Study of Shoes and Stilettos

Black patent leather t-strap sandals with 4-inch platform heel, by Steve Madden. These are ridiculously comfortable and I wear them often when I am on my feet all day. In fact, I have converted several of my sisters and sisters-in-law to these shoes. (And if they were still available I’d totally link you up so you could convert as well. I’m a giver like that.)

Thrifted graphic-print wrap-dress. I love the 3/4 sleeves and the surplice top. I think I need to figure out another way to style it besides black and white, yes? I see scarves and cardigans and bright tights in this dress’s future!

The Details

Black and white wrap dress: thrifted
Black tank: Express
Black patent leather strappy sandals: Steve Madden
Black octopus necklace: Hot Topic (love!!)
Black rose ring: International Rose Test Garden, Portland, OR

Gold metallic leather espadrilles with leather rose at the toe, Charles by Charles David. These wedges have a 4-inch heel, but with the little platform at the toe they don’t feel nearly that high. I can wear these shoes all day, and even run in them, thanks to the ankle strap and my ridiculously honed running-in-heels skill. (wink)

This is the first pair of shoes I purchased that cost more than $100 dollars (I believe they were about $110 when I bought them years ago). You may think that is exorbitant, but keep in mind, I have worn these almost constantly for seven summers and they still look fabulous. I discovered that metallic is a neutral and that a fantastic pair of heels go with every possible outfit.

I finally got on the gingham shirt bandwagon, just as the summer is unwinding. I have a list of eight or nine different ways to wear this shirt, and I can’t wait to get started! The orange, silk skirt is 6 or 7 years old but I still absolutely adore the color, the cut, and the shape. Yay for buying clothes that last forever!

Apparently I was in the mood for all sorts of fun jewelry today. I love the white and gold leaf ring, I just think it’s so pretty. I bought the watch for an end-of-term present to myself last spring, and the crazy octopus ring just couldn’t be left for someone else to scoop up. Is it ridiculous? Yes. Do I love it? Of course!

The Details
Blue gingham button-up: J. Crew (final sale!)
Navy cardigan: H&M
Orange silk skirt: Banana Republic
Leather belt: thrifted
Gold espadrilles: Charles by Charles David via Nordstrom
Gold multi-chain necklace: Claire’s
White and gold-plated leaf ring: Eternal Sparkles via Amazon
Pony watch: ASOS
Octopus ring: Heirloom Charms via Amazon

Magenta, grey and black suede peep-toe D’orsay pump with metallic trim and platform heel, thrifted (seriously!)

Two things:(1)  it has been raining here for almost 3 weeks.  I live in the middle of the desert.  This is not normal!! (2) The upside is that everything is ridiculously green, so I’m trying not to complain too much about it.

I found this skirt on clearance at a department store (Z.C.M.I., which was purchased by Meier and Frank, which was bought-out by Macy’s) 8 years ago and have worn it almost every week ever since.  It still looks great!  I love the paneled seaming and the charcoaly gray color.  Here’s to buying great basics!  *clinks glass

A friend of mine gave me a Piperlime giftcard for my birthday a few months ago.  Usually, I am the type to immediately spend that kind of gift on shoes, but I decided to branch out a little and see what else I could add to my wardrobe.  This silver bauble collar-style neckalce caught my eye, and seemed to be something Kendi would love (when in doubt, repeat this mantra: What Would Kendi Wear?).  I have tried it a couple of different ways and am loving how it brings a bit of sparkle and interest to an ensemble.  Yay for trying new trends!

The Details
Striped T-shirt: H&M
Magenta Cardigan: B.P., by Nordstrom
Charcoal paneled skirt: Macy’s (at least 8 years old)
Wide patent leather belt: Downeast Outfitters
Silver bauble necklace: Piperlime
Bracelets: handmade gifts, Tiffany
Silver bauble earrings: Claire’s
Rose ring: Macy’s
Suede color-block heels: thrifted ($10!)

Shiny black patent leather peep-toe stiletto platform with 5″ heel, by Gianni Bini.

A girl can never have too many pairs of black heels, at least, that’s what I told myself when I found these beauties.  The platform heel makes the super-high heel much easier to walk in, and the shiny patent leather and fun cut-outs make these one of my favorite pairs of black heels that I own (and I own, I don’t know, 30 pairs of black heels…ish).

I wear this charcoal pencil skirt all the time, it’s one of my favorite pieces.  And the cardigan is a new find from ASOS.  I loved the lavender stripe and the longer, slouchier cut.

I have developed a bit of a crush on large, cocktail rings, perhaps you’ve noticed?  This purple and blue ring is about fourteen different kinds of fabulous, and looking at it now I wonder how I questioned whether or not to include it in my ring spree last week!  My birth stone is amethyst, and while I’ve never particularly loved purple jewelry, I am crushing on this ring hardcore.

The Details:
Charcoal Pencil Skirt: Banana Republic
Light blue pinstripe blouse: Express
Black belt with leopard print trim: Ross
Varsity cardigan: ASOS
Lavender pashmina scarf: Chinatown, San Francisco
Turquoise earrings: Chinatown, San Francisco
Amethyst ring: Macy’s (clearance! $7.00!)
Silver bracelet: Tiffany
Black patent heels, Gianni Bini: Dillards

Navy blue suede sandals with silvery metallic accents, by Seychelles

I tried these lovely suede heels on last fall and fell in-love immediately.  I initially thought of the as more of a “wintery” shoe, what with the suede and the metallic and all.  But I was quite pleased to pull them out for a summery ensemble!  I am more and more convinced that with the exception of snowboots and flip-flops, most other shoes don’t have any rules about what season you should or should not wear them.

This is one of my go-to dresses, it’s jersey so it travels well, is appropriate for pretty much any situation, and the graphic navy-and-white print is a fantastic base for a dozen different color combinations!  Turquoise and magenta?  Yes please!

See me trying to pile on the fun jewelry?  I bought the ring from a beach-vendor in Mazatlan, Mexico last Christmas, and the bracelets have been accumulated from a variety of x-boyfriends, gifts, travels, and shopping trips.

Sandals: Seychelles
Navy and white graphic dress: Ross
Cardigan: B.P., Nordstrom
“Love” Necklace: Forever 21
Turquoise Ring: Mazatlan, Mexico
Bracelets (from top): Turquoise bracelet (Chinatown, San Francisco), Silver bangle (Bohme), Silver chain (Tiffany), Silver balls (Gift my sis-in-law made for me), Silver/Turquoise Bangle (Bohme),

Gray suede pointy toe pumps with 4-inch heel, by Gabriella Rocha.  I love the neutral shade of these heels, they are a bit on the brownish side of gray, as opposed to the blueish side. I actually have liked the warmer tone, although it means I can’t wear any of my cooler-gray clothes with them. (I know, the TRAGEDY!)

Michael Antonio Embellished Grey Pump ($29.66)
I love love LOVE the chain details on this shoe! It’s like a chic lady met a punk rocker and stole her shoes, or something.

Liliana Flash-38 Pointy-toe Pump, Grey ($31.05)
Classic pointy-toe shoe, a must for every cloest

Michael Antonio Gezana Wedge Pump, Grey ($65.00)
These are perhaps one of the more perfect wedge’s I’ve seen, the shape is fantastic, the color is divine, and the suede. Swoon!

Nine West Trilla Platform Pump, Grey ($89.00)
Mary Jane! Suede! Bows! Be still be shoe-loving heart!

Cole Haan Platform “Air Pump” with zipper detail ($152.96)
When I grow up I want a pair of Cole Haan’s. These ones, with the funky zipper detail, would be perfect.
(Dear Cole, please sponsor me, love Heidi.)

ALSO! Remember to enter to win a FREE pair of Lucha Shoes! Contest entry and details are here. Contest is open until March 18.

Black patent leather, pointy-toe heels by Gabriella Rocha.  These heels could easily become the workhorse of your wardrobe.  They go with absolutely everything, are easy to take care of, and are the epitome of class.

Nine West Pointy Toe Tabera Mid-Heel Pump, Black Patent ($48.51)

BCBGeneration Tinas Round Toe Pump,Black Patent ($56.90)

Nine West Pointy Toe Bounding Pump, Black Patent ($79.00)

Calvin Klein Whinnie Round Toe Pump, Black Patent (08.00)

ALSO! Remember to enter to win a FREE pair of Lucha Shoes! Contest entry and details are here. Contest is open until March 18.

Navy blue patent leather Mary Jane’s with 4-inch heel and almond-shaped toe, by Nine West.  I found these beauties at Nordstrom Rack for half-off of half-off.  I ended only paying $15.00 for them.  And they’re blue!  And shiny!  And look at the fancy, strappy bit on the heel!  Swoon!

I love shopping at Nordstrom Rack, I love that my feet are not an average size so there is always something fabulous there for a great deal.  (Size 10 is far from average, yo.)  I had a hard time finding navy, patent leather Mary Jane’s that are available right now…but I think you’ll see that these are just as fantastic.

Madden Girl Sursey Pump ,Navy Patent ($39.95)
(Available in a bunch of other colors as well!)

Nine West Reptile-Print Rocha Pump, Navy Patent ($54.11)
Navy! Patent Leather! With a reptile print! Triple love!

United Nude Modern Mary Jane, Navy ($134.69)
I can’t get over the structure of these heels! I don’t know a better way to describe them, but they are fantastic!

ALSO!  Remember to enter to win a FREE pair of Lucha Shoes! Contest entry and details are here. Contest is open until March 18.

Black satin slingbacks with 2.5-inch heel by Karen Smith.  After wearing fuzzy slippers for 10 days due to a nasty sinus infection, I decided to ease my way back in to the world of wearing heels.  I’ve had these heels for ages, they are classic and go with pretty much everything.  And with a modest 2.5 inch heel they were just the ticket to get used to being at work all day.

Bella Vita Classic Sling Pump, Black Satin ($43.97)
These have some fabulous detail on the toe! Heart!

J.Renee Edison Pump, Black Croc ($46.72)
I do love me some faux-croc heels, they are classic forever and ever.

Nine West Manequin Pump, Black Leather ($64.39)
I really love these, Nine West makes some of the classiest shoes!

Steve Madden Staciee Slingback Pump, Black ($89.95)
Swoon!

VANELi Zinaida Dress Pump, Black ($100.00)

Black sequined peep-toe, platform pump with 4.5-inch satin heel by Mainframe.  These are the ultimate party shoe, but I am wearing them at work today because, well, I can.  These fabulous heels were a gift and when I opened the box I thought they would be a “special occasion only” shoe.  I was dead wrong, I have worn these to work, on dates, to church, I’ve worn them everywhere.  There’s nothing quite like a little sparkle at your feet on a Thursday.

(Side note: in looking at most of these pics it has come to my attention that I have really veiny feet.  Is that normal?  I mean, seriously, the top of my foot looks like the forearm of some meat-head hopped up on steroids!  Maybe I should invest in more tights.)

(I would like to ap0logize to these beautiful shoes for mentioned meat heads and steroids in the same post as they.  Twice.)

Happy Thursday.

Bordello Siren Sequined Pump ($63.95)

Bordello Cabaret T-Strap Sequined Pump ($59.95)
(these ones come in so many fabulous colors!!  Red!  Pink!  Silver!)

Chinese Laundry Ladybug Sequined Peep Toe Platform Pump ($58.00)