When it comes to fashion, mixing feminine and masculine pieces help balance out a look (for me) and grounds it. I'm not the type of person who likes to dress overly girly unless it's a special occasion so shoes like loafers and sneakers are right up my alley.

This new trend of bright colored loafers or moccasins will pair beautifully with another trend: bold printed pants (which I've touched upon before in previous posts).

I got this tip straight from Nordstrom so here are a few shoes that I liked out of their selection.

Ron White Rita Loafer

Sam Edelman Jones Flat

Jeffrey Campbell Mocky Moccasin

Betsey Johnson Mayhemm Flat

Tod's Gommini Driving Moccasin

Attilio Giusti Leombruni Resort Moc Loafer

Tod's Gommini Driving Moccasin
Which one is your favorite? Digging the loafer trend?


Until next time,
{kisses}
~Jenn

I'm sure if you're my age or older than I am, you'll understand that backpacks were an essential that we grew up with. Shopping for a new backpack for school meant looking for features that made it the ultimate bag, whether it be having the most pockets or being the most weatherproof. Moms worried about that stuff more than we did, I'm guessing, but now that I'm becoming more of an adult and spending my own money to purchase bags, I've begun to seriously consider what makes a bag worth buying.

Rather than talking about those heavy duty backpacks that we used to cram textbooks into, today I'll be discussing the trendier looking ones. They're very chic and, depending on the material, can dress up or down an outfit.

Backpacks come in a variety of styles: casual, canvas, printed, leather, faux leather, etc. Recently, I've begun to see an increase in horizontal shaped backpacks. They resemble the shape of a messenger bag but equipped with shoulder straps. I personally really enjoy the way they look but I find that the shape and design of many of those types of backpacks make it difficult for the bag to lay nicely against my back. It could also be because the bags are usually empty prior to the purchase. Keep in mind, like anything else, prices will range!

Before I go into the pros and cons of using backpacks as an accessory piece, I will list a few examples below, just as a reference point (and also so you guys can take a look around and get some ideas for yourself!).

Peter Jensen "Rabbit Backpack" $187.87 from Asos.com

Deena and Ozzy "Acid Wash Patch Backpack" $42 from Urban Outfitters

Levi's "River Rock Backpack" $150 from Nordstrom

Nillie Shop "Faux Leather Backpack" $35 from Yesstyle.com

ASOS "Leather backpack" $208.74 from Asos

Theyskens Theory "Black Leather Backpack" $575 from Theory.com

The Row "Leather backpack" $3900 from net-a-porter.com

The following list isn't in order of importance, just random order!
PROS
1. Storage: for a while, big purses were "in" and one of the greatest things about them were the space inside the bag. The bad thing is that it gets too heavy to carry around if you're the type of person who likes to keep a lot of crap in their bags. The good thing about a backpack is the two straps that keep the weight balanced on your shoulders instead of weighing down just one arm. The load seems much lighter and is great for travel, shopping, school, etc.

2. Design: similar to any other bag, backpacks come in a variety of patterns, graphics, fabrics, shapes, and sizes. As an accessory piece, it can be used to add texture or tone down an outfit.

3. Adds a "School Girl Umf": not everyone is going to like this pro or agree with it but I think backpacks have a certain innocent and casual quality that differs from other purses/bags. This kind of branches off from the "Design" pro but depending on what the backpack looks like, the outfit's aura can really change.

4. Hands free!: cross body bags have this same advantage too. I used to own a shoulder bag and it was always a pain in the hole to go shopping or to school. It's nice being able to rush through a crowd without worrying that the backpack will fall off. I also imagine it'd be harder to steal a backpack than a shoulder bag.

CONS
1. Waterproof vs non: this really depends on whether or not you get a canvas or leather one. Canvas backpacks have become quite popular though so I think consumers have greater access to these types. With that said, I find it annoying to have a bag that isn't waterproof or water resistant because of the crazy weather we have here. I also like having bags I can use year round!

2. Straps: if you plan on putting a heavy load in your bag, I suggest looking for one with thicker straps. After a while, thin straps will hurt your shoulders and make it uncomfortable to wear. I also worry a lot about the straps falling off, especially if the bag is heavy and weighs down. I've had it happen before! Broken straps :( and most are sewn in at the top, so they aren't 100% secure.

3. Open and Close: sometimes, it's not super convenient to get things out of the bag, just because of how the bag is usually worn. It's a whole process of taking both straps off, balancing the bag on your knees, rummaging for what you need, closing it, and putting it back on again. With a cross body bag or shoulder bag, reaching it for what you need to get is much easier.

4. Position: this is more of a concern in other countries but because the backpack is worn on the back, you can't really monitor what goes on. It could just be my paranoia but in a crowded area, it's difficult to detect when someone reaches into your bag or front pocket of the backpack. Must be cautious in those situations!


...and that's about it! Those are my opinions/tips about backpacks. I'm still on the search for a nice faux leather one for everyday use so please leave some suggestions if you have any! Thanks!


Until next time,
{kiss kiss}
~Jenn

I love a lot of shoes, if that isn't already obvious. But some shoes really irk me.
Sometimes it's the shape, sometimes it's the height...

Jeffrey Campbell "Coltrane" $184.95
The shape of the shoe near the toe area bugs me. It's too round and too bulky. I'm not feeling the color combo either. I think if the front side parts had cut outs too, it would look much better.

To Be Announced "Bound" $159.95
The color of the shoe is horrendously cheap looking. But that's pretty much all I dislike about it.

To Be Announced "Whips" $299.95
I'm not the biggest fan of cowboy boots because I find that there's a fuzzy line between cute and rodeo-esque. The studs kind of just...killed it.

Substitute "Floam" $129.95
There is nothing more that I hate than a pair of shoes that remind me of hookers. But that's not really even the issue here. I just can't stand this overwhelming excessive height. The heel is a block because it's more of a flatform than a wedge. It just looks very odd to me.

Underground "Quad Shoe" $274.95
Same deal as the previous one. Creepers are okay. I don't think I'd ever wear them but they do look good on some people. The problem I have with this is that the height is at an awkward place...not too tall but it's not that short either.

See by Chloe "SB18070" $194.95
I hate these shoes. I hate them a lot. I'm okay with espadrilles in wedge form, occasionally. But these just look cheap and raggedy.

Fendi "Bow Slide Sandal" $475
I love the color combo and the bow but I can't stand the sandal shape. These types of sandals just... ack.

Manolo Blahnik "Irie" $645
The first thing I noticed was the heel shape. It's almost... curvy? I hate that. Second, I really don't like the combination of slingback and pointy toed...This shoe just screams prim and proper and it's just not my thing.

Ivanka Trump "Aida" $134.95
Color is okay for summer. Again, the pointy toe. And kitten heels just bother me. The shoe itself looks pretty stiff too. Ouchies.

Attilio Giusti Leombruni "Platform Slide" $365
I don't even know how to describe why I dislike this shoe. The shoe is a little too wide and the straps are too wide. I think this type of shoe would only end up "fattening" the size of your foot.

Minnetonka "Concho Feather" $49.95
I don't have anything against Minnetonka moccasins but this is just really ugly. {lol} There's no shape to this shoe. It really just looks like a suede pillow case for your feet.

Paloma Barcelo "Sandal" $249.95
The straps are too busy (the design) and they look like they would hurt to wear. Like it would rub against your foot the wrong way. Second, the colors are all over the place and I don't think they're very complementary. It's just too much.

Now, I don't hate all shoes that have those certain qualities.

Kate Spade New York "Ginger" $345
This is one example. I love the shape of the shoe and the heel. Suede is always amazing and the color combination is beautiful. I normally don't like overly strappy shoes but this works. The criss-crossing is done more near the front of the foot and the size of the straps are good.

Jimmy Choo "Vega" $525
Again, this is totally okay. I would love to own this shoe even though the toe is a bit on the pointy side and the heel is a bit short. It's just enough to be classy and not short enough to be considered a kitten heel. The front is pointy but it has a rounder quality. The leather also tones it down a bit. If it were patent, I might have other thoughts.

Jeffrey Campbell "Homg" Sneaker $64.95
This is also acceptable. The height is in that middle area but I think because it's a high top sneaker, and one solid color, it doesn't feel quite as strange. Rather, I think worn with black bottoms it would elongate the leg.

What do you guys think? What types of shoes would you die being seen in?


Until next time,
{kiss kiss}
~Jenn

As promised! Here is my yummy Sunday Shoe Porn post!

Because... who doesn't love lusting over ridiculously priced shoes?...

Speaking of shoes, I bought the most perfect pair of flatforms (finally). They were from Sears by a brand called Trend Report. Originally $35, I bought them on sale for $19.99. Tell me that isn't a steal. The straps are comfortable, the height isn't bad at all, and the color is amazingly versatile. Everything I could ask for in a flatform...for 20 bucks. I almost cried.

I'll post a picture of them later when I get a chance to wear them.

For now, please enjoy these wonderful pictures of flats, wedges, and heels~

Alexander McQueen "Suede Skull Loafer" $645

Charlotte Olympia "Wire Heel Platform Sandal" $2395

Casadei "Cutout Platform Sandal" $995

Pour La-Victoire "Suede-Platform Sandal" $250

Reed Krakoff "Slingback Architect Wedge" $795

Lanvin "Metallic Python Wedge Sandal" $1193

Enzo Angiolini "Timga Color Block" $120

Nike "Free Run 3 Running Shoe" $100

Charlotte Olympia "Ankle Strap Pump" $945

Steve Madden "Traisie" $79.95

Not sure if you guys are completely sick of me posting pictures of shoes yet (I hope not!) but I think next time, I will do a post on shoes that I really dislike/can't stand. Look forward to it!


Until then,
{chuuuu}
~Jenn