Fashion Blog

Yes, it’s true, sandal season is upon us…but flip flops aren’t exactly what I have in mind.  Spring is a good time to begin shopping around for fancy footwear that reveals your feet without getting too beachy.  Wedges are cool for spring fashion, and you can definitely carry them into summer when it arrives, sporting them with shorts, skirts, and jeans. I personally love the look of wedges with shorts, flowy blouses and a little jacket when it cools off in the evenings.  I would also opt for this style over traditional three-inch heels since they are going to be more comfortable and not so hard on the balls of your feet.

The Miz Mooz ‘Gizmo’ Platforms ($129.95) are one of my personal picks this week. Not only do these wedges look comfortable, but they are huarache-inspired with their tan woven leather and wooden platform.

Being obsessed with vintage inspired pieces that particularly look like they could have come from the 1970’s, my eye was instantly drawn to these shoes.  I would wear these with some cropped, fitted jeans that are cut right above the ankle.  This is a unique trend I noticed while in San Francisco, but I always wondered…how do you find pants that length?  Well the answer was simple after I began taking my jeans to a tailor to be altered.  This is a fun style for the warmer seasons if you’ve ever just been too hot to wear long jeans and kind of wanted to go for a 1950’s chic look. Try it…you’ll like it! Now, back to my remaining picks…

For months now I have been neglecting and rejecting stylish handbags, and instead resorted to hauling around a Marc Jacobs canvas tote bag instead.  As far as purpose goes, canvas totes are great, but they aren’t always very cute when you’re gettin’ dolled up for a night out.  So, I finally emptied mine out and bought a new purse.  A real purse again!  My choice was a fairly inexpensive vintage leather bag, simple with good color.  If I would’ve had a little more dough to work with I would have splurged on the L.A.M.B. ‘Darjeeling’ Small Flap Shoulder Bag, $345, Nordstrom.com

This bag is so mod! I love it. The colors and hardware are also very nautical inspired making it great for the summer months.

And now, my final personal pick for today are these stunning Stephen Dweck Agate earrings, $395, Neimanmarcus.com

These are so beautiful! They would look fantastic with a casual long dress, but I personally like wearing fancy items like this with a worn in t-shirt and jeans with some little gold ballet flats. Combining a slightly rugged look with such a delicate accessory is a fashion risk worth taking.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more women’s platform sandals.
Discounts on L.A.M.B. handbags and Stephen Dweck earrings.

Whew! Greetings fashion friends, I am finally back from my whirlwind trip to the East Coast with reports on a white-hot trend I spotted on almost every gal in the Big Apple: gladiator sandals!

Ok so, some of you may have cringed at the sound of that, and in all honesty, the bold look may not be for everyone, but I can’t help but think that glad sandals are still such a refreshing and daring take when compared to even the fanciest flip-flop.

Any fashion maven would know that these were pretty trendy last summer too, but this season I’m spotting some pretty interesting versions like the Dolce Vita Apollo. I’ve always been a fan of DV, and I think their selection of sandals is one of the best and most well rounded.

Take with you this tip though; these babies are not ideal for walking long distances, particularly in a concrete jungle such as Manhattan.

Dolce Vita Apollo Sandal: $139

Shop for more gladiator sandals here.

The t-strap on these high heeled sandals really makes them extra sexy & flirty.  I love the rich brown color.  It reminds me of dark chocolate which is my fave! 

Moschino Cheap and Chic Pleated T-Strap Sandal: $294 (Was: $495)

Don’t forget!  Nordstrom’s Half-Yearly Sale is going on right now! I believe it ends June 1st.

Shop for more women’s sandals here.

These sandals also come in red, but black & “light natural” are my faves.  The heels is 4″, but 3/4″ of the heel is a wedge platform so your feet won’t hate you….as much as usual. :)  I would wear the “light natual” with a cute day dress & the black with skinny jeans.

Remember: Nordstroms.com offers FREE SHIPPING on orders over $200!

Joan and David ‘Valailee’ Sandals: $112.90 (Was: $188.95)

If you love flat stylish sandals you will love the sandals from Lily Holt’s new summer collection.  Here are some of my faves:

                              Moira Gold - Also comes in Cheetah, Silver, Zebra & Snake.

                                                              Roma Silver - Also comes in White

                                                             Lisette Red - Also comes in Silver

                                                                                Mara Camel

Go to LilyHolt.com to find a boutique near you.  They just opened a new store in Palm Beach, FL.

ATTN Lily Holt: Please launch an online store soon so I can purchase from you as often as I like.  The closest stores to me are not exactly close at all.

For more women’s sandals click here.

I love sandals which is why I love spring & summer in Southern California.  I also love Piperlime.com & have ordered from them on many ocassion.  Not only is there packaging super cute, but they have never failed to give me great customer service.  Here are some of my faves from Piperlime’s new arrivals:

Sam Edelman Gillian: $70

Steve Madden Sannibel: $50 (Also comes in black & gold)

Max Studio Halley: $99 (Also comes in white)

Calvin Klein Swift: $60 (Also comes in fusia & gunmetal metallic)

Pink Studio Tova: $60 (Also comes in navy & white)

For more women’s sandals click here.

SheFinds offers chic ‘not a laptop bag’ bags that will keep you and your portable buddy looking stylishly covert about town.

The Beauty Brains come clean about clarifying shampoos.

Top Button discovers a modern denim jacket worthy of spring revival.

Girlawhirl shares her fall 08 fashion wrap up and runway collage.

This week Smarter Fashion covered: 

Girly St. Patrick’s Day tees & some other Palmer Cash cute vintage tees.

A sandal deal to get you ready for sunny weather & a leggy dress deal that will help you show off your soon to be sun kissed glow.

My hopefully soon to own new “must have” denim from Shopbop.com. 

Hooray for Christian Siriano, winner of Project Runway 4!!

Everyone needs a pair of basic gold flats for spring & summer like these simple yet attention grabbing Michael Kors ID Tag Thongs.  They are great for dressing down a skirt or dress if need be.  I love sandals with ankle straps because I feel more secure that my footware won’t slip off easily, but they have basically the same comfort as flip flips. 

Michael Kors ID Tag Thong Sandals: $296.00 (was $395)

I know these shoes, I love these shoes, I own these shoes. And now they’re on sale. These ‘Belinda’ sandals from the Michael Kors’ MICHAEL line are so amazingly cute and comfy, that I’m not even sad that I bought them at full price. I can’t even imagine what my summer wardrobe would have been without them.

I walked in those things for hours when I was in Mexico City, and I swear on my luggage that they did not hurt a bit. The thick ankle straps keep your foot in place, so there’s no embarrassing mishaps that platform are wont to cause. They’re very Dr. Scholls only sexier, and if you get them you’ll wish you had a dollar for every compliment you get. They look especially good with shorts.

Old Price= $122.95, New Price= $110.66 at Zappos, and you get free overnight shipping to boot.

MICHAEL Michael Kors , $119.65

Huaraches never go out of style, and every summer designers give the classic shoe a new twist. This year, they’re once again an inspiration, and they’re taking off in new and fashionable directions. They’ve been transformed into wedges, platforms and multicolored flats, so they can be mixed with dresses, skirts, jeans and shorts. Really, anything goes with these sandals. Ole!

Mia ‘Aztec’, $44.99

Tribeca ‘Liberty Bell Sandal’, $55.99

Enzo Angiolini ‘Berrin’, $92.95