Summer Work Shoes

oops! looks like part of this post accidentally went up last week...here it is in full.

I work in fairly conservative business casual office....in southern California.

This means that while I feel comfortable wearing open-toed shoes - I probably shouldn't come to work in something like this.

Michael Kors Juniper platform

It's taken me a long time to find cute summer shoes I feel are appropriate for my work environment (and I only have maybe two pairs). I recently checked out the big Nordstrom summer sale online and found a few work-appropriate sandals and peeptoe pumps. I thought I would share a few that I added to my wish-list.

Summer Work Shoes by LatteLove

Seychelles pewter shoes$40 - nordstrom.com

Me Too strap shoes$44 - nordstrom.com

Franco Sarto narrow shoes$45 - nordstrom.com

Nine West chunky sandals$40 - nordstrom.com

Enzo Angiolini ruffle shoes$60 - nordstrom.com

Cole Haan open toe shoes$114 - nordstrom.com

VANELi beige sandals$99 - nordstrom.com

Magdesians magdesian shoes$60 - nordstrom.com

Me Too pewter shoes$40 - nordstrom.com

'

any other inspiration to add to this set? (feel free to link below!)

Do you ever struggle finding your style when following a work dress code?

Italian Honeymoon, part VII: Weddings all over

I was still in such a 'wedding-mode' mindset on our honeymoon that I found weddings and inspiration everywhere I turned.
Here are a few wedding related things I kept running to in Italy!

First, this dashing couple taking photos in front of the duomo in Florence. This building and plaza is so epic, I can only wonder what kind of shots their photographer got. When I show you photos of the duomo later you'll know what I mean!



Random couple in italy--my apologies for these unflattering shots! I had to take them quickly as we walked by.
Maybe I can redeem myself with a little touch of 1960's action?



no?
I'm sure your photographer did a much better job!

The wedding inspiration continued to Florence's central market...

How amazing would it be to pick up a bunch of colorful flowers from this open air market and throw together a loose bouquet for an unexpected elopement



Believe you me...if we weren't already married I would have rushed E to the nearest town hall. Love was in the air!

He could have picked up a ring from one of the gazillion jewelry stores on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.





This girl was coveting...be still my heart.

even more bling?!



sigh...

Speaking of the Ponte Vecchio...What a great place to pose for a photo or two, no?



But alas, what to wear for this unanticipated wedding in city of flowers?

well, we just happened to pass by a bridal shop filled with Italian couture!
I oogled these dresses in the window for a full five minutes before E dragged me away. [He was too embarrassed to let me go inside]
Try to enjoy these few window shots and ignore the awful glare!



I could die for the back of this dress. I could.



and fluffy shoes. oh fluffy shoes. i want to slip my flip flop wearing feet into your silver straps and strut around Florence. Can i? May i?



I have no idea what that feathery flowery contraption is--a shrug? a hat?
no idea, but I want it!



and check out that row of incredible Italian bridal couture in the back. Do you see the pinks? and the fur? and the gold? and the ruffles?
I wanted to bury my head in all that luxurious bridal satin and lace and smell the possibilities.

Someone splash me with water stat!

Lastly...the window glare is killing me, but check out this swag!



Aren't those goblets filled with pink sparkles and balls divine? Also, i could see tulle being used here in a very glam, not-so-nineties way.

Quick, someone have a girly pink wedding and use this!

So ladies, what do you think of the Italian wedding inspiration?...I'd love to hear your thoughts! [and don't get me started on the shoes...Italian shoes are for another post!)

[Inspiration] Fridays

Hey bloggers!

What are you up to this weekend?

First, a shoutout to Jenn @ With This Ring..., and LA @ June Fifth, (which is now a private blog) who are getting married this weekend.

Congratulations to you both! I hope your days are fantastic!

My bachelorette party is Saturday...starting in the early afternoon. Everything is a surprise, so I hope to have stories to tell next week!

source (not my invitation....I just thought it was SO cute!)

Other than that, I hope to get lots of sleep and get over this sickness, design our escort cards and lots of signs, and schedule some posts before all the craziness begins.

Here's some photo inspiration for your weekend...

Photo by Leigh Miller, via OnceWed

I want a wedding sign so bad! Another weekend project?

By Elizabeth Messina, via Ritzy Bee blog

Mrs. Cookie's wedding sign, via Weddingbee

photo by Lindsey Hamilton events, via Style Me Pretty

how pretty is this! White may be boring in some cases, but isn't this lovely?

[Inspiration Fridays]

This Friday inspiration post is a little unqiue...

Last night aunt Jet and I went to scope out a photo location she thought would be perfect for pre-ceremony photos that is closeby (15 minutes) from our church...

Oddly enough, it's on the campus of the organization I work for!  We have a workshop and residential program for adults with disabilities...and the grounds are beautiful.

Sound strange?  Let me share:

We'll do our first look here (the barely-there vines should be much thicker in 5 weeks!)

Then stroll over to the gazebo

and down to the covered bridge...

Isn't it beautiful?

There's only one hitch to this great little plan: I'm getting married on a Friday.  Pictures starting at 11am.  While I will no longer be an employee, it's a normal work day for 400+ employees!

The parking lot is going to be full of vehicles and not make for as pretty a background.  Our photographers will have to make sure to shoot from the right angles!

ps.  can you tell at what point I figured out the perfect outdoor setting for my camera?  Not even post-processing could make pictures 2,3 &5 compare to the others.  Thanks to Jenna of That Wife for the great photo advice!

[Inspiration Fridays]

This weekend I'm getting major organized--lists, lists, and lists! Sorting and exchanging some wedding gifts, and hammering out our wedding ceremony. Hopefully this mostly be done on the porch outside so I can soak in the sun! Maybe set up another blog or two on all my projects. :-)

Until then, here are some happy pictures for your weekend!

Have a good one and give your mom a big hug!

This glance is just the cutest:

Sarah K Chen Photography

If I was going to get married in Cali and outside...this would be the location, hands down.

wouldn't you love to take some intimate post-ceremony photos in this secret garden?

Evoke Photography

I would.

Inspiration [Fridays]

Garden Charm, by Snippet and Ink

Inspiration [Fridays]

Yum, Yum, yum. I love inspiration.

Have a happy weekend!

1&2 by Jose Villa

3 by The Knot

Inspirations [Fridays]

Well, today is day 7 that I've been pretty sick, and while I finally came back to work yesterday afternoon (following 3.5 days off in bed, bemoaning my life)...I'm still not better.
The doctor said it's a virus and it needs to run it's course...but it's just not running fast enough for me!

So while I'm hacking up a lung, wishing my baby was here to make it better, I'll just share this with you.


from etsy seller uniqueartpendants via Grey Likes Weddings


And, some photo inspiration. I love the little displays of affection

photos by Jose Villa

Inspiration [Fridays]

I love the happiness, serenity and vibrant colors in this photo...and hope to copy it in 3 months and 5 days.


Photo by The Wiebners, of the Cupcakes


Also, remember my reception hair flower idea? Good thing I was a procrastinator and hadn't bought anything yet. I found one I liked a little better, which is ivory and not feathery (I wasn't quite sure feather was my style)

Meet Essential Katie by Muscari Designs

Love it? Me too.

Muscari has lots more and they're having a sale right now for 20%. Coupon Code: lovespring

Happy weekend bloggers!

[Inspiration] Fridays

It's almost the weekend.

I plan to make a birthday dinner with two friends tonight
Meet my dress for the first time (!!)
send my love a love letter
and hopefully finish all that invitation cutting.

Hope you have a good one!


I love/want this shot

and this one

this bod

and this place

photos 1 & 3
photos 2 & 4

courtesy of OnceWed