Cherry Blossom Festival

The skies are gray, it’s raining…but the blossoms are coming!  The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival began on Wednesday with sushi making and karaoke, and continues with events through the end of April.

Our unfortunate winter means the trees aren’t quite ready for their close-up, but the organizers are pretty sure there will be something blooming by next weekend.  (There better be.  I don’t think I can take much more of this.)  But until then, here are some pink petals to hold you over!

The Iris Sandal is so simple and exuberant at the same time.  The upper is pink satin (including T-strap and flower), and it rests on the tiniest of wedges—so lovely under jeans, or with a skirt, or whatever!  Also available in ivory and a really lovely blue; your choice for $79 from Betsey Johnson. 

These sculpted beauties are the Flower Power to Ya by Mel.  The body of the sandal is a pale pink jelly material, but each strap is adorned with a big jelly flower with a metallic gold stud at the center.  They just scream “summer,” don’t they?  I want to eat an ice cream cone in these.  Whole sizes only; yours for $35 from ModCloth.

The Adele by Badgley Mischka is fluffy with flowers!  Two large blossoms adorn the T-strap on each shoe, whose body is pink satin.  The heel is 4.75-inches high, but the platform will help out with that.  How perfect for a spring wedding?  Find them at Shoes.com for $165.

The Classic-Floral by TOMS would be perfect for wandering through the blossoms.  (Next week.  When they bloom.  Because they WILL bloom next week, won’t they?!)  The cotton upper is strewn with pink flowers everywhere, and you know the deal, that TOMS will donate a pair when you pick up a pair for yourself.  Which you can, for $54, from Nordstrom. 

The Isis by Dirty Laundry is so bold and bright and beautiful!  The cork wedge is four inches at the heel and an inch under the peep toe, and is topped with a fabric slingback and flowers.  Also available in white, turquoise, sand, black, and mint (the mint is eyelet!); your choice for $40 from Zappos.

So hold tight—one more week and the flowers will be here.  Just a little longer now!

Sales this weekend:

Bakers: Almost all boots 40% off

Bus Stop Boutique: Happy 7th birthday, Bus Stop Boutique!  They're having a party next Wednesday from 6-9 PM.  Save 15% on all spring goodies, plus you get a special prize if you find one of the seven lucky pennies hidden throughout the store!  Can I just say here how much I love Bus Stop Boutique?  Happy birthday, girls.  Here's to seven more.  

Lord & Taylor: 15% off regular and clearance with code SPRING

Macy's: 20% off one pair, 25% off two pairs, 30% off three or more pairs

Back to Winter!

Hey!  What happened to that heat wave we were supposed to have?  I was expecting 64 degrees on Sunday, and instead I could see my breath and the city was swallowed by fog!  So much for that.  Just goes to show you that winter can attack at any time!  Got your snowboots ready just in case? 

Confession: I hate most women’s snowboots.  They’re all solid black and utilitarian-looking (read: boring!).  But I would never foist those upon you, deputy shoe fairies.  Here are some snowboots that would actually be fun to wear!

Now we’re talking!  The Regalia Rain Boot by Dirty Laundry is beautiful in bronze and brown.  The upper is made of rubber and faux leather; the 18-inch shaft is lined with faux fur; fits calves up to 16 inches around.  Yours from DSW for $40.

Okay, these are cool!  The Plimsoll Tall Leaf by Bogs is waterproof, of course, but it’s also anti-microbial.  Plus they’re temperature rated to 40 degrees below zero, so you’re set no matter how cold it gets.  Also available in brown, a sort of brick color, and the ubiquitous black; your choice from $130 from Shoebuy.

The Juggle by Nicole is a classy snowboot made of stone-colored suede, trimmed in faux shearling and encircled by three faux leather belts buckled in gold.  The shaft is 17 inches; the shaft circumference 15.5 inches; the heel says four inches but I know that ain’t right!  Also available in a black faux leather; your choice for $90 from 6pm.

How cute are these?  The In Love by Volcom are lined with pink fur, but my favorite part about these are the colored eyelets on the sides that hold the lacing!  They sort of look like Fruit Loops, don’t they?  Also available in a black boot with light blue fur; $50 from Zappos. 

Now there’s no excuse not to be ready when the snow comes!  It is winter, after all, lest we forget.

Stupid winter.

Restaurant Week

January: it’s cold, it’s dark... but hey, it’s Restaurant Week!  Go inside and warm up at one of Philly’s hottest restaurants.  There are over 120 restaurants participating—you could do lunch and dinner each day of Restaurant Week and still have missed a hundred places.  Better get eating! 

Why not enjoy seared duck breast with truffle parsnip puree, gnocchi with sweet potato, kale, and mushrooms, and warm spiced bread pudding with butter pecan ice cream and cranberry coulis under the pearl chandelier at XIX?

The Pearl Platform Satin Slingback by Nicholas Kirkwood is a vision: a beautiful peach satin peep-toe slingback with a 5.25-inch heel—and a one-inch pearl platform.  Look at that!  Those big pearly beads go all the way around the platform too.  Breathtaking—and it better be, for $995!  Just head to Neiman Marcus to pick up yours.

How about a selection of hors d’oeurves, braised beef and bleu cheese crostini, the risotto of the day, chicken pot pie, and a chocolate milkshake at Time?  (Yes, you get five courses.)

So I’m going a little literally with the idea of a clock with the Tesla-12 by Demonia, but they’re so cool!  Four-inch heels, three gears up the side, a sort of bee medallion on the front, a cute cut-out at the toe... oh, and the liner is printed with gears too.  Nice touch!  There’s a zipper up the inside to let you in.  Whole sizes only; yours for $60 from Shoecup. 

Maybe the Mexican chopped salad, winter squash soup, huarache de hongos, and vanilla flan at El Vez?

A little Day of the Dead-inspired!  The Bettie Satin Bow Day of the Dead Platform Heel Shoes by Pinup Couture is patent leather printed with flowers and cheery dancing skeletons with a black satin bow, a 4.5-inch heel, and a one-inch platform.  How I love the spirit of these!  Whole sizes only; find them at RebelGirlz for $63.

Perhaps you’re hungry for chicken and ginger dumplings, Chilean sea bass, and dim sum doughnuts under the peaceful gaze of Buddakan’s iconic golden Buddha?

The Get Down by Dirty Laundry are a beautifully simple gold flat with a delicate bow on the round toe.  And hey, they’re lined in pink!  Also available in black with light pink trim, red with tan trim, and silver—pick up a pair from Zappos for $40.

Wherever you go, eat a fabulous meal, have a fabulous time, and (as always) be your fabulous selves!

Restaurant Week runs through February 3 (though not on the Saturdays).  Hurry up and make your reservations already!  I don’t think you could go wrong, wherever you pick.