Shoe Love: New Year's

heels, flats

Thanks to pregnancy exhaustion, I won't be able to ring in the New Year this year at midnight. I go to bed every night between 9 and 10pm! It got me fantasizing about what fabulous parties I would be missing and what fabulous shoes I might wear to those parties. This year, I'm thinking something metallic would be fun. In my mind I would wear heels and bring my flats so no matter how long the party lasted, I wouldn't have to go barefoot or call it an early night. Will you be going to any New Year's parties? What shoes will you be wearing?

Good News Everyone!

Well, its time to spill the beans. Gman and I are extending our little family to include a miniature Gman, due March 2014! When we found out "it" was a "him" I have to admit I was excited but a little nervous. It was just me and my sister growing up in a house full of Barbie dolls! I was worried that I wouldn't get to bond with a little boy like I would a little girl. Over the last month Gman has been sharing with me all the awesome games boys play. Not only that but he said that a man's mother is very important to him and men love their mothers in a special way. He pointed out, when have you ever heard a man accept an award and not thank his mom? I felt reassured. Lady friends with little boys, your wise words are welcome!

On a side note, when I thought about how I wanted to share the good news with everyone in my head Professor Farnsworth in Futurama would say, "Good News Everyone!" and I would just start laughing to myself (any fellow Futurama junkies out there?). 

Shoe Love: Sophia Webster + Jackson Pollock

Sophia Webster via Net-a-porter

Surprisingly, the first thing that struck me about these heels is the construction. I love the stitching on the soles and the way the heels are attached to the rest of the shoe. I like the transition from satin to PVC and the little details that show the process of conception to real shoe. 

The second thing that stuck me is how freakin' awesome these are! I love the playful paint brush on the side and how I think more of 1980's graffiti painting than Pollock's work at all. I like that Webster took an inspiration and then made it something unique and all her own. 

Shoe Love: Kuwaiti Sandals

As our move to Kuwait approaches I can't help but fantasize about the types of shoes women might wear there. I imagine lots of open sandals worn with breezy kaftans or demure abayas. I imagine sandal shops filled with possibilities and cobblers ready to make something just for me. There might be days where a simple shoe would do, but then others where something a little glitzy will be in order. I'm really looking forward to finding out!

Some of my favorites on Net-a-Porter, clockwise from top right: Musa, Ancient Greek Sandals, another pair of Ancient Greek Sandals, Oscar de la Renta

Shoe Love: JCrew Capri Sandal

When I was living in NYC my aunts and mom came to visit me. While on the phone discussing our itinerary, I mentioned that we would probably go to one fancy dinner and maybe drinks afterwards. My aunt asked, "Should I bring my dressy flip-flops?" I couldn't stop laughing because at a nice restaurant in NYC you would never consider wearing sandals, let alone flip-flops! I told her she could borrow a pair of my heels. She couldn't see what was so funny, because down in South Florida not only is it perfectly acceptable to wear sandals almost anywhere (as a woman) but in fact most ladies have a pair of nicer flip-flops or sandals that they wear to dinner, parties, and even church. 

As I packed for multiple week vacation in Florida, I thought about this story. Each thing in my suitcase will have to perform double duty for trips to the beach, dinner, shopping, walks in the park, playing tourist, and relaxing around the house. I used to work at JCrew (in Columbus Circle in NYC) and the leather Capri sandal used to fly out the door this time of year. I think its because this sandal is the perfect marriage of something you can throw on with a sundress or shorts for non beach related summer activities but they aren't so precious that you would be afraid to get them wet and sandy at the beach. They also lay completely flat in my suitcase, freeing up space for more heels, I mean running shoes... 

Do you have a favorite sandal that performs double duty when you travel?

Shoe Love: Flamingos

Sophia Webster Flamingo Printed Vinyl Sandals via Net-a-Porter

As you read this I'm en route to the Sunshine State! I'll be there mixing work and play with family and friends. Many people think of Florida when they see flamingos but the only time we ever saw them growing up was at the zoo! Alligators, seagulls, herons, and squirrels make me think of my home state. Those are all much more abundant. I do, however, need these flamingo heels for my trip. Don't you think?

Shoe Love: Tis the (spring) season

From top down: Quorra ballet flat, Lilian suede low wedges, Janey Liberty print flats, Everly Liberty Art Fabrics pumps 

Although the weather isn't very telling (its still chilly here!), spring is in the air. Today, I wanted to showcase some of my favorite spring shoes that are also conservative enough to wear to a religious service or event as this week is both Passover and Easter. I had to look no further than JCrew. They are nailing it this season! Now I only need to decide which one will put the right spring in my step. Pun intended.

Shoe Love: Candella Fall 2013

I still can't stop thinking about these beautiful embroidered smoking flats I saw at the Candella presentation during New York Fashion Week. I love the bird motif and the blue is perfect for that transitional time between summer and fall. You could wear these with a cotton dress one day and wool trousers the next. I'm already starting a countdown to September... what are the odds these are mildly affordable? 

Shoe Love: Cleavage

A friend of mine can't stand when her shoes reveal the cracks between her toes. I think a little toe cleavage is sexy. Where do you stand?

Shoe Love: shoes from behind

Shoe Love: the perfect pumps

Have you ever had that pair of heels that just fit you like a glove? I wore this one pair for years and years and with everything in every season. They were magical shoes, so to speak, and never hurt my feet either. Then after all that time, somehow they finally succumbed to wear and tear. I bid you farewell perfect pumps, we had a good run (no pun intended). I'm on to find another lover.

Shoe Love: Smoking Slippers

I draw with charcoal in my free time (if ever I have it) so I wanted to find a way to incorporate my drawings into the blog. Welcome to the new Shoe Love column featuring my favorite types of shoes illustrated by me! I received a Wacom Bamboo tablet for Christmas and now I can draw directly into Photoshop. This little piece of technology is incredibly addicting to use and I encourage you to get one and start playing immediately. 

The smoking loafer is classic American East coast prep. They are not just for smoking, as you might imagine. Wear them with trousers, denim, and skirts, in winter or summer, uptown and downtown. They come in velvet, linen, canvas, leather, and even silk. You can go high end, low end and everywhere in between. Wear them with a sweatshirt and jeans on the weekend or with a suit to the office (not just the commute!). The smoking slipper is my current go-to in the crazy warm winter weather we've been having. Tell me, do you wear smoking slippers? Would you?

Shoe Love: Glitter and Bold

A few weeks ago I went to a Sequin Happy Hour which consisted of a bunch of friends meeting at a bar and all wearing some sort of sequin, glitter, or sparkle. Even men were forced to participate. It was such a fun idea and I jumped on board immediately, before realizing that I have no sequins in my wardrobe. None. Not even a sparkly rhinestone necklace. I felt like this was some sort of huge womanhood fail. I don't think of myself as a tomboy, but maybe? I re-thought my whole identity.

Then remembered I did had some Miu Miu pumps with glitter on them (phew) but they are a sandal and freezing even if worn with tights.  I ended up wearing holiday colored flannel, denim, and leopard loafers. With red lipstick. And diamond earrings. Those count, right?

I love these Miu Miu glitter pumps! They would make the perfect holiday addition to any closet and they're on sale.

Do you have any sequins in your wardrobe?

Images via Net-a-Porter

Shoe Love: for the chef

Dankso via The Walking Company

Back in my college days, I worked at a pizza place (best job ever?). I stood on my feet for sometimes up to 12 hours a shift while serving customers, cleaning, and making pies. It doesn't seem like a hard work, but just standing for that long is actually hard on the body. A lot of professional chefs and servers wear the (admittedly not so beautiful) Dankso clog. They are the most comfortable shoe you can buy for standing on your feet all day.

Now that I sit in a chair and write for a living, I forget about these shoes until just about this time when I realize I'll be standing in the kitchen the entire day of Thanksgiving. Perhaps it's time to rush order these bad boys...

Shoe Love: Corso Como Boots

Corso Como Doyle Boot via Nordstrom

I haven't purchased a new pair of winter boots in almost four years! It doesn’t seem like that much time has passed but when I realized I was down to two very worn in pairs. It was time to start searching for a new addition.

Shopping for boots isn’t as easy as shopping for pumps and sandals. The height of the boot can be tricky, especially for my more petite friends, and the width of the opening can prove to be too wide or too narrow. My first ever purchase of winter boots was a pair of Corso Comos during my first ever winter in New York City. Accustomed to wearing sandals, it took a while for me to break them in, but now almost 5 years later they are still my go to.

I’m thinking about another pair. What do you think of the zipper on these? What boots are your cold weather go to?

Shoe Love: for the museum

Clockwise from top left: Embellished lace-up flats, suede pumps, leather ballet flats, patent and mesh flats, red pumps,  studded sneakers, polka dot haircalf pumps, gold and patent flats

Being a museum and gallery goer seems like a glamorous lifestyle. However, standing on your feet for hours on end is tiring. When I visit a museum or go to a gallery opening, I try to wear practical shoes - but practical doesn't mean boring. These shoes are practical and comfortable without sacrificing style.

Art to Inspiration: A Declaration of Shoe Love

October's Art to Inspiration, Ashley Lettich's Shoes in Soho, reminds me of the one, the pair, that got away.  I'm with my girlfriend shoe shopping. We've asked the sales associate to retrieve our selection in our sizes. As we wait, I anticipate that perfect moment, the fit, the excitement. How will they look on my feet? Will they be comfortable? Will I care? What occasion do I need to create to justify this purchase? How much were they anyways? I'm so distracted as we sit and wait that I can't hear my friend talking but she's so excited that she can't stop talking.

The sales associate finally comes back. What seemed like years was only two minutes. She balances a stack of boxes, slowly puts them on the ground, then opens the first one. The smell of fresh leather, glue, and paper rush towards me. She talks about the quality of the shoe, the special sole, the leather from Italy, as she delicately unwraps first the left, then the right, for me to try on. The paper slips off to reveal the naked shoe underneath. She hands them to me and I put my size 9.5 inside, sometimes clumsily, sometimes gracefully. I'm overwhelmed with excitement and anxiety, do they look right? are they my size? Then I stand and walk towards a mirror. As I walk, flash memories flood my mind. I've made this walk hundreds of times and I visualize the experiences layered on top of one another. The walk could be painful, difficult. I could step out of the pump. I might like the color and texture, but the strap gives the cankle effect. Or it fits like Cinderella's glass slipper.

This time, they are perfect. The three and a half inch heel is just high enough to show off my calves but not too high that I start wobbling. My heel is cupped in the back and the ball of my foot lightly touches the bed of the shoe. My toes aren't jammed up in the front or holding on for dear life. But I'm not sure. No. I'm sure. I've got to convince myself to let go of uncertainty and just bring them home. This moment is the most important. It's like a game of hard to get. A flirtation. I take a lap around the shop, brushing my fingers along every pump in my wake. I walk slowly, feeling my feet, looking for any signs of future blisters. There's no rubbing. Of course. They would feel more comfortable than bedroom slippers.

But is it lust or love? Could they stand the test of time? For a price like that, would I wear them for years to come? Would it be worth having them re-soled when they start to wear down? Should I just get a cheaper pair and then replace them with another cheaper pair? Is it better to have many short lived lovers than the one great love of a lifetime? And how would I know if it was the love of my life in only a moment? I doubt all my feelings and fear commitment.

I'm urged to try on the next pair and reluctantly take them off. The leather already began to mold to my feet and I reach out and silently gasp as the sales associate places them in the box. I smile and chat with my friend. I look at her shoes and give feedback, trying to convince her in or out of the purchase based on non-verbal signs she's giving me.

The second pair have nothing on the first. Now I'm hungry and I convince myself to walk away as I don't like making impulsive purchases, especially ones with this price tag. I think, what was I doing in there with those shoes out of my league?! As we leave the store, we discuss where we will go for lunch and how cute the shoes were and how we didn't try on those sandals but maybe next time. The rest of the day I relive that moment. Standing in front of the mirror, confident, radiant, and elegant. I try to go back but they are gone. Someone else's dream realized. I'm heart broken and sooth my troubled mind by purchasing other pairs of heels. The cheap fixes. The so called non-regretful under $100 cheap lovers that always hurt, always come up short. The plastic makes my feet sweat and no matter the occasion, I stand there, uncomfortable, dreaming about the ones that got away.


Started by the lovely Supal of Chevrons and Eclairs, Art to Inspiration is a once a month blog post inspired by a work of art.If you would like to participate in Art to Inspiration, click here to read more and sign up.  

And in case you missed it here's July's, August's, and September's Art to Inspiration.

Shoe Love?

Alice + Olivia Dorris Cheetah Haircalf Booties

I can't decide how I feel about these booties. I love the polka dots, calf hair, and general shape of the shoe. However, it's kinda weird that its like a sock inside a high heel and I'm not sure if it would hit on the ankle in a bad place. Also they are almost $400, boo.

So let's take a poll, what do you think? Is it over-designed? Do you like these or would you rather just wear heels (or anything else)?

Shoe Love: In the Streets

Last night had the pleasure of attending Sip & Shop, a wine and fashion event hosted by Early Mountain Vineyards and Urban Chic. I'll chat more about the event next week but I wanted to give you a little teaser with some Shoe Love.

Happy (almost) weekend!

Above, Kristin of Be Loud Be You, me, and her fab friend. Below, Katherine of La Petite Marmoset.

Shoe Love: Back to Basics

I'm feeling very uninspired by shoes today. I thought I would never say that! Everything seems too over designed or too over done. Perhaps I need to take a time out and go back to classic black pumps.

PS- This is only a portion of my collection of black pumps... I didn't want to overwhelm you ;)