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

This may be a little bit hard to believe, but up until last week I completely forgot about these fantastic shoes. I bought them at the end of last summer on the clearance sales, tucked them away for warmer weather. Warmer weather came and the shoes never made an appearance. It wasn’t until I was rearranging my shoe room (yes, I have a shoe room) that I found them, fell in-love all over again, and brought them downstairs to make an outfit.

This light blue linen dress was a Nordstrom Rack find and I think the coral-pink and orange compliment it quite nicely.

The Details

Light blue linen dress: Nordstrom Rack
Charles by Charles David wedges: via Piperlime
White layered tank: Down East Outfitters
Leather belt: thrifted
Orange leather tote: Down East Outfitters
Dangly coral earrings: Macy’s
Gold and cream cuff: via Piperlime
Coral cocktail ring: Ann Taylor Loft

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.

Aqua, pink and yellow print floral wedge with criss-cross straps and 4-inch platform wedge heel, by B.P. from Nordstrom. I’d like to say it’s rare I fall in-love with a pair of shoes at first sight, but in fact, it happens fairly often. And then I have to take those shoes home with me. And then my life is happier. (See above.)

I realize it is the middle of the summer and many places are still suffering under blazing temperatures. My city is no exception, but my office is another story. I usually need a scarf, cardigan, and then crank up the space heater under my desk.

The Details

Stripey T-Shirt: H&M
Pink Cardigan: Urban Outfitters
Stretchy jegging-ish jeans: Gap (Super sale! $12!)
Turquoise Belt: Thrifted
Printed floral wedges: B.P. Nordstrom
Turquoise pendant: Thrifted, Portland
Ring: Claire’s
Sunglasses: Chinatown, Toronto

**This post is part of Kayla‘s 21 Day Challenge. Day 5: Belt it. Check out the rest of the participants in the Flickr group here.

Colin Stuart for Victoria’s Secret sandal–did you know VS has some really fantastic shoes? I fell in-love with these retro-print strappy wedges as soon as I saw them, and while I don’t wear them a ton (how often do you pair orange, purple, and yellow?) I still absolutely adore them.

Looking at this, I wonder if I should have worn a yellow shirt instead of white, but it’s too late to change that now. I love the bright orange belt. And the shoes. I still can’t get over the shoes.

Close up of the colors, I love the deep violet and orange together, and admittedly, the scarf was kind of a last minute addition. But hey, my office is freezing most of the time, so why not wear a scarf in August?

The Details

White puff-sleeve T: Gap (you can’t see this all that well, but the sleeves have tulle netting over them, which I adore.)
Lavender Scarf: Chinatown, San Francisco
Navy blue cotton skirt: Banana Republic
Orange belt: H&M
Retro-print shoes: Colin Stuart for Victoria’s Secret
Silver bracelet: Tiffany

**This post is part of Kayla‘s 21 Day Challenge. Day 4: Color block. Check out the rest of the participants in the Flickr group here.

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.

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!)

This week I’m posting all about party shoes, the ones I rarely wear but still are so beautiful I get butterflies in my stomach when I think about them. See other party shoe posts: pink satin peeptoe heels, and silver sparkly strappy sandals.

Aqua-teal strappy evening san,dal covered in rhinestones with 4-inch heel.  These lovelies also came from my beloved Nordstrom Rack.  I love the diagonal strap, and the little rhinestone-encrusted flower on the toe, and the saturated color.  These would be perfect with a silvery gray dress, or a black pencil skirt, or jeans and a sparkly top.  Oooh!  Or hot pink!!  Oh man, these would be fabulous with hot pink!  How often do you get to wear bedazzled aqua shoes!?  Not often, sadly.  I must do something to fix that. (And I’m seriously crushing on the hot pink + aqua

There are not many aqua evening shoes around the interwebs, but here are a few heart-stoppers.

Luichiny Gettin Hitched Sandal, Teal Satin ($32.92)

Charles by Charles David Wisper Sandal, Turqouise ($63.22)

Luichiny Gal Lop Sandal, Teal Satin ($68.95)

This week I’m posting all about party shoes, the ones I rarely wear but still are so beautiful I get butterflies in my stomach when I think about them. See here for other party shoe posts.

Silver sparkly strappy sandals with 3.5-inch heel and criss-cross straps at the toe.  I found these at Nordstrom Rack almost 8 years ago for $35 dollars, marked down from a hundred.  They started out at t-strap shoes, but I was in an anti-T-strap phase and clipped it off.  (What was I thinking!?  I’m glad it was just a phase!  I love t-straps!)  At any rate, I have worn these to the opera, the ballet, a fancy black-tie party, dancing, (smooching!)…I love them.  They go with just about everything and what girl doesn’t need a little sparkle at her feet every so often.  Am I right?

There are about ten-thousand options around the Interwebs for something sparkly and fantastic, here is a small sampling.  Seriously, if you need  a little pick-me-up click through these links.  So many pretty shoes!

Coloriffics Jessica Platform Sandal, Silver ($61.95)
criss-cross straps, peep toes and a lot of sparkle!

Jen + Kim for Coloriffics Devote Ankle-Strap Sandal, Sterling (83.00)
silver silk shantung with a sparkly buckle

Nina Clorele Sandal,Gunmetal ($99.95)
strappy leather sandal with rhinestones and silver baubles, love

Cynthia Vincent Alora Ankle-Strap Sandal, Gunmetal ($295, but oh-so pretty!)
metallic mesh strappy sandal, goodness, these are fancy!

Michael Antonio Casey Sandal, Silver ($49.46)
strappy silver snakeskin

Nine West Edera Sandal, Pewter ($78.95)
glittery leather straps in all kinds of awesome shapes

Bordello by Pleaser Violette-12G Sandal, Silver Glitter ($56.95)
sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!  swoon!

Nina Corvala Sandal, Gunmetal ($89.95)
sassy and strappy with a little flouff at the heel