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Today, I have the Ann Taylor Leandra Haircalf Platform Shootie. They come in Classic Camel and Black. I purchased a size 7 which is my normal shoe size.

Description from Ann Taylor: We love the textured sheen rich haircalf gives to these sleek pair. Haircalf with smooth patent leather binding. Round toe. Padded leather footbed for complete comfort. Leather sole. 4 1/4″ heel. Hidden 1/2″ platform compares to 3 3/4″ heel.

This is the Classic Camel. It’s actually a small-spot Leopard print.  

Even though the heel is very high the hidden platform helps bring this to a manageable (IMO) 3 3/4 inches. I can’t comment too much on the comfort factor yet but a friend of mine has these as well and wore them all day without any issues. She usually changes into a pair of flats sometime during the day and didn’t with these.

It is a loafer style with black patent trim and heel. The insole and sole are leather too.
The almond-shaped toe does not squish your toes. 

The print is symmetrical on both shoes. There is no discoloration anywhere in the calf-hair. 

Here are some similar options.

I am absolutely in love with these and can’t wait to wear them. What do you think of the Leandra?

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I am drawn to kimono/dolman/butterfly sleeves on blouses. I feel like floating away in those tops. Seems that Anthropologie knows of my weakness as they have two styles of blouses with these sleeves currently.

Tsuru Blouse by Maeve – Size 8, Comes in Wine and Navy. I sized up to an 8 only because the lower part of the blouse was a little snug but I do recommend getting your normal size in this. The top part fits well across my chest and doesn’t pull. it has a side zipper. Purchase

Geo-Feather Blouse by Fei – Sz M. Again, I sized up to a Medium due to the snugness at the waist. I like the colors and pattern on this one but $98 for “dry-clean poly” is a bit much. I’ll be returning this and waiting for it to go to sale to purchase because I do like it. Sees the Sale Wishlist

Hip Cinched Blouse by Maeve – Size 6, Comes in Green and Gold. I never paid attention to this blouse online because the feature color is Gold. The yellow seemed kind of bland to me from the online picture but I saw the green on the rack behind the gold and was drawn to it because of the color. I like the “hip cinch” but I’m not sure about the bow. Also, this is very loose on top while the waist is cut a little slimmer. Because of this, the top portion does slip down and doesn’t stay put. The color is gorgeous and I like silhouette. I’m think I’ll wait for a sale on this one though. STS Wishlist
Lemon Liftoff Blouse by Girls from Savoy – Sz 8, I am a huge fan of GFS. This cute owl-print blouse with the neck tie is adorable and whimsy. I consistently wear a size 6 in GFS but had to size up to an 8 due to the tightness around my arms. That’s my only complaint. It fit everywhere else in the size 6 so take your normal size. Will purchase soon

Flori Dress by Girls from Savoy – Sz 6, This is such a beautiful, floaty, flowy “old-school” style dress. I do wish it was about two inches shorter for me (5’2”) but it will love even more lovely on those who are taller than me. Pass

Are you interested in any of these?

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Hi everyone! I’m going to try to do a Shoes-day post every Tuesday. As long as I can stay ahead of myself I should have consistent posts.

I’ve been seeing a lot of slip-on loafers for Fall since mid-July from different retailers. When Nordstrom had their sale in July I purchased the Madee in Glitter. I thought they would give my jeans and pants a little pizzazz during the Fall and Winter months when things get a little gloomy. It was hard choosing from the two options at the time, Glitter and Calf-Hair Leopard. Knowing I already had a leopard flat made my decision a little easier.

The Madee is a variation of a men’s formal slipper and comes in 18 different colors and fabric. There is also the Madee-S, a colorful sequined loafer, and Melter, which has spikes at the toe. I took a size 7 and found them to be comfortable during my try-on. I have not worn them “full-time” yet but hope to soon. Currently the Madee, excluding the a few colors & styles, is on sale at SteveMadden.com for $79.95. Other retailers are also offering similar styles at different price points.

Aldo has the Pratillo, Killon, and Buschur for $60-90. The Killon in gold looks very similar to the Darby Loafer by J Crew. That price range is from $198-298. Of course, you are paying for an Italian-made shoe. I have not seen the J Crew Darby Loafer in person. I have seen the Aldo Pratillo and Black Patent Killon and would have purchased either of them if I had not already found the Madee on sale in Black Patent. During that sale I also purchased the Taupe Snakeskin. The Madee loafer has a leather sole with a heel while the Aldo loafer has a synthetic sole with a heel. The J Crew Darby has a flat rubber sole with no heel.

I think these will be my “go-to” shoes for the Fall and Winter. I’m excited to pair the Glitter with my Lolli pants, the Origami Mini in Toile and my trusty Ankle Toothpick jeans.

What do you think of the Madee? Will you be getting a slip-on loafer?

**I do want to disclose that I did exchange the above Madee in Glitter for the same pair. As you can see, the sole was coming unglued. I have not had this happen with the new pair or either of my other two pair.

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Lots of pictures below so let’s get to it.

Blythe Blouse – Extravagant Green, 8 – Love the color and took my normal size in L/S shirts. 

Silk Elodie Blouse – Paradise Blue, 8 – Another great color to go with several items already in my closet (Lolli pants, Cafe Capri in Camel, Viridian Green Pencil Skirt)

Silk Scarf Tank in Floating Rose – Rouge, 4 – I also tried on a 2 in this blouse. I was more comfortable in the 4. I did not like that it was longer in the back. Pass

Natasha Top – Vivid Poppy, 6 – Lovely silk chiffon cami/blouse in THE J Crew color of the season (Almost that I might not be loving it as much. Just bring out the RED already!) Purchase – Versatile blouse to wear alone or layered as we transition to Fall.

Sequin Slouchy Tee – Tawny Sand, S – Cute but it is not lined so you can feel the stitching. Also, I the sequins weren’t laying the same way and I would hate for it to snag on something. Pass

Silk Polka Dot Tee – Navy, 8 – Even though I just wore it for the first time, I quite like my Silk Striped Tee. I did size up due to the smaller cut in the sleeves. Purchase

Puff-sleeve Popover – Vibrant Flame, 8 – I really wanted this shirt. I think the puff-sleeve is so cute but the sleeves are cut smaller and it has a button closure. I even tried on the 10 and was not comfortable in it. Check your stores because this is on sale in the B&M. Sadly Pass

Vintage Matchstick Cord – Vibrant Flame, 30 & 29 – The matchsticks seem to be cut a little differently this year. I am quite comfortable in both the 29 & 30. Again, a great color to welcome Fall. Purchase in the 29
Cafe’ Capri in Plaid Wool – Deep Navy/Blackwatch, 8 – I didn’t realize these were not online so I didn’t get a picture of the tag. These are the Cafe’ Capri in a lightweight wool but are cut a bit smaller. I have the Camel in an 8 and they fit great. These are a little snug for some reason. My PS did say she had to size up too so it wasn’t just me. I really wanted to buy these since the skirt didn’t work out for me (see below). Wishlist Purchase

**Update – This is the Cafe’ Capri in Plaid Wool. It is selling out which is why I couldn’t find it online. Check or call the B&M if you like these pants. I went back and tried on the 8 & 10 and found the 10 to be loose but comfortable and the 8 to fit “just right”. Go figure. Must have been bloated or something on the I first day I tried them on. Needless to say, I did purchase these.
 
Wool Lounge Pant – Heather Charcoal, Sz 8 & 6, #47328, $138 – Now, these are oddly cute. They have an elastic waistband and hem. They are Favorite Fit and run a size big IMO. The 8 was really baggy while the 6 fit much better (2nd/3rd pic). I tried them with my sandals to give a visual of them in heels. I think they would be cute with heels but for the price I’ll Pass.
Jester Sweater – Saddle Flame Carbon, M – Cute but Pass
Flair Skirt in Double-Serge Wool – Cool Pine, 6 – A-line shapes are usually my friend but the Flair Skirt is not. I think it might be where the pleating is but I will not be purchasing this in any color or patter. Pass
No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Blackwatch Plaid – Deep Navy, 6 – This is not a typical pencil skirt. The waist is smaller and there’s pleating below the waistband so it made my normal size 6 in JC pencil skirts a pass. Also, take a look at the side-view picture. There’s some bunchy-ness going on. You’ll probably need to size up one.
Flair Skirt in Plaid – Warm Bark, 8 – A great pattern for the Flair Skirt. Pass
Origami Mini in Check Wool – SGR, 8, #47743, $128  – Pass
Cowlneck Poncho – Grey White, XS – A very cute poncho that is super cozy (shown with the Liquid Silk Skirt in Bright Dahlia). But I just wasn’t comfortable in it. It would a hassle to have to take it off and on while running errands. I would have to make it my main clothing item with a tee or cami underneath. Pass
Double-Breasted Sweater Jacket – Vibrant Flame, M – This is so very Anthropologie. I had a boiled wool cardigan/sweater I purchased from there by Casch. I loved it but it got too small for me. This is reminiscent of that cardigan. The buttons are somewhat difficult because the hole is smaller than the button. Weird. And it leaves fuzz every where. I like it though. Purchase-but may return for the Navy
Streetscape Cape – Saddle Black, S – This is so lovely, but I need a Sherlock Holmes cap and a pipe. And, I felt like 1) doing the robot 2) I had T-rex arms. But I like it.
Metallic Foil Jacquard Dress – Gold Saddle, 8 – The shape is similar to the Darla dress which I tried on here. Cute and material seems nice but I wasn’t a fan of the Darla. This has an exposed back zip but it matches the material (gold). Pass
So, four purchases out of the 19-20 items. I am waiting on my online purchase of the Wool Cafe’ Capri in Maraschino Cherry. Those were immediately back-ordered but should be shipping in a week or two. I can’t wait to see them.
What has caught your eye with the J Crew Fall Arrivals?

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YOU GALS!!! TIM GUNN IS COMING!!! TIM GUNN IS COMING!!!

I am beyond excited. What started out as Date Night for me and The Boy tonight turned into a giddy night for me. I found out Tim Gunn…THE TIM GUNN from Project Runway is coming to San Antonio. To MY mall!!!

He is hosting a Fall 2011 Fashion Show with Lucky Brand on October 8 at La Cantera in San Antonio. On top of that, October 6 you can go to an open casting call to possibly be picked to be in the fashion show. AND…if you spend $100 or more you between October 2-8 you “will be professionally photographed with TIM GUNN (!!!) and will receive a personalized signed copy of his NY Times best selling book Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making it Work.” The awesome thing that was said about the casting call is that they are looking for “real San Antonio people”.

I am freaking excited about this. I was unable to to attend FNO due to family priorities but being able to see and/or meet Tim Gunn would be awesome. I think he is so genuine and honest on Project Runway and it would be so amazing to meet him, even for 1 minute.

Now you know I will be spending $100+ at Lucky Brand but I am also going to “Make it work” by going to the open casting call. I tried to convince The Boy but you have to be at least 16 and he’s only 15…boooo! He would have been picked, my handsome, awesome, gray-blue eyed young man. Visit La Cantera online for more information.

And here’s my “Date Night” OOTD.

Sweater: J Crew Seacomb Sweater, Rustic Navy, S
Jeans: J Crew Ankle Toothpick (LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!)
Shoes: Christian Louboutin Simple 70 in Navy
Necklace: J Crew Trap Glass Necklace
Husband thinks I’m completely cuckoo but I don’t care. What do you think?