Workplace: In-Between

Casual?  Check.  Business casual?  Check.  But what if your office is more professional than business casual, but less professional than, well, professional?  My office is an example of this.  The men aren’t in polos and khakis, but they’re not in full suits either—usually dress pants, a collared shirt, and a tie.  (Though it should be said that, at least in my office, the ties are frequently covered in dinosaurs or plates of spaghetti.)  The ladies are equivalent: dressier than pants and sweaters, but not in full suits.  (And maybe a fun pin, to answer to the men’s fun ties.)

So!  What to wear… we have to start with a pump, of course.

The Delphine by Michael Kors is oh-so-classic in shape (I love almond toes), feminine with its bow trimmed in silver, and still a little fun with its color.  (Also available in turquoise or black!)  The heel is four inches tall—I know tall shoes give me confidence at work!  Find these at Lord & Taylor for $160.

The Prince by Impo is a little to saucy for a full-on professional workplace, what with the trellising up the front.  However, since it’s still a simple silhouette and in black, it’ll work for your in-between workplace.  Has a four-inch heel and a one-inch platform; yours for $50 from DSW.

(Also, a side note about platforms.  See the platform on this bootie?  That’s as tall as you should go for any workplace; otherwise you can look a little stripper-y.  Which is totally okay if your workplace is a strip joint, but not so okay if it's not.  Hidden platforms are preferable to visible platforms like this one, but if they are visible they should generally be the same color as the vamp.  There are exceptions, of course, but if you’re looking for rules, here’s one.)

As for a flat, I like the Sophie by Romantic Soles.  It's a great mix of professional but fun: the cap toe (but it's shiny!); the pointed-toe body (but it's orange!).  This one had a hidden heel (three-quarters of an inch) and comes in six other color combos if you're not sold on the persimmon.  Your choice for $36 from Zappos.

Last entry on Friday: the professional workplace!

University City Dining Days

Ugh, it’s too hot to cook.  It’s like a hundred degrees out there!  You’re crazy if you think I’m turning on the oven.

But good news for me (or anyone else like me): if you head over to University City between now and Augusts 1, you can help yourself to special, inexpensive menus around the neighborhood as a part of Dining Days!  Almost 30 restaurants are participating, with three-course menus for $15, $25, or $35, depending on where you go.

Let’s say you get $15 together—why not head to Copabanana for crispy buffalo shrimp, chicken with island jerk spices, and key lime pie:

Get some tropical goodness with the Flax—floral print, animal print, everything!  This pointed-toe pump has a 3.5-inch heel and pink and purple flowers, and is on sale at Nine West for $29!  That’s a steal (yet somehow is still twice as much as dinner!).

Or maybe you have $25 in your wallet.  Maybe go to the Gold Standard Café for baba ghanoouj, grilled duck breast with peach sauce, and a dessert from their daily selections:

Gold standard, indeed!  The Sophie by Romantic Soles is a lovely gold-on-gold flat—soft gold faux leather for the vamp, and sparkly gold glitter at the rounded cap toe!  If you’re not digging the gold (get it? ha ha!) seven different color options.  Seven!  Your choice for $36 on Zappos.

Maybe you have $35—if you do, head to Distrito for shrimp ceviche, tacos de carnitas, chicken enchiladas, and flourless chocolate cake:

Olé!  The Lucky Lucy by Iron Fist is like a beautiful watercolor of the Dia de los Muertos, isn’t it?  Just lovely.  It has a sizeable heel, but a hidden platform to help it feel shorter!  Whole sizes only, and runs between $40-$64 depending on the size, but all available at Amazon.

Wherever you decide to go, just turn the oven off and go!  University City is waiting to serve you something delicious!

Sales this weekend:
Bakers: BOGO on all sandals
Call it Spring: Take an extra 30% off all sale items
Lord & Taylor: Take an extra 15% off regular and sale, and an extra 20% off clearance with code SAVINGS
Macy's: 15% off with code SAVE
Nine West: Save 20% on one pair of sandals, 25% off two, and 30% off three

Trend: Cap Toes

They’re everywhere: cap toes!  I love cap toes; they’re professional but unexpected at the same time, and they’re on absolutely everything right now.  Just look at these booties:

How I love them!  The Moxby by Michael Antonio are booties in wine faux leather, with a round cap toe of black patent leather.  They have a three-quarter-inch platform, 4.5-inch heel, and a zipper up the back to let you in.  Also available in black/black patent and nude/nude patent (both lovely in their own ways); your choice for $59 from Shoes.com.

The Shelby by Violet & Red has so many interesting details: the patent cap toe, of course, but also the patent bow at the toe, and the lace fabric of the upper!  Perfect for work, under jeans, just doing errands, going out... is there anything this little flat can’t do?  Find them at DSW for $60.

Don’t you love the green on the Viveca by Mossimo?  It’s such a breath of fresh air.  (Though it comes in a beautiful blue or purple as well!)  They have a four-inch heel and a pointed cap toe of shiny silver patent, and can be yours for $28 from Target.

Glitter!  Shiny!  Love!  The Sophie by Romantic Soles are soft and spectacular at the same time: a patent gold upper, capped at its pointed toe with gold glitter.  It does have a three-quarter-inch heel to lift you just a little, and comes in all silver, black with silver, and a cool brown with tortoise combo as well.  All $59 on Zappos!

Wowza!  The Eryn by Kelsi Dagger is one sexy cap toe.  A black body is trimmed with leopard at the heel and on the ankle strap, and is finished with a lipstick-red cap at the pointed toe.  It balances on a 4.5-inch heel and can be found at Karmaloop for $112.

With so many options, you’re sure to find a cap toe that tickles your fancy!