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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Fun Friday: Happy New Year with

Here's to Dropping the Ball!

For many of us, 2009 was a helluva year. You took everything in stride, though, and in towering stilettos and pumped up platforms, at that. More than likely, New Years Eve and New Years Day have melded into one for you. It's also highly likely that you brought in 2010 wearing a pair of festive shoes that encapsulates the nights vibe, like these Bruno Frissoni beaded sandals. With their towering gold triple platform and vertiginous heels, you'll have a bird's eye view of all the night's action. The added bonus of the platform is the added comfort you need to dance and strut the night away. Then there's the HUGE ribbon bow at the ankle, which has all the pomp & circumstance that "Auld Lang Syne" deserves. Oh, and don't the accent beads remind you of champagne bubbles? The cool thing is that these work for those located in sandal-friendly locales AND for those who must don opaque tights (for an extra dose of fun, wear a brightly colored pair with your LBD).


Since New Year's Eve/ Day have basically blended into one long party, you have two options when it comes to drinking. You can swill something weak (which you will probably guzzle quickly because it tastes so good and get drunk more rapidly than you realize) or opt for something that tastes a bit stronger (and thereby forces you to sip more slowly. Either way, make sure it contains a bit of bubbly. Our vote goes to the "French 75" (recipe & image courtesy of Chow.com). Made with sugar, orange bitters, Bulldog Gin (or Clear Creek Brandy*) and chilled Argyle Sparkling Wine, it's fizzy and effervescent. Yet it's got a strong kick, regardless of whether yours is made with brandy or gin (StyleScrybe prefers brandy). Remember to drink responsibly, though, and to have a designated driver. Otherwise YOU may be the acquaintance who should be "forgot."

*Note: Named for a piece of WWI artillery, the French 75 was originally made with gin until it later became more popular to use brandy.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Wear or Beware: Balenciaga Multicolored Booties


The Tied Striper



Many shoe lovers (self included) prefer unique interpretations of footwear trends to the cookie-cutter styles sold at many mass-retailers. Bright colors, unusual accents and interesting heels tend to be among the things we look for. However, how much, in your opinion, is too much? Take, for instance, this pair of Balenciaga (courtesy of Style.com)multicolored booties. I mean, they ARE oxfords with a contoured heel, they have the peep toe and platform that seem to be required on this season's (Spring 2010) hottest heels, and they feature the colors Pantone predicted would be hot. Still, what do you think? Haute couture or hot mess?

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

12 Days of Christmas: Day 10- Ten Glasses Clinking

Drink and Be Merry!

On the Tenth Day of Christmas I hope the Cocktail Fairy brings to me:



































































Ten cocktails that'll have me leaping! Fashion is only part of what makes holiday parties fun. The other part? The cocktails, of course! An "Esky's Hot Spot" (Courtesy of Esquire.com), which combines Jameson Irish Whiskey, boiling water and a sugarcube, is a great way to warm up a Winter night. A "Jim Beam Snow Storm" (Red Stag by Jim Beam Bourbon, DeKuyper White Creme de Cacao and Blustery Peppermint, heavy cream and mint candy- Courtesy of Blisstree.com) is a flurry of fun. Creamy drinks are a cold weather favorite, too. There's the Maker's Mark "Bourbon Ball" (Maker's Mark Bourbon, DeKuyper Crem de Cacao and Hazlenut Liqueurs and heavy cream- Courtesy of Maker's Mark) and Bailey's "Irish Misteltoe" (Bailey's Irish Cream and peppermint schnapps- Courtesy of MerryChristmasDecor.blogspot.com). There's also the Kahlua "Mocha Nog Punch" (Kahlua Mocha Liqueur, Absolut Vanilla and egg nog- Courtesy of Marie Claire), Uncle Billy's Holiday Treat (Bols Advocaat, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, Frangelico Hazlenut Liqueur, honey whipped cream and a strawberry- Courtesy of FineLiving.com) and "Cuppa Good Cheer" (SKYY Infusions Cherry Vodka, white creme de cacao, hot cocoa, half & half and whipped cream- Courtesy of WhattoDrink.com). We've said before that 'tis the season for dark liquor and creamy cocktails, but some people prefer sticking to vodka year-round. For them, there's the "Peppermint Martini" (Three Olives Vodka, DeKuyper's Peppermint Schapps and creme de menthe- Courtesy of 3SCocktails.com), "The Grinch" (Midori Liqueur, Van Gogh Vodka, fresh lemon juice and sugar- Courtesy of Martin's Supermarkets) and lastly, the VeeV Holiday Highball (Veev Acai Spirit, green chartreuse, sparkling apple cider, mint sprigs and simple syrup- Courtesy of Liquor.com).

























































Nine pairs made for dancing! Not dance shoes, technically, but some that are their own instant party, like Rene Caovilla's "C5499A" sequined boots or Ginamarco Lorenzi's studded boots that look like someone blew a bunch of bubbles on them. Then there are Giuseppe Zanotti's rainbow jeweled open toed booties and Viktor & Rolf's sequined "sock" booties that instantly reminded us of Michael Jackson in the '80s. Alexander McQueen's jeweled red peep toes have a disco "Dorothy" vibe, and Christian Louboutin's multicolored jeweled peep toed platforms are at once glamorous and whimsical. Chrissie Morris' "Marisa" pumps, with their gold stripes, tassels and beaded heel, have circus appeal, and the origami effect on Diego Dolcini's peep toes make the wearer look like a walking gift. Caged toed shoes were all the rage this year, and Roberto Cavalli's rhinestone pumps are automatic eye catchers.




























































Eight pairs of milky-hued shoes! I'll take tall cream boots, like the "Alta Fifre" by Christian Louboutin, or a pair of
"Lizette" bone peep toed ankle boots, by N.Y.L.A. (available at Heels.com). I can also get my Leighton Meester on in Giuseppe Zanotti's white studded cutout booties or channel Blair Waldorf in off white mary janes, like Michael Lewis's "Ellery" pumps. Bruno Bordese's cream 9876 ankle boots will look great with a chunky sweater. A snake-embossed cuff and metal heel add a little edge to these "Rizzo" booties by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's Elizabeth and James. Asos' "Saxon" booties will look great with skinny jeans. Lastly, Givenchy's taupe wrapped jersey peep toed booties will easily take me into Spring 2010.








































Seven shoes a'shining! "Bionic" pink and purple platform pumps from Ruthie by Ruthie Davis, Carvela's deep purple Sleaze booties, Bright metallics, like Rupert Sanderson's purple Winona pumps and Laurence Dacade's electric blue JO booties, Marc By Marc Jacobs' bright pink 605957 round toed pumps, oxfords by Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti and Christian Louboutin's "Madame Claude" d'orsay peep toed pumps.














































Six Feats of Graying! Thigh high "New Davis" suede boots by Brian Atwood (available at Net-A-Porter), Cesare Paciotti's studded, belted knee boots (avialable at myprestigium.com), Oxford ankle boots in gray suede and leather by Neil Barrett (available at The Corner), and a pair of Sergio Rossi "Fishnet" booties- (from the SS/10 collection), Jeffery Campbell's "Michelle" gray suede pumps (available at Akira Chicago), and Barbara Bui's "Choked Ankle" pumps (available at ShopBop.com).
























Five Golden Rings! Actually, I'd prefer five pairs of golden shoes: a pair of knee-high boots with sculpted heels, like Behnaz Kanani's "Delroba Gold" boots, peep toed gold ankle boots, like Le Silla's limited edition "Mirror" booties and Max Kibardin's "Margot" fringed peep toes, (both available at Gregory's Shoes), a couple of pairs of gold pumps, like Diego Dolcini's metallic pointed pumps (available at FarFetch.com) and KG by Kurt Geiger's gold "Dolly" sequined pumps
(available at KurtGeiger.com).



























Four Pairs of Feathered Footwear: Feathered and jeweled booties by Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain (available at ShopBop.com), Jimmy Choo's "Mable" feather-adorned sandals (available at Saks Fifth Avenue), Bourne's "Hayden" satin peep toes (available at Lord & Taylor), "Carla" peacock feathered sandals by Martinez Valero (available at MartinezValero.com).
















Three "French" pumps... Well 3 pairs by prominent French designer, Roger Vivier.













2 Pairs of Yves Saint Laurent Imperiale boots that go over my knee.

And...

A pair of Nicholas Kirkwood Egypt platforms in purple alligator.