Back in Black

If you've been sad that the "Urban Shoe Myth" Manolo Blahnik Campari black patent mary jane has been unavailable for a while, you are in luck!

Bergdorfs is selling them again!

It's hard to tell from the site's images, but the heel looks a bit lower than the pair that I have.  I'll have to go home and measure them.


If you want a sexy, classic, never-going-out-of-style heel, this is the mary jane for you.

When you see a shoe myth in the wild, you need to pounce!

Tabitha Simmons for JCrew

Who is excited to see the new Tabitha Simmons for JCrew collection?!?!

She has a number of cute summer styles but I was most excited to see my favorite heeled mary jane design that she does (typically in silk and $1250).  And in adorable summery floral patterns too.

JCrew is really hitting the florals with their collaborations this year.  I love it.

They're a bit simpler than her typical patchwork, but these are so light and fun and sweet.  Yes, run right out and get them!

Black and Tan

I have been smitten for months with these multi-strap mary janes from Chanel.  They combine the best of the classic black and tan combination with a really modern style.

Seeing them in person was even better.  Sadly, they looked great on.

Talk about temptation....

The Difference in a Day

Yesterday it was Manolo Blahnik Campy mary jane heels...Today it's Sorel boots.

 Darn fickle weather!

Le Sigh - Tabitha Simmons Contrast Foulard Print Silk Mary Janes

I want to wear these Tabitha Simmons tie silk mary janes every single day this Fall.

I mean seriously, how perfect are they.  Beautiful fabrics. Gorgeous shape. Menswear done ladylike.  I'm totally in love.

Sadly for me they don't come in my size, thereby saving me from myself. But they are gorgeous though.

Tabitha Simmons Contrast Foulard Print Silk Mary Janes - $1,248 at MyTheresa.com

Today's Shoe - Stuart Weitzman Capsize

As you know, I'm a sucker for a good mary jane heel. And when saw this black and white pair on Atlantic Pacific's blog, I went right out and nabbed a pair.

I just bought a B&W tweed pencil skirt from JCrew (well basically, this whole outfit!) and I knew they would be perfect with them.

The best part is that they are now on major sale, down to $140 from $365.  So nab them while you can, especially since Endless.com is being folded into Amazon. Not sure how long the sale price will last.

Inspiration = Flattery? Prada Fall 2011 Mary Jane vs ModCloth Girl of my Dreams Heel

I don't typically do two posts on knock-offs in a row but today has been a day filled with them.

 From Jeffrey Campbell (right) straight up thievery from Simone Rocha (left) with their lucite heeled oxford wedges...

 and now this...

I was looking for neon heels when I came upon these Girl of my Dream heels via ModCloth.  And I was stopped in my tracks.  Not because of the bright neon orange color.

But because they are a straight lift from the Fall 2011 Prada RTW runway mary janes.

These mary janes were done as pumps and boots and sandals.  What made them distinctive was the wide strap, that large button and the curvy heel.  All combined to exaggerate the mary jane style and create a new design.  A design created by Prada and "leveraged" by Jeffrey Campbell.

I don't know why I'm surprised by Jeffrey Campbell or Steve Madden and their stealing of designs.  I scrolled through a page of JC's on Shopbop and it was nearly every shoe or boot.  They were almost all a lift from a more innovative talented company, just taken and tweaked ever so slightly.

I've said it before and I will continue to do so... this is intellectual property theft.  If you admire a designer and their work but you can't get it or can't afford it, do you really think it's better to dilute their work so they, eventually, can't continue to create or are you fine with someone coming along, dumbing their work down and mass producing it.

Do you support the artists or the thieves

Shoe Focus - Manolo Blahnik Fiocam Mary Jane

What can I say that isn't already obvious when you look at this shoe?

It's Manolo Blahnik, my favorite designer.

It's a patent mary jane, one of my favorite styles.

It's got an adorable bow.  I can't resist a cute bow.

But it's the combination that makes it irresistible!

Manolo has taken his power shoe - the urban shoe legend, no less  - the Campari, and evolved it.  The heel is not as overtly sexy.  It's a bit lower and more walkable.

And adding the peek-a-boo window and a sweet bow... now you have sweet and sexy.

Of course I got them!

Manolo Blahnik Fiocam... get them at Saks!

Instant Access - 11/7 - 12/3

I swear once the year hits September, the days and weeks just fly by until the end of the year.  There is so much going on it feels like we need 3 extra weekends a month just to fit it in.

And the weather has been crazy here too.  From days in the 70s around Thanksgiving to rain to cold-cold-cold!  What's going on.

Just from looking at all the recent shoes that happened these past weeks, you can see how all over the place the temperatures have been.

Manolo Blahnik Erratic mary janes with tonal fishnet tights...

The Aldo leopard slipper loafers came in from ASOS and were promptly worn.

I love these mustard tights, especially with warm brown.

Gossip girl inspired outfits and spat-style boots...

Short-work-week Converse.

And a sneak peak at some early Resort/Spring Blahnik Sammys

Finally there was some tight-wearing weather so I got to wear these new dotted Hue tights.

But then it was warm enough for bringing out my easily 10-year-old Jimmy Choos.

I do love some of the details in my shoes, like these little cutouts on my Report pumps.

And as many shoe changes, there were almost as many new polishes combos to try.  From China Glaze's It's Alive (a wonderful dark green glitter)...

to Revlon's Starry Pink over Revlon's Metallic

Essie's Forget Me Knot (which was worn with the ASOS heart sweater below and matched perfectly!) ...

The coveted OPI Rainbow Connection

A perfect gray - OPI's Concrete Catwalk

And another shimmery green in Zoya's Edyta

I did get one day of wearing some fabulously tonal accessories.

And it's the season of shopping to, so I may have bought a few things, like a new macro lens for my DSLR.

A few necessaries at Ulta

Chanel's Rouge Allure Velvet matte lipsticks had to be mine.

Okay, so I went a bit overboard on the nail polish deals on Amazon.

My Express sparkly skirt was even more magical in person.  I'm in love!

Hearts and dots!

And TONS of baking!!!!

Apple oat muffins

Pumpkin Chocolate chip

Birthday surprise cake pops

And libations galore...

Cheers!