Franco Sarto -Whitney, Taupe

Ciao a tutti!

Okay, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, while we are still waiting on warmer days to come (and stay), one shouldn't totally abandon common sense for the likelihood of a remote possibility; granted, I love the sun just as much (perhaps even more than) the next person, but while the date may read spring, the mercury has been less than agreeable and for all intents and purposes, it is still winter!

Another of my favorite winter-to spring transition pieces is a suede boot.  During the throngs of winter, when you're battling with slush and snow, functionality is first and foremost for footwear, and you grab your winter boots. When weather predictions are less harsh or the sidewalks have been cleared, you grab a pair of leather boots.  But when the days are still cold, and the threat of precipitation has been virtually eliminated, then comes the perfect opportunity for suede.  As warm as its leather counterpart, yet more flexible (at least to me), suede offers a rich textural contrast to your outfit.  Pair your boots with a suede bag to bring unity between the boots and outfit, try a bag in a different color to keep the look fun and relaxed.

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 323: Sunday March 31st 2013
Designer: Franco Sarto
Name: Whitney
Color: Black
Style: Tall Wedge Boot
Heel: 3.5 inches (8.89 cm)
Shaft: 15 inches (38.1 cm)
Material: Luxe suede upper with crossed straps at vamp and buckle detail

To see how I styled these beautiful boots, follow the link below to:

La Stella Notte's Style (chic that's easy as 1, 2, 3)

Beautiful in any color; click here to see these beauties in Black!

 

Mojo Moxy -Celebrity, Fuchsia

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics...with spring finally here, yet still so far away (or at least until next week), an infusion of color is what is needed to rid one of the winter doldrums; a fabulous way to brighten your day and put some pep back into your step is with pop color flats.

Partial to pink, I chose these fuchsia flats with ruffles and corset detailing to liven up this neutral outfit, but any color will do.  If you are  afraid of exploring new color combinations, try adding a  pop of color with a neutral ensemble, for instance: fuchsia with brown or navy, yellow or cobalt blue with grey, or red with khaki.  You may find that a jolt of color is just what you need to fight the winter blues!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Designer: (DOLCE by) Mojo Moxy
Color: Fuchsia
Style: Ballet/Skimmer Flats
Material: Luxuriant suede upper and leather lining with ruffle collar and corset detail

To see how I styled these beautiful shoes, follow the link below to:

La Stella Notte's Style (chic that's easy as 1, 2, 3)

MIA Limited Edition -Trail

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, I recently had the opportunity to witness a time honored tradition of this nations' first peoples; historically a gathering of Native Americans, the 2013 Lowcountry Pow Wow gathered those of Native American heritage (and those of us who aren't) in a serene lakeside setting, once home to the Yemassee tribes people, to partake in great this spectacle of pageantry.



Modern Tepee, complete with fire pit inside,
served as temporary residence for several participants

Flag procession of opening ceremony

Inter-tribal Men Dance

Pictures of participants dressed in ceremonial regalia.

 

 

This beautiful Squaw (pictured far above lower right, in ceremonial regalia) from the Tribe of the People of the First Light, performed a ceremonial Blanket Dance.
From the men who surrounded her, she would dance then place her blanket before the warrior she wanted to marry;
if he picked up her blanket, they would be wed.

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 322: Tuesday March 26th 2013
Designer: MIA Limited Edition
Name: Trail
Style: Western-Style Boot
Heel: 3.5 inches (8.89 cm)
Shaft: 6 inches (15.24 cm)
Material: Distressed Leather Upper, slouchy shaft atop a stacked heel

And yes, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, I do get the irony or wearing cowboy boots to a Pow Wow...I should have gone with my first instincts and wore my knee high moccasins.

BCBGeneration Wedge Pumps

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, it appears that winter's unrelenting grip has ensnared most of the country.  And while it's tenuous hold keeps the warmer weather at bay for a little while longer, I am able to wear another of my favorite (season-less) trends, a basic black wedge.

A chic alternative to boots when worn with opaque tights, these basic wedges give me the versatility of shoes in the cold weather, yet still maintain the warmth of boot.  This ideal pairing of a dark shoe with it's dark opaque tights compliment, also provides a great neutral canvas on which to experiment with a 'pop of color', like this fuchsia coat!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 321: Sunday March 24th 2013
Designer: BCBGeneration
Name: I bought these at Ross' Dress for Less and was unable to find a name for these beauties
Style: Wedge Pump
Heel: 3.5 inches (8.89 cm)
Material: Synthetic Leather Upper

To see how I styled these beautiful shoes, follow the link below to:

La Stella Notte's Style (chic that's easy as 1, 2, 3)

Steve Madden -P-Hayle, Coral

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, with the beginning of spring only a few days away, unpredictable seems to be the weather forecast nationwide; 40-degree (barely above freezing in Celsius) mornings warming to to near 80 degrees (high 20's in Celsius) by afternoon prove to be a challenge when dressing especially when choosing footwear.

My second choice for transitional footwear is a peep-toe pump!  These beauties above in a luxe suede upper are perfect to take the chill off of cool mornings.  The cut-out design allow for breath-ability when the temperature heats up, and the blush-pink-coral color is on trend with pastels which are making a resurgence this season.

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

 

Day 320: Tuesday March 19th 2013

Designer: Steve Madden

Name: P-Hayle

Color: Coral

Style: Cut Out Peep-Toe Platform Pump

Heel: 5.25 inches (13.34 cm)

Platform: 1.25 inches (3.18 cm)

Material: Suede Upper with cut out and top stitching detail on vamp

 

 

 

 

Beautiful in any color; click here to see these beauties in Cognac!

Philip Simon -Peyton, Black

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

 

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

 

 

Baci a tutti!

 

Stella Notte

Designer: Philip Simon
Name: Peytoon
Color: Black
Style: Wedge Athletic Shoe
Heel: 4 inches (10.16 cm)
Platform: 0.75 inches (1.91 cm)
Material: Suede, Leather and Pebbled Leather Uppers, leather lining along with metal eyelets and D-Ring details

 

Two Lips -Clarice

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, with temperatures warming, flowers in bloom (well, for some of us at least) and the vernal equinox about a week away, thoughts of spring fill the air; the season for the Earth's rejuvenation brings with it places to go and things to do, but it also brings with it that dreaded question of what to wear?

Transitioning between seasons is always tricky! Temperatures don't always reach their forecasted high, leaving one dressed for the wrong season, and showers can last minutes or hours turning a outing into a wet mess. For what to wear on your feet, is simple if you keep one thing in mind: keep your toes covered!

Boots, woolly socks and synthetic fibers (pressed against your skin all winter long) can take a toll on your feet, and lets face it, most of us don't take time out to get pedicures when no one is going to see our lovely pedis; so by the beginning of spring, feet look pretty rough (believe me, I've seen many who have stepped out in flip-flops already)!

My advice:  As the Earth slowly warms, and the days become longer, take your time ushering in the sandals; with the melting of snow, considering trading in your boots for classic pumps, embellished ballet flats, or a Marjane wedge that will give you a pulled together, season appropriate look.

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 319: Tuesday March 12th 2013
Designer: Two Lips
Name: Clarice
Color: Natural
Style: Maryjane Wedge Pump
Heel: 3.5 inches (8.89 cm)
Material: Leather upper with decorative maryjane strap and stacked wedge heel

To see how I styled these beautiful shoes, follow the link below to:

 La Stella Notte's Style (chic that's easy as 1, 2, 3)

Pleaser -Milan (2015)

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, my brief hiatus and much need rest has given me time to think; the approaching spring and the changing weather (although it's sunny in the picture, the weather has been running a consistent 10-15 degrees below normal), winter needs one last hurrah, and these boots scream it out loud!

These boots from Pleaser, I affectionately call my W.O.W Boots! 

The first W stands for the Way they look.  These boots are eye-catching from both near and far: a high-gloss finish, straps & buckles, a pointy-toe, and all perched on a stiletto heel, is the equivalent to 'mouth-watering' for the eyes!

The O stands for Oh my God (OMG)!  Being complimented on my footwear is nothing new, but when I have an equal number of men complimenting me as I do women, there is something that has to be said about the beauties I am wearing, and it's OMG!

The final W stands for Where did you get those boots?  The single most asked question when I wear these boots.  You know you've not only met your style mark, but exceeded it when others want to add a pair of your beautiful shoes to their own collection.

Have you wowed anyone lately?  If not, isn't it about time?

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 318:  Sunday March 10th 2013
Designer:  Pleaser
Name: Milan (2015)
Color: Black
Style: Buckle Embellished Stiletto Boots
Heel: 4.5 inches (11.43 cm)
Shaft: 13.5 inches (34.29 cm)
Material: Synthetic Upper with strap and buckle detail along shaft.

Curious as to how I styled it? Check out my new blog:

La Stella Notte's Style (chic that's easy as 1, 2, 3)

Crushing on my boots?  You can find them here, at Amazon.com!