Shoes Clues: 5 Must-Have Sneakers for Spring '16

A Good Sport

Chances are your shoe wardrobe has expanded to include sneakers that will never see a gym. No longer just a hipster statement of irony or a form of rebellion on the hip-hop and skater scenes, athletic-looking footwear has even become a mainstay on fashion's front row. Here are a few chill-day styles to consider for your collection.

Slick White Kicks

Recently reintroduced with Grammy Award-winning rapper, Kendrick Lamar, as its campaign partner, the Reebok Classic Leather provides a clean slate on which to build your look. The gum sole keeps things interesting. Available via Amazon.com for $91.90 (Similar style available for $59.90 here.)

Sleek Celeb Style

Sartorially speaking, Rihanna can do no wrong. Now, she has her own originally-designed shoe with Puma, and it's all over the Gram. Sleek and futuristic, this slip-on trainer kicks athleisure into high gear. Cop your own pair of Puma Fenty Trainers for $179 from Shiekh Shoes.

Retro Refresh 

The classic Stan Smith by Adidas Originals has gotten pretty ubiquitous. However, add leopard print calf hair, and you've gone from borderline cliche to totally covetable. Available at TheCorner.com for $140.

Right-now Rose Quartz

Declared one of Pantone's key colors of 2016, this shade of soft blush will be everywhere this season. Mercer Amsterdam's Grand sneaker takes on the hue without going all-out girly. In luxe leather with a specially designed comfort insole, it's available here for $241. We saw their Fall 2016 offerings recently at Capsule Show in NY, and we suggest signing up for their newsletter to stay in the loop.

Sparkle & Shine

We all need a pair of wear-everywhere sneakers with a bit of polish and pizazz. Boohoo.com has you covered with their Maya Shimmer Bootie. Perfect for everything from commuting to weekend outings, this Chelsea boot-meets-sneaker style is likely to be a go-to. Oh, and it's only $35!

Will you be joining the sneaker squad this spring? What's your favorite style?

*All images courtesy images unless otherwise noted. Shoes N Booze is an Amazon affiliate, so purchases made by clicking Amazon links will result in commission.

Cutesy Tuesday: Floral Ted Baker Pumps & Cherry Blossom Cocktails

Summoning Spring, STAT!

On Your Feet: 

The calendar says it's spring. However, if you're in the Northeast, it feels like Old Man Winter is hanging on for dear life. Nonetheless, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is in full bloom throughout Washington, DC (March 20- April 5). No matter where you're based, Celebrate "the Nation's greatest springtime celebration" in floral pumps like the "Saeber" by Ted Baker (less than $130 at Amazon).  A metallic gold heel and toe accent add a bit of edge to a silky flower-print upper. Maybe if we give spring a sartorial salute, it will actually fight for its rightful place on the thermometer.

In Your Glass: 

Toast the new season and all the flowers (sneeze!) it will bring with a sweet, but strong cocktail, like this Very Cherry Smash. The tequila makes it festive, the orange liqueur adds depth and lime juice provides an element of tartness. Here's how you make it:

Very Cherry Smash

Ingredients:

1 part Sauza Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
2 parts JDK & Sons 03 Premium Orange Liqueur
5 cherries (pitted and stemmed)
1 tbsp. agave nectar
1 part fresh lime juice
1 part club soda

Method:

Muddle together cherries, lime juice and agave nectar. Strain into shaker. Add in orange liqueur, tequila, and ice and shake. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Top with club soda and garnish with cherries.

If You're Not Into Heels

Adidas Floral Wing Sneaker

Booze Clues: Bloody Marys to Beat your NYE Hangover

Hey 2015, Hey!!!

We made it! The ball has dropped & the bubbly has been sipped. The new year is officially here! Now, what? How about New Year's Day brunch, complete with a little "hair of the dog" cure for the slight hangover you're feeling? After all, it is National Bloody Mary Day. Here are a couple of options (along with shoe pairings to help with that heel hangover from dancing the night away) in case you and your friends are meeting at someone's house to exchange resolutions or make vision boards.

Carrot Bloody Maria (by Elise Larson of A Beautiful Mess)

Ingredients

Fresh carrot juice

Bloody Mary mix

Ice

2 ounces Numi Carrot Curry Savory Tea-infused tequila**

Worcestershire sauce

Tabasco sauce

Lime

Fresh veggies, for garnish

Margarita salt, for garnish

Black pepper

                   

Directions: 
Rub the rim of a tall glass or mason jar with a slice of lime. Dip into coarse margarita salt. Fill glass 1/3 of the way with ice. Add tequila, then fill the rest of the glass with half Bloody Mary mix and half carrot juice. Add a few splashes of Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce and the juice of half a lime. Mix with a spoon, then sprinkle a little black pepper on the top and garnish with celery and fresh veggies.

And on your feet... 

Keep it classic and cozy in brick red Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Winter Knit Sneakers (Available at Shopbop.com)
Do it bright in orange Adidas Originals x Pharell Stan Smith Sneakers (available at farfetch.com)
Stay dry and warm in olive green Nike Dunk Sky High Sneakerboots with bright orange laces(Available at nike.com)
Kick it cool in orange cheetah print Carvela Lorenzo Slip-on Sneakers (Available at Kurtgeiger.com)

Ole Smoky Green Bloody Mary

Ole Smoky Green Bloody Mary

Ingredients:

6 tomatillos

2 yellow heirloom tomatoes

1 dill pickle

3 garlic cloves

1 serrano chili (seeds remove)

1 oz. Ole Smoky Original Moonshine

1 ½ tablespoon preserved lemon

Juice of ½ lime

3 dashes Tabasco

½ teaspoon each sugar, salt and pepper

Directions:

In a blender, puree ingredients. Fill glass with ice and strain in blended mixture.

And on your feet... 

Do the fringe trend in tan Koolaburra Mocky Moc Booties (available at revolveclothing.com) 

Channel your inner Audrey in gold G.H. Bass Weejuns Penny Loafers (available at amazon.com) :
Go for an artisanal look in gold textured Very Volatile Kalessi Booties (available at volatile.com) :
Be thoroughly modern in ombre animal print Matisse Nugent Wedge Booties (available at singer22.com)

Here's to an amazing year!!!