Happy Anniversary To HOHH!

I came up with the idea of doing a shoe themed blog last summer, and on September 21st of last year it became a reality with my domain name purchased, and then publishing my first post.  I have loved shoes since I first put on heels as a young child playing dress up in my mother's closet.  Today, at 56 posts and over 7000 views, I hope that I have been able to effectively share that love this past year.  I especially hope to continue to provide my readers with fun and informative blog posts.

Here's to making it to year 1 and to many, many more! =)

Sole Spotlight: Iron Fist's Fall 2014 Line

Iron Fist announced that they were starting to roll out their fall 2014 line this week, and so far I'm pretty damn happy with what I've seen.  There are new silhouettes for the shoes as well as many completely new designs and patterns.  My one hope is that they're getting away from whatever materials they are using that are causing the CA and IL warning stickers to be put on the packages.  If so, these are the ones that I am majorly coveting.

Dead Crazy Super Platform - Black, $55.00

I am always intrigued by an oxford styled heel, and this one just blew me away.  The colors are just gorgeous!  I love the skull and floral print in the design - one of my favorite Iron Fist designs ever.  The super platform means it's a 6" heel height with a 2" platform.  I would prefer a single sole but I don't think it would have the same impact with the design.  Definitely my #1 pick.

Rabbitopia Platform - Black, $50.00

This shoe made me smile with the starbursts and the pink bunnies.  I like their take on the rabbits' ears - they look somewhat fish fin-like.  I do appreciate the understated ruffle and trim paired with a slim ankle strap.  I don't particularly care for big bows or other details on my shoes, and I feel this one is done perfectly.  These adorable shoes are a 5" heel with a 1" platform.

Sugar Coma Platform - Black, $45.00

This shoe isn't a new silhouette but the style is one I particularly love and already have in my closet.  The back of the heel is corseted with a bow at the top.  I do like the sugar skull pattern being in just black and white, and not being read as skulls at first glance.  These are a 5" heel as well with a 1" platform.

Sugar High Oxford - Black, $35.00

Here's another menswear inspired shoe in the line, and this one is a new silhouette.  Besides my surprising pick of a low heel, I also do like the large bow on this one.  I feel that the bow combined with the side cutouts gives it the feminine flair it desires.  The pattern is a really cool and somewhat sinister looking sugar skull with red flowers.  The red flowers also appear in the skulls' eyes under a blue and green butterfly mask.  Really well done!

New Month, New Shoes: September 2014

September.  The official month of the summer to fall transition wardrobe.  It's a better month than last for both ShoeDazzle and JustFab, but overall I'm still in the 'not so satisfied' camp with the new releases.  I don't know if it's JustFab's buyout of ShoeDazzle that's influencing this change over the last few months or if the buyers at both places just aren't finding shoes that fit my personal requirements to be added to the closet.  Either way, I did find a few shoes worth mentioning.

ShoeDazzle: "Roxana" by Madison ($45.95 VIP members / $59.95 for non-VIPs)

Ok, I'll admit it, I want these shoes bad.  I love the menswear oxford styling on them but especially the zipper detail around the sides and top back of the heel.  It's the edgy fall shoe I've been looking for and thankfully I've got a credit to make it mine.  This faux suede shoe has a 1.5" platform and an overall height of 5.75", a tall one.  Just a note, "Roxana" also comes in a leopard print but the black is waaaaay better.

ShoeDazzle: "Kalinai" by Scene ($45.95 VIP members / $59.95 for non-VIPs)

It's a bit metallic, a bit reptilian, has a lace up front, and is an open toe bootie - or "shootie" as some are now calling it.  "Shootie" doesn't seem right to me but that's a discussion for another day...  "Kalinai" comes in a black version and a cream version.  I prefer the black but the cream is worth taking a peek at.  The studs look to be copper colored and depending on the metallic accent color in person, might be a candidate for a repaint.  It is a high platform heel at 6" tall (the platform is 2").  Although I've personally been getting away from the high platforms, I do think it works very well on this style.  Definitely one for the wish list.

ShoeDazzle: "Meliana" by Paper Fox ($55.95 VIP members / $75.95 for non-VIPs)

I have a few pairs of knee high open toe boots, but these are a little different.  First of all, this faux croc boot comes in midnight blue, black and leopard.  Surprise!  I personally love the blue version best.  It has a 4" heel with a .5" platform, and the rugged lug sole will help with ease of walking.  I'm still not 100% sold on that sole with a sleeker silhouette but I do think it works with these boots.  It also has an exterior side zip entry as opposed to the interior entry on most.  I really do like them and I do think I'll end up making them mine.

Just Fab: "Losira" ($39.95 VIP members / $49.00 for non-VIPs)

These are similar to a bootie I already own from ShoeDazzle from last year - "Gywnnie" by Sophia and Lee.  The ones I have are quilted across the entire front and are a much higher platform.  I find myself liking the differences between "Gywnnie" and "Losira" - the quilting across the front and sides, the raised front panel, the side buckles, and the much shorter platform although still a 4.5" heel.  I also find the way the trim goes around the top of the boot very appealing.  If I didn't already have the booties from ShoeDazzle, I'd definitely be adding these to my closet.