"Iconic style is timeless...whether it's a black-and-white photograph, the most incredible Christian Dior blazer, a Ferragamo dress. It's something that last a lifetime. Vara is iconic because it's timeless and incredibly elegant for any generation." -Olivia Palermo

I've long admired Salvatore Ferragamo's Varina ballerina flat - chic, understated, and classic, it offers everything a good shoe should. I took advantage of a Friends & Family sale at Shopbop to order these turquoise, Tiffany-blue colored Varinas...and later, at the Ferragamo store on Fifth Avenue, I snatched up the last Vara bow bracelet in the same color. The Vara bow bracelet can be purchased from Bloomingdales, Zappos, and LuisaViaRoma. If you like the Varinas, you can see more colors here. 

Launched in 2007, the Varina flat is a spin on the iconic Vara - a mid-heel pump with the same instantaneously-recognizable bow and plaque. The shoe has been around for a whopping thirty five years - since 1978! Ferragamo recently celebrated the anniversary of the shoe by offering a customizable version. The bow on the shoe was originally meant to be leather, not grosgrain, but the maker misunderstood and made it grosgrain as with the prototype. The Vara was designed by Ferragamo's daughter Fiamma.

"I love beauty. It's not my fault." -Valentino Garavani

Since the label's beginnings in 1959, Valentino has been a glittering, lavish favorite of society belles and fashion's aficionados. Valentino's signature poppy red and remarkable gowns exuded glamor; his pieces and lacework were exquisite. Since Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli took over the creative direction of the label, the line has merged the classic with the modern, bringing in edgier elements like the now-infamous "rockstud." The pyramid studs found their way onto handbags and spread to shoes, quickly becoming a focal point in each season's new collections. 

A great Valentino lover myself, I recently purchased two pairs of shoes and a leather bracelet, all three of which I am enamored with. I am excited to share them with you all!

PROJECT ARM CANDY: Acquisition Three!

Of all the arm candy I hoped to acquire, there was one bracelet in particular that I coveted above all the others - the McQueen twin skull bracelet. It was sold out in gold everywhere I looked, and I thought I was going to have to order it from overseas. Then, I realized I could just call the Alexander McQueen store in NYC and ask if they had it in stock...LOL. They did, and so I trudged on over there with my lovely best friend Audrey (follow her on tumblr!) and I was so happy to find the bracelet I'd been loving for months! I took this photo a couple of minutes after leaving the Alexander McQueen boutique in the Meatpacking District. I also secretly snapped a couple of photos in the store....everything was so beautiful. Alexander McQueen is amazing. :')

PROJECT ARM CANDY: Acquisition Two

About a month ago, I made a post featuring my first Alexander McQueen bangle. In the post,  I mentioned that I wanted to buy a few bracelets and stack them. I finally got my second McQueen bangle, and I'm excited to share it with you! :) I purchased my bracelet from Zappos, but you can also find them at Bergdorf Goodman, Ssense, Saks, and Net-A-Porter.

PROJECT ARM CANDY: Acquisition One

 I'm assembling an army...an army of arm candy. The first weapon in my arsenal is this Alexander McQueen enamel skull bangle. Tough but feminine, this delicate bangle is the perfect first recruit for my Arm Candy project.