


all items available at Gap
Fall lookbook images from Fashionologie

Wills and Kate fever...I haz it.

Hi, my name is Stephanie and I'm a Royal Wedding addict. After spending my semester abroad in London, I'm a self-confessed anglophile. British Royal ceremonies are always the best! At heart, I'm also a total hopeless romantic, and there's something about this real-life fairytale that just draws me in...as does the prospect of the dress! Let's be honest, Diana was completely fabulous, but her dress was a cream-puff. Let's hope Miss Kate busts out something a bit more streamlined. My tea and crumpets are prepared, my alarm is set, and my tips are "No More Waity, Katie" gruple (that's a combo of grey and purple, nats). It. Is. ON!

My heart of hearts is hoping maybe, just maybe, I'll be taking my tea on these fantastic plates. I'm not into a lot of the co co ca choo crazy paraphernalia they've been hawking (Wills and Kate cereal? Srsly?), but these plates are fab, cheeky, and fun.

all plates from KK Outlet