The Penny Loafer

-By Sha Glynn- While roaming around the Bloomingdale’s Friends and Family Sale this weekend, I became nostalgic.  And excited!  I was, for lack of a better word, slightly “verklempt” after noticing just how many new penny loafers were on display.  I couldn’t help but think about 5^th grade, when I sported my loafers along with my white Jordache jeans and my sparkly Michael Jackson glove.  My childhood best friend and I even “designed” our own tops, writing PYT on white sweatshirts using red and black markers.  My Mom was appalled, I’m sure, but oh…those were the days!

The humble little loafer, once the source of emergency funds for kids needing to make a phone call—way before cell phones and even before pay phones cost a quarter—has come a long way.  Now it’s something of an icon and I’m so happy that it’s back!

From old-school, flat ones to cutting edge loafer pumps, these shoes are the perfect answer to the fall blues.  Wear them with jeans while tailgating on the weekends or with skirts to work.  Maybe you’ll even get the urge to listen to Michael Jackson’s Thriller album, like I did! 

Looking fashionably forward...

Can I Get a Table Dance?/By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

I love New York, or at least the idea of New York. I watch from afar and imagine myself as one of these uber-classic, super modern girls who jet about town, photograph at the most fashionable parties, wear the sweetest dresses, air kiss in the daytime and dance on tables at night. That’s what I imagine of girls like Genevieve Jones. 

Chanel Rouge à Lèvres//By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

I just bought my first Chanel lipstick and lip gloss. I was pretty loyal to another makeup brand but after consistently feeling like I wasn’t getting the service I wanted at the counter, not to mention always feeling crowded out by other shoppers, at which point the salesperson would be torn between finishing what we started and capturing the sale at the other end of the table, I decided to see what a high-end makeup shopping experience felt like. I was not disappointed.

For starters, there aren’t too many people spending $30 on a lipstick so I didn’t have to peer over several lady’s shoulders to get a look at the selection, which, incidentally, was much smaller than my former favorite, i.e. less overwhelming. Second, the service was fantastic. The clerk was pleasant and even eager to help me find the right color, and she did!  I’m no makeup expert; clothes, yes, makeup, no. If I come to a makeup counter it’s because I need help. I would rather spend $30 on one lipstick that works than $30 on 5 that don’t (that’s what happens to me when I try to buy drugstore style). 

Darker Times //By: Hanna Thedros for Shukorina.com

Hate to admit it but summer is about to be over and dark/cold days are soon a fact. With that comes a new way of dressing so here are a few looks from my personal Look-Book;) My inspiration this year comes from the late 60's and 70's, I just can't get enough of this classy and chic era! 

Let's start with colors; don't go all black, "cold" colors are great for darker times and easy to match. Maxidresses and wide pants are a must! Super chic and comfortable which works well for any occasion. These pieces work great as basics and can be worn in many different ways.

Have fun with it and get creative!

Bisou!

By: Hanna Thedros for Shukorina.com

Pants: HM, Jacket: HM, Shoes: Primark

Skirt:H&M, Shirt: American Apparel, Bag: American Apparel, Shoes: Din Sko

Skirt:H&M, Shirt: American Apparel, Bag: American Apparel, Shoes: Din Sko

Dress:H&M, Shoes:H&M, Blazer:Thrift Store, Necklace: Primark, Belt: American Apparel

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Beyonce Banned in China! By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

We love her more today than we did yesterday after watching her perform on the VMA’s and proudly announce (without announcing, as is the Carter family  media policy) to the world that she’s pregnant with her first child. Congrats, Honey Bey! However, she’s not quite as esteemed in all parts of the world – China for one.

The Spice of Life, by: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

Chef Art Smith 

Without a doubt, if my metabolism were slower I could easily be Oprah, circa 1992. But, I’ve been unfairly blessed with an ability to eat absolutely anything I want without the unfortunate consequences (I’m not bragging, just sayin’). I’m told it will catch up with me shortly. In the meantime I take full advantage. All of that to say that I love food! Some people have a fetish for clothes and shoes. Mine is food. When my budget allows, I will spend my measly extra on great food and great ambiance every time. So the Oprah inside of me was super excited to read that her chef will be opening a restaurant in Atlanta.

Braised short ribs with vegetables and farmer's cheese

According to Shukorina friend, LuxeCrush.com, Art Smith, who has successful restaurants in Washington, DC and Chicago, will open his latest culinary outfit in Atlanta at Buckhead’s Intercontinental Hotel. 

Set to debut on September 26, Southern Art and Bourbon Bar will surely be the new place to go in the city. The restaurant will begin taking reservations on September 12. How long do we think it will take to get in?  What ever it is, me and my inner Oprah will wait patiently for a chance to sit at the “Artisan Ham Bar” and the “Vintage Pie and Cake Table.” Seriously? A ham bar? So excited!

By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

Knitted Bling By: Hanna Thedros for Shukorina.com

The other day I met a designer, Ameli. Get this...she knits jewelry! Isn't that original and refreshing?!! She told me that she started knitting jewelry about 3 years ago and has already formed a knit-loving following (and no, they are not grandmothers) :) We love creativity here at Shukorina!!

Ameli is a design student Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle in Germany. I could really see myself rocking these on a regular:)

Bisou!


Hanna Thedros for Shukorina.com

Our French Sister. By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

I’ll bet you didn’t know that Atlanta had a French sister.  Sister city that is.  Toulouse is the French sister city to Atlanta.  It’s a cultural designation meaning that we look to learn about our respective cultures from each other.  In addition, Atlanta joins with the French consulate each year to host France-Atlanta, a “series of French-American events centered on innovation and designed to breathe new life into the cooperation between France and the Southeast US.”  The series takes place from October 26-November 12, 2011.   

Literature is so much more romantic than flowers. By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

Anthropologie

I don’t think of myself as a romantic; mainly because I don’t like flowers. They die…quickly. I don’t get it. I like things I can hold on to forever, timeless qualities like a really beautiful dress or a fine pen 

or a good book, or diamonds (I’m just saying). Those are all so much more romantic to me. 

So I was in Anthropologie the other day, and, before I go on let me just say, Anthropologie is a shrine to the ultimate femininity. I’ll share my theory on the power of the feminine some other time, but I walked in and felt like my truest ideas of romance were collected in this store. (They’re having a great sale on dresses by the way. Racks on racks of lovely, lovely dresses.)

On with it…so I was in Anthropologie and I came across a book by Paulo Coelho. I just read The Alchemist earlier this summer and I friended Paolo on Facebook so I’ve been reading his daily posts which are short and moving. So when I saw this book I just had to pick it up. It’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen and it has put me in a mood ever since. It’s called Inspirations and it’s an anthology of excerpts from some of the world’s greatest books. Each story is grouped according to the natural element that it most closely embodies – water, air, earth and fire.

My Crown...By: Hanna Thedros for Shukorina.com

Headband w/ large flower, purchased at a random market in London. Picture by: Gabriel Gutierrez 

Although I usually don't complain about my hair I do at times have seriously bad hair days and as most girls I have days where I simply lack the energy to do anything about it.

Glad I didn't tuck my ears! By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

Prabal Gurung is a visionary designer from Nepal. I love him for two reasons besides his quintessential feminine yet modern lines – it’s as if he channels a contemporary version of the ‘60’s siren. His Spring 2011 collection was like a catty cross between Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Onassis propelled into the future. But I digress.

If this is how Prabal parties, I definitely want to party with him.
Picture: Curtesy of Fab Sugar

I also love Prabal because giving back to his native Nepal is part of  his business philosophy. Whatever part of his soul that’s driven to make women look beautiful is also driven to protect them. When he won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award, he applied part of his winnings to Shikshya, a charity started by the designer and his siblings to educate girls orphaned by mothers who are victims of human trafficking. Not only that, but a portion of the sales of his knitwear are also directed toward the charity. (Vogue, August 2011)

Arm Candy! By: Hanna Thedros for Shukorina.com

Oh, I would never go out like this. Or would I?

I don't know about you guys but I'm obsessed with accessories. If caught without them, I feel completely naked! No outfit is complete without a ring, necklace or some really chunky bracelets. It's the make or brake factor. In my personal collection I have a little something for every occasion. While I don't mix gold and silver (it's a personal preference) I strongly recommend mixing and matching different styles and colors, especially when it comes to big/chunky bracelets. 

The Key to Success. By: Alex Delotch Davis for Shukorina.com

Fashion. One of my loves. 

Michelle with her easy sophistication and her beautiful mind

People are always writing and reading and thinking about the key to success. We all want to know why some people get there and others don’t; why some ideas work and others won’t; why some people enjoy their lives and others struggle not to jump off of something day to day. At the risk of sounding Pollyanna…the key to life is love. Wait, don’t go! Hear me out. Not love as in romantic love. I’m not talking about that. 

Dyonne's Divine Findings for Shukorina.com

"What's hunter green, perfect for almost every spring or summertime soiree', and under $20? My unpredictable favorite summer dress! It is not even July 1st yet and I've already gotten more than a return on my modest investment...if only the stock market was this rewarding! I've worn it to a best friend's birthday party, a random Tuesday night dinner with my darling Viktorya of Shukorina.com, and a Sunday afternoon brunch.