Chic for less

Target is really trying to step it up a notch. They have popular designers creating clothing lines for them, handbags, and now shoes too.

A bit of comparison shopping for you and your budget conscious wallet.
You can have these beautiful nappa leather ankle boots by Islo Isabella Lorusso at Yoox.com for $288.

or...

these lesser expensive...

Women's Sigerson Morrison for Target® Fierce Patent Booties in black for just $39.99. Features a sexy zip closure and cushioned insole for comfort, at target.com

A Beautiful Thing

A baby's first smile, a warm cloudless day....
a great shoe?
My babies are fighting, not smiling.
The sky is actually cloudless, for the moment.
It's the shoe that got me today.
DSW sent yet another fabulous deal to my inbox. 25% off online clearance shoes! ACK. Grab a credit card and get online!
I spied this fab shoe that comes in seven different colors and patterns.

It's a 3 3/4" inch heel, not for the faint of foot. Will probably make legs look elongated and fabulous. No doubt worth buying two or three with that in mind. On sale for $54.94. Use code SAVE4 at check out for another 25% off. By golly that's only $41.21. Almost half the original price! Beautiful.

Save the Shoes!

One secret to keeping my very small closet well organized so that I can buy even more shoes and boots is the ShoeStor storage boxes.
These clear plastic boxes are genius! You can store shoes, boots...even handbags! The clear view sides make it so much easier to find just the right accessory.

I used to keep shoes in their original shoe boxes, but then I had to pull them out of the stacks, open the boxes, etc. Now with just a glance I can find what I'm looking for and get ready that much more quickly.
Plus, my shoes and handbags don't get thrown around the closet, smashed or dusty. For just a few dollars per accessory, mine can last longer!

Shoe Whore Strikes Again

Shoe shopping is one of my new favorite hobbies. It gets slightly out of control at times, and we need to extend the house in order to make a larger closet, but it's all in the good name of fashion. A few of my recent finds:

Two Lips Two Lips Bitten Reptile Platform Sandal, mine are in all gray. $59.95 online at DSW.com, but mine were on sale in the store, I think it came to $20-30. These are a little bit tight fitting but well worth the wiggling to get into them. Ooh la la! Bakers has them online for $39.99 in brown. These will look hot with so many of my planned fashion week outfits that I can't decide which to pair them with!



Madden Girl's Lyisa Menswear Print Platform, just $39.95 at DSW. The purple colors follow the fall fashion trends and give a bit of oomph to an otherwise plain-ish black dress I'll wear them with. Patterened fabric upper, covered high heel and low platform, Also in a blue/brown/green version. I found them elsewhere on the web, but non as low priced as DSW. Zappos.com is $58, endless.com is $49.95.

Fab Friday Fashions Under $100

For all you fab fashionistas gearing up for a shop this weekend, here are some fab Friday finds for under $100!
INC International Concepts Ruffled Henley $49 at macys.com. A versatile top with a bit of ruffle that can be dressed up under a jacket for work, or worn with jeans for a casual encounter. My favorite: machine washable.

Pair with a pencil skirt and these cute shoes in black/white by BGBGirls at Overstock.com, on sale for $69.99 - regular retail price $110.

Have an outdoor outing to attend? There are still some great concerts about town and you need a cool, yet hip look - not cut off jeans and a tube top please. Try this Lucky Brand Jeans Embroidered Camisole also at macys.com $78

Complete your look with these Utopia Sunglasses $88 at Lucky Brand Jeans. Offering 100% UVA/UVB protection, these sunglasses feature rock star-style wraparounds with open-end piece design. Peace symbol and Lucky clover at both ends of left temple.

Go Camo, In Style

Just when you thought you'd seen in all for camoflauge (and a large part of me wishes it would just go away) , Manolo Blahnik comes out with this adorable camouflage patent leather sandal with open toe and a 3 1/2" heel. $745 at Nordstrom.com. Who knew camo could be so chic? I think I've just been converted.

Ins & Outs

IN:
well-fitted jackets. make sure it's proportioned well for you body too. If you are short, wear a short style that stops near your hips. It will make your legs look longer. Most everyone can pull off the longer jackets if it's fitted. Slim fitting pants are in order for a long jacket. You don't want to look in the mirror and start having flash backs of "hammer-time".

This blue jacquard number is by Free People which several of our Haute Market friends carry, as well as Nordstroms.



IN:
platform shoes.
I go for the wider heel with platform shoes to keep me a bit more balanced. Sergio Rossi Patent Leather Platform Sandal, $850. You can pre-order this style from the Nordstrom Fall 2008 collection and be totally "IN", but possibly broke. Also seen a lot on the scene is this bondage-style design. Notice the zippers. Remember Carrie Bradshaw's shoes in the Sex and the City Movie, by Chanel? Bondage babe. Wide straps and lots of them.

For a less expensive version, try Lovemyshoes.com when you'll find these GUESS brand sexy round-toe shoes with criss-cross straps and crocodile embossed leather with 4.5" heel for $99.98.

Hope to see you at the Haute Market shopping and pampering party at the Ritz Charles in Overland Park, KS. From 5-9pm you can shop, lounge in our new lounge area while you listen to Drew of Drew6 playing a few of his great songs, have a cocktail and so much more. You deserve it!

Suckered by the Sample Sale

If you haven't seen our sister site, the MOBsLounge (Mothers of Boys Lounge), then you should check it out. Especially since my friend and fellow blogger knew about a sample sale that I didn't know of and posted about it there! The NERVE! :)

My feet (and Discover Card) thank you, Christine. I jumped right on to the Kate Spade site to check out the sample sale. I bought an adorable pair of shoes and can't wait to wear them to something fabulous around town.

The sample sale is over but there are other items on sale at KateSpade.com. Show a little love to our Kansas City girl.
The shoe pictured here is not on sale, but who needs a sale to justify buying beauty?!? The open-toe, satin pump has a 3.5" heel and can be yours for a meer $318. Plus, it's my favorite AND Kate's too. We have so much in common. The love of accessories bonds women.


I see a few handbags I want as well. At least Kate will be able to afford a flight home once I finish shopping. Hmmmm...I wonder if we can get her here for our Fashion Week. Kate, I'm sure you read this...call me dear. ;)

Steppin' Out In Style

There are so many fabulous activities and events to attend and a shoe for each. I've had a $30 reward bonus voucher for DSW absolutely burning a hole in my handbag and managed to create an empty spot in the closet over the weekend. Time to shop for shoes!

I was on the lookout for something in gold. My designer friends at Sophie & Gwendalynn are making a custom item for me to wear to the West 18th Street Fashion Show this weekend and it has a touch of gold. I have no gold shoes. I found several pair, but only one that I could risk standing in for 4+ hours. The sweet little sandals are a bit understated, but will do the job. It was on my way to check out that my trained eye saw these Bobbi Blu's with ruffle and peep-toe. Have to have them! They are comfortable, unique and so pretty!

I forgot to grab some gel foot-savers from Apara. Thankfully DSW now has a great online store so I can order anytime. Slingies will be needed for the sandals. Slingies are a gel pad that slips right into the shoe and makes them so much more comfortable! The Apara Steppies have been included in our Haute Market event goodie bags for ages - great for boots. Same company, different fab product.

Now it's time to get my custom couture top, shop for the rest of the ensemble, and count down to the fashion show. Oh yes...and find an event to attend in my new Bobbi Blu's! By the way...two pair of shoes on sale and with my voucher....$25. I'm telling you girls, and they aren't paying me to say this, DSW rewards are the bomb!

Yikes - great deals at YOOX

This just in! A great tip was just sent to my inbox. A super savings deal at YOOX.com YOOX.com is very high end, but if you're in the market for such items, the sale prices are amazing!

About YOOX.com: Thanks to a direct relationship with designers, manufacturers and authorized dealers, YOOX.COM is the only destination offering an infinite mix & match of hard-to-find styles and trends. Shop over 450 top international designers such as Armani, Marni, Dolce & Gabbana, Diesel and more; at affordable prices.


Prada anyone? I'm not rushing out to purchase a pair of $700+ shoes, but if you are, then you'll be pleased to find them on sale for just $500+ now! Featuring a 5 inch heel, with satin and leather. Not to mention the bling on the heel. Yum yum. Definitely fit for summer in the city!

Or for a bit lower price, try on these beauties by MALO. Was $470, now on sale for $354. Patent leather wedges that will have you towering over all. Heel height: 5.3 Inches Wedge height: 1.4 Inches. Yowza.
Great shoes don't have to cost a fortune, but they are nice additions to the collection in the closet! :)


A fun handbag in a variety of colors that won't break the bank, by PARENTESI. Leather with zip closure, internal zip pocket and double handle. Now $60 and comes in orange, yellow, fuchsia and more!

YOOX.com definitely is NOT your typical online store. But it is a fabulous outlet for high-end designer wear and accessories.

Shipping & delivery basics
Standard Shipping: $9, 4-8 working days
Express Shipping: $19, 2-3 working days
Sales Tax: ZERO.

As Seen In - SATC!

I am so excited for the release of the Sex and the City Movie. Tickets to see WICKED next week and SATC the next. My May calendar couldn't be better. Except that I should probably get a new pair of shoes that Ms. Carrie would be proud of.

The Christian Dior pair that Carrie wears several times throught the movie is not for shoe sissys with their 4.45" heels. Not to mention that the price tag demands that you love the shoes and plan to wear them until 2020.

The SATC movie will be the fashion-watchers dream with all the fabulous clothing, shoes and handbags. Get your tickets now because theaters are selling out!

Yowza at YOOX!

If you haven't yet stumbled upon YOOX.COM, then be prepared to fall fast and hard. The sale prices are so yummy. Who cares if it's last season? Know one will know, right? They say we're about two years behind here in the Midwest, so you should at least look fashion forward for another season! Any justification to save 75% or so on designer apparel is fine by me.
Here are a few I've picked out for you.

A favorite designers of many female celebs is Catherine Malandrino. This sweet and strappy 3/4 length dress in dark brown was $455, and now is just $159. Only size 4 is available.

The Mas Nada 3/4 length dress is only available in a size 6. From $359 down to $128 this satin-stretch number is a steal!


If I could ensure having a hot date, I think I'd order this gorgeous black dress by Diane Von Furstenberg. From $248 to $149, only size 2 available. Just a bit of a dip down the front, with a frilly little bit on the strap, makes this little black dress have a little more personality. Don't be surprised if it's sold out by the time you go looking for it. (wink, wink)


If you have ever wanted to own a Miu Miu piece, now is the time. Only size 8 available at YOOX.COM. It's unlined crepe with a little frill on the side. 100% silk. $1095 marked down to just $274. Seriously...did they have the interns working too late one night resulting in a bad typo? Ouch. Grab this if you want designer gals in your closet.


If you really want to show some personality, might I suggest an exclusive one-of-a-kind design? Agatha Ruiz de la Prada is best known for her eclectic personality and the passion that infuses every piece of her vast collection.
This colorful, 3/4 length dress will turn heads for sure.Each dress comes with its original sketch signed by Agatha Ruiz de La Prada.
Not on sale, but look at the $500 price tag as an investment in art. I adore the colors and think the bust-embellishments would bring a wandering eye to my chest for sure. Not something that happens often for me, I can assure you. The dress costs way less than a boob job and probably would garner even more attention. Could be the sort of attention that lands me in a padded room with no sharp objects...but it's not like that trip is far away anyway.

These are only a few of the dresses. Wait until you see the designer shoes at YOOX.COM! My hubby is hovering. He must think I'm seriously considering the $1010 pair of Alexander McQueen shoes. They certainly are stunning.