My Favorite Things: The Black Heel
Today was a terrible day. In fact, the word terrible doesn’t even really describe how low I felt when I left work at 5:00. So I pouted and felt sorry for myself for the requisite hour after work, even buying myself a bucket o’ cookies at target [mini cookies! they're actually amazing and only 120 calories per 3 minis] and laid on the couch. But then I decided to get myself together, worked out, ate a healthy dinner and focused on something that would make me happy. Shoes. Specifically heels. Specifically fabulous black heels.
Black pumps can seem boring and bland, but they are actually one of the most versatile items in your wardrobe. They will never ever ever go out of style. They go with basically everything. They are the shoes that you choose when you just can’t figure out which pair to wear. They’re always worth the money. It’s no wonder I encourage everyone to own at least 2 pairs of great black heels. I am normally an advocate for the higher the better philosophy when it comes to pumps, but I have to be sensible for my work day. So I go for 3 inch for daytime and 4 inch for night time 
There are so many varieties of heels in general – peep toe, pointy toe, mary jane, round toe, platform, etc. And they’re all good choices. I say, get one of each style in black!
If you have the money to spend, I will always suggest Blahnik as my top choice. The shapes are completely classic but still sexy and not at all dull.
Pre-order these! And order some for me as well
Or these. I love the shape of the front, so sexy.
Sigh. Dream shoes.
But if Manolos aren’t in your budget, don’t worry. There are plenty of options for under $500
I bought these Vince Camuto pumps at Nordstrom a few months ago and I absolutely love them. They are perfect for daytime wear – the heel isn’t too high but is higher and chicer than a kitten heel. I feel like I should buy another pair in patent, 1 in regular leather and another in nude patent.
These are a great affordable alternative to the Manolos above!
These make me weak in the knees!
Even though I’m so sick of the Kim Kardashian round platform pump, these are fab.
Everytime these Dolce Vita pumps are on Gilt or Ideeli, I consider buying them. I love the not so pointy pointy toe and the shape they make at the base of the toe.
A very practical and classic peep toe. Perfect for the office!
Hawt. Red sole.
Wow, I feel even better after that. Shoes = therapy.
My Inner Circle
I don’t reveal a lot of personal information on this blog. I never meant for the blog to become a self-indulgent kind of self help outlet where I can air my grievances for all the world to read. [I have my husband for that...ask him how many times I've complained about bad St. Louis drivers.] My mission has always been to write about fashion – tips, trends, and how-tos. But I wanted to do a post about the people who make my life sparkle – my friends and family. But instead of doing bios for each, I thought I would paint a picture of each person through fashion.
Starting with my hubby, of course!
My husband is a cool, laid-back guy, as evidenced in his casual wardrobe. His favorite color of shirt is blue and he will never say no to a new blue shirt. He loves to be outside and work on his tan. [He has wonderful Italian olive skin that I hope our kids will inherit, should we decide to reproduce] He works hard and then plays hard. He will never say no to Cardinals tickets. His favorite things [in order]: The Cardinals, Budweiser, me, our puppy.
Pops has always belonged to the business world. He has worked his way up in many different companies over the years, and I have seen him in slacks and a tie more times than not probably. He built a life for his family from nothing and is endlessly generous. He thinks he’s reallllllly funny [and sometimes is, admittedly] and loves to laugh and be goofy. I can’t imagine him in a serious meeting because he is always so goofy with his children. He is a master chef – his specialties being anything on the grill and breakfast foods. He currently works for a company that makes kayaks, so send me a message if you want one!
My mom is an artist. Whether it’s painting, decorating or gardening, she is always up to something artsy. She loves to be comfy in her jeans and flats. And she was way ahead of the denim on denim trend, always pairing her jeans with a denim jacket. I swear she has a new handbag everytime I see her, which I love, and she loves minimal, special jewelry. Her newest obsession is Toms, which I also love. She co-owns a eclectic shop in my hometown and is thriving. I’m so proud of her!
My brother is hilarious. When we get together [which isn't nearly often enough, in my opinion. I blame too much distance and his absurd unwillingness to move to St. Louis] we laugh endlessly. Quoting Anchorman, Wedding Crashers and Arrested Development, we share the same sarcastic and sometimes downright rude sense of humor. He is a die hard sports fan and even works part-time writing a sports column. His fashion sense has improved greatly since his high school days and he can rock a cardigan like no man I’ve ever seen. His hair is thinning, like my dad, and I am so mean and give him a hard time about it. He is also turning into my dad in almost every way except political views. I give him a hard time about that too, but really, there are so many worse people to turn into than our father.
My sister is the best. She is an avid Converse wearer and has been since high school, way before I decided they were cool. She lives in jeans, novelty tees and sweatshirts [mostly sweatshirts, as she lives in Minneapolis]. She has a sarcastic sense of humor as well. She always wishes she was born British and in a different era because of the accent and the clothing. She quirky in the coolest way possible. Her love of Sci-Fi is the nerdiest thing ever, but she still remains one of the coolest people in my life. She lets me talk to her about anything and doesn’t judge me [except when I mention Taylor Swift, she has no love for Taylor]. She gets along splendidly with my husband and loves my puppy. She’s the best.
I have 3 friends in my life who are extremely important to me. They have been there for me and have shaped who I have become over my life, the last 8 years especially.
I have known Meaghan since freshman year of high school when we were put in the same homeroom. She is seriously driven, finishing college in 3 years and going straight into law school, paying her entire way through. She reconnected with a old friend from high school a couple of years ago and their wedding was one of the happiest I’ve ever been to, save my own. She is a kick ass lawyer in a big firm in Indianapolis, just bought her first house and is raising an adorable yellow lab puppy, while sometimes finding time to train for and run marathons. You would think she would be snobbish and conceited with all of her success but she is endlessly grateful for what she has and so generous with others. She is also the most fun person to have fun with because she can let loose and we laugh and laugh and laugh. Her favorite candy is peanut butter M&Ms if you want to buy her some. She is a person that 100% accepts me for me and doesn’t judge for what I say or do, as ugly as it may be. She lives in suits and heels and it’s fun to be able to go shopping with her for business clothes, since I am confined to similar styles. She also looks like Rory Gilmore from the Gilmore Girls.
Dr. Rachel is a real-life fashion icon for me. She is tall, thin and beautiful with shiny hair and pretty teeth. And she dresses better than 99% of the population. I seriously look up to her when it comes to fashion [among other things, of course] and I always feel intense pressure to dress well when I’m around her. Her style is chic. She loves big earrings, Michael Kors watches, and sky-high heels. She is on track to start her plastic surgery residency program at the University of Missouri [1.5 hours from St. Louis thankyouverymuch ] and is a total rock star. She somehow managed to balance being extremely involved in school, getting a 4.0 and going out and having fun every single weekend. She is so loyal to her friends and family and somehow manages to stay in touch with everyone that she wants to. I feel so lucky to call her one of my best friends!
Last but certainly not least is one of my bffs, Shaylyn. The best word to describe Shay’s appearance and the way she dresses is adorable. She is a master of layering and can usually be found in comfy sweaters and boots [except the summer, of course]. Most of the time she looks like she stepped right out of a J.Crew catalog. She loves scarves, photography, adventures and ice cream. I can always count on her when I want to go to get something sweet to be right there with me, never even thinking twice about calorie count [LOVE THAT]. She is also fearless, first moving to Las Vegas to do Teach for America right out of college, staying there for three years and then deciding to defer her position at University of Denver graduate school to take a Fulbright Scholarship in Lithuania. Yeah, I didn’t know where Lithuania was either. She is inspirational in her willingness to seek adventure without much fear. I miss her desperately, especially when I have something to tell her that I know she would love. I absolutely cannot wait for her to return to the states and move to Washington D.C. to start her next chapter. [hopefully with a quick stop in Nashville, complete with a visit from me] She is going to do great things.
I feel like the luckiest girl in the world with these amazing people around me. I hope everyone has a lovely Memorial Day weekend!
