It’s a Pavlovian mystery of the fashion world, but as soon as summer clothes hit the racks, I start getting ready for fall. It doesn’t help that fashion shows and previews happen six months early, but really, fall is my favorite season for clothes, so…any excuse will do.

As you know, my love affair with Loeffler Randall is strong and deep, and will last a lifetime. But, friends, LR’s Fall 2011 collection is the equivalent of a 9-carat diamond bracelet…it’s making me fall in love all over again.  Seriously, it’s their best collection in ages, and definitely one of my all-time favorites.  The husband is going to have to freeze my credit cards in a block of ice, I fear.

And so, a little eye candy to get you dreaming of (and budgeting for) September:

Sigh. A closet filled with every one of these beauties is so my happy place right now.

Happy Friday, friends!  This week’s list has a definite theme, though I’m not totally ready to examine what it says about me. All of the spring shoes I’m loving lately have just the tiniest touch of granny chic. Sure, maybe I’m getting sensible in my old age (and really, doesn’t a nice moderate heel and an orthopedic comfy footbed sound really, really good right about now?), but I could also be way ahead of the fashion curve. Regardless, I’m pretty sure these just might be adorable.

I actually tried out this cute little Tova style by Naya recently. I was nervous…they definitely walk the “hippie crunchy” line, but they’re so fun in person, I’m willing to forgive them. The pale pink/lavender shade is a surprising neutral – makes a great stand-in for nude, and is ultra-flattering even if you aren’t tan ever yet. There’s enough substance to this strappy style to stand up to being worn with jeans, but the heel’s short enough that you can pull these off with shorts (without looking like a streetwalker). And ohhh, the comfy. Seriously…wearing a shoe like this reminds that maybe the hippie crowd has a point. Maybe.

Frye never lets me down…they hit it out of the park every single time. This sweet little Emma woven flat reminds me of those huarache sandals I used to wear when I was young. They come in a rainbow of fruit flavors colors, but my favorite is this red. It’s more brick than cherry in person, which tones it down just enough to make it work with, well, everything. Plus, they’re a great option for those of you who can’t wear sandals to work (or who are just in dire need of a pedicure). A little tip: I’d go down at least a half size on these.

And now we get to the really scary part. The part where I tell you that I’m pretty sure the next shoe I buy this season will be from Kork-Ease. But look how cute!

Right? I also quite like the pale grey version. And I’m sorry, but they look an awful lot like the K.Jacques I’ve been wanting for two years, but for which I refuse to shell out $250. At $99, I’m thinking these could be an excellent substitute.

This sweet little fuchsia espadrille is by a designer called Eric Michael, who I’ve never heard of. I’m having a hard time deciding whether these are Sophia Loren or Sophia from The Golden Girls…but either way, I think they’re adorable. I’m highly finicky when it comes to espadrilles – wedges in general, really – but these feel like they’re just begging to salsa their way through a street fair. Or, you know, carry me down to Starbucks for a cappuccino.

So, friends, what’s the verdict? Have I lost my mind? Been in Portland too long? Or am I just so far ahead of the trend, I’m starting one of my own?

{Editor’s Note: We’re trying something new, friends: the sponsored post. Don’t worry…they’ll be few and far between, and my editorial rules still apply.  I won’t run it if I don’t really and truly love it, and all opinions are 100% mine. Show these new sponsors lots of love, won’t you?}

Who doesn’t love Havaianas flip-flops? Inexpensive, adorable, and ridiculously comfortable…what more can you ask of a $30 shoe?

A few favorites from their women’s sandals collection…I couldn’t choose just one.

I’m always especially partial to their limited editions…not everyone could team up with Missoni and Wonder Woman.  But their classics are every bit as fab, and much easier to come by (those limited editions sell out in a flash!). Best to stock up now, before the summer rush hits, don’t you think?

Happy Friday, all! It’s supposed to be sunny here in Portland this weekend, thank the good lord…we’ve earned it! So, let’s get right to the point so that I can head off and meet a friend for brunch (ah, the perks of working from home).

I’ve been loving Rebecca Minkoff’s new shoe collection…particularly these flats, which I very nearly bought last night. Should I have splurged?

And I’m pretty much completely in love with Kate Spade’s enamel bracelets this season, made even better by the cheeky little sayings engraved inside. We’ve officially passed “want” and are dangerously close to “need.”

Trouser jeans are everywhere this time of year, but face it – it’s going to be too hot very soon. When that day finally arrives, these chic inky linen trousers from Max Studio are going to be a stand-up stand-in. True, linen is awfully high-maintenance…but I think these might be just as pretty in their raw, wrinkled state as they are all pressed and perfect.  What do you think?

And last up, if you’re in a do-gooder mood this weekend, stop by your local Kiehl’s on Saturday. They’re partnering with Share Our Strength, an organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America, for an event that benefits everyone. Just for stopping in the store, you’ll get a 10-day sample of their Powerful Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, and they’ll donate $1.50 per person to Share Our Strength. Plus, a few of the stores are hosting bake sales. Cupcakes, no wrinkles, and you get to feel good about your day.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Friends, how was your weekend? I hope it was wonderful. I’m recovering from a very long weekend back home. With a family wedding and Mother’s Day festivities, it was…well, exhausting. But also so fun! I got to wear a dress and heels every day I was there, and I actually took the time to apply eyeliner! Believe me, when you work from home, these occurrences are right up there with spotting lake monsters.

The point? Oh yes, that. I had forgotten entirely just how much a girl’s feet can hurt after days of wearing nothing but heels. All weekend, the only thing I was craving was my lazy shoes (aka, my Simple sneakers).

Let me back up: as a rule, I hate sneakers. Can’t abide them. Don’t even like the word “sneakers,” in fact, and tend to side with my friends in the UK and call them “trainers”…it somehow makes me feel better about wearing them, even though it also makes me sound pretentious. They feel clunky, they make your feet look bigger than they are (and my feet are huge), they’re just not chic. I don’t even like Converse (on me, at least), and even the French like Converse!

So, the sneakers (er, trainers) have to be something pretty special before I’ll wear them. And this style from Simple – it’s called the Take On – is just that. Now, mind you, I don’t like any other style of the Take On – only this one. I love the grey leather (and the matching grey laces, which I vastly prefer to white). I love the low profile, the simple styling, and the fact that they’re actually pretty compact-looking on the foot, as trainers go.  They’re also extremely comfortable, though I do kind of think that should go without saying when it comes to lazy shoes.

Am I wearing them every day? Don’t be absurd. But after three days of heels, all I was thinking on the plane on my way home was “I can’t wait to get these damn shoes off. Tomorrow, it’s yoga pants and my Simples.” See? Lazy shoes.

Now if only there was a version with those stretchy laces, so I could be even lazier.

it’s been a while since i swooned over sigerson morrison, but their belle collection for spring has me squirming in my seat…i suddenly can’t wait until open-toed shoes are an option again.

as always, i love belle because she’s every bit as stylish as her namesake label (maybe even a bit more wearable), but with a much more comfortable price point.  sadly, that’s gone up this season – by quite a bit, actually.  most styles are in the $225-265 range, whereas they were floating just under $200 last year.  it’s a disappointment, to be sure.  but it’s hard to hear my wallet’s complaints in the midst of such loud pangs of shoe envy.

i’ve decided to ignore the constant drizzle (and, ahem, yesterday’s hail?!) in my rainy city.  i’m springing forward, darn it, and i don’t care what the weather has to say about it.  this week’s list of friday finds is nothing if not bold, bright and full of spring color.

if this “pretty in prints” compact from clinique doesn’t bring out the sunshine, i don’t know what will.  they teamed up with milly to design a palette that’s pitch-perfect for spring.  the compact is etched with a classic milly pattern, and inside, you’ll find nothing but classic, useful shades of eyeshadow and blush to see you through the entire summer.  plus, that pretty drawstring pouch makes this even more fun to throw into your beach bag.  i’ll be using each and every shade until it runs dry – a bold claim from a girl who has never finished an eyeshadow in her life.

shopbop is always just hellbent on taking my money, and they’ve launched a couple of new treats this week to do just that.  first up is their new “ONE by” boutique, which features one (and only one!) signature or special piece from designers off the beaten path.  i’ll admit, most of it is more fashion-forward than i am. but i do love the thrill of having something from a designer no one else has heard of.  and it makes for excellent window-shopping.

also, their spring collection of tucker by gaby basora arrived this week, and it’s all just so lovely, i’m speechless.  all i can say is that i want nothing more than to spend every single day of spring in these bold, bright silks.

i know we just talked shoes yesterday, but i can’t resist showing you these stunning suede loafers by kubyan.  they caught my eye in the march marie claire, and i haven’t been able to stop thinking about them.  i’ve been wanting a pair of driving loafers that successfully walked the line between classic and tongue-in-cheek, and suddenly, here they are. now to come up with the $300 i’d need to make them mine.  fortunately, they’re made by hand, by single mothers in colombia who need work.  so really, it would be wrong of me not to buy them, right?

while i was in seattle last week, i took a moment to check out the go international designer collective reprise happening at target.  they did a great job of bringing back the best styles, and the timing couldn’t be better, what with wedding season on the horizon.  after trying on every several styles, and crying a bit over how short the black floral tucker dress was (it’s so lovely!), i left with this colorblocked shift from thakoon.  colorblocking will be everywhere for summer, and this is an easy style with infinite potential.

that’s it for this week, friends. i hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead of you!  i’ll be celebrating a little engagement-versary with the hubs, so hopefully some wining and dining will be involved, as well as a considerable amount of R&R.  i hope you have something equally lovely planned.

sure, spring is all about color…but i want to talk about neutrals for a moment.  a perfect neutral shoe is the unsung hero of a bright wardrobe.  pair it with your boldest color combo, never having to worry whether you have shoes that will work.  or wear them instead of sandals with the simplest of summer outfits – denim cutoffs and a slouchy tee – and instantly add a bit of unexpected chic to the look.

i’ve been hunting for my perfect neutral flat for longer than i care to admit, but i’ve finally found it in bloch london’s arabian ballerina flat in fossil.

after some close comparisons, i can tell you the color is identical to another favorite of mine, etoupe by hermes.  it’s this wonderful, warm, elephant-hued taupe that flatters any skin tone, works with literally any color you could conjure, but doesn’t disappear like a typical nude or tan shoe would.  plus, they’re incredibly comfy, and are lined with pretty pink suede, which makes them feel utterly decadent every time you put them on.  and at $119, these fall quite nicely into the “obtainable luxe” category.

my only tip with bloch:  they run at least a half size small.  i sized up a full size, and it worked out perfectly.  thank goodness for barefoot tess – there’s no way i would have found these pretties in a 42 any other way!  of course, if you’re in the smaller sized shoe world, you can pick them up right here.

it’s that time, dear readers…happy friday!  of course, the promise of those two blissful weekend days is a bit offset this week by losing an hour to the monster that is daylight savings time.  but it also means spring is on the horizon, and i’m more than ready!  and now…friday finds:

now that i’ve unleashed the beast, it seems there’s no end to my spring bag coveting streak (um, i just typed the word “spreak”: apparently, my brain’s hybrid of spree/streak.  shall we start a trend? perhaps not.).  this cute little crossbody from asos popped up on my worldwide wanders this week, and i’ve had the window open on my browser ever since.  seems like a good stand-in for the kate spade crossbody, especially at 1/4 the price. bags under $100 don’t even count in the budget, right?

it’s not often i see something that makes me want to call a “do-over” on my completely lovely and wonderful wedding day.  but oh, if only jessie randall had been designing these beautiful bridal shoes back then…

i’m starting to feel like it’s all stripes, all the time, everywhere i turn.  but i also can’t deny that they’re everywhere because they’re just that good.  this top from madewell caught my eye this week, mostly because it’s a bit of a change from the traditional breton stripe, but no less versatile (and less scary for those of you that still fear the horizontal stripe).  plus, they’re offering free shipping with no minimum through sunday (code is SHOPAWAY)…and we know that’s always a powerful shopping incentive for me.

in case you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, and haven’t seen all of those other bloggers waxing poetic about the fabulousness that is forestbound, allow me.  i’m not sure i’m a recycled-canvas-tote kind of girl, but i can tell you the newest pieces in their shop (they always sell out lightning fast) have me really wanting to try.

and, speaking of etsy, i went on a little vintage housewares search spree this week, and am suddenly obsessed with these beautiful dansk enamelware pots.  this one’s a little banged up, but that bright orange is just so cheery!

i hope you enjoyed this week’s exceptionally random list, friends.  have a fabulous weekend!  i’m off to seattle for a couple of days to visit a dear friend and hear the amazing dr. angelou speak again (i’m like a groupie, i know).  hope you have something equally lovely planned!

when i heard that ivanka trump had started designing shoes, i was so curious to try them that…brace yourselves, now…i actually went out and bought a pair.  at full price.  i know.  while i tend to think of ivanka trump’s dad as more cartoon than reality, i have to admit i’ve always had a bit of a style crush on his little girl.  she seems to have risen above the family circus with all her poise and grace, but has that killer, badass business side i so love in strong women (see eg, martha stewart, hillary clinton).

but then, her dad sells suits at mens’ wearhouse.  so this really could have gone either way.

it also helped that, just as her new shoe collection launched, i realized i had a major gap in my shoe collection:  no classic black heels.  can you believe it?  i mean, yes, i have a few pairs of heels that are black, but nothing that’s the classic, go-to pair you absolutely have to have.

so, when i walked into nordstrom recently and saw a display holding pair after pair of exactly what i wanted, in all sorts of classic colors, and then they turned out to be from ivanka’s line, i had to try them on.

turns out, it’s exactly the shoe i’d expect her to design:  a no-nonsense, high-functioning classic.  the heel is a perfect 2.5″, so you can actually walk comfortably, but still get all the aesthetic advantages of a higher heel.  the footbed is really well padded, especially in the ball of the foot – almost as if a girl who wears heels every day designed them (imagine!).  the sides of the shoe come up high enough to give your foot a very slender look, the leather is soft, but i can tell it will be durable, and the heel is leather-covered as well (a must if you want your shoes to look high-end).  plus, it comes in black and a great classic nude, in both matte and patent leathers (there’s also a coral shade that feels a little ’80s to me, but you can’t win them all).

the rest of the collection…well, mixed reviews.  i don’t love any of the casual styles – this girl spends a lot of time in heels, and it shows.  and several of her styles are, shall we say, strikingly similar to some by certain other designers.  hopefully they don’t mind one of their best customers taking some liberties…

{left, ivanka trump ‘dimund’; right, manolo blahnik ‘sedaraby’}

{left, ivanka trump ‘asteria’; right, manolo blahnik ‘suw’}

in fact, now that i think about it, even the heel i bought looks a little familiar, which i’m starting to feel badly about.  but then really, how different can you make a black pump?

all that said, if you have a formal event to attend, this little bejeweled, strappy number would be absolutely flawless.  and you’d definitely net a second date if you wore these sky-high red peeptoes on the first.

otherwise, if you happen to be in my boat, and are missing a classic pump, this is one of the best i’ve seen, particularly in the $100 range.  snap them up now…i have a hunch they’ll jump to $150 next season.