Philadelphia Science Festival

Happy Science Festival, everyone!  Yes, today starts the Philadelphia Science Festival, two weeks of awesome science everything.  I mean, science is awesome anyway, but have you seen the events planned for this year?  There’s something for everyone.

Like stars?  Tonight is Astronomy Night!  Head to one of twenty-six locations through the city and suburbs (everywhere from Zoar United Methodist Church to the Battleship New Jersey) and peer through telescopes at the stars.

The After My Own Heart by T.U.K. are ablaze with galaxies!  Stars, nebulae, this round-toe pump has them all, in shades of pink, purple, and blue.  The heel is only 2.75 inches tall and very sturdy-looking, so no matter where you’re headed tonight you’ll be good.  Find them at ModCloth for $65 (whole sizes only).

Prefer something a little closer to earth?  Then get up early on Sunday and head to Bartram’s Garden or The Woodlands for a Birding Smackdown.  Which location will come out on top as home to the most kinds of birds?  Help them find out!

The Oniradien by Shellys London has a bunch of different birds on them, though if you find the toucans on the toes of these in one of the parks, I think you automatically win the contest.  I do love this print; with its bright birds on the black textile upper.  Plus the toe is interesting—it has like a plaque set on top.  So many things to look at… so pick up a pair at ASOS for $85 and look at them all you want!

Feeling arty?  Head on over to the museum at the Chemical Heritage Foundation on May 2 to take part in hands-on science activities while mingling with artists and scientists who, in a series of brief talks, discuss the implications of our changing climate.

Klablammie!  There’s a bolt of lightning right across the front of the Star Gazer—and did you know that for every one degree Celsius of long-term warming, there’s a 10% increase in lightning?  SCIENCE!!!  The shoe is faux suede embroidered with metallic thread, and there’s a cone heel of about an inch to finish it off.  Also available in red with gold—your choice for $119 from Irregular Choice.

So pick your poison during the Science Festival—but, er, be careful, just in case you’re actually making poisons or something.

The Philadelphia Science Festival runs through May 3.  See the full list of events here!

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: 15% off all sandals
Bakers: Select shoes: 1 pair for $70, 2 pairs for $120, 3 pairs for $150
Lord & Taylor: 15% off with promo code APRIL
Macy's: Extra 15% off with promo code SPRING
Neiman Marcus: 33% off shoes through tonight only!
Payless: Buy one, get one half off
Saks: 25% off with code FRNFAM

Fall Trend: Plaid

Perhaps the biggest trend this fall is plaid.  Not exactly surprising, given how tied it is to the image of academia and with school starting anew in the fall, but the print is popping up in anything-but-stuffy places!

I love the Flutter by VivienneWestwood.  I love everything about it.  I love the colors in the plaid, I love the curves in the cut of the foot opening and in the leather at the toe, I love the punch detailing.  It has a 4.75-inch heel and a 1.5-inch platform, and can be yours for $485 on Zappos.

The Anarchic Combat Boot by T.U.K. goes the other direction, with a bright red plaid textile on a classic combat boot.  (For a Scottish army?)  The sole is about an inch high all around, and the shaft is just about five inches tall... this is a statement boot if ever I saw one!  Find them at Nordstrom for $78.

The Bluefish Boat Shoe by Sperry Top Sider is so lovely-- mellow by stylish at the same time.  It says, "I'm just kicking back, but I'm far too fabulous to wear just anything on my day off."  The pink leather upper is set off nicely by the jewel tones in the plaid around the back-- emerald and indigo and raspberry and gold.  (...and red and yellow and green and brown and blue.)  Yours for $75 from DSW.

Ooh, sexy!  The Aldenore is school-girl-pinup to the max, with its 5.5 inch heel-- a super skinny heel!  (A 1.75-inch platform helps with the walking.)  Also available in a black/nude lace and a black and white snakeskin, but I'm really digging the plaid.  Your choice for $45 from Call it Spring.

How fun are these?  The Tickle Me Pink by Naughty Monkey is a plaid party!  The upper is a cheery red and blue (so is the pretty rose at the peep toe), and the five-inch heel and 1.25-inch platform are gold glitter!  Aaah, the sparkles!  Also available in a red and black plaid with black sparkles, which is equally as fun, and since they're on sale for $30 from 6pm, why not get a pair of each?

So consider this your plaid primer for the season.  More fall trends to come!

Sales this weekend:

Bakers: 30% off all dress shoes

Bus Stop Boutique: Bus Stop Boutique is part of Philly Mag Shops this Sunday from 12-4 PM at the Crane Arts Building (tickets are $25)

Lord & Taylor: 20% off regular and sale with code SHOP

Macy's: Fall spectacular sale

Payless: Fall fashion sale-- up to 30% off

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!  I know, I know; it’s a cheesy holiday.  But you know what?  I am an unabashed Valentine’s Day lover.  What a wonderful opportunity to tell the people we love that we appreciate them!  (And all the chocolate’s not bad either, amirite?)

Well, even if I can’t win you over to Valentine’s Day, everyone loves red shoes.  So here’s a bunch, each with a little special something in case you’ve got somewhere special to go on Thursday (and even if you don’t)!

  

Sexy!  The Maisonet is a faux suede wedge (5.5 inches of wedge, and 1.75 inches of platform, by the way) whose upper is meticulously cut with diamond shapes and laced up the front.  (You do actually have to use the laces, though; no cheater zipper here!)  Also available in black; find them at Call It Spring for $50.

The Candace Tassel Flat by Christian Siriano is a classic faux leather flat, trimmed with patent leather at its round toe, and topped with gold chain and two little tassels!  Oh, and don’t forget the leopard print on the inside—rrrRRRRow, baby!  Find them for $27 at Payless (and since it’s BOGO, why not get something else half off while you’re there?).

Hello, I’m the Shoe Fairy, and I’m a glitterholic.  The Love Fury is a beautiful pointed toe pump covered tip to heel in red glitter!  (Or black, or a sort of gunmetal, but the red is just too beautiful.)  They have a 4.5-inch heel and a three-quarter-inch platform, and sparkly beauty to spare.  Find them at Nine West on sale for $32!

TOO perfect!  The A8193L Boot by T.U.K. may be simple by traditional cowgirl boot standards, but the impact factor of the black hearts on the red upper cannot be overestimated.  I love the black trim at the calf opening, too—such a nice touch!  They have a one-inch heel, a 13.5-inch shaft, and a 14.5-inch circumference, and can be yours for $72 on Amazon.

Happy Valentine’s Day, deputy shoe fairies!  I heart you all!

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine’s Day!  I love Valentine’s Day: pink and red, hearts, flowers, love... all kinds of love!  Hug your friends, call your parents, kiss your beloved, smile at your classmates or coworkers, give your dog an extra-long belly rub.  Love for all!  Remember to love yourself too, while you’re at it.  You’re awesome!  You should get yourself flowers.  Allow me:

And how!  These beauties are a veritable bouquet of rosies for your toesies.  (Insert groan here.)  But seriously—flowers on the outside, red rhinestones on the inside (and you can see them peeking under the roses at the toe), a 3.5-inch crystal heel.  Who said diamonds were a girl’s best friend?  Pick up these beauties for $180 from Light in the Box.

Too many flowers?  A single red rose is classic:

Classic... and sexy!  The Dreamy by Mojo Moxy is interlaced straps of red suede, a five-inch heel, 1.75-inch platform, and zipper with tie up the back.  Also available in black or purple; find them on Zappos for $110.

What a beautiful wedge!  The Camille by Pleaser has red satin, a solo blossom on the toe... and that’s a four-inch wedge, by the way.  Whole sizes only; yours for $55 from Sears.

Beautiful!  The Vienna by Ros Hommerson is a slingback with a frilly rose on its peep-toe, and its leather-covered footbed is padded so you can dance the night away!  Also available in black or white from Zappos for $110.

Fierce.  This pump by T.U.K. is made of faux leather with fabric wrapped around the toe—and check out that fabric rose edged in leather!  And the polka dot print on the inside!  Love, love, love.  Pick up yours on Amazon for $50.  

Let’s tie up this bouquet with a bow, shall we?  And pink it up!

The My Darling is a pink peep-toe with a big bow wrapped around the toe.  A 4.5-inch heel and about a half-inch platform complete the look.  The best part?  It comes in five other colors!  Burgundy, turquoise, purple, beige, and black... pick your pair for $90 from Bakers.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!