Shoe blog

Shoe updates!

Greetings, shoe lovers–long time no see! Yours truly has been away for more than a week, partly for a well-deserved break in sunny California, and partly hard-at-work together with the rest of Team Shoeblog, learning a TON about the shoe industry, new styles, trends, and what not, at the crazy-fab and super-busy WSA Show in Las Vegas. If you’re wondering whether to envy us for being privy to so many shoe collections of many wonderful designers in that shoe Mecca, well, you’re quite right. You should be envious. In the next couple of weeks look check back for updates of our doings at the show, including an interview with Anyi Lu and profiles of several exciting designers and shoe lines.

One thing I thoroughly admired on the West Coast (apart from the relentless sun) was the shopping. After strolling through the boutiques of all the major designers I can think of, coming back to Philadelphia was a little anticlimactic. I’ve had gripes with the Philadelphia shopping scene for a while, hence my addiction to Internet shopping, but this was like an a-ha moment. (You can track where I was by the drool-path I carved on my way from one store to another.) Well, at least they’re putting a Sephora in Center City, so I guess I should be grateful!

And as beautiful as the weather was down in LA, I couldn’t help but crave a little variety. It’s still hot here in the Northeast, don’t get me wrong, but I can see the signs that summer is slowly on its way out. My hibiscus has stopped blooming and the berries in the tree in front of my house are fully formed. Leaves keep piling up in different corners of the park, and the days are growing ever so shorter.

And so, I’m dreaming of a calm, rich, settled autumn, kinda like these plush Chie Mihara Mary Jane flats ($320 at Saks), in an inviting navy with an elegant contrasting brown strap and subtle stitching on the toe:

The insole looks anatomically comfortable, complementing the rich and calming effect of the design. I, for one, I’m ready for the new season already!