Shoe lust

I had my blood taken today, so instead of spending the whole day napping or perking myself up artificially with caffeine, I decided to compile my 2012 shoe lust list (for that natural high).

1. Bonanno's Palm Beach sandals

Top of my list is a pair (and for the record, when I say a pair, I mean a pair in every color, but I will limit myself here to showcasing just one or two each) of Bonanno sandals. 
Now I won't go into the whole history of how Bonanno's are the real Jackie O sandals, about how Jack Rogers is a shameless imitator, nor the fact that Stephen Bonanno is the rightful son and heir to the Bonanno empire, yet divorcing Monica Bonanno left the leather dyes, stamps and even the Palm Beach factory in her hands (how the *** did her divorce lawyer manage that?). No I won't go into that. What I will do is a quick heads up for anyone who is still buying JR's or contemplating them instead of Bonanno's:

• Bonanno's use ONLY leather throughout, JR's use part man-made materials
• Bonanno's use rich dyes to color their leather, JR's "paint" the leather, so the color flakes off eventually
• Bonanno's are all handmade in their (new) Stuart, FL location, JR's are made...where exactly?
• Bonanno's are the only sandals Lady Lilly Pulitzer wears, as did Jackie O. JR's are NOT.
• Bonanno's will completely resole your sandals for you, JR's will not
• Bonanno's leather softens and molds to your foot with age, JR's will crackle, crumble and eventually tear

If you are still considering buying JR's, I am sorry. You are beyond reason.

Stephen Bonanno Palm Beach sandals in gold/gold

My order of priority for Bonanno's is gold/gold, silver/silver, white/gold, red/gold, light pink/white aaand then every other color.

2. Belgian Shoes

Second lust item on the 2012 shoe list are Belgian shoes, natch. I am still debating between Midinette Lizard and Midinette all calf, plus I have heard conflicting reports on sizing.... any insights from readers?

I really want a navy version, since I have waaaaaaay too many brown loafers and I wear a lot of navy jeans... Black with color trim would be my second choice, as I think these would be great for going on a trip where you want comfort and style and don't want to pack more than a couple of pairs of shoes.

3. Ferragamo Varina

Third on my lie awake at night trying to justify buying shoe shopping list is a pair of Ferragamo Varinas. I am super attracted to the color versions, but as an investment shoe, I don't know if I'd dare veer off the black path. Then again, these are a bit more special, so I guess I wouldn't be slumming in them during the day. Then again, my aunt swears by these flats, she's worn her pairs since the 80s and literally just gets the soles replaced, so she doesn't have to break in a new pair!

Drool. Ferragamo Varina's. Essential - no?

I'd probably start with the black calf (not patent) with black bow, cross over to a cream with black bow and then head into candy land with a pair of bright orange, green and pink to round out my Varina family.

4. Tory Burch Reva ballerinas

The next selection is probably a bit chewed out by the prep-set by now, but I do still covet a pair of Tory Burch Reva's. Again I'd love to hear your opinion about their fit, because I'd be ordering online, untried!

Tory Burch Reva's in black calf with gold

Tory Burch Reva in tumbled leather

Again I'd start off with the black with gold medallion to have my Reva base covered, then I'd definitely get a red pair, since I live in both navy and black striped nautical shirts during spring and most of summer.  I love the above pair but wish it had a gold medallion instead.

5. Tod's Gommini mocassin

These driving mocs have been on my shoe lust list for about a decade now. They are the softest, most comfortable slipper shoe you can wear out in public EVER. They are beautifully made, supple, understated and an absolute classic in my book. It is the idea office, travel and driving shoe. As far as I am concerned, these are pure luxury. Naturally I want. every. single. pair.

6. Gucci Horsebit/logo ballet flats & heels

Gucci Mayfair ballet flats

Unfortunately it appears that Gucci no longer makes my dream pair. It was the black logo ballet flat with the green/red webbing across the toe box, topped by a horsebit. They also did a matching block heel with identical logo/webbing/horsebit details that were awesome too. Looks like I'd be hunting down vintage ones... urgh. Is it just me or is wearing someone else's used shoes gross?

So there you have it! My shoe lust list that will bankrupt me for years to come ;-) Fortunately my taste and style preferences are enduring, so I shouldn't feel guilty for buying multiple pairs of $500 loafers, right? Ha!
Have a good week, guys!

Crushing on Kate Spade

Typically, Kate Spade lures me in with their sales emails. Occasionally I venture to their website without being baited by discounts and holy amazeballs did they hit the nail on the head with the current selection of clutches!

The absolute front runner and now object of sleepless nights is the All Aboard Ship Clutch. Need I say more.

Kate Spade All Aboard ship clutch

Not oooonly is this just about the cutest clutch from the outside, but when you take a peek inside....

Red, white and blue stripes, steam chimney clasp and a gold anchor. This, my friends, is what we call a nautical trifecta. This.clutch.must.be.mine.
If you prefer less nautical and more Chanel-esque two toned, the Mount Perry Adira clutch will hit the spot:

Kate Spade Mount Perry Adira raffia clutch for strolling along the French Riviera

Finally for maximum princess-gone-disco impact, wear a pink tulle skirt with the I Kissed a Frog clutch.

Kate Spade I Kissed a Frog clutch in Multi.

So now I bid you ahoy as I return to gawk at my the ship clutch. Really, it's art, not a purse. I mean, this could be...this could be.... my blog mascot! Nobody said you can't have a purse for a mascot. Nobody. Quiet back there! Keep shoveling coal! That steam engine requires about 350 lumps of coal.

Cambridge Satchels

Today we decided to brave the masses and head into the big city.

What's that dent, you ask?

One look at the crowds and I wanted to go back into hibernation, but there was no turning around. At the very least we had to find out what that dent in the side of the building was.

Why, it's just your run of the mill glass portal (to a galaxy far far away, natch!)

Rock star parking for the two-wheelers

Sherman was not loving the icy temperatures, nor being forced to wear a sweater...

Why put a sweater on me, but leave me to walk around bare-pawed? hmm? Can you explain that to me?

Next stop was Urban Outfitters, which always seems to have an eclectic mix of overpriced 80s leftovers (MC Hammer Levi's jeans? errr, pass...Shredded spiderweb acrylic sweater? errr, no thank you.).
These tribal-y friendship bracelets sure brought back memories, minus the spikes that is. I felt completely uninspired until I spotted the Cambridge satchels.

Leather Cambridge Satchel in tan

They come in a variety of colors, UO stocked the black and tan, of which I much preferred the tan. It's part schoolboy gamine, part stuffy Oxbridge intellectual biking to a lecture.
Lately I've been struggling with slippery straps on my Barbour and other puffy parkas, so I'm seriously considering getting a Cambridge satchel for the winter months.

11" Cambridge Leather Satchel

I like the look of the 11" (if you can ignore the lopsided cuffed jeans...), but considering the amount of stuff I like to tote around, I think I would go with the 13" satchel instead. For being all leather, they are surprisingly lightweight. I love that you can customize your satchel with a gold embossed monogram on their website! That fact pretty much seals the deal. Now I just need to decide on a color. Tan is a classic and goes with every winter coat I own. I also love the navy....and the red. Really, I love the green too, it's a bright Kelly green. Oh, who am I kidding, I love them all! So while I save my pennies to splurge on a Lotuff & Clegg, I think a Cambridge Satchel will do nicely!

On the hunt

So this is the post that never was, the post that was robbed from me by a stealth attack courtesy of Blogger. This time I'm flying under the radar with a very abbreviated post, in the hopes of not being detected.
Has anyone else been watching the RHOBH reunion shows? Forget what's-her-name's quack quack lips, I'm far more interested Demi Moore's Kyle Richard's arm candy.

Kyle Richards on RHOBH Season 2 reunion

Fingers crossed it is not the DVF Pave Sutra bracelet from H Stern or I've got no chance of adding it to my collection... Any clever jewellery detectives know who makes these?
Kindness to Ms Richards for schooling us in the art of bracelet stacking. Kindness also to Ms Richards for living up to her claim of being thrifty by not having bought a $102000 bracelet, so that the populace can have one for V-Day... Finally kindness to any reader who can point me in the direction of an affordable version of the coveted arm candy!