Spring in a shoe

When I first spotted these leopard and suede sandals at Barneys Co-Op in New York last September during Fashion Week, I was smitten. I wouldn't dare leave New York without a new pair of shoes (it's like leaving Hawaii without a floral shirt, or leaving Paris without macarons!), I was still high on the NY buzz and had some deep shoe and bag conversations with the loveliest sale girl that recognized me from my blog. And before I knew it, I was swiping a Mastercard and purchased these chic black suede and blue/green/gray-ish animal hair strappy sandals. 

When push came to shove, I didn't dare ruin them in the beige sand at Jardin des Tuileris during Paris FW a week later and right after that fall started. Since I never got to wear them yet (such a shame!) and they're just standing by my bed being pretty, I figured they at least deserved a proper post. I can almost feel spring when I look at these (main spring thoughts include midnight cocktail moments, super tan lags that will never happen, and far away fashion trips) and can't wait to finally break them in. Let's go leopard!

JEAN-MICHEL CAZABAT SANDALS 

photos by Eefje Gerritsjans

A new pet

Animal print, leather trimming, fluffy and sale are some of my favorite words to be put in one sentence. This coat was the object of my affection for a month or two but since it's not really warm (and therefore fails the most important quality for a fall/winter coat) I found it in me to resist. However, when prices dropped, so did my will power. I couldn't be happier (just warmer, really) in this cheetah/dalmatian spotted number.

ASOS CHEETAH COAT 

photo by Eefje Gerritsjans

Temporary shopping insanity...

Somehow I got sucked in to a travel vacuum. You know, when that sneaky, super convincing little voice in you head says: but you're in Paris, so you're totally allowed to buy one thing and you'll never ever ever be able to find this skirt if you don't get it now, now, NOW! It happens. And next to that, who the heck invests in a scuba skirt?! Three days before sale starts?! (I would have left Paris by then though). Anyway, there's no way to undo it now and I'll just have to deal with the stylish consequences of my temporary fitting room insanity. 

THE KOOPLES BLACK AND GREY SCUBA PEPLUM SKIRT

photos by Eefje Gerritsjans

Lucky number three

Ok, I'll honestly admit that three new clutches in one accidental airport shopping spree might be a bit much. But 1) I was waiting to bump in to a new black leather clutch, 2) I'm a sucker for anything leopard and 3) there were massive discounts involved. I swear I only had two clutches in my closet and these versatile ones (all from Kurt Geiger) will help me through the next years. Which one is your favorite?

photos by Eefje Gerritsjans

Holiday gift guide for Him

Those special dudes in our lives, be it a male counterpart/brother/father/roommate, undeniably deserve all the prettiest gifts in the world. (And cuddles too. And maybe even gingerbread cookies. Maybe.) So, after yesterday's highly covetable Gift guide for the ladies - I want everything! - here's a bunch of items that I'd love to receive from Santa if I were a boy. (*Beyonce's If I were a boy starts playing*). And frankly, also if I were a girl. What kind of crazy person would say no to a silver pig?! Anyway, if you're in need of some visual inspiration, there's the collage above. Enjoy your last minute Christmas shopping!

Clockwise from top left

 YMC burgundy beanie (sold out, similar here and here), Brown paper lunch bag €20, Paul Smith striped socks €24, Jo Malone 154 cologne €83, Framed lion art €42, Leather gloves €50 (sale), American Mortals shampoo €14, Herschel card holder €24, Crosley UK turning table €160, Harry Allen silver piggy bank $125, Marc by Marc Jacobs iPad case €115, Casio gold watch €59 (sale), Topman baseball jacket €114, Droog sticky lamp €19, J.Crew wool sweater €50 (sale), How music works book €24, Topman backpack €44

It's a Wang!

Congratulations it’s a Wang!, I told myself when opening the box. (Most of you guessed it right, by the way!) I’ve welcomed this new crock baby in to my bag family with open arms and it now has an honorary place on my nightstand. (A very effective way to motivate myself to get out of bed when the world is still silent and covered in white snow). Me and this Prisma will make a great couple for next Fashion Weeks, as it holds my iPad and camera easily. Testing that out on a work trip to Dublin this week, somehow right before the of the year some fun getaways slipped in to my agenda.

Alexander Wang Prisma tote via Monnier frères

photos by Eefje Gerritsjans

Alexander Wang or Phillip Lim...

To say yesterday was exciting would be an understatement. I was waiting anxiously for an insanely awesome package to arrive this week. My heart made a little jump when the doorbell buzzed and I ran downstairs - still on my socks - to find a big white box with black ribbons and my name on it in curly, handwritten letters. I can't describe the rush and magical feeling it gives. In it, it holds new designer treasure, to have and to hold for the rest of my life. The only question that remains is what's inside. Which one of these two massive favorites of mine do you think I went with? The Alexander Wang or the 3.1 Phillip Lim...? To be continued very soon ;)

ph. by Eefje Gerritsjans

Alexander Wang sale

That's what's up:

burgundy LEATHER BRENDA CHAIN BAG, black CALF HAIR DEVERE BAG,  two tone SNAKE SKIN PELICAN DUFFLE BAG, ivory LEATHER LYDIA BANDAGE CLUTCH

Sale is popping up everywhere. My strategy is instead of buying tons of items, I'd go for one or two timeless investment pieces that are normally out of reach and now still expensive but more reasonably priced. What attracts me to these particular Alexander Wang bags that I stumbled upon on online gem Ssence - besides the discount, duhh - is how they're so undeniably Wang yet not an obvious choice. I haven't seen these on anyone else before. I'm thinking of making a splurge as a Christmas present to myself (I can't! but I want it!) because I know: once you let a Wang slip, it's gone for good...

From the tip of my toes

Metal cap toes, soft leather and surprising comfort (well, as far as heels go. Especially ones that look this hard to walk in) made me tiptoed straight to the check out line. Let's see how much of a challenge riding my bike to work in these will prove to be. 

ps. I made some slight changes to the layout of the blog. 

ZARA METAL CAP TOE ANKLE BOOTS