O.M.G...O.T.K.

You may commonly use the texting shortcuts: "LOL", "TTYL", or maybe even "GTL," but there's only one abbreviation you need to know this fall/winter season and that's OTK (aka: Over The Knee!) Riding boots, wedge boots, lace up boots, platform boots, and even 'boots with the fur' are showing up with an extra few inches this season.

Let's start with a favorite of mine that comes from one of my favorite countries, which is also home to my favorite type of food, fashion designers, and...the opposite sex. Italy!

Alberto Fermani

$675

Salon Shoes

I just love the simplicity of this style and the versatility of being able to wear the cuff up over the knee or folded down for two different looks. And the leather...molto bello:)

Charles David "Regent"

$444.95

Women's Shoes

Charles David never disappoints me when it comes to a boot, and this one tops the charts for me. I love the brown distressed leather and the fact that it's lower in the back-which actually makes an over the knee boot more comfortable and easy to walk in. And great news! You can discard your personal assistant who is by your side when you need to take your boots off because there is a side zipper for easy entrance and exit:)

Seychelles "Disguise"

$194.95

BP Shoes

Taupe is a hot color this fall and I love love LOVE Seychelles, and I love this boot! It has a cool vintage vibe and I can see it paired with a sweet feminine tunic and leggings.

And for the grand finale....

Manalo Blahnik "Pascalare"

$1,050

Salon Shoes

This is a work of art, and for you Carrie Bradshaws ou there-a killer addition to your wardrobe.

Step Into Fall With Lace Up Booties!

Salute the Military! This "Chic Utilitarian" selection is the hottest look to hit Brass Plum Shoes. Come check it out! Pair with pretty pieces like a feminine blouse for a glamourous contrast, or for you tough girls out there slip on a cropped leather jacket and you'll be promoted to Lieutenant:)

Seychelles 'Romance' Bootie Nordstrom.com
shop.nordstrom.com
Seychelles 'Romance' Bootie

Other fab finds:

Sam Edelman "Belmont"

$174.95

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3100684?origin=category&resultback=645

OTBT "Columbia" Boot

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3111744?origin=category&resultback=1048

$149.95

Didja miss me??  I know, I know, you're wondering where the H E double hockey sticks have I been for the last five months.  The only unexcuseable excuse I can think of is that I ran into a rainy weather hiatus after moving to Seattle...but to be fair I was spoiled rotten having been exposed to LA weather for some time (Ok it was only a year but that is one transition that takes time to adjust). Neither here nor there, Seattle experienced 60 degree clear sky weather this week-HALLELUJAH!  So let's get down to business.

OPPOSITES ATTRACT this spring so mix and match your patterns!  Like a playful floral against fierce bold stripes.  To do this correctly, make sure you have at least one common color among the two.  Try pairing this cozy striped ombre tee by Splendid with Eight Sixty's printed silk skirt:

Pair these pretty florals with tough hardware like a studded belt or caged sandals or platforms and you'll be the hottest thing besides the sun this spring;)

Try these caged favorites of mine:

Via Spiga "Liberty" Caged Bootie

Salon Shoes

$198

Vince Camuto "Aphrodite"

Women's Shoe's 

$119.95

Would You Like Fryes' With That?

The sun is setting a little earlier, your sandals have slowly progressed towards the back of your closet, and the catchy tune of the Ice Cream Man is slowly fading away.   This can only mean one thing...It’s boot season!!  

The Frye company is the oldest continuously operated shoe company in the United States, and were even worn by soldiers during the American Civil and Spanish-American Wars.  These boots are known for their craftsmanship, rich leathers, quality hardware and fashionability-which is why you can find them in the B.P Shoes department at Nordstrom! Duh.

Constructed with genuine leather and a premium rubber sole, Frye boots are the epitome of comfort offering amazing arch support and the ability mold to your feet with wear.  In most cases, try a half size down as you want them to feel slightly snug at first, especially around the heel since they WILL stretch to fit your feet perfectly.  Even though they may be a bit pricey, they are definitely an investment piece as I have helped customers who have had their Frye boots for over 10 years and they all have said they look and feel better than the first day they wore them!

Here are my fav Frye boots this season:

“Deborah” Studded Ankle Boot $497.95 (Picture Above)

Pair with skinny jeans for an edgy rocker look!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3038252/0~2376780~6009391~6014253~6014257

“Harness 15R” Boot $297.95

LOVE the heavily distressed leather on this classic Frye boot! SO vintage:)

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3033601/0~2376780~6009391~6014253~6014257?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014257&P=1

“Paige Clovertab” Tall Boot $457.95

Hunting for that perfect boot for your fashionable wardrobe? Your search stops here.  Vintaged leather with a cozy suede interior, a cuffed knee, and antiqued hardware says “buy me” all over it. The deep bordeaux color of this leather allows you to pair it with all of your fall neutrals-I say this is a definite must have!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3033605/0~2376780~6009391~6014253~6014257

So next time you're craving a hamburger...don't forget the Fryes:)

Work vs. Play (Listen up dudes this one's for you)

For you guys out there that think wearing a white shirt and black pants is professional wear-to-work attire, just add a napkin over your arm and I'll be ordering my dinner from you later tonight with a bottle of cabernet to blur my senses.  Neither here nor there...Lesson Number One: Have FUN with your dress shirts and ties: mix and match patterns (for example: 1. small checkered shirt with patterned tie 2. vertical stripe shirt with diagonal stripe tie OR patterned tie), go for a monochromatic or complementary color scheme, or Hmm... maybe I can relate this in a way that might be easy for you to understand.  Think of your favorite sports teams. What colors are their logos? Most of the time they are either opposite colors on the color wheel (complementary colors), colors right next to each other (monochromatic colors), or colors are paired with neutrals like white, black or grey. DO this when picking out dress shirts and ties.  

Monochromatic Mixing and Matching:

BOSS Black Tailored Fit Dress Shirt $115

 Boss Black Woven Silk Tie $95

Complementary Mixing and Matching:

Canali Classic Fit Dress Shirt $235

with Salvatore Ferragamo Printed Silk Tie in Orange $160

OR pair it with this David Donahue Woven Silk Tie $95 for an alternate (same color scheme) look.

Now for casual wear, you guys like to keep it simple and easy right?  Well get this: You can wear the same shirts you wear to work with a pair of jeans and ta-da! You have casual wear. (Shown in the second picture from above) 

For the trendy dude, I love these "Rocker" jeans by Joe's Jeans.  They give a vintage distressed look with a slightly slimmer fit through the thigh-which means that tooshy of yours is going to get a lot of attention. 

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3032983/0~2376777~2374609~2377048mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2377048&P=1

For the casual guy, go for a slight distressed washed with these straight leg jeans by Lucky:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3031939?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=guidednav&keyword=lucky+in+All+Categories+%3e+Men%27s+Apparel+%26amp%3b+Accessories&origin=searchresults

Your possibilities are endless with either pair of these jeans: a vintage tee or hoodie, collared shirt, half zip sweater, etc....but here are some of my favs:

Public Opinion Reverse Seam Cashmere Sweater $99.50 (You guys just want clothes that feel comfortable right? Well guys, I'd like to introduce to you something I'd like to call Mrs. Cashmere, she is the fabric of your dreams.)

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3031365/0~2376777~2374609~2377048mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2377048&P=1

Other favs:

Boston Red Sox Vintage Screen T-Shirt (This one's for you, Luke) $32

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3013889/0~2376777~2374609~6005475~6023579mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6023579&P=1

Bugatchi Long Sleeve Woven Shirt $99.50

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3031784/0~2376777~2374609~2374623~2374685mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2374685&P=1

TREND ALERT: Velvet Leggings

I might love these velvet leggings even more than I love a Sprinkles red velvet cupcake-and with a sweet tooth like mine that's hard to come by.  Velvet is actually one of the warmest fabrics to wear since it traps in the heat yet still allows breathability, so with these stretch "Falina" velvet leggings by Joia, you will not only keep yourself warm this fall/winter season, but you'll look and feel hot hot hot.  The studded detailing along the pockets gives an edgy look to a typically sophisticated fabric, and for a complete outfit, pair them with this printed silk tunic (also by Joie) and a pair of tall boots (shoot for a deep emerald instead of classic black or grey) and you'll be ready for those leaves to fall.

Other printed options:

Patterson J. Kincaid Printed Chiffon Tunic Dress $138

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3038117/0~2376776~2374327~6007067~6007332?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6007332&P=1

Bellatrix Printed Chiffon Tunic $78

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3060037?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=guidednav&keyword=tunic+in+All+Categories+%3e+Women%27s+Apparel&origin=searchresults

Not In Kansas Anymore...

Valentino Patent Leather d'Orsay Pump

Every girl needs a pair of red pumps for that a splash of color, and in the words of Rachel Zoe, this shoe is BA-nanas. That's all I have to say.

Also comes in black and emerald green (which is an amazing color for fall!)