shoes

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?

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fall shoe wishlist

by Lara on October 13, 2011

in fashion

I LOVE cold weather shoes! Cozy and stompy and boots! THE BOOTS!  They’re my fave shoe in the whole world! Okay, enough exclamation points.

Do I need any more shoes? Of course not. I actually told myself I wouldn’t get any more shoes this year. Do I like to look? Uh, yeah!

I’ve been looking  a lot actually. I went to DSW recently and I love that most of the display shoes are in my size (6.5) so I wore flats and tried on at least 50 pairs and left with nothing! (pat pat pat on the back)

These are tickling my fancy right now and none of them are all that expensive. Do I break my promise and get a pair (or 2)? Oh geeze! Why do I do this to myself?

 

1 – Call it Spring – Apruzzese $69.99

2 – Wanted – Chap Oxford $25.67

3 – C. Label Alley-6 Wedge Bootie $49.95

4 – Blowfish – Vance $60 (also in grey and brown herringbone)

5 – Mia – Pampa Desert Wedge Bootie $59.99

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cheaping out

by Lara on August 15, 2011

in fashion

Has Christian Louboutin been perusing the aisles of Michael’s crafts?

$1,595!!!!

From the 2011 Sept issue of Harper’s Bazaar

So, uhm, yeah… if any of you want something like this, let me know. I can make this happen and it won’t be $1600.

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boots in the summer

by Lara on June 15, 2011

in fashion

I got this strange legalese email from Moxsie, an online indie apparel shop I had purchased from before. They’re going out of business and liquidating everything. So of course, I had to check out the sale. Not much was doing it for me except for a pair of leather OTK boots. It’s friggin 90 degrees outside and I was contemplating boots.

Well, how else was I going to get a pair of $230 leather Kelsi Dagger boots for $39.50?!! I slept on it and decided if they were still available in my size, I’d order them. They’ll be here in a few days! There are no returns on anything so, if they don’t work out, I’ll eBay em!

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$4 shoes

by Lara on May 26, 2011

in fashion

I had to run a bunch of errands on Tuesday and popped in my fave Goodwill on Midlothian. It’s small and clean and I’ve found some great stuff there. This trip gave me 2 pairs of shoes for $4 each.

These are brand new turquoise flats that originally came from Target. I had my eye on some blue flats from DSW for $35 so, yeah. A crazy deal! (they look more greyish blue in the pic)

These had the TJ Maxx stickers still on them but had been worn maybe twice. They’re super soft leather with little holes cut out. No idea when I’ll ever wear them but I couldn’t pass them up.

 

 

 

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birthday coupons

by Lara on March 21, 2011

in fashion

The birthday coupons have been rolling in and I had managed to hoard $30 off at DSW so, on Friday I popped in and had a terrible time finding a pair of shoes! Can you believe it!?

I saw gorgeous heels but I’m still on a sensible shoe kick. Nothing was suiting or comfortable or in my size so after wandering around for an hour trying on everything, I settled on these pewter sandals. These damn coupons make me spend when I don’t really need anything! Are you a sucker for them too?

$29.95

These come in 6 colors and have skid-proof soles. I wore them all day Saturday and loved them, although they weren’t great to drive in for 4 hours… had a knot digging in my right big toe the whole time.

I also grabbed the bf some new Adidas flip flops for the summer (should’ve put his old ones in a bio-hazard bin) and paid $24 total for both pairs! Hot damn!

I still have $10 off at Victoria’s Secret that of course expires before this mystery card I have ($10 – $500 off) , and a free body wash coupon at Sephora. It’s almost not worth the trip to the mall. They used to give $20 gift certs for b-days. Oh well.

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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?

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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?

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das boots

by Lara on January 31, 2011

in fashion

Sunday, we went out for tacos and I took the over-the-knee boots for a spin. I am in love with that cardigan I just got from UO  and it went well with the dusty grey of the boots. I used a kilt pin to close it and paired it with a mustard tank.

The sweater is a little hippy with the pockets but whatever. I was feeling cute and comfy. With the suede finish and wedge heel on the boots they’re kinda toned down – not in Pretty Woman territory. I know a lot of women are anti-otk boots but they’re really no big deal. There are probably a ton of flat versions going on sale right now too! Here are mine on crazy sale.

Here are some other otk boots I wouldn’t mind having (click to shop):

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trend forecasting

by Lara on January 26, 2011

in fashion

Sometimes I look at fashion trends and wonder what hasn’t been around for a while because it’s bound to make an appearance again soon. (Crappy thing about getting older and seeing things from your teenhood coming back.)

I thought about old-school canvas jungle boots with the rubber toe caps, best worn in warm weather. They were a cheap and easy punk staple 15 years ago and usually ended up getting covered in studs and patches. They’re impossible to find now. (I think you can order from vintage stock here.) Mark my words they’re going to come back soon. Mark ‘em.

(via)

I don’t know when these were sold at Saks but Converse by John Varvatos made a similar (now unavailable) style and they sold for $295.

Well, guess what? This post has been sitting in my drafts since October and lookie what I just found on Solestruck!!!

$84.95

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