Crocs Malindi

Three seasons ago, I picked up the Malindi flats from Crocs after a dismal performance by their cuter cousin Alice (holy bisters batman!). I had higher hopes for these shoes as they had more breathing room than the Alice and had rave reviews. I wore them around town and they were super comfy so I put them on for my trip to NYC. Before I even hit the streets I was crying on the inside as blisters covered my outside and every single step was pain. I ended up paying WAY too much for a pair of flip flops at J Crew just to be done with these shoes. I wore them to one wedding, hoping that since callouses had built up that I'd not have the same issues, however sadly the callouses just birthed blisters on TOP of the callouses and I tossed these shoes to the back of my closet and haven't been seen since.

My first full season was a year of shoe experimenting and this shoe was the first of many failures that summer, until I found and loved the Verdent. Now though the Verdent is dying a slow death as the pillow tops aren't springing back any more and they are quite battered. I had a double header this past weekend and the thought of putting them back on made me want to weep. I ran downstairs for something and had tossed on the Malindi's after spying them in the closet and they immediately made my feet happy. I figured they were worth giving another shot to and wore them for the second wedding, tossing in the Verdents in case of blistering.

I am so happy to report that they never once gave me a blister and my feet were still quite happy at the end of the day and so were my legs. In the past double headers have left me feeling much older than my 31 years and this time I was perfectly fine and not sore at all. I'm not sure what all has changed with my feet since I first had an issue with them but I am SO happy it did. I plan on wearing these suckers until I either get blisters again or wear them out.

Happy feet = happy photographer!

Cost: $29.99

Additional Codes: MEMORIAL20 for 20% off (exp 5/31/10), springfreeship for free shipping (exp 5/31/10), CROCSFRIENDS15 for 15% off and combinable with free shipping code (exp 5/31/10)

White House Black Market: Legacy Straight Leg Trousers

Today I got a great tip from reader Marnie of Crescendo Photography that these pants from White House Black Market are her go-to pants for weddings, especially the ones that are fancier or in the winter. She said they have a slight sheen to them and they lasted her entire wedding season! I had to put these up pronto because not only are they CUTE but they are on sale! Do you have a favorite clothing item you'd like me to share? Email me and let me know!!

Cost: $49.99

Additional Codes: 9160 for 20% off and Free Shipping (exp 5/26

Banana Republic: 323 Martin Flared Pant

I recently ordered these pants from Banana Republic because I needed some new pants to take the place of the ones from last year that got a bit grungy by the end of the year. Mud, dirt - you name it - it's on pants from last year from all the positions and places I go during a day. The reviews of these pants were pretty great so I took a hopeful leap and ordered them online. While I love shopping for tops online, it's hard for me to buy pants as they all fit so differently. The GAP family is the worst, at any given time I can usually fit into at least 3 different sizes of pants from them given the cut of the pants. It's crazy - Old Navy is the worst when it comes to this. More on that with a different post.

These pants made me happy though. They are just a smidge under the waist so you have a bit of a lower rise but not low enough that when you bend over to take a picture you aren't showing the guests your panties. They are stretchy so they fit wonderfully. The only thing is I think they'd be a bit too heavy for hot summer weddings, but okay outside of that.

The major complaint among the reviewers is how badly they shrink when drying. I'd recommend drip-drying to evade this problem which will also allow the fabric to stretch back out (since another complaint is that they not only shrink, but you loose length). All in all very wearable and comfortable. Keep your eye on sales of these as I was able to pick them up much cheaper than they are now.

Cost: $79.00

Additional Codes: SUMMER25 for 25% off (exp 5/23)

Ann Taylor: Knot Front Top

We're starting to shift into (theorectically, it's not here in Ohio!) warmer months so the stores are starting to come out with new collections for the summer. This top at Ann Taylor immediately caught my eye because I love this style of draping. Some girls may have to wear a cami beneath if you are busty but I love the lines and the style of it. It has just enough extra 'pop' to give it a dressy feeling while it still looks comfy enough to move around in easily. If you do the buy one get one 50% off sale that is currently going on, I suggest picking this up in my favorite color, royal blue (or blueberry jam if you're Ann Taylor)!

Cost: $58

Additional Codes:SUMMER50 for buy one get one 50% off,

New York & Co: Chelsea Cardigan - Rosette

I've had my eye on this cardigan from New York & Company for a while. It's cute, it falls into my love for pretty details and it's black! WIN WIN WIN!! I must admit though, I have a love/hate relationship with NY&CO. Either I LOVE everything they offer, or I hate it all. It's one of those weird stores for me - Express is the same way. While this cardigan may not be ideal for summer weddings, it is for the weird in-between times like now where it's cool and damp and not quite warm yet (at least here in gloomy Ohio).

Cost: $19.95 (sale!)

Additional Codes: 4050 for $60 off a purchase of $120 or more.

Born Peony Shoe Hunt

When browsing the interwebs today, I came across these shoes from Born and immediately decided that I MUST have them... if they came in black. The first year as a wedding photographer, I wore sandals from Born and they were so.darn.comfy. I only stopped after a groomsman gagged at the sight of toes (oh how I wish I was kidding, ironically the bridesmaids were all in strappy sandals too so it was interesting to say the least!) and switched to closed toed shoes. As luck would have it, these shoes do come in black as a quick Google search told me but... no where had them in size 9 that I could find. SADNESS! Another in depth search on Google found me a couple places that did have it in stock and of course the winning store was my favorite store, Amazon. If you could be BFFs with a store, Amazon would have the other half of my BFF necklace as they are my FAVORITE. Oh my, did I just totally date myself with the necklace bit? Ahh, the 80's/early 90's. Anywho.... these shoes are ON ORDER from Amazon and will be here within the week, hopefully before my first wedding of the 'high' season this weekend. There will be an update with a full report when I get these babies and wear them!

Full-ish Report: I got these last week and while they are VERY comfy, the backs of the shoes hit just a smidge high and I fear that a full day in them would lead to blisters on the backs of the heels. Since they are leather, I think they'll break in and be great for a full day on a shoot so I'm gradually breaking them in. I will update again when I have worn them for a shoot. For now, it's still my trusty Verdent's that are winning the shoe race.

The Limited: Cardigan with Corsage

It's another grey item! I can't help but add this sweater from The Limited into the lineup though, it's SO darn cute. It also is short sleeved which is a great layering piece for summer. Again, flower embellishments... sorry. I know, I know! But they just SCREAM wedding to me. The bonus about this sweater is that it's currently on sale.

Cost: $34.65

Additional Codes: 351 for an additional 20% off

Ann Taylor Loft: Chiffon Cluster Flower Tee

I picked up this top in grey last week at Ann Taylor LOFT and I ADORE it. It is hit and miss online as it keeps going out of stock but keep your eye out for it if you are in the store as it is yet another perfect t-shirt for weddings.

Cost: $36.50

Additional Codes: 185000159 for 20% off full priced items.

Ann Taylor: Pin Dot Button Front Top

This top from Ann Taylor is a 'new arrival' so I am hoping that they get more sizes online pronto because I ADORE this top! Frilly, dressy and cute! What a great top! I'm really kind of obsessed with these cap sleeves.

Cost: $88

Additional Codes: 108025871 for 20$ off $100 or more

White House Black Market: Sleeveless Rose Mesh Top

Have you picked up on the fact that I pretty much love everything embellished and or with flowers? When I saw this top at White House Black Market I immediately fell in love. It's the perfect summer wedding top with being sleeveless but still has ample coverage so it's not too tank-top like. The rosettes dress it up enough to be worn alone or with a cardigan. I love love love it.

Cost: $58

Additional Codes: 9086 for $25 off $125 (exp 5/23)

What I Wear: Shoes: Radiance Sandals

Every year when I go to WPPI I have the same repeating problem, blisters - and lots of them. I adore cute shoes, but I've found out that rarely do cute + Vegas go well together - until I found these sandals at Kohl's. I wore them on the trip there. I wore them the first day. I wore them the second day. I wore them just about EVERY day after finding out that they were cute AND comfortable! I also had ZERO blisters and the first time I wore them was when I flew out!

While I wouldn't wear these for the super formal weddings, they are dressy enough (with a proper pedicure of course) to wear to most summer weddings and are insanely comfortable. I even like them more than my Softspots, and that's saying a lot. They are also SUPER quiet when walking in them. I'm not kidding when I say they're like walking on sponges. They're somewhat bouncy and super comfy. Your feet will thank me, even if you just wear these for the summer.

Cost: $28.99

Available Codes: THANKS1498 for 15% off (unk exp)