Eat, drink and be scary!

Halloween is one of my favorite yearly events.  Having never been able to celebrate as a child of two very Christian parents, I tend to make the most out of the weeks leading up to the big day each year.

This season was no exception, and my favorite activity?  Pumpkin day!

My lovely lady friend and I, with husbands in tow, cooked up a frenzy - pumpkin bread for a plethora of delicious sandwiches, pumpkin cake, mini-pumpkin crème brûlées - and then set to work carving!

 

Equipped with all the right implements, 'The Shining' playing in the background, we spent hours crafting spine-chilling designs.

 

 

The results far surpassed our expectations, as we constructed a horrific zombie, a friendly bat, a fairy tale castle, and an amazingly intricate Mondrian-eque pumpkin.

 

 

Also designed by the gang - a cleverly rendered Pumpkthulu, a druid painstakingly done in relief, and an angry little pumpkin man.  Alas, as my carving skills are not up to par with the rest of the group, I proudly stuck with my castle!

 

A lovely, memorable and festive night - a wish I hope for you all on this spookiest of ghoulish evenings!

Living Like a Flapper

I've never been a shoe person per se.  Do I like them?  Surely.  And do I have a ton of pairs?  Well, I am a lady.  But I don't suppose I've ever really swooned over them, or felt an overwhelming need to throw down a pile of cash for a pair I just can't live without.  In fact, most of my adornments have been acquired throughout the years for less than $20.  And, by and large, they're almost all flats.

 

This season, it's time for me to step out of my comfort zone.  Accessible heels, brighter colors, and whimsical options abound, and, being ever the vintage enthusiast, I can't think of a better start than one of these treasures.

 

 

Seychelles is always so spot on with their designs, and this teal number is no exception.  I love the rich blue paired with such dashing, autumnal hues, and can't wait to try them with a simple wrap dress and tights.

 

 

While I do have an overwhelming number of ballet slippers, this lovely treat from Urban Outfitters is just too precious to pass up.  I 'm crazy about the deeper, rosy hue of the ribbon juxtaposed against the paler flat, and am dying to wear them with a sage colored frock and my gold and silver pocket watch necklace. 

 



Urban Outfitters also got it right with their swan applique flat.  These just scream fairy tale endings to me and, although they are a bit more brash than I'm used to, I have a more playful casual Friday in mind- dark skinny jeans, an oversized top, and strands and strands of pearls. 

 





 



And Ruche?  Gosh, what would I do without this website?  While I could write many a blog lauding the genius' behind my favorite online retailer, I leave you instead with these three, perfect pairs of shoes.

It's incredibly exhilarating to know jaunty takes on old-fashioned designs will truly never go out of style - and I may just get to be a modern day flapper yet! 

 

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Seychelles Petunia heel, Seychellesfootwear.com

Kimchi Blue Sweetheart ankle tie skimmer, Urbanoutfitters.com
Cooperative applique flat, Urbanoutfitters.com
Fairy godmother cutout indie heels, Shopruche.com
Jenny indie bow heels, Shopruche.com
Amity bow kitten heels, Shopruche.com

The Newest Covet: October 13, 2012

I'll admit it.  I'm totally gaudy.  Take a gander into my closet and you'll find extravagant beading.  Rhinestones.  Ribbons.  Pearls.  Oh yes, on just about everything I own.  I even have a sweater made entirely of swirls and swirls of tiny, black buttons.  Tasteful?  Not a word in my vocabulary.

 

This Fall, I think I found a piece that outdoes it all - the aptly named Charm booties by BCBGeneration.

 

 

Finally - boots completely encrusted in sparkles!  Ever the rose gold devotee, I am thoroughly giddy over the bronze glitter pair.

 

 

Featuring a 2.75" heel and a round toe, they scream comfort, ever so important when tirelessly traversing New York's winding city blocks.

 

And even better?  They also come in black glitter for the lady who wants to try something a little bit different without being too over-the-top.

 

 

Needless to say,  though, I will be going for the gold!

 

Because every girl secretly wants to be Dorothy Gale at heart.

 

 

Come visit me on Twitter and Pinterest!

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BCBGeneration Charm booties, Ideeli.com

 

Fall Bag Steals That Won't Break The Bank

I have a confession to make.  I have an addiction.  An itch I just can't scratch.  A craving that probably won't ever be sated.

And it all started with a certain Mr. Marc Jacobs in the early 2000's.  One fateful day I saw it - the bag of my dreams.  The Baby Devon Hobo bag, to be precise.  And I fell in love.  The buttery leather.  The large, brass zipper pulls.  Tiny and sweet but with a hard, motorcycle-chic edge.

One thing led to another and, a bit later, I had my second classic Marc Jacobs Mini-Stam purse.  A  navy blue Celine doctor's bag.  A silver and gold snakeskin Rebecca Minkoff Cover carry-all.  And the list goes on.

While I'll always have an affair of the heart with Mr. Jacobs, a destitute future just ain't my thang.  And, anyway, most of these delights were milestone gifts so thoughtfully purchased by loved ones, or steals snatched up during soldes in Paris many moons ago. 

So, how do I get my fix these days?  Luckily, there are so many fabulous, affordable designs to be giddy about!

One of my favorites lately is Mod Cloth's Pretty Parlor bag.  And, boy, does it live up to its name - the juxtaposition of teal, coral and white, with dainty perforated edges and jaunty tassels - just gorgeous.  And, at under $70, and vegan to boot, it's a wonderful lady-like selection.

Another winner?  Chictopia's Color Me Happy Nila Anthony purse.  I love Nila's irreverent designs, and this gem is no exception - a frenetic, modern take on a classic chain strap style, with black and white stripes competing against splashes of pink and blue.  Bold, fun, and such a keeper at only $38!

I am also loving the Fossil vintage re-issue cross body bags.  While they come in a number of colors and fabrics, I am obsessed with this rich brown, woven style.  The chunky key is quaint, and the size of the bag makes it a perfect everyday option.  A bit pricier than my other finds at $142, but other patterns are as low as $125.  For a timeless, leather piece you will have for ages, you simply can't go wrong.

But my absolute favorite steal?  Asos' Scallop Edge Across Body Satchel in lilac.  I scooped this one up in the Spring as a substitute for See by Chloe's Poya Scalloped Doctor's bag, which I had, of course, been stalking online for ages.  At less than $35, it is a darn good knockoff and, as always, I love Asos' free shipping/return policy.  After many months of use, I still adore it - and Bones even so sweetly surprised me with the real deal in baby blue for my 30th birthday!  While my bag is sadly no longer available on the site, Asos always features trendy, stylish and (dare I say?) cheap accessories that fit any budget.

Remember, there are scads of spot-on designer inspired selections out there alongside original, eye-catching options.  Which just means that instead of that real Marc Jacobs bag that costs you a few weeks salary...well, you can have a different bag to match all your outfits instead!

Come visit me on Twitter and Pinterest!

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Parlor Pretty bag, Modcloth.com

Color Me Happy bag, Chictopia.com

Fossil Vintage Re-Issue bag, Zappos.com

Scallop Edge across body satchel, Asos.com

See By Chloe's Poya scalloped doctor's bag, Net-A-Porter.com