Happy Shoe Year!

It’s officially 2015!  Yay!  Time to try something new, right?  How about Pantone’s new color of the year?

Meet Marsala.  Says Pantone, “Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors.” 

And shoes too!

The Mandy by Coach is a nice kitten heel pump, with a pointed toe adorned with a two-layer folded bow.  Even that’s topped with gold!  There are so many nice details here… not the least of which is the color.  Also available in black, which is a little more pricey than the burgundy, which clocks in at $116 at Loehmann’s.

The Chuck Taylor Classic by Converse is a classic in a new color: it has the white rubber sole, but the canvas vamp is Marsala.  It’s a way to try out something new in a way you already feel comfortable!  Yours for $50 at Amazon.

The Lario by Wanted is a simple round toe ballet flat, though it has two special features: the faux snake vamp, and the Marsala color.  Elastic around the foot helps keep it on and a little gold button adorns the heel, but otherwise we’re talking sweet and simple.  Find them at Shoes.com for $39.

The Zyla by BCBGeneration is a kid suede pointed toe pump in the proper shade of Marsala.  The heel is 3.5 inches tall, and the ankle strap is adorned with square golden studs.  Ladylike with just a wee bit of an edge!  Find them at Overstock for $47.

Hungry for Marsala?  I hope so!  Enjoy 2015’s flavorful color of the year.

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies; I’m still on vacation.  But go out with your new gift cards in hand and see what you can find!

Black and Tan

At choir this week, a few of us were admiring a fellow soprano’s shoes, which were adorable penny loafers in black and brown.  Black and brown! we thought.  They go so well together, yet so many people shy away from mixing the two.  No more, we say!  Long live black and brown together!

Aah… the perfect boot.  The Cazadora by Bandolino has a two-tone leather upper, buckles at the ankle and at the top of the 15-inch shaft, 1.5-inch heel, and lightly cushioned footbed.  Perfect!  Also available in all black, all cognac, and all dark brown, but none has quite the specialness of the two colors together.  Find them at 6pm for $105.

So sweet!  The Carrie Lace Flat by Kelly & Katie is tan satin underneath black lace (sexy!), capped with black at the toe and topped with a bow.  It’s a steal, too, at $40—check them out at DSW.

Sky high!  The Truth or Dare by Madonna Rochella is not for the faint of heart.  That’s a five and a half inch heel and a 1.5-inch platform hiding under the leather upper.  (I love the curving of the brown leather around the back, by the way.  Nice touch.)  Yours for $130 from Zappos.

The Empire Flat by Wanted is the classic black and tan!  Shiny black patent leather is topped with a curving brown bow at the toe and brown trim around the foot opening.  Simple, but not boring!  Find them at Bakers for $40.

Strap-tastic!  The Carolyn by Cole Haas is a sexy, sophisticated black leather bootie criss-crossed by straps of brown leather and gold buckles.  The three-quarter-inch platform is brown too, though the 3.5-inch heel is black.  Find them at Nordstrom for $239 (on sale from $398!).

See?  Neutrals working together!  I love it.

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: 10% off all boots
Bakers: Buy one, get one 25% off
Lord & Taylor: Buy one, get one half off boots; 15% off regular price items and 20% off sale items with code BIG
Payless: Buy one, get one half off