32 Flavors of Shoes - Indigo by Clarks grey flats

I cannot believe I have not talked about these shoes yet since they have a place on the list. These flats are super comfortable and go with just about everything. Although the bow is a bit twee it doesn't really bother me (although I question why shoe manufacturers feel compelled to put so many bows on adult shoes - what is up with that?). Ignore the grungy inside, I could not find a way to photograph these on my feet without making my ankles look huge and hairy (I need a lower res camera).

Wear It April 30, 2010

Today's outfit scores points for artistic interpretation but fails the technical section. Blue print dress, black leggings (worn to hide the bruises covering 3/4 of my left shin (filing cabinet accident) and the one on my right knee (origin unknown)), black belt which I thought would define my waist (turns out the definition is "eats too much cake"), black cotton cardi, grey flats.

Making it up as I go along.

I had some Ebay dollars that I couldn't (didn't want to) let go to waste. So I went on a mini spree and got some cute things - including this necklace. The best part is that it was all free.

32 Flavors of Shoes - Miz Mooz Black Boots

I bought these boots a few months ago (on sale, natch) and am wearing them for the first time today. They were advertised as being very comfortable and it's true (Luna Boston never steers me wrong). I love the buckles and the heel is quite workable even for my fat ass/dodgy ankle. I've paired them new! Levis made of some sort of miracle delumpifying fabric that seems to be working pretty well at keeping the jiggles at bay.

Product endorsement

Today's outfit can best be summarized as "it seemed like a good idea at the time." While the outfit was a failure - my hair is as a successful as my hair gets, thanks, in large part, to a generous application of Living Proof hair cream. This stuff is amazing. Even on a rainy day my hair is shiny and relatively frizz free. Sorry for the bad photo but I could not bear the shame of showing more of today's outfit of shame.

Objects of desire - yellow bags

If I was not already in possession of a great yellow bag, I would buy this one. Gorgeous color! Side pockets! Pretty lining!




This one is also gorgeous and on sale!

32 Flavors of Bags Hayden Harnett KP Corcovado

One of my go to rainy day bags, the Khaki Patent ("KP") Corcovado is one of my favorite bags. Roomy and weatherproof, this bag is nearly perfect (Toni - if you want to achieve perfection then make the opening larger and wider so it can handle legal files and give it a cross body strap).

Wear it April 22, 2010

I'm channeling my inner Joan Collins today with this jacket. I thought that the puffy sleeves were cute but I sense they may be a bit too much for me to pull off. Ce la vie. That weird black stuff in the photo is my hair. Clearly I am overdue for a cut.

32 Flavors of bags - Rebecca Minkoff MAB in Plum

I have been on the fence about this bag since I got her. I love the size but I cannot decide about the color. I have never really liked purple but I am constantly buying purple shirts and sweaters and bags. Until I get some much needed therapy on this issue, this bag stays in my maybe category.

Wear It April 20, 2010

In an effort to break out of my rut today I paired a pinstriped jacket (I had to euthanize the pleated elastic waist pants that came with it) with my favorite black pants. I also found this cute necklace which I think dresses up the plain white t-shirt I predictably put on under the jacket.

32 Flavors of Bags - Rebecca Minkoff Steady in stone/jade

I really want to love this bag. It has so many qualities I look for in a bag (outside pockets, shallow but roomy, pretty lining) and yet it just isn't working for me. It is with a heavy heart that she does in the maybe pile.

Personal Style

If you haven’t figured it out by now, I am an attorney. You might think that the hardest part of being an attorney is trying to be a zealous advocate while not also being (too much of) an asshole, or saying Latin words like “nunc pro tunc” with a straight face, or explaining to a clients why the court did something he/she didn’t like. For me, however, the hardest part is figuring out what to wear. Yes Virginia, I AM that shallow. In my defense, it is hard to find clothing that says “take me seriously” while still having some iota of flair (15 piece minimum in the Superior Court ).

This week I met an attorney who has taken her own approach to fashion. Attorney X is a cross between Judge Judy and Iris Barrel Apfel. She is anywhere between 50 and 100 years old and sassy and wise and hilarious. In our all too brief meeting, she rocked big tinted glasses, a mismatched tweed suit, and flats with baby ducks on them (I am not kidding) while maintaining an air of coolness and authority to which I can only dream.

Meeting Attorney X, cleaning out my closet, and thinking about my last birthday (which may have involved the number 4) got me thinking about personal style. I think the last time I gave serious thought to how I looked was in 1984 when I perfected a style akin to what might happen if you tossed Madonna, Boy George, Siouxsie Sioux, and Dr. Robert into a blender and added a dash of angst, a sprinkle of self-consciousness, and a soupcon more black. Since that time I have experimented with various styles in keeping with my personal interests (the Grateful Dead …. tie dyed socks and patchouli) or the fashion of the times (black leggings, jean shorts, and Doc Martins? Anyone?).

For the last 10-15 years however my style has been bland. I aspire to keep some of my early punk influences but more often than not I’m in a black or grey pant suit and a t-shirt. On the weekends I’m in jeans or cords and a nondescript top (assuming I bothered to change out of my pajamas). I want to break out of this rut, notwithstanding my commitment to reduce my spending, but I want to do it “authentically” (feel free to throw up now, I just did). So there you have it. I am a vain, fat, attorney who needs a life and a better wardrobe. Send help. The end.

Questionable Taste Levels

Tell me the truth - is this sweater ugly or so ugly it is cute?

Progress

I am 75% done with the great closet clean out of 2010. I did not take a before photo because I don't want any documentary evidence available when I get sent to debtor's prison for single handedly putting Old Navy, Hayden Harnett, and Rebecca Minkoff in the black, or for my husband to use to nominate me to the show Hoarders.

I have decided to show a peak of my progress so far. The shelves in the back used to be stuffed with shoes - many of which have been repatriated to the shoe rack behind the door or listed for sale . I have moved my folded sweaters to bins on high shelves and put all my tanks and layering t-shirts in bins on the shelves (to be switched as the seasons change). I even moved my jewelry box to inside my closet. The biggest improvements? I can see the floor! I can actually move the hangers and remove a shirt as needed (and on this front I once again must sing the praises of velvet hangers.).

Found Space

I have been struggling with where to store my purses and came upon this genius (if I do say so myself) idea.... use the walls in my closet behind the racks. A handful of Command hooks was all it took get a bunch of my winter bags off the floor and not in the way. Clearly this is best used for things that you don't need to access every day but for seasonal storage it is a great solution. Although I hung some from the handles for this photo, you will probably find it easier to use the dustbag handles.

32 Flavors of Bags - Rebecca Minkoff Malibu MAB Luxe in Sunshine

Spring is here and it is time to break out more spring bags.

32 Flavors of Shoes - nameless mustard yellow flats

I purchased these flats last year when I was going through a fixation with the color mustard yellow. Like most of my shoes they were on clearance and I scored them for $19. Although their provenance is dubious (I cannot read the brand and the label claims they are "synthetic leather" which seems impossible (unless they make synthetic cows in China)) - they are very comfortable and the color is surprisingly versatile.

I have paired them with grey pants, a white-t, black cardigan, and one of my found Hermes scarves. I had hoped the look would come off as casual Parisian chic but instead I look lumpy and random. At least my shoes are cute.

More finds

My husband went to see his family yesterday so I had a very productive weekend - cleaning my closet. For some reason I can only clean when I have the house to myself. I was able to give away a ton of stuff, listed a bunch more stuff for sale on Bonzale, and found some more treasures.... including two of my mom's saris (the turquoise one was her wedding sari) and a purse from my great aunt Bertha.

My mom in her wedding sari.

Find of the day

I'm still cleaning my closet and stumbled upon my mom's Hermes scarf collection! After my mom died my dad gave me a bunch of her things which I put in my closet and have not looked at until today. Among the goodies - four Hermes scarves. Although these are not my style I want to figure out a way to wear them. Ideas welcome!

Building a Shoe Collection

My husband once claimed that a person only needed four pairs of shoes: sneakers; dress shoes; boots; and casual shoes.

Part of me admires the simplicity of his approach and part of me feels sorry for him as he'll never appreciate the thrill that comes from wearing a pair of canary yellow patent leather wedge heels that you scored for 75% off.

In any event, as I try to whittle my shoe collection down to 32 pairs I am faced with the need to balance having shoes that fit certain practical needs while still having shoes that are fun and make my heart sing.

On the practical front I've started to make a list of "must have shoes" for my life and climate (Northeast weather; professional job with many casual days; inability to wear heels). Here is my list so far .... what would you add/remove?

1. Black/brown flats casual
2. Black/brown flats dressy
3. Black/brown tall boots - flat heel
   
4. Black/brown ankle boots - flat heel
5. Black/brown ankle boots - high heel
6. comfort boots (yes I mean Uggs. I know. Deal with it).
   
7. gym sneakers
8. fun sneakers
9. fun color flats
   
10. rain shoes/boots
11. snow boots
12. casual sandals
    
13. dressy pumps
14. formal occasion shoes spring/summer
15. formal occasion shoes fall/winter

32 Flavors of Bags - Olivia Harris Tote

In an effort to disguise the fact that I am wearing the EXACT same outfit as I did yesterday (this was not the walk of shame situation- merely the best I could do with my limited suit selection and one hour of sleep), I changed over to this lovely Olivia Harris bag. I looooovvvvvveeeeee this bag. I had a credit at LunaBoston that I wanted to use and this lovely bag was on sale so I got her for next to nothing. This bag is awesome - super lightweight with enough room to carry legal files if needed. She is a keeper.