Shoe lust

I had my blood taken today, so instead of spending the whole day napping or perking myself up artificially with caffeine, I decided to compile my 2012 shoe lust list (for that natural high).

1. Bonanno's Palm Beach sandals

Top of my list is a pair (and for the record, when I say a pair, I mean a pair in every color, but I will limit myself here to showcasing just one or two each) of Bonanno sandals. 
Now I won't go into the whole history of how Bonanno's are the real Jackie O sandals, about how Jack Rogers is a shameless imitator, nor the fact that Stephen Bonanno is the rightful son and heir to the Bonanno empire, yet divorcing Monica Bonanno left the leather dyes, stamps and even the Palm Beach factory in her hands (how the *** did her divorce lawyer manage that?). No I won't go into that. What I will do is a quick heads up for anyone who is still buying JR's or contemplating them instead of Bonanno's:

• Bonanno's use ONLY leather throughout, JR's use part man-made materials
• Bonanno's use rich dyes to color their leather, JR's "paint" the leather, so the color flakes off eventually
• Bonanno's are all handmade in their (new) Stuart, FL location, JR's are made...where exactly?
• Bonanno's are the only sandals Lady Lilly Pulitzer wears, as did Jackie O. JR's are NOT.
• Bonanno's will completely resole your sandals for you, JR's will not
• Bonanno's leather softens and molds to your foot with age, JR's will crackle, crumble and eventually tear

If you are still considering buying JR's, I am sorry. You are beyond reason.

Stephen Bonanno Palm Beach sandals in gold/gold

My order of priority for Bonanno's is gold/gold, silver/silver, white/gold, red/gold, light pink/white aaand then every other color.

2. Belgian Shoes

Second lust item on the 2012 shoe list are Belgian shoes, natch. I am still debating between Midinette Lizard and Midinette all calf, plus I have heard conflicting reports on sizing.... any insights from readers?

I really want a navy version, since I have waaaaaaay too many brown loafers and I wear a lot of navy jeans... Black with color trim would be my second choice, as I think these would be great for going on a trip where you want comfort and style and don't want to pack more than a couple of pairs of shoes.

3. Ferragamo Varina

Third on my lie awake at night trying to justify buying shoe shopping list is a pair of Ferragamo Varinas. I am super attracted to the color versions, but as an investment shoe, I don't know if I'd dare veer off the black path. Then again, these are a bit more special, so I guess I wouldn't be slumming in them during the day. Then again, my aunt swears by these flats, she's worn her pairs since the 80s and literally just gets the soles replaced, so she doesn't have to break in a new pair!

Drool. Ferragamo Varina's. Essential - no?

I'd probably start with the black calf (not patent) with black bow, cross over to a cream with black bow and then head into candy land with a pair of bright orange, green and pink to round out my Varina family.

4. Tory Burch Reva ballerinas

The next selection is probably a bit chewed out by the prep-set by now, but I do still covet a pair of Tory Burch Reva's. Again I'd love to hear your opinion about their fit, because I'd be ordering online, untried!

Tory Burch Reva's in black calf with gold

Tory Burch Reva in tumbled leather

Again I'd start off with the black with gold medallion to have my Reva base covered, then I'd definitely get a red pair, since I live in both navy and black striped nautical shirts during spring and most of summer.  I love the above pair but wish it had a gold medallion instead.

5. Tod's Gommini mocassin

These driving mocs have been on my shoe lust list for about a decade now. They are the softest, most comfortable slipper shoe you can wear out in public EVER. They are beautifully made, supple, understated and an absolute classic in my book. It is the idea office, travel and driving shoe. As far as I am concerned, these are pure luxury. Naturally I want. every. single. pair.

6. Gucci Horsebit/logo ballet flats & heels

Gucci Mayfair ballet flats

Unfortunately it appears that Gucci no longer makes my dream pair. It was the black logo ballet flat with the green/red webbing across the toe box, topped by a horsebit. They also did a matching block heel with identical logo/webbing/horsebit details that were awesome too. Looks like I'd be hunting down vintage ones... urgh. Is it just me or is wearing someone else's used shoes gross?

So there you have it! My shoe lust list that will bankrupt me for years to come ;-) Fortunately my taste and style preferences are enduring, so I shouldn't feel guilty for buying multiple pairs of $500 loafers, right? Ha!
Have a good week, guys!

Cambridge Satchels

Today we decided to brave the masses and head into the big city.

What's that dent, you ask?

One look at the crowds and I wanted to go back into hibernation, but there was no turning around. At the very least we had to find out what that dent in the side of the building was.

Why, it's just your run of the mill glass portal (to a galaxy far far away, natch!)

Rock star parking for the two-wheelers

Sherman was not loving the icy temperatures, nor being forced to wear a sweater...

Why put a sweater on me, but leave me to walk around bare-pawed? hmm? Can you explain that to me?

Next stop was Urban Outfitters, which always seems to have an eclectic mix of overpriced 80s leftovers (MC Hammer Levi's jeans? errr, pass...Shredded spiderweb acrylic sweater? errr, no thank you.).
These tribal-y friendship bracelets sure brought back memories, minus the spikes that is. I felt completely uninspired until I spotted the Cambridge satchels.

Leather Cambridge Satchel in tan

They come in a variety of colors, UO stocked the black and tan, of which I much preferred the tan. It's part schoolboy gamine, part stuffy Oxbridge intellectual biking to a lecture.
Lately I've been struggling with slippery straps on my Barbour and other puffy parkas, so I'm seriously considering getting a Cambridge satchel for the winter months.

11" Cambridge Leather Satchel

I like the look of the 11" (if you can ignore the lopsided cuffed jeans...), but considering the amount of stuff I like to tote around, I think I would go with the 13" satchel instead. For being all leather, they are surprisingly lightweight. I love that you can customize your satchel with a gold embossed monogram on their website! That fact pretty much seals the deal. Now I just need to decide on a color. Tan is a classic and goes with every winter coat I own. I also love the navy....and the red. Really, I love the green too, it's a bright Kelly green. Oh, who am I kidding, I love them all! So while I save my pennies to splurge on a Lotuff & Clegg, I think a Cambridge Satchel will do nicely!

Lilly Pulitzer Reveal Part II.

I was barely coming down from my LP induced high, when RueLaLa decided to deliver the final K.O. to my bank account a day or two later...

Lilly Pulitzer Sea and Be Seen tote

This actually matches a cardigan I forgot to mention from the LP sale... I plan on wearing both with skinny white pants and silver sandals, proudly waving the matchy-matchy flag!

I managed to snag a pink polo shirt and Roslyn skirt before all the best stuff was sold out in my size. Not that I should be thinking about adding to this collection... but should there be another sale... you know... in a decade far far in the future.... I shall be focussing on PJs, bags, shoes and cashmere. I think I've got the dresses covered for now :-)

What did you get at the sales?

Lilly Pulitzer Reveal Part I.

The final stragglers of my Lilly Pulitzer shopping extravaganza during the New Year sale have finally all arrived. I admit, I went a biiiiiit craaaaazy. Well ok, a lot crazy.
I wasn't prepared for all the nice stuff that would be on offer! Rookie mistake.
My funds were already depleted from the Christmas gift giving palooza. But when there are such important matters at stake, there is a determination (read: greed) that rallies from deep within, separates the lint from the dimes in your pockets and hits "purchase". Because if you don't, you regret it... in June.

I went in with a plan: Check out everything first, add to cart, review cart, then check out. Yeah... errr... force majeur ruled against that plan.

Lilly Pulitzer Delia dress

Up first: The Dalia dress. This baby was coming home to Mama! I have a few LP shift dresses that are slightly too big for me (ok, future maternity wear kinda big), so I ordered the Delia shift in a size smaller than my regular size and it fits perfectly.

I love this pattern so I didn't get much further down the page before I had another item to check out...

Lilly Pulitzer Evie dress

...and then again... (I bought it in blue)

Lilly Pulitzer Jacqueline dress

...and again...
...and again

Lilly Pulitzer Bowen dress

I realized my shopping frenzy was a bit one-sided, so I rounded out my loot with a Paley cardigan in pink, an Opening Ceremony clutch in pink and...a tie for hubs. That's right, I thought of others. *Hoping this earns me some brownie points with hubby for part II of the LP shopping reveal....*