Western influences

So, living in Oklahoma means we all live in log cabin or sod homes if you live in western Oklahoma, and people still live in tepees....just kidding, but I do love some great western influenced accessories and Shop Bop has some great ones. I love turquoise in the summer with..... about anything. This Kenneth Jay Lane necklace is fab, and I think you can never have too much turquoise. Pair it with a soft, ruffled dress or even just a great white tank or even the greatest contrast black. This necklace will be end up being a wardrobe staple, you'll end up wearing all the time. Add this to these soft lilac fringe sandals from the ever chic French brand Joie and you'll be paying homeage to cowboy trend in a modern way.

Rebirth

So, it's been a long, long time since I posted last, but I feel I needed to start again. This is kinda a rebirth of this blog. My former entries are a thing of the past and now on to the future. I'll keep you updated as I make a run into the world of blogging once again.

It's a Holiday Season???

It's a holiday season (you know you want to sing it)....ok, well it's coming soon and I got a head start. Anthropologie has these darling teacup and saucer sets. They have little French sayings on each plate and cup. They say Let's go to the North Pole or South Pole. The colors are perfect with my Target polka dot dishes and my handblown glasses I got at Pottery Barn a couple of years ago. And... they go with my Christmas ornaments and other holiday decor I have already bought. They are super cheap, so don't wait if you like them.

Fall Inspiration Part 2

I want skinny belts in large variety of colors and patent belts just up the anti making everything a little more snappy. This is from JCREW, but Old Navy has some great ones too.

I want a glorious purple coat and this one from JCREW would fit the bill, but not my pocketbook.

I want long boyfriend cardis in a ton of colors and prints. This one is from JCREW.

I know I already posted this about this dress, but I can't wait to get it. Way to go Isaac Mizrahi (so sad this is his last collection for Target.)

I have to get a pair of Minnetonka mocs, but this tall style would be the warmest in the winter months.

I have got to get lower-heeled boots as I have sprained my ankles too many time. I love the slight wedge on these, they look a lot like some high-end boots, but they are perfect for the 70's preppy boot/equestrian chic. Love it these are from Piper Lime.

I want a fun faux leather jacket to toughen up my dresses and sweet skirts, but I am either going to get vintage one or a really cheap one. This one is from Target.

So it looks like I'm obsessed with floral tops, but I guess it's because you can wear them so many ways. This adorable one is from JCREW.

So, for now that finishes my fall inspiration for now, but who knows what I'll end up with. I'll post what happens and what I buy. And I'll show what I have and what combos I put together.

Falling into Winter

I can't wait for fall and these ensembles would be perfect. The dress is a floral sweater dress and it can be preppy or very boho. The juxtaposition of floral and bright primary colors is fantastic. I would add tights to winter combo in teal or even red.

Vintage Inspiration

"Courtesy The Vintage Society

I sent in my e-mail question to one of my favorite blogs about a wonderful shift dress I bought at Banana Republic. I love the ideas, and it helped me get ideas on how to wear it in different situations. But I haven't even worn the dress yet. I just watched Sex and the City movie and Carrie had a similar shift except in magenta and a little more fitted. I loved it and it inspired me to wear my dress very soon. And my dress is actually very similar to the one she wore.

Part 1 Fall Inspiration

Okay, first things first. I am loving my state's weather right now. Normally it is 100 degrees-plus, yuck! But, thankfully it has been unseasonably cool. I am so excited. And back to the reason for my post...fall fashion.

I have to say the fall is my favorite season, both weather-wise and fashion-wise. I can't get enough of buttons, sweaters, wool, moccasins, leather (yes, I know some of you are vegan, and I like faux leather too, but mainly I love the way it smells like horses and saddles), jewel tones, pumpkin flavored stuff, pumpkins and Thanksgiving.

Sorry about the rant... but I can't help it. I love fall. So back to fashion. I want to add to fall wardrobe, but I want to get things that compliment what I have and at the same time spice it up a little. I am a shoe-alcoholic and I love moccasins. These from Target are fantastic and are also a driving loafer too, and the gold hardware dresses them up a little. A little more urban than boho moc.

And I love the cheetah print. Animal prints are fantastic with a variety of different prints and colors. Oh, they come in five different colors. The purple ones remind me of delicious berries.

Another trend, I'm loving is bows. Although, I don't want them in my hair as much I absolutely love them on shirts. This gray floral from Old Navy would be great with my Richard Chai jacket from his GoInternational line for Target and navy dress pants or crimson-colored cords. And the warm color would be great with my whiskey-colored leather blazer and trouser jeans.

And I love slubby, drapey cardigans. This one is from Forever21, but I have four from Banana Republic and I love them. You can wear them now in the summer layered over a tank and in the winter layered over a dress or long-sleeve tee and jeans. They look great with a belt over them and they look just as good loose.

Another trend I'm craving is the continuation of ethnic prints into the fall. These purses from Forever21 have fun prints and great wooden handles.

Oh, there is so much more so I guess this part 1 of Fall Inspiration.

Martin Whoosa?

JCREW and Banana Republic better watch out as American Eagle brings their new, big sister store Martin + Osa to the world wide web. There are already a couple of brick and mortar stores scattered across the states, but the web boutique launched today and is absolutely adorable. So maybe that's my opinion, but I promise you'll find something to love among their offerings of lux basics, fun prints, and more importantly grown up styles that work for the prepster or the young professional (I'm in that group). The store caters to both men and women, but thankfully unlike their little sister American Eagle, they don't offer logo-emblazoned merchandise that only a 13 year old can pull off and not look stupid. Check out their site, you may find you that know Martin and Osa is a good thing.

Urban Horses

The equestrian look is big this fall, but I like the idea of making it a bit tougher by adding booties and skinny jeans in a bluish-purple color. The sweater is from Urban, the booties are from Target, and the jeans are from Old Navy. Add a couple of studded cuffs and this look takes you from preppy equestrian to a downtown chic.

If you can't wear jeans to work, then just add this fall-appropriate black and white check pencil skirt from Urban and basic, black opaque tights, which is a nice contrast to the average work uniform.

-CAS

Blue Love

I love berries of any kind as all my friends and family know. I also love chocolate; I swear it's genetic, but that's another story. This recipe looks delicious and I can't wait to try it. Look at this:

You know you can't resist. Go here for the recipe.

-CAS

Pumpkin Love

Yea, so this is my second post about pumpkin-flavored food, but I can't help it. If you live in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, or Missouri you should go to Braum's. You may ask, why? They have the best pumpkin ice cream and it is only in stores now, so call your Fairy Godmother and ask her to wave her wand and take you to get some. Hurry, before the spell (or in this case, it's only their for the holiday season) breaks and get your pumpkin ice cream; who needs a prince, or take your prince with you.

-CAS

The Pumpkin Cause

This delicious picture is of pumpkin raisin bread pudding. I can't wait to try the recipe and impress my friends and family with its divine taste! Yum! Go to this site for the recipe and try it for yourself. Another alternative is to get pre-made raisin bread from your local bakery if your short on time, but there is something to be said for cooking from scratch. Let me know what you think, and give me and others any tips as you embark on your culinary adventure for the cause of pumpkins.

-CAS

Patched Perfection

Spectator shoes hail from the 1920's, but Miu Miu brought this classic design into the 21st century with their spectator booties, pumps, stilettos, and ballet flats. These shoes have been the talk of the shoe world this Fall 2007 season, and I have no problem seeing why, the only problem is that their prices are not in my range. Teenfashionista waxed poetic about the ballet style that she saw modeled on lucky young lady on facehunter. She also wishes, like myself, that her wallet would allow her to splurge on these splendid shoes. However, there are those lucky ladies out there who have purchased these shoes...I am so jealous, but I am glad they get to wear them. Hello Lover has the Miu Miu Naplak Patch spectator pumps in the tan (nudo is the Italian word for nude, or in the states, tan). My favorite styles are:

the Miu Miu Naplak Patch Spectator Pump in Grigio (translation: grey),

the Miu Miu Vernice Pop Pump in Rosso (translation: red),

and the Naplak Patch Spectator (ballet) Flat in Rosso (translation: red).


All these images are courtesy of Saks Fifth and can be purchased on their site.

-CAS

A Horse of Course

I love horses, and the equestrian look is so big this fall. This 31 Corn Lane scarf is sold on Fred Flare and it just makes me want to saddle up my horses. The funny thing about this scarf is that Anthropologie sells it for $28 and Fred Flare sells it for $24. Wonder who I'm going to get it from? Another bonus is the charming, brushed brass heart that is sewn onto the bottom corner of the scarf. I don't need to go into detail about my love of hearts. I would complement this with the Alice Temperley for Target cable knit hat and fingerless gloves to keep all heads, necks, and hands warm on chilly fall and winter days. The bonus to fingerless gloves is that they allow you grab things quickly without that typical "lazy glove hand feel" (I know that is not the technical term, but you know what I mean.)

I would combine this with Delias's blue toggle coat and their black riding boots. I would add wooly black tights and this Alice Temperley dress (this is so flattering on all sizes) for Target to complete the look. Equestrian chic at its best.

-CAS

Grey Skies

This top is only $10 from Forever 21.


This skirt and the heels are from Urban Outfitters and are priced $29.99 and $78, which isn't so bad.


Forever21 $8! That is too good of deal to pass up.
This is from Boden and this is the back view, but isn't it a sassy skirt for only $78 and you could wear with about anything.
These are from Urban Outfitters. They are adorable, but a little pricey at $158.
Wear this outfit with some teal tights and some fun jewelry and you're ready to go.

I absolutely love the color grey (I know this might annoy you, but this is how the Brits spell this word). I have a dove grey suit, slate grey tops, and charcoal grey pumps. It seems to be an obsession of mine. The best thing about grey is that everyone can wear it, but the key is finding the right shade. I especially love grey and white striped tops. This henley styled tee from Forever21 has grey and yellow stripes with a kangaroo pocket (not the best option if you don't have the flattest abs, as this adds bulk), but it is pretty cute. The other one I like better is their Striped SS Top which has grey with white stripes, not grey with yellow stripes. Grey and white stripes are a classic color combo and less bold than black and white stripes, but still sassy enough with the right accessories and pops of color. I would wear either top with a denim pencil skirt and some fun heels. Let me know what you think of either outfit, and which one you would wear and why. Kate Bosworth was recently seen wearing this color combo in a cute sweater from Gap's pre-fall collection, so I guess I could be on to something. Another plus of this combination is that it flatters the fair-skinned girls out there, myself included.

-CAS

Excellent English Ensembles

I have to say the Brits sense of fashion is always a little kooky, eccentric, and totally unpredictable. In other words, it is me to a "t"! I especially love the British company Boden. They mix colors and patterns with abandonment and it makes my heart skip a beat, or maybe speed up because I want to buy all their clothes!!!!! These ensembles are from some their Winter '07 collection...... and I wish I could buy them all.
I am obsessed with purple this fall and the first set just makes my craving worse, with the cute polka-dot oxford and the darling beret and scarf with the eggplant coat, oh if only it wasn't 90 degrees outside I would wear this now. The second group would be great for date. or the office, or when I wanted to wear something red for the holidays without looking like a Christmas ornament (you know the ladies I'm talking about with the atrocious holiday ensembles). The last set is just classy and I wish could work in an office, because if I came to work in these ensembles or any of the above I would be the sexiest lady there. I guess I shall have to wait...oh, how my heart aches for Boden. Go to http://www.bodenusa.com/ to see more great ensembles and so much more.

-CAS

Strawberry Beautiful?

I am thinking about getting my hair colored. The only thing I have ever done is highlights. These are two ideas I am thinking about. I am a natural blonde, but I have always yearned for strawberry red hair. I also like the idea of adding a darker blonde like SJP did in Season 5 of in Sex and the City. Her short hair cut worked great straight and curly (like the above pic) was fab and so chic, and the contrast between the golden blonde and dark blonde was great. Give opinions. I would like my hair to look like either pictures.

Je ne sais quoi.

I got this knob from Anthropologie for an old record table of mine. I will take a picture and I will post the results once I have repainted the table. I have redone my room in this purple and my new theme is based on Paris and India. Think luxe silk pillows and multi-colored silk curtains with cream accents and old black and white photos (I will put some of these up when I find ones I like), and I have a fabulous paisley rug that ties it altogther.

Luck o' thee Irish

I love these shoes and they look like a fun version of the Tory Burch flats.