{ wearing } Kate Spade Sequined Pumps

It's time to give the glittery Kate Spade pumps the attention they deserve. I knew they'd be great, but not this great. I can't wait to wear them to every holiday gathering and each sorta-festive-get-together this season. (I'm not picky. I can make anything a celebration.)

Right now, they're barely over $100 on Amazon and many sizes are still available (as if you needed more of a reason to add them to your wish list). I normally wear either a size 7 or 7.5 (really, I'm more of a 7.25) and Kate Spade shoes fit best in a 7. I don't have any problems with the slingback slipping as I walk.

Reminder: Enter to win earrings from Alexandra Hunt!

{ twinkle toes }

After all of that handbag debate, what did I do? I spent half of my "free" gift cash on this pair of sparkly Kate Spade pumps. As I read through your comments, I still couldn't decide on what I wanted to do, which made me wonder if a handbag was really the best option for me. But once I stumbled across these playful party shoes, I had no doubt that they were the right choice: special and easy to wear. It certainly didn't hurt that the shoes were on sale, leaving me with another $150 to spend.

{ recent purchase } Anupamaa Tunic

1: tunic | 2: bracelet | 3: shorts | 4: sandals

I know a purchase is destined when I start fantasizing about how I'll wear it. I even start making plans of the vacations it'll accompany me on* - until that heart-wrenching moment when I consider the sticker price. I didn't have the wherewithal to spend $100 on a tunic at the end of the summer, but this Anupamaa version was too fantastic to pass up - especially when I scouted it on eBay for a mere $36. It hasn't arrived yet, but I suspect it'll be perfect for late-summer cocktails and next year's coastal vacation.

1: tunic | 2: swimsuit | 3: clutch

*You know you do it too.

First Additions

With two impulse purchases in tow, I haven't exactly followed my new year's resolutions yet. However, I'm exceedingly happy with my latest conquests: a pair of heavy strappy Guess pumps to anchor flirty dresses, and Kate Spade's sandpiper bangle bracelet. Someday spring will come. What was your first purchase of the new year?

Reminder: Enter to win $25 to ShoeClips.biz!

Check Mate

My last purchase of 2010 was completely unplanned: a $1,890 Carolina Herrera frock on Gilt this morning for only $119.

A sartorial item that retails for more than my rent, purchased at a price lower than my weekly grocery budget ... I can finally check that one off my 2010 wish list. Phew!

Now I just need a fabulous soiree for its debut.

It's a Virtue

Thank goodness my landlord is a patient man. I'm expecting a few packages to arrive while I'm on vacation that he'll have to sign for, including this pair of Diane von Furstenberg sandals I just picked up from Gilt.

Knowing that these beauties await my return will make the flight home much easier to bear.

Pseudo Boho

Lately I haven't had the desire to zip up a pencil skirt or clasp on a statement necklace, leaving me sartorially stumped. It seems that once the mercury rises, so does the propensity to embrace my inner hippie in breezy silhouettes.


With its ethnic-inspired embellishment, this H&M top will undoubtedly become a summer staple - and the first thing packed for next month's Californian vacation, right next to the Banana Republic dress with similar bead work. (Are you sensing a bit of an obsession here?)

Weekend Snapshots

After a whirlwind week at the office, I indulged in a three-day weekend kicking things off with the adoption of a pair of shoes. These Steve Madden booties have quickly earned the moniker of "my new favorites."

On the way to Nate's house on Saturday, we passed a sign marking a Wisconsin "Rustic Road." While I'm usually one to happily pass on the rustic life, we couldn't pass up a new Wisconsin experience.

I quickly discovered that "rustic road" merely means "overgrown," creating a wooded canopy over the highway.

The sight of a cow lounging on a family-owned farm is a dime a dozen on Wisconsin's rural roads, but brown and white cows are my favorite.

That evening, I snipped a few lilac branches to enjoy the sweet fragrance wafting through the apartment - a sure sign of spring.

I also began fantasizing about the perfect summer wardrobe: billowy blouses and dresses with ethnic-inspired baubles. This year, I plan to accessorize exclusively with ornate earrings like these from Francesca's Collections.

Cynthia Vincent for Target

Trips to Target in search of the retailer's latest designer collaboration have become part of my routine - and today was testament to that. Only a few pairs of Cynthia Vincent footwear remained on the nearly-destitute shelf.

My heart was set on the ballet flats with the modernized-technicolor-tribal print, but they sold out online just hours after their debut - and I didn't spy them on the store shelf. To ease my woes, I took a chance on the gladiator wedge.

The wedge definitely looks more expensive than $29.99 (which, let's face it, is the true test of whether or not something is truly a "steal"). The fit is true to size and the pair is surprisingly comfortable with a generous amount of padding in the insole. I wish the incline on the shoe was steeper, but the platform does makes the 4.25" wedge tolerable for gals who shy away from teeteringly high heels. Target missed the boat with the ankle strap, though. It's not adjustable and the width is too large for my ankles.

But my favorite part of the purchase is the packaging: a sunshine yellow box with silver writing. Last year I picked up a pair of Cynthia Vincent shoes and gushed over the cheerful dust bag, so it was a delight to see the color scheme repeated on the boxes.

If you're itching for the cognac wedges and can't find them, don't fret. The L.A. Times blog "All the Rage" reports that Target plans to replenish select styles in mid-May.

Reminder: Enter to win a set of Thomas Paul tea towels.

Summer Lovin'

Banana Republic dress; Guess sandals; Banana Republic bracelet

My summer-like mood hasn't dissipated. I'm willing to withstand a few goosebumps and chilly drafts if it means easy knit dresses - like my latest conquest from Banana Republic.

The beaded neckline negates any need for an over-the-top necklace - a definite plus for summer's sticky weather when the last thing you want is a chain touching the base of your neck.

As luck would have it, the dress is a perfect match for my standby summer accessory: a chunky gold bracelet.

Note: If you're interested in purchasing the dress online, it does run large. Be sure to choose the smaller size if you're wavering between two.

Ring-a-Ling

A Saks box appeared outside of my apartment door on Saturday - and I couldn't contain my excitement for the bauble resting inside.

When I placed my order earlier this month, I braced myself for a long wait. The gem was on backorder until May 25th - I expected it to arrive just in time for my birthday.

After starring in many lust-filled dreams, the Yves Saint Laurent Arty Ovale Ring is finally nestled into my collection.

Recent Purchase: F21 Ring

It's official: I'm pathetic. I thought I'd be content to just post pretty jewelry this morning. Nope. A few hours later, I found myself sifting through the cheap thrills of Forever21. For a menial investment of $4.80, this ring makes quite a statement.

Recent Purchase: Party Shoes

I spent most of this morning and afternoon running errands around the city, including a stop at DSW. I had a $10 coupon and had planned to pick up a pair of tights or socks - just to use the credit before it expired. Instead, I found the prettiest pair of candy-apple red satin pumps by Nina. I can hardly wait to wear them to holiday festivities.

Recent Purchase: West Elm Organic Pin-Tuck Duvet Cover

Exactly one year ago, Wisconsin experienced unseasonably high temperatures in the 80s. Unfortunately that's not the case this year. There were flurries in the air yesterday and today's high temperature was in the mid-40s.

So, it's probably not surprising that I've become a homebody. I spent the weekend tidying up, making soup, and pulling the thick down comforter out of the closet. To make nesting a little more fun, I finally ordered the West Elm duvet cover in sea spray that I've had my eye on for a few months.


I have a feeling that getting out of bed on chilly mornings is going to become much more difficult.

Recent Purchase: Forever21 Quail Feather Print Tank

Beautiful is a word I've never used to describe a Forever21 item. Cute? Sure. Fun? Absolutely. Sexy? Sometimes. Beautiful? Never.

Until today. This afternoon, I purchased the chiffon Quail Feather Print Tank from Forever21 ($15.80). It feels weightless on and it's surprisingly versatile. I've already tried it on tucked into a pencil skirt, layered over a little black dress, sloppily half-tucked into a pair of jeans with a boyfriend cardigan over it. I've tried it with rhinestone bracelets, statement earrings and layered chain necklaces. All good.

It is slightly sheer, but nothing a flesh-tone bra can't fix. And if you have the opportunity to shop in person, I recommend doing so - the shoulder seams on some looked like they were ready to pull apart at any given moment.

Recent Purchase: Milly Floral Lattice Fiesta Dress

I can't believe I just pulled the trigger and finally bought the Milly floral lattice fiesta dress I've stalked for months. It was just marked down from $415 to $124.50 on Shopbop.

And now I'm officially banned for awhile so I can carefully edit my fall list.