Tis the Season for...Clogs?!

Yes, that is not a typo. Clogs are back in full force this season - summer?! For some reason, clogs just do not evoke the feeling of summer for me. Fortunately, the former clunky fall clog has been updated for the summer 2010 season. I have searched endlessly for a comfortable, yet 'summery' clog and I have the goods for you:



Above is 'V-Astro' by Via Spiga. Available @ Nordstrom.com for $198. Caramel, Black super soft buttery leather.

Incredibly comfortable, and gorgeous! And *gasp* - wear well with all of your summer favorites as well. Try them with jeans, rompers, or a cute dress.

You will be in love!

So I need to stop shopping...pronto.

My newest obsessions from Spring 2010 below:






'Flipp' platforms by Joan & David, $200 - www.nordstrom.com
'Fiona' clutch in 100 White by Kooba, $295 www.kooba.com
'Nouvelle Vague' and 'Inattendu' nail lacquer by Chanel. Chanel counters nationwide.
Milk Stone and Multi Chain bracelet by Guess, $25 www.guess.com

Become a Nudist.

Think of the many situations in which you would grab a black shoe because you needed to wear something “neutral” with your outfit. Spring 2010 turns this boring idea around – nude is the new black.

From toenails to lipstick, from handbags to stilettos - nude is everywhere! Luckily, nude also transcends into the world of ladies footwear. Gone are the days when basic black was just ‘acceptable’! Black shoes for spring and summer should be used as sparingly as possible. After all, we live in South Florida – we should embrace all of the colorful possibilities that exist here. Throw on a summer maxi dress and pick out a gorgeous neutral wedge. Why be ‘safe’? There are many times when safe = boring.

What about your lovely legs? Wouldn’t you love a few extra inches in length – even if it is an illusion? I would say: yes! Nude tone heels give your bare legs an extra few inches in length – visually extending your gams into uncharted territories! Nude stilettos with a black dress? Tres chic. Classic. Perfect!

I have located some options for you – priced low to high – to fit every occasion. Remember, price is not everything. I have owned plenty of high-end shoes only to have them relegated to the back of my closet because I was not really in love with them. Do not be seduced by a designer name. Many new vegan-leather shoes offer the same great look with a much (MUCH!) lower price.

However, a neutral shoe can be worn with just about anything – making it a great investment piece for you.

Check out the naked bunch:




Above is a lovely neutral option from Ports 1961 (available at shopbop.com) for $750. Yes, a steep price tag. But (and there is always a but), this shoe is extremely well-made and will last you many years. The neutral leather and interesting knotted design have so many looks – dress it up with a glam white dress like the one shown, throw it on with a colorful dress for a party, or wear to work. The possibilities are endless. This is a splurge, but a useful one =)



Ah, Mr. Brian Atwood. He makes the most gorgeous shoes known to (wo)man. Look at this pair above. Liquid nude patent leather. Hidden inner platform, subtle rounded toe. Perfection. Comfort. Imagine them with a pencil skirt or a little black dress. Purely elegant, yet modern. This is a perfect basic, a wardrobe essential! Available at www.intermixonline.com for $575.

Strapped for cash?



Here is a more economical option. These are from Aldo, and purely gorgeous. The pricetag is even hotter: $75. This shoe is an absolute must for spring and summer. Throw these on in lieu of your basic black pump. These also feature a platform and slightly rounded toe. Available at www.aldoshoes.com for $75.

Feeling funky?



Chinese Laundry have been making great shoes for the past few decades, and in 2010 they have outdone themselves once again. Here is the hottest trend AND color of the season: Nude and the Ghillie Tie. This is a more casual option – wear with rolled up boyfriend jeans or a skirt. Sexy and feminine. Also, 100% vegan materials. Available at www.piperlime.com for $90.


Want a wedge?



Try ‘Feaver’ by Steve Madden, available online at www.stevemadden.com for $99.95. Although this wedge is a neutral blush-tone patent leather, it is studded with nailheads which toughen up the look a bit. Edgy is good!


Are you a recessionista? Try the ‘Loyola’ by Paprika, available at my shoe store, ALL SHOES $8.88 in Deerfield Beach, FL. This faux beige patent leather is gorgeous and features a front zipper – cute, right? The best thing about this shoe – it is only $8.88! Allowing you to try a trend for a small monetary commitment – always in style!

The finishing touch?



Chanels new (and soon to sell out!) nail lacquer, Inattendu. Available at Chanel counters nationwide for $24. Keep your nails short this spring – try one coat topped with two coats of clear shine for a long-lasting and hip manicure. Also fabulous? This color makes your fingers look that much longer – added bonus! Perfect for your pedicure as well - no clashing colors if you decide to wear contrasting shoes.

Go on ladies, get naked feet this spring!

Repeat Offenders.

These ladies, although famous, have no idea how to wear the proper size shoe.

Behold - Jessica Simpson, Kristen Cavallari (The Hills), and Heidi Montag (The Hills). All repeat shoe offenders.



Above is Heidi Montag. Hot shoes, but notice her little toes sticking out of the sides of the shoe. This shoe absolutely does not fit her. Toes popping out of the sides? Not cute.



Above is Kristen Cavallari (The Hills). Maybe she and Heidi go shoe shopping together? Why else would they think that their toes should hang out of the sides of their shoes? Weird.



Above is Jessica Simpson. There are literally hundreds of photos of her toes sticking out past her shoes. This photo shows the negative effects of "shrimp cocktail". Your toes should never extend over the front of your shoes. This is awful - definitely not in fashion - ever.

PS Jessica has her own line of shoes, Jessica Simpson, from Nine West. You would think she would know better? I guess not.


Photos courtesy of a great/odd web site, www.celebrityfeetures.com - Check it out!

Chapter 1: Size Matters

You’ve seen them everywhere. In the isles at supermarkets, stumbling around the mall, stopping ever so slightly to adjust their – shoes!

These women clearly have no idea how to properly fit or wear their footwear.

And why is that? Are women not born in heels? Are we not taught that the proper shoes can make the entire outfit?

Of course we are! However, many of us are so blinded by the adorable shoe that we totally disregard the most important criteria: fit.

Fit is the primary thing you should look for before deciding to buy that gorgeous pair of heels. You must ask yourself – are you willing to walk around for hours in agonizing pain just to show off your latest shoe splurge? If the answer is no, we have to talk.

Many people think amazing shoes must be brutal for your feet. These people are absolutely incorrect. Many of these painful shoe blunders could be cleared up for good once you discover your proper fit!

Sizes does matter. If you want to walk without pain, please do not be married to your ‘designated’ shoe size. Throw this size out of the window! Many mainstream shoe brands are cut differently from the next. Just like your favorite jeans, getting the right shoe fit requires time. Do not rush to buy a pair of cute shoes just to be unhappily dancing the night away! You must wear the correct size depending on the style that you choose.

For example, a pointy-toed stiletto may require that you wear one half to one whole size UP. Yes, up. Do not be afraid. Going a size up in the shoe department is not as scary as it seems. In fact, you may just have a revelation – your feet will not hurt. This small size adjustment will make your heels more comfortable – and no, no one will notice.

Are the shoes too large? Do they slip off of your feet while you walk? If so, you must go down at least one half size and try again. If going down a size does not correct the problem, or if the shoes are now too tight – this shoe is not going to fit you. Do not try to “make it work”. There is no such thing. You want to be comfortable and confident in your shoes! Try another pair.

A very common mistake I see daily is women who buy a shoe without trying it on OR walking around in it. You absolutely MUST walk in the shoes. Once you have put them on, stand up. As soon as you are balanced, make sure these shoes are of the proper height. Do they feel stable? Proper fit must be determined by walking on both soft and hard surfaces. Be sure to walk around on the carpet first. Then, move to the nearby hard surface flooring. You will always be able to ascertain whether or not a shoe will be functional by walking on a hard surface. The hard surface test will also make you aware of the soles of the shoes – are they extremely slippery? Do they feel off balance? Slippery soles can be fixed. However, unbalanced shoes should be written off altogether. Falling down for the sake of fashion is never cute.

Please ladies, I beg of you - do not buy the shoes if you cannot walk in them! Be realistic. It is perfectly normal to have difficulty walking in sky high stilettos. There is an art to walking well in heels, and it can be learned – but not without practice.

If you cannot walk in the shoes after you have completed your carpet and hard surface test, move on. If the shoes feel like they are slipping off of your feet, or you feel your toes curling over the front of the shoes, move on.

If the shoes fit you and feel comfortable, congratulations! You have found your perfect size!

Yes, it is a sad day when a pair of hot shoes are not “the one” for you. Do not worry. There are plenty more shoes that are fabulous AND functional. You just have to find them =)

Welcome to...My Shoe Called Life.

My love of shoes - and lets be honest, Jared Leto, has finally culminated in this new blog! The past few years of my life in the shoe industry have flown by and I have learned many tips, tricks, and trends that I will be sharing with you =)

Stay tuned!

Peace, Love, Shoes!