Steve Madden -P-Suzii

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, these beauties that grace my feet today, I affectionately refer to as my 'Stand Up & Get Noticed Shoes'.  Every girl needs a head-turning-attention-grabbing-traffic-stopping pair of lust worthy heels that elevate your style, and these definitely fit the bill!

When looking for a pair of 'Stand Up & Get Noticed Shoes', my tips for you are simple:

Find a pair of shoes that you can walk in!  There is nothing un-sexier than a fabulous pair of heels on a person who is struggling to walk in them.  If you need to practice your strut, then do so, in increasingly higher heels, in the privacy of your own home.  Practice walking up and down stairs, on hard and soft surfaces, so that when you head out, you will have mastered your heels, not the other way around.

Get something fun and/or unique!  Everyone has boring, sensible shoes, so why not go for something that is different, calling attention to your gams or that late-season pedi?  These combo peep-toe-maryjane-platform-stilettos instantly turn up the Wow factor. and scream, 'Look at me!'


Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 357: Monday November 4th 2013
Designer: Steve Madden
Name: P-Suzii
Color: Black
Style: Platform Maryjane Peep-Toe Slingback Pump
Heel: 6 inches (15.24 cm)
Platform: 1.5 inches (3.81 cm)
Material: Synthetic Patent Upper

To see how I styled these beautiful Maryjane Slingbacks 

and for my 1 Shirt Dress 5 Ways, follow the link below to:

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

Type Z -Virginia, Cognac

Ciao a tutti!

He we are again, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, on the verge of welcoming another season, and if you are anything like me, the change in climate leaves you with the twice-a-year-dilemma: What do I wear when transitioning into...(in this case), autumn?  My recommendation is a open-toe shootie!

The marvelous hybrid of a shoe and bootie with the open-toe practicality of a sandal, is perfect on every level: the cool mornings are no match for the closed heel style of this shoe, while the warm afternoons are a breeze with the open front design.  In a leg-lengthening height, a shootie is sure to be a staple from now, to well into the fall!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 349:  Sunday August 1st 2013
Designer: Type Z
Name: Virginia
Color:  Cognac
Style: Peep-Toe Platform Wedge Shootie
Heel: 5 inches (12.7 cm)
Platform: 1.38 inches (3.51 cm)
Material: Leather Upper with decorative straps with top stitching

 

To see how I styled these beautiful Shooties, 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 Nude!

Flashback Friday: MIA -Jacqilyn

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, a summertime staple in my Shoe Arsenal is a wedge.  This elevated beauty is a sturdy-style-stepper, even for the most novice heel wearer. To avoid the 'clunckiness' which can be associated with this type of heel, look for a pair with a sculptured mid-sole, stacked wedge or top-stitching detailing along the sole. 

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Friday August 16th 2013

Designer: MIA

Name: Jacqilyn

Color: Navy

Style: Platform Wedge with Ankle Strap

Heel: 5.25 inches (13.34 cm)
Platform: 1.75 inches (4.45 cm)

Material: Leather Upper with contrast top-stitching, stacked wedge and platform

 

 

 

 

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

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

 

 

Just as beautiful the second time around, click here to see the first time I showcased these beauties!

Steve Madden -Faraa

Ciao a tutti!

 

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, if you are looking for a go-to shoe that goes with any and everything, then what you are looking for is a neutral pump.  If you are like me, and are sometimes left in a quandary as to which shoes you should pair with which outfit, the neutral pump eliminates all the guess work, giving you piece of mind with every step you take!



 

 

Baci a tutti!

 

Stella Notte

 

 Day 348: Tuesday August 13th 2013
 Designer: Steve Madden
 Name: P-Faraa
 Color: Taupe
 Style: Platform Peep-Toe Pump
 Heel: 5 inches (12.7 cm)
 Platform: 1.5 inches (3.81 cm)
 Material: Synthetic Patent Upper

  

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

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

 

Zype Z Penni -Black

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, I have learned a lot about shoes over these last few years of writing this blog:  I've learned  how heel height is relative to foot size, how platforms reduce the elevation of the heel and how the right fit can stabilize a heel as you walk, I have learned how to style shoes, boots and sandals, how to wear them and wear them confidently, how the right pair of shoes can truly make a difference.  But there has been a down side to what I have learned as well...I really do have a lot of shoes; and while I don't see my shoe buying days coming to an end any time soon, I realize that with a plethora of shoes, quantity has often been sacrificed for quality and that with so many shoes, they (the shoes) don't always get their fair share of wear! 

So I have decided that, although I love shoes (a lot), I'm going to limit myself to the number that I purchase...I have to stop, I cannot write this with a straight face...I am, however, going to limit myself to the number of shoes I buy of the same style.  In the past, I actually bought 7 pairs of  shoes...at the same time...all in store...all in the same style, just different colors; the sad thing being I would have bought 8 pairs but the lone hold out was not available in my size.  My last quadruple showing of a single style of shoe will be with this Penni from Type Z.  I do reserve the right to still buy shoes in triplicate and duos...afterall, I'm still a Shoe-A-Holic...that hasn't changed!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 344:  Friday August 2nd 2013
Designer:  Type Z
Name:  Penni
Color:  Black
Style: Open-Toe Platform Sandal
Heel:  5 inches (12.7 cm)
Platform:  1.25 inches (3.2 cm)
Material:  Leather Upper and Lining with decorative buckle detail along vamp

To see how I styled these beautiful Sandals, 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 Camel, here to see them in Purple and here to see them in Brown!

Naughty Monkey -Divine, Grey

Ciao a tutti!

Is it warm where you are my fellow Shoe-A-Holics?  Because, somewhere between temperatures hovering above freezing and torrential downpours, where I tread, the sun manages to heat things up quite nicely, and dare I say it?  Sandals are the footwear du jour!

Still too cool for my 'barely there' sandals, I love a substantial sandal in the spring; platform wedges that are sturdy and strong, are perfect when going out after May showers.  They elevate not just your feet from the puddles, but your style...wet feet are never stylish unless you are beach combing!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 332: Monday May 6th 2013

Designer: Naughty Monkey

Name: Divine

Color: Grey

Style: Platform Wedge Ankle Strap Sandal

Heel: 5.25 inches (13.36 cm)

Platform: 1.75 inches (4.45 cm)

Material: Leather Upper with criss cross-knotted vamp, jute trim along mid-sole and base

To see how I styled these beautiful wedge sandals, 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 Teal,  here to see them in Raspberry or here to see them in Black!

 

Steve Madden -Showie

Ciao a tutti!

Confession time, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics...I'm glad it's cool.  Now let me explain, it's been an unseasonably cold winter with the occasional bursts of spring (remember that week of mid-70's in January...then again in February?); which left me wishing for a quick summer warm up, but it came too fast, and 60 degree days were replaced by mid-80's, and I found myself vastly unprepared...I haven't quite made it in for my spring kick-off pedicure, so the feet are looking...well...rough, after a pretty active boot season!

But with the weather cooling just as quickly as it warmed up, I have the chance to break out the last few remnants of an almost gone winter season, and another favorite transition pair of footwear, booties!

In one word, booties are Chic!  A shorter version of their taller counterpart, booties are sexy and playful, daring and dressy.  They are the ideal winter staple if, like me, you have trouble with the shaft of traditional boots; whether too tight or too loose or if they just can't seem to keep their shape, a bootie eliminates the headache, giving you a sleek, pulled together look. 

My Advice:  Find a statement pair like these.  A daring heel, an internal platform, zipper detail, or a bold color; if you can't perfect your look with a boot, then find the perfect bootie!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 328:  Wednesday April 24th 2013
Designer: Steve Madden
Name: Showie
Style: Platform Ankle Bootie
Heel: 5 inches (12.7 cm)
Platform: 1 inch (2.54 cm)
Material: Luxe suede upper with zipper detailing

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!

Two Lips -Fur Sure, Tan

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, if you are looking for a way to embrace the faux fur trend, but you want to do it in true shoe lover style, then a boot with the faux fur is your way to go. 

 

Worn on it's own, it can make a monochromatic outfit pop, and when styled with another faux fur piece (like the vest pictured above or the fur trimmed hood pictured far below), it can tie together an entire look. 

 

Just one word of caution: Faux fur is really a stand out piece that can easily take one's look from outstanding to outdoorsy if too much is worn.  My advice would be to limit the number of pieces worn to no more than two, and to limit the color to no more than one.  While mixing neutrals can create an amazing look, mixing different shades of fur, will achieve the opposite effect.

 



Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte


Day 314: Sunday February 17th 2013
Designer: Two Lips
Name: Fur Sure
Color: Tan
Style: Back-Zip Stiletto Tall Boots
Heel: 5 inches (12.7 cm)
Platform: 1 inch (2.54 cm)
Shaft 15 inches (38.1 cm)
Material: Leather upper with faux fur, back zip, strap and buckle detailing


How did I style it? Check out my new blog:
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!

 

 

Pour La Victoire -Glenna, Dusty Plum

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics,  I have certain shoes brands that I love to buy for 1) Style, 2) Comfort and 3) I have come to trust. MIA shoes for example, I wear a 10 down the line: in boots, shoes and sandals. The width is perfect to accommodate my slightly wider than medium feet; I usually skim through the reviews and generally tend to ignore those that read to size down. I shop with confidence with this brand, and it's a great feeling knowing that what I see will not only look great, but fit as well.   

My shoe advice today is: STICK WITH BRANDS YOU KNOW!

I realize that isn’t always easy to stay with you favorite brands, especially when you see a style that you just have to have or you catch a great designer sale (like I did with these beauties pictured above). Gorgeous as these sandals might be, and although I had gotten them at 93 percent off their retail price, these size 10s fit like a size nine! And the entire time I wore them, I secretly hoped that people weren’t staring at my shoes (or rather the fact that they did not fit as well as they should); for a self professed Shoe-A-Holic, like myself, it was not a feeling I like to have with my shoes…especially not designer ones.

My suggestions: If you shop in stores, try on the shoes! I know this may sound counter-intuitive, but don’t assume that if you are a certain size with one designer, it will be the same fit across the board. And bear in mind that if you are in 'sale mode', trying to score that perfect shoe at the perfect price, it is easy to forget the basics of shoe shopping when caught up in a sale frenzy atmosphere.

Also, if you are planning to shop online, try on shoes in store (if you can) from a particular manufacturer so you basically know how a shoe fits. If you can’t make it into the store, then I strongly encourage you to read reviews of similarly styled of shoes by that particular designer. Shoes are often cut from the same pattern and size, then modifications are made for the style.  
 

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 311: Sunday February 10th 2013
Designer: Pour La Victoire
Name: Glenna
Color: Dusty Plum
Style: Platform Slingback Sandals
Heel: 5.25 inches (13.34 cm)
Platform: 1.75 inches (4.45 cm)
Material: Rich suede upper, leather lining and outsole with interwoven vamp.

2 Lips Too -Too Dishy

Attention, Shoe-A-Holics!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog for this Shoe-Stopper of a post!

 



Every now and then, I like to dispense some shoe advice, and for those of you who love shoes, but have yet to get on the heel bandwagon or those of you who love heels, but have not explored the wonderful world of wedges, I shall get on my soapbox this morning, and say a word or two about these beauties!  Wedges are my favorite style of shoe, offering the same advantages of a regular heel: the slenderizing effect of your legs and an added boost in height, yet they are virtually worry free because there is no skill needed (as there is in mastering of the skinny stem) in order to walk or even balance while standing.  Granted, heeled shoes often have a certain sexiness associated with them, but one should discount the wedge because of the thickness of the 'heel'; strappy uppers soften the appearance of the wedge, while textures (such as the woven wedge pictured with a satin upper) go a long way to sharpen the wedges' style, but wedges, although not traditionally considered sexy, can be, especially with the right shape, for example an ankle strap peep-toe version like mine!

 

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

 

Day 303: Sunday January 20th 2013

Designer: 2 Lips Too

Name: Too Dishy

Color: Black
Style: Peep-Toe Ankle Strap Wedge

Heel: 5.25 inches (13.34 cm)

Platform: 2.25 inches (5.72 cm)

Material: Satin Fabric Upper with woven raffia wedge and contrast stitching throughout

 

 

How I Styled It? 

I have fallen off the wagon and gained back the 6.5 pounds I had lost, plus another 1.5, so spandex (and a lot of it) was in order to dress this morning.  Spandex (elastane) is has got to be the greatest fabric invention of the last 50 years; it is so forgiving, and in the right percentages turns something which barely fits into the most incredible fitting item ever!  In all three items I'm wearing, the spandex is blended with nylon to create a virtually wrinkleless-iron-free item of clothing.  The pencil skirt I found on clearance at Charlotte Russe just after Christmas, is a style favorite of mine with an ankle strap shoe.  It reminds me of 1950's office attire and is a chic look when paired with heels.  The back zip tank I got from Cato (many, many years ago), and the jacket is from Express (ago several years ago).  The easy care, stretchy fabric is a wardrobe staple of mine especially on my not-so-skinny days. The two-tone clutch is from the GAP.   SN

 

Jessica Bennett -Korina

Ciao a tutti!

As the old year comes to a close and the new year draws nigh, I wish you all, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, a prosperous and shoe filled 2013!  For my last post of 2012, I shall leave you with the traditional Scottish song, written by none other than The Bard himself, poet and lyricist, Robert Burns.

Auld Lang Syne 

 

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Now it is time for me to ring in the new year, so as the Italians say,

Auguri e Buon Capo D'Anno!

Baci a tutti!


Stella Notte

Day 296: Monday December 31st 2012
Designer: Jessica Bennett
Name: Korina
Color: Black
Style: Platform Open-Toe Cut-Out Pump
Heel: 5 inches (12.7 cm)
Platform: 1.5 inches (3.81 cm)
Material: Luxe suede upper and leather lining with goring panels, double platform, cut-outs and zipper along vamp

Zipper Peplum Dress: Love Tease circa 2010
Bag: Fergi Italia

Sunday Show Stopper Alert! Betsey Johnson -Lucyyy P

Attention, Shoe-A-Holics!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog for this Shoe-Stopper of a post!

Confession time:  I've always wanted to own a pair of Betsey Johnson's shoes.  When I saw these beauties on sale (along with these Alexsaa in gold)  by famed shoe designer Betsey Johnson,  I bought them solely based on branding.  A completely indulgent purchase, appealing purely to my sense of vanity, I never realized just how gorgeous these shoes were until I first tired them on.

 

On previous posts, I mentioned how incredible a pair of shoes can make you feel; the sumptuous look and feel of these shoes awoken an emotion within me I haven't felt in a long time (not since I last donned these beauties here, by Michael Kors) -luxurious...and what an incredible way for a pair of shoes to make you feel! 

 

Baci a tutti!

 

Stella Notte 

 

Day 293: Sunday December 23rd 2012

Designer: Betsey Johnson

Name: Lucyyy-P

Color: Brown Multi

Style: Open-Toe Platform Wedge Pump

Heel: 5.5 inches (13.97 cm)

Platform: 1.88 inches (4.78 cm)

Material: Leather and calf hair upper

 

 

Crushing on these beauties as much as I am?  You can find them here, at Amazon.com!

 

 

How I Styled It? 

Styling these Betsey beauties was too much fun!  I interpreted the random color pattern as almost leopard print-like, and wore it as I would any neutral color shoe: I wanted to match the boldness in the shoe's silhouette with equally striking colors.  Armed with this purple long sleeved v-neck t-shirt from Old Navy, I headed back to Academichic's fabric color wheel to see what I could wear with this rich jewel toned hue.  You will remember from my last post on Complementary Colors, I did an intermediate color swap instead of pairing colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel; today I decided to follow another variation of color complements and instead of pairing the purple with it's yellow complement, I opted for matching the purple blouse with this (deeper yellow hue) mustard skirt from Ross' Dress for Less, and wow, what an explosion of color!  I toned down the brightness with the neutral tan leather jacket from Newport News (several years ago), and grabbed my color blocked clutch from the GAP to add another element of color to the ensemble (remember, purple and red are neighbors on the color wheel and as a result pair well together. Also, red and yellow are part of the same color triad (pick two!) and can be worn simultaneously)!  SN

 

Steve Madden 4 The Cool People -Cortlynn, Brown

Ciao a tutti!

Shoe-A-Holics, as I continue to be spoiled with this extraordinarily warm weather (82F/28C), I shall continue to blog about the remaining plethora of sandals in my Shoe Arsenal (okay, so there may not be that many sandals left to wear, but I still have quite a few that I didn't get to this summer); and hands down, these are one of my favorites!

WARNING:  These wedges are not for the novice shoe collector!  At a staggering 5.5-inches, if you are not what I consider to be a Professional wedge-wearer (those of you that can manage a 4 to 4.5-inch wedge), then you made have to proceed with caution when slipping into these slides.

DISCLAIMER:  These shoes will provide you with the illusion of height.  For all Professional wedge-wearers throw caution to the wind!  Go forth and strut your stuff in these wonderful wedges!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 289: Wednesday December 12th 2012
Designer: Steve Madden 4 the Cool People
Name: Cortlynn
Color: Brown
Style: Platform Wedge Slide
Heel: 5.5 inches (13.97 cm)
Platform: 1.75 inches (4.45 cm)
Material: Leather Upper with buckle detail. Raffia wrapped wedge and platform

Crushing on these beauties as much as I am?  You can find them here at 6pm.com!

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

 

 

 

How I Styled It?

I love sky-high wedges paired with a maxi dress!  Why?  Floor-sweeping maxi's are a dressing staple, used to create an incredible amount of height (even though it's only an illusion) in those of us who are vertically challenged. But the problem with the floor-sweeping maxis is that they sweep the floor!  I have never been one for a dirty look, which I have seen on many a women who love the style, but have not mastered the look.  That's where these 5.5-inches of wedge come in; not only giving me height, but enabling me to pull off this amazing look!  The dress is from Blue Asphalt (several years ago), the belt I borrowed from a dress by Donna Morgan and the wooden bangles I bought at a couple of markets in Sicily. SN

A Word About the Cool People

The Cool People is a cutting edge brand that is committed to bettering the world through charitable contributions. A portion of their sales go directly to charity. Bringing passion and determination into every shoe that they design, The Cool People is the brand for the dreamer in all of us. The Cool People clothing and shoes are only available at Zappos.com and its affiliates.