Nine West -Ivorie, Black

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, although I am not a fan of the cold, I am a fan of the footwear which accompanies the cooler weather; living in a sub-tropical climate, some summer sandals don't get the opportunity to be worn because of the intense heat and humidity.

So during the fall (and sometimes early spring), I take out my suede beauties and transition to the next season in style.  Suede sandals are an ideal piece to bridge the hot-to-cool (or cold-to-warm) seasons; with their open design paired with this warm, heavy fabric, one is suitably dressed from morning 'til night!


Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 359: Monday November 11th 2013
Designer: Nine West
Name: Ivorie
Color: Black
Style: Ankle Strap Platform Pump
Heel: 4.5 inches (11.43 cm)
Platform: 0.75 inches (1.91 cm)
Material: Luxe Suede Upper with over-sized buckle at ankle

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

 

Fioni -Karina

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics...have you ever had a pair of shoes that you bought for a special occasion, and the occasion passed without having worn said shoe?  Well, this is the story of these red satin ankle wrap sandals.  I bought these beauties to match a red satin gown I had with similar 'jewel' ornamentation for an event which has long slipped my mind, but these beautiful shoes have sat in my beloved Shoe Arsenal for, I imagine, 10 or 12 years.

The gown is in storage, or perhaps I have already donated it, but these shoes, needed to be worn.  My only dilemma was with what would I wear them?  I thought long and hard, and had even considered buying something new, when I went shopping in my closet and pulled out the perfect floral sateen short suit.  The combination of the color red, satin upper and jewel embellishment proved to be the perfect complement to suit and a warm autumn day.

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 358:  Wednesday November 6th 2013
Designer: Fioni
Name: Karina
Style: Ankle Wrap Kitten Heel Sandal
Heel: 2.5 inches (6.35 cm)
Material:  Satin Upper with jewel decoration along vamp

 

Giuseppe Zanotti -E10334

Ciao a tutti!

Well, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, here they are, the priciest shoes in my Shoe Arsenal!

 

While you take a few moments and experience intense emotions of lust and envy (it's all right, I experienced those things too, when I saw them...then I saw the price), I shall give you a few tips on how you too, can own a pair of high-end designer shoes, without the sticker shock!

Tip One: Save your Money!
Designer shoes, don't come cheap, especially the ones that are made in Italy and Brazil, handcrafted or made of premium materials. If you think of them as an investment piece, you'll see the value of dropping a few extra dollars in a well made pair of shoes that will last and that feel absolutely incredible on your feet.

Tip Two: Shop around!
I love a bargain, but a bargain isn't a bargain, when you find out you over spent on something you could have gotten cheaper. Look online and in stores, because although related by name to their brick and mortar counterparts, most eCommerce businesses are run by a separate entity, with different promotions and sales and sometimes even different merchandise. If you can stand playing the waiting game, then wait until the end of season sales. Sandals at the end of summer are less expensive than in the late winter or early spring, and boots are often at rock bottom prices during the warmer months. Styles generally take several seasons to cycle in and cycle out, so sandals you buy in August or September will be just as fashionable the following April.

Tip Three:  Join retailer's membership clubs (if they're free) and sign up for e-mails!
This is a favorite of mine, because had I not been a DSW Rewards Member, there would have been no way I would have gotten these $800 shoes for more than 90% off!  Yes, you read that correctly!  Many sites, like the aforementioned DSW.com, pays members to shop.  You receive points for items you buy, and when you reach a certain amount, they send you coupons for dollars off a future purchase.  Additionally, this site gives you periodic opportunities to double and even triple your points on a purchase.  You can get free shipping if you spend over $35, and you can use up to 3 coupons per shopping visit.  Wow!  How I scored these beauties for a fraction of their retail value (the sell out price on the Giuseppe Zanotti website was $398), was a Luxe810 sale DSW.com had in August.  These select high-end designer shoes were priced at $99 dollars (only for the weekend).  Combined with a couple of discount coupons, free shipping, and also purchased during a tax-free weekend, these designer shoes are now mine at only a fraction of the cost!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 354: Sunday October 6th 2013
Designer: Giuseppe Zanotti
Name: E10334
Style: Hooded-Thong Sandal
Material: Leopard-Print, pony hair upper, leather lining and sole with ankle strap and buckle

To see how I styled these beautiful Sandals and for other styling tips, follow the link below to:

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

Minnetonka -Belize

Ciao a tutti!

All right, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics...pair number 350!  And aren't they beautiful!  I first shoe-cased my Minnetonka knee high fringe boots last year; with their unique style and unmatched comfort, when I saw these beaded-fringe t-strap sandals, I had to get them, and have not been disappointed.

Both easy to wear and easy to style, these fringed beauties add a playful element to any ensemble, and when paired with a fringed bag, your style will be instantly elevated into Boho-chic-ness!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 350: Sunday September 8th 2013
Designer: Minnetonka
Name: Belize
Color: Brown
Style: Ankle- Cuff Back-Zip T-Strap Sandals
Material: Suede Upper with decorative top stitiching and weaving with beaded fringe details

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)

Charles by Charles David -Twister

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, over the years I have owned quite a few T-strap shoes; from canvas running shoes and leather brogues (which I hated) that I wore as a child, to funky wedges and platform pumps as I got oldder; but with the resurgence of the single-sole silhouette this year, T-strap sandals get a sexy update, quite deserving of their place in the spotlight.

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 342: Wednesday July 24th 2013
Designer: Charles by  Charles David
Name: Twister
Color: Black
Style: T-Strap Single-Soled Ankle Strap Sandal
Heel: 4 inches (10.16 cm)
Material: Leather Upper with strappy interwoven braided detail along vamp

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

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

Bandolino -Fillup

Ciao a tutti!

Back from my summer hiatus, tanned, relaxed and refreshed, today's pick, my fellow Shoe-A-holics, is this Fillup wedge from Bandolino.  If the single-soled, pointy-toed pump is the "it" shoe of 2013, then the sandal of the year would have to be the single-soled, ankle-strap wedge. 

Usually I'm the first person to jump on the 'high-heel' bandwagon, but there is something undeniably sexy about the cut and curve of these 3-inch beauties that have had me enraptured since I first laid eyes upon them; the combination of stacked heel, cuffed ankle and D'Orsay-inspired, revealing instep, are an absolute head turner and are sure to be a standout all summer long.


Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 341: Monday July 22nd 2013
Designer: Bandolino
Name: Fillup
Color: Taupe
Style: Single-Soled Ankle Strap Wedge Sandal
Heel: 3 inches (7.62 cm)
Material: Leather Upper with double strap and buckle detail at ankle

To see how I styled these beautiful Ankle Strap Wedges, follow the link below to:

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

Crushing on these beauties?  You can find them here, at DSW.com

Nine West -Ivorie, Dark Blue

Ciao a tutti!

It's summertime, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, and when the mercury rises, it's time to add a little sizzle of your own; turn up your own 'fun in the sun' look and heat things up with a striking pair of shoes.  During the spring, you cautiously waded into the water with small infusions of color and style, but it's time to take that plunge and make a splash!  Try a fresh color in a bold design and embrace your summer style!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 340: Tuesday June 25th 2013
Designer: Nine West
Name: Ivorie
Color: Dark Blue
Style: Ankle Strap Platform Pump
Heel: 4.5 inches (11.43 cm)
Platform: 0.75 inches (1.91 cm)
Material: Luxe Suede Upper with over-sized buckle at ankle

Crushing on these beauties as much as I am? Find them here at Amazon.com!

To see how I styled these beautiful Ankle Cuff Pumps, 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!

 

Lumiani -Annora

Ciao a tutti!

One of the hottest trends for the summer, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, is geometric prints!  A groovy, psychedelic nod to fashion trends in the 60's and 70's, geo-prints are showing up in a range of cuts and fabrics, with the hottest look in accessories being raffia.

From hats to purses, this woven raffia has been used for years, to create a look which has transformed casual to chic.  With its emergence into the world of shoes, this intricate basket weave in bold, geo-designs and colors, is the hottest look in summer footwear!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 337: Monday June 3rd 2013
Designer: Lumiani
Name: Annora
Color: Navy
Style: D'Orsay Single-Soled Wedge Pump with Ankle Strap
Heel: 4.5 inches (11.43 cm)
Material: Synthetic Upper

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

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

Rebels -Tango

Ciao a tutti!

One of my favorite ways to dress pair of shoes is to incorporate them into a look I am trying to achieve.  Today, I wanted to re-invent what is generally perceived as the Bohemian look or Boho Chic.

Relaxed, simple and casual, infused with earthy is where I started, but with the addition of these jeweled and beaded beauties in a conventional wedge style, yet unconventional combination heel-ankle-strap wrap, this Boho chic style gets a glam twist with the right amount of sex appeal!

Baci a tutti

Stella Notte

Day 327: Sunday April 21st 2013
Designer:  Rebels
Name: Tango
Color: Wine
Heel: 4 inches (10.16 cm)
Platform: 1 inch (2.54 cm)
Material: Luxe velour upper, leather lining, with beaded, jewel and contrast stitching along vamp

 

 

To see how I styled these beautiful sandals into a Boho look, follow the link below to:

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

 

Nine West: Aroundtown

Ciao a tutti!

Think plain ol' Maryjane gets a funky update and that's what you have my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, with these  Aroundtown by Nine West.  Gone are the days of prim and proper schoolmarm; replaced with sophistication and charm, a modern twist on the traditional Maryjane, these platform, chunky-heeled beauties in a rich suede upper are a must have for any shoe aficionado!

When looking for a Mayjane style of shoe, the main thing to consider is the strap; at varying heights along the vamp, the strap can be found from within inches of the toe box, all the way up to the ankle (as pictured below).  These, like the traditional flat kind worn by the eponymous character in the Buster Brown comic strip, fasten with a buckle and are adjustable, whereas many found lower on the vamp, are merely for decoration.

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 315: Tuesday February 19th 2013
Designer: Nine West
Name: Aroundtown
Color: Dark Blue
Style: Platform Maryjane Pump
Heel: 4.5 inches (11.43 cm)
Platform: 0.75 inches (1.91 cm)
Material: Suede upper with chunky heel and maryjane strap at ankle

How did I style it? Check out my new blog:
La Stella Notte's Style (chic that's easy as 1, 2, 3)

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

 

Zigi NY -Camille, Silver

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, there is something about a metallic shoe; I'm not sure whether it is rich appeal transferred from it's jewelry counterpart or if it's the interstellar galactic wow factor that pair of metallurgic stems always seem to exude, but one thing's for sure, no Shoe Arsenal is complete without a pair...in every color (silver, gold and bronze)!

 

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte


Day 288: Sunday December 9th 2012
Designer: Zigi NY
Name: Camille
Color: Silver
Style: Open-Toe Ankle Strap Wedge
Heel: 4 inches (10.16cm)
Platform: 1 inch (2.54 cm)
Material: Kidskin Upper with quilting detail on cork wedge

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

 

2 Lips Too -Too Chaos

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, I am feeling a little Hippie-Chic, this morning!  Channeling my inner Flower Child and letting my Free Spirit soar, I'm embracing the counter-culture of freethinkers, beatniks and drop-outs as I let my inner Bohemian breakaway!

 

So many times I have romanticized that bygone era of outta-sight platform shoes; towering, sky-high platforms that one didn't just wear, but rather wore out:  dancing, shopping, to the beach and all points in between, and they were worn by everyone!   Yes, men likewise participated this footwear fashion frenzy alongside their female counterparts as they expressed their free love by day caught disco fever at night!  It saddens me some, having missed out on one of the most exciting shoe trends ever; although fashion is so wide spread now, cutting edge, widespread fashion shoe trends will never again entrance a culture like the platform shoe.  Peace, Love and Happiness!

Baci a tutti!


Stella Notte

Day 283:  Tuesday November 27th 2012
Designer: 2 Lips Too
Name: Too Chaos
Color: Leopard
Style: Ankle Strap Wedge Open-Toe Shootie
Heel: 5.5 inches (13.97 cm)
Platform: 2.5 inches (6.35 cm)
Material:  Lace-up printed fabric upper with cutouts and 'photo' stacked wedge

To see how I rated these shooties, check out my review of them here on Tumblr!

Antia -Gianna, Cognac

Ciao a tutti!

 

Some years ago, my family studies teacher said something quite profound; in a seemingly ordinary class, he said, "Everyone you meet will remind you of someone you already know."  These words have stuck with me for over 20 years,  and in that time I have met some amazing people and have forged very strong connections to people who have I felt I had known for years, although I only knew them for hours.

 

 

My shoes have taken me to some incredible places, and as far away as I am from home, the new places I go somehow remind me of places I have already been; even a city girl like myself, born and raised in a busy metropolis, can become nostalgic at a farm, reminiscing of milking sheep at L'Antica Tenuta Malerba, picking wild asparagus at Azienda Agricola Infantino, strawberry picking in the summer as a child, apple picking in the fall or drinking apple cider in the  farm's general store as we sought refuge from the cold Canadian winter, I have some fantastic memories of being on a farm, and today I created another.

My shoes took me to Ottawa Farms, a family owned and operated establishment for over a century.  And as I watched the joy unfold in my own children as they navigated the corn maze, and the sheer delight they experienced as they discovered (and subsequently fired) the corn cannon, I was taken back to the carefree days as of my own youth as I ran through an apple orchard with my cousin while our parents sat, talked and laughed with the proprietors.

The friendly and genuinely welcoming atmosphere we encountered, made all of us feel at home.  And as the sun set on our extraordinary evening at the farm, and the children pleaded for one last turn thorough the corn maze, we bid adieu to our gracious hosts and promised we would return in the spring for their annual Strawberry Festival.

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 279:
Thursday November 15th 2012
Designer: Antia
Style: Gianna
Color: Cognac
Heel: 4 inches (10.16 cm)
Platform: 0.875 inches (2.22 cm)
Material: Calf Leather Upper, leather lining and leather wrapped wedge. Cutout detail on vamp with top contrast stitching and dual buckle detail

Would you like to know how I rated these shoes? Check out my Tumblr page!

 

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

How I Styled It?

On such a warm day, you know sandals were a must; but with temps sure to drop quickly after sunset, I had to strategically dress, cool enough for the late afternoon (in the mid-70's), and warm enough for the early evening (low 60's).

The skirt I bought at Ross Dress for Less, and the short sleeved turtleneck is Say What? The jacket and belt are both from Old Navy and the back I got from the vendor's market in Pisa, Italy.
SN

 

Naughty Monkey -Play Date, Brown

Ciao a tutti!

Okay, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics...have you ever had a day when you have the right shoes, but the outfit just doesn't come together?  Well, I had myself one of those days...rushing out to grab dinner and drinks with friends, I tried on three pops-of-color (purple, green and orange) with my basic jeans and neutral brown, and then I realized...

 

With a fabulous pair of shoes like these, no one is going to be looking at anything but the shoes! Nice! 

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 275: Monday November 5th 2012
Designer: Naughty Monkey
Name: Play Date
Color: Brown
Style: Hooded-Cuffed Sandal
Heel: 5 inches (12.7 cm)
Platform: 1 inch (2.54 cm)
Material: Leather Upper with ankle hood, stud and metal detail on vamp

 

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

 

 

Here are some more shots of my color changes!