Color Study - Hearts

The other day I was wearing the new Luella's and recieved the Minna Parikka's and realized... I have quite a few heart themed shoes!

I like the whimsy but is this getting ridiculous???

You'll see these in other groupings but I thought I take a break from the more literal Color Studies to pull all my "hearts" out of hiding.



From left to right:

- Viktor & Rolf for H&M
- ShoeMissy Dolly Dagger
- Vivienne Westwood Lady Dragon for Melissa
- Minna Parikka Belle
- Hetty Rose Love
- Luella Margar

You can't help but LOVE these shoes, especially the details...

I know I can't resist them so I just won't even try!

More photos on Flickr!

Bring Home the Blue Ribbon

Equestrian style has never really gone out of style - slim cut breeches-like pants, crisp shirts, tailored jackets and high flat boots - but lately we are seeing a very strong resurgance. This style has a simple and functional but very rich look.



Of course, Carla Bruni looked amazing on this Vanity Fair cover and Ralph Lauren practically invented the integration of the look into mainstream fashion (and continues to do so, as this Spring 08 look shows).



But what I've started seeing a lot of are the more extranous and fun parts of riding - the prize ribbon.

We all want to look Best in Show, what better way than to add a big blue (or other color) ribbon to your outfit!

You may have seen FemmeSud's Grand Prix rosette wristlets.




I, of course, want to take 1st Place!



I've also long been a fan of ShoeMissy's work, especially her adorable heels embellished with rosettes saying flirty things like "Starlet", "Dolly" and "Filly" but now she's up to something new...



Cheeky rosette ribbon pins...



She has six different styles. Personally I fell in love with and bought four of them, including my favorite teal, the sexy black and, perfect for this season, both plaids.



I think I'm going to be pinning these on tops, skirts, bags, everything!

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
This is pretty close to what I was wearing today although my skirt has more black in in than this one does. I hate when I can't find the exact thing I'm looking for. Regardless, I'm wearing a black and white Mossimo skirt, a black Ann Taylor knit top and some fun 80s-ish accessories.




The Focal Point
I like to wear black and white a lot but I wanted to make it a bit more fun so instead of a simpler piece of jewelry I opted for my Etsy acrylic and pearl cuff.



For shoes I wore my ShoeMissy embellished peep-toes. How fun are they? Survey says... Super Fun!



I don't look great in neons so this is a small way for me to work them in. Plus, they're just cute.

ShoeMissy is always creating new styles so check them out.

Imitation = Flattery?

Its' one thing when I see design "inspiration" taken from established companies and designers but it's quite another when I see styles that look lifted from smaller independent people. It may just be coincidence, but then again it may not be.

This top heel is from dELiAs. It's cute, right? Love the pop culture 80's-ness of them with their neon charm attached.



But to me they look remarkably like the embellished shoes created by ShoeMissy. These are a pair I got from her last summer.



Then there are these fabric heels from Faith. Shoewawa got to preview some of their summer styles and took a picture of these.



I know patterned fabric heels are big this season but when I saw this picture they reminded me of the kimono fabrics that Hetty Rose uses to create her one off pieces.



Obviously you can't directly prove anything but the thought they they could be lifting from these independent designers bothers me more than when a Louboutin or Manolo knock-off is made. These are individuals trying to make a living with their art. They only have themselves maybe someday they'll be bigger and have more stability but now they shouldn't have elements of their designs swiped.

A Shoe List - Red

I've heard that red shoes have been considered racy or even trashy. I can't believe that. Red shoes are a wardrobe staple. As much a basic as black shoes. I would say that after black shoes, red would be the next thing you should buy. I mean, they go with so many colors and can be as elegant as they can be preppy and classic.

So, it goes with out saying that I have quite a few pairs of red shoes. The list:

1. Stuart Weitzman pointy and high Red Quasar with gold heels


2. Formal red satin heeled sandals


3. Pedro Garcia red satin heels with distressed edges


4. Target red platform espadrilles


5. Shoe Missy red polka-dot peep-toe heels


6. Shoe Missy Strawberry Fields heels


7. Vintage La Rose red velvet heels


8. Red pleated satin heels with black ribbons - similar to the Louis Vuitton Balmorals


9. XOXO baby doll t-strap heels


10. Aerosole dark red buckle heels


11. Via Spiga cranberry Refer loafer heels


12. Paolo metallic red lizard print wedge sandals with red crystal buckles


13. Nine West lipstick red ponyhair heels


14. Vintage boudoir heeled slides
    

So yeah, I guess I like red shoes just a bit.

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit

Today's outfit is actually pretty cute and comfortable. I am wearing my favorite denim skirt from Target and a 3/4 sleeve white v-neck top. (What is shown in this picture is just representative.) I went clear with my acrylic Toy Watch and 3 bangle bracelets from eBay to keep everything cool and crisp. When you see the shoes, you'll know why.

The Focal Point

My ShoeMissy Strawberry Patch shoes. These are even cuter in person because the Swarovski crystals glitter when you walk. And the ladybug is so fun. Why wouldn't you have these shoes. They are created by hand by a lovely girl in the UK, so you are sure to be unique when you wear them.


What could be more Summery than this?

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
Although it feels like a million degrees outside, I had new shoes, dammit, and they need to be worn. So today I'm wearing a 3/4 sleeve black knit top from Ann Taylor and a swishy black skirt from Target. (Picture is for representative purposes). I did have a meeting with a vendor today so maybe I can be excused for dressing a little more formally.



The Focal Point
Here they are! My new ShoeMissy Dolly shoes. The ribbon looks like an award ribbon, I know, but I love how dimensional they are. They are a little loose for me, though, so I'm going to get some inserts and heel inserts tonight to make them less slippery. Everyone got a kick out of them.


I "supported" the theme with another Dolly Dagger purchase - this big pink plastic bracelet with Paris and an Eiffel tower spelled out in black Swarovski crystals embedded in it. A little "matchy" but I thought is was cute.

Shoe Daydreams - Post 1

This is my first foray into blogging. Why jump on the bandwagon you say? Well, I have such fun reading several other blogs and I love when I see something new or unique there that I have to run right out and get it! Okay, mainly those "things" end up being shoes. And I'm sure my husband isn't thrilled that so many enticing objects are easily available to me (and my AmEx card). And I'm sure my mailman is sick of having to drive to my door to drop off ANOTHER package, but what can I do???

Seriously though, I have enjoyed reading the posts of these people so much. Plus, this gives me an outlet to talk about, obsess over and daydream about the shoes I like, have, want, just bought, etc., rather than talking about them all day long at work. They guys who sit next to me just don't seem to have the same level of appreciation.

What I am planning on doing is showing shoes I have, shoes I want, shoes I just bought and what I am planning on wearing with them. Plus any fun comments or compliments I get along the way. I do like finding other fun and unique things so, I'll pass that along too!


My latest purchase:







This is "Strawberry Patch" by ShoeMissy. A lovely girl in the UK embellishes shoes and they are so cute and sure to be unique! She also did a capsule line for a UK site called Dolly Dagger. I got these too:


















When I saw these I was practically capering around my living room in glee! I can't wait until I get these!!!! They will be worn to work THE NEXT DAY for sure. hehehehehe!