a score and a dream

The arrival of spring brings me endless inspiration. It's sunny outside and New York is looking oh so stylish again after the desire for style took a nap following multiple grey, snowy episodes. For the first time in many months, I'm wearing one of my safari shirt dresses (with worn-in boots –sans tights)! I couldn't be happier. Below are two things to start me off:

How great is this Twosome ring by Erica Anenberg? I scored it via the waitlist on Gilt Groupe on a barely legal discount. It's my new badass-meets-lady ring. I love contradictions.

In other news, these gorgeous Ipswich Brogues by Rachel Comey (via Le Train Bleu) are too expensive for me to buy. But a girl can dream...

if i were a man : oki-ni

Men's footwear doesn't get nearly as much air play as women's footwear. But trust me guys, we notice them – especially if they are nice. At least I do. I actually know a few (yes, straight) men who are really into footwear and fashion. I love a man with good taste.

I ran across Oki-ni shop a while ago and remembered how much I loved their well-curated shoe collection. I couldn't for the life of me remember the name. I recently stumbled on it again. If I were a man, this is where I would shop.

grey boot worship

My color this season seems to be grey. I like the idea of breaking up an all black outfit with grey ankle boots. I've gathered my favourites below. I'm conflicted about whether I prefer the idea of cozy ones vs sexier ones. What do you think?

I nearly fell over. HOT!

Rosegold Fold-over Ankle Boots from Saks

Rosegold Sarah Slouch Booties from Shopbop

Ok, it's black and white tweed and not technically grey but how cool are these?

Eley Kishimoto – Sectioned tweed shoe-boots from Farfetch

I love these wooly boots with the leather details!

80%20 Eliotte Charcoal Ankle Bootie from Eilatan

diesel love

Over the years, I've watched Diesel clothing and accessories get more sophisticated and more beautiful. Not only that, they've expanded to include furniture and home textile. They've even designed and co-branded a cute car with FIAT.

I absolutely love these bags. Not to mention that sexy boot! YUM. They remind of converted warehouse spaces – rough, old and new at the same time. I love the worn-but-tough quality to the materials. Leather, canvas and a little dirt never looked so good together.

All images from Diesel.com

a look ahead to fall : part 2

Midway through every summer, I start to think about what I'd like to wear in the fall. It's partly a preventative measure to keep me from getting caught spending my money on all the end-of-summer sales come August (or earlier!).

I recently browsed through Style.com's pre-fall 09, fall 09 and accessories reports. I'm surprised to say, there's not a lot out there I got excited about. There's a lot of horrendously ugly and loud platform shoes from all the designers this year! Yikes! I tend to NOT follow every trend because I know what I look good in (and what I don't). My rule of thumb: If the clothes are wearing you as opposed to you wearing the clothes, chances are you should not wear it. I usually need (and like) more flattering, curve defining cuts. I really don't like a lot of the silly, baggy/shapeless or costume-like outfits that I saw. I will never be caught dead wearing a big floaty kaftan.

 

Out of everything I did see, here are a few pieces I can get excited about. (Some of them, I can see being worn together.)

I love this Colette Dinnigan dress

Chloe bag

Stella McCartney

These Coach ankle boots are ultra-sexy and TO DIE FOR! They would look great with the Mackage coat that I'm longing to have as well as the two outfits above.

Chloe

Derek Lam bag. YUM!

Chloe boots

There's something about this Proenza Schouler bag. It's like an edgy book bag.

I'm not usually into croc leather. But these Tod's boots, also gorgeous.

All images from Style.com