Shoe Trends - Embrace winter fashion



Now, I know that the ladies that read this are uber trend setters in their own right ! Because you dress to suit yourself. That's right, you heard it, you know what you want and what works for you. That's not to say though, that you aren't prepared to take advice or look for ways to make you, a better you!
Be ever evolving with your personal image. Stay in tune with what works for your personality and you can be ready to jump on the next thing. YOU, are a work in progress - How exciting !

With every changing season, we see that "anything goes" is here to stay. There will always be a couple of predominant looks or "fads" in each season, but for the main part the overall collections are eclectic. Which is fabulous, because it enables each one of us to find that thing that makes us - Us.

We are one month into Winter now and it has been nice to have the need to layer-up and especially nice to need to wear boots - because its been Freeeezing here in Brisbane. We still have a few more cold boot wearing months to go. So I thought I would share a little story from the lovely Sacha, and her thoughts on trends. You are also going to love the "Riviera" colours to come this summer. In the mean time embrace the winter fashions xx

Top ten shoe trends  by Sacha Strebe (13th June 2012)   

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With the voracity of the interweb, trends come and go so fast, that by the time we publish this, these styles may already be on their way out. But, being creatures of habit that we are, when we stumbled upon this top ten shoe trend report from The Telegraph in the UK we simply had to share. Not so much for the trend factor, but for the chance to marvel at fashionable footwear we all wish to covet in our shoedrobes.
What are your top picks this season? Will you be donning a western-themed heel? or how about a perspex heel? This bunch is a little left field, but accessories maketh the style!


Cowboy boots and western-inspired heels

Mary Janes

Mules

Neon

Perspex heels

See the complete trend report at The Telegraph, HERE.

http://www.shoefaironline.com.au/features/#plasticfantastic?utm_source=sanscode-emailer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Shoe%20Online%20issue%2051

Glitter DIY Wedge Heels

Woohoo, I am doing my first DIY on a pair of last summers suede shoes. I wore these to death and I still love them. Suede is surprisingly hard wearing and easy to look after. However, after many cuts through the forest, to get the kids to class on time, they have copped a battering.

Slight wearing on the heels and toe at the base of the shoe, from walking through wet grass - LOTS!

So, what tools do you need for this project?

• Glitter, preferably fine glitter. I also liked the near black tones in this bronze
• Gem Bond, or something stronger
• An old, rough pile face washer, or suede cleaning tools (if you have them)
• Scissors, a paint plate, water, paper to lay under project
• A flat tip, wide paint brush

Clean up the shoes first. Slightly dampen the face-washer and rub the shoe all over back and forth quite firmly. The following picture shows the left shoe brush up and the right un-brushed. I will be doing another blog showing how to clean up a grey muddy pair of suede heels I have (soon)

Now the fun begins ! Liberally apply the glue, I found I could cover one side and then put the glitter on as it was still wet enough. Lots of glue on, it dries clear.

The glitter I used had an applicator hole, but it wouldn't matter if yours had no applicator and just am opening.

I have done a short video to show this in action. Please excuse the quality etc etc.

I am working on a non-Apple technology way of videoing so I have more control! Annyhooo I hope it helps x

Gently pat down the glitter .

Gently tap off the excess.

 

You can save excess by putting it in a snap-lock bag

Let the first layer dry over-night, at least.


Getting close now, time for touch up layers. You can glue straight over the top of your earlier layer.
Depending on colours used etc as to how many layers of glitter. I only needed gap touch-up on mine.

Let them dry for a day or so. Then I sprayed heaps of lacquer hairspray on the glittered part. You can purchase special sealant sprays, but so far the hairspray is enough for my job.

What did this cost, you ask? Well the glitter was on sale for $3, the glue was $4.95 (and I still have heaps left). I would have used about $2 of the overall glue cost,  I would guess.  I already had newspaper and a brush etc. (the brush cost me $6 originally) So the re-vamp cost me less than $10.00.

Tadadada ! The finished Masterpiece. Relatively subtle (for glitter) yet still sparkly glamour.

So far I am very happy with the result. I leave a tiny trail of glitter, but I don't mind !

Hmmm, so now that I saved money by revamping an old pair. I think it is only fair I reward myself with a, "new pair" of shoes.  So I'm off shopping, in my new treasures xxx

Any questions, feel free to comment, or check out the link on fb.

 

For more Glitter DIY inspirations, check out the following links xx

http://www.marthastewart.com/856703/glittered-sneakers

http://www.marthastewart.com/856703/glittered-sneakers#

http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/01/how-to-make-glitter-shoes-.html

 

 

 

Packing Shoes for Travelling - tips for packing

I have travelled a fair bit over the years, and hope to do a lot more in the future. Amongst a mountain of teachings during these travels, I learnt the art of packing light. The trick is to pack ahead of time and then re-pack a few times before you depart. Or, more to the point, cull the mountains of stuff you have decided you would DIE without !!

When you have performed this a few times, you get a feel for it, and normally you only need to check what you have packed once. Lists are good, I have always hated them, but they really do work. I usually just write a list for the things I have not yet purchased, or stuff I use daily and can only pack last minute.

The reason for this post is SHOES ! I normally only pack three to four pairs for flying trips because of baggage limits. For road trips, around five pairs and when I go camping it's three pairs. The following suggestions are for trips to relatively warm climates. To colder places I would switch out the smart day shoe for a pair of boots (or two).

Flying Trips Overseas or Domestically:

Casual Walker

Something comfortable and stylish, try burnt orange, the new red.

It goes with lots of colours, including black, brown or grey.

All Rounder High Heel

I hate to say it, but black is best here. You could wear these with jeans

or a dress. This style carries over various outfits a bit better than just a strappy heel would.

Smart Day Shoe

I have bought tan into the collection with this shoe. This style is not too high and has a comfortable foot bed, so you could walk a bit in need. It is also stylish, and again, would work with pants and dresses or skirts.

  

If you plan to exercise or run, better add your joggers to the list.

Road Trips (domestic):

This pack will be very dependant on what you are wearing and or doing on the trip. Usually you would have more space (no bag limits) so you do have the option to take a different shoe for each outfit. Less is sometimes easier, so decide which outfit, or outing is most important and make sure you take the exact shoe for this. Then you can be a bit more flexible with the other outfits and not have to take so many shoes.

Casual Walker

Stylish and practical, you obviously need a good quality walker if you plan to walk the streets a lot. Sometimes you have to forgo a little style for comfort, although we are seeing much better designs coming through.

All Rounder High Heel

Classy stable heel, not too high. Again I have bought in tan here, to give a good mix. This is actually a high end comfort / sport brand that also does fashion. The foot bed in these is very comfortable and supportive. Can be worn with pants, a dress or skirts.

Smart Day Shoe

With this shoe you are looking for something a little spunky and fun. The pewter and purple in these are great colours to match with lots of outfits. Practical heel height, quality foot bed, not something you would walk a lot in.

Another heel for "just because"

Oh and maybe this one too !!

 

Now, stop right there. No more, if you need to swap out one of these heels for a boot or another cute flat, do what suits you.

Again, If you plan to exercise or run better add your joggers to the list.

Camping Trips (domestic):

Flip Flops

 I am not big on this foot wear, however they are practical. Good for showering in and just for the ease of taking on and off when going in and out of the tent (or cabin) and so on.

Casual Walker

A shoe that is comfortable and water resilient would be good here. The shoe below, is comfortable and can get wet. Oh, and it also looks good, bonus.

Boot or Joggers

It can get cool at night camping and sometimes "rain"!!!! Which means a warm covered in shoe is always handy. If you are a runner, jogger etc maybe just bring your runners, then you have both bases covered. Otherwise a great gumboot like these.

I also make sure I dedicate one whole bag to shoes. Don't be in denial, they wont fit in your suitcase. That way you will have space to shove last minute things of the kids and husband in this bag as well (maybe !!) It's also easier to locate them on your trip if they are in one bag.

How do you normally solve the shoe packing dilemma ?

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Italian Shoe Fair - Brisbane - Summer 2012

Summer 2012 spoiler or teaser, as I prefer to call it !

As promised, a post updating you on what's to

come for Summer 2012, and it's pretty amazing.

We say it before each buying trip, how can they

beat the current season ? The designers always do, that's

why they are the designers and we are the Loving Appreciators.

Some seasons are more surprising than others and

Summer 2012 looks to be one of those.

Colour colour colour, is the standout consistency

across all the suppliers and brands.

The colours are simply beautiful.

The collections have a real upmarket holiday feel about them. You could take them from The Riviera to The Amalfi Coast on to the Caribbean and then off to Scarborough.

With the hot days we are having at the moment I want them now now now I SAY !!

Alas, we have to wait, in the mean time, appreciate the pictures below. These are some of the contenders for our orders for next year. You will have to wait until then to see which ones get to come and play at Shoes on Scarborough.

Wrap-up of the looks for Summer 2012

Lots of raw leather look and tans

Heaps of colour

Wedges are still strong

Practical heel heights were well represented

Block heels

Low kitten heels

Pointy toes

Check us out on face book to see regular posts as our winter styles start to come in.

Bye for now xx