94 Feet Awards @ 6 Points

I recently had the awesome opportunity to  support a friend of mine in his journey to build one of the top sports sites around by attending last weekend's 94 Feet Awards of Chicago.

Click through.

Something for the Weekend

I'm a big fan of using accessories and small loveliness to upgrade an outfit.  A crazy little belt or a perfectly sculpted hat can mean the difference between having a plain look from having something stand out in all the right ways.

As the long holiday weekend approaches think casual, fun, and practicality.  Here's one item to add to the closet collection for men and women that will look great while outside on the go.

I'm a total die-hard TOMS Shoes fan, this you may know.  TOMS will help you look good as you do good.  The boat style makes it fantastically appropriate for that barbecue or time at the pier.  This shoe is the cooler version of the boat shoe your dad will probably has, and it's a great way to make a classic feel less... classic.

I hope your weekend is full of sun, but don't let sunglasses be your only option while out and about (but please don't wear together).  These two hats are the beautiful and more refined version of those straw fedoras everyone wears now.  If you're not a hat person, the flat version perches on the top of your head and doesn't frame your face in the same way.  That's code for: Give it another try.

Have a beautiful and safe holiday guys!  More to come in a few days.

A Little Shoe Indulgence

I'm always really hesitant to buy anything that is too trendy, as I like to think of my closet as a collection of pieces that I'll wear forever. Then there's shoes. Usually I'll allow myself one indulgent, on trend and probably-will-not-ever-be-worn-past-the-season pair every few months or so.

It's because of this, I get really intense and spend too much time researching to know I'm getting what I'll love the most.  Style nerd, yes. That's me.

Right now, I've been consistently impressed with the looks that Jeffrey Campbell has out for summer (and they're reasonably priced!).  I'm looking for a sky high platform wedge with lots of straps, embellishments, and whatever other kind of crap they can put on it. I'm talking over the top, but with some versatile sensibility and charm.  I plan on wearing them to toughen up pretty little summer numbers.

I've got quite the list of requirements for a single shoe I suppose. The compulsive shoe research continues!

If I Were a Boy

Lately I've been absolutely enamoured by menswear inspired clothing. I've been increasingly inspired by those really cool girls who pull off the androgynous look so well. The key: masculine pieces, tempered by very feminine accents.

I've been known to wear men's watches (complete with plenty of links removed), my dad's old-timey Dobbs hats (complete with feather), and the more masculine shoe, but here's what it has been coming together to look like lately.

Jeans: Levi's, Shirt: Gap, Sweater: thrifted, Shoes: Macy's

Plus, I've been obsessively looking for the perfect penny loafer, and now need to craft ways to wear them... a lot. My twitter followers know I was handed dimes to stuff in them at a family party!

Let the Rain Come Down

The weather is cooling pretty quickly here in Chicago and fall rain has made its big debut. Over the years living in walking cities and towns, I have somehow managed to have never owned a single pair of rain boots. No really... ever.

I think what really discouraged me from buying rain boots all these years was how I really don't like the rubber boots that are typically in some ridiculous color, plaid, or a juvenile animated print of sorts. Needless to say, my feet have suffered dearly. So I'm taking a stand and decided I want a rain boot that looks like a boot I would (and could!) wear all day. Enter light bulb over my head: rubber riding boots.

1. Urban Outfitters 2. Tory Burch 3. Hunter

They look good, they'll make me feel better about rainy days, and I'll feel chic and stylish in my rubber footwear.

A Trend For the People: Oxford Shoes

While walking around Chicago on Tuesday, I noticed that number of people were wearing oxfords in the most interesting and unexpected ways. Hipsters, label whores, students, suits, waitresses, you name it. One girl (that I awkwardly creeped on from across the street) paired her canary yellow oxfords with a bright, floral maxi dress. I know, I know, it sounds a like only a certain kind of person can pull it off. But this girl, she made me a believer in the look.

Oxfords have been on the rise in the past year or so, but the upcoming season will be their time to shine for both men and women.

I've already picked these lovelies up while in Italy to be worn with skinny jeans and a top that is over sized and/or luxuriously drapey. Maybe even a well tailored skirt or two as well.

Those of the heeled bootie variety will be versatile enough to go to the office and do overtime during an evening out.

1.Pour La Victoire 2.Frye 3.Kate Spade 4.Ginita 5.Tory Burch

And a few more that have caught my eye:
1. Frye 2.Joy & Alexandre Herchcovitch 3.Gaspard Yurkievich 4.PLV by Pour La Victoire 5.Jonathan Kelsey 6.Elizabeth and James

Summer Boots - Making Them Lovely

I'm usually not one to look to celebrities for style inspiration [um, openly]. But lately I've been so impressed by the way Alexa Chung can piece together an outfit and have that barely-trying-but-spot-on thing going on. It's the kind of look that's a little nerdy, a little rocker, and appropriately off-beat.

As the new daytime talk show host on MTV, today Alexa sported a look that I've been a fan of for a few summers now: the summertime short boot. I know this seems a bit like an oxymoron, but when paired with a girly dress or with shorts and a more flowing top, it really is the kind of juxtaposition that I need sometimes.

ShopBop currently has a styling guide for this look with jersey dresses and short cowboy boots.

The key: shorter boots, short-ish hem lines, and contrasting textures.

With some well-chosen layers, this look will transition well into the cooler months to come.