A Short Story About a Shoe

*my version*

*Balmain version*

Do you ever find a shoe so amazing you know you'll just love it forever? A couple years ago I found these beautiful black-ruffled pumps a la Carrie Bradshaw (remember the episode when Miranda's water breaks on Carrie's sexy shoes?). I've been smitten with these shoes and to say I wear them often might be an understatement. Well a couple weeks back I saw a peek at one of the shoes from Balmain's line this Fall and what do you know, it certainly looks like my black-ruffled shoes. And you can bet I did NOT pay a Balmain price for these beauties, which makes it ever more exciting.

One of those rare moments of extreme shoe-phoria. :)

Any great looks for less of your own lately?

xox,

Bre

Fall Bootie Call

*Balmain lace-up ankle boots*

UH-MAZING! I'll keep this short and just let the shoes do the talking. My little tootsies are dying for to wear some boots. I wore THESE wonderfully-priced, gray ankle booties this week and it's got my feet in an uproar for more! Ready to forego flat sandals for awhile and stomp around town in boots! Unfortunately I don't really own any heeled boots (just booties because I'm so picky about BOOTS boots) so these are my little inspiration pieces to give me the courage to hunt down some real BOOTS boots this Fall.

*Balmain Panther Suede Boot - a little on the wild side but with minimalist clothing, I think something like this could be worn wonderfully*

*Reed Krakoff Lace-Up Canvas Boots with Crocodile Trim - a bit masculine/military but I still dig them*

xox,

Bre

Found these on my doorstep...

*Knotted Ankle Booties, $27.80 at Forever 21*

Last night when I got home from work I had a nice little package on my doorstep. I took a chance and bought these online from Forever 21 and I am pleasantly surprised with how they look in person. They are a little bit large, but not a big enough deal for me to return them, and now I know next time to order a half size down.

I've been impressed with some of the shoes they've been turning out lately (although it always seems really hard to find them actually in stores), so kudos to Forever 21 for your great little finds at such great prices (I'm mean seriously who would think these were only $27.80?!).

Any great little steals of your own lately?

xox,

Bre

p.s. Yes I know I have a serious shoe problem, but in my defense I still haven't bought those wonderful Steve Madden booties I blogged about a few weeks back here. I still want them, and I will eventually get them, but maybe next payday since I think I've hit my spending limit this time around (I really treated myself this week with a little something I might show in another post soon).

The Bootie That (Almost) Got Away

(via Zappos.com) Steven Brinda, by Steve Madden $179

I Know it's Summer, but a few weeks ago I dreamt up a PERFECT bootie and I've been on the hunt for it ever since. My criteria for the Perfect Bootie you might ask? Taupe/Tan-ish in color, Suede, no laces, rounded toe, I kind of like the idea of a platform but nothing over the top, HIGH HIGH HEEL or maybe even a wedge (or a pair of both, it is a dream after all).

I think this color is beautiful and would go with so many things, and I could see myself wearing it with shorter dresses in late Summer and early Fall (it's still pretty warm here in So Cal in September). Maybe odd criteria, but I've had this vision in my head and off to searching I went. I finally found said perfect Bootie (well, this one doesn't have a platform, but I wasn't expecting to meet ALL my criteria): Brinda by Steven Steve Madden! Yes, it's (almost) everything I was looking for! Sadly, it is only left in size 6 & 9.5. I can't seem to find a 7 in this color to save my life. So there it is folks, the beautiful bootie that got away.

HOWEVER, while I was searching for this picture for this post I found what might be an even MORE perfect bootie! The color is a little off from what I wanted (but this actually matches my skin coloring better anyway), this has a higher heel and a platform too and I actually think I love the shape of this one even more (it's more what I had envisioned in my head).

Chelsey Blush Suede Bootie, by Steven Steve Madden $129.95

So what do you think? I'm over-joyed at the thought of these babies on my tootsies. I will most certainly be trying this on within the next couple of weeks and will be anxious to add this to my little shoe collection (and maybe even the grey version too, it's gorgeous as well). It just goes to show that persistence pays off!

Have any shoe dreams lately?

xox,

Bre

The flat debate

Classic Canvas TOMS in Ash, $48.

When I look at my shoe closet there are a few key missing pieces, one of which is the “in between” flats. I call “in between” flats – flats that aren’t dressy/cutesy but at the same time aren’t quite as casual or sporty as running shoes. I’d like to have some more comfy shoes for running around on weekends, but I don’t want to spend a fortune on them since I will probably only wear them maybe 10 times a year (just being honest – I can’t wear casual shoes to work so they would be basically daytime weekend only shoes, and in the summertime I usually resort to sandals so I’m sure these wouldn’t get worn tons and tons, but they are essential none the less).

Anyway here are a couple options I am thinking about.

TOMS: I love that this Company donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of TOMS that are purchased. Who doesn’t love a company with a little heart and soul? The only thing I’m not sure about is that I wonder if these would make my feet look really long. Shoes like these, without laces, seem to make the foot look a little longer don’t you think? Although I’ve seen these on several people and like how they look on others, just not too sure how I will feel once they are actually on my feet (just one of those things I am weird about).

Here's a nice mellow yellow option, although I think I'm really fond of that dark grey above. Classic Canvas TOMS in Yellow Bridgeport Linen, $48.

For something that stands out a bit more, I'm really enjoying this fun red color. Classic Canvas TOMS in Red Bridgeport Linen, $48.

These may appear to be a bit over the top, but I have seen these pictured on people and paired with simple clothing, they are actually quite cute. Tyler Ramsey Hand Painted TOMS, $68.

KEDS: Since I’m kind of an old school type, and I dig shoes with laces, I could just go back to the classic Keds. I’m loving this dip-dye version in grey or purple even.

Keds Champion Dip Dye Shoes, $40. The grey is classic, but that purple is kind of fun too!

A close-up of the grey.Keds Champion Dip Dye Shoes, $40.

CONVERSE: These are a little bit sportier so I'm a little hesitant, but I think I like these too. They come in grey or yellow (and yellow would be a fabulous and fun little color I think).

Women's Converse One Star Oxfords, Charcoal. $29.99 @ Target.

What casual “in between” shoes have you been rocking? I’d love any suggestions. :)

xox,

Bre

Happy (Sexy Strappy Shoes) Friday!

Aldo Sexy Stilettos, $100. Love this bright blue.

I'm a definite shoe-a-holic and it's been way too long since I've done a decent shoe shopping excursion. I may even be having withdrawals! To help ease the pain, I've done a little online searching for some extra fun strappy heels (this will hold me over for a week or two, lol). Here are the results of my search. Hope you ENJOY!

Alejandro Ingelmo Bianca Booties $525. A definite statement shoe!

Chinese Laundry Lace-ups, $90.

N.Y.L.A. Quinto Booties, $99.95 @ DSW

No 704b Amanda Leather Cut Out Platform Pump, $109 @ DSW. Yes this one technically isn't "strappy", but it intrigues me. I'd really like to see how this one looks on.

SM Candi Bootie in Beige, $64.95 @ DSW. I think this snakeskin color is a great bootie option for Spring & Summer.

SM Candi Bootie in Black, $64.95 @DSW. If you don't want to brave the snakeskin, this shoe is also available in classic black.

xox,

Bre

All photos courtesy of the respective designer unless linked otherwise.

Eugenia Kim + Cynthia Vincent for Target = BIG DISAPPOINTMENT

Cynthia Vincent striped flats for Target (I LOVE these, but I'm not crazy about the rest).

I was really really excited to see the lookbooks for Target's latest rounds of designer collaborations with Cynthia Vincent (shoes) and Eugenia Kim (hats). I really adore the striped ballet flats by Cynthia Vincent (as shown above), but I'm pretty disappointed in everything else. I mean there really is nothing wrong with the rest of the shoes by Cynthia Vincent, I suppose some are even kind of cute, but they just don't seem very original to me and I guess I just expected more. A lot more. I will still make my way over there to try on those flats though, I hope they look as amazing in person or I may start losing hope in Target's designer lines.

Cynthia Vincent for Target lookbook. See there is really nothing wrong with these shoes, just haven't we seen these all before?

Now on to Eugenia Kim. This line was even more hyped up than Cynthia Vincent's and when I looked at the official lookbook today I just don't get it. Some of the hats seem like they could be cute but they are just in the wrong color (what's up with the pastel green?). Maybe I really need to see how these look on actual people or maybe I'm just not seeing the vision, but in general...kind of blah. Am I being to harsh here? I really want to be excited about these, but I think I will just have to check out the Cynthia Vincent striped flats and get over the rest.

Round 1. Eugenia Kim for Target lookbook. I really wish that green hat was in another color and then I think I'd be all about it.

Round 2. Eugenia Kim for Target lookbook. These seem even more odd to me.

If these look more fabulous in person, I will write an "I'm sorry I was wrong" post, but what do you think about these? Excited? Bored?

xox,

Bre

Photos courtesy of Target