Been dreaming a lot lately.

Now that I have graduated from a diaper bag I cannot stop looking at handbags.

I was never big into accessories. I would always go to Target or a similar place to find a decent handbag for everyday use. It would spend a couple years with me until it was falling apart, and then it would be replaced. Not that there’s anything wrong with getting a bag from Target, but I had been doing this since high school and college and it seemed I never grew out of it. Well, its time for a change around here.

While I am not about to go on a shopping spree to find the latest accessories of the season, I am definitely interested, I know they are important to finish the look of an outfit, and I have been dreaming of them…nice handbags in particular. This is a huge change for me and I am excited. This year I am embracing the importance of accessories as I finally release my inner sophisticate.  Who’s with me? :)

So this week, I peaked in Anthropologie as well as perused their catalog…of course they highlight accessories, great timing! Normally, I would have ignored it, but wow do they have some fabulous ones! There are three in particular that caught my attention:

Cherry-Trimmed Bag

Daily Brights Satchel (Blue Satchel above is my fave and also available)

Elegant Angles Bag

And one of my favorite online boutiques, Ruche has a fantastic collection of handbags for reasonable prices. If you haven’t discovered them, rush over and check them out. I LOVE all their goodies! Here are three of my favorites:

Silhouette Flower Purse

Brickyard Library Handbag

Annabell Blossom by Melia Bianco

And don’t get me started with Kate Spade, in my humble opinion, the ultimate sophistication in handbags.

I have always dreamt of owning a Kate Spade bag, its one of the reasons I fell in love with the brand. Oh the chic simplicity. I do have a yellow wallet from there so one step at a time though Joy!

Then there is J Crew as well as the host of other well-known designer bag collections. Oh my, where to start?!?!?

I’ll stop here. This deserves another post.  ;)

Photo credits:  Anthropologie, Ruche, Kate Spade

My favorite shoes are ballet flats, hands down. I would own every single one that comes out of my favorite stores if I could. This season I am particularly loving the metallic ones!

Here are a few of my favorites!

1) Jingle for Kate Spade

2) Flashy Footwork Flats from Anthropologie

3) Merona Flats for Target

4) Jacquard Flats for J Crew

These are definitely fabulous Friday finds! Have a great weekend!

I grew up working at a golf course. As far as golf courses go, it was pretty middle class. There were three golf courses in my hometown. One was a country club, and the other two were public courses. I worked at one of the public courses. Mowing greens, changing pins, cleaning golf carts, picking up driving range balls, working in the pro-shop, tending the snack bar, or whatever else they needed me to do.

Ever since I was old enough to understand the sport I’ve always been a golf fan. And one of the things that has always stuck me as interesting was the relationship of golf and fashion. In most sports, athletes are required to wear a uniform: football, baseball, basketball, soccer, cycling, swimming, track, gymnastics, etc. Golf is one of the only sports that allows participants a little bit of fashion freedom, if you will.

Several years ago Ian Poulter, a young British golfer burst onto the scene. With his loud outfits and even louder personality, Poulter has risen to the top of the game, and he’s been fun to watch, especially a couple years ago in his run for the British Open crown, in which he fell just short. He is currently ranked as the 6th best golfer in the world. And recently he launched Ian Poulter Design: Look good, feel good, play good. He also made a guest appearance last evening on Jimmy Fallon.

Now I’m not quite as bold as Ian, but when it comes to wardrobe, there’s nothing I love more than a good pair of comfortable patterned trousers. As the title of this post suggests, Ian’s slogan is “Leading with the Legs.” When it comes to wardrobe, he says, “Chose the trousers first, then coordinate the rest of the outfit around them.”

When I’m at the studio or out on portrait assignments, I’m usually pretty laid back in a pair of jeans. But if the opportunity presents itself for me to dress up a bit, I’m happiest ‘leading with the legs’. Yes, of course, in a pair of patterned trousers.

Here are a few of my favorites that I pulled from the closet this morning.

I was actually speaking at a convention a few months ago when someone came up to me and asked, “excuse me, where did you get your trousers?” I was wearing the pair just above from Distilled. I was a bit surprised, but I told him I purchased them online and unfortunately they were the last pair left. I could see the disappointment in his eyes. Then his expression changed and it was as if a light bulb came on in his head. He came a little closer, lowered his voice and asked, “would you be willing to sell or trade that pair?” Hahaha…seriously! I thanked him for his interest and respectfully declined.