Checking in... with Camilla

What a week!

 I'm sorry I disappeared but I was on a work trip last week and then was whisked away to Asheville, one of my favorite destinations, for my birthday.    It was a lovely mini-break filled with relaxation and good food.

But of course when you return to reality, there is a ton to catch up on.  And I have been neglectful here.

I've been pulling old suits and dresses out of the back of my secondary closet because... well, they fit.  I'll have to do another post about that process but suffice it to say I'm a bit "smaller" now and still working towards my ultimate goal.

Today I'm wearing a long black pencil skirt and my pair of Camilla Skovgaard Chastity heels.

It's been a while since I've checked up on Ms. Skovgaard's work and I was a bit sad to see sandals like these:

But then I was heartened by these sexy and edgy sandals... so her design aesthetic.

These amazing boots with her signature sawtooth sole are also pretty fabulous. 

It's good to see that Skovgaard is still creating the shoes I would go for if I wanted to look amazing, strong and sexy.  She has a great style that just epitomizes "power shoe".

Ensemble du Jour: 7-8-11

In spite of the fact that it's a million degrees out and I'm not happy in/with this image, I'm sharing it because, well... I'm wearing a "mullet" skirt for WendyB.

I had actually fallen in love with a asymmetrical (aka mullet) skirt last fall but missed out on the one I really wanted.  I had called all over to no avail and over the winter put it out of my mind.  But I found this light jersey skirt at Nasty Gal (in two colors!) for only $38 and picked it up.

The fabric is very comfy and floaty.  It is actually perfect for summer as you can wear it with sandals or knee-high boots (not those tragic ones in the photo) or heels and while it's as easy breezy as a maxi skirt or dress, it's more interesting and attention grabbing!

I paired it with my custom Paraphernalia necklace and Camila Skovgaard Chastity Sandals. A strong graphic and sexy heel, especially with an ankle strap, works great with this skirt.  But I'm also planning on wearing it with a jacket and my Ann Demeulemeester triple-lace boots in the Fall.

I think Wendy is planning a round up of more skirts, so I'll link to it here when that happens.  I can't wait to see all the other outfits!

UPDATED:

Here is the Huffington Post feature on "mullet" styles written by Wendy Brandes.

Ensemble du Jour - 6-9-10

I was very excited when I recieved my new Camilla Skovgaard heels that I had to find a way to wear them right away. They are so cool and structural so they needed an equally fun outfit to go with them. So I decided to match them up with my trompe l'oeil Rosalind Keep dress in pink and black.



A simple black cardigan keeps it work-ready and me from freezing in the office AC.



I thought the Paraphernalia necklace worked perfectly with the graphic lines of the dress and heels.



The perfect round toe...



What I love about the dress is that it's really just a straight-forward jersey tank dress but the addition of the drawing makes it just more. It was perfect to then go out after work and meet up with some friends for dinner too.

Make Art

I have a quick peek at some enticing boxes the other day and I was finally able to take the good shots that I wanted so I could really showcase these shoes for you. If you have "Liked" the Shoe Daydreams page on Facebook or follow along on Twitter, then you may already have a good idea of what the reveal will be.



What I have are two very different styles - the Camilla Skovgaard London S10012 pump and the Marc by Marc Jacobs "Love" Mouse ballerina flat - but they both appeal strongly to me.

Camilla Skovgaard makes some damn sexy shoes. She has a very defined presence with her strong and sexy shoes. I recognized this with the Chastity sandals I bought from her line last year and this season has been even better. One thing I've found with her designs is that they look even more amazing on.



These pumps, I have to say, are gorgeous to look at but are perfection on. They have the perfect round toe, the heel shape is amazing, they are high but have a very cushy internal platform and are supported by the amazing saw-tooth rubber sole.

Love!

They also come in a wonderful porange-y coral and an elegant sandy taupe. I so so soooo wish they came in sky blue as well. How amazing would that be?

I needed a simple black pump but then knew I could just get a plain pump. The shape of these are classic but the sole gives them that extra edge.

The second pair, the Marc Jacobs mouse flats are just the opposite. White, bright, sweet and flat, these iconic shoes have been reborn in a ton of different ways from a fuzzy leopard print to trompe l'oeil to encrusted with rhinestones.

But I am head over (no) heels for the white patent version I now posess. I've been in love with these whimsical shoes for ages and kept them in the back of my mind, mostly because they came out so long ago and I didn't like the newer versions. But then I stumbled across these on Amazon in my size!

They may possibly be the last pair in white anywhere because I've been searching for them online and can't seem to find them anywhere (they are still available in red, blue and black on Amazon, however).

Yes, these could be deemed too sweet or too silly but I think they are s'wonderful.

I love the details: the rhinestone eyes, the delicate ears and nose and the stitched on curly tail.

I know I'm waxing lyrical about them but feel as though I've acquired a piece of art. Like the Koons Balloon Dog, I value these as a bookmark in the design evolution of the designer.

I have four other pairs of shoes by Marc Jacobs that are now many years old and they are each wonderful but very different from his aethetic today. And their details spoke to me just as certain paintings and architecture do. My shoes are functional items and I wear them but, in many ways, they are also part of a very curated collection.

And this brings me to something I want to say, and will elaborate on in a future post - to some of the shoes companies, designers, buyers and stores: Make art or go home.

From sexy heels to whimsical flats, don't waste our time with less than your best. I value your work but resources and time and money are scarce. We should only be seeing the best of the best from what you create (and stop going the easy route with the knock-offs, okay. There is a way to do good design at all price points).

Designers, even if you have to bow to the economics of the real world and the demands of the company owners, the buyers and the stores with most of your line, keep a glimmer of art there. Maybe a deal can be made and only one is made available. Maybe you can only make a few of them, but I know they will be wanted and treasured.

I know I may not be able to get all of them or afford them, but I'll be behind you 100% and rooting you on!

Opposites Attract

Photos soon...

Simply Fierce

I love color and wear everything from bright blue to lavender to bright pink all the time but I also have a great love for wearing all black. It just lets the graphic nature of certain pieces stand out in a way they just would not when mixed with more colorful options.

Yesterday, with my Aldo shoes and and black lace stockings was an all black day and I did it again today. It's funny how some of the best outfits just sort of happen on their own. All I was thinking about was wearing my new Camilla Skovgaard Chastity heels, that had just arrived, and something comfortable and warm because the weather here was rainy and nasty.

I pulled out a this black jersey dress from Target that I love so much I have 2 of and my Forever21 sequin hoodie. Black sequins!






For some reason, these pieces must have worked really well together because I was getting compliments left and right. Maybe it was the all black, the shiny sequins and the cut of the neckline all together.

Guess I'll be wearing that combo again.

Of course the totally fierce (Yeah, I said it. Probably one of the very rare times you'll hear me use the word) heels helped too.

These shoes are amazing. Unusual. Edgy. Comfortable and well made. Why have I not bought this brand before?!?

Picture overload, I know!

So I'm a total Camilla fan now and know whose shoes I will be targeting to add more of to my closet!

If you like these, I got them at Saks, but I've also see them at Shopbop too.

Fashion Night Out and a Surprise Appearance

One of the things I was interested in attending during Fashion Week as the new joint effort launching called Fashion Night Out.

Obviously taking advantage of Fashion Week mayhem and with a sort-of-obvious goal to boost sales, FNO was an opportunity to pop from store to store and see celebrities (not that I would recognize anyone) and be a part of all of the promos and general fun at a ton of stores.

I went to Bergdorf's first where it was packed on every floor. I did hit the shoe salon but didn't get anything. Sadly, the shoes I wanted were too big even in a 35! What the heck?!? But I did get to see these cute DJ boys...



I then went an got some macarons and some cupcakes. Stopped by Sephora where they had live models in the windows and were doing airbrushed make-up demonstrations and popped in to Saks.

I had headed out a bit late so I really didn't expect to see any of the designers or celebrities in person. Frankly I just wanted the deals! But while I was walking around the shoe floor, I did notice this very tall pretty woman and the fabulous shoes she was wearing (of course).

As I wandered over to the table where I see the same heeled sandals I realize they are Camilla Skovgaard shoes and when I turn around she and her pr team are talking to me and introducing themselves!




The shoes she was wearing and that I WISHED they had in my size too...




Camilla and her team were just lovely in person. They asked for a card and we talked about the styles a bit. I tried on three pairs including these very cool booties.





But in the end I ended up with these sandals with the cool discs around the ankle. They were out of my size in the other pairs I wanted. : (



I did have a $50 Saks gift card to use but I would have paid full price for these babies. They are so cool! I love her work so I can't wait to get more of them. Sadly Saks doesn't have them shown online yet but I should get them delivered soon where there will be a million more pictures taken.

Thanks Camilla and team for being so nice! It was a pleasure meeting you.