Five Things I'm Totally Loving Right Now
1. Schoolgirl-Inspired Shoes
Chalk it up to the Style Network re-running Gossip Girl from the beginning, in all its plaid-skirt-private-school-uniform glory, but I'm really drawn to Oxford and Mary Jane style shoes right now--with a twist, of course. A pop of color, a healthy sprinkling of glitter, anything to make it special; the style is really what I'm getting at here. Some flat options: smoking slippers are big right now, and I love the color of this Nine West pair (the turquoise), or for a true Oxford style, check out this Not Rated pair with just the right amount of sparkle. And for my fellow heel-lovers: I am obsessed with these Betsey Johnson sequin-tipped pumps, which after ogling online for weeks, and legitimately considering buying them even a full size too small just in case I could actually smash my feet into them (they only have size 5.5 & 6.5 left, and I'm a pretty consistent 7.5-8), I actually found in store in my size, making me a very happy camper. This Fergalicious pump is another great option--those colors are sooo fall!
2. Anything Red Violet
This is my new favorite go-to color for fall, perfect for the transition from summer to winter. It's just a little more feminine than your standard fall oranges, browns, and reds. Try just a pop of it with a pair of flats, or if you're really feeling it, go all out with a skinny jean in this color.
3. Colored Bottoms
The colored skinny jean is a big look lately (Old Navy carries them in nearly 30 colors!), but why stop there? Pencil skirts are coming in all kinds of colors this season! This lime green skirt from Target is FAB--more so than it looks in the picture, I promise!--and Banana Republic has got some great options in color and pattern alongside the traditional neutrals.
4. Jackets
Yes, just jackets. I'm suddenly all over this classic layering piece in all different styles and colors. Some current faves: this cheery yellow blazer from Macy's, and Express's faux-leather moto jackets. I already have the diagonal zip version in classic rock star black and the regular zip in crimson--and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if I snag a couple more the next time they go on sale.
5. Pumpkin Spice Lattes
This one is so easy it's almost a cop-out, but let's face it, Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte is THE absolute best thing about the weather turning cold. You haven't lived until you've tried one.
Five (Minus One) Things I'm Totally Over
I'm drawing a blank on a fifth item to be totally over. Frankly, I'm a little disappointed in myself--usually I'm a bit more cynical about current trends than this. ;) But here are four I feel really strongly about.
1. Project Runway
I've been a fan of this show for a long time, but I don't know, this season just hasn't grabbed me. I feel like I'm watching the same show over and over again every season, and after so many years, even the "craziest" "unconventional challenge"s are kind of a yawn, and the designs are rarely anything fresh and new. I haven't given up on it completely, but my viewing has consisted of the first five minutes to hear the details of the challenge, and then just watching the runway show. The clothes are still (mostly) pretty even if they've ceased to be exciting. After all, as Heidi says, in fashion, one day you're in, and the next day you're out.
2. Printed Pants
I should preface the rest of my list by saying it's hard to say these are things I'm "over", as I have never been in favor of any of them to begin with. It's just they seem to have cropped up recently as trends, and this is my way of saying it's not okay. So, with that said...printed pants? Who thought this was a good look? When the trend first emerged, it was mostly florals, and it reminded me of the early 90's--not in a good way--but now the prints have gotten bolder, and I can't say it's an improvement. Take the ensemble Halle Berry wore at the Toronto Film Festival last week. Waist up, she looks pretty good (though the top could stand to be less sheer, see #3), but I can't get over those pants. What happened to good old classic pinstripe or herringbone if you wanted a little extra detail on the bottom? Most of what I'm seeing lately looks more like sleepwear--which as we know, should never be worn in public.
3. Bras Used as Accessories
There are two categories of this offense--the intentional use of your undergarments as part of your outfit a la Quailman, and the unintentional or uncaring use of, say, a regular bra with a halter top shirt. Let's be clear. Neither one is acceptable. I don't care how cute your bra is. It's a bra. It's not meant to be seen in public. And you can imagine my appall when I was home for lunch a couple of days ago and spotted none other than the Carrie Bradshaw as an offender. Yes, unbelievably, one of the fashion icons of our time was wearing her bra like an accessory. It matched her dress, so clearly it was offense type number one, the intentional kind, but no. Just no.
Let's face it, if Carrie Bradshaw can't pull off this look, neither can you. Don't even try.
4. "Fancy" Sneakers
Haven't you ever thought to yourself, "If only there was a heel I could go to the gym in! What? Nine West makes sneakers with a wedge heel?? What great news!" ...No? Yeah, me either. Ew. Can you believe there are more than that one atrocious pair? And that's just from Nine West, who really ought to know better. Other brands have gotten in on this action too. Color me confused by this one, to say the least.
Last Year's Updates
1. Crossbody Purses--Well, I just bought three new ones, so it's safe to say my love of this style of handbag isn't going anywhere.
2. Old Navy's 5in Inseam Shorts--You know what, actually Old Navy let me down this year. Nothing but plain old neutral colors on these shorts. Come on, Old Navy--I've had all the neutrals I need for years. But take heart! Victoria's Secret makes a very similar pair that not only comes in a variety of colors (there were more options back when the season started, but they're down to just a few as we approach fall) but four different lengths! Consider me a convert.
3. Country Music--Pop music has stepped up its game in the last year, so we'll call this one a draw.
4. Miranda Lambert's Wedding Bouquet--Funny enough, one of my friends just posted this to our engaged friend's Facebook wall a few days ago as a suggestion for her own wedding. Looks like I was just ahead of the curve on this trend!
5. Coppertone Sunscreen--I didn't have time for much fun in the sun this summer, so this one is less relevant than it was a year ago--but no less important! Wear suncreen! Public service announcement brought to you by The Fabulous Life.
1. The Snooki Poof--Actually, the other day I was doing my hair, and I came this close to revisiting the poof. And then I didn't. Maybe I'll give it a shot just for kicks and informed blogs.
2. Ke$ha--I'm not sure she's had a new song since the last blog, and honestly, I miss that glitter-loving party animal. In any case, I've been cranking up those few hits on the rare occasions I hear them on the radio. Welcome off the totally-over list, Ke$ha. (But I wouldn't complain if you used an S in your name like a normal person.)
3. Katy Perry & the song "Forget You"--"Forget You" doesn't make me want to crawl out of my own skin when I hear it like it used to, but it hasn't exactly reestablished itself as a go-to song for me. And Katy Perry? The songs are new, but the radio-overplaying is exactly the same. So, mostly, still over it.
4. Those Listerine Whitening Strips--I actually finally threw these out a week or so ago. Every time I would go to do it, I would think, but no, what if you get really desperate and don't have time to go to the store? And finally I said to myself, they're just as effective as doing absolutely nothing to my teeth. And out they went.
5. Platform Shoes--Last year was evidently just the beginning of the onslaught of this trend. I've sort of adjusted to it, but I'm still not terribly happy about it. Will sensible 4-inch heels ever return to shelves?
And one bonus item I'm totally loving right now--houndstooth! Okay, okay, I know, talk about a cop-out. But this pattern is no longer just appropriate Bama-fan gameday-wear--it's everywhere! Making it that much easier to rock it on gamedays. Just a few current houndstooth items on my wish list: shoes, belt, picture frame (for all my favorite gameday memories!)...seriously, it comes in everything these days. Roll tide!
