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.

Celebrity Shoe Spotting: Reese Witherspoon in J. Crew

Wild Style. (Get it?)

Photo Credit: T Maldana/AKM-GSI

Photo Credit: T Maldana/AKM-GSI

Reese Witherspoon was recently spotted (ha!) in L.A. wearing a tweed blazer, cropped jeans and an adorable pair of J. Crew Collection animal print d'orsay pumps. Since animal print is the new neutral, and their heels are a walkable 3 1/8 inches, these calf hair Collette Pumps are incredibly versatile.  Feel like snagging a pair for yourself (or giving Santa a hint)? Click the image below. They're currently $378 at Jcrew.com, and you get 30% off with code GETGIFTS.

J. Crew Collection Collette Pumps - $370.00 at Jcrew.com

If you're into the look but would like to spend less, check out these options:

Sam Edelman Opal Pump - $127.02 at Amazon.com

Rebecca Minkoff Brie Pump - $94.16 at Amazon.com

*Shoes N Booze is an Amazon affiliate. That means we earn commission if you click an Amazon.com link and make a purchase. Thanks!

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!!!

Shoes Clues: 5 Sparklers to Wear for New Year's Eve

Happy Shoe Year!!!

Now that the gifts have been unwrapped and Christmas dinner has been enjoyed, it's time to think seriously about what to wear on New Year's Eve. It's one of those nights where you can take fashion risks you normally wouldn't and pile on the shine. After all, it's only right to go for "over the top" while you watch the ball drop. If you're wondering what to put on your feet, here are a few shoe suggestions to get you going.

Wild Wednesday- BCA Month: Sole Boutique Leopard Booties

 

 

Daring. Untamed. Unconventional. That’s you. But you’re also quite sweet and very playful. Your footwear should reflect your personality, so try a pair of pink animal print shoes like *Sole Boutique’s “The Leopard Shoe” ($42 at Karmaloop.com). Leopard spots on pink fabric adds an eye-catching touch of funk to one of this season’s key trends. The 6.25 inch heel and 1.25 inch platform give them a little sex appeal, but since the heel isn’t a stiletto, it’s tamed enough to wear with a short skirt without looking like you’re on the prowl. Though a certain fashion favorite platform this season gives a Herman Munster vibe, bout this shoe is cutely chunky without being clunky.

 

You don’t shy away from the unusual, so you appreciate a drink with a little pizazz. This evening at happy hour, order a Pink Raspberry Margarita (image & recipe via cocktails.about.com). The funny thing about this cocktail is that the only ingredient it really has in common with a margarita is the tequila. Still, it’s a creamy, sweet, strong concoction that you’ll be glad you tried.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Voodoo Tiki Desert Rose Tequila
• 1 oz Tequila Rose
• 1/2 oz crème de noyaux
• 1/2 oz Chambord
• 2 ½ oz cream
• dash of grenadine
• sugar for rimming
• fresh raspberries or strawberries for garnish

Preparation:

1. Rim a chilled margarita glass with sugar.
2. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Shake well.
4. Strain into the prepared glass.

*Your heels today are chunky, but if you drink too many of these cocktails it may feel like you’re walking on stilts. That said, drink responsibly.

Technorati Tags: leopard print booties,pink shoes,pink cocktails,cocktail recipes,Chambord Liqueur,Tequila Rose,Voodoo Tiki Tequila

Wear or Beware? Ernesto Esposito Multicolored Sandals

On the Bright Track

This summer, multicolored and mixed medium shoes are almost a wardrobe necessity. They're fun, and they can spice up the simplest of looks. However, is there a such thing as taking it too far? This "patchwork leopard peep toe" by Ernesto Esposito definitely approaches that border if there is. At first glance, I was turned off. However, the more I looked at them, the better they looked (maybe because I'm a sucker for 40's inspired styling- and metallic pink). What's your take? Would you dare to wear them? If so, with what?

Wear or Beware: Massimo Dogana Viperfur Convertible OTK Boots

Lizards and Leopards and Snakes... Oh My!

Fashionably speaking, this season is a bit of a free for all. Wanna mix patterns? Go ahead! Clashing colors? Just might work if you're chic enough to pull it off. And then you have mixed-medium footwear, like these Viperfur convertible over the knee boots from Massimo Dogana (available at Gregory's). They have the season-required platform, round toe and (er) embellished heel. And animal print is timeless, right. Plus, haven't our fave fashion mags been advising us to get some snake print in our wardrobes? The red platform and heel DO provide the unexpected shot of color that's so "in" these days. Lastly, over the knee boots are a necessity this year. So what do you say, pimptastic or pulchritudinous?

Wild Wednesday: Betsey Johnson Sandals & Sagatiba Cachaca

You've Been Spotted!

Have the past two days made you want to roar? When you step out tonight, there's no better way to free your inner predator than a pair of leopard print sandals. Betsey Johnson's Mackenzie d'Orsay stiletto pumps (available at Nordstrom) say there's no taming you. While the bold print puts your wild side on display, the metallic pink ruffle detail means you're equal parts girl and grrrrrr. Worn with a black wrap dress, ankle pants or another simple-but-sexy outfit of your choosing, this fierce pair of footwear will have suitors falling at your feet.

When the drink offers start pouring in, tell them you want an "Aman Snow Leopard". Conceived by star mixologist, John Gakuru, it combines Sagatiba Cachaca with amaretto. It's topped off with heavy cream and a little rose water to subdue some of the sweetness and garnished with a drizzle of espresso to add some kick. One of these will soothe the savage beast within, but don't have too many, though. It's easy go to from sex kitten to she-creature once all the inhibitions are gone, and nobody wants that.