Free People Has A Shoe Line: Let the Celebration Commence!

If you are a regular follower of this blog, first of all, thank you. Secondly, you must know that I am a huge fan of the fashion line Free People. The Free People brand has been around for years. I remember acquiring my first piece at Bloomingdales on a family vacation (an embroidered green blouse), and being pleased as punch that I would be wearing it on my first day of high school. To this day, the brand is one of my go-tos when I am searching for a unique piece. Now the line tends to run a little on the boho side for my taste, but I find myself drooling over at least one piece in every collection.

Ladies (and gentlemen with small feet),  I am excited to say that Free People has come out with a shoe line, and it's fantastic.

Rain, Rain, Give Me An Excuse To Buy Boots

It's a nasty, dreary, rain-spitting day here in Saint Louis, and while it pretty much just makes me want to wear my jam-jams, I still am a working woman and need to get to work with dry feet.

Enter the fashion rain boot. Not too long ago, rain boots, aka "rubbers" or "wellingtons" were relegated to east coast fishermen, or British people. But, within the last seven years they have become a fashion staple.

 Thanks to eternal fashion pioneer Kate Moss, I myself was inspired to step out in a dark green pair of Hunter boots at the start of the trend. I wore them to Saint Louis Mardi Gras, a local annual tradition that harkens from the New Orleans celebration, with substantially less religious ferver and about the same amount of binge drinking and redneck flashing.

Needless to say on that day seven years ago I got a few strange looks, but I also got a few complements (mostly from east coast fishermen). But my feet were dry and I felt sartorially superior, so, all in all, a success!

Now a days, everyone has a pair. And thats great! We can all slog through this nasty wet weekend together, and make it home with toasty warm tootsies. Yay warm feet for all!

I myself am shopping for a new pair. Here are a few of my favorites:

These riding inspired Rag and Bone for Hunter are great for country walks, or whatever.

Red hot Prada. Make the sidewalk sizzle.

Muk Luk makes a great, affordably boho pair.

This pair from Burberry is timeless.

Channel your inner nineties geek in this pair from Dr. Martins.

You can't go wrong with a classic pair in a great color. Like this one from Hunter.

I want to wear this pair from Loeffler Randall even when it's not raining.

Three Non-Sweatpants Ideas for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is one of those holidays where, in the movies, everyone is dressed casually, yet chic in cozy sweaters and plaid, with tons of fall color. In reality, most people drag their hung over bodies to the table in whatever they slept in.

In life, I want almost everything to be like the movies (barring most horror films, pornos, and gangster flicks). I think as a people we should come together and say "damn, those sweatpants are comfortable, but I want to look good!" Americans need to take a note from Downton Abbey and dress for dinner. For god's sake, we can be just as put together as the Brits without losing any of our credibility as the outspoken fools of the the civilized world.

In that vein, here are three fun, put together looks to wear on Thanksgiving Day. Nay, they may not be as comfortable as your three year old Pink lounge pants from Victoria's Secret. But, in the end when you see pictures, because yes my friends, there will be pictures, you will be proud to say "I stuff my face in cashmere, fools!"

Sweater by Missoni, Necklace by Aurelie Biderman, top by Umasan, shoes by Chloe, jeans by J Brand

dress by Jean Paul Gaultier, boots by Balenciaga, earrings by Marie Laure Chamorel

sweater by The Row, pants by ALC, ring by Knight$ of New York, boots by Gianvito Rosso

Fall Flannel With Sparkle

 As promised, here is my fashion post on the shirt I DIY'd this weekend. I paired it with faux leather skinnies and wedges, but I think it would look fab worn jacket style over a dress or tucked-in to some cute boyfriend jeans.

Bombpop DIY: Western Flannel with Sequined Panels

With my two closest friends out of town for the weekend, I decided to make it a weekend in and get crafty. The result was this fun Free People-inspired flannel shirt with sequined insets:

Buffalo Plaid Three Ways

So I have this buffalo plaid shirt from Trouve that I wear all the time. I got it last year and practically lived in it last winter.

It looks great with denim but I love to mix and match it into unexpected combinations. Here are three ways I love:

I couldn't resist a dance off with myself. I think we all know which Sam won. Anyway, enough sillyness (never). 

1. I mixed it up with a felt hat from Nordstrom and a faux leather skirt by ASTR. Kork Ease wedges and a statement necklace finish off the look.

2. Here I've layered the shirt over a little black dress. I toughened up the look with vintage moto boots from Aldo.

3. For this sassy little number I added an old Alice and Olivia jacket, Blank NYC faux leather jeans and my favorite Jeffrey Campbell stilettos.

I think this was my favorite look, but I would do them all again. I hope this was informative, or in the very least, entertaining. 

Sam

Fashion Inspiration: Free People

I received my monthly Free People catalogue today, and while I always love looking through them, I don't always love their styling. 

At times, Free People's whole gypset, boho, "pile more on, moron," styling aesthetic can be overwhelming. As a visual stylist who constantly works with their product, I myself struggle with their "more is more" philosophy.

That being said, I thought the styling in the November catalogue was spot on, expertly curated, and well, inspiring. So I thought i would share some images I loved from the catalogue and I hope you like them too. 

All images are property of Free People. Shop the catalogue here.

Fun With Graphic Prints

Leah's Suspiria post got me in the mood for graphic prints. They are always on-trend, and I never get tired of gazing at them.

Here are a few of my favorites:

jacket by Gianni Versace Vintage, shoes by Carven, pants by 10 Crosby Derek Lam, dress by Courreges, skirt by Egg, blouse by Etro, tank by Givenchy, blazer by Haute Hippie, dress by Roberto Cavalli

Inspiration: Gloria Steinam

Every once in a while, someone comes around who has the full package. They are inspiring not only sartorially but in almost every other facet of their lives.

 Gloria Steinam is one of those someones. Writer, feminist trailblazer, Equal rights activist, Playboy Bunny, CIA agent, the list goes on and on. And she did it all while looking amazing. I love a girl who can change the face of feminism while rocking a killer pair of knee high boots and a mini dress.

photo courtesy Fine Art America

I really love her looks from the 60's and 70's. This is also the time when she was in the thick of bringing women's reproductive rights and feminism into the limelight. In addition, Steinam was a strong vocal supporter of the Black Power movement. 

photo by abqjournalsage.com

photo courtesy Interview Magazine

Steinam serves as an example that fashion is not just for self absorbed, selfie-taking, shopaholic mean girls. Gloria is not a "fashionista." Gloria is a strong, stylish woman with an interest in fashion. And to me that is the definition of what inspires me and what I aspire to become.

photo courtesy jpmag.com

So now I will hop off of my soapbox and whip out a funky, Gloria Steinam inspired look just for you.

turtleneck by Olivia Widestead, boots by Vicero, glasses by Bottega Veneta, skirt by Isabel Marant, 

kimono by Top Shop,  ring by Max and Chloe

Photo Courtesy New York Magazine

Here she is posing with Terry Richardson, which is a little strange given his reputation. Aside from that, doesn't she look amazing for 79? It's women like Steinam and Martha Stewart (70) who make me think the secret to eternal youth is staying busy as heck! If you want to learn mere about Gloria Steinam click here, and prepare to feel inadequate.

Color Crush: Mustard Yellow

The transformation of the scenery when fall rolls around is one of my favorite things of all time. I spent last weekend in beautiful Johnson's Shut-In's just enjoying the general splendor with family.

The color palette of the changing leaves inspires me to wear the warm, earthy hues of red, brown and yellow. This year I'm stuck on the yellow. In particular, mustard yellow.

Here are some of my favorite fashion finds in the hue of mustard yellow:

scarf by We Are Owls, sandal by Fendi, socks by Uniqlo, jacket by Chloe, cords by Uniqlo, sweater by Kristina T, 

blouse by Lanvin 

Chicago Bound!

Hello All,

Next week I will be in Chicago for work. I am super excited to see the sights, shop, people watch, and just marinate in the Windy City. Oh and get some work done, too, I suppose.

photo courtesy citydata.com

So gorgeous, right? 

Now I need to pack. In general, Chicago tends to be quite a bit cooler than Saint Louis, so I will need a warm coat. I am excited to wear this amazing men's wear inspired coat I bought a couple weeks ago! 

photo credit Leah Hill

I probably couldn't of worn it here for a few more weeks, so thank you, Chicago, for being windy and frigid! 

But woman cannot dress on coat alone, so here are my other packing essentials:

1. A great white t-shirt (or whale, its your choice!)

2. One pair of fabulous heels. You never know what may come up. Be like a boy scout: always prepared.

3. Comfy jam-jams. My lazy butt plans on putting in some quality hotel time.

4. A cozy cardigan.

5. Distressed skinny jeans

6. Shoes you can walk in. Duh.

7. One easy dress (pack tights, yo, Chi-town's chilly!)

Luggage by Collection by Globetrotter

pjs by Olivia Van Hale, dress by Kenzo, cardigan by Max Mara, wedges by United Nude, jeans by Rag & Bone, heels by Charlotte Olympia, 

tee by Helmut Lang

Of course you'll need a few other things, but this should get you through your first couple days. You can either pack more separates or shop for them! 

Seven Things I am Craving for Fall.

1. A Notorious B.I.G. t-shirt:

Jay Z has this one from artist Rocksmith, so I'll have one, too!

2. A cozy Cardigan:

This one from DKNY looks perfect for curling up with a glass of red wine and watching my Stories!

3. A moto-inspired skinny:

Marissa Webb makes a super luxe version.

4. A great hat:

This Karl Lagerfeld fedora harkens from my Walter White post. 

5. A quirky ankle boot:

I really like the western detail on this pair from Jeffrey Campbell.

6. A Leather Jacket:

I'm obsessed with this Theyskin's Theory version!

7. Comfy loungy pants for cold chillin':

I love this bat themed pair from Zoe Karssen.

So thats what's on my Fall wish list. What's on yours?

Eight Great Sweaters for Fall

If you're like me, you can't wait for those first chilly nights at the end of summer that signify the emergence of the Fall season. Well, here in Saint Louis, they have finally arrived! 

Behold! Eight great sweaters for you!

kenzo

stella mccartney

zoe karssen 

topshop

juicy coutour

belstaff

the row

maje