lightlytread

There’s really just one word for Brian Atwood’s fashion: sexy. From the sparkliest clutch to the highest platform heel, his designs are surely the glam missing from your wardrobe. I mean, his Fall and Winter Collection is dubbed “The Sex is in the Heel”. Seriously, go take a look. And then start saving your money.

The Lima sandal has no shortage of sex appeal, yet still manages to be refined enough for the everyday woman. Forgo the platform with this one and snag some of the greatest detailing I’ve seen in a while. Imagine this gem at the office with a sleek black pencil skirt and tailored blouse in, say, ivory – with gold buttons? Or, pull on your favorite designer jeans and a sequin tank to hit the town for a little weekend fun. Lima will take you from happy hour to hailing a cab in high style.

Don’t forget to paint your toenails a punchy shade of orange or purple for a little added glam. Bland nails just will not do for this one.

These past few breezy mornings have me giddy with excitement for fall. That is, until I step outside after lunch only to be greeting with sweltering ninety-degree Georgia heat. But, cool mornings sure beat sweating on the walk from the door to the car, no? Fall is coming, albeit slowly. We’ve clearly established that there are few things in this world that I love more than the perfect pair of shoes. Boots, though, are an entirely different saga. Short ones, tall ones, black ones, brown ones and little grey suede ones are just the beginning of my collection. Which, by the way, is what I have. A collection. Not a problem. My husband would argue against this claim and remind me that I probably need another pair of leather boots like I need a hole in my head. Agree to disagree, I say.

Sam Edelman‘s Fall 2012 Collection is just to die for. With boots in every shape and color, what is in my closet doesn’t hold a candle to the goodness on his site. Paulina here is a true beauty. She comes in Whiskey, a multi-toned aged brown leather, as well as in a classic black. With an inside zip and three buckles, she’ll turn heads whether paired with jeans and a chunky sweater on a casual Friday or a tailored skirt and tights for more important occasions. Did I mention she’s an over-the-knee kind of gal? Yes, Paulina went the extra mile by being a taller boot, but the top can be easily folded to dress down a more playful ensemble.

I’m telling you, girls, you can never have enough boots. And I promise you this, just as you think you have completed your collection, you’ll stumble upon a gem like Paulina and quickly convince yourself otherwise. And, really, what’s the harm in that?

On my first trip to Europe a few years ago, after I graduated from college, I mainly picked cities at random to visit. I knew I wanted to visit London and Paris, and I wanted to pick a smaller town in Italy as well. I chose Florence largely because I heard the jewelry was to die for, and because it was home to a little someone named Salvatore Ferragamo. Full disclosure—I am a big fan. I would gladly argue with anyone who has a single bad thing to say about this man’s iconic shoes…and I would probably win. There’s not much to debate, really. He is world renowned for his craftsmanship, and he was the preferred shoemaker of Audrey Hepburn, for crying out loud. Oh, and he also invented the stiletto.

His family decided to carry on his tradition after his death, and they continue to churn out unbelievable shoes. Like the Trilly. This shoe is stunning. The fact that it’s a five-inch patent pump alone would have placed it firmly on the list of shoes I’m most likely to lust over, but then they went ahead and put a bow on it. And then I died.

I now have one more thing I’d gladly argue with anyone about—sticking a grosgrain bow on the toe of an already fantastic shoe does indeed make it even more fantastic.

I do a fair amount of traveling for work. Pros: Getting to explore new cities, racking up airline miles, and expensing awesome dinners out. Con: Power walking through the airport in four-inch heels. I went on a handful of trips where I stood in the security line shifting painfully from foot to foot before finally deciding that this was not going to work long term.

Thus began the hunt for The Perfect Flat. Listen, I am as much a fan of a statement shoe as the next girl, but sometimes practicality wins out. My checklist was short: the shoe couldn’t cost a ton, since it would almost always be tossed carelessly in my shoulder bag, and it had to be comfortable.  This, as it turns out, is not as easy as it sounds. After I had almost resigned myself to just throwing on some tennis shoes with my suit (don’t judge me), I found it—the Sam Edelman Felicia flat. These shoes are game changers. They’re ridiculously comfortable, they take up practically no space, and they are super reasonably priced.

Let’s get real—I’m probably not going to make it on anyone’s “Best Dressed” list when I pair these with my pencil skirts, but it’s a far, FAR better choice than the tennis shoe option. On that note, can we go ahead and agree that is not a good look? Do us all a favor and invest in some comfy flats.

One of my favorite things about living in Atlanta is the fact that we have four distinct seasons. Usually, by the time I’ve had enough of one season it’s time for the weather to change again, so it’s perfect. This is only untrue for one season—the summer. For those who don’t live somewhere that a high of 98° every day is the norm for three months, I can assure you that it is miserable. I start pining for autumn by about the third day of the Atlanta heat. I can’t wait for crisp mornings, college football, and most importantly…riding boots.

I have a deep and abiding love for a great pair of riding boots (well…boots of all types, if we’re being honest), and my love is very clearly evidenced by taking a peek in my closet. I don’t necessarily need another pair of boots, but I spied the Tory Burch Julian the other day and I know there’s no sense in fighting it—these boots will be mine.

I love that these zip on the side to make them easy to wear over my favorite skinnies, and that they will look just as adorable with a dress and some tights. There are few things, in my opinion, that will pull a look together as quickly as a strong structured boot.

I still have a few more weeks of suffocating heat before it will be cool enough to wear these amazing boots, and trust me—I am counting down the seconds.