these boot(ies) were made for walking

1. Dolce Vita Jaxen Bootie  //  2. Chloe Susanna Studded Bootie  //  3. Sam Edelman Mariel Bootie  //  4. Hudson Riley Bootie  //  5. Joie Dalton Bootie  //  6. Jean-Michel Cazabat Noni Bootie  //  7. Rag +Bone Harrow Bootie  //  8. Madewell Biker Boot

i'm currently coveting some new booties for fall and have rounded up a group of my absolute favorites here!  some of these are definitely dream purchases (ahem, i'm talking to you, Chloe studded booties) and may be out of reach for now, but others like the madewell biker boot or the dolce vita jaxen bootie are totally attainable additions to your closet.  by staying with a neutral color like black or brown, it allows you to easily pair them with anything; i'm thinking skinny jeans + a moto jacket, tights + a mini, or a cute  and feminine dress to balance out the toughness of the booties.  i also love the seasonal versatility of booties...they're one of the only year-round shoes in my closet.  and since you're able to get so much more mileage out of them compared to traditional boots, it makes splurging on an amazing pair that much more worth it!

pop art

i just received a zoku quick pop maker as a birthday gift (after walking by the williams-sonoma store with the boyfriend too many times and "hinting" that it would be so fun to make our own popsicles) and have been on the hunt for some delicious pop recipes ever since.  can i just say that there are so many to choose from?  plus, they're all so gorgeous to look at, like mini-frozen works of art.  i'm not sure that i realized how popular making your own popsicles had gotten!  

while summer in san francisco isn't quite warm enough to really necessitate cooling down with a frozen treat, it's still a fun way to celebrate the season.  i'm torn between the fruitier recipes and the creamier ones...they both look so good! i have to admit though, anything that involves chocolate will always be my number one choice.  so even while i'm bundled up in a sweater and jeans in august, i'm planning on indulging in some of these sweet treats and savoring the last days of summer!

Green Smoothie Detox Pop

these are definitely the healthiest pops i found while browsing (guilt free!).  not to mention, they could do double duty as both dessert and breakfast!

Roasted Strawberry and Toasted Coconut Pops

these look divine.  joy can do no wrong; i love all of her recipes.   these seem especially delicious and like a gourmet-version of a popsicle...if those exist (roasted strawberries, toasted coconut? these would definitely be the fanciest pops i've ever had)!

Coffee Dulce De Leche Pops

and now for the crazy indulgent pops.  yum yum yum!  i wonder if these taste like a frozen caramel latte or macchiato?  there's only one way to find out...i guess i'll have to make them this weekend!

Chocolate-Dipped Coconut + Rum Pops

does it get any better than a pina colada and chocolate?  um, no.  taking a bite out of one of these seems like it would immediately transport you to a tropical island...count me in!

so in conclusion, i'm going on a popsicle-only diet for an indefinite amount of time.......kidding!  but these not only look like they would be absolutely delectable, they're also a pretty, fun, and different way of presenting a summer dessert (especially when entertaining!).  labor day is just around the corner, so for your last summer barbecue, think about trying out pops as individual desserts for your guests! they'll be amused at your creativity and delighted when they take the first bite.  i know i'll be putting my zoku to work and whipping up a batch...enjoy!

animal instinct

it's old news that i love a good leopard print.  i think that it works so well as a neutral and really adds another dimension to  what can be an otherwise simple outfit.  i had a pair of jeffrey campbell leopard flats for the longest time and they finally reached their end recently.  while looking for a suitable replacement for them, i've stumbled across some other pretty gorgeous leopard print pieces that i'm now coveting!

Clare Vivier Flat Clutch Supreme  //  Velvet Leopard Sweater Dress  //  Elizabeth and James Leopard-Print Calf Hair Satchel  //  DVF Kay Printed Dress  //  Equipment Liam Top with Contrast Sleeves  //  Club Monaco Mackenzie Leopard Slippers  //  Mural Leopard Print Skater Skirt

i will definitely be getting those club monaco flats to replace my worn and torn jeffrey campbell pair! i also adore anything by equipment, so i'll be heavily considering that top as well.  what do you think of wearing such a loud animal print? do you love it or is it too intimidating? i personally can't get enough of it, as long as it's in tasteful doses ;) !

splurge or save

confession: i've been dreaming of a new sofa for some time now.  while i'm not in the market to change anything anytime soon, i've been planning browsing for my new piece of furniture a lot lately.  it can't hurt to look, right?

i'm leaning toward a mid-century style tufted sofa, in some shade of gray.  i've found so many options at every price range.  obviously a lower price point is ideal, but i wouldn't want to sacrifice quality and longevity. so, what do you think...splurge or save?

splurge: Crate & Barrel Aidan Sofa ($2,199)
save: Z Gallerie Benny Sofa ($999)

link love

oops...it's been awhile! time has just gotten away from me and there's been a lot going on...more to come on that in the upcoming months (there are some big things happening-!!!).  for now though, here's another installment of link love.  and don't worry, i'm back and already working on upcoming posts for this week!  woo!

1. Lovely Pepa  i stumbled across this blog via Pinterest and am now obsessed.  alexandra is based in spain and has incredible style.  i love her unique style and that she's not afraid to try different trends...bonus-she incorporates high and low items so it's easy to attain a look like hers (i already tried searching for that MSGM dress she has on above...sold out, but so gorgeous!).

2.  Sick Days for Your Period?! um...ok!  read this article and tell me what you think.  i love hello giggles and think this is a really interesting article and to be honest while it sounds great (two extra days off a month?!), the author discusses interesting and valid points about why this might not be a great idea.

3.  Lemon Rosemary Yogurt Cake oh this sounds amazing.  last year i made lemon thyme sugar cookies as a thank you for a friend and this sounds like an even better version of those.  plus rosemary is my favorite herb...yum!

4.  DIY Firepit i love this DIY.  it's so simple but would make such an impact on an outdoor space.  now i just need to find a washing machine drum...

5.  Vince Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater well vince has done it again.  i seriously cannot get enough of this brand.  i saw this sweater at cusp this weekend and fell in love.  this will be seriously considered when adding pieces to my closet for fall!

6.  Issa for Banana Republic there are just a few mere hours left until these pieces go on sale! after wearing this amazing Issa dress to a friend's wedding, i can't pass up the chance to own my own piece. i'm lusting after the gorgeous printed wrap dresses that look like they can go from work to play!

work it out

1.  Lululemon Inspire Crop II // 2.  Lululemon Mod Moves Singlet // 3.  Old Navy Mesh Running Shorts // 4.  Old Navy 1/4 Zip Running Shirt // 5.  Newton Distance // 6.  Nike Zoom Running Jacket // 7.  Lululemon Track Attack Short // 8.  Lululemon Mile A Minute Tank // 9.  Nike Relay Running Capris

i've always been active, whether it's playing team sports, running a marathon, or taking bar classes.  my work outs have evolved as i've gotten older, and i'm more willing to try different ways of exercising outside of the standard running and lifting at the gym.  this has been especially true since i moved to san francisco, where i've been incredibly lucky to be able to head over the bridge for a quick hike, begin kiteboarding, and dabble in all sorts of yoga classes (bikram, vinyasa, power...so many options!).  

since i try to exercise a few times a week and i change up my routine so often, i need my work out clothes to be multi-functional.  i've come to love (and live in) my lululemon crops and pants because they really are just that comfortable.  layering is important here too, since it's inevitably freezing when you head out and then in ten minutes you're so hot you can't stand having your jacket on any longer.  the nike jacket and old navy half-zip above are perfect examples of what i wear on my runs.  they're so easy to throw on over a tank or layer under another jacket.  plus, they block the wind.  double win!  i have to say, that when i find gear that i like, i tend to stay with that brand.  when it works, it works, right?

what are your favorite exercise apparel brands? do you find yourself going back and back to just one?

kate spade saturday

(via)

i'm currently loving kate spade's new, more casual (and affordable!) line, kate spade saturday.  there are so many cute dresses and tops, and the patterns, colors, and cuts used are so fun for summer (although as you'll notice below, i've gravitated toward neutrals yet again).  i have quite a few items that are on my wish list (possibly even lingering in my cart...) that i'd love to snatch up and add to my closet.  admittedly, a lot of them are dresses, but how can you resist when throwing on just one piece of clothing means you're completely done thinking about your outfit?!  they're just too easy to pass up! plus, i'm purging my closet of so much unworn/old/out of style pieces that i have some room to fill up!  let the online shopping browsing begin!

Neat Pleat Dress...this may be my favorite piece on the entire site.  yes, i know i raved about the colors and patterns above, but i couldn't resist the simplicity and elegance of the black.  you may not be able to notice here, but the entire dress is pleated, which i can only imagine sways beautifully while you're walking.  and isn't the length perfect??  dress it down with flats, dress it up with heels. done and done.

Apron Tank...how cute is this white tank? the geometrical neckline is gorgeous and super flattering.  i'm already imagining it paired with my white zara skort and nude heels for a crisp summer outfit.

Squared Sunnies...i practically gasped out loud when i saw these.  they look strikingly similar to some elizabeth & james and karen walker glasses that i've been eyeing forevvvver but are literally about a sixth of the price.  so obviously i'll need to get them in both black and tortoise, because i'll still be saving money!

Call Me Dress...one last dress! this color is so perfect, and i love the idea of this dress going from day to night.  it's a little nicer than your average t-shirt dress (better fit, and a little shorter) and with the right accessories it can be taken from running errands in the afternoon to dinner and drinks that night. 

so, what do you think of the new line? are you loving it as much as i am? 

i hope so...happy shopping! xx