Flair -Grey Mule

Ciao a tutti!

While in Italy, one of my favorite pastimes was il mercato -the market.  It always fascinated me that you could buy clothes at the same place you buy your groceries (sort of like Target or Wal-Mart), only bigger, fresher and much...much nosier; eager to make a sale, vendor would yell across many stalls to a relative or a friend who may have what you need, and usually the other vendor would have that something, be it piece of silver jewelry, a hot pink cashmere sweater or carrots picked from the field that morning.  But one of the things that I didn't like was unless you were going to the market in a large city, it was advisable you didn't wear heels because of the gravel, pavement in disrepair or farmland you might encounter.

Although the markets in the states are nothing like those in Italy, I can still manage to get fresh produce from local growers at the farmer's market; and where I live, the market is located in one of the city's largest parks, so heels are always a go!

These kitten-heeled-single-soled shoes are another of my favorite transition footwear from winter to spring.  On trend with heel height, metallic color and pointy toe, they keep my toes from getting cold, yet provide ample room to breathe as the day warms up.

Day 326: Sunday April 14th 2013
Designer: Flirt
Style: Embellished single-soled mule
Heel: 2 inches (5.08 cm)
Material: Fabric upper with beads and sequins decorating vamp

 

 

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

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

Flashback Friday! Type Z -Sabot, Camel

Ciao a tutti!

The first time I shoe-cased these beauties (here on my trip to Naples), I never really mentioned anything about the shoes; disappointed with all things Napoletano, I neglected how fabulous a pair of mules can be.

The mule, a style of shoe which dates back to the 16th century, is a french word used to describe a shoe of varying heights which is backless and closed-toed.  Once a popular indoor shoe in the 18th century, by the early 20th century, this style of shoe became associated exclusively with prostitutes.  In the 1950's, fashion icon, Marilyn Monroe re-popularized the mule, which has made a resurgence in the world of fashion in subsequent decades, but it wasn't until the 1990's when the mule (or more specifically, the mule's little sister, the open-toed slide) became a staple in woman's footwear.*

I love the versatility of the mule, the easiness of the style, the flirty ankle aspect of it (in warm weather, see pictures below) and the fact I never have to worry about cramped toes, especially in a closed-toed shoe!

How I Styled It?
I am not a fan of the color red (not by any stretch of the imagination), but the jeans were the first choice when I pulled out this Chenille sweater (a gift years ago), because of the fair isle print at the edge and sleeves.  In fact, the entire outfit I pulled from the colors in the sweater: the long sleeve grey t-shirt from Old Navy), my scarf and  bag from an Italian market, and the patterned socks (a gift).  The tan-twill cargo vest, I found on clearance at Old Navy.  The tuxedo jeans are Soho, from DKNY Jeans.

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Friday January 4th 2013
Designer: Type Z
Name: Sabot
Color: Camel
Style: Cowboy Mule
Heel: 2.75 inches (7 cm)
Material: Leather upper and lining with contrast stitching detail and leather sole

Beautiful in any color;

click here to see these beauties in Cognac or here to see them on my port-of-call in Naples!

 

Mule definition and facts are from Wikipedia. 

BCBGirls -Pink Stiletto Mule

Ciao a tutti!

This blog post is dedicated to the Pink Shoe Lady...you know who you are!

Isn't it amazing how a color can make you feel?  I love the color pink; soft, delicate and ultra feminine are all adjectives that come to mind with some shades of pink, and at the other end of the spectrum, hot, sexy and cheeky!

From the powder and pale pinks to the bright neon fuchsia, they all ultimately make me feel one way...like a lady.

How does your favorite color make you feel?

Baci!

Stella Notte

Day 187: Tuesday May 22nd 2012
Designer: BCBGirls
Name: I've had these beauties for 7 years...bought them at Marshalls without the box
Style: Stiletto Mule
Heel: 4 inches (10.16 cm)
Material: Multi-color strappy leather upper

Skirt and Top also from Marshalls

Do you remember the last time pink footwear graced my feet?  Click here to see the Big Guns!

Reflections in Springtime: Type Z -Sabot, Cognac

Buongiorno a tutti!

My mood today is again contemplative.  While yesterday, I thought of yesterdays past, today I am thinking of only today...of how I want to live from this day forward and of all the things I want to do (the list, at least in my head, is lengthy, but I am thankful for the dreams).  I want to live with purpose, and not wander aimlessly like I feel I had in my misspent youth; and I am brought to the words of  Henry David Thoreau whose words from Walden; Life in the Woods so accurately encapsulate my sentiment.  Enjoy!

 

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartanlike as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. For most men, it appears to me, are in a strange uncertainty about it, whether it is of the devil or of God, and have somewhat hastily concluded that it is the chief end of man here to 'glorify God and enjoy him forever.

Day 143: Wednesday March 28th 2012
Designer: Type Z
Name: Sabot (766)
Color: Cognac
Style: Mule
Heel: 2.75 inches (7 cm)
Material:  Leather Upper with stitch detail on vamp





Do you remember when I wore the Camel color of these beauties in Naples?  Click here to see the post!

Cruise Diary Special Edition: Type Z –Sabot, Camel

Ciao a tutti!

My mother always said that if you don't have anything nice to say about something, don't say anything at all! So, I shall leave you with some pictures I took at our final Port-of-Call, Naples.

Mount Vesuvius

Castel Nuovo

Ciao a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 36: 04-24-2011

Shoe: Type Z –Sabot

Color:  Camel

Style: Mule

Heel:  2.75 inches (7 cm)

Material: Leather Upper

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

Pleaser –Romance 04/Caress 401F

She turned the note over to find her name scrawled in black, then she turned the letter over and broke the seal, opened the page and read…

“Meet me in your chamber, wearing only these.” Juliette made haste to unwrap the gift the Duke had so delicately handed her. The black satin encasing revealed a delicate pair of slippers; the heel of fine Venetian glass, the vamp of hand-woven silk from the Orient, decorated with the softest feathers of exotic birds from the Duke’s hunting expeditions in Africa.

Juliette motioned to put them on, then hesitated…what if something were to happen to them before she had fulfilled the Duke’s request? She wrapped them up in the black satin and ran immediately to her chamber.

*          *          *

As Juliette stood at her window watching the last rays of sunlight stretch across the summer’s evening sky, a cold wave of air brushed across her bare shoulders.  She paced the room nervously, then stood in front of the fireplace, watching the embers become flames and waiting; rather impatiently, completely naked except for the glass and silken slippers the Duke had given her.

The door slammed closed behind her sending shivers down her spine.  She was paralyzed.

“You’ve been a naughty girl, Juliette.”  His soft damp lips kissed her shoulder.

“I was chased from the moment I left the church, and I –” Her rapid retort was interrupted.

“I never gave you permission to speak to me so informally.”  The Duke’s words were firm, but his tone gentle.

“My apologies, Your Grace.” 

“You may continue.” He lifted the curls which cascaded down her back, revealing the nape, and caressed her neck with his kisses.

Juliette found it hard to concentrate; the Duke’s touch was transforming her every fantasy of him into a reality...

Day 27: 04-14-2011

Shoe: Pleaser –Romance

Color: Black

Style: Slide Mule with Faux Fur

Heel: 4 inches (10.2 cm)

Material: Satin