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

Ruby & Bloom black patent leather espadrille wedges with strappy-straps at the toe and ankle. (Yes, strappy-straps is a technical term. Look it up.) My roommate found a pair of fantastic black patent leather summery wedges months ago that look  classy with every possible outfit. I have been on the search ever since and as soon as I saw these at Nordstrom Rack on super clearance and almost walked out wearing them. Admittedly, I’ve worn them as often as I can squeeze them in the last few weeks.

I found this wool skirt at the thrift store about a month ago and I love the pleating/seaming in the front. It’s probably more of a fall piece, but I couldn’t wait for cooler temperatures. Besides, I need a cardigan in my extra-air conditioned office anyway.

The Details

Pink tweed A-line skirt: thrifted
Beige ruffle T: Gap
Black cardigan: Banana Republic
Wide black belt: Down East Outfitters
Shoes: Judy & Bloom via Nordstrom Rack
Silver “Love” necklace: Forever 21
Silver bracelet: Tiffany
Black leather purse: J.M.R.

Nine West orange snakeskin pumps with mini platform and stacked heel. I know it’s not technically fall yet, and we still have temperatures over 90 degrees. But I have been slowly devouring the new style magazines for fall and decided to see what I could pull from my closet.

Leopard print is a neutral, right? Whatever, I don’t care, it’s fabulous and I love it.

The Details

Chocolate brown pencil skirt: Ross/TJ Maxx (this is a closet staple, I’ve found)
Creamy tank: B.P., Nordstrom
Forest green v-neck T with shirred sleeves: Gap
Leopard print belt: Gap
Shoes: Orange snakeskin pumps by Nine West
Asymmetrical gold bauble necklace: Hive and Honey via Piperlime
Gold bracelets: Hive and Honey via Piperlime
Leaf ring: Claire’s

Bebe strappy leather sandals with chunky wooden platform and a staggering 6-inch heel. Surprisingly, these aren’t all that tricky to walk in, and are remarkably comfortable. Seriously. The platform makes the heel not quite so severe, and I can’t tell you how tall and important I feel when rocking a six-inch heel. Goodness, I love these shoes!

I love how this is a fairly classic outfit until you get to my ankles, and then it’s sass and spunk all the way. I kind of wish I’d worn this with a hot pink belt instead of the brown one, but I suppose that just means I’ll have to wear it again.

The Details

Blue and white polka-dot blouse: Banana Republic
White tank: Old Navy
Brown pencil skirt: TJ Maxx
Brown belt: Forever 21 (I think)
Shoes: Bebe
Pink bangles and ring: Claire’s
Silver bracelet: Tiffany

**This post is part of Kayla‘s 21 Day Challenge. Day 2: Tuck it in. Check out the rest of the participants in the Flickr group here.

Chocolate brown snakeskin t-strap espadrilles from Banana Republic…the exact same ones I wore last week.  Whatever, I love them and it’s not freezing or rainy or miserable, so espadrilles must be worn.  Truth be told, when I left the house this morning I was wearing boots, but one look at the slice of blue sky that was so lovely, I marched myself back upstairs and grabbed the first pair of shoes with peep-toes.

This dress started it’s life as a mid-calf, homemade pioneer dress from the thrift store.  I chopped off the hem (although I think I need to take it up another inch or two), took the sides in several inches, and made the sleeves a little less puffy.  I loved the summery plaid and the pockets–pockets!!–so any and all adjustments were totally worth it.

The Details
Dress: thrifted and refashioned by me
Cardigan: Old Navy
Belt: Forever 21
Necklaces: Horseshoe Necklace (no clue where this one came from), Mayan calendar necklace (Mazatlan, Mexico)
Earrings: Claire’s
Turquoise Ring: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Espadrille Wedges: Banana Republic

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

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)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Bright red patent leather sling-back, peep-toe shoes with 4-inch cork heel, by Guess.  I probably own almost ten pairs of red heels, but these are hands down my favorite.  Today I’m celebrating my birthday (well, it was yesterday, but close enough) and my favorite holiday, Valentine’s Day.  I don’t have a sweetheart this year to celebrate with, but I have an evening full of cupcakes and books and fabulous shoes in store for me.  It should be awesome.  (Note: The Strand is a used book store in New York City that is absolutely fabulous.  It tops my list of favorite places in the city, you must check it out if you are ever in NYC!)

Other lovely V-Day heels for your enjoyment:

Dollhouse Kasana T-strap Sandal, Red ($38.46)

Harajuku Lovers Delaney Platform Sandal, Red ($89.95)

Joan & David Collection Kenyon Platform Sandal, Red Patent Leather ($220.95, but so pretty!)