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)

Unlisted -Ritzy Night

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, every girl needs a pair of going out shoes (or several), and if you're like me, with a Shoe Arsenal filled with every conceivable style of black pump there is, then a beautiful alternative is one in a metallic hue.

Silver, gold, pewter or bronze, all considered to be a 'neutral color', you can't go wrong with a pair of stems in any of these shades.  Just remember to keep your metallics (shoes and accessories) in the same color family to keep your look polished!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 353:  Monday September 23rd 2013
Designer: Unlisted by Kenneth Cole
Name: Ritzy Night
Color: Light Silver
Style: Slide Sandal Pump
Heel: 3.5 inches (8.89 cm)
Material: Satin Upper with rhinestone decorative buckles on vamp and ankle

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

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

Lumiani -Ava

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, being vertically challenged, I look for new ways to 'appear' taller, and here is one of my favorite style tips: Wear High Heels with Shorts!  High Heels + Shorts = A lot of Leg

But you can't just wear any heel in order to maximize the length of your gams.  Anything with an ankle strap will disrupt the continuous flow from the hem of your shorts to your toes, and actually make you look shorter.  Look for a slide (remember, mules are their closed-toe cousins) with a wedge, which provides a great deal of stability when you walk.

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 351: Wednesday September 11th 2013
Designer: Lumiani
Name: Ava
Color:  Black

Style: Demi-Wedge Slide

Heel: 4.5 inches (11.43 cm)
Platform: 1 inch (2.54 cm)

Material: Suede Upper with suede lined foot bed and leather sole. Suede wrapped wedge and platform

To see how I styled these beautiful Slides, 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)

Hush Puppies -Limon

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, whether they are quirky, clever or cute, I love a pair of shoes that are different...or at least, secretly so.  And these gladiator flats from Hush Puppies certainly fit the bill!  If you are like me and hate fidgeting with buckles, especially after the nails are done or once fully dressed, these cleverly designed beauties have two functional buckles, but as an added convenience, each buckle has a hook which can be used to open and close the shoe.  Brilliant!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Designer: Hush Puppies
Name: Limon
Color: Black
Style: T-Strap Gladiator Flat Sandal
Heel: 0.25 inches (0.64 cm)
Material: Suede Upper with dual adjustable buckles

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

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

Nine West -Emmo, Medium Orange

Ciao a tutti!

Okay, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, a must have for your summer footwear is a bright pair of sandals!  And the brighter the better!  Brightly colored sandals have been trending for quite some time now, and even neon-fluorescent shades have popped up again, paying homage to '80's fashion, but a carefully chosen shade in a bold color can elevate your ensemble!

 

For a pulled-together look, try matching your sandals to your belt; not only will a belt in a similar color define your waist, but the addition of color at the mid-line visually unifies your ensemble!

 

Baci a tutti!

 

Stella Notte

 

Designer: Nine West
Name: Emmo
Color: Medium Orange
Style: T-Strap Platform Wedge Sandal
Heel: 3.75 inches (9.53 cm)
Platform: 1 inch (2.54 cm)
Material: Calfskin upper with interwoven strappy design

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)

MIA -Zeus, Pewter

Ciao a tutti!

Confession time, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics...as I near the farthest corners of my Shoe Arsenal and survey the 30 or so remaining pairs of shoes (and some boots), I have come to the realization that I have worn very few of my dressier shoes over these last few years.

So, while I come up with ways to best style the beauties I have yet to wear, I shall continue to wear some of my favorites and pass along some shoe advice or tips that you, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics will find useful.

A must for any Shoe Arsenal is a metallic sandal.  Bronze, gold or pewter, like these, are considered a style essential because metallics are the new neutral.  Capable of styling with any and everything, a metallic sandal is an indispensable piece of footwear you'll be sure to wear season after season.

 

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Designer: MIA
Name: Zeus
Color: Pewter
Style: Flat Gladiator Thong Sandal
Material: Leather Upper with side buckle detailing

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)

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!

Naughty Monkey -Whipped Me Around, Black

 

Ciao a tutti!

 

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, one of fashion's enduring trends is animal print; snakeskin, leopard, zebra and even giraffe have been reinvented so many times, season after season, that they are considered the 'new neutral'.

A Shoe Arsenal staple, an animal print shoe is a must have, and is sure to be a go-to favorite year after year!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 347:  Sunday August 11th 2013
Designer: Naughty Monkey
Name: Whipped Me Around
Color: Black
Style: Platform Sandal
Heel: 4.25 inches (10.8 cm)
Platform: 0.5 inches (1.27 cm)
Material: Leather Upper with studded hardware accents and straps

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 Purple!



Unlisted -La Dolce Vita, Gold

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, fashion is fickle!  Last summer when I posted about the pewter pair of these shoes, I had to ask (as many of you had commented): 'What the @#$%  was I thinking' when I bought these?  Well, I still can't answer that question, but as trends shift and change as frequently as the tides ebb and flow, single-soled shoes are 'in' this year and if I give it enough time, so will the block heel!

Unfortunately, I shan't hold onto these sandals long enough to own them when they were in style, then out of style, and back in style again!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 246: Wednesday July 7th 2013
Designer: Unlisted
Name: La Dolce Vita
Color: Gold
Style: Sandal
Heel: 3.5 inches (8.89 cm)
Material: Glazed metallic fabric upper with criss-crossed straps

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 Pewter!

 

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 -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!

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

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)

Lumiani -Arielle, Cuoio

Ciao a tutti!

All right, all you beautiful Shoe-A-Holics...where are your lovely stems taking you today?  To the mall?  Out to lunch?  Maybe even a little sightseeing?  Well you can do it all, and look stylish as you do so, keeping one thing in mind...the right shoe!

More often than not, shoes are bought for comfort or style, but rarely both; one doesn't have to be sacrificed for the other when you are out and about, or in at the office.  One of my favorite types of shoe are slides.  From the slippers I wear around the house, to these leather and suede beauties (pictured above and below), slides have an easy nature about them, and with the right pair you can add a glam factor to your outfit.

For a dressier, stylish pair of slides, look for ones with intricate detailing, like this woven upper, or ones with a tapered heel; comfort comes with a platform to take some edge off wearing a high heel, and in the quality of fabric, like a leather upper or a cushioned, suede-lined foot bed.

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 334: Wednesday May 15th 2013

Designer: Lumiani

Name: Arielle

Color: Cuoio

Style: Demi-Wedge Slide

Heel: 4.5 inches (11.43 cm)
Platform: 1 inch (2.54 cm)

Material: Leather Upper with leather lined footbed and sole. Suede wrapped wedge and platform

To see how I styled these beautiful Slides, 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 Testa Moro or here to see them in White!