Down Under Dressing

"Riviera" print dress (Retrospec'd); Hat (Charming Charlie)

I love Indianapolis. I really do. But it's not my favorite city in the world. That honor belongs to a magnificent metropolis on the other side of the planet.

Striped ribbon necklace (Burlington Coat Factory); Monogram necklace (Ross Simons)

Though four Olympic Games have passed since I was last there, a piece of my heart will always reside in Sydney. I was only there for a three month internship with the Australian Federal Government, but I've never felt so at home.

The coastal inspired dress was perfect for the Indianapolis Opera's annual "Lobsterpalooza" fundraiser. Just as Sydney is my favorite city on the planet; lobster is my favorite food on the planet. I was polishing off my second one of night here! I'm not even sorry.

By hook or by crook, there's no doubt I'll go back one day. And when I do, local Sydney boutique Retrospec'd will definitely be on my list of must-visit places. The shop's 40s and 50s inspired line of Australian made, unique sundresses in custom fabrics are the stuff of Red's Shoe Diary dreams. 

The striped kitten heels were a bargain find from Zulilly. I added the crystal and enamel lobster shoe clips. for an extra dash (or claw) of personality.

This surplice-top cotton frock in the boutique's exclusive "Riviera" print has been a go-to piece for me this Summer, and was the perfect "coastal" look for the Indianapolis Opera's annual lobster boil last month. It was also fitting to wear the "Down Under" dress to an opera event since Sydney's iconic opera house was also my first (and still best) opera experience (and also on my must do again list next time I'm in the Southern Hemisphere)!

Striped handbag (Steinmart); Cardigan (ModCloth)

 Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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Blue Suede Shoes

Teal Suede T-straps (Ralph Lauren, Zappos)

If you see me out and about in these bright teal t-straps, don't be surprised if you catch me singing to myself or even dancing my own little, uncoordinated, hip-swiveling jig. After all, who doesn't love the King...and well, when wearing blue suede shoes...

Striped dress (eShakti); Cardigan (ModCloth); Safety Pin Clutch (Bodhi Bags)

Last week at the airport, however, I wasn't so much worried about someone stepping on my blue suede shoes as I was about getting hot coffee off of them after the woman behind me in line to board spilled her Starbucks down my back. Thankfully, only a few drops soiled my soles. I can't say the same for this striped dress. I was in the last boarding group without time or even a napkin to attempt a spot clean, so after sitting on the coffee-soaked skirt for an hour, I'm pretty sure it's going to take more than oxi-clean to salvage. Se la vie. All things considered, I'd rather be the spiller than the spillee, because I'd have been mortified if it had been the other way around. Don't walk and text, people!

This mixed media painting on glass by Indianapolis artist Laura LaForge is one of my favorites. I commissioned it after I won my first jury trial, and it's also featured on Red's Shoe Diaries business cards. It's followed me throughout my professional career and now resides happily in my home office.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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A World Without Evil

Though it looks like a school photo backdrop, the lush garden behind me is the real deal, and served as an idyllic setting for a midsummer garden party.

In late August and September, my social media feed is always filled with the back to school pictures of my friends' children, and I genuinely enjoy seeing how they've changed from one school year to the next. This year I'm looking forward to them more than usual in hopes they'll offer a temporary respite from an unending barrage of political rhetoric, which isn't always respectful and all too often downright ugly.  

I couldn't resist topping this floral faille dress from ModCloth with a whimsical cocktail hat featuring a Swiss-dot birdcage veil that echoed the embroidered tulle trim along the dress's hem.

All those back to smiling faces also remind me of my own school days, and how much simpler life was before I had to get good at "adulting." I wouldn't want to do childhood over again, but I certainly miss Summer breaks; back to school shopping; and regular sleepovers with girlfriends. Of course, being a kid is not all sunshine and butterflies. Kids can be mean, and sometimes their behavior toward peers who don't look or think like they do is just as ugly as the many Facebook feeds I've had to hide in this election cycle.

An ombre rhinestone necklace from local boutique Ginger 'n Spice.

Life is never without evils, whether we're 7, 27, or 77. But, imagine a world without terrorism; without bullying; without crime? Can you even...? American artist Alexander Calder could. In fact, he spent a lifetime creating "a world in which there is no evil” through his art (among his many creations was the mobile - the kind that hangs over a baby's crib, not the kind we all have glued to our ears). And now, my friends Tom Alvarez and Dustin Klein are bringing Calder's peaceful, whimsical world to life in a new musical that will debut this month at the Indy Fringe Festival. As described on the show's website, "Calder: The Musical" explores the power of ideas and imagination"; as well as "Calder's deep conviction that—in a world filled with discord, violence and war—art has the power to inspire peace." 

In a lush garden filled with wildflowers, friends, and fine food, it was easy to imagine Calder's world.

I was fortunate to get a preview of the family-friendly debut production from lyricist Tom and composer Dustin at a garden party last month, where I wore this fun floral faille dress from ModCloth paired with my own nod to whimsy through a small cocktail hat with a Swiss-dot birdcage veil that echoed the embroidered polka dots on the dress's tulle trim. For that perfect, sunlit afternoon amongst friends, fine food and flowers,the stellar cast transported us, however briefly, into Calder's "world without evil." I can't wait to escape to that world once more when I take in the full production during the Indy Fringe Festival later this month. You can find out more about the production here, and get your own tickets here. I'd love to see you there!

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

I'm linked up with Hat Attack!

Teal, Tees, and Memories

I still remember the first time I beat my dad on a hole of golf. I was in the fifth grade. We were on Spring Break in Myrtle Beach. I was wearing khaki knickers and an argyle shirt. I was not a good winner.

Breton Stripe top (Cable & Guage); Skrt (Nicole Miller)

And by that, I mean that I danced around the green celebrating my par 3 bogie and taunting him for his (very unusual) double bogie, thanks to an unfortunate roll into a water hazard.

My celebration was more than a little out of proportion to the caliber of my play. In fact, I was playing on a ball I borrowed from his bag because I'd already lost all of my own in water hazards on earlier holes. (This course had water On. Every. Hole.) 

Hat (Kate Lord for the BMW Championships); Heart-shaped sunglasses (Amazon)

Nevertheless, taunt him I did. Dance a jig I did. Remind him repeatedly the rest of the week of my small victory I did. It was fair turnabout for his own relentless teasing. Because that's what he did.

Shoes (Callaway Golf with custom kilties by yours truly); Socks (Club Med, Vittel, France)

Though I continued to play with him periodically throughout my childhood, and even a few times as an adult, the 15th hole of that Myrtle Beach golf course is my favorite golf memory with my dad.  I still smile when I think about it.

My handmade, blown glass putter (PGA legal) is my favorite club, discovered at the Penrod Art Fair a few years ago - leave it to me to go to an art fair and buy a golf club!

I also still sometimes dance a little jig when I have a particularly good hole (though I never taunt anyone actually patient enough to play with me). I didn't find many reasons to dance in my actual play last weekend. But, the weather was great; I only lost one ball in a water hazard; and my self-customized golf shoes were just my style... I call that a good day on the course. I'm still smiling as I think about it.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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The Buck Stops Here

One of the highlights of my Fourth of July weekend was helping a friend feed these darling little bucks.

The four little white-tailed bucks being rehabilitated by a friend of mine are so cute I can hardly stand it. Photographs do not do justice to how truly sweet they are. Last week, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to help feed them on two separate occasions. I'm pretty sure I had a permanent smile on my face the entire time.

The clothes are superfluous compared to the undeniable sweetness of the baby deer, but since Red's Shoe Diaries is, at its core, a style blog... Navy maxi dress (Amazon); Red maxi dress (Meijer); American Flag aviators (Steinmart); flag earrings (Gordmans); the hat was a $10 find at some little vintage store on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles whose name I'm not sure I ever registered.

Getting up close and personal with Carmine, Lazarus, Sampson, and Elvis was an experience I'll never forget, but I wish it was an opportunity I didn't have. Deer are wild animals. They are not pets (however sweet and cuddly they may be). These little guys are being bottle fed on my friend's farm out of necessity because they were separated from their mothers too soon.

The babies all have unique personalities, as well as markings, which make them easy to distinguish from one another.

It takes a special kind of person to rehab deer and other injured or abandoned wildlife. A big heart and a willingness to get dirty are key; but it also requires a permit or license from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. In other words, don't try this at home. Sadly, well meaning citizens are a primary reason that young wild animals require rehabilitation, as people often remove the babies from their natural habitat under the mistaken belief they've been abandoned by their mothers or are otherwise in distress. Fortunately, rehabbers like my friend are there to help, caring for the juveniles until they are strong enough to fend for themselves.  

I wore these American flag boots by Roper a few times last week in honor of the Fourth of July holiday. You can find them on sale here.

If you come across a wild animal that you believe is in need of human intervention to survive, you can find information and resources on wildlife rehabilitation and licensed rehabilitators on the DNR's website. As tempting as it may be, it's a mistake to try to care for the animals on your own; it takes expertise to feed these babies the right foods (NO cow's milk) in the right amounts and to ensure they retain their wild instincts and don't remain dependent on humans as they mature. You can always ask the rehabber if you can help out, though. It's an experience you won't forget!

These babies are being nourished by goat's milk, and they're also learning to forage for fruit.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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I'm also linked up with Style Crone's Hat Attack today!

Puppies, Ponies & Patriots

It may be the "sport of Kings" across the Pond, but Friday night's Hats, Hounds & Hooves was polo "American style" as we kicked off Independence Day weekend at the Hickory Hall Polo Club. 

Thank you to Marion Superior Court Judge Gary Miller (left) for helping me choose the winners of the Hats, Hounds & Hooves Halftime Hat Parade contest. This little guy, Miles (center), was excited to win a big tin of popcorn courtesy of local company Just Pop In for his dapper patriotic garb. Photo courtesy of Pics by Lesa.

The red, white, and blue was on display on the sidelines and in the halftime hat parade, with several dogs in attendance sporting the stars and stripes, too.

Dress (eShakti); Cardigan (Jessica Howard; Macy's); Shoes (Chelsea Crew; Zulilly - embellished with patriotic hair clips); Hat (Steinmart, with custom monogram and ribbon accents)

You knew I'd embrace the opportunity to join the patriotic fashion fray, and this red and white striped dress from eShakti was my first choice.

I was honored to help organize this event and to host the Halftime Hat Parade. Photo courtesy of Pics by Lesa.

Navy accessories and a pair of star spangled hair clips turned shoe ornaments take the dress out of "Where's Waldo" territory, leaving no question the evening celebrated the beginning of the holiday weekend.

Halftime Hat Parade prizes were awarded for the fanciest, funniest, and most patriotic ensembles (clockwise from right). Photos courtesy of Pics by Lesa.

But the country's independence wasn't the only reason for revelry. The event was actually the second annual charity polo match to raise funds for Dress for Success Indianapolis and Waldo's Muttley Crew. 

Humans and canines alike made spirited style choices for the festive evening celebrating hats, hounds, and hooves.

The money raised from the evening's festivities will help both organizations further their missions: Dress for Success to help disadvantaged women achieve economic self-sufficiency; and Waldo's Muttley Crew to find forever homes for local strays. 

From the littlest fans to the players themselves, the sport of kings is a stylish game. Photos courtesy of Pics by Lesa.

The nights was an unqualified success, and I was honored to be part it. I'm already looking forward to next year, and I hope you'll join me!

The weather was perfect for tailgating on the sidelines in style. Photo courtesy of Pics by Lesa.

If you're curious to see what polo in Indiana is all about, you don't have to wait for the next Hats, Hounds & Hooves, though. Hickory Hall Polo Club hosts matches nearly every weekend - you can check out the schedule and learn more here. 

Photos courtesy of Pics by Lesa.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

Thanks to the Kish family for letting me love on their lovely labradoodles for a bit!

I'm also linked up with Hat Attack!

Baby, You're the Bomb (pop)!

I can't put on this maxi dress from Charming Charlie without craving a popsicle. A Bomb Pop to be exact (or a "Firecracker pop" depending on your brand of choice). I may or may not have bought three boxes last week for this weekend's Independence Day festivities at the lake. I can neither confirm nor deny that there are now only two boxes in my freezer even though it's only July 1st. Why, no, I have no idea why my tongue is blue...

The dress also has the chorus of Katy Perry's "Firework" playing on an endless loop in my head... You just gotta ignite your light and let it shine. Just own the night like the Fourth of July. 'Cause Baby, you're a fiiirework, come on show 'em what you're worth. Make 'em go "ahh, ahh, ahh" as you shoot across the sky! Is it stuck in your head now, too? You're welcome, and here's hoping your weekend is truly the bomb!

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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This post is also linked with Hat Attack!