Back in Purple

Dress: Patagonia | Cardigan: GAP | Tights: Hue via Macy's | Boots: Fluevog PRI (Radio family)

I wore this to volunteer at my son's kindergarten class. No doubt about it, I am WAY overdressed when I volunteer! But dressing up is fun, and I don't have regular opportunities to do it. This outfit came together in my head very quickly, mostly because I basically took it out for a test drive two years ago when I paired the cardigan and boots with a plaid skirt. I like this outfit much better, however. The dress is both comfy and well-made (as all Patagonia items are) with an interesting neckline, and the added texture and pattern of the tights were the perfect way to finish the whole thing.

Detail of the tights

And of course some love for the boots (once again), one of my top 5 favorite Fluevogs, even with the blemish on the left boot (I think I bought it that way). They're easy to dress up or down, they hug my feet just the way I like, and they're excellent for fall weather -- at least in Southern California. I'm sure you'll see these here again. :-)

A note on the photography: I used a remote and tripod for these photos (my son pressed the button on the remote for me, sweet thing), but I'm not that great with self-portraits, hence the off-center images. Sorry about that -- still working on my skillz.

xo, Gladys

Sockdreams Feature

On me and E: Modcloth dresses | Sockdreams socks and tights | Fluevog boots and maryjanes

This is a week old now but I just wanted to share that one of my recent blog posts was featured on the Sockdreams Tumblr blog!! Both E and I are wearing Sockdreams items in the photo above. (Plus I hadn't realized how well our outfits coordinated with each other that day given the mustard colors in our dresses.) So very exciting!

xo, Gladys

Fancy Floral

Dress: Emily and Fin via ModCloth | Tights: GAP | Shoes: Fluevog Qtee (Mini family)

Pockets!

Triptych

Back detail

The gorgeous Fluevog shoes

This dress is so flattering and pretty. There are a few clothing brands that I like to keep an eye on, and I'm definitely a fan of Emily and Fin designs. (Other faves are Trollied Dolly and Tulle.) I had the delightful surprise of learning that my burgundy ankle-strap Fluevog Qtees were a great match with the dress (though not a perfect match, which people say is a good thing). Such a fun outfit! I wore it to my mom's birthday dinner over the weekend, and while I felt a little overdressed, I did feel very fancy and smiley all night. I didn't get to wear the dress during the summer like I'd planned, but since the fall weather has been quite mild, even a little spring-y, my mom's birthday at a semi-fancy restaurant was a good opportunity to wear it out. (No one in my life got married this year; otherwise this would have been my #1 choice for a wedding.) I'm so glad I finally got to put it on for an evening out! Next time I'd love to dance in it. :-)

xo, Gladys

Dark Mustard and Navy + Sale PSA! [ENDED]

Dress: Lowie via ModCloth | Ravenclaw rugby knee socks: Sockdreams | Boots: Fluevog Volunteer (Prepare family)

Detail

Dress: via ModCloth | Tights: Sockdreams | Maryjanes: Fluevog Luxon (20% off on Amazon)

Skirt: Old Navy | Boots: Fluevog Bartoli (Operetta family)

MP isn't in this one because she was running late and we didn't have a photographer to take pix of all of us.

Blame it on the upcoming holiday season, on the absolute fun we had the last time, or on the fact that we love to dress up and leave our kids behind for a few hours, but our mutual love of Fluevogs once again led us -- me and my dear friends E and MP -- to the Melrose store last weekend. This time it was for MP, and yes, she did get her second pair of Fluevogs! But more on that later.

I love the dress I'm wearing, which is 100% cotton, lined, and made for cool weather. (The only thing I don't like about the dress is how it squishes my chest area; I think better undergarments are in order.) However, I hadn't worn it in over a year because I wasn't able to fit into it this past winter and spring (late 2012 - early 2013). Thanks to yoga and Zumba, though, I can just squeeze into it again, even with the extra muscle on my arms and shoulders. Hallelujah! This is one of those "just in case" dresses you keep in your closet -- just in case you can fit into it again one day. I loved it so much I couldn't let it go when I did my last closet clean-out.

Speaking of which, the dress that E is wearing and the skirt that MP is wearing were both mine until recently. While I think both items are lovely, they look so much better on E and MP, don't you think? This wasn't a case of the clothes not fitting me; but rather they were clothes that I knew were better suited for other bodies and other tastes than mine. MP simply loves plaid skirts, especially warm ones. And E looks amazing in tea dresses (such dresses don't flatter my quarterback shoulders lol).

Here are some views of the dress from the back, courtesy of E's candid shots on her iPhone:

At the counter with dealer Anthony paying for something very special!

Falling in love with the burgundy Elizabeths (ok, I confess, this was posed.)

So what was that something special? Well, these AMAZING blue embroidered oxfords:

Not only are the shoes TARDIS blue leather, but they're one of a kind -- at least, they're only available at the Melrose store, and there's only one pair per size. I simply couldn't let these get away ... so I put my size on layaway. :-))) I really am obsessed with blue shoes this season, aren't I? Well, can you blame me? Anthony brought them to my attention because they match the navy blue details on my dress, but of course the dealers know how in love I am with the blue leathers at Fluevog this Fall. If you want your own blue Sight oxfords, you need to call the Melrose store!

The Miracle | Sight oxfords aren't available at Fluevog stores in any other color either. The whole style was nixed by Mr. Fluevog for his stores -- but NOT at other retailers. They're available at Amazon in black. Here's the big PSA: This weekend, they as well as almost ALL other Fluevogs are on sale for 20% off for Veteran's Day holiday through Tuesday, November 11. Seriously, Fluevogs in classic colors that will probably NEVER go on sale at Fluevog stores -- the Elizabeth, the Liz, the Viv, the Qtee, the Promise, the Sandra, the Arabella, the Amie -- are 20% off with free shipping. Good luck finding your sizes and happy shopping! There are some blue faux-snake skin Amie's calling my name. :-)

By the way, here's a link to the men's styles on Amazon.

xo, Gladys