Study of Shoes and Stilettos

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

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

Black snakeskin boots with 3.5″ heel, almond-shaped toe and enough sass to make it through even the roughest day. I love the slouchy feel, and I love the thicker stacked heel–these boots were definitely made for walking!  The tights are a dark purple-plum color, which is tricky to see from this photo, but it’s been overcast and rainy for weeks and I tried.

It is cold.  It is (still!) raining.  And I would like to point out that I am wearing boots, tights, a wool skirt, jacket AND a scarf.  At the end of May.  Gaaaaah. [/weather rant]

The Details
Black and white striped button-up (that you can hardly see): Old Navy, clearance
Denim military-style jacket: Ross ($12! Win!)
Lime green scarf: SF Chinatown ($5)
Wide black belt: Downeast Outfitters
Charcoal paneled skirt: Macy’s (8+ years ago)
Black ruffled headband: Anthropologie
Purple Tights: no ideaFaux-diamond earrings: Express (a million years ago, I wear them almost every day…or, I did before I started documenting my outfits and accessories for the Internet.)
Black Snakeskin Knee High Boots: Nine West

Chocolate brown snake-skin stamped leather T-strap espadrilles, from Banana Republic

These pics are from over the weekend, something a little casual and blessedly summery.  (A weather trend that has not continued throughout the week, sigh.)  I found this shirt at a SLC boutique and absolutely love it, the stripey knit is soft and the poofy sleeves are divine and I just cannot get over the bow applique on the front.

You may not be able to tell from this photo–or, really, any of them–but these are my best attempt at wide-leg jeans.  Mind you, I’ve had these for a few years, and now they are trendy again!

Banana Republic wedges
All-Star wide(ish) leg jeans, from Buckle
Navy and white stripey top with bow applique, from a boutique
Pile of silver and turquoise bangles, same as yesterday
Turquoise ring, from Mazatlan, Mexico

Gold metallic snakeskin peep-toe, platform sandals with ankle strap and 5-inch heel, by ShoeDazzle.  Are these particularly “winter weather” appropriate?  Mmm, no, not really.  Have I ever been one for “practical” or “appropriate?”  Mmm, no, not really.

Ok, so let’s chat a minute about ShoeDazzle, they are a subscription shoe dealer, which sounds a lot fancier than it really is.  Basically, you get a new pair of shoes every month for a pretty low price, I’m on month two and have already purchased extra pairs.  And not all of the shoes have 5-inch heels, I promise.  You actually take a little “shoe preference” quiz and they give you a selection based on that.  If you don’t like any of them you can request new ones.  It’s a pretty sweet gig.  And, of course, I get referral points if you use this link to join.  So head over there, check it out, report back to me, okay?  Okay.  Happy Tuesday.

Nine West “Rocha” pumps in orange reptile-stamped leather with almond-shaped toe and 4-inch heel.  I love the slight gradation of color, the stacked heel and the super-classy shape.  These pumps are one of my new favorites for fall.

Naughty Monkey 5-inch purple suede platform sandals with studs and black-and-white snake skin trim.  These heels could not be more fierce.  Initially purchased for a fancy party in Las Vegas, these stilettos have waited patiently for another opportunity to be worn; my friend A’s Princess-themed birthday party seemed like an ideal situation.

Sporty-Spice Princess, Hello Kitty Princess, Punk Rock/West Valley Princess

Yep, a couple of bonafide adults wearing tiara’s, sparkles, boas and even a tu-tu or two to a fancy-ish restaurant.  I should point out that my hair is not usually that pouffy.  Actually, it is never that pouffy.  But a Punk-Rock Princess simply must have big, pouffy hair, it compliments my tiara.

Tiara’s aside, look at the shoe!! The suede!  The studs!  The cut-outs at the toe!  The snakeskin platform!  These are the tallest heels that I own (clocking in at almost five-inches they should be!) and are absolutely unforgettable.  Lucky for you, these shoes are still available on Amazon!

Toenail color: Cover Girl Midnight Magic

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

I fell in-love with these BCBG metallic-ish snake skin 4″ heels almost five years ago and have never really given up my crush.  I love the round toes and I love the little peep-toes for a bit of toe-cleavage.