Shoes

When it comes to shopping for fashion, some people really enjoy the process – browsing stores, strolling through malls, trying things on, etc., while others would skip all of that just to find a good deal. I tend to fall somewhere in the middle. I actually prefer using the internet to find items and then hit the mall to see them in person.

This spring, pairing black and white is one of the major fashion trends. The best part about the black and white trend is just how easy it is to embrace. Adding interesting shoes, like these black white striped pumps, to your wardrobe is the simplest way to try out a new trend and enliven your wardrobe.

I’ve had lace espadrilles on my mind lately. Why? Because the month of March rouses college spring break memories of sunbathing on the beach for hours and one too many shots at night. While daydreaming about beach vacations, I started browsing for cute sandal options, and lace espadrilles kept popping up.

OK ladies. No more excuses. I know your Uggs and tennies are comfortable, but that is no way to leave the house when there are tons of adorable and stylish flats for spring under $100.

I first noticed fruit inspired fashion accessories when I was window-browser shopping Neiman Marcus’ new handbag arrivals. I fell hard for Edie Parker’s orange slice clutch. Why? Because it’s unique, it’s playful, it’s unexpected and it’s fun.

Plastic flip flops aren’t cute. They serve a purpose at the beach, by the pool or in the gym shower, but that’s it. They look (and are) cheap and they don’t provide any foot support. With so many cute flat sandals for women under $100, let’s do ourselves a favor and bury those plastic flops in our beach bags.

Probably my current favorite fashion trend is the black and white trend (seriously, here, here). I love it because it really is timeless and classic. Black and white clothing, even with patterns or prints, can be worn for many seasons.

With two kids under two, I don’t have many opportunities to wear sexy heels, like these black crystal caged booties. When I saw the Sergio Rossi pair, I was drawn to the striking scalloped cutouts encrusted with strass crystals. The high thin black heel and gold back zip add sexiness to these heels.

The thing I look forward to most about fall is getting to break out my boots and light coats. Now that we are back in Phoenix, it may be a few more months before I get to wear my fall short boots. But that’s besides the point.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure I liked the menswear inspired oxford trend for women. At first, I thought they were just too masculine, too clunky. The majority of the oxfords I’d seen in my Pinterest and Instagram fashion feeds were more traditional. They looked like a shoe my husband would actually wear.

Am I too old to wear high tops? I recently texted this question to my husband, as I was browsing the abundant sneaker selection at Nordstrom. I was immediately drawn to all the brightly colored, fashion forward sneakers for women.

One of my all-time favorite pieces of clothing is a black and white striped blouse from J. Crew. I’ve owned it for years, but it’s one of those pieces that never goes out of style. Even better, black and white goes with everything.

One of spring’s hottest shoe trends is high heel leather mules. Unlike the mules of the past, this spring, mules are youthful and fun (look at these Sophia Webster’s). Mules for spring come in lots of different shapes, colors, and heel heights and widths.

One of the perks of my job is that I get to travel quite a bit (follow along on Instagram). Last week, I visited New York. My days were packed with meetings and taxi and subway rides to meetings, but at the end of one of the days I found some time to duck into a Paul Andrew shoes sale.

The Fendi Monster is iconic. Whether you like their furry monsters and bag bugs or not, they are a status symbol for the ultra cool and stylish. There has literally been a Fendi frenzy, with Kendall and Kylie out in front as Fendi’s informal (and formal!) models, regularly toting the little fur balls.

I generally don’t advocate for buying inexpensive footwear because I believe shoes (and purses) should be quality investment pieces that will last you for years. But there are exceptions to my rule. The exceptions are 1) you can’t afford the quality pair you are eyeing, but you still want a cute new item for fall; 2) you want to try out a new trend, but don’t want to pay too much because you aren’t sure you’ll wear it or think the style might only be cool this season.

I try to keep an eye on fashion trends, and one easy way I stay updated is knowing the new 2016 Pantone color of the year. For 2016, there are two colors: Rose Quartz and Serenity. The blush pink and the periwinkle blue are quite a departure from the 2015 Marsala color.

Wedge sneakers have been around for a few years, so I’m a little late to the game of actually owning a pair. I know some blogs and fashion sites say they are out of style, but I think every girl should own a pair of high-top wedge gym shoes for these four reasons.

I love it when the weather is cool enough to start wearing boots. Mine are patiently waiting for me in the back of my closet until the Southern California weather is cool enough to break them out. The thing that I love most about a short boot, or bootie, is that I find them more…

I love summer, but there is a point where I get sick of my sandals and long to break out my boots and chunky sweaters. A good pair of boots can last for years, which is why I tend to invest in classics like those found at the Frye Company. I have had a few…

Studs, recently, are as ubiquitous as vampire love stories. I featured studded pumps a few weeks back and fall fashion remains stud-centric. Now it’s black leather gold studded bags. When I saw Saint Laurent’s new Betty style handbag, I fell for the interesting turned-up corner flaps and the unique shape of the studs. The shimmer…

I’m always on the lookout for comfortable and stylish black pumps. I have a patent leather pair with a rounded toe and a thicker stacked heel that have come in handy for many work meetings. It’s rare to find a pair of conference room-friendly pumps that also look great for evening. These Black Leather…

I have a shoe addiction problem. Since we just moved, I had to buy three shoe racks to fit all my shoes, and my poor husband didn’t even get one. Although I do have a shoe problem, lucky for me, I already own several pairs that fit into the major fall shoe trends this season.

Have you noticed mules are one of the hottest shoe trends for spring? Honestly, I wasn’t sure it was a trend I wanted to get behind, but then I found these gold mules and knew I had to give them a try. If you ever wondered how to wear mules, this post is for you.

What’s your go-to weekend outfit or, if you’re a mama, what’s your ‘momiform’? Mine varies depending on the season, but most of the year, it’s jeans, and a t-shirt with a layer on top. I personally love wearing blazers and jackets because I think they really tie a look together, yet are super comfortable. Lately, I’ve also started a bit of a sneaker collection.

I know what you’re thinking. Weekends are all about the yoga pants and sneakers. Don’t get me wrong – I’ll wear that on the weekends too. But, I try really hard to relegate those looks to when I’m actually going to the gym on the weekends. There’s nothing wrong with black leggings and sneakers, but there is a way to achieve chic weekend outfits that look more together without that much effort.

My son is wrapping up his kindergarten year and my daughter is starting kindergarten next fall. With these major milestones, I figured it’s about time I teach my kids how to tie their shoes. I’d heard about the bunny ear technique, so I honestly thought teaching kids how to tie shoes was going to be a breeze.