heels

party shoes

by Lara on December 12, 2011

in fashion

via

New Years Eve is approaching fast. Are you going out? I still have no idea what we’re doing. We went out to a fancy dinner last year and I passed out on the couch. Year before last, we walked around the neighborhood drinking champagne, witnessed a car accident and made it back in time for the ball to drop. I hope I do something this year worth dressing up for!

I’m not big on ultra formal shoes. My sparkly silver strappy numbers have only been worn once and that’s such a waste. My feet would also freeze in them this time of year. Here are some picks for New Years celebrating that will keep your toes warm and can also be worn the rest of winter!

Check out Macy’s for more great party shoes!

Nine West Riddleme Pumps

These would pretty much go with anything and can take you to the office as well.

Bestey Johnson Sydnee Flats – in other colors

Gold flats with a fancy metal flower! These could be your spare switch-out shoes when heels start to kill your feet. They’ll also go with everything!

INC International Concepts Gallia Booties

I want some red booties so badly! These would look great with skinnies and a fluffy sweater after your celebrating is done.

Nine West Delly Booties

I’m not big on sequins but c’mon! These are fabulous, plus that sturdy heel and small platform mean you’ll get a lot of wear out of them.

Boutique 9 Victorie Pumps – also in black suede

I adore this shape heel. It’s so modern.

What are you doing/wearing for New Years Eve?

{ 4 comments }

summer shoes

by Lara on March 1, 2011

in fashion

Baby grass is washing over people’s yards, daffodils are pushing through, trees are budding. We were teased with a few beautiful warm days, it got cold again, but I’m sure that the groundhog was right. We’re in for an early Spring!

Now let’s talk about what’s really important – SHOES!

None of the shoe trends for SS2011 are making me want to hunt down affordable options. I feel like I have my bases covered so well for warm weather that it would be obscene to buy another pair but of course, I have an obscene problem with shoes. Maybe it’s just too early. I did get those sandals but, they’re not especially trendy. Have you seen any particular style you MUST add to your wardrobe?

 

Flatforms- No. Not happening. No way. No how. Except for a year from now when I suddenly think they’re wonderful and can’t find them anywhere. I can see how they would be great with longer skirts and wider pants.

Medium height block heels- I’m not a fan of this shape. The cone heeled sandals I just got will do the trick.

Crazy colorful shoes- Mixed colors, blocks of color, neon, sherbet… COLOR!!! These are the only wildly colored shoes I have. That’ll do pig.

Highly decorative ankle straps- I’ll have to see what’s out there bu they’re not at the top of my radar.

Ribbons & ankle ties- I have 2 pair that do the trick close enough. This was at the bf’s sister’s wedding. I’ve had these shoes for over 10 years, along with a black/white/grey pair. I think I paid $7 for each on clearance and they’re super comfortable and versatile.

Gigantic wedges- My favorite style of heel ever! If you want to hop on the wide-leg pants/long skirt trend, you need some heavy shoes to balance things out. I would like a pair of edgy solid black ones but nothing has made we swoon yet, within my price range. Here’s what I have:

Flat sandals- The gladiators won’t go away and the ones you have from 2 years ago are still in, but things are starting to shift to horizontal cage effects, laces down the middle, and intricate cutouts. I’m not going to worry about flat sandals one bit. When I need some, I can pick up a pair for $15, destroy them over the summer, and not blink an eye.

Oxfords- They don’t seem to be going anywhere. I’m still on the hunt for something perfect but I’m not too keen on my feet sweating in the heat.

Clogs- Yup, still out there. Not for me.

There’s always espadrilles, snake skin, super strappy, etc. Also, elastic banding, wide bands, GOLD, and double strap Mary Janes are going to be popular.

Lanvin

Prada

Phillip Lim

Christian Dior – I know I know, screw Galliano, but these shoes are going to be micro-trendsetters.

Fendi

Doo.Ri (I really really love these)

Miu Miu

Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte

Chloé

Dries van Noten – Lanvin has been doing these squishy straps for a while and they look comfy.

$49.95 also in a graphic b&w (which is also a major trend)

$39.95

$49.95 also in black

$49.95 also in black and white

$59.95 also in brown – this style is on all the cheap-o sites

$74.95 also in black, cream, teal and orange

$69.95 also in brown

$69.95 love this mint – also in grey and nude

$49.95 also in black

$79.95

$79.95 also in cognac

$59.95 also in brown

 

 

What are you hoping to add to your shoe wardrobe this summer?

{ 1 comment }

sensible heels

by Lara on February 25, 2011

in fashion

I can’t believe it. I bought sensible heels!

Last Tuesday, while the bf was at the dentist, I went to the nearby DSW and perused. I actually took a pair to the register but the checkout chick was on her cell, never even made eye contact with me and left me standing there like a chump for a few. I hate shit like that. HATE IT! I put them back and left. Like, “take that DSW and your crap service! You’re not getting my money!”

Well, I couldn’t get the damn shoes off my mind and went back today and bought them, only to experience a new wave of horrible service. I actually went looking for the manager only to find that the new horrible was the manager. I’m writing to corporate about this. Seriously. Anyhow, they were still there and I bought them.

They’re Etienne Aigner, always an old-lady brand in my mind, but I love them! The sole is rubbery for getting around, they’re grey suede with wingtip details, and under the holes are subtle sparkles (you can’t see in my bad pic). They looked great with skinnies and a modern slouchy sweatshirt. Only $25 on clearance!

My birthday is coming up and if you don’t already know, my mom is disabled with MS and used to be a shopping maniac. You have no idea. It used to be our favorite pastime – a day of shopping, a movie, lunch, dinner… She’s the most generous person I know and I have to tell her “no” to things constantly but for holidays, she gives me a rough budget (that I never meet) to shop for myself. I grabbed 2 other pairs of sensible summer heeled sandals while I was there. I can’t have these until my b-day.

It still blows my mind that I picked these out but I think I’m wising up to this whole comfortable heel thing. These will be endlessly versatile for a long time to come. Loving the cone heel.

Franco Sarto – Upmost Sandal

I think the thing that bugs me about shorter heels is that they have always kinda seemed old to me… like what an older lady wears when she can’t handle the sky high heels anymore. It was almost like admitting defeat. Well, I can’t handle the sky high heels anymore for days I need to walk a lot either! Maybe I was numbed by booze back in the clubbing days, or it was stubbornness of form over function but a few years ago, I could walk 30 blocks, dance all night and it wouldn’t phase me until the next day, but I was too hungover to care.

I don’t always want to rely on ballet flats, flat sandals, flat boots, or sneakers on the days that require a bit of walking. It always makes me feel more casual than I want to be. I also don’t want to feel like my feet are in a vice and have to hobble to my car and have random aches all over the next day when I wear crazy heels.

So many bloggers are embracing this heel height. I’ve been watching them for years elevating their outfits to being a wee bit more dressed up and I’ve envied that subtle difference. If I see something long enough, it starts to grow on me. Is it maturity? Saturation? I don’t know. I’m ready to be cute and comfortable though!

What are your thoughts?

{ 8 comments }

more boot lust

by Lara on November 9, 2010

in fashion

I just can’t help myself but drool over these two pairs of pricey pricey boots. Sigh.

Oh that color! Balenciaga

Reminiscent of the AW2006 Balenciaga harness ankle boots (and the Sam Edelman Zoe Boot knockoffs) that everyone went mad over. Topshop

{ 3 comments }

+ & –

by Lara on October 28, 2010

in + & -

  • Oh dear I love these shoes called the Robot by Ruthie Davis for Dennis Basso ss2011!! (via)

  • I finally brought my sewing machine, box and spool holder from my parent’s house! I never thought we had the space here but I made space. My mom kept her machine in a closet and just sewed at the kitchen table when I was kid. That’ll do! I need to be able to work on projects here in the evening or I will go crazy. Sewing is the only craft hobby I’ve stuck with since I was a kid. Now… do I need an adjustable dress form?
  • Hey! If you like edgy fashionable DIY projects, you should be reading Outsapop. Really. Would I wear these feather shoulder epaulettes? Hell yes I would!

Dmetal

  • Soooo Marie Claire posted an article about how people feel uncomfortable watching overweight people on TV kissing or whatever. It got a bit cruel, garnered a TON of pissed off comments and media attention, and the author had to update and apologize (weakly). There has been a lot of fat-acceptance talk on the blogs lately and I think it’s great. NO, it’s not great to be unhealthy but it is great to not hate yourself because of how you look. I think some of the anti-fat-acceptance comments have been missing this point. It’s not “Yay fat! I love fat! Let’s all love fat!” It’s about still being strong and confident when you’ve put on some poundage. Appearance and self-worth are two completely different things that a lot of people get confused in darker moments, including myself. Something about morbid obesity that makes me incredibly sad though: Every morning when I commute like clockwork, I see a very large woman with a few small children about to cross 4 lanes of traffic to get to the school bus stop. The children dart across the road and she has a terrible time keeping up with them. I think about how she probably can’t play with her children as much as they would like, and how tired she must feel all the time. Growing up with a disabled parent, I can empathize with the kids.

{ 4 comments }

fall fantasy wish-list

by Lara on August 26, 2010

in beauty,decor,fashion

I used to keep a journal full of cut out pictures of things I saw in magazines and I’ve shared a ton with you in the past. So, what does a grown woman do on a Wednesday night? Well this grown ass woman sat with her September issues spread out, a pair of scissors, a glue stick, paper and a pen. In all the magazines, I honestly didn’t see too many things that I fell in love with. I enjoyed concepts and styling ideas but not many individual items, except for these.

Oh, and I totally ordered the DKNY Pure perfume. I rubbed every last microbe of scent on my wrist off that magazine strip and couldn’t stop smelling myself. So cozy and comforting and sexy. The bf loves it. Part of the profit goes to a microfinance program for vanilla farmers in Uganda as well. I haven’t given up on my beloved Kenzo Amour… it just needs a little rest.

PS- I can’t spell Gabbana obviously

Click for the large version:

{ 3 comments }

nude pumps

by Lara on August 19, 2010

in fashion

Almost 2 years ago, I did a post on nude pumps that’s still consistently getting views. Nude heels will always be in. They make your legs look amazingly long and pretty much go with everything. So, here’s a new installment of  nude pumps that are readily available in the stores. I’ve tried to include different price points and skin tones like last time.
Since they offer free return shipping and colors vary so much online, all are from Zappos. You can still shop around of course.

Oh, and how cute is Zappos?

Now to the shoes:

$295

$275

$130

$83

$88.95

$78.95

$89

$285

$78.95

$298

$78.95

$275

$65.95

$101.95

$298

$108.95

$295

$91

$399

{ 7 comments }

hunter

by Lara on July 26, 2010

in fashion

Isn’t it great seeing things you love in a swanky shop then going home and finding it online for waaaay cheaper than the store price? The bf and I are the most ridiculous bargain hunters. If you had a $20 bill in your hand, would you flush it down the toilet? I didn’t think so. If you don’t comparison shop, that’s pretty much what you’re doing. Plus, with smart phones, it’s so easy to look up a brand and the style online while in the damn store to see if it competes. All that saving adds up and you end up being able to treat yourself a lil bit more.

While I love supporting local business, the mark-up can be ridiculous. I got this same bag I fell in love with at Pink from Moxsie instead with a 15% discount on their already much cheaper price + free shipping. 30% cheaper than the swanky store price. I can’t wait until it gets here! It reminds me of Natalia Brilli and her amazing leather work.

So, I checked out this handbag line Deux Lux. I had never heard of it until I saw that bag. They’re vegan (nice word for fake leather) but a really nice thick quality with a lot of heft.. It was started in 2005 by a mother and daughter team. They’re mainly sold in boutiques and Anthropologie. Urban Outfitters has some exclusive designs. I found this new without tags bag for UO on eBay and managed to score it for $18 and free shipping! I think I’m set for bags now.

 

Here’s the Urban Outfitters pic in black.

Here’s the one I got in mahogany.

It’s been so long since I’ve bid on anything on eBay. I was really inspired by Adrien (from Looks Good From the Back) who scored this Marc Jacobs bag for $50!!! I see other bloggers finding amazing stuff for crazy cheap and Wendy B is always reminding you to snipe to make sure you don’t get outbid at the last second.

Yeah, about sniping… I didn’t do it. I sat like a moron watching the clock tick down on the auction, with two other tabs open with two larger bids ready to confirm if I got outbid at the last second. Ridiculous. No one jacked my bid up though. I got really lucky. This time.

Speaking of hunting… I finally started using Shopstyle and I’m loving it hard! It takes a minute to register and you can search for anything under the sun, tag things for sale alerts in email, put things in a wish list, etc. The interface is really nice. You mouse over something you like to get more info and tag, and click on it to have a new window pop up of the actual place where it’s being sold. (This is how I also found that black bag up above. I never checked the brand at the store so, “covered studs” in bags was the winning search.)

My friend Jen fell hard for this pair of heels at Fab’rik this past Thursday. Unfortunately, they were too wide. She was crushed. So, I hunted for “woven heel” on Shopstyle and found a bunch of other options for her at different price points. (Oh, and I found Jen’s shoes cheaper online too so if you have a wider foot, have at ‘em!)

RIP hot shoes, RIP

 

I think I would make it okay in a hunter/gatherer society! How do you hunt?

{ 3 comments }

Haider Ackermann

by Lara on July 1, 2010

in fashion

So, until I saw these boots on Shoelust, I had never heard of award-winning Columbian designer Haider Ackermann, who is now working in Europe.

I love the adjustable snaps, heel height and slight platform. The fullness of the slouch isn’t over-the-top. I checked around and found some more styles, all for Fall 2010. So beautiful! So outrageously expensive!

Same basic style – shown snapped at the highest most fitted point. Laser cut leather! via

How simple and gorgeous are these?

{ 1 comment }

low on imagination

by Lara on May 16, 2010

in fashion

So, we all get up in arms when a lower level designer rips off high end items. How about Giuseppe Zanotti‘s recent ripoff of Pour La Victoire‘s it shoe from over a year ago? Of course there are some serious differences but let’s all be honest here.

Giuseppe’s

Pour La Victoire’s Sacha

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