Chasing Away The Blues

It seems that the more people I talk to the more I see had it kind of rough last year and totally putting on their best attitude for this new year.  It seems to be working as people are getting back into the swing of life and getting out of their slumps.  I’m also evolving my fashion choices into loving a bold Spring wardrobe with lots of reds and blues.  Mr. Jason Wu for Target helped kick start that palette with is uber cute blue dress with red stripes on the circle skirt.  So very retro… *j’adore*  And as such, I ran across these wonderful little navy blue mary jane wedges at  H&M.  I saw something similar to these at Aldo last Fall and got caught up in life and missed them.  When I saw these, I knew these were keepers!

There is really nothing negative about these.  They have a 5” heel that starts from a ¾” platform.  They are all faux suede and leather, which means my vegan girls are in luck. ;)  I also am completely shocked at how unbelievably comfortable they are.  Seriously, I’m astounded.  No pinching, no rubbing, not a single band aid is needed.  They have a ribbed rubber sole for some seriously fantastic traction on the tricky urban sidewalks and streets.  And the best part about them is that they are so very pocketbook friendly!  They are only retailing for $34.95.  Talk about keeping your fabulosity while chasing away your blues. ;)

*hearts*

Loafing Around in the New Year

The beginning of another year prompts reflection on the past year’s bad fashion choices and encourages us to look forward to set a higher bar for the coming year.  We clean out our shoe closets with fond memories and giggles of some fashion missteps.  There are aspects of our lives that we devour with passion like a new hobby or a new goal.  Some go for that new diet for a goal weight, for me its photography.  I got me a fancy schmancy new Canon that is my new intrigue and life.  ;)  And there are aspects of our lives that we sort of wiggle slowly around… like a loafer. :)  That’s why my January pick of the month, regardless of your climate, is the stacked heel loafer.  These are my new darling for 2012.  They could arguably be the new wedge.  Yes, ladies, you heard it here first.  It’s the perfect staple for any Working Girl’s Shoe Closet.  Getting it in various colors helps keep the spunk in your classic office suiting.

I purchased these Banana Republic ‘Quinn’ back in the Fall because I couldn’t make it through the Autumn without a touch of sage coloring my work wardrobe.  Be sure to check every concern of comfort at the door.  These wonderful platforms are very cushy and make those long marathon days a breeze on your feet.  With a tall 4” inch heel, camouflaging the ¾” platform, you walk around making every gal jealous of your recent growth spurt. ;)  The suede is the only thing that left me wishing for more, meaning another pair of course! ;)

And as such, I have been SWOONING for these GORGIE Tory Burch ‘Belinda’ desperately.  Santa brought me lots of goodies for being a good girl this past year, but somehow, he forgot these!  Luckily these darlings are on sale right now and I can’t think of a better reason to max out my credit card! ;)  I can’t tell you how thrilled I was that I got the ‘Quinn’ in the suede sage color, because that completely justifies for these universally neutral tan ‘Belinda” loafers.  I mean seriously?  You had me at gold buckle strap…. MAJOR SWOON.

*hearts*

Blog Hacked

Hey there,

Sorry for the technical difficulties.  It seems that the Working GIrl's Shoe Closet is so popular, we've been hacked!  Once all the madness is sorted out, we'll be back on online.

Sorry for the disruption.  Hope your 2012 is hitting it off on the right shoe! ;)

*hearts*

WINS! Project Runway Winner, Anya Ayoung AND Missoni for Target Pumps Giveaway Winners!

Well, Season 9 of Project Runway has finally come to an end and Anya Ayoung (#PR9Anya) was crowned the winner.  Her designs wowed the judges and shocked most fans.  Victor was the expected winner since the majority of his designs were impeccably constructed and just such a chic line overall.  It was rather disappointing that his runway designs were pushing his creativity to something that didn’t seem to suit him.  While I also thought Victor did better in the season, I really didn’t like his runway.  Anya, on the other hand, really did impress me with her runway show.  It was fresh and fun and very her.  There’s something to be said for staying true to who you are no matter what.  I guess sometimes that’s what will make you win in the end.  

As for my Missoni pump winners, they are, drumroll please….

Amy Ford Wagner, Long Island City, NY

Maria Scala, Cliffside Park, NJ

Yolanda Machado, Valley Village, CA

Amy Reneau, Wichita Falls, TX

Special thanks to Ms. Ford Wagner for sharing her kicks with the fabulous Manhattan skyline backdrop!

I have ONE more pair left for your Christmas stocking.  Want it?  Enter to win here.  

Thanks to Project Runway too for another exciting season of dramatic fashion!

*hearts*

One Last Hurrah

While we Southern Californians are supposed to be used to the sunny and warm Fall and Winter weather, we have been gifted an extra warm front.  Al Roker even said we’re the hottest place in the U.S., and I’m guessing he’s not just talking about our gorgeous ladies. ;)  As such, I felt the need to break out my sweet little Tom’s wedges for all my Black Friday and After Thanksgiving shopping sprees.

The funny thing about Tom’s shoes, is that after you get your first pair, you notice EVERYONE has a pair on where ever you go!  And it’s no surprise why.  They are WONDERFUL wedges!  These lovely little wedges are the perfect height at 3 ¼” to let you run about town in comfort while being effortlessly put together.  It’s the stylish accessories like these Tom’s wedges that make women look tremendously fashionable in just jeans and a little T-shirt on a casual afternoon.  They mold to your foot the more you wear them so you only feel better and better with each wear.  These are better purchased on the snug side because of the fact that the canvas material does stretch over time.  And if red’s not doing it for you, they come in just about EVERY color and pattern imaginable! *swoon*

The other great thing about the design of these is that they have this little V elastic piece across the bridge of your foot.  This little stretch is not only to help to give you the perfect fit and avoid an excessive gap on the outsides of your foot as you step, but it keeps the shoe from overstretching as you wear them over and over again, making them last in your regular shoe closet circulation that much more.  It makes for a $mart wardrobe investment.

And talking about $mart investing, Tom’s Shoes donates one pair of shoes with each of your purchases to a child in need.  Tom’s works with their Giving Partners to distribute shoes all around the world.  They have also started donating eyewear as well with their new line of sunglasses too!  In this season of giving, this is one of the easiest ways to do some real good and score points with Santa for your own Shoe Wish List. ;)  Besides, can you even get over how adorably sweet these cuties are?  Their happy smiles make me want to get them each their own little shoe closet!  Don’t you?

Wedges not your style?  Or perhaps you aren’t living in the warmer climate to allow for wedges, Tom’s new glitter line in all the festive colors might be a great option for you this holiday season. 

Did you miss out on scoring some Missoni for Target in my giveway??  I have one more pair to give away so check out how to get the last pair here!

Cheers Dolls!

*hearts*

What Would Project Runway Shoe? (#WWPRS) Designing for the Birds

We are getting towards the end of Season 9 of Project Runway and it is really getting exciting!  The beautiful designs are only part of what makes this season memorable.  The challenges have been wacky and unconventional forcing the designers to bring it and bring it hard.  In this week’s ‘What Would Project Runway Shoe?” (#WWPRS) we pair the winning look with a slightly unexpected shoe.  SPOILER ALERT!  Stop reading if you still haven’t caught the last episode and want to watch it first. ;)

Mr. Bert (#PRBert) was sent packing with his unmotivated attitude of designing a bird inspired look this week.  It was sad to see him go since Old Bert had finally grown on everyone.  But there can only be ONE winner of Project Runway and now, after 12 episodes, my money’s on this week’s winner, ANYA (#PR9Anya)!  Her winning dress  was inspired by the sinister black raven.  It is so chic and modern and incredibly versatile.  This is a perfect example of where your accessories really change up the feel of your outfit.  With this kind of edgy and modern dress, you can go in so many directions with shoes.  It was hard to pick one since you could go with booties, boots, sandals, or pumps.  That’s why I wanted to go with the ladylike ‘Tesi’ by Ivanka Trump.  I’m SO in love with doing a nude shoe with a black dress.  It’s one of this season’s best concepts.  It instantly makes your legs longer and YOU taller! ;)  With the 4 ½” heel including a 1” platform, you’re sure to reach the clouds and get a great view on the dust on top of the cubicles around the office. ;)  ‘Tesi’ also gives a nod to wing tip shoes with the black edging on the back of the heel.  The edginess of the design is countered with the ladylike patent leather giving you a very fresh and modern look.

I hope my bet on Anya wins me big money this season.  And… speaking of winning, have you entered to win some Missoni for Target??  Check out how here!

*hearts*

What Would Project Runway Shoe? (#WWPRS) The Retro Piperlime Design Challenge

Are you a big Project Runway fan?  I am!!  I’m such a big fan, I came up with ‘What Would Project Runway Shoe?” (#WWPRS) where I pair a shoe or two with the winning look of the week.  The stakes are getting higher and so are the prizes!  This week’s challenge was to design a retro 70’s look with a teeny budget.  Tim announced the added twist on the second day which was to design a one piece outfit in one day.   SPOILER ALERT!  Stop reading if you want to wait and watch the episode first reading about the winning design.

Bert (#PRBert) really showed his strengths tapping into his past and making this fresh and modern delicious dress.  It was such a marvelous throw back to the 70’s Jackie O that all she needed was a little silk neckerchief and big gold rimmed sunglasses to polish off the vibe.  He came in second but still got to have his design sold on Piperlime, which has already sold out! 

Little Miss Anya (#PR9Anya) was the winner with her fabulous pant jumper and her wonderful attitude.  Anya grew a soft spot in my heart, and the judges too, with her “can do” attitude.  She pulled it together after losing her money at Mood and making her first outfit with scraps.  Meanwhile Mr. Joshua (#PRJoshua) was pulling at my last nerve with his entitled attitude.  He needs to take a tip from Anya and realize that you can’t take for granted the opportunities you get when your dream is just within reach.  Is anyone lucky enough to be that demanding when it’s really what you want?  Even if it means having your mascara running down your face at Mood from crying, you stay true to what you want.  

Anya paired her winning design with the Rachel Zoe ‘Eva’ (shown above).  And while I can understand that she was trying to be the 70’s funk on the runway, perhaps a more wearable choice would be the Mark & James by Badgley Mischka ‘Dante’ (shown to the side & below).  You get the same concept of the platform wedge but it’s a little more toned down for say, daywear.  It does have this very unique split heel detail on the back.  You can see it from the side view of the shoe.  Its more classic feel will actually let you wear it with more things to update your wardrobe for the Fall without having to get new clothes.  Mz. Zoe always tells us to change up your wardrobe by changing up your accessories. ;)

I’m wondering if karma will take care of this little queen Joshua and if the true of heart Anya will prevail.  The suspense is building! ;) 

Have you entered to win some Missoni for Target??  Check out how here!

*hearts*