ADELE - 'Make You Feel My Love'

Sallie Hansen - Salon Effects in Lace

I wore these for the first time to my good friend's wedding.

Sally Hansen's Salon Effects in "Laced Up"

I got several compliments while wearing this over the weekend!  Most people thought it was done professionally in a salon. :)

Not too difficult to put on, and they did a good job of not chipping for the 5 days I wore them (I had to take them off before starting my clinical rotations).  It has a very slight "nail polish" smell to them when you first remove the clear protective layer on each strip (because it's made with real nail polish), but that fades fast. I cut mine in half so that I get 2 uses out of one box.  I heard that OPI has a nail prep (usually for acrylics) you can brush on before applying the strips to help it stick better... I'll try it next time!  Also, when removing these things, I literally had to soak a cotton ball for EACH fingernail... I guess that goes to show how well it sticks to your nails. 

Trending boots 2011

It's mid-September! That means all the retailers are beginning to push out the fall trend: boots!

It looks like harness, riding, flat, tall, and chunky-heeled boots/booties in black and shades of browns will be popular for this coming season.  Straps, buckles, and laces are also still popular as well.

I'm currently obsessed with Jeffrey Campbell's Lita (which I believe are "inspired by" Charles Anastase  Dungeon Boots)

However, at this point in my life, I wouldn't be able to wear them anywhere! :(

Mr. Campbell has come a long way in establishing a great shoe line since I learned about him last year and was obsessing over the line.  Well done!

Sam Edelman Novato - Bridesmaid shoes

Here's a peak into the wedding I was a bridesmaid for.
Here we are wearing Edelman's Novato.

A princess's dream come true.

Congrats, Sas! Love you!

Fun Bunny Headband

So cute!

I Am Chubby Bunny - $18

Coupon conquest

Coupon conquest for the day. Paid $0.89, saved $12.99, and got $4 to spend for later :)

HK Vans

Hardcore Hello Kitty lover? Need new tennies?

Limited edition Hello Kitty Vans are now available from Nordstrom now...$49.95

Sleeping amongst the clouds

How cute would this look in a nursery? A cloud lamp with a little raindrop shaped pull switch.

[ via ]

Looking down

Peep toe sling back stiletto

These are not the newest shoes out there, but I have a wedding coming up and this is what the bride requested the bridesmaids shoes look like:

Left to Right:
Sergio Rossi - Cachet $695.00
Sam Edelman - Novato $99.95
Steve Madden - Laineyy $89.95 (on sale as of 5/26/11 for $53.95)


Since they've been out for awhile, I had trouble finding my size in stores.  I was able to order the Steve Madden Laineyy (black satin, 5" heel w/o the insole, 1.25" platform--these are higher than what's stated on their website) online for the sale price.  They don't make these in 5.5, so I ordered the 6 because sometimes I've had luck with them running small.  Sadly, after getting them in the mail and trying them on, they were too big.  They made a huge error in the length of the straps in the back and they were far too loose.  Back to the store these will go.  For the sale price point, I would not at all have minded keeping these.

SO, because I had to have this style (and I'm not about to fork out $700), I ordered the Sam Edelman Novato from Nordstrom.com (no where else could I find this shoe being carried in 5.5!).  These are patent black leather, 5" heel (including the insole), 1.5" platform.  I can't find these in suede (they don't make in satin) anywhere in my size.  I got these just today and they fit! What a difference in quality too.  The stitching at the keyhole peep-toe is much cleaner and neater, and you're getting much better quality in workmanship and materials (leather sole, patent leather outer).  I'm not even going to go into the Sergio Rossi shoes because that goes above and beyond what I could ever afford.  Oh, P.S. these are really, surprisingly comfy to walk in! Must be that extra high platform.

This is a very rare occasion where I had both the (affordable) shoes at the same time to do a comparison, so please enjoy the photos below!

Satin (SM, left) - Patent (SE, right)

 Satin (SM, front) - Patent (SE, back)

 Notice the difference in the toe box. Sam Edelman are slightly longer in the toe and the keyholes are different.

Stitching. The people at SM could've done better with trimming those extra threads.

 Toe to toe (SE with a slightly higher platform)
&
Heel to heel

 SM with a slightly higher "heel" because of the insole (adds about an extra .25")

Steve Madden - Laineyy on both feet (notice loose, long, hangy straps)

 Sam Edelman Novato on both feet

And walking on the ceiling with the keepers - Sam Edelman Novato

Ribbit

Photo of one of my contact lens cases. One of the 1st pictures I took with my DSLR.

art projects?

I call this one: "Here"

Giraffe Boy?

Tsk, tsk

Looks like some designers have been getting lazy, or hoping to get away with copying a design, or both!  I would've thought better H for Halston for Bakers, but as I was browsing the heels, a pair caught my eye. I thought, cute color! (the coral and the turquoise/blue) And then, cute style! And then... I frowned. It looked cute because it looked familiar.

H by Halston - Miranda

and my own Bakers shoes I got on clearance last year:

Yes, different colors, materials, mine have perforations and not as highly stacked platform (layered in H's), but it has the same cutouts and criss-crossing style!

Shame for a brand that prices its shoes a little above Bakers normal prices would use the same Bakers design.

Classic wedge

I saw Jennifer Aniston wearing these last year.  These wedges will be a classic look for spring/summer, but they come at a hefty price--as celebrities are used to and where prices really mean nothing for them.

Stuart Weitzman - Alex

$365.00 at Zappos.com

These are a natural espadrille wedge sandal in the color "swamp" crochet.   I really like this taupey-nude color because it can go with pretty much any outfit for spring/summer--dressed up or down.  The ivory color is nice too.  Dresses, shorts, cropped pants, bikinis (for you whose bodies are poolside/beach ready! mine is not right now)... you name it! You won't expect these to go out of fashion season-to-season.  It's not too much on a "trendy train" with bright, fluorescent colors, or floral prints, or strange shapes.

There are a lot of "inspired by" shoes out there... For example, the regular go-to brands:

Steve Madden - Fantastik

$79.95

Bakers - Midtown

$62.00

Bakers  (by N.Y.L.A.) - Colbie
$62.00

Aldo - Connally

$50.00

(slightly lower heel height)

And the slightly more budget friendly:

from Ami Clubwear
$27.99

City Classified - Jojo
$26.99

Strangely attracted

For some reason I am strangely attracted to these wedges by L.A.M.B.  Maybe it's the combination of textures of smooth leather, canvas, and wood...and the obvious, fat stitch tacks.  And I strangely like the grey-nude combination of colors...  Is that a velco strap??

L.A.M.B. - Kapono

MSRP $325.00 (Currently on sale for $260.00)

Sweets & Flowers

This looks so cute and romantic!
Flower cakes & cupcakes by Ann Warren

Imagine the amount of time it must have taken to detail all these flowers!

Summer neutrals - 2011

Love, want, can't have.

Aldo - Marum

$100.00

Aldo - Trentinara

$100.00 (Sale til Sunday $74.98)
*These are reminiscent of the Jeffrey Campbell wedges I blogged way back when

Bakers - Rayne

$80.00 (currently on sale for $39.99) - only 8.5 left :(

House of Harlow 1960 - Nita

$240.00

And Bakers has a few sandals on sale I've been eyeing for awhile...but, it really isn't practical for me to be buying them :(

Quick sketch

Back to basics... pencil & paper

How I've missed this...

Wanting

I've been dying for a new pair of wedges. But which ones?? And when would I ever wear them? :(

Strangers, again

This video reminds us that most relationships are bound for 1 of 2 outcomes:

1) get married

2) break up


Never take what you have for granted

Soap Flakes

Brilliant!!

No sharing germs :)

via http://www.nathaliestaempfli.com/index.php?/graduation/soap-flakes/

Romantic chic

I'm digging the colors of Forever 21's new line, love21 contemporary...

So classy & romantic!

No $ for new clothes though... wait 'til I get out of school! Everything's going! Well, almost.

Aurora

Gorgeous.
Did I ever mention I have an obsession with nature, clouds, and the sort?

Effortless beauty.

The Aurora from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.

Up and away

This is awesome! National Geographic recreated Disney-Pixar's "Up" house with helium balloons!

Read more about it at creativegreed.com

Lace me up!

My current obsession... I am dreaming about these shoes! I love the lace up & cut-outs and a tiny bit of raffia--perfect for spring!

BUT, I have nowhere to wear them for the next 2 years! Between being cooped up in my office and the classroom, there is not really any time to doll up... but I can dream, can't I?

Bakers - Nanci ($70.00)

Kind of reminiscent of Christian Louboutin "Miss Fortune"...