Tuesday, November 30, 2010

FACEBOOK GETS A KICK OUT OF ADIDAS


I have been accused of being a little over-the-top with my stilts on odd occasion but this takes going overboard to a whole new level.

While I don't need persuading that social networking is here and here to stay, I'm not convinced I'd be rushing out to procure myself a pair of these kicks.

Just a concept over at Adidas HQ at present but considering how many employees Facebook now has, who knows, maybe they're a good uniform write-off?

Not sold I'm afraid people...

Hang on? If they came in a heel with Wi-Fi or 3G and could post at the touch of a stem well now that's a little different. I'm a sucker for a gadget.

Keep me posted Adidas!

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Sunday, November 28, 2010

34 MINUTES OF PLEASURE BEFORE PAIN
















According to the UK's The Telegraph the average woman can stand their new pair of shoes for just 34 minutes before grimacing with pain.

Researchers have found that once they have stepped out of the taxi and into a pub or club, they survive just over half an hour before their feet start to hurt.

Four in ten said they take a spare pair of pumps 'out of habit' to change into because they know their shoes will rub.

And more than half have ended up walking home bare-foot, while one in ten have abandoned their shoes altogether or borrowed someone else's (eeeewww).

But a survey of 4,000 women revealed a determined one fifth said the prospect of aching feet would not put them off wearing a pair of killer heels. No pain no gain as 'they' say.

The nationwide poll of women aged 18 to 65 found the average woman currently owns 18 pairs, typically spent £35 on each purchase and has a hoard totalling £630. 18 pairs? At £35 each?

Thank the Lord they didn't take a look in my walk-in!

To read the full article click here.

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Saturday, November 27, 2010

NOT SO BLACK FRIDAY



















Happy Black Friday my dear US friends. Oh how I love this day. It's super crazy but I love it.

The gorgeous Joell @ Jimmy Choo in Ala Moana Shopping Center, Honolulu tells me the center is crowded already with all the sale hunters and the parking lot is a mess. (That's why you stay close by and walk people).

Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving Day in the United States and marks the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season. I’ve always been a little puzzled as to why this day is termed Black Friday. Despite the potential for feeling a little dusty immediately following the merriment of gorging oneself on turkey and adult beverages, I’m at a bit of a loss.

Australian’s are accustomed to the notion of any Friday falling on the thirteenth day of the month resulting in paranoid caution being handed out by those who’ve surrendered to superstition. Given this date is well into its twenties it terminates this reasoning. Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States so Black Friday occurs between the 23rd and the 29th of November.

Of the utmost significance in my confusion regarding this matter is that this day isn’t merely the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, it marks the beginning of some of the greatest sales you will come across in the US. Strangely termed, the Black Friday sales? Maybe I’m missing something but seventy percent off high-end designer goods does not strike a ‘black’ cord with me? The only uneasiness about discovering patent animal print Louboutin heels in my size at $214USD is the woman hovering over me seemingly waiting for me to discard them.

In Australia, and more specifically the ‘Smart State’, we hold sales on Boxing Day and usually throw open the doors of our shopping Meccas to a throng of eager procurers at the usual scheduled time of store opening. The United States on the other hand has shopping malls that open at midnight on the evening of Thanksgiving. Midnight. Surely only the truly dedicated are fronting stores at that time of night post Thanksgiving feasts and alcoholic egg drinks?

According to Reuters, in 2007, 135 million people participated in the Black Friday shopping rush. While Black Friday is not an official holiday many employees have the day off as part of the Thanksgiving holiday, increasing the number of potential shoppers. Despite some midnight kick offs, most retailers typically open at 5 or 6AM. Similarly to the Australian Boxing Day sales, upon opening, retailers offer doorbuster deals to draw crowds to their stores.

The term dates back to at least 1966 and has become more common in other parts of the United States since 2000. According to Wikipedia; Black Friday originated in Philadelphia in reference to the heavy traffic on that day. More recently, merchants and the media have used it instead to refer to the beginning of the period in which retailers go from being in the red (i.e., posting a loss on the books) to being in the black (i.e., turning a profit).

While I have never felt the need to wait in line with hundreds of people at midnight or to arrive at 5am, I am a veteran of the Black Friday Sales in Hawaii with last year marking my tenth. A special anniversary of sorts.

I'm not there this Thanksgiving gals but I shall see you in May for some Memorial Weekend bargains!

(Image Credit: Wikipedia - Black Friday Shoppers 2009)

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Thursday, November 25, 2010

NIKE'S GRINCH SNEAKERS


This one's for the sneaker tragics.

Why you still read my blog astounds me, but hey, I appreciate a shoe aficionado in any form.

First reported by The Basketball Jones' Trey Kerby and displayed at marqueesole.com; Kobe Bryant plans to make his debut wearing the Grinch edition of the Nike Zoom Kobe VI on the Lakers' Christmas Day game against Miami Heat.

For those of you who must have these apparent Nike 'must haves' they go on sale in the USA on December 26th.

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

TAMARA MELLON'S GIFT GUIDE - CHOO ME!



Dear Santa,

I have been good. I promise. Sure, I've had my moments in 2010 but haven't we all?

This year, in the interest of good time management, please refer to Ms Mellon of the famed House of Jimmy Choo to fill my sack. She's pretty much covered it.

Go on. You know you want to.

Tamara Mellon's Gift Guide.



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Monday, November 22, 2010

BLESS BABOO SHOE


Shut up! My purpose-built super expensive wardrobe has barely had its first anniversary and this new shoe storage makes me want to rip it out and start again.

Touted as the ultimate storage and display cabinet for shoe lovers, the BaBooShoe booth comes in two sizes: The Imelda, which stores 55 pairs, and allows ample room for bags and boots) and the compact version inspired by and named after the star of Sex and the City, The Carrie, which can display 25 pairs, plus bags and boots for those shoe addicts with limited living space).

Both booths are available in gloss black or gloss white. Behind the stylish black tinted sliding doors, your shoes are kept in perfect condition. They are easy to find and best of all you don't even need to open the door to look at them, just a flick of the remote control and your shoes are illuminated. (Yes, the 'remote' people).

Designed by Lesley Keogh, an Australian shoe addict of over 30 years, who after repeated efforts to find the perfect shoe storage solution gave up searching and decided to create it herself.

The Imelda retails @ $1,899 and the Carrie for $1,599 and best of all, you can purchase online.

Love! Oh Santa baby...

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Thursday, November 18, 2010

LOVING BABES TV



Loving Babes TV people. The gloriously inventive team @ Babes in Business have launched their first ever episode of Babes TV. Must watch.


Babes TV – Episode 1

In this episode we go behind the Babes in Business Rebrand, Young Care CEO Marina Vit tells us about what Babes support over recent years has meant to this vital charity and we go into the kitchen of new Brisbane restaurant Peasant to discover the joys of Spanish Food and Wine.

In each episode they’ll be keeping you up to date with key business issues, and connecting you to the best places to eat, drink, travel and shop.

Love!

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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

DEATH OF THE SENSIBLE SHOE


The traditional, clunky, lace-up, 'comfortable' shoes that your mother used to wear have virtually disappeared from the market. (Loud cheers).

According to the UK's Daily Mail, over 90 percent of the British women’s shoe market is now dominated by fashion statement shoes, figures reveal, and I dare say (and pray) that the Australian market shows similar figures.

It seems sensible shoes have been replaced by trainers, with more companies now allowing the American style footwear to be worn to work rather than the tough, British, black, leather stalwarts - the boarding school mistress's shoe du jour.

Improved, stronger technology means that today’s shoes with high heels, thin straps and elaborate decorations are now able to easily withstand the rigours of everyday wear, making them practical for most occasions for the first time.

Demand for sheer comfort and practicality - the key reason for choosing sensible shoes - has been fulfilled by trainers instead, which are now seen as socially acceptable across all classes, reports the Daily Mail.

The news brings to an end the decades long association of sensible shoes with countless professions such as nurses, teachers, police officers and traffic wardens.

Debenhams spokesman Ed Watson said: “Women’s sensible shoes may well be leaving their final footprints on the history and landscape of Britain.”

The rise and success of women in the workplace has fuelled an increasing demand for more formal, power-dressing shoes.

Conversely, a decline in the number of women working on factory floors - a once familiar sight in the 1950s and 60s - has also reduced the legal requirement for suitably sensible footwear.

Ed Watson said: “Sensible shoes have provided the soundtrack to so many key elements of British society.

“Thousands of people across Britain still associate them with the comforting tread of a nurse’s shoe on a hospital ward to the steady pace of a WPC on the beat

'In addition, there won’t be a woman in the land who can’t recall what their dad said after they bought their first pair of high heels: ‘Why didn’t you buy sensible shoes ?’

“We want to do all that we can to provide our customers with the options of choosing sensible shoes, so we will continue to stock them.

“However, sales figures show that this once familiar shoe style is in danger of disappearing for good.”

Oh dear Lord. We can only hope...

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Sunday, November 14, 2010

BEACH TO STREET















My love affair with the delectable Holster range is no secret but this season the fab team @ the Noosa based HQ have pulled out all stops.

While last season I dabbled in a little Tods & a touch of Melissa the latest Holster collection may just have me exclusively.

Here are my favourites - Triangle Wedge Espadrille in bronze & the Supermodel Jelly in yellow. Perfect beach to street shoes. Love!

In a scary little twist Holster Jelly Sandals can now be procured for kids. Lord save my bank account when little Miss 7 finds out...

Go to Holster for stockists.


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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

'IT' SHOES USED TO BE A SHOO-IN


"THE business that used to be a shoo-in has to find new ways of working."






"FIRST came the Manolos, then the Louboutins followed by the Jimmy Choos. After that, Yves Saint Laurent released the Tribute platform with multi-coloured soles, and It-shoe mayhem broke loose. Strapped into 30cm platforms adorned with dangerous spikes, tribal footwear fringes and fur, our feet became the focus, altogether overpowering jewels, bags and clothes," reports today's Australian.

Queensland shoe authority, Amber Long (of Jean Brown fame) says, "The shoe design industry in Australia is in a serious state of decline, and from my experience this is directly attributable to the rampant level of copycat design offered by Australian chain stores," Long says. "There is a disturbing trend towards a normalisation of copycat design that is seriously undermining the development of the fashion footwear industry in Australia. And for consumers looking for lower-price shoes, options are largely limited to footwear that is copied from international sources."

I am an exceptionally strong advocate for not buying copies and while economics can dictate a shoe-lovers price point; I would much rather buy the original on sale than two copies for the same price.

Read the full article in The Australian.

(Image Credit: Liam Kidston, The Australian)

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Tuesday, November 09, 2010

NEW SEASON YSL WEDGES















New collection YSL Wedges are now in store in the US which means they should hit our shores very soon.

For a sneak peek go to YSL's online shoetique.

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Monday, November 08, 2010

NET-A-PORTER'S PARTY



Time to gear-up for Christmas and what better way to get yourself in the mood than with Net-A-Porter's brand new Party Boutique.

NET-A-PORTER’s Styling Director Vickie Keeble shares the pieces to perfect every party look.

Shop individual pieces or just check out Keeble's outfits section. Love!

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Thursday, November 04, 2010

FASHION MAGAZINES & A SECRET WORTH KILLING FOR...



I’ll admit that back in Gretchenville I dreamed I might one day ride in a real limousine. I never imagined,however, that my new boss would be in the trunk, or that I would be sitting in the back with a fourhundred-year-old murderess …

Self confessed shoe addict & my dear friend Tara Moss has done it again with this new Pandora English series.

Pandora English is no ordinary small town orphan. When she's invited to
live with her mysterious Great-Aunt Celia in New York City, she seizes the
opportunity to escape her stifling hometown, break from her tragic past
and make it as a writer.

Things, however, are not what she is expecting. For starters, her greataunt's
gothic mansion is in a mist-wreathed Manhattan suburb that
doesn't appear on maps. And then there's Celia herself- a former designer
to the stars of Hollywood's Golden Age - who is elegant, unnaturally young
and always wearing a veil.

Pandora lands a job at a fashion magazine and her first assignment is
covering the A-list launch of the latest miracle cream, BloodofYouth. But
something is not right about the product, nor Athanasia, the drop-dead
beautiful face of the brand. It seems there may be a secret ingredient in BloodofYouth, a secret worth killing for...

The gal is on tour with this book & it's in stores now - go forth!

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Wednesday, November 03, 2010

GOSSIP GIRL CELEBRATES WITH SHOE COOKIES


Most of us have indulged in at least one episode of this hit show: Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf is celebrating her birthday this week in the US.

According to PEOPLE Magazine, the Upper East Side's reigning queen bee is celebrating her big day in style – literally.

On tonight's episode of Gossip Girl, Blair (Leighton Meester) will get a very fashionable sweet treat in the form of shoe-shaped cookies by New York City bakery Eleni's.

Anyone that has set foot in the Big Apple knows Eleni's is as famous as Meester herself.

"All of the shoes were designed based upon actual shoes in Blair Waldorf's shoe collection," Margo Spiritus of Eleni's tells PEOPLE.

Want to make the cookies yourself? Go to PEOPLE for the recipe.

(Image Credit: PEOPLE.com)


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