More tights! More tights!

I made an amazing discovery the other day - Trasparenze stockings at TJ Maxx. I couldn't believe my eyes because I can't even seem to find this brand in the US (at least around here) at regular price and to see them steeply discounted makes me beyond giddy. Now I'm on the hunt to seek out more.

Check your local TJX and Marshall's, folks! As a side note, it was also posted on tPF that CLs were found at TJX, so an even better reason to run there.

Trasparenze "Erline" tights, shown with Nine West T-strap heels

Fit on these tights is small. I usually lean towards a 3 in Trasparenze, and these are a 4 that are quite snug on me. Unfortunately, I don't think they make larger than a 4 so I'm SOL (and my chances of finding them at discount if they DID make that size is questionable).

PS: Don't forget Saks friends & family is still going on. Perfect chance for you (and me) to pick up those Wolford Bondage tights.

The color purple

I'm wearing purple today, are you?

It seemed fitting as I got these shoes recently, to post them today. I am in no way trying to show my vapid consumerism as a sign of solidarity, but the color is in theme -- in spirit. (Incidentally, it is cold as hell outside and I am not wearing these shoes, but instead purple thermal leggings and a black dress)

When Terry de Havilland 'came back' with a line of chic platforms, I noticed them on Shopbop. Amazing, beautiful. Kind of terrifying, actually. I remember still toddling around in kitten heels at the time and pretty much frightened by the toweringness of these shoes.

Years later, I decided I needed them in my life. Per usual, I decided to stalk eBay until a pair came up to my liking and size(ish). This brings us to the beautiful Margot style in purple suede and python. They're crazy, and still kind of intimidating to wear, but I can't wait til spring to break these beauties out. (After I get the strap shortened by my cobbler -- they're a bit big on my ankles) The color is closer to that of the second picture.

The suede is really interesting on these. From some angles, it almost looks like satin, but it's a really cool metallic suede that is the softest ever. These are not for wallflowers, and I welcome that.

Terry de Havilland Margot Wedges, circa 2004?

Fit on these is slightly small. These are a 38, and I think a 37.5 would have been perfect (and I could have worked a 37 with mild toe overhang). Comfort seems great thanks to the massive platform.

Shine on you crazy diamond, pt. 2

Remember those green glittered shoes? These? I ended up returning them (and sold the other shoes I bought that day. It was fail all around). I just couldn't make the sizing work, and for St. Patrick's Day-esque shoes, I wasn't really willing to make it work.

I really wanted something in green glitter though, so I decided I was going to try to make them myself with a pair of shoes I got on clearance at Target awhile ago. Armed with some really good tips from the D.I.Y. thread in the Louboutin subforum of the Purse forum, I stopped by JoAnn Fabrics and picked up some green glitter and tacky glue. Then to a hardware store for some tape to tape off the parts I didn't want to get glitter on.

I taped off the bottom and inside of the shoes in preparation, like many had recommended before starting.


First I used tacky glue that I applied with a spatula. It was really time consuming and kind of messy. I ended up going out and getting tacky glue that had a built in brush attached to it. This was so much quicker and easier, not to mention way less waste/mess.

All said and done, it took maybe an hour for both (probably 45 minutes for the first shoe, and 15 for the second which I completed maybe a month later after I unlazied enough to finish them).

Lessons learned? I didn't tape off the second shoe. For dyeing shoes, I think it's totally appropriate and necessary, but for glue and glitter I realized I didn't need to -- the glitter got everywhere anyhow. If I decide to do another pair of glittered shoes, I would definitely get a mix of fine AND chunky glitter. I think it would lay better and have a better textured look. This looks a little clumpy to me.

The ladies in the D.I.Y. thread swear by Gem Tac, but I couldn't find it in-store. Perhaps next time, as I hear it's really nice and easy to work with. I did like the Aleene's tacky glue with the brush, though.

These shoes aren't nearly as fabulous as the originals, but I had fun doing them and I saved an embarrassing amount of money by doing them myself. Next up in D.I.Y.? Probably dyeing a nude pair of shoes black to make them more everyday. When I get brave enough, I want to work with crystals.

Something's fishy

Lately I've totally been into mesh, netting, sheer... shoes. I've already got the market cornered on the stockings front in those genres, but the idea of having a peekaboo shoe is pretty sexy to me.

This isn't a new idea, to be sure. I have some vintage pumps that allude to this version of sexy, and that's exactly what it is -- an allusion, a peek. Like a blouse with a sheer panel, understated and cool.

I troved the internet to see more of what I'm craving right now and found these shoes.

From ModCloth, "A Night's Tale Heel". They do that annoying Anthropologie thing where they don't tell you who makes it so you can buy it somewhere else. I like the silver and black combined. The open toe and back makes them perfect to me for nights out.



Lori's Shoes (a really great shoe store and website, with good customer service in my experience) has the Jeffrey Campbell "Clara" bootie. I'm not always a fan of peep-toe booties, but I think these pull it off well.

On the more subdued side is Kate Spade's "Karlisle" pump. I think these work on all occasions, and definitely give the bang for your buck. Not too sexy to be worn at the office, but fancy enough for a dinner out.



Manolo Blahnik does a lovely mesh pump that was very near to what I was looking for, until I found it exactly.


And me? I've been wearing these non-stop since I tracked them down. I don't usually love pointy toe, but I find these subtle enough to placate me.

Christian Louboutin Haute et Nue Mesh Pigalle 100mm in Black Leather

Fit on these is slightly big. These are a 37.5, and I probably needed a 36.5. I have them padded with heel pads and two insoles to make them fit, and they are still a touch big. I had a hard enough time finding my size though, that I make it work. Because they have no structure, they are really comfortable.

If you wanna be my shoe twin, I find these pop up on eBay from time to time. There is a petrol pair currently up now from Jordan Price (!!!). Note they are 120mm which runs a half to full size large.

No matter what the weather

Times must be pretty bad when someone resorts to stealing coupons, right? If you're curious, I'll tell you more, but for now I will say that I can't imagine the gall of people sometimes.

Onto happier thoughts, an order from mytights finally arrived just in time for colder weather. All last winter I had debated ordering the fleece-lined thigh highs from the brand Plush (available at Shopbop), but I was worried they wouldn't stay up well so I never did.

This time around, I found a pair from Trasparenze. They are wool, not fleece, but seem to be very warm and cozy (if a bit itchy) so far. The band at the top stays up very nicely and does not dig in on my legs at all. I love the idea of these, because yes I want warmth, but don't love wearing full-fashioned nylons as much, so these are a perfect compromise.

They look great in person and are semi-sheer. They don't have a "nubby wool" look to them, so if you are hoping for something more substantial, these aren't for you. I find the quality of these to be really nice, especially for the price (which I think is reasonable for well-made stockings).

Trasparenze Jennifer Wool Hold ups, shown with Forever 21 Studded pumps

Fit on the hold ups seems slightly small. I anticipated these running a bit smaller as they are wool, and ordered the size 3/4 even though I fall in the 1/2 range. I probably could have gotten away with the smaller size, but these stay up well and I'd rather have the knowledge that if they shrink a little when I (hand) wash them it'll be okay. They come in charcoal as well and are available at Mytights.

Goodbye summer, hello fall

Still on the hunt for perfect flat black boots, but I spied these at Saks and thought they were fantastic. Maybe when friends and family rolls around.

I love the zipper detailing -- which starts at the back of the boot, and the ability to wear these boots zipped up all the way or snapped down. I wish the toe box was a bit rounder, but they are still pretty perfect.

Belle by Sigerson Morrison Ziparound Tall Boots in Black Leather

Fit on the boots is true to size, these are the 37. The comfort seems pretty decent, but the leather isn't as soft as I'd like. I guess that is par for the course in boots, to keep them sturdy enough to last.

I think it's fitting as I welcome colder weather, I say one last goodbye to warm summer sandals. These blingtastic sandals were and amazing eBay score. 95% off retail. Seriously. I feel very lucky to have found them, even though I'm sure they are incredibly over-the-top. They don't go with everything, but I wear them like that anyhow.

Christian Louboutin Adona Sandals in Silver/Gold Specchio

Fit on the sandals is true to size to slightly large. These are a 36, and I have very mild toe overhang.

Note: the sandals look fantastic because I took the picture with my film camera, not my cheap digi cam. I was finishing off a roll, I don't usually use film to document my shoes. Still looking for a nice digi cam.

Travel Shopping

I was in Columbus this weekend and per usual in my travels, I checked out the local shopping. Or rather, chain shopping but in a different locale. I'm bland and boring like that.

I was super excited especially to see the finds at The Runway at TJ Maxx, and I wasn't disappointed. How come my TJ Maxx doesn't look like this?! Run to your local Runway section if you have one. The prices aren't quite as good as say Nordstrom Rack, but they were decent enough on older finds that might be difficult to unearth other than on eBay.

Just some fun pictures. I was good to my bank account and didn't buy anything. They had lots of cool shoes available, but my favorites were these three. My favoritest was the Sergio Rossi pair. My shopping buddy called them "tacky", but I call them brilliant!

Sergio Rossi Yvette Fringed Sandals

Fit on these sandals seems pretty true to size. These are a 36.5, and while I may have preferred the 37 for length, the ankle wrap would have been too big in a 37.

Yves Saint Laurent Suede Sandals

I'm finding YSL seems to run small. These are the 36 and my foot was loafed into this pair. I think I would have needed a 37, could have gotten away with a 37.5 because of the strap.

Christian Dior Patent Leather Booties

Fit on these seemed true to size. The only size available was the 8, and I thought 'what the hell, I'll try em anyhow', and of course they were too big.

The local Saks at Polaris Fashion Place was fantastic as well. I adored all the eye candy but somehow maintained my willpower not to buy (or rather, they didn't have my size in what I loved).