You know that voice in the back of your head that sometimes whispers (or shouts) "You know this isn't the best idea you've ever had."?  That internal barometer speaks to me on a semi-regular basis and as I've gotten older I do listen...on occasion.  Most recently this kinda-makes-me-look-crazy conversation occurred on a late Monday in March and I decided that I was going kayaking since it would be my only chance to get out on the water for the rest of the week.  Nevermind the fact that it was 55 degrees and pouring, I was going.  I had even mapped out my latest and greatest route - from Whitmarsh Island to Wassaw Island, a wildlife preserve accessible only by boat.  Almost 14 miles one way...what could go wrong?

From the dock at Whitmarsh to Wassaw Island is almost 14 miles one way.

 Ignore the fact that my last 10+ mile expedition a few weeks ago left me with arms and shoulders that literally hurt for days and so exhausted that I could barely lift the kayak back on top of our Jeep.  But hey, that was 2 weeks ago and I wasn't backing out come hell or high water (see what I did there? haha).

Even as I tore through my closet searching for a rash guard I hadn't used since last summer that voice started popping up.  "Are you sure you want to do this today? Cause it kinda seems like iffy weather.  And by iffy I mean it's going to suck,"  At some point I will learn to listen more often but this wasn't the day for it.  Dressed, kayak loaded, map, snacks and my eternal fluffy sidekick and we were headed for the dock.  I kept looking on the bright side - there wasn't a single soul there.  It was perfect, we would practically have the water all to ourselves which meant no wake to contend with (I can't imagine why no one else was out there).

Rio is so spiffy in her life jacket.

 Once actually in the water the feel-good vibes started to dissipate if they had event been there in the first place.  It was drizzling, the water was rough enough to send buckets into the kayak (remember there's no skirt on it because our dog sits between our legs) and I can't tell where the hell I'm going, map or not.  But even then, I really couldn't just turn around and go back to the car.  We were already out here, already in the water, already wet, we had to have something to show for it.  Perhaps some higher power read my mind because the next moment there was a very recognizable bird call...almost a scream.  If you've ever heard one of these in person, you know exactly what I mean.

A bald eagle perched on a low branch not 30 feet from my kayak.  Totally made the day worth it.

Bald eagles don't have that regal call that most people think - it's a weird chirping, screamy sound that you'll never forget.  And it's totally cool to see one in the wild just hanging out.  After attempting to snap a couple pictures - a few of them turned out thank goodness - I decided that maybe we would cut our trip a little short.  We had gone maybe 4 miles out and the rain went from a drizzle to a outright downpour.  I finally gave in to that voice that had gone from suggesting to demanding.

The way back had our heart rates up a little more than is comfortable - from a easy drizzle to pouring and the winds picking up, our light kayak was doing a valiant job of keeping us from swimming.

It's freezing!  I'll go ahead and admit it, it was not my best idea to go kayaking on this particular day. I'm thanking my stars for a good guardian angel.

The story has a happy ending though - there wasn't any capsizing, thank god, because that's a different disaster than usual when you have a dog with you, even if they are wearing a lifejacket.  Fighting the wind, surf and current meant to took an extra hour to get back to the dock but thankfully other than a few close calls with big waves it was uneventful.  We made it back to the car and Rio, would is usually quite happy to sniff around, was more interested in getting in the car and out of the rain.  I didn't realize just how cold I was until I was out of the kayak and back on land though - shivering and really really really wishing I had brought an extra shirt, this trip was full of plenty of lessons learned.  Pack better.  Listen to the weather.  Stop being so stubborn.  Even though I have years of experience kayaking and other outdoors activities, I know my limits and I need to learn to listen to myself.  It can wait.  We've got all summer.  And the paddle leashes are already on order.

The dog who doesn't like to snuggle didn't mind a little extra attention once we finally made it back to the car.

Special thanks to Francisco for the title inspiration. 

Over time things change.  In life, in love, in fashion - as the days pass on everything is different even when it seems the same.  So in the interest of not becoming some boring, stagnant column, this blog is getting a face lift (literally - did you see the new cover photo??).

Why?  Well, it's been my personal experience that people are, generally speaking, quite complicated.  A myriad of interests that don't always exactly seem to go together.  And sometimes that makes people look at others funny.   But who says you have to focus on just one thing?  Why can'y you embrace all of those interesting facets that makes you, well, you?  So maybe I'm about to shoot myself in the foot and ruin my following (do I still have a following?) or maybe this will appeal to an even larger audience.  The only thing I know is that I don't ever want to be boring and I'm afraid that's where I am at the moment.  So if I have to indulge my love of absurdly expensive shoes and whatever walks the runway at NY Fashion Week as well as my obsession with kayaking, rock climbing and anything I can compete in.

Seriously, for me, having a blog that only talks about fashion is kinda like being at a party and only participating in the conversations about what everyone is wearing.  That's boring.  I hate being limited.  I want to talk about everything.  So hey, why not join me, it will be adventure for everyone.

Since when did we have to start choosing between being beautiful and girly or adventurous and athletic? Photo Credit to Starla Little and Paul Nurnberg.

We couldn't be happier to see a show that was nothing but floor-length gowns from start to finish as was the case with Vionnet's Fall/Winter 2014-2015 Haute Couture Collection.  Is it practical for real life?  No, but it's couture, it's not supposed to be.  And if you're thinking that it's the same old princess ball gowns or second skin creations you're in for a surprise.

The epitome of fresh and unexpected, these lace and chiffon gowns are  our favorites from the Vionnet F/W 2014-2015 Haute Couture Collection.

Satin, chiffon, patterns, fringe, fur, lace and pleating...combinations that sound like the shouldn't work together are masterfully intertwined to create fresh and structurally different creation.  This wearable art is quite unlike anything we've seen before which is a real feat these days when it seems like practically everything has already been done.  We're partial to the mixed media gowns - the lace with coral chiffon peeking through cutouts may not be the most wearable piece from the collection but it is among our favorites.

Simple gets a facelift with soft structural creations at the neckline and pastel fringe over layers of sheer skirt.

Stunning pleating gives way to beautiful structured embellishment on the collarbone or hips and is weirdly reminiscent of vertebrae but it works.  The only hems above the knee have a knotted swag of fabric that takes the dress from a simple cocktail dress to something special.

Although they remind us a little of our college anatomy classes, these dresses are anything but boring and bring a certain structure to the collection that amazes us considering the fabrics used.

Mixed media has become commonplace these days but we appreciate not only mixing textures but adding a subtle pattern and a flash of a different color.

Aside from the lace and pleated gowns, there are one more group of outliers that really takes the show above and beyond:  fur.  Paired over the evening gowns, or in one instance, as a dress itself, these toppers take the looks to the next level.  We think they're beautiful over the dresses but would look equally amazing over skinny jeans or a pencil skirt.  All in all we're hugely excited to see what Hussein Chalayan comes up with next for Vionnet.

Close seconds for our favorites, we adore these fur toppers.  Vionnet as nailed how to take a beautiful evening gown to the next level of visual interest.

Thank you to Style for the Vionnet F/W 2014-2015 HC photos!

Everything about this photo is sexy:

We were flipping through Vogue when this popped up...all of a sudden we feel the need for some mid-calf boots, a huge bag in a pop of color and a comfy sweater.  But if this campaign shows us anything, it's that Mr. Harbin will be our best accessory.

 And we really want everything that she is wearing.  From those amazing mid-calf boots to the warm and comfy sweater to the mustard bag to the adorable drivers cap.  All of it.  The guy is cute too.  

The 1970's inspiration is obvious but it's retro in an updated way that works completely especially when shot on a gray background so the only thing you notice is the beautiful clothes.  The bright, bold jewel tones have a fall feel too them and we're all for mixing and matching colors while the collarbone-grazing bob is tres chic.  Scroll down to see the rest of the ad campaign.

It's almost time to bring out our coats and again and we all know by now that one of the easiest ways to make a statement is with an attention-grabbing topper.  Don't have one?  Gucci's fuchsia number is at the top of our list.

Chic dressing doesn't have to mean dressed-up.  Pair your favorite jeans with menswear inspired shoes a comfy jacket and add a gorgeous bag in a rich color and you're good to go.

There's nothing like good chemistry when it comes to an advertising campaign and ladies and gents, this is what that looks like. The fact that they look amazing in clothes doesn't hurt either.

We're loving the easy styling to contrast the bright, bold jewel tones for this Fall - and we still want to get our hands on that comfy leather accent sweater.

Always one to impress, the best part about the new Christian Louboutin nail polish is arguably the bottle.

We won't lie - we kind of want all of the colors...not because we would actually wear all of them, but because the display is absolutely incredible.  We have a feeling that we aren't the only ones who are disappointed that the shoes aren't for sale.

Three of the shades that will be available in the 'Noirs' line and three of the shades from the 'Nudes' line.

Christian Louboutin has never been one to shy away from the spotlight so it's no surprise that there will be a whole like of 'Pops' colors to complete the nail polish range.

We are huge suckers for weddings.  The love and romance, being surrounded by friends and family, seeing two people being joined together and start their lives as one...le sigh.  It also doesn't hurt that, generally speaking, it's a woman's favorite dress that she will ever wear and the guests look oh-so-chic.  

This year we celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on the 23rd of May and the idea of renewing our vows has been bouncing around in our head.  A mention or two of it to Mr. Harbin and he thinks it's a great idea...we are considering for our 10th anniversary.  Our wedding was amazing: laid back, comfortable (the guys wore flip flops) and fun; we want the same vibes for our vow renewal.  The fact that we would have to go dress shopping again is not lost on us and occasionally we pop into David's Bridal or Bleu Belle Wedding (a very chic wedding dress boutique here in Savannah) to see if we are simply going to say yes to a dress right there on the spot (it hasn't happened yet, much to Mr. Harbin's relief).

While we do check out celebrity weddings and can appreciate the time, effort, planning and, lets face it, money, a lot of the time they feel like a Lamborghini:  a little too over the top, painfully expensive and completely out of reach.  But then we saw photos of Olivia Palermo in her wedding "dress" and were completely taken aback.  

The very picture of wedding perfection, Olivia and Joannes look relaxed but still so very chic on their special day.

Her wedding dress isn't a dress at all but a stunning three-piece outfit, all from Carolina Herrera:  a beautiful ivory cashmere sweater paired with chic white shorts and a tulle skirt for an overlay that has some of the most beautiful lace detail on the slit that we've seen in a wedding gown.  It's effortless.  A simple, middle part ponytail, easy on the eyes makeup and her own jewelry keeps this look anything but contrived.  We also happen to think that Mr. Harbin would look amazing in Joannes Huebl's suit.

We're completely smitten with Olivia Palermo's three-piece wedding outfit from Carolina Herrera and her blue Carrie Bradshaw inspired Manolo Blahniks.

If those beautiful blue shoes look vaguely familiar, they should.  Those are the same pair of Manolo Blahniks that Carrie Bradshaw wore on the big screen when she finally married Big in the Sex and the City movie.  Like we needed another reason to love this outfit.  

Thank you to Olivia Palermo's website for sharing these photos of their special day.

We're obsessed.  There's just no other way to put it.  We are living, breathing Chanelistas and that's pretty much where our money goes.  When we saw the email from Chanel announcing that the Fall/Winter 2014-2015 Pre-Collection was available you had better believe that we zipped right on over to the website to check it.  First and foremost, the video for the Pre-Collection romanticized everything for us (and really, really makes us want to go to Paris) making us want to add several pieces to our ever-growing collection.  

Scroll down to see our favorite looks as well as some must-have accessories for Fall from the Pre-Collection.  Visit your closest Chanel Boutique to see these pieces in person and take some home to add to your ever-so-stylish closet.

Chanel Fall/Winter 2014-2014 Pre-Collection Looks

There is just something about a Chanel suit that is classic and yet very new at the same time.  We can't help but adore this slightly below the knee skirt with polka dot tights paired with a crisp white tee, wool vest and easy styling.

Covered up doesn't have to mean boring; pair a straight skirt with fun tights and girly shoes and add some visual interest to your sweater with a line of buttons down the front to keep things from looking too conservative.

There are many things that Chanel does incredibly well and one of them is the suit; we love the way it is reinvented on a regular basis and this one would be right at home in any woman's closet for decades to come.

Chanel Fall/Winter 2014-2015 Pre-Collection Accessories

Mademoiselle was greatly inspired by baroque influences as seen in these baroque cross earrings accentuated with glass pearls.

We subscribe to the logic that ladies should just be dripping in pearls and this multi-strand knotted pearl necklace fits right into our train of thought.

Chanel has been famous for their bags for years and they are reinterpreted for each and every collection.  We love this jersey flap bag in a bright pop of color (also available in rich yellow and navy) for a fun Fall update.

A playful mix of ladylike and menswear, these iridescent patent lace-ups are the shoe for the season for us - the fact that the bow is removable only cements our opinion.

What first appears to be tweed is actually beading of glass pearls on this beautiful black and white miniaudiere.

It just wouldn't be Chanel without a strand of pearls and this short necklace will lay close to your face, reflecting soft, shimmering light...we can't help but adore the CC signature as well.

Coco Chanel's favorite flower because it had no scent and didn't interfere with her perfume, these tweed camellias are the perfect accent to any outfit.

Tweed is ever-popular for Fall and we absolutely adore this heather gray flap bag in the material.

We can personally attest to the fact that these black and white tweed lace-up boots are exceptionally comfortable as well as incredibly chic.  Think of it as an alternative way to wear a Chanel suit.

Originally it was hats that Coco Chanel used to make a name for herself so it only makes sense that the tradition be carried on in the likes of this chic tweed and ribbon accented hat.