Let's Sparkle!

These may be THE shoes in Chocolate, Shoes, and Coffee.
at Nordstrom.

photo credit: Polly C.

Desperately Seeking... Shoes

Not Rated, Hot Spot 2 Red.
Hmmm....

It's back to school and time to walk all over the campus to teach classes...the inner shoe monster is calling out for fashionable, comfortable, professional shoes. The inner South Beach monster is calling out for fun weekend shoes.

I'll have to remember to wear the appropriate ones on the corresponding days! Here's what I'm checking out...in both categories:
CoSTUME NATIONAL
Calvin Klein, Jennifer
Just for fun: Dr. Scholl's original, Ink Suede. (when I was a kid I thought these were so cool... now I have mixed feelings...lots of cute colors out, though)

Vidoretta

Michael Kors, Palm Beach Demi Wedge
Vidoretta Flore
Born, Chella
Lucky Brand, Nama

Clarks, Shutter Beach
Ugg, Hazel II
Kate Spade
Kenneth Cole Reaction, Let it Knock
Kate Spade, Melania

Kenneth Cole Reaction, Dare Bear
Ugg, Hazel II
Aigner, Gild
Josef Seibel, Misty

With a pair of jeans or tailored work pants, these could be cute.
They look like you could walk all over in them...

Conclusion: Girl seeks work shoes and only finds fun shoes.

With the Miami weather, I embrace warm weather shoes-- although even Miami shoe lovers can be seen with stylish boots. Can't do the boots-- cold weather trauma, still...

I am looking forward to a snowy getaway this year :)

What's on your list for fall?

xo, Danielle

pics: here

Betsey Johnson: designer extraordinaire.

From Miss Bliss:

Betsey Johnson's "Calandra" is a candidate for my shoe choice at Mr. Wonderful's little sister's wedding... (After a long day he brought home ice cream for me tonight. Another bit of evidence--he is truly Mr. Wonderful.)

Back to the shoes-- they come in great colors and I have always loved Betsey Johnson-- I remember reading an article about her and her daughter in my Seventeen Magazine in high school. She has had a great career!

pic from here

Sexy AND Comfortable Shoes! Mission Accomplished.

Your research has been done for you: shoes that are both sexy AND comfortable... (it is far, far past time for a shoe post from Chocolate Shoes and Coffee ;) Black tie event possibly? I am loving the squiggles design and stylish heel!

Nanette Lepore, Great job! The "Courtesan" is fun...great detail....

Has anyone tried out Taryn Rose? I like these because they aren't the heel yet they give you height...oh I love wedges... Taryn's shoes are supposed to be amazing.

Stuart Weitzman impresses me with many of their designs at the moment; I have a thing for buckles and peep-toes.... mabye not the most practical but certainly appeals to my aesthetics for shoes... and they are flats...

Here they are in purple....I am really loving these! How cute would they be with denim? I love dressing up jeans with a stylish shoe....

Jeffrey Campbell flat... ruffles and pearls and a vintage appeal... so dressy and don't tell anyone, even comfortable...


Keen offers you an eco-friendly ballerina slipper with a rugged edge...I like the thought that they would not get trashed quickly on the journeys of errands...



And finally, ending with an energizing red note: Keen's Madrid ballerina. I am delighted that these shoes with a durable, tough edge are also called "ballerinas."


Rock on, readers, in some make-you-smile shoes!
Which ones do you choose?




sources: Bluefly.com and zappos.com for the last two.

Wonderful Wedges...time for new shoes!

Lovely People 'Scorpio' Sandal... don't these shoes appeal to the girlie girl in us all?
Pink Studio 'Leo' Wedge....this one is calling my name! Love the design!

Celine Contrast Wedge Sandal



Star Ling 'Arroyo' Wedge Sandal
Eric Michael 'Del Ray' Espadrille

Isn't it sweet? I may need a pair in silver and black, too! It would be so cute with all the vintage dresses or skirts I love out there...

Do you have a favorite shoe for fall? Any heads up for us on styles to keep an eye out for??? Any recommendations for the age old dilemma of stylish AND comfortable? Why oh why does it seem they have to be mutually exclusive? :)

I LOVE MISS BLISS

"Mr. Wonderful" here........

I need to step Miss Bliss' blog up a couple of notches but until I can I did a little "Summer Look" for the blog to freshen it up. I put all you faithful followers front and center of the page to celebrate all of you who make her so happy! Sometimes it is should be mentioned how we all benefit from the comments of others and the information that is passed. Recipes for chocolate concoctions to shoe sales to great beaches to mention just a couple.

I also thought it good to put the followers up front as they are really contributors and deserve recognition.

So Happy Recognition Day and for those of you who are "ghosting" the site join in and have fun!!!

A (Baker's) Dozen: Pink Picks for Summer!

Above, are these Donald Pliners not the most luscious and fabulous?

Below, These are... Uggs ?.. not your usual association, right?

Cole Haan London T-strap

Taryn Rose Braque--almost ballet-slipper like...

Diba-- I like the flower and the thong design

Taryn Rose--I love how the straps go over the edges

Michael Kors, I love you! I haven't been into cork at all, but these shoes could convert me...

Kate Spade delivers the bow....

Franco Sartos always make me happy...

Marc Jacobs... like the two tone, the bow, the cut-out detail... I think these are really precious...

Matisse--- so cute for a summer night... how great would these be with a maxi dress?

Steve Madden-- high energy on the gladiator take...

Type Z "Paradise" loving the Pucci style print and beaded front combo...


Which ones are your favorites? Do you need some pink therapy? I'm thinking I need the Donald Pliner, the Michael Kors, and the Taryn Rose sandals. That's all. Really. That will work perfectly.

Best Shoe Picture Ever

Coastal Nest: out of the box...shoe box, that is.....

Coastal Nest, who lives somewhere that sounds like my dream, caught my attention with this amazing picture!

What do you think?

simple bliss: quality vs. clearance prices

I almost bought a $25 Izod bag at Marshalls today. I was in line with it, and my shoes, which I will describe shortly. The bag was on clearance, down from the Marshall's price of 29.99.

It was a cute bag, but I realized that it was not the one I wanted. It looked like one I wanted, which was a nice soft green leather one. I couldn't justify the higher prices to myself, though, or so I thought.

In line, the epiphany struck: the bag was plastic. I could use the 25 toward a bag I really wanted, and not use it for one I didn't really want. Back on the shelf by the register.

I've been carrying the cutest black leather Perlina "barrel" shaped bag for the last few years. Still loving it. I told my hubby in line: "I've used this bag for years and only paid about 60 for it at TJMaxx. I may as well get another good one instead of one that will just get beat up and isn't what I really want."

Then we left Marshalls, with the keepers: clearance Michael Kors shoes: soft brown/tan nubuck suede platforms for 39.99. High platforms... good for the 5'4" curvy frame... and extremely comfortable! Here is a deal I congratulate myself on, as Overstock is currently "offering" these shoes for $107. and shipping.

We just watched about 3 or 4 "What Not to Wear"s earlier in the day, and I confess I've been wearing Target flip flops around a lot in Miami, and, even to work... I tell myself it's no big deal, but here is what they said on WNTW today:

(Giggles ahead!)

non-style believing girl: I like these flip flops; I only paid $3 for these flip flops
Clinton: "and they look like you paid three dollars for them..."

later,

non-style believing girl: I am not into shoes.

Stacy: How can a woman not be into shoes? All she's got to do is try some on...

she finds adorable shoes and pays $250 a pair for a few...

Stacy and Clinton: "we have a convert!!!!!!!"

Chocolate Gift, check, Shoe Gift, check, and Coffee Gift, check : Hint Hint, Great Present Ideas!!!

Our three favorite topics make the perfect gift...

Chocolate comes in any size and fits all occasions... holidays, birthdays, just because days. One of our absolute favorites, Chocolove, made in Boulder, CO, has an adorable new size, perfect for little presents.

My friend Mo will tell you her shoe size is 7, even if she is not sure who you are when you text her a pic of a fabulous shoe find. Shoes are a perfect gift: they come boxed and wrapped in tissue paper. You can always offer a present perfect for the season, to add to your giftee's shoe wardrobe.

Mo's husband, in an admirable accomplishment, built her adequate shelving for her shoe collection. Can we have a picture, Mo?

Finally, coffee is the perfect gift because you can never have enough, just like shoes and chocolate. When our friends gave us the most fabulous Christmas gift ever, it included lots of coffee, chocolate, and books. It was the perfect package to come home to after a road trip, making home feel homier again and less like a truck stop with all our suitcases and road weary selves.

It soothed our souls, knowing the house was stocked once again with fresh choices in coffee and gourmet chocolate, not to mention books picked just for us. We could curl up with a blanket, a book, and a hot cup of java, or hot chocolate from our bounty.

With the love of your life, amazing friends, bubble baths, and presents like this, what else do you need?