paris details: sky high heels & fold-able flats

I am getting professional pictures taken during my upcoming trip to Paris. I was obsessing over the details of what I would wear. I had heard you should never wear black in photos and I was concerned because of course the dress I found is black! I asked my drop dead gorgeous extremely talented French photographer, Audrey, for her opinion on the color.

She said simply, "Wear what you're comfortable in and you will look beautiful.... but you must wear high heels, you must. Even if you switch out of them between takes."


I love fashion and look at it as a great form of art and expression, but I refuse to be uncomfortable to look good. (I loved hearing about Gisele Bundchen refusing to wear heels on the runway!) I also think that when you are uncomfortable you don't look good. I see it all the time here in NYC, beautiful girls dressed to impress, the look ruined because they can't stand up straight and their faces squinched because their feet hurt so much. It doesn't look good ladies.

Enzo Angiolini 'Sully' Silver Halogram Platform Pump, Y-Mail Clutch by Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel Lipstick

Anyways, I bought the sky high heels for my shoot. They are my first pair of 4 inch heels. They are sparkly and totally brilliant with gold platform bottoms. I have been wearing them around the house with socks on to break them in before my trip.


After our photo shoot we are having dinner in the Eiffel Tower at Jules Verne, so there is just no way I can wear these heels if I have to walk to dinner. So I found something I can pop on until we get to the restaurant! FOLDABLE FLATS! Every woman needs a pair of these... or 3!

click photo to enlarge

These are by  Fit In Clouds. They are more expensive than other brands like Dr. Scholl's Fast Flats but I liked the quality and the extra sparkle these have. I bought mine at Overstock.com on sale.

Seriously can not wait to dance all over Paris in these! It's almost time... xo Lizzie

i'm impressed

I am taking a trip this summer to London, Paris and Bruges and I have been building my wardrobe for my travels. I found a French designer on Etsy that embellishes t-shirts using ribbon, lace and fabric. Her creations are the perfect blend for travel, comfy-casual with a hint of formality. 


I ordered and right away Sabine (the designer), responded asking me for my measurements and was so genuinely sweet. She continued to touch base with me throughout the week as she created my t-shirt and headband.

Top I ordered. Photos from Lamarquisedesanges shop website.

I find that when I buy from independent designers/artists,they are so attached to their work, they really go out of their way to make something beautiful for you. They have so much pride & ownership in their creations and they put so much of themselves into every piece.

Headband. Photo from Lamarquisedesanges shop website.

After putting together my top,creating my headband,and sizing it to fit me(I have an unusually large head!), she sent me a cheerful message telling me they had shipped and that she couldn't wait for me to receive them.

Photo from Lamarquisedesanges shop website.

My package arrived a week later in a plain dark brown envelope with a French postmark, and my address elegantly scrawled across the front. Love! I opened it to find my shirt and headband wrapped in tissue paper, tied with a ribbon and a sprig of lavender had been tucked into the ribbon. A small bar of French soap and more lavender in a wax paper packet were wrapped inside the shirt, giving my shirt a heavenly scent.


I am totally in love with my shirt and headband and I can not wait to wear them in Paris! I sent Sabine a message thanking her and she wrote me back:

bonjour Elizabeth !

merci so so much for the sweet and heartwarming feedback comment you left. I am so so happy to hear the parcel made it safely to you and beyond excited to know you like your headband and your top !!
you have been a breeze to be collaborating with from the beginning ...

I love the idea of you "parading" with my creations in the streets. let me know if there is anything else I can do for you in the future ..even concerning your trip ...

sabine




Headband: Pirouette by Lamarquisedesanges


Top: Champagne  by Lamarquisedesanges

About the designer: Sabine & her shop

Fun Fact: Lavender is in the mint family and is a symbol of devotion. It has become increasingly popular as wedding confetti.

sneak peek at Lilly Pulitzer's Fall/Winter 2011 collection

Most of my friends know that I have a bit of an obsession with Lilly Pulitzer. I love color and Lilly is a happy explosion of color! Her prints have cheeky names and "Lilly" is always hidden in the print like a "Where's Waldo?". Although the name Lilly Pulitzer is synonymous with summer, I always look forward to seeing the Fall & Winter collections. This is because I live in Northern New Jersey, a place where happy colors die come winter and all of the fashions go to a dull muddy palette of grays and browns. I need Lilly Pulitzer color to warm me up and brighten my spirits to get through the long winter.


Here is a sneaky peek at Lilly Pulitzer's 2011 Fall Winter Collection, Enjoy!(click on images to open them larger)

I love the sweaters this year. They are very similar to what Kate Spade put out last year. I love Kate Spade as well!

Tassels! I love the printed Tassel border at the bottom of the dresses center and left.

Hot pink and Navy! Love the Connie dress on the right!

The shoe print on the jacket on the left is awesome!

Love the Blaney (left) and Elsa (center) in this COLORFUL print!

Love all 3 of these but the center one is my favorite! Classic looks and slimming ;)

Again the sweater in the center is similar to what Kate Spade put out last year and I love it!

Love the Shauna in the middle!

oh la la! Lilly is getting a little euro on us!

New Murfees!!!

Awww look at the minnies....

A closer look at some of the prints...

"multi open call"

"pink tomato standing ovation"

"sky blue the thrill of the chase"

"bright navy dress rehearsal"

UPDATE: For more photos (bigger brighter!) checkout the Pink Boulevard facebook page! 

PINK PELICAN HAS July 25th FALL 2011 ITEMS AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW! http://thepinkpelican.com/catalog.php?category=1

Lilly Pulitzer 2011 Sorority  Prints

Lilly Pulitzer is staggering the release dates of the pieces in this collection. The release dates are July 25th, August 25th, September 25th and October 25th. I can't wait!