Aw-Mused: May 2011

Friday, May 27, 2011

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

Friday, May 20, 2011

Ribbit

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

Saturday, May 14, 2011

art projects?

I call this one: "Here"

Giraffe Boy?

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

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

Saturday, May 7, 2011

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??