Okay, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, while we are still waiting on warmer days to come (and stay), one shouldn't totally abandon common sense for the likelihood of a remote possibility; granted, I love the sun just as much (perhaps even more than) the next person, but while the date may read spring, the mercury has been less than agreeable and for all intents and purposes, it is still winter!
Another of my favorite winter-to spring transition pieces is a suede boot. During the throngs of winter, when you're battling with slush and snow, functionality is first and foremost for footwear, and you grab your winter boots. When weather predictions are less harsh or the sidewalks have been cleared, you grab a pair of leather boots. But when the days are still cold, and the threat of precipitation has been virtually eliminated, then comes the perfect opportunity for suede. As warm as its leather counterpart, yet more flexible (at least to me), suede offers a rich textural contrast to your outfit. Pair your boots with a suede bag to bring unity between the boots and outfit, try a bag in a different color to keep the look fun and relaxed.
Baci a tutti!
Stella Notte
Day 323: Sunday March 31st 2013
Designer: Franco Sarto
Name: Whitney
Color: Black
Style: Tall Wedge Boot
Heel: 3.5 inches (8.89 cm)
Shaft: 15 inches (38.1 cm)
Material: Luxe suede upper with crossed straps at vamp and buckle detail
To see how I styled these beautiful boots, follow the link below to:
My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, my brief hiatus and much need rest has given me time to think; the approaching spring and the changing weather (although it's sunny in the picture, the weather has been running a consistent 10-15 degrees below normal), winter needs one last hurrah, and these boots scream it out loud!
These boots from Pleaser, I affectionately call my W.O.WBoots!
The first W stands for the Way they look. These boots are eye-catching from both near and far: a high-gloss finish, straps & buckles, a pointy-toe, and all perched on a stiletto heel, is the equivalent to 'mouth-watering' for the eyes!
The O stands for Oh my God (OMG)! Being complimented on my footwear is nothing new, but when I have an equal number of men complimenting me as I do women, there is something that has to be said about the beauties I am wearing, and it's OMG!
The final W stands for Where did you get those boots? The single most asked question when I wear these boots. You know you've not only met your style mark, but exceeded it when others want to add a pair of your beautiful shoes to their own collection.
Have you wowed anyone lately? If not, isn't it about time?
Baci a tutti!
Stella Notte
Day 318: Sunday March 10th 2013
Designer: Pleaser
Name: Milan (2015)
Color: Black
Style: Buckle Embellished Stiletto Boots
Heel: 4.5 inches (11.43 cm)
Shaft: 13.5 inches (34.29 cm)
Material: Synthetic Upper with strap and buckle detail along shaft.
Curious as to how I styled it? Check out my new blog:
Undoubtedly a must have for the winter season, a tall boot provides protection and warmth against the snow and cold; fashion is often sacrificed for function, and durability for luxury, when braving the elements, but an ultra-feminine way to stay chic when the temperature drops is with a tall dress boot.
When looking for the perfect dress boot (a boot to be worn with a dress or skirt), I highly recommend three things:
1) Buy a pair of tall boots. Functionally they are warmer than their shorter counterparts, and their longer length give an overall sleeker appearance when they peek out from below long skirts, or when paired with shorter skirts.
2) Invest in a pair of tall boots with a comfortable heel or wedge; while taller woman have a frame that can accommodate a long skirt, for those of us who are vertically challenged, a long dress or skirt can easily overwhelm a shorter frame. A boot with a heel will offset the length of skirt, allowing it to fall the way it was designed.
3) Buy a tall, comfortable heeled boot with an almond toe. Long skirts and dresses can make you appear taller provided you style them correctly, and one way to do this is with a boot with a tapered toe. This style creates the illusion of longer legs as one's eye is drawn upward from the toe. Additionally, while pointy-toed footwear is back in style, the almond toe is more comfortable, the style is enduring, and men happen to find it more attractive!
Baci a tutti!
Stella Notte
Day 316: Thursday February 21st 2013
Designer: Enzo Angiolini
Name: Zeller
Color: Black
Style: Tall Boot
Heel: 3.5 inches (8.89 cm)
Shaft: 17.5 inches (44.45 cm)
Material: Luxe suede upper with ruching along shaft and bow detailing
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
As promised, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, snow! Okay, so it's not exactly snow...it's ice from the skating rink that the Zamboni cleared off; and although these Timberland beauties didn't get to play in the snow, they did take to an event to which I have never been before...an ice hockey game!
I can hear the collective gasp of my Canadian readers, but it is true, even though my high school had a hockey team, well two actually, even though many of my friends played for the school and in the Metro Toronto league, even though my high school's Senior (Varsity, for my American readers) team made it to the provincial finals and won, this was my first time going, and I loved it!
The first game of the double header in the annual Thrasher Cup between The University of Florida (Gators) and Florida State University (yes, they do play hockey in the tropical location of Florida), I rooted for the FSU Seminoles, only because there was a Canadian on the team. Unfortunately they lost to the Gators 6-2.
The second game was more evenly matched, and the defending two-time Thrasher Cup champions, the Georgia Tech (GT) Yellow Jackets, iced the University of Georgia (UGA) Ice-Bulldogs, 3-1. It was a difficult decision deciding which team to cheer for considering GT had 2 Canadians and UGA had a woman player (number 5, with the ponytail). So I did as any true Canadian would do, I voted for my fellow countrymen!
Something else I've never seen at high school or the small liberal arts college I attended, was a band that came to cheer on their competing team. Check out the Georgia Tech band's rendition of War'sLow Rider.
Unfortunately, I'm experiencing some difficulties with You Tube this morning, but I'll try again later to bring you the video!
Baci a tutti!
Stella Notte
Designer: Me, with some help of Timberland.com
Name: 14" Premium (Custom Made)
Style: Tall Lace-Up Boot
Heel: 1.5 inches (3.81 cm)
Platform: 0.5 inches (1.27 cm)
Shaft: 14 inches (35.56 cm)
Material: Full-grain waterproof nubuck leather upper with rust proof hardware, embossed logo and lug sole. The attached tag is part of the monogrammed custom made option
How I Styled It?
When I purchased these boots, I had the unique opportunity to design them myself! In the Design Your Own Boot section of the Timberland.com website, you can customize your very own Timberland boots in an array of sizes and colors, down to the height of the boot and font of the monogram. When I created mine, I was heavily into my Feminine & Pink phase, and not being able to find pink boots anywhere, I chose this delicate color to pair with this rugged style. I chose the grey complement, because I have always loved how these two colors worked so well together. Hard to tell, but the pink puffer jacket (which I found at a market in Italy), is much lighter than the setting sun would lead one to believe, (as shown when I first previewed these beauties here). The hooded sweater dress is from Old Navy (several seasons ago), while the leggings and pink t-shirt with lace trim are form Forever 21. The bag is Bongo and the scarf is from the market. SN
Brrrrrrrr, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics! As most of the country (and continent) is experiencing a cold snap, after being spoiled by the unseasonably warm weather last week, I thought it was time to don some cold weather gear, and officially kick off (my) boot season; I'll be honest, it won't be long, but I can promise that it will be good. You'll see some new ones, some old ones and some favorites of mine you haven't see in a while! So pull up your boot straps and grab your parkas because there is snow forecasted in my immediate future, and it's gonna be a bumpy ride (well, for some of us at least)!
Baci a tutti!
Stella Notte
Day 305: Thursday January 24th 2013
Designer: Franco Sarto
Name: Whitney
Color: Black
Style: Tall Wedge Boot
Heel: 3.5 inches (8.89 cm)
Shaft: 15 inches (38.1 cm)
Material: Luxe suede upper with crossed straps at vamp and buckle detail
Quite possibly the coldest day of the year (it reached 29 degrees this morning, that is -2.0 Celsius), I wanted to dress warmly, but by the time I made it outside, it was 57 degrees (14 Celsius), and the heavy winter items were put back in the closet. I had been looking for a puffer jacket for some time, but I wanted a sleeker version, and this quilted, belted, corduroy trimmed version from Forever 21, fit the bill. I decided to pair it with this corduroy mini dress/tunic from Old Navy (a few seasons ago). It is so easy for me to go monochromatic, especially with black, but stepping out of my color comfort zone, I went with brown HUE tights and a sleeveless brown mock turtleneck. The brown herringbone hat I got from an Italian market, and I love to pair it with a mixed print bag (one square has a similar herringbone pattern) from Carpisa Italia (several seasons ago). The paisley satin scarf is also from the market. SN
We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog for this Shoe-Stopper of a post!
My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, if you don't have an on-trend shoe or a shoe in the 'it' color of the season, run out and go get yourself a pair! I can't think of a better way for one who has a fetish for footwear to style the color of the season than with a pair of shoes (or boots). This deep-red, oxblood color has been everywhere in the Fall/Winter 2012/2013, and what I love most about this color in particular is that its rich jewel tone will be fashion staple for seasons to come!
How I Styled It?
To be quite honest with you, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, I really wanted to 'wow' you in these boots; I had planned on wearing everything you see in the picture, except the pants! I wanted to wear an oxblood/cranberry colored pair of shorts with black tights, but over the 6-week-holiday-eating-binge I was on, I ate my way right out of the shorts and right into my black skinny jeans! The turtleneck I found on clearance, and the leopard print jacket is from Forever 21. The scarf and bag I purchased while still in Italy.
Baci a tutti!
Stella Notte
Day 298: Sunday January 6th 2013
Designer: Vince Camuto
Name: Laird
Color: Dark Ruby
Style: Tall Platform Boot
Heel: 4.75 inches (12.07 cm)
Platform: 1.25 inches (3.18 cm)
Shaft: 14 inches (35.56 cm)
Material: Crinkled Leather Upper with arched seam along vamp
Crushing on these boots as much as I am?
You're still in luck! You can find them here, at Amazon.com!
With chestnuts roasting and Jack Frost nipping, my favorite cold weather accessory is a tall boot...especially a leather boot! They have an understated sleekness about them, and the high shine (I waxed them) give them a rich, luxurious look which undeniably screams, glamorous!
Baci a tutti!
Stella Notte
Designer: Exchange by Charles David
Name: Jovial
Color: Black
Style: Tall Wedge Boot
Heel: 4 inches (10.16 cm)
Shaft: 14 inches (35.56 cm)
Material: Smooth Leather upper and lining with contrast decorative stitching along cuff and vamp. Metal studs throughout vamp
One of my favorite things to do when styling an outfit, is to let my footwear dictate what I wear; I started with the subtle purple contrast, decorative stitching along the vamp and around the top of these beauties. These boots, I have yet to wear with pants (not that I don't think they would pair well together, but because to me, these boots have a soft feminine feel, that would be lost on a rugged piece of legware), so I opted for this summery denim dress from Body Central (a few years ago) and warmed it up with tights from Hue and a Macy's Style & Co. turtleneck. The jacket was an end of season clearance special from Target (again, a few years ago). I bought several wool blend coats that had been marked down, and when I used Target's $5 off $50 purchase, the coats ended up costing me about $6 dollars each! SN
Okay, my felllow Shoe-A-Holics, these Lexiss boots from Timberland have been favorites of mine for quite some time; and reviewing the tops posts of the month, a favorite of my readers as well (4 out of the top 5 are Timberland boots). Some years ago, when a friend of mine had invited the children and I to his farm to ride his horses, I wore these boots, but secretly envied the beautiful suede riding boots my host had donned.
So I took to task searching for the perfect riding boot that was also affordable (I wasn't planning on becoming an equestrian, but wanted to have something functional yet stylish enough to wear while the the kids took horseback riding lessons on the Italian farm), and everywhere I looked, I was led back to these boots.
Not good when it comes to decisions between something fabulous and something amazing, so I chose both the brown and the tan (the black was still full price), and I have not been disappointed; as the Italian say, "Like fine wine," and like vino, these boots seems to get better with age!
Baci a tutti!
Stella Notte
Designer: Timberland
Name: Lexiss
Color: Brown
Style: Tall Riding Boot
Heel: 1.5 inches (3.81cm)
Platform 1.2 inch (1.27 cm)
Shaft: (15 inches (38.1 cm)
Material: Leather Upper, full-length inside zip and decorative straps with buckles on heel and shaft
To see how I rated these boots, check out my review of them here on Tumblr!
My Timberland Lexiss boots (the brown, the black and tan) are my go-to winter staple footwear; whether it is cold or rainy, I'm on the farm or in the city, with pants or a skirt, these are a no fail option. Today, I decided to mix it up; I love my market tights (and for 2 Euro, about $3.50, who wouldn't) and kept them in the same color family as the boots. I read somewhere that when you match your hosiery and footwear, you appear taller, which is great in flat boots! I pulled out a long sleeve crew neck tee in oxblood, but in the morning light, it looks more like an cherry red. The fur trimmed military jacket in olive, I paired with the red (do you remember my Adding Color to my Life -Olive?) SN
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!
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.
We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog for this Shoe-Stopper of a post!
Guaranteed to make everyone around go crazy with envy, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, if you do not already own a pair of Ba Listick boots from Bronx, you need to run (not walk) to the nearest shoe retailer, and get yourself these boots!
For those of you who snagged these beauties when I tweeted their unbelievably low price of $31 back in October, you already know what a sensation these boots can cause. Right in line with this season's Brocade trend, these beauties are as sexy as they are sleek; if you are looking for a pair of boots, which are office appropriate during the day and knock-their-socks-off at night, then these are the boots for you! You do remember the stir I caused in the red pair!?
Baci a tutti!
Stella Notte
Day 278: Sunday November 11th 2012
Designer: Bronx
Name: Ba Listick
Color: Brown
Style: Brocade Tall Boots
Heel: 2.5 inches (6.35cm)
Shaft: 15.5 inches (77.5 cm)
Circumference: 14.5 inches (36.83 cm)
Material: Velvet upper with floral print and metallic sparkle accents
Crushing on these boots? Check out my Tumblr Page to see how I rated them!
How I Styled It? With such a fun pair of footwear , I wanted nothing to detract from the beauty of these boots, so I let them dictate what I wore: Black and Brown. Now this is the second pairing of neutrals I have done in about a week (you will recall I wore grey and brown with my Eelia boots from MIA), and I have to say, this black and brown combination is just as fabulous! The dress is from Victoria's Secret (3-4 years ago), and the coat is Chadwicks (also in the same time frame). The scarf, gloves and tights, I bought in Italy.
SN
I have always had a certain affinity towards the water; perhaps it was being born under a water sign, or the endless summer days spent swimming in Lake Huron and Lake Ontario, or possibly it was vacationing in my family's ancestral home on the Caribbean Sea or summer breaks as a teenager frolicking in the Atlantic Ocean, or maybe it was the feeling the sun on my skin as I walked the Mediterranean's shorelines or the sand between my toes on my wedding day in the Bahamas, the water has given me a sense of solace and regardless of where I am or where I've been, has always managed to feel like home.
So today as I reminisce and gravitate towards this little lake, I am ever mindful of water, its vast beauty and life sustaining ability. Equally mindful of the power of water, and its strength in the wake of the recent superstorm and subsequent snowfall in the northeast, I am humbled and more importantly, thankful; not just for the big things or the obvious (my shoes), but for the little things I often take for granted.
Baci!
Stella Notte
Friday November 9th 2012
Designer: STEVEN collection by Steve Madden Name: Gwenn Color: Black
