Charlotte Olympia- Once Upon a Shoe

OMG CAN WE TALK ABOUT THESE SHOES?!

Is anyone else feeling like there's a "face on my shoes" kind of thing going on right now? Or is it just me? Whatever the case may be, these shoes are cray, and I love them!

Charlotte Olympia "Sleeping Beauty Court" & "The Bear Necessities", Moda Operandi, $995 and $785 respectively.

Image(s) courtesy of Moda Operandi

Spring 2011: Walk This Way

If you don't know now then you must seriously be on another planet. The 70's are EVERYWHERE! I haven't seen a trend permeate the zeitgeist so thoroughly since the 90s when plaid flannel and DocMartens were appropriate office attire.

In celebration of the current funky state of affairs, I compiled a picture-list of shoes sure to help you get your groovy-ness back. Peace!

White and Shining Armor, $129.99

Aw, Strap!, $119.99

Well-Received, $104.99

Season of Love, $109.99

Shape Your Heart, $118.99

Kiltie Pleasure, $141.99

Recap T-Strap, $107.99

I can't resist a cute oxford! Let There Be Delight, $129.99

Eye in the Sky, $144.99

The good news is those platforms will provide some much needed relief to keep your dogs from barking. Stay cool my friends!

Image(s) courtesy of Modcloth.com

How To Series: How to Waterproof Your Shoes

One of the greatest lessons I've learned since being a personal shopper and stylist is to take care of the shoes you wear. I am constantly on my feet, moving from the city streets to the store floor so my shoes- and for that matter my feet- can take a real beating. It helps to make sure that my footwear is well taken care of. One trick is to prevent them from taking on unnecessary damage from the elements, such as water.

fashion.elle.com

I should probably mention first that water doesn't actually "damage" leather, per say. Mostly it just stains it. The damage comes when your leather item, like shoes, has been submerged in water and allowed to dry by an open heat source. The stresses from the shoe-making process are weakened and the leather tries to return to its natural shape. Thus, warping becomes another issue to keep in mind when stepping out for a rainy day. Saving your shoes from staining and warping takes a little extra TLC.

a creative way to dry your shoes

Calling on my trusty leather expert, I found out that the best you can hope for with any waterproofing product is to make your items water resistant. Unless your shoes are made from vinyl, they'll need some kind of treatment to keep the water out. The spray stuff sits on top of the leather and helps water bead up and run/fall off your shoes when there's enough water to do so.

$6.99

Mink oil is actually a better product to consider. You rub it into the top layers of the leather to provide a deeper protection. It causes the water to bead and roll off but more reliably than the sprays. Plus, the oil also acts a conditioner for your leather, keeping it soft and crack free.

$4.99

These types of products usually only work on leather that is flat, not napped like nubuck or suede. For those types of items, you can use specific spray products. This way most of the product is captured in the rough surface of the leather and creates a better seal.

$5.99

All in all, these products are more than affordable and will save you tons on repairing and purchasing shoes in the long-run. If you just take the time to treat your shoes, they'll carry you farther.

Here are a few last tips to improve your footwear: as a general rule you should look into rotating your shoes out every day to give them a break, again increasing their longevity. Also, invest in some shoe trees. They'll maintain the shape of your shoes (preventing warping) and if they're cedar, keep the moths away. Plus, some are adjustable, allowing you to stretch your own shoes in your own time instead of taking them to a cobbler.


Hopefully all these tricks have you singing in the rain with some happy feet!

Image(s) courtesy of shoecaresupplies.com, greenmeatballs.com, and fashion.elle.com
 

New Shoes Causing Blisters and Discomfort? Tips For Breaking In New Shoes

For the right pair of shoes, I have been known to throw caution to the wind and wear some of the most uncomfortable, yet amazingly beautiful, shoes.  If you are a regular reader of my blog, you've seen some of the pictures I have posted.  But even some of the most comfortable shoes have that break-in period when first worn.  Here are some of my tips for breaking in your favorite new shoes, or fixing the odd pair that might not fit quite right:

This Shoe Survival Balm is great for preventing blisters on your heels.  It feels like you're rubbing deodorant on your heels, but it protects your skin from the friction cause by new shoes rubbing up and down your heels, without damaging your shoes.  I have a hard time wearing slingback style shoes because the elasticized straps seems to dig in and move around.  Products like the Shoe Survival Balm help keep the skin from getting irritated, and possibly blistering.  For a more affordable option, try this anti-chaffing stick.  If you do end up with those pesky blisters on your feet, try these blister cushions to protect them from getting infected, or continuing to rub in your shoes.

The Foot Petals Stiletto Stylist Kit saved a pair of Christian Louboutins of mine.  My heels are narrow, but widen towards the toes.  For comfort, I purchased the CL shoes in a 37, a half size larger than my normal... basically, the shoes were a little too big for me.  The larger size worked great for the balls of my feet, but my heels kept slipping out while I walked.  Enter the Foot Petals.  This kit contains cushioned pads of various types and styles to make any pair of shoes feel custom fit to your feet.  I inserted a pair of HeavenlyHeelz to keep my skinny heels from sliding up and down, and a set of Tip Toes into the foot bed to keep my feet from slipping forward as the satin wore in.  Now they are my go-to black pumps because they fit so comfortably.

If you made the mistake of trying on shoes from the department store, first thing in the morning, you may have gone home with shoes too small for you.  The longer we are on our feet, the more they swell.  So it would make sense to purchase shoes at the end of your shopping trip to get a more accurate gauge of your shoe size.  The solution to tight shoes? A shoe stretcher.  This handy device has been a God send when I've needed to break in a pair of new shoes really quickly.  The knob and handle on this stretcher adjust to stretch out your shoes not only in width (for those of us with wide feet), but also in length.  No, you can't make shoes longer, but you can break in the heels with this device, instead of on your own feet (needing the products listed above).  A quick word to the wise: unless you have the patience to stretch one shoe at a time, buy two of these :)

These are just some of the tricks I have found to survive new or ill-fitted shoes.  What do you do?






Image(s) courtesy of sidewalkskincare.com, http://www.handbagcom.com/christian-louboutin-very-noeud-slingback-shoes-p-3799.html, drugstore.com, http://www.footsmart.com/P-FitRight-Two-Way-Shoe-Stretcher-90120.aspx

The Real Meaning of "Fashion Over Function"- NOTE TO READER: Do not try this at home!

My husband received his bonus this week, and we went out to a very nice dinner to celebrate.  I wore a slinky dark gray knit sweater dress with a statement necklace and silver cage booties.  Trust me, the outfit looked great.  But by the time we got up from our table (after the most amazing 4 course meal plus wine pairings) my feet were throbbing.  By the time I got home, this was the condition of my feet (see picture above).

Thank God the evening involved minimal standing up!  As a general rule, my personal style has to be fashionable and comfortable.  But there is the rare occasion where fashion over function takes over- In the name of good fashion, all sensibility goes out the window and I channel my inner Vogue model and wear items regardless of whether or not it is comfortable.  Attempt this same fate at your own risk.

More Women Are Wearing Jimmy Choo Today Than Ever Before

The craziness at H&M stores, caused by the Jimmy Choo accessory line that arrived yesterday, spread across the globe.  The average American can now afford a piece of designer luxury.  The fashionistas that waited in line were not only subject to a 20 pair limit, they also had to buy them in 10 minutes or less!  Here is just a taste of what was seen at stores yesterday morning:

If you missed out, you can still pick up a pair or two on ebay.  But be willing to pay double the original price.

Fathered Footwear Revisisted

Remember my post about Valentino's fine feathered footwear?  Here is a great option that is much more affordable....












Image courtesy of Zappos.com

Must Have PayLess Flats Under $30

These little beauties are the brainchild of Christian Siriano- remember him from Project Runway?  These Micola Zipper flats from PayLess Shoes are not only "fierce", but only $29.99!!!

Top image courtesy of PayLess Shoes

Lower image from http://www.hotlantabuzzonline.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/prunway.jpg

Countdown to Jimmy Choo

The countdown continues for the Jimmy Choo for H&M line arriving in San Francisco on November 14th!  Look for me in line at 6:00am (yes, on a Saturday), to get my hands on a pair of these beauties!

I will be buying both the bag and shoes this model is wearing!!!!!  All the other women in line with a size 6.5 foot better watch out for me :)

Jimmy Choo for $100!!!!!

In case you haven't already heard (and there aren't many people who haven't), Jimmy Choo has designed a line for H&M available November 14th, 2009!!!!!

Here are a couple of my favorites from the line...

I know I'll be waiting in line for the store to open..... who's with me?

Image courtesy of http://www.944.com/blog/jimmy-choo-for-h-m/

Valentino Uses Milliner to Design AMAZING Shoes with Feathers

I previously blogged about feathers on footwear being a huge trend for spring.  From Paris Fashion Week, check out Valentino's interpretation.... lace wings!!

London-based milliner Philip Treacy is the mastermind behind this amazing footwear.  I can't wait to get my hands (well... feet) on a pair.

 

Images from http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2010RTW-VALENTIN

Spring Trend Alert: Feathered Footwear

Splendora, one of my favorite fashion/shopping blogs, posted these fabulous Givenchy Urania Sandals (image credit: splendora.com) on their "what to shoe" blog today.

If you want to jump on the trend early, and not pay the $1150 price tag for these designer duds, here are some shopping suggestions at much more reasonable prices... Thank you Zappos.com.

L.A.M.B. $284 ON SALE











Marciano $142 ON SALE











Delman $554











Shannon Britt $257 ON SALE

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Shoe images from zappos.com

These Omelle Shoes Are Amazing!

OMG these shoes from Omelle are fabulous! I had to share with you. Now I just have to find a way to buy them...

Image courtesy of Omelle.com

Lace Accessories: "Guess" Who's Getting it Right?

I purchased these Lace Pumps from Guess after having seen them on one of my favorite fashion blogs, Splendora.com. I wore them to the DFSSF event the other night, paired with a LBD (little black dress).

The heel is a little on the high side, but well worth it if you don't have to stand for very long :) Available at Guess.com and Piperlime.com.

Image courtesy of Guess.com

Put Myself in Your Shoes: A Trip Through My Personal Wardrobe Consultation

More often than not, as soon as I walk into a client's closet, one of the first things out of their mouths is, "Well I don't have a lot of stuff." And most times they are surprised at what they actually do have. Amazing how we forget the things we have when we gut stuck in the "I have nothing to wear" mentality. Truth be told, even I fall into that myself sometimes. Part of ,my problem is that I have a lot of clothes, and don't always remember what I have because I haven't been able to see it!

So I'm moving. Having to downsize into smaller temporary housing before my boyfriend and I get married. I am having to choose which items I need for the next three months, and which items can be stored at my boyfriends place. All-in-all, I have to downsize, MAJORLY.

I can't believe I crammed so much stuff into my closet. Granted it's a walk-in and this is only one side of it... And the scary thing is, I wear most of it (at least 90% depending on my current weight). Keep in mind that some of it is seasonal and can't be worn year round. Case-in-point: the pink-belted snowboard pants on the left.
Once I started pulling everything out, I had two of these rolling racks filled with clothes!!!
These are the items I have set aside to give to Dress for Success San Francisco, and to send out for consignment for cash to help with moving expenses (and maybe a new pair of shoes). I usually take my consignment pieces to JLSF's Next-to-New Boutique.These are the items I have partially set aside and partially folded to go out for donation to the Salvation Army.

And I couldn't make this blog post without mentioning the brave efforts and patience of my fabulous boyfriend for sitting through 4+ hours of listening to me talk about the memories I had of the last time I wore something he hadn't seen before.


So I have all of the hanging stuff sorted through, at least "round 1" anyway. I think I am going to skip over the folded items (mostly gym clothes and jeans) and head straight to the shoes...
...and this isn't even half of them :) More to come, stay tuned.