Jessica Szohr Stole My Dress!

Jessica Szohr, take OFF my dress and give it back to me THIS INSTANT. Jessica has a habit of stealing clothes from me, you see? Seriously, HOW adorable is this alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet striped "Emmie" dress?

($368, Aliceandolivia.com)

I love how it's styled like vintage Barbie:

Furthermore, I like how it would go with MY ENTIRE WARDROBE! The shoe options alone!

($150, Topshop)

This dress is crying out -- nay, WEEPING -- for a pair of suede bow pumps!

The 3 Best Shoes I Bought This Year

This was a pretty good year for the economy, for iPad owners, and for me, because I bought some puhretty sweet shoes. Here are three of the best pairs of shoes I purchased this year. (In case you were wondering.)

1.) Ce Ce Chin Sloan Black Lace Pump

The kind people at Shoeaficionado.com, which is like Gilt Groupe but strictly for shoes, sent me a gift certificate for a free pair, and I got these Ce Ce Chin -- she's the designer behind 80%20 -- black lace overlay pumps with a beaded heel inspired by vintage perfume bottles.

Here's a better image of the heel's detail:

I wear them with black skinny jeans or my black Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress.

2.)  Matiko Leila Studded Loafers

($119.50, Matiko, Solestruck.com)

I got these Matiko studded loafers back in July at Solestruck, which has a really excellent collection of boutique brands at affordable prices. They're obviously um, "inspired" by Christian Louboutins. I love them, but within just a few months, some of the studs fell off, and by this point the heels are starting to get small holes in them, though mainly because I guess I walk like somewhat of a total freak. They're deep within the winter of their lives, but for $100, they were well worth it. 

 

3.) Haus Of Price Seashell Booties

($245, Haus Of Price, StantonJames.com)

Yes, indeed I did spend over $100 on black booties covered in seashells. I got these Haus Of Price handmade booties from StantonJames, which I WISH had a location in New York, by the way, and they are absolutely my everything. When I unboxed them, it was like unboxing a thrill, and not even my husband's "were those an arts and crafts project made by residents of a nursing home" inquest was enough to dissuade my instant love. They're SUPER comfortable, and my only complaint is that some of the shells got crushed, but that's the price you pay for wearing shoes covered in real shells. It's a risk worth taking. Anyway, my Haus Of Price booties mean the world to me, they are my everything. Essentially, they're the bootie version of my favorite Toni Braxton song.

Solestruck Is Having A Big Shoe Sale. HUGE.

Guise! Solestruck is having a MASSIVE shoe sale. Get 50% off of any sale shoes with promo code FP72HMPZF. Through Monday!

($279, Maurie & Eve, Solestruck.com)

Sadly these Maurie & Eve leopard wedges weren't on sale, but I did get these Rocket Dog Otto heels in white leather. Because you can never have enough of those!

($191, Matt Bernson, Solestruck.com)

I paused briefly to consider these Matt Bernson Ripcord wedges because they're like $80, but I took a pass since I'm terrified of high wedges.

($19.95, Rocket Dog, Solestruck.com)

These were like $9. I mean, come on. Anyway, Solestruck also has free shipping for return customers, and you can opt to ship your shoes in an earth-friendly box. Now go forth and consume!

This Disney Tron Merch IS THE FUTURE!

I'm gonna pat myself on the back as I proudly admit that I'm pretty much TOO YOUNG to remember "Tron." AHEM! Yay, me! I only really know that it was the past's creepy concept of the future, and because there was no Internet, I guess everyone believed it, and what happens in the movie is  a computer named HAL kills everybody, including Harrison Ford's and Jeff Bridges' characters, because it knew secrets about the government, and that Journey did the soundtrack, right? Maybe I'll watch it on an iPad for ultimate post-modern irony.

Anyway, Tron: Legacy is being released in December 2010, and Disney Consumer Products is releasing a small collection of super-sweet Tron-inspired couture accessories. Such as...

($795, Jerome C. Rousseau)

A silver, tiered, five-inch platform heel? YESSSS! GOD, YES!

($365, Tom Tom)

Mirrored lucite bracelet, guys. Seriously. Get into it.

... But the real business is Hayden-Harnett's Tron collection. 

(Super User Cuff: $110; Master Control Cuff: $98; Clu Hobo Bag: $478; Quorra Sholder Handbag: $242; Byte Carryall: $129; Kaster Clutch: $478

If that's what space-future is like, then I want to go there. Not tomorrow, but yesterday.

Okay, finally check out this photo of a dog dressed like Tron for Halloween:

(Kelly Neal/ Metromix New York)

Lucky Eights

Rarely in the fashion world does being a size 8 guarantee you a score at a sample sale. Thanks to funky shoemakers Faryl Robin, if that's you, your number just came up. A shoe sale exclusively for size 8s! Which happens to be both Bingers' shoe sizes...bingo! I'll report back later, but for now, the deal:

Sunday Inspiration

This Sunday, I am inspired by this simple, but beautiful ensemble. Lately, I have been relying on the classic white shirt a lot as it allows a hundred different ways to wear it. And also, I must admit, that wearing such a shirt makes me feel a little bit French. Especially if I wear red lipstick too. I am in love with this woman's black patent leather boots. Any idea where to find a pair that are similar?

Source: alltheprettybirds.blogspot.com

Buying, Mulling, Denying

Feeling just a TAD out of control with the purchasing lately. Like, I really DID need a new pair of black boots for the season. But...did I need two? Probably not, but they were relatively cheap, and so I will not indulge the little guilt monster that whispers maybe I should return one. However, I am instituting a waiting period on any other footwear purchases, and I'm even going to deny myself certain wants. I am so mature!

BUYING:

First I bought these Steven by Steve Madden "Intyce" boots, $129. I actually have two other pairs of boots in this style, with the very slight wedge heel and the buckle(s) on the side, but I love them and wear them all the time, and I think they work for a shit ton of outfits. AND they were only $96 with Piperlime's 25% off coupon (down to tk% off today, then poof!).

And then, a little birdie dissed them for being flat, and I started looking around for a cool heeled pair, and LO! Camper makes a boot in the Rachael style, of which I already have two sandals!

Camper "Rachael" boot, $145.65. Just can't get enough of that heel, I guess. UPDATE: Returned. Too skinny for my calves. *sadface*


MULLING:

Forever 21 "Ashton" T-strap clogs, $29.80. Saw these on a girl shot for Racked street-style thing, and damn, I just think they're hot. Obviously they're not going to be high-quality shoes. But worth the risk of them falling apart? UPDATE: BOUGHT! AWESOME! COMPLIMENTS! YES!


DENYING:

Vintage pony-hair moccasins, $64. I'm not getting these. Thought about it, but just don't think I can rock them as they were meant to be rocked. I do think they are superawesome though. One of you get them! (Tamar??)

Shoe Aficionado: That's Me!

It should really be aficionada, but whatevs. Shoe Aficionado is one of those flash-sale shopping sites, and it's all about my favorite piece of clothing. (Must. stop. shopping!) Right now they've got 80%20 and Ce Ce Chin as the featured brands, and coming up is Steven by Steve Madden. Of course, because I am a lover of their hidden wedges, I snagged these:





80%20 Joannie ankle boot in olive green, $44. Totally gonna rock these all fall long.

Two Pairs Of Shoes By Which I Cannot Abide

I consider myself a fairly tolerant, accepting person. However there are a few things I cannot abide by. One of those things? These Cindy Says Keegan heels...

($142, Cindy Says, Endless.com)

I mean, they're platforms. Covered in pony hair. And feathers. And studs. And some kind of gem thing. They have whipstitching. And they lace up. And they have a fabric welt. The only thing they don't have is even the most remote shred of decency. And don't even get me started on the tan and orange version.


Hard to say which is more offensive. They both have their own separate list of bullet pointed atrocities.

Meanwhile, these Doc Martens for Opening Ceremony Darcie boots?...

($300, Doc Martens, Opening Ceremony)

True, I DO have the black version of these Darcie Docs. And I LOVE these gold flocked Docs. But while I do LOVE animal print, this is proof that animal print can be used for both good AND evil. There's just something '70s-in-the-bad-way about the print. It looks like a fabric batik wall hanging that my mom mounted on a hula hoop and hung on the wall of our basement rec room back in 1982. True story.

+ On a related note: Hello Kitty Doc Martens

Isabel Toledo's Payless High Ghillie Heels Are Something Alright

($39.99, Isabel Toledo, Payless.com)

What's black, and yellow, and crazy all over? Isabel Toledo's crazypants High Ghillie rugged cut-out Oxford Mary Janes with a yellow lug heel. They're bad because they're... well... nuts, they're good because they're Isabel Toledo and therefore fun, and thus a walking paradox.

BTW, the red ones are only available at Colette. But if I WERE to wear them -- and I'm not sure even I would (and that's saying a lot) I'd go with the yellow ones.

DISCUSS!

Senso's Pony Heels Are So Hot They Should Come With A Fire Extinguisher

($159.95, Senso, Solestruck.com)

It's hard to say which is stronger -- the preemptive guilt I'd experience buying these fur pony heels or the remorse I'd experience not buying them at all. #moralstruggle

They're by Australian brand Senso, and they're a hard-to-believe-they're-not-more-expensive $159 at the Solestruck, which is currently rebranding itself from "basic online shoe store" to a select, covet-worthy collection of "fun" (as opposed to "mom) brands like Jeffrey Campbell, All Black, Dolce Vita, and Rachel Comey. Basically, Solestruck incepted my mind while I was sleeping and set up a shop of all of my favorite affordable shoe brands. And pony fur heels.

I Can Has Hasbeen Candy-Colored Boots?

(Apprx $397 USD, Hasbeen, Swedishhasbeens.com)

Um, WHAT could be sweeter than lace-up leather boots the color of candy dots? I want Hasbeens (a resurrected '70s staple) in EVERY color. INCLUDING, but not limited to... beige:

($339, Hasbeens, Endless.com)

And Endless has a sick selection of Hasbeens. Love this camel-colored boot.

Discount Vs. Designer: Matiko Does Christian Louboutin's Rollerball Studded Loafers!

Christian Louboutin, or, as Paris Hilton likes to say, Christian Loubuiton's studded Rollerball loafers have been on my fantasy fashion wish list for a fortnight. Obviously, since they're a grand, they're staying in the realm of the virtual and not the actual. BUUUUT, thanks to Matiko, a less-bad-ass version -- their "Leila" studded loafers -- could be mine for just $119. And guess what? THEY WILL! Just try and WATCH me not buy 'em!

($995, Christian Louboutin, Saks)

($119, Matiko, Solestruck.com)

And Christian Louboutin's Zebra Pack studded loafers will top my fantasy fashion list probably forever. They're like the late, great Mark Bolan in shoe form.

Eee! An Adorable Shoe Named After A Kitten!

What's cuter than this cut-out batik print Oxford Boxing Kitten/ Osborn collaboration? That's a Brooklyn designer mash-up BTW!

($180, Boxing Kitten)

Only this kitten wearing a hat:

(Via BeautyBloggingJunkie and Courtney John)

Boxing Kitten and Osborn's limited-edition "Cheeky" shoe (only 50 pairs were made, and each pair is numbered) is made from 100% recycled tires. The kitten is made of miracles.

And PS: Check out Boxing Kitten's Tam Tam batik sweetheart party dress, which I like to think was subconsciously inspired by and named after me:

($315, Atomic Kitten)

PPS: Also, what's not to love about Osborn's Mayan print boots:

($130, Osborn. shoposborndesign.com)

I could see myself living in these for about 14 months straight.

Pattern + Colour

This outfit has inspired me to pair my purple heels with a black and white patterned blazer and trousers. I love how the colour of the shoes draw such an intense focus to them, but still it's impossible to tear your eyes away from the graphic print. 

Source: style by kling

Oh No They Didn't!

Oh yes, they did. Toms had a perfectly good, supercute in fact, basic canvas shoe. It's perfect for summer, easy to slip on with dresses or shorts or pretty much any weekend wear. And yet they HAD to go and mess with it!


Tom's Yello Calypso canvas wedge, $69. This is basically a new version of the sneaker pump: Never a good idea! Not to mention the average Toms fan is just not going to be down with this. Comfort is key. And does this mean poor children get a free pair of wedges for every one you buy? I sure hope not.

Even though I only own the silver glitter version, my pick is still the classic, preferably in a dark color.


Tom's Ash Canvas Classic, $44.

Payless Is Just Kidding About These, Right?

I have nothing at all against Payless. Not one thing. They do some great stuff at obviously affordable prices. And I loved their Christian Siriano line as well as Abaete. You need that ONE pair of shoes to match that ONE dress you'll wear to someone's rehearsal dinner and then never wear again? BOOM. Payless. But everyone slips up and makes a mistake once in a while, right? Like, surely these hein-dog silver "hooded" wedges are just a mean joke. A prank, right?

($24.99, Fioni, Payless.com)

Remember, kids. Everyone makes mistakes!

Westward Ho!

In preparation (for the preparation for) a hiking trip to Yosemite this August (so excited!), today I went to EMS and enlisted the services of a soft-spoken, rugged-looking man in the style of Mark Ruffalo wearing a large straw hat. This is the least glamorous outfit I've ever purchased:


EMS cargo zip-off pants, $49. They sit at the WAIST: the horror!


Smartwool socks, $19.95.



Keen Targhee II Mid hiking boots, $124.95 at EMS. Of course, then I came home and bought 'em online for $88.99, for a savings of, oh, about two and a half more pairs of socks.

Now, anyone got any tips on hikes within an hour or two of NYC so I can try these babies out?