So Many Red Shoes and So Little Time!

The Red Stilettos I had forever were always a size and a half too big for me. I added some pads to them and made them work for years, they were irresistible and I got compliments on them every time I wore them. They were the perfect color, the heel was high but not too high where I couldn't walk in them comfortably. They were wonderful to me with the exception of the fact that they slid off my heel from time to time mid stride (not a cute moment!). Being the Feng Shui addict that I am, I knew it was time to upgrade. I love getting rid of things that just aren't being used or working properly, I do this about 2-3 times a year. It provides a type of mental cleanse for me that I adore! I also like to go through my items and make sure everything is working well, I grease up all of the hinges in my space and deep clean and scrub all the nooks and crannies, then sanitize the light switches and door knobs. Its like a Spring Cleaning 3 times a year and it makes me feel wonderful. But in this Feng Shui cleanse I knew in my heart of hearts that the shoes would be better for someone who would use them more, for someone that they would fit properly. Enter my life long friend Alex...our feet have always been similar in size and she was actually in the process of looking for red stilettos, which tells me the timing was right and everything was as it should be! Alex tried them on and they fit like a glove, she took my shoes home and I now have room in my life for a new pair of red shoes. I am on the hunt! Here are a few that I am eyeing while I shop around: 

Red Shoes

When I finally find my pair I will post a picture, but for now its kind of fun to shop around looking for that perfect pair that will be timeless in my life and accentuate my wardrobe with the perfect pop of color! After all, it should be about enjoying the journey, right!?!? 
(My Feng Shui list of things to do coming soon to Fashionable Shenanigans)

Saturday Scramble

Hello Readers and Followers, 
I feel lately as though I am constantly playing catch up and at the end of every day my head is left spinning and all I want to do is sleep and be lazy! So, I apologize for not keeping up with daily posts, as I wish I could. And thank you for your patience and loyalty to my blog. What will you be doing on this lovely Saturday night? I am going to do some much needed laundry and watch a movie with my wonderful boyfriend. Here is a Burberry photo that I think is per-fec-tion. Burberry is doing such a wonderful job of delicately incorporating bold neon color types into the scheme without it becoming cheesy, which is a perfectly mastered balance if I may say so myself! One in which I have not yet mastered :) Happy Sunday my Fashion Forward Fabulous Readers!

photo courtesy of: www.courtneyluv.com

I am a sucker for some awesome white sunglasses! YAY!

Givenchy ankle booties and I walked away with a broken heart!

Givenchy ankle booties (see more bootie boots)
The other week I went to Sacks 5th Avenue and saw a pair of these puppies on sale! (GASP! I know!) I was shopping with my boyfriends sister in law (Hi AnneMarie :) and she practically had to pull me away from them! One shoe was missing an ankle strap and they were the last pair, I almost bought them just to have a new strap made at a local shoe repair shop. I walked away from them with shaky knees, and I miss them still. Farewell my Givency friends. Maybe someday you will be mine!

To Vintage or not to Vintage? That is the question....

  It is items like this sweater that I will be looking for at the Vintage Stores this season: 

Vintage Marni

Sweater (see more v neck tops)


One of my favorite tn: 


One of my favorite things to do is spend a day with my sister driving around to all of our favorite Vintage shops. I am the quick shopper and she is the patient one that will take the time to comb through the racks-she finds the most marvelous things. But, my point is that we make a good team!
I found myself with the question, what denotes an item officially "Vintage"? Generally speaking, clothing that was produced before the 1920's is referred to as antique clothing and clothing from the 1920's to the 1980's is considered vintage. Let the shopping begin!

Rick Owens jacket, perfect Fashion Investment

Rick Owens jacket (see more leather biker jackets)


Every now and again a fashion item comes along that a woman really must splurge on. My personal opinion is that one of those items is a wonderful leather jacket. You want a cut that is timeless. It should be black or another signature color that you know will never go out of style for you, like brown... And then when you fall in love and just know it would it fit just right over practically everything that you have in your closet: SPLURGE! 

Nicolas K for my weekend wardrobe pleeez!

photo's courtesy of: http://coolechicstylefashion.blogspot.com

I am up in the mountains this weekend celebrating my boyfriends graduation from grad school/birthday! This is the perfect relaxing, mountain style! Now I am going home to completely change what I was originally going to wear : ) Let the good times roll!

Anne Sofie Madsen at Copenhagen Fashion Week S/S 2012

photo's courtesy of: http://coolechicstylefashion.blogspot.com/

This collection seems to almost be Givenchy and Dolce & Gabanna Inspired with the delicate see through element and graphic arrangement, and yet this collection is unique in that there is a flowy like quality with the fabrics used. I love it! Wonderful collection! 

Mentally out to lunch

Hello Followers and Readers, 
I am sorry for the lapse in my blog. I was taking a bit of a mental break while I was sick. But I am back and happening! We will be back to your regular scheduled programs starting...NOW! YAY! Just in time to party this weekend! I hope this finds you, where ever you are, happy, healthy and fashionably inspired! 
XOXO, Brooke

photo courtesy of: self.com

Coco Rocha sparkles in Venice

I absolutely love how the fashion industry for the last few years has really embraced whiter skin. I am Irish on Irish with a dab of German and Portuguese, but you would never guess I had anything in my blood line beyond Irish. It is hard for me to tan, and some people just don't understand how I could be so white. I grew up slathering on SPF 30 while my friends grew to a golden tan with tanning oils. I was always envious, that is until the tides of fashion opened its doors to all different skin types, celebrating variety and change. And so, I am glad to see fashion embracing white skin in all of its authenticity, not trying to be what it isn't! Coco Rocha is a beautiful example of just that: 

photo courtesy of: http://www.fashionising.com

That gold dress on her skin is just illuminating! But then again, I am pretty sure a great subtle gold works with all skin tones! Lovely!

Perfect way to top off a Plain White Tee

Tom Binns necklace   (see more tom binns jewelry)

Then pair with some basic jeans and some killer heels... DONE! 

Jeanann Williams on New York Fashion Week

Jeanann Williams on New York Fashion Week

After a LONG and HARD day at the office...

I worked my butt off today! That's right...I work on Saturdays (bummer!). So now that I am off, I am going home to have a big glass of red wine with my sweetheart! 

Happy Saturday my Fashionable readers! 

Conscious Consumerism is Fashions Future says Donna Karen

Conscious Consumerism Post September 11

Brioni Men's Wear Tres Chic!

How do you afford your Rock and Roll Lifestyle

Kate Lanphear, photo courtesy of: magazine.motilo.com

Kate's Rocker Chic Style has always been a HUGE inspiration to me. I always seem to lean towards a bit of edge with my style and Kate has this art down to perfection! 

Best Friends in Paris

photo courtesy of: vanessajackman.blogspot.com

photo courtesy of: babelfair.blogspot.com

photo courtesy of: fashionmagazine.com

photo courtesy of: shutupilovethat.onsugar.com

photo courtesy of: dressingupindaisies.onsugar.com

I think this last picture is of twin sisters. But don't you love how the friends seem to be almost matching in the pictures. It is so funny to see how we are most inspired by the people closest to us! Plus this is just another excuse to show some more Parisian Style! Oh, how I miss Paris! Thanks for reading, follow if you like : )

Straight from the mouth of Coco herself....

photo from: http://projectshops.com

Parisian Chic Street Style

photo courtesy of: http://www.fashionising.com
I love how almost every Parisian woman seems to look like she has this perfectly imperfect artistic flare incorporated into her every day look! 

photo courtesy of: vanessajackman.blogspot.com

A Parisian woman knows the power of the classic basics that will never go out of style...enter the leather jacket! And I love that her look is relatively clean, but the shirt has a tear. I wonder if her tear has a story, like, "Yah I was at a Rolling Stones concert and was crowd surfing when the band members saw me and brought me on stage. It wasnt until I was backstage that I realized I had tore my shirt. This little tear is a wonderful memory for me." Ahhh, how I like to day dream!!! 

Sarah Rutson, photo courtesy of: metronews.ca

Parisian women know how to work with color, they know it is a weapon and are not afraid to use it!!! Love the pop of red and how it completely transforms her basic ensemble! And again enters the leather jacket! LOVE! 

photo courtesy of: refinery29.com

Play on fabric! Love her look! 

photo courtesy of: joolicious.wordpress.com

Powerful lines, strong black color! Parisian woman seem to know that they can take on the world any time they want to!  I love how these pants meet her boots! 

photo courtesy of: refinery29.com

Playful!

photo courtesy of: refinery29.com

Effortlessly Chic! They look at the camera as if they are saying, "What this old thing? I dress like this all the time! Its really no big deal!"

photo courtesy of: seasonfive.typepad.com

Effortless hair, effortless make up. And her jewelry on her hand looks crazy amazing. Yet, she still has an effortless air about her! 

photo courtesy of: theimagist.com

I absolutely LOVE this womans style, so much so that I believe I have already posted this picture in my blog before, but I dont care, her style is perfection!!! Love the hair, love the jacket, love the shoes!!! LOVE! 

photo courtesy of: refinery29.com

photo courtesy of: trendland.net

photo courtesy of: ultrastyle.com

photo courtesy of: ibeautifulmiaelliott.onsugar.com

Paris is such an inspiring place for me and the woman are one of the main reasons. They know how to keep the basics amazing enough so that anything else becomes just perfect icing on the pastrie! (get it, not cake but pastrie?!?!) Im a dork I know : )