favorites for fall: shoes

Like any Bradshaw fan you must be addicted to shoes. I have a serious problem, I’ll buy a pair just to look at — not even to wear. Rarely do you find me wearing a pair of heels (because I’m a student and it’s impractical to wear to class,) but I like to display them around my room like I’m Cinderella — and instead of those shoes being a symbol of misogyny I make them a symbol of my goals #bossassbitch #oneshoecanchangeyourlife

I’m so excited for fall and all of the new styles — I’m obsessed with boots/booties it’s one of the ways I can get away with wearing a bit of a heel to class. I’ve seen clogs making their way back into the #trending feed and I’m not sure if I can board that train just yet, maybe if I find the right pair. Here are a few of my favorite brands and latest styles (flats and heels included):

Matisse: I love bold booties to make a statement to an otherwise dull outfit — like my every day black on black looks. These are perfect for just that!

Free People: They have the best selection for shoes, am I right!? I have a hard time narrowing down my fantasy league of shoes for this team. lol. If I had an extra mil to spend on boots from free people I would do it in a heartbeat. How about those green booties!? #hearteyes

Anthropologie: Another favorite. While I’m a little over the glitter on shoes phase I feel like I could probably go for some glitter meets tartan in those retro booties! who is with me? Can you spot the clogs? These are Rachel Comey and I’ve always loved her brand so if she can get into them maybe I can too!?

M. Gemi– I’m on the search for the perfect over the knee black suede boot. These may be it! The flats are also to die for. I love the pointed toe incorporated on flats it’s not just for heels it can spice up any outfit.

Jeffrey Campbell– Can you start to tell a theme with my flats an heels? Very men’s wear inspired. I love Jeffrey Campbell’s take on men’s wear in women’s fashion by adding bows and interesting heels! I first noticed the lucite heel being used on Dior’s runway with funky retro boots (swoon). Those boots are so so sooo cute. If only I could have a pair. Lucite heels will no longer be known as stripper heels! lol, thank you Dior!

Mara & Mine: Okay I have been dying for these two pairs of shoes since I found this brand on instagram. It’s not really a big trend or anything — I just wanted to share so maybe you all can obsess over them as well!

Vince Camuto: Who else loves the louise et cie line? So many great pairs that are so chic and versatile. Love this brand.

Kat Maconie: This shoe designer has quickly become one of my favorites. I love the classic simple looks with a bit of edge in the heel. I don’t know if I’d ever be bold enough to wear a gold boot, but they’re so pretty it’s hard not to want them.

Poppy Barley: Another great insta find. These shoes are just your basic flats but those slip on oxfords are oh so cute. Very Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Kate Spade: Kate you’ve done it to me again — making me fall in love at first sight. you dog. Classics with some fun get me every time. #putabowonit I’ve been wanting that black bootie with the bow on the back for years now. THNXKATE. ugh. 99 problems and being a broke college student is every single one of them.

J. Crew: #shinyponies …. literally. Did I say I was over glitter on shoes? oh whoops just kidding. J. Crew always makes me redefine my opinion of certain trends. The glitter in these gemma flats are the perfect combination of colors for fall. There is even a silver glitter flat with an ankle strap — how adorable is that? The hologram d’Orsay pump’s take me way back to my elementary days when I had these chunky foam flops with hologram straps — but this is a sophisticated take on that! I told Tyler months ago that I thought go-go boots were going to make a comeback — but with a taller heel and at ankle length and sure enough J. Crew got the memo.  I don’t know if you would qualify this as a go-go boot, but I’m taking credit for it. I’m not sure about the collection gladiator flats. I guess I could wear those when I have to fight the Persians and make a statement on the front line. #nodaysoff #fashionneversleeps

So sorry for the extremely long post, but I had to share my favorites for fall!

Have a great week! xx

Friday Finds

It’s finally Friday! It’s been a woozy of a week (woozy, lol). I was in the hospital again, and was just released yesterday afternoon. I have no idea how this keeps happening — it’s the third time this year! Did I break a mirror? Walk under a ladder? Open an umbrella indoors? 2015 is surely kicking my butt, but I’m sticking with it. I’m blessed to live the life I do and being in the hospital will surely make you realize that time and time again. The good news is, I’m feeling much better and all the prayers were much appreciated. Thanks to all who knew and helped me and my family once again! Anyways, because I just can’t wait until Monday here is your Friday Finds!

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F: It’s so cool to see how fashion has changed over the years. Sometimes there are minor changes and other times the changes are drastic. I think fashion is really shaped by social change and issues as well. Just look at what happened from 65 to 75! Read the article here.

R: Madewell x Spotify. I absolutely love both, and when they come together to promote good style and music you’ve got my attention. But then .. what’s this?! They have a sweepstakes?! I’m floored with excitement. Of course I know my chances of winning are absolutely .. hmm lets see zero to none, but it’s fun to dream. Check out the looks and music here.

I: Obviously by now if you’ve read the blog you know I just can’t contain my inner Hepburn. When you combine Audrey Hepburn and decor I can’t help but to make it my mission to find a claw foot tub and turn it into a chair with colorful pillows. Refinery 29 came out with this article to help those a little too obsessed (like me) make their apartments more like Breakfast at Tiffany’s with quirks all around. Maybe if I can find the perfect tub/sofa I can throw the perfect party with the most colorful guests?

D: Kate Spade has new arrivals! whoop whoop! That’s always exciting news for me. Check them out here. I’m super excited they’ve partnered with women in Rwanda! It’s so inspirational for companies to combine with others for a cause. Read more about it here.

A: Everyone loves the beach in the summer, but I absolutely love escaping to the mountains for a slightly cooler altitude — plus it’s not so crowded! Actually scratch that. Take me to the mountains anytime of the year and I’m a happy girl. Many of these finds are in the mountains, some at the beach, and some in the middle; but I stick by what I’ve said time and time again: Day trips and weekend trips — playing tourist in your own state — and adventuring around can be the best time spent this summer. Here’s an article on 15 hidden gems in NC.

Y: Lastly, I love preservation, old buildings, and the character/charm in otherwise broken cities. While Detroit is in a horrendous state I can’t help but feel completely awful for all of those beautiful buildings! Yes I know they don’t actually have a soul, but think about the history — and the families that lived there and invested so much of their life’s work into making it a happy home. Even the warehouses! So many people invested their time making a living in those buildings, and now they’re in ruins! Personally I think it is a direct reflection of how our society tends to move so quickly that we disregard the past and as a result we don’t learn from mistakes or triumphs. Maybe that’s just the kooky designer/artist coming out in me, but take time to read this article about buying/flipping property in Detroit. Also, I love Nicole Curtis and her show on HGTV, Rehab Addict — It’s a definite must see. Check out her work with preservation on her website or on online episodes of Rehab Addict. 

Happy Weekend Loves! xx

Talking Boater Hats

Calling all classics — Hepburn, Astaire, and Gatsby! Who couldn’t love their iconic styles.

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Dress: similar | similar // Shoes: similar | similar // Necklace // Hat

Last weekend Katie and I hung out in Raleigh. I decided to go casual and wear a dress, sandals, and a hat. Guess what though? I’m wearing a color! Cerulean or Cobalt Blue? (I’m not completely sure. I need to get the Pantone swatch book.) My mom purchased this dress (beyond comfortable — if you don’t own a piko go out and get one right now) from a boutique in my hometown check out their facebook page here, they have really cute things! Anyways, on to boater hats. I bought this hat a few weeks ago and fell in love. I am normally not one for wearing hats and while I have only had the confidence to wear it for photos and not actually in public .. I’m getting there. Once I bought it I wanted to see if there were other boater hats out there that were more structured and looked more like the classics seen above. Of course I went to pinterest for further investigation. (click here for my hat board and click here for another one of my posts on hats) Well, I found that not only are there classic boater hats, but there are some really fun ones out there as well! I mean look at some of these! Who knows if I’d ever have the confidence to pull these off — but they look so fun! I’m coming to the realization that hats are not only practical in the summer time but they definitely give way for expression. You can go simple with a bow or add flowers and maybe even a veil! What’s your go to hat this spring/summer? (Were at that weird time in NC where it feels like summer but it’s still spring until the 21st .. agh the humidity)

cheers! xx

stop and smell the roses

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dress-similar:similar:similar | shoes-similar:similar | bag-similar | hat

Well this previous weekend I got it right, the roses are actually blooming, so now I can go enjoy the Raleigh Rose Garden again! While I didn’t quite make it to Raleigh, I got to explore downtown Durham — again — particularly the American Tobacco Campus with my friend Katie. We decided to shop at the mall, then grab dinner downtown, and just hang out trying out new things in Durham. We tried out Bull City Burger & Brewery and while it is no Chucks, it was still pretty good! #iputonformycity

I finally got a boater hat from urban that I had been dying for, and couldn’t wait to wear it — but my hair was a hot mess, so I waited until I got home to put it on. It also could have been due to the fact that hats still make me feel uncomfortable, but I’ll get over my insecurities for this hat. #reallove

My dress is really old and I got it from Marshalls– I think? It has rope as the straps and it’s super beachy. For some reason it reminds me of The Little Mermaid? I’m not one of those girls that’s still obsessed with Disney Princesses, but for some reason it still reminds me of Ariel? Maybe it’s the rope and overall bagginess?

The dress is great to just slip on when you’re in a hurry. I also have another denim shirt dress by J. Crew that I adore (similar). I think having denim dresses as a go to casual look is almost necessary for your closet. You can do so many things with a LDD — little denim dress — wear it with boots or booties and a scarf, wear it with playful tights, wear it with sandals — it all works!

I had so much fun this previous weekend — and guess where I’ll be tomorrow? lol, Durham! It’s my brother’s birthday this Wednesday and to celebrate were going to a baseball game and dinner. I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Happy Friyay! Don’t forget to enjoy the roses while they’re in full bloom! xx

Fab Five Monday

Hello all! It’s Monday!

Yep Lorelai — I feel you on that. Hopefully this post will cheer you all up about the mean reds and get you ready for the week.

1. MUSIC: Tame Impala – Their latest release titled Eventually is fantastic, but I recommend checking out Disciples, ‘Cause I’m a Man, and Let It Happen as well (other releases within 2015)

2. FILM: Crimson Peak- I usually HATE horror films, but I found this trailer the other day and it actually looks interesting — Super gross and horrorish, but interesting none the less. I love Penny Dreadful and I’m getting a similar vibe from this movie as I do from the show- super dark, super weird, but cool. It’s got a pretty solid cast — Jessica Chastian (A Most Violent Year — Great movie), Tom Hiddleston (Loki from Thor), Mia Wasikowska (Stoker — another great movie and Jane Eyre), and Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy).  I love the Gothic Age architecture and clothing design — so detailed, and wouldn’t it be fun to be on that set as a costume or set designer!?

3. BREW: While I can’t drink beer anymore *womp womp* (it’s okay I still get to have champagne and whiskey — classy and sassy.) I still love going to breweries and seeing all the different beers and how it’s made — and I enjoy being with friends and having a fun time no matter what we do. I also enjoy preservation and revitalizing old buildings and warehouses. This article combines the two and is a great read about North Carolina Breweries and Preservation. Also, I plan on making a weekend trip to Asheville at some point this summer — Deco Buildings, The Biltmore, and fantastic food — Can’t wait.

4. Faith and Fashion: Clothe Your Neighbor as Yourself- This is a great clothing line that gives back all profits to those in need. The video below explains it all — follow them on instagram here to see the work being done around the world. It’s so inspirational to see good people in the world making efforts toward bettering the lifestyles of many — and overall society in general. Anyone can make a difference. “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. … And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

Also, Kate Spade has a partnership with artisans in Rwanda. See here. How cool is that? I’m so glad companies are trying to help out communities across the world.

5. TV SERIES: Mercy Street- If you all are as bummed as I am that Downton Abbey is on its last season then say no more there may be a new show coming to PBS that may spark your interest. If you love history like me and that’s why you loved Downton then Mercy Street should peak your interest. It’s a story of two nurses for opposing sides during the Civil War, and it’s filmed in Virginia! So close! While a preview hasn’t been released and an air date hasn’t been set in stone — I do know that Anna Sophia Robb is going to be in it as well as Josh Radnor, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and many more. To read more click here. I hope that this series won’t spark controversy, and instead highlight the convoluted state the U.S. was in during the Civil War Era.

Also, Leighton Meester and Adam Brody are having a baby. Can’t wait! See article here.

Do small things with great love. xx