Wednesday 7 March 2012

NAKED SHOES

The trend that is nude pumps has finally trickled down to the masses. A few years ago a friend of mine told me upon arriving home from her trip to London, "Nude heels . . . they were EVERYWHERE!" Fast forward to 2012 and a phone call I received from another friend in a dilemma. She was mid-shop and couldn't decide which pair of nude heels to purchase. She sent me pictures of the two pairs in question. My advice to her was to go with the patent, peep toed pair as apposed to the satin a la florally embellished pair. My reason - the more classic pair lends itself much better to incorporating the "nude" trend in to a wardrobe. 

For those of you also wanting to "work it" it in a pair of nude pumps here are some ways to do it right . . . 

Add a sexy pair to a look if you've already exhausted your three colour choices for a single outfit. I love  the colour blocking trend right now and mixing colours is oh so much fun - especially those rich and lovely jewel tones. But, it's always best not to get too carried away, even if purple, green, yellow and orange are currently your favourite colours. A great pair of "nudie s" can anchor a look that may be  heading into dangerous waters. The shoe acts as a "non-colour" and simply streamlines a silhouette instead of "jumbling up your signals".  And what "signals" may I be referring to, you ask? Well, the ones you're sending out that say, "Check. This. Out. I am one sexy beast," of course!

Another trend I'm loving right now that is great for the spring is sheer fabrics. Often a pretty, flow y, sheer garment, (like a blouse for example) is made wearable by a nude undershirt or other garment. In this way you can add a beautiful nude shoe as well and not take away from the airy, lightness that a sheer fabric adds. It keeps the look cohesive and the shoe becomes your perfect, understated accessory. 

My final suggestion for working your nude heels in to your wardrobe is the most simple and straight forward. It comes with a very easy equation. 

Blush, tan, muted pink, or very light brown top + dark, solid bottoms + nude heels = 
a basic, very workable look

Add to your look a cute jacket or cardigan and some jewellery and "voila",  a million bucks. 

Follow these rules and in no time you are going to have your nude shoes working overtime.


"Hello. Who's there? Nude pumps. You're coming to make my spring fabulous?!"


The final thing I'd like to add about nude shoes is that while writing this it did occur to me how weird it is that referring to a "nude" coloured shoe implies a tannish, very light pink tone. Quite funny when you consider that over half of the world's population isn't this colour when they're nude. Perhaps I should've referred to the colour as "Caucasian Nude". 






Thursday 16 February 2012

Oh, Inspiration!

 . . . It's one of my favourite things. Who doesn't love a good old 'wind beneath my wings," swelling in the chest, 'aha' moment that brings a beautiful "this is what it's all about" feeling. And although that moment may be fleeting it's always worth looking for. And look for it I do. . .

199 is my favourite number because I was so inspired by a football documentary I watched over my husband's shoulder about Tom Brady. The year Tom Brady was drafted he was the 199th pick - through teary eyes he described how he had given up all hope of being drafted and had left his parents house to go for a "walk". Minutes later his name was finally announced. On his first day with his new team he told his coach, "I am going to be the best decision you ever made." Tom Brady isn't a great football player because he's the most talented. Tom Brady is a great football player because he's determined, hard working, competitive and from what I could tell, passionate about football. Now my husband thinks my interest in Tom Brady simply boils down to a good old-fashioned, junior high crush. I mean, I can't really deny that the man is easy on the eyes. Tall drink of water with gorgeous hair and a nice body. He is married to one of the most beautiful women on the planet and she sees something in him, right? Also, he's rich. Okay, maybe I have a little crush. But seriously, if I could apply *Brady's ethics to my everyday life I like to imagine what I could accomplish. What I could teach my children about hard work and determination. I might only be the 199th name on a list of  people who appear to have so much more talent or experience than I do, but that doesn't mean that I'm still not the best person for the job. Who says I can't make it to the top? Or at least make it to the final game where none of my teammates will do a very good job of catching any of my passes. Wink.

*(referred to here by last name because that's what guys do and since I'm kinda of talking about football, I thought, " . . . when in Rome!")

Tuesday 14 February 2012

GL 'AMOUR' OUS

It's Valentine's Day and that's got me thinking . . . what do you love to do to help yourself feel glamourous? You shouldn't wait for a holiday or a special occasion to add that special touch to your day. It might just give you a much needed lift in your mood or confidence. Feel the love so you can share the love. I do a little something special for myself almost every day. Some pretty underwear, delicious confections, fine jewellery, fun, brightly coloured accessories, or my personal favourite right now - perfume. Whatever it is, even if you're not in love today, live like your life is full of romance . . . and then, why not do it again tomorrow. Because who knows, maybe tomorrow is going to be that day that you've been waiting for.

Monday 13 February 2012

The "News"

I have wanted to start a blog now for a very long time, but no matter how much inspiration or encouragement I received from friends, I just wouldn't DO it. To tell you the truth, I was scared. Sometimes I think of my life as boring and ordinary. Who wants to read about a white, 30 something minus a career and a fancy education, with no budget for intriguing world travels and excessive shopping sprees? Subtract further from that the exciting social life that is enjoyed by pre-settled-down gals who are lapping up the oyster juices that the world does so happily crack it's head open to provide. Well, here I am, vulnerable. Naked, so to speak.

But I want you to know if you follow me on this journey you will not be disappointed. I have always had this excitement for life. Sometimes I think it just might explode into a supernatural display of fireworks. Which could possibly be a bad thing. It might make me do something rash, like run away to a life in Morocco or charge a wardrobe of Louis Vuitton handbags on my credit card. So instead I am going to keep on the safe side and let this blog be my virtual supernatural display of fireworks. I am really looking forward to this. I hope you are too . . . .
"Life's a Ball"