Well, if you're going to throw flowers at my feet, they may as well be decorating some fabulous heels.  At least that's what the voice said in my Magpie-Mind as I was looking through all the wonderful springtime-fresh fashions starting to emerge. While I'm less able to wear such beautiful but impractical high heels, a girl can still dream and admire the color and over-the-top embellishment on shoes like these. These gorgeous heels range from the wearable to the WOW. 

Fear not, Summerlings, it's not Labor Day yet! This Bird has never got with the program over that old fashion of rule of "no wearing white after Labor Day." And no one else follows this either, it's just a common turn-of-phrase nowadays. But it got me thinking about why white is so lovely for summer, and how touches of gold can make a look ladylike, crisp, and dancing along the edge of preppy-sweet. 

Don't even THINK about walking out the door in those clunky rain boots! And don't get me started on all the Uggs I see people still wearing. It's summer, and even your feet deserve a wardrobe refresher. Time for some Jaunty suggestions to dress your feet fashionably and even (gasp) comfortably!
 

Tis the Season for Fall Trends in Bloom! Although the Birdy admits she's still in a summery mood. I'm pleased to see it's not a hairpin-turn for dramatically different autumn styles. There's quite a few things that with a few modifications, could go from summer to fall. These three in particular were ones I liked: bold but simple cat-eye eyeliner paired with a bright lip color, strappy metallic heels (closed toe for fall), and rocking the maxi dress with a fitted jacket. 

I saw these while flipping through the pleasantly plump fall issues of fashion magazines gracing, er, weighing down the magazine stands. While there's no drastic upturn in the economy, I'm glad to see the thickness of magazines has returned. Emaciated periodicals, begone! And these are the easy-breezy, style-simple ideas swimming in my head for the upcoming months of holiday get-togethers and a winter wedding for a friend. Because who wants to fuss when there's a party to be had? 

What about you -- what seasonal trends are you looking forward to wearing this fall and winter?

Jaunty Fine Print: illustrations by Denise Sakaki

The Birdy was swept up in a moment of early spring when looking at the latest Anthropologie catalog! I like using it as an idea book, ripping out pictures and pretty things to put in my crazy collage book of inspiration. The trend I saw more of was the wear-cute-little-girl-socks-with-pretty-heels. I know it's a finicky trend, not everyone can pull it off as it can look downright childish and silly if not done right, but it's been on the runways for a while, showing up on fall collections. Granted, you need enviably long legs to really pull this off, but I think as long as the sock is thin enough and goes nicely with the shoe, it almost becomes like an ankle boot. This Bird really likes this look, as it lets me get away with not having a pedicure quite yet, and still be able to wear shoes that reveal the toes!  

But the Bird can't skip painted toes forever -- also wanted to say that this will be the last post before I head on a well-needed vacation. Flying off to tropical breezes to visit family, as inspired by the incredible Greenfynch Settee that totally caught my Jaunty eye in the catalog. It's like having a piece of furniture that went somewhere tropical and came back with a little of it! What a colorful, whimsical piece -- as much whimsy as socks with heels! But don't fret, the Bird shall return the second week of March, refreshed and rejuvenated. Until then, Aloha and dream of early spring days! 

Jaunty Fine Print:  images from Anthropologie.com Feb catalog