Study of Shoes and Stilettos

Gold metallic snakeskin round-toe pumps with peek-a-boo toe cut-outs and a 4″ heel, by BCBG.

These are one of my most-loved pairs of shoes, I have had them for years and they are starting to show signs of wear, but I absolutely adore them and they go with practically everything.

It has been raining like crazy around here for the last couple of weeks (a pretty rare occurrence when you live in the middle of the desert) and I’ve had to resort to inside pictures to save my camera from becoming waterlogged.  So, instead of looking at pretty trees you get a portion of my book collection.

Lately I have become obsessed with cocktail rings, I had a little ring-shopping spree a few weeks ago and am still trying to figure out how to wear the all!

The Details
Teal shirt-dress: Shade Clothing
Gold belts (2 worn): Shade Clothing
Earrings: Macy’s
Cocktail Ring: Ann Taylor Loft
Gold chain necklace: Claire’s
BCBGeneartion Shoes: Nordstrom

Outlaw and I met several years ago (on a business trip, of all places) and I absolutely adore her.  I love that through Facebook and blogging we have been able to stay in touch–it’s by far the best thing that ever came out of that conference.

Hello fellow shoeologists, Outlaw here. I’m guest blogging today while heidikins lays on the beach and the cabana boys adjust the umbrellas. Living in San Francisco has caused me to continuously search for the most comfortable’ish shoes possible as we tend to walk more than the rest of the country. Comfortable doesn’t always equal pretty, and let’s face it, we’re all a touch vain and will sacrifice comfort all day ‘ere day for the right shoe. Well loves, let me tell ya, I found the perfect combination in this pair of boots and yes they’re Crocs (shame face).

Now in my defense, they are You by Crocs, the high-end line. I peeped these two years ago at an outdoor event where Crocs had these displayed and couldn’t get the boots out of my head. I recently found these Complicated Contessa’s (natch) on Piperlime for $198 down from the full price of $300 and what a steal. These are hands down, the most comfortable boots I’ve ever owned and I get multiple comments every single time I put these babies on. When I get stopped and asked about the brand I always feel the need to whisper it gently into the ear of the person asking “Crocs baby, can you believe it?”

Though not an exact match, you can find a similar looking pair, Miss Me Women’s Fidelia-2 Knee-High Boot, on Endless for $69.95.

 Steve Madden embroidered mary jane’s with 4-inch heel, rounded toes and an ankle strap. I found these several years ago and fell in-love immediately. I love the thicker heel and I love love LOVE the embroidered flowers. There is a little teal, a little emerald green, a little red, a little orange, and a little purple–basically, these heels go with anything. They are practically a neutral. I was feeling lazy this morning (and running a bit late) so I skipped shaving my legs and wore tan fishnet tights instead. (Shh, don’t tell.)

Two-tone spectator pumps with polka-dot cutouts, ankle strap, and 5-inch heel, by Guess.  That heel is intense, and there is no platform to help cheat the height and these can be a little tricky when you are trying to skip or run.  (Yes, I run in most of my shoes prior to purchasing them, you never know when it will be essential that you are able to run trot about in heels.)  I love the two-tone of these shoes, the capped toes are divine and I don’t think I will ever be over the polka-dot cutouts.  These were a Nordstrom Rack find a few years ago, I spent at least an hour searching to find both ankle straps amongst the piles of loose shoes; an hour well spent, I’d say.

Are you ready for a little shoe lesson?  Ok, here we go.  A spectator shoe is typically two-tone in with caps on the toes and heels, something similar to this classic black and white pump or these slightly funkier ones.  Spectators first made their appearance in the mid 1800′s in England as a men’s wingtipped cricket shoe.  For decades this wingtip style heavily influenced two-tone spectators.  In the last century there have been hundreds of different design-takes on the  spectator shoe, they are now in a range of colors and fabrics,  and the influence of this classic can be seen in lace-up ankle booties, heeled loafers, platform stilettos and gorgeous, swoon worthy pumps. (Seriously, I can’t get over that last pair.  They are so beautiful!) Now, go forth and search out a fabulous pair of spectators, heeled or flat, classic or colorful, pumps or ankle boots!  Class dismissed.

Steve Madden bronze-metallic glitter sling-backs with 4-inch heel and peep toe.  Also known as Love at First Sight.  I found these in TJ Maxx or Ross (can’t remember which) and immediately knew they would be coming home with me.  I have worn them several times and consider the sparkly bronze a neutral; when paired with a pencil skirt and cardigan these are practically demure.

I couldn’t find these glittery sling-backs online, but I did find a few other pairs that are similar if you’re in the market from some sparkle.

CURRENT GIVEAWAY: Don’t forget to enter to win a FREE pair of Nine West heels here!  Contest open until Oct. 15, 2010.

Banana Republic leather espadrille wedges with 4-inch heel and peek-a-boo toes.  Over the weekend one of my best girlfriends got married.  The weather was summery and I decided to give these espadrille wedges one last hurrah for the season.

I absolutely love this pic–what a fabulous group of girls and their fabulous shoes.  Congrats L & M!

CURRENT GIVEAWAY: Don’t forget to enter to win a FREE pair of Nine West heels here!  Contest open until Oct. 15, 2010.

These strappy Colin Stuart for Victoria’s Secret espadrilles are probably more of a summer shoe than an October shoe, but I’m wearing them anyway. (Yes, VS sells shoes, lots of shoes!)  This color is no longer available, but VS still has this style for sale.  Check it out!

Toenail Color: Chop-sticking to my Story by O.P.I

CURRENT GIVEAWAY: Don’t forget to enter to win a FREE pair of Nine West heels here!  Contest open until Oct. 15, 2010.

Nine West pointy-toe nude pump with 4-inch heel.  (Apologies for the grainy pic, it was pretty dark by the time I finally got around to photographing these shoes.)  I’ve always read that nude pumps make you seem considerably taller because there is no break in your leg-line.  It wasn’t until I was sifting through the dozen or so pics I took for this post that I realized these shoes are basically non-existent.  Seriously, this pic has the best distinction of pump vs. leg, and even with the contrast bumped up you can hardly distinguish shoe from skin.

As worn by my 2-year old niece, Creampuff.  Yes, I’m drafting her into my Stiletto Army at a very young age.  And no, her real name is not Creampuff.