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.

Obviously Obvious

Well, of course I'm going to get the Rouge Louboutin nail lacquer. Why would you even need to ask?

And if I can manage the 4 3/4" heel, I hope to pair it up with the Louboutin Argotik heel.

How sexy is the red cut into the vamp?  Swoon!

Also, want to see some sexy Louboutins worn in a sexy way… go see Lucy.  Scarlet looked awesome!

In Love with Barton

I fell in love with with the pale pink Ralph Lauren Barton ballet pumps from their Resort 2014 show.

But, alas, they were sold out in my size.

After much sighing and stalking of the Ralph Lauren site, I found that the black version was available, in my size and on sale!

It wasn't my first choice but black will be perfect for my Fall 2014 theme and I love how the ribbons wind their way up to tie around my ankles.

I'm going to still stalk the pink but the black is happily mine!

Lucky Seven

I can't believe it's been SEVEN years for this little blog.

Although my posting has wound down quite a bit, my love of shoes has not.  Still out there daydreaming about gorgeous shoes all the time.  I'm so glad people keep coming by and saying hello too!

If you want more shoes and beautiful finds, I'm on Pinterest and Instagram all the time!

Points of Light

I just returned from a lovely trip to NYC and immediately went to my favorite store, Bergdorf Goodman (of course).

 And, lucky day! It was shoe sale time.

 I had the choice of some lovely, classic two-toned Manolo Blahnik kitten heel pumps.

Or these gorgeously excessive, ballgown-worthy, crystal-encrusted and glitter-soled pale blue and gold t-straps.

Guess which ones I chose?

They're even more glittery and sparkly in person. I'm just going to wear them to the office to keeps some magic around.

What does this remind you of?

I love the quirky humor of much of Moschino's fashions but $3600 for a cow print dress requires someone way more brave or way more foolish than me.

You are either setting yourself up to look like the Chik-fil-a cows or your just begging for cow insults.

Really Really Ridiculously Good Looking

It's just not fair that a shoe should be this gorgeous, am I right?

I was hoping to hate the Louboutin Imperas but now that I have them on my feet, let's just say, it will be difficult to let them go…

Anthropologies Exercises Cute

Since January, I've been a regular participant at Pure Barre and I'm loving it! While I'd lost a bunch of weight over the last year, the PB classes have noticeably toned me up and helped improve my overall strength, especially in my core area.

And because I was going fairly regularly, I needed to get some new workout gear.  At PB they like you to be somewhat covered up but I also wanted to be cool and comfortable too, especially as it can get a bit warm but I was transitioning in from the cold of outside.

I don't like paying a lot for workout gear so I did a great stock up on cropped compression pants, sports bras and tees at Old Navy.  They really do have great activewear.

But recently I found out that Anthropologie expanded into activewear as well and I love the Pure + Good line.  Their jackets are especially cute, and as I needed an additional option, I nabbed this cute ruffled version

I also got these compression pants with the sweet ruffle, in grey and black.  Some of the reviews have said they were sheer but I find them to be rather thick and not great with breathability.  If you want to keep warm, these would be good options.  They hit me just below mid-calf and are very cute in person.

I got the grey pants on sale but the other two pieces were full price.  If you are buying the higher end yoga/workout gear, I'd say the prices are in line with these.  And they are fun and unique.  I like having a few unique pieces but for general day to day gear I'm sticking to my Old Navy pieces.  Of course, if these hold up tons better than the Old Navy tops, I'll let you know.

Introducing Coral 8

I love it when a new shoe brand comes on the scene, especially one that is trying to improve the offerings in the vegan and sustainable category.

 Coral 8 is a new business bringing some cute new styles with non-animal based materials.

Their Zooey pumps are super cute. The black and white is a classic combo but the gold glitter is really jumping out at me in a fun way.

The Bell lace-up comes in a bunch of different combos but I like the tri-tone the best.

Who couldn't use a sweet cap-toe flat, especially in coral and cream.  The Alicia ballet flat has you covered with this and creme/gold and black/black patent.

And I wear the heck out of driving flats, especially in the summer with cropped jeans or shorts.  So comfy and colorful. I'd select the royal blue Michelle but their green and black versions are great too. 

I'm really looking forward to see how they continue to expand their collection.  There are a number of other options including some very fun peep-toes and some work-appropriate options.

They are reasonably priced too so tons of positives all around!

Sandal Substitutes

I'm terribly sad.

I adore, I mean ADORE, the Saint Laurent "Jane" sandals. But although they are perfection they are not perfect for me.

I tried on the size 5/35 and not only are they wee bit too high they are also too big. Too big!!!

But, they are so sigh-able….

As a runner-up option, I've found the lovely Alexandre Birman ankle-tie sandals.  I got these in the cobalt, although I'd love the black as well. 

I love the little tie details on the toe and ankle strap.  The black would be more versatile but the blue is so striking.  They'll be great for Summer.  Unless I find the black… then I may have to make a trade…

Spring/Summer 2014 Themes - Pom-Poms and Loving Cups

I'm well into stocking myself up for my Spring/Summer 2014 "theme" which this season is "Pom-Poms & Loving Cups".

What's inspiring me are playfulness, soft gelato colors, picnics surrounded by dusky blue hydrangeas, old books and old silver, weeping willows, and watery colored gemstones.

My Pinterest board is already filled with white button downs, a classic trench and Manolos in soft shades perfect for a drowsy bumble-bee filled Spring and Summer.  I'm also loving tailored short suits, white jeans and and shiny shiny skirts.

After this horrid Winter, I want mild temperatures and scented blossoms and warm sunshine.

I need a good nap in the hammock too.


To see past Themes (and their boards), check out:

Clean Collage Prep and Chromatic French (Fall/Winter 2011)
Pastel Ice Cream Sundae and Vintage Garden Party (Spring/Summer 2012)
Chic School Girl and Deep Woods Floral (Fall/Winter 2012)
Cotton Candy Carnival and English Summer Picnic (Spring/Summer 2013)
Fallen Leaves and Pumpkins (Fall/Winter 2013)

Le Sigh - Christian Louboutin Impera in White

I have a new obsession. One that isn't healthy and one that I know may be too much for me.

But I love this Impera sandal from Christian Louboutin (for the Marchesa runway), although it may be more shoe than I… wait, what am I saying?  I totally need them.

I've heard rumors these may not be sold. It would be better for me but what a tragedy, if that's true.

Needing Navy

Have you ever noticed how mind-numbingly boring navy pumps are?  Especially ones that are work-appropriate.  I  have navy glitter heels. Satin mary janes with cats and bright blue heels with crystal embellishments but no plain navy!

Geeze!

I searched on ShopStyle for ages and was basically asleep when I finally stumbled upon these cuties from Nine West, the Demtra pump.

They have a cute shape with a curvy heel, a not-too-tight mary jane strap and a comfortable round toe.  I love the vintage-shape and I'm not bored by them!

So I snapped them up and wore them the next day to a work meeting. They're comfortable and cushioned and I feel a bit sassy. The perfect navy shoe.. and they come in a bunch of colors too.

They do run a bit small.  I usually wear a 5 and got a six, because that was all they had, and they aren't swimming on me. So be advised.

If you need a good, safe navy heel for work, I say go for it!

Sweet Spikes

If I can only pick one shoe for Spring (laughable, I know), I think it will be these Louboutin Pigalle spiked heels.

I'm totally smitten with the multi-color candy like spikes.

Oh, Neiman Marcus, you are so evil!

A little love from Bergdorfs and a lot for Rene Caovilla

I love that my friends at Bergdorf Goodman have such a flattering opinion of me… and my shoe collection!

But the fact that they think I'm in the same realm as Rene Caovilla is blush-worthy!

Be amazed at the beautiful images featured on the 5th/58th blog and be ready to swoon at the gorgeous shoes!

Adorables - Sophia Webster Coralie Sandal

I have no idea why I like these, but I do.

Maybe it's the colors or because of Sophia Webster's whimsical design but I just think they are so cute for Summer.

I probably won't get them but I sweetness is so appealing.  I didn't really wear jelly sandals in the 80s, not sure if I will now, but how cute are they???

Sophia Webster Coralie Jelly Sandal - $295 via Bergdorfs

Picking on SJP - SJP Shoes at Nordstrom

So I'm going to do the potentially unthinkable for a shoe blogger... I'm going to diss on the upcoming SJP shoe collection from Sarah Jessica Parker and Nordstrom.

No really.

After seeing the recently released shots from Glamour, I have to admit I'm not impressed.  From what I've seen the designs aren't that spectacular and the quality and workmanship does not seem to justify an average $350 (and up!) price point.

Let's start with the Diana.  Interesting strap placement.  Very Maison Martin Margiela and Prada Fall 2012... mixed with the iconic Manolo Blahnik Campari (you know, the "urban shoe myth" although no longer), don't you think?

But that's to be expected when your partner is the president of Manolo Blahnik.

I'll be eager to see the shoes in person to see how the quality nets out but the pictures don't wow me.  The red Lady pump is b-o-r-i-n-g.  Even with the ribbon accent.  That lackluster heel just makes me yawn.

The Carrie is pretty but reminds me of a  Dior pump from a few years back.  I don't know.  It's just not anything special (Want to see a great t-strap? Check out these Gucci ones)

Who plopped that polyester (maybe it's silk, who's to know yet) on that boring bridesmaid heel? If the flower was in a shocking bright color and had a thinner heel, I'd be more interested in the Etta but not for $425 to be sure.

$200 for plain canvas espadrilles? No.

This is the one that actually pisses me off though.  The top image is the SJP Alison bootie.  How much has it ripped off the Ann Demeulesmeester open front ankle strap bootie? Um yeah... a lot.

That's pretty horrible, if you ask me. Maybe I should do a special Imitation = Flattery? post just for that pair.

I've seen other sneak peek images online but from what I've seen, I'm not going to be running out to get a pair from the SJP collection.  Bummer, too.  Sarah Jessica Parker could have brought some of her and the SATC fashion flair to this line.  But mostly they look like a boring miss-mash of knock-offs and boring bridal heels.