shoes

Hats off to the Royal Ascot

For those of you not familiar with the Royal Ascot, it’s an annual horserace in the UK where the attendees might not be able to tell you who won the race, but they can tell you who designed Kate Middleton’s dress. This race dates all the way back to 1711 and some of the dress code requirements do as well! Don’t even thinking about baring your midriff or showing your knees. And hats are not only worn to make a fashion statement, they are actually required (at least 4 inches wide!). And for my homegirls in the US… the hats worn at this social event of the season put the Kentucky Derby to shame.

photo: skytravelexecutives.com

Farfetch put me up to the challenge of finding the perfect head-to-toe look for the upcoming Royal Ascot Race and I have been having a blast with it. I have three pieces of advice when styling a look for an event like this. (1) When an outfit is all about the accessory, start there! (2) Find the right balance of classic and trend, not costume (3) Even if there’s a dress code, don’t take it too seriously.

Have fun with it! If you feel comfortable and love your look, your confidence will give you all the swagger you need! My whole look started with this beautiful hat. The wood, burlap and floral details look like inspiration pulled right from my wedding tablescape! When I saw this hat, it immediately pulled at my heartstrings and I knew it was the one to build my look off of. Picking a dress wasn’t as easy, but I have been seriously obsessed with gingham lately. I have been scouring the streets for the perfect gingham midi skirt so once I saw this Oscar De La Renta masterpiece, my search was over. To compliment my feminine, spring look I opted for shoes that were basically made for this ensemble, Charlotte Olympia’s blue suede pumps. (and to be honest I’ve always wanted a pair of blue suede shoes!) Last but not least, I finished my look with a dainty gold bracelet and clutch. Too bad I won’t be in the UK for the race because I would totally rock this look! I hope you guys enjoy my look for the Royal Ascot, make sure to shop the links below and share your favorites in the comments!

shop my royal ascot look at farfetch:

flower hat / gingham dress / gold clutch / sea star bracelet / blue flowered pumps

Top Summer Shoe Trends | 2015

Get excited girls, my ultimate guide to summer shoe trends is here! This summer is all about fringe, lace-up ankle straps, espadrilles, metallics and more!

I pulled together some fabulous (and super budget friendly) options that fall into each of summer’s top four trends! A few of my favorites are Old Navy’s Tie Gladiators, Target’s Embellished Footbeds, Forever 21’s Crochet Espadrilles and H&M’s Floral Platforms. As you are shopping, you will probably notice a lot of the styles fall into more than one trend, covering all your bases! (crochet + espadrilles = dreamy!) And the best part of all is the price tags on these picks! They are all priced under $45- now that’s a trend I can get behind! Happy shopping and share your favorites in the comments below!

shop summer shoe trends:

Slip-On Sandals: Embellished Footbeds ($45) / White Slides ($13) / Pink Criss-Cross ($18) / Buckle Slides ($25) / Metallic Slides ($13)

Ties & Tassels: Coral Tassels ($23) / Tie Gladiators ($25) / Fringe Sandals ($25) / Ankle Fringe Gladiators ($40) / Black Tassel Heels ($50) / Tassel Top Sandals ($20)

Print & Textures: Hurache Flats ($14) / Striped Espadrilles ($18) / Leopard Lace-ups ($15) / Tropical Espadrilles ($25) / Crochet Espadrilles ($18) / Floral Platforms ($35)

Espadrilles: Wedge Espadrilles ($33) / Canvas Flatforms ($30) / Ankle Strap Espadrilles ($20) / White Lace-ups ($16) / Black Ankle Tie Espadrilles ($18)

Hot Pink Pumps at the Palace

I grabbed these hot pink suede pumps off the clearance rack at Old Navy about a month ago and have been dying to wear them. Not only did I get a great deal, but also the heel height isn’t too high so they are easy to wear anywhere and they have a girly element to them that I just couldn’t resist.

This weekend I paired these hot pink suede pumps with my favorite Forever 21 skirt and moto jacket. There is nothing that makes me feel more like a princess than this airy organza midi skirt and pink heel combo! I had so much fun twirling around while we were shooting… unfortunately none of those action shots turned out, but I think the tourists at the Palace of Fine Arts got a good laugh!

I accessorized this feminine look with this edgy Perry Street necklace I got from Rocksbox. This bib necklace makes a statement and I think it looks great layered on top of this Hi-Neck Tank from Old Navy. This tank is a must-have for any girl with a collection of statement necklaces. It’s only $12 and is super soft, I’m headed back to Old Navy for additional colors!

shop pink pumps at the palace:

Forever 21 Moto Jacket- similar here ($40) and here ($38) / Old Navy Drapey Hi-Neck Tank ($12) / Forever 21 Embroidered Organza Skirt ($25) /Perry Street Amelie Crystal Necklace ($72) via Rocksbox / Pink Pumps- similar H&M ($60) and Chinese Laundry ($48) / Cleopatra Brooke Clutch- similar Shopbop ($100) and Rebecca Minkoff ($95) / kate spade Ursula Sunnies ($165)

Spring Shoe Trends | 2015

I’m back! Sorry for my unexpected hiatus! I’ve been under the weather and traveling for the past few weeks and I’m finally back home and healthy (almost)!

Anyways, today is all about spring shoe trends. We are well into February and it’s about this time of year that I start to get antsy for spring! I am dying to go get a fresh pedicure and prance around town in some new, fun, spring forward shoes!

This year I’m gravitating toward metallics, bright prints and detailed neutrals. What are my absolute must haves for spring?

Espadrilles- go for an easy neutral pair or a wild printed pair! (or both!!)
Embellished Sandals- these glitter and rhinestone sandals from Target are completely necessary!
Fun Heels- either iridescent or fringed, there’s no going wrong here!

Take a look at what I’m shopping for below and leave a comment with your must have shoe choices!

Audrey Brooke Sire Pump ($50) / Target Cap Toe Espadrille ($20) / Topshop Ankle Strap Flat ($24) / BCBG Reptile Pump ($60) / LC Lauren Conrad Peep Toe Pump ($60) / Target Embellished Sandals ($20) / Kenneth Cole Leopard Espadrille ($80) / Target Gold Criss-Cross Sandals ($20) / Jennifer Lopez Studded Heels ($68) / Lauren Conrad Scallop Flats ($40) / Ted Baker Pointy Toe Flats ($75) / Target Heeled Mules ($30) / Privileged Verge Iridescent Pump ($55) / Steve Madden Colorblock Strappy Sandals ($60) / Target Gold Glitter Sandals ($20) / Steve Madden Fringe Pump ($80)

Valentino Rockstud | Look for Less

There’s one pair of heels that will always be on my wishlist, that’s the Valentino Rockstud Pumps! There’s two reasons for that… 1- these pumps are amazing and will always be in style and 2- they will stay on my wishlist because they are WAY out of my price range!

Valentino makes several variations of the Rockstud- kitten heels, T-strap, flats and many more! Each is amazing in it’s own way, but they run almost $1,000 each! Since I’m not going to be able to afford these anytime soon, I’ve been scouring the internet for a Rockstud look for less. Luckily I’ve found a few great alternatives!

The options below range from $18 to the REAL Valentino’s at $995. Can you spot the real Valentino Rockstuds? If not, each style (and price) is listed right below the collage. I’m personally partial to LuLu’s $34 version. Share your favorite in the comments below!

{ordered as they appear above}

DSW BCBGeneration Darron Pump ($70) / Ci Ci Hot Black Heels ($36) / Akira Hot Pink Studded Heels ($35) / Jessica Buurman CARA Studded Heels ($129) / THE Valentino Rockstud Pump ($995) / SheInside White Studded Flats ($77) / THE Valentino Rockstud T-Strap Pump ($995) / Light in the Box Nude Studded Heels ($18) / LuLu’s Red Studded Heels ($34) / GoJane Black Studded Sparkle Heels ($24) / John Lewis Leopard Dune Daveney Heels ($85)

Fall Flats | Oxford Chic

I am fully embracing the flat trend this fall. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my heels, but some mornings it’s just a little easier to walk to work in flats.

One of my favorite flat trends right now is taken right from the men’s department, lace-up oxfords! But these flats are anything but manly- pastel, leopard, polka dots and sparkles are just a few ways to add a feminine touch to oxfords. I think the metallic pairs are a ton of fun, I snagged these Naya Tahlia Metallic Oxfords from Hautelook a few months ago and have been getting a ton of milage out of them, check them out in my Mint Tweed post!

Below, I pulled together some of my favorite fun oxfords for fall. I am obsessed with both the leopard pair and the gold striped pair!

Luichiny Leopard Oxfords ($60) / Madonna Studded Oxfords ($60)

Dr. Scholl’s Polka Dot Oxfords ($40) / Crown Vintage Cut-Out Oxfords ($40)

Forever 21 Faux Patent Oxfords ($30) / Audrey Brooke Blue Suede Oxfords ($60)

Rollie Derby Gold Stripe Oxfords ($50) / Rollie Derby Rainbow Oxford ($55)

TOMS Silver Metallic Leather Oxfords ($120) / TOMS Wool Oxfords ($50)

Slip-On Looks for Less

Living in downtown San Francisco, I do a ton of walking throughout the city. Whether it’s going to and from work, grocery shopping or even just walking down to the park, I rack up the miles! This kind of daily activity obviously calls for comfortable shoes, but you will never see me walking around the city in tennis shoes…. unless I’m at the gym and even then it’s a toss up.

That being said, I’m a huge fan of the fashion meets fitness trend that is becoming more and more popular (check out the Track Pant Trend!). And as I’ve mentioned before I am a HUGE fan of slip-ons, specifically these amazing Topshop Silp-ons I’ve been rocking all year. But I thought it was about time I spice up my slip-on collection with a new style or two. I gathered my favorite slip-ons out there right now and their more affordable counterparts, can you even tell a difference? Click on the pictures to reveal the price point of each! I personally NEED the leopard print. A girl can never have too much leopard, right? Which is your favorite deal??

“SCRATCH AND SLIP” STUDDED SLIP-ONS ($46-$150)

“WALK ON THE WILD SIDE” LEOPARD SLIP-ONS ($55-$205)

“WALKING ON AIR” PERFORATED SLIP-ONS ($46- $195)

TOMS for Target

Happy Monday everyone! This morning, I am bringing good news to all of you do-gooders on a budget. Two awesome companies are teaming up to release a collection that partners each of their specialties- giving back and budget friendly prices. That’s right! I’m talking about TOMS and Target

Target has had more collaborations than I can keep up with, but who am I to complain? Each collection has me on the edge of my seat counting down the days until the launch and I have a feeling this collaboration with TOMS won’t be any different

Last week, Target announced this limited edition holiday collection with TOMS. When I first heard about it I assumed the collection would consist of their signature slip-ons and maybe some specialty shoes for top dollar, but that is not the case at all! The collection does include the canvas slip-ons, but it also features home goods, apparel and accessories for women, men and kids. And the giving back has gotten a little more creative too! For each pair of shoes sold, a pair will still go to a child in need, but all other purchases result in the donation of a blanket or one week of meals to those in need. And the good news doesn’t stop there. I could hardly believe it, but each item in the collection retails under $50.

I love all the items in the collection, but I picked a few of my favorite looks to feature below (how cozy does that beanie and scarf look?).

Check out the full collection of apparel, accessories and home goods on Target’s site. And make sure to pick your favorites now! The collection will be available November 16^th, just in time for gift giving!

Christian Louboutin Nail Polish

Being a shoe lover for most of my life, I have always been infatuated with Christian Louboutin’s red-soled heels. There is something about that luxurious red sole that just calls my name! A pair of Louboutins are a girl’s best friend and the perfect pump! They are classic, iconic, fun and always make a statement as you walk away!

nordstrom.com

Now, Louboutin is taking the perfect shade of red from the bottom of their heels and literally bottling it up! Christian Louboutin has finally decided to enter the beauty world and is paving his way with the release of his Rouge Louboutin Nail Colour. This nail polish isn’t an ordinary nail polish, it’s a work of art!

Let’s start with the price. It’s the most expensive nail polish I’ve seen, retailing at $50 a bottle! The bottle’s cap is an 8-inch tall spike, replicating the height of the beautifully unrealistic Ballerina Ultima shoe pictured above. Painting with the thin, elongated cap is reminiscent of painting with a paint brush. With all this going on, this lavish bottle is not a nail polish you throw into your kaboodle and hide under your sink. This ombre bottle is meant to be décor for your bathroom or vanity. It’s made to leave an impact and it does just that!

As of today, only the Rouge Louboutin shade is available, but they have decided to come out with three different color families of shades, the Pops and Nudes and the Noirs, all available August 31st.

photo credit- The Zoe Report

Christian Louboutin came up with his red sole while working on an early prototype and thought something was missing. He grabbed his assistant’s red nail polish and painted the sole of the heel on a whim! With that, the signature red sole was born!

I am loving the bottle design and all the colors above (especially the Nudes!), but is a nail polish worth $50? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Gladiator Glam

I have been seeing Stuart Weitzman’s Gladiator Sandals everywhere this spring! They are spotted on countless celebrities and are a great way to add some sass to a summer outfit. I have been dying for a pair, but at $398 they are a little out of my price range! I have hunted around and have finally found some great options for a fraction of the price. Check out your options below, can you tell which one is the real deal ($398) and which are the looks for less ($40-$80)? Click on the picture to reveal the brand and price!