Necessities: Black Pumps

If there are two things I can't live without, they are, in this order 1.) everything I actually can't live without and 2.) black high heels.  Every girl needs a pair, and they're perfect for pretty much any situation.  Formal?  Check.  Audition?  Check.  Bad day?  Double check.  Much to my horror, the suede Tahari heels I've been using to fulfill this particular need are nearing the end of their tenure.  A pair of shoes can only take so much, you know?  Especially if you ever ever ever wear them outside.  Especially if they're suede.  They are a little sad now, and so I am a little sad now.

So now begins the search.  I hope it won't be too difficult, but if past experience is any indicator, it will be extremely long and painful.  No pain, no gain, right?  For now, I leave you with some ideas of where this could be heading.

Nine West 'Rocha' Pump

Enzo Angiolini 'Smiles' Platform Pump

 

March is still winter, kids.

At least it is here in Evanston:

That's correct, yesterday we were fortunate enough to get just a little bit more snow.  It's an inspiring view, right?  Luckily, I have several coping mechanisms for this particular situation, including, but not limited to, profuse crying, bemoaning my fate, not studying for my finals and this necklace.

An oldie but a goodie that I picked up a couple of years ago on sale at Banana Republic, I find it's golden gloriousness adds some degree of fly swagger to any outfit, and the color doesn't have that nasty sheen or tendency to tarnish that some less-than-real-gold jewelry can have.  BR and J. Crew are great places to look for fun jewelry that isn't too pricey, especially if you check out what's on sale.  The ivory details on this one just add that extra something that keeps it from being an LL Cool J-style gold chain, circa 1988.  He rocks it, though.  This Lady Loves Cool James.  So does Aries Spears.

Mad love.

This one time I went to Oxford

but that's not what this is about.  I recently gave in and purchased a pair of oxfords (of the shoe variety, not a spot in a river where oxen...ford...nevermind).

 

I selected the Steve Madden 'Trouser' Laceless Oxford in brown.  Typically, my shoe selections tend more toward the ballet flat genre, for their simplicity and versatility (not their arch support), but I thought it might be nice to change things up a bit.  I was a bit apprehensive about the fit because, in addition to the fact that I have large feet (size 10), I also have disturbingly wide feet.  Steve Madden shoes tend to run on the narrow side, although their boots seem to fit me perfectly, so I was pleased to find that these classy kicks fit perfectly.  Casual without the laces, they'll be a nice change of pace when more hospitable weather roles around and I can break out spring clothes.

Of course, now that I have those, I find myself wanting these:  

J. Crew Langford leather high-heel oxfords

The heart wants what it wants. 

Shiny Things...

There are just some things I need to admit I'm not going to have for another few... decades ...

Maybe the last one.  Maybe.  If I'm really good and Santa is feeling particularly charitable some time soon.

But that doesn't mean I can't appreciate how beautiful they are.  There's something about just looking at large, shiny objects that lifts the spirit.  Perhaps because the sun is also large and shiny.  Seriously though, ever since it came out, I've been lovin' on and lusting after Paloma Picasso's Marrakesh collection for Tiffany's.  The geometry of the design has something really graceful about it and I find myself drawn to it over and over again.  And so, I return to gaze longingly at them every once in a while, hoping that something like these (particularly the gold with lapis lazuli, in case anyone is paying attention) will come to be mine someday.

Dream big, that's what I say.