Position on Platforms

When we were in NYC last weekend, I made time to stop at the Saks Fifth Avenue Shoe Floor.

Of course, right?!?

Both Bergdorfs and Saks were having a major sale and shoes (and ladies) were all over the place.  While I love a good sale, situations like that tend to overwhelm me (which is another reason why I shop online so much) so I ended up not purchasing a single shoe.

But I did linger for a moment by the Fall 2012 Miu Miu display.  As always, the Miu Miu line had some of my favorite designs for the season with great curvy heels and glitter perfection.

But as I was standing there admiring the heels, I heard the most shocking thing!

My husband, who doesn't opinion often on the fashion front, stated he thought platforms were trashy!

What, what, WHAT!!!!

Not that this statement would stop me from wearing a platformed heel (especially that blue and gold studded number above) but I was floored.  I see quirky and maybe clunky-ly adorable but not cheap or anything.  Bizarre! Sure some platformed heels can have a "bad reputation" but not all of them.

What do you think?  Do you think all platforms look tacky or are some saved by their design and materials?

Sneaking in Sneaks - Tretorn, Broadhurst and Kate Spade

Finally back after my recent adventures in New York (more on that later)!


 I was excited to nab the last pair of Broadhurst/Tretorn/Kate Spade sneaks when I visited their Broome street store.

I wore them the very next day!  I think the black and white are all sold out but you can still nab the aqua and coral options on sale.

They are super comfortable, cute and perfect for walking around the city!

Ready for Resort

While my favorite collections are typically for the Fall/Winter seasons, I have to admit I have a soft spot in my heart for Resort.

 Centered on fun, frivolity and vacation glamour, many designers use this small season to break out their whimsical and witty sides. Here are two of my favorites from this season.

Brian Atwood went with candy pastels - more vibrant than the ice cream sundae colors of spring.  An evolution in to the jewel tones for fall.

Sophia Webster, a new name to me and a former Kirkwood designer, has put out layered, bold designs in acid bright neons. I'm excited to see how she grows.  You can see the Kirkwood influence but with her own playful spirit.

Vacation is a time when you can relax and follow your own desires.  It's great to see designers get to do a bit of that as well.

Wrapped up in Neon

I didn't get a giant pink neon purse but I think the pops of neon work better than a huge swath of these bright colors.. at least on me

So I was really drawn to the La Mer neon pink simple wrap watches.    Since watches are no longer necessary, they need to be fun.

These watches are so fun.  I love the triple-wrap band. And with a classic face and on trend colors - neon pink, yellow and green and even more - under $100 - these watches are easy to love.

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? Prada Fall 2011 Mary Jane vs ModCloth Girl of my Dreams Heel

I don't typically do two posts on knock-offs in a row but today has been a day filled with them.

 From Jeffrey Campbell (right) straight up thievery from Simone Rocha (left) with their lucite heeled oxford wedges...

 and now this...

I was looking for neon heels when I came upon these Girl of my Dream heels via ModCloth.  And I was stopped in my tracks.  Not because of the bright neon orange color.

But because they are a straight lift from the Fall 2011 Prada RTW runway mary janes.

These mary janes were done as pumps and boots and sandals.  What made them distinctive was the wide strap, that large button and the curvy heel.  All combined to exaggerate the mary jane style and create a new design.  A design created by Prada and "leveraged" by Jeffrey Campbell.

I don't know why I'm surprised by Jeffrey Campbell or Steve Madden and their stealing of designs.  I scrolled through a page of JC's on Shopbop and it was nearly every shoe or boot.  They were almost all a lift from a more innovative talented company, just taken and tweaked ever so slightly.

I've said it before and I will continue to do so... this is intellectual property theft.  If you admire a designer and their work but you can't get it or can't afford it, do you really think it's better to dilute their work so they, eventually, can't continue to create or are you fine with someone coming along, dumbing their work down and mass producing it.

Do you support the artists or the thieves

Inspiration = Flattery? Prada Flame Wedge vs ModCloth All Fired Up Wedge

I was not surprised when I saw a flame related accessory on ModCloth today. I mean, with Hunger Games and Katniss as "The Girl on Fire" it's bound to happen.

But I was surprised to see a wedge with obvious (although poorly executed IMO) knocked off elements.

The Prada Spring/Summer 2012 collection was filled with fiery heels, especially the blazing wedge.  Sure the pair from ModCloth are chunkier and simpler but the shape of the straps and flames at the ankle are identical. 

Haven't we been here before ModCloth?  Ignorance of your buyers is not an excuse.  I mean, this is a major shoe for the S/S 2012 season.  Do your buyers just not follow the fashion news and world or are they actively looking for "inspired by" pieces?

I know some will argue that it's making a style available to more people, with just enough distance to not be a true knockoff. And that's probably true.  I still think it's too close.

Thoughts?



Flame on cobblestone image via Elle.

Shoe Focus - Manolo Blahnik Fiocam Mary Jane

What can I say that isn't already obvious when you look at this shoe?

It's Manolo Blahnik, my favorite designer.

It's a patent mary jane, one of my favorite styles.

It's got an adorable bow.  I can't resist a cute bow.

But it's the combination that makes it irresistible!

Manolo has taken his power shoe - the urban shoe legend, no less  - the Campari, and evolved it.  The heel is not as overtly sexy.  It's a bit lower and more walkable.

And adding the peek-a-boo window and a sweet bow... now you have sweet and sexy.

Of course I got them!

Manolo Blahnik Fiocam... get them at Saks!

PSA - Find This Dog A Home

We found this sweetie yesterday and are now trying to get him a great home.  Sweet young boy pup.  About 1 - 2 years.  Knows "sit" and is super in the crate.  He slept in the crate overnight with no barking or messes.  A sweet love that deserves a good home.  He's a bit skinny but won't get too big.  I'd say he's about 40 pounds right now.

Contact me via FB, Twitter or a comment here if you know someone in NC or surrounding areas who wants to add to their family.

Trenched in with Kate Spade

One thing was made clear to me on my trip to San Francisco... I need a new stylish trench.

I have a vintage red trench, which is admittedly fabulous, but my more neutral tan one is horrid.  Its an old-old old, shapeless and marked up coat from the Gap that really has no redeeming qualities at this point other than I don't care if it gets more messed up. But if I'm going to be traveling for work or some place decent, I need a decent coat.

And Kate Spade's Topliner Trench fits the bill and suits my style to perfection.

I've been smitten with this coat for a few months now but, in trying to be somewhat frugal, I passed it up and its original $698 price tag.

But even though I tried to stop thinking about it, the bold piping and Florence Broadhurst lining still never left my mind.

    And, lo and behold!  When I checked back, it was 50% off.  Plus I had a 15% off discount as well,  
    making this lovely trench within my budgeted price range!

I am soooo excited to wear this sweetie.  I have more trips coming up (look out NYC!) and it's going to be the perfect accompaniment to my adventures.

A Quick Journey West

SURPRISE!!!  

I've been traveling again!

Okay, maybe that's not a surprise given the fact that I've been all over the place lately but this time I was back to the west coast and my favorite city... San Fran!

I actually had an opportunity to see outside... heck I even had time to go outside.  I ate at the great vegan restaurant Millennium, which was delish.

I stayed at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins in Nob Hill, which was a great location.  I've stayed over by Golden Gate Park before but this was way more central... and totally stunning.

My room overlooked the front entrance and I could hear the cable cars pinging away, which was so fun.  If you have the chance, go to the top floor restaurant, Top of the Mark, for some of the best 360-views in the city.

 Shockingly, I did get the chance to have a bit of a day off, so a colleague and I drove over the bridge to see Muir Woods.

Most of the walking path is a boardwalk or paved, so it's an easy stroll but we felt that was not enough. We took the shortest "hike"path which was about two miles and very easy.  Of course I had not planned to be hiking on this trip so I got a few side eye looks the gold sequin flats I was hiking in.

 Afterwards we went to eat at San Rafael's delicious Sol Foods.  Well worth the drive and some of the best Puerto Rican food ever! I'm totally starving right now and wish I had more.

And a trip to San Francisco isn't complete without a bit of shopping.  We popped into the Union Square DSW and were greeted with a huge display of The Shoe Girl's Ce Ce L'amour shoes.  I was so excited to see them in real life!  They are just as cute as you'd imagine too.

 I ended up with two pairs of the tall version of my ruffly Betsey Johnson Llola boots.  The tall style is called Rallly and I had to get both the tan and the black pairs.

Then it was back home.  Whew!

By the way, when I wore the Chie Mihara Stratosphere mary janes, I got tons of compliments.  One lady came up to me twice and even had me write down the name and where I got them.  They were super comfortable for trudging through airports and walking throughout San Francisco too.

But, all said, I'm glad to be back!

Talent, Style and Inspiration - a Fascinator Story

I'm not sure if I've expressed this before, but I love love LOVE hats and fascinators and hair accessories of all kinds.

And I love that the lovely Kate Middleton is bringing them back in a big way.  And my absolute favorite thus has been the vibrant red straw fascinator with the maple leaves that she wore in Canada.  Obviously she is gorgeous, but the combination of the jaunty design and wearing angle, striking color and outfit pairing made it perfect.

I had to have it!

So I did a bit of research and found that the creator was Sylvia Fetcher of milliners Lock & Co.  Right away I gave them a call and was promptly told that this piece was custom made for the Duchess and not for sale.  Darn royals!

But lucky for me, I also have access to a custom milliner - my very talented friend Mary of Pretty Good Things.  So, we discussed a plan - we wanted something equally striking, red with maple leaves, but it had to be inspired by, not a knockoff.  Different shape and materials and her unique vision led Mary to create a little masterpiece just for me.

Isn't it stunning!?!?  I don't even have it yet but I'm so excited to wear it!

What's great about the process is that she shared her vision and progress with me throughout.  I was able to select the overall color (in case I wanted something other than red), how I wanted to wear it, and even placement of the lining and embellishments.

In the end I ended up with a beautiful piece that will be so much fun to wear, as pretty as the inspiration piece but one that has a personality of it's own.  And that is what's great about working directly with artists of all types!

By the way, I'm not a huge royal family watcher, but have to admit, I love Kate and Will as a couple.  They both seem so gracious and equally in love with and comfortable with each other.  I just watched this video of them from their Canada outing and they seem sweet.  I guess I'm a fan!