Showing posts with label Slingbacks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Slingbacks. Show all posts

Monday, November 4, 2013

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:

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Westies by Nine West -Have

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, one of my favorite types of shoes to shop for is a timeless style; age is definitely an advantage when looking for these enduring styles because the moment a style has come full circle (it comes into style, stays for a couple of years, then re-emerges some years later), you realize that those white single-soled pumps you were oh, so happy to toss, are the very same style which is trending, and you can't seem to find a pair at your price point, and you wish you had never donated them in the first place. (Check out the shoes I've donated here...I'm currently missing 23 and 59)

But using my age to my advantage, I am a much more savvy shopper.  Price is always important, when I buy a shoe, as is style (I love a funky shoe just as much as the next shoe-a-holic), but quality is important if you want a shoe to last through any trends it might hit or miss.

A style that is going to last, or is timeless is going to pay for itself (depending on the cost), not the first, but the second season you wear it, that is of course depending  on how often you wear it. When a style is trending, or there is something new I want to add to my Shoe Arsenal, basic black is usually the first color I pick because of it's versatility (brown is usually second).  If I can, I try to buy a leather or suede shoe; because it is natural fiber, it is is more likely to conform to the shape of your foot for a better fit, and when manufacturers use leather or suede (yes, they cost more but), they tend to be more careful with the making of shoe (better stitching, higher quality glues, etc...).  The last thing I do to keep my timeless shoe, timeless, is to take care of it.  These Westies (pictured above and below) are nearly 10 years old, but when I store them, I inspect them, clean them and store them in a dry cool place, so that when it's time for them to come back in style (I'm predicting 2014), they'll be ready, and so will I!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 329: Sunday April 28th 2013
Designer: Westies by Nine West
Name: Have (?)
Style: Square-toe single soled slingback pump
Heel: 3 inches (7.62 cm)
Material: Leather Upper with square toe and decorative lace-up on vamp 





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

Sunday, February 10, 2013

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.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

BCBG -Rachell

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, I shall begin today's post with an apology; for this is yet another pair of shoes which have been sitting in the Shoe Arsenal for years, but I have never worn until today...but I'll make it up to you by the end of the blog!

 
I cannot believe that I waited so long to wear these! With it's simple design and braided jute mid-sole, I garnished plenty on compliments as I headed out for an early evening meal. Comfortable to walk in, my feet were pain-free after a trip to the mall!
 
 
Both sexy and stunning, I love the way these shoes make my legs look! 
Tell me, do you have a pair of shoes that make your legs look unbelievable?
 

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 253:  Thursday September 20th 2012
Designer: BCBG
Name: Rachell
Color: Brown/Natural
Style: Platform Pump Sandal
Heel:4.5 inches (11.43 cm)
Platform: 1.25 inches (3.18 cm)
Material: Vachetta leather upper with Jute mid sole





How I styled it?

Being somewhat vertically challenged (I'm 5'6 1/2" or 169 cm), I love wear heels to compensate.  The taller the heel, the more leg-lengthening I get.  Ergo, I paired these beauties with a denim mini in order to highlight my gams! Denim jackets are a staple in my wardrobe and this Chadwick's Moto paired up (fabric and color) nicely with this skirt from Old Navy
I topped the skirt with a glitter embossed top with a sexy bone o-ring halter tie.  The bone bracelet was a gift from a friend on a trip to Bahrain.  The bag is from Bongo.

SN

Oh, I almost forgot, I had something to make up to you.  In the first picture, my legs are glowing!  No photoshop here, it's my lotion!
Some yeas ago, a friend told me about Olay's Quench daily lotion plus shimmer.  Advertised to break the cycle of dry skin for 24 hours, I was instantly hooked. My favorite part is the 'sparkley' effect it gives your skin...it leaves you glistening in the sun!
 

Monday, June 11, 2012

My Favorite Places: Gigi's Cupcakes, Bronx So Today -Cooper (Suede)

Ciao a tutti!

Today, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, you are in for a treat!  Decadent, mouth-watering and delectable; my shoes are taking us to the place I refer to as the candy shop for grown-ups : Gigi's Cupcakes.








Missing our Italian Pastry Shops, when we saw the sign for Gigi's from our hotel window when we first arrived in town, we knew we had make a special visit, and have been doing so religiously for nearly a year!
Celebrating,  my birthday month (and yes, I celebrate not just the day, or the week of my birth, but rather the entire month), I signed up online for my free Gigi's cupcake!



I picked this particular day, because on any given day, Gigi's has 11-12 different cupcakes from which to choose; satisfying those of us with a sweet tooth, those of us with a really sweet tooth, and even those who prefer something savory when a snake-craving comes calling, and today, my sweet tooth was asking for the Chocolate Chip Cheesecake!
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake:
Devil's food cake with dark chocolate chips,
champagne cream cheese frosting, chocolate chips and
sprinkled with chocolate ganache
 





Hubby decided on something new as well:
Carrot Cake: topped with cream cheese frosting,
decorative orange icing & green sugar crystals






















Today's menu featured so many temptations:

Feast you eyes on these:






Pictured above is the Chocolate Salted Caramel, a personal favorite
of mine which is highly recommended: Special dark chocolate cake
filled with caramel, caramel frosting dipped in ganache and topped with sea salt...yum!

And just when you think you've tried all 35 items on the menu this spring/summer, Gigi comes out with a fall/winter menu to tempt your sweet tooth for another 6 months!



Hooked for life:
Crushing on all things Gigi yet?
There are so many ways to enjoy these mouth-watering morsels, but don't hesitate; the popular flavors sell out fast (we got to the store shortly after it opened)!  If you can't make it in early, you can always call ahead and have them reserve you your favorites (at my local store, we can even Facebook the Gigi's and reserve what we want).

Have a special event coming up?  Gigi's Cupcakes caters!  From weddings and graduations, or just a gathering of friends you can order both the regular or mini-sized cupcakes for your big day.

Travel mugs, t-shirts and tote bags; bring some Gigi's home with you... the cupcakes are so good they won't make it home!




Always the bargain hunter:
Gigi's rewards loyalty!  If you are familiar with Gigi's then you know about their rewards card:
Buy a dozen cupcakes and get one free!  Gigi's is phasing out this card with a more efficient Cupcake Lover's Reward Program: you can sign up online and you earn 1 point for ever $1.00 you spend.  Collect 50 points and receive a $5.00 reward valid on your next visit.  When you sign up, you earn 25 points automatically!




A Compelling Story:
A motivated teenager from a modest upbringing and determined to have something of her own, Gigi started her own Cleaning Company at the age of 15.  But a singer and songwriter at heart, she sold her cleaning business and moved to Nashville to fulfill her dream in the music industry.  Waiting tables during the day and singing nights, wasn't the dream she envisioned,  so at 30, she retired from music and returned to cleaning.  Until the fateful day when a phone call changed her life.  Her brother had waited hours to get into a cupcake store in New York, only to be disappointed.  He told Gigi that, "These aren't as good as yours and mom's.  You should open up a cupcake shop in Nashville!"  And as they say, the rest is history.  Four years later, 50+ shops in 18 states, Gigi's words of wisdom are as follows: Believe in yourself, walk with integrity, work hard and trust in God; maybe your life won't turn out exactly how you were expecting or hoped it would be, but maybe, just maybe, it will be so much better than you ever imagined!

Give Gigi's a Swirl!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Monday June 11th 2012
Designer: Bronx So Today
Name: Cooper
Color: Corda
Style: Platform Slingback
Heel:  5inches (12.7 cm), Platform: 1.25 inches (3.18 cm)
Material: Suede Upper with crossed vamp straps and slingback




Some more pictures from today's photo shoot!

Beautiful in any fabric;
these are the only duet of shoes I own in the suede (above) and leather (below)

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Mid-Week Matinee: Type Z -Penni, Brown

Ciao a tutti!

It's been a week since your last Midday-Mid-Week-Matinee; from the What's Her Fantasy? archives, a Sixty-Second Sexcapade which is sure to delight! And as always, I hope this gets you through the remainder of the week!

***WARNING***
The following story is not for the faint of heart and is NOT intended for those under the age of 18! Consider yourself forewarned!







Touch & Taste



It’s hard to believe that Antoine and I have been married for 6 years. There were times I didn’t think we would get this far. Between work, the children and school or friends and family and community obligations, the autumn always seems to bring so much chaos that it’s often difficult to coordinate our schedules and find “us” time. But, somehow, we always manage to make it work.

It is at these moments, I find myself longing for the summer –the days, so many years ago, when we first got together. Especially those hot summer nights when we would spend hours talking and touching, teasing and pleasing each other to no end. The summer reminds me of ‘Toine –my fantasy is to tempt his taste buds with a picnic. After all, what epitomizes the summer more?

As the day begins to wind down, and the children have settled in for the night, I hand Antoine a note: The evening holds a lot of delicious possibilities; tonight, your senses will be pleasured like never before. The first item on the menu is relaxation. Why don’t you start with a shower? I can’t think of a better way for you to unwind. 

When he reaches the bathroom, there is a bottle of scented body wash along with a note that reads: Hmmm, thinking about you naked makes my mouth water. Enjoy a nice hot shower, but don’t take too long –dessert is almost ready.

When he comes out of the shower, he finds a bath towel, a pair of silk boxers and massage oil along with his third note: Dry yourself off, slip into the boxers and join me downstairs.  I want you to work up an appetite before you get something to eat.

As I put the finishing touches on the picnic, I hear him descend the final steps and take a seat on the red and white checkered picnic blanket when he enters the room.  The scene is absolutely beautiful: the candles have all been lit in the fireplace, the picnic basket is situated next to me and I am dressed in a new black negligee with a sheer bodice, accented elegantly with lace and a pair of stilettos.

Antoine stands at the entrance to the room wearing only the silk boxers and holding the bottle of massage oil. His eyes follow the seductive lines of my gown and I watch as his nature begins to rise.  He silently walks to the blanket and sits down behind me, with his back to the chaise lounge.  ‘Toine kisses the nape of my neck before his fingers delicately pull down the thin straps of my gown. Pouring the oil into his palms, he rubs them together to warm it, and then places his hands on my shoulders, massaging me –getting me aroused.

“This is nice.”  He speaks softly, waking me from my erotic trance.

“It’s just the beginning.”  When he finishes the massage, I open the picnic basket and pull out our favorite bottle of wine along with two wineglasses and the bottle opener.  Antoine wastes no time popping the cork on the bottle and pouring each of us a glass.  I allow him to finish his drink before I hand him a box; enclosed he finds a blindfold and the final note: Now that your palate is wet, it’s time to play a little game of Touch and Taste.

“Touch ‘n Taste?”  ‘Toine asks inquisitively with a tone of playfulness in his voice as he curls the edge of his upper lip just enough, indicating that his mind is swirling with ideas. He licks his lips then continues, “I don’t think I know the rules to that game.” 

“There are only three –” I reply.  “Rule number one: I blind fold you, and you must remain blindfolded for the entire game.”  I take the long sheer scarf from Antoine, and as he closes his eyes, I fold the fabric and gently wrapped it around him tying it securely behind his head.  “Rule number two: I touch your lips with a body part of mine that has been dipped in something delectable and you taste what I put in your mouth.” 

“Hmmm.” ‘Toine moans as he licks his lips again, but this time with purpose. “And three?”

“That’s the hard part –” I lean over to Antoine, gently brushing my lips against his ear, and whisper, “Rule number three: You tell me what you’ve tasted and what body part has touched you.”  I wait to note his reaction; he smiles in delight, leaning his head back to the seat behind him, and then raises it again. “Are you game?” I question.

 “Ready when you are.”  Antoine eagerly responds and we begin. 

I start with something easy.  “I got –” He answers quickly. “That’s peanut butter, and it’s on your finger.”  I congratulate and move onto the next temptation.

“Hmmm –that’s gotta be chocolate syrup on your ear lobe.”

“Two for two, I need to make these a little harder,” I jest.  Onto his next taste.

“I’m gonna have to taste that one again –I know what I’m tasting, but I need another touch.  I give ‘Toine another sample, and he makes his guess, “The taste is frosting?”

“Yes –go on.”  I encourage.

“Is the touch your chin?”

“Very good –are you sure you’re not peeking?”  I kiss him then move onto temptation number four.

Follow the link to What's Her Fantasy? to find out what happens next!

Day 198: Wednesday June 6th 2012
Shoe: Type Z –Penni
Color: Brown
Style: Platform Sandal
Heel: 5 inches (12.7 cm)
Platform: 1 ¼ inches (3.2 cm)
Material: Leather Upper with Leather Sock and 4-buckle detail along side








Beautiful in any color;



Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Xhilaration -Tobbyn

Ciao, fellow Shoe-a-Holics!

How are you this morning?  I hope this blog finds thee well!  I've been doing some thinking...a lot of thinking, actually...with summer on the horizon, I'm thinking of my *shoes* and where they plan on taking me this summer.



I've done quite a few things in my shoes, but there is still so much more I'd like to do...in my shoes.  With "Bucket List" being  the phrase du jour, I wonder how many things I can put on the Bucket List for my Shoe Arsenal?

 


Shoe Arsenal Bucket List

#1.  Tango in my Tango's

#2.  Be a hot mamma in my Hot Mama's

#3.  Hit a hot spot in my Hot Spot's

#4.  Strut in my Bolero's

#5.  Misbehave with my Beloved

#6.  Become one of the Cool People

#7.  See a Zebra if I'm Lucky

#8, 9 & 10.  Have a Snappy, Close Encounter while storming the Alamo

Wish me luck!


Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte





Day 197:  Tuesday June 5th 2012
Designer: Xhilaration
Name: Tobbyn
Color: Brown
Style: Slingback Clog Sandal
Heel: 4.5 inches (11.43 cm), Platform: 1.5 inches (3.81 cm)
Material:  All Man Made Material with cross straps at vamp and stud detail along mid-sole