It's been a while

Okay, so I know it has been forever! So I figure I am just going to change the way this blog works. Once in a while you will get an interesting detailed article. The rest is just going to be, HEY LOOK AT THIS AWESOME PAIR OF SHOES! Basically if I see shoes I think are hot, I will take a photo with either my camera or my phone and post them with a little description of the wearer and the shoes. I think a pretty cool way to connect to random people I meet. When there is a lull I will just post a pair of shoes I own, like right now!

These amazing gold metallic heels are from H&M and were a mere 35 dollars. Super comfortable because of the large and thus stabilizing straps and the nice little platform, which means the four inch heel does not feel nearly that tall. I like to wear them out at night, because not only are they glitzy and fun, I don't ever feel like I am going to fall over in them and I can last the whole night!

Heelless

No heels, no longer means flat. The trend of taking away the heel of a high heeled shoe is one that I just cannot support. Fashion

innovation is an incredibly important aspect of design, but shoes are made to walk in. Heels can be bad enough sometimes, and now they want to take away the tiny bit of support we get? Just looking at this piece Manolo Blahnik's spring/summer 2006 collection makes me cringe. And to be honest, it doesn't really look that good, wearing the shoe would look like someone in a ballet flat walking on tip toe.

Unfortunately even as the design improves, the idea does not.

Antonio Berardi, whose recent pair picture here, looks great in terms of the design of the shoe, but I still vote for practicality here. The only way I would purchase this sandal is if it had a heel.

Many people have compared this type of fashion to that of the foot binding practices that were popular in China for an entire millenia. All I can say is this better not last a millenia.

Dear (Insert - probably male - designer), No woman wants to walk in that! Unless of course you are Victoria Beckham, in which case, why not?

Kelly, Katie, Liz, and the whole city of Chicago

After getting back from Ecuador, where I was for a month this summer, I decided to head to Chicago for the weekend. The

perfect weather made it perfect for hitting up State and Michigan Ave to go shopping! Among both the fashionable designer stores and bargain-basements, I saw far too many of one particular style, seen here is the Kelly and Katie "Olympia" version. This cute sandal with great lines makes everyone's feet look good, it comes in several colors and from what I hear (my sister has a pair) they are very comfortable. My only real issue with them is that everyone had them.

And cue hipster music.

I usually don't fall into the category of people who liked it until everyone else did, but here I do. If someone shows up at a party wearing the same outfit as me, then okay, she's got good taste. But when half the city is wearing my outfit, I'm going home to change.

This design can be found at Old Navy, as seen here in silver, at Target, or as seen above under the name of Kelly and Katie, which is a brand owned by DSW, but supposedly designed and made by Liz

Claiborne. At a minimum of 5 major brands, there are far too many people working with this design. Now I am all about taking designs and creating versions that are cheaper for the general public. Fashion for every women! Or something like that. But please don't waste your money! They are YOUR shoes, they should say something about YOU and represent YOU personal style. So Chicago women every where, please think before you buy! The only people who can legitimately be buying these sandals are the ones who wear Uggs all winter. In that case, you deserve each other.

Charlotte Louboutin?

Wandering the mall is one of my favorite past times. This

weekend, since I was at home, I went wandering with my mother through one of my favorites, Twelve Oaks Mall. Probably because it is "my mall," the one at which I bought adorably fancy Easter dresses with my mother and grandmother when I was a child. As my mom and I made our way through the mall I spotted a pair of Christian Louboutins, his "Armadillo" d'orsay satin pumps in blue. An exquisite example of artistry, this classy design adds just the right amount of color to any black or neutral outfit and as with the entire d'orsay line, creates a stunning silhouette of your foot.

Unfortunately, there are no stores at 12 Oaks that stock Christian

Louboutins. What I was actually seeing were the Charlotte Russe version, running at about 27 dollars a pair. Clearly not of the same quality, you can see that from the picture, so don't worry I didn't actually get confused! But this is a great example of an easy way to have style on a budget. One day, I will be able to buy myself the Louboutins, but until then, Charlotte Russe will have to do.

Tri-Tone!

Bright colors and detailed prints are great touches to enhance good design, but every once and while a designer gets color happy and there are far too many colors or a bad color combination. Luckily, while wandering the mall with some friends, I found this great pair of tri-tone pumps at Aldo! 

Aldo's Froyare has a lovely combination of light and dark grey, accented with a muted purple, looks wonderful on this fairly simple pump design with a great hidden platform. The lines are clean, eye-catching, and are very well defined. The simplicity of the hardware adds to the basic style of the shoe, also making the color the most important element.

The same style comes in a navy and purple, with a light grey embellishment, which would work great as a night shoe, but I think the grey version works better as an all around shoe. It could be paired with a pair of well-lined black pants for work or with a dress for a night on the town. These colors are also nice, because they allow for the shoe to be the accent piece to the outfit or slip into the background. Unfortunately they did not have my size, otherwise these would've been added to my collection!

Why the Bandal?

I am still a bit unsure of the seemingly excessive thickness of straps, Mia's Huntress is a perfect example, which makes sandals more like bandals, as I call them. Boots that decided to chop off the portion around the toe, making it a sandal. Although I am all about personal taste, so if you for some reason like it, you can find this pair at piperlime.com.

But, in my search for a good pair of flat summer sandals, I came across a great pair by Diba with straps at a thickness level that seems 

sane! They are thick, without being over the top, and 

I like the relaxed look of the leather, it makes the shoe seem much more effortless. Paired with some skinny jeans and a moderately simple top, the pewter color would make a nice accent. Whereas the black would look good with a pair of shorts or a skirt and a less simple top.

As a slight warning, watch out with pewter colors if you are fairer skinned. When you can't tell the shoe from your foot, avoid the shoe.

You can find the pewter at dsw.com or the black at shoes. com (link in the title)

What am I wearing today?

Black matte leather flats, knotted leather embellishment - Charlotte Russe

Extreme Heels

From extreme heights to extreme designs, designers are making heels that are anything but conventional. I'll be showing you a few of my favorite, and least favorite takes on heels.

This pair of Proenza Schouler's Bracket shoes exemplify an extreme use of material,

combing a sleek and sexy white matte leather with a more industrial frame ornamented with, well, brackets. The idea of dividing hardware from the leather upper as opposed to the more common style of meshing the two adds an interesting layer to this design concept. This cousin of the wedge heel de-feminizes the look to a certain extent, adding a sense of power and strength, while also increasing the femininity of the upper part of the shoe because of the strong contrast.

Alexander McQueen can always fall under the category of extreme. His Fall 2009 collection did not disappoint.

This is definitely one of the oddest versions of a platform heel I have ever seen. When I showed my sister this photo, she responded, "Those aren't shoes Rachel, those are like, tables." Pretty much sums up the feels of a normal person, I would say. But, I keep wondering what I would say if I were people watching one day and saw someone walking down the road in these. Who I am to say that McQueen isn't the next Roger Vivier? I am sure there were skeptics when Vivier popularized the stiletto. They probably wondered how one would walk in a stiletto and worried about practicality. They probably said it wouldn't last.

Okay, so right now I am a skeptic, but don't quote me on that if you see these on me in a few years.

Bejeweled

This past winter while in Vienna, my family and I visited the Schatzkammer, the country’s Treasury, where we wandered amongst some of the most beautiful pieces of art left over

 the days of Emperors, Kings and Popes. Among the papal wardrobes embroidered with gold thread, the crowns encrusted with fine stones, and the ornate service ware with its own hand-made carry cases was the the 2860 carat Columbian emerald. This softball-sized wonder is the largest cut emerald in the world and is simply breathtaking. This jewel exemplifies how for as long as history can remember, bigger has been better. Even today, we watch celebrities on the silver screen fawning over Flower Rings the size of a small country and in real life sporting wedding bands with diamonds no smaller that 3.5 carats. The size of the stone or stones matters and as sandal season has quickly consumed the footwear world, everyone seems to be scrambling to purchase the pair with the most bling. 

Cheap and garish: two things you don’t want your shoes to say about you. Unfortunately, this pair of Pierre Dumas sandals is the definition of cheap and garish. Rhinestones, although not my favorite, can be done well. This is not an example of rhinestones done well. The lack of a true color palate or even some sort of reasoning to the color selection is just the beginning. Notice the horrid gold plastic-looking four prongs holding each oversized jewel in place. The simple sandal design of the shoe is totally ruined by the excessive use of jeweling. I repeat, cheap and garish. 

In complete contrast, this simple pair of egg shell blue kitten heel sandals by Manolo Blahnik, who is, in my mind, the epitome of shoe design. This pair shows a well thought out use of embellishment in the use turquoise stones on a simple design, which is much like that of the Pierre Dumas shoes. The size of the stones corresponds well to strap size and the placement of the stones is intriguing, making the embellishment interesting and something to look at.  The choice of natural turquoise over the crated clarity of rhinestones, is a statement in itself. Sometimes the most beauty is found in the most imperfect of places. 

Embellishment makes a shoe, it determines the beauty or the lack thereof. The new Louis Vuitton collection, with its African inspiration, is a tasteless use of embellishment. Although I may be the only one to think this, they are ugly. The basic design of this collection is fabulous, but the overzealous use of beads, sequins and feathers detracts from the shoe rather than enhancing it. I appreciate the almost ironic humor of the face in the left “Spicy Sandal,” as they are entitled, but I would never want to wear it. It is a real shame because the intricate use of contrast, in fabrics and shapes (look at the platform), is truly incredible.

 Of course, I am sure some woman will be willing to shell out all $2790.00, just to be able to walk down the street, watching her fellow female stare in awe, or is it disgust, at these signature designer shoes.

No Regrets Shoe Shopping

Black lace overlayed upon a deep maroon satin, presenting an aura of bronzed burgendy. This pair of 4 inch stillettos, with a boxed toe and 1/2 inch hidden platform, as one would expect this season, is the latest addition to my closet. Designed by Steve Madden Luxe, I would've expect to pay between 90-120 dollars on this absolutely worth it pair of shoes. Fortunately for me, I know the ABCs of shopping, and got them for 16 dollars! Although there is no exact formula to shoe buying, I find that the ABCs get me through the basics of buying on a budget.

Assortment: Get some! Don't always buy the same shoe. I have many pairs of black leather high heels in various styles that I have collected over the years, but there is one pair that is my consistent go-to pair. Until that pair is no longer recognizable as its former self, I won't buy another pair. There is no need to spend my time and energy searching for a pair of shoes I already own, when I could be finding a pair I don't. 

Many people get into a rut when it comes to shoes. Remember that stylistically similar shoes are only distinguishable by you. Your friends, family and the throngs of onlookers who stop and watch as you pass will not notice the difference in your shoes if they look like every other pair you own. While shopping take the time to be picky and search for a stand out shoe you don't already own, so you don't waste your money.

Budget: Know yours! Not every pair is right for you, as much as I like to think they are. Take the time to find what best fits your budget. 

If that perfect pair by Vivienne Westwood costs hundreds more than you have, its not perfect. The more dangerous pairs are those that are just out of your range, within twenty to fifty dollars of your budget: so close and yet so far. When you start saying, "Well, do I really need bread this week?" Back away!

There are day I walk into a store knowing I could go for that pair, so I set my limit. I am not spending more than x amount today, and if I don't find a pair less than that, I am going home without shoes. It is tough, trust me I understand, but in this economy, a bad credit score isn't worth it. 

Clearance: The holy grail of budgeted shoe lovers. Shopping the clearance section is an acquired skill, but with time, can be perfected. My personal plan of attack is based on how the clearance section is divided. If it is broken up by percent discount, I start the lowest, you don't want to fall in love with a pair that is 10 percent off to later find a pair 50 percent off. Otherwise, I begin my hunt in the section marked with your shoe size. I always do a preliminary scan for shoes I am on the lookout for, for example I am currently searching for a pair of leather boots. Once I realize that they have no boots, or have tried on what they have, I move on to the rest of the section. If you find yourself with a pair of shoes that doesn't quite fit, check the nearby sections or ask a sales associate for help. 

Good days are one like mine, when you can walk into a store and come out with a pair of 80% off shoes. But don't always expect results and don't ever force them, some shoes just aren't meant to be. As much as I love clearance, it is most definitely hit or miss. 

The Makings of a Wardrobe

Shoes are important in the most functional of ways, as they protect our feet, but they can also be used as an artistic exhibition of fashion and flair. As an avid shoe lover, I know that for every good wardrobe there needs to be a mixture of shoes, with classic shoes, practical shoes and statement shoes. Your classic shoes are your home base, mixing equal parts of practicality and statement, they can be used with any and every outfit. They are so comfortable, they feel like part of your body, and yet they are so stylish, you know everyone else notices them. Once you have the groundwork for a good shoe wardrobe, you need practical shoes, that focus on comfort, but are versatile and applicable to many outfits. Your practical shoes, which will carry you on anything from mile-long journeys through mountains to late-night runs to grocery store, are just that, practical. Once you have classic and practical taken care of, then comes the fun part: the statement shoes. Statement shoes are different for every person, but they always reflect back persons particular style. Over this past weekend, I managed to wear or see an example of all of these.

This weekend I had to go on a cultural immersion project for one of my classes, meaning I needed to attend a religious service that was not part of my faith. I was told to dress in my Sunday best, but Sunday best can mean different things to different people. For me I wear a dress or nice outfit and heels,  but I knew I would end up wearing that outfit the rest of the day, so I didn't want to wear heels. 

The decision was simple. I would wear my trusty flat ankle boots. They are grey, so they match just about everything, and they flat so I could wear them for days! The design is simple and elegant, with a rounded toe, allowing for it to be dressed up or down and the embellishment, the straps and bow, that makes them original and eye catching. I bought this pair at DSW, a shoe store worth going to if you haven't been, and the title of this entry is a link to their website. Each store carries different brand names and no names that mix to create the greatest selection of any kind of shoe that I have ever seen, and the prices vary as much as the styles. This particular pair is Rampage and cost around 50 dollars. They are the epitome of comfort shoe. 

As for practical shoes, they aren't the most chic, but Softspots (softspots.com - you can't buy here, but you can find a store and DSW carries their shoes) has some of the most comfortable shoes out there. 

Their prices are not even near outrageous, when you consider you will wear them forever; this pair cost me around 50 dollars. 

As a a singer, I have a dire need for black shoes for performances. In the past I have worn flats, but I am usually in the back row and like to be able to see the conductor, so I prefer heels. Rather than suffer through long performances in adorable shoes, focusing only on when I can take them off, I now wear the Misa shoe by Softspots. I realized the music is much more important than the pair of shoes the girl in the back row is wearing. It was a long process trying to f

ind the perfect practical pair, but I did it. I wore them on Saturday at my choir's concert and was still able to walk afterwards!

This weekend my friends and I went out to our "family" Sunday night dinner and my friend Barbara decided to wear her new impossibly high heels. Considering our meal was about half a block away and we sat through dinner, she was able to stand the shoes, but I do not recommend these for a long night of dancing and wandering 

about the city. This particular pair of shoes comes to us from Charlotte Russe (http://www.charlotterusse.com), a company I know I will mention more then once. They have incredibly cheap shoes, all pumps are under 30 dollars, and during sales their shoes go for 4 to 10 dollars. The shoes are always very current and in style, perfect for the college girls budget! Downside? The quality isn't incredible and the fit is almost always just a bit off. But, for the price, you can buy a pair, wear them a while and once they are worn out, they are probably out of style, so just go buy another pair!