Shoe-of-the-day: Patagonia

Haven't posted in a while... for reasons too mundane yet irritating to get into. But since the weather has turned colder now I've been thinking about boots and how I would love a new pair - without a killer heel, but still with great style. Hence the below images from Patagonia. Love that they are from a sustainability-focused brand in addition to just being great everyday boots - definitely want!

Shoe-of-the-day: Vintage daydreaming on Etsy

So even though I'm still as obsessed with shoes as always, the blog has been on somewhat of a hiatus because of me being dragged back into the retail world....

Today I had the day off so instead of doing productive things focusing on career, learning, moving forward, I got distracted by drooling over vintage shoes on Etsy. A sampling is below...

tinygirl blue and white heels

9 West turquoise heels

Buskens rustic platform sandals

The Vintagerie magenta pumps

Red and white flats

              

Shoe-of-the-day: TOMS wedges!

Have taken a little hiatus on the blog recently, plenty of personal changes going on and the posts may be more monthly than weekly/daily.
BUT I had to post that TOMS has wedges! I love the idea of TOMS (give one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased) and know plenty of people who have their classic pull-ons but I could just never get into them aesthetically. The wedges, though? Love!! So happy to see another eco-friendly shoe company thinking about design in addition to social and environmental issues.

Shoe of the day: Bahar Shahpar and Cri de Coeur

I like Bahar Shahpar and Cri de Coeur each on their own creativity and talents, but apparently there is a new shoe collaboration between the two of them: Ecouterre article. Love it when eco-friendly doesn't necessarily mean 'plain' or 'neutral' or 'safe'!!

Shoe-of-the-day: Neuaura

Generally I'm not a huge animal print or ballet flats fan... but for some reason I find these shoes adorable! Maybe it's the toe cut-out that helps them look less childish? Or the diagonal striping? Not sure, but I like them! (Courtesy of Neuaura - a company I should really learn more about...)

Shoe-of-the-day: Guess

This is definitely a guilty pleasure, non-eco-friendly shoe... but it would look super awesome with my zebra print tank top.

Shoe-of-the-day: Olsenhaus

Really this is shoe of the week, or month, or year... not simply b/c I've been slack but b/c I am so in love with this company (Olsenhaus)! And this bootie in particular.....

Buckles and a peeptoe and a cut-out and scarlet red with studs and grommets and eco-friendly and a chain AND gorgeous?!? I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it....
And kudos to Ecouterre for such a great article including a great quote from Olsenhaus founder Elizabeth Olsen: “The product needs to have substance to it, so you have to explain yourself or people would never know it was a) vegan or b) made from recycled TV sets,” she says. “It doesn’t have to look an Earth Shoe or a Birkenstock.”

Shoe-of-the-day: Alexander McQueen

This week saw the passing of a major fashion icon: Alexander McQueen. This news would be tragic regardless, but I'm especially saddened as McQueen has continuously been one of my favorite designers - both for clothing and shoes. He had an otherwordly, fantastical, and gothic (and at times controversial) style and his abundant creativity will be missed greatly.

Shoe-of-the-day: END

END footwear is not completely eco-friendly but they are an athletic footwear company that is bringing "design, manufacturing, and materials under the microscope to examine the steps required" to become fully sustainable. (Click on the pics on their main page to learn more about them). I love companies that do this, analyzing how to make existing products better in a sustainable way. And I like the design - a good balance of bright colors w/ running shoe practicality.

Check out the neato PDF showing where all the materials came from.

Shoe-of-the-day: Anthropologie

So adoring this 'midcentury proper' look Anthropologie has going on right now, including these flowery booties! Call me crazy, but these remind me of vintage curtains/couches but w/ a modern shape and I want them.

Shoes-of-the-week: guilty pleasures

All right, I've been slack recently.... just haven't felt like posting for various reasons. So I visited my 'guilty pleasure' website - Style.com's accessory report - for a shoe fix. Here are some of my favorites for Spring 2010:

Alejandra Ingelmo's futuristic beauties

Bally's very not-animal-friendly hot orange heels (sorry environment...)

Balenciaga's gorgeously striped platforms

In case you needed to 'make a point' about something...! Camilla Skovgaard spiky sandals

Christian Dior's beautifully detailed red sunburst wedge shoes

Dries Van Noten elegance with a twist....

Christian Louboutin must have found his hippie side recently... but I love it!

Shoe-of-the-day: Free People

I've been slack this week, sorry... blame it on Redress Raleigh!
Our benefit show is tonight so I'm trying to figure out what to wear... and of course shoes are vital. These would be totally appropriate for a rock show, if only I owned them.

Still not sure I can pull off styles like this, but these are so cool looking I'd be willing to try!

Happy Friday!

Shoe-of-the-day: Rocket Dog

I am so sick of being cold!

I want these, a beach, and some sunshine. Right now.

Shoe-of-the-day: Cri De Coeur

As may be obvious by the last post (or two), it's cold here. So I keep fantasizing about fabulously textured fabrics and boots to stay warm.

These beauties by Cri de Coeur (from the Fall 2008 Collection) look like the perfect casual and eco-friendly bootie. In either brown or gray, for that matter!

According to the website, 'Cri de Coeur' means "cry from the heart" and is meant to symbolize a desire to change the face of the fashion footwear market. CdC has long been one of my favorites in terms of stylish design, eco-friendly company goals, and everyday wearability.

Shoe-of-the-day: Deena and Ozzy

I've always had a thing for herringbone/tweed. Not sure if it's the texture of the fabric or the suits that are generally made from it, but I like that shoes have embraced this trend too!

Isn't the heel shape on these great?!

I don't know much about this brand at all (Deena and Ozzy) but they seem to be under Urban Outfitters (which is where I found these). I don't know that UO is all that eco-friendly but I become mildly obsessed with them every now and then for having cutting edge style and innovative books/ideas/fun housewares.

Shoe-of-the-day: Cole Haan

More shiny goodness!

No, these Cole Haans are not sustainable. At all. But like I mentioned in my previous post, I'm a little annoyed that there doesn't seem to be a lot of 'newness' in the eco-shoe arena right now. (Of course it's not like there's a super-tough economy and unemployment situation right now or anything...)

I swear I'll work on being more diligent on posting 'green' shoes, but these are just so simply fun that I couldn't help it!

Treehugger article: 6 Sustainable Shoes to Dance in the New Year

While I appreciate articles like this on Treehugger that highlight sustainable shoes, I'm often frustrated that the same designers always seem to be mentioned - specifically Terra Plana, Olsen Haus, Kitty Cooper, MINK. (All these links can be found on the right side of this blog, too.)

These are all great companies, but where is the new blood? I am glad that Melissa shoes was included but I've always questioned the sustainability of shoes made completely of plastic. And the Zoe & Zac line from Payless is a great mention (though again, not new) and probably the only one completely affordable for the general public.