Behind the Shoes: Rodarte

Photo from rodarte.com

Rodarte is an all-American and relatively new fashion label having started only in 2005 with the Mulleavy sisters--Kate and Laura, as founders and 10 pieces to start a fashion show. Despite being new in the fashion industry, Rodarte has won several awards already like the two CFDA awards in 2008 and 2009 and since then, the fashion label became one of the most sough-after brands of Hollywood celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Kirsten Dunst and Katy Perry, to name a few. Soon after, Rodarte ventured into designing shoes that are funky but completely wearable. To learn more about the sisters' amazing milestones, click here.

SHOP HERE:

Would you buy pre-owned shoes?

Giuseppe Zanotti crystal embellished peep toe pump, $225 at therealreal.com

I stumbled upon this website that sells not only brand new shoes but also pre-owned ones. In the Philippines, buying pre-owned things is a growing industry. While items sold at specialty stores are original and of good quality, I still couldn't muster enough courage to buy pre-owned shoes. Sure, I'd buy pre-owned bags but clothes and shoes are not my thing. A pet peeve perhaps. However, if you are the one who doesn't mind owning and wearing things that have been in someone else's closet, feet and body... you will save tons of money. 

My tips on buying pre-owned shoes, particularly... check the scratches and the evenness of the heels because professional sellers won't sell worn out merchandise. Although sellers make sure that they clean the items before they hit the racks, it is best that you check if the shoes are clean both inside and outside.

This is how shoes are made...

I was dying to have these but unfortunately they do not have my size!

I mentioned in my post yesterday that I went to a shoe factory in Liliw, Laguna. It was actually my first time to witness how a pair of shoe is made. It was exciting!

Do you ever wonder how shoes are made? Click on the jump to see how. I bet you'll appreciate even more each pair of shoes that you will own.

A Shoe Lover's Kryptonite

I was fortunate to visit a shoe factory in Liliw, Laguna. It is known to be the slipper capital of the Philippines. Although the town is famously known for their sturdy slippers, they also make the most beautiful shoes. In fact, aside from Marikina, the town supplies shoes to most of the biggest department stores in the Philippines. Surely, a shoe-aholic will go gaga fitting and buying shoes from over than a dozen shoe boutiques in single a street. You can actually buy ten pairs of shoes if you have a hundred dollars in your wallet.

So, if you happen to be in the Philippines or if you are planning to come here, make sure to include Liliw, Laguna in your itinerary. I am a hundred percent sure that you will not leave the place without buying a pair of shoes.

Do you wear heels when you drive?

Lower East Side 'Holton' peep toe pumps at payless.com

I did not have any formal driving lessons. I just asked a co-employee to teach me since my work requires me to be out of the office most of the time. When he was teaching me how, he asked me "You are wearing high heels. Are you okay to drive in that?" I said yes since I don't want to bring another shoe to use for driving.

Since then, I have been driving in heels. I only drive automatic transmission engines so it is easy for me to drive in heels.

Do you drive wearing heels?

The color blue.

I attended a friend's wedding last week. It was my first time to attend a friend's wedding since all of my friends weddings happened out of the country. This photo was taken at Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines with a magnificent view of the famous Taal Volcano. I am wearing a blue jersey overlap dress with bell sleeves and blue suede platform pumps that I bought in Prima Donna last August 2011. It was my first time to wear it with a dress.

The platform pump up close. It has 4-inch heel and 1-inch platform. Surprisingly comfortable.

Func-SHOE-nality and Social Media Management

Christian Louboutin 'Summerissima' crisscross sandal, $1,245 at Bergdorf Goodman.

When I started this blog, it was not my initial intention to make it as an income generating blog. I just like beautiful shoes, that's all. I never thought it would be successful now. And that success is because of your fascination with shoes, too. 

I know that this shoe blog still has a lot of things to do and explore. I wanted to learn all of those things to make this a better blog. One of those things that I would like to explore is social media management. I bet there is no website without a Facebook or Twitter account link or a company without a social media account. Although mine already has those links, I haven't quite used them to boost blog traffic.

If you plan to be a serious blogger like me, key words are not enough to attract readers, you need to share your stuff to the famous social media on the face of the internet. It takes a lot of dedication, love for your blog and sincerity of the contents to make you a successful blogger. Just share your passion, integrate it with the most powerful social media and you will have the traffic that you want... and it can also mean extra income for you.

Happy blogging!

Look Good, Smell Good

Let me begin this post with a quote from one of my favorite fashion designers:

A woman's perfume tells more about her than her handwriting. 

- Christian Dior

Yes, you are wearing a beautiful dress, gorgeous shoes and the most sparkly jewelries, but, if you smell bad... that's a different story.

I just happen to be inside a bus with a pretty woman on the other side wearing a pretty floral dress and wedge. She was wearing something like these...

Platforms by MICHAEL Michael Kors
Shoulder Bags by Cole Haan

She looked so pulled together so I was impressed, until, the wind blew on my face and I felt I was given Manny Pacquiao's left hook. She smelled so bad that I had to move several seats away from her. It's just then that I noticed that every one who sat beside her moved to other seats after a while. What a turn off!

My pretties, no matter how good you look but if you smell bad, it ain't gonna work. It's the worst fashion faux pas... worse than wearing neon from head to toe and more horrifying than wearing a shress (sheer dress). If you please, do not forget to spritz cologne or perfume. This summer or spring, it's nice to wear fresh scents like vanilla, green tea, strawberry or apple perfume... yummy!

Now, let me end this post with a quote from the woman whose name is synonymous with classic elegance:

 A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future. 

- Coco Chanel

B Brian Atwood's Sexy, Shocking and Seductive Resort 2011 Ad Campaign

Design Your Own Shoes

Sometimes when I buy shoes, it is always the fit that makes me not buy it even if I really like the design. I tried ordering customized shoe and it served me for at least three years. It was a great buy. It fit perfectly onto my huge feet and no one had the same shoe as mine because it was my own design.

If you want to own customized shoes, I can recommend The Shoe Design Studio that lets you design your own shoe and fit it on your feet if you so desire to purchase. 

Standard shipping shall be FREE for my Func-SHOE-nality friends.

Fashion Faux Pas: Cracked Nail Polish

Click on the photo to reveal the fashion offender.

If there is one thing women (even men) should not take for granted, it is having clean feet and perfectly polished toe nails. I have seen many Hollywood stars walk on the red carpet wearing the most gorgeous dresses, makeup and shoes and yet they sometimes forget to check on their toes. And that ruins everything.

One tip that I can give you is that if you don't have time to go to the salon for a foot spa and pedicure but you have to wear sandals for your dress, forget it. Wear closed shoes instead. Cracked nail polish doesn't look good, people. However, if you would really insist on wearing your sexy sandals or peep toes, there are quick drying nail polishes in the market. Just spray on some toe blusher, brush the excess, let it dry and then apply your desired nail polish color. Another trick to quicken the drying process is to apply a quick drying enamel coat. This trick will spare you from being on the list of fashion faux pas.

If you have plenty of time, though, before you wear your sandals, please, do set an appointment in the salon or parlor. I happen to stumble upon Julep--a nail haven website with various parlors all over the US. You can set an appointment online (how convenient) and choose the foot and nail care package suitable for you. I checked out their nail gel polish of different colors and other nail care items and was surprised of the wide range of products they are selling. You can check out Julep Maven for some customer reviews.

Blog Makeover

Jimmy Choo 'Tippi' snake effect leather pumps, $1295 at Net-A-Porter.

I could not believe that I have already one thousand fifty blog entries and perhaps more than one thousand five hundred shoes in this blog. This blog is only an experimental one when I started this about two years ago. I like looking at beautiful shoes and buying one if I have the budget, but if I don't, I just look it at let out a sigh. This blog primarily aims to feature beautiful, out-of-this-world and unique shoes that will fit any of my reader's shoe taste.

After more than one thousand shoes, I need to have my virtual shoe collection organized and presented in a more creative and fun way. I am thinking of creating a slide show of all the shoes I have featured and owned and show them to you. Whenever I visit some of my favorite fashion and shoe blogs, I enjoy clicking and flipping through their slide shows. For the next year of this shoe blog, I wanted it to be more colorful, fun and interactive. Having said those things, I am currently looking for a slider plugin that will makeover this blog. I remember having mentioned, even asking for the reader's opinion, about making over my precious blog. For my avid and new readers, here are the things that you can expect in the next few months:

new layout
slideshow
lots of gorgeous shoes
more of my shoes
more buying coupons for you to save

New Shoes: Satin D'orsay and Lace Pumps

I went shoe shopping earlier this day together with my sister. I was able to buy two because they are marked 50% off, making me spend only $20 for the two pairs.

Satin d'orsay peep toe pump with 3-inch heel.

This is the only size left. I'm so lucky. I fits perfectly on my feet. I tried walking in them and they are pretty comfortable. I will attend a formal party this month and this would be perfect.

This is my second d'orsay. I had one when I was in college, and that was like a gazillion years ago. This has folded satin design on the sides and V-shaped peep toes. This is size 10.

Metallic gold pointed toe pump with lace overlay with 3-inch heel.

This is the same upper as my lace platform pumps that I featured months ago. It fits like a glove that's why I bought it and I kinda miss wearing pointed toes.

My feet looked divine (?) when I tried it on. This is a size 10.5.

To date, I already have 7 new pairs, not including the ones that my aunt and mom bought for me. How many pairs of shoes do you own?

satin d'orsay

lace pumps

Help!

Topshop 'Luxury' velvet platform sandals, $116.

I just have to get your opinion about this important matter. I am planning to change the look of this blog. I am thinking of letting my lady in heels rest for a while (or for good) and let the plain white background be abused for as long as this blog lives.

To change or not to change?

Exclusive Viewing of Matt Bernson Spring 2012 Collection

I would like to invite you to the special viewing of Matt Bernson's Spring 2011 Collection at Tribeca on August 30 (Tuesday) and on August 31 (Wednesday) from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

To confirm your attendance, please call my friend, Malory at 646-360-3488 or through her email Malorie@cameopr.com.

See you there!

My Blue Suede Shoes

I had a wonderful day! After weeks of longing for body pampering, I was able to have one this day. I had a whole body massage, foot spa and pedicure. I was at the mall and of course a tour inside it would not be complete without touring boutiques. I literally checked every clothes and shoe stores inside. The last one that I checked had me at first fitting. 

These girls are by Primadonna, the store I usually go to if I am looking for not-so-basic shoes. The first one that caught my attention was this blue peep toes. I had to try them on so I asked the saleslady if they have my size. And they have! I was smitten by how it made my feet look whiter. I tried walking in them inside the boutique and they're so comfortable. I needed to take it home before anyone else does. It has 4-inch heels and 1-inch platform covered with black suede while its peep toe upper is made of blue suede. I actually made a breakthrough today because I made my first ever purchase of blue suede shoes!

Doesn't she have the perfect blue? And who ever said you shouldn't mix blue with black is so wrong... I couldn't wait to wear this on Friday.

What do you think of them?

Check these out:

blue peep toe pumps

My first glance of Kate Middleton's wedding shoes

Despite my amazement of the fairy tale wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, it felt incomplete because I was not able to see her shoes. If you could very well remember, I actually had a poll about what shoe Kate Middleton will wear with her wedding dress. One of the options is an Alexander McQueen pump with leaf heel. Nobody actually know what she will wear, we didn't even know who designed her wedding dress. When she stepped out of the Goring Hotel, it was only then that we knew who her favored designer was--Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Obviously, she wore shoes designed by the same designer. It was a custom made satin pumps with lace applique of size 5.5. It is currently on display at the Buckingham Palace together with the dress and the ginormous cake for everyone to see.

Now that her shoes is finally revealed, I will now close the book of their fairy tale wedding.

All my shoes... sort of

I have been showing you shoes but I haven't actually shown you my own (except for my new purchases). Well, here are my shoes, the ones that I usually wear, recently bought and the ones my mom gave me when she visited.

From L to R, top row: Caged sandals with braided straps, Christian Siriano caged sandals, lace platform pumps, platform sandals with snakeskin strap, gray peep toes pumps with silver heels, gray lace up pumps.

From L to R, middle row: Slides by Bandolino, Style & Co, and Naturalizer, peep toe pumps by Fioni.

From L to R, bottom row: Naturalizer slides, clogs by Sonoma and buckled slides by Rampage.

All slides and the clogs are from my mom. Judging from the shoes she gave me, you can say that she's not fond of pumps and sky high heels. I usually wear the gray lace up pumps, Fioni, lace pumps and the caged sandals with braided straps. I just bought the platform sandals with snakeskin straps and I guess it will be included in my frequently used shoes, I wore it yesterday and they are so comfy.

There are only 15 pairs in the photo but I still have some shoes hidden somewhere in my closet. Lining up these 15 pairs is so tiring. I will line up everything some other time.

New Shoes!

I would like you to meet my new shoes... sandals with platform front and snakeskin strap. Love them! I bought them the other day before I watched Transformers: Dark of the Moon. They are the comfiest shoes ever! They are a size 10. Yep, I am related to Big Foot. I am planning to buy its nude version.

What shoes are you wearing right now? I would love to see them. =)

Beyonce should be my sister

Photo from here.

Beyonce proves that she's the best sister in the world. For Solange's 25th birthday, Beyonce gave her 25 pairs of shoes symbolizing her 25 years of existence.

Beyonce should be my sister. I know Solange appreciates those designer shoes but she can buy all of them. It would make a lot of difference if she gave them to me. I can only wish.

I am available, though, if Beyonce needs one more sister. *Wink*