Tag Archives: lilybee

styled alternatives: the brogue boot

i’ve been trying for months to figure out a way to work the brogue oxford into my wardrobe, but the fact is i think the style’s just a little too hipster for me.  until, that is, i spotted this utterly perfect brogue boot in the new lilybee collection from simply soles.

talk about love at first sight!  now, on its face, this little boot is about as far from my comfort zone as i can imagine.  to begin with, i have a pretty serious phobia of short boots (for some reason, the idea of the top of the boot showing above my jean hem renders me catatonic, plus short boots with skinnies flatters roughly 15 people on the planet).  and again, styling the brogue was vexing me a bit.  but these beauties just called to me, and i couldn’t resist (a big thanks to simply soles for agreeing, and sending these over for me to experiment with!).

i think the secret to these boots is threefold.  first, they’re a bit dressier than the classic oxfords that i’m seeing everywhere (including on a 60-year-old mom yesterday, argh!).  so, rather than wearing them with shorts and cuffed boyfriend jeans, i’ll be wearing them with more tailored pieces, a much better fit for my style.  second, the short boot doesn’t scare me nearly as much here.  with the menswear-inspired styling, the side goring i’d normally steer clear of is a perfect choice.  plus, there’s no skinny vs. wide leg debate here – a boot or wide leg is the only option here.  and third, the color is insanely beautiful. it’s the perfect distressed-but-polished grayish taupe (not quite as brown as the photos would have you think) that’s going to go with nearly all of my favorite winter looks.

so, what will i be wearing these with, exactly?  i’m so glad you asked!

Picture 1

that outfit on the right?  that’s my winter uniform, right there.  trouser jeans, a great tweed jacket, tie-neck blouse and the perfect long pendant necklace (and those earrings from the temple st clair collection for target…love!).  and i can hardly wait for the weather to turn cool enough to try them with a pair of wool flannel trousers.  add a long cozy cashmere cardigan – in just about any color, really – a chunky hoop earring (love these by acanthus), and a great bag, and it’s perfection.

but these boots can play the casual game too, if i pair them with a simple v-neck sweater, my favorite boot-cut jeans, and a scarf.  maybe i’ll add my leather blazer for a bit of edge, or play around with a straight-leg jean (no skinnies here, please!).  and with that incredibly neutral color, don’t be scared of mixing in other neutrals.  black, brown, grey…the options are endless.

i will caution that this particular style runs a bit on the narrow side (they’re made in brazil, after all).  but a little $6 visit to my cobbler for stretching, and they were an absolutely perfect fit.  and truly, they’re just so pretty in person, i would have done just about anything to make them work.

if you love them too, you can nab them from simply soles for $225, a bargain in the boot world these days, i think.

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shoppingsmycardio giveaway: lillybee shoes and simply soles!

happy march, everyone!  to celebrate the (hopeful) onset of spring, i have a killer giveaway for you this month!  the winner will take home her choice of ANY shoe in the lillybee line, designed by the owner of simply soles, one of my favorite shoe boutiques.   yep, really.

we’ve talked about these gorgeous shoes before – i’ve been in love since i saw the very first styles.  the quality is fantastic, the styles are hip and unique, and the designer happens to be an absolute doll.  much as i loved the fall collection, the new designs for this spring really have my heartaflutter.  styles range from $125-195, so this is some serious shoe love that simply soles is giving to one of my lucky readers!

each pair is named for a celeb whose style they emulate – my pick for spring are those bright yellow t-strap sandals, named for ashley olsen (twin mary-kate gets the same style, but in cherry red).  they’re the ultimate pairing for just about all of my spring skirts, and they’ll be perfect to dress up cuffed jeans and tanks this summer.

but then, i might also choose those lovely deep teal peeptoe flats, named for natalie portman (it’s the  vegan shoe in the line, natch).  open-toed flats are my shoe of choice when the weather warms up…i have several pairs patiently waiting for their spring debut, but they’d be taking a backseat if i had these beauties in my clutches.

or, i could be responsible and pick up those sophisticated cognac courteney flats – i love the sweet detail on the vamp, and they’d go with just about everything i own.  decisions, decisions….but sadly, the decision isn’t mine…it’s yours!  

to enter, just head on over to simply soles to take a look at the full lillybee line, and leave a comment telling everyone which shoe you’d choose if you won.  presto, you’re entered!  and, as always, you can have a bonus entry if you share the contest just about anywhere on the web (digg, stumble, facebook, blog, etc….), then come back and leave a second comment telling me where you shared.

i’ll close entries thursday at midnight (pacific time), and announce our winner friday morning.  good luck, everyone!!

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what i want today: lilybee shoes

recently, while browsing one of my favorite online footwear sources, i came across a line i’d never heard of before – lilybee.  every style was detailed, classic, and stunning – i had to know more.  so, i dropped an email to kassie, the owner of simply soles, who told me the line was actually a brand new offering that she’d designed herself!

named, adorably, for her two children (her daughter lily, and her son, who’s obsessed with bees!), each style is christened after a celebrity inspiration.  the natalie, for example, is a chic turquoise peeptoe flat – vegan, of course.  the sultry black stiletto is the perfect fit for its namesake, angelina.  and the gwyneth, my personal favorite, is an impossibly polished and stylish silver wedge, made special with a beautiful pleated detail on the vamp, and a flattering but practical black stacked wooden heel.

every style is made in brazil, under kassie’s close supervision.  the end result is a gorgeous, handcrafted shoe you won’t see on anyone else in your circle.  check out the full collection at simply soles, and pick up your favorite from this limited line while you can!

 

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