Mid Month, New Shoes: August 2014

After a very disappointing August release, the mid-month drop at ShoeDazzle was a definite improvement.  I still didn't find a ton of pairs I liked but I did add some to the wish list this time.  I also saw some photos on Instagram for the upcoming gx by Gwen Stefani line in the last week.  I was very impressed, and now am waiting patiently to start seeing some of those shoes materialize.  Hoping for September!

"Klendel" by Isabella Rue ($49.95 VIP members / $59.95 for non-VIPs)

Of all the shoes I looked at this morning, I think these would be my first purchase.  With the diamond pattern they're a perfect transition shoe, as well as they would look really good with colored tights underneath in the winter.  Of course, they're the pointed toe silhouette which I love, and they have a cap toe.  I do like the side cutouts and especially the shape of the adjustable ankle strap.  The buckle does look to be gold, but can be easily painted to silver.  These shoes are a single sole with about a 4" heel.  "Klendel" also comes in a very pretty gray, but personally I will stick with my signature black on this one.

"Kavia" by ShoeDazzle ($39.95 VIP members / $49.95 for non-VIPs)

I really don't need any more black booties, but I like these a lot.  Of course, the laces are what grabbed my attention, and the fact that they run up the side of the shoe rather than the front gives them an edge.  The grommets appear to be silver -a big plus.  These shoes are a back zip entry and look to be around a 4" heel.  "Kavia" also comes in a red-orange (not a pretty color) and a dark green.  I like the green but again I would definitely stick with black on these.

"Akiko" by gc by Gwen Stefani ($59.95 VIP members / $89.95 for non-VIPs)

There were a couple of Gwen's shoes that I added to my favorites, but this is the one I like the most.  It's another great transition bootie which comes in black (my favorite), olive green and bordeaux.  The side inset is elastic, so it's black on the olive green and bordeaux versions, and provides extra room for those with a bit thicker ankles.  I do like the contrast of textiles as well as the cords coming across the foot into a knot in the center.  This shoe is a back zip entry on an island platform, and look to be about a 4.25" heel.

"Monia" by Paper Fox ($39.95 VIP members / $49.95 for non-VIPs)

I know they're not heels, but they're well worth mentioning.  I am a sucker for quilting and combat boots, and I fell in love with these instantly.  I love how the laces tie around the top as well - and thankfully they have a side zip entry to keep them in place like that.  Definitely one I'd love to have for my more casual days.

New Shoe Review: JustFab's "Armey" and "Reeve"

When I got the mail one day last week I found a fall catalog that JustFab had sent me.  In it was a coupon code for 30% off my order (FALLFAB30, valid 8.11.14 thru 9.11.14) and I decided right then and there to cash it in on two pairs of shoes high up on my wish list - "Armey" and "Reeve", both shoes I talked about in July.  They're night and day as far as styles go (a combat styled knee boot and a tie front heeled sandal), but both are very welcome additions to my ever-growing closet.  Let's get right to them, shall we?

"Armey" by JustFab Luxe ($49.95 VIP members / $69.00 for non-VIPs)

When I do my errands I will choose a stylish yet comfortable pair of shoes to walk in so I can get them done as fast as possible.  These will be another one of my go-to pairs in that department.  They're true to size for a 6.5, even slightly big so if I wanted to wear thicker socks with them I can without feeling like my toes will be all scrunched up.  Of course, being a very low heel they're super easy to walk in.  For comfort they're just fine too although if I were to take a day trip to a museum or something, I would most likely throw in a pair of inserts.  The one thing I will mention about them is that they do have a tighter calf measurement - 14" circumference.  If you have larger calves, this one is not going to fit.  The lace up front is faux, so that's not going to give you any extra room in them either.  They're very well made and even well worth the $49.95 price tag, but more so when you get them for 30% off. =)

"Reeve" by JustFab ($39.95 VIP members / $49.00 for non-VIPs)

So let's start out with the fact that I LOVE these shoes even more so in person than I did on the website.  The style is so unique, and the curved shapes on these sandals exude sexiness with how well they flatter the foot.  They're also a mix of faux leather and faux snakeskin textiles which gives them an edge, and all the hardware is my beloved silver.  That said, my one slight gripe on these is the quality of the laces.  I wish they were a slightly better material than your standard shoelace but I can overlook that in the long run.  The other minor issue with the laces is that it is going to take you a bit of time to get them adjusted to your feet.  It took me about 5 minutes per sandal because of the way they are laced through the shoe.  However once you have done that, they are really easy to slip in and out of - just something to note when you receive them.  They do run about a half size small, so instead of my normal 6.5, I ended up with a 7 which fit perfectly.  For comfort they're average, and definitely a candidate for some inserts.  I also found them easy to walk in for the 4.25" heel height.

New Shoe Review: Paper Fox's "Trista" from ShoeDazzle

I was up at 2:30 this morning taking care of my new 6 week old kitten and his accident.  After cleaning up his carrier and him, I went back to bed and hopped on Facebook to pass the time since I was wide awake.  I found ShoeDazzle shared another one of my Instagram photos on their page!  It made the lack of sleep a helluva lot better.  It also reminded me that I had not posted my review of these shoes yet, so here it is!

"Trista" by Paper Fox ($45.95 VIP members / $54.95 for non-VIPs)
This pointed toe, single sole pump comes in both a black and a blue version.  I would wear either color, but I picked my signature black for this one.  It's more of a charcoal gray than black on the background, but the dots are black.  The print is on top of a reptilian texture that has an ombre effect to it, and the whole shoe is topped off with a glossy finish.  Each one of these details really makes this shoe that much more striking in person. 

I found them to be true to size for my 6.5 feet.  I don't have narrow feet and was pleasantly surprised at how well they fit for a pointed toe.  For comfort they're decent.  They could use some extra padding at the ball of the foot especially.  They're very easy to walk in for the heel height - 4.5" - and they have a non-skid sole.  I think they're really well made and look way more expensive than their price.  I would wear these shoes year round too.  I think that they easily can fit into all seasons with the right outfit.

New Month, New Shoes: August 2014

This is a first.  I have one shoe to talk about as far as August releases go for both ShoeDazzle and JustFab.  And to top that, the shoe is from JustFab, the site I seem to have less luck in finding new and unique additions for my closet.  ShoeDazzle disappointed the hell out of me this morning.  There wasn't anything I would remotely consider adding to my closet.  I found the shoes to be way too basic or way too over the top.  Here's to hoping for a great mid-month drop!

"Nyx" by JustFab ($39.95 VIP members / $49.00 for non-VIPs)

Although I have a plethora of black ankle boots in my closet already, I really would consider adding this to my collection because it has some unique elements to it.  First, I really like the laces on the front and how wide they stretch at the bottom.  I find myself loving the pointed toe and with it jutting out over an island platform it becomes even more edgy.  The ankle strap looks to be non-adjustable and has a silver pin push through hardware closure, but that gives it a clean and different look.  It's a side zip entry with a 5" heel and a 1" platform.  On top of all of that, I really love the name of these booties.  I've read quite a few of the books in the "House of Night" series and I feel that the character Nyx, the goddess of the vampyres, would wear these.  I certainly would too.