In it to Win it: How to get a Dream Job From Belvedere

When the Lush Life Pays Off...

If you read this blog, you definitely love shoes. Chances are you're also a fan of the hooch. Those of you who love vodka- more specifically- Belvedere Vodka, and are willing to prove it via a 60 second video should enter Belvedere's Dream Job Competition. As Chelsea Handler recently announced on Chelsea Lately, the winner will become Belve's Global Brand Ambassador. Basically, you get paid $100,000 to travel around the world and spread Belve cheer for a year. You and Claire Smith, Belvedere's Head of Spirit Creation and Mixology will attend events, showing clebrities, mixologists and other liquor lovers new ways to enjoy Belvedere. To enter, just upload your video to Belvedere's Facebook Contest Page. Oh... make sure it's interesting because you'll need votes from the public for a shot at the semi-finals. Good Luck!

Runway Recap: London Fashion Week Favorites- Sass & Bide

Stepping Sassy

The Fashion Week frenzy has swept across The Pond and landed in London. Sass & Bide showed the most eye-catching shoes on the first day of London Fashion Week. The salmon pink heels with accented backs and patterned pumps and booties were hot!

*Images via Londonfashionwee.co.uk

Runway Recap: NYFW SS '11 Favorites- Daividelfin, Naeem Khan

 

El Fin

The closing day for New York Fashion Week presented pretty interesting choices in the shoe department. Davidelfin sent metallic and color blocked Christian Louboutins down the runway. Those, along with the platform sandals at Naeem Khan were among my favorites of the day.

Apparently there was a "no black" rule on the Davidelfin runway. Instead, the designer opted for navy, cobalt and teal. The androgynous clothes were excitingly conservative, and the Christian Louboutin platform pumps and booties were an apt accent. 

Naeem Khan chose to complete his looks with boots, booties and platform sandals. My eyes were immediately drawn to the patent sandals with contrasting platforms.

Runway Recap: NYFW S/S 11 Favorites- Douglas Hannant + Tory Burch

A Step Above...

It seems white is the new "black", sartorially speaking, according to various runway reports. One can also say that for Spring 2011, pastel is the new neutral, and the new "it" height for heels is noticeably lower than in past seasons. Yesterday's New York Fashion Week standouts were Tory Burch and Douglas Hannant.

Luckily for high steppers, Tory Burch still believes in putting women on high pedestals. She took a new approach to the classic espadrille, using twine the platform of her super high-heeled neutral sandals. This style will surely inspire rendition by lower-priced brands.

The shoes on the Douglas Hannant were an ode to Spring gardens. Orange, aqua and light pink sandals with ankle straps and butterfly appliques literally put a bit of Spring in the models' steps.

*Images via Elle.com and WWD.com

Almost There Thursday: Melissa Loop High Heeled Loafers

Therein Lies the Rub-ber

It's the end of THE WEEK for New York's fashion set, but most other people have one more day before they can take a breather. Whether you're in the former or the latter group your feet could probably use a break, and if you're in the New York area there's a strong chance of showers in your area tonight. As a result, you'll want to wear shoes that are comfortable, stylish and at least a little practical, but a pop of the unexpected is also a requirement for you. These Loop pumps by Melissa (available for $180 via Karmaloop.com) are everything you need. They're eco-friendly rubber, so they won't be ruined in the rain, and the bright blue color is impossible to look at without smiling. Plus, the chunky round 3.5 inch heel adds extra whimsy and the bow on the front is feminine and fun. It doesn't hurt that their loafer styling is spot on with this season's school-inspired trend. 

The end of Fashion Week is always bittersweet for fashion hags like you. Let your cocktail express your mood, and drink a "Blue Day" this evening. Yes, you'll get free drinks at one open bar or the other tonight, but you HAVE to drink something with you dinner. It's a simple mixture of Absolut Vodka and blue Curacao, so it'll be pretty sweet and plenty strong.

Runway Recap: NYFW S/S '11 Favorites- Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte + Ruthie Davis for Dennis Basso

Someone Else's Shoes

It seems that for Spring 2011, most designers are departing from the notion of show-stealing shoes, opting instead for more subdued silhouettes. There were a few sparks, though, on the Rodarte and Dennis Basso runways. I guess when your shoes are designed by Ruthie Davis for Nicholas Kirkwood, though, they're bound to be eye-catching.

 

Ruthie Davis's platforms were the perfect partner for Dennis Basso's collection of pouffy pastel mini dresses and skirts. The pastels connote a bit of innocence, but the PVC straps also nod to something a bit more mature. 

Nicholas Kirkwood's designs for Rodarte were, as usual, intricately designed and fairly ornate.

Shoe News: Jason Wu's Runway Shoes at Bergdorf Goodman

The Early Bird Gets The Wu

This past Friday, Jason Wu sent architecturally inspired shoes down the runway with his Spring 2011 collection. They were actually an S&B favorite of that day (as noted on the Runway Recap). If you act fast, you can pre-order your favorite pair from Bergdorf Goodman until September 22. If you're feeling generous, I'll take the Simone Platform in purple and red, size 8 please!

Cutesy Tuesday: Bourne Serena Pumps

Blue it Right

You're not quite in your normally-conservative mood today. Instead, you feel like spicing things up a bit, but you don't want to let go of your ultra feminine look. A pair of bow-adorned peep toes in a bright color will do the trick for you. These "Serena" slingbacks by London-based Bourne (available for $227.45 via amazon.com) are a great example. The blue-violet hue speaks to this season's primary color trend, the bow, sling back and peep toe are all super girly, and the 4 inch heel works for the office but is still sexy enough for after-work fun. The rhinestone detail also adds a bit of edgy glam. If you happen to be participating in any of the Fashion Week fury, the small hidden platform will keep you comfy as you stand in line to get into the shows.

Keep the British theme going this evening when you order your cocktails. Whether you're toasting the end of a harrowing day or pre-gaming for an evening of parties, a Blue London Sidecar (recipe and image via cocktail365.net) is a great late summer drink. It combines Bulldog Gin, Blue Curacao and lime juice for a tart, but refreshing cocktail. It's also pretty powerful, so be careful not to drink too many. 

Runway Recap: NYFW SS 11 Favorites- Halston and Alexandre Herchcovitch

Sweet Sensations

My favorite shoes from the fourth day of New York Fashion Week: Halston and Alexandre Herchcovitch. 

The Halston collection, with its wispy fabrics and flowing silhouettes, stayed true to the brand's iconic 70s style. The shoes, red or tan leather sandals on tall wooden platforms, were- of course- an amazing complement.

In an almost counter-intuitive move for today's style sensibilities, Alexandre Herchcovitch paired a mod-meets-new-millenium collection with spike heeled platforms to create matchy, yet fun ensembles. Candy red, along with black, tan and sherberty hues of green, yellow and blue made for a sweet parade.

Runway Recap: NYFW S/S 11 Favorites- Victoria Beckham, DKNY

Rose Bold

The fourth day of NYFW, designers' Spring/ Summer 2011 collections boasted bold reds and varying shades of teal... not to mention more white and soft tones. Oh, and there was a bit of denim, too. You know the drill by now, though. My eyes were on the models' toes, and my favorite shoes walked down the DKNY and Victoria Beckham runways.

Brian Atwood designed the platform pumps that accompanied Victoria Beckham's S/S '11 lineup to match the former Posh Spice's rose gold Rolex watch. While there were only two styles- one with an ankle strap, and one without- they never got boring. I love the neutrality of a rose gold shoe, too.

DKNY's collection featured vivd red, pink, blue and aqua shades. The shoes? Pointy d'orsay pumps with small contrasting platforms and ankle straps with bows at the back.

Runway Recap: NYFW SS 11 Favorites- Z Spoke by Zac Posen

Play Girl

From the looks of Day 3 of New York Fashion Week, Spring 2011 will be a season of bright femininity. Lots of designers showed great clothes, but only one showed shoes that swept me off my feet (corny pun intended). Z Spoke by Zac Posen was definitely a winner. The shoes were girly, fun and sometimes even a bit demure (apparently they were also the result of a collaboration with Steve Madden). The clothes... well... think little girl's toy box meets mom's wardrobe. I'm all for it. 

*Images via Style.com

Toes on the Town: Fashion's Night Out in New York

Fashion's Night Out Fun

Last night, my bright orange Dollhouse "Fina" booties and I partook in the city-wide shopping party known as Fashion's Night Out. The plan was to make at least 6 stops, but when the drinks are flowing, crowds are thick and I have amazing shoes in my sight, it's difficult to move quickly. Nonetheless, I had a great time. Here's are the highlights of my night.

Stop #1: Saks Fifth Avenue

Sergio Rossi Poiret Sandal

Sergio Rossi Lola OTK Boot

Jerome C Rousseau Antinea Bootie

Stop #2: "Byron Lars in Sony 3D"

My Fave look from Beauty Mark by Byron Lars

Macrame shoes... Ooh!

Pineapple yellow heels. YUM!

Xante Liqueur. Tasty!

Stop #3: Cesare Paciotti

Loving these stacked platforms

Electric blue always gives me chills

Ruching and ruffles, oh my!

Fourth and Final Stop: Reed Krakoff

Skankeskin heels on a d'orsay pump. Oww!

Fur open toed booties. Fierce!

I love a boot laced up to the knee.

Runway Recap: NYFW SS 11 Favorites- Jason Wu + Peter Som

Nine years ago today, the unimaginable happened. I am now, and always praying for the peace and comfort of those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. Please hug the ones you love, and use today as a reminder to spread love, as that's the only way to overcome fear and terror.

Now... the shoes.

Punch Drunk Love

My favorite shoes from day two of New York Fashion Week were Jason Wu and Peter Som's punchy platforms and peep toes. 

Peter Som's platforms in pineapple yellow and other tropical colors accented a darling collection of mini dresses and will add a playful spring to your step, come March or April. 

Pink, purple and orange punctuated Jason Wu's very prissy Spring/Summer 2011 collection of suits, blouses and ladylike dresses. Yesterday's show marked Wu's official entry into the accessories game. From the looks of these shoes, he'll be another S&B favorite. 

*Images via Style.com and WWD.com

Runway Recap: MBNYFW SS '11 Faves- Christian Siriano + Alejandro Ingelmo for Cushnie et Ochs

Spikes & Stilts

The first official day of Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week showed that for Spring/ Summer 2011, leather will remain a summer staple, nautical/ military influence isn't going anywhere and safari motifs are here to stay. The main concern for the S&B team was, of course, the shoes. The stand-outs were Christian Siriano (as usual) and Alejandro Ingelmo for Cushnie et Ochs. 

Mr. Siriano showed super-high platforms in neutrals and deep tones. They're not for the faint of heart (or height), but highsteppers will be clamoring for them. (Footwear News showed great closeups of a few here.) 

Alejandro Ingelmo adorned the shoes for Cushnie et Ochs' runway with severe spikes. (The girls at Elle think they were inspired by rhino tusks. What do you think?)

*Photos via WWD