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)

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!

Dolce Vita -Jianna

Ciao a tutti!

Okay, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, is it hot enough for you?  Having a  relatively cool summer (at least where I am), it's been heating up over the last week, and with the recent rise in mercury, staying cool (or at least looking it) has been my top priority...even with my choice in shoes!

 

Perhaps the epitome of summer footwear, the jute construction of an espadrille offers a lightweight sole ensuring all day comfort.  Cut-outs and this open lace-up design ensure maximum coolness.  Surprisingly, the nubuck upper is softer and lighter than regular suede, but just as durable.  The back-zip entry adds to the shoe's effortless style.

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 345: Monday August 5th 2013
Designer: Dolce Vita
Name: Jianna
Color: Nude
Style:  Espadrille Wedges
Heel:  4 inches (10.16 cm)
Platform:  1.25 inches (3.18 cm)
Shaft:  5 inches (12.7 cm)
Material: Nubuck Suede Upper with decorative cut-outs, back-zip and lace-up design.

To see how I styled these beautiful Espadrilles, 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 at Amazon.com!

Naughty Monkey -Hitched, Black

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, it is no secret that I love a sexy shoe; shoes with a personality, seem to have a voice of their own and enable an outfit to speak volumes without saying a word, and these beauties are no exception!

What I affectionately refer to as my 'Rocker' sandals, I like to balance with feminine pieces like a skirt (below) or a ruffled blouse to create an overall look which is bold-sweet-sleek chic!

 

 

Baci a tutti!

 

Stella Notte

 

Day 343:  Sunday July 28th 2013

Designer: Naughty Monkey
Name: Hitched
Color: Black
Style: Cuffed-Platform Sandal
Heel Height: 4 inches (10.16 cm)
Platform: 0.5 inches (1.25 cm)
Shaft: 5 inches (12.7 cm)
Material: Suede Upper with back zip and stud-buckle detail on cuff.

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 Taupe!

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

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!

 

 

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

Steve Madden -P Gabbi

Ciao a tutti!

Shoe-A-Holics, a staple in my Shoe Arsenal and a must have for any shoe aficionado, is a neutral shoe.  It is the footwear equivalent of a blank canvas to a painter.

Not to be confused with a nude shoe (check out my 'nude' shoes here), although for some skin types they are one in the same,  a neutral shoe is my go-with-anything-shoe.  Not really matching anything, yet can be paired up with everything, this taupe beauty has a way of fusing with with the floral pattern in the dress above, but with the softness of the hue, the shoes don't detract from the dress, nor do they overpower it.  I matched the rich suede of the shoe with the equally luxe suede fabric of the bag to infuse warm elements into a cooling late afternoon outing.

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte



Day 287: Thursday December 6th 2012
Designer: Steve Madden
Name: P-Gabbi
Color:  Taupe
Style: T-Strap Open-Toe Platform Pump
Heel: 5 inches (12.7 cm)
Platform: 2 inches (5.08 cm)
Material: Suede Upper with cut outs, top stitching and t-strap detail





How I Styled It?

While winter's cold has a stronghold over a great deal of the nation, the south is experiencing unseasonably warm weather, and I am loving every minute of it!  Too warm for the summer heat, these suede beauties were an ideal choice for a mild winter's afternoon.  The dress I got at a $15 or less store about 12 years ago and the bag was a market find for 8 Euros!  Deceptively heavy, this short trench coat is Kenneth Cole Reaction that I found on clearance at Sam's Club in the spring.

Two Lips -Fur Sure, Black

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, I'm feeling a little Ski-Lodge-Chic this morning!  With much of the country engulfed in these cooler temperatures (I am so glad that it will be in the 70's, that is low 20's for my me metric readers, by the weekend), I felt it was time to break out my cold weather gear and brave the frigid temperatures and take that proverbial plunge into the Arctic; but I can't do it!

I can't do the this cold weather thing; I can't do the snow, freezing rain or sleet. I can't do the three- foot snow drifts, salt trucks at midnight or the cold blowing wind.  I can't do the functional scarf, thermal mittens or scully (that is touque for my Canadian readers), and I most certainly cannot do the toes-oh-so-cold-that-I cannot-walk-thing (it's hard to strut in a pair of boots like this when you can't feel your toes); so I shall leave the braving of the elements to those of you in the Northern latitudes as I head back into my lodge, and cozy up by the fire under a down comforter and sip on a warm mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream and all the trimmings, whilst I read vacation brochures for an exotic locale in the Caribbean!

 

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte


Day 281: Tuesday November 20th 2012
Designer: Two Lips
Name: Fur Sure
Color: Black
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

Are you crushing on these boots as much as I am? You can get them here at 6pm.com!

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

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

 

How I Styled It?

From the moment I bought these boots, I knew I was going to pair them with this fur lined hooded vest.  The fur trend is still going strong after several seasons, and instead of going 'all in' with a furry jacket or vest, I opted for the sleekness of a trimmed vest (and of the other jackets which I own).  The boots are over-the-top, and I didn't want anything to compete or detract from them.  The skinny jeans and v-neck long sleeve tee are from Old Navy.

Type Z -Virginia, Nude

Ciao, a tutti! I'd like for you to Meet Virginia!

 

She doesn't own a dress
Her hair is always a mess,
You catch her stealin' she won't confess
She's Beautiful.

Smokes a pack a day, but wait,
That's me, but anyway
She doesn't care a thing
About that hair,
She thinks I'm beautiful
Meet Virginia

She never compromises,
Loves babies and surprises,
wears high heels when
she exercises
Ain't it beautiful
Meet Virginia

Well she wants to be the Queen
Then she thinks about her scene
Pulls her hair back as she screams
"I don't really wanna be the Queen"

Daddy wrestles alligators
Mama works on carburetors
Her brother is a fine mediator
For the president
And here she is again on the phone
just like me hates to be alone
we just like to sit at home
and rip on the President
Meet Virginia 

   Well she wants to live her life
Then she thinks about her life
Pulls her hair back, as she screams
"I don't really wanna live this life"

She only drinks coffee at midnight
When the moment is not right
Her timing is quite, unusual
You see her confidence is tragic,

but her intuition magic

And the shape of her body?
Unusual

Meet Virgina I can't wait to
Meet Virginia, yeah e yeah hey hey hey

Well she wants to be the queen and
then she thinks about her scene
Well she wants to live her life
then she thinks about her life
Pulls her hair back as she screams
"I don't really wanna be the queen"
I, I don't really wanna be the queen
I, I don't really wanna be the queen
I, I don't really wanna live this*

 

 

*Released in 1999, words and lyrics by the group Train. Click here to here the song! 

 

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 277: Sunday November 11th 2012
Designer: Type Z
Name: Virginia
Color: Nude
Style: Peep-Toe Platform Wedge Bootie
Heel: 5 inches (12.7 cm)
Platform: 1.38 inches (3.51 cm)
Material: Leather Upper with decorative straps with top stitching

 

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

 

 

How I Styled It!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, you know that second to finding a bargain, I love to share one; and here is my little fashion secret I am sharing with you: Buy what fits you!  In a fashion world which is often limited by numbers or letters to indicate a size, I encourage you to ignore convention and provided the article of clothing fits, wear it!  I bought this fabulous cape in the girls department at Gap.com; which was considerably less than the twill cape I bought in the woman's department.  Searching online for a cape, I was led to the GAP, and as I read the reviews (by other women who also bought this chic little number for themselves), I slowly realized the possibility of this cape for myself. Hint: GAP made this cape all the way up to XXL Plus Girls!  The Jeans are from Old Navy, the bag is Mondani and the yellow wrap sweater was a market find in Italy.  SN

 



 

Misbehave -Belove, Brown

Ciao a tutti!

So, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, I am feeling pretty good this morning!  Why, you ask?  Because after a year, I can finally fit into my jeans!  But no celebrating yet, I can't quite sit down in them (at least not comfortably), but I can walk...and shop in them, and on a Friday morning, that feels pretty damn good!

I know that it may not look like it, but I too, struggle with my weight.  And after a conversation last night with a friend of my for nearly 30 years, I am finding that even in the space of a couple of years (or in my case 3), losing the extra pounds has proven quite difficult.  I gained 25lbs (11.36 kg) in the first 6 months upon my return to the US; with access to fast food (in Sicily, their local fast food is handmade with fresh ingredients, and fast food joints are few, far between and generally expensive), it was so easy!

And this is one of the reasons, I love shoes so much...although I may gain weight (or lose it), my shoe size doesn't change!  Whether it was when I graduated from college, at a size 16 (stress and easy access to my then favorite -egg foo young with gravy, during my senior year) or when I had my 'Italian' body 3 years ago and sat quite comfortably at a size 0, my shoe size never changed!

At either end of the weight spectrum, I could slip on a pair of heels, and I always felt incredible in them; sexy and strong, regardless of extraneous factors, shoes have always been my security blanket...and I can't imagine a better source of comfort!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 263:  Friday October 12th 2012
Designer: Misbehave
Name: Beloved
Color: Brown
Style: Back Zip Ankle Cuff Peep-Toe Pump
Heel: 4 inches (10.16 cm), Platform: 0.5 inches (1.27 cm)
Material: Man made Upper with interwoven straps and three-buckle detail at cuff. Interwoven straps on vamp

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

 

Bucket List: Nine West -Bolero

Ciao a tutti!

Are you ready my fellow Shoe-A-Holics?  I can officially check off #4 on my Bucket List: Strut in my Bolero's!  Look at me go!

Six down and four more to go!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte


Day 228: Thursday July 26th, 2012
Designer: Nine West
Name: Bolero
Color: Natural
Style: Gladiator Platform Sandal
Heel: 4 inches (10.16 cm), Platform: 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), Shaft: 6.5 inches (16.51cm)
Material: Leather Upper with Strappy Multi-Buckle detail, Back Zip and cone heel




Here are some collages of pictures taken during today's photo shoot...watch me strutin'..and posin'!