Weekend Uniform

Does your hoodie match the rug like mine does? Ha! #favoritecolor

Do you ever get so enamored with an outfit you feel like you could wear it forever? That's where I'm at with this outfit. Call it my weekend uniform. I wore a variation of it last weekend and this was Saturday's outfit. I realized that it's pretty much screams teen skater boy. Right?! I posted a pic of the hoodie/hat combo last weekend on instagram and got some random likes from the 20 and under crowd. Kind of hilarious considering how old I actually am. But I love that I can still pull this off. It's comfortable, yet I still feel pulled together and stylish.

Shoes: Wedge high tops from Target with a a little stud detail on the velcro strap.
Pants: Skinny gray cords that I've had for a few years.
Hoodie: From the boy's section at Target. No joke. I love it though.
Jean jacket: BCBG Maxazria Jeans.
Hat: Calvin Klein from Nordstrom Rack. Picked it up after Christmas and pretty much have been wearing it non-stop since.

What outfit are you rockin' on repeat?

Shoes Day

These beauties are from J.Crew, photographed on display at their Fifth Avenue (at 17th Street) store in NYC.

Function over Fashion?

I almost bought these spectacularly beaded, sparkly sandals tonight after work. I am in no way, shape or form in the market for a beaded, sparkly sandal and no way would I pay full price for them. I did, however, after trying these beauties on come so close to forking over the cash and adding them to my already brimming shoe collection. Function over fashion? When did this happen? Who have I become?

I became a runner over three years ago and it's put a serious crimp in my fabulous shoe collecting ways. The thing is...I really have very few occasions in my life today to wear a beaded sparkly sandal, however beautiful they may be and however swoon-y they make me feel. I think that means I'm growing up a little or pulling one over on my mild shoe addiction.

I lead a pretty simple, athletic life. The more time I spend wearing shoes that add four to five inches to my already tall stature and pinch my toes, the higher possibility my feet have of getting blisters and not feeling up to running. I'm to the point where I'm more comfortable and content in my life when I'm running at least four times a week. Messing my feet up over wearing a glorious pair of heels all day just isn't something I've chosen to do in a long time. As much as I want to.

If you looked at my shoe collection right now and didn't know me, you'd think I lived a fabulous party lifestyle. Then I'd show you the running shoe collection I've amassed over the last three years. It's in stark contrast to the fancy shoes. They don't even live in the same part of the house. Runners get their own space near the back door. Fabulous footwear is meticulously cataloged and housed in my closets.

Running is such a big part of my life, but fashion inspires me and is in my blood. I do try to work in a fancy pair of shoes here and there just because...even if it's just to run errands. I don't want to completely turn my back on fashion and let my fancy shoes collect dust. I guess this is just another example about finding the right balance in all things. There is a time and a place for everything - even fancy fabulous shoes. Today's lesson, I don't have to buy every pair I fall in love with.

Too Cute Boots

Need vs. Want. Since I'm probably not buying, let's just say (pssst, Santa are you listening?) I wouldn't be mad if any of these found their way under the Christmas tree this year! My favorites are the Greenwich and Athens. I almost bought the Athens boots on super sale over on Gilt.com last week, but since I don't "need" them I didn't pull the trigger. I also saw them in brown at TJ Maxx this weekend. So now at least I know that an 8.5 would, indeed, fit in case I come across them again on sale! Never pay full price, there's always a sale on the horizon!

Shoesday!

Happy Tuesday to you! The weeks are flying by, quite literally! Weather's turning a bit more cool. I've been layering up a little, wearing fewer skirts (boo!) and wearing fewer sandals (even bigger boo!). I know summer hasn't left us completely yet here in Michigan, it's far too soon for that. In the meantime, lemme show you my shoes real quick:

Everyone needs a go-to pair of flats (at least one!) This pair is Isaac Mizrahi for Target from a few years ago. I remember wondering when I bought them if I'd wear them often enough. Let me tell you, there are shoes I've paid a lot more for that I've worn a heck of a lot less! It's funny to me now that I even wondered that I might not wear them, because I wear them so frequently. They're great in the summer when one may not have had time for a pedicure. Hello, bare toe coverage! Or when a sandal seems too casual for whatever outfit I've chosen. Outfitted the Isaacs this time with a pair of black Gap wide leg pants, a Ralph Lauren striped silk shirt (similar look, but in cotton). My layer for the office a white J.Crew safari pocket jacket (similar, but in black).

Time to start thinking about what else to wear this week, I've got a day of important meetings. Need to look sharp!

Tuesday Shoesday

I joked with a friend recently that if you saw my shoes, you'd think I lived a very glamourous life! Since I started running a couple years ago, I tend to baby my feet more, which means fewer fancy heels. Blisters caused by pinchy shoes don't mix too well with regular running! I'm hoping to make Shoesday a regular catch here though at Fresh Starr Fish. It will encourage me to wear more of a variety of my shoes so I have something new to show you guys!

Today's featured shoes: a nudie suede, metal heel by DKNY. I've had this pair for over five years. They were one of the first non-black pairs of shoes I ever bought and one of the first pairs that got me started collecting shoes. I just love the architecture of this pair and I've never seen anyone else wearing them out and about.

I wore them with a pair of skinny tailored dark khaki-colored pants (similar) and a silk cream & beige-y printed cap sleeve mini dress (similar in color and shape only! Marchesa! Ha!).