Lock Down Your Fabric - Blahnik, Rousseau, Jcrew and Anthropologie

I haven't written on this blog in ages but I had to make this post because I was so appalled and amused by this fabric situation.

Designers! This is why you lock down exclusivity for your materials!

To start with - these are all current season and currently available for purchase shoes.

First up are the Manolo Blahnik BB's in this great embroidered floral fabric. $765 at Saks.

But I also found these JCrew Ankle-wrap slingback heels in the same fabric. $228

And then I found two shoes from Jerome Rousseau - Abelline Sandals for $595 and Booties in a black version of the floral for $895.

I also found the black version in an offering from Anthropologie - the Ouigal Pearl Block heels $228

Obviously, it's a popular fabric, but seeing it all over really dilutes the special-ness of it. It makes you remember the fact that these are produced versus crafted.  And that's not usually what I want in a shoe.

Dalek Dots Define

When I first saw the runway shots from Valentino's Fall/Winter 2014, all I could think was really elegant Daleks.

The great thing is…. I love the Daleks.  They're so evil and snarky.  My people!

Now the question is, do I want the mary janes or the booties.  The mary janes are more practical but I'm in love with the booties.

Aww, hell, maybe I need both.

Chloe and Me

Ever since I saw this on the runway...

I've been obsessing over these... The Chloe two-tone wedge heel ankle boots. They have that safari British Colonial look that I really adore.

Well, I had to break down and get them. They are even more adorable in person.

I think these will be obsessively worn as much as my Ann D.'s

There are tons of ways to wear them. Because of their sporty yet classic look they really can be dressed up or down. Cherry Blossom Girl does a great series of looks in them that I'm sure to find influencing my own choices.



Sadly, even though they just arrived and I can't wait to wear them, I am so worn out (today was exhausting and had us running from 6:30 a.m. until almost midnight), I can't even envision what I am going to pair them with first.

I guess I will have to dream about the perfect outfit.

Ensemble du Jour

This was the outfit I was going to wear last Saturday but it was too rainy to risk it with my new shoes.



I even debated wearing plaid tights (a much smaller plaid) but thought that might look a bit crazy... at least for my office.

It was still chilly out but not too bad.

Cardigan: Field of Flowers from Anthropologie

Cardi: Target

Skirt: JCrew

Tights: ???

Shoes: Chanel Fall 2008 via Ebay

I think I need to get a detail shot of this cardian because it has some great elements. Big carved buttons that are actually snaps and ribbon cut ends to the heathered grey trim. I've had this for about 5+ years now. That is one of the good things about the pieces from Anthropologie. They're so unique yet classic. Sadly they are typically pricey too unless you get them marked down on sale, which is what I usually wait for.

Second Chances

I may have missed out on the Christian Louboutin Emily booties a few years back.



But now there is a second chance. An opportunity to get a similar look - vintage-y spat style booties, this time with black patent and the same cute buttons.



Obviously available from Barneys, the Estoteri is a pricey $995 but striking. And high at 120mm!

Personally, if given the choice, I'd still pick the Emily but these are sharp too. Great for Fall but would be fun with short retro dresses too.

No Shades of Grey

I saw these on Haute Macbre and loved them.

But white or black?






At $35, I think maybe both!

Near Misses

One of the shoes I really really wanted this past Fall were these Chanel spat ankle boots. I didn't do a lot of searching because I had already bought the two-toned mary janes and the tights. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't want them if I found them.



But then yesterday I thought I was in luck! Haute Macabre featured these adorable booties on Urban Outfitters.

Aren't these great? Wouldn't these be wonderful and a great option since I couldn't find the Chanel ones?

Yeah, too bad... They're sold out.



Now I'm bummed all over again. Maybe they will come back in stock. It would be a very merry Christmas indeed if they did!

Election Day Outfit

On this very important day, inspite of it being dreary rainy dismal day, I got out there to vote. I hope you did too.

In addition to my favorite accessory of the day I wore a black sweater dress from Target, my pink Lou Lou Loves You bow, Nine west Naples booties and (more) funky tights.


11-4-08 Election Day Outfit by Princess Poochie

I love these bows! Now I need some matching knickers. ; )



Aren't these tights crazy? They're from Target and I luv them. One thing I have to say about Target's tights... they're very soft, almost slippery. They had these in all pink and black but I like the sporadic pink within the white and black.



Did you wear anything special when you went out to vote today?

Imitation = Flattery?

Do these metal circle Manolo Blahnik booties remind you of any thing?

Maybe this Burberry Prorsum dress from last year?

What do you think? Long lost twins?

Fashion Forward from Where???

During the Gala & Nubby Virgo Extravaganza, Miss Bianca Alexis was on hand to take some amazing portraits of the party guests. And as she was walking around we noticed her kickin' outfit. She wore these great cropped white skinny pants and a white cropped jacket. She also had some great pops of red from her accessories.

Including these really shiny, edgy peep-toe booties. We couldn't take our eyes off them and much discussion went on amongst our little group about where she chould have bought them. We debated if they were Chloe or Dries or what?

Eventually we got to ask here where they came from.



Yeah... They're from Payless.

Are you kidding me?!?

alice + olivia for Payless Rivington Ankle Boot - $48. Also available in black. And a funky closed-toe bootie too.

Blogger Inspiration: Nubby Twiglet

More and more I feel my horizons being expanded and my wardrobe being inspired by the great bloggers that I regularly follow on their sites, Twitter and Flickr uploads. While I'm not trying to copy their style, sometimes I see a color combination, an outfit or an accessory that looks so great I feel I should give it a try myself.

The first blogger I'd like to give a big thank you to is Miss Nubby Twiglet. She has an amazing sense of style with a very strong color aesthetic which, tied with her graphic design work directly contributes to the amazing art she creates.

Working in a similar field, I appreciate her design skills (so much so that I recently purchased one of her Kiss & Tell posters) and I'm also loving her wardrobe. Funny enough, I have this same cardigan.



But recently Nubby showcased these Corso Como Dodie wedges. Now these shoes are very outside of my typical "comfort zone" but I could see the possibilities. For Fall I thought they would be great with all sorts of tights, especially my solid colored ones and possibly some of my Hansel for Basel knee-patch over-the-knee socks.



I had a gift certificate from Zappos to use (although I think they are a wee bit cheaper on the Nordstrom's site) so I figured I'd give them a try and if I didn't like them I could send them back. I'd never purchased this brand before, so I wasn't sure how they would be.



Well let me tell you, these are some seriously well made shoes. They're a Brazilian brand and are quite sumptuous. The interior cushioning is amazing.



And I love the satin ribbon ankle ties, which can be tied in the front or the back.





Great shape from the back too.



I already have a whole slew of outfits planned for these and am definitely keeping them!

They also come in white with black accents (totally cute) and a forest green and black version, although I only saw this last one at Nordstroms. I just got them tonight so I haven't worn them out but so far they seem great.

Tied up in Knots

I'm seriously considering getting these two pairs of shoes.






They're not bad. Cute shape, nice style. A little trendy, yes, but that's okay because.....

Their combined cost is about $35.

Yeah, they're from Payless.

I used to be a total Payless snob but I have to give them props for trying right? I know they aren't the best quality and I'm sure they "inspired by" a designer shoe but, eh, I don't care.

I like the style and I've been looking for some like these for Fall. Since they're a bit trendy I'm not looking for a long term investment and I won't have to worry to much if they get knocked around. I'll probably have them shipped to the store for free and, then if I don't like them, I can return them right there.

What do you think? Give them a shot?

Eeeewwww!!!

Oh Stella, Stella, Stella

I want so much to like you. I like your whole philosophy and the fact that you haven't sat around on your butt sponging off your famous dad.

And after hearing how you bantered with Kathy Griffin I can't help but love you a little bit.



But seriously. If you keep abusing our relationship in this way, I'm going to think you have no respect for our relationship.

Do you secretly hate me? Or is this cry for help?

What explanation could there be for these???





They're bad my dear, just so terribly bad.

And polyester? Couldn't you get a nice cotton or something? Do they even allow polyester into Italy? Isn't there some kind of quarantine at the border?

Kick Ass Shoes

I haven't even really had a chance to wear any of my Spring/Summer shoes yet (I was so chilly today I actually was wearing a tweedy jacket to work) when all of the new Fall shoes are now already hitting the market. Time is just flying by.

I'm not sure I would get these and they would be a very large departure outside of my typical comfort zone but I love these sandal/booties by Yves Saint Laurent (even Saks doesn't know what to call them).



I would wear them with jeans or a skirt and then into Fall with some grey tights. Thank goodness tights are still going to be around.

I'm not too sure about the metal embellishment but the heel is just sick! Gah! I love them.



It's too bad these are in pre-order. I'd love to try them on in person when I'm in New York. Just to see if I can actually walk in them.

Eeeewwww!!!

I don't care how many times designers try to put this style of shoe out there, and I don't care what colors, metallics, glitter, etc., they try to create them in, I just find these heeled (or non-heeled) jazz shoes hideous.

There is just no way around it. They're just ICK!



I'm not sure if it's the toe or the leather laces or what but every time they look bad. There is no good way to fix them. So let's just stop the madness. Please, no more.

Jonathan Kelsey - Saks - $710!

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
I have to say, this cashmere dress from Gap maybe one of the best things I bought this fall. It's flattering and comfortable. Paired with black ribbed tights and my Nine West satin ankle booties, it's pretty much perfect.



This is a great chunky acrylic bracelet from eBay.



Guess what necklace I'm wearing???



The Focal Point
Well, I love the softness of the material but the length of the dress, the black tights and boots work to make me feel like my legs are all long and sexy. And you can't beat that, right?