Rain, Rain, Go Away

OK, I'm thankful that we had an Indian Summer, but Fall has officially arrived in NYC and along with the cooler air we've had for the last couple of weeks, came the rain.  Lots of rain.  Just after we adjusted the clocks on Sunday to deprive us of an hour of light, we entered the week with freezing rain and high speed wind.  I struggled down Park Ave. on Monday morning on the way to my eye exam and cursed every step of the way, fighting against the wind, umbrella whipping about and sleet pelting my face. 

Lemon Print Hunter Boots

I have sixty pairs of shoes, I thought to myself, and not ONE pair of rain boots.  Every year I swear that I'm going to run out and purchase them after I've gotten soaked walking a couple of blocks to the subway station, shoes like sponges and legs soaking wet.  I never do.  This year will be different.

Kamik "Heidi" boot

Rainbops "JoJo" 

So, the selection process begins.  I thought I'd take the lazy way out and shop online, so I brilliantly typed in "rain boots" into a Google search and came across an equally brilliant web site titled "Rain boots Online."  Great minds think alike!  Talk about selection.  What a huge market this has become!  It's not just your basic "Welly" anymore.  Rain boots are offered in a huge range of colors, crazy print patterns and a variety of boot and heel styles.  Are you feeling like a paisley printed cowboy boot?  You can have it!  I don't know why you would want it, but it's certainly available.  As is the wedge heel (which I imagine would make me even more of a klutz in the rain), the motorcycle boot and, of course, the animal print.

Rainbops "Art Fusion"

Michael Kors wedge

Hunter motorcycle wellies

For me, I think some things are just meant to be classic and traditional.  Like a tuxedo.  Or a Wellington boot.  Most likely, I'll veer toward the Hunter Original.  Now, the question is... hunter green, basic black, or metallic silver?

Traditional Hunter Original in Black

Steppin' out in Silver

My Favorite Accessory

Like any female, I have an affinity for shoes and handbags.  I covet my 'chunky' ring collection, I have a slight obsession for sunglasses and I'm constantly buying hats that sit, ignored, in my closet desperately hoping to come out one day.

Starting young!  My nephew, Adam examines my bracelet (by Pollini).  Are we in the presence of a budding jewelry designer?  Wendy Brandes can be his mentor!

But, my favorite accessory is my nephew, Adam!  What a cutie.  The little flirt turned one yesterday and I was able to grab him for a quick photo op before he got birthday cake in his hair!

Dress: Max Mara

Shades: Max Mara

Shoes: Via Spiga

Arm Candy: Nephew, Adam

What's Your Number?

I've been a little busy lately and I know I have been neglecting my blog over the past week or so.  I plan to be back on track soon.  Also, I've definitely fallen behind in reading my favorite blogs which I will get back to this week... sorry guys!

One thing that has been derailing me is that I've taken on an entire restructuring and reorganization of my apartment.  Absolutely everything came out of my closets!  I realized that I hadn't vacuumed all the way back there in a very long time.  I was also able to get an accurate count of my shoes.  Why not?  I was kind of curious.  I have 50 pairs... on the nose.  Well, that's not including all of my running sneakers, a pair of tennis sneakers, some hiking boots and all my flip-flops.  Oh, and the four pairs that I've decided to give away. 

I'm still in love with these Roger Vivier's which I posted on May 23

I'm thinking 50 pairs is not so bad, right?  We have to take into account that shoes are seasonal so it's not like I'm wearing them all at once!  That reminds me of a funny story (yes, another one of my goofy stories!).  An old boyfriend asked me one time, "Exactly how many shoes have you bought this year?"  To which I replied, "This year starting WHEN?"  I thought it was a completely legitimate statement!  He cracked up and wondered if there was some kind of 'shoe fiscal year' or something that he wasn't aware of since obviously, this year referred to -- since the New Year.  I tried to explain to him about seasonal shoe shopping, but he wasn't having any of that nonsense.

Calvin Klein Collection -- I set my eyes on these in February at the runway show

Anyway... I have veered off yet again.  I'm taking a poll to find out how many shoes you have and what a normal/average number is for a fashion savvy girl!  Let me hear it!

Go West

At first when I heard Joss Stone was collaborating with Nine West on a shoe collection, I thought it was a bit like a 60’s feminist collaborating with Maidenform. I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen Ms. Stone wearing shoes, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t appreciate them. After all, what girl DOESN’T?

Joss Stone performs sans shoes in March, 2010

I went along with shoe and style maven, WendyB, to see Joss Stone talk about her new project, Vintage America, with Nine West at their showroom in midtown. Let me start by saying that this was my kind of event. I didn’t get two feet in the door when an adorable cater-waiter asked me if I wanted anything to drink. When I asked what he had, I was kind of hoping his reply would be something like, “Coffee, tea or me?” to which I would have chosen the latter!

Joss Stone talks about boots in the upcoming Vintage America Collection

the fall line is due to hit stores in August!

When we entered the showroom, Joss was perched on a stool answering questions and looking amazing. I spotted her playful pedicure immediately (she had each toenail painted a different color!), AND she was wearing shoes. Sexy shoes. Really sexy shoes. The super high wedges with a delicately thin strap were none other than Nine West. The fabulous shoes added several inches to Ms. Stone’s statuesque body and when she stood up after the Q&A session her lean legs looked nine feet tall. Needless to say, I didn’t pose for a photo op! I wasn’t getting anywhere near her. Suffice to say, she is a goddess and she is as sweet as she is beautiful.

Joss Stone's pretty pedicure

One blogger wanted to know what inspires her. Another asked what her travel essentials were. When questioned about the significance of her tattoos she said, in her endearing British accent, “I just wanted something I’d never go off and I figured I’d always like flowers – yeah, it’s that deep.” She chuckled a bit and added, “If I don’t like flowers when I’m fifty, then something probably went horribly wrong and I'll need to go to therapy.”

Joss Stone dishes about shoes

Nine West’s creative director, Fred Allard, is responsible for bringing Stone’s ideas to life. Allard was previously with Stephane Kélian (sadly, the SoHo shop closed in 2008) and his father was the creative director for Charles Jourdan. To say that he is a master of shoes is an understatement – it’s in his blood. There is no doubt that with the unique spirit and energy of Ms. Stone coupled with the creative expertise of Mr. Allard, Nine West has a slam dunk with Vintage America. Look for the merchandise to hit stores in August!

Nine West - Vintage America Collection (click here to shop)

Me Likey...

The last thing I need is a pair of shoes! But, I'm quite taken with these... ah, what's a girl to do?

Roger Vivier plaid rosette stiletto

I've Got the Blues

Women are headstrong. We will go to extraordinary lengths if we want something badly enough. I’ve always made it a habit of putting a picture in my wallet or posting it on my fridge when I want something in the hopes that one day I will have this item in my possession. So far, I’ve been pretty successful. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked yet with the villa I ripped out of Metropolitan Home. I once traveled to three countries on a quest for some Prada ballet flats. I became disheartened when they only had one pair available in a size 5 at Galaries Lafayette. But, I did not give up and I was finally triumphant at Harvey Nichols in London. Perseverance my darlings, perseverance.

I’ve been pining over a year now for these Rupert Sanderson blue suede and pony, high heeled creepers. I know – you either love ‘em or hate ‘em. I think they’re fabulous even though they are incredibly impractical and hardly a wise investment in this economic environment. You see my dilemma? Well, the good news is – they are no longer available so the difficult decision has been made for me. Apparently, I waited too long so I don’t have a choice anymore. I must move on. The bad news is – they are no longer available! That means I must search high and low for these babies because after all, I can’t give up that easily! Perseverance my darlings, perseverance!