shoes – the Spiff

Fall is a Great Excuse for New Shoes

September 16, 2015 No Comments

There’s a cute pop song by Paolo Nutini called, “New Shoes”. One of the lines in the song goes, “I put some new shoes on and suddenly everything is right.”

That’s a good way to put it. Even if the new shoes are peaking out about one inch from long pants, it’s a fun feeling to put them on for the first time.

Fall is a great time to re-evaluate your shoe collection and freshen it up a bit. I wanted to bring you some shoe inspiration to get your juices flowing, and I wanted to bring it to you from Rack Room. I most often venture in there when I’m at the mall with my husband, which is rare – so rare he asked me where Profits was one day :-\ “They’re not in the mall any more, Grandpa.”

He refuses to park any where but right outside of the Sears tool section. He swears you can get the best parking space there. I think it’s because he has to walk through the tool section. I’m certain he wouldn’t be so adamant if that door lead to ladies underwear. Nevertheless, his stance on parking always leads us right past Rack Room Shoes (as it is right outside of Sears) which gives me the opportunity to browse.

After putting this list together, I’m probably going to find myself parking in the Sears tool section as I now want each and every one of these shoes.

How gorgeous are those pumps? I have found that patterned pumps come in handy more often than black ones, especially if you’re like me and don’t wear a lot of pattern up top. They add color and contract and make simple outfits look pulled together.

I love the detailing of the taupe booties. That leather sliver really livens them up. And speaking of livening up, I bet your instinct is to grab the same old black flats when getting dressed for work, but not try some red ones! It would be like adding red lipstick to your look without staining your coffee cup.

Those low black ankle boots will be a staple in my fall wardrobe this season, as will easy sneakers like those Converse. Both shoes will allow me to look cute even when I’m going more casual.

Go get you a good parking spot and check out all the great options Rack Room has to offer at West Town Mall :)

Fashion, shoes, Why this works

Comfort is the New Chic

April 24, 2015 2 Comments

Typically I’m against using lines like, “blank is the new blank” because it usually involves something dethroning black. And we all know, black isn’t going anywhere. Nice try though. #blackjusthappened

But in this case, I really feel as if comfort is the new sheik. Just take a quick perusal of instagram and you’ll see a lot of #00td shots with some kind of cute sneaker. Whether it be Keds, Vans, Converse or really fancy Nike’s, it’s evident we’re getting cuter with our comfortable clothing.

In the back of my mind I’ve been wanting some fancier kicks, but I didn’t want to spend a lot on them. However, a recent visit to the Nike Factory made all my dreams come true. Except for that one dream where I’m carried around the store on a magic carpet…

I scored these puppies for $25. It’s amazing how much they elevate the look of a t-shirt and jeans. They’re the kind of shoes you can wear into a high end store and not leave feeling like you’re Julia Roberts in street corner attire. They’re also great for a little sight seeing, which is what I was doing here in Indianapolis this past week. It’s clear why they call it the “windy city” (just kidding, I know they really call it the “windy apple”). ;)

When shopping for this kind of shoe, what you’re looking for is something that doesn’t look like a work out shoe – so ZERO neon, mesh or pumps on the souls that look like rocket boosters.

I did a little research and tried to score you some similar shoes. Check out gray ones here, black and white ones here, and New Balance’s version here.

Fashion, Pinterest pick, shoes, spring, styling

Essential Spring Shoes

March 16, 2015 2 Comments

keds, spring style, what to wear this spring, sneakers, what to wear wit keds, fashion blog, knoxville fashion blog, shoes

These are the very shoes I was wearing when I discovered that Chick-Fil-A light lemonade tasted just like their regular lemonade. That was a life-changing moment.

Good thing I had on great shoes.

I’ve had my eye on these types of sneakers for over a year now. It wasn’t until Target came out with a cheaper pair that I decided to try them out, and if I liked them I’d buy the real thing.

Turns out I don’t like them – I love them.

They are exactly what I’ve been looking for to give my running around outfits the cute yet comfortable edge I’ve been needing. This pair from Target only cost around $14, but I’ve tracked down an affordable Ked’s option for around $30.

And these shoes can go a lot farther than I originally bargained for. Here’s a Pinterest collage of all the different ways you can wear them. Jennifer Aniston sports her’s with a blazer! You’ll notice they can almost fluidly take the place of heels or wedges in unexpected yet wildly comfortable ways…

They’re really perfect for boyfriend-jeans and will make me look so cute and keep my pregnant feet comfortable this summer. Go get your own pair, cause you’re not borrowing mine!

Also, be sure to follow my new “Spiffy Keds” Pinterest board (click on the Pinterest link there in the upper right)!

Fashion, shoes, shopping, winter

Taupe Boots

February 4, 2015 No Comments

Ten years ago when I moved to Tennessee from the warm climate of Florida, my boot collection was pretty thin. And by thin I mean it was one pair.

I remember wearing them around one of my good guy friends who would make fun of me calling them, “Gene Simmons boots.” I didn’t know who Gene Simmons was back then, so I wasn’t sure how to take it. I ended up marrying that friend, so jokes on him for marrying the girl with the crazy boots.

Flash forward to today and I have quite the collection of boots.

Three pairs of black – flats, high heeled, and short. One pair of gray flats and three pairs of UGGs (I know they often get a bad wrap, but they’re freakishly comfortable and warm so suck on that, nay-Sayers!). I thought I had a pretty well rounded collection, until I realized that I needed a boot that was in between the black and the gray so that I could wear gold accents and have a nice variety.

That’s when I started looking around at taupe boots. If the color taupe involved a pyramid scheme, I would have signed up a long time ago – I love the heck out of that color. It goes with so many things and can perfectly balance silver OR gold.

When I have a specific product in mind, I like to search for it on ShopStyle. That app is like having a personal shopper at your finger tips. And it’s how I found this great pair (they were a Christmas present, really but it helped me know what to ask for). I was also wanting boots that had a cuff at the bottom so I searched for “cuffed taupe boots” and wha-la! This fabulous pair by Fergalicious fits every requirement and has the perfect heel height.

Right now is a FANTASTIC time to buy boots because they’re on sale everywhere. Take inventory of what you have, and go out and score you a deal on some!

Fashion, shoes, shopping, west town mall

Treat Yo’ Self Thursday

January 15, 2015 1 Comment

In my house, the word “treat” always has to be spelled out as my little pupster can pick up on it from four rooms away. I have to admit, it is a fun word. In fact I’m a big fan of the phrase “treat yourself” because it can justify so many fun things (all within legal limits of course).

High on my list of things I’m going to “treat myself to” when I find it, is a pair of patterned pumps. I’m on the hunt for black and white ones especially, but as I searched to see what the stores in West Town Mall had to offer, I found a whole slew of pretty patterned options.

If you took one look at that graphic up there and already decided these weren’t for you, remember that you can wear them with long pants and in doing do, would have the funnest peak of pattern sticking out. If you have a closet full of classic pieces then a pair of pumps like these would really perk up your style. Read on sista!

1. Ahh if only these were available in more than just size 7 and 7 1/2. They must have been pretty popular at Ann Taylor, and for good reason! Look how gorgeous they are, and think of all the outfits they’d add some major glam too! I’d wear them with skinny jeans, tights, pajamas…the list is endless, really.

2. If you’re going to go for a colored patterned, why not go all out with these Steve Madden Varcityy Pumps at Belk. If all those colors overwhelm you, think of all the outfits this would match. Not only could you pull out one or two colors, but you could also pair this with neutrals…or *gasp, pattern mix with a simple striped skirt!!

3. These Calvin Klein Dolly Leopard Pointed-Toe Pumps from Dillard’s are showcasing such a beautiful leopard pattern. I love that it’s bigger and so rich looking. Of course I’ll always love a great animal print, and on a lower heel like this that would probably be bearable for a full day – gosh that’s going for the win. (Should I mention again that leopard goes with everything? No, you’re tired of hearing that? Ok.)

4. Let’s not forget the great selection (and current sale) awaiting us at Rack Room Shoes. And for a more subdued floral print shoe look no further than these Xappeal pumps. The underlying color is black, which means these puppies will again (notice a pattern here) go with everything. Especially if you have a solid color dress, oh girl, these shoes would really elevate your look.

5. For the most cautious and quietest among us, there are these (aptly named) Hush Puppies from JCP. With a muted pastel print and a much lower heel, these could really give you a great pattern option, without going too crazy.

It’s truly amazing how far a pair of heels like these will go. Get on over to West Town Mall and jazz up your shoe collection for the winter and coming spring!!