Shop the Shop

Cakewalk Style Shop: Blue Life Depature Tee, Genetic Denim: The Shane in Moon, Linea Pelle sliced studded belt, Linea Pelle Vanessa fringe hobo;
Shoes found here.

If you jump over here, you will see my shop that is now open. It’s my Cakewalk Style Shop. My partner and I will be filling our boutique with unique clothes and accessories that reflect casual cool and modern elegance.
It’s amazing how a great tee, layered cardigan, fabulous pair of denim and chic bag plays out. Please visit often as the site and inventory will be evolving.
Upon check-out, use the code HOLIDAY for 20% savings.

snowy vs. sunny

My aunt’s house yesterday in North Texas. Conjures up thoughts of sitting by a fire, drinking hot tea, listening to Christmas music and reading. Instead, I’ve got sunny skies, a house full of toys (with all those wires and screws that make it impossible to get the toy loose from the cardboard box), packaging, wrapping paper, children (and Christmas music) and it’s good! It’s a beautiful day down here in Houston. In fact, we are about to go on a family ride. I got something from my wish list (mine is in a seafoam green)...

quite a collection

Love it. I stumbled across this while perusing one of my faves, Sarah Klassen/ Haute Design.

You can see the shoe collection here.

You must check out Jane’s blog, Sea of Shoes. And, while you’re at it, see her mom’s blog here. There you go: three cool blogs and a fabulous shoe collection for you to peruse. Enjoy!

These might be they

Modern Vintage Over the Knee Boots

I live in Houston. Do I really need over-the-knee boots? I’m thinking I do. Do I want to pay top dollar? No, not for these. Was I going to buy a pair of boots anyway? Always; every year. I love getting ready for Fall. Do I still want quality? Yes. Is comfort important? Absolutely; I want boots I can take on vacation. I want to stroll without thinking about the shoes I’m wearing.

Have I found some? I think so.

I’ve tried these on and they are so very, very comfortable. Quite cozy, in fact. They can also be worn cuffed. Just in case over-the-knee-boots are not my thing next year…

let me count the ways

Image via the Anthropologie catalog

I just finished perusing the newest Anthropologie catalog and it is just lovely. Real People; Real Places: Paris, New York, London. I love the ‘seen on the street’ vibe that is very reminescent of my favorite blog indulgence, The Sartorialist.

The image above appeals to me for many reasons: the layering that is so essential for the transitional weather we experience most of the year here in Houston, the lace-up boots (see my most recent blog post) and the precious bike that reminds me of the newest addition to my wish list (see here). And, of course, the sillouette. For those of you so inclined, get your leggings ready. Yep. Even bigger that the last couple of seasons. If you are not inclined, no worries! Thank goodness we are not all the same and we get to show off our many different attributes. You can take you cue from the waist up here: the soft ruffle details on the top, the rolled sleeves on the cardi, and the pop of color will all draw the eye up.

Are you working on your Fall list, yet?

dusting them off

Frye Villager lace-up boots

I bought these a four years ago and I am so glad I did. I will be dusting these off after not wearing them last season. They will be perfect for mixing with a billowy top, skinny bottoms (great silhouette for the Fall season) and tough accessories. I love the thought of mixing these somewhat Victorian boots with modern accessories. They will also look great under my cuffed boyfriend jeans. They will prove to be useful, I just know it.

Anytime I decide I need a particular boot for my wardrobe, I look at Frye Boots. I have several. In fact, I love these, but they don’t have my size.

Yes, I love boots. But, it’s still scorching temps here in Houston. Aside from my September vacation, it will be quite some time before these boots will see their day again. So, I will re-direct my thoughts toward my approaching summer vacation (VERY casual surfing town, I might add): bathing suits, cover-ups, cut-offs, Havaianas, and tees. Not a boot in sight…

Reunion, anyone?

photo via Lucky Magazine; July ‘09

So many of my friends have reunions this summer or fall. Myself is included in that category. What to wear seems like the question of the day (or this case, the decade). Many of us are looking for the ensembles to wear on the first, more casual night. I think something similar to the look above is perfect. I love the sillouette. The white jeans are so crisp paired with a feminine floral top. In fact, it inspires me to wear a wispy floral top I already have in my closet.

And it just so happens that this entire outfit will run you $152 (July was the Lucky Magazine budget issue). Wow, that leaves extra money for that essential mani/pedi (and quite possibly a wash and blow dry). Look at that! That top is from KMart (similar version left on-line, but very limited sizes) and the shoes are from Payless. Seriously.

Variety

a} ladies who lunch
b} summer chic: casual run around town outfit
c} date night with the hubby

You know I’ve been really busy when I’m not posting to either of my blogs. Besides being in and out of town (mostly out), I’m working on a variety of Lookbooks for clients. I’ll be hammering out five more this week. I pulled three slides to share from a recent project.

Problem: This closet was packed with fabulous pieces, but there was a sea of black. The client would get overwhelmed when putting together her ensembles, so she tended to wear black on black. Often.

Fix: Infusing the closet with color and finding the perfect items needed to complete existing pieces for endless options. She also needed more casual options. She spends lots of time at the ballpark with her boys.

I am very sensitive to budgets of all kinds. I can work with very minimal shopping budgets. And, typically, I tell the client to take their time fulfilling the Wish List and wait for great deals and promotions. But, that was not the M.O. here. This client loves to shop. Big time. I had to move fast because she wanted the items immediately; she wanted them yesterday. I pulled together her Wish List and we spent all day checking the items off the list. She continued to shop later on in the week without me and I talked her into making some returns. On one such trip, she made the returns but came back home with a Chanel bag. Very pretty bag, I might say. I had to keep up with her to keep the Lookbook current! The end result was a fabulous Lookbook for a very fabulous girl!

Chic epitomized

photo via marie claire; March ‘09

I love perusing my marie claire magazines (and my Lucky’s and my Domino’s. Really miss my Domino’s). I stockpile them and re-visit them months later. The above image exemplifies why…

Charming

Tory Burch Amber Sandal

Did you partake in the snake skin trend this season? I like both of these options. One of my clients has the wedges below, from Target. They are cute! I put those shoes all over her Lookbook. They go with almost everything she has; they are so very useful, not to mention easy on the bank!

Mossimo Paz Faux Snake Wedge

Simple adornment

Gorjana Bali Drop Earrings

I love these earrings. Simple, yet so interesting with the oblong shape and the little studs lining the edge. I have some earrings by Gorjana and I love to wear them. Her story is interesting, as are her pieces. You can save 20% on all Gorjana here. But, offer is only good through Tuesday, June 9th at 8:00am (soon, I know!). Just select Gorjana in the designer category (located on top left of their site) to see what’s available.

Vacay

photo via flickr

It’s officially vacation season! Where are you going? What are you going to pack? Tobi has some things you might like (30% off!). Things like this, these,  this, or any of these.

Use code: Vacay30 to receive 30% off at Tobi Good through midnight tomorrow.

Jet Setter

Foley + Corinna Jet Setter Junior in chestnut found at Luna Boston
Use Code: “Grechen” for 25% off. Good through 5/31.

This bag is fabulous. If you are looking for a new bag, this is a great investment. Not only is it super chic, but the classic shape will last and the color can be worn with brown or black color palettes. Think about how much it can be worn, the cost per wear goes down, down, down (especially with the 25% off promo I listed above)...

I’m guilty

Adam silk draped dolman top found on Gilt Groupe today

Guilty as in ‘Gilty’; without the bad feelings. You know my propensity to only shop from my Wish List (most of the time, anyway). Well, this exact top was on my Wish List. Only today it was quite a bit cheaper. I’m thinking black cocktail shorts, white cocktail shorts, dark denim cuffed shorts, dark skinnies, trouser jeans, white jeans, boyfriend jeans paired with these (or boyfriend shorts paired with chunky heels), and my black pencil skirt. Enough things to work it with to make it well worth my limited closet space (and allocation of the wardrobe budget).

I’ve been a big fan of Guilt Groupe, which provides access, by invitation only, to Men’s, Women’s and Children’s coveted fashion and luxury brands at prices up to 70% off retail. Each sale lasts 36 hours and features hand selected styles from a single designer. Would you like the invitation? Here you go! Great place to shop from you Wish List and fill those wardrobe holes.

Read more here.

Precious metals

Stuart Weitzman Archery T-strap sandals

I’m on a shoe roll (I’m a shoe girl). Metallic flats are a great summer staple to have; I think they are essential. These are fabulous. I had last year’s version and sort of ruined them. Not because of the construction of the sandal. It was completely my fault. Why I chose to wear them for two weeks along the dirt (and rocky) roads of a Costa Rican surfing village; I have no explanation (other than: they were my ‘evening’ shoes). Thank goodness these are a great find on Bloomies right now; 30% off! For this summer’s vacation, I will leave them at home and just wear my Havaianas (or, at the very least, make sure to only take a cab while wearing them)!