But, one glaring omission in my closet set-up is the lack of any proper stool or chair on which to sit when actually putting on the day’s shoes. Admittedly, it’s not exactly a crisis - but the daily hopping around on one foot while stuffing my other foot into a shoe would be a bit less comical and more dignified were I to correct this small wardrobe issue.  And, while it need not be fancy - we are after all talking about a piece of furniture that is only briefly needed on any given day - something pretty or fun would be a nice way of starting out the day.

Luckily, today’s postal offerings included some intriguing shopping options in just this area (in the form of a new catalog ‘Design Toscano‘ - on whose mailing list I have apparently been recently added).

Included are a fair selection of salon chairs, tabourets (of which I have always been fond), and boudoir stools to fit a wide number different styles, tastes, and decors.

Among them:

French Salon corner chair $198 $225

Mademoiselle Cezanne’s French slipper chair $249 $298

King Leopold’s cross-frame tabouret $175

Acanthus leaf mahogany tabouret $495

Lady Annette Boudoir stool $89.95

Madame Bouvier boudoir stool $85.00

And, finally, the piece-de-kitschy-resistance:

Folis Bergere boudoir stool $75.00

How much fun is this last piece - definitely not for those who take themselves too seriously.

Which one would you choose - assuming you have a place to even put it?

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Vivre.com

I am really interested in adding a cute, criss-cross, strappy pump to my closet. There are dozens and dozens of shoes that fit this description, yet I keep coming back to these shoes:

Shoes for Lovely People Bombshell $90 $126 at Zappos.com

I have been grooving on these shoes since spring. And, while I really like the black pair, it is the somewhat impractical, metallic red,  faux-snakeskin pair that keeps drawing me back in to see if these have gone on sale yet anywhere online (wow, they are now on sale at Zappos)….the gold ones just give me flashbacks to 80’s Solid Gold episodes - high heels and spandex, *shudders*.

Also, for some reason when I look at these, the phrase “Surrender Dorothy” runs through my mind….but in a fun way. But there’s no way you’re gonna get me to wear a blue-gingham checked dress with these.  More like a black cocktail dress or dark wash denim paired with a tailored button-down blouse.

I was expecting the siren call of these to fade as the months passed, but something about them won’t let go of me.  Perhaps I am subconsciously seeking a pair of my own iconic ruby slippers with all of their magical and transformative powers?

Or, maybe it’s more simple and  I’m just doomed to remain hopelessly, happily shoe-obsessed.

I can handle that.

And, unlike yesterday’s Gucci boots or Sunday’s oh-so-lustworthy Dsquared2 styles, these little booties from Sofft are even potentially budgetable - especially if I luck out and find them on sale sometime over the next several months.

Take a look:

Sofft ‘Orlena’ $154 at Zappos, $149.94 at The Walking Co.

These little pretties have been growing on me since I first glimpsed them about a month ago.

Seriously, how cute are those buttons and the slightly-oversized cuff? And look, they come in either black leather or grey suede; both are beautiful fall options.

Delicious….and falling nicely under the unfortunately-becoming-too-common $200-$700 price range.

Plus, these are made by Sofft - which has a well-known reputation for producing styles that are comfortable as well as fashionable.

These are definitely on my mental short list for ’shoes to keep an eye out for during sales season’.

Authentic Shops:


Zappos.com

Vivre.com

Gucci Riddle Lace-up Boot $1690 at Saks.com

I love the equestrian-reference of the lower lacing.  Add to that the slightly military-feel of the buckled calf details and you wind up with a boot that is not quite granny, not quite riding boot, and 100% fabulous.

I love how these boots feel like an updated classic. They are just fresh enough not to blend in as just another cookie-cutter granny boot, but are still classy and sexy enough that you can easily get years of wear-ability from them - whether they are matched with casual jeans or a hot pencil skirt.

How would you wear a pair of boots like these?

I am becoming more and more smitten by offerings coming out of Dsquared2.

My crush may even be deep enough that when Hubby & I finally reach debt-free status, (sometime toward next fall if things continue to proceed apace) I might even consider paying full retail once or twice a year for a lust-shoe or two from this design house.

Today’s example:

Dsquared2 Open Toe Pump Frou Frou Camoscio $911 at Zappos.com

Holy cow! And this is while staying with a monochromatic black color scheme - with the exception of the lining. These are anything but boring; filled with eye-catching textural details and contrasts from the ruffles to ribbon to croc-embossed heel…..

These shoe are both fierce and unapologetically feminine at the same time.

I am in deep smit, indeed.

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Vivre.com

Catherine Zeta-Jones is wearing a black Alexander McQueen dress, also seen on Anna Paquin and Cameron Diaz, with red accessories.  I used to think this was a wonderful way to put an outfit together but I have seen it too many times, so has become a “safe” way to put an outfit together.  That being said, since this dress has red piping on the zipper this works better than most.

CZJ’s shoes are Yves Saint Laurent Eelskin pumps, $875 at Bergdorf Goodman.  Gorgeous.  YSL hit a home run with their Trib and Trib 2, but it is refreshing to see a celebrity wearing something different. 

LOVE the color; love the shape; love the material. 

These are my Holiday Lust Shoes.

Case in point:

Note that Jimmy Choo is launching the “Project PEP” Collection in which 25% of the net sales will be donated to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Also note that you can preview this collection online now or at the 72-hour ‘pop-up shop’ - if you are lucky enough to be living or travelling in the UK and in range of the Jimmy Choo concept store located in Selfridges, London.

In my case, I’m pretty much stuck with the online preview of this very colorful Choo collection.

Here are my quick faves:

The ‘Pep Loop’ sandal ($975):

Or, this cute little wrist cuff ($245):

And, because I’m really more of a wristlet than huge handbag gal, this little ‘Filipa’ wallet:

Which one is your favorite?

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Vivre.com

Back in September, Twinkletoes reported on Barbie’s 50th birthday show and bubble gum pink Louboutin shoes designed for the lucky doll.  The collaboration is not limited to just the shoes though.   WWD reports that Christian Louboutin will serve as Barbie’s godfather for the next few months and that means an entire series of Barbie/Louboutin-centric products, including a diary that showcases Barbie and Louboutin on various adventures around the world:

And dolls that come packaged with their own pairs of Louboutin heels, each in Louboutin branded shoe boxes.   For Barbie and Louboutin collectors, the accessories and dolls will be sold exclusively through BarbieCollector.com and Net-a-porter.com starting in December and throughout 2010.  The dolls will sell for $150, the diary $40, and a 12 pair Louboutin Barbie shoe collection will go for $40.

Asked about the recent controversy that Louboutin felt Barbie had fat cankles, Louboutin issued a statement to clear the air:

Barbie’s foot has always been shaped less ‘curvy’ than the rest of her perfect body,” he said. “I just added my little science to Barbie and I’ve been proud to serve her. But fat ankles she didn’t have, she just could have had thinner ankles. That’s all.

My God, what a story, he said, reacting to the controversy. I apologize to my goddaughter [Barbie]. There has been a bit of confusion there, but it’s just the proof that Barbie has real serious fans.

What do you think of this line?  Would you buy these shoes when they arrive in 2010 and at what price point?

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Vivre.com