Girl Misses Man (Who Shops Globe)

{A few looks from Anthro's fall campaign. Loving the prints!}

{Fall flats}

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Not too long ago, my cable supplier decided to reorganize their networks and moved many channels around. Not only has this confused me on several occasions (what’s the channel for Bravo again??), but I found myself completely infuriated when I searched and searched (with no avail) for the Sundance Channel. I’ll be honest; I had actually kind of forgotten about this independent channel for a while, and its absence on my cable box had gone unnoticed. However, I ducked into Anthropologie the other day to pick up something cheery and bright for my kitchen (their whimsical tea towels and colorful mugs always make my day a little bit better), and as I shopped around, I recalled a delightful show I used to watch called Man Shops Globe on the Sundance Channel.

In a nutshell, Anthropologie buyer Keith Johnson has “the greatest job in the world” (so he claims—and I completely agree!) as he travels to countries all over the globe and hand picks décor for Anthropologie stores. Sometimes he commissions artists to create multiple pieces for the store to sell; at times, he finds one-of-a-kind antiques or home furnishings to add to displays and create ambiance in the stores. Each episode would find Keith in a different area of the world, finding truly unique and inspiring pieces at flea markets, craft stalls and showrooms. My reminiscence of this entertaining and fascinating show led me to attempt to find it online, since it appears Sundance is no longer in my cable line-up at all. (Frown.) Alas, when I found the website, it appeared there are no scheduled showings anytime soon. (Double frown.) I suppose for now, I can catch up on past episodes and cross my fingers that this enchanting show returns soon!

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{Keith in action; Season 2}

Bootie-licious

Shoes have always been a weakness for me. Growing up, I developed a passion for buying new shoes at any chance I could get. My closet at home was overflowing with footwear, organized by color and style, of course. My dad fondly (I like to think) referred to me as Imelda Marcos, the Pilipino woman known for, among other things, owning over 1,060 pairs of shoes.  Now, my collection wasn’t quite comparable to hers. At first (I’m thinking middle school here), my closet was full of Doc Martens (clunksters!), assorted Nikes and bright pairs of Old Navy flip flops (why own only one color when you can own 15?). In high school, I added platform foam sandals (really?), clunky-heeled boots and chunky-heeled oxfords to the mix. By the time my college years rolled around, the styles had materialized into pumps and skinny stiletto-heeled boots (chunky heels were sooo out!). I managed to find several shoe stores in the Manhattan, KS mall that offered brightly colored pointy-toed pumps (the ‘80’s were making their way back around, and I didn’t even know it…or care) that I would rock with my Gap and Hollister jeans (sigh) at the local bars, or pair with trousers or dresses for chapter on Monday nights. My collection included a pair of pointy white pumps with small metal grommets around the toe (my mom was appalled when I wore those to church for Easter Sunday) and multiple candy-colored patent pairs of stilettos. I had a pair of powder pink heels that I was in love with. I wore those babies out…literally. (The soles came off the sides of the shoe. I’m thinking the cheap pricetag may have had something to do with the construction. Remember, I was on the college budget—most of my cash went toward “textbooks”…AKA cocktails at Porter’s and Kites.)

Yep, I have always had a flair for footwear. Now that I’m standing on my feet all day, one would think that I would now favor flats and perhaps even sensible clog-like things with orthopedic arches. How wrong you would be! I still rock the heels and wedges to school as often as I can, and one of my latest purchases (in addition to those Tory wedges that I did end up buying!) has been a reincarnated pair of booties that seem eerily familiar, yet updated. I was all over the heeled oxford trend back in middle and high school, and I’m completely into the latest version of men’s wear-inspired footwear. I found these grey, suede lace-up booties at (of all places) Old Navy (no flip flops this time). I’ve been itching to jump on board the bootie train since last winter, and I’m thinking these completely fit the bill. Plus, bonus—they were an affordable $34.50. I’m thinking I’ll pair them with cuffed boyfriend jeans and a blazer, or maybe with a belted dress and cardy. I heart fall footwear!

*Update: I wore these darling lace-ups below with cuffed dark jeans, a white tank and a navy cardigan with accentuated shoulders to school last Friday. While the booties weren’t the most comfortable, I did get many compliments on my look!

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{Old Navy Women’s Sueded Oxford Ankle Boots}

Finally...Fall!

{Gorgeous fall leaves}

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After a long hot summer, this past week has been bliss. The winds have changed, the humidity is gone, and I even saw a few red leaves among the endless green trees that line the highway on my way home from work. Fall is no doubt my favorite time of year, and I hope these crisp, cool days will stick around for a while. I love the firey oranges and reds that top the branches, chilly Saturday afternoon football games (Go State!), and picking out the perfect orange pumpkin to sit on my porch. I don’t even mind raking the leaves that fall in my yard. And don’t even get me started on Halloween…the spooky holiday has always been one of my fav times of the year. While I embrace the ghosts and ghouls (and candy!) that come haunting ‘round my door near the end of October, there is one eerie autumn visitor I’m not looking forward to. Spiders. Ick! I had my first one-on-one battle of the season with a huuuuuge arachnid this afternoon on my front porch, and after much squeamish hesitation (and a desperate call to my mom, begging for guidance), I managed to take him out with a continuous stream of ant and roach killer, followed by a beat-down with my broom. Now, I know that spiders are helpful and kill the bad bugs, blah blah blah…but this was not an instance where I could accept and be at one with the Great Outdoors. This sucker was brown and about the size of a half-dollar. Plus, I swear I saw little fangs sticking out. It was a shame he was so creepy-looking, because his web that he had woven from the top of my porch to the middle of the pillar was actually kind of pretty. It looked especially distinctive as the late afternoon sun shone down through the trees, the beads of poisonous spray highlighting the web’s delicate design. I wish I had taken a picture, but the overwhelming urgency to destroy this little bugger overtook my sense of finding the beauty in nature. Now, I’m constantly on the lookout for creepy crawlies lurking in the corners of my home and under my bed, since my mom made sure to tell me that this was “that time of year.” Aside from the shuddering fear that spiders will be crawling all over me as I sleep, I have to say that I am utterly delighted that fall has finally arrived.

Mad for Missoni

{Want!}

My fall issues (books, really) of Vogue and Harpers Bazaar came last week, and as I was flipping through the hundreds of glossy pages, I saw a particular spread that made me very, very happy. I have always been a fan of the GO International program at Target, and have purchased several pieces from these “emerging designers at affordable prices” (thank you, Target Pressroom). Notable finds have included a winter-white cropped wool jacket with brass buttons from Temperly London (for under $50!) and a darling Libertine navy and kelly green striped cotton mini-dress that I wore on St. Patty’s this past year (with my cowboy boots…I was stylin’!). However, I think I am MOST excited for the upcoming looks from Italian fashion house Missoni. The iconic zig-zag patterns and bright colors will soon be gracing the aisles of a Target store near you in the form of clothing, accessories, shoes and housewears. I am already making a list of pieces I plan on snapping up. Come September 13, you will find me loading up my red cart with colorful knitwear and home accessories (I’m obsessing over the stackable coffee cups at the top), all at prices that are easy on my wallet.

*Thanks to Fashionista.com for the Missoni for Target preview pics!

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{How cute are these knitted flats? Another want.}

{Bright patterned candles. Perf for adding a pop of color in my kitchen!}

{Another must-have for the rapidly approaching crisply cool fall weather.}

Sassy Stripes

Happy Labor Day! As summer officially comes to an end for this year, I have been soaking up sunshine and cooler temperatures this weekend. And how happy I am to welcome autumn! Fall has always been one of my favorite times of the year—the weather cools off, the leaves turn beautiful shades of gold and red, and I get to head back to school. Back to school has always been an exciting time of the year for me. While summers are relaxing and low-key, I truly do appreciate a bit of structure for my days. Back when I was in school, it meant new supplies (yay for markers, colored pencils and brightly colored binders), new clothes (always a treat), and seeing forgotten classmates in the hallways. Now that I’m teaching school, it means new supplies (I still get excited about new Expo markers and brightly colored grading pens—these are my ultimate fav!), new clothes (still working this concept), and seeing my colleagues in the hallways. While picking out Post-it notes and paperclips does still get me excited, the new wardrobe additions are my most desired purchases. Since our school dresscode for teachers is somewhat undefined (look "professional" is the only guidance provided), I try to dress in ensembles that set me apart from the students but aren’t too business-y. I like to wear classic, tailored pieces with a touch of modern trends. One look I’m loving (and I've already incorporated into my back-to-school shopping trips) is nautical-inspired striped tops, especially with three-quarter sleeves. While stripes were all over the place this summer, these tees can totally transition into the autumn season. This look can be dressed up with a pencil skirt or fitted trousers and heels, or worn more casually with a pair of flared jeans and wedges. And when the wind turns a bit chillier, adding a layer, such as a blazer or oversized cardigan, will keep me warm. Stripes will definitely have a prominent spot in my upcoming fall (and winter…and spring) wardrobe.

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{Banana Republic Slubby Striped Rollup Tee}

{Express Striped Rolled-Cuff Pocket Tee--not gonna lie, I already snapped this up in grey.}

{J.Crew Stripe Boatneck Painter Tee}

{Splendid French Stripe Active Tee}