A Sandal Scandal Part III

OK so if you were a regular reader,
(back when I used to post regularly....)

you are well aware of the Steven Bonanno Sandal Scandal I have posted about here and here. 

Almost identical to the Jack Rogers, this is their Palm Beach Sandal.

So a few weeks ago I went out to get the mail and there was a package crammed in the mail box.

Strange, I didn't order anything.

Well....at least not anything that would have fit in my mailbox.

I tried to read where it was from.

I don't carry my "cheater" reading glasses to the mail box so I couldn't make it out.

Came inside and....

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

Could it really be my sandals?????

Why yes, it was one of the two pair I ordered!

Sadly, it's the platinum pair that came.

I already bought a replacement pair of Jack Rogers platinum sandals.

Two years ago.

I had ordered a pair of pink and green monogrammed sandals from Stephen Bonnano,

and was REALLY hoping those were going to be in the box.

So I'll save the platinum ones for when my Jack's wear out.

Dare I hope that in another year the pink and green monogrammed ones will show up?

I will keep you posted on the continuing Stephen Bonanno sandle scandal!

Barbour or Bust

I will be honest.
I find it somewhat annoying when what I've been wearing for years becomes a "trend."

I have dressed the same way since I was able to pick out my own clothes.

So when Lilly became wildly popular a few year ago,

I didn't have to look for white label Lilly on eBay because I already owned it.

And when the Jack Rogers craze started, I had already worn out at least a dozen pair.

So has anyone noticed there is a Barbour jacket epidemic?

I bought my first Barbour jacket about sixteen years ago.

Ladies Barbour Tennant Jacket

Here's a little story that separates the people with TRUE classic style

from the people who claim to be preppy and classic.

My first Barbour jacket was a black quilted Eskdale.

Last fall we were at a USNA football game and I let Caroline borrow it for the day.

The two women sitting behind us started a conversation about my jacket.

They were openly mocking my "fake" Barbour jacket.

They were discussing the fact that Barbour does not even make a coat in that style,

and if I was going to have a "fake" then this was a bad fake one.

This is what my old Barbour looks like...

These women are the kind of people that annoy me.

If they had ANY class,
they wouldn't be talking trash about what my daughter happened to be wearing right in front of her,

and they would recognize an older style Barbour jacket.

I don't buy for labels.

I buy because I love something...the style, the way the fabric feels, the way it's made, the color...

I am a believer in wardrobe staples and investment dressing.

Caroline in her Barbour jacket....

I have to admit that I'm quite happy 

that my daughters have chosen to adopt my wardrobe philosophy.

So for the two women at the USNA game mocking my daughter,

talking about being "fake"

you think you're classy....but you're busted.

Isn't it S'well?

If you are like our family,

you have about 2,845 water bottles of various types 

taking up a lot of precious real estate in the kitchen.

We have the Terves water bottles, the Camelbaks, and everything in-between.

Well here's the new frontrunner....

The S'well Bottle

They come in a zillion colors....

And of COURSE you can monogram them....

I have to say these are AWESOME water bottles.

They keep cold drinks COLD for 24 hours,

as in "there is still ice in your water the next day"

and they keep hot beverages hot for 12 hours.

PERFECT when I'm dying for a hot cocoa at the November USNA tailgates!

My girls all have at least one of these SWELL S'well bottles

and you should too.

Here's the website....

S'well

And they also happen to sell them at Tweed, 

a darling shop in Richmond, Virginia where Caroline and Katherine work.

Check them out!

Stitch Fix Review

Has anyone heard of the clever online fashion service called Stitch Fix?

I just found out about it from my fabulous supervisor at work,

(her name is also Christine)

and had to try it out!

Basically, Stitch Fix sends you a box of five items every so many weeks

based on a style profile that you create when you sign up.

They hand select items just for you based on your preferences,

and you can select from tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, and accessories.

I did not want to get shoes or handbags.

They send you the box,

you try it on,

send back what you don't like,

and keep what you do like!

I was super excited to try this out,

especially because I gravitate towards the SAME brands and the SAME styles

almost all of the time.

I thought it might be a good idea if I stepped outside my comfort zone...

a little.

Stitch Fix has a Pintrest board,

so I checked them out to see if they would have the kinds of things I might like.

I came across this outfit on their "Preppy" board

and thought Stitch Fix could definitely work for me!

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Clearly my style....classic and timeless.

So my box came today!

 Impressed with the packaging.....

 And here are my five selections....

 Two tops and a sweater....

 This is an A-symmertical zip knit jacket...

 And this is a knit black dress with a scoop back.

Hmmmmmm........

Tried to be positive so I tried the things on.

Not photo-worthy.

To be honest, I hated all of it.

First, I did not like the colors of anything they sent.

Well, ok a little black dress is a must have, but not this one.

I also did not like the fabrics.

I did not feel like any of the items were even close to what I put in my profile.

Disappointed would be an understatement.

I did like how they send a style card with your box....

 Very handy and a great tool to use if you are keeping what's in your box.

It reminds me of the fashion boards you can make on Polyvore and share.

Now.....

Just because I did not have a good experience does not mean that Stitch Fix is a bad thing.

If you are a lot less picky than I am,

and your style is more trendy and less preppy,

then I think this would be something really fun to try.

Christine (supervisor) has had great luck with it and she is very stylish...and picky like me.

Once you get your box, you log into your account online and "check out" 

and you have the opportunity to tell your "stylist" why you are returning an item.

This helps them to get a better idea of what to send in your next box.

Sadly, I am returning all of my items in the pre-paid label that comes with your box.

My overall review of Stitch Fix is that it's a fun concept that will work for many people.

If you are pretty set in your style and you have go-to brands that you don't really deviate from,

then it may not be for you.

I'm going to give it a whirl one more time and then decide if I want to keep it going.

Let me know if you've tried it....

Rain Rain Go Away.....

I woke up this morning to a cloudy day,

which is an improvement over that last NINE rainy days we have had!

Tomorrow the sun will shine!

Here's a little rainy day fashion...

everyone around here are big fans of the Hunter rain boots,

and I am too.

But I'm LOVING the Joules rain boots this fall,

and they are having a SALE

right now....50% off select styles!

Here are a few of my favorites...

Could these Navy rain boots be any more adorable?

Love the bow in the back!

These polka dot with the pink have caught my eye...

Perfect with my pink rain coat and half off!

Loving these Kelly Green ones!

They are half off and only $30.75!!!

These are in my top three.....LOVE!

Can never have too much pink....these are also cute!

A classic.....these are not on sale but I also love!

And if you are not a pink lover like me, these would be fabulous!

I actually love the red too....not just the pink!

So go check out the super sale happening at Joules!!!

What to Wear?

This is the time of the year that I have the worst wardrobe trauma.

There are a few reasons...

First, it's hard to find fall clothes that are good for 80 degree weather.

Second, I gravitate towards bright colors and the fall palate is usually earth tones.

And finally, I LOVE my summer clothes and hate to hang them up for the season.

I was pleased with Lilly Pulitzer's first Fall line in the blue tones.

Still the bright and cheerful colors that I love, 

but a little bit more subdued with a hint of fall.

I bought the Lilly Pulitzer Layton Shift in the print "Blue Crush She Got Sole"

and this is similar to how I plan to style it for a cute September outfit.

Early Fall Lunch Date 

What do you wear in the early fall when it's still too early for sweaters and turtlenecks?

Shoe Review...The Tory Burch Travel Minnie

So y'all know I have a new job working at our county jail as a Clinician.

I'll post about that on another day.

Well.....I ran into a little bit of wardrobe trauma with my new job.

Shoe trauma to be exact.

In my last job, I could get away with wearing my Jack Rogers every day

with my summer wardrobe.

NO open toe shoes in the jail.

Actually, I would not WANT to wear open toe shoes in the jail.

I was on the hunt for a summery shoe to wear with all of my summer work clothes.

Enter the Tory Burch Minnie Travel Ballet Flat.

Tory Burch Minnie Travel Flats

RUN, don't walk, to your Tory Burch store and BUY.

I read all of the consumer reviews about this shoe.

They were all great.

 I have been faithful to my Tory Burch Reva's for quite some time,

but I decided to give it a whirl and ordered this shoe in the gold.

WOW

MOST COMFORTABLE SHOE EVER.

Has anyone ever worn these Isotoner slippers before?

LOL These are my wedding shoes....

I'm not kidding....

these are the exact slippers I wore when I married D.

I was going for comfort.

Well the Tory Burch Minnie Travel Ballet Flat feels like you are wearing Isotoner slippers.

I drank the Kool Aid...

 and I'm planning to invest in the Tory Burch Travel Minnie in multiple colors.

I was worried about how the shoe would wear because the sole does not cover

the entire bottom of the shoe, but I've had no issues so far.

They come with a cute travel bag so you can fold them up and put the in your suitcase!

I'm giving the Tory Burch Travel Minnie Flat at two thumbs up...

A Sandal Scandal.....Continued

A long, long time ago I posted about the Stephen Bonanno sandal scandal.

Check here to see my post.

Here I am two years past my order date and STILL no sandals.

I was contacted by the Attorney General of Florida over a year ago

after I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

see here for the local news report

I filled out about ten pages of paperwork, including copies of my online order and receipts,

as well as copies of the thirty or so emails I had sent to their customer service,

and I waited.

And waited.

And waited some more.

Just when I thought all was lost, 

Lisa from Stephan Bonanno sandals called me!

This was in May.

Yes, the infamous "Lisa" who never returns phone calls or answers the emails.

See here for a post from"Lisa"

Lisa said that they were slowly working through the orders and that mine was the next to be fulfilled.

She was calling because their monogramming machine had broken,

and would I accept a Palm Beach style instead of the monogrammed sandal.

YES.

She told me that I would have my order by the end of the week.

I was cautiously optimistic.

Good thing I was cautious.

I am still waiting.

As of this post, I have not received any part of my order.

And this is not a good sign....

It appears Mr. Bonanno has been arrested. Again.

see here for post

see here for this post

So I am leaving messages for "Lisa" again in hopes of getting a straight story

but as of today,

this remains a sandal scandal.

Mad for Madras!

It's no secret that I love plaid,

and there are LOTS of adorable summer Madras plaids to be had!

Here are my favorites for this season...

I have had to use extreme restraint to NOT purchase this Madras Tote from my favorite store Talbots.

Even I am beginning to feel like my tote bag collection is getting a little out of control.

It happens to be on SALE right now though....

This LL Bean dress could not be cuter..and the price is right!

I had to add it to my summer dress collection,

and wore it with a navy cardigan over my shoulders on Father's Day.

And here is how I styled my dress!

If you love Madras, then hopefully you know about Just Madras...

they are the makers of this cute cosmetic bag, but they have skirts, dresses, ties, and bags too!

The Madras headband...

the perfect accessory for the preppy girl!

  

Loving this Madras Shep shirt from Vineyard Vines!

There you have my current favorites!

Are you mad for Madras?

Pink and Green Spring Bling!

I tend to wear a lot of gold and/or pearl jewelry in the fall and winter,

but in the spring I break out the bright colors and my pink and green jewelry.

Here's some pink and green spring bling I'm loving...

I LOVE this bracelet and wear it with a pearl bracelet and a gold chain link bracelet.

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Lilly Pulitzer Earrings...great with my Lilly dresses for spring and summer!

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Loving this necklace from KEP designs!

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Fornash Geko Bracelet...love to stack pink and green enamel bangles with this!

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And if I had an unlimited accessory budget, here are a few lovelies I would add....

These are lovely and would be perfect to wear to a spring wedding.

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Gorgeous!!!

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Beautiful!

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Do y'all change jewelry with the seasons?