tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226717132011-12-27T21:27:08.599-05:00A shoe blog for the stylish yet sensible woman. Heels, Pumps, Boots it doesn't matter, we love all women's shoes.Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.comBlogger1501100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-9214976310667293692008-08-28T14:20:00.017-04:002008-08-28T17:15:45.922-04:00

I have been thinking a lot recently about keeping a really great versatile pair of heels in my car (or office) - so that where ever I go, I can get dressed up in a jiffy if need be. You know those times, when you unexpectedly end up going to an event where you want to look extra cute - but your comfy flats just aren't cutting it. So this go-to pair would have to be really wearable, with

Shoe Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17119204352410440841noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-82782377635144743012008-07-31T11:40:00.008-04:002008-07-31T12:23:51.449-04:00

Well it has been quite a while hasn't it!However, I'm back and plan on blogging much more regularly.Recently I have fallen head over heels - well not exactly heels - in love with Mo, a super cute flat sandal from Claudia Ciuti. Bows get me every time!As a little preface, I'm a true high heel lover and I firmly believe in the policy that higher is always better. But in real life things just don't

Shoe Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17119204352410440841noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-64198507129804578132008-01-12T21:33:00.000-05:002008-01-12T22:03:44.529-05:00

In this day and age of Sex and the City and custom made shoe closets, I found myself motivated to make an investment in a few quality pieces. And yes my friends, that means dug deep into a now empty wallet. I don’t mean to say that I blew money on a few pairs of shoes, because in all actuality I probably spend the same amount of money on several pairs that fall apart after a full season of wear.

Shoe Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17119204352410440841noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1857223125959615172008-01-05T00:16:00.000-05:002008-01-05T00:32:51.487-05:00

If you have a pulse and own a remote control, you will have noticed that patent leather has exploded this year in the world of shoes, handbags and accessories. Personally I couldn’t be happier with the new shiny surge. Patent leather is so classy, and much cheaper than their leather counterparts. There are so many neat styles that have been created too. This trend has also renewed my belief that

Shoe Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17119204352410440841noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-16384639680635516882007-12-30T01:41:00.000-05:002007-12-30T01:59:58.447-05:00

I have recently come across an evening shoe that combines some of my favorite elements in life and fashion. What are these elements? Class, Style, Intrigue, and Major Sex Appeal. This 4-inch heel by Luichiny, hits all these buttons in just the right way.Let’s start with Element One: Class. I believe that the conservative peep toe and heel embracing back do some major communication in a very

Shoe Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17119204352410440841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-36527790680503531732007-12-28T00:14:00.000-05:002007-12-28T00:20:05.684-05:00

Ugg’s are everywhere. Whether you feel they are out you can’t deny that they are sweeping the country. Ugg’s even make Oprah’s favorite things list almost every year!I remember when I was in college and they just started to become popular in the mid-west. Though all the fashion magazines said they were a “don’t”. I wasn’t at all surprised it seems by the time the mid-west gets caught up with the

Shoe Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17119204352410440841noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-55767305553173220042007-12-27T00:20:00.000-05:002007-12-27T00:40:36.739-05:00

Just like every other mid-20’s young professional girl, living in a society filled with thrills, frills and ever changing styles, I try hard to stay in-tune with the latest and greatest fashions and trends. While flipping through my weekly People magazine, holding a frothy Starbucks concoction in my discount manicured hand, I see numerous celebs photographed with the same Starbucks drink and

Shoe Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17119204352410440841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-31915671656136848212007-12-20T15:48:00.000-05:002007-12-20T16:44:27.994-05:00

With her trendy colors and textures, the first lady of rock Miss Gwen Stefani is making a real name for herself this season with her latest creations for her fabulous line of couture footwear, L.A.M.B.. The title L.A.M.B. was created from her solo album Love.Angel.Music.Baby. and features clothing, shoes and fragrances from Stefani. This season L.A.M.B. is set to launch the newest designs from

Shoe Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17119204352410440841noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-91997688693250213832007-02-14T08:41:00.000-05:002007-12-20T14:19:38.455-05:00

Hi--Long time no see! I'm still furiously blogging about shoes, but this time at a new joint in town, shoeblog.com, and respectively shoeforum.com. I'll meet you there, shoelovers!

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1163354070163436132006-11-12T12:43:00.000-05:002006-11-13T08:34:09.430-05:00

Funny how life comes in the way of blogging sometimes, you know? You start a blog POSITIVELY brimming with good intentions, and then, before you know it, you bought a house, you have to supervise like, the most painful renovation EVER (well, that may not be true, but it's certainly the most painful renovation I ever had to go through), you move into a new house, a host of internet-connection

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1158117454356233362006-09-12T22:28:00.000-04:002006-09-12T23:17:34.513-04:00

The question is: with cold weather breathing icily down our backs (seriously: I had to put on the fleece tonight while walking the dog), what is the woman who loves style and comfort to wear?The short answer is: I would gorge on any of these three models from Arche, and I'd make a sandal out of the leftovers:Arche "Loreto"Arche "Lombok" Arche "Lydie"They are yummy, aren't they?But since my shoe

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1157576595636974722006-09-06T16:55:00.000-04:002006-09-06T17:03:15.653-04:00

Ok, so I just had to blog about these shoes since I've been strangely attracted to them for a few months now and haven't done a damn thing about it:These BCBGirls "Pascaly" flats are currently on sale at Nordstrom (they were on sale earlier on Zappos, too, but I can't find them of late--must have sold out). Is it that they're linen? That they have the breathable openings in an attractive but

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1157371354145181192006-09-04T07:04:00.000-04:002006-09-04T08:02:34.500-04:00

I haven't posted in a long time, and it's not just because fixing the house and taking care of in-laws got the better of me.If you noticed, I have two kinds of links on my sidebar, the fun ones and the serious ones. I would classify all the fashion blogs and retail sites I link to as "fun" without exception. This is not to say that fashion blogs cannot be thoughtful, well written, insightful, and

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1156422169868643392006-08-24T08:03:00.000-04:002006-08-24T08:22:50.056-04:00

As if home renovations hadn't put enough of a cramp on one's social life, the in-laws are upon us for the next week or so (well, indefinitely, really). Let's review that equation:(dwindling touch-up renovation work)+(in-laws)+(their feisty Siamese cat)+(their yappy black poodle)+(my playful mini-bull-terrier)=General Mayhem (GM).Now, amid GM, what's a girl to do? You got it! Clear her eyes with

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1156182428822538402006-08-21T13:25:00.000-04:002006-08-21T13:47:08.993-04:00

I see this happen all the time but this time it puzzled me because the similarity is too striking:The first one, "Groom," in black, is by Robert Clergerie; the second one, "Y5011", in neutral, is by Tapeet by Vicini. Apart from the contrast stitching on the Clergerie one, they are basically the same. Oh, ok, the price is a bit different: the price tag for the Clergerie slides is $403, currently

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1155910029467777702006-08-18T09:30:00.000-04:002006-08-18T10:07:09.666-04:00

Y'all know by now that I'm a practical sort of gal and as much as I like fashion and glitz, it don't mean nothing to me if it's not wearable. Living in a walker's town makes this Weltanschauung all the more justified.In that spirit, and because my plantar fasciitis has bothered me SO much lately that I kinda let out a soft scream every time I get up, I decided to try a pair of Mephisto's.Make no

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1155788064297245202006-08-16T20:33:00.000-04:002006-08-17T07:16:08.806-04:00

I went to a new hairdresser the other day; he had blond highlights, and a white flowy shirt with the top two buttons open, worn casually over jeans. He announced me in a mild-mannered way that I had fine hair, not as much of it in the front as in the back, and that a bunch of my otherwise gold-red locks were irremediably fried. After the pleasantries were over, he proceeded to give me an

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1155738829923925592006-08-16T09:21:00.000-04:002006-08-16T10:33:50.140-04:00

The shoes I like are placed somewhere on a kairotic continuum (where kairos=opportune occasion), the high points of which are elegant, beautiful, pretty, practical, athletic, comfortable, cute.Occasionally (for what is kairotic if not fit for the right occasion!), I feel none of the above. Instead, I feel whimsical. As in, ha-ha, you didn't expect that out of me, did ya? As in, I'm in the mood

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1155677529474847212006-08-15T17:22:00.000-04:002006-08-15T17:32:13.673-04:00

...such as Kate Spade's very own Sample Sale site (registration required), which cannot be moved to show me the goodies. And they boast up to 70% off prices! All between Aug. 15-17!!! Oh, the humanity!I started this post in earnest to publicize this sale, but I'll end it in frustration. I've tried Firefox and IE, I've registered and re-registered and verified the password, I enabled and

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1155611365276126102006-08-14T22:59:00.000-04:002006-08-14T23:09:25.350-04:00

Maloles is a brand that's pretty hard to find in regular or online stores, and even then the stock seems pretty limited. From what I've seen, however, mainly on Anthropologie and Neiman Marcus online, I LOVE the look: the espadrilles are pretty, with that quirky, Spanish sense of style, the flats are original and interesting, and above all, they look quite comfortable.These Maloles flats are

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1155518784371255892006-08-13T19:17:00.000-04:002006-08-13T21:26:24.536-04:00

You are looking at a pair of Roger Vivier pointy d'Orsay flats in lavender suede:Which, as of a couple of weeks ago, have been in my possession for the grand total of $32, shipping included. To be clear, that's practically free! They're brand new but I suspect from some big-name store overstock since they were a bit dirty (nothing a suede brush and eraser could not take care of). The eBay seller

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1155320704704912312006-08-11T14:05:00.000-04:002006-08-11T14:25:13.616-04:00

I once bought these Bruno Magli "Nural" flats (croc-emobssed, contrast patent toe and trim), at what was an incredible price on Zappos (I think, $40, down from over $200). They were marked a 10B, precisely my size in most of the shoes I own*, so I couldn't wait to put them on. They were snug, so snug as if a boa constrictor had swallowed and was slowly digesting my foot. I believe they couldn't

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1154656476016838942006-08-03T21:10:00.000-04:002006-08-03T21:54:36.286-04:00

It's been hot, so hot the asphalt melted into one big black soup concocted by Satan's chefs, who undoubtedly got too close to the surface and are now just preparing to garnish their infernal meal with our steaming brains, freshly poached and served on the skull. Yes, it's been morbidly, fetidly, satanically hot, to the point that the 100 degrees predicted for tomorrow will feel like a breezy

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1154561396428337462006-08-02T19:10:00.000-04:002006-08-02T19:29:56.550-04:00

A while ago I was bragging about my comfy Born Lisbon thongs:which I recommended for cuteness and comfort factor. Well, let me retract that recommendation right now: a couple of days ago the strap between the toes BROKE definitively and irremediably, as if it were no more but a mere roll of cardboard, artistically painted and crafted to resemble leather.True, I was aware of the undesirable

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1154438791844987772006-08-01T09:18:00.000-04:002006-08-01T09:27:49.450-04:00

Long time no see, shoe lovers! I was wrapped up in the World's Most Painful Move Of The Century (WMPMOTC), which is far from being over, since we still have no kitchen or den (as in, no sink or stove or cabinets, or no floors and walls), but hey, at least I've got a very good place for my own shoes! Pictures to come later.This Sunday in an attempt to get away from it all, I took a day trip to NY

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1153664509996381892006-07-23T09:39:00.001-04:002008-07-30T18:39:53.821-04:00

I don't know about you, but whenever I have something really tedious to accomplish, errands to run, chores to do, I feel sort of better about it if I can wear beautiful and comfortable shoes. I am not of the philosophy that one should throw on the first pair of sneakers or flip-flops lying around to run to the store because you forgot to get milk. If the trip is a nuisance but you gotta make it

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1153501340945486872006-07-21T12:59:00.000-04:002006-07-21T13:03:25.276-04:00

I'm too tired from packing and coordinating move-related things to blog about shoes, so I give you instead this brilliant political satire.(Via Twisty.)

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1153273450399350692006-07-18T21:32:00.000-04:002006-07-19T10:21:42.306-04:00

I can't help but be apalled by this article on ABC News. Stiletto training classes are kind of old news, but perhaps we need to be reminded every once in a while of their existence if only to marvel at their patent absurdity.But this article (and video clip) also reminds us of a particularly devious form of plastic surgery: foot surgery meant to make stiletto-wearing more bearable, such as

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1153021888204992032006-07-15T23:33:00.000-04:002006-07-15T23:51:28.240-04:00

The New York Times has a little slideshow about espadrilles, which they see as THE summer shoe to beat the Croc craze. And I say, not a moment too soon! Especially when they look like these: These are available at The String Republic, a store that features espadrilles with original designs created by artists just for you--and at reasonable prices, too! I wonder if 30 Euros means that they ship

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1152970709585472762006-07-15T08:52:00.000-04:002006-07-15T09:38:29.823-04:00

I've been fantasizing over these Kate Spade loafers lately, currently $118 (down from $295) at Neiman Marcus:Which brings me to this morning's dream: we were guests over at Kate Spade's house, which turned out to be a modest apartment somewhere in Manhattan. I didn't understand why the apartment was so small when such a famous designer lived there (to say nothing of the husband). She wore a red

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1152836119922047902006-07-13T20:04:00.000-04:002006-07-13T20:15:20.320-04:00

Combining two of my great passions: my wonderful dog and my shoe collection. In this case, my somewhat-sleepy mini bull-terrier confronts my ever-perky Etro velvet skimmer.Why? Why not???(And no, the dog NEVER showed an interest in my shoes. Which is one of the many reasons he's The Best Dog Ever.)

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1152761853838920882006-07-12T23:37:00.000-04:002006-07-12T23:37:33.860-04:00

This week's Carnivale was supposed to be last week's carnivale--but the holiday spirit has infused some fashionable dose of laissez-faire in the fashion blogging community and the whole thing got postponed. Also, my apologies for getting this posted rather late in the game--but here it is!My question was about festive fashion:What is the proper attire for 4th of July? In other words, can you be

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1152545257277288162006-07-10T11:12:00.000-04:002006-07-10T11:27:37.326-04:00

Saks Fifth Ave. (the online store) rarely has sales that satisfy my miser gene, but these days they seem to be running a sale at which even I must raise an interested eyebrow.In terms of shoes, you can get these cute and wholesome Hollywould espadrilles for $83:Or these adorable Moschino Cheap'n'Chic thongs:(Between you and me, I never quite understood the "cheap and chic" thing. Chic--perhaps,

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1152446401270417712006-07-09T07:16:00.000-04:002006-07-09T08:15:02.366-04:00

I've recently received a question related to how one can select high-quality dress shoes. How does one avoid the price trap? What are the brands that consistently deliver quality? How is one able to say, with a measure of objectivity, what sorts of things one should look when buying shoes?This is a difficult question and I'm still learning about that, but I'll gladly share my experience to date.

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1152238135890067972006-07-06T21:11:00.000-04:002006-07-06T22:08:56.196-04:00

I haven't posted in four days and it feels like four weeks. Let's see, what happened in the meantime? Between Monk and World Cup marathons ... ah, that's right, a little thing called FLOOD. Ruining our brand new engineered wood floor. And the walls in the den. And our nerves. I won't get into all the tedious details--this whole week has been a nightmare (which is far from being over,

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1151873483382697122006-07-02T16:50:00.000-04:002006-07-08T23:32:04.733-04:00

It's time for me to host the Carnivale of Couture for next week, and although I had quite a few ideas about the theme, the obvious question just slapped me in the face while walking through Rittenhouse Square and getting stared down by the pervasive glare of Uncle Sam, conveniently perched on a makeshift stage:What is the proper attire for 4th of July? In other words, can you be festive without

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1151605734191738522006-06-29T14:17:00.000-04:002006-06-29T14:28:54.223-04:00

A little while ago I expressed my admiration for Catherine Deneuve's style in "Belle de Jour" (and for her overall style regardless of the movie)--and blogged lustfully about the Roger Vivier "pilgrim" shoes she so elegantly wore in that movie. A reader of this blog asked me where he could get them (for his wife, natch!), and all I had at the time was eBay. No more! Bluefly has a whole range of

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1151547050406355772006-06-28T21:08:00.000-04:002006-06-28T22:10:50.563-04:00

The Style Bard has the momentous question for us this week:In what clothes and accessories would you like to be buried?Oy! My first reaction, naturelment, was nooooo! I don't want to be buried! Really, when I'm dead, I'll (justifiably) have no concerns for my mortal coil, and I'd like to be cremated. Not necessarily in nice clothes, though. And besides, I'd like to bequeath my fashion possessions

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1151462258089487402006-06-27T20:20:00.000-04:002006-06-27T22:37:38.250-04:00

It's flooding season here in Philly and across the North-East, so what's a fashionable lady to do when she doesn't want to get her tootsies wet, doesn't want to ruin her fashionable pretty shoes, and can't wear colorful rubber boots on account that, well, it may be raining but it's still 80 degrees outside and boots are out of the question?This question has plagued me for the past several days,

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1151266065783391822006-06-25T15:48:00.000-04:002006-06-26T08:47:12.640-04:00

When it comes to fabric shoes, I prefer canvas and jacquard for spring, tweeds and velvet for fall, and satin for evening wear. As for the summer, it's linen all around, baby! Ok, cotton, too, for the basics and especially for clothes, but when it comes to outer garments, linen reigns supreme.Linen is one of the most wearable, soothing, summer-weight fabrics known to Scarpediem. Sure, it wrinkles

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1151125334396545962006-06-24T00:15:00.000-04:002006-06-24T01:02:14.773-04:00

Busy as I am with home renovation and the World Cup (not rooting for anyone in particular, but oh boy, are the games exciting!), I thought I'd amuse you this weekend with a link round-up:- Looking good never hurt so bad, an MSNBC article by Kim Carney about one of my favorite topics: fashion and pain. Not surprisingly, a large amount of that pain seems to be coming from 4+" heels. Hmmmmm.... The

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1151111860911525832006-06-22T21:54:00.000-04:002006-06-24T21:53:30.866-04:00

I noticed a little bit of controversy in the comments to Manolo's recent post on ballet flats, so I thought I'd throw in my one and a half cents.I have to say, I agree with many of the naysayers. I'd say, use ballet flats sparingly--or choose with extreme caution.But Scarpediem! you will say. They are flat! and so, so cute! and in fashion! Weren't you the one to rebel against stilettoes and

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1150914986529674432006-06-21T13:55:00.000-04:002006-06-21T14:36:26.663-04:00

My opinion about mandals is usually mixed. The mix consists of about 99% resounding "nooooooooooooooo!!!!"s, and about 1% cautious "maybe"s.This is not because some man's sandals happen to look like these Cazabat slides (be honest: would you let your male significant other wear these?), but because I often see, peeking from underneath a man's slide, examples of pedicure that trigger my gag

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1150818728968077482006-06-20T11:37:00.000-04:002006-06-20T12:12:19.763-04:00

When I saw this Tsumori Chisato dress blogged by Eurobrat, I fell in love instantly. And not only because I like Audrey Tatou (I do, and who doesn't, really), but because the dress is so unbearably cute, but with an edge (the Japanese have mastered the art of the slightly unsettling design, I think).At any rate, I'm used to admiring such garments as works of art, but not as something I could ever

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1150725696153308442006-06-19T09:41:00.000-04:002006-06-19T10:01:36.516-04:00

Desiree at About Shoes asks this week a sensible question:While it's easy to get caught up in the latest trends and the newest offerings from the hottest designers, there are times when even the most devout fashionista will opt for function over fashion.So ... it's not a big night out, there's nary a potential partner in sight, and there is no office dress code. Which shoes do you reach for when

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1150426218848246352006-06-15T21:00:00.000-04:002006-06-15T22:50:19.003-04:00

I just KNOW that every shoe lover has wondered, at least once in her life, what's up with those shoe names?Sure, there are some that are innocuous enough--your run-of-the-mill Annie, Lolita, Bridget, or Carolyn. For example, these Chiara flats from Claudia Ciuti:Chiara: only pretty girls have pretty names and pretty shoes. Isn't it obvious? These are pretty girls' names, probably of some

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1150395353176520072006-06-15T14:11:00.000-04:002006-06-15T14:15:53.186-04:00

Here you may find the online shopping success story in which yours truly played a small, albeit gratifying part. It goes to prove that the savvy online shopper can save about $100 for those extra 15 minutes of browsing. Let this be an example of the power of Internet shopping!

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1150284485640444082006-06-14T07:11:00.000-04:002006-06-14T07:39:59.940-04:00

As if I didn't have enough websites to tempt me with their beautiful things, I just found about about another site, www.vivre.com, which offers a style guide and the opportunity to buy luxury goods on the spot. Ok, I guess a girl can never have enough!The shoe section is small, but they do offer gems such as these Oscar de la Renta cheetah-patterned haircalf flats, currently on sale, over 50% off

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1150248041840478622006-06-13T21:02:00.000-04:002006-06-13T21:20:41.856-04:00

I'm a sucker for whimsical yet tasteful shoes, shoes that make a statement, in and by themselves tell a story, in and by themselves provide the innocent ogler with a carefully chosen clue to your personality.For example, these delightful patent slingbacks from Pollini say that you are, or present yourself, as cheerful, bright, fun-loving, relishing color and not being afraid to try new and

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1150170096039213542006-06-12T22:48:00.000-04:002006-06-12T23:41:36.190-04:00

Ok, so now that my purple obsession has somewhat subsided (though it has not yet been satisfied--I'm still holding out for the perfect AND perfectly priced pair of purple shoes), it's time to focus my shoe-shaped brain onto a classic summer staple, which has recently made a comeback: the espadrille.I used to own at least one pair of espadrilles per summer, up until a few years ago, when I got fed

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1150076946226729562006-06-11T18:21:00.000-04:002006-06-11T21:49:07.870-04:00

The Sewing Divas ask this week the thoughtful question:Each of us has memories, sometimes tender, sometimes not, of particular garments or accessories that evoke strong feelings and attachments. So this weeks Carnivale of the Couture topic is “Ritual Cloth” - tell us about your special item, the story behind it and why it transcends mere fashion for you.Oh, what a provocative, rant-inducing topic

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1149795314977821612006-06-08T15:30:00.000-04:002006-06-08T15:35:14.990-04:00

...are these:...and they're going for $300 on eBay. They're everything I've dreamt of: sophisticated, beautiful, high-end quality, purple, and...flat. All in my size, but alas, not in my budget...I'll probably get the Dansko Lolitas instead, and I'm sure they're more of a walking shoe, but my heart will be pining away for these ones...

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1149648343061952312006-06-06T18:07:00.000-04:002006-06-07T07:29:20.063-04:00

I had a cute little outfit today--cream capris, deep purple tank top and a sheer white tunic on top, with a purple and green floral print. I had just received the tunic in the mail from La Redoute and I was dying to wear it (by the by, the rest of the order was less than fabulous: the pants didn't fit, and instead of the beautiful white and lavender full cotton skirt I had ordered, they sent the

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1149609092831945922006-06-06T11:44:00.000-04:002006-06-06T11:51:33.260-04:00

If you're a size 9.5 and you've got $66 burning a hole in your pocket, I suggest getting rid of that uncomfortable shopping itch by grabbing this pair of pewter nappa Ferragamo ballet flats, on last call sale at Neiman Marcus.These are shoes of understated elegance, that will instantly transform any outfit, even the grungy or heavily worn or kind of basic one, into sheer cuteness. The neutral

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1149469684251711572006-06-04T20:04:00.000-04:002006-06-04T21:08:04.376-04:00

Rebecca at The Space Between My Peers asks the most excellent question for this week's Carnivale of Couture:Suppose you stepped off a plane in your neighborhood, city, or country. Could you tell you were home by how people were dressed? Is there a Regional Casual Uniform? What do people (and you may narrow down to a specific segment of the population if you like) wear when they are going out,

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1149435953718443252006-06-03T23:59:00.000-04:002006-06-04T11:50:29.823-04:00

I saw yesterday two fragments of two radically different movies.First, Aeon Flux, which was so undescribably bad we could only survive through 20 minutes of it. The only thing that sort of stuck with me: wedge shoes whose heels serve as storage containers for your run-of-the-mill assassin kit. Just think of the possibilities! In a well constructed wedge, you could hold a basic make-up kit, for

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1149278169980449202006-06-02T15:33:00.000-04:002006-06-02T16:01:49.846-04:00

I felt kind of blah ordering these brown suede slides from Zappos. They weren't exactly exciting, you know. Rather, they looked ordinary, the kind of shoes that will--and sort of have to--be overshadowed by the rest of your outfit. These were the type of shoes that would take you places, without getting you noticed. And you know, sometimes that's ok, too.Here's the thing, though. As I've recently

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1149173611802009472006-06-01T10:35:00.000-04:002006-06-01T10:53:32.066-04:00

Not only are the wedges I mentioned in the previous post stunningly beautiful, but they come from the label whose initial designer, Ferragamo, actually invented the wedge. (If you already knew that, I apologize; I for one, confess my ignorance when it comes to footwear history, a regrettable flaw in my education that I am now working to repair).According to Linda O'Keeffe*, Ferragamo invented the

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1149126479946506692006-05-31T21:10:00.000-04:002006-06-01T06:34:58.653-04:00

Summer has hit Philly hard, like a ton of hot humid bricks. It's generally hard to keep your composure in a 90 degree sweltering heat: coifs crumble, shirts crumple, tops stain, the brow sparkles with sweat. However, one thing, if carefully chosen, will never betray you and will still make you feel like a million bucks: a gorgeous pair of shoes. Such as these fabulous linen Ferragamo wedges,

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1149083289559839182006-05-31T09:22:00.000-04:002006-05-31T09:48:09.676-04:00

Remember these sandals?That's right, they're the Robert Clergerie suede slides "Ravhi," here pictured in "gold" (well, it's more like a mustard color), which I had deemed fit for the emancipated princess in you. They retailed for over $360 on Zappos (I got them for just a little bit over $70).Well, here's a much cheaper knock-off, on sale at Anthropologie:It only comes in brown, at least on their

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1149027481899171362006-05-30T17:17:00.000-04:002006-05-30T18:20:32.913-04:00

So, today, rushed by the imminent specter of the moving-out day (by "imminent" read "July"), but mostly because my modest closet in our rental seemed to be bursting at the seams with shoes, and clothes, but mostly shoes, I decided to take out my entire collection, sans running shoes, dog park shoes, garden shoes, and any sort of winter shoes and boots, and re-arrange it so that it will fit into

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148957630712420502006-05-29T22:42:00.000-04:002006-05-29T22:53:50.763-04:00

I finally, FINALLY, got around to seeing this movie, and what can I say--it's an excellent reminder that, really, it's not about the shoes (gasp!).Apart from the fact that it's filmed in my beloved Philadelphia, which alone would have had merit for me, with the added bonus of featuring gorgeous shoes (ah! I want Rose's shoe closet so bad!), the movie is just beautiful. Hope that you you didn't

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148935892847106072006-05-29T16:25:00.000-04:002006-05-29T16:51:33.016-04:00

What do you know: Which Classic Female Literary Character Are you? You're Elizabeth Bennett of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen!Take this quiz!Which of course, got me thinking, what kind of shoe would I wear in that case? Perhaps something sensible yet sophisticated, delicate and lady-like:(Image from Linda O'Keeffe's Shoes: A celebration of pumps, sandals, slippers & more.)

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148852758405885892006-05-28T17:30:00.000-04:002006-05-28T17:45:58.450-04:00

As a relentless pursuer of shoes that attain the Holy Grail of being both comfortable and stylish, I'm always on the prowl. It is as a result of such an ardent, passionate hunt that I came across this brand:El Naturalista, a Spanish company (and I've always felt good about Spanish shoes--funky, unique style with a mind to comfort), offers such gems:which I think are too adorable. And that's not

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148684305989848942006-05-26T18:01:00.000-04:002006-05-26T18:58:26.106-04:00

I was with a friend in one of the most important shoe stores in the Philadelphia area, Benjamin Lovell Shoes. This store prides itself on placing the emphasis on comfort as well as style. Their brands aren't cheap, and they're also very selective with the styles they carry (no stilettos there!): Donald J. Pliner, Beautifeel, Naot, Ara, Mephisto, Arche, Born, Dansko, Merrell, Mephisto, Paul Green,

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148599056646343372006-05-25T19:12:00.000-04:002006-05-25T19:17:36.660-04:00

Ok, I'm officially a Marc Jacobs footwear junkie (btw, my MJ orange velvet flats arrived today and they are simply spectacular, plus incredibly comfortable, indeed). At any rate, if you're wearing a size 40 (I find that's more like a 9 than a 10 in MJ), you can't pass up these blue suede pumps (2 5/8" heel??? oh well)--70% off at Nordstrom:

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148592254496830152006-05-25T17:02:00.000-04:002006-05-25T21:28:26.626-04:00

I noticed that a large amount of referrals to my site came today from Glam.com. It turns out I'm one of the featured blogs--and they even used part of my masthead for the "Adorable and Affordable" banner! Took me a while to figure it out, since I didn't expect yours truly to be featured on such an extravagant spot of website real-estate (I expected, at most, more of a marginal link somewhere way,

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148516705510039792006-05-24T19:42:00.000-04:002006-05-24T20:25:05.610-04:00

I love, LOVE the bitchy ladies at Go fug yourself--always a great, most entertaining read, my favorite Internet spot for a little fashion Schadenfreude. It's not hard to agree with the conclusions, either. However, I must immediately take issue with the opinions expressed in one of their latest editorial about Monica Bellucci. Now, it's not that the dress she was wearing wasn't worthy of

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148504422864281522006-05-24T16:47:00.000-04:002006-05-24T17:00:23.423-04:00

I have an inborn horror of jellies. I was horrified--horrified!--when Marc Jacobs came up with what seemed like a whole line of them (complete with a gladiator version!). What's the appeal of plasticky-rubbery-sticky substance rubbing against your feet, promoting sweat, blisters, and discomfort? Brrrr! I can't imagine an occasion for wearing ostentatiously plastic shoes other than transporting

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148470105498832402006-05-24T07:24:00.000-04:002006-05-24T07:28:25.513-04:00

When you've ALWAYS wanted a pair of Marc Jacobs flats, and you LOVE orange, and velvet and patent are HOT this year for shoes, and there's just ONE pair of these left in your size, and they're as CUTE as ever, and the reviews say they're ULTRA-comfortable, and they're 65% OFF, how, I ask you, how can one resist?A girl can only show restraint for so long, you know.

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148433349663968102006-05-23T21:10:00.000-04:002006-05-24T07:28:50.556-04:00

...to associate a perfectly innocent bag:...with one of the freaks on Total Recall? (warning: graphic picture ahead!)

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148335282316651632006-05-22T17:41:00.000-04:002006-05-22T18:01:22.526-04:00

The price may not always be right, but Anthropologie surely has some unique, colorful, youthful, and cute-as-a-button shoes on sale at the moment. I can't stop slobbering over these Maloles espadrilles, for example. Aren't they perfect for summer at the Riviera? Perhaps with a breezy long white eyelet skirt gently flapping in the breeze, while you dreamily lean against the strong shoulder of your

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148209894584587312006-05-21T07:06:00.000-04:002006-05-21T07:41:25.146-04:00

Something I should have done long ago but hey, I can be quite forgetful sometimes:Stylehive is offering a chance to win a Botkier Large Fan Hobo Botkier handbag (retails for $695) courtesy of RevolveClothing.com. The contest runs May 1 - 31, 2006 and you can find details on their blog. If you want the bag, I hope there's still time for you to give it a try!

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148170653776729302006-05-20T19:52:00.000-04:002006-05-21T07:30:33.003-04:00

The Style Graduate asks this week a fun question: what runway look we would wear as a Halloween costume. This is a question that is both easy (so many choices!) and difficult (so many choices!).Still, I feel that my task is a breeze thanks to this year's Dior couture collection, presented by the "funky little fashion troll" (as The Manolo dubbed him), John Galliano:What I would go as? The High

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148142042274411542006-05-20T12:11:00.000-04:002006-05-20T12:22:59.150-04:00

Velvet is very "in" this shoe season, but that's not the first reason you should like these Casadei velvet bow skimmers. You just know that the plush, rich velvet upper spells C-O-M-F-O-R-T. The bow adds a little flair and frivolity to an otherwise quite sophisticated shoe.Still not convinced? Perhaps this will help: they're 68% off ($114, down from $352) on Zappos. Which is not bad at all for

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1148071309821531952006-05-19T16:18:00.000-04:002006-05-19T16:41:49.920-04:00

What do you get when you add up:- husband's birthday--big 4-0!- anniversary--4 years (whoa!) (and yes, we did get married on his b-day)- elegant French brasserie downtown Philadelphia- 1/2 mile walk to said brasserie (and back!)- outside seating- breezy evening (not really suitable for sandals)- happy bag to coordinate with- dress in earthy tones?Why, I don't know what yours added up to , but my

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1147910259720194412006-05-17T19:32:00.000-04:002006-05-18T06:53:41.700-04:00

Occasionally, Anthropologie has astonishing shoes- unfortunately at less astonishing prices. There's reason to rejoice right now, however, as they run a sale and some of their online choices are pretty delectable. Like these purple suede Lulu Guinness wedges.So rich! So plush! So yum!I need to go eat a bar of Cadbury's like, right now.I'm also quite fond of these Kashmir gold paisley-print wedges

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1147880906315908612006-05-17T10:47:00.000-04:002006-05-17T13:07:02.376-04:00

The Green Apple Fairy was exhausted. She had run all night through the dewy meadows, sprinkling fairy dust on the apple trees, and throwing magic Vitamin C dreams at sleeping fair maidens, which usually made them wake up with rosy cheeks, healthy appetite and boundless energy for the shopping trips of the day.But now the Green Apple Fairy's dainty little feet were achy. She couldn't help but

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1147780360698280682006-05-16T07:26:00.000-04:002006-05-16T07:52:40.996-04:00

Don't you sometimes have a blogger you wish you could emulate? Like, you wish you had her talent, for example? Or her life? Or some other skill that she in fact dedicates her life/blog/evening commute to?I have a long list of bloggers I admire, but in the fashion world I think few people turn me greener with envy than Erin at A dress a day. Why?First of all, the woman can write, 'kay? Check out

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1147692571103899152006-05-15T06:42:00.000-04:002006-05-15T07:29:31.333-04:00

This week the fabulous Bargain Queen asks us, quite logically, what our best fashion bargain was. What a wonderful opportunity for bragging! Of course, this is a rather redundant topic for this blog, which was created from the very beginning in order to promote stylish and comfortable footwear at BARGAIN prices.Good quality bargains are sweeter, juicier, and more enjoyable than the items I paid

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1147577194979342052006-05-13T18:33:00.000-04:002006-05-17T12:58:40.646-04:00

You might have noticed that blogging has been somewhat light chez Scarpediem of late. That's not because I have forsaken shoes--God forbid!--but because, perhaps, the only inspiration I've had of late has been dirty, heavy Timberland or other types of equally unattractive construction boots, adorning the feet of sweaty, tan, and gruff construction guys at Scarpediem and hubby's new place.

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1147314999509924002006-05-10T21:14:00.000-04:002006-05-10T22:46:58.403-04:00

Hello, I'm Scarpediem and I'm a shoe addict.It started with one pair. They were pretty. Great brand, great quality. Qualities which in and by themselves are laudable but not enough to make my cheapskate self buy them. But then they were 91% off. Naturally, I couldn't pass that up.And then there came another pair at another pretty discount. I felt powerful, I heard angels sing. With every new pair

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1147030989075400952006-05-07T15:14:00.000-04:002006-05-07T15:43:09.113-04:00

The question Clothesaholic asks for this week, in short, is:What movie, TV show or video featured clothes that made an impression on you? What movie, TV or video wardrobe did you try to emulate?I had a double hard time trying to answer this one. First, I drew a blank. I couldn't think of aything at all I was trying to emulate (save something so obscure, old, and juvenile that featured the 80s

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1146855941891679492006-05-05T14:57:00.000-04:002006-05-05T15:05:41.936-04:00

My philosophy for acquiring high-end designer shoes is to approach them from the shallow end of the pool, given that if you're not careful, you're likely to drown in a deep ocean of debt. Ebay is a wonderful tool for that and it offered me the chance to bid for this pair of new Kate Spade rainbow canvas flats with a chic Mary-Jane inspired buckle. I got lucky and won them for $38 + S&H, $47

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1146784441797761392006-05-04T18:49:00.000-04:002006-05-04T19:14:30.256-04:00

I have a crush on this pair of Blay Mary-Janes in cracked metallic finish with a subtle blue floral pattern. One of the reviewers on Zappos actually said she wore them for her wedding day--how sweet is that? I felt that was daring and unusual, given that most brides are forced into the regular white satin pump or delicate sandal, with the obligatory heel. However, I think this would be a great

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1146687490983696692006-05-03T15:17:00.000-04:002006-05-03T16:18:11.106-04:00

Via the ever enterprising Bag Lady, I found this website, Bag Borrow or Steal, which functions approximately on the same principle as Netflix: borrow up to three (or five) bags a month for a set fee, except you're also paying shipping and handling, about $10/bag. You also have to enroll for at least 3 months when you start, during which you can borrow 3 bags/mo, only one of which can be Couture;

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1146602203937572482006-05-02T16:31:00.000-04:002006-05-02T16:38:35.110-04:00

And in my size? And with a relatively practical heel? **Swoons** Say no more.Unfortunately the comments for this shoe have turned me off, as they practically convinced me they're not going to fit properly.But if you think you can pull it off, this is a GREAT price, and furthermore, you can always return them for free at Zappos!

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1146532287623079262006-05-01T21:04:00.000-04:002006-05-01T21:11:27.646-04:00

Rather than leave the 179th comment on this (justly) popular blog, I thought I'd just share the link to this post, where Heather reaches enlightenment through a pair of shoes.That's EXACTLY how I feel whenever I buy a pair. Heather, you complete me.

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1146428184966705132006-04-30T15:52:00.000-04:002006-04-30T22:41:34.723-04:00

When I saw the topic suggested by Sense of Soot for this week's carnivale, I almost choked. Why, it's about torturous fashion! And what does one think when saying "fashion" and "pain" in the same sentence? Shoes, of course!As a matter of fact, this whole blog is against torturous fashion, as manifested in painful footwear. I've blogged about it here, here, and here. And here. All over the place,

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1146336892653913462006-04-29T14:45:00.000-04:002006-04-29T14:54:52.663-04:00

Your Theme Song is Back in Black by AC/DC"Back in black, I hit the sack,I've been too long, I'm glad to be back"Things sometimes get really crazy for you, and sometimes you have to get away from all the chaos.But each time you stage your comeback, it's even better than the last!What's Your Theme Song?(I've also got the right boots for a proper comeback. Fear me, for I'm a power pack!)

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1146243228025760412006-04-28T12:16:00.000-04:002006-04-28T13:28:48.473-04:00

As much as it pains us shoelovers, the world is full of ugly shoes. You only need to walk in the midst of the throng for approximately 2 nanoseconds before this cringeworthy truth hits you in the face. Still, nobody seems to care about ugly and CHEAP shoes, the type you find for $10 at your local Payless or on sale at WalMart--and I can't even argue too much with that. After all, not everyone has

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1146080607216769092006-04-26T15:38:00.000-04:002006-04-26T15:44:12.293-04:00

I always knew in my heart that shoes were quasi-magical objects, but this most amusing list of shoe superstitions (pardon me, shoe-perstitions!) proves it a thousand-times over.One example, at random:If you repeat "Hoping this night, my true love to see, I place my shoe in the form of a T" (Place your shoes heel against instep and do no speak again that night. You will marry the man you see in

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1145997481603024252006-04-25T16:21:00.000-04:002006-04-25T16:40:10.873-04:00

...and if I had all the money in the world, I'd probably buy the entire Marc Jacobs shoe collection for this spring/summer. Don't these super-adorable yellow sandals embody all that's fun, cheerful, and carefree about summer? They do, they do, and they do it in style! Yellow is a tough color for me (and many, many women, if I were to listen to my friends), but don't these just go with anything

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1145825916596914492006-04-23T16:33:00.000-04:002006-04-23T17:09:11.300-04:00

This week, the extraordinarily talented Danielle at Final Fashion (seriously, check out those drawings!) asks us to describe that favourite outfit that we always like to wear still warm from the dryer.To which my first response is, "my pajamas, of course"! To be even more specific, it's a very simple, long ,white, empire-waisted, lightweight cotton nightgown, just perfect the warm summer

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1145816138691256982006-04-23T13:36:00.000-04:002006-04-23T14:35:47.290-04:00

I've been cranky for a few days, and now I realize that it's because my feet have been bothering me--that pesky plantar fasciitis has been acting up recently. As soon as I sit down for more than 20 min in a row, when I get up I get the most excruciating pain in my heels (especially in my left, where I also got the heel spur). I stretch and stretch, but still, the pain is there whenever I

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1145708092957280802006-04-22T08:07:00.000-04:002006-04-22T08:14:53.600-04:00

Apropos of a few exchanges buried in the comments of previous posts: some more thought-starters:About ten years ago, while reading a biography of the French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan, I came across something he said about women that struck me as uncomfortably true: women want to be wanted, not loved. He meant that women sought to be desirable rather than fully known...I now believe that Lacan

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1145631891074561272006-04-21T10:15:00.000-04:002006-04-21T11:04:51.153-04:00

Taryn Rose got a lot of press in the past few years: she's an orthopedic surgeon who, appalled by the number of foot problems she saw in women, created her own line of footwear, which turned out to be wildly successful. A quick perusal of the site convinced me that she seems to understand the needs of women's shoes better than most other shoe designers out there.So I'd been long wanting to try a

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1145485609408837692006-04-19T18:00:00.000-04:002006-05-02T16:24:00.360-04:00

These Robert Clergerie Ravhi sandals are definitely not for everybody, but they're definitely for me. Although they're a bit flat for my taste (two words, you shoe-designers, you: arch support! it can't be that hard!)--they're still supremely comfortable and eye-catching.Their primitive aura leads me to believe that these were the shoes dragons made for all the princesses they stole and kept in a

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1145413120920609242006-04-18T22:16:00.000-04:002006-04-18T22:41:34.183-04:00

Go read this wonderful Web Essay on the Male Gaze, Fashion Advertising, and the Pose. The images really say it all (would be curious about your reaction), but here's a sample of the conclusion:But the omnipresence of images like the preceding in our culture for a century now almost certainly helps cultivate "the craving to attract and captivate" among women, and to the extent that women get

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22671713.post-1145390962530122792006-04-18T15:59:00.000-04:002006-04-18T16:09:22.560-04:00

Gel socks, that is.The link doesn't get you to the pair I puchased, which was from Bath and Body Works, from the True Blue Spa collection, which, btw, also makes fabulous foot scrubs and creams.So, after a good scrubbing and ritual slathering of the cream, I put on the gel socks (which, I read somewhere else, are discontinued; too bad!). In an hour I had the softest, sandal-worthiest feet of my

Cristina Hanganu-Breschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05759459305438334992noreply@blogger.com0