twist and whisper the wrong name

Is this taking socks and heels too far? Can you take socks and heels too far? I kind of have an addiction to chunky socks, especially the patterned variety.
And this past weekend, we were checking out the new fluevog line-up (KILLER) and trying on the whole store. It's good that the employees there are pretty much the nicest people around.
I ended up buying these heels on a recommendation of the store-girl who said she has four different versions of it and even goes biking in them. This is my kind of shoe.
But should I maybe ditch the socks?

oh. and listen to this song:



Frightened Rabbit is all I can listen to these days.

morning

Call me superficial if you want.
But sometimes, it really does help to have a pair of kick-ass shoes on your feet.
When doing anything seems like an effort, having something solid to step on is one small comfort. When leaving the house in the morning is something you have to psych yourself up for, you need a ritual. And six buckles and a zipper is something that I can do.
I can do it.

decisions part deux

I changed my mind. The Fluevog Alli Boot is what I'm getting for fall.
Tried them on today and they are killer.

tough one

tough one by flashbang on Polyvore.com

Frye 77455-BLK Harness 2" Heel Boot Wellington Vamp at GravityPope
$268 - gravitypope.com

Fluevog BBC-W-BUR Radio Bbc 1/2" Flat Heel Round Toe Ankle Height...
$269 - gravitypope.com

In the search for the perfect short boot, I've narrowed it down to two.
This fall, barring a financial crisis, I'm pretty sure I'll be investing in one of them: the Frye Motorcyle boot or the Fluevog Radio BBC.
They are both about the same price and both are good quality. The Motocycle boot is a little more iconic, but then also maybe on its way out. The Fluevog BBC is a classic, plain and simple. And it has laces.

I've got lots of time to decide, but I thought I'd take a poll and see what other people feel. What does everyone think? Frye or Fluevog?

escape

Stuck in the library. Voltaire and Shakespeare battling in my head.
The world is sunny and growing and doing things, but I can't join in until next week.

In the meantime, I can still find small escapes. Like these lovelies.



The Kensington Bootie by Rag and Bone. Gravity Popeis where I found them.
I imagine pairing it with a floaty dress and then going for long beach walks and eating blackberry sorbet.

those seventies shoes.

Pretty excited today when I saw that urban outfitters is now carrying some swedish hasbeens clogs. I'm not quite sure I want to jump on the clog bandwagon yet - I can see myself gardening stylishly in clogs, but that's hardly a reason to drop a hundred or two on these beauties. Speaking of gardening... it's pretty much spring now, and I'm feeling like getting out the trowel and burying my exuberantly sprouting potatoes. And planting strawberries. And rhubarb. And fifty other things. So much ambition, so little time.

In the meantime, I can hope that urban outfitters will also decide to carry these lovely things. Haven't you always wanted jodhpurs? Just for the name alone? Nevermind that these are in fantastic colors and have nice chunky wood heels.




(images from magnifeco, style hive, and swedish hasbeens)

You know what is also awesome (if slightly irrelevant)? Golden beets. I had a spinach salad with strawberries and golden beets the other day at Sprouts, UBC's student-run organic cafe, and there is no going back.


(image - and a recipe - from fare to remember)

yeah, well... yeah.

(It seems all I do is post about my opening ceremony lusts)



yeah, this is more of a fall look. but i love it. this girl shot by the face hunter has only convinced me further that if these go on sale...
my bank account will be sad.
but my feet will be happy.

a camel coat is another thing on my to-get list. but... one thing at a time.
I calculated about half of the things I want for spring: fifty bucks here, two hundred there, and the total was already reaching a grand. i wish i was more lucky / more skilled at thrifting.

Dilemma.

I don't neeeed more shoes. But I want these. Can you blame me?
Things I do need: skirts. I currently have one (one!) good skirt, and lately pleats are on my mind. Despite spending 13 years in a private school with hideous kilts, I still want pleats.
Pastel! Pretty! Floral! That's what's on my mind, but I really have difficulty styling these things. I'm not a girly girl. I love my combat boots and skinny jeans. Anyone have tips for making the transition easier?





(opening ceremony pics)

Camilla Skovgaard

There are shoes, and then there are shoes.

(Find them on opening ceremony)

i'd leave this blank but then the first sentence becomes the title... well... looks like it's just as long

I always have shoes on my mind... no matter how many I have in my closet.
Sadly, I haven't really been able to wear my newest ones much. Silly March weather decides to snow - only after tempting us with a week of glorious sunshine.

Question: does anyone else have an unbalanced closet like me? I love fall clothes - peacoats, wool sweaters, tall leather boots, chunky scarves, layering. So when it comes to spring, I find I have nothing to wear, and end up walking around it the most hideous american eagle and h&m combos known to man.
This year, I resolve to be different! And the first step towards that is buying pretty spring shoes. Because once you have nice shoes, half of the work is done. At least, that's my theory.

Some lovely options tempting me via modcloth:




Does anyone else have spring shoes they are lusting after?

the color of our planet from far far away

Yeah, that's right - my camera still works. But all of the pictures now have a funny ethereal quality about them, probably because the lens is fogged with stickiness. 'sokay. It looks kind of pretty.
Maybe it will last? My phone has also decided to die this week, so electronics are not my friends right now.

But more importantly.... I got those Camper shoes. I took them on their maiden voyage to the grocery store and I couldn't stop looking at my pretty toes. Look at me, world! I have blue feet.

Decisions...

It's spring, and I kind of want something cheery for my feet. And lo, two (kind of) affordable options: the Radio BBC by Fluevog, and this Camper Mary Jane. Any votes? Is the plaid too much?

In the mail

Bon Voyage by flashbang featuring Seychelles shoes

I'm really excited. I ordered my first pair of shoes online... It's like a blind date planned a month in advance.
Anxiety!
I have size 10ish feet and I've never worn a Seychelles shoe, so this could be interesting.
Does anyone know how Seychelles shoes fit? Do then run big or small?
I would be so sad if I had to send them back.

I didn't really accomplish my goal of texture or structure with these shoes.
But i do need a good basic pair of heels.

Slick by flashbang featuring Betsey Johnson shoes

I have a thing for patent lately. And guess what? All of these shoes are under one grand! Isn't that absolutely fantastical?
(For some reason shiny fake leather makes me want to type exclamations and weird modifiers).
Included are D&G Verni, Doc Martens, Betsey Johnson Karatta, F-Troupe Perforated Oxfords and Betty Johnson Flat Ankle Boots.

Modcloth to the Rescue!

Modcloth to the Rescue by flashbang featuring Proenza Schouler shoes

No, of course they are not of the same caliber. But they are still pretty! And only $62.99. If you don't know about modcloth yet, you really should investigate. In terms of shoes, the best thing is that they often carry Jeffrey Campbells, but the best sell out fast.

I'm curious: has anyone else found a good  and somewhat affordable alternative to the Proenza Schouler? 

Unrealistic Goals

These are all of the shoes that are fantastic to dream about but unlikely to ever be owned by us. 

So why spend so much time obsessively arranging them?

ummm...

Good question. 

The Shoes by flashbang featuring Frye boots

Included are shoes by: Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Fluevog, Frye, Giraudon and Tracey Neuls

McQueen Craziness

I think I'd kind of like to live in this world...

Although I wonder (as everyone does) how easy are those to walk in?

As far as definitions and blanket statements are concerned, I see fashion as something you put on in the morning and have to walk around in all day. Art, on the other hand, is a concept that may vary in the success of its descent into practical life. 
Obviously the line between the two can be blurry, but I think Mr. McQueen has placed himself quite comfortably in the latter.

(image from www.style.com)