More Metallics

Still loving nail polish and manicures over here.  My pink glitter was chipping off last night so, having just bought a bunch more polishes from Ulta, I did a super quick polish change (hence slightly uneven french tip edges, I'm still learning) with Orly's Mirror Mirror and Revlon's Metallic 860.

This is a pretty light true grey with a cool very very subtle blue undertone that goes well with my pasty skin tone.  The Revlon is a great liquid silver.  I did a base coat, one thick coat of the grey and then the tips. I can't wait to do more with this silver.  I love love love it.

I've also found two great tools that are keeping me less smudgy - O.P.I.'s Drying Drops and Seche Vite quick dry top coat.  This top coat really does dry fast and shiny. And the drying drops are magic.  I think this was about $20 but you only use a few drops per nail so it's going to last forever.

And 100% pure acetone remover, where have you been all my life???  So much easier than the other stuff!

I'm so excited about some of the colors I got last night.  I'm trying to pace myself to once or twice a week.  As someone who has never had good nails, this is a whole new world of fun.  Squeeeeee!!!!!

Simple Steps

When it comes to shoes for the skimming around in during the Summer or even for wearing around the house, I tend to favor ballet flats. I don't like flip flops and fuzzy slippers tend to pick up dust and kitty fur. Plus simple ballet flats can be worn inside and out so it's easy to run out to walk the dogs and, because they don't have any treads, it's easy to wipe them off before coming in.

I don't get too pricey with these either. I actually like the ones from Old Navy. They're really inexpensive, last a while and I don't have to worry about them getting ruined.

I like these rose gold ones.



And they're cute in violet as well.




Of course, if you're working the denim, you can add these.





They also come in silver, gold and chambray and are only $8 - $10 right now, but they are selling out fast! I may need to actually go to a store and see if they have any left in my size.

Ensemble du Jour - 4-30-10

I'm still loving my dress form! I like playing dress-up with it, sort of like Fashion Plates 3-D.

This outfit I wore a few weeks ago but have not had a chance to post. This is a pretty typical "me" outfit. Classic shapes, here a pencil skirt and v-necked knit top, but with interesting detail.



In shadow, above, and below with flash.



The interesting detail about this is the skirt. I love the gorgeous metallic pink and gold rose patterned fabric.



Because of the gold tones in the fabric and the Spring weather, I paired this with gold Manolo Blahnik heels.

The top is from Banana Republic, the skirt was from JCrew on sale and the necklace as a giveaway from Bloomingdales I think. This skirt would be great with a tucked in white button-down too. Maybe I should get one of those.

Stars in the Galaxy

Have you ever had a love that left you breathless? Well, that's kind of how I feel about these shoes.

Good gracious! Look at them....



They are like Art Deco superhero shoes.

Christian Louboutin Very Galaxy Pumps - at Neiman Marcus.

Le Sigh!

Ensemble du Jour

I know it has been a while since I've done an outfit post. Between my traveling and then the hubby traveling and then having the last few weeks of rain and work hell, I've either not had anything interesting on or I just haven't had time to capture what I wore.

This week was short and I had meetings on top of meetings, including several with new and potential clients, so I did make more of an effort.

One outfit that I wore was this:


12-15-08 by Princess Poochie

The outfit was a black camisole, pencil skirt and ribbed tights with vintage black 1960s pumps. Over that I wore my boucle/shiny houndstooth blazer from JCrew and a very special necklace.

Yes, I was very excited to recieve my Paraphernalia Menagerie Cpt Poulet Cultural Attache necklace. I had to wear it right away! I love so much of the Paraphernalia pieces but I especially love the chicken related pieces.



Isn't he handsome? He looks just like my Napoleon. I loves him! Oh, and if you love Paraphernalia too, there is usually a code in the ad over there to the right that you can use to get some of her great pieces at a discount. If you don't see one, just drop me a comment or an email!

Varietals and Versions

One of my favorite times is when the designers start adapting their fabulous designs for the different stores so that each store (were talking Saks/Neiman Marcus/Barneys) gets a "unique" shoe.

What I like about it is that if you like a particular element but not the total package, you can find a variation that works for you.

Now, granted all of these are gorgeous Prada heels, but I do like having the option to pick my favorite version of them.

First up - a classic peep-toe at Saks for $750. These are my favorites.





These are slightly different being in black and the crystals are clear. As sandals, they really stand out. They're also $750 at Bergdorf Goodman.




And last but not least the mary jane peep-toe option available at Neiman Marcus for, you guessed it, $750. I guess they are sticking to that MSRP.






Now obviously there will be overlap (espceially for Neiman and Bergdorfs) from store to store. What bugs me is when you can't find a version (possibly seen on a star or in a magazine) to buy it. Or when you don't know all the versions out there. Like during the fall season when Miu Miu did all the versions of their brougue heels. The ones I bought I love but later I found out there were a million other versions and it made me crazy that I didn't know them all.

I'm sure as an average person who also does not have access to all the great stores on a regular basis I'm going to miss out somewhat. Which makes me sad. Don't they want my money????

I have been using Shopstyle.com a lot to see all the shoe versions of particular brands. It's great because it will link you directly to the site selling the shoe I want. I love enabelers!

I haven't used all of the functionality of the site, but I'm liking it so far. See what you think.

Ensemble du Jour

In spite of the crummy day we had yesterday, there was a bright spot - I got my package from YOOX.com. The skirt is lovely but the shoes are even more awesome in person than on the picture! Of course I had to wear them right away.

The Outfit
Moss green velvet with gold hardware and heels and tan leather accents - kind of a challenge, but I think I did pretty well. I'm wearing a dark brown corduroy jacket from Target, my new sequin crest critter tee from JCrew, a dark brown pencil skirt and, of course, the new heels.

The texture of the corduroy works to pick-up the texture in the velvet, the shine of the sequins plays off the gold hardware the colors are muted enough to go tie the brown to the green. I wore a pair of peridot swing earrings (sort of like the ones shown but darker green and more elaborate) set in a dark gold to hint at the other pieces.



Love this t-shirt!



The Focal Point
The shoes, of course! They are so European and fashion forward and excessive. I luv them!

Designer Focus - Pierre Hardy

So a while back I wrote about how in love I am with Davis by Ruthie Davis and the shoes in the collection (in spite of her being a major contributor to the creation and popularity of Uggs). I haven't had the opportunity to buy any of her shoes but I did have nice conversation with her about buying some because the I love the Barcelona heel on this shoe so much.



I mean, look at it. It's like a shiny cold skyscraper for your foot. I would have snapped them up in a hot minute but I don't like the chain on the front, so I'm holding out for next year hoping she'll do a closed toe, non-chain version with this same heel.



Anyhow, I was all impressed with the architecture of her designs, but again, trolling vintage shoes on eBay I've found a possible inspiration piece for Ms. Davis. Check these babies out:



Umm.... hello! Look at that heel. Metal. Check! Monolithic. Check! Kick-ass. Check! Plus there is the added benefit of the chain attaching shoe and heel.

Who created these beauties from the 80's?

Why Mr. Pierre Hardy!



Now, I'm not going to lie and say, "Oh, yes, Pierre Hardy. I've been following his career for ages, Darling. Why, in grade school all I would wear were Pierre Hardy designs, blah, blah, BLAH!"

No, no, no, I can be honest. I didn't immediately recognize the name, but boy, I should have. Mnsr. Hardy has designed for some of the best of them before heading out on his own to do his own line of shoes and bags (he appears to be a Bag Snob fav-or-ite). He designed for Balenciaga and Hermes and is known mostly in the fashion industry for reviving the House of Dior's shoe collection in the late 1980's - right around the time period of the shoes above.

I went to his site and found an amazing collection of gorgeous shoes that I am instantly coveting. I'm a greedy biotch, I know!



Perfect shape. Perfect color.




More blue suede but with futuristic heel. Cool.



I love this heel. Love it.



How crazy are these? But the black keeps them in line.



Weren't orbs popular this year? I love that these are all gold and metallic-y but in a classy good way, not crap materials.



These are why I knew Pierre Hardy! I totally saw these on Style.com and thought they were awesome- great colors, great embellishment, mod, retro, striking, unique. How many more adjectives can I throw out there. These are like investing in great art - but you get to wear them out and show them off.

Much more practical than some giant painting or sculpture.

Hmm... maybe I should try and track these down.

By the way - I think you should go and get those shoes above on eBay. They don't fit me (damn!) so they need a good home.

Designer Focus - Jonathan Kelsey

All of the major department stores are integrating a focus on new designers, hoping to be the first to break out a young talent.

Saks Fifth Avenue's Fashion Incubator is currently featuring Jonathan Kelsey's shoes. The collection consists of 7 pumps, sandals and shoe boots for Fall. Jonathan worked at a variety of houses including Jimmy Choo, which I can see the strong influence of in his clean lines and rich colors.


Suede Patent Pump $675


Metallic Leather Sandal $695


Metallic Leather Pump $585

I love the depth of color and the quality of the materials. The designs have a very modern and graphic sensibility with a very sophisticated silhouette. But one element that I am not yet a fan of is the cone heel. His are not as sharp as some heels I've seen and I know they pull from a 40's fashion but I just find them to be clunky and with out much sex appeal.

What do you think of this heel style and would you buy from him? Do you see him as the next Choo/Manolo/Louboutin?