The Great Shoe Debate {Continues}

Because I stand for eight to ten plus hours a day, I am always on the look out for cute but comfortable footwear, and this winter is no exception. I am absolutely determined to find a pair of boots that I can stand in all day. Especially since I made it through last year with only a pair of Dansko wedges {and no socks!} and a pseudo-comfortable pair of booties. Let's just say that I had to choose between cold feet or painful soles. Here are some of the contenders....

indigo by Clarks

Toms Wedges

Toms Botas

Dr. Scholl's 

Clarks Ignalls

Aerosoles

Clarks

The Aerosoles and Dr. Scholl's pairs are currently on their way to my house for a test run. I am on the fence about the TOMS, simply because my summer pair left my feet a bit achy. Perhaps they are too flat? Either way, those leopard botas are stinking cute, although I'd probably opt for the grey hemp for a more versatile look. I also love the simplicity and color of the suede Clarks booties, but I'm not sure that even that small heel would be the best option for a long work day. They would be really cute with skinny jeans for holiday hosting, though...

Do you have any comfortable shoe suggestions?

I'm all ears.

xoxo

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The Great Shoe Debate: Style versus Comfort

Being on my feet all day every day means that I have to be careful about my footwear decisions. As much as I love my stilettos and four inch wedges, they just aren't feasible when standing/walking ten hours a day. Even my favorite flats and flat sandals tend to fall short on comfort after walking around in them for more than a few hours. I've found that I need both a comfortable sole and a bit of arch support {hello, high arches that I loved as a ballerina}. The challenge is finding comfortable shoes that are also somewhat stylish. And while these styles aren't exactly fashion-forward, they are pretty cute alternatives to aching feet.

Dansko Thea Clog

Dansko Tasha Clog

Crocs Huarache Flat

 Swedish Hasbeens Ornament Clog

Worishfer Wedges

Crocs Super Molded Ballet Flat

And just for fun, some of my current favorites that don't make the wear-to-work cut... or maybe I could wear them for a half day? 

Mattie Wedge

Ella Flat

Lace-Up Sandal

Addy Flat

Sandra Mini Wedge

I currently own the Dansko Thea wedges in nude, and I love them. They aren't quite as comfortable as the standard orthopedic Dansko clogs, but they are much more comfortable than regular flats. {Two words: arch. support.} I'm also ordering the Worishfer wedges in black because I've actually been wearing Crocs ballet flats all week. My feet are hurting that bad. I like to pretend I'm wearing one of the cute styles directly above, but in reality, it's Crocs flats. I know. I've reached an all-time low.

  

Any comfortable shoe suggestions? I'm all ears.

xoxo

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On Point

Lately it seems like I've been seeing pointed toe heels all over the place. Which is pretty great, considering that I've been searching high and low for a pair of pointed toe nude wedges. {I've been obsessed with the idea ever since this pair debuted on Atlantic-Pacific forever ago.} I haven't found the pair yet {the heel is too low, the toe is too round, etc}, but here are a few that have caught my eye.

1. Cathi - Steve Madden

2. Annie - Loeffler Randall

3. Pannick - Steve Madden

4. Drea - Tory Burch

5. Noted - Steven by SM

6. Vargas - Jeffery Campbell

7. Pam - Jean-Michel Cazabat

8. Herena - Aldo

I'm also contemplating these, especially now that I can wear open-toe shoes to work!

xoxo

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It's All About the Wedge

If I had to choose only one item from my closet to build an outfit around, it would almost always be shoes. I love my skirts, dresses, and tights just as much as any other fashion blogger, but I am a firm believer that even the simplest, mundane outfit can be transformed by a great pair of shoes. Currently on my radar are these lovely gems below. Who says wedges are only for the spring and summer?

top row, clockwise:
Granite Elastic Wedges - Topshop
McSpirit - Aldo
Suede Fringe Wedge - Urban Outfitters
Calcagni - Aldo
bottom row, clockwise:
Minimarket Pleated Wedge - Urban Outfitters
Wisteria Chiffon Tie Wedges - Topshop
Wisteria2 Diamante - Topshop
Annton - Steve Madden


Which ones are your favorites?
xoxo


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Style Tips from the Dutch

When it comes to clogs, one tends to think of a little girl with blond braids yodeling away on a mountain side. This ever-popular footwear is historically associated with Belgium, Denmark, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Sweden and is typically worn by rural workers for protection. Clogs have come a long way since their nineteenth century debut, and although I wouldn't bet my toes against sharp objects in any of these, they do combine the traditional Dutch style with effortless finesse.

{clockwise from the top}

1. Jose Get On Up Slingbacks - Bloomingdales

2. Prima Sling Clog - Topshop

3. DVF Octavia Wedge - Nieman Marcus

4. Steve Madden Daynty - SM

5. DV by Dolce Vita Jezabel

6. Jessica Simpson Winsy - Piperlime

7. Steve Madden Warrick - SM

8. Laurel Patent Buckle Clog - Topshop

9. Guess Victorian Platform - Piperlime

xoxo

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Flowers, Grommets, and Leather, Oh my!

F21 top & skirt, Gryson bag, Steve Madden Melrow sandal, Target men's watch

One of my favorite things about fashion is mixing textures, patterns, and styles to create something that you just feel great wearing. It may not be exactly what is on trend or what the people on the street think is fashionable, but you love it nonetheless. That's what this top, skirt, and wooden heels did for me this weekend.

I love the way the studded shoulders of the top pairs with the flirty cut and pattern of the skirt. I am also completely in love with these SM wooden heels. They work well with just about any outfit, and the natural leather adds another layer of texture to this outfit.

what is your favorite thing to wear right now?
xoxo


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if the shoe fits

when i got married, i vowed not to be one of those gals who ditches her wedding dress into the back of the closet never to be worn again. {since mine was a short, strapless from anthropologie, i will have a much easier time of this than most ladies i know.} so, next month i will be wearing my dress for our dear friends' wedding. 

the only problem? i don't want to wear my wedding shoes. i love them, but with the dress they look too much like something a bride would wear. and so begins my search for a pair of colorful peep toes.

moschino via piperlime, luiza barcelos via amazon, joan & david via piperlime, modcloth

charles david, pour la victoire, steve madden


i can't decide between teal or pink, but i am leaning more towards the teal. i do like the pale pink steve maddens, though. i definitely don't want to look like i am getting married, and an oatmeal colored dress and nude heels may do just that. i think the pop of color with teal peep-toes would be just perfect, especially if they are a bit quirky like the modcloth or moschino ones.


{and no i will not be getting either of those... they're a bit outside of the pharmacy student price range}

 

what are your thoughts?
xoxo




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i kind of love these...

i really need nude pumps, and it would make sense to buy peep toes since we are well into spring/summer, but i just love these by steve madden.

how fun are they when paired with these white eyelet tights?

xoxo

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these boots were made for walkin

and that's just what they'll do. one of these days theses boots are gonna walk all over you...

i just can't wear my cowboy boots without singing that verse at least once.

{as a kid, i used to strut around the house in cowboy boots singing this song at the top of my lungs. some things never change.}

this is what i like to call a "running-errands-around-town-all-day-so-i-want-to-be-comfortable-and-warm-but-still-be-cute" kind of look. it's also a good "i-just-came-from-a-yoga-class-and-now-have-errands-to-run" look.

 

  {iphone likes to peek out of the side pocket of this bag. hello iphone!}

sweater, anthro; jeans, target; boots, vintage; bag, urban

what do you wear on your days spent yogaing, grocerying, targeting, shopping, running to the bank, post office, etc?

xoxo

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jimmy choo 24:7

for those of you who haven't heard or seen it yet, here are some of my faves from the jimmy choo 24:7 collection. the collection is designed to take you from day to evening, work to play in one beautifully stylish shoe. i really like this idea since i work in a pretty conservative environment. all of the pieces are versatile and professional while still maintaining that jimmy choo edge that i love so much.


i love the shimmer of this last pair. i would wear them with a crisp white ruffled blouse, a pencil skirt, and some opaque tights. also, not all the shoes in the collection are nude. i am just partial to the nude pumps because they are professional and chic at the same time.

what do you think of the new 24:7 collection?
yea or nay?


images courtesy of jimmy choo
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jimmy choo, i want you

so, in case you somehow haven't heard,
jimmy choo is designing a line of accessories and clothing
for select h&m stores, including the one in atlantic station!
{get excited atl people!}
the line is set to debut on november 14,
and the price points for the shoes are $99-$129.
{read more on h&m press site}

images courtesy of h&m

so i know this is kind of old news,
{i think i found out in june?}
but i just couldn't let myself get excited until it was really real,
you know?

even still, i don't want to get my hopes up too much.
we all know that the lower price point collections
are usually not quite as glamorous as we wish them to be,
but jimmy choo?!
yes, please.


we all know where i will be shortly after november14.
i think i'll drag my girl kindredly with me for a second opinion.
she's got a good eye for shoes ;)
keep a look out for a follow up post!


xoxo



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how far can one pair go?

for those of you who liked the TOMS post,

here's another great shoe charity opportunity...

Soles4Souls

now through december 31, soles4souls is teaming up with Gore

(think GORE-TEX)

to encourage people to donate to the cause

and see just how far one pair can go

coinciding with the launch of the shoe drive,

many footwear manufacturers

{ara, ecco, mbt, mephisto, merrell, and new balance among others}

are introducing new shoe styles featuring waterproof GORE-TEX technology

i like these - merrell siren sport w/ GORE-TEX

so, i know what you're thinking....

why in the world do i need shoes with GORE-TEX?

i used to think the exact same thing
{i can see your eyes rolling}

BUT

if you plan on doing any trail running or hiking

you will want GORE-TEX on your shoes.

example:

while running through stream crossings

and long stretches of mud during the
frogtown trail challenge this weekend,

i was really wishing for Gore on my Salomons...

maybe then my feet would have been a bit less soaked.

{more about that later}

you can donate and/or shop online at how far can one pair go

and enter for a chance to win a Soles4Souls distribution trip

to hand out shoes to people in need

finally, Gore will donate $5 to Soles4Souls

for each pair of shoes with GORE-TEX technology

purchased through the website during the campaign.

it's really a win-win situation.

so, go to the website and pick up a pair of trail running shoes,

break them over the next few weeks,

and come do a half-marathon trail race with me in november!

and remember,

it's not a fun trail run without a little mud.

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tom tom

i've been a fan of toms for quite a while

and i'm finally going to take the plunge and buy a pair.

it's for a such good cause, and honestly, i need some school shoes.

{you try walking speedily all day in three inch heels, lugging books, a purse, and a laptop}

also, i may have a birthday coming up,

and these would be an ideal gift.

also, husband's birthday is ten days after mine

so he will be getting these.

not only will we be providing two pairs of shoes to children in need,

we will be so adorable.

it's such an easy way to do something good.

visit the site, read about their amazing movement,

and tell me,

which pair of toms would you get?

xoxo

images courtesy of toms shoes

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animal magnetism

{from our wedding rehearsal}

dress, Banana Republic; shoes, Steve Madden; belt, F21; bracelet & earrings, vintage

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{back to} the dark side

hello again, darker hair. i've missed you this summer.

don't worry blunt bangs, you're next on the agenda.




my only problem with this outfit was choosing shoes.
i decided to go with the sweet, summery green peep toes for day,
and the black, chunky booties for night.



American Apparel v-neck, F21 skirt, NY&Co flower pin, UO belt and necklace
Anthro peep-toes, Steve Madden booties

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{fierce} footwear

i've been stalking these lovely gems for a couple weeks now...

unfortunately, i can't find them in a store to get a good look at them,

but i figure with black lizard uppers and turquoise soles, i can't go wrong.

i am already picturing them with dresses, skirts, and bright tights.

i do hope that they don't disappoint!

{i usually wear a 5 1/2 but could only find a 6 online. i will cry if they don't fit!}

thanks, mr christian siriano, for my fierce new shoes.

i did always love you on project runway.

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yes, please mr. mcqueen

i am obsessed with these booties from alexander mcqueen

seriously obsessed.

i dream about them {it's that bad}

Red Light, Yellow Light

I recently got this dress to wear to various wedding goings-on over the summer:

And now I am certain that these shoes would complement the dress perfectly:

I know I won't be able to tell without seeing them together in real life, but what is the verdict my lovelies? Yea or nay?

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Gladiators Galore

Steve Madden Honour, $139.95

Cocobelle City, $96

Steve Madden Benza, $139.95

Chinese Laundry Scarlet, $70

Nine West Pristine, $130

I have decided to begin the quest for the "perfect" gladiator inspired sandal this season. Thus far the Steve Madden Honour is my favorite, but I am questioning the versatility of an orange suede sandal. Alas, I'm quite sure that this is just the beginning of my search...

In the Flesh

With daily temperatures in the 70s as of late, my mind cannot help but wander to sandals and summer. Although the cold weather is certain to return before Spring truly arrives, I began my quest for strappy/chunky sandals with the following contenders. I must say that although I have taken a hiatus from Steve Madden, the new collection for Spring has some really great designs. 

Azelia Lace Up Cut Out Boot, Topshop $160

Jessica Simpson Delanco, Piperlime $89, Macy's $66.75

Patricia Field Salsa Sandal, Payless $38

Steve Madden Thierry Sandal, Steve Madden $169.95

Nine West Kentaro Sandal, Nine West $89

Calvin Klein Dali Sandal, Macy's $130

Calvin Klein Cali Sandal, Zappos $144.95

Nine West Snooks Sandal, Nine West $89

The problem was finding sandals that were unique without a three or four hundred dollar price tag. Although I am definitely of the "quality over quantity" theory, I tried to find more reasonable options. However, Piperlime has some really wonderful sandals in the pricier range, most of which are the Rachel Zoe picks. 

The Azelia boots are probably my favorite, although they don't exactly fit the sandal category. Which (if any) do you love?

*Edit: I apologize for the small image. I am having some formatting issues, but hopefully I will have it resolved soon!

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