I have to confess something….from time to time, I find fabulous items and I don’t want to share them with you! Is that bad? am I supposed to share all of the cool stuff I find with you all….and then I see you and we’re wearing the same thing?! Do you even like what I like? Sometimes the items I snag are because I love them not because they’re inexpensive/”a steal” but simply because I saw it and “had to
Spring trend ~ wedges! Every designer and retailer has them in multitudes…and possibly because I’ve been inundated with it, I have succumb to wanting a pair. These Aldo Drewel wedges are perfect: high heel is not too chunky the toe cap is short (to show toe cleavage) the colors are spot-on (Aldo has navy, black, natural and purple [$80]; ASOS has orange, green and navy [$107]) Because I’m all into versatility and multiple use, I’m opting for the natural color…
…and if the proliferation of all these food trucks is any indication of what it means to take-the-show-on-the-road then Bootleg is on fire! This mobile footwear fête is located in Austin so you may not be able to make it there straight away but just marvel at the selection of shoes Sarah carries from Esquivel to Camilla Skovgaard. Check out Condé Nast Traveler‘s other mobile stores to visit (we’ll be featuring a men’s mobile store next week)…
Jenni Kayne started her collection in 2003 and somehow in the course of five + years, her shoes have become an LA staple, a cult classic! Her Brentwood store now has a full stock of denim, accessories and shoes and is having a huge sale on Fall 2011, Pre-Fall 2011 items. These shoes are a cool alternative to flats ~ a bit more stylish, no toe cleavage, available in an abundance of colors, and, frankly, just different. Style verdict: they are
Footzyrolls is this cool company that makes the working woman’s stylish answer to sneakers and late night dance sessions! Footzyrolls are fashionable foldable compact shoes ~ perfect for airplane travel, New Years Eve celebrations that run clear into the following day, and summer struts down the concrete catwalks after a long day in heels. Since they started, Sarah and Jenifer’s collection has expanded significantly to include multi-colored, croc embossed, safari-inspired, and lace peep toes! Well spring is here (I’m single-handedly
It could be a passing phase but I doubt it ~ toe capped shoes. Most designers have them including YSL, Stuart Weitzman, Louboutin, and the always-on-trend Topshop and Zara. You all know ~ I’m partial to a high heel and the toe cap adds just a bit of edge to the everyday heel….it’s the way to go from ladylike to luxe lady diva. They work the same way as your everyday heel but with added pizzaz! Which are your favorites?
{Gold Beaded and Gilded Shell Necklace} So, you know my focus for 2012 is statement necklaces and blouses, so when I got ‘the call‘ to be part of a photo shoot for Façon Magazine ~ to wear some fabulous jewelry from Keith Lipert‘s Gallery, I jumped and squealed simultaneously! The day of the shoot {which took place at Keith Lipert Gallery on M Street NW} was particularly warm for February in DC….almost 75 degrees. So my very short, boyfriend-style old teal dress
I’m in DC and the weather is overcast today {albeit not cold…yay!} but on gloomy days, I love to throw some color in the mix. The beauty of Julia Kostreva‘s colorblock notebooks are they (1) are relatively inexpensive when compared to a pair of designer shoes [$16], (2) they’re fashionable with the use of colorblocking {which is very “in” this season}, (3) you can use them all the time and no one can say anything about ‘seeing you with them
Tory Burch creates some fun looks ~ mostly for East Coast ‘ladies who lunch’ but I found these five cool items that every stylish lady can aspire to snatch up: multi jeweled leather cuff, $206.50 ~ edgy, polished, refined, bold, statement baelee skirt, $177 ~ easy, feminine, versatile flor tunic, $210 ~ casual, polished, fun, relaxed mora blouse, $237 ~ versatile, colorful, can be dressed up, weekend wear, feminine brenden high wedge, $276.50 ~ zesty, comfortable, relaxed, fun
I have a few clients with glasses and we’ve done a bit of glasses shopping. What some folks don’t know (or don’t remember) is that I wear glasses too! Well ~ technically, I’ve been in contacts for 20+ years, but you get the picture…. I headed to GlassesUSA.com to peruse the site and actually liked it! GlassesUSA is a fabulous alternative if you need spec at a reduced price…becuase who doesn’t want something for less {read: cheap glasses}?! I checked
One of my accent colors for this season (and last season BTW) is red, but I’ve found it difficult to find fabulous accessories that are reasonably priced and that I would use without a lot of fuss. {Enter stage left} This cool graduating spot print scarf from Oasis ($35) ~ yummy for my summer nautical looks of navy and white, and just awesome because I wear scarves everywhere, all year!
Three discoveries I’ve made over the years: I’m enjoying the look of gold against my skin (I’ve been a silvertone girl until now)…. Flats without ‘walls’ are for people with skinny feet (which is not me) ~ but I can appreciate that these sandals {which come in black too} will get just about everywhere this summer and make a more polished substitute for flip flops! Nine West is doing a much better job at creating cute shoes that even the
This is the name of Madonna‘s new shoe line to be produced by Aldo. The 60+ shoes will sell between $89 and $349, and will include everythign from flats, heels, booties, and OTKs (over-the-knee boots). The styles are apparently based on Madonna’s fabvorites, targeted to women aged 27 – 50 years old, and are “dance inspired”. Sweet deal ~ her stylist, Arianne Phillips, will serve as Truth or Dare‘s creative consultant. Our initial verdict: the nicer ones will be a
To use black, try some “colorful” black…I mean c’mon it’s almost spring and no one wants to be caught in all black!! Here’s our shopping list (all items under $250): DvF Hanover scarf For the Love of Gold Wedge Kenneth Jay Lane Black Enamel Green Lizard bracelet Guess Alfreda booties Calleen Cordero black leather studded belt
Lest you forget, in addition to blouses, statement necklaces is my other focus for 2012. Not everything I scout for is on sale ~ case in point: this Nest lapis pendant necklace. Why? It’s slightly behemian styling keeps it from being too serious The blue of the lapis goes with any/all denim! The length (18″ L) and pendant rest perfectly in the “v” of most shirts for display purposes…. It’s meaty and fabulous enough to be noticed but not
For beautiful spring shoes. Here’s what will make your shoe shopping more fun (& fruitful): Opt for shoes with multiple colors (they’ll coordinate with more) Choose a shoe that has some metallic (you’ll be able to dress them up easier) Get something that has a “colorful” neutral (greens and blues work) Wear black with another color (make it more summery) Great options…
The designer collaboration between Manolo Blahnik and J Crew is…and it isn’t. The collab was leaked during #NYFW at J Crew’s show, but a report immediately following quoted Blahnik as saying, “…I had no idea about it!” But WWD reports that, indeed, the capsule collection will be released online and at select J Crew stores under the Blahnik name….but at Blahnik prices (pricing to hover around $600 per pair). For that, you can just get regular Manolos or, better yet,
Doo Ri Chung & Macy’s ~ February 15th: YES YES YES Milly & Sperry Topsider ~ February 6th: If you get a chance….{Nordstrom & Bloomingdale’s} Alberti Ferreti for Macy’s Impulse ~ April 17th: YES if you’re under 30 Up next: J Crew & Manolo Blahnik ~ we’ll tell you more on Thursday!
This look is our version of feminine biker chic with zest! The yellow says ‘spring is sprung‘, the styling of the biker jacket (which I scooped last week) screams “I’m edgy”, and the full midi ponti skirt and boucle material of the jacket emphasize the ‘ultra feminine’ side = together they are absolutely lovely for running around, to work, after hours, or Saturday hanging out! Shopping List: Cap toe canvas ballet flats, available at Old Navy, $23 {available in navy
Ever wonder what you really miss at #NYFW? Sure the shows, but as a footwear aficionado, I miss the fun and fabulous footwear that dons the runways and the walkways. Here’s a look at some cool ones from FabSugar….. [nggallery id=62]
Christian Siriano Gold Collection will be available in Payless stores in starting in September 2012. Price tag for these fiery, hot-as-hell heels will be around $60-ish….yes, I wrote it correctly, $60-ish. I’m one of the main stylist for Shoe Dazzle, but even they will find it hard to keep pass with these bad boys!!
On Thursday (yes, I’m a little late), jewelry guru Dannijo posted this Instagram photo with the caption: “#breakingnews: @DANNIJO is launching shoes!! Sneakpeek of DANNIJO x @MattBernson: the Zeppelin boot.”
The marriage of bold prints & feminine girly designer Milly and boat shoe shoemaker Sperry Top Sider will produce 13 styles covered with lace, metallic rope, and charms. Prices will range from $90 to $225 so not inexpensive, but will be available at Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, and the respective websites starting the week of February 6th. What does it mean for you? Without seeing the line, I imagine you’re in for a treat when it comes to colorful ankle-wrap wedges! Next
Who’s taking part in any of the spring color explosion? It doesn’t matter if it’s the bright florals, or the the jewel tone tops, or electric prints ~ the abundance of color and prints means nailing down “the” shoe may be more difficult. The answer = metallics! While I’m partial to silver and heels, I have happened upon a Vera Wang Lavender gold-tone flat called the Louisa 2.
Washington, DC Metro Area
barnettm@blueprintforstyle.com
(209) STY-LISH
If you have general questions, feel free to use the form below to send us a quick message.
