Eeeewwww! Christian Dior Tahiti Espadrille Pump

Isn't Christian Dior generally known for classic understated glamorous looks?

What the hell happened here?

These "Tahiti Espadrille Pumps" from the Spring 2011 runway are:

•Lizard-embossed calfskin d'Orsay with topstitched detailing featuring canvas laces that tie around the ankle.

•Basketweave-capped square toe sits on 3/4" stacked, mixed-media platform.

All this says to me is that here is a whole lotta crazy going on.
 
No, just no, Christian Dior.
 
Christian Dior Tahiti Espadrille Pumps - $1,550

Ensemble du Jour: 6-4-11

More outfit photos!  Can you believe it?

So, I spent a week miserable from sunburn and basically not wanting to go outside ever again.  When I did go out on Saturday I decided I was going to be as covered up as possible while still looking cute. Which means: dress, cardigan, espadrilles, parasol, hat and sunglasses. 

I bought this white dress a few months ago knowing I'd want something cool to walk around in and it really is perfect for a hot day.  The good thing is I have a ton of cute shoes I can pair this with, from espadrilles to oxfords.  

The dress is the "Who's That Girl" dress from ModCloth and the adjustable tie and straps are great, plus it's lined.

There are my shoes!

Wedge Espadrilles are the SUV of the shoe world.  These are Mossimo from Target.

I got to break out my Cambridge Satchel, finally.  It was going to go to New York but I didn't have the room, plus I wouldn't have wanted to take it out in the rain so I guess it's a good think it stayed home.

We went to a town event held at our Park. It's funny how stuck in a rut people get about clothes.  This may not be true in bigger cities but here in North Carolina, I am a fish out of water fashion-wise. I was just walking around on the sidewalks and then running some errands but, even though I was dressed very comfortably and simply with non-fancy or pricey clothes, people were gaping. If you don't wear shorts/sneakers/jeans/flip-flops/t-shirts you are out of the comfort zone.

Not that I care.

The husband said I looked very clean and pretty and dressier then him but that's most of the time anyways.  It doesn't bother me how surprised other people are but I do find it funny.

Do you all get this kind of response when you "dress-up" a bit out of the "norm"?

Ensemble Du Jour: 6-3-11

Yep, it's been a while since I've done an outfit post.  And I had to brave afternoon heat stroke and mosquitoes to get this.  How do you people do it???  Hat's off to you! 

It was Friday and hot so I'm in a simple outfit - red 3/4 sleeve cardigan and madras skirt from Target paired with my new Prada Minimal Baroque sunglasses and espadrilles.

I really love these red and white polka-dot wedge espadrilles from Payless. In my small size they are totally Minnie Mouse shoes.

My new glasses had arrived that day so I couldn't resist taking a picture of my Miu Miu glasses and Pradas together.

Not Middling Style

Yes, I am doing a "I Love Kate Middleton's Style" post.  I can't help it.  I mean, she's seems nice, they both seem totally in love, she wears great fascinators and hats and she's a pro at mixing high and low.  Even her first post-wedding outfit was a Zara dress.

But what really caught my eye were these perfect black patent espadrilles.  I discovered they were the "Greta" style from L.K. Bennett and, sadly, were from Spring/Summer 2008.  (2008! Three years ago. Kate hangs on to her shoes too. Look at her!  Awww... I'm smitten!)

Anyway, so I now need to have perfect black patent, closed-toe espadrilles.  How have I lived without them?!?  They're so perfect and just what I need. Not too platform-y, nice materials, not sandals. I must have some!

Shoe Search Time!!!

The first, and closest, I found were from Lanvin at Nordstroms.  Pretty but not quite as casual and they don't have the 1/2" platform.  Also, I refuse to think I can't find a cheaper option than $550.

These from BCBG at Zappos have a good shape but are a bit too tall and not patent.  I could lose the ankle strap too.   But at least they are less, $175, and close too.

The Steve Madden (I know, I know, ick!) Monarchy pair are at least closed toe, patent and a decent price, $89, but I don't like the cork heel/sole and they are much too high to be casually elegant. So I think a "No" for these too.

Who knew it would be so challenging to find a similar style.  Everything else were open toe and that's just not what I want. 

But, I haven't given up hope! 

I wrote to L.K. Bennett asking about the style (figuring they've fielded a ton of requests as the designer of her engagement dresses did).  I was hoping they would be bringing out more inventory, not realizing at the time that the style was from so long ago.  And good news, they said they would be putting out a similar wedge, the Kate (ha!), in the next month or so.  I'm hoping it will be very similar.

Now I just need to get a pair.  Wish me luck!

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
It's not overly fancy or anything but sometimes when you're tired or stressed you just need simplicity and comfort. And that's what this outfit has. A v-neck white knit top and a long khaki skirt. Just my watch as jewelry.



The Focal Point
I wanted to wear a comfy, summery shoe with my long skirt and I don't wear my espadrilles enough so I thought I would wear these cute little wedge floral slingbacks. I always feel like I'm so tall in them.



Plus they have a cute little floppy bow!

Highs and Lows

I never really wore espadrilles until just two years ago. But now I'm officially in love with the dizzying, potentially ankle-turning heights. Given they are such a seasonal shoe and not hugely versatile, I try to be frugal on my espadrille purchases. But that doesn't mean you can't get some cute ones!

I just got these multi-patterned pair from Target for $23.



And yes, I ventured back to Payless. But how cute are these green espadrilles? And only $23 also. Or $12 if you BOGO. Which I did because I also got...



... these. I wasn't planning on it. But they were there in the store and they have a really cool ochre color, plus the shape is pretty good in person. They were like $7 on sale, so what the heck, right?



I'm actually kind of digging these polka-dot heels from their Lela Rose line. They actually look almost JCrew/Banana Republic to me.



Or am I just completely deluding myself and just need to step away from the plastic?

Shoe Luck

When asking people to remember their "lucky" moments, they bring up stories of when they found $20 on the street, won a prize, or just making their flight. Mine are all about shoes.

There are different kinds of "shoe luck". There are the times when you are shopping for an event at the last minute. You know you are never going to find the shoes you need because you actually need them (that's why you should always by shoes you love when you see them - you'll never find them again). But as you head into your favorite store, prepared for disappointment, you find the perfect shoe right off the bat - the right style, right size, good price and they fit like a dream. An unexpected gift from the Shopping Gods. You giddily take your shopping bag and head home with extra time to get beautiful.

Then there are times when trip across a shoe lovah that you thought had passed you by. They were there for a brief moment, but you turned your head and they were gone. No amount of searching and crying was going to bring them back into your life. Then, one day, you are out of your usual environment - say, on a business trip to a locale you have never been to and will probably never return to. You, for lack of anything else to do, go to the outlet mall near your hotel, and then it happens. It's them. The very ones that you had pined for. The shoes that had left. On sale. In your size. Weeping tears of joy and disbelief you quickly grab three colors before anyone else sees them and takes them away from you. You will never be parted again!


My Nine West Satin D'orsay Espadrilles - I got them in an apple-y green and luscious teal.

Shoe luck can also come like a karmic blessing. There are "those shoes". The shoes of the moment that everyone is hunting for, coveting, taking pictures of at celebrity events. They're on the catwalk but not in any store. Frustration drives you to madness. But, perhaps the NYC main store will know if there are any out there that may have been overlooked, tucked into a corner where no one has found them. Maybe. Right? It could happen. But you know it's hopeless. The Internet and blogs are buzzing with the fact that these shoes just cannot be found. Or if they are, it's on Ebay for twice the price. You know that by calling you are just going to be perceived as an ignorant yokel who is behind the curve, but you have to ask. So you call, expecting haughty New York-Designer Store-Sales Associate disdain.

Me - "Hello, I was wondering if you knew if there were any of the Miu Miu double-strap mary janes available anywhere?

NYDSA - "Well they are pretty much sold out in all of the colors already. We only have a pair of 36s in silver left and they are on sale because we are getting ready for next season.

Me - *faints* I'll take them! Can you ship them to me RIGHT NOW????

Me - Hanging up the phone - *Giddy happy dance*

Then there is my ultimate shoe luck story. We were in London over New Year's. We were going to go to Harrod's, of course, because it is the greatest store in the world. But, hold the phone, there is a massive day after New Year sale. Everything including all designer shoes, etc., 50%+ off.

No. Freaking. Way. We were so going.

But, we were obviously delusional in our under-estimating of the Londoner desire for this sale. There were lines wrapped around the corner, security guards having to let folks in one at a time. And the shoe department was CRAZY. It was a good 20 degrees warmer there than anywhere else. Designer shoes everywhere. Women grabbing sales associates, trying shoes on sitting on the floor. Two girls almost got into a fight and a little old lady was chewing out the department manager. I grabbed a few pairs and got in line for the register. I had sent my hubby to check out the foods floor to save his sanity but after 4o minutes I felt I had to let him know I was still alive. The line hadn't moved so people had formed alliances and we had each taken turns to go tell our respective others that it would be a while longer. But after another 40 minutes and no movement, I had to abandon my attempt. We had reservations for tea at the Ritz.

I left my finds forlornly and we left. Poor Poochie - no shoes for me.

After tea, I was still bummed so we went to the Jimmy Choo store - but they had nothing in my size. Was I going to leave London with nary a heel? I guess I looked pretty sad so he asked if I wanted to go back to Harrods. Not really getting the most out of a London trip, but I had to go back.

As we walked in, I knew everything was sure to be picked over with nothing left for moi. I did find a pair of Stuart Weitzman heels in a muted floral-y print and went to get ask the associate to bring me the other shoe. As I was waiting I saw this woman trying on a pair of boots. The most amazing boots I had ever seen. She was looking in the mirror debating with herself whether to get them or not. As she turned back and forth, the boots glittered and sparkled in the light. They were made of a metallic patterned fabric and they shone gold or teal or burgundy depending on how the light hit them.

I almost mugged her to get them.

No matter what size they were, if she was going to put them down, I was ready to pounce. She asked the associate if there were anymore in that size because the ones she had were smudged on the back. I chimed in and asked if, while she was looking, could she see if she had my size too. The associate didn't give either of us much hope with her "Don't bet on it" look. But my new best friend, the nice boots lady said - I think I saw a pair in your size over on the display.

I didn't actually knock her or anyone down as I sprinted over there, but I did move pretty quick. And there they were...in my size! And here they are:





My Dolce and Gabbana amazing sparkly boots. These pictures so do not do them justice. I heart them way too much.

Shoe luck - much less trustworthy than gambling and so bliss-inducing. Any shoe luck stories you want to share?

Shoe Customization: Stripe Espadrilles

I have a lot of shoes and a lot of them are what I would call "stand out" shoes. Most of my shoes are not safe shoes. They're typically not neutral or practical and many times more art than function. I've also realized I don't have a lot of flats.

Over the years I've gone from searching out stand out styles to include higher end brands or even overseas. One of the new things I love are when designers do one off work or capsule collections (more to come on that). Then you know it is really unlikely that someone is going to have the same shoes on as you are.

The other thing that is fun is to customize shoes to get exactly what you want truly ensure you have a shoe unique to you. Shoe Missy, the designer I mentioned previously, inspired me to "make/embellish" a pair of custom espadrilles.

These were my inspiration from Topshop in the UK (about $75).

I also like the Christian Louboutin espadrilles that came is several colors (notice the little toe-cap - about $350)

Here is my base shoe, nearly identical to the Louboutin's, from Target (about $25)

After an hour or so and some red acrylic paint, here's what I ended up with (pardon my phone pic):

Pretty close and cute, huh? Since I couldn't change out the ribbon, I added a little red plaid heart button to the back of the ankle.

Voilia! I'm a summery peppermint with totally custom shoes just for moi!