And I'm Ready For Fall

From head to toe

I Need Boots ... Again

Preferably ankle height, brownish in tone, lined in lambswool or some other luxurious animal pelt, and comfortable.

Some ideas ...

I'm a little embarrassed to like this one, but it looks warm.

I'm a sucker for a disco wedge.

Mmmm.

I don't know.

Absolutely.

Zenni Optical, Three out of Three

First I got these.




Then these.



Now, I have these (in purple). I love them.

On the Site

In Real Life

I'm really loving this cheap frames from China racket. I can get a frame in every color and style and not feel too bad about it.

Zenni's been getting a bad rep lately for slower shipping. I think that period might be over, as I got these in two weeks. Sounds like a long time, but remember they had to grind my lenses, assemble my glasses, and ship from China. Not bad at all.

Now that I'm all brave and shit, I'm scoping out this new place, Eyewear Magic. Peep.

I've always wanted a red frame.

I'm a sucker for rhinestoned frames.

SHOES!!!

Spring's a-comin' ... in two more months or so. Here in Chicago, we're on that short yellow bus schedule.

Anyway, I'm all about a new opportunity to buy shoes that may or may not be worn. Thankfully, some of my guilt will this time be assuaged by my affinity for an earth-conscious collection. Terra Plana, with an eco-sustainable approach, allows me to feel that I'm actually helping the earth by buying shoes.

Note: I own a pair of Terra Planas, and they are ridiculously comfortable. The rubber soles are great too.

Melito

Juniper

Geta

Dida

Melito

Tertia

Summer Wishes

Summer will be here in approximately five months. By then, hopefully I'll be 1) decently in shape, 2) en route to some relaxing locale, and 3) owner of this ridiculously adorable swimsuit.

All I Want For Christmas

Needless to say, I'm a needy girl, meaning I need tons of shit in my closet to feel alright. Unfortunately, Ms. Atrack is on the broker side of things this Christmas, so supply is definitely not meeting demand. Let's pretend, though, that I actually had a mess of funds and could buy whatever I wished. Well, things would look a little something like ...

Moncler Georgia - This Moncler thing is becoming an addiction. For years, I shied away from the goose down coat for fear of reliving the school-aged days of the Triple Fat Goose and looking puffy. These, however, are gorgeous, well-fitting, and much too expensive. I need an Italian connection.

It's a bit cliche to like Prada, but seriously, the fall shoe collection is almost always some covetous pulchritude.

Chie Mihara Saigon Bow Boot - Chie Mihara is still my girl. Now that she's all popular and cavorting with the likes of Saks and Nordstrom, there'd be reason to believe she'd drop the ball. Not so. This boot is a beauty, and the line is still mad comfortable.

Mackage Nissa - Another favorite, Mackage, maker of all things stylish and warm redefining the puffer silhouette. Made for Canadian winters, this is perfect for a Chicago girl looking to avoid a case of the winter uglies. (Other Chicagoans, take note. Blue or black Sears parkas are not the move.)

Look From London Feather Tight - I love tights ... and feathers. This chick's shoes are a problem, but let's just focus on the tights.

Jeffrey Campbell Biz Bootie - It has been hell trying to find a short boot that isn't the run-of-the-mill cuffed or fold over stiletto look that's so popular nowadays. This is how it's done.

Gar-de Dolly Jacket - Animals are special in so many ways. They taste delicious, and they make wonderful things like metallic leathers with outrageously gorgeous details. Thank you, furry/leathery friends.

John Fluevog Helen - Fluevog has some of the most well-made and comfortable shoes around. If you ever find a sale on any pair, buy them. They're worth every penny.

Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair Zip Glove - Last season, I fell in love with a pair of Burberry zippered, croc, opera length gloves and couldn't, of course, afford them. These somehow fill the empty space that was left by my penury.

Cinnamon Skirt (Modcloth) - The tulip skirt done correctly.

Free Bras and Panties!!!!

Okay, not really free but damn near.

I just spent $47.35 and got six (6!) bras and 19 pairs of underwear! The least expensive bra was $2.50. That's just crazy.

I know what you're thinking, "They probably ain't got nothing in my size," cuz I know you think in double negatives. Nope, I wear an odd size and had a pretty good selection available to me. Plus, Figleaves.com is renown for carrying every size imaginable, from 28As to 56FFs (I did not make those sizes up). There are reviews aplenty to let you know the quality and fit of products, and they have a pretty lax return policy this time of year.

Run, girl, run! You know that trifling quadraboob effect ain't cute.

Yeah, So?

Uh huh, I bought jellies. Say something!

For a while now, the Brazilian shoe company Melissa has been cranking out jellies that somehow aren't throwbacks. A few years back, I got a pair of red ones flocked with velveteen. The people loved them. More recently, Alexander Herchcovitch collaborated with the company to come up with an adorable oxford, and I just had to have them.

Available at Kaight

See? Mad cute.

More Fall Coats - The Mackage Edition

I've highlighted Soia & Kyo's winter line of coats. Now, let us turn our attentions toward their older (and more expensive) sister line, Mackage. Winter just ain't winter for me unless I get at least one Mackage. They're warm, well-made, and frickin' gorgeous.

Why not start with a puffer? This silhouette is gorgeous, which instantly eliminates that nagging fit issue most puffers suffer from. Simply beautiful.

Now this is clearly in the running. I need a short, brown coat that zips up (as beautiful as large, ornamental buttons are, they take up too much of my time) and this one fits at least two of the criteria. Check out that detail.

Another puffer. It's cute, but I'm torn. Another nice silhouette, but I'm sure this coat will swallow me. I'm just too petite for this.

This coat is so-so on the surface, but the back is bangin', sorta like a butter face.

Bee-yoo-ti-ful.

AND they got leathers. I can say from experience that the leather is, in fact, heavenly.

Beautiful coats all around, but I'm feeling that the styles aren't really trumping what Soia & Kyo bring to the table ... for HALF the price. I don't know. Maybe I'll have a windfall and get them all.

Yep, It's Here

Fall, bay-bee. It's creepin' up on us like parking lot rapists. As a Chicagoan, I've got to accept that we'll soon be knee deep in slush and misery, so I may as well lubricate the esophagus with retail to swallow the bitter pill.

As is customary for a person with my interests and problems, there must be at least two coat purchases this fall, but what and from where exactly? Ahhh ... let the mighty shower of wool, big buttons, and zippers begin!!!!

A slew of Soia & Kyo creations, all highly coveted, all just cheap enough to be bought. I'm telling you ladies, if Mackage or your other favorite coat designer is on that BS pricing jive, S & K gotchu, boo, trust. *solemn face* Peep the loveliness below and tell me that you can't envision yourself frolicking through the rough Chicago winter in one of these. Huh? I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!!!

Sonia Rykiel's diffusion line ain't all crap. This coat is just plain adorable, especially for those of you who are afraid of real color and desire to visit the dry cleaners a lot. It sounds like I'm hating, but that can't be helped. I do like this coat despite my tone.

Buy It

And lastly, a beautiful confection of brightness and buttons. Orange remains my favorite color, and the fashion industry's insistence on purple can suck it. By the way, it's TIBI.

Buy It