The Shoe is Where the Fun Is

I'm helping with an executive meeting this week and needed to keep my wardrobe relatively tame and professional. I'm lucky that that we aren't business professional (i.e., suits only) or else it would make dressing creatively much more challenging.

So I chose a navy ruffly top, a black cardigan and black pants for today (I am a believer in navy and black going together just fine). But to keep things interesting, I dusted off a pair of fun shoes for the day.

What I like about these shoes:

• Professional silhouette/shape (2.5 inch heels, closed toe... pretty much a classic pump shape-wise)
• Funky design (if you can't tell from the iPhone photos, they're navy, light blue and light aqua)
• A price I couldn't turn down (these were a Goodwill find - $4 I think)
  

And there you have it: A fun but appropriate shoe is a great way to de-boring-ize work look.

What are your go-to "fun" shoes?

Katy

p.s. I can't wait to take my friend Erica out on one of her first real thrifting excursions. Save the date (first full weekend in January), bb. You're about to be converted!

Oh, and BTW, for you Atlanta fancy handbag mavens... this is a pretty sweet deal:

Brahmin (New England-based, quality handbag company) will be supporting the Make-A-Wish foundation this year by hosting a holiday shopping day at their Lenox Mall store. This Friday, December 10th from 10:00 am-10:00 pm shoppers can stop by the Brahmin handbag store at Lenox Mall to purchase $5.00 donation coupons to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Atlanta. For every $5.00 donation, customers will receive a 20% discount off any full priced item in the Brahmin store. (Caveat: discount can only be used that day.)

Love Maegan Inspired Shoes

Gals, you must read Love Maegan. She's a fabulous, stylish, glamorous blogger from LA with a great mixed modern and vintage sensibility. Thanks to a tip from Mb, Love Maegan has been a

daily read for the past two-ish years.

Anyway, Maegan has most excellent taste in shoes. Not only are her shoe picks mega-stylish, I can tell she picks durable shoes to fill her closet. Did I mention I would love to raid that closet?

Being the thrifty gal I am, I occasionally crawl the offerings of eBay for the shoe brands I see on Maegan's blog. Some of her faves are:

• Miu Mui
• Pour la Victoire
• Boutique 9
• Calvin Klein
• Guess
• L.A.M.B.

I know a nice shoe can be a good investment — but as almost a rule — I will spend about $50 max on a pair of shoes.

A few weeks ago, I scored the jackpot!

Two pairs of Boutique 9 shoes (new) for $20.99 each plus $10 shipping:

Boutique 9 "Dalia" wedges (blue suede with a suede heel). Original retail: $148 ($20.99 plus $10 shipping from eBay vendor edubbsthename007. I think I'm in love!

Boutique 9 Pippa Sandals ($20.99 plus $10 shipping from eBay vendor shoe-discount-warehouse).

Score!

I Asked... and You Sent Me... Summer Shoes! (Audience Participation Friday)

Warning! You are leaving the typical <$50 zone! Earlier this week, I asked you all to send me pictures of your favorite new and/or summer shoes for Audience Participation Friday. And you sent me some great ones!

Here's what you gals wanted to share:

From Megan (Atlanta):

"These are ninewest. Purchased at some point in spring 2008 from tj maxx. I think I paid 25 for them and that was worththe investment by the end of the season. What you say these shoes look familiar? You may have seen them at your wedding they looked fab with your warm fall colors. Warning: they do not do well on flower petal covered decks. I almost fell walking down the aisle at your wedding more than once! Hahaha! Seriously they are a great pair of heels that are very wearable." - Megan

From Mb in D.C.:

"I was drawn to the sandals for their low price and comfortable appearance. I was nervous they'd look a little granny-ish, but once I put them on I knew I wouldn't leave the store without them. Not only are they the most comfortable heel ever...no seriously, EVER!...they have a simple, clean, Euro-vacay-resort look. A basic summer shoe that will go with almost anything in my closet...or suit case, seeing as how I bought them with an intent to travel." - Mb (Italian Shoemaker wedge found at DSW for $39)

From Lauren in Columbus, Georgia:

This pair of shoes is from the brand Restricted, it is a mint snake texture in a coral color. $50.00 from a local shop in Columbus, Georgia called Pursona. - Lauren

From Julia in Detroit, Michigan (excitement kept Julia from submitting just one photo):

"The first is a picture of my favorite summer shoes-my Manolo

Blahniks!! [Boyfriend] Patrick surprised me on my 27th birthday with a gift card

to Neiman Marcus. He said that I had to buy myself a pair of Manolos.

He remembered me talking about how every woman should have a pair and

the rest is birthday history. The greatest part of the gift was that

he sat with me while I tried on dozens of pairs to find the right one.

I love that they are nude so I can wear them with any fancy summer

outfit. I love them the most because Patrick understood, acknowledged

and indulged a huge vice of mine." - Julia

"This is of all my summer strappies that I get to strut around

in on a daily basis. I have a few more but that would have been silly

to pull them all out :)" - Julia

"Here's [my cat] Slinky's stilettos. She gets to strut
around in fabulous black heels no matter what the season. All the
kitties are jealous." - Julia

From my colleague Elizabeth (Atlanta):

Casual yet edgy summer sandals by Jessica Simpson ($59). Style is Ninja.

Elizabeth hasn't actually bought these yet... but she's promised me she has to. Angel platforms by Franco Sarto ($89).

From my former colleague Kathryn, who has some fierce shoes (Atlanta):

Fresh from the LA Neiman Marcus (the only Neiman to get this particular style in), these Christian Louboutin prive pumps are magical. (Here's a post by The Accessory Junkie about this particular pair of shoes).

And 'lil ole me, ALifeFulfilled... (Atlanta):

Here are the new ones I showed a sneak peak of on Monday. I am excited about the caramel color, the platformness (new adjective) and how they make my feet look especially feminine.

Sandals are Diba — found them at the cutest little shoes/clothes/jewelry/decor store in Panama City when I was there this past weekend. I can't decide if I should be mad at or grateful to my sister-in-law for introducing me to this place. ($58 on sale from $76) I like the shoes a lot and may have to explore getting more from this company. Lauren (a shoe collector I respect very much) tells me she has some Diba sandals she loves.

Don't they a little bit remind you of the (sold-out) Cynthia Vincent for Target wedges ($29.99) I've been lusting over? Would you believe they're selling on eBay for upwards of $120?

Audience Participation Friday (it's been too long!)... Shoes!

I hope everyone had a great, long holiday weekend. And second most important to remembering our fallen soldiers, I hope everyone took advantage of some deal-laden holiday shopping.

Since it's been WAY too long since the last Audience Participation Friday, the special installment will return this Friday!

For this week's APF, send pictures of your favorite new shoes or favorite summer shoes by Thursday night 9ish. Include the brand, where you bought 'em... and if you have the info and/or feel so inclined, include the price and style name. E-mail me at Lifefulfilledatl@gmail.com. 

Here's a sneak peek at the shoes I picked up this weekend...

Sassy Summer Sandals

Dan's sister Jaime loves herself a good pair of shoes. In fact, when she got married this past weekend — she walked down the aisle in a pair of killer Jimmy Choos.

Wooo - aren't they ferosh? (Thanks for sending me the photo, Tina!)

Wasn't she a beautiful bride?

Exhibit B for Jaime's love of shoes: the name cards. She named all the tables after designers whose shoes she loves (Gucci, Christian Louboutin, etc.).

Aren't these cute?

Dan's sister-in-law Lori is also an avid connoisseur of shoes. She wore the below Jessica Simpson peeptoe pumps (but in nude) to walk down the aisle at Jaime's wedding.

Fabulous Jessica Simpson patent pumps. I'm coveting Lori's pair (nude) because they match everything and they're so flattering on the leg.

And Lori the gorgeous bridesmaid.

So one would imagine their influence has got me craving shoes!

I had my mind set on the new Cynthia Vincent for Target gladiator wedges (below) — but they're sold out EVERYWHERE! At $30/pair, I don't blame people for rushing out and finding them ASAP.

Target, it was so unfair that you only released a limited number of these beautiful shoes! I didn't get any. :(

So I decided to swing by Ross instead just to see what they had out. Ja-ja-ja-jackpot! I found these Carlos by Carlos Santana bold print heels. They'll be fun with jeans, black dresses, black harem pants, etc. And at $27, they didn't set me back any more than the CVs would have!

Can't wait to wear these 'round town!

My Going Away Day: Sassy Sandal Friday

We commemorated my last day at my job (I accepted a new job with a large auto advertising company) with a theme shoe day: Sassy Sandal Friday.

Maria's sandals mix classic polka dots with fun and flirty flowers.

Allison was on the hunt for versatile, comfortable, cute white heels with zero cheesiness factor. I think she found 'em!

I wore some Jessica Simpson patent, t-strap heels gifted to me by my sister-in-law (too big for her, just right for me). 

Party in the back (my sandals).

Rachel added a pop of glam with her in simple, gold sandals.

Susan's sandals mix two colors I love to wear together: black and brown. Love the flower detail, too!

I'm going to miss all my fun and foxy colleagues — and their willingness to participate in my silly style escapades. 

Fancy Kicks

Major kudos to the husband, who birthday gifted me with some super-amazingly-interesting-and-sexy open-toe sandals... totally by himself*!

I've been busy mentally putting together outfits, ranging from cuffed jeans, boyfriend blazers and white tees — to black mini-dresses. These things are going to get some major wear. :)

*I'm not kidding. I did not drop hints. I did not have my friends send him anonymous tips. I did not whisper wishes in his ear while he was sleeping. I'm so impressed!

Christian Siriano for Payless

Christian Siriano (of Project Runway fame) has unveiled his new line of affordable shoes for Payless.

I don't know about you, but I want to snatch up this pair of "Coast Print" (slightly platform) pumps for $34.99. (These pumps are also available in a fiery red/orange coastal print.) The shoes are a great way for el cheapies like me to have a piece of the 2010 Christian Siriano collection without spending the big bucks. This print was a big part of his runway show (photos here).

New Christian Siriano for Payless pumps.

Inspired by his 2010 Spring collection.
(Photo from ProjectRungay via firstVIEW.com)

Not feeling the heels? Check out his flats ($29.99).

Check out his entire line of spring handbags, clutches, heels, flats and sneakers on the Payless Web site.

Locate the Payless store closest to you here.

Audience Participation Friday - a.k.a. Fierce Shoe Friday

Thanks to everyone who e-mailed me photos of their fierce shoes (or brought them into work for me to photograph) for Audience Participation Friday. I asked, "What's the most fierce pair of shoes you own?"

For some of these shoe obsesesed and foot fashion mavens, it was tough to pick just one pair.

A Life Fulfilled Atlanta's choices from her closet (why am I writing in third person?):

I do love these patent leather black Nine West heels I snagged at Ross. They're a good balance of feminine and edgy. (Sorry for not having a better picture of the shoes themselves!)

These are one of my faves for now. I picked up these bad babies (BCBG Girls "Dania") at the Junior League of Atlanta Belk shopping event. Their relatively conservative shape is offset by the purple and the suede look. Yum!

From Kat in D.C.:

"#1 - They are Steve Madden knockoffs of these fabulous Alexander McQueen booties. I bought them on preorder online and thank god I did because mcqueen is now suing and you can't find them! The best part is that the sides unsnap and you can zip up the shoe into a full ankle boot! They're insanely comfortable and everyone always comments on how great they are."

"#2 - I stumbled across these in the clearance section of DSW while waiting for a table at the Cheesecake Factory — and they just happened to be my size! One buckle was broken and now the second one is too, but it doesn't keep from wearing them anyway. At the time, they were my highest heels, topping out at 5 inches! One night we were out and I noticed a couple staring at me nonstop, and I started getting self-conscious. Finally they called me over to let me know they were just admiring my fabulous shoes!"

"#3 - THESE are now the highest heel in my closet. They are bebe knockoffs of the insanely expensive YSL tribute pump. They have been impossible to find in black so as soon as bebe restocked, I jumped on them. Thanks to their 2-inch platform they dont feel like 6 inches, but they def make me a giant! I added an additional photo for this one so that you can see how crazy the heel really is."

From Mb in D.C.:

"My manolos!! Big surprise that these are my faves. NOT. For a steal at $120 at the secondhand shop, Mercedes Bien [in Adams Morgan], I just couldn't say no. They get so much use whether at work or play. And the comfort is worth every penny. Even at retail value."

Maria of Atlanta (long-time friend and now colleague):

Maria's peep-toe Steven by Steve Madden pumps are the perfect shoe for jeans and a white tee, a black evening dress or anything in between.

Our colleague Scott tried to participate (let me reiterate the word "tried"):

Kathryn of Atlanta (colleague):

Kathryn brought in her Christian Louboutins today for "Fierce Shoe Friday." Holy moly. This is the closest I've ever been to the uuber sexy luxury French designer shoes. Hot stuff!

Christian Lacroix pumps with a killer holographic-looking dye job. Whoa.

AJ of Atlanta (colleague):

These BCBG Girls gladiator-style shoes have an extra level of ferociousness with the zipper up the back.

Thanks, ladies! I'm going to post a little poll about this post... who's feet are the most fierce?

I need to think about a theme for the next Audience Participation Friday. Any suggetions?