On this post, the Chanel it shoe of the season and the best dupes as well, and the J. Crew 40th Anniversary book..
Hi friends it’s been a quick week and I feel like it was a busy one since I had Signature Style with Cindy on Tuesday! I’ve been getting excited for fall after writing more about the trends..
We have so much pushing us to buy new and refresh for the season.. On Friday, I shared this as it’s so timely.. I found a few hidden gems in the closet, that actually look pretty current.. I would bet a lot of us have a ballet flat, a chunky sweater, even a jean that could be cut and worn as a boot crop.. See what you have in the closet before you buy. It may be cooler than what’s being sold for fall- and more unique too! Plus you’ll shop for what you truly need when you do go.
The Chanel Look Shoe for Fall…
After going through the closet and finding some things that work for fall- (like a pair of ballet flats at the bottom of a basket ), I noticed I could use a pair of shoes that can work for dresses that’s not a sneaker, boot or high heel.
I love the look of the Chanel shoe and I think the slingback with a chunky heel would be what I am missing in the closet.
These are good current options if you love that look and the original…
The latest iteration of a slingback in a lower heel by the original -Chanel, ( You can also look for resale versions, beware many are asking the same or more as the new cost which is $1,100. Options at here, here, and here.)
Also linked in pics- top left to right- the French Sole is a beautiful version of the timeless slingback and popular, the Sam Edelman has a square toe and a cutout, Anne Taylor has also a slingback flat, Tory Burch – her ballet flat is chic as well as a heeled version , and VanEli has a fun quilted take.
Keep a few good catalogs in the closet..
Is there a catalog you love? I say catalog because sadly it’s been a while since a fashion magazine has given me a great outfit idea..Maybe there is a catalog you wish you could buy all the outfits? Juliet had a really smart Insta post a few weeks ago and said recreate those looks you’ve seen with what you have. It’s surprising what we have.
It’s not always easy remembering the looks and the simplest way may be to keep that catalog in the closet. I did that with the Jenni Kayne fall look book. There’s a whole lot of cute looks that are really simple, but nicely styled. Use one as a guidebook of sorts and when you’re bored of your clothes, see what you can make the same or similar looks using what you have.
The J. Crew 40th Anniversary Book..
Speaking of catalogs, I am a total J. Crew fan girl so the new book, J. Crew- Forty years of American Style is on my wish list. It’s pricey, but a lovely coffee table book and how fun to read all these stories of those who worked for and modeled for them, like Adam Scott..Hard to believe it began as only a catalog when we first got it and you had to mail in or call as there was no online! Seems a lifetime ago.. Love this video clip of the book..
On My Radar
This jacket from Vuori may be one of my most loved pieces I bought last year. I wear it for tennis and for everyday running about..It’s soft, lightly warm and easily packed for travel. I am so excited to see it’s back in more pretty colors. I can’t decide between the pistachio, mauve or black.
These Trader Joe’s Everything Rolls are a weekly dinner go-to. I usually do some kind of toasted sandwich with them on a busy night. Last night I used slices of Jarlsberg, leftover roasted chicken, and sun-dried tomatoes. I just roast them for a few minutes sliced open at 350, take them out and add the ingredients, and roast another five minutes. They are delicious!
No surprise Homegoods has their Halloween stuff out. There is a lot of junk, to be blunt, but there are some things of quality and the Sand & Fog soaps and candles that come from California are some of them. Right now they have a White Pumpkin hand soap that does not smell sweet, but expensive and lovely. I bought this plastic one, but it also comes in an etched glass version with bats.. SO CUTE for $4.99. They aren’t online, so you’ve got to make the trek there- and hunt, but they make a nice hostess gift for this time of year too.
I’ve had a few people ask me about our yard this week, and it’s still doing well more than three years in. We do not regret removing the lawn and putting in natives at all! An article this week also inspires about how Cornell is developing sustainable grasses that require no fertilizers and mowing only twice a year. Don’t miss the hundreds of comments – worth reading with ideas on how some people said adios to the lawn BS.
Pretty in Newport Beach..
I just fell in love with this darling home in Newport Beach I saw in Frederic Magazine. The designer is Casey Hill and photos were by Laure Resen. You can follow the talented Casey on her Instagram and on her website... Much more to love on the original post on Frederic.
lastly…
The Blue Zones guys Dan Buettner’s show ‘ Live to 100’ began on Netflix and Max and I started to last night and it’s good. There are four episodes and last night was all about the Okinawans and some reasons why they live the longest.
A friend recommended the documentary about the clothes and behind the scenes of the making of ‘And Just Like That,’ and I really enjoyed it. The trailer is here.
If you missed the Signature Style post on my Fall Wish List there are some good pieces to consider..
Last Weekend’s post, I shared about the French tradition of la rentrée, reconnecting with your people now that summer is over, a great trench for California, and more..
Happy weekend!
Kim
Please stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
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Thanks Kim for introducing me to the blue zone! I have ordered two of Dan’s books and I’m also watching the Netflix serious. Who doesn’t want to live a longer and healthier life.
Judy I love him! So glad you like the books too. I agree! We need all the info we can get. xo
Love your articles and look forward to reading them every Saturday morning with my coffee. Where can I purchase a good cashmere sweater that won’t break the bank.?
❤️Love, your biggest fan
Monica
Aw Monica you are so sweet. Thank you. That makes me so happy! I am having my coffee too reading the comments!
I keep hearing people love the cashmere sweaters from Quince and they are $50 and come in a lot of colors here:
https://rstyle.me/+h-a2I3KxqD1JHgo7jKlJRQ
Also check out TJ Maxx right now. I just bought one there for $59. Some options here:
https://rstyle.me/+HUNOfv2q5RWyKw-UP3KOYw
Have a beautiful weekend! xo
I love your advice to look in our closets first to create our fall outfits! Lots of fab inspo here as always. ♥️♥️♥️
Aw thanks Dawn! I agree. xx
My goodness, that Ann Taylor sling is affordable and adorable alternative! 😍
I know I thought it was cute!
Well just when I recycled a bunch of catalogs you come along with a great idea. I might try and retrieve a few from the bottom of the bin! The series Live to 100 is so great. I have not eaten red meat since I had colon cancer ten years ago. Yes it was a surprise as I’ve always lived a rather blue zone lifestyle. Still we are being exposed to a lot of unhealthy exhaust fumes, additives and plastic. I think we need to create our own Blue Zones here in Northern California. Thanks for a great post. I’m adding almost nothing to my wardrobe but a few things that need replacing. Shopping our own closets is far more earth friendly.
Leslie you’ll get more! LOL.. Wow so happy you are doing well after your colon cancer. That is wonderful. I think it’s smart to skip meat. I know we need more regulation on plastics and cosmetics and so much. Hoping Northern Cal will improve. At least ewe have stricter laws here and the rest of the nation tried to follow! Yay for shopping your closet. xo
I want to thank you for all of your hard work putting together the information you provide. I am of an older age but your features help me stay current, provide me with timeless ideas and just lift up my day. Thank you again.
Aw Claudette thank you for taking the time to leave this note.
So glad it feels uplifting and helpful.. Happy weekend! xo
Good morning, Kim! I never stopped wearing my ballet flats. I guess that means I was out of style, but yay, now I am back in! Ha! I definitely need to shop and reimagine the pieces in my closet. Maybe I will spend some time on that today! Have a good one!
Molly you were a classic! I think they were always in… We just had all these clunky shoes take over for a while.
Have fun with your closet.xo
Oh my goodness’s that Newport Beach house … can I move it?! Everything about it is stunning. Love that we’re both thinking about J.Crew … and that they have a coffee table book. Do we dare dream for a Netflix (or similar) series or special about this wonderful brand and its history? I loved the book you pointed out, Kingdom of Prep, one of the favorite books I’ve read this year … and will reread. I’m really appreciating the lower heeled sling back … and lower heeled everything. I can’t wear the high heels anymore. So sad. Amazing that the resale Chanel’s are as costly as the new … but demand demand demand! I want that Vuori jacket too … the color is so good. Hope you have a wonderful weekend … it’s feeling very fall here! xo
Isn’t it lovely? I would think a special about the company could be so good. Kingdom of Prep was one of my favorite reads too. I agree the lower heeled slingback looks chic too. No heels for me.
Hope you had a beautiful fall weekend Juliet! x
The J. Crew book does look great; I ordered mine the day it was released for sale; it is supposed to come on Monday. I’ve been wearing their clothes since I was about 12. Enjoy your copy!
Reese, That’s exciting! It looks wonderful. So great you have been wearing their clothes for so long.. Just something about their mix and style seems to be eternally fun and I hope it stays that way!
Love The Blue Zones. Have known of Dan and The Zones for years and am now reinspired with the Netflix series. Not preachy. Just packed with great common sense ideas to live as healthy as you can for the longest you can. My husband just passed away in June after a two-year battle with cancer. It was horrible to live and watch. I intend to do all I can to have as many good years as I can with my ending as short as possible. I believe that integrating Blue Zones practices will help me achieve that.
As always, thank you Kim for the great posts.
Be well and kind – xx – hb
Holly I agree. The shows feel inspiring to me. I am so sorry about your husband. I hope you are doing alright. I can so understand how you would feel like that. Sending you big hugs. Take care.
Hi Kim,
I so look forward to your Saturday posts thank you!! Loved the fall clothing line you and Cindy did too. I have to be good right now; my husband is an actor and belongs to the unions SAG and WGA and my daughter is a talented Hollywood writer,
and despite her being in the writers’ room of a huge international success television series recently- The Night Agent-she has trouble paying her rent. Not paying artists their dues is as old as time, but when are we as a society going to realize creativity is paramount and should be honored and rewarded?
Happy weekend Kim l miss the US Open so thrilled Coco won !!!
Thanks so much Francesca! Wow you have a Hollywood family! Wishing them the best. I hope they get their demands and do not blame them one bit. These studios make so much and the writers and actors- who are everything to these great shows- get peanuts. Isn’t that sad she’s not even getting enough for rent? It shows how unbalanced it all is! I’m for more money for the arts. Keeping good thoughts for you all. I know I was thrilled about Coco!!
xo
Kim,
Good evening! I love everything in this post!
The message about consumption is so timely as I just purged my closet. I was inspired by Juliet. It has taken 2 days but it was worth it. I don’t know why we hang on to things but we do. The same with buying things we don’t need. I love to look at fashion and the trends but often times never buy anything. First, I don’t need it. And more often than not I realize that my lifestyle has changed and many of the things I like I really don’t need nor will I wear.
Don’t get me wrong, I still succumb to temptation and the funny thing is I often regret the purchase.
The slingback are beautiful and classic! I have a pair of Tory Burch shoes similar to the ones you featured and they look great with skirts, jeans, etc.
JCrew is 40? I cannot wait to get a copy of this book. JCrew has always been one of my favorite shops and then it wasn’t for awhile. Now I think they are back and I am finding more to like. Sort of like Banana Republic.
That house is beautiful! Classic, comfy and cozy. I could move right in. The kitchen cabinets are such a great color.
I’ve never tried the TJ rolls, I will put them on my list for my next trip. We live an hour from TJ and I miss so many things from there.
As for lawns. I read several years about a movement to turn lawns into meadows and it is so interesting. So many people do not realize how expensive the upkeep is but also how detrimental they are to the environment. Here in NC we do not have a lawn, our entire yard is pine straw, except the patch in the drive which I made into a meadow this year. I cannot wait to see what comes back next year.
Have a wonderful weekend Kim.
xoElizabeth
Elizabeth, Good for you. Yep that’s one thing a lot of us have realized we don’t wear those clothes anymore..or work in an environment that had you dressing up. No reason to keep them and someone else may need them! I am still learning and still make bad purchases too, but I think if we are evolving we will get smarter..
That’s so cool you do not have a lawn! Same with Tahoe. It’s too hard with big trees. Better for the earth anyway! I can’t wait to see what your meadow does too. Happy weekend! x
Hi Kim,
I already have the Anne Klein slingbacks in my cart. I agree with the Homegoods stuff, ugh I hate it when their holiday stuff comes in because it overwhelms all the other pieces and they move everything. I probably won’t even go back in there until the Christmas is over. I am super picky about what I buy there but I have gotten a few hidden gems.
My husband and I just started watching the Blue Zones on Netflix, we are on the second episode tonight. I remember so many years ago they had a show on the Blue Zones on Oprah. One of the towns was Loma Linda, I assume that is one of the episodes on Netflix. Many that reside there are Seventh Day Adventists, my dad was raised with that religion but did not practice it until he got remarried to my step-mom. I think he was hoping I would convert but nope. 😐
Linda, I love the Anne K too! I know HomeGoods becomes kind of a giant mess until the holidays.. yes my dad’s watching it and he says it’s one of the episodes. He grew up in Orange County too. Wow no kidding we live next-door to Seventh-day Adventist growing up. They didn’t have a great quality of life and were sweet people. Not sure if I could be one either.😘
The rare occasion I went to church on Saturday with my Dad & step-mom it was an all day affair. Sabbath school, church service, a potluck and then another meeting. But the worst was some special speaker or singing group would be in town and my sister and I got dragged along to many of those meetings/performances. I’m honestly surprised my mom didn’t put her foot down more. (we attended a Presbyterian church growing up) Once I turned 21 I quit attending church altogether…I was too busy going out with my friends partying lol. My husband was raised Catholic even attended a Catholic school but only 1 sibling out of 6 attends church.
Linda I bet that was not fun. We got roped into going with my husband’s grandfather to an extremely conservative church when he visited here from Kentucky to be kind as he was old..It was an hours long with a power point presentation showing who was going to hell. Now I would straight have walked out.
Interesting about your husband too. I also was raised Catholic, (my mom was one of 8), but I don’t believe any of her siblings or their children (and my brother and I), attend church now. I did get my sons baptized, per my mom’s request, but stopped feeling any need to go. My mother also stopped attending when we were in middle school. She always told us, it doesn’t matter whether you go to church, it’s how you treat other humans.
So I sort of subscribe to that sort of thought. Do onto others and make the world a better place. That was my mom.
Oh my goodness…that doesn’t sound uplifting at all! I agree with your mom 100% that is exactly how I feel…it’s how you behave outside of church is what matters. I have known some hypocritical “Christians”. I can’t tell you how many married men in the church hit on my mom after she was divorced. Of course she didn’t tell me these things until I was way older. My grandkids are currently attending a Christian private school. I didn’t take my daughter to church, but she and her husband decided they didn’t want them in public school. I think with my husband being a teacher, it surprised him a little but their views are way more conservative than ours. (we do not see eye to eye politically) Recently my granddaughter asked my husband why we didn’t go to church and he responded with “God is everywhere”. Good answer!!!
Yikes that’s terrible… OH gosh the whole thing is so hard now with families.. That was a perfect answer! x
My mom had her own blue zone going down here in San Diego!! Since she lived to be 109 I try to emulate a lot of lot of what she ate. Hot water and lemon in the morning, along with either a poached egg on toast or oatmeal with Lexi. She loved apples and cheese as a snack.. but also loved a hotdog every day!! ( I think as you get older your taste buds diminish so you would like a stronger taste, she also started using lots of salt, and she was older!) but I really think her big secret was she walked every single day no matter what. At 108 she was walking Oceanside Harbor on a daily basis.!
I loved Chanel slingbacks-although I’m definitely going for the Sam Edelman flats as an alternative! Being tall, I love ballet flats!
I was actually thinking about your mom when I was watching that blue zone show. I told my dad about her. She really inspired me hugely. I love that she walked every day and I think that’s huge. My dad does also! I like the lemon and water idea and the oatmeal with flax!
I know the Sam Edelman ones are great !
Thanks Martha 💗
That should’ve said oatmeal with flax!
I knew what you meant. Thank you, Martha! xo