BONDESQUE FLIPPING OUT

I am certainly someone who has carried my Havaianas in my handbag for a long walk home or just some foot back up after a long day in heels.

While this is very sensible, it is not très Chic to have an aerial handbag visual for others to see you fumbling in there attempting to navigate around them.

Enter Flipsters, a new, super slick pair of black thongs that fold up to the size of an average digital camera & slot into a sleek, black, zip-up pouch to keep in even your smallest handbag.

Über small, thanks to their innovative ‘flip, flop, fold’ design, they are set to be THE handbag staple – easily as essential as your lip gloss, Hollywood tape or mobile phone.

And if that’s not enough, included in the Flipsters pouch is a cute (not to mention ingenious) carry strap to attach to your heels and effortlessly take them home when wearing your Flipsters.

The clever design ensures these Bondesque thongs are not one-wear only throwaways. They have a solid, cushioned sole to make your feet extra comfortable and a handy strap at the back so that they won’t slip off.

I’m sold! Grab a pair online @ Flipsters.

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THERE ONCE WAS A LADY WHO BATHED IN HER SHOE...

Only the Italian’s could produce a stiletto lover’s dream tub with such opulence.

Created by Italian-based SICIS Art Mosaic Factory, it is the brainchild of Italian designer Massimiliano Della Monaca, who has ensured it is therapeutically shaped to give your body “a comfortable embrace” & trickles water from above, massaging the shoulders of the user.

The heel measures up to 165cm while the tub extends to 270 cm. Like all things high-end stiletto the bathtub starts at $17,000, of course you can customize it & upgrade to platinum for the handsome sum of $27,000.

Seems the free-standing Villeroy & Boch wasn’t so expensive after all…

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SHOE ADDICT ON FACEBOOK

Shoe Addict Blog Readers Alert: there is now a Fan Page on Facebook.

Become a Fan & get the latest Blog updates at the time of posting! Simply go to Shoe Addict & sign up.

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CHAMPAGNE SALUTE TO WORLD 1ST

The world's first collection of shoes made from glass will be debuted in Los Angeles (where else?) at a champagne reception on January 29.

Designed, engineered and developed by Pasquale Fabrizio, "the cobbler to the stars," the shoes are wearable works of art featuring handcrafted soles, embellishments of Murano glass and 24-carat gold beading.

The inaugural collection of 100 pairs of shoes will appear for the very first time to a select group of media, celebrities, designers and stylists & will showcase the five styles of Q by Pasquale's couture collection of evening shoes. The launch event is hailed to be a celebration of Pasquale's five-year journey to bring this iconic shoe to the forefront of fashion, giving a select few the chance to have their own Cinderella moment.

Fabrizio is a master shoemaker learning the fine art of shoemaking through his family's business, which has been making shoes for nearly 50 years & has built his reputation through re-crafting shoes for Madonna, Angelina Jolie and Sarah Jessica Parker, among countless other celebrities.

For more on the Q shoe go to Q by Pasquale

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NO, NO, NO, NO MO’NIQUE!

American actress Mo'Nique has gone one step further than chipped toenail polish with her leg fashion crime on the red carpet at yesterday’s Golden Globes when she raised her gorgeous Grecian gown to revealed her unshaven legs.

She was snapped lifting up her skirt & showing off her hairy legs as she made her way to the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Being a staunch advocate for not ruining a stunning set of heels with chipped toenail polish & unkempt heals, I find this enormously mortifying.

In addition to taking home a Golden Globe for best supporting actress for her dramatic role as an abusive mother in the movie Precious: Based on the novel 'Push', by Sapphire, Mo’Nique wins skankiest celeb on the red carpet hands down.

(Image Credit: Getty)

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MARRIAGE MADE IN HELL

I’m not even sure where to start with this nonsense.

For some outlandish reason luxury brand Jimmy Choo & UGG Australia are to create a range of women's sheepskin footwear.

While Australian’s should be backing this collaboration in theory, anyone with any fashion sense is scratching their head.

Media information labels UGG ‘iconic bootmakers’ & jubilantly touts the new collection will be available in October & based on the UGG Australia construction with design details of the Jimmy Choo brand.

Über Chic Choo wearers will undoubtedly be mortified.

Tamara Mellon, Jimmy Choo's president, said: "Other than Jimmy Choo, UGG Australia is the only other footwear I have in my wardrobe. We are delighted to have created a special capsule that captures the best of both brands - the legendary comfort of UGG with the spirit of Jimmy Choo."

Connie X. Rishwain, president of UGG Australia, added: "We are thrilled to be able to offer the Jimmy Choo & UGG customers a unique collection of boots that we believe our customers will covet." Of course they will! This may be fabulous news for Kate Moss & Pamela Anderson but outside of that, caravan parks around the world have a new sovereign.

The collection - which will be available in five styles and multiple colour options - will be sold on each brand's websites, a selection of department stores and Jimmy Choo shops.

Please spare us in Australia & don’t ship them to Sydney!

(Image Credit: Rex Features/ Sarah Lee)

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CRUISING IN HEELS

Nothing has sparked an International media frenzy quite like little Suri Cruise’s love of heels.

Dressing up in ‘mummy’s’ high heels & tottering around the house in shoes three or four sizes too big is almost a rite of passage for little girls, but donning a multitude of heels in various colours & styles is a little different. For a three year old that is.

Suri, daughter of Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes who will be four next April, has been spotted on numerous occasions with her mother wearing stack-heeled, T-bar shoes, with peep-toes.

Holmes has already responded to criticism from parenting groups, by telling Access Hollywood that the heels were not doing Suri any harm.

“They are actually ballroom dancing shoes for kids. I found them for her and she loves them,” she said.

A delicate subject, obviously, given the media meltdown both online & in print. My personal opinion, they grow up too quickly already, preserve their innocence & their feet while you can.

(Image Credit: BIGPICTURESPHOTO.COM)

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SABA’S GOT A GUNN

Australian women’s footwear label Tom Gunn will bring their luxury designs to respected retailer SABA, collaborating on a unique colour palette for their Autumn Winter 2010 collection.

Following their signature style of contrasting textures throughout the designs, the seven-piece Tom Gunn for SABA collaboration features a mixture of exotic python skins and Italian nappa, kid and patent leathers in heels, flats and boots, with a polished palette of ruby, ink, chocolate, nude and black.

This is the first alliance for the duo with the collection featuring selected designs from the signature Autumn Winter 2010 collection in colours exclusive to SABA, and will be available in select stores in Sydney and Melbourne.

Tom Gunn co-designer Gabrielle Thompson said they were thrilled to have received the opportunity to work with SABA on their first collaboration.

“Like ourselves, SABA is an Australian company dedicated to providing unique and quality pieces to the discerning female consumer and we feel extremely privileged to be affiliated with them for their first ever designer shoe collaboration,” Thompson said.

“With Tom Gunn for SABA, we hope to bring our sophisticated yet edgy style to SABA’s fashion savvy clientele with this bold yet classically elegant collection – perfect pieces to wear for all occasions, whether it be to work, on weekends, or for a fabulous night out,” she said.

Sadly it looks like those in Queensland miss out to our Southern sisters, but I shall keep you posted.

Tom Gunn’s new season stand alone range (pictured) can be found @ Jean Brown stores in Brisbane.

Tom Gunn for SABA will be available from February, with designs retailing from $499 to $899, for more information go to Tom Gunn

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HOOF IT

It seems Designer Land has been a little fixated on the animal kingdom & no muse has been more curious than the hoof.

From known designers like Alexander McQueen who was inspired by the notion of Darwin’s The Origin of the Species (above), covered in ‘Is Ugly The New Hot,’ to these anonymously freaky Deer hoof boots that exactly replicate those of the animal, it seems everyone was in on this fashion action.

For an amusing take on this trend go to: A Closer Look At The Hoof Shoe Trend: 5 Fashionable Or Freaky Hooves.

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HEELS BETTER THAN RUNNING SHOES

Halleluiah. While I may not have delved into actual research I have been touting this verity year. Wearing heels is easier on your knees that running!

Being a runner & a heel wearing disciple you only have to pound the pavement in both to observe this actuality.

In a study of healthy young runners published in PM&R: The Journal of Injury, Function and Rehabilitation, researchers found that running in the shoes can put more stress on the knee, hip and ankle joints than running barefoot.

It was even harder on the knees than walking in high heels, they noted.

And the findings may have special meaning to many wearers of high heels whom have listened to ‘experts’ for years ballyhooing the unhealthy merits of stilts.

Walking in high heels is easier on your knees and ankles than jogging in running shoes, researchers report, and bare feet might be best.

In the study 68 young adult runners, 37 of them women, were given running shoes, and their jogging was observed. The shoes protected the runners' feet well, but they also put excessive strain on hip, knee and ankle joints. Knee-joint twisting was about 38 percent higher than running barefoot.

So there you have it, vindication.

While I do not advocate lack of exercise nor do I promote actually running in heels, we all know there are moments when this activity is deemed necessary - particularly if you intend participating in the Annual Stiletto Race in your Country.

Amusingly, WikiHow has published a step-by-step guide to running in heels. To read, click here.

(Image Credit: Clemens Bilan/Getty Images)

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EAT YOUR HEART OUR CINDERELLA!

The remarkable footwear concepts of Andreia Chaves are architectural masterpieces, both imaginative and mathematic.

Raised in the busy metropolis of Sao Paulo, Brazil – Chaves understands that beauty can be found in chaos, a concept that reveals itself in her footwear designs. While studying form, texture and visual effects in Florence, Italy, Chaves created a range of wildly geometric shoes from unconventional materials.

The glass slipper like ‘Invisible Shoe’ (above), is an asymmetrically mirrored low-cut boot, reflecting its environment and making the surroundings part of your wardrobe. The rest of Andreia Chaves’ work is just as interesting, a collection of footwear concepts truly on the cutting edge of fashion.

She explains this in her own words, "The fact that I grew up in a chaotic city like Sao Paulo, full of contrasts, being in contact with such diversity and constant exposure to different visual inputs, has inspired me in how I think and conceptualize my shoes. Looking at my work, I can clearly see influence coming from my South American sense of versatility. Also in the mix - what I have been experiencing in Europe."

There is no doubt we will see extraordinary things from Chaves in the future.

(via Yatzer)

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THE MARATHON THAT IS WAIKELE

SE has well and truly set in. It begins with a short sharp burst of pain rejecting the notion of baring the weight of yet another gleefully overfilled designer bag and ends in a constant thudding ache. I’m fairly certain in other parts of the world this affliction goes under the guise of RSI and I suspect Repetitive Strain Injury seems way more substantial and far less frivolous but the reality is; I have Shoppers Elbow.

We are on Day Three of our Hawaiian procurement and today is serious. This is the endurance event of the shopping week, the other Hawaiian Marathon if you will?

Having done the Waikele junket many times I am pleased to hear of the new shuttle service being provided by Chelsea Premium Outlets for only $5 each way. It has always baffled me that hordes of tourists visit this gargantuan assemblage of great quality outlets annually only to pay a premium getting there in the first place. In years gone by I have traveled there by the Trolley (an outdoor tram like bus, that takes 40 minutes to get there and stops a maddening number of times along the way) for $25 p/p each way, by limo (expensive but fun) at approx $100 return and by hire car (handy for frequent trips to the boot with loot but off-putting to arrive back to scars of screwdriver intrusion in the door locks) approx $50 for the day + insurance and replacement ‘gas.’

Post missing the shuttle out to Waikele because the Concierge gave us the wrong bus stop location (convinced it was his fault and not mine), we negotiate with Warren, a good humoured Japanese American that we learn on our trip out has eight cars in his fleet that he either runs as limos or taxis pending available work. We negotiated him down to $45 from the usual $60 taxi rate and travel in the comfort of an LTD. Warren enlightens us on many historical tales throughout the brisk 25 minute journey and we take his card with the intention of negotiating a trip to the Northshore later in the week.

The pieces of advice that will be most valuable to you upon reaching Waikele are:

• Book the shuttle back the minute you arrive for the trip home. You may need to bring the time forward or push it back but at least you have a booking.
• If you can avoid it, don’t go to the Outlets on a Saturday or Sunday. Monday is a great day to go because new stock is unpacked to replenish what went over the weekend.
• Get your hands on a coupon book from the Information Booth before you part with any cash. Extra discounts won’t always apply but it’s worth asking for an additional 25% off!

My modus operandi is hit the store you think you will buy the most from first, that way if you don’t get the items you thought you would there you don’t have to backtrack to other stores later. In my case it is True Religion. I’m not sure how many others in Australia are converts of True Religion but oh dear. These jeans live up to their namesake. You can expect to pay around $350 upwards pending style and embellishments in Australia. At the Outlet store, from $79.00. Happily snapping up 4 pairs next is Armani Exchange where we get a great assortment of summer tops and some cute jackets, along with some nice smart casual tops for the fellas.

These two stores saw us with a decent collection within the first hour. Michael Kors is always a pleasure and the price of handbags from small clutches to large over-the-shoulder numbers is unbelievable. Small clutches and handbags from $69 to large totes starting at $119, not to mention the additional 25% off you receive for spending $200. Not hard to spend a pretty penny in here, but remember these items are bulky and will have to fit in your suitcase or carry-on.

If you’re smart and can sweet talk the girls behind the counter they may allow you to leave those purchases plus your first two store purchases with them for a few hours.

This frees you up to go absolutely rampant in Saks 5th Avenue, which once you see the vast array on offer – you will. Rows and rows of shoes from Manolos, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Coach, Juicy Couture and Stuart Weitzman. Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo were on average $250USD with Coach and Juicy Couture from around $70USD. Mens Hugo Boss and Boss shoes from a crazy $130USD, where you will pay approximately $550 in Boss Stores in Australia when not on sale. Sunglasses are another big winner at Saks with labels like; Fendi, Gucci, Dior and Prada from around $60USD.

With the full knowledge there is no way we can carry what is still sitting at Michael Kors as well as what we have just bought, we slink past the store and have a swift browse in Coach before entering Ralph Lauren.

Ralph Lauren is one of those stores at the Outlets that you just never know what you’re going to get; as such you need to be open minded about it. Some years when I visit the guys hit the jackpot, others it’s the girls. This year, thank goodness, it’s the gal’s year.

Polo team polo shirts and shirt dresses from a ridiculous $27USD, a gorgeous Ralph Lauren Black Label satin wrap around ruffle dress shirt for $39USD and loads of little kid’s cutes dresses, polos and skirts. The entire family was clothed with this visit; 19 items for $524USD. Insane stuff!

Beginning to notice our somnolent state we formulate the plan for the last hour and execute it with exactitude.

Struggling to carry the bags we’ve reflexively obtained we disembark at Michael Kors to bring together the entire days haul. Whether out of embarrassment or pure necessity I am unsure, we consolidate, triple bag and discard any superfluous packaging. Still drawing attention from passersby as we make our way to the shuttle and that’s when the SE strikes its final malicious blow. Over the shoulder the bags go!

As we trudge onto the shuttle with 14 Japanese tourists who seem to be afraid they will miss out despite allocated seating, we realize the shuttle out and a car back would have been a good deal smarter.

Arriving back at the Hotel we lumber to the room with great effort. We unpack the bare minimum and head out for a well deserved dinner and a drink.

Limping into the Sunset Bar the barman smiles courteously and shows us to our table, “so you did the marathon?”

Oh yes, we certainly did.

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JIMMY, MANOLO OR LOVE?

Whether they are a pair of Manolo Blahnik’s, Jimmy Choos, or just an ordinary pair of high street shoes, more than 92 per cent of women could remember the first shoes they bought with their own money, according to an article published in the UK’s Telegraph.

Amusingly less than two in three recalled the name of the person they first kissed, a survey found.

An overwhelming 96 per cent of women said they regretted having thrown away a pair of shoes, while only 15 per cent felt sorry at dumping a boyfriend.

More than 1,000 women were questioned about their feelings towards their footwear and what they could remember about their shoes compared to their relationship memories.

Experts said the reasons behind women’s fondness for footwear were down to their shoe buying habits.

Many women buy a new pair of shoes for a special occasion, like a wedding, birthday or special party.

And much to their partner's annoyance, many women hang on to old shoes, building up a sizeable collection by middle age, even if many go unworn most of the time.

The survey was carried out for an organization that sells innovative shoe storage solutions.

Glendon Lloyd, director of website tszuji.co.uk, which commissioned the survey, said: "These results show that women are even more attached to their footwear than previously thought.

Huh? Where has this guy been hiding? I would like to know what man has the misguided perception that women aren’t fervently attached to their footwear? Every man I know is aware of this fact.

"People always think of women storing old love letters in a shoebox, but in many cases, the shoes themselves are even more precious."

"Women treat shoes like best friends. And it seems their footwear memories last longer than those of their past lovers.

Apparently previous research has shown that the average woman has 19 pairs of shoes but only wears four pairs regularly and one quarter of the average woman's shoes have only been worn once.

One in six women has more than 30 pairs of shoes in their closets, while a third have trouble finding the room to store them all.

On average, women purchase four pairs of shoes per year. Clearly, I am not your average woman...

(Image Credit: jimmychoo.com)

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HAWAIIAN FIRST DAY FRENZY

I’m sure there are many things one should do subsequent to a miniscule 3 ½ hours sleep but I am fairly certain shopping in a sale Mecca is not one of them.

After a stellar flight to Honolulu via JetStar’s Star Class (no significant difference from Qantas Business, I should also point out that despite two JetStar plugs in two days I am not being paid to promote the airline). My friend and I are primed and geared up for a full day of shopping post touchdown. We discussed and agreed on a strategy and were both equally committed to fulfilling it. Hotel check-in, shower, power-change, Ala Moana Shopping Mall.

With all that is happening on Ohau at this moment; Mick Fanning announced the victor (surfing on the North Shore in twelve to fifteen meter waves) and every conceivable human being in Honolulu seemingly cramming last minute training in for tomorrow’s Marathon, who could be tired? How could we not be up for the challenge? We’ve been training for this since January.

The ever hospitable Hilton Hawaiian Village Ali’i Tower accommodated us with our room nice and early at 8.30am, clearly a sign that our well laid out plan had an obligation to be executed. We emerge face washed, showered and in comfortable (but Chic) shoes twenty minutes later and set out for our target.

Some may think that after stomping these pavements for ten years they would begin to lose their gloss - be less attractive and look a little tired. Not so. With all their Festive cheer and welcoming stalkers (aka shop assistants on commission) they are a tired travelers Nirvana.

Neiman Marcus shoe sale was a bit of a fizzer but we were rewarded post disappointment with a fairly spectacular sale at Gucci; $183 for patent purple ballet flats and $229 for beige monogram stamped platform pumps – thank you shoe Gods! Yep, tiredness unquestionably dissipated for now.

Enter the beat box heaving Juicy Couture where we both pick up a hip decent sized handbag and a pair of ballet flats each for an infinitesimal $209. Crazy.

After losing ourselves in the gargantuan Victoria’s Secret boutique for quite some time we hoped to materialize like the angels we felt like in the change room. Sadly, the queue for the cashier left us feeling a little more like we’d just left the sample bag pavilion at the Ekka, notwithstanding the great bargains.

The hallowed hall of Jimmy Choo left us breathless with new stock and sale items alike. Herein lays another great contributor to the Hawaiian shopping whirl. New stock is actually very reasonably priced in comparison to our retail cost in Australia. A divine animal print and metallic clutch seen in Sydney’s Boutique for over a thousand dollars was originally priced at $795, a cost saving regardless with our dollar where it is right now. Queue loud cheers of delight, 50% off! A further two pairs of Jimmy Choos for under $250 each are bestowed upon us.

Keen to spread the love and ever grateful to Rose at Jimmy Choo for holding our already substantial shopping bags for two hours, we have a little flutter at 7 – For All Mankind. The flutter breaks into a bolt when there are a dozen varietals of 7’s cult jeans on sale for $109 per pair. Let’s just say 7 may have collected, particularly when for spending an extra $24 one can get a further $100 off the total...

Armani Exchange provided its usual afternoon delight of great belts, tops, t-shirts and dress shirts, an excellent combination of personal purchases and gifts. Our last dalliance at Dior for the day won’t be discussed too heavily as there may be a Christmas gift involved. What I will say is that up to 60% off was a wonderful treat!

Six hours of power shopping and significant sums of cash dished out, the sudden awareness we had only circumnavigated the ground floor of Ala Moana hits us and a decision is made to go home, regroup, stocktake and calculate the financial damage. We can do the upper level tomorrow.

We’ve certainly spent enough for today. Delighted customers with seventeen shopping bags combined, we taxi back to the Hotel. The spending for the day is over.

Right after we grab that bottle of Moët from the ABC Store for $43 to celebrate.

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SEX ROUND 2

Impossible not to love the very first sneak peak of Sex & the City's 2nd round promo poster. Love!

The gals don't reach our screens until May 2010, but this is certainly reason to look forward to it. Thanks Sassi Sam for sharing it with us!

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DESTINATION HAWAII, HONOLULU

Seems like a perfect time to re-post Tracey's article in August's Jetstar Magazine. Flying Jetstar's Star Class on Saturday - will keep you posted:




Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is one of the world’s most exotic cities. Encapsulating a modern vitality with the delightful charm of old Hawaiian, it reverberates with Aloha, the spirit of welcome.

MUST EATS:
Tony Roma’s – A Place For Ribs, for a casual lunch or dinner of ribs, seafood and steak. I recommend the baby back ribs with half an onion loaf to start. Not healthy, but a must try!

BEST NIGHT OUT:
Walking through Waikiki at night, wandering in and out of the Boutiques (especially during sale time @ Christmas), followed by shopping at the International Market Place. Be sure to stop at the Yard House on Waikiki Beach Walk for a drink.

MUST BUY (Money no object!):
A bottle of Moët at 2am for US$35 (AUD$43.50) at Hawaii’s 24 hour convenience stores called ABC – just because you can!

INSIDERS TIP:
Waikele Premium Outlets is a must-do day trip, about 25 minutes’ drive from Waikiki. You’ll find great American brands such as; Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger as well as imports. Purchase a voucher book for US$5 (AU$6.20) and it will save you lots of money.

BEST IDEA FOR A FAMILY OUTING:
Hire a car and drive around Oahu island. The winter waves at North Shore are incredible and you may get to see a pro surfer or two? The shrimp vans at the side of the ring road are excellent lunch stops.

I LOVE HONOLULU BECAUSE:
It’s relaxed, casual and laid back, with some great bargains to be had. There’s something remarkable about sky-high palm trees, white sandy beaches and the Waikiki sunset.

Go to Jestar Magazine

(Image of Tracey published in Jetstar Mag by Michael Greves)

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THE PACKING QUANDARY

Perusing the sparsely laid out clothes I have fastidiously fashioned around my suitcase, I speculate whether five pairs of stilettos is five pairs too many for my Hawaiian getaway?

In a land where the bare foot and a Muumuu are considered acceptable attire (along with the haul I intend to lug from Neiman Marcus on day one), I may need to rethink the contents of my luggage.

Rationalizing that weather permitting and while not in stores burrowing through pre Christmas sales, I will spend the majority of my time by the pool or in a beach-like state, I may need give my inner nervous self a good wake up slap and do what I always say I will do. Pack the absolute bare minimum. The problem occurs when defining what the absolute bare minimum is.

It seems irrelevant that countless people remind me throughout my packing assignment that I am staying at a tropical island resort where I will only need bikinis and some kind of beach wrap. In addition, Hawaiian sales will be a glorious up to 75% off and I’ll be amongst them within two hours of landing. I know I will still pack way too many clothes and shoes.

The fact eighty percent of my suitcase contents becomes redundant the minute I land at the airport seems to matter little, except for the moment I am trying to jostle it back into the case to depart along with countless other items I have purchase throughout the week.

The most ridiculous part of this equation is that after I cull my dress shoe cartage to the bare minimum; one pair of wedges and one pair of stilettos, I realize that by day five I probably won’t have worn either. That is not to say I won’t have had the chance, I have no doubt I will have been to at least two different fine dining restaurants by this stage. I just won’t be bothered getting too dressed up, choosing to opt for the more casual alternative.

Somehow, I disregard this actuality and the sentiment of ‘Hawaiian Time,’ an all-encompassing attitude that covers everything from what you do, when you do it and the manner in which you execute it.

For those who haven’t had the pleasure of having Aloha purred at them the minute the tarmac presents itself this may be an odd notion. I also know that it’s a certainty that once I’ve inadvertently procure some Gucci what I have in my luggage is inconsequential.

I’m not quite sure what it is about new shoes that compel one to wear them immediately if not sooner but I know this does and will happen.

Oh well, with any luck I’ll send this baby into stowage with the absolute minimum – whatever that turns out to be…

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NOT SO BLACK FRIDAY

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 this year marking my tenth. A special anniversary of sorts.

Albeit a little later than usual, the insider Blog to pre Christmas sales in Hawaii will be posted from December 12th.

(Image Credit: Wikipedia - Black Friday Shoppers 2009)

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BUNIONS FOR VICKI B

Ah the joys of fame. This week the UK’s Daily Mail showcased Victoria Beckham’s bunions. Fabulous. Just the sort of media one would swell with pride over having recently announced adding shoes to your design stable.

The increasingly Chic Mrs B has certainly made heels her trademark, whether in a bid to up the glamour or merely increase her height I’m not sure.

The Daily Mail reports that ‘years of wearing six-inch stilettos have taken their painful toll on Victoria Beckham - she is facing surgery to remove her bunions.

Style may be everything for Posh, but she is in such agony that friends have revealed she is being forced to put ice on her feet and do daily exercises in a desperate bid to avoid having the bunionectomy operations advised by her doctors.'

VB has apparently said the pain is affecting her perfect posture. A ‘friend’ has told the Mail: 'The Beckham household is all about feet at the moment: David is having painkilling injections for bone bruising on his foot, while Victoria is in agony with her misshapen feet. She is suffering from shooting pain from the bunions. Normally, she kicks off her shoes in the house, but she has been out so much recently in high heels that she is really feeling it.'

All the while she continues to insist she will not resort to flat shoes.
'I beyond hate ballerina flats,' she says. 'I can't walk in them. Unless they're on a ballet dancer doing ballet, I just don't get it. I love heels.'

I love heels to Vicki B but seriously, do you really need 15cm YSL stilettos at the park? Me thinks not.

To see the garish gallery of VB’s bunions go to the Daily Mail, I refuse to post them here.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR BLAHNIK!

Here's to the ultimate shoe man, happy birthday to Manolo Blahnik who turns 67 today!

May he continue to live his fabulous life for many many years to come...




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ABS SEES STILETTOS SKY-HIGH

While most of us love the objet d’art of the stiletto, rarely do we think about the technology of its design. Here is some food for thought:

The technical must-haves for designing a stiletto have reached new heights as we are hear terminology like ABS, something most of us know to be the braking system in our car.

As heels reach 15 and 16 centremeters there has never been a greater emphasis on strength and endurance - of both the heel and the shank. Many give the credit for that stronger heel to ABS, or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, a polymer developed by a U.S. government team working on synthetic rubber after World War II.

The material is used by many infamous designers, including Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik, a pioneer in the contemporary shoe designer pantheon, although Blahnik draws the line at 15 centremeter heels. “115 is the highest heel to walk properly and comfortably,” the British-based designer said. “You have grace and femininity.”

Blahnik’s heels, which he likes to describe as “spindly,” have a central steel rod surrounded by ABS plastic and a polyurethane tip at the bottom. And to attach them firmly to the shoe, artisans in his factories position five nails, each one at a 7-degree angle and about 8 millimeters apart. Such intimate knowledge of construction and architecture helps, a little, to justify the price point of Manolos.

While many shoe designers now employ architectural programs like CAD to assist with the design stage, Blahnik is a traditionalist, using a compass, a ruler, his eyes and hands.

Long live the traditionalist!

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A TOAD OF AN IDEA

You have to applaud the ingenuity but I’m not sure I want to wear one of Australia’s biggest pests on my feet.

Melbournian Karine Emanouel has created these four-inch heels from cane toad leather & says there are six skins in each pair. The line will apparently be launched next week & will be available to buy online @ karineemanouel.com.au for $540 a pair.

While Crocodile skin & calf leather have a je ne sais quoi coveted by some I’m not convinced cane toad skin will carry the same magnetism.

Read the full story in the Sunday Mail.

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QUEENSLAND'S MOST STYLISH

Very humbling & a lovely nod to Queensland & our style set. Many thanks to Kellie Alderman, Sunday Mail Fashion Editor, & her esteemed judges for including me in this inaugural list of style icons. I feel honoured to be in the company of such an impressive list of people.

TRACEY GILLINDER
Associate Director, HBO+EMTB
An obsession for shoes (from Christian Louboutin heels right down to her Holster Jelly sandals) is soon to be the subject of her debut novel, but it's the well-cut suits that this style-savvy mum really lusts after.

STYLE transcends age, gender and social groups and, while it might be a distant cousin to fashion, it is much more about your connection to the clothes you wear than whose name is written on the label.

Welcome to The Sunday Mail's first-ever list of our style icons. We enlisted a panel of fashion industry aficionados to decide who our most stylish Queenslanders are. The judges are: Damien Woolnough, Suzi Vaughn, Kellie Alderman, Jodie Bache-McLean and Leigh Buchanan.

This list recognises men and women who have great personal style – defined as someone who expresses something individual about themselves through what they wear.

It's also about carrying off something unexpected – like the 24-year-old city corporate finance analyst who regularly mixes bow ties and retro glasses with shorts and makes it work.

There is also the 58-year-old gorgeous grandma who has more than 200 pairs of stockings.

We have included some of Queensland's best-known names, such as pop starlets The Veronicas and former Queensland schoolgirl turned celebrity model Miranda Kerr.

Judge Damien Woolnough said Kerr had "the goods and the perfect accessory in Orlando Bloom – he goes with everything".

There couldn't be a 50 Most Stylish list without a few inclusions from the world of fashion in Brisbane.

From stylists to retailers, designers and models, they have all done something the rest of us aspire to – combined their passion with their jobs. What could be more stylish than the contentment that comes with that?

There is indisputable proof that Queensland has an abundance of style. So much so, that we originally had the luxury of selecting from a list of 100 most stylish.

Read the article online in the Sunday Mail or go to the Gallery for the 50 most stylish images.

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MAKE YOUR OWN... SHOE..?

In the world of MYO who would have thought the day would arrive where you could make your own shoe…?

Shoes of Prey creates bespoke women's shoes, designed by you. Instead of choosing your pizza base or you noodle, as in the fast food MYO; choose the heel, toe, fabric, colour and embellishments.

This site promises their “expert craftsmen then make your shoes to measure, swaddle them in a soft dust bag and crisp new box, and ship them straight to your waiting feet”. These clever Jimmy Choo replicas can be customized by the individual from AUD $300.

What will the shoe Gods think of next?

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IS UGLY THE NEW HOT..?

I’m open to design finesse and creative expression. I dig off-the-wall, outside the box and edgy. I spent years studying interior design for Christ’s sake, my middle name is edgy!

Taking fashion risks is how unknown fashionistas become icons. Think Jackie O, Twiggy and our more modern day muses; Kate Moss or the styling of Patricia Field for The Devil Wears Prada or Sex & The City. The outrageous is precisely how women of fashion befall recognition and if they are tremendously lucky, become elevated to fashion royalty.

Where might Liz Hurley be today if it weren’t for that Versace safety pin dress she nearly wore while gloriously decorating Hugh Grant’s suit?

Are there times when designers have gone too far? I’m with the whole push the boundaries and make the press talk public relations stunt but when the latest collections from fashion houses hit my laptop I was left wondering who was going to wear these things beyond the catwalk?

Has ugly become the new hot?

Overtly chunky heels with almost orthodic like strapping have been pushing the boundaries of attractive for the last few seasons. Despite their somewhat medicinal appearance women clambered to get their hands on the much yearned for Chloe or Stella McCartney versions.

The ankle boot has been beaten to death by every design house from Bottega Veneta to Christian Louboutin and we’ve come out the other end with some specimens of boot resembling the paraffin wax dip we had at our last pedicure.

Animal prints have been climbing all over our bodies and clinging for dear life to our feet for longer than most of us are prepared to admit and then Marc Jacobs added the exclamation mark with horns to the toes of last season’s cow hide ballet flats. An interpretation I found entertaining until security at the airport told me I couldn’t wear them on a Qantas flight I was preparing to board. I must admit, this is the first time my shoes have been classified as lethal weapons!

Enter Balenciaga last season with what I like to call Yeti Chic. If you are curious to see what happens when an Ugg and an ankle boot reproduce you have your answer right here. It is at this point I assume that trying to get Pamela Anderson into some heels as an alternative to her Uggs may be the inspiration behind these? In their defense, I can imagine Mary-Kate Olsen or Kate Moss trudging through New York or Notting Hill respectively donning a pair.

I can only assume the Gridiron WAGS would be the clients of note for Balenciaga’s second fascinating offering last season, with its gridiron uniform likeness, these were available in contrasting black and white or the ever striking primary colours. Was this a mercy design encouraging husbands to become interested in what women are wearing or did somebody get drunk during the USA’s Monday night football and presuppose this would be amusing?

Alexander McQueen was inspired by the notion of Darwin’s The Origin of the Species and these little gems (pictured) were the result. While I completely understand the creative journey and use of amphibian and prehistoric references… paaahlease! I am not wearing twelve inch ankle boots that resemble animal hooves, with or without the bling.

When canvassing the male population on their thoughts concerning the most desirable shoes it is fairly unanimous that orthodic, overly chunky platforms are not sexy, no matter how much they are embellished with jewels, ribbons or butterflies. Evidently, I find by scrutinizing some of the most stylish feet around town, our motivation is not to appeal to the men. Undoubtedly we are looking to appeal to our fellow shoe constituents.

Sassy interpretations of these chunkier trends can be seen in McQueen’s current season stacked platform heart peep, YSL’s platform pump and Prada’s Satin Sandal, all sure to demand a second glance from any passer by. A little bit of ugly (directional, to use the language of our beloved designer folk) can be a good thing. It creates interest and defines us outside the horde, which is precisely why we seek out these must-haves in the first place.

Building a shoe wardrobe can be tricky and if thinking long term investment, wise selection is a must. Too directional and the wearer will be vilified next season for inappropriately repeat offending. Select shrewdly and they can be slipped into the next few seasons virtually unnoticed in their repetition. Sure, they may have to sit a season out but most of the good ones do.

It can be done. We can all learn to introduce a touch of ugly into our wardrobe, as long as it’s done appropriately.

That being said, the only surefire way to get noticed by the fash-pack is to jump into that LBD, sling a Chloe Victoria shoulder bag over that arm and slip on some animal-hoof-chic. Hey, it worked for Liz!

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LIFE IMITATES ART FOR IMELDA

Australian Blogger Matthew Jordon, Imelda – The Despotic Queen of Shoes, will be immortalized by Brisbane based luxury retailer Jean Brown later this month when they present the Imeldific exhibit.

Now for those who are not as savvy in the online world, I do not consider myself a ‘Blogger’, I consider myself someone who writes & publishes some musings on a Blog. The delightful Jordon is the absolute opposite, a dedicated career blogger traveling the world to très chic runway shows & fashion happenings to report on all things shoes.

If you aren’t already following his blog, get your despot on & go to Imelda. If you are one of the lucky few, I’ll see you @ Jean Brown for the launch of this exciting collaboration!

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217 PAIRS FOR ST LOUIS SHOEADDICT

Women get so much press for their addiction or obsession with shoes, it is delightful to see the blokes getting in on the act.

Turner Seline, of Tower Grove East (USA), loves shoes so much he uses an entire bedroom in his 3 bedroom St Louis apartment to house his collection.

Seline, 25, became enamored with basketball shoes in high school and has since graduated to own a range of colourful kicks in bright hues of orange, turquoise, yellows and blues to luxury Salvatore Ferragamo footwear.

"I just get this feeling when I see a shoe that I just gotta have, and I just know it," Seline said. I imagine that feeling happens a lot given he works @ Nordstrom's men's shoes department as an assistant manager…

Read the entire article @ St Louis Today.

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