Lust: Leoparddddd

[instyle.com/Talbots]

You may have spied the ads in the September magazine issues starring supermodel Linda Evangelista wearing a fabulous leopard coat. Then, if you're like me, you were probably shocked to see that the ads are for Talbots! The brand, most popular amongst an older crowd, has undergone a rebranding effort. [saksfifthavenue.com] [net-a-porter.com]

Leopard is one of the hottest trends of the season. This is great news for me because I generally don't stow away my leopard print items anyway. If money wasn't an object, I'd buy Christian Louboutin's 'Kathena Pony Haired Satchel' ($3,495) at Saks Fifth Avenue. Is this purse glam or what? I love the chain detail and the patent straps. It'd be the perfect bag to carry to work. There's also an equally fantastic clutch on net-a-porter.com for $1,795.

[net-a-porter.com]

These Lanvin 'Leopard Print Ballerina Flats' ($795) are truly an investment. They also have a concealed heal to elongate the leg. Genius![leifsdottir.com]

Another more affordable leopard item (they call it horse print, but to me it's more leopard) that I want is Leifsdottir's 'Aficianado Cardigan' ($288). It looks great with black pants and a printed blouse as shown. OK, now please go on sale!

Payless fall designer collections

[all photos payless.com]

When I looked last week, Payless Shoesource still had the summer designer shoes on their site. I got an e-mail about the BOGO sale today, so I decided to look again, and the fall designer collections are up! I'm pretty impressed with the Lela Rose, Christian Siriano and newcomer Isabel Toledo's fall collections.

My favorite is Lela Rose's 'Suede Chop-Out Shootie' ($44.95). I'm obsessed! I need them in both the black and taupe. I love that I could wear these now and throughout winter. As for the Siriano shoes, I'm digging the 'Parisienne Exotic Platform Pump' ($34.95). I like that they're pointy-toed without looking like "witch toes." My sister described the gold insignia as ugly, but it doesn't bother me that much. I do like it much better on the toe of the eggplant 'Royalty Satin Flats' ($34.99) though. The 'Midnight D'Orsay Evening Pumps' ($44.99) are classic and elegant.

Isabel Toledo is new to the Payless scene. You may recognize her name since she designed Michelle Obama's Inauguration dress. Her shoes are interesting. I'm not as big a fan of them as Rose's or Siriano's, but maybe I'd like them better in person. The 'Toreador Pump' ($44.99) is pretty. Check out the rest of her collection here. Here are a few that I liked... The BOGO sale (buy one get one half off) is going on now through September 6. Have them shipped to your local store and pay no shipping. Also, use the code 30500 for an additional 20% off. Seriously, you can't beat that!

Fall clogs

Now that fall shoes are out, clogs are absolutely everywhere. They've been steadily gaining popularity since spring (blame it on Chanel). I've been wearing my Alice + Olivia for Payless white linen pair all summer, but I haven't felt right wearing leather closed-toe clogs during 100-degree weather. Luckily, as temps start to cool, these clogs make great transition shoes as I wait until I can wear my over-the-knee boots, etc. [bananarepublic.com]

Banana Republic's 'Ginara Sling-Back Clog' ($120) is fabulous and practical. I love the grey smoke color. I would pair them with opaque tights and dresses. [urbanoutfitters.com]

Another favorite pair of mine is Sam Edelman's 'Studded Clogs' ($168) from Urban Outfitters. They're available in leopard, which is obviously my first pick, black and brown. I love the fact that they're also super-tall and slip-on, which means you can simply kick them off when foot pain sets in. [Nordstrom.com]

Coach also makes a leopard pair, 'Rana Clog' ($218) at Nordstrom. Rana's also available in black and brown.

Steve Madden's 'Carnee' slingbacks ($129.95), also from Nordstrom, are extremely cute. The chunky wooden heel reminds me a lot of Jeffrey Campbell clogs. I like this brown color - it appears to be almost like a brick red. They're also available in black suede.

Travel pillows

[anthropologie.com]

I saw these pillows in my new August Anthropologie catalog and flipped. I need some pillows for my new neutral and black bedding that my fiance and I picked out, and I think these may be the ones. The European pillows include "Streets of Amsterdam" ($98), "Streets of Paris" ($88 - my personal fave) and "Streets of Brussels" ($68). I love how they have watercolors on the backs. On a sidenote, I adored these 'Caladoc Heels' ($258) in the catalog, too. The rich wine color and oxford style definitely have me adding these to my fall wishlist.

Dolce Vita for Target

[all photos target.com]

Dolce Vita for Target is now being sold online only. They usually make really fun shoes, but I'm not very impressed with this line. The nine-piece collection features boots, flats and oxfords in prices ranging from $29.99 to $34.99.

My favorite shoes are the studded ballet flats come in gold, pewter and black ($29.99). The 'Buckle Ankle Boots' are kinda cool though not really my thing.

Justin Timberlake's line, William Rast, was just announced as the next designer to hit stores in December. That should be interesting! I don't own anything by William Rast, but I know a lot of people love their denim.

J.Crew fall arrivals

[all photos jcrew.com]

Fall clothes are hitting stores despite the sweltering heat, which means that there are some amazing summer sales to be found. I swear that everytime I got into J.Crew I find a bargain. I love fall though, and J.Crew's newest arrivals definitely have me wishing for chilly weather!

The collection includes a lot of muted tones and neutrals, plus there are some stripes, military, chambray and sequins thrown in. I adore the motorcycle jacket-esque 'Rimini Cardigan' ($98) featured in both the e-mail blast at top and in the photo in the nutmeg color. I could easily see that becoming a fall wardrobe staple.

An interesting item is the very-Rachel Zoe 'Mongolian Lamb Vest,' which is going for $800. Wowzer. Or, there's always the lamb tote and purse.

Hopefully when the time rolls around to actually wear these items, there'll be some good sales going on. Here are some other pieces I'm loving...

Lust: Brian Atwood 'Harrison Chain Trimmed Pumps'

[all photos saksfifthavenue.com]

O.M.G. I'm obsessed with Brian Atwood's 'Harrison Chain Trimmed Pumps.' These gorge heels are $1,050 on pre-order at Saks Fifth Avenue. They're like a mullet - business in the front, party in the back! I really do need a new pair of black heels, and these will be my inspiration.
A more affordable version (if you can call it that) is Atwood's 'Maniac' pumps ($580), which I mentioned here. They're available in black, bordeaux and nude - which looks like more of a blush pink to me. These are definitely a good investment though.

Favorite sale of the year

[all photos nordstrom.com]

Ahhh, it's time for the best sale of the year. It seems strange because it seems like I've been pre-selecting the sale for a few weeks now, but it's definitely fun to see everything in-store. Nordstrom dramatically marks down new fall merchandise this time every year for their Anniversary Sale. Hurry because prices go back up August 2!

There are great bargains on fall shoes. According to the guys at my local store, Sam Edelman's 'Una' peep-toe bootie (see top photo) has been flying off the shelves. I love it in both colors - black and taupe suede ($129.90 from $199.95). I also asked my bridesmaids to get a pair of nude Steve Madden 'Disobey' heels for their dresses.

Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique's 'Embellished Mock Two-Piece Dress' is so fabulous because it's just as appropriate for work as it is a special occasion. It's on sale for $98.90 from $148.
I always stock up on workout clothes like my favorite Nike 'Tempo' Track Shorts, which are the only shorts I wear to run. They're on sale from $28 to $17.90.

Here are just a few of some of my favorite items in the sale...

Trouvé 'Studded Leather Motorcycle Jacket' - $198.90 from $298Splendid 'Stripe Cardigan' - $58.90 from $88

J Brand 'The Legging' Stretch Jeans - $109.90 from $178
MARC BY MARC JACOBS 'Ceramic Blade Watch' $267.90 from $400

Velvet Torch 'Lace Fishtail Dress' $35.90 from $54Betsey Johnson 'Sequin Bow Wristlet' - $69.90 from $110

Burberry 'Oversized Sunglasses' - $126.90 from $190

Calvin Klein 'Scarlet' Platform pump - $72.90 from $109.95

Tory Burch 'Verbena' Ballet Flat - $169.90 from $265

Sam Edelman 'Torin' Bootie - $149.90 from $224.95