Center City Shoppers, Rejoice!

Good news, Center City fashionistas!  We have two new stores just open that promise to be chock full of good deals: the Century 21 at 8^th and Market, and the Nordstrom Rack at 17^th and Chestnut.  Aah!  We’ve been waiting for so long!  Let there be much rejoicing.

Can’t make into the actual stores yet?  Well, they still have websites.  Here’s a pair of shoes from each store to whet your appetite!

Ooh, sexy.  The Dorado by Carlos Santana is sleek and unusual: blue faux suede over the toes and at the heels, and black faux leather up the front.  The heel is 3.25 inches high, which is positively reasonable—it looks taller than that, somehow.  Yours for $55 (44% off) at Nordstrom Rack.

How gorgeous are the Gyrolynn by Modern Rebel?  The warm brown leather upper.  The shiny studded gold links up the front.  The cork wedge, that’s 4.5 inches at the heel and one inch at the platform.  SO lovely.  Also available in black; your choice for $35 (65% off) from Nordstrom Rack.

These sweet little shoes are the French Leopard Print Loafers by Isaac Mizrahi.  It’s the details that make it for me: the tiny black trim around the foot, and the bow at the toe trimmed in gold.  So pretty!  Yours for $72 (42% off) at Century 21.

Ooh, fun.  The Set in Stone by Chinese Laundry are such a beautiful Bordeaux color, aren’t they?  Not your average fall boot.  The buckle on the top and the layering detail on the shaft are nice touches, and the warm woods of the three-quarter-inch heels are a nice addition.  Yours for $70 (50% off) from Century 21.

What are you waiting for?  Go explore!  It’s a new world out there!

Spring Trend: Pastels

In addition to python and block heels, another trend hot in stores this season is pastels.  At first I thought, “Pastels?  Boring!”  But then I began seeing shop windows, and was a little unnerved: these pastels are almost assertive in their pastel-ness. Fading wallflowers, they’re not.

The Eowalellan is pastel blue and white, but with a shape more boardroom than Easter.  (And a 4.5-inch block heel to boot!  Combining trends: you’re doing it right.)  Also available in all black and all white, but neither has the personality of this color-blocked pastel blue, which is $50 at Call it Spring.

The Sweettea is a sweet indeed!  This flat is in lavender leather, topped with a bouquet of daisies at the round toe, held on with golden studs.  The insole is cushioned for extra comfort, and there’s a tiny quarter-inch heel.  Also available in all black and a very pretty nude with multicolored flowers; your choice for $79 from Nine West.

The Thaya by Ted Baker is a pastel mint pump trimmed in gold at the pointed toe, at the tip of the four-inch heel, and all up the sole and down the heel.  It’s so refreshing, this color!  But it’s the touches of gold that take it from regular pump to fancy pump. It’s also available in black, nude, and white, if you want to be all boring about it.  Find them at Zappos for $111.

The Easy Does It by Chinese Laundry is a lace flat with another popular feature this season, in addition to the pastel: the pointed toe finished with a straight-across-the-toe cut.  This particular version is in pink lace, but it also comes in black or blue python, white croc, taupe suede, and a sort of tiny black dot print.  Yours for $37 from 6pm.

So give pastels a second look.  They’re not your mama’s pastels anymore!

Spring Trend: Block Heels

Tired of skinny stilettos?  Then you’ll love one of this spring’s trends: block heels!  These thick square heels are anything but delicate, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up feeling like a lady.  Check these out:

The Jenniy by Louise et Cie have a saturated cheetah-print calf-hair upper with a pointed toe, and a block heel 3.5 inches high—in shiny gold!  Imagine these with a suit.  THAT’S a power look.  Yours for $80 from Nordstrom.  (It runs a little small, so careful when ordering!)

The Annabel combines the block heel with another spring trend: python!  The smooth round-toe upper is made of nude leather, but the 3.25-inch heel is covered in speckled python.  I hereby declare it this season’s update to the ubiquitous nude patent leather pump.  It’ll be pretty with a skirt, now that it’s warm!  Find them at Ann Taylor for $128.

The Bittersweet by Chinese Laundry is the chunky-heeled sandal for all occasions.  The stacked heel is 3.75 inches tall, topped with a snake-embossed ankle strap.  It’s the yellow I love, though—bright and fun, but the black makes it sophisticated.  If you’re not sold on the yellow and black it’s also available in cream and black, and tan and pink; your choice for $60 from DSW.

The Young by FIEL is technically in cognac nappa leather, but it’s so rich it’s almost an orange.  And it looks so soft, doesn’t it?  But it’s the shape that’s so cool: two thin straps over the toe, and two more around the ankle with antiqued golden buckles.  (And see how it goes around the heel?  Cool!)  The block heel is five inches, and if the cognac isn’t your color it’s also available in black—your choice for $122 from 6pm.

The Loafer Block-heel Pumps by Henry Ferrara are a classic work shoe in black and cream faux leather—cream on the vamp and black on the details: the 4.75-inch heel, 2.5-inch platform, and the tassel on the toe.  Also available in a lovely cream and camel combo, and a rockin’ navy and red combo—find them all at Overstock for $48.

Feeling inspired to try a new silhouette?  I know I am!

KAWS @ PAFA

Hurry over to PAFA to check out the bright, exuberant new exhibit: KAWS @ PAFA!  KAWS is a pop artist and sculptor inspired by media and pop culture, and his larger-than life creations will be on display until January 5.

For some reason, the Inquirer’s art critic hated it.  To him, I say: loosen up, would you?  I was an art history minor and I am just eating this up.  I mean, how fun is this?

I’m all childish wonder here.  It’s unexpected and joyous.  It lightens the spirit.  It’s classic and new; it’s a whirling dervish of absurd juxtaposition. 

Sort of like these!  The Raspberry by Mel by Melissa is in the shape of a classic pump, but it’s made of PVC!  And it’s bright pink!  With a heart!  A classic and a piece of pop art at the same time.  The heel is 4.5 inches, but there’s a hidden one-inch platform so it won’t feel as tall.  Also available in black with red, gray with red, and red with pink; find them on Zappos for $60.  (Well, the pink and the black; the other two are $75.)

There are paintings too:

How I love the juxtaposition of the graphic canvases with the classical sculpture!

Strong lines, bright colors… the Easy Does It by Chinese Laundry would fit right in in this room!  This D’Orsay flat has a manmade upper and a pointed toe (I’m digging the blue-on-blue!).  Available in six other color combos if you don’t like the blue; your choice for $55 from Lori’s Shoes.

There’s even an installation on the outside of PAFA:

It’s called Born to Bend.  It’s Gumby (or something like Gumby)!  On PAFA!

The JA16341G0X JI0 000 by LOVE Moschino is a green jelly sandal that bends its way up your foot.  Plus look at all the stars!  It’s totally decked out in gold stars.  Nice touch indeed.  Yours for $67 from 6pm.

So go to PAFA and wander around.  Use the old to help you see the new, and the new to see the old, and ponder the varied expression of the human experience.  With Gumby.  Just do it.

KAWS @ PAFA runs through January 5.  Admission is $15; $12 if you’re 60 or older or a student with I.D., $12; or $8 for anyone age 13-18.

Fall is Here!

This weekend we officially went from summer to autumn.  (It even feels like autumn, doesn’t it?)  And autumn means… boots!  Tall boots, short boots, boots boots boots! 

The Melissa Riding Boots by Frye is just too gorgeous.  The rich brown color, the little silver dangle, but mostly the embossed design on the outside.  Oh, I’m in love.  Also available in black but it doesn’t hold a candle to the cognac; find them at Bloomingdales for $418.

The Can’t Stand the Heat by Seychelles combines a boot with one of the hot fall trends: military.  The suede upper has loops of scalloped trim, and eight brass beads hold ties in figure eights.  A zipper up the back lets you in; find them at DSW for $100.

The Mixie Tall Dress Boots by Bandolino is such a lovely fall color, isn’t it?  And it feels so delicate: the thin straps around the ankle, the dainty studs around the top, the slender three-inch heel.  Also available in black suede and white leather, though I have to say the white leather version is a little reminiscent of 1960s go-go boots.  Yours for $169 from Macy’s.

The Theodora by MIA is the classic two-tone riding boot, with black faux leather on the bottom and brown faux leather at the top.  It has a 1.5-inch heel and buckle detailing around the back of the calf, and can be yours for $45 from 6pm.

Over the knee boots are still in, and the South Bay by Chinese Laundry fits the bill!  The leather upper goes over the knee, but there’s a little stretch panel in the back to help you fold it down below the knee if you want to wear it that way.  And it comes in three colors!  The black, a light brown, and a dark brown—all leather, and all for $100 from Nordstrom.

So grab your boots and enjoy the fall, ladies!

Back to School

Back to school time!  Even though I am several years removed from this being back to school time for me, I can’t help but get a little caught up in the excitement.  (Yes.  I am a nerd.  I LOVED back to school time.)

You know, going to the store and getting new black-and-white notebooks…

The Camya is actually sort of a snow-leopard print, but you get the idea.  The peep-toe upper is made of a pony fabric, and the four-inch heel and one-inch platform are wrapped in black patent.  Also available in (get this) fifteen other options—everything from floral to red patent to gold sparkles.  Your choice for $99 from Nine West.

…new pencils…

I sort of love the pointed toe on the Tidal Flat by Restricted—very reminiscent of the pointed end of a pencil!  But the real star feature of this shoe is all the cutouts: rectangles, circles, and triangles.  (Get ready for geometry, class!)  Find them at DSW for $45.

…crayons in the big pack, because that’s where my favorite crayon (cerulean) was…

The Claudette by Jessica Simpson is actually listed as cerulean!  I see I have a kindred spirit in their design office.  This pointed-toe suede pump has a cutout by the inside of the foot and a 3.75-inch heel wrapped in matching patent leather.  Also available in black, gray, red, and burnt umber (crayon color alert!); your choice for $79 from Nordstrom.

…Elmer’s glue….

The Easy Does It by Chinese Laundry is white patent at the heel and pointed toe, but with a band of clear by the toe too.  (Just like glue—starts white and dries clear!)  Also available in black and a sort of lipstick red; find them at Macy’s for $40.

Is everyone else excited for school now?  Yay!

Start Your Engines!

On your mark…get set… go!  This Sunday is “America’s Race,” the Daytona 500.  Thousands of screaming fans, fast cars, and, er, lots of handsome men (see here, and here, and oooh, here) might merit you tuning in!

But wait—do you know anything about NASCAR?  Okay, here’s a beginner’s guide to the flags.  Green, of course, means go!

The Jesssy by Steven is so beautifully geometric, isn’t it?  The green nubuck upper is intricately cut, with a green buckle at the ankle and a 4.5 inch heel.  On sale for $153 on Zappos.

If someone crashes, you’ll see a yellow caution flag:

Throw caution to the wind in the Seduce Pump by Mia.  It has a gleaming yellow leather upper, pointed toe, 4.5-inch heel… and love the blue inside, don’t you?  Also available in coral, tan or blue; your choice for $60 at DSW.

If things get really dicey on the track, or if it rains, the action will stop on under a red flag:

These would stop traffic, all right!  The China Doll by Chinese Laundry has a kid suede peep toe Mary Jane upper, a patent leather heel-less wedge underneath (six inches high, with a two-inch platform), and sex appeal to spare.  (If you can walk in them, that is!)  Find them at Macy’s—and they’re on sale for $60, down from $120!

White flag!  One lap to go!

They may be a little hard to see, but the Jiffy is a white jelly flip flop with a bow on the toe—but the strap and the bow have square studs!  Hard and soft at the same time.  Also available in black, but the white is way cuter.  Yours for $40 from Steve Madden.

And the checkered flag?  If you get to it first, you win!

Can’t beat a classic!  The Checkerboard Slip-On is a slip-on sneaker with a checkered canvas upper and vulcanized waffle rubber outsoles.  Also available in eight other color combos (pink!  red!  blue!); your choice for $47 from Vans.

Ladies, start your engines!

Sales this weekend:
....aaaaand my computer's not cooperating.  AGAIN.  My apologies, ladies!

Fall Trend: Houndstooth

What’s black and white and awesome all over?  Houndstooth!  This classic print is popping up in all sorts of unexpected places this fall, and I am digging it.  Just look at these! 

LOVE.  The Lexington by Bebe is a bootie with it all: houndstooth (of course), silver studs, black patent leather, cutouts, and a smokin’ four-inch stiletto.  (Oh, and a half-inch platform.)  Also available in black lace with gold studs, which is cool in its own way too!  Check them out at Zappos for $101.

The ruffle just makes the Alana by Fergalicious, doesn't it?  That’s black satin across the round toe, and the upper is carefully woven black and white threads—legit old school houndstooth; none of this printed stuff!  Also available in a navy plaid; your choice from DSW for $30.

A classic reinterpreted for 2012!  The Triple Major by Chinese Laundry is not your mama’s houndstooth pump, that’s for sure: look at the 5.5-inch black patent heel and 1.75-inch patent platform peeking out from the peep toe.  Yours for $70 from Nordstrom.

The Oneida Platform Booties by L.A.M.B. is so sleek—that black patent up the side is kind of like a racing stripe, isn’t it?  It’s also patent up by the laces, around the back, and on the 5.25-inch heel and 1.75-inch platform.  The houndstooth is on a pony-style fabric, adding textural contrast to the smooth patent leather.  Find them at Macy’s for $395.

I heart kilties!  The Thrill by J. Renee is sophisticated and fun at the same time.  Sure, it’s a classic pointy toe houndstooth pump underneath, but it’s got a folded, fringed kilt at the toe, topped with statement links of silver chain.  It’s got a 3.5-inch heel (practical!), and can be yours for $100 from Shoes.com.

And there are many more out there, if none of these particularly strike your fancy.  Though I can’t possibly imagine why that might be! J

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: Free shipping over $50
Bakers: Free shipping, no minimum!
Bloomingdale's: 30-40% off select styles, and "private sale" online
Bus Stop Boutique: Mark your calendars: Bits and Baubles Stocking Stuffer Soiree next Wednesday, 6:00-9:00 PM!
Macy's: 20% off and free shipping with code PERFECT
Neiman Marcus: women's designer sale-- up to half off
Nine West: 30% off everything and free no-minimum shipping
Payless: Holiday sale
Saks: Designer sale-- up to 30% off

High "Heels"

So I remember when those heel-less high heels started popping up on runways.  “What the...?!?!” was my general reaction.  They were the weirdest things I’d ever seen.  No stilettos?  No wedges?  Just... space?  It’ll never take, I thought.

Ah, world; you have proven me wrong.

Heelless heels are popping up all over the place!  They’re not quite the completely-tipped-forward ones you see on the runway, but they still don’t have any heels to speak of so they count.  Let’s start nice and easy with a neutral:

The Bennett by Aldo is a bone patent leather number with a round toe, 1.75-inch platform, and 6.5-inch...heel?  (Can we really call it that?)  Also available in black; yours from Nordstrom for $120.

The Cover Up by Chinese Laundry is a black suede and patent leather combo, with sheer panels running up the front of the foot—very sleek indeed.  It balances you on a 1.75-inch platform under its peep toe, raising you 5.75-inches in the air overall.  Find them on Amazon for between $79 and $109 depending on your size.

The Gimmick sure brings the fun for party season, doesn’t it?  A mosaic of blue, purple, black, and silver rhinestones cover the 1.5-inch platform and six-inch rise, and the rest is black suede.  A zipper up the back and ankle strap keep you in!  Yours for $130 from Steve Madden.

The Great Lee is a green (or orange, or yellow, or red, or black) suede pump-type thing with a round toe, 1.5-inch platform, five-inch heel, and dainty strap around the ankle.  Your choice of colors at Bakers for $70 (online only!).

Now while I generally am distracted by the oddness of this trend, I do get a bit of a shoegasm every time I see these:

Ah, Giuseppe Zanotti!  Why do you torment me with the I27034?  Its black suede body is studded with sparkling Swarovskis, has a peep toe on a two-inch platform, and raises you on a 6.5-inch “heel.”  I’m really digging up the black stripe up the back too.  If you’re a 7 or an 8 you’re in luck—Zappos has a pair for you!  The bad news is that they’ll run you $2,300.

This trend is for those with bravery and good balance!  If that sounds like you, why not give it a go?

Design Philadelphia

The Design Philadelphia Festival begins tomorrow!  Five days of everything from Day of the Dead symbolism in Latin American craft, to neon signs, to Victorian stained glass, to garden tours.  Here are some shoes inspired by a few of the events!

Thursday’s Pan Am Blue and Powder Room Pink: How Chemistry Created Vintage Modern is an author talk about the scientific ingenuity, entrepreneurial verve, and seductive colors that revolutionized the dye industry from the mid-1800s through the mid-20th century.  (There’s a book signing too!)

Pan Am blue indeed!  The Webb by Style & Co. is a sleek little suede bootie in an eye-catching blue (pr black, or cheetah).  It has a four-inch heel, one-inch platform, almond toe, and a slit down the front held together with criss-crossed black elastic.  On sale for $68 from Macy’s.

On Friday, the Center for Art in Wood will be dedicating their new mural, Written in Wood, on Quarry Street at N. 3rd Street.  Black silhouettes depict sculptures and furniture found in The Center’s museum collection. Stretched abstracts of objects inspired the wood grain background. 

Wood and art all in one, just like the mural!  The Wood Slip on by Tony Shoes is a carved shoe with a cut out platform, circular heel, and on-trend clear slide at the toes .  Available in natural or black; your choice from HowCool.com for $116.

All week, head down to St. Clement’s Episcopal Church for an exhibit of the 150-year-old church’s expansive collection of vestments, and other ecclesiastical textiles and associated treasures, many featuring intricate needlework or handmade lace.

The Hotline by Chinese Laundry is a beautiful ivory lace pump with satin bows at the peep toes.  It also has a 4.75-inch heel and one-inch platform, and can be yours from Zappos for $54.

Get your style on this week!  Check out the extensive list of events here—there are a ton, and most are free or low-cost.  What a perfect opportunity!

Philly Beer Week

Hooray!  It’s Philly Beer Week!  This week we celebrate all things beer.  We enjoy brews from both far and near, special dishes that complement or feature our favorite suds, and have an all-around good time at pubs, restaurants, and beer gardens throughout our fair city.

In the spirit of the week, I give you shoes inspired by three local beers!  First up, Red Fish by Flying Fish Brewing Company:

“Red Fish is a West Coast hoppy red ale.  Columbus, Chinook, and Cascade hops give the beer a robust piney nose.  Two-row, crystal, and cara-red malts give the beer a malty background and a 7% abv.”

Laid back and sassy at the same time, the Monet by Ros Hommerson would be perfect under jeans.  (What? It’s chilly this week! Well, chilly-ish.  But don’t let that stop you from enjoying one of the outdoor events, like Thursday’s Sansom Street Soiree—live music, beer trucks (including Flying Fish), and BBQ from 3:00 PM til midnight!)  Sorry; got distracted there.  But back to the shoes!  They can be found at Endless for about $42.  I like how the zebra print evokes waves (perfect for fish, flying or otherwise!) but it's available in a bunch of other prints, including a super-adorable multi-colored polka dot.

Since I adore fruity beers, Sly Fox’s Black Raspberry Reserve:

 “An unforgettable wheat ale brewed with German Pils and Wheat malts and Tradition hops, with 1 lb. of red and black raspberries per gallon of beer. This beer features a tart finish and a sugary sorbet aroma.”  Mmmm.

Black raspberry red, spiky stud thorns—the Day Dreamin by Naughty Monkey sure fits the bill for a raspberry beer!  It also has a 4.75-inch heel, one-inch platform, and tan leather straps—look at the cut-out detailing around the peep toe!  Love.  Find them at Zappos for $90.

And by request (a year in the waiting!), Midas Touch by Dogfish Head:

“This sweet yet dry beer is made with ingredients found in 2,700-year-old drinking vessels from the tomb of King Midas. Somewhere between wine and mead, Midas will please the chardonnay and beer drinker alike.”

The Willy by Chinese Laundry is fit for royalty indeed!  Gold straps winding around the toe, curving around the 3.5-inch heel, and circling the ankle—this is one beautiful shoe.  Yours for $50 from Macy’s.

Whatever’s in your glass, raise it high for Philly Beer Week!

Philly Beer Week runs through Sunday, and there are tons of events to choose from—tap takeovers, beer dinners, even a 5K on Sunday.  Do whichever will make you “hoppy”!  (Ah, bad puns.  Love them.)