Hooray! Shoes!

Shoe update! 


These Sabrina's from the Doc Marten store in Portland are my favorite vacation souvenir.  They are so comfortable!  I've even worn them under a fancy maxi dress that's too long for me and nobody ever knew the difference...except me who wasn't experiencing any foot pain!

 
I found this pair of beauties for about $30!  They were marked as a size 7 but out of curiosity, I tried them on and they fit!  (I wear a size 5.) I can't pull them off too much longer with fall on it's way but they do look great with a black jean and simple tee while it's still warm...

 
You know how it is when you have a vision of something in your brain and that's exactly what you want?  (But never do find?)  Well these come as close to the idea of my dream flat ankle boot.  And at Target of all places!  (Actually I do very well with Target shoes, for some reason their sizing is just right for me...)  Yup, you'll have to pry these off my feet...

Now, if only I can find the perfect black flat...or loafer...both?
J.

Austin Afternoon

I found myself with plenty to do today but no desire to do any of it.  Instead, the BF and I got out butts out of bed and explored some things that we had been hearing about but hadn't yet tried...

We started out at this local deli on campus,



I rarely make it down to the campus area, the usual bad parking if you can even find any, etc, but it being Saturday made it a little easier.  I had the "Quick Lunch Special" with a 1/2 turkey pesto sandwich and pasta salad.  The sandwich had cucumbers and sprouts...mmm...

Afterwards, we went to Antonelli's Cheese Shop and picked up 3 cheeses...

 
 Clockwise from top left:
Moses Sleeper, a brie like creamy cheese
Kunik, Extra extra creamy...need I say more?
Brick, surprisingly soft and buttery
We also picked up 2 different types of salami.  I like cheese (a lot) but I'm not really very knowledgeable about it.  You definitely go for the experience, you get to sample almost everything in the shop.

Then we stopped at Drink.Well. a new joint in our old neighborhood and enjoyed an afternoon beverage...


  The BF declared that he would be here every night if we still lived there...good thing we moved.
But I did have a yummy house made twinkie.
Our last stop was in.gredients, a zero waste, package free grocery store. 


For the most part, everything is sold in bulk and not only are you are expected to bring your own bags but plastic or glass resealable containers for things such as cereal, flour, even laundry soap.  It's a very small selection but you can buy as little or as much as you need.  We picked up the baguette and milk as well as some local tea tree soap.

And now the salami and cheese is gone and my laundry is still all over my dining room table...well, it was almost a completely magical day...
J.

Making The Boyfriend Jean Work

I'm intimidated by the boyfriend jean even though it seems like something innocent and mostly casual.  I never know what to do with them except throw on a tee or tank with a pair of converse and therefore they aren't really work appropriate. 
But Hello Jacket Season!
After rummaging through my overly stuffed closet and trying to narrow down to a more season appropriate wardrobe, I came across my favorite jacket and this unworn floral tee purchased earlier this summer, and thought Voila!  I can wear this to work!

 
I wore a basic black peeptoe heel, an easy choice, but I'd still throw on my converse with this look if I was going to be hanging out with my nephew, much more conducive to scooter riding.  (I am an awesome "ambulance" scooter driver if I do say so myself...I don't get to pick, it's appointed to me.  And I make the noises too.  Think what you want.)

What's in your closet that scares you?

J.

As Short As I Go

And maybe I shouldn't really be going this short, but I love this Ace & Jig tunic/dress anyway.


  Perhaps it's more of a personal risk, since I never wear anything more than 2-3 inches above my knee...sometimes I think this length actually makes my legs look shorter.  (I feel this way about cropped pants too.)  Anyway, I envisioned it with black jeans and a different pair of shoes for fall when I purchased it, but it's so soft and lightweight, it was perfect for our spur of the moment evening of art and ice cream...



Mango rose pistachio ice cream with strawberries...yum!!

How short is too short?  How short do you go?

J.

More Pants In My Closet

Yup, I still want pants.  I admit, it's still really too hot for pants here, and probably will be for at least the next month, but when I look at these, I see possibilities...


  OK, yes, they're linen and they'll probably drive me mad with wrinkles, they need to be taken up at least 4 inches and not to mention the mere thought of chocolate and it's instantly on them, but I couldn't resist!  I can see these in my closet for years to come!  (These pants call for a celebration with my favorite Christian LaCroix red evening sandal...but no chocolate...)

This pair is as close as I can get to a perfect fit in pants off the rack.  Of course I had to have them!  I even like them rolled at the end...perfect for flats!

Well, the obsession continues...
J.

Closet Craving-Pants

Are pants the new chocolate?  Yeah, a risky look but I was craving pants...




 
I love the high waist of these Cory Lynn Calters, they make my legs look much longer, though I admit, I'm actually debating whether or not to take the legs a little shorter to wear with wing tips instead of my usual heels, I think I might wear them more often that way.


Close up of pants...tiny diamonds!

What closet cravings have you given in to lately?

J. 


 

New To My Closet -Black Denim

We all know that finding those perfect pair of jeans is perhaps one of the most daunting tasks on the planet.  I admit that I wear more dresses and skirts than jeans to avoid this problem, though I myself have been through MANY a denim shopping trip with my sister, J4, only to have her tell me a few weeks after her purchase that she doesn't really like them.  I do not have the time or patience to put up with that!  It may have something to do with the fact that she's probably wearing the wrong size or style but won't admit that to herself...like many other women I know.  So lately, because I've been in need of a new pair, when I see someone who looks great, I ask them what brand they're wearing.  This is a huge help to me!  I still end up trying on a lot of different styles but by narrowing down the playing field of options, I can get right to what I'm looking for...


 
Enter J Brand jeans.  I'm not sure why I'm only now trying them, they come highly recommended and I have found them to be extremely flattering on so many different body types.  I only have this one pair so far but I intend to try more styles. 
It has been a long time since I've had a black denim, in fact maybe since I've moved from the Midwest, where black was (is) sort of the uniform.  It just kind of goes with the weather. 
Anyway, it seems to me that the hipster scene in central Texas has always worn the essential black skinny jean, usually with an old band tee and Converse.  I'm just not that cool, I'm certain of that.  

J.