Ode To Marshall's

My shopping philosophy tends to be along the lines of "never pay full price if you can help it"; therefore, stores like TJ Maxx, Filene's Basement, and yes, Marshall's tend to be regular haunts. So when Marshall's invited me to come in and "check out their shoes" - their new shoe Megashop, I was understandably thrilled. Good deals plus awesome shoes? I'm there! It sounds like a major cliche (fashion writer loves gorgeous yet impractical high heels? Gee, no one has written about that before), but the heart, it wants what it wants.

So last week I took my stylish self down to Marshall's (for the Chicagoans playing along, the one on Ontario right off Michigan Avenue) for some shoe shopping, despite the fact that I am possibly the last person on earth who needs another pair of shoes. Anything for the store that stocked my wardrobe with many great pieces at equally great prices over the years, right? Now, Marshall's Shoe Megashop is billed as 5000 feet of fantastic shoes, and at my local Marshall's there has to be at least this much space devoted to footwear.

Now, time and time again I've seen current pieces from brands like Nine West, Guess, Bandolino, Steve Madden, Enzo Anglioni, and other labels around that price point at Marshalls - I mean the very same shoes that are currently at full price in department stores; or if they are on sale in those stores, Marshall's still offers a better deal. On this particular trip, I also noticed a few brands I hadn't seen before - Giuseppe Zannotti (including a great pair of embellished sandals), Stuart Weitzman (a steal at around $120-150 per pair), and Calvin Klein.

My favorites? I'm a fan of Guess's stripper-chic heels, particularly when worn with a more modest outfit. There were also lots of gorgeous embellished flats that made me wish I actually liked to wear flat shoes (I'm short and in denial, also, I'm so used to wearing heels that flats are kind of painful). There were also some luscious cobalt blue patent peep Mary Janes that were calling my name. It was kind of like being a sugar addict in a bakery - so many delicious things, so little time.

The point of this post? Well, thanks to Marshall's for inviting me (and providing me with a gift card - although I guarantee I would have spent money at Marshall's of my own accord, and I'll certainly be back - oh, who am I kidding, I've already been back), and to let my lovely readers know that if they need a cheap and dirty shoe fix, there is a store ready to fulfill their needs. Seriously, very few pairs were over $50, and most were around $20-40, so you won't be out too much cash.

Find a store near you at http://www.marshallsonline.com/.

Memorial Day Weekend Splendid Reads

Happy Memorial Day (to my U.S. readers)! Here are your weekend splendid reads:


SHOPPING

CelebLOOK is in love with Gwyneth Paltrow's shoes and finds a similar pair for us all.

Style It Less copied Gwyneth Paltrow's Yummy Mommy look for less than $105

The Well-Heeled Society is collaborating with Victoria's Secret to host a pink-infused, add feminine and romantic elements to a classic wardrobe.

eye4style can't wait for the new Sex and the City flick! These sooo hard to find cute navy shoes.

BEAUTY

Aging Fabulous discovers Redpoint Beauty and shares her most wanted products from the line.

A Touch of Blusher gets the "false-eyelash treatment" from YSL.

eBeautyDaily is checking out Redpoint Advanced Color Cosmetics.

Beauty Banter reviews the skincare line that Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, Jennifer Garner, Kristin Davis, and Amanda Bynes use on their A-list faces!

makeup loves me wants to know what you thought of the makeup looks in the gossip girl season finale.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic gets a really close look at her skin, now and in the future!

TheScentedLife takes a retro trip to 1978 and rediscovers Estee Lauder White Linen.


Raging Rouge now understands why Americans and Canadians get along so famously... They share their beauty secrets, like AG Hair Cosmetics!



FASHION

She Knows Best lists the fashion tips for Men 5'8 and Under from Alan Au.

Style Tots thinks Rachel Fox is a ray of sunshine in yellow.

The Latest Luxe is ready to turn up the heat and count down to summer in these Manolo Blahnik leopard sandals.

Snarkstress finds the fun in the wacky head-toppers worn last weekend at a Royal wedding. See if you get a laugh from them, too.

Teen Style Lounge has found the one watch you need this summer...on the cheap!

Let's Go Shopping is giving away 2 Sex And The City Bracelets Worth $274

The Fashionable Kiffen heralds the arrival of summer with tons of cute sandal picks.

What do Angelina, Gwen and Jessica love wearing during their pregnancies? Check out Hot Mama Daily to find out!

Sephora: The Makeup Junkie's Favorite Drug, Now In Book Form

I'll admit that prior to reading the Sephora book (Sephora: The Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin, and Hair from the Beauty Authority) I thought it would basically be one big Sephora ad. In some ways I was correct - the book never misses an opportunity to plug something the store carries - but Sephora stocks so many different brands and products that it didn't too one-sided or advertorial. In addition, the interviews with makeup artists and beauty experts were pretty interesting, and the glossary of ingredients is the kind of thing that could definitely prove useful.




Unsurprisingly, the book is filled with the lush photography that makes glossy magazines so appealing to cosmetic junkies everywhere. In fact, beauty junkies are probably the ones who would enjoy it the most (although some of the makeup application tips are probably a little too simplistic for them). It might also be a good bet for people who are just starting to get into wearing makeup, as it has some great basic information (and most of it translates across the board, so you don't necessarily have to shop at Sephora to get something out of it). All in all, this book was better than I expected.

Fashion & Modern Art

I'd be willing to bet that many (if not all) of my readers recognize the link between art and fashion, and that fact that in some cases, fashion and art are essentially the same thing. After all, designers like John Galliano and Alexander McQueen (among others) have certainly created some gallery-worthy pieces. Thus my latest article in Second City Style - Fashion IS Modern Art.

"I’ve always viewed fashion as a form of art in and of itself; however, lately I’ve been seeing prints and silhouettes that remind of me of a more conventional type of art....

Check it out here.

Its Sandal Season!

In most parts of the northern hemisphere is now warm enough to wear sandals, and fortunately for shoe-coveting women everywhere, there are tons of fantastic options this season. Some of my personal favorites include strappy gladiator wedges (these can be difficult to pull off though), sky-scraping platform wedges, and anything beaded and heavily embellished (actually, ornate/elaborate shoes are always my favorites).

There are plenty of gladiator-esque shoes out right now, but I tend to prefer the wedge or high-heeled versions, partly because I am short and prefer to add some faux-height with my shoes, and partly because they are more flattering. Any shoe with straps around the ankle runs the risk of making your legs look stumpy, but flats are the worst culprit. Just say to no stumpifying shoes, please. Here are some choice selections:



Speaking of adding length to your legs and overall height, platform wedges are also big this summer, especially pairs with sculptural or highly detailed heels. Wedges made from cork are also very light and comfortable to wear - the cork is very shock-absorbent. Some of these shoes are basically small works of art you can wear, like these:



Glittery, sparkly, bejeweled, or otherwise embellished sandals are a perpetual hit. I'm loving all sorts of bold bright colors right, like orange, coral, and sunshine yellow. Try unusual combinations, like a turquoise sandal with a yellow dress or a royal purple shoe with red or blue. Also, mix your fancy sandals with more casual pieces, especially the flats - fun shoes should not be restricted to formal occasions and evenings. Here are some pairs that Cleopatra herself would approve of:



Of course, no matter which pair(s) of sandals you choose, make sure your pedicure situation is under control. I might be pointing out the obvious here (I know my fabulous readers would never leave the house unkempt!), but really, you don't need to go to the salon - home maintenance is not only fine, it is necessary.

My New Apartment: Interior Design & Home Fashion

The reason I haven't posted in a few days is that I just moved into a new apartment - one that is almost twice the size of my old one (yay!). Of course, that means I have significantly more room to decorate and the furniture and such from my old place is much more spread out - which means there is room for new stuff! I've got the furniture situation pretty much taken care of (new things are on the way), but I have tons of shelf space that is looking pretty bare.

So what are your favorite places (online or otherwise) places to shop for fun home accessories and such? If you've written a great post or article on interior design or related topics, feel free to leave me a link in the comments.

Bored With "The Classics"

I am sick of basic black, tired of simple elegance, and bored to tears with anything stripped down and minimal. Classic good taste might always be in style, but damn is it ever bland - the sartorial equivalent of plain white rice.

"A little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika."

- Diana Vreeland

I'm craving beading, pyschedelic prints, and colors so saturated you could drown in them. I'm thinking Pucci, Cavalli, and Talitha Getty caftans topped off with oversize earrings and jingling bangles. It is almost summer - time to send classic good taste on vacation.

And dust your wardrobe with paprika.



Anyone else feel the same?

Weekend Splendid Reads

Check out these fantastic posts from the Splendicity community:

SHOPPING

Style Tots has Suri Cruise's Ladybug shoes that Oprah liked so much.

Style It Less gives you 10 Cameron Diaz's red pumps for less

Let's Go Shopping finds some Great Deals at Ferro Cosmetics

My Wardrobe Today reviewsvarious popular foundation and face products.

eye4style loves Balenciaga bags AND the trend of invite-only, online sample sales, so she offers up an exclusive invite to Rue La La for readers.

Teen Style Lounge shares a must-have workout DVD for a summer slim bod.

BEAUTY

This mascara ended A Touch of Blusher's mascara search...

Raging Rouge announces the MAX Factor May Makeover Giveaway. Over $750 of MAX Factor products will be divided among TEN winners!

Beauty Banterdishes on the most important moisturizer for oily/ acne prone complexions... and it's less then 10 dollars!

get to know marina from makeup loves me a little bit better, as she shares all her beauty secrets with you!

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic gives you the products that Billy B uses on SATC's Kristen Davis!

FASHION

She Knows Best thinks A Little Shoe Change Didn’t Hurt John Mayer

The Latest Luxe is having Double the Fun in Christian Louboutin Slingbacks

The Fashionable Kiffen has a whole bunch of Mother's Day gift ideas.

Wardrobe Oxygen suggests some ways to look polished at work during the summer heat.

STYLEnosh is asking, Are you a style hater?"

Why did Michelle Tractenberg, J. Lo, Lauren Bush and Fergie Have all give the cold shoulder at the Costume Institute Ball? Haute and Bothered's got the dish

Have you voted in the Snarkstress's Fashion Icon poll yet? Katie Holmes and Reese Witherspoon are neck and neck, but after recent photos of Katie Holmes in NYC, you just may be swayed.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas For Bohemian Moms

Still haven't picked up a gift? If your mother is the glamorous gypsy type, check out these ideas:



On a related note, I covet everything in this particular set. Do want!

Mother's Day Gift Ideas For Preppy Moms

Does your mother tned stick with the tried and true classics? Is she on the preppy side? Then check out these gift ideas -after all, you've still got a few days to pick up a gift.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas For Glamorous Moms

Is your mother into sparkle, glitz, and glam? Still need a Mother's Day gift? Check out these ideas:



Or shop for the best deal on more fabulous Mother's Day gifts with Shopzilla.

Eccentric Glamour By Simon Doonan

If you're looking for some fun (and fashionably inspirational) summer reading material, look no further than Simon Doonan's Eccentric Glamour: Creating A More Insanely Fabulous You.

Check out my book review at Second City Style.




Or just read the first two paragraphs of the book:

"Why the hell wouldn't you want to be one of the fabulous people, the life enhancers, the people who look interesting and smell luscious and who dare to be more gorgeously fascinating than their neighbors?

I recently left my apartment dressed as Queen Elizabeth II. Not queen as in corgis and tweed skirts, but queen as in decked out like a giant flashing Christmas tree on the occasion of some totally major state dinner. Accessories? Just a few: long white gloves, two rhinestone necklaces,
eleven bracelets, three brooches, six rings, a sash, two dangly earrings, three medals, a hubcap-sized tiara, and a giant pair of bifocals."

It only gets better from there.

Fun With Polyvore

What did fashion bloggers do before we had Polyvore? It's such a fun tool for putting together and displaying ensembles - check out this inexpensive summery outfit I just created.


I'm really liking sunshine yellows and warm turquoise blues, probably because spring is here and those shades evoke memories of one of my favorite places in the world, southern Spain.

What hues are you craving right now?