Lock Down Your Fabric - Blahnik, Rousseau, Jcrew and Anthropologie

I haven't written on this blog in ages but I had to make this post because I was so appalled and amused by this fabric situation.

Designers! This is why you lock down exclusivity for your materials!

To start with - these are all current season and currently available for purchase shoes.

First up are the Manolo Blahnik BB's in this great embroidered floral fabric. $765 at Saks.

But I also found these JCrew Ankle-wrap slingback heels in the same fabric. $228

And then I found two shoes from Jerome Rousseau - Abelline Sandals for $595 and Booties in a black version of the floral for $895.

I also found the black version in an offering from Anthropologie - the Ouigal Pearl Block heels $228

Obviously, it's a popular fabric, but seeing it all over really dilutes the special-ness of it. It makes you remember the fact that these are produced versus crafted.  And that's not usually what I want in a shoe.

Golden Glitter Wings

I am entrance with these golden glitter sandals from Aperlaï. They remind me of a modern Hermes (the Greek god) sandal.

With wing’ed sandals and staff in hand 
I fly and deliver across the land 
Wit sharp as knives, voice soft as fleece 
Messenger, of the gods of Greece. 

The patron saint of liars and thieves, 
 Still an ever constant force of good. 
I guide and assist he who believes 
As, I would think, any deity should. 

Spearheader of invention, athletics, oration, 
Brings me to note ‘Boxing’ was first my creation. 
 As such I watch over all matches and fighters, 
While still patron of poetry, poets, and writers. 

“Giant-killer Mercury,” they ask, “O who will prevail?” 
 I am he who is Hermes, and this is my tale.


Aperlia Spokette Glitter Sandals - $775 via Saks



Poem by AJ Halliwell 

Ensemble du Jour - 6-22-10

I had actually planned on wearing this top with the rose print skirt from yesterday but the colors didn't really work. So I saved it and went for a more streamlined yet still soft look with a charcoal cropped cardigan and a khaki pencil skirt.



I really like these three colors together. They are all dreamy and pair together to in a nice feminine way.

The rosette on the shirt is such a neat element and becomes the focal point.

What I really wanted to wear, though, were these pale pink heeled sandals. They're the same color as the top with organza butterflies on the heels. The grey cardigan picks up the grey stripe on the wings.

The heels are Colin Stuart from ages ago. The butterflies are still holding up, thank goodness!

I believe I got them from the Victoria's Secret catalog 8+ years ago. They were not expensive, as far as I can remember. The top was from Anthropologie and the skirt and cardigan were from Target.

Shoe Customization: Corset Sandal

I'm kind of in love with these Alexander McQueen uber-tough ankle-tie heels. They're kind of scary but I would love to be able to add more toughness to my wardrobe with them.

But they're about $1000+. Sooooo, I'm not going to get them anytime soon, I don't think.



I wanted to find something that would have a similar feel but be easier on my wallet. Especially given the fact that they are not what I would call a "classic-wear-anywhere" shoe.

After some searching I found these corset style heels. They're actually a bit trashy (the brand is "Pleaser" for Pete's sake!) but since they were only $35 I felt I could make something out of them.



The style seems simple enough that they don't look totally trashy. My biggest issue was with the clear heel. I felt I could paint them and you'd be none the wiser.



So I dug into my pile of arts and crafts supplies and got my acrylic paint and paintbrushes out.



Before. After.



Not too bad, huh?





Not one to leave well enough alone, I thought it might be fun to add a contrast heel... and some glitter. Yeah, glitter might be too much but if it starts to look too crappy I can take off the paint and then just repaint them solid black.



Granted not the best lace up job here...



but I think they'll be pretty cute with this black sequined dress I just got.





Sexy, not too trashy right? The simplicity really helps.

Glitter!



Not a bad solution for the price.

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
A while back I stated how adorable I thought these Suley heels were from Manolo Blahnik. In person they are even more sweet.

I wore this on Tuesday and I kept it pretty neutral on the outfit. A khaki linen circle skirt and a v-neck 3/4 sleeve white top, both from Tar-get.



For jewelry I wore this two-tone vintage bangle in pink and green and a shiny pink diamond ring. It's starting to get very warm around here but in my office it's freezing. I actually had to put on the jacket that I keep in the office. Brrr!



The Focal Point
The shoesies, of course! The color combo is delicious but I love all the interesting details - the scalloping, the buckles and straps on the front and back, the pink stitching and edging. Here are tons of pictures for ya!

















Isn't it kind of funky how they look when viewed from the top?

All images enlarge huge!

Lucky Breaks - Tibi Sandals

It continued to rain here all weekend long. It totally sucked! All I did was catch up on filing and reading, including my April Lucky magazine.

If you haven't received this or read it yet, I was so excited to see that my friend's site was a Lucky Break this month. How cool is that?



If you like these awesome sandals, in my favorite grey, you can go to Simply Soles and get a major deal on them. Just use the code "lucky8" at check out!

Who could not use a pair of these for summer?

Or you could get the great Tibi button flats in grey suede or the satin Delman striped flats, both of which I love.

The Family Resemblance

I just happened to stop into Old Navy yesterday and was utterly surprised at the amazing range of new items that are in for Spring and Summer. The store just exploded with color and cute prints. From the shoes and bags to printed shorts and dresses everything just vibrated with color and fun. But it was also tempered with some lovely peaceful, gauzy white dresses, tops and jackets.

Some of my favorites from what I saw were the following. Almost all of these come in other colors and patterns so check them out online or in the store.

I love this color green. I think when I pull out the new stuff I've bought and all of my existing clothes, I'm going to find this color all over the place. It's such a great color green for the warmer months.


I would pair that shrug with this top and then the cute printed shorts below.



How cute is this pattern?


They had a TON of cute clutch purses, some with wooden handles like this one or that had a handle but folded over into a smaller clutch. So fun and summery. I got a pink and orange patterned one that matches a pair of the satin ballet flats.


I also got this wrap dress which comes in an aqua toned version of the pattern. I think this will be great to dress up or down with the flat black sandals I show below, which I also got.






I got this basic safari skirt in the classic khaki here and then a dark more olivey color. I'm sure they will get tons of wear during the summer with my solid tops.




You can really see the Banana Republic/Gap/Old Navy family resemblance in these printed flats. You can't beat the fact that these are less than $20 but have a good satin-y fabric and great colors schemes. I could have bought every version of these but limited myself to only two. That's not too bad, right?






Typically I'm not a huge fan of this style of sandal but it just looked so cool and effortless, I thought I would give them a try. For $15 why not, right? I was torn between the colors they had and almost bought the white as well but I had to restrain myself.




More cute color combos!






I was really surprised by the jewelry they had out. Now I know this isn't fine stuff here, but to knock about in I think it's awfully cute.

I got 3 of these white and "gold" enameled bamboo bangles and then 1 pink one I can mix in.



I came sooo close to buying this ring. Maybe I'll go back and get it.



Wouldn't this bangle be a perfect "safari chic" addition?



And I think this bracelet is just like something you would find a JCrew nowadays. So why pay $50+ when you can pay less than $10?



There are so many other colors and pieces in the store. You really have to go and check them all out.