Jewels

Hurry over to the Academy of Music before Sunday to check out the opening of their 50^th anniversary season, George Balanchine’s Jewels.  Inspired by the artistry of jewelry designer Claude Arpels, Jewels unfolds in three distinct sections – Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds – each with its own music and mood.  Emeralds evokes the elegance of France, to the music of Gabriel Fauré.

The Dree II by Badgley Mischka is a peep toe pump made of deep emerald satin, but the wow factor is the embroidery on the heel.  Small gold beads, rhinestones in four different shapes (round, teardrop, marquis, and—you guessed it—emerald)…this is a shoe that makes an impact. A 4.5-inch heel and .75-inch platform finish the look.  Also available in black, white, and taupe; your choice for $245 at Zappos.

Rubies is influenced by Balanchine’s experiences in America. The jazz-inflected Stravinsky score sends dancers zipping through the stage in Balanchine’s definitively neoclassical style.

The Hangisi by Manolo Blahnik is a gorgeous ruby satin flat (well, almost-flat—it does have a little heel).  On its almond toe is an elaborate frame of jewels—hundreds of tiny round sparkling stones!  Fabulous.  Also available in black, blue, gray, pink, and white, so you’ll have one for every mood!  They’re $955 at Saks.

The grandeur and regality of Imperial Russia are the inspiration for Diamonds, a nod to Balanchine’s own heritage, as is the sumptuous Tchaikovsky score.

The Tiara by David Tutera is a silver metallic leather pointed toe pump, bedazzled with a string of rhinestones across the front.  Pears, rounds…these are shoes befitting a princess.  Yours for $140 from DSW.

George Balanchine’s Jewels has three more performances—tomorrow at 2, and Sunday at 2 and 8.  Go and celebrate the Pennsylvania Ballet’s 50^th anniversary with them in the most sparkly was possible! 

Sales this weekend:

Aerosoles: Up to 25% off select boots

Bakers: $20 off all shoes with code SHOES20 and $30 off all boots with code BOOTS30

Bus Stop Boutique: Movie screening tonight!  Gabriella Hiatt (designer for Nina Payne Footwear) shows her short film Table Game from 5:30-8.  Plus she's showing off her autumn collection!

Lord & Taylor: 25% off with code FRIENDS

Neiman Marcus: Cole Haan event-- take 40% off

Nine West: 30% off your entire purchase

Payless: Buy one, get one half off

The Magic Flute

Among the many things I love (the Olympics, Valentine’s Day, and, er, this whole list here), I also love opera, and tonight is opening night for Opera Philadelphia’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute!  The Magic Flute invites us into a land of enchantment, full of queens and princesses, evil sorcerers, heroic princes, mythical creatures, and unpredictable, epic adventures. 

Needless to say, the costumes are fantastic.  There’s a giraffe:

Please also add giraffes to the list of things I love.  I love giraffes.  I also love the Chuck Taylor Sequins Ox Sneaker by Converse: it’s got giraffe, of course, but it’s also covered in clear sequins so it’ll sparkle in the light!  Yours for $90 from Nordstrom.

A dragon:

The Leland by Michael Antonio has dragon written all over it: scales, spikes… even the red is evocative of a dragon breathing fire, isn’t it?  It has a five-inch heel (and a hidden platform so it doesn’t feel quite that tall), and is also available in a cool blue.  Your choice for $40 from 6pm.

The Queen of the Night:

Fit for a queen indeed!  The Suede Wedge Pump by Giuseppe Zanotti is so much more than just a suede wedge: it’s covered in multicolored rhinestone stars!  Blue, purple, orange, green… a galaxy of sparkle and color.  (Stars are WAY more than just white, people!)  It has a peep toe, 4.5-inch wedge and half-inch platform, and ankle strap, and can be found at DSW for $800.

And a man covered by the feathers of exotic birds:

The bright blue of the Adore by David Tutera makes me so happy!  (Though it’s also available in a pale pink, if the blue is too much for you.)  It has a beautiful satin upper, ankle strap (with touch of tan at the buckle there), five-inch heel, one-inch platform… and of course the feathers across the peep toe!  They just feel like spring, and they can be yours for $145 from Zappos.

If you’ve never been to an opera, why not give The Magic Flute a try?  Performances run through next weekend, so treat yourself to an evening of spectacle and spectacular music.  Who knows?  You may love opera too!

Don't forget!  Philly Shoe Fairy's second birthday party is next weekend!  The DSW in King of Prussia is opening early just for us.  Raffles, food, fun... and SHOES!  It'll be fabulous.

Sales this weekend:
Lord & Taylor: Friends and family sale: 25% off with promo code FRIENDS
Macy's: 15% off one pair, 20% off two, 30% off three or more with promo code GREAT
Payless: Buy one, get one half off