Blurple (and Leopard)

         Hello, at long last! There's something magical about the month of October that's pulled me out from a blogging slumber. The crisp sixty degree weather has me drawing my windows open, wrapping myself in fleece blankets, and enjoying the change of seasons.

        I've also been reveling in the rich, gorgeous colors of fall, that seem to be everywhere you turn. I found unexpected delight in the rich 'blurple' shades of these ornamental cabbages decorating the walk to work! My goal is to incorporate this new color inspiration into my wardrobe this month!

       Speaking of my work wardrobe, I've picked up a few new basics that I've been totally loving this month. First, are my J.Crew Gemma leopard flats, which I've been wearing almost non-stop. I'm hoping J.Crew comes up with more pretty patterns in this design. I've also been loving my Lululemon Jet Crop Slim pants in black. (ends of which are seen above). They're a sneaky way to sneak comfort into my work wardrobe! Pair these with a J.Crew featherweight cashmere sweater, and I'm good to go!

       Thanks for reading! And I hope the month has found you well! What fall basics have you been loving lately?

Love, Dovey.

J.Crew Camden Jeweled Sandals review + photos

         The shoe lover in me has emerged as of late. (I suppose it's a summer phenomenon, there always seem to be cute new sandals to collect!) On that note, I'm particularly excited about my new J.Crew Camden sandals! The design was a particularly popular one... By the time I saw photos in the catalog and floating around on Instagram, they were no longer for sale. I managed to snag a pair on pre-order during the second wave of availability. After over a month's wait, they finally arrived in the mail!

        You know I love a good nude sandal. I especially love how they blend into the background and allow other elements to shine --- in this case the large jewel encrusted bling seen here! I have yet to take them for a spin on Chicago's streets, but they seem comfy at first fit. My only concern is for the longevity of the crystal detailing and the shoe itself. I recently returned a pair of J.Crew slides as the sole quite literally peeled off the front of my relatively new shoe (I'm guessing from moisture, as it happened after a rainy day; I was surprised, to say the least). That said, the J.Crew Camden sandals were made in Italy, unlike the former, so I'm hoping they hold up to a reasonable standard of quality.

        Overall, I'm thrilled to have my new J.Crew Camden jeweled sandals in hand (or should I say on foot?) I love the unique combination of nude leather and jeweled bling. I can't wait to slip them on during what's left of Chicago's summer! At this point, it seems that the Camden sandal sold out (again) before making it off pre-order. The newer J.Crew Ankle Strap jeweled sandals are an available alternative, though the crystals are significantly toned down in this version.

      Thanks for reading! Have you ever pre-ordered shoes? What is your experience with the quality of J.Crew shoes? If you've added any cute sandals to your wardrobe this summer, do share!

Love, Dovey.

P.S. For more from my shoe collection, check out my post on the J.Crew Lillian low wedges!

J.Crew Lillian mirror metallic low wedges in 'metallic gold' review + photos

         I've indulged in a bit of spring shoe shopping as of late. (After all, there's nothing like end-of-Uggs season to inspire the need for cute kicks!) Though I've shared a few style picks on my Instagram (@cuteandmundane), I've been meaning to share more with you on the blog for some time now! Today I'm talking shoes, with my newest aquisition / obsession, the J.Crew Lillian mirror metallic low wedges in 'metallic gold'.

           I chose the J.Crew Lillian mirror metallic low wedges in 'metallic gold' to match my new architecturally detailed party dress. (It's the J.Crew Carson dress in silk dupioni in 'carribbean sand', in case you're curious!) I had been quite set on a mirrored gold shoe, and had initially planned for one with a higher heel; unfortunately, that plan was set back by a two month backorder. I decided to try the lower heeled Lillian wedge instead.

           I find the J.Crew Lillian wedge in 'metallic gold' to be quite versatile. At 1 3/4", it's quite a bit shorter than I'd like for an evening shoe, yet has enough character thanks to its golden mirrored finish. It can easily be repurposed as a shoe to be worn on a more casual basis, which I'm looking forward to doing this summer.

           When worn, I found the J.Crew Lillian wedge in 'metallic gold' to be quite comfortable, though I haven't walked long distances yet. The shoe is made in Italy. The semblance of quality makes the price slightly more palatable. The shoe felt pretty true to size, though I tend to have a pretty standard sized foot in general. If anything, it errs on the roomier side on the heel end, which I felt made it more comfortable.

         I'm having a mirrored gold moment lately, so I'm head over heels (pun intended) for my J.Crew Lillian mirror metallic low wedges in 'metallic gold'! (The color is so fabulous that I'm still eyeing the backordered stiletto version as well). I love that this pair should work for both events and everyday. In terms of matching accessories, I've picked out a cute pair of Kate Spade studs to coordinate. I'm still toying with the idea of a matching clutch, though that's still a work in progress!

        Thanks for reading my first shoe review! Are you a fan of metallic shoes? Do you have a go-to shoe for summer events? What kicks have you added to your collection lately?

Love, Dovey