fashion quandary: so near, and yet...

...so far.

these fabienne boots had my eye the instant i saw them in j.crew's new pieces for fall. i had such high hopes that these were, in fact, the perfect fall boot - that elusive cool-weather staple.

alas, that black trim that was all set to make these the perfect fall boot has instead turned them into something sad...for that trim is not regular leather, but patent. i don't think that pulls these squarely into the realm of streetwalker...but it's not a positive thing.

what do you think? can you overlook the shine for the overall chic?

deal of the day: 25% off loeffler randall!

sigh. must they get more expensive every. single. season??

gorgeous nonetheless...and 25% off a new fall style is just about unheard of. i love that these shoes are having such a massive identity crisis that they'll end up going with everything. punk chic? sure. dressy business garb? why not. pencil skirt and ridiculously bright tights? definitely.

so, on sale, these beauties can grace your fall wardrobe for about $335...still heinously expensive for most of us, i realize. but i'm going to be coveting these every second until i own them, so there may be some wisdom to ending the torture now.

use code LOE25 to score this lovely deal from our friends at barefoot tess.

what i want today: stella!

is it possible? has stella mccartney finally ditched her crunchy, boho vibe in favor of something more sophisticated and upscale? i just got to check out a preview of her fall line, and i have to admit - i'm already calculating how many pints of plasma i'd have to sell to score any one of several pieces from the collection.


that gorgeous tweed coat ($2,195), for example - i think i could even suffer through the chills of winter with a smile if i had this to keep me warm. love the classic toggles, and the modern take on a tweed pattern...just fantastic.


or check out this stunning silk pleated dress ($1,595) - a definite nod to the more structured styles ahead for fall. i am just smitten. that gorgeous grey silk, the fabulous detail on the sleeves and bodice...wow.


and then there's this beautiful green-and-black silk top ($1,095) that is just the statement-making piece i'm dying for this fall. for those of you that were loving the ombre trend we talked about last week, this takes it to a whole new level. the technique is called dégradé, and gives you the feel of ombre while incorporating multiple colors. don't say i never taught you anything ;)

i'm thrilled to see such gorgeous things coming out of mccartney's line this fall - here's hoping it only goes up from here!

haute or horrid? marc jacobs mouse flats

i've always loved the marc jacobs mouse flats...but i'm starting to think i've outgrown them. i think i love them for my 20-year-old self...not so much for my 30-year-old self, who i'm pretty sure can't pull them off any more than she can successfully pull these off.

but then, my 20-year-old self was so not buying $250 shoes. so, what do you all think...is the price point proof enough that these are cute for grown-ups, or are they still a little too "reclaiming my youth"?

fortunately, i'm not completely out of luck. i can definitely pull off these lovely suede boots, which are high on my list for fall. as are these gorgeous navy and salmon heels, which have that 1940s vibe i so love.

hurray for piperlime starting to carry great shoes like marc by marc...it's about time i had an option other than zappos (who i'm boycotting ever since they suspended their free overnight shipping).

what i want today: giorgio brato pintuck satchel

this pintuck satchel by giorgio brato has absolutely everything i'm looking for in an investment-worthy handbag for fall (which, oddly, is just around the corner). giorgio brato bags are notorious for being impeccably made, so it makes sense to splurge on a style that will stand the test of time.

on this beauty, the styling is classic (the handles remind me of the givenchy nightingale that's been hot for the last year), but it still has plenty of detail to keep it interesting. the pleating is subtle, but oh-so-luxe. and i love that gorgeous grey color. plus, if i decide the grey is too big, there's a lovely cognac version available in a smaller size, which i love.

save your pennies, and nab it at shopbop for $1,197. or pick up its little sister for $400 less.

what else i want today: bellbottom trouser jeans

wow, how long has it been since the gap actually had cute, fashion-forward denim?? seems like forever! so when this bellbottom trouser jean landed in my in-box this morning, i was floored. hurray for patrick robinson, is all i can say - maybe we're finally headed for bigger and better things from the ultimate mall retailer.

these bellbottoms look to have the perfect fit for this style - long and lean, just relaxed enough at the thigh, and not too terribly wide at the bottom (no channeling farah fawcett required). i love the flap pockets in the back, and the wash is perfectly faded - bellbottoms shouldn't be too serious, after all.

best of all is the price - $59! now that's worth a shot, don't you think? just make sure to splurge on the tall size, so you can get them tailored to the right length...unless you're short enough to pull off a 32" inseam with heels.

so, what do you all think?

can it really be true? latest target lines announced...

it's like they raided my closet - both real and fantasy. reports have surfaced that the newest designers for target's cheap/chic accessory collections are anya hindmarch handbags and sigerson morrison shoes. here's hoping they're less disappointing than the last few have been....because if the target versions are even half as fabulous as these designers' high-end lines, i'll be beside myself.

both collections are set to debut october 12 - mark your calendars! and in the meantime, stay tuned for more details - i promise to keep you posted.

what i want today: ombre from vince

i've always been a sucker for ombre dyes on fabric, ever since i was a wee girl. now that they're back in vogue, i'm as giddy for them as i was back then. pieces from vince (one of my absolute favorite designers) fall collection are starting to trickle in, and the collection is packed with gorgeous ombre pieces i'm dying to own.


this shirred ombre silk top is so subtle, it will pass muster long after the ombre trend fades. the detail on the neckline is just fantastic, and that shade of blue is as chic as it gets (though the grey color it also comes in is equally fabulous). this summer, i'll pair it with shorts for a casual dinner out, but the grey version would look just as lovely with my black tuxedo trousers - now that's versatility i can get behind.


and i haven't quite figured out the fundage details, but i can pretty well assure you this gorgeous cashmere v-neck will be in my closet by the time the weather turns cool. i'm absolutely addicted to cashmere sweaters, and this one has so much style, i hardly know where to begin.


and i've been after this branch print shell since i saw it at a trunk show months ago. it was gorgeous then, and i love it just as much now. and, as always with vince, it's endlessly versatile. i can see it with cut-off denim shorts, and i can see it with a pencil skirt - ooh, and maybe some fantastic bright heels. a perfect summer/early fall piece, any way you accessorize it.

all are available at shopbop. also, neiman marcus is currently doing an online trunk show of the fall vince line (so fantastic, i've been forced to ask my dog to hold onto my american express card for temporary safekeeping...). both are well worth a look!