Picking on SJP - SJP Shoes at Nordstrom

So I'm going to do the potentially unthinkable for a shoe blogger... I'm going to diss on the upcoming SJP shoe collection from Sarah Jessica Parker and Nordstrom.

No really.

After seeing the recently released shots from Glamour, I have to admit I'm not impressed.  From what I've seen the designs aren't that spectacular and the quality and workmanship does not seem to justify an average $350 (and up!) price point.

Let's start with the Diana.  Interesting strap placement.  Very Maison Martin Margiela and Prada Fall 2012... mixed with the iconic Manolo Blahnik Campari (you know, the "urban shoe myth" although no longer), don't you think?

But that's to be expected when your partner is the president of Manolo Blahnik.

I'll be eager to see the shoes in person to see how the quality nets out but the pictures don't wow me.  The red Lady pump is b-o-r-i-n-g.  Even with the ribbon accent.  That lackluster heel just makes me yawn.

The Carrie is pretty but reminds me of a  Dior pump from a few years back.  I don't know.  It's just not anything special (Want to see a great t-strap? Check out these Gucci ones)

Who plopped that polyester (maybe it's silk, who's to know yet) on that boring bridesmaid heel? If the flower was in a shocking bright color and had a thinner heel, I'd be more interested in the Etta but not for $425 to be sure.

$200 for plain canvas espadrilles? No.

This is the one that actually pisses me off though.  The top image is the SJP Alison bootie.  How much has it ripped off the Ann Demeulesmeester open front ankle strap bootie? Um yeah... a lot.

That's pretty horrible, if you ask me. Maybe I should do a special Imitation = Flattery? post just for that pair.

I've seen other sneak peek images online but from what I've seen, I'm not going to be running out to get a pair from the SJP collection.  Bummer, too.  Sarah Jessica Parker could have brought some of her and the SATC fashion flair to this line.  But mostly they look like a boring miss-mash of knock-offs and boring bridal heels.

Making Room

I have a storage box in my bedroom that I like to think of as the "Staging Area".  It's were new shoes sit until they get worn and have a place in the closet or Shoe Cabinets.  I had quite a number off boxes stacking up and something had to be done.  So I descended into chaos over the weekend.

The Cabinets are pretty much out of room now and required a bit of tough love.  Some shoes went back in their boxes to live in the closet and some are going away entirely (22 pairs!). Here we are in progress...

It took most of the day. And not just because I kept trying on old favorites.

I ended up keeping these BeBe boots.  A wee bit snug but snazzy.

In the end the cabinets are newly rearranged. Cabinet 1 is still black/white/silver/pink/purple/yellow...

Cabinet 2 is obviously red/blue/tan/green/gold...

I love swinging the doors open and picking out a pair to wear.  Plus they do a great job keeping the dust off but still having a larger percentage of my shoes visible.

Yay for organization!

Sam & Libby for Target

I was excited, when I popped into Target over the weekend, to see the new Sam & Libby for Target shoe collection.  I have a number of  Sam & Libby shoes from ages ago and they are always cute.

This collection is reasonably priced and had a variety of styles from sandals to wedges to loafers.  I especially liked the ballet flats.

The loafers are great with jeans and the cap-toe ballet flats are pefect with shorts and dresses and skirts. I got the black/creme pair and the taupe/neon yellow pair.

Not all stores will have all the styles, so check online too. The Bree ballet flats, for example, also come in a creme/tan and a light turquoise (which I may have to order as well!)

I think the flats are the best designs in the collections and they look fancier than their price, so snap a few up!

Vivienne Westwood: my sexy shoe collection

Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood present “the most extensive selection” of her footwear ever to be showcased in the UK.
The exhibition includes nearly 200 shoes and spans the evolution of her style from 1973 to the present.

Vivienne Westwood Shoes: An exhibition - 1973-2010 opens Friday 26 August and runs until Wednesday 22 September at Selfridges London. Admisssion is free.

Via The Telegraph.co.uk

The Big Reveal

Ages ago I shared my closets with you and bemoaned the fact that I would never have pretty storage or room to have my favorite shoes on display. Ever since then I've been thinking about creating more of a dressing room in the spare bedroom and on the hunt for glassed in bookshelves.

This was a challenge because I didn't want to spend too much but I could never just have my shoes out on an open shelf. Between a very dusty, drafty old house and 4 cats, there is no way it would happen.

But then I found these wonderful, reasonaby-priced, glass-door shelves from Ikea - Bergsbo! These suckers are HUGE and I instantly knew they would make my dream come true.

It took me a few hours each to put them together and they weighed a ton but they were worth it. Now I have two gorgeous displays for all of my favorite pretty shoes. I know I'm showing off but I have to share.

Click on any/all pictures to see BIG!

Cabinet #1 is filled with pinks, blacks, whites, silvers and purples -

Cabinet #2 is red, blues, neutrals, greens and golds -

I have to admit I get a bit giddy and giggly when I walk into the room. Now every morning when I'm getting dressed, it feels like I'm going shopping!

Sneak Preview

I had some posts planned but I decided to work on a spur of the moment huge undertaking.

Think of this as a sneak preview....



Better shots to follow!

Color Study - Creams

When I started doing the Color Study for whites, I new I had a lot of neutral shoes to do as well and that they would be their own category, but as I was setting them all out there were quite a few pairs that didn't seem to fit in either group. To dark for whites but not really nude or neutrals.

So thus the cremes! Or cream. Or off-white. Whatever you prefer.

Not as big a group, only 15 here, but with a few lovely players.



I did get to take some nice shots though...

Okay, Row 1 - left to right:

- Isaac Mizrahi for Target Hannah in tan

- Martinez Valero Adam in stone linen

- Kate Spade Joan in a zebra-y pattern

- Paco Gil Oyat

- Naughty Monky Vishti in gold beaded

Row 2 - left to right:

- Nine West Eriley

- Via Spiga Branny

- Nicole Brundage Sinamon

- Alexandra Neel Coconut

- Ralph Lauren slingbacks

Row 3 - left to right:

- Enzo Angiolini Eamaxino

- Marc Jacobs Fab Rose

- Jimmy Choo Voyage

- Via Spiga Portillo

- Nina Melia

I just love the details in the group...

All images enlarge and there are more on flickr and don't forget to see Color Study - Pink and Color Study - White.

Ladies, Please Brace Yourselves

I know you've all been waiting for this important announcement, so please prepare yourself.

The Paris Hilton shoe collection is here.

And yes. Yes, it is as bad I had feared. If you are actually interested, you can click here to view all of these overpriced, cheaply made, tacky shoes in their full glory.

These shoes give faux leather a bad name.

Blech!