An arm and a leg for a shoe

I'm not usually one to spend a crazy amount of money on one particular item. For one, I'm barely 23 and just started paying off my student loans. Secondly, I don't have an incredibly high-paying job for a recent graduate. Third, I think it's completely outrageous to spend $200 on a pair of Tory Burch flats because you're essentially buying the insignia. I don't talk down about those who do (to each his own!), I'm just saying I would never do that myself. However, I am being a little hypocritical, because I'm about to confess the biggest of my shoe spending sins: I spent $298 on a pair of black flats. 

I'm crazy. I spent nearly half my week's pay on shoes.  I must be insane, right?

Not exactly. 

Before this purchase, I had been wearing my $29.95 pair of black American Eagle Outfitters flats I'd had since my junior year of high school (very gross, I know). A lot of girls I knew were buying Tory Burch, J.Crew and other popular brands, but everything I tried on, I found something wrong with. I wanted something simple, but something very comfortable. I grew frustrated every time I made an effort to go shopping for a pair, and all but gave up when my mom recommended I look into Attilio Giusti Leombruni flats, or "AGL's." I laughed when she told me they would set me back $300, thinking it was beyond unrealistic. But when I actually tried them on at Nordstrom, I was pretty much sold.

Here's the thing: My American Eagle flats were cheap, but they weren't half as comfortable as the AGLs I purchased back in August. I will have these flats for at least five years (how long I had my American Eagle ones). I wear them every day, and never, ever have my feet felt sore by the day's end. Yes they were very expensive, but with black flats-- something that you get more use out of than other shoes --you can think of them as an "investment piece," such as a nice blazer or an LBD.

For any of you looking for a great pair of flats (black or not!), I highly recommend AGL. You'll cringe when you hand over your credit card, but you'll never regret your purchase. :)

xxo

{Find all AGLs at Nordstrom here}

Flat out gorgeous

Since I really only ever wear my flats or riding boots to work each day, I've spent good money on my one pair of black flats (more about that later in a future post!). Because I spent way too much on my one pair, I'm semi-reluctant to splurge on a new pair or two of new flats for the spring. However, J.Crew's new line has beyond impressed me. How adorable are these new arrivals? My favorite are the scalloped ones!

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Loafing around

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It's no secret I have a love for loafers. For both men and women, the classic shoe is versatile because it can be both dressed up or down. Designers such as Charles Philip have taken note of the rising trend of laid-back loafers, designing flats with added touches of flair, such as bright pops of color or mini tassels. J.Crew has jumped on this bandwagon with their new "Darby Loafer." J.Crew shoes are always high quality, and I love the bright colors, but I wish they'd added tassels on some of the pairs. What's your take on the loafer look?

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NYE-worthy: Pumps

With New Years Eve nearly a week away, I thought I'd do a short series of posts on NYE style in regards to "building" a standout outfit for the last night of the year. Since high school, I've always put a lot of thought into New Years outfits, although I'm ashamed to admit my style circa 2006 (see below) -- a light wash jean skirt in December, really?? 

I always enjoy finding something a little more outrageous than usual to wear for December 31st, even if it's a simple piece of an outfit, like for example, your shoes. In my opinion, the idea is to go big or go home when it comes to accessories. I haven't picked out my outfit yet for NYE, but I'm pretty sure it's going to include a pair of shoes similar to any of the ones below. It's one of those nights where you can really overdress and no one can look at you differently for it, so why not?

xxo

Six Pairs of NYE-worthy Pumps for under $100

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A Pop of {Cheap} Style: Cap toe pumps

It's one thing to color block dresses, skirts and tops, but when Kate Spade and other designers took it to another level by color blocking pumps last year, I was craving something I knew I couldn't afford. After I discovered Target Does it Again on Instagram, I discovered that you could have all the glam without breaking the bank. Target offers the cap toe pumps in a variety of colors, any of which would go perfect with a simple black dress + tights this holiday season. With a $32.99 price tag (compared to over $200 from KS and YSL!), can you really resist this deal?

Uggs be gone

This fall, I want to retire my UGG boots. I have two pairs --short brown and tall black ones-- and while they've gotten the job done, I've realized that there are so many other options out there. My major issue with UGGs is the fact that they truly are not, by any means, waterproof. I nearly had a meltdown two years ago when I caught my younger brother, almost knee-deep in snow, shoveling the driveway in a pair of my UGGs. Well that was their major test of waterproofness, and needless to say, they failed horribly. 

These lace-up boots below are some of my favorites, and unlike the sheep-skinned UGGs, these can withstand rain, sleet and snow, while still keeping your feet warm. I'd pair them with leggings and an oversized sweater and boot socks or with skinny jeans, a plaid button-down and a puffer vest. 

Are you ready to ditch your UGGs for the season?

xxo

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Menswear Wednesday: A penny for your thoughts

Not enough attention is paid to the Penny Loafer as it used to be, or as it should be for that matter. Likely every little boy's first shoe, the American classic has been cast into the shadows of more popular trends, similiar to how women's flats have been given the shaft, becoming shunned to the backs of closets by this season's suede and tassled loafers.

 

The loafer itself was invented in the 1930s, and during that decade payphones only cost two cents per call. The loafer design allowed just enough space for a penny in each shoe, which was the equivalent of one emergency phone call in a phone booth back then. Thus, the creation of the name, "The Penny Loafer."

 

They can be pegged as the cliche, go-to shoe for the office, but to me they're timeless. Regardless of how much you may love your wingtips, there's value in investing in a good pair of these... they are worth every penny.

Johannes Huebl goes casual with loafers and colored socks.

xxo

1. Allen Edmonds: Westchester in 1647 Walnut Calf. It pains me to look at how expensive these shoes are, but all of Allen Edmonds are made in the USA from a factory in Port Washington, WI. As the website states, just because a shoe is called a Penny Loafer doesn't mean that it can't look like a million bucks (or cost that much!). This one is an investment piece, no doubt, but I love the classic, simplistic look of it.

2. Stacy Adams Serafino Penny Loafer in Cognac. More affordable at a mere $70, but harder to pull off. I think these would go over really well in the South. :)

3. Allen Edmonds: Carlsbad in 6622 Walnut Calf. My favorite, favorite, favorite of them all. The woven detail will attract attention, and while it's primarily a spring/summer shoe, it can easily make its way into the fall with khaki, navy and grey attire. 

Clark's Charlie Penny in Cognac Leather: Clarks are the way to go for comfort, although you may have to compromise the uniqueness trait (I'm never completely "wowed" by any shoe they make). This loafer is plain and versatile when it comes to matching, and most of all, pretty affordable. 

5. Stacy Adams Nathaniel in Cognac Multi: Like #2, this is a tricky shoe to pull off because of the angled point and two-tone colored detail. This choice is a marriage of Penny Loafer and Wingtips, and shoe that will make a statement, I'd start with the shoes and work the rest of your look from there on up!

Menswear Wednesday: Shoe style guide pt. 1

I've been in love with this style of mens footwear for over a year now, but never knew they had a specific (and slightly silly) name. Well, ladies and gentlemen, these are called Chukkas. Best described as leather or suede ankle high boots, they look best with a pair of dark wash jeans cuffed at the bottom.   

Matched with a slouchy sweater for the start of those laid back fall afternoons, or with a button-down for a night out, these are one pair of shoes to invest in. Go ahead and graduate from your Sperry's... at least for the fall!

Nordstrom's fall fashion forecast

My mailbox was graced with the presence of Nordstorm's fall catalogue the other night and needless to say, I had my hands on it immediately. There seems to be a consistent trend of tweed and plaid... not exactly my ideal autumn choices, but it seems like the 70s are lending us the look for the fall.

Also making a comeback-- corduroy skirts, scalloped-edged socks and (my favorite) a wide-array of loafers. I'll save that post for later in the fall, because as much as I love them, I can't write about loafers twice in the same month. :)

I really like these tweed skirts for the fall and into the winter. They can easily be paired with any of the flats below. The maroon tweed mini-pumps may be overkill, but they were too cute to leave out.

xxo

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Photos from nordstrom.com.

All that glitters...

Of my predictions for fall trends, I'm certain about one thing for sure: loafers with tassels are making a comeback. The menswear look with a feminine edge is popping up in stores here and there, but I've got my eye on this pair in particular. 

They're probably a little too flashy for the office, although it depends on the environment. After a long day's work you'll be clicking your heels together and repeating, "There's no place like home..." ;) But at the same time, they'd be perfect paired with a pair of white or blue skinny jeans and a blazer for your back to school wardrobe. 

Photo from massimodutti.com.