Scouting Mission

One of my best friends is turning 40 soon. We're planning a celebration for her in a couple of weeks and Sunday we went out on a scouting mission to check out some bars with rooftop decks. Problem was, it was raining. So much for rooftops, but an excellent opportunity to take the new patent boots out for an airing. We wound up in the cozy comfort of the bar upstairs at the Stephen F. Austin hotel, one of my favorite bars in Austin and wonderfully quiet for a change on a rainy Sunday night.

cable knit sweater: Gap
rose-print pencil skirt: D&G
patent & elastic boots: Vaneli
croc-print belt: Cole Haan
leather cuff: Adrienne Vittadini

I've been wanting some knee-high patent boots for ages & ages. I would have preferred them patent all around, but I found these at Nordstrom Rack (I went back near closing time and the place was almost empty and I STILL had to wait in line to check out) and the price was right -- I'm just not into spending a commitment sum on shoes right now. Plus, I really, really loved the little wedge heel. It's a shame I'm not going to Paris until May, these would be perfect for traveling.

Suppression

Bought a pair of these DKNY Color Block Tights yesterday and decided to play with them by supressing all my instincts toward color. Even in my accessories.




(I am wearing a very brightly colored bra and underwear, however, which makes me feel a little better.)

merino two-tone sweater: Coincidentally, also DKNY
shorts: Gap
tights: DKNY
shoes: Pour la Victoire
pearls: vintage
fragrance: Chanel Gardenia

Originally I put it on with a black pencil skirt, but I thought the shorts pulled it down a little. I dunno -- classically Chanel-y or just gimmicky? What do you think?

These are the shoes -- click photo for link. Kind of amazing how well they match the tights.

Another real conversation-starter, these. I love them, but they rub my big toes a little. Unfortunately, I didn't remember that until I was already kitted out in the whole rig, so I had to peel off all the waist-down bits so I could put some blister band-aids on my little toesies, then climb back in again. But those blister band-aids are genius -- I highly recommend 'em.

End of Summer

One of our favorite places does half-price bottles of wine on Mondays in the summer. Tonight was the last Monday for this year, so we went for one more half-price bottle of prosecco. Does that make me a cheapskate? Too bad -- I need that money for shoes!

t-shirt: Ginger G (from local boutique Luxe Apothetique)
vest: 5/48 (I'm going to wear this thing to tatters -- I should have bought two)
shorts: Gap
ombré patent sandals: Prada
lucite necklace: Fragments via NM

J'adore this necklace so much.



Another impulse buy, and not a cheap one, but worth every dime. I'm so glad I have this in my closet, it's such an wonderful piece. The chain is beginning to tarnish now, and I'm panicking a little. I can see me completely re-working this with a new chain rather than give it up.

September 23

Navy blue cotton v-neck: Gap
Silk skirt: YSL
Sandals: Brian Atwood
Belt: Target, I think
Necklace: Agatha (40th birthday present to myself, bought on my first trip to Paris)
Giant lucite paisley ring: Kenneth Jay Lane