Gwen Stefani's gx Line

Gwen Stefani and ShoeDazzle got together and the result is downright fabulous: gx.  It is a line of 11 shoe styles and 11 handbag styles exclusive to ShoeDazzle with all of them being very affordable - only $49.95 to $75.95 if you are a ShoeDazzle VIP!  They were just released today and I've picked my favorites of the bunch - including a bag, so let's get right to it.

"Chiyo" ($59.95 VIP members / $89.95 for non-VIPs, estimated ship date 3/5/14)

I saved one of my $39.95 credits just for this line, and specifically this shoe.  I cannot tell you how much I love the design - ankle strap, slingback styling, corset tie (and a 2 colored tie at that), black and white striped detail where the toe area starts, pointed toe, white footbed, 4.25" stiletto heel...  So many details but they all work together brilliantly.  It also comes in red but the black is much more at home in my closet, and more dynamic in my opinion.  With the tie front and adjustable ankle strap these shoes would most likely fit those with larger ankles.  Now I have to patiently wait for them to arrive.  I'm counting down the minutes...

"Mayuko" ($54.95 VIP members / $89.95 for non-VIPs, estimated ship date 3/5/14)

This pump comes in 3 faux-suede versions: black/white, orange/red, and black/nude.  I am not a fan of the last two combinations, but the black and white one - definitely.  I like the colorblocked twist on the classic pump - the black heel and toe cap, and then the white upper.  The black stripes on the sides add an edgy element, and so does the black on the .5" island styled platform.  I'm definitely keeping my eye on these.

"Hatsumi" ($65.95 VIP members / $99.95 for non-VIPs)

I love these shoes, and in all 3 colors they come in - cobalt blue, red and black.  Again, the front ties are two-toned on all three.  I like that the shoes have a back zip entry so you can leave the laces intact once worn, and that the ties are long enough to wrap around the ankle at the top.  The textile is faux-patent with a shine to it, but not too much shine that the shoes lean towards the trashy side.  I declare "Hatsumi" another winner from the gx line.

and now for the bag... Furano ($59.95 VIP members / $84.95 for non-VIPs)

The cobalt blue and the corset styling is what drew me to this bag.  It also comes in black, but I find the contrast with the blue, black and silver to be much more interesting.  It's a good size - 11" L x 13.5" W x 5" D so not too big, not too small.  It has a zip top closure (always a plus) and the handles have a 15.5" drop.  The signature print lining inside is a nice touch too.  "Furano" was by far my favorite of her bags, but all were in the $49.95 to $69.95 for VIPs price range and with an edgier style to them.

Mid Month, New Shoes: February 2014

ShoeDazzle gives its customers new releases two times per month.  Usually I might find one that I like from the new selection.  Yesterday I found three I want to talk about: Agnes, Charity and Judith.

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

I am a sucker for houndstooth and these have fully captured my attention.  In fact they've captured it so much I'm not sure which color scheme I would be putting in my closet...  One minute I like the red, and the next I think how much I want the black and white.  Decisions, decisions!  The other things that sold me on these pumps are the ankle strap, the single sole, the pointed toe, and my favorite detail - the front v strap.  It's a detail that makes these shoes unique.

"Charity" by ShoeDazzle Scene ($39.95 VIP members / $54.95 for non-VIPs)

Purple shoes always seem to be hard to find, and ShoeDazzle has had an abundance of them this month.  This stiletto sandal by far is my favorite of the bunch (it also comes in a nude/tan version which isn't remotely as interesting).  These shoes are an edgy evening style with snake-inspired accents.  I love the shapes of the purple pieces which mimic the angles of the straps.  There is a back zip entry which will probably dictate the size of ankle it will allow to wear them, so if you have a thicker ankle I would avoid this one.  Otherwise it's definitely a shoe to put on the wish list.

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

I saved the best for last.  Do you see what I see on these shoes?  They look average yet sweet from the front but the back of the heel is a spider web pattern.  I LOVE that!  Truly one for the goth girlie-girl, although they do come in a not very noticeable nude version too.  I do like the double ankle strap as well, and again the single sole with pointed toe has me sold.  These wicked beauties will be entering my shoe closet very soon!

Expensive Taste: Decadent vs. Deal

Although I love shoes, I'm not into expensive designer shoes.  They are shoes:
a) I cannot afford
b) which will wear out, get scuffed, break a heel, etc., just like any other pair of shoes
c) when I add up how many pairs I could get at let's say $50/pair for the same price, I would rather have the quantity instead of overpriced footwear.
Bottom line, I don't pay much attention to designer shoes or to the Hollywood folk that wear them.  That is why you will rarely see anything priced above $150 on this blog, most being in the $40 to $75 range.  I am a shoe addict, yes, but I would consider myself a "practical" shoe addict with a style that's all my own.

About a year ago I surprised myself when I began to realize the hint of expensive taste I have lurking behind my cheap footwear.  On Pinterest I will pin to my "Shoes" board regardless of the photo being from a designer or a discount store, and anything else in between.  I started to come across very similar shoes that I already had in my closet, not knowing they were designer inspired when I bought them.

This was the first pair I noticed it on.  I had purchased the "Sahara" shoe by Scene last year (no longer available, was $39.95 VIP, $44.95 non-VIP from ShoeDazzle).  Afterwards I found Valentino's "Rockstud" which retails at the low, low price of $1075 at Valentino.com.  What's the difference?  I don't see much in the style except for the slingback strap being studded on the Rockstud, and not on the Sahara.  In fact I prefer Sahara due to the strange angle the sides of the toe area connect to the sole on the original Valentino version.  Sahara is also vegan, a plus for me.  I'm not a vegan, but with synthetic materials being the quality that they are today, I don't see a need to wear real leather on my feet.  Sahara's studs are not of the same quality but if need be you could easily repaint them.  At a savings of $1035.05, score one for the addict-affordable version of these edgy shoes.

I've found others I really like that are available for purchase now.  Take this tribal inspired duo, "Savanna" by L.A.M.B. (Gwen Stefani's shoe line - $324.99 from heels.com) vs. "Kit" by Paper Fox ($48.95 VIP, $54.95 non-VIP from ShoeDazzle).  Again, I prefer the low-end vegan version.  I like the triangular pattern on Kit much better than Savanna's.  The eyelets on the two shoes should be reversed (says the artist in me) to better match the black and white patterns, but they were meant to be slightly mismatched for whatever reason.  I can attest to Kit running about a half size small, and being a shoe for only those with small to average ankles.  Because the straps across the front do not adjust it dictates the size of those people who can wear them.  Savings on this one? $276.04, or 5 pairs of shoes.

I have a passion for mod fashion and its inherent graphic nature.  These booties definitely fit that bill.  On the left we have Gianvito Rossi's "Geometric Cutout Bootie" ($1168 from Avenue K) and on the right is "Julienn" from N.Y.L.A. ($54.95 from DSW).  These are so close in style, I can't say I have a preference for one over the other.  Again the low end pair is a mix of faux leather and faux suede.  It also has a slightly thicker and probably a bit more stable heel.  The $1113.05 price difference between the two is staggering.  

When you compare these shoes side by side, are you able to justify paying the price tag of the expensive pair when the one next to it is such a steal?  It would be nice to own a pair of authentic designer shoes, but I know I wouldn't splurge.

Alternative Valentine Shoes

It's that time of year again, the time of hearts, candy and cupids.  I like a little bit of v-day in my house and in my shoes but I don't want anything saccharin sweet gracing my decor and especially my feet.  Here are some alternative valentine shoes that will get you in the mood for love, but are also very wearable the rest of the year.

"Bordello Teeze 12-2" by Pinup Couture ($62.99 from SinisterSoles.com)

I have the same shoe style from this brand but my pumps have a Dia de los Muertos pattern.  From my personal experience I can tell you that the shoes are pretty easy to walk in even with the high heel and platform.  They're comfortable enough, but if you'll be doing a lot of walking or standing in them you will want to get yourself some gel inserts.  These shoes only come in whole sizes, so make sure to size up if you are between sizes.

"Marah" by Betsey Johnson ($109.99 from heels.com)

This satin heeled and sequined bootie is definitely a dressier shoe but nicely subtle when it comes to the hearts pattern.  Being black on black it also works incredibly well for those with anti-valentine sentiments.  They're a little pricier than my average shoe purchase but a) they're Betsey Johnson (made by Steve Madden), b) they're well made with details like a non-skid sole, and c) heels.com includes shipping and free returns in the price.  If these were to make their way into my closer, I'd pair the open toes with a pedicure in a slick dark red or purple polish.

"Ginger" in leopard by Bettie Page ($55.95 from shoebuy.com, also comes in a black, a red and a pink patent, all with leopard heel accents)

This pinup inspired pump is adorable with its faux patent bow front, scalloped edging, polka dot interior, and the part that makes this one of my valentine picks - the big leopard print heart on the back heel.  Each of the other schemes it comes in is just as adorable as the full leopard and all would work beautifully for valentine festivities.  Bettie Page is another brand that offers only whole sizes.  From what I've read, you should size up if in between sizes in this one as well.

New Month, New Shoes: February 2014

This month was quite interesting in the shoes offered by both ShoeDazzle and JustFab.  ShoeDazzle showed their members a softer side overall (plus lot of my favourite colour purple!), and JustFab finally has a shoe for me to talk about.  Hooray!

My top 3 choices from ShoeDazzle this month are Chatelle, Keeva, and Alannah.  The shoe I picked from JustFab is Reanne, and all are shown below.

ShoeDazzle: "Chatelle" ($39.95 VIP members / $49.95 for non-VIPs)

This hot blue and black snakeskin sandal is by ShoeDazzle.  It's very similar to one I mentioned in my Tuesday Trend: Snakeskin feature last week, but I think is probably the better deal both in price (only $9 and change more) and in quality.  You'll have to pay shipping with GoJane, which you don't if you are a ShoeDazzle VIP (although this item would qualify for free shipping as a non-VIP).  I haven't had any quality issues with ShoeDazzle in a few years, and I would especially note that the ties on this don't look like they'll break after one wearing like the GoJane shoes did.  The sandals have a 1" platform and also come in black/orange and black/white versions.

ShoeDazzle: "Keeva" by Michael Antonio ($53.95 VIP members / $59.95 for non-VIPs)

Michael Antonio's "Keeva" embraces the black and white trend of this season, but also gives it a bit of an edge with all the buckled straps.  I'm really happy that the hardware appears to be a gunmetal color as opposed to gold.  With the back zip closure, I would hope that the buckles on the straps are also functional to allow those with smaller or larger ankles to get a nice fit on these sandals.  It looks promising.

ShoeDazzle: "Alannah" by Sophia & Lee ($54.95 VIP members / $65.95 for non-VIPs)

I love a good multi-seasonal shoe.  Sophia & Lee got this one on the money.  These shoes also have a bit of a edgy, darker vibe.  I love the triangular shape of the tie front area, and the perforated upper that gives the material some added texture and pattern. What really captivated me about these shoes is though they are menswear inspired, they still hold a good deal of sex appeal with the stiletto heel, open toe and slingback.  Definitely one I'll be adding to my closet.

JustFab: "Reanne" ($39.95 VIP members, $49.00 for non-VIPs)

Finally, a style I really would consider purchasing!  I'm all about the single sole and/or small platform lately.  That's what first made me gravitate towards this shoe.  Add to that the corset front styling and the studded details - now you've got something on my wish list.  I like these a lot because they're a little casual and a little dressy at the same time, but still have an edge to them.  I know northerners would probably cringe thinking of wearing something like these shoes in wintertime, but I think in the warmer southern US I could easily get away with them.  Let the contemplating begin!

If Mondays Were Shoes

I have never been a morning person, and I most certainly am not a fan of Mondays. After a couple of leisurely weekend days it's always so difficult for me to get back into the swing of things.   Truly, if Mondays were shoes, they'd be crocs.

However, Mondays should ALWAYS be better than a pair of crocs, lol.  After scouting some of my favourite shoe sites this morning, I found a pair of unique Mary Janes worthy of a Monday mention.  They're on clearance too which sweetens this deal.  So meet...

"Mary Jane - Electropus" by Too Fast Brand
(currently 50% off at $36.99 final sale from TooFastOnline.com)
For those looking for something truly unique, or fans of the dark deep sea and its creatures, this is a really fun mary jane.  I love the thicker blue glittered heel and the detail of the octopus buttons on the straps.  The polka dot lining gives it some extra cuteness.  The artwork is done in a colour scheme that I know will easily transition easily through the seasons.  Couple that with the easy going style and this shoe becomes super versatile from work to play to everyday.   They're vegan, so no leather on these either.  Too Fast Brand shoes come in whole sizes only and from asking around it sounds like half sizes would be best sizing up.  I'm sure this is something you don't already have in your closet so jump on them while you can.

 

Countdown to Kick-Off: Shoeperbowl Sunday

Now that we know which two NFL teams are playing next week, it's time to start making preparations for the big game.  Big screen TV - check!  Good eats - check!  Team apparel - check.  Team high heels - what?

You may not have heard of it yet, but there is a company in Florida called HERSTAR™. They offer platform pumps inspired by team colors for football, baseball, the NCAA (the NCAA shoes actually have logos with them), and the NBA (currently on $10 clearance). They also have some novelty shoes and offer a small range of apparel.

To thoroughly let your girlie-girl out on game day, and to show who you are rooting for, you might want to pick up a pair of their commemorative suede heels in your team's colors with "XLVIII" on them.  They're listed at $99.99 but are 50% off right now with promo code VDAY2014.  They do mention that the sizing runs small, so make sure to order at least a half size up.

Seattle Seahawks		Denver Broncos

Not a fan of either team but still want to be festive next Sunday?  You're in luck.  You can find your team's shoes instead (no "XLVIII" or logos) in just about all the color schemes for $89.99.  You can even go all out wearing a pair of faux pigskin inspired heeled boots or shoes.

Pigskin High Heeled Boots ($139.99)		Pigskin Shoes ($89.99)

★

I'm a die-hard Chicago Bears fan and would love to have a pair of the Bears inspired shoes shown below.  I wish the heels had the actual team logos on them, but I am sure the price would be substantially higher with the royalties that they'd have to pay to the National Football League.  To get around this, I would most likely look for embroidered bear head logos in a smaller size to attach to the toe box area of each shoe.  With the 50% off sitewide sale going on right now, I think I might have to do just that.

Chicken Soup for the Sole

On January 23rd, 2008, I was outside running.  It was a nice January day, sunny and mid 50s.  I had only made it about a half mile from home and good thing - I did something I couldn't duplicate in a million years. The toe of my running shoe caught in a crack in the sidewalk.  It stopped my foot but my body kept right on going.  I had definitely injured my ankle.  I was alone at home as my husband was out of town, and I did not bring my cell phone.  I had no idea how I was going to get home. The humorous part about this (well, now it's humorous...) is that as I was curled up on the ground watching my ankle swell up like a balloon and wanting to kick myself with my good foot for stupidly leaving my phone at home, a woman who lived across the street from where I fell came out to get her mail.  She thought I was a kid playing on the sidewalk and walked over to see who I was.  Thankfully she helped me up and walked me over to her house for some ice, but most thankfully she was nice enough to drive me back home.

Once home I was able to find a friend to give me a ride to urgent care to have it checked out.  I had several x-rays taken and there did not appear to be a break, but due to the swelling they were not sure.  It turns out you're better off breaking your ankle than spraining it - I had no idea.  I also had no idea what I was in for with this injury.  I was sent home with a plastic brace and painkillers, and was scheduled for an MRI.  A few days later the pain was becoming unbearable and my foot was so cold it felt like there was no circulation going on due to the extreme swelling.  I had to return to the doctor.  More x-rays were taken but still no break was found.  I was given a big, ugly, clunky black immobilization boot to trudge around in in the meantime. 

When the MRI results came back, they showed that I tore through the 3 ligaments on the outside of my left ankle (anterior talofibular, posterior talofibular, and calcaneofibular ligaments), and a partial tear to an inside ligament (tibiocalcaneal ligament).  It was officially diagnosed as a severe ankle sprain.

A few weeks later my doctor had put me in physical therapy.  I found out there that my ankle joint was nearly frozen from all the immobilization and was presented with a plan to basically to learn to walk again on it.  This pretty much killed me within.  I already was forced to cut my long hair quite short due to harsh damage before the injury happened and didn't feel like myself  to begin with.  Here I was, a bit of a workout freak now barely being able to do anything.  I was in a lot of pain, and no fun shoes in sight.  I became quite depressed and started to gain a little weight from the inactivity.  It was a dark time in my life.

Over the next few months I did make some progress, but not enough for my satisfaction.  I was able to walk without the brace but with a cane; having to do this embarrassed me as a young person.  It did push me enough to get rid of it as quickly as possible, but nothing motivated me like my cousin Beth's wedding.  I was able to work my way up to a 2" heel for her wedding in May (4 months and 2 days later), but this was with a very noticeable limp.  Also, you could still see the swelling in my ankle that long after the initial injury - which amazed me - but at least with the swelling being obvious, I didn't have to explain myself if people who didn't know about my injury were wondering what happened.  Although it was so nice go back home and see my cousins and other family members who I hadn't seen in a while, I couldn't dance and I certainly didn't feel like myself.  By the end of the night wearing my 2" heels became such a challenge that I could barely walk barefoot.  I had to be carried to my car.

That night and lack of feeling like the girlie girl I am was the kick in the pants I needed.  I also wanted to get back to running again, yes, and it did push me enough to work hard. But the thought of never being able to strut my stuff in my beloved heels again rocked me to the core.  In the next 6 weeks I made huge strides in therapy.  I started doing walks back and forth in an olympic sized pool on my toes as if in heels.  I forced myself to walk up and down stairs on my toes.  I was doing balancing exercised again on my ankle.  I was done with therapy in July and started feel how close my high heels were to being back on my feet.

By September I was starting to work out pretty regularly again but ended up with bad tendonitis on the inside of my ankle.  I had overdone it.  Again I was visiting my orthopedic, but this time it was just to get a cortisone shot.  I had another shot in October, and I realized I needed to take it slow and steady as to not have any more roadblocks.  I swear my heels in my closet were calling to me like sirens of the sea, or more like screaming at me to get my act together.  I needed to focus and get on track to wear them, and I did.

Finally, just about a year later, I purchased my first new pair of 4" heels again, a pair of tall fitted black knee high boots.  I remember that day well.  I went to the mall walking perfectly normal in 4" heels to visit Bakers Shoes to get the pointed toe stilettos I had my eye on.  That was the final victory I needed to put this ankle injury behind me.

★

Everyone has their motivation to do things in their lives, and for me, it was my love of shoes that got me through a very difficult year - both physically and mentally.  Having a closet full of them helped too as the thought of getting rid of my fabulous collection terrified me.  Ever since my injury, I wear my high heels with added pride and always offer a silent thank you to them for being the "chicken soup" that I needed.  Oh, and one more thing: now I take long brisk walks instead of running outside. ;)

Tuesday Trend: Snakeskin

I will admit, snakeskin is not a pattern I've ever really gotten into - until the last few years.  I've always associated it with the black and white version you find on tacky cowboy boots, not a look I would ever embrace.  The newer versions are so much more colorful with no hint of western wear in sight.  I can admit that  I own a few pairs of heels in this pattern, one of my favorites being a deep plum, black and grey by Michael Antonio.  I'm now looking to add some more of this trend to my wardrobe especially with the new arrivals I'm seeing at my internet shoe stomping grounds.

"Joycelyn" by ShoeDazzle ($39.95 VIP, $45.95 non-VIP, from ShoeDazzle)

I've already got these strappy sandals waiting patiently for the weather to warm up.  The photos in no way do the textile justice.  It's a metallic pastel rainbow of snakeskin which is downright gorgeous in person.  I would say they are true to size (as a 6.5) and decently comfortable to walk in.  They are worth every penny in my opinion.  My word of caution would be to those with larger ankles or wide feet - the straps do not adjust.  Side note: these also are available in a gold metallic version.

"Duchess" by BCBGeneration ($110 from Zappos.com)

The first pair of (faux) snakeskin shoes that I fell in love with were a pair of corseted black snakeskin open toe booties from ShoeDazzle in 2011 (style name "Ciara" and love!), and these are on a similar wavelength with their caged style.  They're a bit more than what I'd normally pay for shoes, but I also make sure to sign up for email lists and consult the coupon sites such as retailmenot.com to make sure that I can get the best deal possible for every pair I buy.

"Python Dream Corset Heels (#93984)" ($30.80 from GoJane.com)

I am very attracted to the corset styling on these sandals, and especially the bright blue!  I might possibly replace the tie before wearing with something that looks a little more sturdy, but for the price you really can't go wrong - maybe even grab them in both the blue and the fuchsia it is offered in.  You know the saying, "if the shoe fits, buy it in every color."

My Other Closet

Do you pinterest?  I certainly do.  As of right now, I have nearly 17,000 pins across 74 boards - I don't know if that is a good or bad thing! ;-)  Some of my boards of course are shoe-related: shoes (almost all heels), a board specifically for this blog, my personal shoe collection (a helpful "catalog" for me) and things that I am selling on eBay (mostly shoes, and a few other things here and there).  The rest are my interests which range from Tim Burton to cats to cute yet creepy dolls to vintage cars.  You can tell a lot about a person when they're a pinterest aficionado.

On lazy days like today, it is so easy to lose track of time while pinning.  I was looking through my boards for some cuteness, humour, some inspiration...  I've come to the conclusion that after amassing as many pins as I have, I have both a "real closet" and a "pinterest closet".   Now I'm on a mission to find the pin that tells me how to make my pinterest closet real.