The Perfect T-Strap

I currently have it in my head that I need a wardrobe of classic t-strap pumps.

What I didn't realize is how challenging it was going to be to find t-straps with all of my criterial.  Closed-toe, high-heeled, not chunky, thin straps, almond toe and un-embellished.

I want something classic and elegant and powerful.

It's proving to be elusive.

The closest I've found thus far are these Gucci pumps.  Luckily they have them in 5 colors - black, red, blue, olive green and beige. There is also a lovely tweed version.

They might be a bit pointier than I would like.  It's hard to say.

Oh yeah and they're $695.

SIGH!

I'll have to keep searching, I guess.

Clearly Sophia Webster

Last June I wrote about a new designer that I was keeping my eye on - Sophia Webster.

Her first designs were bright and bold and I was expecting to see her gain more coverage.  I'm excited to say that she continues to delight with here designs out for Spring and Summer.  I'm especially smitten with her ruffle-bow and sequin-bedecked PVC "Lana" t-straps.

I saw these in a number of colors on her site, including red and blue iterations, but the bold black and white is more my style.

These are party and dancing shoes.  You want to kick up your heels and step out and get noticed!  I have another pair I'm dreaming about from Ms. Webster.  She's all the fun, flirty, girly that I love.

I think I have a new favorite designer!

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!

Focus and Balance

One thing that may not be obvious about me is that I love geology. I actually took a geology class and a lab as an elective in college. I dig on scree (and funnily, one of my cats are named Talus but for another reason).

I had an amazing teacher in the 5th grade who fostered this love of rocks and minerals and I've been collecting mineral specimens and geodes ever since. One of my favorite minerals is Malachite. I have yet to find a piece I'm in love with and can afford but it is on my list. Besides bubble agate, I think malachite is one of the most graphic and beautiful of stones, especially in it's cut and polished form.



Imagine my instant smitten kitten love when I stumbled upon these gorgeous Missoni t-strap heels. Sadly (oh so sad!) they aren't available in my size, but if you wear a 37, 37.5 or 39, you are so in luck because they are on sale!




I would be scrounging up the cash for these babies if I could. If they come in your size and you get them, please don't tell me because I will be sooo jealous!

Le sigh!

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
Yeah! It's finally warm enough today to wear some of my new stuff. I'm wearing my red Gap light knit v-neck top, which is so flattering that I should have bought several in all the colors, and my denim skirt. To add a bit of tonal craziness, I'm wearing my Paraphernalia Anatomica Heart necklace.



I love how this thing freaks people out.


It's so weird. I love it.



The Focal Point
White shoes before Memorial Day, OMG! Hey, it's warm enough, it's not raining and they're new. So there. I'm a rebel, Dottie.




But how could you wait to wear shoes as cute as these?



You just can't!

You will be seeing a lot of these babies this Summer.

The City of Angels

When I saw these adorable white t-straps from Kenneth Cole (appropriately named City of Angels) I nearly squealed with delight! They are exactly what I have been wanting for years.



Because, you know, I totally aspire to have Alicia Silverstone's wardrobe, and closet, as Cher in Clueless. And these are the closest I have ever seen.



So, carpe diem! Snatch yours right up and use coupon code WMS01 for free shipping.

You're sure to get some "Nice Stems" compliments.

Eeeewwww!!!

I can understand that sometimes it is hard for designers to continually keep coming up with ideas, especially with the need for multiple collections throughout the year and increasing competitive pressure.

Resort collections, while an opportunity to break out and have fun with bright colors and playful designs can be a challenge. It's hard to go from just launching a Fall/Winter collection and not yet in the next year's Spring/Summer pieces.

And while I love Resort, I would much rather do without a shoe that looks like it is a hold over from the previous year that got left out in the wet and got all moldy!



Ombre on the main body of the shoe or on fabric can be spectacular. when done on a chunky cork wedge, it just looks like some sort of water seepage or bad dye job problem.



The resemblance is uncanny!



Worse yet, it can look like a full on mold-ridden bio hazard!



Eeeewww!



Grab the bleach!

P.S. If you like these, they are the Yves Saint Laurent Getty Patent T-strap Sandal at Saks - $690!

Get out your coats! Hell may be freezing over!

For a very very long time I have been a Payless-hater. I really looked down on their shoes as cheap (in the bad way, not the Target way) tacky, plastic and cardboard crap. To put it mildly. But I have to give them some credit. They are trying to update their image and product line and are taking cues from Target's capsule designer collections by pairing with the likes of Patricia Fields (stylist for Sex and the City, etc.), Abaeté, and Lela Rose.

And they aren't doing a bad job, either.

I really like the Abaeté line's Cabri Zip boots. And from some pictures I've seen, their Spring items, which will hit in February, look pretty cute.

But to keep my tailored menswear trend going - and to give me extra mileage for all of the cute cute socks I've bought, (I think I need some flat boots too, but that's a whole other story!), I was intrigued by they Lela Rose line at Payless. Now if you know me, you will know that this is like George Bush saying, "Hey, maybe that Al Gore does have a point about that global warming stuff." Shocking, unexpected and out-of-character. But, I try to be open-minded, ya know.

So anyhoo, Lela Rose. Capitol Hill Barbie brought these to my attention as I don't usually frequent the Payless stores or website. And I think they are pretty cute. Here are some of the runway shots -



One thing I did notice is that the runway versions are much more refined and look to be of a better quality than what they are selling to the masses. The red peep-toe for example is 1000% nicer than what I saw online. If the stores were selling that runway shoe with that heel, I would bolt right down there. But the heel on the actual product is much chunkier. So, a little deceptive advertising there, but what do you expect?

What I ended up buying were the three heels below. The black and brown versions of the Finsbury pump and the black Birchin t-strap.






I'm sure the material is very very faux, but at least I won't have to worry about them getting ruined or anything. And for $25 and $30 respectively, they are a good bargain. Shipping was free - or you can ship to any store for free and go pick them up. The good thing is that if you hate them, you can return them right there. The bad thing is that you have to go into an actual store.

; )

One thing I was surprised at is that not all the stores are getting them. Just as malls, some big box stores and department stores do, the "higher end" area Payless stores are getting the line while the rest of the schlubs are not. I can't believe Payless has the nerve to segregate product based on area household incomes. And where I live isn't a run-down area, but the store near me was not getting the line. It kind of ticked me off. How dare Payless look down on my area!

I can't believe I've been dissed by Payless. What is my world coming to?