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.
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
"I don't think art is propaganda; it should be something that liberates the soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further. It celebrates humanity instead of manipulating it."
~Keith Haring (1958-1990)
I don't wear slingbacks, they always slide down. I typically don't like peep toes that much (I'm too lazy for the kind of pedicure maintenance they require). But somehow, I see these, and I melt. It's like when you fall for a guy that's all wrong for you.
Nicholas Kirkwood Fall/Winter 2011
Except unlike the wrong guy, these you can stick in the back of your closet and eventually forget about them. Have you ever tried to keep a guy in your wardrobe? It's not easy, let me tell you.
I typically wear a pant between a size 4 and a size 6 depending on the cut, but usually, even if a 4 is too small, the six is too big resulting in the need for a belt. Sometimes I don't really notice the fact that my pants are a bit too loose until I'm already out of the house and smack dab in the middle of the day.
I think my inbetween status is the perfect excuse to buy this pair of Nicholas Kirkwood Fall/Winter 2011 ankle boots.
If I feel my pants start heading south I can unbuckle the strap from the shoe and I have a matching belt ready to go!
Oh, who am I kidding, those shoes are so handsome I'd never deface them by removing the strap. I'll just have to remember to always wear sexy underwear.
In 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis Americans began stockpiling goods in the event of a nuclear war.
Every August, two weekends before the start of September, I begin stockpiling as well. Why? I live in a college town. This weekend every grocery store, each big box store, all office supply stores will be overrun with out of towners who are stressed, exhausted, and saying a long goodbye to their babies for the first time. You do NOT want to be at Target picking up nail polish remover this weekend.
Driving through my town during move in weekend is like driving in India any day of the year.
I swear, these incoming freshman kamikaze across the parking lot, parents are arguing in the car about where to turn and are completely unable to look before merging because their car is completely stocked with all of junior's crap. And despite having enough shit in their car to sustain a small country, they will still find a reason to run to Target, the grocery store, the mall and every area restaurant I so love.
I plan on spending this weekend hiding under my quilt, mumbling angrily, and behaving pretty much like every other townie out there.
I'm in the unique position of living in an uber-college town. While my own city only has two universities (and a community college) I am wedged between two cities with state universities and several smaller colleges. The Target a quarter mile from my home is the "good" Target (which is utter bull fecal matter, it's just in a prettier part of town). Every parent that manages to miss the turn into Target will turn around in my lazy little neighborhood and not watch for regular traffic coming into or leaving my little street.
But, other than the nightmare that is move in weekend the local colleges and universities are good for my town. So, today, I honor the big four that will all but shut down the shopping plaza down the road.
First up is Duke University. The Duke gardens is one of my favorite places in town. I like to take the dogs there, read a book, have a picnic, take pictures and enjoy the flowers.
For the Devilish Duke girl I recommend this very sexy pair of Pucci Patent Leather Boots.
True story, Christopher "Play" Martin of Kid and Play was a professor in the music department at NCCU. He still lives here in Durham and every time I find myself at a grocery store I don't normally frequent I think to myself, "I wonder if Professor and Play shops here" and I spend the majority of my time looking in every aisle for him. I've never seen him. Yet.
Back to shoes though, a pair of Theyskens' Theory Patent Leather and Suede Ombre Wedges in maroon is perfect for an Eagle.
Just down the road from me is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. UNC students are kamikaze pedestrians beyond move in weekend. Just visit Franklin Street on any game day.
Anyway, I keep trying to convince a coworker of mine who is a UNC alum to get these Kate Spade Cam Too pumps for her upcoming wedding. She NEEDS some UNC blue shoes under her wedding gown. There is no question in my mind.
And last it's time to put our wolf-ears up.
Oh my, don't worry Debbie, you'll figure it out.
Now North Carolina State University is the furthest from my house and while they don't tend to descend on my local eateries and stores I do live quite close to a "destination mall." So I'm guaranteed to run into someone from the Wolf Pack while going to the movies or stopping by Paneras.
State totally wins on the sexiest colors for shoes contest. Nicholas Kirkwood's ankle boots are ideal for leading the pack.
So, to all the incoming freshman in my area, know that while we townies might grumble and groan on move in weekend, we are very happy to have you here. Enjoy these four years, enjoy all the area has to offer, and we promise, once this weekend is over you will experience that southern hospitality you've been told about. For the love of all that is holy though, STOP trying to decorate the grill of my car with your body.
You may not know this about me, but I moonlight as a Super Hero. It’s not because I have any real sense of civic duty and, unlike Batman, I’m not reacting to a childhood trauma that led me to vigilante justice. No. I just like the shoes.
When I’m out on patrol I like to wear these Nicholas Kirkwood Platform Sandals. The sound of the heel authoritatively hitting the pavement strikes fear in the hearts of all ne’er-do-wells.
When it’s time to kick a little ass I change into these gold Alejandro Ingelmo Origami booties to let all the bad guys know I mean serious business.
Flying through the air, I return to a pair of Nicholas Kirkwoods. These sandals are reminiscent of the winged sandals that Hermes (the Greek God not the fashion house) wore and the bits of metallic catch the light so beautifully when I’m soaring through the heavens.
And when I’m kicking back eating super hero cheetos I like to wear these Balenciaga Ankle Boots. They match my Arctic Fortress of Solitude so perfectly.
Being a super hero doesn’t really pay the bills though. To afford shoes sometimes a gal has to play both sides of the game. So on those rare occasions I have to resort to a little villainy I reach for these Cesare Paciotti Platform Sandals. And let's face it, sometimes it's just more fun to be a little bad.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the images are ridiculous, but the American Medical Association? Do we really need them to tell us what’s wrong with fashion?
And really? They’re up in arms about an image from a Ralph Lauren Ad that went viral in 2009? Bit late to the game aren't we AMA?
image originally from photoshopdisasters
We do this dance on such a regular basis. I refuse to get my hopes up that things will change.
