Tag Archives: Shoes

5 Things to Try This Month – February 2017

02/01/2017 Shirley

I feel like it only has been a couple of weeks since I returned from my holiday vacation in Spain. And it’s hard to believe that the first month of Year 2017 is already over!

Now, it’s time to enjoy the busy month, February. Why do I consider February a busy month? Because many of my dear friends and my brother’s birthdays are in February. And my birthday is in February, too!

Every year, we always celebrate someone’s birthday each week throughout February. And below are some of the things I’d like to try for this February, the month of birthday celebrations!

Drink the Limited-edition Nespresso Coffee

Nespresso just released a new limited-edition Selection Vintage 2014 coffee capsules (100% Colombian Arabica beans). Usually, Nespresso offeres different kinds of limited-edition coffee for its two different types of machines: VertuoLine and OriginalLine. But for this Selection Vintage 2014, Nespresso made it available for both machines. I got the Selection Vintage 2014 capsules for both on my VertuoLine and OriginalLine machines from Nespresso boutique last night. I can’t wait to try them today!

Accessory to Master Selfie

I am not an expert in taking selfie pictures, but one of the few times I tried, I found myself in an environment that wasn’t bright enough for selfie. For this birthday celebrating month, I got a selfie accessory, the LuMee. This is designed by a professional photographer to help provide extra light for selfie pictures.

Add a New Red Dress to the Wardrobe

Red is one of my favorite colors, especially when it comes to fashion accessories. Since it’s my birthday month, I have another reason to shop for a red dress! Try Self-portrait Floral Blush Midi Dress.

Create the Rainbow Reflection with Each Step You Take

Although we are still in Winter, it’s never too early to start planning for Spring. Why not treat yourself to a nice pair of crystal flats like the rainbow ones from Christian Louboutin?

Light Up Your Mood with New Candle

Diptyque has always been one of my favorite brands when it comes to perfume and scented candles. For this month, I’d like to try Diptyque’s new limited-edition Rosa Mundi 190g candle.

(Featured image taken from Aria Las Vegas Hotel.)

All Posts, Fashion

The Must-Have Pair of Sneakers

10/04/2016 Shirley

All Posts, Fashion

Christian Louboutin Private Patent Leather Peep-Toe Slingback Pumps

11/12/2015 Shirley

Red is one of my all-time favorite colors, especially for clothing and shoes. When I saw the Private Patent Leather Peep-toe Slingback Pumps by Christian Louboutin in red, I knew I had to get it.

A simple way to wear red shoes is to pair them with black dresses. Alice + Olivia has a cute Inara Embellished Dress in black with golden beads and sequins. The gold embellishment goes well with the red stiletto!

Buy Alice + Olivia has a cute Inara Embellished Dress

All Posts, Fashion

Roger Vivier Belle Vivier Embellished Satin Ballerinas

04/21/2015 Shirley

Roger Vivier is a designer who is often called the Faberge of footwear. Vivier shoes have been worn by Ava Gardner, the Beatles, and by Queen Elizabeth for her coronation. In other words, Vivier is a classic designer. The signature style of Vivier shoes is a large toe buckle. This feature clearly distinguishes Vivier from other designers.

(Roger Vivier shoes and bag available at Mytherasa.com)

I recently bought a pair of Vivier embellished satin ballerinas. They were black with sparkly crystal toes and toe-buckle. I think they’d be a perfect match with many styles of dresses. In particular, I can see this pair of Viviers match with a black ruffled, short dress for day or evening event.

The buckle on my Vivier’s is large but a bit subtle because the buckle blends in with the crystals on the toe cap. This makes the Vivier’s a bit different from most other shoes that feature a large buckle.

The ballerina style is very comfortable, and especially nice for events where you might have to be on your feet for several hours.

I’d say that Roger Vivier satin with crystal style is quite close to Manolo shoes with a similar motif. But Vivier high heels shoes tend to be more expensive than Manolo. But Vivier flats are just a bit more expensive than similar Manolo flats.

If you’re not familiar with Roger Vivier shoes, you should check them out! (Available at Mytherasa.com)

All Posts, Fashion, Travel

Christian Louboutin Follies Spiked Glitter Pumps

03/31/2015 Shirley

I’ve always been a fan of shoes that have glitter and sparkle. So, a few weeks ago, before my recent trip to Las Vegas, I was browsing the Saks Fifth Avenue Web site and came across the Christian Louboutin Follies Spiked Glitter Pumps. The pumps come in gold and silver.

Right away, I knew I wanted the sparkly, spiky silver pumps! I didn’t hesitate for long and bought them immediately. While I was buying the shoes, I was thinking about which dresses I could pair the shoes with.

A week later I received the shoes and they were everything I expected and more! The glitter perfectly complemented the silver spikes and the signature Louboutin red soles. The spiked glitter pumps are elegant, but can be worn either during the day or evening.

Christian Louboutin Follies Spiked Glitter Pumps in Silver

A few days later, I brought my new Louboutin pumps to Las Vegas. I was really annoyed when the airline left my luggage in Seattle, but my suitcase and pumps showed up the next morning. I was relieved.

That evening I ate dinner with two of my friends at my favorite restaurant in Las Vegas — Sinatra’s at the Encore hotel. I wore an Alice & Olivia navy blue Clover Fitted Lace Dress and my friends said the shoes and dress went well together.

I’m glad I bought the Christian Louboutin Follies Spiked Glitter Pumps. They’re a great addition to my glittery shoe collection for special occasions.

Christian Louboutin Follies Spiked Glitter Pumps – via Saks Fifth Avenue $1,295

All Posts, Fashion

Mary Jane Pumps by Saint Lauren

11/24/2014 Shirley

Do you own a pair a Mary Jane pumps?

I really like Mary Jane style pumps. When I was young I often wore that style. Recently, the Mary Jane style has been updated and modernized. In particular, Saint Lauren recently released five creative designs that are especially interesting.

Saint Laurent Patent Leather Mary Jane Pump Nordstrom

Of the five Saint Laurent styles — Gold Glitter Leather, Patent Leather with Silver Glitter Heel, Animal Print, Patent Leather with White Stripe, and Patent Leather with Multi-Stripe and Kitten Heel — my two favorites are the Gold Glitter Leather and the Patent Leather with Silver Glitter Heel.

The Gold Glitter Leather style is beautiful but I think it could be worn only on special occasions. The Silver Glitter Heel is the most versatile. I can imagine myself wearing this style to work or for an evening out almost anywhere.

I wondered about why this particular style is called “Mary Jane”. It turns out that the Mary Jane style, which is characterized by a closed toe and one or more thin straps, has been popular for many decades. The style first became called “Mary Jane” starting in 1904 because a hugely popular newspaper comic strip called “Buster Brown” featured a young girl character named May Jane who always wore the style.

My male friend especially liked the Saint Laurent Animal Print model. He thought that style combined classy and sexy. But I thought the Animal Print style was better suited to a younger girl rather than a woman. What do you think?

Mary Jane pumps have been fashion staples for over 100 years. If you don’t have a pair, consider adding one or more to your wardrobe for the Winter or Fall seasons.

Saint Laurent Glitter Mary Jane Pump

Saint Laurent Animal-Print Mary Jane Pump

All Posts, Fashion, Travel

Traveling Outfit for My California Trip

10/31/2014 Shirley

After being in the rain in Seattle for weeks, it’s really nice for me to go to sunny Orange County, CA, to visit my brother and sister-in-law and my niece.

Last night while I was packing I knew exactly what I was going to wear to the airport! I wanted something light, layer-able, and that would keep me warm while I went to work in the morning, and then would make me comfortable when I flew out in the afternoon .

For my top, I wore a short sleeve light gray t-shirt and my most recent favorite cashmere hoodie sweater. I also wore a moto faux leather jacket that I bought last Spring. I always love the combination of hoodie weathers with a short jacket/blazer. It’s a casual and stylish combination.

For bottom, I worn my new Citizen of Humanity skinny jeans in black. They’re so comfy; almost like a legging. Usually I prefer True Religions with crystals for skinny jeans, but the comfort of this new Citizen skinny made it an easy choice for me.

Citizens of Humanity Skinny Stretch Leggings – $178 via Nordstrom

For shoes, I wore my Vince Blair 5 slip-on sneakers in black. If I really want to upgrade my look after I arrive to Orange County I can always take off my cashmere hoodie and put on my red slingback Christian Loubouton.

Vince Blair 5 Slip-on Sneakers – $195 via Nordstrom

Of course, my outfit is not complete without a handbag. Since my clothing and shoes are all in neutral gray and black, I wanted something to brighten it up. I choose my Louis Vuitton Alma in the new Cerise – bright orange color.

Now, I am really ready for the sunny California!

All Posts, Fashion

I Love My New Frye Phillip Harness Riding Boots

10/17/2014 Shirley

Last year I bought a pair of Frye Phillip Harness Riding Boots in Burnt Red. I liked the style and color very much, and so when I was in San Francisco for a birthday gathering a few days later, my friends and I went shopping and we all bought a pair of boots from Saks. I got the Frye’s.

(To buy the boots click here or the image above.)

After I bought the red pair, a few days later I saw the same style in Black. I really liked the Black, but I hesitated because, first, I had just bought a pair boots (the Burnt Red Frye’s), and second, I already have several pairs of black boots.

(To buy the boots click here or the image above.)

But I really wanted those black Frye’s!

So, several months after my trip to San Francisco, one night I was browsing online and discovered the Frye Phillip Harness Riding Boots in Black, on sale! This time I didn’t hesitate and bought them immediately.

Fast forward a week later, I received my boots. I wore them to work the very next day.

I love the way the boots fit me, their feel, and their look. I was in great mood all that day long. As Lady Gaga sings, “You are who you wear it’s true. A girl’s just as hot as the shoes she choose”.

All Posts, Fashion

Fall 2014 Trend: Over-the-Knee Boots

10/13/2014 Shirley

Boots that are over-the-knee have been around for many years. You might remember in the movie “Pretty Woman”. Juliet Roberts, when she was “working” (as a call girl), met Richard Gere, and was wearing black patent, over-the-knee boots with high heels. At that time, such boots were considered a bit too sexual.

Fast forward to Fall 2014. Over-the-knee boots are the current fashion trend. In 2014, tall boots usually come in either high heel style or flat sole style. These boots come in several different materials, including leather (both with and without a pattern), suede, and combinations of synthetic and leather materials.

My current favorite is Frye’s “Shirley Over-the-Knee boots“. I am a big fan of all Frye’s boots and what could be better than Shirley wearing a pair of “Shirley’s”! The leather on this style is soft, unlike some boots which can be a bit too stiff. And the style is versatile enough so that the boots can be worn with skirts, jeans, or casual dresses.

If you’ve been thinking about a new pair of boots for this Fall or Winter, check out over-the-knee boots.

Frey “Shirley” Over-the-Knee boots – $477.95 via Nordstrom

All Posts, Fashion

Designer Shoes Sale at Nordstrom – May 2014

05/27/2014 Shirley 2 Comments

(Shop for Designer Shoes Sale via Nordstrom)

Have you noticed that Nordstrom’s Half-yearly sale for women and kids has been going on since last week? Many accessories, clothing, shoes, and bags are now on sale.

If you are a shoe lover, you are in luck. A handful of designer shoes from the Spring collections are offered at 35% to 40% discounted prices at Nordstrom online. The available brands including, Charlotte Olympia, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Prada, and Valentino.

The nicest thing about such sales at Nordstrom is that you can pre-order with the sales associates in your local Nordstrom prior to the sale. The downside is that they don’t usually carry every brand or all items that will be on sale.

My solution to this hurdle is to find out what shoes will be on sale from the sales associate in the store and then check the Nordstrom website at the midnight before the sale starts. Staying up late to get the first pick on the designer shoes sale was well worth it. I got all the designer shoes I wanted at 40% off. By the end of the first sale day, several of the designs I bought were all out of stock!

So, the next time you don’t want to miss the items you’ve been waiting for to go on sale, check Nordstrom online around 1:00am when the sale starts!

Below are some shoes from the designer sales. Click the links above the image to shop for other shoes by the designers.

Jimmy Choo – Capri Pump via Nordstrom