Bows on Toes

I don't think I've ever met a woman who doesn't like looking like a lady. There are a few key looks to help this happen; however, some looks leave people looking like they are trying too hard.

One thing that always helps a look appear more ladylike is a bow. Bows can be placed on shirts or dresses and always give a flirty, ladylike feel. However, most of us feel a bit ridiculous wearing a bow. Great news, this Fall and Winter, bows are showing up all over shoes. It's the perfect way to embrace a bow without going over the top.

Louis Vuitton has had these heels all over their recent ad campaigns. And, I just can't get enough of them. Absolute perfection!!! However, not all of us can splurge on LVs. Don't worry, we are in luck. There are plenty of bow options out there - bows on heels and flats - bows on the fronts and bows on the back.

Be a lady today and wear some bows on your toes!

Online Shopping

Lately, I've had a few people ask me about my favorite online shopping websites. Well, that's sort of an overwhelming question for me because I spend so much time researching fashions and websites. But, here are a few that I would recommend to anyone...

http://www.shopbop.com/ - This website has just about everything and has a great range of items from reasonably priced to really expensive. The stuff on the website is really on trend and is a great way to look at outfits and mirror your own outfits after them.

http://www.ruelala.com/, http://www.giltgroup.com/, and http://www.beyondtherack.com/ are all great websites that have great sales. You have to sign up to be a member to the website, but all that does is send you a daily reminder of the daily deals going on. You can get some really great designer pieces at a much lower price from this website.

http://www.piperlime.com/ - This is another great website that has so many options in accessories, handbags and shoes. One of the best stylist in Hollywood, Rachel Zoe, gives her recommendations for trendy items. This is always great to look at for ideas.

http://www.shopthelook.net/ - This website has some really trendy and really inexpensive jewelry and accessory options.

http://www.net-a-porter.com/ - This is such an outrageous website. The beautiful things on this site are super expensive but it's always my go to website because I love looking at the designer things. It's always fun to see the new trends and them mirror similar outfits after them.

There are plenty of more great websites out there. These are just a few that I love going to. Hope you enjoy.

Riding Boots

Boots are definitely a key piece that everyone should have in their wardrobe. Boots come in all shapes and sizes...pointy toe, rounded toe, high heels, flats, and wedges. I personally think everyone should have a pointy toe, high heel black and brown pair of boots as well as a flat riding boot. These boots can be worn in so many ways.

Today we are going to focus on Riding boots - because they are everywhere this Fall and Winter. Just because it's a Riding boot doesn't mean you have to have an equestrian look. For a preppy look, wear a white button down with a cardigan or vest over it and tuck your jeans into the boots. For a trendier look, wear a long cardi wrap over a turtleneck or t-shirt with leggings or wear a dress with tights.

The biggest bonus of Riding boots are that they are flat - which means oh so much comfort your feet!!

The Shade of Grey

Along with camel, another hot color for this Fall and Winter is grey. Some people think grey is hard to wear. However, it actually looks softer on most skin tones than black and navy. Grey pieces will come in all shades and tints this Fall - from a light creamy grey to a dark heathered grey to a shimmery silver grey.

For a chic look, layer grey pieces upon different shades of grey. Or, mix it up with layering grey with the obvious colors of black or white. If you want to be different and daring, pair grey with brown - grey and brown look shocking good together. For a night out on the town, pair grey with red or with silver sequins.

Grey will come in all shapes too this season - from timeless blazers and dresses to more playful and trendy cardigans, sweaters and fur vests. So, if you are looking for a quick update to your wardrobe that you want to last more than one season, buy a grey piece of clothing.

The great thing to realize is that with the comeback of grey and camel, we know that fashion is back to basics with classic looks. Hooray!

All Wrapped Up

Everyone loves the Fall season - beautiful, sunny weather with just the right amount of cool air before the bitter Winter hits. However, so many of us, don't know how to dress for the changing temperatures - Is it cool outside today? Is it going to get hot by the afternoon?

Well, the solution is easy - wear a scarf. It's such an easy way to look trendy and an easy way to deal with the changing weather. Layer a scarf on in the morning whenever it's colder and take it off by the hotter afternoon. It folds easily into your handbag, and you and just layer it back on again to go out to dinner.

Scarves come in all lengths, colors, textures, and most importantly prices! If you want to get into the trendy look, wear an animal print scarf since animal prints are so huge for the Fall. Because this is a trendier look, you might not want to splurge too much on this one. Try looking at the Gap, Banana Republic or Old Navy.

If you want to splurge more of an investment piece for your wardrobe with a scarf, you should buy either a Pucci, Gucci, Burberry, or Louis Vuitton scarf. These brands definitely are more expensive, but the scarves are classic and will never go out of style. If you are going to invest in a more expensive scarf, try getting one that has both black and brown in it. That way you can wear it with plenty of things in your closet. Or, for a really chic look, get a monochromatic scarf and wear it with the same color for a full monochromatic look.

Whether you spend $5 or $500, get all wrapped up in a scarf for the Fall!

Fashion Icon: Tory Burch

Compared to the other fashion icons that we've looked at, Tory Burch is very different. The company only started in 2004 - which would cause some to argue that it is too early to be considered an icon. However, Tory has begun to revolutionize the luxury line of fashion by making pieces that are much more affordable than Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Tiffany's - which is one of the reasons why I'm so in love with Tory Burch clothing, shoes and handbags.

This ready-to-wear line is sophisticated and classic yet always has a stylish and somewhat trendy feel to it. The Tory Burch line was first known for it's tunics - in bright colors and jeweled necklines. But, it also has fun cardigans in all colors and great-fitting dresses. These are pieces that will never go out of style, and you can have for a lifetime.













In 2006, Tory Burch introduced the Reva ballet flat in honor of one of the most inspirational people in her life, her mother. This signature ballet flat has since been made in tons of colors, metallics, and animal prints but always remains true to the signature rounded toe with the Tory Burch logo on it. Women of all generations love this shoe because of it's comfort. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Cameron Diaz have been seen all over town wearing them. I personally have 3 pairs of the Reva flats and swear by them. They are so chic and comfortable. Her other shoes include great wedges, sandals and boots. Tory Burch is definitely a line to keep your eye on and if you do invest in one of her pieces, be sure to hold onto it because in about 10 years you will still look chic in the vintage look!

October - National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Most of us know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's hard not to talk to anyone these days who hasn't in some way been affected by cancer, breast or not - whether that be themselves, a parent, grandparent, sibling or friend. I personally have had my father, both grandmothers, grandfather, and several aunts who have had the disease - some of them passing away from it. And, very recently have had a dear friend who is only in her 40s been diagnosed with cancer and who will start chemotherapy in the coming weeks. Even though her diagnosis is not breast cancer, all cancer can be honored this month.

Some of us wonder what we can do? Well, you can actually buy certain items and some designers are donating a portion of the sale to Breast Cancer Foundations. This is by no means me pushing you to buy these items, but if you are going to buy certain things anyway, just check to see if the designer is contributing.

Here are some examples. First is a scarf from BCBG. It's a two-toned striped pink and grey scarf and is only $48. I've already ordered mine. I figured that I love wearing scarves and usually buy one or two a season. So, why not help the cause. BCBG has pledged to donate twenty-five percent of retail sales from each scarf to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

Another example is the rose-gold studded earrings by Anita Ko. This month 20% of proceeds from sales of all Anita Ko spike stud earrings on ArcadeBoutique.com will go to Susan G. Komen for the CureFoundation. They are a little pricey, but if you are looking to mix in some rose-gold to your collection, here's the way.

These are just two examples, but there are tons out there this month. Let's make a difference. Make sure you're buying items that will help the cancer cause this month.