Shoe Love: JCrew Capri Sandal

When I was living in NYC my aunts and mom came to visit me. While on the phone discussing our itinerary, I mentioned that we would probably go to one fancy dinner and maybe drinks afterwards. My aunt asked, "Should I bring my dressy flip-flops?" I couldn't stop laughing because at a nice restaurant in NYC you would never consider wearing sandals, let alone flip-flops! I told her she could borrow a pair of my heels. She couldn't see what was so funny, because down in South Florida not only is it perfectly acceptable to wear sandals almost anywhere (as a woman) but in fact most ladies have a pair of nicer flip-flops or sandals that they wear to dinner, parties, and even church. 

As I packed for multiple week vacation in Florida, I thought about this story. Each thing in my suitcase will have to perform double duty for trips to the beach, dinner, shopping, walks in the park, playing tourist, and relaxing around the house. I used to work at JCrew (in Columbus Circle in NYC) and the leather Capri sandal used to fly out the door this time of year. I think its because this sandal is the perfect marriage of something you can throw on with a sundress or shorts for non beach related summer activities but they aren't so precious that you would be afraid to get them wet and sandy at the beach. They also lay completely flat in my suitcase, freeing up space for more heels, I mean running shoes... 

Do you have a favorite sandal that performs double duty when you travel?

Wardrobe: Cherry Blossoms and Springtime

With the arrival of 80 degree weather and the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms, DC finally welcomed spring this week. Although it felt like we skipped spring and went right on into summer (grumbles). Everyone was out to see the blossoms yesterday, and Gman and I got right in there with the mix of tourists and working professionals. It was fun to people watch and see how each person chose to capture their pictures. There is something captivating about the pillowy puff balls of flowers on the strong, dark branches. Walking through them feels like you are walking through a secret magical garden in the clouds - except that everyone else is in on the secret and wearing tourist costumes. 

I wore the JCrew stripe shirttail dress (sold out but here is a similar one by Lilly Pulitzer) with my favorite Madewell sandals and handbag (old but I like this one and this one too). My necklace is from the Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida and my lipstick is NARS Funny Face. I love this dress because it transitions easily from indoor working to outdoor happy hour. I also loved the contrast of the bright blue stripes against the pretty flowers.

Just in case you are wondering, the flowers aren't particularly fragrant. :)

Shoe Love: Tis the (spring) season

From top down: Quorra ballet flat, Lilian suede low wedges, Janey Liberty print flats, Everly Liberty Art Fabrics pumps 

Although the weather isn't very telling (its still chilly here!), spring is in the air. Today, I wanted to showcase some of my favorite spring shoes that are also conservative enough to wear to a religious service or event as this week is both Passover and Easter. I had to look no further than JCrew. They are nailing it this season! Now I only need to decide which one will put the right spring in my step. Pun intended.

Essentials for the long haul

necklace, dress, bag, sunglasses, popcorn, gummies, M&Ms, Garmin, sandals

Not only did I enjoy a country drive with Gman last weekend but a few of my girlfriends are taking a road trip from Florida up to see me in D.C. then head up to Boston for the Fourth of July festivities (remember when I went a few years ago?). So I got to thinking about car ride essentials, things for entertainment and nourishment. Here's a list of my long haul necessities:

A comfy dress for hours of sitting with accessories and sandals that are either easily removed or easily napped in (baggy pants would work too).

Candy and salty snacks for a special treat (am I the only one who gets the munchies in the car?) and lots of water to wash it down.

Sunglasses to combat the glare on the road.

Music! Gman and I love listening to satellite radio on long drives. We switch between music, listening to sports (I don't know why I like doing that, sounds boring right?), and the comedy stations.

A Garmin because you will get lost and your phone will die.

Are you taking a trip by car this summer? What are your essentials?

Wardrobe: Chesapeake Bay

Tshirt, bracelet, hoody, tote, sunglasses, boat shoes, shorts, ring

Out on Chesapeake Bay you'll want to be comfortable for a long day on the boat and not all boating weather is bikini weather. I found my good ol' fashioned hoody to be a lifesaver and the classic Sperry boat shoes are brought to life with gold metallic (these are great for commuting too, as I'm told by many a New York lady friend). The print on these shorts is so funky and fun, I couldn't resist. Such a nice break from my black or khaki go to.

Wardrobe: Busch Gardens

Shirt, Bag, Denim Shorts, Sandals, Bracelet, Sunglasses

First of all, I'm ashamed at the number of times I've featured jorts on this blog (here, here and this makes three). However, they are awesome and there were five pages of denim shorts to choose from on Shopbop which means others feel the same way.

Secondly amusement parks are hot so it just make sense. I try to keep it classy though, no white sneakers and fanny packs here. Go hands-free with a cross-body bag and keep your look breezy with gold sandals.

How adorable is that Kate Spade bracelet? And Karen Walker can clearly do no wrong with her sunglasses.

Wardrobe: Clearwater Beach, FL

Boyfriend shirt, jean shorts, panama hat, earrings, tote, bikini (bottom, top), flip flops, ring

These days, most people I know do not have the luxury of living in a community with a pool, let alone near the beach. The beach is a special place many of us go to vacation. Instead of buying specific bathing suit cover ups for your next beach get-a-way, bring versatile pieces, like a cotton button up and tote bag, that you can wear on other days of your trip too. I love wearing a button up to the beach (it feels cozier than a t-shirt) and I like to wear it open to show off my fab swimsuit beneath!

For Clearwater Beach, keep the jewelry simple with colorful stud earrings and a tiny ring. And because its a casual, slightly tacky environment, don't leave home without your jean shorts and flip flops. That was pretty much my wardrobe growing up (except I wore Birkenstocks everyday!)

Wardrobe: Nice, France

Grey dress, scarf, sandals, sunglasses, bracelet, cream dress, wedges, scarf, handbag

When thinking about a wardrobe look for a trip to Nice, I couldn’t help but think of the late Grace Kelly. Not only was she a local, being the Princess of Monaco and all, but Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief, which was filmed in Nice, is one of my favorite films.


Her style was feminine, elegant, and modern - always sophisticated and put together with minimal, deliberate accessories, and simple hair and make-up. I wanted to take inspiration from her without posting a vintage looking too outfit, because if she were here now, I bet she would have dressed in today’s best fashions.


Here are two looks, one for day time sight-seeing and one for dinner on the town. I looked at the classic lines in her style – soft neckline, defined waist, and a-line skirt and translated them with pieces we would wear now. Simple leather sandals, and the new classic Reed Krakoff bag. I couldn’t resist throwing in a Hermes scarf as a nod to her relationship the brand. Instead of wearing it around your neck, wear it as a headband/turban just like Ms. Kelly did in the beach scenes of To Catch A Thief.

Shoe Love: JCrew Ballets

After writing this Fort Myers, Florida wardrobe post, it was all too tempting to not to purchase these darling JCrew ballet flats. I stalked them for a while, then tried them on with everything in the store, as if I needed convincing. Finally, I snatched 'em up last weekend during the 20% off sale.

I bought them with the intention of using them as commuter shoes, but they were so cute with my work clothes that I ended up ditching my heels two days in a row (gasp)!

Wardrobe: Savannah Smiles



Linda Farrow Luxe sunglasses, Madewell blouse, Kate Spade ring, Twelfh St. by Cynthia Nixon flats, JCrew bag, Anthropologie skirt

When I think of Georgia, I think of my paternal grandmother, Anne, and great grandmother (her mother), Florence. They are both still alive, in fact, my great grandmother turned 99 on Monday! Despite their humble upbringings they are proper Southern ladies through and through.

So when I thought about this Savannah style post I though to myself, what would grandma wear? Well back in her day she, and her mother, would wear something classic. They would choose something that was not trendy but that they could wear for years and years so as to get their money's worth. Florence used to save up her money to take trips to Atlanta to buy her favorite fabrics then bring them home to make her own clothes. Most of my furniture and some of my accessories are items that she carefully considered purchasing throughout the 20th century. I wear her bracelets everyday and remember this bag? Timeless.

So when I think of Georgia style, I imagine a wardrobe of effortless cotton dresses and pants that can be worn comfortably in the blazing hot summer or layered when the temperature drops. I imagine pieces you can relax in while sipping sweet tea on a wrap-around porch or take a stroll in through town.

I love the classic elements to these pieces, but with very contemporary colors and textures. Savannah is home to an art college after-all so you can have a bit of fun. This a-line skirt of patterned neutrals makes me anticipate spring even more than I am (although it has been warmer...) I spotted these shoes at a shop while I was there and have been thinking about them ever since. To carry home all your treasures, a nice big shopping tote will certainly come in handy.

My great-grandfather used to always have hankies in his back pockets. I love the idea of carrying one with Gman's monogram around with me. This classic style would do just fine.

And can we talk about how freakin' fabulous those snakeskin sunglasses are?!