stripes

my love of stripes knows no bounds. i'm happy to see that i'm in good company....(merci nancy!)

speaking of chambray shirts

roberta jane's post made me think of elly's shop update. i am cursing my bad luck with shoes, but will try to rectify the situation as soon as possible.

if i buy a pair of rachel comey shoes, i will probably need an insole to help with my bad arches.
last night i was leaning toward the penpal short boots in navy
this morning i told myself to stick with flats like the dewey tassel boot, but can i do tassels? i'm not sure.
and then jeana's and alyson's posts on the barbaro buckle boot make me think that my life needs a heel like that.

of course i then remind myself of my bad track record with rachel comey shoes.

don't these quoddy tracker boots look comfortable? but they aren't nearly as pretty. oh, and these look very promising, although the exchange rate is never ever favorable. i will have to put them on my sale watch.

then i tell myself i should just make a decision already and move on with my life. or maybe i could visit stephanie and try on all of these lovely shoes in person.

EDIT:
revolve clothing has a 20% discount code (until the 30th), INSTYLE09. i'm not sure, but i think it will work on their 'Forward' site. the dewey tassel boots would only be $264. free shipping both ways makes Revolve one of my favorite sites even though i've returned the two things i ordered from them. they also have the Steven Alan Soma dress in purple paisley (only a small left), and loads of Current/Elliott jeans.

repetto zizi in distressed brown

staring at my feet against the ceiling. dreaming of outfits for my zizis.

i am feeling torn about these. they are so soft and beautifully made. it's like wearing slippers, exactly what my silly feet need.

but, i ordered the 39.5, and the tip of my big toe is a little pinched when i walk. i know they'll stretch out some, but how much of it will be lengthwise?

unfortunately creatures of comfort no longer has the 40s. they have 40.5, but i think those would be too long. the tannery in harvard square has them in black, so i'm going to try them on tomorrow. matthew is convinced i should return them. i am loathe to do this because i've obsessed about them for so long. maybe i'll keep them, and if they don't work out in a month or so, i guess i can sell them.

incidentally, i tried these quoddy mocs at stels today. they're like walking on pillows. amazing.

UPDATE:
the tannery doesn't have the zizis in 40 or 40.5. i'm sending mine back. i won't exchange them for the 40.5 because if they're too big, i'll have spent over $50 in shipping.

well, those quoddys are looking better and better to me. and the no. 6 clog boots, too.

rachel comey collectors dress

found at anica via stylebite ($517).


all of a sudden it's fall. my zizis are arriving today, which means i'm finally starting to think about how to wear them this season. i love the rachel comey penpal short boots, but i doubt they'll work with my wide, clumsy feet. this dress, however, with its sweet (but not too saccharine) floral print and clever details, would do quite nicely.

zizis are coming...

will this conclude my 4-year search for the perfect pair of oxfords?

(please, jeffrey monteiro peacoat, go on sale RIGHT NOW)

because summer isn't over yet

photo source


elly finally has a shop. she makes amazing things. the first time i saw her 'i will try anyhow dress,' i cursed the world for not putting one in my closet.

anyway. her first offering is a simple white linen tank that is beautifully worn by kristien. i am sorely tempted, even as the temperature drops and i feel sorry for myself because i can't have that jeffrey monteiro peacoat.

2 available here.

jeffrey monteiro peacoat

i know i said no more coats, but i can still look, right? if it were about $300 less, i would snatch it up without regrets.

available at metier
and totokaelo

zizis in brown

repetto answered my prayers and made their zizis in brown leather. alas, they're $285, and i was saving up for a pair of ankle boots.

ankle boots and fall essentials

my post for roberta's camp comfort 'fall essentials' series is up!

it looks like ankle boots are on a lot of people's minds lately.

here are a few that i've been considering:
rachel comey penpal boot in navy (bird has it in black, and the brown can be found at several places)
no. 6 boots with shearling lining
no. 6 boots with buckle

does anyone own the no. 6 boots? i'd love to know if they really are weather-resistant and suitable for city walking.


and these are probably what i would end up with. goodness knows they'd be the most comfortable on! with the beklina discount code (15% off S15B), the manimal moccasin boots are almost in reach.

mociun fall at beklina

i love this print, it's so witty and subtle at the same time.


the bottom dress reminds me of shabd's amazing hand dyed clothing.


i've always looked askance at jumpsuit and rompers, but i like how the print really gives it structure and a tough uniform-like feel.


now at beklina
15% off until Sept. 7 with "S15B" courtesy of Style Bite.

a new dress for the end of summer

matta nemi dress from calypso, $69 from $195.

one of my favorite shades of coral. it'll arrive just in time for labor day barbecues and will layer well with a cardigan and jeans later on.

UPDATE.
so apparently the buttons go down the back of the dress, but when i tried it on, it didn't seem to matter which way. so i'm going to take the label off and wear the buttons in front. also, the fabric is pretty thin and somewhat sheer. i need to have it taken in on the sides (a small would have fit better), and also shortened. it goes just past the knees, and i'd rather have it 3-4 inches above the knees so that it looks better with jeans and leggings. overall, though, it's a pretty dress with lots of nice details. the fabric and color do not disappoint.

wiksten fall 09

jenny must have read my mind because those buttons down the front are just what i need right now. plus, that rounded collar, the striped fabric, it's too much. i cannot wait to see what else is in store for her fall collection. and elly makes a lovely model.

shopping list for fall

mociun fall 09

jenny's and stephanie's posts on ankle boots has got me thinking about my wish list for fall. it'll be interesting to see which pieces i'll spring for now and which i'll wait for winter sales to purchase. i'm in the preliminary stages of drawing up a clothing budget. wish me luck!

first off.
things that really can't be on my list:
coats
tall boots

i say the same thing every year. let's hope i can exercise more self-control this season (examples of last year's failures).


to begin.
1. a party dress
tsumori chisato random dot dress at la garconne ($532)


steven alan soma dress in purple paisley, at domahoka ($330)



lina rennell ants shift dress, at beklina ($260)



2. sensible tops
humanoid linen and leather v-neck top at la garconne ($164 from $329)

steven alan heddy shirt ($188)



3. shoes
swedish hasbeens jodhpur boot, urban outfitters ($375)



lina rennell moccasins (by manimal), at beklina ($150, from $220)



4. will buy almost anything from

lebouton
wiksten
mociun


and finally.
5. a bauble

i'm looking for a charm necklace with the initial 'L.' something a bit off-beat, a little rough around the edges, but still substantial enough for every day wear. i haven't found anything suitable yet, but this will definitely be a big-ticket item. i wonder if hannah clark could make me something.

denim and use

although i am now a current elliott fan, i can't help but admire people who tough it out in raw denim. i noticed that apc is now selling pre-distressed denim, but the beauty of apc denim for me has always been how they become an index of your recent past.

here are the past four years of matthew's life, as witnessed by his new standards.

on not shopping

thank you anabela for articulating something that i have been thinking about for a long while now. the main thing that i have been struggling with all summer is my desire to keep buying clothing that has no business being in my closet. my problem is that i bypass the designer collaborations at urban outfitters, target, h&m for the pricey stuff (handmade or otherwise). and instead of buying just one or two key pieces, i buy more than i should.

i created laws of general economy in order to both share what i have and to remind myself to be more cautious when buying. it's a step in the right direction for me. at the end of the day, though, i can't bring myself to stop blogging because i have met so many wonderful people through it. and for me, fashion and getting dressed everyday is a leap of faith, a reminder that play is still a vital activity for us all.

apc sunday antique market

i wore my new apc chambray wrap dress to the Sowa (south end-ish) antique market on sunday. it's supposed to get into the 90s today. maybe i should fill the bathtub with cold water and sit there with leon all day.

also worn:
park vogel leggings on super sale
new necklace by simplyolive

fall inspiration from the little ones

petit bateau autumn/winter 2009 lookbook

it's like isabel marant re-imagined for little girls. i wouldn't mind wearing this, and who knows, maybe i'll find something similar available this autumn. i also love her bob. if only i had the guts to cut my hair short again.

new (to me) apc dress!

photo by tien-ann


tien-ann, who has been posting loads of amazing pieces to laws of general economy, notified me that i won her apc chambray wrap dress. i had been trying to track this down on ebay for years, so i am thrilled that i found it on the clothing blog. i think it'll be perfect for breastfeeding. paired with a chunky long cardigan and boots, it will also work this autumn.

chelliswilson

leon and i drove up to portland on friday to see lisa and her lovely clothing at a new shop, chelliswilson. i tried on the yellow striped silk shorts (hanging in the window), which were so adorable. leon enjoyed hanging out on the dressing room floor.

new jeans update

so if you're planning on buying a pair of current elliott boyfriends and don't want to wear a belt at all times for fear of them falling down, i would highly recommend that you order 2-3 sizes down. mine are a 26, and i usually wear a belt with them. my next pair will probably be 25s even though my regular denim size is a 27/28.

they are by far the most comfortable pair of denim that i've owned. the fabric is so soft and slouchy, and it feels like i'm wearing a pair of sweatpants. i really like them with my worishofer slingback wedges, which are the only high-heeled shoes that i can manage to walk in.

there's an art walk in portland, me, today. lisa of lebouton studio will be at chelliswilson. leon and i are heading out after lunch.