Cole Haan Bradshaw Pump



I am in love with my new shoes. I bought these beautiful Cool Haan pumps at DSW. They are very comfy for a pump. The heel is 2.5 inches, so not too tall. I've been wearing them at work, and so far so good. On the website, the pumps go for $248. Holy moly! I got mine at DSW for $100, which is a lot more than I would spend on heels, but I've decided my feet are worth the investment. My last pumps, from Michael Kors that I got on sale at DSW, didn't stay comfortable for long. Don't  you just hate it when you try on a shoe and it feels great only to have it betray you later on and hurt your feet? Yeah, me too.

My feet are wide, so it can be tricky finding a pump that works. I had just about given up on a pointy one until I found these. I remember my first pair of grown-up black pumps I bought in college. They were gorgeous. The heel was about an inch or so, and I just loved them. I wore them out. I'm hoping these new one will work as wonderfully as my first pair.

Pacific NW Style

If you haven't noticed, I love living in Puget Sound, WA. It is such a wonderful place. Seattle and Vancouver, Canada are less than two hours away, and it's so easy to find healthy and natural food/products. It's wonderful. I have trees, I have mountains, and I have the sea. I am in paradise.

I've been adopting a NW style over the months I've been here. So, what exactly is the style like here? It's part sophisticated, part quirky, and part relaxed. Many of us tend to be drawn to the outdoors, and it's reflected in our dress. For me, I love wearing my Bean Boots with yoga pants, a plaid shirt, and a warm zip-up vest topped off with a beanie. Another cute, common look out her and a breezy dress with a cardigan, tights, flats, and scarf. I typically don't wear the last look as I don't have the cute dresses yet. I'm hoping this year more of the dresses will be available in the style I like.

The first style is one I adore. Maybe this will be the year I brave the second look.

Summer Reading, Summer Watching

There's something about the summer. Somehow, everything seems more relaxed. More time to stop and smell the roses and expand our horizons. This summer, I've been reading like crazy and taking full advantage of the library where I work. We have an amazing collection, especially movies. I've been reading more books on style. My style changes about every 9 months or so. I've been moving from a laid back, nature-girl look to casual chic. Another quest of mine, if you will, is rediscovering my artsy side. I wanted to share some of my finds in case you're doing the same as I.

Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer Scott is a wonderful read. Jennifer recalls twenty lessons she picked up while studying and living in Paris as a college exchange student. One lesson I really enjoyed was watching French films to get a sense of the women's style and makeup.That lead me to watch Priceless with Audrey Tautou. I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend it, especially if you're looking for French style.

How To Look Expensive by Andrea Lustig is a must read for anyone who loves fashion and beauty. It's filled with great suggestions, tips, and how-tos based on your personal needs and style. I loved it so much that I went out and bought it. Yeah, it's that good.

I really love the summer. So full of possibilities. I'd love to hear what you're reading!

Summer Style

My current style inspirations.

Outfit Creation

I love wearing neutrals with touches of color. A moss green shirt is a favorite in my closet. I wanted to create a comfortable outfit inspired by the colors of nature. Casual chic, if you will. I really want this outfit. I created this with Polyvore, my go-to site for outfit inspiration.

Valentine's in Style

I adore Valentine's Day. I always have. My love for this day goes all the way back to elementary school and the wonderful parties we would have in class. Oh, it was so much fun to make the bags and have classmates drop in the cards. I miss those days.

Every year, I celebrate the day. Many, many years I was single, but I never felt sad or alone. I always looked at the day as a day of loving myself. I would treat myself to something - candy or a novelty item. Now that I'm married, I get to spend it with the love of my life. This year, I wrote a poem for him and uploaded it to his Kindle. His deployment is Sunday, so I wanted to give him something very personal that is easy for him to have and carry. He gave me a beautiful bouquet of white roses; white roses are one of my favorites. They are my favorite type of rose.

 I like to create a feel and mood on Valentine's Day. With that in mind, I have some great finds for you to use to celebrate the day of love. Who says every day can't be Valentine's Day? It's all about love, and loving  yourself should be at the top of your list.

• Essie Nail Polish
• Kate Spade Handbag
• Kate Spade Studs
• Estee Lauder Lipgloss
• Full Tilt Tank
• NARS Blush

Travel with Style

I travel a lot. I fly about two-three times a year to see family since my husband and I live on the other side of the country from family. In fact, I'm in upstate New York right now visiting my brother and sister-in-law and my new baby nephew! When I fly, I like to have what I need without feeling like I'm carrying ten thousand bags. Through several trips, I started to figure out some ways to carry a lot without it looking or feeling like I'm carrying a lot. It's also about ease. Whether you're flying, driving, or using any other form of travel, most of us want to look stylish and feel comfy.

I'm the type of person who likes to have a few things to do during the travel part: reading material, writing material (never know when inspiration will hit), music, etc. What I've learned is bringing the appropriate bag for your trip. If I'm going on a fun trip to see a new place, I carry a crossover bag so that my arms are free. If this is the case, I keep my fun items to one. Hey, I'll be on the go anyway to see new things. If I'm visiting family, there is a lot of relax time, so I can bring the extra "toys." Also, when you're with family you have a more secure place to leave your belongings, unlike a hotel, so keep security in mind.

Since I'm on a family trip, my go-to bag is my MICHAEL Michael Kors Jet Set Tote. It's called Jet Set for a reason, my friends! This line comes with the option of the top of the tote ziping closed or not. Security! The one I use doesn't zip, which is why I only use it on family trips. I bought it on sale last year and love it!

As you can see, the tote comes with two side pockets. On the inside, there is another zip pouch in the center which acts as a divider. That's where I zip my wallet up. In addition, there are several pockets along the walls. This tote is amazing. I carry everything with me in it, including a liter bottle of water. Travel in style, ladies!

Is It Fall Yet?

I love Fall. It's by far my favorite season. I'm really excited about it this year because I'm in a new part of the country and can't wait to see what happens here! Last year I was in San Diego, and this year I'm in Washington state. I'm hoping for Fall colors with the trees, but we have a lot of evergreens around here. What I love about living here is that it already feels like Fall. This bodes well for me. To top it off, I live on an island that has a ton of farms on and around it. Apple cider, here I come!

Since Fall has been on my mind, I've been thinking about what cute outfits I can wear. I love flats, and Fall is a great time to wear them. I'm also into the long sleeve dress with boots look. There's nothing like comfy jeans and a comfy sweater. Living where I do, I've noticed yet another shift in my style preference. It's now more casual and comfy than before. Casual chic I guess you could call it.

Dream outfits for Fall? Check!

The Perfect Tote

Where have I been hiding? Well, found out last week that we're moving to Puget Sound in Washington state in less than a week! Wow. Of course, I would get a job offer right when I have to leave. I am looking forward to the move, but I really wanted that job! I hope where we're going is having a hot summer because I'm not sure how many winter pieces I have. I'm not sure how long it will take to find a place and such (we still have to go back to Alabama and get our stuff out of storage) and get back to blogging. You can be sure pics will follow!

My husband bought me to most beautiful tote I've ever had. It's not a normal tote; it's a crossbody tote! It's the Michael Kors Kingsbury Tote. I just realized that San Diego has a Michael Kors official outlet store. I went in, and my eyes beheld this beauty. It's a piece of artwork! It is exactly what I wanted. Something natural, made of leather, and a crossbody. I don't carry a lot, so it's the right size. The zipper pocket in the front is a good size, surprisingly, and the one in the back is great for keys or a cell. The leather is so soft. I'm going to have this bag forever!

Character Inspiration: Katniss Everdeen

I just finished reading The Hunger Games, and I loved it! I read it in a weekend; couldn't put it down! I love the character Katniss, and I got to thinking about her arena outfit. Since the movie comes out next month, I decided to create what I thought she would have worn into the games. I actually love these clothes, and I'm finding myself gravitating more toward this style and away from my usual fare. So, what do you think? Have you read the novel yet?

Katniss Everdeen by litnut featuring brown mid calf boots

Oska short sleeve top
£49 - julesb.co.uk

H m jacket
£15 - hm.com

Quiksilver long length pants
$27 - quiksilver.com

Kurt Geiger brown mid calf boots
£125 - johnlewis.com

Ralph Lauren Collection genuine leather belt
$225 - net-a-porter.com

Inspiration: a Writer's Desk

I love old furniture. I'm not a fan of taking something new and destressing it. I like for it to have an old world feel while still looking nice. A good desk is essential at some point in life; it's one of the reasons I love libraries and universities so much. I found some beautiful desks but are they pricey! I would never buy it. These pieces are so amazing because they tie in my love for travel with a flare of old school libraries. If Indiana Jones were real, I could see him having one of these. They are found at Restoration Hardware. It's a beautiful but expensive store. Right now, they are offering some neat stocking stuffers that actually don't cost a lot.

This first desk is my favorite. The shelves remind me of the old card catalogs in libraries. From the side, it looks like a trunk. How beautiful is this? The desktop is actually sturdier than it looks. My only concern is I like to stretch out my legs while I'm at a desk. For me, this is a "writing only" desk due to the size of the desktop. 

I really love this one. I feel like I should be getting ready for a trip somewhere. It has plenty of space above and below and plenty of space. I love how both pieces have a trunk feel. I never would have thought of it, but for me they're perfect. I would love this if I were a professor, which I a part of me would love to be. A guess I can't fight my teaching roots too much. I have been thinking about returning to teaching back home....

Hair Envy: Getting Kate Middleton's Hair

1. Shampoo your hair and detangle it with a wide comb. Spray your hair with heat protectant. You don’t want to damage your hair forever! Now blow dry your hair till it is nearly ¾ dry.
2. Next, part your hair in sections and blow dry each section individually, taking care to curl the ends with a round brush.
3. Once your hair is completely dry-try this trick! Lift hair as close to the roots as you can and comb through it-only in the opposite direction. Use a fine comb. You’ll add instant volume to your tresses. This will create the classic voluminous hair with the smooth top!
4. Going for hot rollers? Make sure you go for larger sections of the hair- for that loosely curled look. And yes- do remember not to leave them in for too long!
5. Once you’ve allowed the curlers or the rollers to cool down- your hair should be as bouncy and voluminous as Kate’s!
6. Finish off with a hair spray, so that your painstaking work stays put for at least some time!

Inspiration: Classic Elegance

Store Discovery: Charming Charlie

In one of my favorite malls, a new store went in a few months ago. It's Charming Charlie. Have you been in one? It's mostly an accessory store, but they do offer some clothing. The best feature of the store is that everything is organized by color. I like the cream and pink sections because a lot of those pieces are vintage-like, which I'm into currently. I also love the purple section, as it's my favorite color. Here are a few vintage inspired pieces I like.

Paper Trilby Hat

$14.95

Crinkled Headband

$7.97

Rosette Headband

$7.97

Lux Evening Bag

$24.97

Dandy Demi Wedge

$29.97

How to Travel in Style

So, two weeks until I go to Chicago, so I need some travel tips! I'm all about being a traveler and not a tourist. Here are some tips from The Style Bar.

1. Roll or Fold? If taking a soft case roll your clothes, if you have a hard case then fold clothes in the middle and roll things like socks and underwear so they can go down the hard-to-fill sides. This also stops things moving in transit.
2.  Know where you are going. Study the map before you leave the hotel in the morning – then you will step outside and know exactly where you are going – walking in a business-like manner/looking like you are in a hurry is great too – esp on the transport system- everyone will assume you are as frazzled as they are on your way to or from work.
3. Dress up a little. During the day – jacket, nice pants, comfortable but on-trend shoes. Think: how would I look back home for a day of shopping? This will take you nicely into the early evening if you decide to stop and have an aperitif and a bite on the way back to your hotel.

Style Inspiration: Nautical

Nautical Dreams by litnut featuring silver watches

Precis Petite nautical dress
99 GBP - debenhams.com

Vivienne Westwood sleeveless top
157 GBP - vanmildert.com

Precis Petite striped top
35 GBP - debenhams.com

Dorothy Perkins wedge heels
33 GBP - dorothyperkins.com

Milly canvas tote
$125 - net-a-porter.com

Golden Classic silver watch
$20 - endless.com

Betsey Johnson gold jewelry
$35 - zappos.com