Rockin' Robin

I live in the South, so it should be no surprise that I hate snow, I dislike cold temperatures, and I even get super bored of wearing boots.  I just feel like boots are all so utilitarian; sometimes a lady wants a little whimsy in her life.

I'm so bored of socks.  I'm bored of sensible shoes that will keep me warm and dry.  And it hasn't even been THAT cold.  I keep looking longingly at the warm weather clothes in my closet.  I believe it will get into the 60s today; but it's still winter and I can't really get away with the pretty light silk pink dress with the blue hibiscus print.  Clothes like that require leaves on trees, they just seem out of place with the gray skies and sad dead lawns.

It's about this time of the year that I begin hallucinating robins, those pretty, red breasted, harbingers of spring time.

So far, no robins, but I can still find some lovely robins egg blue reminders of spring.

Such as the Agnes Patent Leather Pump from Jimmy Choo.

And the turquoise BB Pumps from Manolo Blahnik.

The Yves Saint Laurent Opyum Suede Pumps.

And for the truly desperate for spring, Christian Louboutin's J-Lissimo 100 Spiked Metallic Sandals are a great way to show off a pretty pedicure on warmer days.

Of course, my favorite is the cut out pump from Camilla Skovgaard.

In the meantime, I will dream of warmer places and the day that I can go bare legged once again.

Like I Need an Excuse

Camilla Skovgaard had a lovely write up in today's Wall Street Journal Online.

So of course I wore my favorite pair of shoes by said designer.

via Instagram

Coral Camilla Skovgaard saw pumps, blue Anna Molinari pants, random Ikea chair cover.

What to Wear: Casino Edition

Well, it's my last day in Vegas and before I run off to the pool I'll say goodbye to Vegas by taking some shoe inspiration from the brightly lit casino resorts here.

MGM Grand Hotel and Casino is one of the largest hotels in the world and was the home to the legendary Leo (you know Leo, he's the lion that roars in the MGM logo before movies).

If I had a gorgeous mane like Leo's I'd want to show it off.  But as mine is somewhat lacking in that wow factor, I'd make up for it with these YSL Mohawk Palais Suede Pumps.

Also topping the lists of largest hotels in the world is the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

It's all about the beach here so you'll need fabulous sandals, such as these Flama Runway Wrap Sandals from Diane von Furstenberg.

Next we must give to Caesar that which is Caesar's (and apparently every dollar I gambled is Caesar's).

Of course nothing befits a Roman casino better some Roman inspired flat sandals like these snake print ones from Giuseppe Zanotti.

Right next door to Caesar's Palace is the Bellagio.  With it's famed fountains and beautifully fragrant conservatory (and damn awesome shopping) you'll need shoes equal to the task.

I would recommend keeping in the Italian theme with these Violet Faille Color Block Ankle Strap Sandals from Fendi.

The colors match the beautiful sky behind the promotional photo for the Bellagio, si?

The next stop on our casino tour of countries is Paris.

These 3.5" nude pumps have that Parisian understated elegance with the glam of the red Louboutin sole.

If you want to get in touch with your inner Cleopatra you'll obviously choose to stay at the Luxor.

And nothing says Cleopatra like these Belle sandals by Sigerson Morrison.

Anthony will do a double take.

At Treasure Island you'll need to think like a pirate YAR!

You could go for the obvious fold over pirate boot, but why would you when you can wear these Suede Pirate Boots from Vivienne Westwood?

How many promotional items do you think read something along the lines of "In these Vivienne Westwood Pirate Boots you'll be prepared to walk the runway or the plank in style"?  Lots I'm sure.

Last on my personal tour of the strip is The Flamingo.

And because this is my blog we're gonna choose my favorite shoes from my closet.  That's right, my bright coral pink Camilla Skovgaard pumps!

Frankly, it doesn't get any better.

Well my dears, I have better things to do than blog and I believe there is an inner tube with my name on it!  So, I'm gonna grab my bathing suit cover up, my favorite pair of Tory Burch espadrilles (I told you, I hate thong sandals), and head down to the pool!

Where is your favorite place to stay in Vegas, and what shoes do you rock there?

Behold, the Power of Shoes

Unless, like Paul Simon, you are a rock, you are an island, you come into contact with people on a fairly regular basis.  And even Simon had Garfunkel for awhile.  Speaking of, I’m sure that song made Garfunkel feel just peachy about himself. “I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.” Oh Artie, you had to have known this breakup was eminent...  I had a point. 

Oh yes, no (wo)man is an island and for right or for wrong the way we dress may attract or repel attention.

I can’t be the only person that uses that to my advantage?

If you read my first blog entry you’ll notice that I’m fond of Camilla Skovgaard shoes.  I love them.  Some of her designs are way out there but some of the more simple pumps have just that slight touch of bad girl in them that appeal to me.  Every time I wear the bright pink coral saw pumps I get stopped.  Women want to talk about them.  And I love talking about shoes.

But I also realized I could use this to my advantage.

When I had to work at a bridal show I decide to dress like a peacock.  Well, figuratively mind you.  I pulled on the Camilla Skovgaards; I figured, if nothing else, I’d get people to my booth to ask about my shoes and once they were there and talking to me I’d steer the conversation straight to the product I was there to sell.  And it worked.

Yeah, you know you wanna approach the gal with the crazy shoes.

The best part of my day was when a well known baker came by our booth and told me in an appreciative tone, "You have serious balls for wearing those shoes all day."  Written down, it doesn't translate well, but trust me, tone matters!

Of course there is a corollary.  When I’m in a bad mood I try to dress so as NOT to garner attention.  I can’t recall why, but I remember a day getting progressively worse.  While in line at a Subway a perfectly nice woman complimented my outfit.  I responded in kind but not with my usual enthusiasm.  The minute I got home I changed into blue jeans and ancient doc martens oxfords with the comfort soles.  I simply wasn’t up for strangers that day and I wanted to blend in rather than stand out.

Bonsai does 90s angst like a champion.

Very seldom have I ever found myself wearing shoes for male attention.  And contrary to popular male belief an appreciation of shoes amongst women is NOT a competition (well maybe it is for some, we're not a monolithic group, I can't speak for us all).  It's just something pretty to enjoy; sometimes pleasures truly are simple with no ulterior motive.

That said, if you see that bitch walk by in the Navy Blue Patent Leather Campy Mary Janes, you knock her down, I'll steal her shoes and we both run.  We'll rendezvous at Starbucks.  No, not that one, the other one.  No, the one closer to my house.  There's one on that street?  No, the one near the book store.  You know what, I'll just see you later.  Don't get caught!

Oh navy blue Manolos, the things I would do for you (except, you know, spend $645)...

So what about you?  Are you a peacock that uses your clothing and accessories as a walking billboard?

The Reluctant Southerner Enters Her Third Decade

Typically, I am about as badass as a baby chimpanzee cuddling a kitten.  And I mean a sweet chimpanzee, not one of those rabid zombie chimpanzees from the movie 28 Days Later (not to be confused with Sandra Bullock playing a rabid drunk in 28 Days). 

I’m a reluctant Southerner.  If you look at a map and then fold it in half, Maryland is ABOVE the fold.  As such I consider myself a mid-atlantic-er.  But now that I live in North Carolina it’s time I call a (kate) spade a spade and admit defeat. 

Anyway, where was I?  I think I had a point.  Ah yes.  I hit 30 this year and with it I was going to become one of those women who accept the aging process and I was going to learn how to gracefully style myself in an adult conservative southern way.  My only whimsy would be garish Lily Pulitizer pinks and greens worn on the weekend with a cardigan thrown over my shoulders to protect myself from the chilly 90 degree humid weather.  This was going to be my fate.

And then I bought red jeans.

Red jeans with Camilla Skovgaard Patterned Saw Pumps via Instagram.

Fuck 30.  I wore my red man-eating jeans unabashedly.  I didn’t do anything of interest in them.  I went to work.  I went to a jewelry party.  I ate a liverwurst sandwich while reading Elle outside of a local deli.  But I did it with (metaphorical) balls. 

Lily will have to wait.  Forty is a short ten years away.  Maybe by then my style will have mellowed to Palm Springs casual.

These, however, these I see in my new badass, chimp cuddling kitten-free, future:

Camilla Skovgaard Spear Stiletto Mules