Posts from shoes (86)

...orange + tan + slate blue. After L's post about her favorite fashion color combination, I immediately imagined what my palette would look like. For me, it's rich shades of orange (no day-glo, please) paired with a warm blue-grey, all balanced out with a neutral - usually something tan, taupe or champagne. Throw in a fun pattern and a bit of interesting texture, and I'm sold.

Comfy orange slip-ons; lucite nugget earrings; patterned cotton dress; wooden doily clock; reversible leather cuff; sporty blue-grey sandals; clever porcelain spoon coffee mug; Tim Biskup limited edition lamp; and a beautiful handmade leather belt.

...black + white + pink. I don't think this combination will ever go away in my book. Throw in some metallic or reflective finishes for sparkle and finally pepper with pyramid studs - I'm not over those yet, either.

Black wedges; Faceted stud earrings via Making it Lovely; Spaghetti bodice dress; Copper clock via Coco + Kelley; Gold + white stud bangle; Ballet flats; Black mug; White table lamp; Studded skinny belt.

Two versions of the navy stripe espadrille: Madewell, $48, and Target, $17 online (may be less in store).

Guess which pair I bought?

Images from Madewell and Target.

As in, the Martha.

The reason I've kept quiet on the blog about my sister's February wedding in Palm Springs is that shortly beforehand, we learned the event would appear in the Summer 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings! Now that the issue is on newsstands, I'm so excited to share these images with you (by the amazing Justine Ungaro), and dish a little on the festivities.

The Moroccan-inspired hotel facade at the Parker Palm Springs welcomed you (along with K and JP) to the ultimate desert retreat.

The invitation suite, custom-designed for the couple by NEAPOLITAN - and assembled by Sandy Gordon (our mom), Jo Rettberg (our grandma!), and me.

Kristen and bridesmaids, left to right: Sara Cook, Jenima Hadjian, Laura Naples, and Kate Davis. Not pictured: the adorable Molly Naples. Kristen wore the Billie dress by Melissa Sweet. Bridesmaids wore silk taffeta Gracen and Clementine dresses by J.Crew in Barely Peach (color no longer available online). And by the way, I ended up with these shoes.

The wedding program, which carried on the marbelized paper theme from the invitations, held by ringbearer Michalle Giorgi.

The bride and groom kissed after the wedding at Our Lady of Guadalupe church in Palm Springs.

The bride soaked in the desert sun on a chaise outside the Gene Autry house, which was the site of the evening's reception on the grounds of the Parker.

This same space was transformed for the evening by Artisan Events into a stylishly intimate dinner for 62. Tables showcased individual "trees" made of manzanita branches adorned with orchids and hanging votives. Each guest received a small favor card at their placesetting, which explained how a donation was made on behalf of all wedding guests to Atlanta Lab Rescue (along with silhouette portraits of the couple's two yellow labs, Halley and Lola).

The flowergirl - Catherine, me, and my little sister - the bride! Catherine and I wore matching fabric flowers in our hair.

More photos and descriptions of the event can be viewed online, or you can take a peek at the actual spread in the magazine - it's the Summer 2010 issue in the "Real Weddings" section.

A side note: I bought my first issue of Weddings when I was a senior in high school, and have collected issues ever since. The magazine had a tremendous impact on my decision to pursue design, and so for me, to see my family celebrating together in this issue is the ultimate thrill!

Congratulations again to Kristen and Jon Paul! Images by Justine Ungaro via Martha Stewart Weddings.

I must be in accessories mode. (I'll blame it on the pregnancy - I find myself wearing maternity basics over and over again, changing up the look with jewelry and shoes.) Nicole Richie's accessories line, House of Harlow 1960, is not entirely new but I find these pieces really interesting for pairing with the pale colors I'm gravitating toward this spring - particularly in the choice of materials. The Aztec detail on these bangles pops beautifully, thanks to the colored leather set inside them.

The fishscale texture on the Pearl platform pump is a refreshing departure from snakeskin, and the color is lovely. I even dig the stitching up the back of the heel, and I'm not typically a fan of lace-up anything.

Finally, I could get a lot of mileage out of these black leather button earrings - very casual-elegant, and only $35!

Images from Singer 22 (top and bottom) and Endless (middle).

This Pour la Victoire sandal might be just perfect. If it had been available back during the bridesmaid accessory dilemma, I would have ordered in a heartbeat. It's the equivalent of a nailhead-studded leather ottoman: a classic piece that works for many occasions and in unlimited settings, not too dressy, not too casual, just flattering with enough detail to make it forever interesting.

My sandal options are lacking, and for summer I also love a teeny-tiny wedge. While clicking around for some options, I fell for each of these versions (top to bottom): Loeffler Randall, Pour la Victoire and Marais USA.

Top images from Nordstrom. Bottom images from Loeffler Randall, Piperlime and Urban Outfitters.

clockwise from top left :: Dirty Laundry Rescue Rubber Boot in Taupe, $49.00 // Blowfish Hichi Boot in Black Distressed, $59.95 // Roxy Pier Wedge in Geo Multi, $97.95 // Born Shola Boot in Antique Bronze Metal, $155.00.

In putting this image together, I realized just how all-over-the-place my picks really were... my only explanation is 1) Spring is here and I'm still in need of some cute rain gear; 2) my wedge obsession (here and here) hasn't really gone away; and 3) those Born ankle boots would look awesome with all of my colored tights...

So, one pair of each, right?

In keeping with announcement week, I'd like to share that baby #2 is on the way! While the wee one won't arrive until mid-summer, I'm already starting to show and so I'm more grateful than ever for chic maternity options such as these crochet-trimmed, easy pieces from Topshop Maternity (from left: bead crochet jumper; maternity Jamie jeans; crochet neck dress). Of course, comfort will dictate footwear over the next several months, so I like flat and wedge options such as these gold sandal flats and black Prince wedges.

Of course, our family's expansion necessitates (hurrah!) several decorating projects. Over the next few months, we will move Catherine to a different room, move my office into what is now Catherine's room and set up a new nursery. I already have a few ideas brewing, but we're waiting to find out the sex of the baby before launching full speed ahead with the plans (and gigantic IKEA run). I'll share some inspiration and thoughts over the next week!

Images from Topshop, Old Navy and Marais USA.

I kept up with all your responses to my bridesmaid accessory dilemma over the weekend and, per many of your suggestions, chose the Nine West shoes-and-necklace-that-I-already-own combination. The feather was feeling too big for me and I got a new, multi-layered haircut that would make the headband kind of silly-looking. Instead I'll probably get a smaller decorative hairpin to pull back some loose strands from an "undone" up-do.

Thank you again for all your opinions and advice. You really made the decision easy and fun!

My own necklace. Fuschia suede slingbacks, Piperlime.

My sister's wedding is coming up in just a few more weeks, and I need to choose my shoes and accessories to go with the J.Crew bridesmaid dress. I already have a pair of shoes (see look #4) and a huge, chunky stone necklace (looks #1 and 2) to fall back on, but I had fun putting together a few additional options - which do you like the best?

My own necklace. Patterned slingback pump, Victoria's Secret.

Kristen purposefully decided to let the bridesmaids choose our own accessories so we could create individualized looks around the same neutral pale peach dress. She loves the idea of a bright shoe with it. I also like the idea of a crazily patterned, Missoni-esque shoe (above) to fit the funky Palm Springs vibe.

Fancy feather headband, Forever 21. Strappy platform sandals, Zappos.

They're four very different looks, so what are your thoughts? If you have any other great shoes or necklaces you think might work that I should know about, please alert me in the comments...and thank you so much for your amazing eye and opinion!

Braided Nobility bracelet, Banana Republic. Strappy kitten heel sandal, Piperlime.