Why I Can Withstand Winter...

I just saw a slideshow on AOL about what your boots say about your personality and I'd like to think that they are true. But I have so many different pairs of boots that apparently I have multiple personalities!

My knee-high boots are the most comfortable things ever. They are from Banana Republic and have a buckle up top. They are adorable and black so they are one of my best friends throughout the winter. I also just bought flat black boots finally! They were one of my Black Friday purchases from Nine West.

The winter boots are of course my Uggs, which I have not chosen for style, but for warmth and comfort. Love them. And my ankle boots were a very exciting purchase of gray booties by Report - can't wait to break those out again. Check out what my choices mean, according to AOL:

Knee-high boots
Sexy & Glamorous: You're a girly girl that loves to get dressed up. Knee-high boots show your elegant and sophisticated side. From kitten heels to stilettos, you enjoy being noticed and you aren't afraid to be daring & assertive. Possessing a variety of qualities, knee high boots keep your legs warm and can mask leg flaws. They can be extremely flattering and look incredibly chic.

Winter boots
Active & Dynamic: You're a person that is always on the go. Enthusiastic and self-motivated, you have a vibrant approach to life. From the slopes to the streets, you love to travel and experience adventures. You are a go-getter and a high-flier. You may like to try new things, but in a boot you want the same enduring qualities that you want in a man; durability, comfort, and style.

Flat boots
Steady & Stylish: You are a girl that is comfortable in her own skin. You are confident and well-balanced. You like to be fashionable but smart. You are secure in your decisions, and you are always reliable.

Ankle boots
Trendy & Modern: Friends look to you for the latest news in style, and to you, fashion is an art form. You are a trendsetter wherever you go. You have a certain edge about you, and you love to add a twist to your everyday look. At the height of fashion is where you feel most comfortable. You love to have a lot of options in life and have impeccable taste and have the panache to pull it off!

These all so describe me! I may not enjoy the cold weather, but the part of winter that allows me to wear my boots is a definite plus.

My Heaven

Gina shared this article with me on Digg today about some YMCA locker rooms that were converted into a crazy apartment. My favorite pic involves shoes of course:


Happy Friday!

Fashion and the City

I (along with Serena) was one of the crazies who went to the midnight showing of Sex and the City: The Movie on Thursday night/Friday morning. And I had to go to work the next day. Yes, I didn't go to bed until 3am, but I know that it was worth it, even though I'm giving the movie an overall B+/A- for how good it was. But sometimes, I'm a harsh critic.

I'm not going to sit here and recount the movie for everyone because really there are some that have yet to see it and I don't want to spoil anything. I'm just going to talk about the fifth character, my favorite and most exciting part of the movie: the fashion, of course!

I'm not one to usually be obsessed with all of Patricia Field's choices throughout the series. In fact, I usually thought that they were completely outrageous combinations that I would most likely never even attempt (unless it had to do with Charlotte's more classic look). However, I was very impressed with the job Field did (though there was a strange argyle thigh high here and there), especially with the shoe and handbag choices. I seriously wanted to cry.

Of course my favorite shoe designer, Christian Louboutin, made his appearance throughout the movie - displaying the beautiful red bottomed shoes I can only dream of at night. And those blue Manolos from the closet had to be the most darling and dainty shoes I've ever seen. Of course I'm jealous of Carrie (the WRITER who cannot afford to ever have all the things she does - trust me). But I take everything from this movie as being in fashion heaven.

I even grew to like those crazy gladiator heels Carrie wore (they're Dior, by the way). When I first saw them in sneak peek movie pictures on PerezHilton, I didn't know what to think. And I still don't think I'm completely sold on the whole gladiator look. However, it totally worked and I think about my fun sundresses and long for a cute pair. It can't be just any old thing, but I'm certainly going to shop around for both heeled and flat ones. We'll see what I can come up with…

Now for the bags. How darling was Carrie's Louis Vuitton Limelight clutch?! I love clutches in general, even though certain people like my friend Ess, thinks they are silly. Although they may not always be functional, they complete an outfit and I always choose looks (with some comfort) over convenience. And it's Louis Vuitton so you know it's timeless.

So I've talked about my fave accessories. Now for my favorite outfit (and no, it didn't go with the bird headpiece): it would have to be the above green dress with the floral jacket. It's all about green this summer (Ang and I wore unplanned green outfits yesterday to a birthday party) and I love it! The belt, the shoes, the dainty dress! It was simply fabulous! However, I could have done without the Eiffel Tower bag (what was that about?!).

All in all, Sex certainly did not disappoint. If anything, it left me salivating over the fabulous fashion and fantastic looks. And it gives me hope: maybe a writer can have the closet of her dreams…

Nude Shoes: The Perfect Accessory

OK. We all know I have a shoe obsession. My dad actually told me I was sick yesterday when he realized I had another pair delivered. And he wasn't kidding, exclaiming that I needed help. But these were necessary because, if you remember, I had expressed the necessity of a cute black leather shoe - especially one that would be comfortable when I went out on the weekends - a default, if you will.

As I scan my closet, I realize that I'm pretty much set now, save a few pairs of summery shoes TK. However, I've realized that I'm really into this new nude shoe phase that seems to be all over the magazines. Now, I'm pretty tall. Despite this fact, I absolutely love to wear high heels because I really think they finish off an outfit and make you stand out. I have long legs to begin with, but nude shoes really have that ability of elongating your stature. I love that.

It's so great to me when you can use fashion to manipulate an appearance or enhance it in some way. That's the way I feel about makeup. I've had some guy friends tell me that they think makeup is stupid and solely serves as a mask for women. And while that may be true for some ladies, I like to think I use makeup to enhance the features I already have. The right purple or brown shadow can look lovely on my lids, while really heightening the blue in my eyes. And dramatic eyes aren't necessary for the everyday escapade, but are perfect for a night out at the club.

It's all in how you use these tools to put yourself together. Your appearance may be ruined with the wrong shoe, the wrong accessory, or a clown face. It's always good to find those neutral accessories that can be used in pretty much any situation. And that's what nude shoes do. They are moldable to almost anything and can really enhance your look. I think my dad may be raising his eyebrows again soon after he realizes that I've gotten myself a new pair of shoes!

Photo: Christian Louboutin heels in Sand

Little Black Shoe

You'd think a girl as obsessed with shoes as me would be able to come up with the perfect little black shoe. But I'm actually finding it impossible to find a standard black, leather heel that can withstand the toll my shoes often take, as well as the occasional rainy day. What's a girl to do?

I've come up with many-a-cute shoe. The beautiful cognac Steve Madden ruched leather boot, the red patent Enzo Angiolini wooden-heeled peep-toe, and the brown suede Studio 9 rounded toe that actually makes me a twin on some days with a co-worker. I've got black Steven flats, fabulous brown Coach flats, a pair of green Juicy flats, and even the silver Jessica Simpson. But I cannot for the life of me find the perfect black heel.

I recently bought a pair of Michael Kors shoes that were black. The heel was possibly the smallest heel I've ever worn and would definitely not make me that much taller than my shorter best friends - fantastic! But when putting them on with certain outfits, they just don't seem to work. I need the classic black pump back in my life that will work no matter what I put on; a shoe that I can call good old faithful and count on in a bind. It seems that the characteristics of my sought-after little black shoe are what I'd say I need in a best friend.

I also just bought a pair of black patent Steven pumps that are oh-so-cute (yes, I realize this shoe fetish and constant purchasing is a disease - Hi, I'm Amanda and I'm a shopoholic), but they aren't the perfect black, leather pump. Where can I find this necessary part of my everyday wardrobe? He must be out there somewhere…

Photo: Christian Louboutin Black Leather Pumps

Shoes! Oh, How I Heart Thee

"I’ve spent 40,000 dollars on shoes and I have no place to live? I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes." --Carrie Bradshaw

I bought a new pair of shoes yesterday. Did I need them? Probably not. Did I love them? Oh, most definitely! Did they look like something I already own? Ehh, that's debatable… But each pair is completely different and you need different shoes to go with your ensemble!

I was recently involved in a conversation at work where we were discussing comfort vs. looking good when going out. I mean I'd love to have the best of both worlds but that's not always the case right? Depending on the night, I might want to look more fashionable than comfortable. The wrong shoes can mess up your outfit!

As I was walking outside before, I heard the clicking of my own heels. Click, click, click, click. I have a steady walk, I thought. But everyone can hear me coming. That's the way it used to be in grammar school. You'd hear the teacher coming because of her heels. And when I had my own heels on in those days I felt so grown up and important. I used to love the clacky sound of my heels coming down the hall. I was cool.

It's no surprise, then, that I've developed a shoe fetish. Before last night, I hadn't bought a new pair of shoes in about a month. It's been a slow summer apparently. It was time. But I love cute shoes that really make an outfit. They should be practical though so the job is twofold.

The thought of placing my foot into a beautifully crafted leather creation is just simply fabulous to me. It can be a mood elevator and really make the day. It's just so exciting. And no, I'm not completely materialistic, though Carrie Bradshaw the, ahem, writer's quote is pretty funny. I know when I'm about to make a ridiculous purchase - or hopefully whoever I'm with will stop me. But it's just another one of life's little pleasures that makes me happy. :)