Limo heels

New Heels, Albeit at a More Recession-Friendly Price Point

As the U.S. and global economies are in dire straits, now is not the best time to splurge on a new pair of Christian Louboutin heels. However, that is not to say, that I won't be doing my part to contribute to the U.S economy by acquiring new cute shoes.

I bought not one, but two new pairs of shoes from bebe. I bought the bebe round-toe London Mary Jane Platform Pumps in black patent and another pair in tan patent. These shoes are so cute, and of course, very sexy. I love the two-tone leather and of course, the super-tall height. In addition, I was able to take advantage of a bebe promotion of a $100-off coupon at the bebe Collections boutique on Market Street in San Francisco (thank you Kimmy for your help).

bebe London Mary Jane Platform Pump in black patent and leather, $159, bebe.com

However, what I like about these shoes and many other bebe shoes are the thicker platforms in the front of the shoe. I get the best of both worlds: a more comfortable arch, a lower arch, without sacrificing the look of five-inch or taller heels.

bebe London Mary Jane Platform Pump in tan patent and leather, $159, bebe.com

For example, my Ali heels have a five inch heel, but with a inch and a half platform, so the true height is three and a half inches. Similarly, the bebe London pumps have a five and a half inch heel with a one and a quarter inch platform.

I really like this shoe design as it is ideal for wearing in the office. It just means that I can wear them pretty much all day long without feeling the pain of the a four inch or four and a half inch heels like many of my other shoes.

I did have to take both pairs to my local cobbler to have the toe box stretched as the shoes were a bit tight in my size and partly due to the round toe design.

In any, these shoes are super cute and will go well with all my new bebe suiting and bebe dresses that I have bought. While these shoes are far less expensive than my Louboutin Rolandos that I bought last September, I made up in spending with the purchase of clothes. Oh well!

Practice Makes Perfect

If you all need help walking in super tall heels, the please read this article, Guide to Walking in High Heels Without Pain, that appeared in today's San Francisco Chronicle. I've seen plenty of women who should heed the tips in this story or should not be wearing high heels, because it ain't pretty or appealing.

My recommendation is simple: if you're going to wear four inch heels or above, then please make the investment in a pair that are well made, regardless of the brand or price. You're only placing you and your health at risk by wearing cheaply made high heels.

Commentary on This Week's On The Street

My favorite fashion reporter/photographer is Bill Cunningham's On The Street in which he has been chronicling what New Yorker's have been wearing for years--and yes, decades. However, I am big fan of the new web format of On The Street that takes advantage of the Internet's unique capabilities, namely Cunningham's audio commentary with the slide show.

It's much more illuminating to hear him discuss the week's photos and hear him describe what New Yorker's are wearing and why. I find it much more interesting to have both the visual and audio--particularly to hear the voice of the photographer after decades of photo montages that have appeared in the Sunday New York Times. A print montage that I swear I recall, yet have not found in the Times' online archives is collection of photos from circa mid-to-late 1990's of the Antique high-heel Mary Janes produced by Prada that were all the rage one fall season.

As a shoe fiend, I have certainly enjoyed Cunningham's recent stories on shoes being the focus of the outfit than the handbag.

In this week's photo essay entitled The Modern Woman and what they are wearing, I found one photo of a woman whose outfit is super cute with a very feminine full mini skirt, black jacket, black hobo and of course, the clearly visible red-soled trademark of Christian Louboutin black stilettos. I also love her inky black tights, which alone had been the subject of an On The Street feature wore by Parisian women.

 

Photo credit: Bill Cunningham, New York Times

All Decked Out for a 'Moonstruck' Evening

In the 1987 movie, Moonstruck, Loretta (Cher) agrees to go to the Opera with Ronny (Nicolas Cage), the brother of her fiance, Johnny (Danny Aiello). The two go to a performance of 'La Bohème' at Carnegie Hall.

Last night, I have a wonderful evening with my gay husband Daniel (every woman needs one, at least in S.F.). We had dinner and then went to see 'La Bohème' at the San Francisco Opera. It was a beautiful show and as soon as I heard the song performed by Norah Amsellem in the second act (The Latin Quarter) I immediately recalled my memory of Moonstruck, my favorite movie with Cher and Nicolas Cage, which I hadn't seen in years.

As with Cher in the movie, I visited the hair salon prior to my visit to the opera. In my case, I went to the WAK Shack salon for a blow out and brow wax. This time, I had Heather do both and she did a great job. My brows were perfect, as always, and she put in plenty of curls using both the brush and curling iron. She used tons of hairspray to hold my 'do until my evening engagement several hours later.

Fortunately, I didn't have to take a cab to the opera house as Daniel arrived with his black Jag--a perfect compliment to our formal wardrobes and elegant evening.

As with Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Daniel and I were dressed-to-the-nines and color-coordinated. Daniel had been by my place a couple weeks prior to see the color of my top so he could color-match it to his outfit.

Daniel work black trousers with a plum-colored dress shirt, a purple and plum striped tie and a black, striped dinner jacket. He also wore his favorite pointy shoes (that made two of us). He also wore bling: not one, but two diamond anniversary rings that he received from his husband, Edgardo (who graciously let me borrow Daniel for the evening).

I wore exactly what I listed in my previous post entitled: Getting Girly for the Gala. I refrained from wearing any of the items I bought for this outfit until last evening. To recap, I wore a plum cardigan sweater wiith ruffled neckline and cuffs from Anne Fontaine with a matching camisole, a box pleat skirt from Milly in black silk, a pair of black Wolford Neon Glanz super-glossy hosiery, and of course, the best for last, my brand new black patent 'Rolando' stiletto heels from Christian Louboutin. I also brought along my black clutch from bebe. My bling consisted of my Gucci bangle watch (it's been so long since I wore last that I didn't realize until later in the evening that the battery stopped working) and a delicate silver necklace with the letter 'M' (for yours truly) from Tiffany & Co.

Both Daniel and I had a great time at the opera and both commented how wonderful a time we had dressing up for the evening. When we worked together, we would both come to work dressed-to-the-hilt despite the business casual environment. It was so much fun. This is what makes life worth living for: to share company with loved ones and dress to kill.

Hopefully, we'll have another opportunity to be all decked out and color-coordinated. My next social engagement is a dinner with a friend. Though scheduled last minute, I haven't had the time to even consider what to wear. Whatever it will be, I'll know it will be fabulous.

Getting Girly for the Gala (Opera)

I have make this disclaimer: I lifted the title to this blog directly from a San Francisco Chronicle story by Cynthia Robbins. Yes, I'm directly plagiarizing her story title, but at least I'm being forthright about it. It's just great copy that has stuck in my mind for years given that the story ran in 2001 (I still recall the full page layout).

My gay husband and I (not to be confused with my gay boyfriend) will be going to the San Francisco Opera next month. I have already chosen my outfit and my beauty team. See below.

Shoes:
Christian Louboutin
Rolando in black patent, fall 2008
$700, Neiman Marcus Online

Legwear*:
Wolford
Neon 40 in black
Wolford Boutique, New York
* may opt for tanned bare legs in lieu of hosiery

Skirt:
Milly
Box Pleat Skirt in black, fall 2008
$325, Saks.com

Top:
Anne Fontaine
Parfaitelaine cardigan sweater in amethyst violet wool
with ruffled neckline and cuffs with matching camisole, fall 2008
Anne Fontaine, San Francisco (415) 677-0911

Bag:
bebe
Leather Logo Clutch in black
$149, bebe Collections, San Francisco, (415) 227-9910

Timepiece:
Gucci
large bangle watch, silver with silver face
purchased in January 2000 from Gucci San Francisco

Jewelry:
tbd

Perfume:
Be de Boucheron Eau de Parfum
$110 (1.7 oz), from Nordstrom City Centre, Westfield Mall, San Francisco

Hair:
Cut and color scheduled
Kendra
WAK Shack, San Francisco
(415) 255-8554 http://www.wakshack.com

Facial & Brow Wax:
Heather
WAK Shack, San Francisco
(415) 255-8554 http://www.wakshack.com
best brow wax in San Francisco, if not the Bay Area

Makeup:
tbd

Manicure & Pedicure:
Susan
Glen Park Nails, San Francisco
(415) 585-6844
does the best acrylic French nails ever, complete with gel UV "easy-bake oven" top coat
 

"Ali" McBeal: Limo Heels Award for Best Heels for Work, fall 2008

Even before the shoes were available, I knew I had to have them. I knew that if the shoes were offered in multiple colors, I would buy every color available.

That shoe is the Ali Snakeskin Pump from bebe. I haven't done any research into the shoes from other brands available this fall for me to correctly call it the "best shoe," but this is my blog.

My eye immediately gravitated towards the shoes in the web site photo, below, found on bebe's web site. Plus, the model is exiting a Town Car in her chic suit and heels. What better juxtaposition to advertise a serious outfit for work?

   

True to my word, upon becoming available, I immediately placed a reserve all three colors--black, brown and burgundy--in my size with Alicia, the manager, at bebe Collections--bebe's shoes and accessories boutique--on Market Street in San Francisco (415.227.9910).

 
Ali Snakeskin Pump in black, available at bebe boutiques and bebe.com, $149

On payday, I made a bee-line for the store and bought all three pairs of shoes. I used a $100-off fall promotional coupon across two sales, which helped reduce the overall total, but I had to buy a few extra items to qualify for the promotion requirements (this only meant that I got to buy even more cool bebe items). These items included a wicked cool pair of bebe Sabrina shield sunglasses (in gold trim), a bebe heart charm necklace, a bebe heart charm chain bracelet, and best of all, the gigantic bebe sunburst Swarovski bangle watch in silver, which I practically wear every day now. I LOVE bangles and, in particular, bangle watches. I own a silver bangle watch from Gucci that I purchased in 2000, but I think I have only worn a dozen times (I wear it only on special occasions).

Back to the shoes.

I have received nothing--nothing but compliments from women--my coworkers and women at the nearby Peet's Coffee and Tea, and elsewhere.

The reason I give the bebe Ali pumps my kudos for best fall 2008 heels for work is the design of the shoe. As we all know, big platform heels are all the rage this fall. The Ali pump includes a tall 4 1/2 inch heel and the Ali Snakeskin pump includes a one-inch platform in the front, versus the typical half-inch platform found on other shoes. This chunkier platform is key design element that makes the shoe more comfortable to wear at work as the true angle of the foot is only 3 1/2 inches.

Another great design element of the Ali heel that I enjoy versus even some of my other, more expensive high heels, is the actual design of the heel itself. The heel of the Ali pump is pushed to the very rear of the shoe and has no curvature to it--The heel itself goes straight down and is quite slender. As a result of this design, to the eye, the heel looks very tall as there is a lot of open space beneath the sole of the arched sole and the heel. This open space makes the shoes look much taller compared to other shoes that have thicker heel designs.

I love the Ali Snakeskin pump so much that I might just buy a second and third pairs in black, and a second pair in brown. These shoes are so perfect for work. I've work them (only) with skirts. I plan to wear the black pair with my new bebe Pressed Pintuck Pleated skirt suit and the black pair with my other new bebe suit--the more professional Clean Sharp Jacket and matching Angled Seam Pencil Skirt.

As I have written on more than one occasion, you can find conservative--but still sexy--suiting, tops, shoes and accessories for work at bebe. It's not all va-va-voom!

bebe: Best Friend for Life or She-Devil Frenemy?

It has been my longtime girlfriend, bebe, that has been tormented me over the years. She offers me super sexy, ultra-feminine clothes, outfits, shoes and accessories that are much more within my reach than the premium purveyors of sex0: Dolce & Gabbana, D&G Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci (particularly during Tom Ford's tenure), Versace, or even Just Cavalli.

Stunning satin pencil skirt from bebe, fall 2008, $98

I adore bebe skirts as they are just so damn flattering and sexy. I could live the rest of my life wearing bebe skirts and never, ever--ever--wanting to wear pants again. bebe skirts make me feel feel sexy and feminine.

bebe skirts and super tall Limo Heels coupled to my best asset: my long, lean, athletic and shapely legs that routinely draw compliments from women and men alike are a super dangerous combination and an indulgence of narcissism and vanity--I love looking at myself in the mirror as much as guys and women looking at me adoringly or seething with envy (women have confessed to me as much).

 

Absolutely adorable: Pressed Pintuck Pleated Skirt from bebe, fall 2008, $98. This skirt and the matching jacket, both of which I own, would make Ally McBeal proud. The Ali Snakeskin Pumps in black and the Leather Logo Tote, both available from bebe Collections on Market Street in San Francisco, (415) 227-9910, (neither item shown in this photo) makes for a cute outfit for work.

I should point out that for it is taboo to wear skirts with a hemline beneath the top of my knee or above my ankles--I don't give damn what label is on it. Also, I don't own one pair of boots--why on earth would want to conceal my calves? I might as well wear pants!.

YES, my BFL has tormented me with an entirely new line of bebe fashions: bebe Sport. I've been binging at bebe Sport for nearly a month and have created multiple new, super cute, super sporty outfits practically from scratch (think: large expeditures).

I can't deny that I'll be a bebe girl until the day I die. I just need to temper my purchases so it's not out of control.

Un-Boxed

What's in a box, I ask?

More than the contents if you are a devotee of Apple. Apple fans are well acquainted with the company's design philosophy which extends to not just the products themselves--the iPhone, the MacBook, or even the connecting wires such as the MagSafe power adapters--but to the product containers themselves.

 

Apple designers put a lot of thought into the design of product box that accompanies each and every Apple product--from computers to iPods to headphones. Each box is different and in so cases, even open differently than your average cardboard box.

In turn, Apple customers have recognized this effort. So much so that there are even people who collect Apple product boxes. On YouTube, you can find tons of videos showing the unboxing of products, typically technology gadgets. But, I believe these types of videos started with Apple products since Steve Jobs is so obsessive about marketing. The lowly product box demonstrates the marketing genius and savvy of Steve Jobs and company.

Well, what does this have to do with fashion?

As you all know, I recently purchased my first pair of Christian Louboutin heels. I've been pining for the 'Rolando' pumps since the style was introduced last fall. I was estatic when I found the style available on the Neiman Marcus web site. I waited with bated breath for my precious shoes to arrive in the mail and could not wait to see the pumps I so admired from afar.

So could you imagine my dismay when I open the cardboard shipping box and pulled out this?

This is the box that held what is now, by 2008 pricing, the most expensive pairs of shoes that I have purchased. It's an ugly brown box made of what appears to be the least expensve materials. It's Just your average brown box. Not even the shoe dust bag is all that great either. My Cesare Paciotti shoe bags are made from finer material.

Now, compare the Christian Louboutin shoe box shown above to the Louis Vuitton box shown below:

 

This is the box that holds my very cute Vuitton pony hair Mary Janes with the cream and brown check pattern design of Louis Vuitton. The design and materials of the box are evoke luxury and a well-crafted product (even if it was made by a machine). The inner box holding the shoes takes just a tiny bit of effort to pull out as it's a snug fit, not unlike closing the door to a luxury automobile.

It may not be immdiately apparent from my photograph, but I assure you that the people at Louis Vuitton have put nearly the same amount of effort designing their product boxes as Apple has.

However, my opinion of the Christian Louboutin box only intensifies my perception that while he is a great designer, his shoes speak to a mass-market, almost commodity product--a commodity product available to any and all who can afford them.

I don't dispute that the French designer creates some of the best, if not, the best designed shoes that women have had the opportunity to wear or covet lust. But, I don't fully buy into the illusion as his presentation is incomplete unlike Apple or Louis Vuitton.

The shoes point to outsourced manufacturing as all the Louboutin heels I have held in my hand all say: "Made in Italy" stamped into his trademark red soles.

I fear that Christian  Louboutin may be some marketing fabrication of Anna Wintour or some other fashion mogul. Could he be like Hagan Dazs ice cream: A German sounding name, but really just ice cream made in New Jersey.

Why are his shoes made in France? Are there no shoe manufacturing facilities in France? As someone of Italian heritage, I should be so honored that a presigitious French designer would chose Italy to manufactur his shoes--it's where my shoes from Cesare Paciotti, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana are made.

Or, is it simply that Monsieur Louboutin is no different that any other profit-driven mongul who wants to spend as little money and effort on the mere packaging that will be discard anyway.

Remember this: Steve Jobs of Apple is a BILLIIONAIRE. According to a business publication, Apple has about 18 BILLION dollars in the bank and is expected to surpass the cash holding of Microsoft.

Equally, Louis Vuitton is known for it's luxury status and is among the most expensive luxury products on the market. It's leather monogram handbag has to be the number-one selling purse of all time, world-wide. So much so that there is a thriving counterfeit market for knock-offs. As I have shown above, LVMH takes great care in how its products are presented to its customers and the world.

In short, I'm greatly disappointed that Christian Louboutin product presentation is so ordinary. Even my new trainers that I bought at the Skechers outlet in San Francisco came in a better and more thoughtfully designed shoe box.

I love the design of my new Rolando's and I am sure that I will buy more pairs of Christian Louboutins. However, I refuse to have blind faith and buy fully into the fantasy.

Fears of Becoming An Armchair Fashionista Diverted

I have felt for the past three or four months that I have been in danger of becoming an armchair fashionista--one who simply writes about fashion than one wears it. There are a number of contributing factors: one has been the flailing economy and another being my tenuous work situation (also attributed to the economy).

I don't want reinforce the notion or belief that practioners of fashion and style are always equated with conspicious consumption and designer labels. As with the evolution of French food, those who make more with a limited budget are often more fashionable than those with unlimited discretionary spending. A good friend of mine is a case in point. True haute couture consumers may be the exception.

I have either pulled myself back from the ledge or I have sunk deeper into the dark depths of financial and moral hell.

Much like character Gollum from J.R.R. Tolken's book, the Hobbit, with a selfish glee, I am pleased to announce that I have finally added Monsieur Christian Louboutin to my stable of premium footwear.

Yes, I finally bought a pair of Christian Louboutins!

I have been lusting after the 'Rolando' style since it was introduced last fall, but I searched in vain to find my size (since Louboutin's generally run small) either through the retail stores, online or via the Louboutin boutiques in New York or L.A.

When I came upon the my precious shoes while perusing Neiman Marcus Online,  I immediately seized the opportunity and bought the Christian Louboutin 'Rolando' style in patent black in true instant gratification style.

I want to revel in my retail therapy rather than regret. Hopefully, you won't see me in my Louboutins while hawking for loose change or dollars on the streets of San Francisco.

Reaching New Heights: Delish Heels for Fall 2008

Though I'm tall, I'm no stranger to sky high heels. Who doesn't love-love-love tall heels. And fall 2008 should prove to be the season for super skyscraper tall heels. I have yet to scour the web and the glossies for the latest selections in tall footwear, but I promise you, I will.

Though I barely had the time to digest the gigantic September issue of Vogue (I have to admit it's the first that I've bought in years), my eye immediately zeroed in on this delicious pair of Christian Louboutin's on page 763, in the spread entitled 2-for-1 Special. In the back of Wintour's fall bible, the Details list the shoes as Alti. I Googled them and found them here on the Luisa Viaroma web site.

I don't care if I'm taller than Yao Ming! It just means that I'll have to date someone the likes of Phil Dalhassuer from the U.S. Olympic beach volleyball team who stands tall at 6'9".

If you've read my blog at all, you'll know my favorite phrase:

I want, I neED, I HAVE TO HAVE THEM!!