still summer

I'm on sort of a spending diet lately, saving up for some big expenses on the horizon, but of course that doesn't stop me from fantasy shopping.  Problem is, all my fantasy shopping leans towards fall: layered sweaters and button-down shirts, long pants, lace-up shoes...  You'd think that since this is just hypothetical shopping we're talking about, it wouldn't matter, but it conditions me to crave certain things, and then to be disappointed when I can't actually wear them.  So today I felt the need to remind myself of something pretty important: It's still summer.  You'd think I'd have no trouble remembering, since it hasn't dipped below the 90s here in over a month, but I still find myself looking wistfully at my favorite long sleeve garments thinking that maybe a light breeze will necessitate an extra layer sometime soon.  Not gonna happen.  And really, that's not a bad thing, you just have to embrace it for all that it is.

So just as a reminder, some fabulous summery things to covet...

colors & textures

image sources available on pinterest

Every once in a while I like to share some of my recent pins, in case you're not following me yet over on pinterest.  Pinterest is one online addiction that I think is truly good for me.  In the midst of even my most hectic days, it slows me down, refills my creativity, floods my senses with colors, textures, tastes, and travels, all from the comfort of my laptop.  Are you addicted? Are we following each other yet?

(ps - if you're on other social media platforms as well, so am I! Twitter here, and facebook here.  Just saying.)

hasbeens frenzy

Here's my confession: Even though I'm a very good (read: compulsive) shopper and researcher, I crack under pressure.  I'm the kind of gal who finds something absolutely perfect,  searches online to see if I can find a better and/or cheaper version, and then goes back to visit it in the store three times to see if I still feel the love.  I do not like to be rushed.  So sites like Gilt and MyHabit really really stress me out.  Even more so when they have something I really really want.

Case in point: these Swedish Hasbeens lace-up boots I've been coveting for literally years now.  Crazy ridiculously surreally reduced at MyHabit.  But, do I want them in black or do I want them in nude?  And while we're at it, it seems like the higher heeled version is also deeply discounted, maybe I want those instead?

Cue panic.  Cue frenzied googling.  Cue paralysis.  Cue my shopping nightmare, where the clock is ticking down like an episode of 24 and everything you want is on the line but if you make the wrong decision the world will explode.  Or something like that.  (More likely all you out there who are not afflicted will go and snatch up the last pairs before I actually decide.)

So?  What's a girl to do?  What would you do?  Any of you out there own these lace-up boots?  Which heel height did you go with?  Are they comfortable?  Advice please!  And quick!

ps - these cute clog loafers are also on sale, in case this wasn't already difficult enough.

no. 6

Been a while since we've talked about clogs.  Wouldn't want the clogs of the world to feel neglected, so to show them a little love, here are some that I lusted after at No. 6 in nyc.

Blankets, boots and clogs all in one? Yes, please.  These are seriously lust-worthy.  The leather is pretty stiff, but I was told they soften quickly, and everything in the store was so beautifully made and such high quality that I absolutely believe them.

Love the shorter ones in rust, and my god, shearling?! Who wouldn't want that?

kiltie peeptoe, zipper fringe clog

In the store these funny flirty peep-toes came in amazing vibrant colors, from turquoise to mustard.  They're not up online yet, but they said that they take requests, if there's something specific you want, or a modification of any kind, you can just shoot them an email and they'll make yours to order.  Clog heaven.

in my virtual gap bag

These pants are currently in my shopping bag at gap.com because they didn't have the right size in the store here in town.

 broken-in skimmer

And then, because there's free shipping on orders over $50, I had to have another look around the site.  And then, because gap is connected to piperlime, it got a little dangerous.  After the jump, see the rest of what's in my shopping bag now, though I promise I won't actually get it all.  In fact, the reality is, I probably won't by any of it, but that doesn't stop me from fantasizing a bit.

reinhard plank

Yet another post about clogs.  But these are different.  I swear it.  Reinhard Plank makes hats and shoes, but I there's something really really special going on here.  Take a look at the sculptural beauty of these his clogs.

Seriously.  What the hell?  These are gorgeous.  I wonder if they're as comfortable as your average clog.  I found a little boutique here in Madrid that sells them, maybe I'll have to go try them on.  In the name of scientific research, of course.

see more...

what i'm wearing - tiny flowers

I said this the other day, and I'll say it again, summer's actually here!  Temperatures are steady hovering around 80 degrees now (that's about 27 celsius, which I know because I looked it up.  Six and a half years here and I still think in farenheit.)  Time to celebrate with airy tank tops and clog sandals.  By the way, for those of you who advised me to keep these clogs, thank you!  I absolutely love them and they are ridiculously comfortable. 

to keep or not to keep

I need your advice.

There's a new addition to my clog family, but it's on probation.  I may have to return them, because I am a logical, rational, reasonable person, fully capable of self-awareness and recognizing shoe redundancy.  On the other hand, they sure are cute.

For a few years now, I, along with every other clog lover in the world, have been drooling over Swedish Hasbeens, as evidenced way back when. (side note: have you seen the new loafers?  I think they're so fun(ny) and wonderful).  So you can imagine my excitement when I heard about the Hasbeen/H&M collaboration.  For me this was bigger than Lanvin, bigger than Comme des Garçons, bigger even than Lagerfeld.  So when the clogs hit the stores I literally ran to H&M on Gran Via and like a maniac tried them all on.  I thought I was going to go home with the nude multi-strap pair, but for larger-calved ladies let me tell you, it is not a flattering design.

In the end I came home with these cherry red babies.  I can't wait to wear them with rolled up loose jeans and trousers and long flowing dresses.  They're super comfortable, the soles are incredibly light weight, and they feel like they'll hardly need any break-in time at all.  There's only one problem... I'm having trouble justifying them.