Pantone’s 2011 Color of the Year: Honeysuckle

Yes, I realize that Pantone released this press release months ago. But, mid-winter didn’t really feel like the right time to find the best examples of shoes in their 2011 ‘color of the year’.

The color in question: Honeysuckle.

Which, for those of us less picky about our nomenclature is a bright, vibrant, retro-80′s-trending, PINK!

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Nina Ricci Patent Open Toe Sandals

I’m not usually that big a fan of patent-leather shoes, or of retro-chunky platforms.  But, the shape and line of these almost makes me forget that they are just a little bit thick in the heel.  I find myself falling for them. Hard. They look all smooth and swooshy & I just want to touch them, hold them, and look at them.

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Ask the Shoeblogger: Alejandro Ingelmo Pony Boots

Hi there- if you guys could possibly help ID these shoes, I would greatly appreciate it!!! I saw these amazing platform boots on the Bergdorf website- a model is wearing the shoes in the Haider Ackermann Bonded Leather Leggings posting but I can’t find the shoes anywhere on the site. The shoes can be found here.

Thank-you!

Best,
T

Hi T!

It took a little bit of research, but I’m pretty sure I’ve found your mystery boots (shown in the center column between the two original model shots that started this shoe hunt).

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Designer Shoe Deja Vu: Gucci Tattoo Cruise Slingbacks

Some of you may recall that I liked the Gucci Cruise ’09 Heart Slingbacks quite a bit when they were available for sale last fall.

These displayed more than a little echo of Christian Audigier / Ed Hardy styling without being terribly over the top. Plus, I’m a sucker for slingbacks that make my feet look all pretty and disguise flaws while still having a bit of sassy peek-a-boo appeal, so I was double tempted than had these merely been pumps.

Alas, I passed on purchasing them since they were not in my cash-flow plan at that time.

…As a side note, I have actually managed to stick to my attempts at a budget  – for the most part.  I’m only human and things do come up – but, over the last year I have declined to make any shoe purchases over $200, and at that,  rarely.  In fact, my last shoe purchase was back at the end of February, so self control for me has been generally successful, even if it is all about staying on the cold-turkey wagon and keeping my mindset on the task of  new shoe-finds for our readers here on Shoeblog to vicariously fill my shoe needs.

Anyway, I keep reminding myself that  paying down my debt is one of my most important goals for 2010.   The road to financial stability is worth it, but temptation arises in unexpected ways.

This Martinez Valero Gucci-twin is one of those temptations.  These are copies, not counterfeits, and therefore legal; they make no claims to being an actual Gucci product. But, comparing these two products, the source shoe  is unmistakable:

Martinez Valero ‘Onaway’ $159, on sale for $55.98 at Smartbargains & $96.22 at Endless.com

I had written the Gucci’s off as an ebay aftermarket hunt for sometime in 2011, after my bills are paid off, if at all. Now temptation rears its ugly head.

Should I feel bad that I am tempted by these Valero’s? I am still undecided on the whole legal copies issue, which is much more complicated than initial observations might suggest.

Maybe my weird mental guilt issues would be calmed if I mini-splurged on the black rather than the tan since I don’t recall that color being offered by Gucci?

Or, am I over-thinking this?

Flip Flops

We all have said disparaging things about flip flops.  When R5daughter was in 8th grade she wore nothing BUT flip flops.  (She tried to wear then in London in February – something we still tease her about.)  She is now enlightened and wears them more appropriately.  Like it or not, the flip flop is here to stay.  Here are some new events related to flip flops.

Havaiana’s has designed a limited edition world cup series of flip flops that commemorate the 2010 FIFA series that starts in June.   Since Havaiana’s are from Brasil,  this makes sense.  I was looking at them, and wondering which of the 17  team I would purchase.   They are available exclusively at Us.havaianas.com for $24.

Jamie Kreitman is expanding her flip-flop line for the summer.  She is  introducing the Cleo  $76, available in black and coffee. 

Kreitman’s Spring ’10 Champagne Wishes collection draws inspiration from vintage jewelry. Each flip-flop is embellished with a unique brooch and will sell for $55 to $65.   Here is a link to JK boutiques.

  Family Jewels $63 at Jamie Kreitman.com

Grazie is introducing its first season of flip-flops. The young  label, launched in February, offers 15 styles for summer.  They offer colors such as plum, jade and pewter with materials of faux crocodile, snakeskin and printed calf hair.

Grazie Vicenza $48 at Collections 

Flip Flops….I feel a rant coming on.  I just went to the wedding of a silly 18 year old, who had a silly 36 year old mother.  The bride wore these:

  The mother of the bride wore these:

It was not a beach wedding.  It was at a country church where the nearest beach is a 350 miles away.  WHY would a bride want to wear flip flops for her wedding shoes???!!!  Ugh. There are so many pretty shoes available.  Sparkle flips as wedding shoes are not original, not pretty, not funny.   The mother of the bride also wore those wax lips that you get at dime stores. She considers herself quite the jokester. 

Here’s the thing.   While a wedding is a festive event, it is also something that should be taken very seriously.  So these stupid touches just cheapened the seriousness the wedding should have had.   <shudder>  I am glad I got that out of my system.

WWD