Where's Waldo?

One favorite red and white striped dress; one ironic Union Jack; one rediscovered pair of red, white and blue shoes; one lunchtime outing with a good friend who also happens to be a great photographer; and one Amish photobomber who makes your whole day... 

Where in Waldo's world can one pair Independence Day patriotism and the Amish with a British flag bag, public rental bikes, and European style architecture?

From the historic spires of the church behind me, it might look as though we made a quick jaunt across the pond...

But nope - if you stop to take it in, you'll find that the Circle City is a beautiful blend of cosmopolitan and country with something for everyone (recent reputational blemishes notwithstanding). 

This is perhaps most embraced along the cultural mind meld that is Massachusetts Avenue. From one end to the other, there is so much to see and enjoy, and the people you encounter along the way almost always greet you with a smile.

As for the outfit, I rocked the red, white and blue every day last week in honor of Independence Day, but this cotton dress from eShakti is my favorite. In fact, I like it so much that I may or may not have it in multiple colors...

The shoes felt brand new because I completely forgot about them until a recent closet cleaning (despite the fact that I keep all of my shoes in clear, labeled boxes). Yep - I admit I may have too many shoes. I also admit that I tucked a pair of flipflops into the Union Jack bag just in case they ended up killing my feet. They weren't bad at all, so I'll definitely be putting them in regular rotation even though I did ultimately don the flipflops.

And the highlight of the day? Unquestionably the unanticipated Amish photobomb. Just as we were lamenting the construction trailer blocking part of a Mass Ave art installation we wanted to shoot, this guy pops out from behind the trailer to see what the heck we were doing. I'm in love with his hat and the whole "Notebook" look. I'm sure he's just as surprised to be featured on a style blog as we were to unexpectedly catch this shot! 

A few of the other shots were also smile inducing, albeit for different reasons. I'm pretty sure I was pointing out that the dress has pockets in the photo below. I love pockets! That said, the goofy look on my face cracked us up. Yep - not every shot makes the cut, even when the photographer is as good as Faith Blackwell...

I hope you all had a safe and flagtastic Fourth of July!

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I'm also linked up with Hat Attack today!

American Pharoah and the Bandanna Bargain

I am a list maker...to the extreme. I have even been known to make lists of lists I need to make. But I don't always stick to the list, especially when the list involves a trip to Target or Meijer. I rarely visit either place without buying something I never knew I "needed." Early this week I stopped in to Meijer, grocery list in hand (well, grocery list in phone and phone in hand, though I still make paper lists, too). I was in a hurry and the list was long since we have a house full of people coming in for the holiday weekend. You'd think that would have kept me on the straight and narrow. Yet, somehow, I ended up with a cart full of pre-specified groceries...and a new maxi dress.

If you follow Red's Shoe Diaries regularly, you know this is not the first time I've augmented my wardrobe at the grocery store (with mixed results - you definitely get what you pay for). Not sure how well this particular twenty dollar dress will hold up, but I couldn't resist the red bandanna print and the opportunity it presented to wear these Roper boots yet again this week. I also paired it with a sterling silver pendant I picked up at the Kentucky Derby in May. I've dubbed it my "American Pharoah necklace" in honor of the first American Triple Crown Winner since 1978. Whenever I wear it, I'll be reminded that I was lucky enough to see history in the making this year!

Of course, as much I love my boots, I'll be spending the weekend in flipflops as we celebrate Independence Day with friends, fireworks, barbecue, and boating. Will those flipflops fit the theme? You don't even have to ask... Happy 4th of July!

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

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The Cowboy Way

The vintage six shooter pendant was a quirky eBay find - the small silver pistol actually comes out of its highly detailed gold holster.

I've had at least one pair of cowboy boots for as long as I can remember. The best ones maintain the smell of handworked leather, bringing back memories of my Aunt Linda's tack room and countless afternoons riding local trails. This pair from Roper has that glorious tack room smell, and the scent of cherished memories envelops me every time I open their box.

Boots (Roper, Zappos.com); Dark denim jumper (Butterfly Boutique Consignment); Red tank (Gordman's); Navy crinkle cotton blouse (Casual Living)

Though I don't get to ride anymore, the upcoming July 4th holiday gave me the perfect excuse to wear them, even if cowboy boots are somewhat of an anomaly at the office (to say the least). Western boots aren't for everyone, but those of us who love them REALLY love them, and it probably won't surprise you to learn that this is not my only pair. I am, however, very particular, so my collection is small and well-curated. More so than any other style of shoe, I'll only buy boots when I have a visceral reaction to them, and even then only if they also fit perfectly (this is a good thing, since well-made boots can be pricey).

The same is true for the art I collect. My tastes are very eclectic, and I won't even consider a purchase unless it's love at first sight. Though it's quite different from most of the other original artwork I've accumulated over the years, one of my favorite pieces is a very large charcoal drawing of a Wyoming cowboy, or rather, the torso of a Wyoming Cowboy (I have lovingly dubbed it "The Cowboy Crotch"). This piece, more than any other, exemplifies my approach to art collecting (as well as boot collecting) - my reaction must be immediate and powerful. Art captivates me on an instinctive level (and regardless of whether it matches the sofa). 

I never dreamed that casually thumbing through this Victorian looking magazine at the grocery store would result in the purchase of a huge charcoal drawing of a cowboy from an artist several states away. I still have the magazine with my handwritten notes from my call to the artist in the margin.

The Cowboy Crotch spoke to me when I least expected it, and in a most unusual way. I was standing in the checkout line of a local grocery when the Winter 2001 issue of Southern Lady magazine caught my eye. The cover photo featured a delicate Victorian ceramic shoe filled with fresh flowers. It grabbed my attention because, at the time, I was designing shoe-themed centerpieces for a fundraiser. 

It's impossible to capture the depth and detail of the piece in a photograph. The detail is so fine that the framer actually thought the piece itself was a photograph.

As I thumbed through the very prim and proper periodical, though, I stumbled on an article about Farrar Hood, a young artist from Tennessee making a name for herself around the country. The article featured photographs of a series of cowboy and Western themed works she'd recently completed during a trip to Wyoming. I was so immediately enamored with The Cowboy Crotch that I brought the magazine home and immediately called the contact number included at the end of the article. 

I couldn't resist a kitschy pair of $10 aviators from Steinmart for the July 4th holiday.

Two weeks later an enormous wood crate protecting the 3 foot by 4 foot, unframed charcoal was delivered to my office. The magazine photo did not do it justice, just as the photo above does not do it justice. I have never regretted that snap decision purchase for a second, just as I have never regretted buying these boots. Also like my boots, The Cowboy Crotch is not for everyone, but for me, it's everything. Collect only what you truly love, whether it's clothes, corvettes,or cognac - it's the cowboy way!

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

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Circle City of White

A Sunday afternoon email with the French salutation "Laissez les bons temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!) identified the top secret setting for a "Diner en Blanc" in the heart of the Circle City that same evening. The invitation for the whitewashed outdoor soiree had been extended just two weeks prior, with the instructions to wear white and bring wine and a picnic platter to share. The location, we were told, would not be revealed until the day of the party itself. The last-minute revelation added an auspicious air of mystery and anticipation. Because we live some distance away from Indianapolis, we actually left for the party before we even knew where we were going! But, coming into the city a bit early also gave us time to make an unplanned stop at one of downtown's "I" AM INDY art installations on the way.

The concept of "Le Diner en Blanc," more commonly referred to in the US as a "White Party," is French, and originated with François Pasquier, who invited a few friends to the famous Parisian park, Bois de Boulogne, many years ago. To find each other in the park, the guests all wore white. The dinner was such a success that they decided to recreate it the next year. Each person invited other friends and the event grew organically into the 10,000+ dinner it is today. The location is kept top secret until the last minute, though it is always held at a very public (and often historic) locale, such as the Arc de Triomphe.

We are so grateful to our hosts for bringing this traditional City of Light celebration to the Circle City, and to our friends who extended the invitation to us. It was truly an elegant evening of revelry. Also in true European fashion, it was an evening to relax and slowly savor the smorgasboard of sweets and savories, as well as bubbly and good conversation with chums both old and new. 

The bright white palette of the decor (courtesy of the talented Elizabeth Taylor) and the guests' attire was visually striking against the green trees and red brick backdrop of the Basile Opera Center's terrace, and became even more so when the sun went down and guests lit hundreds of sparklers as eagerly as children at a Fourth of July parade. 

It was inspiring to see so much individuality in attire despite the monochromatic color scheme. There is just something about white clothing that exudes elegance (so long as wet weather doesn't turn it into a wet t-shirt contest - luckily the skies were kind on Sunday). My own dress was purchased at a street market in India a few years ago. I'd only worn it once before (to a public White Party hosted by Yelp last year), and was pleased to have the perfect opportunity to wear it again. After all, there are only so many places one can pull off a sheer white caftan embellished with heavy gold embroidery...

I also created a new recipe for the occasion - Watermelon Shrimp Ceviche, which I adapted liberally from a basic watermelon salsa recipe I found on Pinterest last year. It was delicious, so I thought I'd share it below:

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb peeled, deveined, cooked shrimp (the ingredients are acidic enough to cook the shrimp in true ceviche style, but I was pressed for time so pre-cooked the shrimp)
• 4 cups ripe watermelon, finely diced
• 1 large green bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 large jalepeno pepper, finely diced and without seeds
• 1 medium bunch of green onions, chopped
• 3 to 4 tablespoons of fresh cilantro, chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice (I squeezed the oranges directly into the mixture, so measurement is imprecise - add to taste)
• 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of garlic salt (to taste)

Directions

• Gently mix all ingredients together in large dish and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
• Strain mixture in fine mesh strainer to remove excess liquid just before serving.
• If you use uncooked shrimp, you will need to let the mixture "cook" the shrimp in the refrigerator for several hours until no pink or tranlucence remains).
• Serve with tortilla chips (I chose lime and sea salt infused chips) and/or crostini

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

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Golf Course Blues

A golfing buddy has accused me of having CCOCD - that's OCD of the color coordination variety. I'd protest, but...yeah. 

Golf is not (just) about the shoes, though. I promise! Actually, I've been playing sporadically since the third grade. Last Summer, I played a lot. The repetition made a huge difference in my game, and I found myself enjoying (nearly) every second of it. I even played several solo rounds, and not just so I'd have more opportunities to wear the shoes.

 

Skirt (Ralph Lauren); Shoes (Callaway with custom kilties); Watch (Oakley)

When the leaves started to fall, I was on the cusp of breaking 90, which was my personal goal for the year. But, I am a fair weather golfer so when the temperatures dropped and the sun started setting too soon to squeeze in a round after work, I put my clubs (and shoes) away without seeing the 80s.

Dress (J. G. Hook); Cardigan (Jessica Howard); Belt (eBay); Orange python cuff (Diego Rocha); Ponytail holders (courtesy of some lovely houseguest who forgot them); Headcover (Winner's Edge Designs); Shoes (Callaway with custom kilties)

Though I should have known better, I expected to break out the sticks this Summer and pick up just where I left off. Uh...not so much. It's amazing how quickly bad habits return after just a few months without playing. It also seems both the weather and my schedule have colluded to keep me from playing as regularly as I did last year.

     

Purple striped top (Chadwicks); Purple skort (Athleta); Shoes (Callaway with custom purple kilties); Black and white striped top with lace neckline (Kohl's); Capris (Worthington, JC Penney); Braided leather belt (Lauren Ralph Lauren, Macy's); Braided leather golf shoes (Aerogreen, Lori's Golf Shoppe)

I did join a league for the first time, which has at least given me a modicum of consistency. Knowing that I've prepaid my greens fees, coupled with the fact that I have a partner counting on me to show up, gives me the freedom to prioritize 9 holes once a week when it might otherwise be all too easy to bail in the face of a crowded schedule. I'm still not feeling too optimistic about that personal goal, though...

Top (Apt. 9, Kohl's); Capris (Counterparts, Steinmart); Scarf, used as belt (Marley Lilly); Golf Shoes (Callaway, with custom kilties); Hat (Lacoste); Flip flops (Lindsey Phillips Switchflops); Watch (Skagen)

Nevertheless, I'll keep chipping away at my scores (actually, chipping is one of my biggest problems), and even if I go another summer without seeing the underside of 90, I won't be singing the golf course blues. I might, however, be wearing them...

      

Pink and navy top (Ralph Lauren); Navy capris (Casual Living); Turquoise and navy top (August Silk); Turquoise capris (Couterparts, Steinmart); Shoes (Callaway with custom kilties)

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

Argyle Cardigan (G.H. Bass & Co.); Cargo Pants (Sonoma, Kohl's); Braided Leather Golf Shoes (Aerogreen); Watch (Gordmans)

For more information regarding my custom kilties: check out this post: