Sweet Shoes for Spring 2011

Hi, I like shoes. In case the title of this blog doesn't say it all. I like shoes so much. There are not enough nice words for me to use to say how much I love shoes. I have a bit of an obsession with shoes.. When I walk down the hallway at school I find myself recognising random people based on their shoes and/or handbags. Right now I am all about the boots.In Canada it's chilly and I need to keep my toes nice and toasty. There are two types of boots that I am into at the moment. I want a pair of slouchy, knee high boots in either dark grey or dark brown. I also love little ankle booties in black. I love them with a little heel but unfortunately, heels aren't practical for school so I have a little dark grey flat pair with two rows of grommets on the top. They are cute but I have worn them to bits so yesterday I went shoe shopping. I tried on a pair of chocolate brown, knee high leather boots. I also tried on a sleek, black pair of leather boots that were just under the knee. I ended up going for the black pair because black goes with everything and the leather was so smooth and gorgeous. Anyway, I digress. Let's just get to the point shall we?

Chanel.

Check out these bad-ass boots by the late Alexander McQueen. The whole rocker, studded, grommets etc.. look can be a bit much for some people. However, the best place to try trends is with one's shoes. Shoes are all about fun and personal style. When it comes to shoes there are no rules as far as I am concerned. These shoes are awesome. If I could afford them I would be wearing them right now while I blog in my living room.

These sweet boots are by DKNY. They are kind of edgy and relaxed. I love the laces and the cool shape.

                    These little booties are by Diego Dolcini. They are very stylish and sexy.

These pretty periwinkle blue booties are done by Camilla Skovgaard. They are so sleek, I love them.

These are not boots but they are gorgeous heels by Christian Dior. They are very spring like and I love the geometric design.And they are purple which is one of my favorite colours.

I love these they are so feminine and gorgeous. It may not be spring yet but I think these would be great for Valentines Day. Whether you love Hallmark's favorite holiday or resent it, heels like these make every day sweeter. These shoes by Burak Uyan are delicious..

These are quite the shoes. Like I said, the best place to go crazy is with the shoes and I love punk inspired neon and acid coloured shoes (not skinny jeans, I think I have already expressed my intense hatred for neon skinnies). I can see these with a white dress ( or other neutral, subdued colour) or with black skinny jeans. These are also by Burak Uyan.

These shoes by Brian Atwood seem vintagey but also modern. They are sultry in a burlesque kind of way. They are not what I would picture for spring and they are refreshing. I would wear them with a really feminine (maybe floral) dress.

Well, I am done with Winter. I am ready for dresses and skirts and lighter fabrics..Oh, and nature and all of that good stuff. And these pieces of eye candy have certainly gotten me even more ready for Spring.

Ballerina Chic?

When I was five years old my mom put me in ballet. She took lessons when she was younger and she thought it would be fun for me. But I am pretty sure it was mostly because little girls look soo adorable in the little pink tutus and slippers. I've seen pictures and I did look pretty damn cute in that tutu. How do you not look cute in ballet clothes? I am absolutely certain that even at five years old I knew that I was doing the ballet for the clothes. Well my ballet days are long since behind me because I have two left feet. I quit ballet after less than a year and had a breif flirtation with hip hop before stopping dance all together. And I am definitely not going back to hip hop for the clothes. I still have a thing for the whole ballerina look. It's such a simply beautiful and elegant look. And these days it seems as though many people feel the same way.Although, ballet flats have always been a classic shoe, a wardrobe staple. I live in flats. Movies like the Black Swan and collections by designers like Marc Jacobs are really making the ballerina look more popular. I watched half of the Black Swan and I couldn't finish it. The crazy was starting to ruin the beautiful clothes for me and I could not handle it. The costumes in the Black Swan were by designer Rodarte.

I like the white swan look because when I think of ballerina's I think of that kind of angelic look. However, I also like the black swan look because it's a mix of the innocence and sweetness that I associate with ballerinas, and a dark, sensual edginess. The ballet look is not just popping up in the movies, it is showing up on the runway as well. One of my all time favorite fashion designers, Marc Jacobs, did a collection (Spring 2010) that looked like ballerinas and show-girls after hours. Naturally, because of my obsession with 

ballerina outfits, this was one of my favorite collections.

While there have been some styles and trends that make me throw up in my mouth this is one that I enjoy and it is one that I don't think I'll get sick of anytime soon. Ballet inspired styles are so feminine and pretty and I do not regret my few unfortunate dance experiences because at five years old my fixation with ballerina costumes began.

Gemma Redux and Pamela Love

Jewellery is a little bit of an addiction for me. I am the girl with two jellewery boxes stuffed and I can't resist buying more. However, there are far worse addictions to have and Marilyn Monroe said it best. Diamonds ARE a girls best friend. And opals,pearls,lapis,topaz.. You get the picture?  There are a lot of different unique and talented jewellery designers. Two of my favorites are Gemma Redux by Rachel Dooley and Pamela Love.

Here are a few pieces by Gemma Redux. I love how drippy and artsy Rachel Dooley's jewellery is. I also think it's amazing how she will take something dull such as plain grey quartz or onyx and she will turn it into something stunning.There is something beautiful about the drippy, slightly tangled chains and the uncut semi-precious stones. I  love how the stones are raw and they are not in any particular cut.They are beautiful messes. Her jewellery appears to be natural and relaxed but it is still luxurious. Her success with jewellery and in fashion is mind blowing, especially considering a few years ago she was a full time lawyer. Her designs were featured on Gossip Girl, worn most often by Blake Lively's character, Serena Van der Woodsen. I always did prefer Serena's style to Blair (the headband and bow really do not do it for me). Here's a Rachel Dooley interview by Elle Magazine.

http://fashion.elle.com/fashion/insider/2010/07/15/gemma-reduxs-rachel-dooley-on-making-ugly-things-gorgeous/

Pamela Love rocks my socks. What else can I say? There is no one else who does what she does, I know my jewellery and there isn't anything quite like her jewellery. What I love about her is the way she doesn't just push the envelope she says screw the envelope, and it's great! Her jewellery is edgy and a little over the top. Her jewellery is made from precious metals and precious and semi-precious stone which keeps it looking luxurious and glamorous and not at all cheap or tacky. Like Rachel Dooley, Pamela Love began jewellery making as a hobby and it has escalated into a business. Her success has sky rocketed and her designs are sought after by many, including Steven Tyler. She has collaborated with the likes of Zac Posen. I love the rock and roll edge of her designs and I love how animals and nature are incorporated into her jewellery as well. I really love the little bear ring ( bottom) and her eagle claw pendants (second from the top). I am a jewellery girl, constantly on the hunt for new stuff.

Thrift stores are also a great place to search for one of a kind, truly special ( and sometimes vintage)  jewellery.

A Few of my Favorite Things..

I love window shopping and I love online window(?) shopping too. It's fun, if not a little bit depressing to look at gorgeous clothes that I can't afford. When the dog bites and the bee stings I simply go online shopping at look at a few of my favorite things.

This is really cool. It's a little out there and it takes a certain kind of person to be able to wear the galaxy, but its well made; it's Alberta Ferretti, and it has a cute little shape. It's special and really caught my eye. It costs $1,060 which is insanely,ridiculously expensive( at least for us normal people) and I feel like even if I was willing to spend that kind of money on a dress I would buy something a little more classic so that I could get a lot of wear out of it. Still, this dress is something special and it makes me happy.

This is cool. I really like photographic art and this is so unique and inexpensive.It's by graphic designer, photographer and painter, Patrick Winfield. It retails at forty dollars at Urban Outfitters. Its pretty and it reminds me of spring time. I love it, I don't even know what else to say except green is my favorite colour and this belongs in my bedroom.

I  have a black, grey, white, navy blue, obsession. I think this dress is really pretty. It's sultry and it's gorgeous. The style kind of reminds me of the 1920's and it looks almost vintagey but still modern.It's a Preen Bardot slip dress and it retails for $ 1,518. It comes in white, nude and black. I personally like the black one but they are all awesome.

Chanel 2.55 Bag is a legend. If there is one ridiculously expensive thing that is worth buying it is this if only because these bags will never go out of style, will last forever if taken care of and they go with virtually anything. I like the black, red, navy and white ones. I also love the 2.55 in "Apricot"(above). This is the cream of the crop when it comes to bags. It comes in lamb skin( which is an extra hundred dollars on top of the price, which varies a little bit but is around $3000) and in caviar leather.

This is the "Distant Views" painting and it is sold for $495 at Neiman Marcus. Some people love abstract art, others just aren't into it. I personally love it. The colours in this painting are just gorgeous. It looks like a city at night on the ocean.

Not a fan of the hipsters

Now I am not going to lie I love me some skinny jeans and I like indie music. My best friend listens to a lot of indie music and she's got me into it a little bit more. However, just like her, I like the music and not the uniform or the pretentious, holier than thou attitude that a lot of these "hipsters" seem to have. Not all of them are like this obviously and I can appreciate a lot of different styles. I'm talking about the people who drink their shitty coffee, wearing their five cent t-shirts and three hundred dollar jeans and look down on me because I happen to be wearing or listening to something mainstream. I am just going to say it now. I happen to like Starbucks, and I actually think that song "Teenage Dream" from Katy Perry is pretty dang catchy.Oh and I don't just like it in an "ironic" way. What I am trying to say is just because it is mainstream it doesn't mean it sucks. For example,when you are talking to one of these hipsters about music and you happen to like one of the songs they like then that song is no longer cool and that band must suck now because people have actually heard of them. I just want to say smile and chill your beans.Whatever makes you happy is pretty much my outlook on clothes. And like I said, I live in skinny jeans; a good black pair are love at first sight for me.To be completely honest, the neon coloured skinnies make my eyes hurt. You know the ones that practically glow in the dark?  No one looks good with a neon orange derriere. And I don't love the random, hideous, statement pieces that look like skinned alive muppets. Still, whatever floats your boat. But I really need to go on a little bit of a rant. I love a lot of different styles and I think that one of the best things about fashion is that it is always changing. But when did it become cool to look like you have never seen a bar of soap? I love that whole relaxed, effortless look. But I still like what I am wearing to actually look good.And clean for that matter. I find it interesting that these "non conformist", anti-mainstream people who hate vanity and materialism are the ones who actually spend the most time trying to look like they don't give a shit.

I didn't make this picture but it made me laugh.

When I went to France.. Paris sight seeing :)

Heaven on earth.

I like shoes.

Damn gorgeous. The picture does not even close to do it justice. Plus clearly my photography skills suck.

Dace Moore aka one of my favorite designers ever.. my top 5 favorite pieces

I just want to say that I am personally obsessed with Canadian designer Dace Moore's clothing. My favorite type of clothing is the kind that you can just kind of throw on and look good. This is one of the reasons that summer and fall are my favorite seasons to get dressed. Easy, breezy dresses in the summer and layering and scarves in the fall. Maybe it's because I am constantly in a rush. I don't even know why I just always am. But I just love that kind of effortless, windswept look. Really beautiful, relaxed, unique pieces. The kind of clothing that is all about fit and detail. I love eccentric, showy fashion as much as the next person, but there is something about these clothes that just makes me (and lots of other people) fall in love. They are interesting, eyecatching and completely unique. These clothes are gorgeous and flattering and they allow the person's figure to look it's best and take centre stage. What is not to love about these clothes? These are just five of my personal favorites..

This is the Bobbi Dress. I feel like grey is seriously one of the best colours ever. It's just easy and chill and it goes with everything. I am a huge fan of grey anything which sounds really lame and boring but this dress shows how awesome grey can be. This dress says to me "I just woke up ,threw this on and left the house and I still look incredible". It looks so comfy and relaxed but still very stylish and sexy in a non-overt way. The fabric is 70% tencel and 30% wool. It goes from size extra small to large and it comes in grey and black.

These are the Carel Shorts. They are just really, really cute. And also unique;they aren't just any other pair of shorts. I like the pleats and the waistband. They are a little eclectic and a lot adorable. I don't know why they remind me of Alice and Wonderland. They are made of 100% cotton and the run in sizes 2- 10 and they come in black and chambray.

This might just be my favorite. The fabric is beautiful, it looks so light and airy. This is the Caressa Dress. I really love the shape! It's so romantic and pretty. This dress pretty much is the reason summer is my favorite season to get dressed. The dress is made of 100% cotton and it runs in sizes extra small to large.

There are many different ideas about what is sexy blah blah blah. I think that a dress that is stylish, a little bit edgy and classy is a lot sexier than a,lets be frank, hoochie dress.Class, confidence and style are what makes someone stand out ( in a good, elegant way, not in an embarassing, desperate, wardrobe malfunction way). This dress has all of that. The lace around the neck is pretty and romantic and a little bit edgy and sultry. The sleeves are long but the length is short. It's a good balance. It'd be awesome for a party! It's 100% silk and it comes in black. It runs from size extra small to large.

This is the Butler Rain Jacket. I love it because it is practical and it's something that would get worn a lot but it's also cute. Again, it feels like something that would be thrown on two seconds before leaving the house. I love clothes like that, I only ever just throw on my favorite clothes because those clothes are the ones that I know will look good always and with everything. This jacket would definitely be one of my favorites and it would look good with everything pretty much. It's made of 56 % linen and 44% cotton with water repellent coating. It comes in khaki and olive and runs from size extra small to large.
There are tons of other clothes by Dace Moore that I love ;(all of them, not even exaggerating) but these are my top five. Here's the website http://www.dace.ca/ .
                                                                                            Marie