Cat in Heels

Boots, winter and the office. That can be a tricky game to play. IMO this is pushing it. Boots are the perfect shoe to wear in the winter (assuming the ground isn’t covered in ice) and they can be paired with skirts and pants, and can make an otherwise boring outfit somewhat office chic. They can also totally derail an otherwise professional look, turning you into some kind of corporate America dress code nightmare. When it comes to boots of any height and work, stay away from heavy hardware. A buckle detail or exposed contrasting zipper is fine, but stop there. Unless you’re in a very fashion forward office, don’t wear things with chain embellishments, studs or both. This goes double when said boot is knee high. Speaking of height, be careful. An over the knee boot can be great with pants or skirts, but you want to make sure the skirt isn’t too short, and that the boot heel isn’t too high. I personally just stay away from over the knee boots because I’m short and curvy and l...

Gwen Stefani spent the last decade going from rock star to style icon and rock star. Plus she married Gavin Rossdale and had a couple of cute kids, including the one she's currently pregnant with. I'm obsessed with the red boots.  I'm trying to figure out how we can become friends so we can have playdates with her new baby and my twins. Then we can talk fashion and diapers, and with the new line she has just launched with ShoeDazzle , Gwen sure has a lot going on. GX is the first collaboration between ShoeDazzle and Gwen Stefani, and features shoes and handbags in black, red, white and cobalt blue. This works out really well for me because those four colors make up 90% of my wardrobe. The shoes have some great diversity between sleek pumps with small island platforms and single soles, sky high wedge sandals, and some great bootie styles. When it comes to handbags, there are more square, structured styles, and the same basic but bold colors. They're all pret...

Apparently in the 1980s, our present seemed so far away they felt they could wildly speculate about what the future would hold. Now here we are in the Back to the Future II years and totally lacking in hover boards, flying cars and my trash an doesn't talk to me. Probably a good thing on the talking trash can.  Now with self lacing technology. One thing that has been coveted by many all these years are Marty McFly's gym shoes from 2015. A couple years ago Nike actually made that happen, and sold a 1,500 pairs they made to people with lots of money who were also gym shoe fanatics and Back to the Future fans. One disappointment was that the shoes didn't self lace and you actually had to do it yourself. Now  Nike announced  they are fixing that and will have a self lacing shoe out by 2015.  I have to wonder how long they've been sitting on his patent, hoping they can make it work.  While I personally don't care about gym shoes all that much,...

Allure brings over the knee to a new level. For many of us winter brings snow, cold and general misery. In Chicago it feels like it's been -20 and snowing for months now. In reality it's been like three weeks, but with no end in sight, it sure does make things seem drab. Luckily, there's a cure for drab winter, and that is shopping and buying all the cozy clothes and shoes from the winter collections. Kandee shoes now has their full Winter  Luxe collection available, and it's the cure for the winter blues. No kidding, I felt happier the moment I started looking at the shoes. There's something about shiny new boots (or new pony hair and studs) that just warms my heart and makes me not hate the universe quite so much. The Amor , Sweet Peanut , and Peanut Crunchy all offer the classic ankle boot with a leopard print in a variety of styles with a tall, sexy stiletto. Plus the whole collection is inspired by Hollywood legends and contains the signature embelli...

Red knee high boots are kind of a staple in my wardrobe. I've had them on and off for years, and wear the hell out of them. Recently I found my new perfectly red boots courtesy of ShoeDazzle . The burgundy color is perfect, and they have great rivet detail on the eyelets and ribbon laces. Of course there's also a side zipper so it's easy to get them on and off.  I wore the boots Thanksgiving with the family,which was a long day, and they were comfortable pretty much the whole day. That's a hell of an accomplishment at this point with my growing twin belly.  Remell by Leila Stone Honestly the shoes were so amazing, and fit so well, I'm considering purchasing them again. This time in black.  But is it too weird to have the same shoes in two different colors ? Especially something as unique and noticiable as a knee high boot with ribbon lacing?  Facebook said go for it, and I think I may have to. Finding knee high boots that fit my calfs tha...

Recently I have been getting a lot of questions about boots. Everything from where to find boots for various calf sizes, to what height is best. The funny thing is all of these things are very personal, and pretty easy to figure out or find. I recently did a post on boots for women with larger calves. You can read it here . But, there's also women out there who have naturally skinny legs, and sometimes they're as miserable as those of us with man-calves. Instead of not being able to find anything that zips, they can't find anything to create a snug fit. Instead Michael Kors being forced to buy boots that gap at the top or inappropriately slouch, creating a totally different look than the one originally envisioned.  Really, is there anyone out there that has the perfect sized calves for knee-high boots? For those of you with naturally slender legs, I suggest buying stiffer boots that have a zipper up the side or the back of the boot. This will keep the boot st...

Stuart Weitzman and Gilt have teamed up for an exclusive pop-up shop online. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Stuart Weitzman 5050 boot,  Gilt.com  launched a digital pop-up The iconic 5050 boot in safari and pave.  shop which include iconic and limited edition styles. This over the knee riding style boot has made itself a classic boot and a classic Weitzman shoe.  This 20 piece Anniversary Collection features the classic colors, as well as designs in an array of unique materials including zebra haircalf, sea crystal snake calfskin, black goosebump nappa and prune woodsnake.   Since I am obsessed with texture and furry boots, you can guess which ones are making me drool, although basic black is probably the most practical way for me to go.  As part of the shop, Gilt members can also purchase a Swarovski pave version, custom-crafted with 25,000 crystals hand-set in an elaborate leopard pattern. With leopard, Swarovski spa...

It's fall and fall means it's time for boots. Specifically tall boots. That amazing shoe that goes with just about anything and juts screams fall fashion. If you're me it's also the shoe that causes the most aggravation because apparently having developed calf muscles (ie: not supermodel legs) means you have a hell of a time finding boots. I've discussed my man calves quite a few times on this blog, so unless you're a new reader, you know I love these . They're $300... all about this. Today Refinery29 posted a list of boots for people with wide calves, which means I'm probably not the only person in the world that has this problem. They probably have a frustrated writer or editor somewhere who runs too much or has a giant Germanic build like I do. The crazy thing about the list is that half of the shoes were from plus size stores like Lane Bryant and Torrid (and appallingly heel-less), and the other half are apparently tucked away on websit...

The weather says its now officially fall (at least in Chicago) and that means its time to bust out the sweaters and boots. It also means its time to shop for new fall clothes, which is good because I was getting really, really tired of my summer clothes. Gilt has teamed up with People StyleWatch to make fall shopping even easier (and more fashionable) and will have a denim shop open until October 16.  I know it's not shoes, but what better excuse to buy new boots than a fab pair of new jeans?  The shop will offer more than 50 styles from top designers, as we'll as the sales only Gilt can bring you.  Shoppers can browse by: ·         Size ·         Color ·         Cut and more The sale even features Chicago’s very own Henry & Belle, a heritage denim line that won two awards in People StyleWatch’s denim aw...

A couple days ago I got into a conversation on Twitter about fall fashion trends, and of course shoes came up. Classic black ankle boot.  Apparently the fashion magazines (which I have fallen hopelessly behind on) are saying ankle boots are a big trend for fall. Which is great and all, but I'm pretty sure that ankle boots are a trend every fall. In fact, I'm going to take it a step further and say that in reality, they're not a trend at all, but simply a wardrobe staple. Kind of like pants. You have pants and skirts, just like you have boots and sandals. Some of them just happen to be ankle boots, which are most appropriately worn when it's not 100 freaking degrees out. So in fall. This is all a shocking revelation, I'm sure. It's pretty safe to say if you have ankle boots from last season, they're still good this year. Just like the ones you buy this year will still be good next year. Even if they have studs or buckles, or even fringe, Miu Mi...

Mid-calf Louboutins Fall and winter means boot season. There's nothing better than slipping on a pair of well worn boots with a pair of jeans on the weekend, or jumping puddles in the city in a skirt and pair of heeled boots. When it comes to boots I apparently start to think I live in some kind of commercial. Boots are kind of a tricky one though. With so many different heights, heels, toe shapes, and sillouetes, how are you supposed to know what works and what doesn't before you make the investment? The sometimes daring over the knee boot is a great look, but only if you're tall and skinny. They can look great with a pair of jeans or leggings, or a fabulous mini skirt for a night out. My preference for over the knee boots is always something with a heel and small platform. It creates that enviable legs for days look. There are flats out there, but one wrong piece of clothing a suddenly you look like an extra from Robin Hood. And I mean that in the worst way pos...

I love art, and when I saw there was a FluevogCreative Art Exhibit at the John Fluevog store near me, I knew I had to go. I love art, Fluevogs, and wine, all of which were going to be there. Fluevog art and shoes. Everyone knows booze makes shopping better. The store was unveiling their new ad campaign, which was predictably great. The exhibit featured four finalists from FluevogCreative's first eight briefs, showcasing a total of 30 artists. And of course shoes from their new spring line had started to arrive, which gave me new things to drool over as well. My sister fell in love with a pair of over the knee boots with a chain detail around the ankle and heel of the boot that were on crazy sale. I fell in love with a pair of red, black and gray heeled loafer style shoes that were calling out to be a part of my wardrobe. The shoes I want in the wrong color. Unfortunately for me, they were only available in my size in tan, gray and black. Rebecca, the fabulous Flue...

This year's Black Friday shopping adventure really wasn't that exciting. It was exciting because there were great deals, and I got to spend the day with my sister, niece and mom, but there weren't any crazed shoppers pushing people out of the way, pulling hair and hitting one another with display heels in an effort to get the last size medium dress. Same boots, different day Instead we shopped our way through the mall grabbing great deals, and finding some really nice stuff for Christmas gifts. My two-year-old niece waved at Santa (the highlight of her day), danced to music in every store, and pointed out all the shoes she thought were "So cute." For being two, she has great taste in shoes. Surprisingly, I didn't buy any shoes today. Or maybe that's not surprising because I was actually Christmas shopping, and for once not focusing on myself. At least not the whole time. I also learned that my Kensie boots look awesome, but are not the best ...

I make fun of people. I'll admit it. I'm snotty and totally call people out for looking like idiots. And in case you missed it I spent my whole last post making fun of a woman who couldn't zip her boots over her calves. Shortly thereafter I was delivered a giant box of karma straight from Steve Madden . Carmel colored boots. These boots hate me. They are amazing. So amazing that as soon as I ordered them, I ordered this great oatmeal colored sweaterdress to go with them. Then I found a matching belt. Christ, this was going to be the cutest outfit ever. Then the boots arrived. I slid my feet into them, feeling the buttery leather and smelling that new shoe smell, packing materials all over the table. I was feeling smug since I read the description, and knew the boots were 14 inches around at the top. Same as my calves. I measured them before I ordered the boots. So why weren't they fitting? Sure, I got my foot in just fine, but as I tried to slide the ...

How do you hide things in plain sight? If it's a pair of shoes in my closet, the answer is simple. Just put them in the closet. No one will notice another pair of shoes in there. Even after it's been cleaned. The trickier part is then introducing the shoes into regular rotation without answering where they came from and where they've been. Let's back up. About a week before the wedding I went shopping with my sister and bought new wedding shoes at Bakers . If you follow me on Twitter (which my hubby does not) then you know another purchase was also made at that time. A pair of black suede H by Halston ankle boots with a studded cuff. And they were on sale. And they counted as a boot, so I got 25% off my other shoes. So like a week before my wedding I spent a couple hundred dollars on shoes. New boots being incognito in the closet. I was going to skip them and just get the multi-colored glitter shoes, but my sister convinced me otherwise saying that they were ...

...and I don't own any. At least I don't think so. I have to go raid my closet, but I'm almost positive that I don't have one pair of shoes that is adorned with spikes or studs. I have clothes that fit that category, but I think as far as shoes go the closest I get is a bunch of buckles or hardware. Christian Louboutin has an amazing pair of heels that not only have studs, but also bows, which are covered in studs. The Clou Noeud Spikes. I only own polka dot shoes with bows. Two pair actually, and they're disappointingly less lethal than Louboutin's shoe. I guess I could beat someone to death with them, but I can't stab them with the cute little bows.   Today it was also announced that Ruthie Davis ' will be coming to Neiman Marcus (which is great if you don't have a boutique that sells her stuff in your area). The shoe they advertised this new with was so great it prompted a mid-afternoon Facebook post, and some general designer obsessing...

I have lots of shoes. Really, I mean lots. And just like children, I love them all equally, and some days some more more favorite than others. Today I rocked the Fluevogs , which are my one and only pair, (which is why there's no further description) and they are once again my favorite child. Now maybe I really do just look cute today. I'm rocking a fitted, black cap sleeve sweater and argyle skirt with black tights...and the Fluevogs. People have stopped me in the hall, the lunchroom, the bathroom, one even came into my office, just to tell me they like my outfit and the shoes are amazing. Notice the last part. The shoes are amazing. Not the sweater, that goes with anything. The skirt, cute, but professional. But the shoes . Oh man. These shoes are fabulous. Traffic stopping fabulous. True story. Someone once stopped me in the street to tell me how amazing these shoes were. I guess that's good because a few years ago I spent my whole bonus check to buy them from...