Loafer Loveliness

I guess I should save this for Tuesday, but who can wait? 

Back in July I blogged about the gorgeous penny loafers from Tory Burch.  But in all honesty, they were a bit out of my price range so I never got them ... until today when they were on SALE!  I felt I had to share such good news. 

I am happy to report that these beautiful red loafers are on their way to me as I type.  Joy!

Tuesday Shoesday: I Need Shoes!

OK, no pictures of actual shoes today, but I am happy to report that I actually need to buy shoes so I'll be going back through past posts.

How can I need to buy shoes, you ask?  Well, I'm kissing my work-form-home life good-bye because I got a new job!

Anyone who knows me well knows I've been pretty unhappy in my job for awhile, but anyone who's been searching for a job lately knows how tough the job market is these days.  I've been looking on and off for awhile, but not having any luck.  Then lightning struck about a month ago and just yesterday I resigned from my current job.  I'm excited about the new job and that alone is a good feeling, but they also made it clear after the interviews and in the offer that they really want me.  That feels great.   I mean, I know it is a job, but it is good to feel valued at your job and I think (I hope) I am going to feel that way at the new job.

I am going to have to get used to commuting again, but only 3 days a week and there is an option to take a train so I'm not too worried about it.  Before I start I'm going to get almost 2 and a half weeks off.  I haven't had that much time off in a row since my maternity leave.  That's good because I'm going to need some time for shopping for shoes -- and clothes, of course.

Tuesday Shoesday: I Love Loafers

OK, maybe summer shoes just aren't my thing, but fall shoes are definitely squarely in the "my thing" category especially since they often include variations on the loafer.  As much as I don't want to rush summer along, I do like ogling the coming fall fashions.  One of my favorite early looks is this penny loafer from Tory Burch.

Are those gorgeous, or what? They are on the top of my "want" list right now.

Tuesday Shoesday: The Purse Edition

My failure to find inspiring shoe designs has led me to two related conclusions.

1. I need to do more than just shop online

2. I need to find new shopping sites/stores

As a result of my desire to branch out I've spent a fair amount of time online looking at Etsy.com and some other similar sites. I'm sure it is not news to say that Etsy is a great site. There are some really interesting things to be found on that site -- certainly from the sublime to the ridiculous and most certainly in overwhelming quantity.  I decided to narrow my exploration to an area I love almost as much as shoes.  Purses, of course!

There are about a million great bags, but I picked out a few I really liked. They are all fairly affordable especially compared to a Coach bag or Kate Spade despite the fact that they are some of the more expensive bags to be found on the site.

Stripe Handbag with leather detail

If I were in need or particular want (since "need" rarely is a factor with purses) of a a new tote this one would be high on my list.  The details and colors are modern and casual, but at the same time the bag looks like it would work for a lot of occasions.

Tan Leather Clutch with Birds and Sunglasses

This bag is all about the details. How great is that lining? Click the link to see how gorgeous it is closed up too. If this were a "designer" bag I am sure it would sell for at least $250.00 or more.

Handmade Framed Clutch

This is a gorgeous evening bag.  I already have a couple of dresses this would work with.  Now I just wish I had somewhere to go!

Next time I think I'll look at jewelry.  

The Brown T-Shirt

Did you ever get it into your head that you had to have something in order to make your wardrobe complete?  Perhaps it is a particular pair of shoes or dress, but it is something and there are exact details in your head about what it has to be.

Last fall I fel that way about gold ballet flats.  I had a mental image of what I wanted, but I had to do a fair amount of research and shopping in order to find a pair that lived up to my mental image. After and exhaustive several mall, many website search I finally found them at the Cole-Haan outlet I did feel temporarily as though my wardrobe was complete.

Now it is a brown t-shirt.  Not just any old brown t-shirt, but a nice brown t-shirt, what I like to call a "dressy t-shirt."  Not a grey t-shirt, not a beige t-shirt, but a brown t-shirt.  The added complication is that it has to come in petite sizes.  I am short and regular t-shirts are usually way too long.  Unfortunately brown is not a big color for spring and early summer clothes.  At least not from what I've seen in stores.  I've seen a few options that almost qualify such as:

from Ann Taylor Loft

And this one:

from Eddie Bauer

But I'm still not in love.  Not crazy about the beige-ness of the shirt form Ann Taylor Loft even though I do like the design.  I like the color of the Eddie Bauer shirt, but I'n not crazy about the detail around the buttons.  Last night I went so far as to order these two t-shirts from Old Navy because I had a 20% off coupon and their petite sizes fit me well.

But I am not convinced either of these will be the t-shirt I am after. Anyone have any suggestions? I am willing to spend a little more than I usually would to fulfill this clear wardrobe need.

Tuesday Shoesday: Espadrilles

When the going gets tough, the tough go shoe shopping.  Things got kind of tough last week so ...

Now that the weather has finally turned warm I am ready to think seriously about warm weather footwear.  As opposed to sandals I have been drawn to the flat espadrilles I've been seeing around (not the skyscraping wedge variety).

Here are some that I like:

Franco Sarto

Kate Spade

Michael Kors

Steven

The nice thing is that all of these are relatively affordable.  I guess since they are primarily constructed from canvas and rope, that makes sense.  That and they probably don't last more than one summer.  

Naturally my favorites are the Kate Spade pair although I'd like to try on the Stevens to see how those stay on your feet.  

Shopping with Zoe

Used to be that shopping with Zoe was something to be avoided -- especially when shopping for anything that is not specifically for her. Lately things have been improving.

A few weeks ago I dragged her into Sephora and at first she was complaining about how long it was going to take, but then I showed her how she can try on the make up and she was completely enthralled. I ended up having to drag her out of the store. Needless to say she was quite colorfully made up.

Last week she and I walked into town so I could go to a sale at Ann Taylor loft. The entire store was 30% off so I obviously felt compelled to check it out. I shopped the store as quickly as possible, but I wanted to try on a couple of dresses I'd found. Amazingly Zoe did not even roll her eyes when I asked her to come into the dressing room with me.

She sat patiently while I tried things on. She offered a few kind opinions. When I was trying on the dress I ended up buying and she said I looked like a model. And she was sincere.  Perhaps that helped me make the decision to buy it?

The best part was when I was getting dressed back in my clothes and she told me, "I really like that shirt! You should definitely get that shirt!" And when I told her that was my shirt from home she said, "You have really good taste. "

I wish I had a recording of that moment to be played back when she's about 15...

Tuesday Shoesday

Shoes I am currently lusting after:
These are the Tory Burch Caroline Ballet Flat. As my shoe wardrobe will attest, I do love a nice ballet flat. Doesn't that red just make these?

I am saving my pennies (and dollars and twenties...).










These are the Calvin Klein Cora. Not sooo expensive, but I'd need a place to wear them to justify the purchase. That has to be the biggest downside to working from home -- no getting dressed up for the office.
















Slipping over into total fantasy land for a moment, wouldn't it be fun to have the lifestyle, legs, and bank to warrant these babies...The Darcy by Jimmy Choo

I hope you enjoyed these half as much as I did. Perhaps I have found a new feature for ZoesMom?

The Cosmetics Counter: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

Last week Zoe brought home the gift of conjunctivitis, AKA pink eye. First she had it and a couple of days later Rob contracted it. I thought I had escaped, but no such luck. My eyes started to turn red this past Monday and I wasted no time getting to the walk-in so I could start my eye drops.

Of course there is no good time to get pink eye, but this timing was particularly awful since I had two important meetings to attend and by that I mean attend in person, not like my usual conference calls. The doctor at the walk-in clinic told me I had to throw away all my eye make-up and that I should avoid using make-up for a few days. Now anyone who knows my make-up buying habits knows that throwing away my eye make-up is no small hit in itself, but then being told not to use make-up was the killer since I had to be in a room with company bigwigs.

Normally I buy the more expensive stuff sold at Sephora or department stores, but it occurred to me I could buy some inexpensive make-up at CVS that I could more easily treat as single use. As I was scanning the cosmetics aisle looking for the minimum products I could buy and I came across Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara. Many make-up artists consider this to be the best mascara out there. I was never sold on it because frankly I can be a make-up snob, but I can't say for sure that I'd ever really tried it. Since I didn't know what else might be good, I bought it in Brownish Black.

I have to say I was incredibly surprised by this mascara. It really is good stuff. It goes on smoothly and easily without clumps. The color was exactly what I expected and it lasted all day. It certainly out-performed many other much more expensive mascaras I have owned and at $5.49 each I can afford every color.

Have you seen this? Make Your Own Jeans

What is one of the hardest things to shop for? Bathing suits of course, but second to that is jeans! Imagine if you could have your own custom made pair without it costing an arm and a leg -- wouldn't that be fabulous? Well, now you can at Makeyourownjeans.com.

A number of years ago Levi's did this, but the options were very limited, but now on Makeyourownjeans.com you get so many options it is actually overwhelming. The jeans are made using 7 different measurements that you provide. You choose the type of denim, including options for stretch, weight, and color. You can also personalize them even more by choosing embroidery, buttons, rivets, pockets, patches, rips, washes, and thread color. Like I said, the number of choices is overwhelming.

And most of the jeans cost around $50!

I haven't ordered my own pair yet, but that is only because I have to do all the measuring stuff and I can't decide what I want. I will let you know what I think when I do order.

The only criticism is for the site itself. They desperately need the help of traciedesigns!

The Dress

On Saturday we have to go to a First Communion and it occurred to me this past Sunday evening that my daughter the tomboy has absolutely nothing appropriate to wear. I explained the situation to her and told her we'd have to find something.

At first I suggested one of the 3 or 4 dresses (purchased in the pre-tomboy days) already hanging in her closet, but those were categorically rejected. She did not want to wear a dress.

Then I thought of skorts. There are many adorable skorts out there and with the right top, they make a cute outfit. Plus, they are as comfortable as wearing shorts. It took a little doing, but I managed to sell Zoe on the skort idea.

Monday after school we headed right out to the stores. This was my only chance for shopping and I explained that to Zoe along with the fact that whatever we pick out she will have to wear. She made it clear to me that she was clear so into the first store we went.

There were a number of skorts in the first store, but Zoe was not overly fond of the ruffles. Then she decided that a white skort would be good, but we couldn't agree on a top. Looking back on it, I should have said OK to the purple heart t-shirt and have been done with it, but live and learn.

In store number 2 we found a really adorable aqua blue paisley printed skort with a cute aqua t-shirt which looked absolutely adorable on Zoe. I thought we were set until we were leaving the dressing room and she said she wanted to show me something else. She brought me over to a dress. A polo shirt type of dress. It was OK. Not really as cute as the aqua outfit and it was a DRESS. I had her try it on and she still wanted it.

"But you have a dress just like this at home," I told her.

"I like this one," she said admiring herself in the mirror.

Sigh.

So, I bought the dress with the stipulation that we look in one more store. The third store had absolutely nothing Zoe would even consider. We went back to the first store because I was hoping the white skort might change her mind again, but no such luck. So we're going with the dress.

Now I am just holding my breath until Saturday morning to see if she actually wears this dress without a fight. Maybe I should go get that skort and t-shirt just in case...? But what kind of message would that be sending? Oy.

The Sartorialist

Have you seen The Sartorialist blog?

If you love fashion or really good fashion photgraphy and you haven't seen this blog, you should.

The thing I love about this blog is that it is mostly pictures of real people. Not just models. I love to see the way some people truly rock their own style. That's how I look in my dreams. And, wow, do the Parisian women wear amazing shoes. Makes me drool!

So, seriously, if you haven't seen this blog, go now. Add it to your feeder. Look at it regularly. Enjoy.

Judgement Day

Tomorrow around noon I will be boarding a plane for California. I am going out to meet the new work team in person at the new company's HQ. I have 2 days full of meetings that include just about every person I have or will ever send an email to or be on a conference call with.

If there was ever an opportunity for a "what should I wear?" crisis, this is it. It took me quite a long time to pack. I tried on every outfit I considered. It was ridiculous really, but I am about to be judged by new people -- some of whom are key in my career. I think my appearance is pretty important in this instance.

I actually started thinking about what I was going to bring a few weeks ago when I ordered a suit from Banana Republic online. It is basic and black, but it is new and quite nice. I tried it on this morning with the shirt, shoes and belt I am planning to wear with it. I just bought the belt yesterday while out shopping with Becky so I especially wanted to see how it would look. I liked it, but I wanted a little confidence boost so I decided to show Rob and get his reaction. He was in the bathroom giving Zoe a bath and I walked in and asked him,

"How do I look?"

"Very professional," he said. "But you probably want to take the tag off that belt."

"Yes, I realized that," I said. "So despite the tag, does this look OK?"

"Yes," he said. "Zoe, doesn't Mommy look pretty?"

Zoe then popped up from the bubbles and rubber ducks and looked me over.

"I think you want to take that tag off," she said and went back to arranging her bubbles and rubber ducks.

I promptly left the bathroom and returned to my packing in private. I guess they were giving me a taste of what I am in for, right?

Well, even if they don't like my belt or my suit or me, it will be warm in California. 72 degrees and sunny warm. That alone will make this trip worth it!

And don't worry, I took the tag off the belt before I put it in the suitcase.

What does my inbox say about me?

Here are the first 6 emails in my personal email inbox right now.

Temptations -- Fall '08

Couldn't sleep so I ended up doing some online browsing (no purchasing). Lots of nice things to look at! Some of my favorites...

My new favorite charity

I just happened upon what I consider to be an awesome charity. I haven't checked out their financials, but they do file all the right paperwork. They are called Soles4Souls and they facilitate the donation of shoes to needy people worldwide. Individuals, organizations, shoes stores can all donate shoes or (of course) money.

I came across this charity on the Piperlime website (one of my favorite shoe-shopping websites) and I can't wait to fill up a box and ship it off. I will then have more room in my closet for new shoes and feel like I've done one small thing to help someone else in the world. What could be better? The fact that it is all about shoes, of course!

Speaking of shoes that need room in my closet, last week before I started my new hiatus I bought these gorgeous shoes and I haven't worn them yet, but I still want to show them off:
from Nine West

Backpack (Or why I question my genetic relationship to my daughter)

Just about 2 years ago while shopping for fall clothes Zoë picked out a backpack from Children's Place to use for bringing her things to and from her pre-k class. It is a standard backpack design, a good size and is covered in a rainbow swirly pattern to which Zoe was immediately attracted. She needed a new bag for school and the prices at Children's Place are generally right so I bought it for her and she used it almost every day of pre-k.

About this time last year we were vacationing in Maine and we stopped at The Kittery Outlets to get Zoe all geared up for kindergarten. One store we were in had about a dozen adorable backpacks so I told Zoë to choose one because of course you have to have a new backpack when you start kindergarten, right? Wrong. "I don't want a new backpack," she whined. "I want to use the rainbow one I have." She didn't even want one when we were in L.L. Bean and they literally had a mountain of backpacks in every color and pattern they make on display. That's when I was convinced she really didn't want a new one.

I conceded although I was more than a little surprised. I mean, how could you not want a new backpack? Are you really going to put all those pristine school supplies in your old backpack? But the backpack she had was still in very good shape so I decided not to argue. You have to choose your battles, right? Put that money saved in the pot for a new bag for me Zoë's college fund

By the time kindergarten was wrapping up last month the swirly rainbow backpack was really showing its age. One of the straps is starting to tear and one pocket is ripped so I told Zoë that she could use it for camp, but then she'd have to pick out a new backpack for the start of first grade. "But I don't want a new backpack," she whined. Again. I told her she could use the backpack she has for the rest of the summer, but then it was time to buy a new one. She whined a little more and then we both let it drop.

Several days ago a back-to-school catalog from L.L. Bean arrived and it was showcasing backpacks. Based on the catalog I would guess that their mountain of backpacks is bigger than last year's. I showed the catalog to Zoë and I told her that if she picks one from this catalog we can get her initials on it, but that didn't really spark her interest. So then I told her that one of these backpacks will probably last a lot longer than her Children's Place backpack so she won't have to get a new one again very soon. This interested her and she took the catalog and flipped through it. When I came back in the room the catalog was cast aside and I asked if she had picked one out. "Yes," she said. "I want the blue one."

"Which blue one?" I asked hoping she'd point to a picture in the catalog. No such luck. Its not like there are just one or two blue backpacks. Take a look at the L.L. Bean site's backpack section and you will see what I mean. Part of me wants to just order the blue one I like, but that is a risky strategy since I have already asked her which one she wants. Currently that catalog is missing so I now have to wait for the next one to come in the mail before I can hand Zoë the catalog and a pen to circle the one she wants. Knowing L.L. Bean, I am sure the next catalog will be along any day so it won't be a problem.

The problem for me is quite simply: how can you not want a new backpack? I lived for the years when I was allowed to get a new bag for school along with my regular school supplies. What better way to start off the school year than with perfect new notebooks, brand new pencils, shiny new shoes and that special new backpack (or schoolbag)? Does this mean when Zoe gets older she's not going to want new purses and new shoes too? (I could tell you a very similar story about a pair of blue sneakers, by the way. Couldn't throw them away until you could smell them from across the room.) Can she really be my daughter and not want a new backpack? Strange, but true.