200 Years of African American Art

Happy African American History Month, everyone!  (Er, at least for the next four days.)  Looking for a way to celebrate?  The Philadelphia Museum of Art currently has an exhibition on display called Represent: 200 Years of African American Art.  It highlights selections from the museum’s exceptional holdings of African American art and celebrates the publication of a catalogue examining the breadth of these noteworthy collections. From compelling stories to innovative methods, Represent explores the evolving ways in which African American artists have expressed personal, political, and racial identity.

Take a look at some of the pieces on display:

This beautiful charcoal sketch is Martin Luther King, Jr., a 1981 piece by John Woodrow Wilson.  It’s so like a Greek bust, isn’t it?  Quiet and powerful.  The shading is magnificent.

This is the Connor by L.A.M.B.  I love how the ombre on the translucent 5.25-inch wedge echoes the shading in the sketch.  I love the strong lines echo the strength in the sketch.  It’s a power shoe, all right!  Yours for $259 from Heels.com.

This gorgeous color explosion is Present Futures, a 2006 painting by Moe Brooker—who’s a local, by the way!  Known for his lyrical abstract paintings, Brooker employs a palette of bright, electric colors.

The Nala by Steve Madden has the same bright splotches, same free spirit—and a 5.25-inch heel to boot!  (The hidden 1.5-inch platform helps with the walking part.)  So beautiful for spring, right?  Find them at DSW for $60.

I think Henry Ossawa Tanner’s 1898 version of The Annunciation is the most breathtaking version I’ve ever seen.  The quietness and curiosity of Mary.  Her plain room.  The heavenly visitor, which is kind of terrifying in its simplicity.  I adore this.

The Espadrille Sandal by Tory Burch pulls out the stripes from Mary’s room, the simple warm colors, the handmade materials.  It could be on the foot of a woman in an ancient marketplace, but in fact you can get them at Nordstrom for $135.

Represent is on display through April 5.  Go!  Experience!  Enjoy!

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

Back to School

Labor Day is over, and you know what that means: back to school!  I always looked forward to the first day of school (nerd alert!): new subjects to learn, a new lunchbox, a new outfit, the traditional first-day-of-school photo on the front lawn with my brother.  When this time of year rolls around, I still feel the urge to buy a new outfit.  How about a new pair of shoes, in the school colors of some of the area’s colleges?

Perhaps the red and white of Chestnut Hill College:

The Cerise Wedge by Envy is so summery!  (What?  It still feels like summer out there.)  Red and white stripes at the toe, toebed, and heel; red lacing around the ankle and at the toe.  It also has a three-inch braided rope wedge and one-inch cork platform, and is available in gray or navy if the red isn’t to your liking.  Find them at DSW for $50.

Or the yellow and white of Bryn Mawr:

The Benz by FLY London is so interesting and classy.  A buckle around the ankle and one around the foot as well; white looping details and a yellow upper.  A peep toe and heel (maybe three inches?  three and a half?) complete the look.  Also available in brown/brown and black/brown; your choice from Endless for $173.

Maybe you’ll be found in the scarlet and black of Haverford College:

The Savana by Qupid is a striking little flat—a red (or blue, or yellow) suede upper, and black heel covered in studs.  I like the swoopiness where the two parts meet!  Find them at DSW for $30.

Perhaps the blue and gold of Widener:

The Angelic by Restricted is a beautiful little flat—a yellow fabric upper with blue trim around the foot and across the round toe, under a light blue fabric rose.  Also available in black/neutral, pink/black polka dots, and natural, but I just love the yellow and blue!  Find them at Endless for between $22 and $55 (but the yellow will run you $32).

Or the garnet and gray of Swarthmore:

The Harlie II by L.A.M.B. are just so cool!  It has a grey snakeskin upper with touches of red at the inside of the toe, and a red heel too—4.5 inches!  (There’s a quarter-inch platform too.)  So sleek.  Also available in black snake with shiny silver, black with silver polka dots and black, and neutral snakeskin with shiny silver—all equally lovely.  Yours for $265 on Zappos.

Whatever your affiliation, it’s a good time of year to start anew.  Grab a new pair and bring back the best part of the first day of school!