Happy Shoe Year!

Happy New Year, deputy shoe fairies!  I love the bright, shiny, fresh new start that the New Year brings.  You know what else it brings?  A new color of the year!  For 2014, I present the glorious pinky purple that is Pantone’s Radiant Orchid:

Love.  So here you go!  Deck yourself in the color of the New Year!

The Azelle is a little on the purple side, maybe, but it’s so fun!  I love the crystals all over it; I love the swirling cut of the vamp… I want to wear this to every party.  It has a 4.5-inch heel and a small platform underneath the peep toe, and is also available in black, but…black?  Come on.  Radiant Orchid.  Your choice for $60 from Nine West.

This shiny orchid beauty is the Laetitia by B Brian Atwood.  It’s a metallic snake!  Come on, that’s awesome.  Can I also say how I love the heel?  I love the shape it makes where it joins the shoe, and I really like the contrast of the black.  (That heel is 4.5 inches, by the way.)  The double ankle strap is a bit unusual!  Cool feature.  Find them at 6pm for $209.

Glitter flats! This pair by Pompili may be simple in silhouette, but not in materials: orchid glitter on the outside, trimmed in shiny orchid fabric and topped with a shiny orchid bow.  And silver on the inside, too!  These are all kind of fun.  Pick up a pair at Lyst for $45.

The Louie by Michael Antonio is an almond-toe pump with a body of orchid faux suede and a toe cap of black faux leather.  Classic and fun at the same time—not to mention on-trend!  The heel is 4.5 inches high, and there’s a hidden half-inch platform… and it comes in a ton of other colors!  Seriously, there are eight other choices.  (The black and yellow sort of reminds me of The Bride’s jumpsuit from Kill Bill.  But I digress.)  Your choice for $50 from Heels.com.

Oh god, I think I’m having a shoegasm.  The Embellished High Heel Ankle Tie Sandal by Rene Caovilla is magnificent beyond words.  Sure, the toe strap is simple, but the ankle… the ankle!  Rhinestones in blue and gold and purple (er, orchid), and the sole is all silver glitter!  If I could wear one pair of shoes for the rest of my life, it might be these.  They’re not out yet, but you can preorder them from Neiman Marcus for $1695.

This color makes me so happy.  I hope it brings you happiness in 2014 too!

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies; still on vacation!  Be back next week.

Princess Grace

Just opened at the Michener Museum is a new exhibit all about the life and times of Philly gal Grace Kelly.  From Philadelphia to Monaco: Grace Kelly Beyond the Icon traces the unique path Grace Kelly took from Philadelphia to Monaco, inviting viewers to discover the life of Grace Kelly (1929-1982) beyond the fairy tale. This exhibition brings us up close to the stage and screen legend, fashion icon, princess, United Nations advocate for children, and international spokesperson for arts and culture.

Did I mention fashion icon?  Because she didn’t mess around, fashion-wise.  “Romantic simplicity” is a term I’ve heard used for her style, so in her honor here are some shoes she might have enjoyed:

Romantic and simple!  The Malika2 by B Brian Atwood is a pointed toe pump of nude leather overlain with black floral lace.  The 3.25-inch heel is solid black—nice contrast, I think!  Yours for $325 from Bloomingdale’s.

The Jewelery Couture Bow d’Orsay by Valentino uses the same nude and black palette as the Malika2, but in a very different way.  The body is covered with black satin, and the peep toe is adorned with a gold and crystal bow.  The heel is 4.25 inches tall, and there’s a half-inch platform as well.  Also available in all gold; your choice for $995 from Nordstrom.

The Davida by Badgley Mischka is a vision in blue.  (Or black, or white, or gold, or silver.)  The satin outer finishes in little folds above the peep toe, bound on either side by beautiful jewels.  The finishing touch is the 3.75-inch heel.  Love!  Find them at Macy’s for $225.

If the Zenadia Soir Jeweled Velvet Cutout Pumps by Paul Andrew isn’t fit for a princess, I don’t know what is.  The red velvet outer is meticulously crafted (look at the pointy shaping!) and decked out with rhinestones and sequins… these are just too beautiful.  Find them at Saks for $1295.

From Philadelphia to Monaco: Grace Kelly Beyond the Icon runs from now until January 26.  Tickets are $18 for adults ($16 for college students with ID) and include admission to the rest of the Michener.  

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

Oscar Night

The glamour, the jewels, the hair, the makeup… must be time for the Oscars!  Film’s biggest night is this Sunday, and you can be sure the starlets will be decked out to the nines.  (Maybe even the tens.)  Drool alert.  And even if you can’t see them under the sweeping hemlines, you know every woman is in an extraordinary pair of shoes.  Maybe something like these pairs of couture beauties I give you today!

The Cassiane by B Brian Atwood is a cascade of loveliness: gold metallic snake at the toe and up around the ankle, delicate gold chains down the front of the foot, a five-inch heel and a one-inch contrast platform.  A zipper up the back lets you in; find them at Shopbop for $425.

Oh god, they’re like Fabergé eggs you can wear on your feet!  The Jeweled Ankle-Wrap Platform Sandals by Rene Caovilla are blue suede sandals (trimmed with gold leather on the one-inch platform) with an elaborately jeweled crisscross up the front of the foot: blue and orange and green and red and purple, all in gold.  It also has a five-inch heel, but check out the sole—covered in silver glitter; Caovilla’s trademark.  Pick up a pair for $1365 at Neiman Marcus.

The Leaf-Embellished Wedge Sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti are so sculptural, with the gold leaves floating up the front on straps of black patent leather.  (And see those two buckles at the ankles?  Love!)  The body of the shoe is black suede, and while it is one of those heel-less heels, it looks more like a wedge (a 5.25-inch wedge, with a one-inch platform).  Yours for $1695 from Saks. 

The W12A313292-24 by Dsquared2 is too amazing for words: a body covered in silver glitter, a pointed toe, a 4.25-inch heel, and a chain of rhinestones from a handful of rhinestone flowers on the toe across the foot and up the outside.  To.  Die.  For.  Yours for $718 from Zappos Couture.

So grab some popcorn and settle in for a night of beautiful fashion—head to toe!

Sales this weekend:

Bakers: 40% off full price items, plus an extra 20% off sale items
Lord & Taylor: 20% off regular and sale and 25% off clearance with code FEB
Nordstrom: Shoe clearance-- save 33% or more