Good morning, sunshine!

Nothing like sale shoes to kick start my day. I only wish the selection at Saks had been better. I arrived bright and early around 7:45 am to be greeted by a crowd of maybe 50 people, most of them seemingly set on the shoe department as we raced in when the doors opened.

My first thought was "where are the shoes??" Then I noticed the racks that looked like this:

(size 7-7.5 rack of shoes)

And of course, the sad selection of boots.

I actually really love the Prada maryjane "fakeout" boots, but they were not my size (and really, I wouldn't spend that much on tacky no matter how much I love it).

Prada Bi-Color Suede Boots in Red-Nude FW 2011

I only ended up trying on one pair, a Suede Fringed bootie from Gucci. It wasn't love. I ended up going home with nothing but some much needed thrill from getting to (window-)shop.

These were the 36.5, slightly larger than what I usually take in boots (I find Gucci to run large in general, except for the calf-width of boots). I found the pitch to be a little uncomfortable, even with the platform. Suede is almost never practical in Pittsburgh anyhow. Very cute for a night out, though.

The only shoe that *really* stood out for me was the Jimmy Choo "Begonia". Very classic and understated, and of course, not on sale. I think these will be a sleeper hit for spring. Lower-heeled, but the netting makes them a sexier version of a classic pump. Didn't get a chance to try them on as this was the last pair in store!

Jimmy Choo Mesh and Patent Leather "Begonia" Pump

I've been wearing non-stop a pair of boots I actually got from Target. They were a $10 bargain buy I bought to replace my long-gone Frye Veronicas (which stabbed my feet to no end). They are fabulous and I will chronicle them later this week.

Lots of Choices

Pittsburgh may not be a mecca of fashion, but there are still some great gems around town. I found myself in one of them yesterday during a trip to the East End to get some specialty food items from another store in the area.

Choices has been around for over a decade, and has in my opinion, the most well-curated clothing and shoe selection I've seen in Pittsburgh. The clothing is chic and elegant, very minimalist in style with luxe accessories to match (including gorgeous Bottega Veneta woven clutches).

With pieces from Acne to Givenchy, each item seems to be artfully selected to have a spot in the store. I've long admired the shoe selection, as I can remember them carrying lovely styles I've lusted after over the years (including those Prada flower heels I have -- they carried the mule version), and the clothing is of impeccable taste.


I had the pleasure of talking with the owner Jeff Malkin, and it was really interesting hearing about the store from a retail perspective. I mentioned I was a Louboutin girl, and he talked about his first year with the store, when they weren't sure how much they were going to focus on shoes. When he spoke with the Monsieur at the time, they didn't have the production capabilities to handle the orders they already had taken. Alas, no Louboutin in Pittsburgh.



Too many standout shoes to list, I still wanted to highlight some favorites. Despite the lack of weather-incentive I have for Spring, it's still quite on my mind, so here were my favorite offerings for the season.

A sumptuous black leather wedge sandal from Givenchy. The width of the straps and height of the shoe seemed just perfect. They looked like a great go-to wedge for the Summer.

Givenchy Ankle-wrap Wedge in Black Leather

The Acne snake-embossed wedge sandal was a cool kid's cross-breed of sandal and bootie. I could see these toughening up any outfit.

Acne Wedge Sandal with Snake-embossed Leather heel

And, of course, I'm always drawn in by pretty. These Lanvin bow espadrilles are exactly that.

From L to R: Jimmy Choo Glenys, Bottega Veneta sandal, Lanvin espadrille

These are only a select few of what this amazing store has to offer. The size range varies by brand, but typically from 36-41, with an occasional 35 or 42 depending on brand and style. If you are in the area, and would like to stop in and check them out they are located at 5416 Walnut Street in the Shadyside area of Pittsburgh. Not in the area? Give them a call at (412) 687-7600.

More Choos for you

I'm a shoe snob. Along those lines of snobbery, I've always kind of avoided Jimmy Choos. Not just because they are ridiculously expensive (though apparently less so than Louboutins), but because the styles have seemed a little bit... older, more staid. I haven't seen anything really "groundbreaking" or interesting from Choo, but the classics are pretty.

I was in Columbus this weekend, and as is always the case where I'm somewhere different, I checked out the shoes. My schedule was pretty tight and didn't really allow for time to explore, but I did happen to check out the Saks.

In general, I'm sad to say their selection was kind of underwhelming (though the service was excellent). Not a lot of the spring shoes were in-store, and the sale shoes were pretty meh. I did, however, see the perfect pair of python peep-toes.

I typically have a hard time wearing a thicker platform unless there is an ankle strap -- just because they get too heavy, but these felt perfect. Very lightweight and the platform and heel height were just so, that they didn't feel uncomfortable. I don't know that I could wear these for hours, but they felt wonderful traipsing my 5 ft area in the store.

Jimmy Choo Crown in python

Fit on these is true-to-size, at least true to my open-toe size. I took these in a 36.5 and they were great in length and width. I didn't even have any heel slippage issues that I usually do in higher heels.

I tried on one other pair of Choos, a nude platformed pump. Again, I usually have a difficult time wearing platforms. They are usually so heavy and combined with the fact that I am short and have small feet, they become overwhelming both in feeling and look.

Suffice to say, I was skeptical for no reason, as these also fit perfectly and the shoes themselves didn't feel like I was adding an extra 5 lbs to my outfit. The nude color was a bit too yellow for my skin, but not in a clashing manner.

Jimmy Choo Cosmic in Nude Patent

Fit on these seemed true-to-size. I took my usual 37 in heels, and didn't seem to need heel grips to make them work.

And you know, for fun, of course while I was there I tried on some Louboutins since my local Saks does not carry them. I tried on many of the styles (for fit, so when I track them down on eBay instead I know what size to look for), but only took pictures of one pair.

So here's the Lady Peep sling in glitter. I'm totally gaga over the glitter and gorgeousness of the shoe, but I couldn't walk in them at all. Pretty in a rickshaw!


Fit was small for open-toe for me. I tried on a 36 and I think I would have needed a 37 just because of the narrowness of the toe box.

FYI the polish pictured is something from OPI's halloween collection. I don't remember the name of it, but it is a matte black polish. Personally, I prefer shine. The polish kind of looks like I sharpied my toes :/