Leaving Las Vegas

Sad as I am to leave Vegas I'll be so happy to be back at Katie Likes Shoes Central with the dogs and the familiar television channels.

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?

Headliners

It's time for another Vegas themed post and today we take our shoe inspiration from the most well-known Vegas headliners.

We start with the granddaddy of them all, Elvis. 

Channeling our inner-Elvis for shoe inspiration proves relatively easy.  This is, after all, the man that sang about blue suede shoes.

Wear these Manolo Blahnik BB Suede shoes up and down the Vegas Strip and at the end of the night your hound dogs will be barking too.  So make sure you have shoe inserts.

Speaking of blue, our next inspiration comes from the Blue Man Group.

I don't think I could ever go see the Blue Man Group, I'd get kicked out for laughing because I cannot see them without thinking of Tobias from Arrested Development.  However, I can still appreciate the group with these Blue Leather Neve boots from Senso.

You can't talk Vegas inspiration without mentioning Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton.

Wayne's casually styled tux brings to mind the Jiver cut out spectator pumps from Anyi Lu.

Classic with a twist.

Vegas wouldn't be Vegas without a Carrot Top sighting.

After you stop screaming in horror and come back to your computer screen ease your eyes with these carrot orange booties from Giusseppe Zannoti for Christopher Kane.

Vegas is possibly the only place in the world where magic shows are still awesome.  First we have the legends Siegfried & Roy whose use of albino Tigers and sparkling metallic costumes help bring a sense of wonder to all the performances.

They are the perfect inspiration for these metallic silver booties from United Nude that have stripes reminiscent of their tigers.

Last, but certainly not least we have the wickedly funny Penn and Teller.

The masters of illusion and tricks make me think of these Bench Boots from Jeffrey Campbell.

This shoe always leaves me wondering about the wearer, "How do they do that?"

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!

You gotta know when to hold 'em

Vegas bound!

I've got four shoes fit for a Queen in each suit.

Queen Hearts?  Minna Parikka Roseum Heels.

Queen of Clubs?  Yves Saint Laurent Black and White Shamrock Printed Love Flats (okay so it's one extra leaf, deal).

Queen of Diamonds?  Piededifata Vernice.  (Remember the Piededifata brand if you are large of foot and Italian).

Queen of Spades?  Kate Spade (see what I did there?) Jolene.

Cross your fingers for four of a kind!

The Winner and Still Champion

For further information.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. then chances are you’ve seen a pair of genuine Ruby Red Slippers from The Wizard of Oz. And if you’re anything like me, boy were you disappointed.

Originally the costume designer, Gilbert Adrian, created the pair with bugle beads. While the beads looked more like rubies they were simply too heavy. The beads were replaced with the sequins you see above. The red leather, jeweled bows were added after, the bows feature the original bugle beads that were to be used on the entire shoe as well as red glass jewels. The sequins were added to white silk shoes from the Innes Shoe Company which were dyed red.

Let’s get honest though. Those shoes leave MUCH to be desired, so today, I humbly offer some new ideas to MGM to outfit each character’s feet.

We start of course with the Ruby Red Slippers. Honestly, it’s hard to find decent red glittery shoes that don’t go along with rather adult looking Dorothy costumes (wth?). But I do think these Sully platforms from Enzo Angiolini fit the bill.

I love the sparkle and shimmer of these heels and were I the Wicked Witch of the West, I’d be pretty pissed if some narcissistic trollop stole them from my barely dead sister. I mean really, how gauche!

Speaking of the Wicked Witch of the West, I don’t really see her wearing something so glamourous as Ruby Red Slippers, no, she probably just didn’t want some stranger making off with her sister’s beloved shoes while her body is still warm. I am sure her Yellow Castle was covered in flying monkey poop and I’d imagine she wouldn’t want to get her sisters lovely shoes all shitty. I see her wearing these practical, yet fabulous, Libby Smith Boots from John Fluevog.

I still wouldn’t want to get monkey poop on them, but I’m sure it’s easier to remove said poop from these shoes than it would be from glittery sparkle shoes.

Glinda, the Good Witch, much like the late Wicked Witch of the East would probably also have sparkly shoes, but in a more virginal color. She was such a nosy do-gooder. Giving away shoes that didn’t belong to her because some girl with a fishy back story lands her house on a Witch terrorizing a race of people that has a guild for lollipops. Haven’t they heard of the food pyramid? They need more variety. Where’s the Kale Chip Guild?

Oh yes, Glinda would be utterly charming giving away shoes that don’t belong to her while wearing these Christian Louboutin Helmour 100mm pumps.

On her journey to Oz Dorothy meets the Scarecrow who decides to join her adventure in order to ask the great and powerful wizard to give him the gift of a brain. If he had a brain he would know that what he should REALLY ask for are these raffia pumps from Dolce & Gabbana.

All the chic Scarecrows are wearing D&G this season.

While on their way they meet the Tinman who desperately wants a heart. Personally I think the Tinman would be the best to dress, all metallic and industrial much like these Ruthie Davis Robot Platform Sandals.

Sexy, no? Though, if he had a heart, it’d be broken if these shoes don’t come in his size (mine would be too).

The last hanger-on they meet while traveling to Oz is the Cowardly Lion. He’d probably be terrified of these Prada Mohawk pumps, but too damn bad, I’m dressing him and he’ll wear these and like them.

RAWR! The mohawk looks so much like a lion’s mane does it not?

Oh, and what would The Wizard of Oz be without Dorothy’s little dog too?

We’re not in Kansas any more Toto. I wonder how many Toto’s it took to make these Prada Faux Fur Tall Boots? Wait, that’s Cruella deVille not the Wicked Witch of the West, wrong movie franchise.

So there we have it. Shoes I would happily visit in the Smithsonian.

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?