Category Archives: Shoes

Bright, Left: Bright Shoes Make a Statement in Spring

Posted on March 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

Carrie, Dorothy and Carly all have an affinity for bright colored shoes.  Carrie’s pair went down the aisle, Dorothy’s went down the yellow brick road and my pair went everywhere.

Yellow Slingbacks via J. Crew, Photo 1313blog.com

For spring I am seeing a variety of bold and bright colorblocked shoes, let’s look at the favorites presented in order of boldness!

There are not for the faint of heart, they are wild, and will definitely turn heads.  Luckily, they are also under $100, so if you’re ever in the mood for a wow statement making shoe, that will only be worn a few times, let me introduce you to Jessica Simpson.
Vadio by Jessica Simpson at Macy’s
I spotted these yesterday and I was in love.  They have a tropical feel to them, a la Miami Vice, and I really appreciate the sturdiness of the heel.  If you’re wearing shoes like these you need to be able to walk, dance and show them off without breaking an ankle.
Wide Heeled Satin Sandal at Zara
These shoes by Nine West caught my eye in an ad in Glamour while killing time in CVS – with all of that sensory overload they still stood out.  I again like the sturdy heel, thick straps and what looks like soft leather in sweet, fun colors.  Do these colors remind anyone else of a belini, mimosa or margarita?  No?  Just me?  Moving on…
Stylin at Nine West

I have been admiring this pair for a little while now.  These are so simple.  A short heel, a black patent leather t-strap.  Oh, but what is that?  Peeking out in the back?  Hot PINK!  These are perfect with the season’s maxi dresses and skirts and a fabulous pedicure.
Dacia by Dolce Vita at Bloomingdale’s

Spring is looking fabulously bright!  Have a wonderful, fashionable weekend!

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Fashion, to boot

Posted on January 24, 2011 | Leave a comment

This weekend I saw this great NY style retrospective on the “new way” women are standing, walking and posing and the shoe that is leading the way.


New York Times
The ankle boot (bootie) is taking over for the knee high (or higher) boot and in the process is highlighting a woman’s long leg, or making a shorter leg look longer, or as Bill Cunningham says, more like a ballerina or a showgirl.  

The best part of this pictorial is that the personal style of the “street models” are all so unique.  They are uptown, or downtown, bare legged, black tights, or tattered stockings and they are all chic and like themselves.  They also look like they might have to find a bathroom… now – but even that beats the bowlegged look of a few years ago!

In any case, we are  not here to talk about stance, or posture, we’re here to talk about shoes!

Here are my favorite booties for under $100, under $250, and the sky’s the limit!  

Happy Shopping and stand proud!

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Posted in Accessories, Budget, Her Closet, Shoes, Shopping

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Run, Carly, Run

Posted on December 13, 2010 | 1 comment


Almost two weeks ago I signed up for the lottery for the annual Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run.  I have previously signed up for this event, and was not previously selected.  The longest race I have ever run is 3.2 miles.  I am challenging myself to run more than 3 times that long.

When I signed up the first time I, and didn’t get in, I told Mark that when I ran the ten miles I would treat myself to a pair of these…

Brian Atwood Maniac Pump

For now the goal is just to train and run the race.  I’ll worry about what my reward is when I cross the finish line.  But, in the interim between now and then I’ll keep you posted on the training, the ups and downs and what, besides shoes, is motivating me.  If you have any tips I’d love to hear from you!

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Inspiration via France

Posted on October 25, 2010 | Leave a comment

A few weeks ago The Sartorialist featured what he called the “Shoe of the Season”; the Valentino Studded Kitten Heel.  He wasn’t kidding.  

Photo via The Sartorialist
They are ladylike with an edge.  The studded detail elevates the feminine kitten heel and pointed toe without going over board.  I love the idea of wearing them with trousers for day, and then when the day turns to night, it’s surprise.

Not surprisingly this pair is a little out of reach, but there is a lot of more affordable options that is inspired by the Valentinos.  If you set out in search of a similar style you’ll want to focus in on the more feminine shaped shoes with a slim heel and delicate straps.  The look is more lady with an edge, than biker chick or rock and roll roadie.


Happy Shopping, make this fall fabulous!

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Finding the Wild Side

Posted on October 11, 2010 | 1 comment

I am having a bit of an animal moment.  I don’t know where it came from, but lately I am gravitating towards animal prints of every variety; leopard, cheetah, tiger, zebra.  Wild animals on footwear and accessories are often on the prowl in South Florida, but spotting animal print in DC is like hunting endangered animals – as in the occurrence is rare.  There is a fine line between eye catching and over the top, let’s see what we can find…

Ralph Lauren Leopard Hair-Calf Peep Toe Pump
Jeffrey Campbell Kammie Ballet Flat

Vince Camuto Rues2
I love the idea of the leopard shoes.  You know I’m all about the classic aesthetic, and I think these all would work great as a surprise accessory with a slim, straight leg jean in a dark wash, or a black shift dress.  They add a kicky pop to any outfit that’s a little playful, a lot of fun, and still classically cool.  
I’m still hunting for animal inspired home pieces too, so look out for that in a future post!

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Still Dressing on Dress Down Friday

Posted on October 8, 2010 | Leave a comment

Getting dressed for work is often a challenge that can be mediated with the answers to the following questions; what do you do?  where do you work? how does the more senior management dress?  Those answers should usually be a guide at 7am when you stumble through to find the right outfit.  Then it’s Friday.  And in most office around the country Friday is “casual” or “dress down”.  And that’s when the can of worms opened up…

Dress down Friday really isn’t about “comfortable Friday”, or pajama Friday, workout Friday, running to the grocery store Friday.  If anything I think of Friday’s as an opportunity to be a bit more creative with what I am wearing, have a little bit more pizazz, and yes, wear denim.

Today’s Dress Down Friday is looking like this:


The black blazer is a constant go to for me; it elevates what would otherwise be jeans and a tank top, and it adds more structure and sophistication than a cardigan or sweater.  The boots I just got, and while it’s not that cold today I couldn’t resist the urge to wear new clothes as soon as I got them.  I like this outfit because I would be comfortable wearing it from work to dinner, happy hour, or to run errands and it is very much me.

How do you work it on a Friday?

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Life Lessons in Shopping

Posted on September 24, 2010 | 1 comment

Rarely does shopping provide too much in the way of “Life Lessons.”  

Sure there are a few: if you see a splurge but must-have item walk away, and if you’re still thinking about it in 2 days go for it, or if you find the best fitting pair of jeans/swimsuit/bra buy multiple pairs because there is nothing better than a great pair of jeans/swimsuit/bra.   

But now I’ll share a life lesson that was reinforced by shopping.  Almost a month ago I bought a beautiful pair of boots.  They were designer, and gorgeous and would probably last forever, however they were very expensive.  
Salvatore Ferragamo Fersea via Zappos Couture
I couldn’t stomach the idea of wearing them and scratching them up, and I knew they weren’t for keeps when I found myself looking at other boots online the very next day.  

In the online search the next day I found another pair that was definitely within my price range and seemed to hit all the right notes of what I was looking for.  But, I waited.  I had lots of excuses.  I was going to India in a few days, and I hadn’t tried them on yet, and I wasn’t completely sure how they would fit, so I told myself when we get back from India I’ll go to the store and just buy them.  How clever, then I would also save on shipping!

When I got back from India they were sold out.

Poor little blogger girl lost her boots?  Not quite.  There are many, many boots out there, but the larger lesson learned and reinforced by my life that exists outside of my favorite online stores and this blog is that life doesn’t wait, and that the unexpected does happen.  And we must always be ready to go and take it head on and win – yes, I’m that competitive. 

Wishing you a weekend full of adventure, wherever you may find it.

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Traveling Shoes

Posted on September 22, 2010 | Leave a comment

Before we went to India I planned out what I would wear and pack with a lot of attention. Things I considered were the temperature (muggy, hot), the activity (lots of walking but in a variety of areas and terrain), and the culture (lots of color, but not flashy in the American sportswear sense).

When I packed shoes I brought three pairs: satin J. Crew ballet flats, rhinestone J. Crew flip flops and new ballerina sneakers.

These were perfect. I wore them with skirts and skinny jeans (and they weren’t clunky or awkward). I wore them with linen pants and they were fittingly delicate and best of all they were comfortable and produced no blisters.

This is a style I have had my eye on for a while. Post trip they would be great commuting shoes – if I wore commuting shoes an they are a great weekend alternative to gym sneakers.

Being comfortable when traveling is essential, and being cute is an added bonus.

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Singing in the Rain, in Style

Posted on August 13, 2010 | Leave a comment

Yesterday morning I woke up to a thunder and rain storm.  By the time I left for work the rain had stopped and the streets were no longer flooded.  Leaving work I was confident that the rain would be over.  I was wrong.  I own an umbrella, it was at home.  I own a rain jacket too, it was hanging out with my umbrella.

So, as I walked/ran in the rain from my bus stop to my house I thought of the ways to brighten up an other otherwise dark and dreary day.  These might do the trick:
3.1 Phillip Lim, Tretorn, Tretorn, Chooka

I love how each piece is a great shot of color.  In DC, color can go a long way amidst a sea of gray and black especially on a rainy day.  

Here’s hoping for a bright, colorful and wonderful weekend!

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Going Nude

Posted on July 1, 2010 | Leave a comment

Yesterday I talked about wearing white, and while it was with Wedding Wednesday in mind, there are certain rules that I always apply to wearing white: keep it clean and keep it nude.

The dress should be clean (thank you shout wipes), and the footwear that is sure to be the most flattering are nude. There are limitless benefits of going nude on your feet: a nude shoe gives the illusion that your leg never ends and when made well (depending on the fabric) can really be a seasonless style must have.

Here are a few of my favorites in nude, keeping in mind that there are lots of different shades of nude (just like there are lots of different shades of women!)

Jimmy Choo Logan d’Orsay Pump

Ralph Lauren Caia Pump

And for the curve ball, this is a pair that I have been eyeing for a while, but have hesitated because I really need to try them on first, and can’t find them locally…
Do you go nude?

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