Instant Access - 9/26 - 10/23

It's been a busy few weeks around here.  Furniture Market for my clients, a trip to New York to work with some blogger friends, a brief bout with a cold, opening our pub, backyard movie nights and spending time getting ready for the cooler seasons while finding them already upon us.
In the midst of that are, of course, shoes!

From my copper Marc Jacobs' oxfords...

Candy colored Converse....

Acquisitions over the last few months required a reworking of the shoe cabinets.  Only the extra special ones get prime placement...

While giving the cabinets a reshuffle, I played with some old friends, including Fendi's Cinderellas...

Louboutin...

YSL...

A random Tuesday needed some sparkle...

And then there were two pairs that I've been pining for.  First, the super shiny Alexander Wang tasseled pumps...

And then the over-the-top glitter Miu Miu sneakers....

Did the whole Seasonal Swap of clothes where I realize I have way too many grey and black sweaters.

Oh, yeah, my other obsession nail polish.

China Glaze's Phat Santa is my new favorite red.

Sally Hansen's Halloween designs are so fun.  This is Numbskull...

To match my new glitter sneakers I wore black matte tips and black shatter over China Glaze's Midnight Kiss.

In between all the hubbub, I found a few moments to nap in the hammock.

While others hogged the heated bed on a chilly night.

Oh yeah, I found this guy - a stapleless stapler!

Fall is starting off amazing!

Sparkle in my Eyes - Glitter sneakers

I can't resist an overdose of sparkle and shine.  Sequins, rhinestones and gliter are my weakness.  I've got sequin sneakers, I think I need some glitter ones too.

I started with these casual black glitters from Keds (also in silver) -

Checked out the Toms (also in sliver, black, gold and pink) ...

Not sneakers but I love the Marc Jacobs oxfords...

But Miu Miu is killing it with the glitter this season and I'm totally smitten with their sneakers!

Barney's has the silver glitter version with the studs on the cap toe...

But I'm holding out for the trifecta - gold, giltter and giant crystals. 

This is my birthday wish come true!!!

Super Selects

The reason I haven't done a ton of Fashion Week comments or coverage is the same reason I'm not there in person doing comments and coverage... I'm swamped with work, stuff at home and I'm exhausted.

That said, I've made a bit of effort to look though the online images and have a very few favorites.  I'm also dodging all the fur that seems to be everywhere.  Gag!

So, like many people I'm sure, I loved Marc Jacobs' show. How could I not with a mix of paillettes, polka-dots and little hats.

I think Marc should have hit up Mary from Pretty Good Things to make his mini berets. She has done them to amazing effect in the past.

And of all the shoes I've seen, these two-toned boots from Betsey Johnson are my favorites.  I'm not sure what happened to me, I'm more interested in flats than heels!

Any favorites for you out there?

Half-moon and Peep-toe

I'm still playing with polishes but I got a bit fancier - my first two-toned half-moon manicure.  It wasnt' the best job but for a first effort it didn't turn out horrible.

I used Essie's St. Lucia Lilac with Essie's Wicked over it.

Then I paird them with my Mark Jacobs Peep-toes.

That's about all I accomplished this weekend.  How about you?

Spontaneous Whimsy - Marc Jacobs on Ideeli

If you have a moment, hop on to Ideeli and nab some of the adorable whimsical designs up for grabs today.  I think these are the best examples of Marc Jacobs shoes - funny, tongue-in-cheek, and fun!  I have the stitched mouse flats myself but you would do well with any of these.

If you need an invite for Ideeli - here you go!

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!