Guilt-free Friday!

Hi cats. It's Friday! Truth be told, it's been a long week & I'm greeting this weekend with open arms. Nothing too exciting on the books, but it's sure to be an adventure. I must admit I'm getting SO excited for Valentine's Day. Let's be real- it's the only holiday that directly caters to my needs: chocolate, wine, flowers, and so much LOVE. So around these parts it's all things pink and RED (as in a wine tasting at one of our favorite spots) and some last minute shopping for the near & dears. Hope your weekend is sweet too. 

Hey! It's ok…

If you're slightly germaphobic when it comes to sharing gym equipment or shaking hands with strangers, but you subscribe to the 5 second rule as soon as that dark chocolate almond hits your kitchen floor [fair.game]

If you refuse to acknowledge the humble opinion of a lowly groundhog unless he comes heralding good news. [6 more weeks of this crap? Ain't nobody got time for that.]

If buying new running shoes feels like choosing a life mate. [holy.decisions. finally decided on these guys when I learned the color was called "Diva Pink"]

shoe game

I'm a shoe girl. I could live in gorgeous wedges and strappy espadrilles. Sky-high heels? Bring it on. From riding boots to rain boots... I love them all. During the summer months, with tanned legs and perfectly-pedicured toes, gold sandals tend to reign supreme. But lately I've had my eye on something a little different...

There's something so laid-back and effortlessly cool about these ladies and their fresh kicks. I'm loving the "off-duty model" vibe... the question is can I pull this look off? So tell me, what are your thoughts on taking sneakers beyond the gym?

[all via Pinterest]

her feet killin her, i call it shoe-icide

While on my self-inflicted shopping diet/spending freeze/clothes-hoarding hiatus, I quickly found an alternative to my apparent apparel addiction... shoes. Lots and lots of fabulous shoes. Here's the rationale (from someone who clearly doesn't think rationally...) It's my job to wear (and sell) gorgeous clothes. And great shoes only serve to complete the package. If you were displaying an exquisite painting, you wouldn't put it in a cheap frame. So, the shoes are the frame.

So, call me crazy, but I absolutely adore my Fergie "Indie"espadrilles, (yeah, Stacy Ann Ferguson, peed in her pants on stage, spells tasty with an e, Fergie.) I can tromp around in the 5 inch heel for hours, they're stupid comfortable. I have them in black, but I would give my firstborn to get my hands on this nude pair in a 6.5. The rope sole is so on trend for spring, and wedges will always be my first love. 

When wearing heels isn't an option, I'm liking a bold, patterned flat, like these babies from J. Crew...

Aaaand if we want to get really comfortable with it, Bensimon sneakers à la French girls (or a cheap alternative, as first mentioned here)

What shoes are you rocking this spring? 

And, as a courtesy, the song inspiration for the post title...

and just in case I got "Fergalicious" Stuck in your head...

you know you love me.

pumped-up kicks

I've been running in Asics since I was in high school. I got my first pair at the finish line of the Boston Marathon (I didn't actually run the grueling 26.2 miles, but there is a running retailer located where the race ends) and I've been a loyal fan ever since. Last week I traded in my pair of Gel Nimbus 11s for a pumped-up pair of the Limited Edition Gel Nimbus 13s. So far, I love them. I literally feel like I am running on clouds. And although I try to reserve them for aerobic activity, I just might be caught wearing them while vacuuming, doing laundry, watching tv...

[When the associate showed me these fresh kicks I was a little skeptical. I told him you have to run fast if you wear shoes like that. But with the help of this song pumping through my headphones, lately I've been doing just that.]

p.s. here's a (brief) recap of the last time I bought running shoes!

lace

... dainty and feminine, always imparting a certain charm on even the most ordinary pieces, and turning the casual into something quite alluring. Light, airy, and perfect for spring... Needless to say, I cannot get enough. Here are a few favorites spotted on ASOS...

[the only problem with this dress is that I might be tempted to wear it reversed since the back is just so darn lovely.]

[Love love love the touch of lace at the bottom of this dress, so flirty and fun]

[This blazer looks perfectly polished, but the lace gives it a coquettish touch- perfect for a night out]

[and just when I thought lace was limited to apparel, this bootie is perfection.]

What can I say... I want it all! 

Dear Gap,

You were right. I was wrong. 

I know I got a little sassy when I saw your "marketing ploy" with the city flats. 

But you won me over in the end. 

Still friends?

xoxo, cait 

[we couldn't find a street called "Diva," so "Princess" had to suffice]

When I first spotted Gap's "city flats" I was a little underwhelmed. Seriously, who needs "incredibly modern" flats that can fold in half to fit nicely in the "adorable drawstring bag" they come with? Evidently, the "girl-on-the-go," according to Gap. Well, this girl-on-the-go wasn't buying it. But they were red and on sale, so technically I did buy it but I never intended to use them as the clever packaging suggested.


And then I went to Charleston. And wore a fabulous pair of black heels to dinner (a few- like 20- blocks from the hotel.) And then I tried to walk the beautiful cobblestone streets after a few glasses of wine and way too much Italian food and nearly broke an ankle. Realizing I had tucked my "adorable" satchel-of-shoes in my purse I pulled those bad boys out and my feet were in heaven. 


Consider me a convert. I strongly encourage you to go buy them in every color as a safety precaution, they nearly saved my life, I declare! (p.s. That last bit was in my absolute best Chahhlson drawl, what can I say, I just can't shake my inner southern belle) 

to heel with it

It's easy to get lost in the sea of Ugg-clad-look-alikes in my small, coastal town. Seriously, the day temps drop below 60 they come crawling out of the woodwork, often bringing the leggings with them. Maybe that's why I have developed such a penchant for dressier boots lately? Now don't get me wrong, I have a pair (or three) of Ugg boots. And I think there is an appropriate time and place for them (Note: it usually involves snow or sub-zero temperatures). It’s not like I have some strange vendetta against Ugg Australia, I practically live in my Ugg slippers from October through March. Now I mean, you won’t find me wearing them in grocery store or the library, mind you (disclaimer: unless it is exam week, which of course lends itself to all kinds of questionable choices). 

If you’re sipping lattes with a girlfriend, catching a show, or window shopping, there's absolutely no reason not to brave the storm and wear a heel.

Boots with a small heel (we're not talking stripper status) are ridiculously comfortable and truly make an outfit look polished and put-together. Here are a few favorites from our boy Michael Kors. 

[Linkage: 1, 2, 3, and 4.]

And a little style inspiration to go with it:

[via fashionunder100]

P.S. this post is kind of the winter version of this one. Remember it?

Falling for...

FALL.


Only the most fabulous season of the year. I woke up Friday morning and was greeted by that cool, familiar breeze that always whispers a warning of great things to come.


Apples, pumpkins, sweaters, and scarves. Candles, cashmere, falling leaves, a glowing fireplace, and the imminent holiday season. I love it all.


In honor of the momentous occasion, I promptly purchased these adorable slouchy boots.

"Zoiiee" by Madden Girl. 

They are practically perfect for stomping through piles and piles of crunchy leaves. And I just adore the red zipper up the back.


And when my darling boyfriend picked me up for church this morning guess what he brought...

A steaming, delicious pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. I guess he knows the way to this girl's heart is caffeine. 

Next order of business? I plan on making this delicious apple galette as soon as possible.

From Seeking Equipoise via Foodgawker. 

Until my apartment is flooded with the beautiful aroma of this tasty little tart I have burning these scent-sational candles around the clock.

Sexy Cinnamon by Trapp Private Gardens

and Cinn-ister by Yankee Candle Company

And last but certainly not least: Mountain Fever. There is absolutely no place more beautiful this time of year (or any time of year, for that matter) than the Blue Ridge Mountains. I am dying to get up there. Fortunately, I have Girls Weekend at Wintergreen to look forward to. On our agenda? A wine tasting at a local vineyard, shopping, lots of great food, and maybe a little hiking (if Britney and I can drag the other girls along!)

What bounty does the harvest season have in store for you?

shorts story

So, as stated Monday, I have been loving heels. Can't get enough of them. I started out just wearing them with flowy sundresses and summery skirts, but this weekend I even paired them with ... wait for it... shorts. And they didn't even look trampy or stripperesque! I'll admit that I was skeptical at first, but it honestly can make your legs look a mile long. To avoid being mistaken for one of Tiger's cronies, I made sure my heels weren't too sky-high. I opted for these:

"Kamera" by Madden Girl. I purchased these back in January, but I have been delighted by how seamlessly they transcend seasons! 

Next, I chose shorts that were not too tight or short. Mine were a classic, tailored fit from J. Crew in a dark-wash linen denim. These from Forver 21 would be cute too. 

I finished it off with a breezy, racer-back silk top. (A TJ Maxx find, of course) Here's a few cute ones from (again) Forever 21:

Abstract Ethnic Woven Tunic (looove the detail on the back)

Satin Big Bow Top (there is a zipper on the back to balance out the girlishness of the bow!)

Well I guess that's enough of this... I don't want to strain my arm patting myself on the back, but I will say that the look turned out quite nice. 

what the heel

Living in a coastal community definitely has its pros and cons. For example, you live at the beach (I mean, can it get better than that?) However, it leaves something to be desired in the fashion department. Don't get me wrong, I love the laid-back atmosphere that this coastal town has to offer, but I could certainly live without the sideways glances and infinite questions I get every time I wear anything more than a bikini and a cover-up. By late July, bikinis get old and flip flops and metallic sandals start feeling a bit monotonous after wearing them for days on end. Enter: the high heel. I have been loving them lately. And I don't discriminate. Wedges, espadrilles, strappy sandals... I love them all. This whole high heel kick (pun obviously intended, as always) started with these...

"Olympic" by Coconuts

And these were just the beginning... more fabulous shoe posts to come this week.

Added bonus: Apart from the fact that they make your legs look like Gisele's, heels make people wonder what you're up to... and with shoes this hot it can't be anything good. :)

golden girl (continued)

OH MY GOSH.

Extra, extra. read all about it.

Just found these:

"Candice" by Kate Spade (duhhhh). Neeeeed these too! Ahhhhhh! On sale here. 

Fresh Kicks

Let's face it- I'm a flip flops girl. I grew up on the beach and the thought of wearing "real shoes" during the warmer months seems blasphemous. But when I saw these shoes at Old Navy back in March I was intrigued. I bought them in Tarragon and have fallen in love.

I was thrilled to see this post at A Cup of Jo. Not only are these shoes super comfy, but they are stylish too? And with the Old Navy version costing only $16, I can afford them in every color! Now I just have to figure out a way to fit them in my closet...