Shoe Love: Zara's Gold Studded Gladiators

Isabel Marant sends one of her new It shoes down the runway for Spring '13 - photo courtesy Fairchild Photo Services

Not sure how it happened, but my current sandal sitch is totally de-press-ing. Once-cute flip-flops now look all worn out and while I have plenty of high-heeled sandals, they just don't work for my day to day. I've been on the hunt for the perfect gladiator flat since I saw Isabel Marant's Spring '13 show but have yet to find the perfect pair; Enter these studded gladiators from Zara. They're simple and shiny and a little bit edgy and, best of all, under $100. I can't wait to pick up a pair and live in them all summer - who's with me?

Studded Metallic Flat Sandals, $79.90, at Zara stores nationwide or online at Zara.com

Isabel Marant Teams Up with H&M

Designer, Isabel Marant, with Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor at H&M.Photo courtesy H&M

OMG. OMG. OH EM GEEEE. H&M has teamed up with Parisian designer Isabel Marant for Fall! The Parisian chicster has attracted legions of devoted fans (myself inclus), hoping to achieve effortless style with her perfect mix of boho ease, urban attitude and rockstar spirit. For H&M, Marant will create a wardrobe of must-have clothing and accessories for women, men, and teens inspired by her signature style. 

“I am flattered by this collaboration. H&M works with the best designers, and this invitation is an exciting honour. I aim at creating something real – something women want to wear in their everyday lives, with a certain carefree style. I think this is very Parisian: you dress up, but don’t pay too much attention to it, and you still look sexy. The collection is infused with this kind of easiness and attitude. Everything can be combined following one’s own instincts, and my take on fashion is all about personality,” says Isabel Marant.

No word yet on exactly how the collection will look (I expect Marant is laissez-faire like that), but I hope there are sweaters, tees, and minis and tonight, I will be dreaming of booties. Not Marant's booty - I mean, her shoes, évidemment.

Mark your calendars (and prepare to queue up): The Isabel Marant pour H&M Collection will hit select H&M stores worldwide on November 14th, 2013. Check out the vid below for a glimpse:

Totally Shady

Brilliant shades of blue, bordeaux and bright mustard from Nanette Lepore Fall 2012

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

It's funny but every fall I do the exact same thing. Sometime right around now, when the mornings are just starting to feel crisp and the leaves are gradually leaving the trees (is that why they call them leaves?), I find myself doing the fall change-up. I'll pack away all of my bright summer dresses, skirts & tees and shove them into an empty closet in our guest room. The more I pack, the darker my closet gets as yellow, pink and orange make way for loads of grey sweaters and black pants. Um, depressing much?

There's absolutely no reason (especially now!) to live in a black hole for 6 months of the year. I've slowly been building up my colour arsenal and this year, I'm happy to report that my fall/winter wardrobe is equally as exciting as my spring & summer stuff. I can't tell you how much more inspiring it is, especially on a cold, grey day, to have shades of rich yellow, bright reds and deep greens to get me going in the morning. This season, I'm obsessed with bordeaux and mustard and can't wait to work them into my look (see below for cool new ways to wear them).

Since I've been on a bright binge for a few years now, I'm actually equally stoked about the black on black trend for fall - great news for colour-phobes, and perfect for those days when you need a colour detox. The key to keeping it interesting? Try mixing and matching loads of textures - pair a great chunky knit with a pair of leather leggings, shiny patent black boots and a bright red lip. Or, pair your black with either deep navy or bright cobalt blue for a dose of Parisian chic.

Happy Friday!  Is it bad that all I want to do this weekend is shop? x

TRY: BLACK & BLUE

ATTITUDE Jay Manuel Peplum Top, $24.88, Sears 

TRY: MUSTARD & TAUPE

Floral Crepe Pencil Skirt - Petites, $64, Cleo

TRY: BLACK ON BLACK 

Mallia for Danier Wool & Cashmere Coat with Leather Piping, $749, Danier

TRY: BORDEAUX & PINK

Bar Stripe Cardigan, $15, Aeropostale

Fall in Love

Dolce & Gabbana Menswear Fall '12 Ad Campaign - courtesy Dolce & Gabbana

I'm a sucker for a good love story.  Whether it's Romeo & Juliet, William & Kate,  or Emily & Jef, I just love a perfect pairing.  Still, a love story isn't exclusive to people.  In fact, I've already fallen in love several times this fall - with the perfect bag, a pair of pants and countless times in the shoe department.  You see, we're in an open relationship, my wardrobe and I.  We've agreed that as long as they make me look good, I will take good care of them and love them all until they're old.  Win-win.

Have you met your perfect match this fall?  These three runway-inspired looks set my heart aflutter and now I'm playing matchmaker for you.  I hope it's love at first sight for you, too.  Sigh...

 

Burberry Prorsum Autumn '12 Ad Campaign 

Perfect Pairing: Charcoal and Mustard Yellow (with pops of blue)

Love Profile:  Tall, dark Brit seeks fun-loving companion.  An eclectic risk-taker with a penchant for layering.  Loves to cuddle up on a cold night. 

Perfect Date: Danier, American Eagle, Ricki's, Sears, then ALDO.

Natalia Vodianova for Guerlain Fall '12

Perfect Pairing: Black & Red (with tan & gold accents)

Love Profile: Classic beauty seeks worldly partner. Loves market-strolling, long lunches and weekend trips to Paris.

Perfect Date: A shopping trip at Le Château, Garage, ALDO, Bootlegger and Danier.  

Prabal Gurung Fall 2012 - style.com 

Perfect Pairing: Black & Blue (either bright cobalt or navy)with a dash of leopard

Love Profile:  Edgy Sophisticate seeks Commitment-Phobic Daredevil.  Loves the unexpected, especially in the form of a leopard bag or a blue suede shootie.  Looking for a good time.

Perfect Date:  Stops at Le Château, Bootlegger and ALDO at Intercity Shopping Centre, of course.  The sale racks had better watch out.

Back in the Saddle

Looks from Isabel Marant Fall 2012 - photos style.com

Floral Chiffon Poet Blouse, $49, American Eagle Outfitters

Rich and Skinny Legacy Skinny Jean in Tangelo, $150, eLUXE

High-Heel Cowboy Ankle Boot, $109, Zara

Tassel Loafers, $39.95, Gap

Could this blouse from American Eagle be any more Isabel Marant Fall '12?  Don't think so...In fact, there's frequently a whole lot of Isabel inspo over at AE.  And, if the whole look is just a little too Miranda Lambert for you, then prep it up with a pair of dark skinnies and a little pair of Gap loafers. I love a great doppelgänger, don't you?  Yeehaw! PS - I'm way more rock n' roll than cheesy country but I do love a good cowboy boot.  Oh, and the occasional Taylor Swift tune.  But she's not really country, is she?