Riding the Rainbow

I haven't even had to live through April showers to get to these Spring rainbows!

How gorgeous are these Valentino Rockstuds.  I think they are going to be "the" shoes of the season.

They are just nothing short of 100% stunning.

Also known as the Valentino 1973 Chevron Slingback Rockstuds.

Imitation = Flattery? Party Trick vs Valentino

Really LuLu's (and Party Trick). Really? These flimsily made knock-offs are out now and the originals are haven't even dropped.

Maybe it's just my eye, but I can see the difference in craftsmanship in the heel angle, the fabric placement, the metal of the studs as well as their placement and that they've just punched them through to potentially rub and cut your feet.

Having two other pairs of the the Rockstuds, the quality equals comfort and longevity.

I fully anticipate that the knock-off pair would hurt you and then fall apart?

Ugh, knock-offs!!!!

Pants and Pumps

For someone who claims to prefer skirts, I'm wearing a lot of pants lately.  My new uniform is fun pants and awesome shoes.

Red Old Navy pants and spiked Louboutin Pigalles…

Black diamond Old Navy pants and mint Kate Spade Karolina Bow pumps..

Jcrew olive military-inspired tuxedo-stripe pants plus old Jimmy Choo Thunder slingbacks…

Old Navy red print pants plus Manolo Blahnik red sequin heels...

Plaid pants and red Valentino Rockstud kitten heels…

I think I can make it through winter like this.

Not Even Winter; Waiting For Spring

What!?!?

Like you wouldn't be thinking about these even though they are 6 months away from being a reality.

I mean, come on!  Rainbow Rockstuds.

Also known as the Valentino 1973 Chevron Slingback Rockstud.

Dalek Dots Define

When I first saw the runway shots from Valentino's Fall/Winter 2014, all I could think was really elegant Daleks.

The great thing is…. I love the Daleks.  They're so evil and snarky.  My people!

Now the question is, do I want the mary janes or the booties.  The mary janes are more practical but I'm in love with the booties.

Aww, hell, maybe I need both.

Enjoying Leopard and Red

It finally hit some real summer heat here today and just now a huge thunderstorm has rolled through.

Because it was so warm (I had I just given myself a fresh pedicure with dark red polish), I slipped on a favorite pair of Jimmy Choo sandals from... oh.... 6 years ago? I paired this with dark red skirt and dark khaki top and jewelry in gold, opals and rubies.

I started thinking about how much I like this sometimes tricky combo.

Case in point - a winter version with a red sweater leopard skirt and red Rockstuds.

Then I was just browsing for pretty inspiration...

I have a vintage leopard coat.  I think I need some red pants to go with it.  I love the wellies combo too!

Rocking the Studs

When the limited edition (love those two words) Red on Red Valentino Rockstud heels came out, I was  a bit smitten but sadly, they were none of the kitten heels in my size. They were created to celebrate the new Valentino online Shoe Room and only 100 made.

I did get the heel version but, while they are very pretty, I prefer the kitten heel version more.  When you have a powerful design like a red, strappy, studded heel it helps to tone it down a little bit with the  lower heel version.

When I was all sad and bemoaning the fact that I returned my pair, I watched the Spring/Summer RTW show and spied the crystal version of my heels. Paired with embellished clear minaudieres and peek-a-boo dress seaming, were these subtle whispers.

Luckily Moda Operandi is bringing this magical collection to us.  So, I quite possibly have pre-ordered a pair.

Now I just have to wait until next spring for my glass slippers to wing their way to my door.

The New Adorable - RED Valentino

I received my new Saks Fall 2012 Catalog last night and on page 133, I saw the most adorable pair of black glitter t-straps.

Perfection!

Then I saw that they were from RED Valentino.  Of course we all know Valentino but I had not given their RED line a lot of awareness.  But I popped over to Saks to see the shoes online and was enchanted with the adorable heels!

I love the black pair, but how cute are the pink?

Then I found these candy-colored kiltie loafers with the soft bows.

Super sweet lace ballet flats in the perfect creamy pink. Very provocateur.

I'm not sure why I love these kitten heels with the candy pink edges and bows and abstract leopard print, but I do.

Sadly, most of these are not available in my size.  If they did I would be in serious trouble!  Now I have to run off to do a shoe search.

I really want those loafers and kitten heels!

Very Valentino - Valentino Rockstud Kitten Heels

Waaaaayyyy back in October of 2010, I fell in love with the Valentino Rockstud kitten heels.  I ordered them from Net-a-Porter (UK) but they were too small (shocking!) and at the time I felt it was best to return them.

What a fool I was!

Even though this collection is almost 2 years old, the Rockstuds are still going strong. Evolving into new styles and onto iPad sleeves and purses.  So I've been pining over them for ages, but never found the classic strappy kitten heel in black patent and tan again.

But finally they are back and, 18 months later, I have them again.

This time I sized up to a 35.5 and I have to say they are one of the comfiest shoes I own.  I love the height and and the twinkly pyramid studs.

I'm so glad to welcome a bit of Valentino into my life!




Shoe/box image via Phiphisblog

Inspiration = Flattery? Paris Hilton and Valentino

I just received an email from an online store and one of the shoes that were being promoted, a Paris Hilton heel, look insanely similar.  Except for materials, the Paris Hilton Senorita d'Orsay heels look just like Valentino's d'Orsay heels.

Can you tell which is which?

Shoe 1:

Shoe 2:

What do you think?  Is this making styles affordable for the mass shopper or leveraging(aka ripping off) the work and design talent of a higher-end brand?

As I've said before, inspiration is fine.  I get that.  But I feel brands and companies at all price-points can put out good and fun designs of their own without blatently copying the hard work of others.  I want cute styles at all levels and price points.  It IS doable!

SPOILER:

Did you guess correctly?

The top shoes are the Paris Hiltons - $94.99 at Heels.com (still not cheap if you ask me and trying to rip off the Louboutin red sole).

The second shoes are the Valentinos - in black at Bergdorf Goodman for $695 or in taupe and red at Nordstroms for $645.