SPOTTED: Jeffrey Campbell's Snick Back in Stock!

Remember these JC badboys I introduced to you guys back in March? Well, they're back! You can purchase them on Solestruck.com or Lori's Shoes.

But psst, Solestruck is cheaper and word is from a Jeffrey Campbell insider that they will have the Snicks available in black very soon:

@JCshoes: @Secretista "Black should be up tomorrow... Or so I heard! WORD."

You're welcome.

XOXO

My Top 5 Platform Wedges of The Summer

'Tis the season for shoes!

Summer is not my favorite season. In fact, I actually hate it. I hate the weird looking bugs that seem to come out of nowhere and I hate the frequent hot and humid days. However, I do like the summer for one reason: SHOES.

Summer allows a footwear fashionista like moi to pull out all the stops. Sandals and pumps, oh my! I'm so happy that one of the current shoe trends happens to be platform wedges. And as the self-proclaimed Wedge Wizard, I've decided to put together a list of my top 5 must-buy platform wedges of the season!

*The list is in random order.


1. Hoofkin, $69.98 Aldoshoes.com. What type of countdown would this be if I didn't have my beloved shoe store addiction ALDO?


2. Smith by Jeffrey Campbell, $124.95 Solestruck.com. All hail the platform wedge master maker Jeffrey Campbell. If you don't own a pair of JC shoes yet, then you're missing out.


3. Darneshia Sandal, $108 French Connection. The classic Espadrille! If you can only have one platform wedge this summer, make it an Espadrille. This material never goes out of style.


4. Enigma, $62 Lori's Shoes. I find that a shoe with cork material in the heel is usually light on the feet.


5. Daybreak, $89.95 Steve Madden. I love, love this shoe. It's a perfect combination of a shoe that is light on the feet and is on trend with zipper detailing.


XOXO

Angela and Vanessa Simmons' Baked Goods!

As a total food (specifically cupcakes) and fashion enthusiast and "good girl," I am a strong supporter of Vanessa and Angela Simmons. I think the two of them are awesome role models for young girls, and I see a lot of myself in them. They are young, fun, wholesome and hardworking girls. Some of their sneakers aren't exactly my cup of tea (then again, sneakers in general aren't), but I believe that Pastry is just-right for their targeted audience. The girls recently released a new shoe called Home Sweet Home. Inspired by Dorothy's ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz, Home Sweet Home heels come in a sparkly pink or black color and are paired with flats. Meaning, each pair of HSH heels you order comes with a matching flat--genius!

Also, the Simmons sisters have redone their website! Check it out at LovePastry.com.

xoxo

Jumping On The Clog Bandwagon w/ Jeffrey Campbell

I'm not really sure what makes a shoe a "clog." But if it includes a wooden heel, then I'm all for it--slightly. I guess you can say I already own a pair (See: Recent outfit post). I recently spotted a pair of Jeffrey Campbell platform wooden-heeled wedges that are next on my must buy list. What do you think?

xoxo

P.S. Thanks for featuring me on your site JC. I love you guys!!

Outfit Post: Barbie Pink Nails, Jeffrey Campbell & Jeggings

It was unusually warm in New York yesterday, but HEY, I'm not complaining! I was able to go outside in just my long gray sweater and cropped black satin jacket. And as promised, I said I'd be doing more outfit posts... when I have the time. It's midterm season and I took a break from studying, grabbed one of my best gal pals who's a photographer (she snapped this photo of me) and had a mini photo shoot. Oh, and did I mention I like jeans again? I know I ruled them off, but after going through two pairs of American Apparel leggings in 4 months, I decided it was time for me to suck it up, enter the denim trenches and find a good pair of jeans. In fact, I found FOUR great pair of jeans thanks to American Rag from Macy's. My dears, jeans aren't a lost cause! I also painted my nails Barbie Pink. I don't know the exact name of the color (it wasn't on the bottle?), but the pink nail polish is by POP Nail Glam and the glitter is from Nicole by OPI. I became obsessed with glittery nail polish over the summer. It's a growing addiction that I am proud of. I love working in an industry where my crazy nail color is appreciated!

WHAT I'M WEARING: My jacket and sweater are from H&M, my jeggings--yes, I said JEGGINGS--are from American Rag, my shoes are Jeffrey Campbell (<333!!!) and my sunglasses are Chanel.

Kicking it in the unusually warm weather!


Pulling up my jeggings!


Return of the jumping picture!


Woo! Super Secretista!


Super excited about my nails! Childhood is calling.


A closer look at the nails.


Jeffrey Campbell, Je t'adore.


Oh, it is love.

Photos by Scarlett Hubbard.

xoxo

My Open Love Letter to ALDO Shoes

Trying to carry a third of my Aldo shoe collection.

It's no secret I am an Aldo Addict. I own at least 11 pairs (and counting) of Aldo shoes. From a mix of sky-high heels, to platform wedges, to flats and my favorite knee-high boots, I LOVE Aldo. I also own one of their handbags. Almost two years later, and I am still a devoted customer. One of the main reasons I love Aldo is that the shoe selection is always delectable and fashion forward. I can honestly say that I have never spotted someone else wearing one of my shoes. The prices are reasonable and they always have my size (I'm big-footed, remember?)!

My growing obsession with Aldo began in the Summer of 2008. Heading back to school and starting my first fashion internship, I wanted a pair of shoes that would make a statement. I headed to Aldo because one of my friends worked there and suggested I give it a shot. When I entered the store, I spotted the most incredible pair of platform wedges--aka Roadtown. It was the combination of comfort and chicness that made me pour over with love and adoration for my new purchase--springing my current addiction to wedges.

Impressed by my first Aldo buy, I decided to head back to the shoe haven for a new winter-ish boot. That's when I bought my over-the-knee leather boots (!!). Always ahead of the shoe curve, Aldo had me looking like I just walked off the runway with the soon-to-be boot trend.

At one point, I even started a website devoted to Aldo Addicts. I knew I had a serious addiction when I found myself typing "aldoshoes.com" into my browser before Facebook and Twitter. Yeah. I know. I'm sick.

And as I type this post, I can't stop thinking about the shoes I want to buy. Aldo just unleashed their Spring 2010 collection and there are so many pairs I want, that I can't decide which ones I want! Oh, life decisions...

So Aldo, I have three words for you: I LOVE YOU.

xoxo

Follow me on Twitter!

J'adore Jeffrey Campbell

I am in love. I am in love with Jeffrey Campbell... shoes. Don't get me wrong. I am still heavily addicted to ALDO Shoes--Footwear I can actually afford. I just desperately need the 99 shoes:

Photo Courtesy: Solestruck.com

And with my 21st birthday in 15 days, I think someone out there should get me a pair of these. My shoe size is 10--you know what they say about people with big feet!... What DO they say? Anyway, Jeffrey Campbell released their Spring/Summer 2010 lookbook. Take a looksie below. The site asks, "CAN YOU HANDLE THIS?" No. I don't think I can. I want. I want. I want! But, I can't... I can't... afford. Yet.

Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey Campbell

XOXO

Wearing My Michael Kors Wedges

Apparently, a lot of my male friends do not like wedges. Put a sock in it because I think they are fabulous! I wore them last night for my friend's 21st soiree.

What do you think of my booties?

xoxo

Yum, Shoes!

So, Santa's little elf lied to me! I got wedged pumps from ALDO (picture below) instead of the leather wedged booties I showed you all a couple posts ago. Either way, I'm happy and had a good holiday with my fam. How was your holiday?

(Pic via: ALDO Addicts Anonymous)

HILLEARY
ALDO SHOES
$110

xoxo

A Me Day Leads to A Michael Kors Purchase

Yesterday marked the day of my very first purchase of a Michael Kors shoe.

I took a "me day" yesterday because it was the last day of my finals and I needed to relax and focus on moi. I took a trip to the mall to do some Christmas shopping and spend the remaining amount of money I had on a Macy's gift card.

After a couple hours of dealing with incoherent Sale Associates, I didn't buy any Christmas gifts. Instead, I spotted a pair of Michael Kors heels on the clearance rack, but my size was not in stock--I'm a 5 foot 7 gal with a size 10-11 foot--I almost cried because I wanted those shoes so bad. Someone once told me that a Michael Kors shoe will probably be the most comfortably expensive shoe one could ever purchase. I then proceeded to look around for the Michael Kors section, picked up two boots and calculated if I could afford them. With the help of a recent paycheck, I could!

In the end, I purchased the boots below. I'm astonished at how comfortable these treasurers are. They are a wonderful combination of a snow and chic boot.

Berkshire Wedge
Michael Kors
Just two words for all of you: Hello lover!

xoxo

Wedge Wants: Feeding My ALDO Addiction

With Black Friday sales around the corner, I am looking forward to buying the shoes below. It's a done deal. They will be mine and I will wear them all the time. This will lead me one step closer to my goal of wearing nothing but ALDO shoesies for the rest of my life.

The ROSSINGNOL looks like a wearable version of the McQueen Spring 2010 heel. The ROADTOWN is a shoe I already own. I have it in black, but could use it in white. However, my size is not in stock so I guess I'll have to see about that one. If not, I've got my eyes on a pair of black flats because I am in DESPERATE need of a simple black flat. But let me shh and let you look (and possibly drool):

ROSSINGNOL
ALDO Shoes
$90.00

MINE.
BACK OFF!


ROADTOWN
ALDO Shoes
$59.98 CLEARANCE
Please get my size SOON.
Thanks.


xoxo

ALDO Addiction

I logged onto my computer yesterday morning to do some quick NY Times reading before my journalism quiz, and look what ALDO sent me in my e-mail! HOW DID THEY KNOW I WAS OBSESSED WITH THEIR SHOES AND WEDGES?!

And yes, I still use AOL mail.

It's Destiny!
Destiny.

xoxo

Better As A Wedge: Alexander McQueen Spring 2010

I've slightly fallen out of love with heels. That's right, I said it! I'm sure this is just a phase, but right now I'm in love with wedges. Some of my friends think they are ugly because they are cheating, when I could just put on a pair of "real" heels. PISH POSH! I love wedges because they are so comfortable and chic that I could walk in my shoesies all day! I once walked 11 blocks in NYC in my 3-inch ALDO wedges. That being said, I'm starting a new segment on my blog called, Better As A Wedge! First victim, one of the delectable from Alexander McQueen's Spring 2010 collection. It's totally B.A.A.W-lin!

Photo: Style.com

Excuse my shoddy Photoshop skills, yo.

xoxo

A Broken Heel Equals A Broken Heart

Last summer, these strappy bad boys inspired by the Sex and The City movie made their debut on my feet. I saw them on my buddy Chelsea @ PinkRockCandy and instantly knew I had to cop a pair of my own. Infatuated with everything SATC, I knew that these show-stopping shoes would be a great addition to my ever growing footwear collection. However, I am sad to inform you all that my babies have broken.

At approximately 10:35 a.m. today, Thursday July 23, 2009, I heard a snap at the bottom of my foot as I walked to the bathroom at work. I know the heels are ridiculously skinny for how high they are so I instantly thought, "Oh no! Did I just..." But when I entered the bathroom to further examine what damage may have been done, I witnessed nothing. I wiped my forehead and fiercely--because those shoes are fierce--strolled back to my desk. It was at the end of the day that I could actually see what had happened to my shoe; my lovely shoe. The heel did break and I still had quite a trip back home. More importantly, I knew I may never get to wear my babies again (unless I find a shoe repairer). But until then, may you rest in peace my dearly beloved; may you rest in peace.

xoxo

Killer Shoes

According to Bill Cunningham, a New York Times Photographer, the fashion focus has shifted from the handbag to the shoe. He goes on to say that in particular, the focus is on the heel. Well of course we knew that. Remember Marc Jacob's crazy heel or lack thereof? Anyway, Cunningham showcases some street shots of ladies wearing "killer shoes" and even a cute doggy showing off his or her booties.

And this got me thinking. A shoe can make or break an outfit; it always has and it always will. So it's no surprise that on Black Friday weekend, I only bought shoes (at a good price of course). Two pairs of shoes from Aldo were given the luxury of joining my shoe family. Here's the first member:

I rarely wear sneakers, but when I do, it's either my sequenced Steve Maddens, my Converses, or my Reeboks if I'm feeling extra lazy that day. I'm just happy I have one more comfy pair of shoes that will leave me looking stylish, or uh "fancy" as one of my friends say, as I trek to class. Tell me what you think of my new shoe. A killer or not?

---
Secretista

Intern and The City: Perspective

My editor returned from her mini-vaca today and she put things in perspective regarding this heatwave we have going on over here in the east coast. Our conversation went something sort of like this:

"So how's everything?"

"Good, Good. Just trying to finish this update for
you."

"That's good, but I mean outside of work."

"Well, it's freakin' hot outside!"

"You guys are funny. You consider this hot, but this is
nothing compared to where I'm from."

And she's right! Although the sudden heatwave is unbearable (sort of), I'm sure it's way above 100º somewhere else. I still think it's disgustingly hot though, haha! I'm not a big fan of hot weather, but I do enjoy wearing cute dresses around this time.

Moving on, today when I was writing an update for my internship, the subject matter justified my love for being a New Jersian! I wrote about paid family leave. In 2009, New Jersey along with Washington will join California in allowing paid family leave for workers who need to take time off to take care of their family. Ahh, not only do we have the lowest gas prices in the country, but our employees will be getting paid leave. We're awesome! Do you have pride for your state, county, ect.?

---
Secretista

P.S. My shoes are on their way!

Intern and The City: I'm on FIRE!

BOY was it hot today! But thank God for Air Conditioning. My internship today went well. I was writing articles well they call them updates like there was no tomorrow! It was fun :). To compensate for the cool, cool air conditioning in the office, I wore a scarf. Take a looksie:

When I got home, I was chatting with homie C a.k.a PinkRockCandy, and she told me that her Dior look alike shoes from the SATC movie had arrived! Take a look at her post for today. SHE LOOKS FIERCE! So much so, she inspired me to go ahead and buy a pair. I don't know if I can afford buying shoes right now, but I said what the heck! In case you don't remember, they are these babies:

I think I might wear these to Ed2010's 7th Annual Welcome to NYC Intern Party on June 17. Hopefully they'll arrive by then! Well as we all know (if you're on the east coast), it was hott as hell today! Literally, it felt like HELL. What did everyone do to stay cool? Or, did we all just venture outside bravely?

---
Secretista