Studly

My fella suggested going to the mall because he had a gift card and needed to replace his tea kettle, so off we went to Posh Park Mall and into Nordstrom... for you know, a cursory glance at shoes.

Pittsburgh is losing it's Saks, and while their shoe department was horrible, I'm terribly saddened by this loss. It looks like Nordstrom and a few other small shops will be the only game in town for pretty shoes.

I digress. Onward pretty! I'm in love with studs always, and thought these Valentino shoes were perfect.

Valentino Rockstud Open Toen in Red shown with Asos two-toned tights

Valentino Lace Mena Wedge and Rockstud

Fit on the Rockstuds was true to size for me. I found them perfect in a 36.5 with very mild heel slippage (which may or may not have been caused by my stockings). I have to say for 140mm they seemed very comfortable. The toe box wasn't narrow at all for me, and I could see wearing them without being uncomfortable for a few hours. Available at Saks.

I did not get to try on the Lace Menas because they didn't have my size, but they were super cute and I think would be wonderful with summer dresses.

While checking out the studs, I also saw a super cute pair of Sam Edelman heels. The crossbreeding of different styles of shoes was maybe a bit much for me, but if they weren't peep toe (and exorbitantly priced for what they are), it would have been love.

I really liked the narrow metal heel, though, and will try to make it my goal in the future to track down something similar.

Sam Edelman Scarlett in Black and Gold

Fit on these seemed true to size as well. I tried these on in a 7 and the size felt right. They weren't the most comfy to walk in, because of the steep pitch and narrow heel, but would be great for a car to door night on the town. Available at Nordstrom.

Think pink

I've been trying to be better about more regular haircuts, and having finally found a hairstylist I really find amazing for the first time in a good many years, I actually decided to stick with it (Shane at Ross Park Philip Pelusi). While I was there, I talked about how excited I am to be working at a job that doesn't care if I have pink or blue hair, and he mentioned that they were doing pink extensions for breast cancer awareness/fundraising. I decided to get one. I think it looks awesome.

While at the mall, I tried on a few pair of fall shoes and really liked these.

Joan and David Jora pump in Violet Suede

Fit was true-to-size to slightly large. These are the 6.5, but a 6 would have fit with some stretching. The length was okay, but I did have a bit of heel slippage. Comfort was "okay". The pitch is a bit more severe even though the height is only 4", but they would be okay for a couple hours on my feet. They are also available in black, orange and red at Nordstrom.

Also really into the brightly hued versions of these patent leather and suede pumps from Enzo Angiolini.

Enzo Angiolini Castalia in Dark Blue Suede

Fit on these is slightly large to size. I tried on the 6 and they crunched my toes slightly, but with some stretching would have been great.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Yep, that time of year again. I hadn't had a chance to stop by the infamous Anniversary Sale until this weekend, but lots of great shoes up for grabs. Of course, instead of the sale shoes, I was instantly drawn to the ones that *weren't* on sale, but that's okay.

Of the two sale shoes I liked best online, I was disappointed by the "Peyton" shoe from Sam Edelman. I've really been wanting a wool heel to wear with dresses this fall/winter to replace a pair I have that's too big, but I found these just a little bit too pointy. The material and execution of these shoes were great otherwise if you are into a pointy toe.

Sam Edelman Peyton in Grey Wool

Fit on these is true-to-size (I am wearing the 7.5 in the picture and they are a bit big), and the comfort seemed very decent for the height. They are available in Grey as pictured and black patent here.

Next up is Enzo Angiolini "Mistle". The colorways available for this shoe are what really makes it, beyond the lovely corset/bow detailing in the back. I loved the purple best, but tried on the black because it was on display in my size. The taupe patent is really stunning as well.

Enzo Angiolini Mistle in Black Patent

Fit on these is true-to-size, though a bit narrow in the toe box, in my opinion. These are the 6.5 and the length was great. I think they would maybe need broken in a bit for comfort. Other colorways besides those mentioned are grey wool and leopard pony hair. They are available here.

I didn't see them in-store, but I'm also loving Cole Haan's "Air Violet" boot with lace-up detailing and a suede inset. I tried on the pump version, but they just didn't have the same cachet as the boot. I'm not sure how much wear I'd get out of suede in these winters, but they sure look gorgeous.

I didn't get to try them on since they weren't in-store, but most Cole Haan shoes run slightly small for me. I would order these in a 7.5 were I inclined to get them. The boots are available in limited sizes here.

More to come on the non-sale shoes later.

Ankle booties FTW

While I was chilling at Nordstrom checking out the Anniversary Sale, I happened upon these ankle booties (or mid-calf booties, really). I liked their sleekness and shape, I didn't like that they weren't included in the sale.

I didn't even know Vera Wang made shoes outside of the line she does for Kohl's! This was the only pair I spied at Nordstrom, but a cursory Googling assures me there is more. (not that I didn't presume that anyhow... but you know what they say about "assuming")

The leather is really soft on the main part of the shoe, and stretches at the shaft of the boot to keep a clean line on the leg. Generally I'm not a fan of stretch boots, but I'm really digging these.

Vera Wang Lavender Fiona Bootie

Fit is huge on these. I am wearing the 36 in the picture, and while I like to size up in boots to allow for socks/tights, 36.5 is still at least a half size smaller than I would wear in boots normally. They seemed relatively comfortable, and are helped by a generous platform.

Unfortunately, these don't seem to be available for purchase on the Nordstrom website That fact alone is making me weepy wondering if these will make it to the sales rack, but then again I do have quirky tastes.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

I was "in the hood" and decided to stop by the local mall. I didn't even realize the Anniversary Sale (AS) was going on. (I rarely shop brick-and-mortar)

The AS is usually pretty cool. They put brand spanking new fall items out at a steep discount (I believe 40%) for two-ish weeks and then as soon as the sale is over, the stock goes back to full-price. I think it's kind of a jump-start for fall, and gives them a boost of sales before any sale season actually starts.

I walked around the shoe department and was pleasantly surprised by the styles on sale. Lots of nice pumps, boots and all kinds of cool shoes. I'm pretty predictable, and being so, I tried on the pumps mostly. Here's what I loved.

Stuart Weitzman's Stiltspump, a gorgeous exposed platform pump, was my favorite of the night. It was classy and sexy, with unbelievable comfort. I'm usually not a fan of a stacked wood heel (painted black or not), but I actually may cave on these because they are something I've been looking for for awhile -- black nappa, decent heel, comfortable, round-toe.

Stuart Weitzman Stiltspump in Black Nappa, Fall 2010

Fit on these is large. I don't own any Stuart Weitzman shoes, but when I've tried them on I've usually found them narrow and small. These are a roomy 6.5, and I possibly could have worn a 6 if need be.

Steve Madden Linderr boot surprised me with how nice they seemed. They were on a table with Frye boots (which were also on sale), and I automatically assumed they were Fryes as well. I sold my Veronicas (I know, but after they stabbed my toes on my New York trip, I gave them the heave ho. They went to BCO's emmmmma) and wanted to find a comparable pair of flat black boots. I liked these a lot, and the comfort seemed decent, but I'm not sure about the ruching around the toe.

Steve Madden Linderr Boot in Black Leather, Fall 2010

Fit is true-to-size on these. I am wearing a 6.5 in the picture, but with socks a 7 would be best.

I had to try on Calvin Klein Scarlet for Sarah, of the Worn In Love blog. The color and shape was very similar to the shoes I was wearing that she has been lusting after (Loeffler Randall Neve, hard to find outside of eBay). The suede is a rich jewel-blue tone and they are gorgeous in person. I'm kind of wondering how hard it would be to find a leather-worker to make a perforated suede "bib" for these shoes to get the same look?

Calvin Klein Scarlet Platform Pump in Royal Blue Suede

Fit on these is very comfortable and (my theme of the night) seems to run a bit large. These are the 7 I tried on, but 6.5 would have been perfect.

I didn't take a picture on my my foot, but I also liked Joan & David's Flipp pump. I love the bright blue one, obviously, but the chocolate color in the back eerily reminded me of the scrumptious CL shade "marron glace".

Joan and David Flipp Pump

I tried these on and also found them to be large. I took the 6.5. Comfort seemed nice (though not as nice as the Weitzmans).

All in all, a really nice selection. I stuck to the pumps, but everywhere in the shoe department had a few items here and there that were cute and nicely priced. Oh, and for the lower-heeled lovers, they had Danskos on sale, too.