Heart and Sole: How to Shoe Shop & Help Beat Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives have attracted lots of controversy in recent years, especially the ones that donate partial sales of certain items to research organizations or charities. It's hard to sort through them all to find which ones are trustworthy. Members of the Shoes N Booze team have lost loved ones to Breast Cancer and have also gotten to keep loved ones who survived the disease thanks to research and new medical developments.  That said, we hope the following offers are good ones... plus you get cute shoes.

Nine West's 3 Ways to Support the Cause

Nine West teamed up with Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, the nonprofit division of the CFDA that strives to provide women with reliable health information and quality care to fight and prevent breast cancer. They provide 3 options:

1. Shop: Nine West will donate $25 to FTBC for every $125 you spend from October 15-21.
2. Upload: Nine West will donate $10 (toward their $275,000 goal) whenever you upload a pic of you wearing blue shoes to twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #9WFTBC.
3. DONATE

Unfortunately, Nine West's limited-edition blue suede NW♥FTBC pump is sold out online. Because there's no denying the importance of blue suede shoes. I mean, Elvis sang an entire anthem to them!

Shoes of Prey's Pink Hope

For every order of pink shoes made during the month of October, Shoes of Prey will donate $25 to Breast Cancer Awareness (Bright Pink in the US, Pink Hope in Australia and Breakthrough in the UK). The best part? The fact that YOU get to design your shoes. 

QVC Presents FFANY Shoes on Sale

Shop a specially curated selection of styles donated by some of your (and our) favorite designers (they're 50% off the suggested retail price), and 80% of the purchase price will go toward breast cancer research and education (Click here for the entire collection). Over the last 11 years, FFANY has donated $45 million to various research and care programs (click here for this year's beneficiaries).

Schutz Shoes "Pinktober" Pumps

When you purchase a pair of these hot pink nubuck Caiolea pumps (dubbed "Pinktober") during the month of October, Schutz will make a donation (they don't specify how much) to National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.  There aren't a lot of details on this one... shop at your own discretion.

We suggest doing a bit of your own research before choosing where to put your dollars. Your heart may be in the right place, but if you want your money to do more than feed your wardrobe, double check. 

Celebrity Shoe Spotting: Estelle in Rupert Sanderson Pumps

Estelle in Rupert Sanderson pumps
Photo credit: Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com

NYFC recently held their 15th Annual New Yorkers for Children Gala at New York's Cipriani 42nd Street, and (a style muse and imaginary friend of ours) Estelle contributed her vocal stylings to the cause. The singer, who performed "Conqueror" at the event, appeared on the red carpet in an Oscar de la Renta dress and Rupert Sanderson Nada Pumps. Her next album, True Romance, drops soon, so stay tuned.

Image via RupertSanderson.com

Want to snag Estelle's style in the meantime? The Nada Mid Heel Pump is available in "Vendetta Iridescent Moiree" at Rupert Sanderson.

Image via RupertSanderson.com

If you're anything like +StyleScrybe ShoesNBooze, you prefer a higher heel, so this Diva Pump (heel height of approx. 4 inches) will be more your speed.

Which pumps are you more likely to wear, the Nada, or the Diva???

Sparkling Saturday:Kate Spade Lissie Pumps & XXIV Karat Wine

Wine-y Girls Always Win

Kate Spade "Lissie" Pump

Smile. It's Saturday, and it's time to celebrate (your reason to party goes here). You're not going club-hopping, though. Instead, you're pre-gaming at a friend's house (aka having a drink or two while you decide who will Uber this time) and then heading to that hot new restaurant with great DJ and craft cocktails. Show up in these wine-hued suede "Lissie" Pumps by Kate Spade New York (Available at Piperlime), and inspire immediate heel envy. The color and texture say you're ready for fall. The pointed toes and slender heels are versatile and feminine. And the sparkling rhinestone bows give them just the right amount of glitz. The best thing is that these work just as well with jeans as they do with a skirt or trousers.

XXIV Karat Rosé

Never one to arrive at a friend's house empty-handed, bring a bottle of this recently-released XXIV Karat Rosé. Infused with indulgent 24-karat gold flakes and illuminated by an LED light in the bottom of the bottle, it's the perfect way to start a festive night. Warning: posting a "Cheers!" shot on Instagram with this bottle in-hand and flecks of gold in your glass may attract frenemies. Take selfies with caution.

Guest Post- Cheers to a Cause: Juanes & Hard Rock Cafe

Juanes Partners with Hard Rock Cafe to Benefit Fundacion Mi Sangre
—by Claudia Mora, founder of #LOEXL

Claudia & Juanes

Hard Rock International recently announced that Colombian music sensation, Juanes is the newest partner in their Artist Spotlight Merchandise series. Proceeds from the sale of his specially-designed limited edition tees will benefit his Fundacion Mi Sangre, a non-profit organization in Colombia that promotes youth empowerment and positive social change, using music and art as the tools for creating visible, lasting social transformation.

I had the opportunity to attend the press conference in New York City, where attendees were shown a tear-jerking video about Fundacion Mi Sangre and the children it helps. (I don't know if there was a dry eye in the room.) The highlight, though, was when Juanes, the first all-Spanish language Latin artist in the series, appeared on the stage (I heart him!). He's donated performance memorabilia to be displayed at Hard Rock locations, and he explained why each piece was important to him. The pants in the picture above (with my Jeffrey Campbell pumps) were from one of his early performances and were my favorite item.

Juanes also introduced his limited-edition tees— a navy blue one for women with a pink and blue design and a black one with men with a neon green and blue design (both available for $26 at various Hard Rock locations and www.hardrock.com). I'm partial to the men's tee... possibly because it pairs perfectly with a mojito (or three).

Hard Rock's Magical Mystery Mojito
3/4 oz Monin Cucumber Syrup
8-10 Mint Leaves
1 1/2 oz Hendrick's Gin
1/2 oz St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur
1 oz Lime Juice
Splash Sierra Mist
Garnish: Mint Sprig and Cucumber Spear

Muddle mint and cucumber syrup. Add gin, elderflower and lime juice and shake with ice. Pour into glass then top with Sierra Mist, mint sprig and cucumber spear.

Because this is Shoes N Booze, I can't forget a shoe pairing. This iridescent "Flavia" pump by Latin shoe designer, Alejandro Ingelmo gets my vote. Just make a few adjustments to the men's tee to give it a feminine look (like cutting in a v-neck) and throw on your favorite jeans.

As the founder of The League of Extraordinary Latinas, an organization created to inspire and empower young Latina women, it really touches my heart when artists such as Juanes use their platform for such amazing causes. Cheers to this outstanding individual who is changing the world, starting with his (and my) country, Colombia.

I hope you had a Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!