Festive Feet

Often times when I am planning an outfit for a holiday or occasion, my brain goes to shoes first. Maybe, it's because I am obsessed with shoes? Likely, but, more so because shoes are what really completes the look. When I feel confident in the shoes, it makes it easier to feel confident in everything else that follows. The dress, blouse, it should all look great if the shoes look great with it! Here is a list of some of my favorite Christmas and New Years worthy shoes on the high and the low. xo RCN

 

Travel Made Perfect

I have lots of visits back home for the holidays and lots of fun family events headed my way. I am looking forward to some extra smooth travel to help me relax this holiday. The key to enjoyable travel is all about the airport outfit and the packing of the suitcase. This past weekend was our first stop of the season, home to NJ, and I gave it my best shot. 

 I decided to start and finish my travels this weekend in the most comfortable light knit top from Shop The Mint. Miami to NJ requires layers from start to finish. This top was perfect for the plane! It was both comfortable and stylish and easily paired with other comfy clothes like skinny stretch jeans and flat shoes/boots.

Shop my look below and get $10 off your first purchase at Shop The Mint, when you sign up for emails! Enter to win an additional $25 gift card on my Insta HERE and check out all my travel tips listed below. xo RCN

Tips 4 Travel

1. Wear your favorite stretchy items on the plane, like this oversized V-neck top. The stretch in leggings or a sweater may be helpful when reaching for your bag in the overhead compartment or if your chapstick goes flying underneath the seat in front of you.

2. Wear the same look 2 different ways. Swap sweaters and tops, but re-wear jeans to save on some suitcase space. Where your airport look to and from, but switch out for new shoes and a purse to give yourself a re-fresh on the way home.

3. Do wear easy slip on and off shoes to the airport. These Zara boots or Steve Madden slip on sneaks won't deter you from a speedy walk to the gate if your running a little late, and will be quite helpful for a quick trip through security.

4. When packing your suitcase, ROLL! Roll any clothing items that you can. It will alleviate any unwanted wrinkles on knits, cottons, even denim.

5. Bag it! I never go anywhere without my duster bags for shoes and handbags. They keep the soles of your shoes as far from your clean clothes as possible and your nice leather bags from getting any unwanted scratches.

6. Need an extra purse? Okay, just pack one inside the other like nesting dolls. Will help on saving space, whether you place inside a checked bag or even a carry on tote!

7. Fragile items are best tucked within layers of your most soft and fluffy clothing items inside your suitcase. It helps to add padding for the bumpy road ahead.

8. Bringing along some extra special jewelry, but you're not exactly keen on wearing it through the airport or checking it? Keep them close by your side in a seperate mini travel bag that you can tuck inside your purse. That way you don't have the worry of losing it, if it's safe and stored away on your shoulder.

9. Bag what you need for "on the plane" separately within your carry on purse or tote. Lip gloss, headphones, gum, tissues, ibuprofen, credit card, book, whatever it might be. It will be much easier to settle once on the plane if you only need to remove one item from your carry on, rather than 10 separate pieces. Your seat mate will be thankful.

10. Pack your toiletry bag within another zip bag or something that will double prevent any spillage on your other items. I've made the mistake of shampoo and nail polish remover leaks - eek!

11. And of course, if you intend on doing some shopping while you're away...leave some extra space in any of your bags ;)

 

Will Work For Shoes!

I often say, "beauty is pain...". It is one of my favorite sayings, only as it relates to one thing, shoes! My biggest weakness is without a doubt, shoes. I love all kinds, comfortable and stunning, borderline uncomfortable, completely uncomfortable, but likely colorful and always show stopping. I love unique and inexpensive sale shoes. I love designer and ridiculously too expensive shoes. I do not discriminate, except for out of date and badly shaped shoes. My closet has grown over the years, and I take very good care of my babies. I only travel with them in duster bags and keep all designer pairs in their original boxes. If I had more room, I would have them all out for display (but away from Ethel). Some of you may recall the Chanel flat incident only a couple months ago. Ethel has eaten a pair of Chanels and three pairs of Dolce Vita's (must be her favorite!). Other than that, I consider myself a good shoe owner. The most comfortable heels I own, are Jimmy Choos, I swear by them. Net-a-porter has the best designer sales, which I treat myself to once a year. My most recent shoe purchase was from Forever 21, 30% off on all sandals! My favorite pair of shoes in middle school was a rainbow metallic lace up pair, with white rubber chunky heels. I wore ballet nude embellished Valentino heels on my wedding day and leopard print Steve Madden's to my bridal shower. I recently departed with three pairs of Vince Camuto, in good nature, as it was time for me to move on. Nikes have been my running sneaks, ever since I can remember. Shoes are my all time love and I dream about them often, past, present, and future. If you are in the mood to expand your shoe closet sometime soon, check out my current favorite finds, all on sale. Some are still a little pricey, but others, not so much! xo RCN