Summer Flats,Part II

I’ve been doing this blog three years, and you know my most popular post?  Summer Flats.  It’s got over twice as many hits as any other post.  I figured since summer is here again, I’d give you a second round of summer flats that are good for running around town in the shorts, going to the office with a skirt… anywhere!

The Tosha by DV8 by Dolce Vita is so bright and nautical!  The red bow on the slingback really makes it.  Perfect!  Also available in a polka-dotty print where some of the dots are winking at you (a little weird, granted, but also kind of cute); your choice for $39 at Macy’s.

I love gold for summer!  And the curvy shapes on the Choppy by American Eagle remind me of flower petals, or raindrops, or a flowing river…  The insole is padded, and it’s lined with jersey for extra comfy-ness.  Also available in red and black; your choice for $28 from Payless.

Stripes are hugely in this year, and the Royalli has plenty!  The canvas outer makes it cool, but the faux leather touches make it a little more sophisticated.  Don’t like the green?  (Though I can’t see why you wouldn’t—it looks so nice with the brown!)  It also comes in blue, black, and orange.  Yours for $59 from Nine West.

  

The Lumiere by Xhilaration is the silhouette of the season, but with the added touch of the straps.  Plus it’s in three colors: pink at the toe and up the T-strap, tan around the ankle and up the sides of the foot, and white at the heel.  Nice!  Also available in taupe and black; find them at Target for $22.

Aah, lace!  The Too Swirly by 2 Lips Too is an off-white flat that wraps your foot in lace embroidered with roses—gorg.  There’s lining at the pointed toe and the heel so it’s not completely sheer, but it’s sort of ethereal.  It’s got a three-quarter-inch heel so I guess it’s not technically a flat, but it’s close enough!  Also available in black and pink; your choice from 6pm for $35.

 Here’s to another summer full of fun, functional flats!

Fall Trend: Fur

November is upon us—the heart of the fall season!  Time to explore another trend for fall 2013, one that is especially good now that the weather has turned cold: fur!  Yes, ‘tis the season for fur.  And while fur usually makes the rounds on boots this time of year, this year fur is showing up everywhere.  Like on pumps:

The Heiress by 2 Lips Too is deceptively simple at first glance, but then you pause to take it all in: lace.  Ruffles.  Beading.  And fur, of course!  But the monochromatic palette means it doesn’t overwhelm you.  It’s like caramel…delicious, furry caramel.  It has a five-inch heel and a one-inch platform, and can be yours for $54 from Heels.com.

Not enough fur on this pump for you?  How about this one?

The Ivana by Isa Tapia is just full of fur—real rabbit, dyed a warm red.  Plus, they look super-cozy, don’t they?  If you ignore the four-inch heel for a minute?  They look like slippers, but slippers you could wear to a fancy function.  Or ruby slippers for a Russian princess, during the dark winter.  They can be yours for $455 from Shopbop.

The Eclipse by Charles Jourdan is also rabbit, but gray.  It looks so soft and fluffy, doesn’t it?  I want to reach into my computer and pet it.  Plus, I just love gray.  The four straps up the front and the four-inch heel finish the look.  Buy it before 9 AM today and you can get it for $129, but after that I think it goes back to $215.  Keep an eye on Neiman Marcus Last Call!

Here’s something with a little whimsy:

Meow!  The Cat by Kate Spade New York is gray flannel flat (flannel!  I can barely stand it) with a furry little gold-embellished kitty face on the round toe.  Pointy ears, whiskers galore… this guy has charm to spare.  Yours for $68 from Zappos Couture.

Wow.  Just…wow.  The Leather Fur-Trimmed Pump by Fendi is interesting in so many ways.  First, of course, the fur.  It looks like a chipmunk was skinned and out on the front.  (Actually, it’s mink.  Mink!  Fancy.)  And just look at the heel—a cubist dream in many shades mirror-plated metal.  (Plus it sticks out from the back of the shoe a bit, which is kind of cool.)  You’ll be the talk of the town in these!  Find them at Saks for $1990.

Whether you choose fake fur or real, warm up to this trend this season!

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: Boot sale-- save up to 25% off select styles
Bloomingdale's: Sale now through 11/17 (save 20-40%)
Lord & Taylor: Veteran's Day sale-- take 15% off regular and sale with code VETSDAY
Macy's: Take 15% off with code VETDAY
Nordstrom: Half-yearly sale-- save up to 40%
Payless: Buy one, get one half off

Workplace: Casual

Men have it easy.  For every dress code, they know just what’s expected of them, no thinking involved.  Black tie?  Done.  Business?  Done.  But women?  We have to think about everything. 

In the hopes of making things a little easier, I thought I’d give you a guide to fun and stylish shoes for every workplace.  Today’s installment: the casual workplace (a cool start-up, an art gallery, something in a shared office space, etc.).  You can wear pretty much whatever you want to a casual workplace, but there are still standards.  Don’t show up in ratty flip flops you’ve worn every day for the past three summers—it’s still a workplace, people!  These sandals, however, are much better:

The Helixa is casual, but it’s also stylish and well-made.  It says something about you, and that something isn’t “I’m sloppy”—it’s “I have a point of view.”  And with its bright color, spikes, and glitter, you’ll be hard to miss!  Also available in orange, black, white, or natural leather or silver synthetic—all lovely!  Your choice for $60 at Nine West.

Yes, I am going to suggest a rhinestone kaleidoscope loafer for the casual workplace.  The Conncord has a classic workplace silhouette, but reinvented with a free spirit.  If the colors are too much for you, it also comes in black, a blush multi, leopard, silver zebra, and a sort of blue and black camo—find them at Steve Madden for $70.

The Benny by Ella Moss is polished but fun!  The blue color is so saturated and lovely, and I’m sort of digging the shape—both of the boot and of the 3.75-inch stacked heel.  Also available in gray or a leopard with black tabs—all equally appropriate; all from Zappos for $248.

The Too Dottie by 2 Lips Too is a polka dotted patent leather shoe with a pointed toe and a 3.75-inch wedge.  Fun!  And perfect for a casual workplace.  Also available in blue and tan; find them at DSW for $50.

Casual: done!  Next up: the business casual workplace.  Coming Friday!

It's Time for Chili!

Gray skies and windy cold got you down?  I have a little something you might enjoy: Sunday is the third annual Fishtown Neighbors Association Chili Cookoff!  Ten amateur entrants get to pit their chilis against the big boys from Cedar Point Bar & Kitchen, East Girard Gastropub, Interstate Drafthouse, and more.  And hey, Philadelphia Brewing Company and Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company are bringing the brews!

In honor of everyone’s favorite spicy dish, here are some shoes that are muy caliente!

This shape is huge for spring, and the Reallove by Steve Madden has got it: a slim patent strap across the toes, a buckled strap around the ankle, and a four-inch heel.  It’s sleek; it’s modern; it’s also available in nude and black; and it can be yours for $80 from Nordstrom.

If Dorothy had a dangerous side, she might have gone for the Too Sheer by 2 Lips Too instead of her more modest ruby slippers, eh?  The 1.5-inch platform and 5.75-inch heel are covered in a metallic snake print, and then topped with an elaborate cage of rhinestone-embellished straps.  Just look at all the swirls, circles, and zigzags!  Also available in black and a really awesome gold; find them at DSW for $55.

Wowza!  This is one hell of a maneater shoe, what with its 5.5-inch stiletto, 1.4-inch platform, and red patent leather upper covered in spikes.  You will leave devastation in your wake—as in, “You look devastating!” and not actual destruction, though I suppose there could be an argument made for the latter.  Find them at Light in the Box for $89.

The Merritta by B Brian Atwood is a hot little number in red patent leather, all straps and zippers.  And check out the 4.75-inch skinny heel, covered in gold!  Amazing.  Also available in black with a silver heel, but I think the red is hotter.  Yours for $425 from Zappos.

Come on out for chili!  It runs from 1:00 to 4:00 PM this Sunday at Skybox @ 2424 Studios (2424 E York Street, Fishtown).  Tickets are $15, and you can get them online.  Go and get your spice on!

Sales this weekend:
Bloomingdales: If you're a Loyallist, save $25 on a purchase of $100-$249; $50 on $250-$499; $100 on $500-$999; $250 on $1000 or more
Bus Stop Boutique: Party tonight!  The Royal Affair: A Night with the Duke & Duchess showcase their new spring collection (and doggie accessories!).  Plus there will be cocktails and a meet-and-greet with Duke & Winston owner Seun Olubodun!
Lord & Taylor: Save 20% on one pair, 25% on two pairs, and 30% on three or more pairs
Macy's: Extra 15% off and free shipping with code HOT
Neiman Marcus: Get at $50 gift card with a shoe and/or handbag purchase of $350 or more with code NMGC
Steve Madden: Save up to 40% on new spring styles