Shoes for Halloween

Halloween is about to arrive once again, and with all the storms and craziness you may be doing some last minute scratching your head for costume ideas.  I’ve always found that I can start with my shoe closet and build a costume from there.  Here are a couple of examples to give you some ideas. 

Ruby Red Slippers: Ok so not everyone has their very own pair of sequined ruby red shoes like I do, but any red pumps will do.  Throw on a pair of blue ankle socks and put them on.  I realize that not everyone has a Dorothy dress in your closet, but a simple dress with an apron over it can work in a pinch.  Add a stuffed dog in any type of basket you may have hanging around the house and you can pass for Dorothy or at least be her cousin! 

Cowboy Boots: Grab a pair of cowboy boots, a pair of jeans, and a western shirt if you have one.  If you don’t have the western shirt wear a t-shirt and a bandanna.  If you prefer you can always go as the sexy cowgirl and dress up the outfit. 

Sneakers: Put on a pair of sneakers, shorts and a t-shirt and go as an Olympic athlete of some sort.  You can grab a tennis racket or write a number on your arm and be a marathon runner. 

Business shoes: Whether you are male or female you can throw on a pair of business shoes and dress up as the opposite sex.  It’s  fun and easy and usually not what people are expecting, although it may require borrowing some clothing from a friend or roommate.  

So what are your ideas for last minute Halloween costumes and what shoes will you wear?

Grace Personified

Maybe as women we love shoes so much because its something that is size neutral; by that I mean we we can wear the coolest, funkiest, sexiest shoes at any weight and still feel good in them.  In fact, an awesome pair of shoes often helps us feel better about ourselves on a bad day. 

But what about those other days, or when the rest of the world creeps into our lives and judges us.  Some people choose to put themselves out there in the public eye, and they expect to get feedback and yes, even judgement, but most of us just put ourselves out in the world through our everyday lives and all we want is approval.  When we put ourselves out in the world each day and we want people to like us, either to like how we look, or what we say, or who we are.  Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't.  Sometimes its someone who bullies us, other times it is an unintentional hurtful statement - but either way, when we don't get approval or acceptance it hurts.  There's no way around it - it just hurts.  Even if you are a public figure - it still takes a toll.  But how you handle it says a lot about the person you are.  This woman, Jennifer Livingston, a news anchor handled a recent situation with grace.  The best way to understand it is to hear about it from her. 

If only we can all have such confidence and self-esteem.  She took a hurt and used it as a chance to help others.  Thank you! The next time I wonder if I am "enough" thin enough, pretty enough, smart enough, or enough of anything in this life, I hope I am strong enough to stop and think of how strong and inspiring this woman was, and that I, like each of us, is enough.
 

Shoes – Complete The Look

Finishing off an outfit can be a guessing game... 

but today's guest post from Claire Hunter 

can help us create a winning look!

When it comes to putting together an outfit, there are many things that can help to finish off the appearance. Accessories, jewellery and bags can all add style and an extra touch of appeal to a look. But shoes are probably the finest way to complete an outfit. Shoes can make or break a look. Choosing the right pair can perfect an appearance but the wrong pair will ruin your outfit. Let’s face it you would not want to waste your time putting together a dress, jacket and bag then add a pair of the wrong shoes. So how do you opt for the right footwear? Well there are many ways in which to do this.

First thing to do is take a look at the colors within your outfit. Matching the color of your look to your shoes is a great way to start. You will then know which shade to choose when searching for your new foot attire.

Next thing to do is choose shoes for the right occasion. So if you have put together a look for a formal gathering then a pair of smart and sophisticated heels will be best. If it is a more casual occasion then perhaps some flat ballet pumps or some sandals would be best.

After this you then need to check what the weather is going to be like. If it is the middle of winter and there is a certain chill in the air then perhaps some boots would be a good choice. For summer time, sandals would be more appropriate.

Take a shopping trip or look online for some inspiration. There are many footwear designers out there with varied selections so there is sure to be a range to suit your tastes. The latest Peter Kaiser shoes collection is full of different styles and looks to choose from, whether you are after smart or casual shoes.

Hopefully this has helped you to decide on a pair of shoes for your chosen outfit. 

Claire Hunter, enjoys writing about everything and anything. Her favourite topic, and one she writes about the most, is fashion but she also likes to write about home wares, gadgets, technology, gift ideas, food and culinary. She hopes you enjoy reading her blog post. 

 

Confessions of a Shoe-a-Holic

 Welcome back to Kat, the guest blogger who shared with 

in a previous post why she is team boot.
If you enjoyed her perspective and writing style in that post, 
 you'll absolutely love this one!

My name is Kat and I'm a shoe-a-holic. There really is no other way to put it, my obsession with shoes has reached the point where my wardrobe strains when I close it and my other half is scared to open the door in-case he’s attacked by a ballet pump avalanche. I have shoes in every color, style and shape; from sandals to sky high heels the list is endless. Today I had a look through my ever expanding collection and separated them into the shoes I wear and the ones I don’t. Only five pairs made it into my ‘everyday’ wear category whilst the ‘never worn but aren’t they pretty?’ pile needed its own room.  I know I’m not alone when it comes to hoarding pairs of shoes so I’ve decided to look at why I do it, is it just because I’m a sucker for well made heel or am I mentally preparing myself for any possible event that I may need footwear for? 

One of the main trends I discovered when raiding my shoe closet is novelty shoes. Point me towards a pair of shoes with a strawberry pattern or a cat face on the front and I will be handing over my bank card quicker than you can say ‘gimmick’. I do have my fair share of comfy shoes like my trusty Lotus Boots, but another common theme is the ankle crunching, blister inducing heel. I have skyscraper heels and towering wedges in almost every color yet when I do wear them I have to pack a spare pair of flats in my bag to inevitably change into after half an hour. 

I’ve decided that from now on my shoe purchasing will be a much more controlled affair, perhaps with stringent comfort and quality checks and multiple trips to the shoe shop. Ah who am I kidding, there’s a pair of 6 inch leopard print wedges with my name on them!

Kat is a full time writer, blogger who loves nothing more than being asked to write about her second passion in life, fashion (her first being shopping!). She is known for her love of Vivienne Westwood  and Lotus Shoes

What To Look For When Buying Mens Shoes

When you hear "shoe shopping" the image that comes to mind is typically

women, but today's guest blogger shares some tips for

 male shoe shoppers who also shop for footwear!

Women could shop for shoes until they drop. But men, generally speaking, are less skillful when it comes to buying footwear. Even though a man’s choice of shoes is usually selected according to his personal taste, there are certain rules about what to look out for.

If you feel that you need pointing in the right direction when it comes to buying male footwear, you may find the following pointers helpful.

One general rule of thumb is to try and choose a pair of shoes that match the shade of the trousers you are going to wear with them, or are a little bit darker. A lighter shoe at the bottom of a pair of darker trousers is generally considered to be a fashion faux pas! Having said this, the rule is not as essential during the summer months, when lighter colored sandals, loafers and desert boots take center stage on the catwalk and high street.

Clarks have a diverse range of light and airy casual shoes, loafers, sandals, canvas boots and desert boots. From pale blue and beige to bright white, this year’s Spring/Summer collection of Clarks mens shoes comes in a variety of colors.

Shinier shoes tend to suit more formal occasions, and look best when worn with a suit or a smart pair of trousers. So, when choosing a pair of new shoes, avoid picking a shiny style if they are going to be worn with jeans or shorts. Stick to loafers, sandals, sneakers or boots instead.

There’s a wide selection of loafers in this season’s Clarks collection, available in a whole range of shades and textiles. Choose ebony suede, sand suede, walnut leather or navy leather for an unusual feel.

When dressing casually – a polo shirt with a pair of chinos or khakis, for example – retro-style shoes provide a relaxed and fashionable feel that’s great for the summer months.

If you’re shopping for a pair of formal shoes, buying footwear that matches accessories – like a belt – will give the outfit an even smarter edge. Less bulky heels and soles will ensure you stay looking sharp. 

This is a guest post by  http://www.kandco.com/ , one of the leading online retailers in the UK. It offers stylish and comfortable clothing and footwear for all the family in a wide range of sizes.

Workwear Mistakes - What Not to Wear

  One challenge many of us face is how to stay stylish in the workplace 

without making mistakes--there are so many possible missteps! 

Today's guest blogger Lisa gives us some great ideas.

What do you think?

When deciding on your wardrobe for the day, there are several things to take into consideration. "The clothes make the man (or woman)" statement may not be as outdated as we may think.

• The first thing to consider is the appropriateness of the outfit to the position. What may be acceptable for a position that is more behind-the-scene type jobs may not be fitting for a receptionist in a law firm. A good rule to follow is to watch how your supervisors dress and follow their lead.

·       

• One of the major workwear mistakes that are made is poor fitting clothing. Whether you are wearing a $50 suit or a $500 suit, it will not look right if the fit is poor. Too tight looks cheap and too big looks frumpy. Muffin tops are a definite no-no.

• Check to make sure that undergarments are not showing. Bra straps that are exposed are not in the least attractive in the work place, not to mention the tops of panties or thongs.

• While it may not be a good idea to underdress for the work place, it can be equally bad to overdress. Cocktail hour dresses do not belong in the office. If you want to be ready for a night on the town right after work, a great little black dress always works. The dress can later be accessorized to make it look a bit more formal.

• Shoes are another tricky topic in the work place. There is nothing wrong with a nice pair of flats and you cannot go wrong with a nice pump and they will fit in with most work places. Strappy sandals are another one of those items that I feel is best left to after hours and don't even consider thong sandals in the office. I have actually heard of some workplaces that do not even allow open toe shoes at all.

• Much of what you wear in the work place will depend on the type of work that you do. Jewelry that is constantly clanging and getting in your way may not be the best option as part of your wardrobe. The same is true of flowing scarves and hair that is constantly hanging in your face. Someone that constantly has to readjust their accessories or hair does not appear to be organized and efficient.

• Fashions are constantly changing and most of the clothes out there are a lot of fun. Bright colors, scarves, bangles and sandals are great fun to wear and should be enjoyed, but depending on where you work, not in the work place.

Lisa is a freelance health, beauty and fashion writer with over five years of experience. She is currently writing on behalf of http://www.aplclothing.co.uk Corporate clothing and work clothes from top brands based in the UK.

 

Meet Poetic Licence Shoes

About a month ago I was shopping with my mom and I came across some gorgeous shoes. These shoes weren't just any shoes, they were beautiful in every single way. They were sparkly, artsy, and extremely poetic. Their style certainly matched their name, Poetic Licence. And yes, the "c" in Licence is correct (they are based in London).

I love these shoes because their details are exquisite and the shoes are just so artsy. Art breathed into shoes creates something truly incredible and lovely. I think these shoes are no exception. Take a look at the pumps I snapped a picture of below and tell me you don't see the same thing I do - that these shoes are simply breathtaking.

Now, the image above is mine, but I'd like to introduce you to some other shoes by Poetic Licence that I came across on the internet and I also think are stunning. You'll have to let me know what you think about all of these gorgeous shoes.

I think these shoes are very retro looking with their bow and beautiful design. Plus - you don't see the color green every day either. I would love to wear these pumps. They are so sweet and would look beautiful with a black dress or even a sweet coral dress.

These pumps are also very unique looking. Even though this isn't my favorite pair, I like how different they are. Their shoes are definitely different looking, which I think sets them a part from other shoe brands. The flower and the pop of orange is just too much fun - this would be a great pair of pumps to wear. They would brighten up a fun outfit during the summer time!

 

I think this pump looks like candy. Matter of fact, it reminds me of the board game "Candy Land." Ever played it? It's fun. But anyway, with the fun orange and pink color - these shoes would be fun to wear with a spring time staple! These shoes make me excited for summer to truly be here.

Poetic Licence also offers sandals and flats, which are equally beautiful. I love this shoe above because it has the perfect amount of detail, and it definitely marries vintage with modern. Just look at the beautiful colors and the cute embellishment - I'm about ready to take these shoes home with me right now!

I look forward to seeing what else Poetic Lincence has to offer. They certainly have gotten my attention with their stunning shoe designs. Expect for me to own a pair of these shoes soon and when I do I will definitely be blogging about it! :)

Scuff Marks

I went to wear a pair of my favorite heels and when I grabbed them I noticed several scuff marks on them I hadn't seen before.  In a rush, I tried to think of my quick tips for scuff mark removal and only a couple came to mind.  Here is what I had:

1. Baking soda - make a paste of baking soda and water and use a soft toothbrush to apply it to the shoe.  Buff it away lightly and those black or grey scuff marks should come off quickly.
2. Magic Eraser - these inventions really are magic!  I use the store brand ones, but you can use the brand name just as easily.  Either way, these white pads remove scuff marks, dirt, pen and almost anything off of most shoes and surfaces.  
3. Nail polish remover - use with caution - but a little amount of non-acetone remover on a q-tip can work well on some shoes.  Just be sure to test it on a small area of the shoe where it can't be seen first ( in case it doesn't react well with the material).

So those were the ones I thought of  ( I used the magic eraser - I keep one under the sink) -but I know there are others.

How do you get rid of scuff marks on your shoes? 

$25 Amazon Giftcard Giveaway

It's been a little while since we ran a giveaway, so I thought we'd kick off the weekend by running something to let our wonderful readers, and hopefully some new friends know we're thinking of them!  Of course we love shoes, but we also love to shop for all kinds of things, so for this giveaway one lucky person will get a $25 Amazon Giftcard.  Good luck to all!