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

Black snakeskin knee-boots with rounded toe and stacked 3-inch heel, by Nine West.  The arctic chill has hit the valley in which I live, so I bit the bullet and pulled on these boots this morning to make my way out to the car.  I was only outside for about 1 minute before I decided to go back in and put on a pair of (purple!) tights.  Baby, it’s cold outside!  These boots are no longer available, but I did find some other lovelies from Nine West.

Nine West Trurman Knee-High Boot

Nine West Convinceme Boots

Nine West Charisma Knee-High Boot

Nine West Haden Boot

Black round-toe T-strap pump with 4-inch heel, by Hot Kiss.  Conservative meetings mean conservative footwear (mostly).  But, because this is me we’re talking about I decided to up my game with funky tights.  That’s just how I roll.  I have some pretty impressive bruises on my left knee due to a fantastic sledding tumble last weekend, so the dark purple tights are an excellent choice to cover up my black and blue body parts.

Elizabeth has been one of my biggest fans and she actually sent me a picture of these shoes several months ago (or I may have seen them on her blog…either way.  I loved them immediately, of course).  Thanks a million, E., for subbing for me today.  Class?  Leave her a little comment love, won’t you?

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“Cinderella is proof that that right pair of shoes can, in fact, change your life”. –Unknown

Hi there.  Elizabeth from Such a Sew and Sew here.  First, I want to thank Heidi for letting me guest post today.  I love getting my daily shoe fix here at The Shoeologist.  Though I do not have 200+ pairs of shoes {or even 20+ pairs of shoes} I love pretty shoes and am excited to show you my favorite pair.  They are these beautiful 3¼” Silver Spectator Pumps.  I love everything about them – the ankle strap, the pretty rounded toe, the shiny silver patent leather. They make me feel a little magical, kind of like Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz {if you’ve read the book, you’ll know her magic shoes were silver instead of ruby} when I wear them.



My only regret about these shoes is that I didn’t also get them in the beautiful plum color too.  Thanks for letting me share my own little piece of shoe heaven with you today. And remember, if the shoe fits . . . buy it in every color!

Black satin round-toe pumps with bow detail and 4-inch heel and teeny little platform, by Amanda Smith.  Things are a little crazy around here, I’m in the middle of finals exams and finishing enormous research papers (done!  Holla!) and am running on a serious lack of sleep fueled by copious amounts of Dr. Pepper.  I have exactly one week of CrAzY left and then I can relax…until next semester.

 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.)

Western Chief striped rain boots in navy and white.  The leaves have fallen and are covered in slush, instead of tromping around in suede or peep-toes, I decided to don these delightful stripey boots with purple tights.  This particular striped boot is no longer available, but I have been lusting over some of her cousins, specifically the ones in black and white houndstooth, or the retro floral print.  Really, it would only make sense to branch out in the rain boot department, right?  (Of course right!) (Nevermind that I live in the middle of the desert.) (Hey, we get snow here!  That’s wet and rain boot worthy!) (/end extraneous parantheticals.)

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.

Mustard yellow suede round-toe pumps with 3-inch heel and bow detail, by Aerosoles.  I love the bow, the super-comfortable fit, and the color–you can’t go wrong with mustard yellow.  Paired with olive green, navy and brown I think this is the best possible way to bring in November.

Orange silk-shantung platform stilettos with 5-inch heel and knot detail on toe, from Charlotte Russe; paired with nude fishnets.  First of all, Happy Halloween.  Second of all, aren’t these to die for!?

These fantastic heels are one of my new favorites.  I found them on clearance two months ago and immediately fell in love with them.  Deep love.  While they are perfectly festive for Halloween, I have a sneaky suspicion they will be worn and loved the other eleven months of the year.