Valentino Obsession Thwarted

Posted by Rachel {Raw-kul} on May 1, 2012 in Shoes, Valentino | 3 comments

I don't normally read fashion mags or follow the trends (obviously…) but I did the unmentionable recently and started looking at Valentino's NEW line and accidentally became OBSESSED with a particular bootie.

That bootie was a mere $1,795.00, close to the mortgage payment on my Portland house.

Since my mother drilled into my head at a young age, "You can always get it on sale!", I can't seem to pay full retail and feel good afterwards. That meant the only way I would get those Valentino's would be on sale and we all know they don't go on SALE! If you are fortunate, you might be able to pick up a pair that are deeply discounted, but finding your size is another challenge.

Okay, truth be told, how can anyone spend almost EIGHTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS ON ONE PAIR OF SHOES! That is almost $900 per foot! Not that my feet (or yours) aren't worth it, because all that feet do for us, well, they should be wrapped in 18K gold in my opinion.

So one night when I was obsessing on the Valentino's (I knew I would never get myself to buy), I landed on eBay.

There they were.

A bootie from Valentino that I LOVED (even more than the other pair) from the moment I saw them, and they were over $1100 LESS than the pair from 2012 and BRAND NEW.

From 2011, they are pure heaven and I cannot wait to style these beauties as many times as possible on this blog.

These are now VINTAGE Valentino booties.

When I put them on and walked in them, it was like they melted and molded to my foot.

I tell you, these Valentino's have been waiting for me for over a year, and now they are home.

TUESDAY TOOTSIE TIP:

Be kind to your tootsies today.

Take a walk and appreciate your feet, every step you take.

Show them gratitude for all they do and all the places they take you.

A Splash of Animal Print

Posted by Rachel {Raw-kul} on Apr 26, 2012 in Shoes, WM Personal Style | 3 comments

See the beautiful Valentino pumps. See how I bought them on eBay and paid $425 less than I could have if I paid retail.

 

 

That's right. I picked up these classic, NEVER GOING OUT OF STYLE pumps that will last forever (if only I lasted that long) and because they are from last season, they are considered OLD and OUT. OLD means BARGAIN for us! There is still another pair at eBay, if you are so inclined.

 

They are pony hair with a dyed animal print. Shhhh. I am fearful that if I admit they are made from pony hair, someone might get upset and throw flour on my blog.

 

 

Wearing the Doncaster sweater I invested in a few months ago. I love the weight of this piece, simply fantastic!

 

 

Polka dot gloves. Because I have them. And last time I checked, polka dots went very well with animal print.

 

That string is a real distraction. The thing is, I didn't see it until the macro lens picked it up. That macro lens sees much better than I do.

Indeed, Lucy would sport this outfit and especially love these Valentino pumps! I bought this skirt from Talbots over three years ago and never wore it because I didn't have the right shoes. Problem solved now that I have hunted down these exotic animal print Valentino beauties.

 

 

Notice the doggy gate in the background. I didn't notice it until I was ready to upload this post. Just ignore it.

Washed out skin and FLAMING RED HAIR…

The road maps are doing their best to be seen and heard through the thick stockings. I am ignoring them completely.

 

When it comes to wearing animals prints, a splash is all you need to keep it elegant.

Have a beautiful Thursday!

Seychelles Petunia T-Strap Pump

Posted by Rachel {Raw-kul} on Apr 25, 2012 in 1940's, Shoes | 2 comments

Love this shoe! It is retro and modern at the same time, and at a price of $68 – $79.99, what is not to love? I can just see them now with back seam stockings.

These soleful beauties will bring more than one outfit together in the future… and I can’t wait to show them to you. 

Click here to see them in orange.

Perfect Beige Flats and Mesh Gloves

Posted by Rachel {Raw-kul} on Apr 3, 2012 in Gloves, Shoes | 6 comments

I have been in dire need of a comfy pair of beige skimmers and these from Cole Haan that landed on my porch yesterday literally fit like a GLOVE when I put them on my feet. 

I wore these beige beauties the entire day and didn't want to take them off because they feel more like slippers than a pair of kicks.

The infamous seam (yeah, it is infamous now that I have been exposing these seams on the blog for two months straight now.)

These mesh gloves are heaven! So cool, literally, but just enough glove to handle any potential clamminess that some of ladies can get.

The sequins add pizazz to these airy gloves! But they also get caught on everything, so wear these gloves with care. And don't get angry when they snag your stockings.

I am busted.

I know you all thought that my skin was actually the shade of these beige stockings, but alas, these legs haven't seen the sun in a couple of decades. So white are my legs that they have been ordered to stay undercover for the rest of my life.

I was born and raised in California and white legs are not acceptable there. Moreover, white legs do nothing to hide the veins, pores, sun spots or any other natural accessory you were given over time. I have more than 10 reasons why all women should cover their gams when they are past 12 years old. For another post!

I highly recommend these beige flats from Cole Haan. 

Until next time,

Chiffon, Cashmere, Sequins

Posted by Rachel {Raw-kul} on Mar 28, 2012 in Makeup, Shoes, Sweaters | 8 comments

Let me just start by saying I am obsessed with this vintage chiffon dress from the 60's.

Sure, it smells like a woman wore it to many a cocktail party back when I should have been nursing but was drinking from a bottle instead.

And the mild but impossible to deny scent lingering in the fibers is a combo of:

• lacking any freshness whatsoever
• large vintage store
• old lady perfume (hey, I can make fun of something I am…)
• maybe even a smoke or two

I was able to get over the aroma rather quickly and now you are going to have to tolerate many photos of this dress because I cannot get enough of it!.

It is perfect for my vintage, sequined, cashmere sweater from Hong Kong that I purchased years ago. That sweater never really went with anything I had, but I loved it so much I kept it anyway. I have got a THING for cashmere.

Yesterday this chiffon beauty arrived at my doorstep and when I pulled it out this morning, I felt an urgent need to slip it on (and force my husband to shoot photos of me). 

Yes, I purposely stood in front of the flowers because they match the chiffon loveliness. I love Atlanta in the spring!

BUT… I DO NOT like the way this wig looks from the side. I should have worn the shorter one (or maybe brushed this one). Oh well, just focus on the dress! 

More displeasure with side of the wig… too bad I don't know how to use my Photoshop program. But, I LOVE THAT DRESS!

The heels of my MJ's sunk into the pine needles. This dress looks amazing with flats too!

I love looking down and seeing that chiffon! I could almost take a bite of it!

And that PILL HAT. Definitely, from that angle, it makes my head look like a pill. A big pill that would be hard to swallow.

I can feel the chiffon moving in this pic.

My daughters like these MJ's. My youngest warned me that they might end up in her closet someday.

My aging wrist looks quite veiny in this pic. That is the thing about "growing in wisdom". It shows in your hands and wrists. Oh, and your lower arms and your upper arms too. Seriously though, the hands need some gloves past 45. Your grandmother wore them for a good reason. Granny was smart!

Now you can see this AMAZING!!! cashmere sweater. Black sequins are heavy on the top and scattered on the bottom. The pics don't do this cashmere beauty justice.

Pretending to be a princess for just three seconds.

Woodstock, my Sun Conure parrot, wanted to get in on the action too. He was headed for those sequins. He loves to chew buttons and any jewelry or pretty item I am wearing. His beak has a strong grip and he can be the great DESTROYER, so I can only hang out with Woodstock when I am wearing plain clothes and no makeup.

He insists on preening my face whenever he sits on my shoulder so to protect him from cosmetic chemicals, I have to be sans makeup. Parrots are ultra-sensitive to toxins.

I also see a few of Winston's dog hairs on my hat. Note to self for the umteenth time: Remember that lint brush!  

Chiffon… and seams… indeed, it is a very good thing.

Okay. I feel better now.

I think I have had my chiffon, cashmere and sequin fix for the day. I hope you have too.

Until next time!

Chiffon Dress: Some Like it Vintage  Cashmere Sweater: Vintage, British Crown Colony, Hong Kong  Pearls: Akoya from American Pearl  Mary Janes: Lumiani  Watch: Rolex Oyster Perpetual

Spring Rebellion

Posted by Rachel {Raw-kul} on Mar 21, 2012 in Clothing, Shoes, WM Personal Style | 1 comment

I am kicking… and taking numbers…

• Falsehood in the world disguised as the ultimate truth
  
• Those who refuse to mature past their teens
• Blamers who can't see where they trip up in their own mess
• Tramplers who leave a trail of destruction and don't care
• Takers that put their hand out without bothering to work
• Sheeples who can't see their own beautiful gifts and instead, worship others
• Those who are not happy for someone else and their success

My choice of lip color until Fall… there was only one at CVS so that means drugstore lipstick stalking is in order.

The Original Shirtdress from 1946

Posted by Rachel {Raw-kul} on Mar 16, 2012 in 1946 Shirtdress, Hats, Shoes, WM Personal Style | 4 comments

Who doesn't love the 1946 shirtdress? It was a staple back in the day and Doncaster was the first to make this dress that still makes women smile when they see it (this post is embedded with a special camera and I am recording your smile right now).

Lovely ladies continue to admire the shirtdress and for good reason.

This new shirtdress from Pell & Co. is spectacular in cotton and silk. Updated for 2012, this shirtdress needs to be in your wardrobe.

I have two other shirtdresses from J. Peterman, but they do not compare to this glorious purple wonder from Doncaster.

There just happened to be some violet blooms in my front yard today. It was like the landscape wanted to be monochromatic with that shirtdress.

Most likely gloved for life, I am starting to get used to having fabric (and bandages) on my hands now. 

Always remember: Never let anyone stifle your STYLE!

Now for the video portion of our program…

Shirtdress: Doncaster - Shoes: Michael Kors - Pearls: American Pearl - Sunglasses: CHANEL® - Shiny Clean Teeth: Tooth Soap®

Peach Tree in the Greenhouse

Posted by Rachel {Raw-kul} on Mar 15, 2012 in Cardigans, Cooking Style, Hats, Makeup, Shoes, WM Personal Style | 4 comments

Dozens of plants were transplanted in the plant beds and in the aquaponics rocks just  two days ago. I decided to take a look in the greenhouse and see how they were doing while wearing this outfit I call "Peach Tree".

The brown reminds me of a tree trunk and the peachy pink linen dress with all the details is such a Peach, don't you agree? 

I am standing next to a rain barrel that was overflowing from all the rain rolling off of the greenhouse last night. Both of my rain barrels are full of water now.

The plant next to my feet is a curry plant I grew last year. It was dormant through the winter but is now ready to spice up some dishes again.

Seamed stockings… no surprise.

I am wearing one glove to cover up the hideous cut with stitches on my hand. I really need gloves to come back in style now (and not just because my hands are veiny and definitely show that I am pushing 50). 

Indeed, it is easy to fall in love with all that embroidery and beading. Be still my heart.

A-line please. Thank you very much.

Shoes that are square and pointy-ish at the same time. It doesn't get any better. My daughter says, "Those shoes are weird." 

Lip liner and a few good pumps from that "lip plumping/pumping machine" did the trick here to plump up my lips (that insist on deflating more and more every year that goes by). I love beauty secrets! Whoops. Did I just type that out loud?

If I don't look so happy in this photo there is a reason. I just found BUGS on my precious little tomato plants and also on the pepper plants. It is a battle with bugs from here on out. Welcome to the life of an urban farmer!

Speaking of curry… how about trying this dish from the Rouxbe Cooking School? Truly, Rouxbe is the BEST way to hone up on those skills in the kitchen (so you can be styling there too). 

Enjoy!

Hat: PandemOnum Seattle  Pearls: American Pearl  Dress: J. Peterman  Clean teeth: Tooth Soap®

A Perfect Beige Pump for Spring

Posted by Rachel {Raw-kul} on Mar 14, 2012 in Shoes | 6 comments

I have been searching for a beige pump to wear with one of the new Doncaster cotton shirt dresses that is due to arrive soon.

I have issues with pumps and have been known to search for months without finding just the "right" pump. I can't do 4 inch heels anymore, or rather, I won't wear them. When shopping for high heels most of what is available are VERY HIGH high heels so it is an even greater challenge to find that perfect pump.

I always felt that 3.5 inches was my height limit in heels, but they are hard to find now since women are madder for high heels in this century than they were decades ago.

I feel awkward in the thick platform soles with the super high heels. Maybe because I was wearing them at 15 years old in the 70's, and I should be acting my age now that I am pushing 50?

When I found these beige pumps from Vince Camuto I couldn't help but feel I may have scored and found the perfect beige patent leather pump for spring. There is just a bit of platform, for a vintage feel that will be smashing with the shirtdress. 

Trust me, these pumps look fabulous when I look down at my feet! A perfect toe…

Aren't these pumps luscious? I almost put them on a plate and sprinkled on Frank's hot sauce because they look almost good enough to eat!

I must find the perfect backseam stockings for these magnificent pumps now. I am on my last pair of stockings and I can't make a trip to New York anytime soon so I am getting nervous. I simply cannot be without my stockings. The quest begins!

Feeling Brown Today

Posted by Wife Mentor™ on Mar 8, 2012 in Shoes, Sweaters, WM Personal Style | 10 comments

This is all me.

I am the model and the photographer.

I guess I don't need my 14 year old daughter after all.

Frye MJ’s on the Urban Farm

Posted by Wife Mentor™ on Mar 7, 2012 in Shoes | 2 comments

These Frye MJ's were begging to be put on this morning. There was work that needed to be done (as usual) and the MJ's were up for all of it.

First, let's get the stockings right. 

Herringbone tights compliment the cracked, silvery leather of the carefully handcrafted Frye MJ's.

Susie likes the Frye's and herringbone tights.

These Frye MJ's can step up to do the necessary jobs.

Pearl approves of the Frye MJ's and the herringbone tights 100%.

Keep your eyes open and be careful when wearing any shoes on the urban farm.