Stylish with Substance

Best Leading Lady - In Gold

Shoes.com. is having its 3rd Annual Golden Shoe Awards. We say that the gold shoe that is used as the "award" should win, instead of the less pretty wedges. Where is the beautiful, elegant black pump? And please, brace yourself before you dare scroll down to view the "best score" (or bargain). I don't care if the shoe is $6.99, it is a hot pink jelly! Wait, it doesn't matter what color, it is a jelly!

I say this gold version of the Best Leading Lady is worth a nomination, at least, and a view.

The bad part of the fun, no corresponding sale.

P.S. Yes, the "awards" is a web page and a newsletter.

One thing stands out and truly bugs me about all the fashion run-way pictures this year. The smile-free expressions on the models. It's more than pouty, it's angry.

Give me a break! This is ridiculous, it actually, SERIOUSLY, makes these girls look UGLY.

I had to say something. Fashion Week started yesterday, and I actually went about to try to scope out some styles. Instead, I was reminded and horrified by faces like this:

At least we real girls know that we simply cannot look pretty or attractive to other human beings without our shining smiles. Right? We also are given this opportunity to look better than those skinny b--models. Right? It's a good thing? Actually, I'm afraid that people will think THIS is what's in and/or it will catch on and/or men will LIKE it. Or some stupid mind-trick thing. It has to stop!

Fight the power, don teeth-whitening lip stick and smile at those boys, smile to yourself, laugh with your friends. Remember, if you smile, you'll FEEL happier. Let those models go on Prozac, YOU can be happy naturally.

A blue tone in your lip gloss or color will help whiten teeth.

Glamour gave the nod of best tooth whitening lip stick to Maybelline Forever Metallic Lites in Rose Radiance. The style comes in a twist-up stick and pencil varieties. $8 at drugstores. This tone is rich and elegant, I will definitely pick one up for myself.

A great lip gloss, if you like the shade, is Sue Devitt Nantucket Sheer Fuschia. $18, but out-of-stock currently, at Sephora.

Steven Minaa - On sale for $72.90! (from $113 on Zappos and $106.99 on Shoes.com)

First of all, this shoe is definitely affordable at this fabulous sale price! I just may get a pair (have to decide on color!) and it may solve my pump-search woes!

The detailing is gorgeous. Leather and suede. Metallic heart cut-out. Rhinestones.

A 1 1/2" heel that is very walkable, but has the look of height.

Update (while I was in the middle of typing) I am getting these! but I'm TORN on the color!

Dr. Scholl's Cupid $39.99

Alone this Valentine's Day? Order this snuggly Dr. Scholl's flat and look and feel snazzy on the big night, whether you're in for a movie night or out on the town.

You'll be struck by the sparkling sequins that form subtle heart patterns!

This shoe is the same as the Snuggle, by Dr. Scholl's, but with a spicier look. It has it all! Comfort, comfort, comfort! This shoe is like a slipper for times that call for a little bit of dazzle.

Also in red for that real romantic mood.

(Note, that indent in the toe is not in the actual upper/shoe, it is in the sole, and not noticeable from above.)

I am a glutton for punishment, I guess. I messed something up and we were offline and then flooey (it could be a word) for a while. Everything's great now and better than ever. We're permanantly and securely in our domain home: kissmestace.com.

Our archives are back, my bad again on that, so comment or anything you'd like.

I find shoes to look much more appealing when there's a contrast in colors. When it comes to black shoes, I probably won't like 'em if they're all black, I'd prefer a little white or pink in the mix. Contrast stitching is very nice, but even the insole having a nice bright color or even a skin tone helps in my enjoyment of window shopping or purchasing a shoe. If the shoe is black or dark, that contrast on the inside is needed to see more details of the design. Even the simple tan color is perfect, because it will look how it may on the foot.

This post would work well as a tip to the shoe designers, if they were only reading and could work from all of my tips! I know shoes.

I want to add a bit of advice to shoppers. Don't be fooled by contrast insoles to think that color is actually a part of the shoe. It can be very attractive, but no one will see that part of it, only your pale/tan/brown foot.

"Men, I might not know, but shoes, shoes I know!" - Carrie, Sex and the City

Steve Madden - Rudey - Lavender (and sophisticated black) - $59.99

This shoe is the prettiest, most perfect looking pump, flat, anything. I find backless heels to be impossible to walk in, though. Keep that in mind when shopping. Try on some pairs at your local department store to test it, but don't buy before you do. If this shoe had a sling back, it might be on my foot right now as mine - mine - mine. Someday, I shall find the perfect plum shoe.

If you want THIS one, they're starting to run out of sizes (like mine) at Shoes.com; the only store I've found them in in my searching. They don't carry them at the Steve Madden stores, most likely; not the one I went to (I made SURE to check).