photographer: me

Some pretty stuff I´ve bought last weekend that I want to share with You, soon on new pictures

Sadly, boots are not coming my way from Lori’s Shoes. I neglected to name the seller in my previous post about the Jeffrey Campbell “A Plus” boot I was salivating over a whole month ago simply because they are no longer for sale there. Well, even though I went through the motions of purchasing them: quickly placing them in my cart, entering my information with a smile, and clicking purchase with the glee and delight of a seven year old on Christmas morning; for some reason Lori’s Shoes wasn’t keeping up with their inventory and allowed me to purchase shoes that never existed.

Unknowingly, my torment was further porlonged when I asked them if I could switch my order to standard shipping as there wasn’t an option for it as promised on the the order page. They happilly obliged and I was satisfied. That is until a few days later, after there was no movement in my e-mail and no notices of the order process moving to shipping. When I contacted the company they advised me that my order had been cancelled as they no longer had the shoe and that they already notifed me of this. They had not. Why say you can ship when you can’t because you don’t have the product? Someone definitely dropped the ball.

I was angry and confused. How could I buy a shoe that never was? I sent an e-mail back demanding an explanation. I wanted to know what happened that allowed such a grievance to occur and if possible could I be put on a waitlist in case someone with the a size 10 foot returned the shoe so that I might take it off their hands. They simply stated there was nothing they could do and they weren’t getting in anymore shoes from the company as they are no longer being manufatured this season. No explanation and certainly no waitlist. I was so upset. I shouldn’t have been as it’s only a shoe. There will be other shoes, but there will be no more (as far as I can tell) Jeffrey Campbell Size 10 “A Plus” boots in black leather. I even e-mailed Jeffrey Campbell to see if they knew of vendors carrying that style in my preferred color and size. I have yet to receive a response from them although this I do not mind.

I reserve my fury for Lori’s Shoes and will not make the mistake of purchasing from them again.

There is a possible silver lining for me…I happened to place the same boots from a different vendor (Jildor Shoes) in my cart weeks ago when I wasn’t sure if I should purchase them, I alluded to this in my previous post. I obsessively went to their website the other day just to reminisce about the “A Plus” boots that never were-and Hark!-there they were…in my cart! Apparently, I never took them out after deciding I should wait on them. Quite irrationally I bought them with the understanding that it is entirely possible for it to be a fluke and for the shoes not to actually be there. I even e-mailed the company with a query as to how long items usually stay in a cart. They responded with a “general 24 hours rule” and advised me that just because the shoe is in my cart doesn’t mean they are in stock. I sighed.

Yesterday, I opened my e-mail and therein I found a shipping confirmation from Jildor. Fingers are crossed. I think “A Plus” is on the way.

Attention all hobby footwear designers: Zappos has teamed up with the master of stylish and affordable footwear Steve Madden to give you the chance to design your own Steve Madden shoe to be produced and sold by the online retail giant.

The designer told Stylelist, he’s “looking for insouciance and originality” – along with giving Lady Gaga a “Yay” and Alexander McQueen’s crazy mutant shoes a “Nay”.

Will you submit your footwear design until December 24? Let me know @twitter.com/HauteCouturista

I am a total shoe hag. Love tall ones, flat ones, sparkly ones (and not blingy, sparkly), and boot ones. This year from November 22 to December 6, Second Life is sponsoring the SL Footwear Expo. Proceeds from this event will all or partially (depending on the vendor’s choice) be given to the Toys for Tots campaign, which provides toys for underprivileged children for the holiday season. For more information on this drive or to make a donation directly to the organization please visit http://toysfortots.org/

The fair includes 60 of Second Life’s top shoe designers as well as pose makers who have wonderful poses that compliment the most extravagant of shoe designs. I totally fell in love with these boots from CoCo Designs. They are called, realistically, Laced Up Work Boots. They are adorable, come with 2 styles, laced and unlaced (which is shown here). A hud is included that when worn has all the resize scripts included as well as a option to add a rolled cuff or remove it. I have it added here and it looks really cute. you can even move the cuff up and down the leg as well as adjust the size of the actual cuff. I love them and it totally completed my collection I have been gathering from the store, as you can see.

Click to Visit the Shoe Fair

]]> http://urbanmogullife.com/2009/11/24/sneaker-restoration-kit/ Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:55:50 +0000 Danny Ocean http://urbanmogullife.com/2009/11/24/sneaker-restoration-kit/

Now this is what I needed growing up, my own little kit! Every shoe-head has their own shoe kit that they use to keep those kicks looking clean. Mine was a tooth brush, a jar of soap scraps, and a white rag. That was all I needed to keep my Air Jordans looking mint.

Now JGoods has capitalized on the idea and put together a restoration kit, complete with a  a 12-inch square white towel, a stiff scrub brush, a melamine foam pad, JGoods Finish Remover, white and black JGoods Leather Paint, a high-quality paint brush, cotton swabs, and a scourer sponge! What else do you need?

You can cop this stay fresh kit here for $35 dollars. Not bad!

(JGoods)

Today Im in need of a little distraction, Im feeling anxious and unsettled, must have something to do with the fact that little Stella is leaving. So this morning I have been trawling through a couple of my favourite blogs (sorry boss if you’re reading this!) and came across this post by Jo. Elle US has this delightful blog showcasing the shoes of its staff on a daily basis.

Its fabulous. I so wish I could wear glorious shoes to work everyday, but with the amount of running around I do, Im pretty sure my feet (and back) would hate me for it!

Hope you all have a beautiful day

Love V
xx

Photos by Kelly Stuart

Give me sparkle, give me zippers, and give me a ridiculously sky-highheel (or wedge) and my holiday spirits have sky rocketed to record breaking levels. So shall we all get in the holiday mood by viewing (and secretly asking Santa) for these equally sky-high priced heels? I already have my two front teeth, so all I want for Christmas are…a pair of these!

And world peace.

Sequined Bootie by Cesare Paciotti

Suede heel by Giuseppe Zanotti

Embellished strappy sandal, Pour La Victoire

Peep-toe pump, Giuseppe Zanotti,

peep-toe low boot with Swarovski-crystail detailing, Le Silla

images via elle.com

Como minha Mãe diz, tem mulheres (como ela) que tem complexo de centopéia. Eu acredito que seja um problema da maioria das mulheres! 

Um par de sapatos a mais é sempre necessário mesmo que esse a mais ultrapasse os limites do armário e seja necessário comprar cada vez mais sapateiras e encaixar em todas as paredes e cantos da casa.

Agora imagine ter um closet como este!!!  Sonhando e babando! )

Maecenas Dirk Vanderschueren, dono da Cortina, uma das maiores fabricas de calçado do mundo e amante de calçados, criou a “Shoes Experience” – SHOES OR NO SHOES.

A coleção é dividida por calçados tribais, etnográficos e contemporâneos, sendo 1,200 pares customizados por artistas, colocando em pauta a questão se são considerados arte ou sapatos, levando ao nome da exposição “SHOES OR NO SHOES?”.

Para quem estiver na Bélgica ou for dar uma passadinha por lá não perca de jeito nenhum essa experiência  e conte para nós!!!!

Some people think it’s Disney World. For me, the happiest place on Earth is a shoe store. (Well, I also enjoy a good nap, or sitting in front of a beautiful $4,000 Mac Powerbook Pro with the Adobe Master Collection Software preinstalled. ) But shoes…they just make me happy.

(Disclaimer: I don’t have any sponsors, this is merely a list of the stores I like and shop at)

Image via Aldo

Aldo…Oh, Aldo. How do I love thee?

Aldo is like that guy who’s always available to be your Plus One at functions. No matter how many crazies run in and out of my life, Aldo has always been there to help me make a grand entrance, even after the shoddier shoes have bit the dust.

Aldo shoes tend to hover near the $75-$125 mark, but they are extremely durable. I’ve had a pair (called my 45-minute heels, because they are so high and pointy that even I can only wear them in 45-minute increments) for almost three  years now, and they look as good as the day I bought them.

Image via Gwen Cready

Nine West is like the country cousin of Aldo. They are a little less formal, a little less experimental, but just as good.

My six-month booties (appropriately named since I had to wait six months for them to go on sale before I could afford them) are from Nine West, and they have lasted through 14 months of rain, snow, ice, sleet, a sprained knee* and I find myself wishing I had bought a second pair.

*note to everyone out there: GET THOSE NON-SLIP pads for the bottoms of your shoes, otherwise be prepared for a several weeks on crutches and a year’s worth of physical therapy.

image via the Wall Stree Journal

Charlotte Russe is a great store for super-trendy shoes at super-cheap prices. The most I’ve ever spent on a single pair here was maybe $40. Usually the shoes are more in the $20-30 range, and they always seem to have a “buy one, get one for $15/half off/free/etc”

I walked through one in the Chicago suburbs yesterday (I HAD to go to Ikea, so I braved the worst driving I’ve seen outside of Boston to get there–Chicago city drivers are much better that suburb drivers as a whole. ) and they had studding on lots of shoes, and zippers, feathers, cork…all the trendy stuff, it was out and LOUD in the rear of the store. If you want happy feet, head to Charlotte Russe.

Image via Spring Shoes facebook page

The little sister to Aldo is Spring. They run a little less expensive, somewhere between $40-80. Spring and Aldo are kind of like the Gap in relation to Banana Republic.

My Kitchen Sink shoes come from Spring.

Image via Macy's

Originally Marshall Field’s flagship store on State Street in Chicago, Macy’s bought out the chain in 2005. Most of the interior has remained the same since the takeover, including the famous Walnut Room (If you’re going to be in the area in the next month, GO THERE. Why? A two-story Christmas tree! Indoors!

I like Macy’s as a gathering place for two of my favorite shoe brands, Guess and BCBGirls. They are similar in look to Aldo or Nine West, but their fit tends to be a little better.

Also Macy’s is a great place to explore (i.e. try on) lots of different shoes and then buy them online at Amazon. Shhh, don’t tell!

Image via Payless

“Payless” doesn’t always have to translate into “Get Crap” especially at Payless Shoe Stores. I like to buy the more trendy footwear here (like my orange shoes) in an attempt to spend less money on a shoe that will probably only last one season.

Ironically, I bought a pair of leopard print flats here three years ago, and they are still going strong.

image via hauteworld

I don’t currently shop here, at the flagship Christian Louboutin boutique in Paris, but I would really, really like to!

image via wallpaper.com

And the next time I find myself in Dubai, I’m heading straight for the Manolo Blahnik store. Besides selling classic and amazing shoes, this is the cutest store I’ve seen in a while. I like how the colors make it feel exotic, almost tropical.

Sigh.

This store is my Disney World.

I was browsing around, online shopping if you must, after I found a bit of money burning a hole in my pocket. I have been extremely good this year – Santa, can you hear me? – in not spending those hard earned pennies. Even when I found all my cashmere and wools had been violated by moths. I merely trudged on.

When I needed new pants or work gear, I became a frugalista.

When I wanted new funiture, I thrifted.

In trying to find a home for that money burning so hot I stumbled upon an ultimate gift. Shoes. Every month. For a Year.

It’s almost too much to bear, until you reach the price tag. For a mere $1,800, I could have a new pair of heels delivered to my door each month of 2010 – that works out to $150 per pair. Yikes! I do not currently own any garment that I paid more than $100 for, and those are the heavy hitter items – coats, cashmeres, etc. – and even those I stalked until they were around $100. But $150 pair of shoes each month? I’m sure they’re just gorgeous – especially after having seen all the shoes that came out of their catalog this previous year – but I think it would be daunting to wear a pair of shoes that cost that much – mostly because I would see every pair as having cost $1,800. Though I’m sure I would get over it…

This puts Fruit of the Month clubs to shame!

If you are an outdoorsy type, then a pair of Merrill shoes should definitely be in your closet and/or on your feet right now! If you want a shoe that not only fits, but can take you where you want to go, then you ought to look into your options for Merrill footwear. A Merrell shoe is just like no other. You’re probably wondering why.

It’s important to pick out your shoes with care. Too often, folks neglect shopping carefully for shoes – especially when in the market for a pair of kids shoes! But those who invest in Merrill shoes are much savvier consumers. Your feet are as important as any other body part and even for the most inactive person, they endure quite a bit. It’s very important that you not only care about the discount on a pair of shoes, but the art and technology that went into making it. Shoes should not be chosen lightly!

After Choosing Merrell

So if you’re now convinced a pair of Merrill shoes are on your horizon, what’s in store for you? Merrill footwear has no bounds – whether you’re interested in the popular Barrado line (Merrell womens’ Barrado shoes are a particularly hot buy), Merrell womens shoes in general, Merrell running shoes, Merrell kids shoes, discount Merrell shoes, or any other style – you are sure to find the right Merrill shoes for your feet and your budget. From sandals to slides to lace-ups to boots, the possibilities are endless. And they should be, as the possibilities of outdoor recreation are numerous too.

While on one hand you must put the quality of your shoes at a high standard, that doesn’t mean you have to abandon a dream that you’ll find a great pair of Merrill shoes that’s also affordable. There are plenty of Merrell kids shoes on sale and general discount Merrell shoes. Use the Internet to find the best prices! Womens Merrell shoes and mens Merrell shoes are both very well-made and can accommodate casual wear or the most intense hiking. So there are no excuses; add some Merrill shoes to your wardrobe today!

Once upon a time, there was a girl who didn’t love shoes.  Shocking, I know.  One day, while said girl was browsing the world wide interwebs, she came across a fabulous pair of shoes.  She immediately fell in love with them, but alas, they were not to be found in her size! 

Said girl was sad, but  moved on, quietly stalking her beloved shoes on a weekly basis.  One day, she stumbled across the website that sold her lovely shoes (yes, she was no referring to them as hers) and found that they were available in her size!  So she hemmed and hawed for a few, and then she bought them.  And when they came, they were everything she thought they would be…

They looked wonderful on her feet…(please ignore my gross marathon toenail on my left foot!)

…and they felt wonderful on her feet.  Except they didn’t quite fit:

What was our poor girl to do?  She tweeted to her wonderful internet friends about her dilemma, phoned her lovely real-life friends about her dilemma, and tried to make an exchange with the company…but alas!  The shoes were not available in the next half size down, and the girl wasn’t sure that the next half size down would even fit.  Luckily, a nice internet friend came to the rescue and recommended a product called Heavenly Heelz from a company called Foot Petals. Would they work?  Could this really be the answer our girl was looking for?

(Source) 

Please note that the gap in the picture above looks admittedly MUCH larger than it really is (I zoomed in pretty big time when taking these shots).  The gap is LESS than half a size, and it is bigger on my left foot than it is on my right (makes sense, since most people have one dominant side of their body that’s a little bigger).  Thanks to Em, I ordered a pair of Heavenly Heelz to see if this would perhaps lessen the gap.  It is my last ditch effort on these shoes—I love them sooooo much and I want to wear them for the wedding so badly, but I also want them to fit correctly!  There’s no guarantee that Zappos will have any more 8s any time before the wedding, so I am really hoping the inserts will take care of the problem, since I am not even guaranteed to have the 8s fit.  So, will the Heavenly Heelz work?  They should be here in a few days, so stay tuned!

Shoes, Topshop

Skirt, Gina Tricot

Top, H&M

Fox/rabbit fur

School – Coffee at Albert – Wine at Collage ! Now ‘we’re at my place having drinks !

GB! <3 T

Fick höra att Vivienne Westwood’s skor, är jätte bekväma och sköna att gå i!
Och priserna är ju inte så dumma heller!

Finns jätte söta skor på hemsidan här.

Dessa skor är super läckra! Vill ha de i guld! Men de svarta är också snygga. Ca 120 €.

Or at least that was what one issue of Cosmopolitan said.  The nerves in the brain that control the sensations in the feet and the sensations in, well, other places are next door neighbors, so shoe shopping is like a ramp up to a big event.  Does this also work for online shoe shopping?

I have been trolling the web for months looking for a pair of glamorous blue shoes to wear for my wedding.  I saw lots of different magazines and wedding websites touting the trend of colored shoes, and not being one who likes to stand in the background on bland color choices, I jumped at the idea.  My wedding colors are cobalt blue, cornflower blue, white, and fuchsia peonies.  I would like my shoes to match the color of my bridesmaids, but it’s not a do or die.

Does anyone have any good resources for blue high heels?

Liz Claiborne is a leading women’s clothing and accessories retailer that markets its products as designer items, but prices them to appeal to the broad market. They have been a household name for over 40 years when they started back in the 70’s by an unknown dress designer and her husband. Back in the early stages of Liz Claiborne they wanted to provide women entering the workforce with fashionable and versatile work attire without losing the femininity to there wardrobes. Liz Claiborne offers a wide range of separates so you can mix and match. They offer wardrobes that make you feel pretty and put together whether it’s a tee and shorts or a dress to a suit, Liz Claiborne makes you feel like a women. So still to this day Liz Claiborne has remained one of the top selling designers, so if you are looking for top notch clothes then shop Liz Claiborne.

Found!

FFFFOUND! | woumpah /// graphic & multimedia designer /// Paris.

Disclaimer: The Arthritis Foundation of  Western Pennsylvania always advises that you consult your doctor and take their advice. The essay below is a personal story of one young woman, and a humorous look at how living with arthritis or other chronic illness can affect one’s life in the most seemingly simple, or silly, ways. The AFWPA does not ever endorse ignoring any doctor’s advice….and the author now has to have another orthoscopic knee surgery as a consequence….as they say, beauty DOES come with a price! – AB

“No! Not the SHOES!” – by Ashley M. Boynes

Here’s the thing: in addition to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Celiac Disease, I suffer from a third disease. This condition is called “Chronic Shoe Lust.” Shoes are my sanctuary. And here’s my frustration: I don’t want to give up my cute shoes, even when my logic — and my doctor — tells me to. While they aren’t Manolos, Louboutins, or Jimmy Choos by any means, my closet is filled with pair after pair of (more affordable!) adorable, uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous-looking shoes. I love them!

Sometimes, it is so hard to be reasonable. It can be especially difficult when you are 26 years old and have a seemingly endless list of rules to follow, what not to do, what not to eat, which medications to take, which supplements are helpful, when the next doctor’s appointment is, and so forth. Add in a pinch of human emotion and a dash of impulsion – and you’re surely bound to slip up here and there.

I have rheumatoid arthritis in ALL of my joints, but my right knee is a particular mess: I have a torn meniscus floating around, both RA and osteoarthritis, cartilage damage, bone spurs and calcium deposits. I’ve lost my full range of motion – my knee doesn’t fully straighten or bend – and it is constantly swollen.  It sometimes physically locks in a 90-degree angle. I have walked with a slight limp since the sixth grade. With no other choice, I’ve gotten used to my not-so-friendly knee and the pain it causes my whole right leg – from hip to ankle.

And this cranky knee? Along with my doctor and family members, it has chastised me time and time again for wearing kitten heels, stilettos, wedges, pointy-toed pumps and other variations of cute and fashionable shoes. These shoes hate me, though. My difficult knee has teamed up with said hip and foot to cause horrendous wear-and-tear to any pair of heels that I slide on to my feet, ruining the shoe by making the heel slanted and bent inward with no hope for repair. This sad display makes me unable to walk in them any further – but yet, as I consider fashion (especially shoes) an art – I do not have the heart to throw them away! That being said, however, I cannot imagine the damage being done to my joint if that is what occurs to each pair of shoes. Hmm…

Now, I AM a logical young woman. I follow my strict gluten-free diet, I take my pills on time, I take my vitamins and rarely miss a doctor’s appointment. I try to take care of myself, and try not to take on more than I can handle.

But I refuse to give up wearing cute shoes. Cute, painful, inconvenient, fabulous shoes!

I’m not sure why this is. I do enjoy the confidence-boost that I get when a stranger compliments me on a particularly stylish pair. It makes me feel good about myself, and I consider shoe-collecting almost a hobby. I know that, given my condition, the “reasonable” and “rational” thing to do is to wear flats, sneakers, or some sort of more “accommodating” shoes. Yet, I wear platform Mary Janes, open-toed kitten pumps, sandals with little-to-no support, and 4-inch stilettos…I just can’t help myself!

I know, I know. I’m “going to kill myself walking in those things.” It’s “no wonder” I limp. “Of course my knee is killing me — look at those shoes!” -  I’ve heard it all. But when I’m traipsing back to the parking garage at the end of the work day, I don’t feel so badly – because I’m joined by countless other women limping along, teetering on the edge of sanity with their sky-high heels. In that moment, I’m not alone.

Could this be why I torture myself with the heels? Maybe a part of me thinks it is easier to hide behind the guise of “it’s just the shoes,” rather than a chronic illness with no end in sight. It’s the blame game — and blaming a physical ail on having fashionable feet is much easier than the reality of the situation. I also think it’s my pride. I want to hold on to any sense of normalcy that I can, since sometimes my life isn’t exactly that of a “normal” 26-year-old. Do I have to give up something that, as silly as it is, makes me happy?

I know that I’m being stubborn, and I’m probably hurting my knee further, but here’s how I justify it: I’ve sacrificed enough. I have given up pizza, beer, “regular” baked goods, my beloved Twizzlers, and, really, any sense of being carefree. I’ve sacrificed sports. I’ve sacrificed nights out with friends. Isn’t it OK to be stubborn just this once?

I know there are far worse things that could happen in life – after all, they’re only shoes. But shoes are something I can control. The other things that bother me about chronic illness are things that I might not be able to change, ever, even if I want to. So forgive me for wanting to hold on to my shoes. After all, I need to be well-heeled while I take the steps to kick these symptoms!

What do you think, reader? What have you sacrificed because of a health condition — trivial, or serious? Do you ever “cheat” and stray from what your doctor says, like I do with my shoes?  As always, I want to hear your comments…and I’m sure I’ll be blogging before and after the surgery that my unfortunate shoe habit has, in part, led me to have to schedule. Have a Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the AFWPA, and we hope you enjoy reading our blogs as much as we like writing them! We are “thankful” to have you as readers and as supporters of our chapter as we fight to spread awareness about arthritis and to provide a community of support for anyone suffering from one of the 117 types of arthritis & related illness! Again, comments are always welcomed and encouraged.

Be Well,

-Ashley Boynes

Community Development Director

Western Pennsylvania Chapter

voted, “Best Blogger in Pittsburgh!”

PS: Are RUNNING SHOES more your style? Be sure to sign up for our December 12th Jingle Bell Run/Walk! This 5K takes place in Pittsburgh’s North Shore and should be a fun time — all for a great cause!