The shoeniverse & spirits world: trends, tips, news, reviews, recipes, runway and red carpet recaps.
Drawing Attention
I can’t get enough of Giuseppe Zanotti shoes. They’re sexy, fun, unique and still quite classy. I also adore designer shoe sketches, so I feel compelled to share when awesome illustrations cross my computer screen. What do you think of these works of art from the Spring 2012 collection?
Technorati Tags: Spring 2012 shoes,shoe sketches,Giuseppe Zanotti,illustrations
Deck the Heels…
As the holidays approach, friends friends and family often say something to the effect of “what do you want for Christmas? I can’t afford to buy the shoes you like so pick something else.” I’m sure other shoe minded women hear similar statements, so I’m hoping this little list will give the elves in our lives some guidance. Since it’s Cyber Monday, quite a few are available online.
1. Kurt Adler Shoe Ornaments
When I spotted them on AHAlife, I immediately fell in love. These mini ornaments look like shoes I’d actually wear! Plus, once they’ve completed their stint on the tree, they make great desk décor. Check out the KurtAdler.com for more styles and where-to-buy information.
2. A Shoe Coffee Table Book
IT’s hard to go wrong with a beautiful coffee table book. I’ll never forget how happy I was when I opened the copy of Blahnik by Boman: Shoes, Photographs, Conversation my mom bought me a couple of Christmases ago, and ended up under the tree for me, it would be a perfect addition to my budding collection. If you’re putting this book on your list, make sure you’re on Santa’s “nice” list, though.
3. Shoe Playing Cards
4. Shoe- themed Glassware
You’re here, so chances are you like both haute heels and cool drinks. Toast to both at once with a cocktail glass like this "Love Shoes & Cocktails!" Martini Glass. You’ll never mix your glass up with your friend’s again at girls’ night in.
5. Shoe Clips
New heels may be a tall order, but that doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade your shoe wardrobe this Christmas. Shoe clips- like these from Tisha Mae’s Trinkets (available via Accessory Remix)- are an easy way to add extra pizazz to shoes you already own. Give your favorite black pumps an on-trend punch with houndstooth, or add an old school touch with a retro-inspired bow.
Cheers to Being Thankful
Whether you’re traveling to see your family or hosting the big dinner at your house, you’ll probably be washing down your dinner with a cocktail or two. Here’s a handy little guide that’s sure to have the perfect drink for you.
Herradura Thanksgiving Margarita (tart, tangy)
1.5 oz. Herradura Reposado Tequila
2 oz. Cranberry Juice
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
.5 oz. Honey Syrup
Add all ingredients into shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass with ice. Garnish with a sprinkle of cranberries (fresh or dried)
*By Mark Drew
Russian Standard Thanksgiving in Russia (somewhat sweet, but nutty)
1 ½ oz. Russian Standard Vodka
¾ oz. Pumpkin puree
½ oz. Frangelico Hazelnut liqueur
½ oz. Lime juice
¼ oz. Agave nectar
Rim glass with graham cracker crust or top with a seasonal fruit. Shake and double strain into cocktail glass and garnish with nutmeg.
*by Duane Fernandez, Jr. of Entwine Bar in New York
Belvedere Smoky Martini (strong and smooth)
2 oz Belvedere Vodka
Dash liquorice bitters
Stir Belvedere over ice and strain into a smoked dust* coated glass. Drop a dash of the bitters into glass and serve.
To make smoked dust:
Gently toast a piece of white bread with a blow torch. Once the bread starts to go dark brown (not burnt), crumble the bread and pound with a pestle and mortar.
*By Claire Smith
Tequila Avion Harvest Moon (sweet, almost creamy)
1 ½ parts Tequila Avión Aňejo
1 part Apple Flavored Liquor
¼ part Pear Juice
Splash of Egg White
Dash of Fresh Lemon
Pinch of Ground Cinnamon
In a shaker add all ingredients over ice then shake and strain. Harvest Moon can be served either straight up or on the rocks and garnish with a thinly sliced pear.
Toasty Toddy (strong, sweet)
1.5oz Dewar’s White Label
1oz Disaronno
1 Bar spoon of honey
.75oz Lemon Juice
3-4oz Hot Water
1 Cinnamon Stick Cracked
In a mixing glass add one cracked cinnamon stick, lemon juice, bar spoon of honey, Disaronno, Dewar’s White Label and 2 oz of Hot Water. Stir contents until honey has properly dissolved. Pour contents into toddy glass or wine goblet. Add 1or 2 more ounces of hot water, and garnish with a twist of lemon oil on top
*by Willy Shine of 1534 in New York
Technorati Tags: Booze,cocktail,Herradura Reposado,Margarita,Tequila,Russian Standard Vodka,Vodka,Frangelico,Belvedere Vodka,Martini,Tequila Avion,Aňejo,Dewar's,Disaronno,Cocktails
Whip it Good
When Smirnoff Vodka sent the bottle of their new Fluffed Marshmallow vodka to try, they also sent one of their Whipped Cream flavor. Consequently, my review crew and I tried both on the same day. Here's what happened when we tried Smirnoff Whipped Cream vodka.
The Sip…
The Shot…
The Mix…
The Verdict: Smirnoff Whipped Cream is pretty darn yummy. It has a bit more bite than the Fluffed Marshmallow, but it’s still quite sweet. It’s a good shooter but a great vodka to mix. Though I like the flavor of the Fluffed Marshmallow more, I appreciate that the Whipped Cream provided a little more warmth going down.
Again, special thanks to Claudia Mora of Matrix Public Relations, Enovia Bedford of Accessory Remix and the folks at DV Depot. Also, Erika, I appreciate you taking a little break from fashion styling to be our bartender.
Fluffy, not Stuffy…
Unless you totally avoid all bars, restaurants and liquor stores, chances are you’re familiar with Smirnoff Vodka in some way. However, I’m willing to bet that you haven’t had their Fluffed Marshmallow flavor yet. They sent Shoes N Booze a complimentary bottle to check out, so I rounded up my review crew and headed to DV Depot in New York to sit at the bar and give it a try.
The Sip…
The Shot…
The Mix…
The Final Verdict: We all loved Smirnoff Fluffed Marshmallow. It was sweet with a bit of a creamy mouthfeel (you’ll have to taste it to fully understand what that means, but it basically tasted like I was sipping a creamy treat although it was straight vodka). It was also strong enough to provide a buzz pretty quickly. We agreed that it tastes like a holiday drink and will go well into hot chocolate and other warm sippers. My only issue was that you can barely taste the alcohol, so you could almost overindulge before you realize it.
Thanks to Enovia Bedford (reach her via @accessoryremix on twitter or www.accessoryremix.com) and Claudia Mora (reach her via @claudiadecali on twitter or www.matrixpublicrelations.com). Extra special thanks to our bartender, Erika (@Erikasnstyle on twitter), and to the folks at DV Depot ( @dvdepot on twitter). Please see the next post for our review of Smirnoff Whipped Cream vodka.
New to Wine? Don’t Whine…
Jordan Salcito, wine director of New York’s Crown restaurant, realized that lots of us get a bit lost among the vines in the wine store and decided to place a few bread crumbs along the trail with Bellus Wines. Launching today with the goal of empowering wine newbies to learn more about their palate preferences, Bellus retails for around $19.99 (a percentage of the proceeds from each bottle sold will go to the Tory Burch Foundation). The inaugural release, a 2007 Girasole, is a Super-Tuscan red made from Sangiovese, Cabernet, Sauvignon and Merlot grapes (if only you could see the question mark on my face). Apparently, it boasts notes of dark cherry and roasted herbs (sounds um… interesting) and plays well with tomato-based foods and red meats. (I’d so love a bottle for a Booze Review.)
The cool part about this wine, though, is the label, which Salcito joined forces with a Tory Burch designer to conceptualize. The trademarked PALA-TABLE actually has icons on it to indicate its acidity, body, tannins, minerality, oak and complexity. I guess that gives you everything you need to decide whether you’ll like it (except a sip). The wine is available exclusively through Gilt Taste for the next three days and will then be sold by the Crush Wine Company and on Belluswines.com.
Flash & Dazzle
There’s been much ado among fashion savvy folks about the Versace for H&M collection. Right before its launch, though, there was almost more talk about the event’s performers than the actual clothes (can you say Prince and Nicki Minaj?). However, the main fixation at Shoes N Booze was the footwear. Shoe-la-la! The collection featured contrasting cap toe booties and zig-zag strapped sandals in scrumptious hues that are right in line with the upcoming resort season’s color palette. I’m a fan.
I just hope the shoes hit the stores in the fun colors at some point… so far all I see on the website is the bootie in all black and the sandal in black and pewter.
**All photos are courtesy photos from H&M taken by DAN AND CORINA LECCA (with a little zoom in on the shoes by moi).
I’m not a big fan of winter. Snow, slush, cold, black ice… none of those things are stiletto-friendly. Actually, they’re not even cute flat boot friendly in many cases. Granted, I have a few pairs of high heeled snow boots, but there are days when I want something a bit more comfortable. I think the shoe gods hear my laments last winter, so they sent a little birdie to mention Shoes N Booze to the folks at Cougar Boots, who then sent me a complimentary pair of Mirage winter boots for review.
Funny thing- the boots arrived right before that freak snowstorm that hit the Northeast a couple weeks ago, so I actually got to test them in some snow. They were AWESOME! Their “Polar Plus” lining feels like Heaven and is sure to keep me warm on frosty days (apparently they’re rated effective in temps down to –22 degrees Fahrenheit). They also feature a very cushy insole, so it felt like I was walking on some type of cloud. They’re not bad looking, either. They’ll be great with jeans or leggings and a sweater this winter. Will I wear them to parties or to get cocktails with friends? No. Will I be glad I have them when walking around New York in the aftermath of a snowstorm? You bet!
In the Mix
If there’s a party or social gathering worth attending, you’re in the know about it. Chances are, you’ll be there working the room, and your ensemble will be the talk of the room. Give ‘em something to talk about in an attention-grabbing pair of snakeskin heels like Brian Atwood’s “Mixie”. With its 5 1/2 inch heel and 1 inch platform, you’ll have no choice but to strut, and the stud detailing gives them a devil-may-care edge. However, it’s the multicolored snakeskin and contrasting suede piping that makes them truly unique. They give new meaning to the term “mixed medium”.
While your shoes may give your like an extra edge, you’ll want to sip something this evening that’ll quickly take the edge off your mood. Try a Maker’s Mark Apple Manhattan. It’s a simple drink with a complex flavor, and it packs more than a slight punch.
Recipe:
2 parts Maker's Mark®
1 part Berentzen® Apple Liqueur
Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a granny smith apple wheel.
As I said, this drink will pack a punch, so sip slowly. Be the talk of the town for your wild sense of style, not your wild behavior.
Wouldn’t be great if you got a free pair of hot heels delivered to your door every month for a year? Well Shoe Privee (a shoe club that offers shoelovers VIP access to exclusive sales featuring brand name shoes) and Refinery29 (one of my favorite online destinations for style, fashion and trends) are giving you a chance to win just that. To enter, just go to http://bit.ly/ShoeClosetContest and fill out the entry form before November 11. Then click your heels or cross your fingers and wait until the winner is announced sometime around January 15. In the meantime, you might as well catch up on the latest in style news at refinery29.com and start scouting the sales at shoeprivee.com (after you’ve checked in here, of course).
