I'm so not letting this no-fear, showing myself, ensemble photo series slide! Oh no. I just have delays. And laziness (I even have bangs since I took these, sorry!). And major major lack-of-photographer issues /frustrations. But it'll come more and more often. I now have plans to take pictures of clothes sans moi, so that I may do it a lot more frequently. (I'll try to include more of myself though, too.) This was my second fairly successful attempt at a personal photo shoot. Part 1 has photos so different from part 2, that well that's why there will be two parts. If I do have time to keep practicing, I may be able to actually have more photos of myself eventually. Sigh. On shoot day, it was a very frustrating afternoon! On to the photos, credits below.

OK, first of all, yeah I accidentally cropped my feet out of all these photos. Timer photography needs major work. Also I look fatter in a belt-looped / under shirt belt. *whine* Not sure what I can do while I'm not perfectly a full lower pants size.

I'm almost shocked I could get a lot of pictures of my face. Goodbye Ella in shades? Nah, course not. ;-)

OK, goofy giggle. Whatcha gonna do? It's still fun & cute. And here they are, it's the piece de resistance...

My new(ish) Bandolino pumps. Hello?! Don't they look like they cost $1,402 and not on sale for $42??? More photos to come of these (they're not online).

Credits:

Cropped jacket: Perameter (Bluefly.com find)
T-shirt: Really old Delia's??? *update* Old Navy???
(Getting less) Skinny jeans: Mossimo for Target
Bag: Hollywood Intuition @ Target w/ crafty strap
Jewelry: Indie/handcraft designer, local to South Florida. Don't shoot me if I'm wrong, but I think it's GMS Jewelry Co. I need to take close photos; great stuff!
And of course the shoes: Bandolino

I have so much to catch up on with it like posting pictures of shoes, but because I need to SOON post my Louboutins is why this is debuting!

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Usually this might be a "style steal" bargain post on your typical blog, but while I love shopping, this is no shopping blog. We focus on design, and we hate celebrity "designers" who don't follow through with unique design when they place their names on lines.

Valentino   VS   Paris Hilton

Sure, I don't mind some bargain-priced couture trends. I love Easy Spirit's "E Collection" because it's stylish and even the heels have some comfort built-in. While not super cheap (shoes usually run in the $80's) they do borrow some designer stylish details du jour. (However they're quality-made and a comfort brand, but that argument is irrelevant to this particular rant.)

Now Paris Hilton, on the other hand

... well she wears some cute shoes*, so I might have loved to support "her designs" - but she really has none. Just her own brand name on simpler, cheaper rip-offs.

But while Paris surely wears expensive designer shoes, her own line consists of neither. The 2nd issue is a problem.

Here she, or they -- her company or whatnot, have attempted to quench the public's thirst for Valentino's (and possibly Vivienne Westwood's) exaggerated bows with their high-reaching top loops. Of course nothing quite has the charm of those original Valentinos, n'est pas?

This doesn't mean it's a crime for you to buy these Paris pumps, or shoes like 'em. I just prefer to dream of the real thing. I'm an idealist like that.

Do you like this style of post? We want to feature it somewhat regularly, and you can help us. If you see some identity theft, send it to us via our contact form!

*Unfortunately, the comments to that article (and many others) were lost.

This is a new feature I'm vowing to keep up with, and yes, daily. Sometimes it might be designer dujour as well, and today's designer can pretty much fit the bill...

Usually I'm also going to focus on design details over just plain cute products, but today I've been bitten by a little bird...

I'm going totally nuttily lustful over these pumps by Miu Miu: it's not so much the sparrow (or sparrow vs. cat print, also popular), it's more the girly/retro/cute/kitsch feel that is boosted by nearly any print, but moreso by the kooky animals. Though yes, I do fancy a bird over a cat, at least in this case.

These shoes are so popular, and so sold out, that my hopes for scoring them sooo cheap are actually pipe dreams - but maybe I couldn't learn to walk in what feels like a 4.5 inch heel (atop a 1 inch platform). They're seriously high, but they've got me all drunk over them! (Why is that always the way? High heel, high price, high want.)

A girl can dream ... a crazy dream with little birdies. ;-)

P.S. Don't fail to notice our giveaway!

*Update: I forgot I wanted to post a runway shot:

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Like Garanimals for adults, but more literal.

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On Thursday, Gisele Bündchen introduced her eighth flip-flop collection with Brazil's largest footwear company, Grendene, titled "Ipanema".

She admitted that she doesn't really design the line at all, saying

“I am very inspired by nature and like to use that for my ideas, but actually designing them — no way. I would be a disaster.” WWD

You probably know what we think here at our lippy HQ, but

What have you got to say?

I have more questions than will fit in a poll, well namely 2:

• Do you think Gisele doesn't even deserve this line or do you think she is noble for her honesty?
• Do you think this happens with most celebrity lines, but it's just unspoken?

Photo from The Cut/NYM.

It's not news that Christian Louboutin is the king of shoes, having dethroned the fabulous Manolo Blahnik both fashionably and in future film (Sex & the City II). Word even has it that Louboutin heels are more comfortable than Manolos. I know I find that intriguing (it's even more alluring than the siren red sole).

Christian Louboutin precociously balances his art.

The shining peep-toes from the picture with Christian

So of course it's not surprising that Christian Louboutin is at the top of the official covetable top footwear designers list 3 years running (they also beat those Jimmy Choos), so perhaps if I just posted a news clip from the 19th (I'm so behind) claiming this info alone it would be a snore, but instead of a news piece, I found an interview filled with complimentary poetry. In this case the kind words don't fall flat more than flatter. Sorry to say the journalist's descriptions are better than the Frenchman's quips, which all ring of ego (or possibly that's the French talking). Perhaps he's earned some attitude. The author's vision of Christian's own is so Vogue-and-Renta-dress---worthy "pure poetry" ... about the very designs of those red-hot-soled lust pieces.

Hadley Freeman on Louboutin heels,

Where Manolo Blahnik shoes are either plain or quirky, and Jimmy Choos have the distinct sheen of Eurotrash to them, 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.

I couldn't have said it better myself, and I can't until I fully experience the pleasure. And actually this description is even more important than the occasional discovery of well-penned fashion commentary; it reminds us, and more importantly informs the nay-sayers and label-whore-name-callers, of the beautiful designing that lies behind this footwear royalty. It's not just the red sole, arguably a signature detail for wealthy-wannabes' and shoeaholics' eyes, but there is so much in actual design. Even when subtle, the curvaceousness alone is almost enough to set these shoes on the top shelf of luxury.

Today's quintissential Louboutin shoe.

But also needed are the heels with height ... check! Yet Louboutin's collections are actually versatile. We have the recognizable aspect, the genius flattery, but then we have something for every woman most women. From stilettos to chunkier heels, from platforms to flats, and everything in between. We have arrived. Louboutin is not just IT, but it. I know you want the goods! All shoes depicted here can be found either on The Outnet or on ShopStyle.