Guest Blog: i-lovemondays.com

Hey Dolls, here's an oldie but goodie guest post on one of my new found favorite blogs, i-lovemondays.com.  Do you love Mondays??

*hearts* 

Midweek STYLE Society Roundup

This week's roundup for top lifestyle bloggers seems to be all about shoes and stuff: from a video on how to walk in heels to Prada resort '11  to haute shoes and where to give to get!  Read on and, as always, be stylish!!

• Blueprint for Style ~ Ever Wonder How to Walk in Heels...?

• The Working Girl's Shoe Closet ~ You Can Call Me Prissy

LAMB "Prissy"

• The Working Wardrobe ~ Business Casual Superstar: Add Some Personality with Quirky but Fabulous Necklaces

Peacock Necklace

• Closet of Style ~ Resort '11 Must Have: Prada Platforms

Prada Platforms

• ellyb Events ~ Celebrity Wedding: Cynthia and Peter's Wedding Pictures
• The Recessionista ~ Donate to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• My Intimate Affair with Fashioin ~ Selena Gomez Dangling Earrings

You Can Call Me ‘Prissy’

It’s winter.  Most of the country is buried in snow.  BUT, if you’re fortunate to live in California, or even LA, it’s quite lovely with the sun warming us in the mid to high 70’s as of late.  And as such, we can shed our boots, at least momentarily, for some fabulous pumps!  I saw these L.A.M.B. ‘Prissy’ pumps a few months ago and oogled over them until I saw they were $275 - $300.  A short time later, I caught them on a RuLaLa sale for only $125.  So, they are the latest addition to the shoe closet. 

I thought that they were great in the pictures, but adored them even more in person.  I love how these shoes feel to the touch.  They are snake skin embossed but in a not gross me out – too close to real snakeskin kinda way.  I was a bit worried that they were going to be too stiff and therefore unbearable to wear.  When I slipped them on, they were hot.  They were so hot, it outweighed the stiffness. 

In all seriousness, they really aren’t bad.  The stiffness is more in the ankle.  The foot pad has a decent cushion for the ball of your foot.  I had to use some band aids to help with the ankle but it’s a small price to pay for how great these shoes make your legs look.  I got compliments all day, major love fest for these.  Keep in mind, these are not for your marathon long days… you can do a regular work day but you may be needing some flats as a backup. 

The overall design of the shoe is really what makes it so great.  The pencil thin style of the 4 ½” stiletto is what takes this pump over the top on the sexy scale.  There’s a unique ½” floating platform on the bottom of the sole, like a pad almost.  You can’t see it but it makes you taller and everybody likes this!  The round shaped toe gives it a lady like quality that let’s you trot these to work without feeling like you’re that other kind of working girl. ;)  

As for the print, I’ve always been a bit hesitant to get prints on shoes because it usually limits their versatility and what you can wear them with.  But this print is actually a great neutral that works with a range of colors and a range of outfits.  So even though they need a bit of breaking in, huney, you can call me ‘Prissy’.

They are on sale at Endless for $140,  Zappos for $140, Bluefly for $148.50, Piperlime for $169.99,

Midweek STYLE Society Roundup

Say hello to 2011 with the Top Lifestyle Bloggers and they're fabulous know-how!  This week's Midweek STYLE Society has a potpourri of style wisdom that includes transforming your work outfit to date-night-ready to sporting fabulous jellies (I know you remember jellies....?) to a little insight on body shapes and what works best on the petite frame.  Indulge this week and click on ALL of the links to become just a little more stylish...

• ellyb Events ~ String laterns
• Working Girl's Shoe Closet ~ Are You Ready for This Jelly?

• The Working Wardrobe ~ Toast to Tuesday: Career Pomp in a Petite Frame

• 365 Days of Style ~ Body Shapes, Balanced

• My Intimate Affair with Fashion ~ Soft Hands (Seed) Hand Cream Tip
• Blueprint for Style ~ A Fabulous Transformation: Desk to Date
• Closet of Style ~ What to Pack: 4 Day Jaunt, I Pair of Pants

Are You Ready For This Jelly?

Over the weekend I was at a professional association annual event, when out of the corner of my eye, I spied JELLIES.  I literally stopped and flashed back to the days of the lattice pink glitter jellies that matched the water glitter bracelets.  Don’t pretend you didn’t sport your side pony to the mall with your pegged jeans either! ;)  However, these jellies, like us, have definitely improved with age.  These ‘Ultragirl Meia’ by Melissa are definitely that 80’s girl but all grown up.

The fantastic thing about the way this shoe is done is that it has taken the nostalgic and iconic pieces of the jelly of our childhood and modernized it.  The lace pattern and fabric is melted into the plastic giving us that fun 80s flair.  The modern twist is the great peep toe.  It also serves to add great ventilation and keep your tootsies from sweating.  The technology, MELFLEX – a trademarked plastic was also modernized.  MELFLEX to keep your feet from smelling like you are wearing plastic shoes. ;)  The best part of this is that these shoes are recyclable! *swoon* 

The fact that these shoes are so eco-friendly had me researching the brand to find out more.  The Melissa brand is about creating wearable works of art through the medium of plastic shoes.  Looking at some of their other styles, its clear they are very artistic yet super sassy.  Originating in 1971 in the haute-ness that is Brazil, Melissa has been giving us the shoes with social consciousness built in by creating processes that protect natural resources.  Talk about a feel good operation. ;)  This is one of those truly guilt free shoportunities where the only question is, are you ready for this jelly?

Stylish Blogger Award *hearts*

I am sooooo honored!  Ms. Anne from Wobi Sobi awarded me the Stylish Blogger Award.   *swoon*

She is such a fantastic fashion inspiration, especially for switching up my work wardrobe!  Ms. Anne, for being so newly connected, I really appreciate this and to be in such great company with the other 14 awardees. :)

I going to take the time to familiarize myself with the other awardees’ blogs and hope you can do the same. :) 

So, part of the deal on winning besides being a gracious recipient, link back to the person who gave me the award, share 7 things about myself, pay it forward to 15 recently discovered bloggers, and share the news with them. ;)


My 7 ditties:

1.   I love shoes.

2.   I REALLY love shoes.

3.   I have a J Lo-esque booty so heels are my bestie to show off its “best side.”

4.   T-straps are my most favorite kinds of heels.

5.   I still remember buying my first pair of Loubi’s (my hands were literally shaking when I handed over the credit card).

6.   I love to make other ladies happy by helping them find fabulous shoes that make them feel good inside and out.

7.   I truly believe that taking care of your appearance makes you feel so sexy and confident, it’s infectious and people are drawn more to you.

My Choices for the Stylish Blogger Award go to:

Shoe Radar 

Cubicle Chic 

Fashionize Haus

I Have A Degree In This 

Classy Career Girl

Rachel Anna

Closet of Style

Miami Olivia

Blogs By Latinas

Society’s Misfit

The Fashionisette

Employed Panache

ShoeTease

Blueprint For Style

SoCalFashionista

If I didn't email you directly, I left you a little note on your blog ;) *hearts*

Midweek STYLE Society Roundup – Vol. 5

This week, our top lifestyle bloggers have kept it basic -- providing information about taking working wardrobes up a notch to traveling stylishly to grasping the basics of what style actually is....read on and gain insider information on how to add the style tool to your toolkit!

• Blueprint for Style ~ Let's Skip to Summer....Now!

• Closet of Style ~ Personal Style: Break Away to Get Focused

• Working Girl's Shoe Closet ~ Vicky 'Cristina' Barcelona

• Life in a Venti Cup ~ Pump It Up
• ellyb Events ~ Wedding Dress Design: Ivy and Aster
• My Intimate Affair with Fashion ~ Airplane Travel Style & Joe Zee Book Elements of Personal Style
• 365 Days of Style ~ What Is Style Anyway?!

• The Working Wardrobe ~ Business Casual Superstar: Bringing Some Retro Glam to the Office
• The Recessionista ~ Consumer Survey: More Consumers Shopping Smart by using Technology

Stay warm in the coming storm Shoehearts!

*hearts*

Vicky ‘Cristina’ Barcelona

It was time to for me to replace my classic black high heeled boots.  It is always such a dreaded chore to hunt for those fantastically classic black boots that can go from work to play to what happens after play. ;)  It also just so happened that one of my readers was asking for help finding a great pair of boots.  So, in searching for her (and me) I came across these ‘Cristina’ black platform boots and literally swooned. 

Shopping for boots online can be a bit tricky.  Probably the most important thing and first thing to check is the circumference.  Measure your calf at the widest part to find out how big you need the circumference to be.  Take into consideration the material of the boot.  These have super soft satiny material on the inside which is a hint that the leather will not likely stretch too much.  So if your calf is larger than the 15” circumference of this boot, this is not the boot for you.  These also run small on the circumference end so unless you are ok with dealing with a higher likelihood of returning them, it may not be worth the hassle.

When I got them, my first thought was that they were sooo soft.  My second thought was that they were kinda heavy.  It worried me that they were going to be too heavy to run around in all day and night.  I tried them on and they felt rather delicious.  The fit was almost perfection.  They were a little snug getting them zipped up that first time.  But, once that zipper was up and I looked in the mirror, my thoughts were, THESE ARE HOT!  I figured it was worth dealing with them if they were going to be too heavy. 

I’ve worn them to just about every holiday event between Thanksgiving and New Years, including my New Year’s Eve celebrating.  The weight of the boot has no impact on the comfort or wearability.  The stacked heel is phenomenal on this boot.  For being on the higher side with a 4” heel and ¾” platform, walking in these boots is seriously effortless.  The tapered stacked heel gives you great balance.  What makes this boot sensational is the rubber sole that gives you unexpected, but very welcomed, added stability. 

The Graphite Suede

The round toe of the boot and simple design that is the CK signature, make these boots really sophisticated. The great padding on the inside sole cushion the ball of your foot so that you can prance The slight upturn of the toe make it modern which help take you from day to night with enough sexy that you’re both Vicky and Cristina and hotter than Barcelona in August all year round. ;)

If you’re looking for a little shoe TLC to keep your boots in tip top shape, be sure to check out my guest post on Cubicle Chic ‘Everyone Needs A Little Maintenance.’ 

  

Guest Blog: 2011 Top Trends - the High$ & Low$

My sweetie fashion gal who runs I Have  A Degree In This blog asked me for my shoe predictions for the new year as a guest blog.  And so I give you: 2011 Top Shoe Trends - the High$ & the Low$.  I hope you like what I think is haute this year!  Share your predictions with me too!!

*hearts*  

Midweek STYLE Society Roundup – Vol. 4

Our top lifestyle bloggers this week doled out a dose of style wisdom across the board: from tips on proper suit fit and resolving to work your work wardrobe to wedding ideas, hair tips, and jewelry suggestions. I've got some fuel to get my 2011 started stylishly....

• 365 Days of Style ~ Style, Meet Journal. Journal, Meet Style.
• ellyb Events ~ Confetti Wedding Ideas

wedding confetti examples

• Blueprint for Style ~ Suits Me Just Fine
• My Intimate Affair with Fashion ~ Full Finger Rings

Vanessa Hudgens Decorative Rings

• Life in a Venti Cup ~ Color Me Smitten
• Closet of Style ~ Will You Change Your Hairstyle for the New Year?

Beautiful short hair!

• The Working Wardrobe ~ Toast to Tuesday: A Resolution for Workwear
• The Working Girl's Shoe Closet ~New Year, New Job, New Kicks

L.A.M.B Leisure pumps

• The Recessionista ~ Rainy Weather and Snow Handbags: Ted Baker Pleather Patent Shopper

New Year, New Job, New Kicks!

The start of a new year inspires us to think about what we want from ourselves and our lives.  We think about where we want to be and how we need to get there.  Usually, that means getting a new gig.  And to land that new gig, you’re gonna need to rock that interview.  Now, while most offices have evolved into a more business casual environment, interviews are still the place where you’d rather be a little overdressed than underdressed.  And while you’re dusting off your resume and getting that fab suit to the cleaners, you need to actually pay attention to your shoes. 

It’s usually an afterthought for most people and it shouldn’t be.  The reason is that little details like your accessories, your shoes in particular, really are that little something that pull you together as the total and complete package.  That’s why picking the right shoes can really help you.

I found these ‘Leisure’ pumps by L.A.M.B. that are really fantastic.  A closed toe is a must for a formal interview.  You may not be a high heel kinda gal, but this is where pain is gain.  Go as high as you can possibly go without looking like you’re in pain - a total wardrobe malfunction.  There are actual studies that show people associate trust and respect with height and taller people.  In this day in age, you gotta use whatever you can to LAND THAT JOB HUNEY! ;)  At 4 ½” with the 1” platform, these heels definitely fit the bill. 

The style of the ‘Leisure’ is perfect for an interview suit ensemble.  They are black, which keeps the focus on you, but they have the suede texture that gives the shoe some detailing.  Basic black smooth pumps are always great, but these give you that neutral backdrop while still letting people know you’re a gal with spunk and chicness.  The square toe is timeless to last you through the seasons.  The suede details are not too much so that you’re calling attention to your shoes, rather than your endless superior skills.  This is probably my most favorite example of editing your outfit.  The right amount of that little “something extra” to distinguish you but in a very classy, sophisticated and professional way is just evidence supporting your case of why you’re the best one to rock it out and be the new member of the team.

Even after you get that new job, these kicks are going to be a great alternative to your basic pumps to mix up that working girl wardrobe.  This makes the higher $295 price tag a little less hard to swallow.  They may be called ‘Leisure’ but are really more of a work investment.

If you’re in need of some prepping, these are some helpful interviewing tips at TheLadders.com.  They also had some great advice for anyone who wants to get farther in their current career.   Good luck my ladies!  Happy new year!