Dolce Vita - DEAL!

Dolce Vita Marcus Black Vintage Milled Leather Sandal

I couldn't resist the urge to tell you about a great deal I snagged yesterday at my local Lord & Taylor department store on the above shoes.  After receiving an email from Lord & Taylor that is was the final day they were offering an additional 25% off their already reduced clearance items, I decided to take a quick trip over to see if anything was worth while. 

To my surprise, these Dolce Vita strappy, rock-star style sandals with large grommets and buckle details were on the clearance rack and marked 50% off the clearance price (which were already marked down by $30).  On top of that, I was able to use my 25% coupon too.  The final price:  An AMAZING, ASTOUNDING  $26.24!

 The icing on the cake is that these shoes are currently going for $103 on shoes.com and similar sites.  I LOVE when I grab a great deal.  

These babies are going with me to South Beach next week!!

If you live near a Lord & Taylor or can access them online, they are still offering clearance items with a current coupon of an additional 20% off.  Might be worth it to check it out.  

Anyone else ever grab a great item on clearance too?

XO

Jolene 

Shoe Ponderings

On my most recent trip to the supermarket, this gorgeous magazine cover stood out to me and in my shopping cart it went.  What was the appeal?  Was it the ever-stunning Marisa Miller on the cover?  Was it her fresh, natural-looking, albeit glowy makeup look?  Was it the fact that spring/summer is right around the corner and I should read every single article in SHAPE with meticulous attention to detail?

Nope, nada, nil.

Glance down past her exquisite hair, her barely there crochet dress, and her amazing body.  Now look at her feet.  Those are some killer heels!  They are the perfect patent leather spring shade; complete with platform front, 5" heel, and girlie buckle details.  They scream ME all over them!

After racing home to rip open the magazine to the Cover Look section, I learned the shoes are from Casadei.  

Casadei Tiered Buckle Bootie

A bit of online research later, I learn the shoes are priced at $720 and are available at Nieman Marcus along with other high-end retailers.  *SIGH*.  *DOUBLE SIGH*.  I guess I won't be racing to purchase them any time soon as they are not in the budget for now. 

I can look at it in the positive though, they are still in my home...not in the traditional hanging in my shoe closet sort of way...but in the I will look at this magazine cover on my nightstand daily sort of way.  

Now, perhaps I should get my shoe fix in with these instead.  I saw these Badgley Mischka beauties at Lord & Taylor on sale for less than $150...

Badgley Mischka Kiss Kiss (smoke glitter)

I bet they would look great with sun-kissed legs and feet. 

Has anyone else ever purchased magazines simply for the shoes on the cover??

Have a fantastic week!

XO

Jolene

Current Obsession: Fur-Trimmed Ankle Boot

Simply enamored by this style boot, I have found 3 variations; all of which I would be more than happy to have in my "shoe-drobe". 

Featured below is the Christian Louboutin "Toundra" fur boot.  It is available here at Bergdorf Goodman for a mere $2,095.  I am smitten!!

Next up is a similar style with plush tufts of fur wrapped within the ankle straps.  They are the Dolce Vita "Tatum" ankle boot and are available here via Nordstrom for $248.95.  

Finally, I am equally as infatuated with these babies below.  They are the Aldo "Vanderau" bootie available in both taupe and midnight black.  They can be purchased here at Aldo for $110. 

Does anyone else find this style as intriguing and lust-worthy as I do? 

Little Bit of Luxe

Steve Madden Luxe- Zesty

While on a recent shopping excursion looking for the perfect outfit for a planned night-out, I came home empty-handed and slightly miserable.  Emphasis must be noted on the slightly miserable part, as I did find a rather gorgeous pair of heels that most certainly elevated my mood.  

The above Steve Madden Luxe shoe is named Zesty and was purchased at my local DSW for $79.95.  When I tell you I absolutely do not need another pair of heels, you must believe me (read here for my shoe obsession).  However, who could pass up on this black satin platform pump with a 4" heel and over-sized girlie black bow?  Not I!  

I also love them in red too as I think they would make the perfect holiday heel!  

This is my first pair of shoes from this particular Steve Madden line- Luxe.  I wore them out and they were quite comfy and substantial and garnered a few compliments.  Do you have any shoes from this line?  

Happy Shoe Shopping!

Dazzled by Dallas (ShoeDazzle boots)

Dallas ShoeDazzle Boots

My new Dallas boots by ShoeDazzle have arrived and I am happy to report that I am in love this time around.  My first order from their website proved a bit underwhelming (for my previous review, click HERE).

For this order, I picked the Dallas style boot.  They are a brown faux leather, tall, and are adorned with gold studs.  The boot is both substantial and comfortable to wear. They look great paired with leggings or skinny jeans.  I paid $39.95 for them and that includes shipping and handling.  The one caveat to an otherwise great boot is that I feel the zipper is poorly made.  It gets a bit "caught", so to speak, when zipping and the quality of the zipper feels off.  I am hoping this doesn't prove to be a problem.

I look forward to rocking them throughout the fall.  I would love to know what boots everyone else has chosen for the season.

Blugirl Pretty Pink Heels: I'll Be Dreaming of you until Spring 2011

Blugirl Pink Heels- Spring 2011 Collection
(photo credit:  glamour.com)

Fall is my favorite season by far.  What I love most about this crisp season here in NYC is the fabulous wardrobe options:  hello tall boots and tights!!  This weekend proved a bit chilly and I was able to rock a great belted trench with black leggings and tall black boots.  I could barely contain my glee!

Then, of course, I stumbled upon the above photo from Blugirl's Spring 2011 collection and I immediately became sick for spring.  What's not to love about these princess pink, adorned, stacked heels?  They are going on my wish-list. I'll be dreaming in pink until then....

Waiting to be Dazzled by ShoeDazzle

ShoeDazzle boot in Anise

If you haven't guessed so far- I AM A SHOE-ADDICT (click here and here to see my other shoe posts).  So, it makes complete and utter sense that I would join the site Shoedazzle.com, right?  Of course it does!

For those not familiar with the site, Shoedazzle is a subscription based shoe shopping site headed up by Kim Kardashian.  The site offers you shoe selections on a monthly basis placed into your own personalized "showroom".  The stylists determine your selections via an online survey you take at the beginning of your membership.  Essentially, you pick and choose photos of shoes and designer styles that most appeal to you.  Then, each month you are given a choice of shoes to pick from each for $39.95 (which includes your shipping and handling).  The site offers handbags, jewelry, and accessories to choose from too.  Don't like any selections presented to you that particular month?  Simply, press the button to "request alternate styles" and different selections will be delivered to your showroom in a couple of days.  Still not happy?  Press the "skip this month" button by the 5th of a particular month.  You are not obligated to purchase each month.

Practically drooling at the thought of a fantastic new pair of shoes each month hand-picked by a stylist, I joined.  In my first "showroom", I didn't care for any of the styles.  I was a bit disappointed in this and requested an "alternate selection."  About two days later, my new "showroom" was ready to view.  I was much happier with this new selection presented to me.  I chose the faux suede bow boot pictured above called Anise.

Long story short, I received an email from the company two days later stating that there was going to be a delay in my shipment (free delivery is supposed to arrive in 3 to 5 business days).  URGH!  Okay, I didn't like my first round of shoes and now this??  We were not off to a good start.  Finally, about a week and a half later my boots arrived.  I tore into the box and put these babies on.  Let me just say that they look cute enough but are terribly uncomfortable.  The inside arch feels awkward when I walk and the bottom sole doesn't feel like it was made with the best quality.  However, they are kind of adorable!  I have not decided yet if I am going to return them or not (returns are accepted for a credit towards another month).

Just as soon as I received these in the mail, my next month's showroom was ready for me to view.  Well, my mouth almost hit the floor at a pair of tall brown studded faux leather boots called Dallas.  LOVE!!!  I quickly ordered these babies right up.  And, guess what?  They shipped already.  I almost don't even care if they are uncomfortable, they are just so gorgeous!!  Perhaps now I will be dazzled!

ShoeDazzle boots in Dallas

What is your experience with ShoeDazzle?

Nordstrom Rack Love

Michael Kors Bella du Mod and Preview International Zebra Print

It amazes me how finding a great pair of shoes (or two) at a deeply discounted price can somehow transform a day into glittery, shimmery happiness.  

Occasionally I venture into my local Nordstrom Rack, not searching for anything in particular; just sort of browsing if you will.  Very often, I will find a phenomenal pair of heels and want to take them home immediately.  With every fiber of my being, every restraint possible, I sometimes put them down in the hopes that I will find them again at a later date and at a much discounted price.  Mind you, this is usually not the case.  If you know anything about stores like the Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, or Marshalls; you know that if you find something you like at all, you better pick it up and run to the register as if your pants were on fire because the likelihood of you finding it again is slim to none. 

Well, I am happy to report that my most recent visit to the Nordstrom Rack was one filled with love and glee!  While meticulously searching the shoe racks from top to bottom, I stumbled upon gold!   Do you recall in my earlier post titled:  "Superfluous Shoes- Bring 'Em On!" (if not, click here) that I was still searching for the perfect zebra-print stiletto that I thought was lost forever??  Well, I found them on this visit at the very bottom of the rack!  One pair left, in my size, and 35% off the original listed price!!!!  The smile on my face couldn't get any wider or brighter the rest of the day.  It was as if the Sparkle Fairy came down from Glitter Heaven and waved her bejeweled wand at me!  

To make matters even sweeter, I also found a  fantastic pair of rock-star style black leather stilettos from Michael Kors- also deeply discounted.  Score!!  These will be perfect as they have the slightest hint of a platform with a bit of a rugged bottom and gorgeous silver details.  

Well, as far as I am concerned, I am at peace and tranquility for the moment- until of course, my next shoe obsession comes along!  

Have you ever had a great score at Nordies Rack?

"Superfluous" Shoes- Bring 'Em On!

Betsey Johnson Calandra Shoe in Natural

"Superfluous"- Dictionary.com defines the term as:  "being more than is sufficient or required; excessive, unnecessary, and needless." 

My husband defines "Superfluous" as "Jolene's shoe closet."

He likes to throw that term around a lot when out shopping with one another.  We'll be out shopping for things we need for the house or the kids, and inevitably, my eye will catch a stunning pair of shoes that I simply must have.  Shortly thereafter comes the famous, "Jolene, those shoes are "Superfluous", put them down."   Most times I oblige and respond with, "Yes, of course honey, you are so right."

There are the few rare occasions when I comply and months later I STILL can't get the shoes out of my head and now can no longer even find them online to purchase.  I imagine all the occasions I could have worn them, or the outfits I could have built around them.

Two pairs come to mind immediately.  One was a brilliant, rock-star style, strappy, crystal and grommet covered stiletto that I still dream about.  I often imagine my husband and I out and about in NYC having a grand time, and I of course, am adorned in my resplendent heels.  Alas, I didn't get the designer or the style of shoe and no matter how hard I search, they can't be found except in my dreams.  The other, was a zebra-print (and I mean the perfect zebra print) stiletto with a to-die-for ankle strap that made my legs look a mile long.  "No, Jolene", my husband exclaimed, "you came to purchase a new wedge to replace the worn out ones you have, put those down."  Yes, practicality won out that day too.


All of this begs the question:  Isn't there something so magical about great shoes; something transforming and confidence-boosting?  I simply can't have enough of these so-called "Superfluous" shoes.  Come to think of it, I think my husband throwing around the term "Superfluous" when it comes to my shoes is well..."Superfluous!"

What are your favorite pair of "Superfluous" shoes??

Some of my shoe wardrobe below:

Wearing my Betsey Johnson Calandra Shoes