Boxing Day

The day after Christmas seems a time for family, but at 7:30 am, I quickly dressed and headed downtown for Second Cut at Saks. First things first, let me talk about the appalling service at the Saks shoe department in Pittsburgh (putting keywords here so they are hopefully reading). I didn't see anything I loved really in the sale section, so I inquired about another favorite brand of mine that they don't stock regularly, but sometimes keep a pair or two in the back from returns. I asked two sales associates before someone would help me by taking a peek in the back.

I understand every second lost on the sales floor during the frenzy means a possible loss of a sale, but a polite "I don't have time now, but I can check later" would have been helpful. The only sale section that seemed wonderful to me was Chanel. They were only first cut for those (30%), so definitely not enticing me to bite, but some really cute styles (and all my size!).

My favorite find was a velvet lower-heeled shoe, adorned with the signature camellia. Beautiful and a manageable height, these ran surprisingly true-to-size for Chanel. These were the last pair (I believe), a 37, and they fit perfectly.


I really am not a fan of the clog-style shoes, but I couldn't help but try these on for fun. Maybe UNfun, I should say. I know I get annoyed when people ask me "how can you walk in those?!" but I can't imagine people walking gracefully in these. They were uncomfortable, awkward and heavy (to me, anyhow). I admire the chutzpah of clog-wearers, but they most definitely aren't for me in form or function. Sizing seemed to be small. These are a 38 (the only pair there), and the 37.5 would have worked best for me, but the 38 wasn't unbearably large.


I love, love, love the cap-toe maryjane flats. These were so soft, and I had a gift card so it was difficult for me to put them down, but for such a staple, I can't imagine purchasing it in bone. Already in-store I could see some light stains waiting to take form, so I placed them back on the rack after a quick try on. These also ran small. I tried on the 37.5, but I could have worn a 38 comfortably.


All of the above are (or were as of yesterday) available at Saks in Pittsburgh, so it's worth a call to see if they are still there for purchase. Unfortunately, I don't have a Sales Associate to recommend, as everyone seemed pretty inattentive and rude.

Keeping warm

Quite possibly the cutest styling I've seen in awhile, and a way to winterize warm weather shoes. I spied this lovely gal wearing mule slides, with legwarmers pulled over her foot to meet the shoe so she stayed warm even though her heels weren't covered by shoe. Makes me want to be a ballerina.

Adorable.

Legwarmers with Silver Sequined mules from Sugar

Wingtips

I was a little late yesterday meeting friends for coffee, but with good reason. Okay, not a good reason, but I wanted to peruse Urban Outfitters and Forever 21, since I'm so rarely in the South Side.

I didn't really have time to look about Forever 21 (and usually their shoes don't appeal to me so it's a moot point anyhow), but I did look around at Urban and see the cutest pair of spectator heels.

I generally like the shoe selection at Urban, but I've noticed their house brands have taken over more than other brands. Thankfully, the Kimchi & Blue line is really cute. I saw several pairs I liked, but these spectators called to me the most.

A beautiful creamy white and soft black together, in the smoothest leather I've felt in awhile. So buttery soft they almost felt like suede. Incredibly comfortable for their 3.5" heel height. The conical heel makes them really easy to walk in, as well. I can see these with all kinds of outfits. Available in-store and online, here.

Kimchi & Blue Wingtip Spectator heels

Fit is a bit large on these. I tried on the 7, and would definitely have preferred a 6.5. Due to the softness of the leather, I probably could have even gotten away with stretching out a pair of 6s.

A day late and a dollar short

I had some time to kill yesterday, so I spent it checking out the shoe section at Marshall's. They had a really nice selection, and some fun styles to try on.

I remember when the Balenciaga moto boots came out, I thought they were pretty heinous. They've kind of grown on me, but not enough to shell out 5k (obviously). They didn't grow on me enough to spend $300 on the Sam Edelman knockoffs. I'm not sure if they've even grown enough on me to spend $129 at Marshall's for these spinoffs of the original knockoffs, but I have to say I rather liked them in person.

I was expecting them to be really heavy and hard to wear, but they are surprisingly light. The platform is really exaggerated, making them pretty comfy, too. Not sure I can pull these off, but they'd be fun for a night.

Sam Edelman Zoyla Studded Bootie in Black Leather

Fit is true to size, as I took a 7 in these. The pitch is not steep since the platform is nearly half the bootie, but while they were easy to walk in... I can't imagine walking miles in them. They are available at several retailers online, but for the price it's worth checking out your local discount shop.

I also loved this studded peep-toe clog from the same brand. SO cute and adorable on, but they were too difficult for me to walk in. I don't do well with clogs, or shoes that don't adhere to my ankles somewhat, so I was expecting that with these. I don't remember their price, but I believe it was similar to the Zoylas.

Sam Edelman Zachery

Fit on these was large, but narrow in the toe box. These were a size 6, but I would have needed to stretch out the toe box tremendously to make them work.

Black Friday

I am usually too lazy to do a lot of shopping on the busiest day of the year, but I do like to go downtown to check out Black Friday, since it's never usually too crowded there.

This was the sale selection in my size at Saks (this is the 7-7.5 rack):


It's crap, right? I'm on a no-shoes except for the Mauds ban for awhile, but I was still disappointed. The clothing selection wasn't much better, imo.

The only pairs I really loved there, were some from Kate Spade, especially these glitter pumps. The last pair was an 8 (too big for me), but they were darling in person and perfect for holiday parties.

Kate Spade Charm Glitter Bow Slingbacks, FW 2010

If you'd like to try to track them down, they are sold out on the site, but you can still use the store locator. Here is the link.

All is not lost though, I finally ended up buying those Doc knockoffs at Kmart. Really, one of my best buys all year. $20, and I've been living in them this weekend!

Guest Blogger: Wedding Shoes

This entry is a guest blogging by my dear friend Jess, of the blog Consume or Consumed, whom I have had the pleasure of knowing for over ten years. Wedding shoes are so special, and I was happy to be a part in helping her find hers. I was honored to witness the happiness between her and her partner and wish them many years of bliss.

***

Christian Louboutin Coquine in Yellow Satin

I can't say enough good things about my wedding shoes. But choosing them wasn't an easy or quick process. When I (along with my partner) decided to get married, I told myself that if I hit the lottery (and miraculously become less clumsy on atop anything higher than 3 inches), I would buy Christian Louboutin Very Noeud satin bow pumps to wear that day. Then I remembered that I don't play the lottery. So I started looking at Caparros (which are pretty enough, even if they do unabashedly knock off many CL styles). I was resolved to pick up some pretty purple satin slingbacks even though they didn't feel fabulous enough for my wedding day outfit. That was until my dear friend, Erin of the incredible shoe blog Shoe Love, started sending me links to auctions for Christian Louboutin styles on eBay. After adding a few to my watch list, I noticed that no one had bid on one specific pair with a reserve price and a reasonable heel height that I could manage (80 mm). I am usually a size 37.5 or 38 in European brands but I had no clue what I would wear in CLs. These were size 38 so I hoped they might fit me. I set my snipe service to bid at the last minute. Unfortunately, because the reserve was not met, I didn't win. No one did. Eventually the seller relisted with no reserve and a much lower starting price. I won them for $50 less than I was prepared to pay. And they arrived soon after, complete with the red shoe bag and box.

When I tried them on at first, I felt a tinge of worry wash over me. They seemed to be long enough in the sole to fit my feet, but the toe box felt narrow. And on a day when I would be wearing them for hours and hours, I wanted to be relatively comfortable. I stuffed them with as much tissue as I could squeeze and periodically wore them around the house with socks in the hopes that things would stretch. Satin doesn't stretch much, but somehow (perhaps it was the placebo effect) they seemed to be more comfortable after a few tries. This was around six months prior to the wedding date. I was set to start dress shopping and was glad to have shoes.

But when I told people I purchased wedding shoes before even trying on a single wedding dress, many seemed surprised. This made me worry a bit too. Had I made a rash decision? Just in case I ordered a pewter pair of bejeweled Stuart Weitzman pumps and the purple Caparro slingbacks (pictures here). After I selected my dress, I brought all three to my first fitting appointment. I tried each on with the dress, while standing on carpet so I could return if neither of the new pairs worked out. The Loubs were the clear front-runner. They complimented the dress so well! And my mom, sister, and the bridal boutique employees felt unanimous agreement with me. I stuffed the toe box again and packed them away 'til the week of. I probably could have worn them more frequently to practice and stretch the toe box. But I kind of forgot about them, unless it was a fitting appointment day. When I packed up my things to check into the hotel on the eve of the wedding, I was excited to bring such fancy shoes with me. I put them on and walked around the hotel room the night before, to get an idea of how they would feel. And I wore the Caparros to the rehearsal dinner.

The day of the wedding was a blur of excitement and joy. And although I did get blisters from the narrowish toe box, I had band aids and was so distracted by my enthusiasm that I barely felt my feet. I did switch to flats (borrowed from Erin herself) for some of the dancing. When I took off my shoes I put them on a table and a few of my cousins gushed over their signature red soles, in addition to their general sparkle and beauty. I felt confident in my selection and was glad I went with the Christian Louboutins. They were the most glamorous of my options and well worth the blisters and the price.

***

Note: since I am greedy and don't have boundaries, I asked Jess to try on these shoes as well and found them to run small. These 38s were just barely big on me, and should I have the luck to be her shoe twin someday, I would need a 37.5.

Oh the Horror

Boy, it's been awhile! Not on hiatus, just busy.

On a shoe subforum I frequent, there is a "shoes in action" thread. Here is a recent favorite, taken at the Shadowcast performance of Rocky Horror Picture show. I hadn't been to see it at a theater since my teens, but I was happy to be an elder member of the audience and enjoy the show. I went as Columbia.


My erm, 'interesting' costume. I am never using color hairspray again! It took days for it to wash out, and got everywhere. I sadly didn't even win the costume contest, which had the exciting prize of a still from the movie signed by Barry Bostwick! Face blurred because I was making a silly face. What can I say? I'm vain.


On another note, I am quasi-banned except for the Louboutin Maudissima that I am hoping to get soon. You know, once I figure out what I need to shill to make these happen for me. I'm not usually a retail girl (read: full-price), but I've been looking for a low-vamp shoe for quite some time and these are exactly what I want.

Christian Louboutin Maudissima in Black Patent, S/S 2011

I have some other recent acquisitions to share, but need to unlazy about taking real pictures.