The Heels to Die For: YSL Pumps

The truth is I’ve been obsessed with Yves St. Laurent heels for several years. I think YSL makes amazing shoes (and bags for that matter) and I’ve tried on many pairs over the years. I just haven’t been able to pull the $800ish trigger quite yet. But I dream about them on an almost daily basis.

Here are some of the pairs I covet:

Platform Pump

Platform Pump in Black Leather ($795, YSL.com)

Platform Pump in Red Patent ($795, YSL.com)

I mean, right? HOW HOT IS THIS SHOE?!? I would kill a man for a pair of these in black. I would maim a man for them in red. Yes, they’re high but anyone who knows me is well aware that I’m rarely found wearing a heel less than 4 inches. I love the platform front and the stiletto heel is just breathtaking. Ready to really swoon? Here’s the metallic version:

Tribtoo Platform Pump ($795, Neiman Marcus)

Tribute Platform Pump

Tribute Platform Patent Pump ($660, YSL.com)

If you’ve known me for a long time, you’re aware that I could talk of little else when this heel first hit stores. I love the little strap, the peep toe, and the platform. It has a four inch heel and one inch platform–love it! I think these are so cute and dainty and while they won’t work with every outfit, they’d be a perfect finishing touch on a super feminine outfit.

Links to buy:

- Platform Pump in Black Leather ($795, YSL.com)

- Platform Pump in Red Patent ($795, YSL.com)

- Tribtoo Platform Pump, Metallic ($795, NeimanMarcus.com)

- Tribute Platform Patent Pump ($660, YSL.com)

Alert! Super Cute Dresses Ahead

I love dresses. I love short dresses, strapless dresses, solid dresses, print dresses, dresses with sequins, halter dresses…. well, you get the point.

Earlier today, I was browsing one of my favorite online shopping sites, Cusp (it’s the Neiman Marcus boutique) and came across several fabulous dresses. Here are some of my favorites:

Tibi Strapless Silk Dress

Tibi Strapless Silk Dress

Um, how friggin cute is this? Yes, it’s basic Tracey-style with the strapless top and short length, but I lovelovelove this yellow color. I also think this has the right amount of flowy-ness: enough to hide a bit of bloating but not enough to look like a colored garbage bag. (Tibi, $345)

Alice + Olivia Bethany Peplum Dress

Alice + Olivia Bethany Peplum Dress

I love the colors of this dress. But living in Hawaii, I don’t really have anywhere to wear a dress like this. Too bad,

because the sequined bodice is just so pretty and eye-catching. And I love the Mad Men-inspired ruffle around the waist. Hot! (Alice + Oliva, $495)

Robert Rodriguez One-Shoulder Applique Dress

This dress is stunning–with the right figure, someone could really rock it. The asymmetrical waist and black lines, it’s just such an interesting print! If my hips were smaller, I’d definitely buy this little number. (Robert Rodriguez, $418)

Trina Turk Floral Kiki Dress

Trina Turk Floral Kiki Dress

While I normally don’t LOVE large prints, this one works for me. I like the navy with the quick splashes of green. It’s interesting and classic while still being unique. And how cute are the little cap sleeves? (Trina Turk, $348)

Sexy Summer Suits: Juicy Couture’s Cutest Styles

Summer starts in about five minutes and it’s time to find some fun bathing suits. Since I live in Hawaii, I’m always on the lookout for cute suits, but the selection’s been pretty limited until now–stores are just now unveiling new styles and looks.

While perusing online, I found two SUPER CUTE Juicy Couture one-piece suits. I generally don’t wear one-peices, but my mom got a really cute Juicy one last season and she looks great in it, so I wanted to see what they did this year. Here are my faves:

Juicy Couture Beach Ruffled Halter Swimdress

I love this navy suit. The shirred side seams will help hide any hip issues while trying to lose those pesky last five pounds. And I really like the halter neck. The ruffles are a cute addition that make this a little more playful vs. Marilyn Monroe bombshell-esque. Check plus. ($150, Nordstrom)

Juicy Couture Beach 'Limoncello' One Piece Swimdress

This yellow suit is also very cute. The bodice is long and shirred so you can pull it low if you’re feeling a little pooch-y or pull it up if you’re feeling 6 pack-y. I love this particular halter top–it’s got great support for the fuller-chested ladies. And I like the lack of ruffles… it’s a little more mature looking. If you have the skin tone to pull this off (ie. super tan/not pasty), I highly recommend this for laying poolside. Overall, I think the shirred side seams of both these suits are extremely flattering. As someone who enjoys a cocktail while sunning, I predict this type of suit will work out well for me this season! ($168, Nordstrom)

For all those bikini lovers, I thought I’d throw in this adorable Juicy two-piece, also in navy:

Juicy Couture Shirred Skirted Bandeau Bikini

I wish the model looked happier about wearing this because she looks great in it. It’s just the cutest little bikini: classy with full coverage and touch of sweetness with the ruffles. (top: $85; bottom: $98, Neiman Marcus; also available in red at Nordstrom)

Today’s Must-Have: Count Me Healthy Bracelets

A couple of months before I moved to Hawaii, I had the pleasure of meeting Chelsea Gossett. We met through my last job and it was during one of our conversations about shoes and fashion that she revealed she was a jewelry designer. Upon my moving, she asked me to help her with her business and I’ve been working with her since.

Count Me Healthy Bracelet

Chelsea designs Count Me Healthy bracelets: they are sterling silver bracelets with movable beads. Why movable beads? Because Chelsea realized she more frequently reached her health and nutrition goals if she had a way to track her progress. And instead of using a cumbersome notebook, why not use a stylish bracelet? So she created these bracelets.

And they really are cute. There are a bunch of different types: the Original, Happy & Blessed, Golf Goddess, Bride to Be, and My Bridesmaids are just a few. Each type has a different moveable bead depending on the theme. One of the newer styles is Helping Hearts — with 25% of each bracelet sold goes to the WomenHeart organization.

So while I love the idea of a wearable tracking tool, I also really love how this bracelet looks–particularly when worn stacked. I usually wear 2-3 at a time and it really looks great. In fact, Count Me Healthy offers Sassy Stacks which comes with three bracelets–instant stackability!

CMH Bracelets worn stacked

The bracelets cost $88 each and are available online at countmehealthyjewelry.com and at select boutiques around the US. And stay tuned – Chelsea has some new styles hitting stores soon!

Yes! Glee Is Back Tomorrow!!

Puck (Mark Salling)

Let’s get it out of the way: Puck is hot.

Now that we’ve taken care of that…. GLEE IS BACK TOMORROW! Yay! Their four month hiatus was way too long. Not only did I watch old episodes, but I was forced to buy almost all of the Glee songs on iTunes just to get my Glee fix each week. I even DVR’d Oprah last week to see her Glee show (which was awesome by the way.)

Every character on this show is good, but my absolute favorite is Rachel. Lea Michelle can sing. And she’s pretty funny. Not to mention how she killed it on the red carpet during award season. Lea’s got style! My other favorite characters are Quinn (Dianna Argon,) Puck (Mark Salling,) and Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch.) I could watch Sue Sylvester talk for hours on end. Quinn is just the cutest little thing–and her internal struggle is interesting to watch. And, well, you know, Puck is hot, so…. well….yeah.

This upcoming string of episodes has a stellar list of guest stars planned: Neil Patrick Harris(!), Kristin Chenoweth is coming back (hells yeah,) and Idina Menzel of Wicked fame are all lined up. And I simply can’t wait for the All Madonna episode airing April 20. In fact, here’s the TV Guide cover inspired by the Madonna episode… (how cute is Rachel?!?)

The Cast of Glee on TV Guide

I also don’t hate Mr. Shue. I like watching him spar with Sue Sylvester… but I wouldn’t mind it if he stopped rapping for a little while…

Hot New Find: Hamilton & Co Scarves

Normally when I visit San Francisco, I have a really hard time packing: the weather is all over the place and it’s difficult to pack for warm and cold weather, particularly when you’re not checking a bag. But I didn’t have this problem on my last visit because I’d recently purchased my new favorite accessory, a Hamilton & Co. scarf.

Terrah Hamilton is the designer and creator of Hamilton & Co. scarves. I met her through my job and she’s super sweet–and has a very stylish eye. During a visit to the corporate office, I noticed all the girls were rocking these super cute scarves… and then I realized that one of the girls wearing them was making them! A few months later, I ordered my first one.

Hamilton scarves are very unique. Instead of one long piece of material, Terrah creates unusual and eye-catching designs–usually through the cutting or layers of material. The scarf I ordered was black and made of t-shirt/jersey material. But instead of being one long piece, the scarf is actually comprised of several strips of material that are bound in one spot but lay free otherwise. I wear mine looped around my neck one time so the layers add some volume, but I’ve seen photos on the Hamiton & Co site of people wearing them long to the waist. Sound confusing? Here’s a pic:

Hamilton & Co. Scarf

This accessory was the perfect finishing touch to almost every outfit I wore while in San Francisco. Almost everyone I saw complimented it. I can’t wait to get a second one in some funky color or material. Terrah is always adding new materials and hues; in fact, she introduced some tie-dye earlier this year.

Tie-Dye Hamilton & Co Scarf

Here’s a link to her blog that features photos and some of her inspirations. Terrah sells her creations in several boutiques in Memphis and on her Etsy.com shop online. Hamilton & Co. is also on Facebook.

The scarves range between $40-$60.

Sexy Shades: Oliver Peoples Aviators

Oliver Peoples, Benedict

Oliver Peoples makes killer shades, particularly aviators. I’m a gigantic fan. BIG. HUGE. So big that the pair I own now is actually my third pair of Peoples glasses. My first two pairs were identical — gold chrome frames, perfect size brown/black lens — and I adored them. I’ve never in my life received as many compliments on sunglasses as I did with these (they were Benedict style.) My third pair was similar: gold frames and brown lens, but the size was a little smaller. Not John Lennon glasses but they are a wee bit small. Either way, the Peoples aviators are hot.

Oliver Peoples, Patten

I was recently shopping and came across some of their new styles– and there are a couple fabulous ones. My favorite new style is called Patten. It’s an aviator with silver frames and squarish lens with a blue-to-grey tint. They are outstanding. Unfortunately, they don’t look so good with my coloring BUT if you have brown hair, these will look HOT. I’d maybe even contemplate going brunette for these… (maybe.)

Two Handbags I’d Love to Have. Like Right Now.

While perusing the New Additions section on Neimans website, I found two handbags I must have. Since my handbag obsession has taken a quiet haitus since I moved to Hawaii, I probably won’t get either. But that doesn’t mean I can’t still crave both–or encourage YOU to get them!

These bags are polar opposites–but only in price. One is $2495 and the other is $255. One is a popular and high-end brand, the other is an eco-friendly, vegan brand. But, they are both considered hobos and they’re both super cute. So enough with the teasing… let’s see the bags!

Jimmy Choo Python-Embossed Tie-Dye Hobo

I mean, how friggin hot is this bag? I LOVE IT. It’s a Jimmy Choo camel brown python-embossed leather with off-white tie-dye detail. I generally don’t love tie-dye but it works on this bag. The hardware is great, the shape is fabulous, and I like that it has tan suede lining. It’s just a great spring/summer bag. Man, Jimmy Choo makes hot bags. And yes, this is the $2495 one.

Matt & Nat Cleo Stud Hobo

Okay, so I think this bag is super cute. I love the studs, I love the layered leather, and I love the handle. This looks like an expensive bag to me… but’s totally affordable. The designer is Matt & Nat. I’m not super familiar with this designer but here’s what Neimans said: “Style-conscious and design-centric, MATT & NAT combines bold color, edgy silhouettes, and inventive materials in a collection that juxtaposes structured designs with sumptuous fabrics. A perfect balance of ethics and beauty, MATT & NATT reinvents what it means to be fashionably responsible, creating accessories void of animal by-products yet rich in style.”

Sounds good to me. And you can’t beat the $255 price tag. (Note: It’s vegan faux leather, so I’m curious what the texture of the bag is and how it moves. I mean, it’s cool that it’s not real leather and animal-friendly, but I’d want to make sure it looks and feels right before buying.)

Man, I really do love handbags.