Why So Blue?

My last trip to the Big Apple frigid as it was, allowed me the chance to finally make a real trip to Top Shop.  I have been salivating over their shoes for ages now.  But more than that, I have been SO nervous to actually buy their lovely shoes without trying them on first.  Once I was inside, I was like a kid in a candy shop and I thought to myself what the HELL WAS WRONG WITH ME?  These shoes are HEAVEN!  In my missing the Cali warm sun, I gravitated to these pretty ‘Wendy’ wedges.

I literally MELTED into these from how utterly soft the leather is on these sweet wedges.  I adored the twisted leather front strap.  It was so very 40’s retro but modern with the wedge for this summer’s fun lovin’ city romping.  They are my new weekend fun staple go to shoe in the weird LA semi-humid summer heat.  The ankle strap is so unbelievably soft that they are really comfortable to wear, so much so that you almost forget you have them on!  And being 4 ½” high, its sorta hard to believe but with the suppleness of the leather, you are loving ALL the benefits that these sweet wedges give you.  Aside from being this Summer’s “It” shoe, the wedge gives us ladies the height of a heel with the stability and support of a flat. 

Oh, did I mention that they are on sale for only $60?!?!  Yeah, um, I did pay full price ($125) for them but you know what?  They are STILL a great deal.  BUT, benefit from my find ladies, and get them now before they run out.  Truly, these are you’re new Summer Lovin’ Fun shoe… Cheers to being Blue!

*hearts*

La douleur exquise

It was my birthday in April.  So what does the Working Girl get for herself on her birthday?  A pair of uber fabulous kicks of course!  It’s about a splurge for another year of surviving the trials and tribulations of a girl in the big city.  So, I wanted to bring a little Brian Atwood to the Working Girl’s Shoe Closet’s couture collection.  And what better choice than the ‘Maniac’ to do that?

I only found one place that was selling them at the time.  I quickly ordered them and could NOT wait for FedEx to bring them to my doorstep.  Tracking the shipment like a cyber stalker, I would hit “refresh” every day for hours like that would make them arrive sooner.  One day, out of the blue, I get a FedEx tag on my door with the “Second Attempt” check box marked.  I looked at it in disbelief thinking, “EXCUSE ME??”  I resigned myself to say fine, another 24 hours and I will be reveling in joy.  Small price to pay for glory.  Next day, ANOTHER TAG.  No shoes.  Long story short, FedEx held my shoes hostage claiming my neighborhood was “unsafe” to leave them even though I had signed the slip complete with detailed instructions such as my phone number in case they felt they still could not leave them.  Calling the store was my last resort.  I called them with one of the most horrid non-reactionary responses.  They were not apologetic.  They were not even the least bit horrified that my $600 shoes were being held hostage.  They offered to redirect my shoes to be delivered to my office.  They called FedEx and made the arrangements for next day delivery.  The next day came and went and still NO SHOES.  I was beyond myself with anger.  Who are they to deny a woman's right to shoes?  And since when does the Universe keep The Working Girl from her shoes?

In the end, the shoes never came.  It was a cruel joke to see my beloved desire just outside my reach.  Seeing the dream of my dreams, no more than that, a dream I never ever deigned to dream come true, almost within within grasp, only to end up not being able to really have them, like a love that you can never fulfill in the way true, sincere and genuine love should be enjoyed, realized and had, it’s the most exquisite pain.  

Note: I didn't order them from Nordstrom.  Nordstrom would NEVER treat their customers like that.

Top Style Bloggers Roundup of What's Haute: Vol 15

We're a little light this week....the world of high fashion and style waits for no one.....but what we do have is BIG on how-to's and fabulous insight on what's haute now and in the near future.  From different denim outfits to the perfect nude heel to doing doily's right and wearing what's haute to a black tie affair.....even a bit of fashion history, these top style bloggers are bringing the best of style to you!  Read more....

• The Stylish Chick ~ Doing Denim Right

Doing Denim Right

• The Working Girl's Shoe Closet ~ 'Pure' Nude But Not Nekkid

'Pure' Pump by Charles David

• Fashionalities ~ Spreading the Word, I-Ella, My New Favorite Shopping Site

I-Ella

• Closet of Style ~ What to Wear: Spring Black Tie Gallery Crawl

Black Tie Art Gallery Crawl

• Blueprint for Style ~ Burberry's 60s-Inspired Mod Take on Outerwear
• ellyb Events ~ Doily's as Decoration
• The Working Wardrobe ~ Homage to the Triangle Factory Fire

‘Pure’ Nude But Not Nekkid

One of my most favorite new Spring trends is the nude shoe.  It’s the perfect solution to those outfits that you either can’t figure out which shoe color to commit to for an outfit or when the outfit needs to be the statement piece so that you can pull it off in a sophisticated way for the office.  And one of the sexiest way to be nude but not “nekkid” is the ‘Pure’ pump from Charles David.

I have to admit that I haven’t been all that impressed or rather, inspired to purchase any Charles David shoes in many, many seasons.  It truly has been disappointing because of how devoted I used to be to them.  Charles David used to really do it for me, especially when it came to work appropriate shoes back in the late 90’s.  But as of late, it hasn’t been as grabbing until these ‘Pure’ made me do a double take.   ;)

At the skyscraper height of a 5” heel, these elongate your body to no end.  There is a 1” platform to take you down to an actual 4” heel but these are not for ladies afraid of heights.  I was wearing shorts when I tried them on and I honestly felt like my legs had a sequel.  The nude color of the pumps matches my skin tone rather perfectly creating a seamless long leg.  EVERYBODY LIKES THIS! ;)  I honestly was taken back on the effect they had on my legs.  I mean, of course a 5” boost would make anyone as tall as a tree but there’s something about the right skin tone match to really take you up that extra notch. ;)

Now being that they will be a classic staple in any closet given their fundamental neutral nature, comfort is rather key.  And it seems quite the oxymoron to think that a 5” heel could ever be comfortable.  And I’m your girl, I’m not going to lie to you… so no, they aren’t what you could be able to likely handle for a marathon 12 hour day.  BUT, they are cushioned enough for you to handle a medium amount of walking and standing in your day.  The leather is a little on the stiff side but I anticipate that after a few wears, the leather will loosen up and get softer with more wears. 

Right now you can get these at 6pm.com for only $75, 40% off the regular price.  And they come in 5 different colors that are less expensive… swoon with me here. ;)

Midweek Style Society Vol. 13

It's very soggy in the Mid-Atlantic this week, but that's no reason to be style-free!  This week the top style bloggers are all about helping you think stylishly and be fabulously haute in your shoes, on-the-go chic.  Let's get style!

• ellyb Events ~ Tablescape Fab: Tyler Perry's NAACP After Party

• Life in a Venti Cup ~ More Bluefly Closet Envy

• The Stylish Chick ~ Dressing the Apple Body Type
• Closet of Style ~ Long-Legged Inspiration

Long-Legged Inspiration

• The Working Girl's Shoe Closet ~ Mod-ern

• My Intimate Affair with Fashion ~ Floral Print Romper Style
• Blueprint for Style ~ Mommy Chic on the Go! 
• The Recessionista ~ Shoe Survey

Mod-ern

It’s my dreaded time of year where I have to give up a precious hour of sleep and change my clock to lose an hour thanks to Daylight Savings time.  I’m not sure why, but it gets me all out of whack and it takes me several days to get on track.  This “Spring Forward” time change also always reminds me of my high school days when staying out past curfew on this particular night was the worst because it was exaggerated by an extra faux hour.  Parents can be so lame sometimes... ;)  Aside from the teen memories and slight physical malfunctions from lack of sleep, the great trade off about this time of year is that SPRING IS FINALLY HERE.  We can shed our fabulous Winter boots and begin to enjoy the fragrance from blooming flowers in the sunny air.  As one of the hot 2011 trends for Spring color and mod styles are a great way to welcome the new season.  These adorable ‘Tess’ mod sandals from Kate Spade have me ready to tip toe through the tulips. ;) 

The ‘Tess’ exudes the signature clean lines of Kate Spade.  They are simple and yet uber stylish.  I love the Mad Men feel that you get from these T-straps… and if you have caught my past posts, I do a triple swoon for a T-strap. ;) They have this wonderful classic, sophistication that is also nostalgic for me, all at the same time.

The sandal is relatively flat in the footpad which is always concerning when it comes to wearability.  Ms. Katie Spade thought about that when she added a nice padding in the footpad, albeit it almost unperceivable to the naked eye.  What also helps make the ‘Tess’ a great wearable option is the 3 ¼” heel.  It’s a good crank up in your vertical fabulousness without making it unbearable to take another step around Hour 7 of your day.

Their versatility comes in the two color combinations along with the fact that you could easily rock these with some opaque tights for the chillier Spring days and step up your Mod look.  At about $120 on sale at 6pm.com or Footcandy, this is a really affordable way to update your Spring wardrobe.  Mod can easily go “grandma’s closet” on you but because it’s Kate Spade, the details have made this sandal fresh, young and very Mod-ern. ;)

Midweek Style Society Vol. 12

Life without fashion or beauty is like a day without sunshine.  Today's roundup from top style bloggers is all about beginning with the basics: from knowing your body type to comparing the top style magazines to make wise decisions to simply observing moments of grace.  Of course, it wouldn't be complete without a little leopard print zest, sheer delight and shoegasms!

• The Stylish Chick ~ Determining Your Body Type

• Closet of Style ~ Spring Cravings: Sheers

• Blueprint for Style ~ Comparing Women's Style Magazines
• The Working Wardrobe ~ The Lunch Meeting
• Fashionalities ~ It's That Time Again: Spring Brand Magazines

• The Working Girl's Shoe Closet ~ Bloch Swan

• The Recessionista ~ Kinder Agguini for Macy's
• Life in a Venti Cup ~ Moments of Grace

• My Intimate Affair with Fashion ~ How to Style Leopard Shoes