Lamisilk Foot Therapy Works Wonders

OK it is midway through the summer, you have been wearing sandals or flip flops nonstop since May and your feet are thrashed.  They need help.  Fast.  I found just the thing.  Lamisilk Intensive Foot Therapy.  There are four different products in this line: a hydrating cream, a repair serum, a cream that turns into powder, and an exfoliating scrub.    The entire line can be found at Amazon.  I found mine at Safeway. I only have experience with Repair Complex. It is amazing.

My skin is naturally very dry, I live in the desert, and I am barefoot a lot of the time, so my feet really need help.  I picked up Repair Complex because it’s ingredients didn’t include petroleum jelly.  Ointments that are petroleum jelly based don’t really work for me, creams are OK for a temporary fix, but this serum is different.  It has the feel of silicone based serums. (Biosilk comes to mind.)   I got a pedicure to start with, then just as I went to bed, I put some of this on my feet, focusing on the heels. The next morning, my feet were still soft with the deep cracks fading.  That has never happened before.

I am NOT going to show you what my feet look like.  You will make fun of me.

The instructions say to use this twice a day, but I usually forget and apply just as I go to bed.  I think if I were to use this religiously, and wear real shoes more often, my feet would be just as pretty as Galligator’s and Trainingheels‘.

Fabulous Rose Floral Shoes

Okay, I have had a mad, crazy, lustful, crush on Roger Vivier’s Rose-n-Roll stilettos since I first saw photos of them in vivid blue at an online fashion forum late last year (Since then, seen on other blogs):

(Photo source: www.luxist.com)

Aren’t these just the most romantic shoe? I am so put in mind of Sleeping Beauty; wouldn’t these be perfect for the princess waking from her enchanted sleep?

But, alas, at £830, these beauties were never remotely anything more than a sweet and distant dream for this particular shoeblogger.

Anyway, in the process of searching for a photo of these rose-thorned stilettos to share with you, I encountered not only an affordable (and obviously inspired) style by Leg Avenue, but also a fabulous (and fabulously expensive) rose-themed shoe by Mai Lamore which pre-dates the Vivier sandals by about a year.

So, for your amusement (and thanks to Polyvore for the searchable fashion engine and set editor that created this collage), I present a small example of shoe evolution in action:

At top center, Mai Lamore’s $27,945 rose shoe has a 14K covered sculptured stiletto -  as well as hand-dyed silk rose petals at the heel; these breathtaking shoes were found in a 2007 issue of Elite Traveler.

At the bottom left are the previously mentioned Roger Vivier shoes from the 2008 fall/winter collection; this time shown in a red-and-black color combination (many other colors and combinations were produced).

At bottom right, are the Leg Avenue look-alikes to the Vivier silhouette. The Leg Avenue ‘Sangria’; these will run you $31.62-$58.32 at the Amazon Marketplace. A closed-toe pump version; the Leg Avenue ‘Thorn’ is also available for $38.95 at Shoebuy.com.

So, now I just need to find a little bit of budge in my budget. After all, how much closer am I likely to get than this to the dream shoe I drew back in October of 2008 – months before I ever set eye on any of the styles shown above.

Dillard’s Clearance Sale – Save up to 80% off Retail Prices!

Dillard’s department store is having a super duper online clearance sale.  Starting today, you can take an additional 40% off already reduced prices, effectively bringing you down to 80% off the retail price in some cases!  Those prices, in my opinion, are pretty darn extraordinary.  Since seeing is believing, here are some brands with prices so hard to resist, I didn’t.  I picked up both of these Cole Haan shoes and the Sperry Top-Siders before writing about them – I just couldn’t believe the prices and had to put myself into the sales queue first since I know that these will sell out fast (can you tell how excited I am?).

Cole Haan Air Elly OT Ballet; Regularly $185 and now on sale for $33;  It’s a classy silhouette that we blogged about back in 2008, and here you have in on sale!

Cole Haan Air Chole in red, pewter, or black; Regularly $195; On sale for $35 (try to beat that price, seriously!)

My darling husband is taking sailing classes.  From him, I’ve learned that the Sperry Topsider shoe brand puts out some really practical boat shoes with wonderful soles that will grip well on the boat and have soles that won’t leave ugly black treadmarks.

These Sperry Topsider ‘Coastline’ mary-janes are $28, down from $80 and while they aren’t the most fashionable shoes out there, they will be functional.

There are a ton of other shoe brands to choose from, ranging from fashionable brands like Jessica Simpson and Michael and Michael Kors

Like these Michael by Michael Kors Berkeley T-Strap; Formerly $154, Now $46-$59

or Jessica Simpson Stratia; Regularly $89 now $32

to shoe brands known more for their comfort, like Ecco, Born, Privo, Merrell, etc.

And once you are done with the shoe shopping, dare I tempt you with clothing like this Laundry by Shelli Segal Strapless Pleat-Front Dress which is $62, down from $354.

Okay, I didn’t set out to, but I’m starting to feel like I’m a salesperson right now, so I’ll just leave you to shop in peace now.  Happy online surfing!

Saks’ Shoe Heaven Has a Sale, its Own Shoe Code … and an Express Elevator!

Going to Saks’ Shoe Heaven is an experience, especially when they’re having a sale. The shoe floor is so big, it has its own zip code: 10022-SHOE! We’ve written about it before, but with this sale, it deserves a fresh look.

You take an express elevator (here’s a photo of Kellie Pickler in front of said elevator) to the eighth floor and start getting excited while you’re in the elevator, which says 10022-SHOE.

The shoe mecca has its own repair service, Charbonnel chocolate cafe and private room for VIP shopping. There is also a large selection of Roger Vivier bags and shoes against the wall adjacent to the VIP room. I don’t love the Vivier Pilgrim Pumps, but some of the bags are great.

The first thing that hits you when you come in is a tough, black, motorcycle-styled display by some of the most prominent shoe designers today, including McQueen, Choo and Louboutin. Yup, that trend is still rockin strong.

The above shoes are not on sale, unfortunately, but may be by this fall if there are any left.

I will post more photos later, but for now, I’d like for you all to know that it’s going on so you can check it out during your strolling midtown business lunch! Plenty of iconic Marni, Louboutin and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes were on sale. That means that shoes that range from a bottom of around $500 to a top of around $1500 were on sale for around $200 to $500. Not bad.

Don’t get me wrong, there weren’t only 7 to 7.5 shoes on sale, but like many women, that has always been my dream size (I’m an 8.5 to 9), so I snapped a photo of those in wishful thinking.

If you’re buying online, there’s free shipping on all orders with the code SFASUM9, only through today.

Manolo Blahnik Sale

It’s getting to be that time of the year when summer stock needs to start clearing out to make way for fall trends. (Already, you ask?) It is nearly August, believe it or not, and soon those dark, stormy fall items will be throwing that blanket of darkness that I hate so much over New York retail stores. I don’t understand why winter has to equal frumpy, dark, layered and boring so much of the time. I’ll be sporting the winter white this year, AGAIN, in the form of coats, hoods, cloaks, boots and whatever else, even if I look like the White Witch of Narnia.

I used to spend quite a bit of time in the Manolo store across from my old workplace, just browsing. I always thought I disliked Manolos (both on principle and based on most of the design, because, like Choos, they are too girly, narrow, fussy, fancy and bejeweled, and not daring and crazy enough for me) until I started working across from a Manolo store. My scorn and skepticism was cured within two visits! (The first visit was just an off day for their shoes).

Going in and actually trying on pairs, it’s lovely to witness such artistry from such a master, even if the style doesn’t match mine perfectly.

Today, I saw a discreet little white sign beneath three white shoes.

“SALE,” it said.

I didn’t go in, because I knew it would be too much temptation to find out how much this adorable little t-strap sandal is, but if you want your sale Manolos, I suggest you trot on over in a hurry, because the European tourists have sniffed out the August sales and are descending in hordes!

Call for prices:
(212) 582-1583

Address:
31 West 54th Street
New York, NY 10019