Brunch in Town

Sunday brunch with the girls, involving huge omelettes and lots of cornbread. Followed by brief shopping... It was rather cool out, but sunny, so I had to do the between-seasons mix and match.
(Pose is a bit awkward, sorry).

Dress: Michael Stars
Boots: Corso Como
Belt: Abercrombie & Fitch
Bag: Hobo International

CyberShopping: Sunburn Clothing Cures

I'm in Hawaii, and it's about 90 degrees and scorching hot.
And my excellent sunburn has no mercy (I really did wear sunscreen, promise, but still...)
And I have resorted to wearing my loosest jersey dresses in an attempt to minimize cloth-to-body contact and thereby minimize the pain of sunburn.
What I really want right about now:

Rachel Pally Salsa Dress
$238 at Shopbop
(shown in pewter, also comes in white and midnight)

Oh! What I wouldn't give for loose, flowy tiers and effortless movement that will cool my burning back... Better yet, this dress looks made to move to a rhythm; whether Maui or Rio de Janeiro, think fabulous platform heels, a bright clutch, and Mojitos into the wee hours of morning.

Karen Zambos Vintage Couture V-Neck Tank Dress
$284 at Shopbop

So I know this is a tad shapeless, but the color is rich and you just know the silk will be soft and cool and light. I vote for bronze wedges and an earth-toned bag while out and about at night in Athens.

Milly Sardinia Tile Print Portofino Dress
$323 at Shopbop

This looks like the type of dress that you can throw on with your silver flat sandals after a hot day at the beach and check out the sites. The name says it all: Sardinia! or Portofino! Preferably anywhere in Italy, with a dark tan by a pool. Conversely, bring it to the Bahamas with giganto Tom Ford shades and an anti-Lily Pullitzer attitude.

This post has been Shopbop-heavy (and way too expensive) but a girl can dream...
Sending you sea-breeze blow kisses and flowers for your hair!

Battle of the Belt/Shoe Combo

OK, so I am guilty of re-wearing. But only a belt and shoe combination! They go together so nicely... I couldn't resist! (Plus, the shoes are my fab brand-new ShopBop finds featured in the earlier CyberTravels installment. They are uber-shiny, pretty comfy, and have garnered quite a few compliments!) The belt was given to me by my mom; she found it in the back of her closet from "30 years ago," she says. It's elastic with little gold and silver metal plates, which match the shoe detail.

Look 1 was executed for a semi-casual dinner out with the 'rents.

Top: (unknown)
Jeans: Sass&Bide
Shoes: Dolce Vita
Belt: vintage

Look 2 was thrown on for a casual shopping/errand-running pleasant afternoon.

Dress: Ella Moss
Cardigan: Michael Stars
Shoes: Dolce Vita
Belt: vintage
Bag: (slightly hidden) vintage Coach

Yay for re-wearing! Which combo do you like best?

Tomorrow at 6:00am I'm off to Maui. Adventure posts forthcoming!

Denim Shorts of the Classy Variety

I really, really want tailored, non-ratty, classy dark denim shorts. Why are they so hard to find? Why, fashion gods, is this such a difficult thing to ask for?
Of course, if you don't mind spending a ridiculous amount you can have these lovelies:

Hudson Pleated High Waist Short
$143 at Shopbop
(Pretty much perfectly fits the bill... with bright flats and a plain tucked-in American Apparel tee, one sees spring fashion perfection. Why, Hudson, do you charge as much for shorts as for full size jeans?)
Forever 21 Pleated Denim Short
$19.90
(and these are a little hot-pant-y. although a nice wash.)


Arghh the search goes on...

Warrior Footwear

It seems gladiators of the flat, wedge, and high-heeled species are roaming wild wherever one looks in the jungle of shoe shopping. Honestly, every online site has a spread for them.
But let's be honest: gladiators, with all that extra strappy chunkiness around the ankle, can be just plain unattractive. And yet. They have that magnetic draw.
Today, I will explore the depths of gladiator heel territory:

CARLOS by Carlos Santana "Magnum"
$100 at Zappo's
(Comfort-wise these are an excellent bet and are well-priced to boot. They are the most feminine gladiators I have come across and the most versatile.)

Nine West "Gaulla"
$90 at Piperlime
(These have a heaviness and an androgynous edge which means they are bound to be best sellers... worn with the floaty floral frocks or crisp safari jumpsuits of the season, they scream on-trend and are a good price point. And they won't get stuck in cobblestones! I see a remote village in Italy and your most ethereal white eyelet sundress. Bellissima!)


Linea Paolo "Suzette"
$109.95 at Nordstrom
(I see these as the most classic, grown-up of the styles... they are the perfect balance of a hard-edged gladiator with slimmer feminine lines. Think a pastel-colored belt-waisted shirtdress and soft leather bag in Rome.)

So! Gladiator heels! There are so many high-end, heavy-duty versions but they are unwearable if one is interested in looking relatively normal. Chie Mihara is my favorite of those sorts, though...
Funny how I see them mainly in Italy... back to their birthplace with the chariot races, I say!

Next up: gladiator wedges.