Paper or Plastic

Amidst all of the glitz and glam of the holiday season I am craving something decidedly less flashy to carry me into the new year.... yes, pun intended. Hi-Low has had many incarnations, but to me there is something so genius about taking the ultimate utilitarian bags and luxe-ing them up in leather. Now the only question is paper or plastic?

30 Day Blogging Challenge- A Picture of Me Today

So this 30 day blogging challenge is taking me more like 60 days, but I refuse to throw in the towel even as the amount of holiday events on the calendar continue to increase. Today was a busy one, but I loved my outfit so much that I had to take a picture. This look is 2 parts prep, 2 parts edgy, with a little sparkle thrown in for good measure. I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season thus far!

Bow Tie and Bag- Show and Tell Concept Shop, Chambray Shirt-Gap, Skirt- Zara, Shoes- Urban Outfitters

30 Day Blogging Challenge- 2 for 1

Soooooooooooo...... yeah. I have totally fallen off the blogging wagon because I have been busy with this little thing called life. As the holiday season gears up I am inspired to start blogging again because there are so many amazing events coming up that I am sure I am going to want to share. 

Today I am picking up where I left off -with topics 7) My greatest accomplishment today and 8) My favorite band of the moment from the 30 Day Blogging Challenge.

Glad to say today was good a day. I spent the majority of it at Show & Tell , my new business venture with partner Nichole Payton. Getting Show & Tell off the ground is not only my biggest accomplishment today, but I would say of the year. It is probably up there with the biggest accomplishments in my life.

As far as my favorite band it is hands down Maroon 5. If you were to walk into Show & Tell between now and the end of the year you are likely to hear either the holiday station or the Maroon 5 station playing on our Pandora.

30 Day Blogging Challenge- Items on my wishlist

I am majorly behind on my Blogging Challenge post, but I going to try to get up to speed this week. Luckily today's subject,  Items on my Wishlist, doesn't take too much thought because I keep a running list of things that I desire.

At the top of my list right now are luxe lounge looks to wear on those days (or nights) when I want to be comfy and chic.

Clockwise L-R: Top and Bottom- 10 Crosby by Derek Lam, Printed Pants- Clover Canyon, Yes & No Slippers- Stubbs & Wooten, Side Stripe Pants- Tommy Hilfiger, Blue Suede Shoes- Steve Madden, Leopard Print Shoes-Dolce Vita

30 Day Blogging Challenge- What's in a name....

I heart Clark Dessert Boots

Like a lot of fashion lovers I have a weakness for shoes. I have always felt that a good pair of shoes gives an outfit personality. My taste in shoes is quite varied with heels, ballet flats, boots, and sneakers getting equal rotation.

When I started blogging a year ago I fully intended to dedicate my post to my favorite accessory thus the name Soulful Soles.  In my post over the last year I have definitely written about my love for shoes, but I have also blogged about all kinds of other stylish things that make me happy. Over time the way I interpreted the name of my blog has evolved. Today Soulful Soles is an invitation to readers to take a walk in my shoes as I explore the manifestation of "style" in all aspects of life.

Vested Interest

This week has been crazy busy and I have already fallen behind on the 30 Day Blogging Challenge. Today, in lieu of a full blown post I am sharing a picture of me that was featured this week in the nytimes.com street style section. I am so honored to have one of my photos chosen for a second time. See the first photo here.

I promise I will get my act together and be back regular posting soon. Happy Friday everyone!

30 Day Blogging Challenge Day 3- In the Bag

What's In My Bag

Bag- J Crew

I think the question should really be what is not in my suitcase or purse rather. I seem to have a good amount of my life swimming around in there. The multitude of zipper compartments in this bag ensures that I have a place for any and everything I need for almost all situations. Now for the contents:

Clockwise from far left: Show & Tell promotional flyers, Coach purple leather check book holder, employee id badge, Comme Des Garcons Super Fluo Card Case, Lisa Perry "POP" coin purse, Built NY camera case, Sony Camera, Keys, Rayban Two-Tone Wayfarer,  Floss, Makeup Bag, Mints, Gum, Vintage Christian Dior Sunglasses, Rosebud Salve, Business cards. 

30 Day Blogging Challenge Day 2

Favorite Color Combinations

My latest obsession- NEONS with everything.

I am especially loving how a statement necklace can bring any outfit to life!

From L-R: Tom Binns, Noir,  Fenton, Tom Binns

This week I took my own advice and paired a neon necklace and belt with blues to give them a little lift. 

30 Day Blogging Challenge Day 1

5 E-Commerce Stores I Shop Most Often

I am not the biggest online shopper because I really like to try before I buy, but I am a huge online browser. Here are my 5 go to sites for style inspiration and outfit ideas ( in no particular order):

Jcrew.com- I die for their lookbooks because the impeccable styling makes ordinary items feel extraordinary. Anytime I'm on the site I visit the sale section for the latest deals and their blog is always good for inspiration.

PixieMarket.com- This site is full of cool and cutting edge pieces that you won't see everyone in. I visit the New Arrivals page weekly to see their latest lust worthy finds.

YoogisCloset.com- I have a weakness for vintage designer accessories and Yoogi's Closet has a constantly evolving selection of handbags, jewelry, and shoes rolling in from their consignment customers.

Solestruck.com- The name says it all. I am constantly in awe of the selection of fierce, funky, fun, shoes from the best indie brands. Their designer exclusives and extensive collection of Jeffrey Campbell's will keep you coming back for more.

Net-A- Porter.com- This site is stocked full of drool worthy designer duds right from the runways. I read the Magazine weekly for styling tips and the inside scoop on how some of the top fashionistas wear the latest trends. While  most of the items are extremely pricey the bi-annual end of the season sale is a must shop for runway looks at a fraction of the price.

30 day blogging challenge

I have to admit I have been in a bit of a blogging rut. While there are various ideas that have been swimming around in my head for weeks none of them have made their way onto the page. In an effort to get me out of this rut and back on track with my beloved blogging I am borrowing an idea from Nicole of StyleBust fame.

Here's a preview of what's to come over the next month:

 E-Commerce stores I shop most often

My favorite color combinations

What’s in my purse

The meaning behind the name “Soulful Soles”

Items on my wish list

Greatest accomplishment today

Favorite band of the moment

A picture taken of me today

Weekly rituals

A book I love

A photo of something I ate today

My celebrity crush(es)

Something I don’t leave the apartment without

Today I donated the following garments

What I decided to do with my free time today

Top 3 Bay Area fashion designers

Today’s playlist

A habit I wish I didn’t have

My guilty pleasures

Things I’d rather be doing right now

A fashion trend I miss

3 of my favorite people to follow on Twitter

A picture of my living room

Top 5 cities I’d like to visit

Today I saw

Bulleted list of my entire day

Top 3 TV shows

What I wore today

DIYs I want to try

3 things that have happened in the last 30 days

Here comes the rain again....

It officially feels like fall in San Francisco. The wind and rain have returned, but I am not complaining because it gave me an excuse to wear my new asymmetrical rain coat. I loved this jacket so much when I saw it that I bought the same style in two colors! Good thing it rains a lot in SF.

Jacket- Nike, Shirt and Boots, Gap, Pants- Express, Bag- Jcrew

Fashion = Fun

The combo of these socks and shoes is a great reminder that at the end of the day fashion is about having fun.

Photo via Vogue.com by Phil Oh

The Inside Scoop on indiDenim

As many of you know I have a slight obsession with denim. I am perpetually on the hunt for the "perfect" brand- you know the one that always fits right and has the current leg shape and wash you are craving for the season. Finding the perfect pair of jeans is no easy task, but California based indiDenim is hoping to change that with custom made denim for all shapes and sizes.

http://www.indicustom.com/

indiDenim was started in 2008 with the goal of bringing the denim shopping process into the 21st century with custom jeans for the masses. Online customers are able to customize their denim two different ways. The first option is to tailor one of indiDenim's signature fits to your liking. Customers can choose between skinny, trouser, straight, bootcut, or plus fits for women. The second option allows customers to be the designer and combine their choice of hip and leg shape, fabric weight and wash, thread color, hem height, and pocket detail .  The results of a body questionnaire combined with indiDenim's unique fit technology ensures the perfect fit. With fabric from the historic Cone Mills indiDenim serves up quality denim that rivals (maybe even surpasses) what is available in the premium denim market today.

A couple of months ago I had the privilege of visiting the Emeryville offices of indiDenim to get a behind the scenes look at their process and to customize my very own pair. Below are a couple of the pics I snapped during my visit.  Danielle, my tour guide and fit expert for the day, was super nice and knowledgeable and helped me to design my perfect pair.

The denim wall showcases the available fits, washes, thread choices, and hems.

A range of pocket designs help to further customize your indiDenim.

After a little more than a month wait I received my indiDenim and I can say that I am very happy with them.  They are the perfectly cropped, clean, straight leg jeans that I have wanted for a while. They paired perfectly with Sperrys and a J Crew striped tee for a casual look to enjoy California's sunny September weather and I can't wait to pair with heeled booties for fall!

Nice and Neutral

I love color, but neutrals can be just a fun. The key for me is mixing and matching different shades and textures.

Vest, Boots- Gap, Dress-H&M

Leather Bracelets- Gap

Bootie-licious Part Deux: Miss New Bootie

Me showing off my booties!

A couple weeks ago I wrote about how I was in search of the perfect pair of booties to take me through fall and winter. Well ladies and gents today i hit the Jackpot! I scored not one, but two pairs of equally awesome booties that I plan to rock with everything. Thanks to the good folks at the GAP my feet will be fitted for fall!  

Compared to all the other boots I have been eyeing these babies were a steal ringing in at under $100 per pair. Peep the specimens below:

This badass leather ankle boot also comes in black and brown leather, but I could not resist this intoxicating shade of aubergine.

I can already tell that these stamped leather boots are going to be in heavy rotation this fall. They are sooooo comfy and will add the right dose of edge to any outfit. I am giddy thinking about all the things i can wear them with!

I am urging you- run, don't walk to the Gap to get a pair. 

You won't be sorry!

Women Enough Bare Event + Breezy Black

Last Thursday I skipped Fashion's Night Out, one of my favorite events of the year, to attend Women Enough's unveiling of their "Bare" add campaign to promote healthy and diverse body image and self esteem in Women. I was lucky enough to participate in the add campaign. It was an amazing experience with a diverse group of lovely women and lots of sexy shoes!

The picture above is one of my favorite shots from the Bare campaign and perfectly shows off all the amazing shoes. I wore my own pair of Prada color block heels for the occasion.

When I was deciding what to wear for the event I naturally started with the shoes I wore for the photo shoot. A breezy strapless black dress from BCBG and subtle cat eye makeup completed the look.

 

 Posing with the lady of the evening WE founder Michelle Fetsch

There were some awesome prizes raffled off at the event including a $100 Show & Tell gift certificate and a massage.

Several of the ladies at the event were rocking some seriously sexy shoes. I snapped a couple pics of the fashionable footwear.

Bootie-licious

Clockwise L-R: Isabel Marant, Steve Madden, Sam Edelman, Matt Bernson, Loeffler Randall, Rachel Comey

A wear everywhere with everything pair of low heeled booties is
on the top of my list for fall. This trend may have started with the
covetable Dicker and Dixie styles from Isabel Marant, but thanks to
brands as diverse as Steve Madden and Loeffler Randall, there is a
plethora of options and pricepoints to pick from.

Set created on Polyvore

Featured in the NewYorkTimes.com

I was reading Work it, Berk the other week and learned that the New York Times has a section for readers to submit street style photos based on a weekly theme. Last week the theme was Unique Glasses. I submitted this picture of me in vintage Gucci frames taken at the last Oakland Art Murmur and low and behold my submission was chosen. It totally made my day!

Click on the photo or visit nytimes.com to see all the other awesome glasses that were featured.

Bisou + Business Blues

After  a lovely vacation in Barbados (updates to come) and a quick trip to Vegas I am back in the Bay and back to business. On Thursday I had a couple of meetings to attend and errands to run so I wanted to be comfy by still look pulled together.

Dressing for casual business meetings when you are in a creative field can sometimes be a bit of a conundrum, but I find that a clean dark wash pair of denim is always a good base to build upon. On this occasion I rocked my new Raleigh Denim straight leg Union Denim.  Adding a flirty printed blouse, neutral Pierre Hardy for Gap wedges, and a vintage LV clutch made for a look that was both fun and business worthy.

I love the lip print and asymmetrical ruffles on this blouse.

My hair is growing out so I decided to pull my hair up on top into a quasi french twist. It was so easy to do and gives me a different look than my normal afro. I really like how it turned out so this might become my new go to hairstyle.

I love this vintage clutch I "borrowed" from my Mom. I love it so much she is probably never getting it back!