Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
I got to wear my new jeans from the Gap today. It's still kind of warm so I wore a mouse-grey polo shirt from Target. I really like these jeans. They are a new style for me. I've always worn Gap jeans. I liked the fit and they weren't too expensive. And since I don't wear jeans all that much I don't have to get them that often. I used to wear the low rise boot cut jean, but when I went to go get another pair, I tried on the exact style and size as I have bought before. But they did not fit right at all and were 4 inches too long!

The Long and Lean style were a recommendation and I'm glad I tried them. They have sort of a boot cut but they fit well. The wash is pretty neutral. Plus they were on a major sale! I know I'll be wearing them all Fall and Winter. I'm just glad I didn't have to try on a million pairs.



The Focal Point
While it was really about wearing my new jeans today, I had to accessories with a pair of shoes that I bought for pairing with jeans in mind. The Paolo glitter peep-toe heels are edged in tan leather (pulling out the brown tone in the mouse-grey shirt) and the glitter is the perfect denim blue.

I love them!



I took this photo with my iPhone. It came out pretty well I think. I've been swiping a lot of my outfit images from the web and using Polyvore to try and build an example image, but if it isn't recent I can't get an image to share. My phone pics look pretty good, so I can add even more images!

Yeah phone pics!

Building a Fall Wardrobe - Part 2

Since I've been writing for this blog, I've been reading more fashion magazines like Vogue (American and UK) and Glamour and WWD. The images and designs are inspirational and in the overwhelming majority, aspirational. Unlike high-end shoes, I tend not to buy a lot of designer clothes. Maybe it's because I know their life cycle is shorter, or because I tend to sit in an office most of the day. Or it could be that I live in a small-ish Southern town where I won't get much use out of them. Or maybe I know I will get tired of my clothes much faster than I do my shoes. Or maybe I'm just to cheap.

Anyway, my wardrobe mainly comes from Target, Gap and Anthropologie with some Old Navy, JCrew and Ann Taylor mixed in. I mentioned the pieces I just bought from the Gap - some classic, some trendy. Here are some of the new pieces I got from Target.


These are the brighter, trendier, more disposable pieces that I'm fine if they only last a season.

1. Argyle sweaters in 4 colors (I got the green one too). I like to add colorful scarves and gloves with these. This year I can wear them with skirts and add bright socks and tights.
2. Dark brown cardigan with stylized alligator design. This has a classic look but could be paired with a bright color underneath
3. Black pencil skirt with great seaming
4. White button-down shirt with low v-neck. This will look great with jeans but also layered under my Libertine skull sweater vest.
5. Faux leather biker jacket with puff-shoulder detail in brown- I can't wait to wear this with jeans and boots
6. Purple alligator clutch. $12!!! And so cute
7. I also got a brown skirt that will be great with my chunky wing-tip shoes and many of my sweaters

They are all a bit streamlined preppy, I guess, but apparently the catholic school influences live on.

Building a Fall Wardrobe - Part 1

I know everyone is buzzing about the fall shows, especially the New York shows. There's coverage of each designer and those in the audience and folks on the street and in the general vicinity. While I like sifting through all the great pictures, I'm more interested in buy stuff for me to wear now.

But I'm not shopping in any couture houses any time soon. Heck, I'm barely going to make it into JCrew based on my shoe shopping habits. So I've been shopping from the versatile options at Target and Gap to start.

I tried to be a little more organized with my purchasing this year so that I wasn't randomly buying stuff. I'm also trying to keep my new purchases in the palette of black, greys, reds and greens. I wanted to get some lighter sweaters and I needed new jeans. I also wanted a dress to wear with my new tights and the Nine West booties, I might get.

So here's what I got from the Gap. Their sweaters are very soft from the cashmere woven in, but not 100%, which I think is better. I got:

• a fun sweater dress with grey and black stripes
• two light sweaters in dark green and red
• long-sleeve t-shirt in bright green
• two kimono sleeve heavier sweaters in black and charcoal
• Long and Lean jeans
• low-top red Converse Chuck Taylors - fun for casual days!

These are my first purchases. I got a bunch of stuff at Target and may supplement with some JCrew sweaters too. Gap has been doing some sales, so I highly recommend gettin' on over there!

Sock Dreams

I think even more than some of their shoes and clothes this season, the Prada color block knee socks have captured the attention of the market. The unique style and fearless use of color is extremely strong in a time when creating an eclectic look is so valued.

I think it also has to do with being a sophisticated take on the "school-girl" look as well as the fact that we don't see people really using all of the accessory options that are out there.

I personally love socks, stockings, hats and gloves but it is surprising how little they are worn in this day and age. Which is a shame because there are so many beautiful options out there, especially in hosiery. But most people seem to be content with going the easy, simpler route and not having to bother with adding those options on.



I don't think I'm ready to go for the Prada footless sock with open toes combo, but I am ready to get to wearing cute tights and knee and over-the-knee socks this fall. Especially with my new Miu Miu Naplak heels.



These are such, soft almost pastel, colors for the Fall palette, but just delicious. I bought, from Sock Dreams, a bunch of over the knee socks to wear with them and skirts. Since I also have some other brown wingtip heels in tan and brown, as well as some chunky black and burgundy mary janes, I'm sure I'll have tons of color combos to work with.




Now I just need to get more skirts to wear with them. The Tabio socks mentioned on Kingdom of Style are the closest I've seen to the actual Prada socks. I may have to get a few of these because their colors are perfect to match some of the plaid skirts I already have and will also go with my argyle sweaters (which I can't wait to break out!). The color banding on the arch and top is the best part.



Target also has a ton of great opaque stockings and knee-socks out right now. I bought stockings in dark brown ribbed, teal, red, orange and purple. I also got some fun orange argyle socks. They will be a great jolt of color during the winter when I am wearing darker color clothes.

Now's the time to get them, they're very inexpensive - perfect for a seasonal item.

Beauteous Bespoke

Bespoke is defined as:

- adjective
British.
a. (of clothes) made to individual order; custom-made

One of the great things about the Internet is the ability to connect with new up-and-coming designers from around the world and to be able to purchase items that are unique with amazing craftsmanship. You can collaborate with these designers and have items halfway around the world created to your specifications and then shipped directly to you.

One designer that I was completely taken with is Hetty Rose shoes. She has beautiful and interesting designs, but what sets her apart is that she creates them using vintage kimono fabric. I fell in love with the Amalie style. It really shows off the design of the fabric. What I also like is that both shoes will be different based on how the fabric drapes on the shoe.



After speaking with Henrietta about the shoe I wanted, she sent me a list of measurements needed. So we traced my feet, took some pictures, filled in the dimensions and sent them off to her to match up with a last in my size.


Henrietta had just gone to Japan on a fabric buying trip and provided me of pictures of 5 or so fabric options to choose from. I have to tell you - it was difficult to decide. The designs were beautiful - so full of color and interest. I debated a while between a two of the fabrics but in the end I chose this pattern.



The colors were very vibrant and I liked how the white background would make them pop!

Then it was time to pick my heel. I had four options to decide between: a skinnier heel, a more curvy chunky heel, the wood heel below or the wood heel covered in fabric as it was shown on the website. Because I wanted to showcase as much of the fabric as possible, I picked the wood heel covered in the fabric.



Henrietta sent me updates about how my shoes were progressing and event sent me photos of the work in progress. Here is my fabric on the last and cut out ready to be assembled. We did have one running change when she found a small smudge on the toe fabric of one shoe. It was easily solved by adding a signature Hetty Rose peep-toe. You can see the proposed placement in the top image.





A few weeks and they are done! Henrietta sent me pictures of my finished beauties before carefully wrapping them up and winging them away to America! Didn't they turn out great!



I love the mix of black, yellow, pink, salmon and red.



The leather inside is very very soft and the hand-stitching around the peep-toe and the edges is a playful touch. One of my favorite parts is that the sole of the shoe says "Hand Made with Love by Hetty Rose".

They are so eye-catching. I got tons of compliments and inquiries about them.

Prices vary by style and fabric, etc., but they well within the range of other non-custom designer shoes. I would highly recommend her. Plus, how often do you get to say that you have the only pair in the world of these shoes.

Ensemble du Jour - and an "adventure"

This post is late. I actually wore this outfit on Thursday of last week but then I had an "adventure" that day and a funeral to go to on Friday. So I got kind of tied up and didn't write about it.

The Outfit
The outfit is a new green henley from Target with a khaki linen skirt and a long wood bead necklace. Sort of a nature-toned Summer-Fall transition-y type outfit.




The Focal Point
My Steven Madden needlepoint heels. They are a few years old but because they are so unusual, I don't wear them all that often. I think I actually got them through the Victoria's Secret catalog back when it wasn't so slutty. In retrospect, these may have been knocking off a Miu Miu design because I remember seeing something similar (but with a chunkier design) from them. But these are actually done pretty well and are quite detailed.





Close-up of toe and heel (thanks for the camera work, Hon!)



Okay for the embarrassing adventure - on Thursday I was eating my lunch at my desk, as usual. I had just popped a carrot in my mouth and I inhaled at the same time and the ginormous carrot got lodged in my throat. Totally stuck, and would-not-move! When I realized that I could not dislodge it by swallowing or drinking water, and I actually wasn't able to cough or breath, I thought, "Crap, I am totally screwed here."

Lucky for me I was near my co-workers and got up in a near panic, gave him the panic-face and the "Help me I'm choking to death here" motions and he gave me the Heimlich maneuver. Full on Heimlich. Twice. On the second time the damn carrot popped out. Coughing ensued. Co-worker panic ensued. It was scary and insane.

Of course as I'm standing there hacking and wiping my eyes I'm thinking to myself, "Oh thank God, the carrot didn't land on my shoes. They're fabric."

Yeah, I'm not right in the head.

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
I wore this outfit on Wednesday and it is simple simple simple. A swishy black skirt and white top with a cinnabar bracelet giving a subtle nod to the most important part of the outfit my bespoke Hetty Rose shoes!




The Focal Point
I am going to do a whole post about the creation of these. They were custom created for me and I was so excited to get them that I wore them the very next day. Stay tuned for more about the process of their creation.



I apologize for getting behind on some of these. I want to put these up when I have something fun on. I had a funeral on Friday so I was very plain in all black. I'm going to do a post about Thursday's outfit, because I had a bit of an "adventure".

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.

What do these look like to you?

I like the menswear style, but what do these look like you?


Chie Mihara Zashi Kiltie Pump - $345

Do they look like Cthulhu or...



or Davy Jones?



Discuss!

Princess Poochie says...

Here is the latest challenge that has been put forth before me:

How do you walk in low heels? I've just recently purchased a vintage Chanel peep toe heel, but I don't know how to walk in low heels. I feel like I pull my feet up too high and my heel hits the ground at an awkward angle! Imagine that! I can prance around in 5 inch Louboutins (with or without the platform) but I can't wear low heels. They don't hurt, I just can't walk in them. Flats are fine, but add that kitten heel or up to 2.5 inches and I can't do anything in them.

- Anelle

Anelle,

Hmmm, low heels. One thing you, and everyone, should do is make sure you are wearing a range of heel heights all of the time. If you wear higher heels one day you should switch to a flat or low heel the next, ideally. This way your foot and ankle are not trained into one position.

That said, what problem are you having with the low heel, and are they slingbacks? A kitten heel is slender and since, in the lower height, you are placing more of your weight on the back of your foot it can get wobbly. You don't have the problem with a skinny heel in a higher height because you are on the balls of your feet and your balance is probably good.

I would try standing (in bare feet) and walking around your house on the backs of your feet - lifting the front of your foot off the floor. This can help stretch your ankles out and get you used to balancing with the weight in the back.

Of course walk around in your new shoes to get used to them. I'd also make sure the back of your heel is snug in the shoes and they fit well there. Add a heel cushion if they are not.

When I walk in low heels, I tend to glide my foot forward sort of ballet-style - not balance on my toes and not striking with my heels. Your foot doesn't raise off the ground as much and stays flatter which should give you better balance.

I hope this helps. If not, let me know!

Luv
Poochie

P.S. I'd love to see a picture of your vintage find! They sound great.

10022 - Shoes

I am so jealous that the 8th floor shoe department in Saks Fifth Avenue NYC is opening up and I won't be there any time soon! I love that they are investing in decor and a cafe and shoe repair. They are really bringing back a level of service worthy of these works of art and understanding that these all are a part of the buying experience.

I wish more stores would enhance their stores because even a small measure of improvement would make a huge difference in ambiance.



What you may not know is that this store in a store is getting its own zip code. I'm not sure it's really that big, but what a great marketing idea.

Plus they have commissioned a series of limited edition stamps:

Exclusive Shoe Stamps
Hot off the press and creating a buzz...Saks Fifth Avenue's Limited Edition shoe stamps, commissioned in celebration of our spectacular new shoe floor, 10022-SHOE, in the New York store. This collectible series of twenty official stamps features dramatic artwork from some of your favorite designers including Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin, Valentino, Fendi, Chloé, Giuseppe Zanotti and more. Quantities are limited so order today.



Yeah, I ordered two sets, but they look cool. And as I've said, I'm a sucker for anything "Limited Edition". I will probably use one set as wall art and maybe make a set of cards or something with the other set. Nothing as plebeian as using them just for postage.

Another reason I need to go to NYC asap!

A Shoe List - Silver

Time for another true confessions shoe list!

Silver is color that, especially nowadays, you can't have too many of. Off the top of my head, here are all of the silver shoes I have that I can think of off the top of my head:

1. New distressed silver Guess heels


2. Silver double-strap Miu Miu Mary Janes


3. Celine silver crocodile patterned heels with silver buckles


4. Manolo Blahnik Estrella silver brocade slingbacks with crystal stars


5. Franco Sarto ankle strap heels with bronze accents


6. Nine West distressed silver flats

That's not too long of a list. Maybe I need more, hmmmm....

Store Focus: Spiegel

I get a lot of catalogs. And I mean A LOT. When Christmas time rolls around, it becomes truly disgusting the amount of stuff that comes in the mail. Most of the time, however, I love catalogs and online ordering. With my crazy schedule, and my low patience for crowds, I prefer not to schlep around to the stores.

One catalog that I have always looked at but never really purchased from is Spiegel. They are a pretty comprehensive book with clothes, shoes, purses, accessories and even some home goods. I think part of the reason I've never really considered them is because I have this perception in my mind that they are full of clothes that are too Garanimal matchy-matchy, too crazily designed or too full of outfits like this:



Ugh! Or just as bad, something like this:



How wide are those friggin' pants? Anyway, even though those are actual pieces from Spiegel and they are hideous, I believe that, if you search and are selective, any store can yield a few gems that can enhance your wardrobe. A few of the pieces that rose to the top were this chiffon color-block dress. I love the colors and the style, but I think I would have done this in a less wrinkly fabric.



I do love a red suit and this has a great shape, especially the neckline and seaming of this jacket. It's sexy and professional.



I also really like this leather croc-embossed skirt. Really versatile with a great shape. I think it look much more expensive than it is. Good find there.



One thing I did notice as I was going though the book was a very strange trend in the shoe styles. Now overall the shoes in the catalog were not good. And to me, there were a great number that looked like orthotic shoes.

I have several friends who, for various reasons, have to wear orthotic shoes and/or inserts. And I know that it must be a major challenge to find shoes that are stylish but can also accommodate their needs. So, I'm sure these are some great options. However, I don't think this is what Spiegel intended and that is what has me confused. Take a look at these and tell me what you think.


Cheetah print wedge - $55


Slip-on wedge skimmer - $49


Wedge ankle boot - $59

I can't even recommend them for this purpose because they don't position them as good for orthotics, but if you get them and find they help you expand your shoe wardrobe and you like the styles, let me know.

There are some other options that do bring a more affordable price tag to some classic and even designer styles. I like the metallic (hopefully not plastic) look of these brogues that would be right at home with the menswear styles I featured earlier.


Platform Oxford - $59

I also think these chunky Mary Janes would get a lot of wear paired up with jeans and skirts.


Mary Jane pump - $49

So, overall I'd give Spiegel a 50%. There are some shudder-inducing clothes but there are some fun options too. And the prices aren't too bad. Worth checking out and picking a few key items. I think if I do place an order, I'm going to grab this hoodie here. It's my favorite thing out of the whole book - Sequin hoodie $59.




Happy Shopping!

Shoe Memories (part two) - Growing out of bad taste... I hope!

Growing up I didn't have a lot of exposure to "fashion" and I didn't play dress-up. I also went to a private school where I wore a uniform until the 9th grade. Sadly, when I finally got thrown into the hell that is public high school it was the mid to late-80's. And oh, the memories of the horrible fashion choices I made still haunt me to this day.

Actually, I don't think they were that horrible, really, but looking back I think I made the mistake of coordinating way WAY too much.

One classic ensemble that, thank god, there are no pictures of that I know about, was what I have called the "fruit salad" outfit. I actually wore, prepare yourself, a pair of bright goldenrod yellow jeans, raspberry pink tank top and this white button down shirt with a fruit design on it. Oh, but the horror doesn't end there. I had a bangle bracelet with the same colors and, get this, plastic fruit dangle earrings. Damn Bijoux Tener cart.

I had a few other choice outfits that I remember. One was a black button down shirt that had glittery pastel paint splatters which I wore with a jeans skirt and accessorized with black heart earrings that had pastel dots in the same colors.

And a true classic was a hot pink shirt with black dots that I, you guessed it, would wear with heart earrings that were also hot pink with black dots. And if they had been around, and I had the cash, I probably would have bought these to wear with it:


Irregular Choice Blythe First Prom

I am so appalled. God help me, I can only hope that my sense of style has improved. And that is also why I would never, ever, relive my high school years.

Oh the trauma!

Princess Poochie says:

Here is the latest shopping challenge that has been put forth before me:

I was wondering if you could offer some advice. I have just bought the most wonderful vintage suit to be married in. My fiancé and I are eloping to Boston to be married at the end of October. I was wondering if you could offer some suggestions on a nice shoe to go with it. I would like the heel to be no more than 3 1/2 inches high and with nothing around the ankle. I'm fine with either open or closed toe.

- J.S.




Well, J.S.

That is a gorgeous vintage suit. Lucky you! You will look elegant and weather appropriate. But, yes, the challenge is what shoes to wear with this one-of-a-kind outfit, that will work with the style of the suit, the color and the level of formality. Being in a transitional time of year, that can be a challenge. Plus, most bridal shoes are white and shoes in the bone/cream color can tend to be more summer styles with wood heels. Not really what you want in October.

I think a perfect style for this suit would be a t-strap heel or, ideally, a round-toe babydoll style with a sculpted Louis heel. I also love these which I found on eBay (click on the image)-



They are kind of small, but I hope someone snatches them up! They need some work but they have a great style and heel. Looking for shoes like this also can help define a style to guide your shoe search.

A conservative yet still dressy style are these Bandolino's on Zappos. They are neutral enough to not compete with your suit.



I really like these by Giuseppe Zanotti which are the priciest at $498 on Zappos. The wood heel is typically for Summer but I think the unusual shape, the braiding on the sling-back and the crystals elevate it. I think the shape would be good with your outfit too. And the color seems right on.




These Pedro Garcia's Jeweled d'Orsays in "fossil" are $450 at Saks. What I like is that they provide a contrast to the suit and pick up the darker tones in the fur. You could definitely wear these after the wedding.




My absolute favorites are these - Beatrix Ong's Aster - on Shoe Runway . I think these would be the best for you. They are about $250. The styling hearkens back to the time period of your suit but they are not over the top. I just adore them.



Another option would be the Beatrix Ong Sadies. They are very unusual but there's no reason to play it safe on your wedding day! You are off on a brave new adventure, wear adventurous shoes!

Hope this helps. Have fun and congratulations!

Please feel free to send me your questions. I love it!

Luv
Poochie

Color coding

For a very long time (actually until just a few years ago), I never wore open toe shoes. For all that I love shoes I limited myself to mules and pumps and sneakers but never sandals, peep-toes or slides. The main reason is because I didn't feel comfortable with my tootsies.

I have very weak and brittle nails that tend to split really low. So I never felt "sandal-worthy" and I certainly didn't feel that I could have as pretty of a pedicure as what you see in magazine ads. But I made a concerted effort (and was very careful not to bump my toes into things, like I often do) and a little while later I was able get my first cute little slides.

But, I don't get to have professional pedicures all that often. Not as much as I would like anyway. Why is that? It's the same thing with massages. I love them and every time I go, I vow I'm going to get at least one a month, but then I never do. Anyway, I also don't have a lot of time to give myself pedicures more than once a week (okay, every other week), so I struggle with what nail polish color to pick that won't clash with the potential shoes I am going to wear. I'm not organized enough to plan out my outfits and nail polish. I can't even do that with purses much less the amount of effort it would take to match up my nails. I tend to pick a few colors that will be neutral enough to go with most of the shoes I would wear (with the season taken into account).

I'm currently pining for Fall but it's still pretty warm out, so I went with Chanel's Shanghai Red. It's not a true red, more like a very sheer rose-burgundy. It's got metallic flecks in it too so it looks great in the light.



Chanel did 3 limited edition colors this past season and the Shanghai Red was one of them. The others were Noir Ceramic (a metallic charcoal) and Blanc Ceramic (a sheer metallic white). I was inspired by the nails on the Summer Sephora catalog that did a black and white take on a French manicure. The Blanc was actually a perfect pedicure color. It was neutral but had something "more" than using a pink or neutral taupe. I used this a lot.



In the Winter I tend to go with a deeper burgundy that has some metallic to it. I do like to wear a true red, like Revlon Red, but find that it is hard to do a good job on my own. Plus, I don't find red to be as neutral as a darker version. If I want a red I save that for when I do go for a professional pedicure.

The nails on my hands are just as weak. I've been trying really hard to take care of my hands and get my nails to grow. The only thing that I've found that works is Nailtiques. When I use that stuff, it's amazing! My nails actually grow and don't break constantly.

I do love the look of painted nails. But on me they tend to look kind of lame. I see girls with shorter nails that are painted dark (like black or Vamp), but on me it looks hideous. So, I end up wearing a really sheer polish. And for some reason, my nail chips off of my nails really easily too. A light polish minimized how bad they look when 2 hours into the day half of my polish is chipped off. One polish I like is Essie's Ballet Slippers.

I've also heard good things about Essie's Mademoiselle and Opi's Bubble Bath. I think I am going to get those next.

Any other suggesstions for good colors to wear or good brands?

Eeeewwww!!!

I know we shouldn't criticize the Master, but....

Did Mr. Louboutin get a free pass to the museum today?

I'm glad he was all inspired by the art (Piet Mondrian), but these are, um, how do I say....crap.