Ladies Night Out (in fab shoes)

This weekend (yeah, I'm falling behind) was a girlfriend's bachelorette party, and I headed back downtown after work for drinks, dinner (with drinks) and some drinks, and I was stunned by the great shoes everyone had on.

The heels of the night. 

Of course mine were fabulous. I finally got a chance to wear those black Colin Stuart heels with the fringe on the heels, but there were enough amazing shoes to cause some serious shoe-envy.

There were the classic Gucci sandal, a fab pair of studded heels (which, I consulted on for the bride-to-be) the classic black pump, and a sandal with an ankle strap.

Pretty sure we represented every major trend all in one evening.

Dinner was at Hub 51, and we all sipped cocktails and wine, and caught a glimpse of Scottie Pippen and his wife, who was wearing what looked like a pair of classic Stewart Weitzman pumps.

The evening ended early for me because I had to get up early for a graduation the next morning, but it was great to have a night out with such stylish ladies.

SJP Takes the Step into Shoes

I would like to be a celebrity because they get to do whatever they want.

I don't mean that in an Amanda Bynes, bad wigs and bong tossing kind of way (though that

If this is what we can expect, I'm sold.

doesn't seem to be working out well for her), or even the more philanthropic Angelina Jolie saving babies kind of way (because seriously, what would I do with that many kids?). I mean it in the "why can't I team up with an established company and be a designer?" kind of way.

Sarah Jessica Parker is the most recent celebrity to announce she is launching her own line of shoes, bags and coats. She's teaming up with George Malkemu, CEO of Manolo Blahnik, and launching the collection, appropriately named "SJP."

The collection will be available exclusively at Nordstrom (because apparently Macy's is for Madonna's stuff), and will also include bags and a few coats.

The price points will be the higher end of affordable, with single-sole pumps and flats will range from around $200 to $300, and bags will likely sell for under $700.

Of course she has discussed color and says that the shoes will be everything you always wanted in your closet. And if you didn't know you wanted it, after seeing the shoes and having her name on them, you will suddenly realize it's a shoe you always wanted and needed.

Happens to me every freaking time I shop. Especially at Nordstrom.

Admittedly, I am more intrigued by this collection than many other celebrity collections. I

Fabulously simple

mean, do we really think that Madonna approves every shoe for her Truth or Dare line, or that Carlos Santana has anything to do with designing the shoes for his line, Carlos?

That doesn't make them bad, and I love (and own) shoes from both those celebrity lines, but the fact that SJP actually has a hand in designing the shoes makes them that much more intriguing, and desirable, to me.

The fact that she's always amazingly dressed doesn't really hurt either.

SJP admitted that Carrie Bradshaw and all her shoes had something to do with this as well. After all, it was announced on the 15 year anniversary of the airing of Sex and the City, and there was nothing Carrie loved more than a good pair of shoes.

Ankle High

There's something so sexy about a shoe with an ankle strap. I'm not talking about gladiator sandals or lace up espadrilles, but the classic style pump.  They remind me of old Betty Page photos and are vaguely BDSM.

Steve Madden Faymuss and Whitneyy

They're also everywhere now. 

Now on every kind of shoe from wedges to stilletos, ankle straps are the shoe this spring and will
certainly continue into fall. 

Some of my favorites in my own collection are courtesy of Charles David. The fig colored heels are suede with a leather snakeskin heel and ankle strap. They're perfect with a pair of ankle length cigarette pants or a pencil skirt. 

There's also the far less logical pair by Wild Pair that I bought at Bakers last year on some kind of stress induced shopping spree. Dubbed my "dinosaur heels" because of the spikes down the back of the heels, the red and black suede sandals may not be work appropriate with their six inch heels and giant platform, but they sure do garner attention. 

One pair that has made my covet list is the Steve Madden Faymuss heels. The metallic heel sandal has an ankle strap more reminiscent of a cuff, which only makes it cooler. 

Michael Antonio for ShoeDazzle

ShoeDazzle has also embraced the trend in their June showroom. One of my personal favorites is the Tamaya by Michael Antonio with its sexy double strap, slim heel and two-tone color. 

Sometimes ankle straps can be tricky. There's a fine line between trendy and something that's too sexy for work, a barbecue or family party. Pair ankle strap heels with cropped, fitted pants or longer skirts. 

If you're rocking them at the office, I don't suggest wearing them with anything that goes above the knee. While they can look classy and trendy with a knee length pencil skirt, they can start to look a little too daring with something that hits mid thigh. 

Ruthie Davis does it right. 

Of course if you're going out to dinner, drinks or any other kind of evening out, a shorter skirt is completely appropriate. 

The only other problem with ankle straps, is that sometimes the straps are a bit short, or can squeeze slightly swollen ankles on hot days. If you're going to be wearing this trend mayor sure you stay well hydrated and make sure that the straps don't strangle your ankles. There's nothing trendy about fat looking ankles (despite Kim Kardashian's recent footwear). 

So go ahead and .embrace the look, buy a few pairs and wear the hell out of them. They're a classic, sexy shoe and a style that will be here to stay a while. 

You can click here to shop the look in both heels and flats. 

Jane Pratt Should Let Me Write for Her

If you've ever paid any passing attention to magazines and publishing then you know the name Jane Pratt. She is the founding editor of Sassy, then Jane, and now xoJane.com.

When I was younger and reading Sassy (because I am that old), I wanted to write for them. By the timeSassy had gone, Jane was hanging around, and I was more into Cosmopolitan, Vogue and finding a job than moving to New York to work for Jane Pratt.

I missed this issue...

I graduated college with my degree in communications with a concentration in print journalism,

My younger sister, who was a devout fan of Jane, now follows xoJane.com. Now totally online, xoJane.com has more articles than the magazine, a bunch of writers, and a strong Twitter presence. My sister also loves sending me articles from there, and this week managed to send two of the dumbest damn columns about shoes I may have ever read.

Considering the drivel I sometimes turn out on shoes, that's saying something.

First, we have Nicole and "Why I won't wear high heels, ever again." Seriously? Ever? Because that's a long fucking time and maybe one day something may come up that makes you want to wear them. Or you have to because you're an adult female and that's one of the things we do sometimes.

I'll save you the pain of reading this piece of nonsense and sum it up with the fact that this Toms, orthotics wearing she-man who works from home hates heels because they hurt her once and her dad said that sensible shoes are better.

Super easy to only wear orthopedic boots when you don't have to put on pants to go to work.

I get it. She walks a lot and doesn't like heels, and that's fine. They're not for everyone, But she is such a nasty troll about other people's shoe decisions that it aggravating as hell.  She also can't write a conclusion and the article ends abruptly like a car crash.

She writes for Jane Pratt and didn't ever go to journalism school. I only assume this since she can't write. Maybe I'm wrong. Regardless, she can keep her "comfy shoes," long walks through Manhattan and granny panties (because she hates thongs). I'll stick with cute shoes, girly underthings and cabs.

Today I got another silly article from my sister, who is now convinced that I should be writing about shoes for xoJane.com. This one from Brooke, who declares that she still wears stilettos even though she's a mom.

Guiseppe Zanotti heels that I will wear around children

Good for her, right? It's hard to chase kids in heels. And yoga pants are not acceptable for everyday wear. But she stresses how she dresses up like an adult, and looks nice, and brushes her hair, puts on lipstick and stuff even though she's a mom...

What the fuck people?

I know lots of moms who still use a brush and wear heels. When did it become OK to not do those things and now is this even vaguely noteworthy? I have a small niece and nephew, and step kids, and I wear heels all the time. And lipstick. I also have a full time (plus) job.

So you'd think this stay at home mom could find time to brush her hair without thinking she deserves a freaking award.

I need to find the submission guidelines for xoJane.com, because if this is the kind of drivel they find acceptable, I can totally help generate some copy for them. Maybe I can even offer up some real advice on shoes that doesn't involve never wearing heels ever or how to not turn into a troll-mom. An article from someone who actually leaves their house everyday may be just the thing xoJane needs.

Plus, my teenage self still wants to become best friends with Jane Pratt.

Kate Spade Goes Gilt

I have spent most of my life being rather adverse to preppy things. Never one to rock sweater sets and pearls (unless it was in an ironic way), my fashion has always been a little off center.  Because of that there have always been certain designers that I have shied away from.

I'm oddly obsessed with this bag. 

Recently though I find myself revisiting some of those who I had shrugged off , maybe it’s age, maybe it’s the designers that are getting less preppy, or maybe we’re meeting somewhere in the middle.

Kate Spade, always preppy in my view, has recently been releasing some really interesting looks, both in handbags, as well as clothing and jewelry, which is why I’m excited about the Kate Spade New York event on Gilt, which starts tomorrow (May 22).

Every four weeks Gilt members (and we’re all members, right?) will get first access to the new Kate Spade New York collection before it’s available anywhere else. Even better, a bunch of stuff will be discounted (because it’s Gilt) at up to 50% off.

Personally, I’m loving the gold bag, which reminds me of

Perfect for a summer wedding
(but I would have better shoes). 

something my grandmother used to have in her closet (and I mean that in the best way possible!). I’m also infatuated with the floral jacquard dress, which would be perfect for a wedding I have coming up. Obviously I love anything shiny.

I’m also holding my breath and hoping they add a couple pair of the Kate Spade Keds to the sale because my mom has been dying for a pair, and it would be such a fun surprise for her. (Hopefully she’s not reading this). There's also the classic flats, and I saw a pair of wedges in the preview sale that are pretty nice looking. 

For you bag junkies, there will be more bags, and there will of course be jewelry. I’ve already seen a couple baubles in the form of rings and bracelets, and I’m sure there will be more.

Set your alarms for 12:00 pm EST (lunchtime!) to start snatching up these deals. If you’re not yet a Gilt member (shame), you can join here for free. That means I just took away all your excuses. And if you are a member of Gilt, bookmark the sale at www.gilt.com/katespade. 

Paint and Why I Can't Buy New Shoes

This is the same price as a really nice pair of shoes.

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter then you know I’ve been busy. So busy in fact that I haven’t written a blog post in over a week. 

Lucky for my traffic, people are obsessed with Whoopi Goldberg’s shoes, and that post is still constantly being found via Google. Apparently last week was quite a week for Whoopi because people kept visiting me even though I haven't written shit. 

So where the fuck have I been that I feel like I can traipse in and out of all your lives, tromping on your heel-loving hearts with my stilettos?

Yeah, I guess I owe everyone an explanation, because this is going to get worse before it gets better, and I don’t want all you lovely people forgetting about me.

There’s work. I’ve been there a lot. And traveling. New York twice, D.C. next, I got sick two or three times, and I had some family stuff pop up. But most of my weekends have been spent working on my new house.

Apparently the hubby and I decided we wanted to test the limits of our sanity and our marriage, and bought a house that needed a crap-ton of fixing up (the living room was fluorescent green!), and suddenly it’s go time and we’re half moved into it, and half out of our apartment, and I have paint in my hair all the time, and I haven’t bought new shoes in months because I spent all my money on a new dining room set and paint.

Dear god, there is so much paint.

Just for the record, a five gallon bucket of Behr paint/primer in Princess Ivory successfully covered my living room and dining room, and cost as much as a pair of Stuart Weitzman heels.

I don't have the Tara pump by Miista
because of the damn house. 

When I pointed that out to dear husband he suggested I take an old pair of heels and dip them in the paint. 

I suggested he stick that idea up his ass. 

It’s a good thing that we built a new closet in the bedroom, because when we’re moved in and have a disposable income again (and am not disposing of it at Home Depot), I am going on a shopping spree that will make up for all these months of no shoes, accessories and clothes. Plus I need to replenish my wardrobe since so much went to the Salvation Army in the purge between closets.

Also, all that painting and climbing up and down ladders is a workout in itself, and if I keep going at this pace, when coupled with hauling boxes, I’m going to be skinnier, so I’ll need new clothes for that reason too. Then there’s also the part where I’m always sick and have no appetite.

But once we finally move in, I plan on shopping and drinking pretty much for like a month straight. You know, when I’m not working.

Swarovski lends Sparkle to THE WALK

Blair Disbrow

On May 3 the runway in Chicago sparkled just a little more than normal when the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) juniors, including Blair Disbrow, Jordan Kiehle and Crystale Crubaugh, presented their Swarovski embellished collections at THE WALK. 

THE WALK is the SAIC yearly fashion benefit gala, and this year featured over 250 fashions from undergraduate students, and fashions from the school's graduate students. 

Swarovski provided the jewelry and crystals for the show as part of the company's sponsorship of the event, which also included the window display at the Michigan Ave. store that I attended a few weeks prior. 

Crystale Crubaugh

“Swarovski is synonymous with fashion and our sponsorship of THE WALK allows us to work with the runways stars of tomorrow,” said Wayne Page, senior vice president of Swarovski North America. “SAIC produces some of the most talented emerging fashion designers, and it was remarkable to see how the jewelry and crystals came to life as part of the innovative window display and on the runway.”

Jordan Kiehle

Designers featured in the show will sell garments and accessories at a pop-up shop called Su_7 on Block 37 at 108 N. State in Chicago May 10-18. That means you can get your own piece of the budding designers before they become sought-after designers.