Hop to It!

I can’t understand why people don’t like frogs.  I think frogs are adorable, with their tiny webbed feet and sweet little faces.  And their bright colors!  Frogs are beautiful.

Adventure Aquarium thinks so too, and have brought in 20 special guests for their new exhibit Frogs: Nature’s Messenger.  Frogs like the yellow banded poison dart frog:

Aww, look at him.  This frog has one of the loudest calls among poison dart frogs; their call can be heard from some distance and is described as an innocent-sounding, bird-like trill. It is the only poison frog known to aestivate, which means it will go dormant during the dry season.

The Pisces has the yellow and black of the frog on the four-inch heel and round toe, respectively.  (They say it’s an almond toe, but it looks round to me.)  The upper is faux suede, and it has an ankle strap with little silver buckle to finish off the look.  Yours for $56 from ASOS.

This little guy is the strawberry poison dart frog:

This species can be found primarily in Central America – and mostly in humid lowlands or forests, as well as in spansive, undisturbed areas like plantations.  It is known for its wide range of color morphs with up to 30 different variations.

The Lipstick Red/Royal Blue Patent Leather Ballerinas by Sergio Rossi are pretty much just what the name says!  I am sort of mesmerized by the shiny blue cap toes… I keep getting lost in their shininess.  They’re 100% leather, and are half off at Stylebop!  Now $272.

This is the dyeing poison dart frog:

This is one of the largest species of the dart frog family, capable of reaching average lengths of 2 inches.  It gets its name from a legend that members of various tribes in the Guianas of South America would rub the toxin from this frog onto the skin of young parrots, magically changing their green feathers to yellow or red.

The Bonnnie by Betsy Johnson (and no, that’s not a misspelling—three Ns in the name) is a beautiful blue peep-toe pump, with touches of the black polka dots that also adorn the dyeing poison dart frog.  (The netting on the toe is nice, but on the 4.25-inch heel—now that’s special.)  And see that pink shadow, under the toe?  Yeah, the sole is bright pink.  Pink-splosion!  Find them at Heels.com for $110.

So have I won you over to frogs?  Even if I haven’t, go to the aquarium and check them out!  Maybe they’ll win you over themselves.

Down to Earth

If very high heels make you nervous, rejoice!  Low heels are all the rage this fall.  They may look a little odd after years of five-inchers, but the new lows aren’t dowdy at all.  Even the big-name designers are getting in on this trend, so you know it’s legit.  Take a look at these by Dolce & Gabbana:

The Fabric Slingback is just two inches high, and is covered in a lovely fabric printed with images of Sicily!  There are even lemons on the insole…darling.  It makes me want to sip limoncello on a balcony somewhere.  If you agree, they can be yours for $850 from DSW.

Or these, by Sergio Rossi:

The A49590 is a spicy little shoe that comes in at 2.75 inches.  (So spicy that the color is called paprika!)  The hammered gold medal around the heel and up the back is so glamorous, and the cutouts at the sides of the vamps sexy it up a bit.  Only available in sizes 6, 7, 9.5, and 10, but because so few sizes are left they’re half off!  Find them at Zappos for $340.

Or these, by Jimmy Choo:

The Anvil Crystal is 2.5 inches tall and is glowing with its own awesomeness.  The heel is a soft gold; the toe is capped with glittering crystals; the vamp is made of something they call “luster-touched leather,” but that I call “Ooooh, shiny!”  Bring them home for $850 from Nordstrom.

Or these by Coach:

The Mandy is an itty-bitty 1.5 inches, but it’s so lovely: the port patent leather just glows, the bow is so professional and feminine, and the gold detailing just sets everything off!  Also available in black, but it’s not as nice as the red.  Yours for $198 from Bloomingdales. 

Even the king of the red heel himself, Christian Louboutin:

The Manovra Spiked Lace Red Sole Slingback clocks in at 2.5 inches, with a body of black lace, capped at the toe with black patent leather, and trimmed with rows of tiny black spikes.  Fierce.  Find them at Neiman Marcus for $945.

So it’s not size that matters after all—it’s style!

Happy Shoe Year!

Happy New Year, deputy shoe fairies!  I hope you all are eagerly awaiting a fresh start in 2013.  A new year, a new you… and why not try a new color?  In fact, Pantone recently announced its color of the year, and it’s emerald!  (It should look familiar to you Philly gals… it’s similar to the Eagles’ signature color, midnight green.)  While I am sorry to see Tangerine Tango go (hooray for orange!), I have to say I’m looking forward to a year of emerald.  Put your best foot forward in a pair of these!

The Panther by Miz Mooz almost looks like a mermaid’s tail, doesn’t it, the way it’s scalloped?  It has a cushioned leather insole, just over a quarter-inch heel, and is also available in red, orange, fuchsia, a beigey color they call cognac, blue, and black… your choice for $100 from Zappos.

Thinking ahead for spring!  The Knott Open Toe Cork Wedge by Unze is, well, an open toe cork wedge, with a knot detail over the peep toe, slingback, and about a three-inch wedge.  Also available in an equally lovely navy or coral; find them at Amazon (whole sizes only) for $30.

I love the sort of unexpected silhouette of the Jami by London Rebel: it looks like a regular pump, except for the chunky, curving 3.25-inch heel.  Oh, and you can’t see, but on the back there is a black stripe up the heel, holding five ribbon folds in place with silver studs.  Very cool!  Also available in black with pink up the back; get them from DSW for $50.

And the emerald pièce de resistance:

The A09270MAFM39 4664 by Sergio Rossi is so gorgeous that I think I’m actually salivating.  They’re like bejeweled emerald cages for your feet!  They have a suede upper with delicate curved cutouts studded with Swarovski crystals, a skinny four-inch heel, quarter-inch platform, and… oh, there I go, salivating again!  You may have to trade in some actual emeralds to buy them, though—they’ll run you $1,670 at Zappos Couture. 

I hope you’re inspired by the new color of 2013.  I think we’re in for a glamorous year!

Visions of Arcadia

This is your last week to see the current special exhibition at the art museum—Visions of Arcadia.  It’s a collection of paintings embodying the idea of “Arcadia,” a mystical earthly paradise of contentment and harmony.  (Sounds nice, right?  If only.)  Here are the three masterpieces being showcased in the exhibit, and some shoes inspired by them!

The first is Paul Gauguin’s Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?

All the tropical beauty Gauguin is known for, paired with imagery symbolizing the journey through life.  (This one's really cool; Google it to see it larger.  You won't regret the 10 seconds!)

  

I love these!  The Patent Leather Color Block Sandal by Sergio Rossi pulls in both the yellow and the blue of Gauguin’s painting, and in an unexpected way.  It’s mostly blue patent leather (on the 4.5-inch heel and 1.5-inch platform—yowza!), but it has intricate yellow detailing on the toe—much like the twists and turns of life, eh?  They will set you back $300, but hey, they’re on sale from $800!  You’re in luck if you’re a 6; find them at DSW.

The second piece is Matisse’s Bathers by a River:

It took Matisse eight years to finish this giant masterpiece, and he himself described it as one of his most pivotal works.

I like how the blocky shape of the Haven’t Got a Worry by Seychelles mimics the cubism of Matisse’s figures, plus the lime green color matches the blades of grass!  It’s on a five-inch stacked heel and 1.75-inch platform, and it’s also available in black, gray, or a really lovely caramel brown if you’re not into the green.  Find them on Endless for $55.

And the final piece?  The PMA’s own The Large Bathers, by Cézanne:

Cézanne wanted to craft a piece that was timeless.  I’m sure he’d be pleased.

The Popculture by Enzo Angiolini is a classic seen in a new way, just like Cézanne’s painting.  This blue suede pointed toe pump has a four-inch heel and zipper features around the toe and heel.  Also available in black leather or a really cool purple suede; your choice for $110 from Macy’s.

The exhibit runs through Monday, so hurry on over!  Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students.  What a classy way to spend your Labor Day weekend!

Philly Fashion Week

It’s the event of the Philadelphia fashion year: the Philadelphia Collection is back! Thirteen days of trunk shows, makeup consultations, workshops on the business of fashion... even fashion-inspired cocktails at restaurants around the city. Not to mention today is the first day of Philly Fashion Week! It’s a Philly phashionista’s dream. And on the Philadelphia Collection homepage? Shoes! Lots of shoes! Here they are:

 
The Boston by Sergio Rossi are bronze glitter peep toes with a five-inch heel and 1.5-inch platform. These are seriously beautiful shoes. Also available in black; pick up a pair at Nordstrom for $715.

 
SO CUTE! The Talking Pump by Melissa have a 3.5-inch heel and a rubber upper and sole. You can also get them in all red or all black from Endless for $130, or in person at Arcadia Boutique.

 
The Madison2 Wedge by farylrobin has a leather upper and sole, 4.5-inch wedge, one-inch platform, and a zipper on the inside ankle to help you get them on. Also available in black or brown; find them at Endless for $180-$200 (or in person at Bus Stop Boutique).

 
The Cachet by Sergio Rossi are lizard print peep toe slingbacks in an awesome shade of metallic red. (Okay, the ones on the site aren’t slingbacks, you caught me. But I thought the color was more important than what kind of back it had.) They have a 4.5-inch heel with a 1.5-inch platform—order a half size up, as they run small! Find them at Nordstrom for $715.

 
The Leather Wooden Platform Boots by Chloé are so perfect for fall: black leather, a serrated cap toe, multicolor knitted wool on the inside. Not to mention a five-inch heel and a 1.5-inch platform! They can be yours for $995 from Joan Shepp.

Both Philly Fashion Week and the Philadelphia Collection run through Saturday. Get a move on!