The purchase of these Adidas by Stella McCartney navy leopard shoes was the seed for this blog. I bought them on our first trip out of the country and away from our son in the fall of 2014. We went to Paris for my sixth time and my husband’s first trip there. They replaced the walking shoes I had brought that turned out to be less comfortable than I anticipated. Additionally, you can’t just wear any old pair of shoes in Paris.
Climbing up to Sacre-CoeurSacre CouerGoofing off in the 6th Arrondissement
At the time I thought about all the adventures I would have in my navy leopard shoes and that it would be a fun name for a blog. Almost two years later, The Navy Leopard was born.
The shoes are very comfortable and are one of my favorite pairs. They are sold out, but here is a similar style that I think would mix just as well with other patterns and solids.
My husband and I celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary last week. We were married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse on a day and time chosen by a vedic astrologer (as I mentioned a couple of weeks ago in this post). We had our reception a few months later where I grew up. It was the best of both worlds, something simple with little fuss and a great party to follow.
Our wedding day 2008
On our first anniversary we returned to Santa Barbara and planned to do it each year.
Riding bikes to and from the Courthouse on our first anniversaryOn the steps above where we were married
The next year to we went to Santa Barbara in April with our newborn son.
Just before our second anniversary
Then life got in the way. We lost my husband’s father the day after our third anniversary. Two years ago we moved into a house we built. This year, we felt we needed to connect to that time and place. We manged to get away on the actual day.
It made us realize how important couple time is and how important it is to get away and unplug (as much as possible). We were only there for twenty-six hours and we enjoyed every minute. It brought us back to the essence of why we are together which is easy to forget in the day to day.
I was first introduced to Liberty Art Print fabrics in High School. My mother traveled internationally for work and brought home a skirt that you finished yourself from the Liberty Store in London on Regent Street. It was a beautiful navy Liberty print and had an elastic waist. You finished it by cutting and sewing it to your size. I loved the print and remember it well. My first trip abroad was to London and I remember visiting the Liberty Store on Regent Street and being in awe of all the fabrics.
For the last few years, J. Crew has had several Liberty Arts fabric prints in the collection. They have been mostly used in shirts with a few other pieces (including a clutch I missed out on). I have been collecting the shirts for a few years now.
I wear them all the time and they are an easy way to elevate a basic button down with color. The prints are classic, fun and easy to combine with other prints. Below is a look I put together for Sunday morning breakfast with my family when we all woke up late.
Floral and Stripes
J. Crew shirt (older style) / J. Crew flats (on sale plus 30% off code GETSHOPPING)
J. Crew just brought out these shoes in a fun red in Liberty Arts Fabrics Wiltshire print. They happen to be in my favorite go-to Gemma style. I ordered them right away, they are online only and still available.
J. Crew Gemma Flats in Liberty Art Fabrics Wiltshire print
I styled them with stripes, a blazer and jeans.
J. Crew Shirt (similar here) / J. Crew Blazer (similar here)/ J. Crew Jeans (similar here) / J. Crew belt in navy calf hair (others here)/ J. Crew Flats
I already picture a lot of looks with these shoes including working them into my July 4th look. In the meantime, it is nice to have some May flowers on my feet.
I was lucky enough to grab the pom-pom shoes from J. Crew when they first came out (they were online only). I have seen them pop up a couple of times in the sale section. It may be worth a little sale stalking. I was wearing them last week and saw the long sleeve tee. The shoes insisted I buy it. I am styling the shoes and pom-pom striped tee with my cropped high rise lookout white jeans from J.Crew to show off the pom-poms as well as pair of lavender AG jeans that are on sale at Calypso
I love the mix of a more bohemian look with my favorite stripes. The top and jeans are from Calypso. They have extended their friends and family sale, so you can get them both at 25% off until 11:59 pm eastern today, April 18th. Use code FRIENDS16 . Update the top is on sale, plus 50% off.
The top is light and breezy and I love the detail on the tie.
The sandals are on sale at J.Crew. I did not buy them right away and then they were sold out. I was thrilled to pick them up on sale last week. – Update they are sold out. Hereis another style that would go well with this look.
These J.Crew color block pom-pom shoes are amazing. I was worried that they would be uncomfortable and they are very comfy. Sadly, they are currently sold out. I did score them on the website after they were previously sold out, so it may be worth some website (JCREW) stalking (one of my favorite pastimes). The higher, sandal version is still available (and on sale!). I have styled them below with pieces that are currently in stock.
Welcome to my blog. I have a love of leopard and navy blue. I have a shoe addiction and I love to get creative with my weekly manicures. I will be sharing the latest on shoes, style, manis, travel and food.
the navy leopard 