Cheap Frills

The Grand Mademoiselle adores a good shoe sale, and the ladies at Barefoot Tess never disappoint. While they always offer a Trunk Sale stocked with vastly reduced goodies, now the contents of the Trunk are guaranteed to disappear with an additional 35% off sale using online checkout code 35OFF. It doesn't stop there! Much to the Grand M's delight, her favorite brand, that inimitable Loeffler Randall, is marked down to 30% off every shoe with code LRN30.

While perusing the Barefoot Tess website in search of ways to wisely invest in these opportunities, the Grand M happened upon a happy marriage of two themes that are perfect for spring; ruffles and soft golds. Granted, the Grand M has always been a fan of gold, but the new gold is softer, less brassy, and infused with rose undertones that impart a gentle blush to an otherwise garish hue. This is the gold of springtime, in step with the lush mood of the budding blooms. It is impossibly feminine, subtle, and radiantly quiet, like the soft light of early morning. This is April's gold.

The only thing that could make this new hue any better is frilly accents, ruffles galore, and unabashed ruching elements. The combination of color and playful adornment makes this a match made in heaven, and the Grand M has selected her two favorite examples of this style. The Dorrit flat sandal by Loeffler Randall, with its enticing metallic rose gold tone and delicious t-strap style is worth coveting for these reasons alone, but the additional ruched ruffle detail makes this sandal irresistible. The softly folded leather frills impart a silly femininity to the Dorrit, and it is surprisingly refreshing for its lavishness and extravagance.The Cassia ballet flat by Sam Edelman is another success story in the tale of this lovely pairing of golds and ruffles. The soft foiled suede upper, gentle round toe, and front embellishment composed of grosgrain ribbons, leather rosettes, and gold metallic hoops all make the Cassia a dream to slip on and to show off. Although it's a bit more restrained than the Dorrit, the Cassia is just as perfect an example of this happy union that successfully blends hedonistic tendencies with subtlety and grace. The Grand Mademoiselle is really wild about this theme, and the best way to carry it through your entire look is by pairing your shoes with subdued skinny black jeans and a statement blouse that brings continuity to the ruffled gold embellishments while offsetting the vanity. Opt for J. Brand's ankle skinny stretch jean, with a short 29" inseam that will nicely display your fancy footwear. Then, add the extra oomph and tie the look together with Vivienne Westwood's Anglomania Fichu striped blouse. The fitted, short puff sleeves, crown shaped waist, and uniquely draped shawl collar blends seamlessly with the ruffly, frilly concept of the Dorrit or Cassia. What's more, the red and white striped pattern lends an air of sophisticated casualness to this otherwise lavish motif, while the dramatic, flowery, face-framing halo collar is in keeping with the slightly showy, flamboyant flair of this look. The Grand M adores the clash between ornate and ordinary, and the composition of colors, textures, patterns, and shapes is essential in making what is discordant unexpectedly harmonious...