Low Cal Options

Around the country there is a great fervor of excitement due to the yearly appearance of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.

I'm trying to watch my waist line though, so it's time to look at some alternatives to the sweet pumpkin spice syrup and whipped cream yumminess.

Maybe I can get my pumpkin-y fix from Jimmy Choo.

When it comes to fall though, suede is a bit more cozy.

The lace up suede orange shoes from Chie Mihara are much lower in calories than the usual tall pumpkin spice latte with nonfat milk, hold the whip, however they, like the Jimmy Choo's, are much higher in cost.

The more budget-conscious among us might try the Vivienne Westwood by Melissa Women's Anglomania Croco Mary Jane Pump.

On sale now at endless for $129.25, it's a good time to be healthy.

Jackpot!

 

Dammit!  Stupid lemon.

D&G Cherry Wedge Sandals, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania x Melissa Cherry Lady Dragon Shoes, Manolo Blahnik Uliepe in yellow.

Let's hope luck is a lady tonight!

What to Wear: Out of This World Edition

Earlier this month we discussed our best options for footwear after the Apocalypse.  However, if, like me, you are banking on being included on the spaceship with Stephen Hawking, Brian Greene, and my favorite, Michio Kaku (he’s so enthusiastically happy about science it’d be impossible to be in a bad mood trapped on a spaceship with him), then you’ll need to start packing.

Now, I know you’re thinking, Katie, you make wedding invitations, Hawking is one of the foremost authorities on theoretical physics, Greene is known for his enormous contributions to string theory, and, speaking of string theory, Kaku co-founded string-field theory, and you Katie, bless your little heart, you design wedding invitations.

Well, yes, you have a point.  But really, what are all these scientists going to do, just sit around and discuss their Mensa membership.  They’ll need someone to provide the comic relief.  Like Pinky had the Brain, like Sherrif Andy had Deputy Fife, like Ren had Stimpy, like Zach Morris had Samuel "Screech" Powers.

I'm totally Screech!

Now, just because I’ll be in outer space is NO excuse to not rock awesome, out-of-this-world footwear.

I know that the obvious choice is the flat pack Moon Shoe that United Nude designed for Spanish performance artist Alicia Frami’s “Moon Life” project.

Some assembly required.  I hope they include an Allen Wrench.

But, considering this shoe is really an art installation there will be the issue of coming by it honestly.

So I’ve decided to try for something available for purchase and probably a bit more comfortable.

My first choice is this white wedge boot from Finsk. 

These look suitably space aged and as though they’d keep my tootsies warm during the ascent.

Another absolutely fantastic option is the Chelsea boot from Alejandro Ingelmo. 

They would look so awesome with a silver Lycra space jumpsuit tucked into them.  I’d accessorize with a kickass belt.

For cold space walks when they send me out into space to fix the ship’s hull with bobby pins and double sided fashion tape (always prepared), Opening Ceremony’s Quilted Boot is perfect.

I wouldn’t have to worry about the coldness of space as each foot would be snugly wrapped in its own individual quilt.

I don’t know if life exists on another planet, but I always feel as though I should be prepared for a party.  That’s where Walter Steiger comes into play.

These curved heel pumps are suitably sexy and still a bit futuristic and space age.

Finally, every woman in space or on terra firma needs a pair of comfortable flats.  These Melissa x Zaha Hadid flats are perfect for the job.

I can’t help but think that if Flash Gordon were a woman he’d totally wear these shoes.

So, will you be joining me on the spaceship and if so, what will you be packing in your shoe bag?

Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again

I’m sure that The Fortunes are actually crying because the rainy day ruined a pair of perfectly beautiful strappy sandals and not because they’re missing some girl.  They’re just too manly to admit it.

If you live pretty much anywhere on the Eastern seaboard or any of those middle-y states your summer forecast is “Hot with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms.”  Your evening forecast is “Slightly less hot with a chance of a late evening thunderstorm developing a half an hour after Katie finally falls asleep.”

The obvious choice for footwear when it rains is a rain boot.  And the obvious choice for a rain boot is the classic Hunter Wellington.  I love my graphite high gloss wellies.  I look forward to rainy spring days when I can wear a cute dress and my rain boots and go stomp around in puddles. 

Hunter Wellingtons in High Gloss Graphite

There are other options for rain boots that are just as chic, during my Red, White, and Shoe series I showcased an adorable rain boot from Sperry-Topsiders that’s a great option.  However, something about temperatures nearing the triple digit mark makes me not want to wear boots of any kind.  So I’m always reaching for other alternatives in my closet.  These alternatives may not keep my feet dry, but they’ll keep my leather and canvas shoes from being ruined when crossing the river that is the parking lot at work.

My favorite alternative is from a few seasons back (which means you can still find it, and on sale--SCORE, but in limited sizes and colors) and that is the Marni Rubber Mary Jane Pump (I sized up as I usually run somewhere between a full and a half size).  Sizes 6s and 10s might want to try The Outnet for a pair in camel.

I have the gray-the running joke is that these are my rain pumps.

Next up is Melissa Shoes, a PVC shoe made by a Brazilian shoe company taking the world by storm not only for its fabulous collaborations with designers and architects but also for its incredible committment to zero waste designing and fabrication.  Melissa is made with Melflex(tm) plastic, a plastic created specifically by and for the company, which molds itself to the foot for comfort.  It’s also recyclable!

So which designers have collaborated with Melissa?  To name a few:

• Karim Rashid (designed the Oh Chair for Umbra) 
• Zaha Hadid (architect behind the BMW Central Building in Germany, the Guangzhou Opera House in China, the Bergisel Ski Jump in Austria...) 
• Vivienne Westwood
• Jean Paul Gaultier
• and this spring 2012 Jason Wu will be adding his name to the list.

Preview of Jason Wu x Melissa Lady Dragon Pump

I gotta say, the Jason Wu Lady Dragon pump leaves me wanting.  It’s not as whimsical as some of the other Melissa designs have been.  And as far as the Lady Dragons go, nothing beats Vivienne Westwood Anglomania +  Lady Dragon Heart Shoes.

People will stop and ask you about your shoes when you wear these.

So there we have it.  You're ready to face afternoon thunderstorms and still look fabulous!  Don't forget to keep an umbrella nearby too; shoes can't protect your hair.