Scary Shoes

 I am a lover of shoes. All sorts of shoes tickle my fancy - stilettos, wedges, ballet flats, boots, shiny, patterned, one color, many colors - you get the point. But there is a limit to the type of shoe one can wear and the shoes within "The Scariest Shoes of All Time" by Joanna Douglas have reached that limit. Scary and ugly all in one but definitely worth a look.

Skirt to Wear and Website to View

After bothering a co-worker/friend to teach me how to make the cool skirts she wore to work, I got the opportunity to do it this summer. The Sangria and Skirts Party was most definitely a success. I am thrilled with the result and thrilled that I actually made something I can wear. For more info on the pattern we used, visit Linda's website, Linda's Other Life. While visiting, take a look at her other fabulous creations as well as her reading, teaching, dining, and traveling life!

DIY - Visit Merrick's Art

My tote.

Last week I made a tote at a local store called Crafty Goodness. The shop sells locally made items (I bought a cool Ohio magnet) and also offers classes for all ages. I have never done anything like it before and really enjoyed learning the basics of sewing. That was a surprise to me. While I have watched multiple seasons of Project Runway and Project Catwalk (UK version of Runway) and marveled over the contestants' abilities to produce such beautiful or sometimes hideous clothing, I have never seriously thought about actually making my own. But wouldn't it be thrilling to say "I made this pencil skirt" and have it fit me perfectly? Or, rather than buying a new shirt, why not reuse an old one and make it better? Now that I am interested in trying simple projects, Pinterest users unknowingly gave me an easy way to ease into this sewing thing by posting Merrick's Art. Merrick's blog includes ways to refashion old clothes, simple sewing tutorials, outfit ideas, and links to other blogs. Take a look and maybe you will be inspired, too! Now, I need a sewing machine...

Master List of Scarf Wearing

While browsing Pinterest, I came across a post which I immediately felt the need to share. Scarves can spice up any outfit and as long as you pay attention to the pattern, colors, and material, they can be worn all seasons. Scarves provide options and versatility for our wardrobe so why not expand on that versatility and mix up the way we wear them? The Scarf Knot Master List found on Scarves.net (or Scarves Dot Net) is a plethora of knots! There are tutorials to aid you in recreating the knots - some videos and some picture-by-picture.

In addition to scarf wearing, you can browse and shop for scarves by season, shape, trend, color, length, and material. Sounds like a site I will be returning to often!

Spring Fashion

The Early Spring 2012 looks are starting to hit stores and for the most part, I like what I see. Nautical, black and white, pops of color - these are totally me. I also read the article "Tights and other legwear are more fashion forward than ever" by Laura DeMarco and am pleased to see that someone else thinks opaque tights and fun patterns will be sticking around for a while. Here are some of the pieces or full outfits for the upcoming season:

Patterned Skirts:

Banana Republic

Banana Repbulic

New York & Company

JC Penney

Yellows:

The Limited

The Loft - I bought these already!

The Limited

H & M

 

The Loft

Polka Dots and Stripes:

H & M

New York & Company

JC Penney

H & M

Shoes / Accessories

Gap

Old Navy

 

Old Navy

Banyan Tree - Tremont

Banyan Tree - Tremont

JC Penney

Color Blocking:

The Loft

New York & Company

Gap

The Loft

I ♥ Shoes!

It's no secret to people who know me that I have a fond admiration and moderate (hehe) obsession with shoes. So here's a look at some Fall 2011 shoes I would buy if I had a lot of money.

Oscar de la Renta

Fendi

Camilla Skovgaard

Burak Uyan

Giambattista Valli

Alejandro Ingelmo

Nicholas Kirkwood

Diego Dolcini

Aperlaï

Jill Stuart