Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Cuckoo for Kikis and a Quick Review of White + Warren Cashmere


There once was a lady from the east
for whom shoes were a veritable feast
Dear husbands can rail
'gainst what comes in the mail
But it bothers our Wendy in the least!
(editorial aside: husband did not rail - but he might soon...)

So it was the day when everything came in the mail:

1) the pink popback silk skirt from the day when JCrew looked behind the water heaters and made the staff clean out the lockers.  There is no picture of this.  To say it was unflattering would be unflattering to the definition of unflattering.  There will be no pictures, because, well, I like myself too much to do that to myself and my ego is indeed that fragile!

2) the Everlane crewneck.  Already discussed. 

3) a box with two pairs of Kikis, ordered so I could decide which pair of Kikis I would keep.

Cue: blood-curdling music, wails and sobs and Max von Sydow saying "The power of Christ compels you!"

They were both delightful.  They both deserved to stay. 

The shoes?

The Kiki Printed Ballet:
Kiki printed ballet flats

The Kiki calfskin (which was on promo and then on further sale):

Collection Kiki calf hair ballet flats 


Two very different shoes,  Well, okay, not different at all, really, but yet so different to me!  Gigi would have done a smack down and that would have been that.  I, folks, am no Gigi.  I am weak and easily prone to juicy rationalizations as to how things will enhance my well-being and general joie de vivre...

Let's begin the Beguine:





Look at those pinks and burgundies and reds and blacks and pale orchids and fuchsia (does anyone but me struggle to spell fuchsia?)  It is a veritable feast of pinks.  And being in the pink myself, I hied me right up to my room to see what colours it would match:




 Downton Abbey Sweater?  Check!


 
Old Cashmere sweater, Beet?  Check!
 
 
 
Red Bling-Bling Cardigan that is the perfect match for plaid Xmas pants?  Check!
 
 
Saltwater Taffy Pink Brora Cardigan?  Check?
 
 
Fuchsia knit tunic?  Check?
 
 
Pinky-red tshirt?  Check?
 
 
 
Really, it was as if these shoes were DARING me not find a match to them....It even matched the purples Dani was wearing yesterday, as if she KNEW they wanted to find a match, as if they have some kind of "KIKI SENSE" - cue walk on here by Bruce Willis and that poor kid that did not grow up looking as cute as he did when he was a boy...
 
They are now here very happily mixing with my pink suede Cece flats, because we do not want the Kikis to let on that they are my favourites, lest the others pinch my toes...
 
Then the calf hair Kikis:
 
 
 
Fairly screaming to meet the Nougat London dress!
 
And my White + Warren cashmere cardigan:
 
 
 
And see how it nestles with a red Kersh cardigan I own?
 
 
 
And on my tootsies:
 
 
And that was just looking around quickly!  I could imagine blacks and blues and greys and so on and it made me fairly dizzy with delight.
 
Such different shoes, but with patterns that make my wardrobe sing.  And which look wonderful with tights and thin trouser socks and jeans and pants...
 
Oh Jcrew!  Why?  WHY??????????  I am shaking my fist at a world that makes me decide that which cannot be decided.....
 
************************
 
After xoxo mentioned it the other day, thought I would take 2 minutes to talk about the White+Warren cashmere cardigan I own.
 

 
 
This is a lovely open cardigan with pockets that is super soft and manages to elevate every outfit I wear it with.
 
 
A close-up of the wool.  very lofty.
 
 
Lovely interior finishing and it really only pills about as much as my Broras do.
 
 
A close up of the neck - this is one soft cardigan and in my experience (pawing all over them at the store), all of their sweaters are very soft!
 
The company describes themselves thusly:
 
White + Warren is an NYC based clothing company that specializes in contemporary cashmere knitwear. Notable fans include Angelina Jolie, Blake Lively and Katie Holmes, as well as top stylists and influential bloggers.
 
I love my cardigan very much - it is super-soft and excellent quality and I cannot recommend it enough!
 
Hope the Kiki reviews were helpful and for godssakes, can we all pray that there is no a) plaid Kikis or b) velvet Kikis in the Christmas rollout - puh-leaze??????  Cause you know I kept them both, didn't I? 
 
And please - mock behind my back.  That's what a good friend would do....
 
Have a great Thursday and stay safe out there!
 
 
 
 

50 comments:

  1. We have Kiki telepathy! It's almost as if you knew I was about to order a pair! I think I may order both sizes and decide at home. I really love how these shoes fit on your feet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AB - think you are best to do that and try them with and without tights as well. But I know their ballet shapes are different to accommodate different types of feet - I love the Noras, but I walk right out of them!

      Delete
  2. What a pretty floral print, but alas, I loooove leopard print, so my fave is the second pair.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lisa! I was very pleased with them when they arrived - I had an old pair of Jessica Simpson ones, but they are starting to get worn and these are a dressier version...

      Delete
  3. Both pairs are excellent! I am sure you will get a ton of use out of them. Now that you have said it, I would not be surprised if plaid and velvet versions come out soon - after all, Mickey may be reading this! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Louise - I hope not! In the end, I was okay, because the calf hair are very lovely and I got them for a very good price. But the others are adorable!

      Delete
  4. No time to comment but I love GWTW like no other movie. I'm sure you read Scarlet. What did you think of it?
    As for the shoes, I like them both but am a sucker for the leopard. They fit my rationalization test: if it matches at least 3 other things in my current wardrobe I can keep them. Best of all, they suit your style and are comfortable! Too bad the skirt didn't work. Once again this is why gals love shoes. They are always our friends fitting when we are plus/minus pounds like no clothing can.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SC - shoes never make you feel overweight! I like the leopard and I understand they are to be treated like neutrals so I will!

      Delete
  5. I LOVE these shoes!!!! They look great on you! I would have kept both too!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rynetta! I was torn between the kikis and the darbys like you got, but think for me the kikis will get the most wear!

      Delete
  6. Wow, those floral shoes go with everything! Good choices!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh with a few more days I will have them matching EVERYTHING in my closet AND making me coffee in the morning!

      Delete
  7. Of course you need both lovelies. And you kept neither the sweater nor the skirt, so nuff said.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet there are lots of gorgeous silks where you are to match them with!

      Delete
  8. I am unfortunately a grand enabler. They are both far too lovely and versatile to be sent away. I am sure they will both serve you well and that you will really enjoy them. See I am of absolutely no help!

    ReplyDelete
  9. They are both very lovely and both match so well your different outfits... I would have hard time to decide which one I would keep. It would have been a real struggle as I am trying to not expand my wardrobe, I even try to still reduce it a bit. But I definitely think you did well to keep both of them...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh and I love the lines you wrote at the top... Great!

      Delete
    2. Well funny you should say that - I will be removing at least one pair or shoes because of them. I am trying to move something out when something comes in...

      Delete
  10. I think every time I have ordered 2 of something to try them out at home and send back the loser ... I acquire 2 new items! Both of those shoes look like they belong in your closet. I love shoes so, so much because they never make me look fat. [ROLLING EYES AT MYSELF]. In any event, I think it is often easier to carry off more whimsical prints and textures in shoes than in clothes, so I say Kiki away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi M! I think you are right on the whimsical prints, though I wore fancy pants with a blue sequin top on Saturday night... sigh...

      Delete
  11. Well I'm certainly not one to convince you one is enough! They really are two very different shoes, even if they are both Kikis. Think of it this way, if they were one each of Lulus and Dedes (made up names), would you think you needed a smackdown between the two? Maybe not as much? It's a good thing you know your feet love Kikis, no?

    The W+W looks like good cashmere. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi TR! You are right! do you think I can talk Mickey into calling them Wendys! You just don't hear that name much anymore!

      Delete
  12. Oh Wendy, you must, must, MUST keep both pairs! The skirt and everlane are going back, so there's no shame in keeping two pairs. They are both so lovely with your wardrobe!
    The grey cashmere looks divine, too!

    Pls let us know if you do the right thing (keep them both I mean!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whoops! My camera must not be good Ruth - the cardigan is actually a lovely heather camel colour! I have had it for awhile and am quite enamoured with the shawl open cardigan shape!

      Oh no - they are BOTH staying! I am just hopeful there are no others coming! I love the bow ones, but I can wait for the new year and a super sale for them...

      Delete
  13. I always have trouble spelling fuchsia, I often have to look it up. I can see why you had to keep both shoes, Wendy, they are both really fabulous and very you. Sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do :) My J. Crew throwback purchase was a bust too. It came in excellent condition but I didn't like it, probably for the best. I do think you should fear the Kikis in the holiday rollout. We will know the dangers soon enough!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cate - I have to say - my popback was in excellent condition as well, so good on JCrew there! Fabulous Florida Mommy says the 13th is when the holiday stuff goes up, which seems late to me, as every other retailers has their up now!

      Delete
  14. And you really thought you could send a Kiki back?! Just tell yourself no more Kiki's until next year. Be strong...January 1st is right around the corner. I personally love the berry/floral ones for you. They simply glow in the pictures. I noticed you took more pics of them...favorite.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BB - I must admit the florals were a favourite. December may be 31 days of Kikis, with the odd Pliner thrown in for good measure!!! I make no promises!

      Delete
  15. I agree, you can't let them get away! With the many matches you have come up with, these two shoes will soon be worth cents per wear. The floral Kikis reminded me of their gorgeous cherry blossom print many years ago. I miss their nice prints, now it's mostly colorblocking and zigzags and whatnot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought of that cherry blossom print as well Marie - I miss those prints, too....They actually look really great with the dark floral fancy pants of three years ago, too. You might think it is too much, but they look fab!

      Delete
  16. I'm dying at those Kiki's. They are divine, both pairs. To see the floral pair matched up with so many pretty shades... I mean really how gorgeous! The leopard ones are a must for you, they will go with everything and will be so chic with all-black.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. they are much better quality that the Jessica simpsons I bought two seasons ago, although only a bit more $

      am about to prepare another back for the consignment shop! It is amazing - I think yours pays much better than mine!!!

      Delete
  17. Both is the obvious answer here! ( Think what you saved sending back the clothes that did not work). Those print flats at Christmas with some jewel toned velvet. Glad Barry is on board.

    ReplyDelete
  18. They are both gorgeous Wendy, and I truly think you'll get a lot of use out of both in your wardrobe. The leopard are neutral and you'll find go with everything, and the print has so many wonderful colors to work with, plus will work nearly all year long (minus in the snow/muck)!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi Melissa! I will be wearing them around the house in snowstorms, contact in the knowledge that there are flowers blooming somewhere...

      Delete
  19. You must have a warm house, its socks and slippers here and boots for outdoors, it will be May before I can get back into ballet pumps.
    That line about cleaning out behind the heaters is hilarious!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Well, after a long long siege of Plantar Fasciitis (prevalent among runners, ballet dancers and basketball players - and me), I asked the world's greatest Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in sports medicine how to prevent a recurrence. Don't wear flat shoes, was the answer. Fear of pain has kept me in heels ever since. Even my sneakers and oxfords have at least a 1½ inch heel or wedge. So while I admire your cute flats, they are not for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. um, for those taking notes, that was one and a half inch heels or wedge. Blogger apparently is bewildered by fractions.

      Delete
    2. Ha! I am sometimes bewildered by fractions too! I like a 1.5 inch heel as well, but my feet are flatter than flatter, so this little slightly less than an inch heel feels awesome on me, though the completely flat ones do not.

      Delete
  21. The leopard print ones are so up my alley and are just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You and Ruth love your leopard! They feel very luxe - much more luxe than the monks strap leopard shoes I bought and returned a couple of month ago - they didn't feel soft enough to me for the price, but these seem quite posh!

      Delete
  22. Thank you for sharing the deets on the W&W cashmere cardi. It looks soft ans smooshy, very appealing. I may have to check them out now.

    Well those Kikis fit right into your wardrobe so you must keep them both. If you ever need help rationalizing additional pairs of shoes, I'm your gal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am quite impressed with white and warren, I have to say! very luxe looking! I agree with you though - nothing beats J Crew when it comes to the colours!

      I appreciate the assistance in rationalization!

      Delete
  23. I love both the shoes Wendy - keep them! Besides, you're sending back the blouse and the sweater, so you can justify it (I think!) xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love both pairs. There are smackdowns for the calf hair, but not so much for the printed bloomers. ;)

    ReplyDelete

Kindness is a virtue...