Fashion Sunday.

Gooood Morning!  It's winter again here in the Cleve.  Last time we talked Fashion Sunday, it was way-too-warm summer... and now, winter.  I'm gonna miss this place.
First up on the fashion radar today is a little something for the men who read this blog.  (You know who you are).  Why should awesome shoes only be for the ladies?  Even though there aren't that many "fashion-forward" options for the boys, Tiffany Tuttle, of LD Tuttle has created these "unisex" sandals for the summer:

Read the Story about LD Tuttle at the T Magazine Blog found here. 

After seeing that Men's sandals can be cool, I found these other, v. many, v. cool shoes floating around out there in the interwebs, and at a fine-fashion retail location near you:

John Varvatos, "Mustique" D-Ring Thong Sandals, found here.

Frye's 'Lawson' Sandal, found here.

And, of course, the most perfect Summer Shoe EVER for men, the Classic Sperry Topsider.  This example is in a bit of an updated color, Navy.  Buy yours anywhere, or just click here.

Boys, I hope you enjoyed that post- Girls, there will certainly be more "lady fashion" in the coming week...  As well as several, SEVERAL posts about me freaking out as I face the move and pack up ALL my belongings to be put in storage during the worst 3 months of my life :(
Happy Sunday!

Amazing Article: 'Resolved: Inmates Make Tough Debaters'

read the story here:

Law Prom.

Last night, Law Prom happened.  It went down exactly how every Prom should go down.  The day started with massages.  (insert deep, amazing sigh here)  We then headed down to the hotel to get ready.  Mad props to Christopher Minue (and the commencement committee) for picking out an AMAZING venue:

Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade

The evening started off with a cocktail hour, then proceeded to a dinner, and then Bonkers dancing. (note: the only not awesome part of the evening was no tequila at the event... for some of us southern girls, that's all we drink; I made do at the Prom with chardonnay and various cocktails until the after party at Cadillac Ranch where tequila was most surely had) 

Now that I gave you the rundown of the entire evening, let's look at it!

My AMAZING, AMAZING date for the evening.  Yes, that is a corsage.  Yes, the ribbon does match my dress.  Yes, this is a classic prom pose.  Yes, we were the most amazing couple of the evening!

Minue and Me (yes, that is a working title for a show that will or will not air on MTV, but more likely will on Bravo)

James and Carly- 

Adorably amazing couple and future power-couple of Cuyahoga County.  Let's put it this way, James is pretty much exactly what Cuyahoga County needs.  Totes gonna miss ya!

Aaron and I, by request

Apparently there was a memo re: plaid ties that these kids obvi received.

I LOVE Kate.  And "hot dog" was pretty cool, too...

Oh right, and then things like this happened:

P.S. Nods, you look AH-Mazing.

Please reference earlier post entitled 'Geronimo' for explanation of this picture.  Sadly, there were no small coats to be worn.

That was our night!  How sweet it is to have amazing law school friends and be able to enjoy them all in one night!

Update.

According to Mommy Laurie, Molly may or may not (but did) chew her way out of Cast #1.
Reminder: Molly is 16 years old.  I'd say that's quite a feat.
Anyway, Molly had to get a new cast today.  This one pretty much covers her whole leg.  And it's pink.  And it's going to be on for 3 weeks... which means I'll get to see it soon and be able to post better quality pictures of my poor little sister!!!
Apparently she's making a great recover and is now sporting a 'Snow White' sock over Pink cast so that she will not be able to chew through it so easily.
Stay Strong, Molly! I'll see you in a week and a half!

Luxe Fashion, Bargain Basement Prices.

I just read a great piece in Times today about vintage clothing and Manhattan thrift stores.

Deidre Schoo for The New York Times

It got me to thinking about the few great things I've purchased from ebay lately.
(Let me preface following story with back story... I never "ebay-ed" until a month ago.  I had heard some bad stories, hadn't really thought about it as an outlet for great things, blah blah blah.  UNTIL I was searching for the perfect Coach briefcase ONLY to learn that Coach no longer cares about sleek lines, vintage style, and great American-made leather-goods.  Seriously.  So, the only place I knew to look for a vintage briefcase was ebay.  I found one.  On that particular day, the auction for this particular Beekman briefcase was ending that evening.  I figured that if I staked it out and remained the high bidder I'd win.  False.  Apparently everything in ebay comes down to the last seconds.  And I even had a high reserve.  I wanted this (used) bag $300 worth.  Sadly, someone else wanted it $306 worth.)
Even though I was completely deflated and still sans briefcase, I attempted ebay again a few days later.  This time, I utilized the precious, oh-so-glorious "buy-it-now" feature and secured this AMAZING bag:

After this initial boost of confidence and retail encouragement, (and an expense check from the school) I ventured into the world of ebay once more for a pair of frye boots.  Although I live in Ohio now, I am a true southern girl with MUCH need for boots in the summer (skirts and picnics, duh).  After much looking over a few days, I found a pair of distressed frye harness boots originally sold at Anthropologie.  Even though they were a 1/2 size too big, I purchased.  And I fell in love.  They are hands down the greatest boots I have ever owned.  And I got them for less than 1/2 price.  In fact, I saw the same boots at Saks today for $250.00. (score.)  these are the lovies:

( I love them too much to only put one pic)

This post is simply to state that although the title of this blog is 'Abounding Luxe,'  Luxe, and great, GREAT pieces of fashion, can be found anywhere at any price point.  Search around for those little gem-of-a-stores akin to those in the Times article.  Embrace vintage and ebay and thrift!

A Little Something UN-LUXE

I cringe.  I die.  I throw up a little in my mouth.  "Designer Colors:" what does that even mean?  I hope no one buys this.

My Name is Alix and I am an Addict...

I am ADDICTED to kitchen wares, linens, and other home decorating things.  I am a nester.  There, I said it.  My addiction has become scarily apparent as I pack up the apartment.  I can dedicate a whole, U-haul medium size box to silver frames.  Just silver frames.  Nothing else.  In fact, I have to go get more boxes so that I can have a place for 'brown frames' and 'gold frames.'  I don't even want to talk about the kitchen.
The linen closet- it's gonna need a few boxes in and of itself.
That being said, I stumbled across the textile designer, John Robshaw this morning.  Thank goodness I'm moving, or I would drop hundreds of dollars on his designs.  Like these quilts;

or these sheets:

or these pillows:

So absolutely beautiful.  Subdued colors, but such bold design.  Shop John Robshaw Textiles here.  

Updates on my home goods addiction and packing to come.  Enjoy this Lovely Cinco De Mayo!