Art You Can Wear

Maybe I'm just a bit of a snob (okay, probably I'm being a bit of a snob) but I can't help to feel that anyone that doesn't see the beauty in these Nicholas Kirkwood sandals...

...is likely an open mouth breathing cretin who goes to art galleries only to exclaim, "I don't get it, my FIVE YEAR OLD could do that!" upon seeing Pablo Picasso's Summer Bouquet.

While not explicitly inspired by Picasso's line drawings (as far as I know, I've not asked the designer, surprisingly Kirkwood does not show up on my speed dial, Dominos does though), Nicholas Kirkwood has designed shoes in the past based on the art of Keith Haring. I quite like this trend, how about you?

Oh, and no, your five year old probably could not design these shoes. Though I'm sure s/he is a genius.

Green with Envy

Back in the 1976 (aka before Katie was born), Kermit learned that being green can be pretty fabulous; it's beautiful.


You know what Kermit? I think green is what I want to be too. Especially if I can be green with 100mm Valentino patent pointy pumps.

If worried about blending in, I'd set the green against a bright and light color like Nicholas Kirkwood did with these ankle strap pumps.

Manolo Blahnik makes it very easy to want to be green in a low heeled Mary Jane Pump.  I know sometimes being green is harder in a high heel, so here we have easier green.

And while not Kermit's particular shade of green, Prada, B Brian Atwood and Semilla (shown left to right) all have great options in very vibrant colors.

But green's the color of Spring
And green can be cool and friendly-like
And green can be big like an ocean
Or important like a mountain
Or tall like a tree
~Kermit the Frog 

Vampires v. Werewolves v. Shoes

So, I'm a little too old for the Twilight Franchise, a little too HBO-less for True Blood, and I can't get into Anne Rice or the Charlaine Harris novels for that matter.  And that's not to say I don't enjoy novels that are light and silly, it's not all Edith Wharton up in here.  I even like werewolves (see Remus Lupin, Michael J. Fox, Oz...) and I'm okay with some vamps (The Count, Spike, Jack Bauer...).  Anyway, although I may not be the target demographic for Vampires v. Werewolves that's not to say I can't appreciate shoes that look like they should be worn by monsters.

source

I KNOW RIGHT?!  Anyway, you must go to the United Nude blog post to read about these, maybe if we all ask pretty please they'll make a limited edition... A limited edition I can't afford anyway.  But, I'll be happy to know that a few pair are out there on other people's feet, causing folks to point and smile.  Besides, my dogs might try to pick a fight with these shoes.

Are you ready for some football?

What?  They're sorta shoes.

You will experience déjà vu

You will experience déjà vu.

HA! When I was around 7 or so I remember an evening of watching The Karate Kid on VHS with my two best friends and chewing Bazooka Joe gum. The title and first line of this post were my fortune. At 7 it was possibly the funniest thing I've ever read and I still remember it and giggle to this day.

Onwards to the déjà vu.

In the Spring/Summer 2008 Prada collection these heels with the sculpted floral heel were hugely popular.

I love the heel, but I must admit, the rest of the shoe, meh.  I don't particularly like that style of open toe shoe.  I don't typically mind a peep toe (though I'll admit I hate the constant pressure of having a perfect pedicure and I have been known on occasion to fake it by only keeping the piggy that went to the market and the piggy that stayed home perfectly done) but open toes just feel incomplete.  I'm weird.

Fast forward to 2012 and Valentino has a flower heel.

Oh, irony, you fickle mistress.  I love this shoe (a nude point toe pump?  yes please!), but the rose heel is hideous.  If only I could get the original prada heel on the nude pump I'd be in heaven.  But alas, it is not meant to be for me.

Going Red for Women

Today is Wear Red Day, a reminder to women that heart disease is our number one killer.



Elizabeth Banks is so my lady crush. In my fantasies we go to cafes together for lunch, sit outside, and make fun of each other using our best potty words.

I digress.  Macy's has gone red for women by offering a 20% off sale by wearing red for women at any of their participating stores.  To get you started, here are some red shoes you can find at Macy's:

1.  Ellen Tracy Carlton Pumps
2.  MICHAEL Michael Kors Mid Flex Pumps
3.  Nine West BeeOut Wedges
4.  Caparros Zsa Zsa Peep Toe Pumps
5.  Nina Evelixa Evening Pumps

And for those of us who aspire greater things than Macy's offers, the YSL Tribtoo Suede Pumps in red (get 'em before Christian Louboutin gets them on a retrial!):

Stay healthy ladies!

Orthopaedics for the Pole

Tell me I'm not the only one that sees these:

Gianmarco Lorenzi

and thinks they're a stripper version of these:

Dr. Scholl's

No?  Just me then.

What in the name of Sir Isaac H. Newton happened here?

Like all children of the 80s, my nostalgia runs deep.  My generation had the best movies, the best cartoons, and the best promotional giveaways.  Why wouldn't fashion look for inspiration in my childhood.

It looks like Brian Atwood took direct 80s inspiration with these Alima Neon Patent Leather Pumps.

In fact, they remind of being 8 years old, at Pizza Hut, Huey Lewis and the News playing on the jukebox (quarters begged from parents), with my two best friends getting our free personal pan pizzas for being such voracious readers.

Good luck getting that one out of your head darlin'!

Anyway, I remember two Pizza Hut movie giveaways that threw me into a tizzy as a child, the plastic Land Before Time puppets (that bastard Don Bluth always made me cry at his movies) and the Solar Shades to promote Back to the Future II.

 

Can we get a side by side comparison?

That's the power of love.

Tell us what you really want

Some women prefer to be subtle in their sexuality.  A shy smile.  Eye contact.  A kiss at the door at the end of the first date.



Mr. Louboutin does not design for those women.

Christian Louboutin Sex 120

Considering most men, I really think this is the one thing they don't need spelled out for them.

Katie Likes Stationery: Lanvin

I love Lanvin; not least of all because I think Alber Elbaz is absolutely adorable.  And, as we all know, I love stationery.

But I dunno, I've always felt Lanvin's paper goods were a bit twee.  Which, granted, is fine if that's your style aesthetic.  But for me, I hate cupcakes (I also hate full sized cake); if all the rain drops were lemon drops and gum drops, well then we'd have a drought wouldn't we; I prefer Clooney to Joseph Gordon-Levitt; and I would neither ironically or sincerely wear a tiara.  It's simply not my bag.

Too Twee for Me:  JGL in GQ, Tiaras at the Louis Vuitton runway show,
Martha Stewart Chrysanthemum Cupcakes, gum drops and lemon drops

So, while the price tag of $115.00 slightly annoys me, I know quality stationery can run that high (usually because you having it engraved with your name or initials but I'm just being nitpicky), I can't imagine ever having this adorn my desk.

Plus, who sends notes in colored pencil anyway?

Point and match.

Anyway, for the more acerbic of us, Lanvin does offer a plain hardcover fabric bound notebook...

...for $90.00.  Hey, it's cheaper than Smythson!