Poppy Barley could not have reached out to me about their made-to-measure footwear at a better time. I’d just returned from a conference where some errant cream puff filling had left my lone pair of knee-high boots stained beyond redemption.
The premise behind Poppy Barley is you design, you measure, we deliver. By creating made-to-measure footwear you’re guaranteed to have a great fit – and if you don’t they’ll go back and remake them! I was intrigued and all in.
About a week later their measuring kit showed up in the mail. Inside was a measuring tape, a foot measuring guide, and a selection of leather swatches. I got right to work figuring out numbers for all facets of my lower legs and feet with the tools Poppy Barley had given me, and entering all of that info into their site where I had already decided on the Uptown Boot. I went with Kaki on Kaki coloring because I believe a good medium brown boot can go with just about everything.
When my boots showed up several weeks later (as is to be expected with custom-make shoes) I was ecstatic. As I opened the box and removed the cloth bag containing my new footwear the warm scent of leather greeted me. I immediately took one out, slipped my foot inside, and zipped it up. Like butter doesn’t even do the experience justice – these bad boys fit like a glove.
They have the perfect amount of room in the calves, which is always my problem area when it comes to buying boots. They’re also the perfect height for this 5’2″ girl. My Poppy Barley boots really do look and feel like they were make just for me.
Disclaimer: I received product in exchange for this post. As always all words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!
The new year is kicking off with Aztec-inspired prints across the board. This bold, graphic print has been popping on garments, accessories, and in the home. It’s equally eye-catching in black and white or bold colors, and lends itself especially well to cold weather essentials like cardigans and throws. I can’t wait to get on board!
I’m playing Oprah today! Hundreds of products cross my screen on a daily basis as I search out the best to share with you, and a girl can’t help but have a few favorites! And while I wish I had one of each of these fantastic pieces to give to every one of you a la Oprah, I hope my opinion will hold its weight in salt for you. Because these are all shops and creators whose things I own, that decorate my home and my self each and every day.
Splendid Orlando Oxford. These shoes are a new addition to my wardrobe for winter and I love their sleek look (no laces!). Splendid‘s entire lifestyle collection is ultra-comfortable and effortlessly chic, which is perfect for my every day and mixes with existing pieces easily.
American Giant Womens Heavyweight Full Zip Hooded Sweatshirt. I’ve been a hoodie aficionado since junior high, but it’s tough to find one that doesn’t resemble a garbage bag on a woman’s body. This zip up from American Giant is not only sturdy, but made especially for us ladies. If I’m home I usually have it on over whatever I’m wearing, it’s that good.
Emily McDowell’s Foods of the World New York City Tea Towel. Emily McDowell just might be one of the funniest people I know, and her humor translates seamlessly onto her illustrated line of cards, dish towels, and other miscellaneous goods. This towel featuring a recipe that actually involves zero cooking is just the tip of the iceberg.
Warby Parker’s Durand Eyeglasses in Woodland Tortoise. Warby Parker has had my poor vision and my heart in its grasp for several years now. I just recently snapped up this pair from their winter collection, the round-ish lenses are super flattering and their buy 1/give 1 model is tough to beat.
Bloggers Love Cats + Bloggers Love Dogs 13-Month Calendars.Shameless plug alert! I teamed up with other well-known bloggers who are animal lovers to create these two calendar downloads featuring our pets. All proceeds go directly to the Humane Society of the United States and all of the little critters in need.
Cursive Design’s Apex Studs. Cursive Design is one of my favorite jewelry shops by far, I just love Sarah’s eye for detail. These studs, along with much of the fall/winter 2013 collection, were inspired by a project we collaborated on together for NYFW 2012. They’re molded from vintage glass and cast in yellow bronze.
Jaime Derringer’s Untitled 3. I’m the proud, happy owner of three works of art by Jaime Derringer. Her bold use of color and constant exploration of shape and space never leave me bored. And both Jaime’s original pieces and prints are super affordable.
Alexa Chung’s It. There’s no denying she’s the darling of the fashion world, but after ready through this pink linen-covered book filled with short musings and photos she seems down-to-earth as well.
Paloma’s Nest Custom Monogram Tiny Text Bowl. Paloma’s Nest creates some of the best heirloom-quality ceramics I’ve seen. I own one of these plates and have gifted numerous others over the past few years. You just can’t go wrong with a piece that’s lovingly personalized like these.
Gingiber’s Deer Tea Towel. I love shop owner Stacie’s whimsical, geometric illustration style used on all of her animal characters! Gingiber‘s prints, pillows, towels (and more) are always the highest of quality and meticulously checked over.
Miró Watches from Urbantrait. Among an incredible selection of modern watches from Urbantrait, Miró definitely stands out. Made from stainless steel, hardened mineral crystal, and calf leather it’s sure to stand up to wear and tear for years to come. Mine has made me a watch wearer again after years of depending on my cell! Find your favorite from tons of men’s watches and women’s watches.
Meow Meow Tweet’s Grapefruit Rosemary Body Oil. Come winter, lotions just don’t cut it for me. I coat myself in Meow Meow Tweet‘s body oil before I get out of the shower and don’t need to re-moisturize until right before bed. Each amazing scent if filled with natural ingredients and infused with botanicals.
strawberryluna’s Morrissey Pittsburgh Poster PETA Donation. My favorite stop for gig posters, and it doesn’t hurt that strawberryluna is based in my hometown either! Allison and Craig do stellar silkscreening work for more bands than I can think to name, and on more posters than I can count that I own.
Brought to you by Motorola Moto X: Thousands of combinations. Design yours.
Color is one of the biggest elements of my style, of most peoples’ really. You can choose to be moody one day while cloaking yourself in black, or fun and playful the next while mixing bright hues. Innocent and ethereal in white, or downplayed in shades of brown. The point is that color infiltrates our lives in every way and definitely effects our mood. It’s reflected in my home, my closet, and now technology as well!
Motorola’s Moto X has been blowing up all over the place, and with over 2,000 color combinations it’s easy to see why. I’m glued to my phone and I’m sure you probably are too, so it’s especially it’s nice that Motorola has realized what a huge chunk of the market thinks of their phone not only as a lifeline but also as an accessory! After really examining my aesthetic and style preferences I decided on a blush Moto X with lemon lime accents. It perfectly mimics my taste, Plain with a Punch! Neutral tones, casual style, with an unexpected touch to make it really special.
It was lovely and crisp here in OKC this weekend, which always puts me in the best mood. I wore my first pair of socks since April, and now these cozy slippers and slipper socks from Wooly Baby are screaming my name! They’re eco-friendly (made from 85% recycled materials), have a suede bottom, and a wool-lined sole. They come in high and low ankle heights and are available for babies, kids, women, and men. Do I hear some holiday gifts being crossed off??
Fall is my all-time favorite season to dress for. I love layering and being able to pull from my summer and winter staples to build out an outfit depending on the temperature. (Which is totally necessary, it can be in the 70s well into December here in Oklahoma.) I love being able to wear boots again, and that it’s perfectly acceptable to wear a sleeveless dress with a light jacket and tights. Seventeen days of summer left, not that I’m counting…
One of my favorite summertime accessories is a great pair of shades – particularly the large, bug-eyed variety (I even remember purchasing my first pair the summer before college at a discount store!). I love the protection they offer my light sensitive peepers, so I’ve stuck with them and basically worn every shape for the past fifteen years. TOMS summer eyewear collection is beautiful, so when they asked me to help them get the word out there was no way I could say no! I’ll admit it was difficult not to fall into my old bug-eyed ways, so I struck a compromise and went with the Kitty Pink Tortoise style. I love their classic shape, trendy colorblocked arms, and the hint of pink in the tortoiseshell design. Did I forget to mention that I’m a pro at losing sunnies? Because I am. Luckily these gals arrive with a sturdy zippered which helps me do a better job of keeping track.
Now of course what TOMS is best known for are their super comfortable shoes and their One for One movement where a pair of shoes is donated to someone in need for each pair purchased. (This also extends to their eyewear now – woohoo!) I’m a happy owner of the Earthwise Orange, and now a pair of these wedges too. I actually haaate wearing heels of any sort, and can 100% honestly report that these are the most comfortable I’ve ever had on my tootsies. I took a chance on the color and pattern – I’m much more of a black/white/grey girl – and have to say I love how they go with just about everything in my closet! (As a matter of fact, I didn’t wear everything in these two images together, but I’m starting to think I might have to.) And I also like how the pattern goes all the way to the floor for a more fluid look as opposed to it just being on the upper straps. Now I’m eyeing up TOMS Cordones for fall!
Disclaimer: Product was provided for review by TOMS. However, all words and opinions are my own. Thank you for continuing to support the brands that keep Design Crush going!
I have what amounts to a MASSIVE girl crush on artist Alyson Fox that only deepened after meeting her in person and staying in her home this past April. Alyson is one of those people who is beautiful both inside and out, completely unassuming with an extraordinary talent that extends far beyond the art world. Her most recent collaboration is with & Other Stories features playful patterns and delightfully vibrant hues, the pieces meant to be paired together or with old favorites.
I’d love to add these key pieces to my summer wardrobe. Doubt I’d ever take the earrings off, and this necklace would dress up a plain tee in a heartbeat. I love the size of the bag, perfect for tossing in extra things on the go. The tee and Vans are just asking for a pair of jean shorts! A sweet dress that’s light and airy would be just right paired with these sandals for date night or drinks on the patio. And a suit is of course a must!
. There’s no denying she’s the darling of the fashion world, but after ready through this pink linen-covered book filled with short musings and photos she seems down-to-earth as well.
