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.

Vacation window shopping

I've been out-of-town the last two weekends, so I'm still crashing from the tiredness and overactivity, but I did manage to make a stop into Saks in Columbus. I had promised my fella that I would be good and only spend 20 minutes (yeahrite) in the store looking at shoes, so I made it short and sweet only trying on a few pairs I really loved.

As always, I tried to be discreet with the shoe picture-taking, hence the low-quality cell pics. Owell!

First up is a pair of booties I am dying over. I find the ankle cutout very unique and extremely sexy. The salesman who waited on me in the store called them "cute", which I found kind of funny. I'm still pretty shoe-banned, but even if I weren't I would be a little hesitant to buy a pair of booties with such a thin heel. But if money grew on trees....

Christian Louboutin Lisse Bootie in Black Nappa

Fit on these was true-to-size. My feet were quite swollen from walking around all weekend, so the 37 felt a bit tight, but would be perfect sans swollen feet. They were a bit tricky to get on, but felt wonderful after I zipped them up. As I stated above, the heel made me quite nervous. Definitely not "city walking" shoes.

No collection has stunned me more than Prada this season. Lots of luxe suede and vintage throwbacks made me want to gobble up everything. The pictures don't do the shoes justice, but here they are anyhow.

Prada Suede and Calf-hair lace-up Wedges

Prada Suede Slingbacks

Fit on both pairs felt true-to-size. I am wearing the 36 in the slings, and the 36.5 would have been best (my usual open-toe size), and in the wedges I am wearing a 38, while a 37 would have been perfect. Both were uber-comfortable and chic.

All of the above shoes can be found online at Saks, Neiman's, Bergdorf, etc, but I wholeheartedly recommend the wonderful sales associate that waited on me at the Columbus Saks: David. He was polite, not pushy and very knowledgeable.

The shoes I am wearing in the picture are Louboutin "She's Back". They have become one of my favorite, most-worn pairs of shoes. They got me through the last two weekends, and even a makeshift stint volunteer waitressing for charity.

I don't know if I ever blogged about these, I bought awhile back -- as you can tell from the picture, it was still snowing, but they are fabulous! So fabulous a random father shopping with his family stopped to compliment me on my shoes!

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.

Variation on a theme

Once upon a time, Prada did a beautiful shoe collection with sculptural flower heels. I fell in love with the collection, and sought out the shoes. And then I found a dress to match perfectly. You may have read about such wondrous finds when I blogged about it here.

Well, I complained the dress was a bit too snug (it is, even with a corset), and I just happened to be glancing at the Outnet's 80% off flash pop-up sale, when what should appear, in my size but this dress?! It's in another color, and I'm not sure if I will dye it black or not (because in effort of balance and budgets I will sell the smaller one), but I am over the moon at this dress that fits me much more modestly. (and definitely happy I'm not going to rip a seam wearing it)

But wait! What else did I happen to come across but the very Prada shoes I wanted, in a color I didn't know existed. I feel greedy and gluttonous having two pairs of the same hard to find shoes, but I guess selfishness is just a quality I've come to accept in myself. I haven't decided 100% on keeping them, as they are a size bigger than I wear, but I will try padding them and seeing how it goes.




Fit is the same as mentioned in the previous post, but to reiterate - the dress in white is actually two sizes bigger than the black one, and the size in between the two would have been better, but I think this looks better just slightly big than sausaged on me like the other. The shoes are a whole size bigger than the pair in black, but I am hopeful I can pad them to perfection.

Not quite

With "second cut" in full force at most department stores, the shoes are quite steeply discounted... but also just as picked over. In my recent outing, I tried on a few pair of shoes that were cute, but not cute enough.

First up, Ann Demeulemeester "Open-front Buckled Sandal boots" (this is what Saks calls them, anyhow). I've never tried anything from this brand. Generally, I find the look a little too utilitarian for my aesthetic (which could maybe be described as "whimsically tacky" or perhaps "sweetly gaudy").

Off the foot, I really liked the look of these shoes. I don't have anything like them, and they definitely have that "I will cut you" look to them that I tend to enjoy. I like how they look on the side angle, but looking at them head on... well, I thought they rather looked like those boots you wear when you break your foot (not that I ever have, I'm very precarious in heels).

Ann Demeulemeester Wedge Boot S/S 2010

They seem very comfortable, and the fit is true-to-size (these are a 37), but in the end they just weren't "me". (Saks has several sizes available on the site, at 60% off, though)

Next, we have Prada bow pumps. These are classic and practical. You can see how that would influence my not-buying-them. They are lovely in person, and Saks had them marked quite low, but somehow I feel like if I am shelling out money, the shoes better be as ostentatious (read: gaudy) as the price.

Prada bow Mid-heel pump, S/S 2010

Fit is slightly large. These are a 36.5, and they are still a bit big on me, but Prada typically runs large for me anyhow. Comfort is extraordinary. (shoes in background are Devotte "Leeloo", a favorite summer staple my dear friend Cecilia tipped me off on)

Side note: pics are blurry as I only had my cell with me.

Foot Petals

I think I've said on here that I have pretty narrow feet and heels. My toe box isn't narrow enough to require buying narrow shoes specifically, but I always have trouble with my heels. I decided finally, if I'm going to bother to spend the money on nice shoes, I should actually go to the trouble to make sure they fit perfectly.

I've heard a lot about foot petals, but they seemed kind of expensive, and I was dubious they were better than anything I could (lazily) pick up at Target. I was alerted to a sale on the company's website, and the discount was enough to push me into ordering (about 50%, plus a 20% coupon found on retailmenot).

I decided to go with Strappy Strips and Tip Toes. I had really high hopes for Strappy Strips. They are small, and undetectable in shoes -- perfect size and shape for slingbacks. I actually don't have many pairs of slingback shoes, due to the narrow heel problem, but I had also hear (via The Purse Forum) that they help in pumps just as well.

I tried them out in these shoes I bought off eBay. These kitschy shoes were an incredible steal ($20!), from a first-time seller. They were definitely 'well-worn' but not enough to dissuade me from spraying a little lysol and enjoying the life left in them.


You can kind of see from the picture that they are not flat, but rounded. It helps it adhere to the heel better to stay on your foot. While I wasn't amazingly impressed with these -- I wore these shoes out to a museum today and the strap did stay on the back. They slid down slightly through all my walking, but never did they fall down completely. Definitely an improvement from previously trying to keep these shoes on with moleskin.

Prada Calf Sea Cuoio Verde

Next, were the Tip Toes. I put these in a pair of sandals that every summer I look at and think "those make me want to stab my feet, I should sell them". It hasn't happened, obviously, but I figured as a last ditch effort, I would put ball of foot pads in to try and salvage them. I didn't walk a ton since putting these in (less than a half mile, to be sure), but they feel 1000% better. Before I was barely able to stand in them without hating life. The Tip Toes are nearly invisible (since these are sandals, with my placement of them you can kind of see), but the patterns available are cute enough I don't see it as a big deal if they are seen.

I did try these inside heels as well, to see if they really prevented my foot being "pushed forward" as advertised, and I didn't really see the benefit other than making shoes that are too big fit more snugly. I will have to report back how they work with stockings.

All in all, I'd buy again but only on sale.

Dolce Vita "Woody-4" in Chocolate

Fit on the Pradas is slightly large, as I find with most Prada shoes. These are a 36.5, and I could have worn a 36 to avoid the heel issues altogether (with mild to overhang, which doesn't bother me).

Fit on the Dolce Vitas is true-to-size. I am typically a 6.5 in open-toe, and these are a 7. The adjustable straps make them perfect, though.

I have great friends

I had a grueling 15-hour trip to New York this past weekend, where I was going to visit friends and attend a convention for hairdressers. I took the bus. I know what you are thinking: why is this girl who spends hundreds on shoes taking the bus? Well, it's normally pretty convenient, cheap (more $$ for shoes!), quick and has overnight rides unlike the train (only one departure to NYC during the daytime from Pittsburgh). Oh, and I don't fly (maybe someday).

Despite the ridiculous ride there, I had an incredible time with friends and came home with two amazing items. The first, not shoes at all! It's true, sometimes I like clothing too. I've been wanting this dress for awhile, but the ones on eBay were more than I wanted to spend on a cotton dress. Lo and behold the treasure trove that is Century21 brought me racks and racks of gorgeous clothing at steeply discounted prices.

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Atlantic Sunday Dress in black

Fit is small. This is a IT 42, which roughly translates to a US 8, and as you can see from the picture, I definitely will need to wear "support undergarments" with it.

The second item I came home with has been a holy grail since I saw them in person at a local store (but in a mule version, which I cannot wear). I came across them on eBay, but I couldn't decide if I needed or wanted them as bad as I thought, and was unsure of the sizing. My wonderful friend Cecilia, who not only graciously let me stay in her home for my trip, made this shoe miracle possible. Being my shoe-size twin, and knowing I've been pining after these, she agreed to sell them to me. I couldn't be luckier (both for the friend and shoes). They are a bit tricky to walk in, but they are incredibly special.

Prada Satin and Enamel Heel, S/S 2008

Fit on these is true-to-size. I could have possibly sized-down to a 36.5 as the heel slips slightly, but then I would probably have "overhang". I am relegating these to special occasion-only status, only because I do worry the thin heel may snap. I cannot wait to wear them.

Oh, and my ride back to Pittsburgh? Even more interesting. A man (if you can call him that) spit on a lady, who then decked him (rightfully so). We pulled over to wait for the cops, only to have the bus start smoking once we were on the highway. Yeah.