Month: December 2010

Two Sides of the Coin

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

I need some opinions here.  I have my company holiday party tomorrow (Saturday) night and I’m trying to decide what to wear.  This is a pretty low-key event – just a cocktail party at a local, nice restaurant with our small group plus spouses.  But since I feel like I never get out of the house, part of me wants to go a bit crazy… at least by North Carolina standards. 

To put it in perspective, I wore fake eyelashes last year and caused quite a stir.  So yeah…

Anyways, I’ve narrowed it down to two options.  One a bit “crazier” and the other an outfit I picked up today that I really like which also happens to be a bit more elegant.  So here are the choices –

Option 1 – Short dress with added crinoline, cardigan and uber-high heels.

The black and white petticoats I bought a long time ago.  The dress is from Forever 21 about a year ago and the cardigan is Twelve by Twelve also from about a year ago.

I hate going sleeveless so I would add the cardigan no matter what, but the fact that it’s chilly means it’s going to be necessary.

I love these fabric rosettes and the rhinestone buttons. Gives is just the right amount of shine.

Now, if it wasn’t winter I’d be totally wearing my Alexander McQueen rose heels.  They are just too smashing.  But, even though bare legs and these peep-toes look great with the short, short skirt, I think I would look ridiculous as it is 20 degrees out.

So I was thinking of these sheer black tights with the thigh bow detail from Cynthia Rowley (bought from Gilt Group – really loving the tights they get on there).
And pairing them up with my Manolo Blahnik Campari black patent mary janes.

So that’s my wacky options. 

Option 2 is a bit more subtle. 

I walked by a New York and Company store today and, which I never do, decided to pop in.  They merchandised well because my eye was caught by this paillette skirt right off the bat. Not surprisingly of course.  I love the muted olive-y green sheen and had to have it.  I wanted to keep it low key but glam so I found a heathered bronze v-neck sweater and, just in case, a taupe cami for layering. It seems a bit loose here but the look is more relaxed and slouchy, contrasting with the fitted gleaming skirt.  I probably wear just a simple necklace and maybe my watch.

To keep the neutral elegance going, I was thinking of my Le Silla Stardust heels. 

They have a beautiful, almost retro shape, handcrafted heel details and a subtle metallic gleam as well.


Of course, the second option would be more comfortable but I kinda want to wear the more silly dress.
What do you think???

Secret Caress

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

I’ve been intrigued by the Boudicca designs ever since their innovative Wode perfume came out a while back.  Now they are looking at sequins an a whole new and rather sensual way.

Their limited (only 6 made) “Science of Sequins” dress from their SS10 “Fragmented Dreams” collection is made to show all of the caresses you receive.  The sequins move to reveal a lighter underside as a hand (maybe yours?  maybe not) travels over the fabric.

As a huge sequins lover, I am smitten by this. Not only for the materials but for the sexiness.  How enticing is it to feel and see your love’s touches, possibly during kisses under the mistletoe…

Science of Sequin dress, $7,000 – Barneys Beverly Hills and the Outfit, Wynn, Las Vegas.

Help a Sister Out

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

We all love a good cause, but dammit, we love jewelry too!  How do you reconcile that.  Well I’ve got just the thing.  Fabulous jewelry designer and blogger, Wendy Brandes is helping (AGAIN) a fellow blogger friend in need.

Wendy is donating proceeds from sales of her Woolf necklace and Swear Rings towards Sister Wolf’s new roof.  Collapsing roofs do not make for a good winter and Sister Wolf needs our help.

I have both the Woolf necklace and the first set of Swear Rings and I can honestly state they are fabulous.  I wear my Woolf necklace ALL THE TIME.  It’s a bit of an obsession really.  And the Swear Rings…well, they’re just perfect for work.  They’ve also garnered attention at several trade shows, including Blog World in Vegas.


So head over to Wendy’s NOW and buy some rings or a necklace either for yourself or for a gift.  Then bask in the fact that you get amazing jewelry and help someone too!

The I don’t do Gift Guides guide to Gift Guides

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

I don’t really get into doing gift guides for the holidays. There is just so much stuff out there, I’d never have the time to pull together (I almost said “curate”, ha!) all the things that I love and think are cool.  Maybe I need to save them up all year long so I can do one. 

But gifts are so personal.  Sure you can recommend a book, or some soap but that isn’t that thrilling, even though those are the types of gifts we like to give.  But I actually love to read the gift guides that other folks have done.  So here is my Guide to Gift Guides when I don’t do Gift Guides. And how do I pick them?  Well, when I want almost everything on their lists!

The entire Design*Sponge site could be a gift guide itself.  Everything they show is great.  But around this time of year they really step it up, from Monogram gift themes to under $25, $50 and $100.  Check out all of their gift guides here.

A huge part of me is my techy, nerdy, gadget-y side.  That’s why I always grab and read my husband’s Wired before he even gets a glimpse.  The stuff in this year’s 100 Perfect Gifts could be my Santa wish list as is.  Love!

Are you looking for the perfect whimsical, slightly goofy and a bit tongue-in-cheek gift.  Yeah, The Shoe Girl has the list for you.  I have a bunch of the items already but I think I really do need everything else.  Maybe even this TMNT snuggie.  Mmmm  hmmm…

And not so much a whole guide but WendyB may have picked my favorite gift suggestion of the year.  A gift for 15th-16th century Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch (don’t know him?  Look him up people!)  This is the kind of stuff I would seriously spend my money on.  It reminds me of my Victorian ostrich egg bowl with silver spoon handle feet.  What?  You don’t have one?

Or, hey, just buy (me!) some WendyB jewelry.
All that said, I do have a few ideas for gifts.  We don’t buy a lot of gifts at Christmas ourselves, because we get stuff all year long.  When we do buy stuff we try to make it a consumable item.  Local food specialties, events, donations.  We don’t really need more stuff. So here are something I would buy as a gift.
1. Local or Favorite Charity

Everyone has something they are passionate about.  It could be a local rescue group, Farm Sanctuary, their town’s library that needs repair or helping women start businesses around the world.  Show you really know the person and that you support their passions.  We all wish we could give more time and money to our favorite groups.  It’s sure to be a hit.
2. Cut out the Ads

We’re all using online tools and we live with things like ads or limits on content. Buy your friend or family member an expansion to make their experiences richer.  Whether it’s a Pro Account on Flicker or an upgrade on Pandora, their going to love that you took it a step beyond just a gift card to iTunes (although, those are still great too!)
3. Local Fun

Last but not least, spending time with your bestie is the best gift of all.  And I’m loving that Groupon is introducing me to all of these cool and fun hidden gems that I didn’t even know about.  From new restaurants to try to zip lines, I’m discovering my own town. See what’s happening and then go have fun.
So there you have it.  Let me know what you get!

Silent and Still

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

We only expected flurries, but around mid-morning we started to get a pretty steady snow fall.  It’s so beautiful in our yard and the songbirds appreciated the seed and water we put out for them every day.

Badger had the right idea and curled up near the radiator.

We didn’t have a lot to do other than a friend’s party so the next day we watched movies and put up our Christmas decorations.  We don’t go too crazy. A wreath, a tree, our stockings and a few other pieces here and there.   But combined with the warm wood of the library, our shiny black living room mantle and some pumpkin spice candles, the rooms seemed warm and cozy.

Then we settled in for a holiday snuggle.

I love the early darkness, the light snowfalls that are still new to this Miami-bred girl, and the snuggly pups and kitties.

What’s your favorite part of winter?

Fashionably Flat

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

Am I losing my focus?  It seems to be all about flats and oxfords around here and not so much with the heels.  But when you see a rainbow of adorable square-toed ballet flats, you can’t help yourself.

This Love ballerina flat design by YSL isn’t new but they are expanding the range of colors and I’m in love (pun intended).  I especially like the sweep heart cut-out on the toe box.

They’ll be hitting stores soon.  I wonder if I can afford every shade???

Love Ballerina Flats – YSL stores – $485

Kickstarting the Clock

Posted on by Shoe Daydreams

I think the Kickstarter idea is a great one.  It’s helping to truly innovate how products are funded and brought to market.  It could be a whole new revolution in the manufacturing industry.  But what I love is getting to learn about and actually help launch a cool new product.

Stacy Lomman’s fashion line launch was one example and now I’m excited for this one too.  Check out the new watch adaptors for the Nano – TikTok and LunaTik.

Created by the same design firm that did the Xbox Kinect, these watchbands are the epitome of cool.  The TikTok is the simple snap-in version.

And LunaTik is the machined surround version. 

What I’m excited about (and obviously so are thousands of others given their overwhelming response to the project) is the combining of two pieces to create a whole new innovation. It’s the Dick Tracy video communicator watch of our dreams!
If you want to support/pre-order your watch, get there before December 16th.