When is it "Too Much?"

Believe me, it takes a whole lot of effort to look so blatantly disregardful of fashion trends, rules of color engagement, look like a nominee for the Big No list for Stacy and Clinton. Why, it wasn't only about a year ago where I was gracing the bloggy world with my pitifully mousy ensembles no need to look back, you'll be bored out of your mind and now here I am going out like a big smiling pattern-blind fashion-schizo:

  

I actually felt pretty good when I put these pieces together last night and didn't really bat an eye this morning when I threw everything together. Heck, I thought I even put together some as-fierce-as-I-can-be outfit pics and was all ready to post and go about my business when I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror. That's when the big "Hmm..." hit.

Now I'm typically the first person to say that one of the fun parts of fashion is experimentation and trying new things - and heck, a bad outfit won't kill ya. But sometimes things just look a little off, a little bit like you're on the tip of Fashionable and you start teetering too far towards Tacky. There's a lot going on and sometimes more is not better (though don't tell Man Repeller).

So crazy babble short, I reassessed and this is what I ended up with:

  

When you put an outfit together, when do you consider yourself "done?" When do you consider an ensemble "overdone?" What have you put together yourself or have seen on others when you have thought "whoa, that's way too much?"

  

Jacket: Anthropologie Daughters of the Liberation cropped wisley

Necklace: Anthropologie gold finger

Top: Forever 21 (worn here before - similar here, white here, steal here)

Jeans: Banana Republic classic skinny (worn here before - similar here)

Shoes: Xhiliration by Target teanna (worn here before - similar here, luxe here)

Dress: Anthropologie Maeve slate stripes (worn here before - similar here)

Belt: UO Deena & Ozzy stretch (worn here before - similar here)

Shoes: Nine West patent temani (worn here before - similar peep-toe here, here)

Dots & Stripes Forever

Happy Memorial Day, ladies! Aside from the (hopefully) physical and mental recharge we are all partaking in these past few days, let's also spend a few moments and remember the real reason we celebrate this day - to commemorate all the US service members who have fallen while in military service.

I've had a great long weekend of eating, cooking, park-ing, lounging and generally being a lazy loaf - it's been awesome. So it should come as no surprise that with the great summer-y weather, I've spent my days in general absolute casual-ness:

 

Top: H&M stripe (worn here before - similar here, modern here)
Skirt: UO Cooperative monaco
Shoes: Keds spright wedge (worn here before - similar here, here)
Necklace: White Owl via Etsy (worn here before - similar here)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff trompe l'oeil mac

 

Top: J. Crew factory multi-stripe pullover
Shorts: Banana Republic (similar here)
Shoes: Mossimo by Target wakana (worn here before - similar here)

 

Hat: Christy's & Co. (big enough to fit my giant noggin! - similar here, here)
Top: J. Crew max & molly gallery (worn here before - similar here, here)
Shorts: Old Navy pleated (worn here before - similar here)
Shoes: DVF lush flip flops (worn here before)

 

Top: F21extended hem dot (worn here before - similar solid here, here)
Shorts: Old Navy chambray tie-belt
Shoes: Sofft woven thongs (similar luxe here, reg here)

What have you gals all been up to? Have any of your partaked in some awesome sales, or other grand (there are no small) adventures?

Winter Afoot

Happy Monday, ladies! Here's a rundown of my cas weekend attire (and can you spot my pup - aka Trouble - in some of these pics?):

Sweater: Per Una by Marks & Spencer (worn here before - similar here or -ish here)

Dress: Mossimo by Target tiered

Belt: Anthropologie looping lanes (thanks to Julie from the EA trade market - similar here)

Tights: Target

Shoes: Xhiliration by Target teanna

Necklace: Laila Rowe (similar-ish here)

Top: Anthropologie Splendid two story (on sale, check stores - similar here)

Jeans: Banana Republic classic skinny (worn here before - similar here)

Earrings: Target (similar here or here)

Shoes: Anthropologie raines / Seychelles ring in the new year (worn here before - similar here as a booty)

And this is why short Lisa can't wear wide-leg jeans ...

Top: J. Crew milliner tissue tee (worn here before - similar-ish here)

Sweater: J. Crew cielo ruffle (similar here or color here)

Jeans: Gap essential (similar here)

Shoes: Guess Lawri (worn here before - similar here or lux here)

♣ ♣ ♣ ♣

The lovely Anne sent me an e-mail last week asking if I could put together a few recs for cold-weather footwear essentials. Now, I know we've all got spring fever, but if you live anywhere north in the States (or San Francisco, apparently), you're either still covered or you know there's yet another snow storm or two in the horizon, so unfortunately many of you gals are not out of the cold foot trenches just yet. Plus now is the perfect time of year to invest in a few cold weather pieces at fantastic savings ... So here are my decidedly "un" expert ideas on what I consider essential winter footwear:

♣  The All-Weather Snow Boot: Gotta have a pair - that's all I can say. Traction. Warmth. Waterproof. My Ugg DeSotos have taken me through Christmas snowpocalypse in NYC faithfully - just make sure yours has the rugged sole like these. They stayed blissfully warm and dry through three hours of shoveling and several other hours of snow frolicking. Sorels also can't be beat - they got the fur!

♣  The Rain Boot: If you live in a warmer weather clime, puddle jumpers are essential footwear as winter precipitation is rain. I personally prefer classic styles but this the perfect style to play up some bold color or fun pattern. My big sis swears by her Burberrys, but my personal faves are Kamiks as the insoles are padded and they've got awesome traction.

♣  The Flat Boot: Wanna the footies completely covered, sublimely comfortable and still be stylish? Then flat boots are for you. There are literally thousands of options out there - my flats for fall included ones from Bed Stu and Anthro (why have I not purchased shoes from Anthro until this winter?) Frye and Madden also make reliable and stylish options - think classic styling, unique details like brass rivets or buckles, a versatile pair you can wear with anything.

♣  The Heeled Boot: This is another style with two million options, but I'd say opt for go-with-anything colors black and brown first. I especially love these ridonkulous hot Choos or Pradas, but I must admit to clomping around like a baby trucker elephant in my heeled boots, so I'd opt for brands like Born that make super-comfy stacked heels that still rock.

♣  The Bootie: This was my cold-weather go-to shoe when I needed the footie coverage but still wanted to rock a cute skirt or dress. I'm a newbie to booties so I only own a basic pair by Vince Camuto but I really dug the lace-up combats, like ones by Seychelles for a more urban look.

What do you gals think? What are your cold-weather foot essentials? What gets you through the winter?

Easy Sparkles - and Other People's Giveaways

Weekend roundup - outfits and giveaways, ladies:

 

Top: J. Crew haya sequin pullover (similar here or here)

Shirt: Lands' End Canvas stretch poplin (similar here)

Jeans: J. Crew bootcut

Shoes: Artisan by Clarks herring bow flats (similar here or patent here)

Jacket: Banana Republic sateen scooter (similar here or more cas here)

Top: J. Crew sequin striped boatneck (worn here before - very similar here or sans sequins here)

Jeans: J. Crew bootcut (similar here)

Shoes: Artisan by Clarks Herring bow flats (worn here before - similar here or here)

Necklace: Anthropologie double torsade (worn here before - similar here or here)

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There's still time to submit your outfit outtakes for this week's Respect the Outfits feature! Read more about it HERE. Please send your pics by Tuesday evening to respecttheshoes(at)live.com. Thanks!

✿   ✿   ✿   ✿

And here are the very cool giveaways this week:
 
✿  loveandpeaceF from Its a New Kate is giving away a $20 gift card to Forever 21. Contest ends today.
 
✿  AudreyBella from Life is Short...Buy the Shoes is giving away a J. Crew silk driving scarf. Contest ends tonight!
 
✿  Pamela from ginger girl is giving away the Happy Talk dress from Shabby Apple. Contest ends tonight!
 
✿  Roxy from Effortless Anthropologie is giving away a necklace from simply livly. Contest ends February 20.

✿  Dina from My Superfluities is giving away a $25 gift card to Boden. Contest ends February 21.
 
✿  Jenny from Not Just A Pretty Face is giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop. Contest ends February 22. UPDATED: Contest now ends February 24!

✿  Tiffany from I am Style-ish is giving away a $100 gift card to Nordstroms for signing up to Ebates through her link. Contest ends February 22.
 
✿  Molly from My Closet Travels is giving away a $50 gift card to Anthropologie. Contest ends February 22.
 
✿  Amy from kelinda.KELINDA is giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Tippy from Tres Tippy is also giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Kaleigha from krameymartin is also also giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Nakia from Vogue & Vintage is giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop as well. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Kim from Anthroholic is giving away two fully-customized Kodak Gallery Photo Books. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Lauren Nicole Gifts is giving away a customizable child's artwork pendant. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Miss Neira is giving away a GBP 50 gift certificate to ASOS. Contest ends February 25.
 
✿  Dea from the dea diaries is giving away a $25 gift card to Anthropologie. Contest ends February 27.
 
✿  Meggy from Chasing Davies is giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop. Contest ends February 27.
 
✿  Wild as a Mink is giving away an Orient Watch. Contest ends March 6.

Lisa Not of Arabia

Cardigan: Anthropologie Tiny city garden (worn here before - similar here or bolder here or here)

Tank: Old Navy

Jeans: Banana Republic classic skinny (worn here before - similar here)

Belt: H&M double buckle (worn here before - similar here or here)

Boots: Born Taro (worn here before - similar here)

Necklace: UO multi stone bib (worn here before - similar-ish here or here)

Hey all, I'm back! Oh you have no idea how nice it feels to be back home - I had a whirlwind four days in Dubai on business plus a lovely 16 hour flight home so I am exhausted! There's nothing like seeing the BF and the pup again - apparently they fought with each other a bit while I was gone. Sigh, what can you do about kids being kids?

I didn't have a lot of time to do much else than work while I was there, but did manage a trip to Mall of the Emirates and the new shopping crown jewel - the Dubai Mall (what do people do when they come to Dubai? Shop and shop!) Here's a random sampling of pics:

The Burj Khalifa by day and night:

The malls in Dubai contain focal points most other malls would never consider - like the Underwater Zoo with a 107ft x 27ft viewing panel, a full size ice rink and the 80ft tall waterfall:

The Middle East's only indoor ski resort - Ski Dubai (it smells like a fridge in there, because - dur - it is!):

And your choice of touristy take-homes and a high-end gold souk:

And beautiful decadent confections:

If you haven't done so yet, there's still time to enter my giveaway! And I'll be catching up with everyone's blogs over the next few days, Insha'Allah!

GFS Series: Christ Chic

I was forced to get dressed  for church in exactly 20 minutes...or I was going to get LEFT!

So, I just kind of remixed some of the pieces from the last few posts to make an outfit.

Not loving any of these pics either:(

 I've been left before. When I was in high school, I went to the football playoff game for my school and I went with my dad. Well, when I got there...I wanted to walk around the Astrodome with my friends. That's what everybody did at the games, right?

(Vintage coat, Zara scarf/skirt, BEBE sweater (super,super old), Banana Republic fedora)

This was before cell phones....I think I may have had a pager/beeper at the time. So, my dad told me to meet him at the 50 yrd line seats at the end of the game...which I did, but that fool wasn't there! I am walking around the dome frantically thinking surely he wouldn't leave me. Oh, I forgot one thing...my dad WORKED at the school I attended. After about an hour of walking around...I got a ride from one of my friends who had to take me all the way home.

(I wasn't even going to post these pics bc they don't wow me but I wore it for the Lord so it has to be good enough  you guys. Amen.)

My dad was there. Sure was. Chilling. Watching Thundercats. Didn't say a word to me. I was so mad and embarrassed because the whole school heard about it. He told me he left early because they were losing and that if I had sat my "fast butt" down, I would've known that. What could I say? Nothing.

For that reason, I can get ready quick, fast and in a hurry!

(Sorry for the lack of posts, but it's been cold and I need another tripod. I will do better:)