Stylish with Substance

Manolo Blahnik Tweed Boucle d'Orsay

$715.00 by Manolo Blahnik at Neiman Marcus

Bouclé, d'Orsay, big name ... and metallic threads?! Seriously, I'm going crazy for these. I would sell both my little toes to get these, if need be. That might even make wearing them a better experience, seeing as they're notorious Manolo Blahniks. Since I might greatly benefit in pain relief in general from that "sacrifice", you need know that I would do many other things, as well; in ways from smart and moral to DOS-attacking NM.com so they don't sell out.

They simply mustn't sell out before I get my beloved pair. That is why I must act fast, use all my resources and why I say "get these on mah feets NOW" - it's a rare thing I cry!

In the past when tragedies, like this recent shooting, have happened I've felt that fashion is too trivial to care so much about on a multi-times-per-day scale. Right now though, I'm posting this after a hiatus relating to personal career woes and worry about overspending. I shed tears for these victims and here I am pondering style.

I recently don't care if I have cash to spend - is this a positive effect from a highly negative event? I don't know. I still fret that blogging will make me desire too much.

I can't make sense of the hate in the world, just like no one can. I really can't tie it in to fashion either, except I must remember that I try to tie in the deepness in my brain back into a fashion blog.

I can't help but think of what John Stewart said this Monday (after the shooting). Things like, "how do you make sense of these types of senseless situations?" Plus things like, "I refuse to give in to that feeling of despair"...

I'm reminded of the at-first-seemingly prick-like mantra that "life goes on". When we are first grieving that sounds like a careless mentality, but it is just both a sad and positive truth. It does not mean that we throw away our love and sorrow, but it is a reflection on how not only life beside us goes on but that eventually we will smile and later find joy again, even though we will always love and care for the gone, or respect tragedies, but that life and grief can coexist. It must for our survival.

We will shop again. Art is a part of life, accessories are sometimes, or seemingly, needed. We must not feel bad for desiring to be stylish. No more so after loss than during triumph.

Never hate yourself because you are beautiful.

Ends are sometimes rough, and is there a perfect way to end a post such as this?

No, but I now want to try to quickly touch upon, after I spoke of why I've been absent, where I've been and will continue to be. I can't promise daily posts now, although I want to try to frequent my blog again. I do know I'm already depressed that I cannot afford these lust-worthy excesses. I can though promise ramblings about my life and fashionable links on my personal Facebook account. It might interest you to friend me in order to follow me. I welcome you (just please mention my blog). My account is: facebook.com/designerella.

Featured:

Fendi The Fendista Patent Leather Sandals

$785.00 by Fendi at Saks Fifth Avenue

Fabulous, yet sensible shoes? Great! Let me wait a year to see if  they make the outlets - yeah right. ;-)

The Feel: Christian Louboutin's knotted Gres

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The originals are by the designer we all know and love, of course Msr. Christian Louboutin. They're also covetable, fabulous, detailed, quality and very 3-dimentional. Oh and they're $795, in case you didn't know. You may not be able to afford them or be willing to stash $20s in your Loub fund weekly and hopefully still wear them this Summer (oh that's what I'm doing for this very pair!) ... so perhaps you want to try this other pair on for looks...

The Steal: Aldo's Orpins

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They're from the popular, cute, affordable Aldo. And at $90, they cost $700 less than the designer splurge. Sure, they don't have that extra knot on top of the vamp, but they do share a similar look and feel. If you don't find those classic Loubies must-haves, but you're diggin' the general vibe, why not give Aldo's Orpin's a spin?

[caption id="attachment_52" align="alignright" width="318" caption="Valentino Sculpture - $4,700 Neiman Marcus"][/caption]

I'm unfortunately a gal who cannot even stand for 10 minutes in anything 3 inches and higher for heels. No Dr. Scholl's can change the way a too-high heel changes the angle between my toes/ball and the rest of my petite foot - ow! Sorry, wish I could, really!

But these 6" heels by Valentino...

I'd just need to afford. And I swear if I had a place to wear them I'd do it at least once.

Le sigh!

Example of a time to wear & what to pair:

What I would have worn to the Grammy's by DesignerElla featuring Valentino

I've been unable to post & work on launching the blog because all last week I mostly dealt with a computer virus.

Luckily shoes don't get viruses, huh?

Anyway Christian Louboutins have been on sale at TheOutnet.com and we're not too late!!

Also, The Guardian has a great article/interview on/with the designer himself.

On my other blog, Pursed Lips (general fashion/design/also bags), I pointed out a quote that kind of proves Loubs are like lube for men.

Oh, I'm so bad!

Christian Louboutin shoes say one simple word: sex. Everything about them – from their disco styles, to the aggressive thrust of the shoe’s curvature, to the almost pornographic red sole, flashing observers from behind as the lady walks away – shouts sex.

But there is so much more to get from the Guardian piece, like details on not just the design but the design of more engineering aspects of the shoes...

Louboutin starts talking about "the construction of the shoe" and "the direction of the weight" and all the usual noises people make when trying to claim that a high-heeled shoe can be comfortable. But the fact is, no matter what the construction, the woman is hoicked up on her toes. The argument about whether or not high heels empower women is fruitless and, after all this time, a little tired. But even Louboutin seems stumped by the contradiction. When I ask if comfort is an important factor in designing his shoes, he ums and ahs a tad: "It is important because a woman doesn't look good if she's not comfortable. But I wouldn't take it as a compliment if someone looked at one of my shoes and said, 'Oh, that looks like a comfortable shoe'," he says with distinct scorn. When asked if there is such a thing as a too-high heel, he replies, "There is a heel that is too high to walk in, certainly. But who cares? You don't have to walk in high heels."

Yes I do think heels can be comfortable, but not out straight of the box - they need aids. And more important, IMHO, than ball pressure is arches falling. OW! Support them if heels make the mids of your feet kill.

Stay tuned to the blog because I will post a lot on shoe comfort, sans the nurses shoes - don't worry!

So even though "killer" heels have conquered, you can defeat them and turn them into kittens that make your feet purr and still look cute, or sex kittenish.

There are so many puns folks, but fighting pain and still looking fabulous is no joke!

A bunch of celebrity gals were at ShoWest (and in great shoes) but Sarah-Jessica Parker, herself, cannot get just one photo, no!

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The ruffle thing is such a huge, eternal for femininity and a personal favorite trend - and yes, I'm forever hooked on the look and anything I get in the style this Spring.

They're all over nearly everything right now, but it can be a little hard to find styles beyond the normal fashionista niches in shoes - namely designer or over $50 brands and, of course, sky-high heels.

I'm a mid-heel and under $50 shoe gal, so this trend in the Spring '10 series will be split up - oh probably more than any other. But the fun is in alllll those extra shoes to at least look at!

On with the list - the photo-y list. ;-)

Badgley Mischka

5" heel - $215 @ Bloomindgales