Maven style watch: Have shoes, will travel


Good late morning, Wednesday. This weather has me so sleepy- the lack of sunshine is a bad hang for me.  I can't wait for Spring- it's supposedly here, but where the heck is it?

And as we have to wait a few more days to rock any new Spring frockage, I find myself struggling to stay on (self imposed) brief. I decided that this Spring and Summer would be brought to me by the minimalism of the 90s- I'm not looking for clothes that are overly trendy- I want to go very simple, very spare, very sparse. it's just the stripped down mood I've been feeling for months now, but being a girl who has an eccentric side, it's hard for me to dress like the characterization of Death in the "Seventh Seal". I mean, I want a little pop of what's up as much as the next girl.

So although I'm keeping it very low key on the actual garments these days, I'm going to say a resounding yes to good accessories- and right now I have my eye on shoes with an ethnic/global/folksy feel. True, these are very much off brief, but I love them. In some ways, they're part preppy and part art class for the summer in Rome. I'm absolutely in love with these from J. Crew- that block heel is so very current and that print is just the pop I need with all of that simplicity I crave. I can also picture them with an oversized white button down and some boyfriend jeans.

Of course, if I wanted to go big and (not be able to because of inability to pay rent) go home, I'd go for Dries Van Noten's ode to a global moment with these suckers below. In love. With a simple linen dress? Perfection. Also lovely with a knee length full skirt, or if you're that girl, shorts and a simple top.

And when Summer kicks in, it's hard not to get swept up in something a bit preppy, a bit Palm Beach, a bit Jackie O. I adore these raffia numbers from Tory Burch- it may be past season in Palm Beach, but these are just so pretty and elegant. I'd wear them with a simple white dress or even with a quiet print. (Off brief yet again).

So as much as I want to embody a whisper, I tend to be a bit of a loud talker when it comes to accessories. And since I'm just aching to travel, these shoes capture my wanderlust and need to get my passport stamped. PS this block heel thing is no joke- seeing it in every height in almost every store in New York. It's a great and comfortable way to get some height and looks equally stellar in a lower heel as well. You're welcome. I'll be here, trying to stay on brief and on brand, but having a hard time resisting all the fabulous stuff out for Spring, even if Mother Nature still has her winter coat on. Cause that's what's up this minimal/maximal moment in the 212. Yours, in fancy footwear. Don't you want to just get up and go? XO