The Shoe Diaries

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I was anxiously waiting to find out who would be dancing this season on Dancing With The Stars, and while I was watching the Bachelor last night, ABC revealed the full cast. I must admit there are some people I am dying to see out there on the dance floor and others I’m not quite sure what ABC was thinking… but I will keep my comments to myself this time and just opt to look at the shoes these stars tend to wear!

One star I can’t wait to see dance, recently from NBC’s The Sing-off, (pilot show that aired this past winter) Nicole Scherzinger, the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls. She is fun and definitely knows how to sing… can she dance?! Here is the full list of celebrities appearing on DWTS Season 10, their dance partners, and my shoe picks for the stars:

Jessica Simpson Astor $79.95

1) Pamela Anderson with partner Damian Whitewood - Steve Madden Tuscaan for $89.95
2) Kate Gosselin with Tony Dovolani - Rockport Audry 2 Band for $129.95
3) Shannon Doherty with Mark Ballas – Harley Davidson Hayley for $59.95
4) Nicole Scherzinger with Derek Hough – Jessica Simpson Alexandra for $89.95
5) Jake Pavelka with Chelsie Hightower – Fossil Canvas Boat Sneaker for $67.95
6) Buzz Aldrin with Ashly Costa – Frye Otis Venetian for $167.95
7) Chad Ochocinco with Cheryl Burke – adidas Devotion PB for $109.95
8) Aiden Turner with Edyta Sliwinska – adidas Samoa for $54.95
9) Niecy Nash with Louis van Amstel – Moda Spana Deasia for $79.95
10) Erin Andrews with Maksim Chmerkovskiy – Rampage Montauk for $39.95
11) Evan Lysacek with Anna Trebunskaya – Rockport Thorton for $124.95

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All the hoping in the world couldn’t prevent the cancellation of Ugly Betty. I knew the show was in trouble, but hoped my favorite fictitious magazine wasn’t going anywhere. I figured the move to ABC’s Wednesday night comedy lineup would at least buy them some time, but in the end it barely bought two more months of episodes. After four seasons on the air, Ugly Betty will officially end this April.

I didn’t watch the show when it first came out, but over the past couple of seasons I’ve come to love the characters. Betty’s optimism, self-respect and compassion for others help to make her a wonderful role model for tween and teen girls – something that’s often missing in pop culture today. I enjoyed watching her fashion sense evolve, even while she stayed true to her own style (including hanging on to her ‘Betty necklace’). This is something that women of any age can learn from. There’s nothing better than taking a current trend you’re comfortable with and adding your own personal spin.

Born Peony Flat

As sad as I am to see the show end, I’m excited to see how the writers will close the series out. Will Betty’s fashion transformation continue? Will she finally be able to write about the important issues she thinks should be addressed in a national magazine? Will Hilda and Bobby‘s relationship last, or is he hiding a criminal secret? Will Amanda find a way to move up from the reception desk, following the example set by Marc in last week’s episode? I can’t wait to find out!

Moda Spana Quasa

For a show about a fashion magazine, Betty sure seems to end up in some pretty crazy costumes. Wondering how I’m going to beautify the shoe choices in the photo above? I’m not! Sorry Betty – even we don’t know how to save elf shaped booties. One thing that did strike me about this shot, which comes from an episode of Ugly Betty this season, is the color scheme. Both Betty and Marc are wearing two of the colors released by Pantone as Spring 2010 fashion trends – Tomato Puree and Pink Champaign. Using these color trends in your footwear is a great way to incorporate them into your wardrobe. I really like the Born Peony Flat as a Tomato Puree option. For the Pink Champaign look, I would suggest the Moda Spana Quasa Pump.  (Check out Andrea’s article on 2010 Trends for more great fashion suggestions!)

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Since its comedy heydays in the mid to late 90s, I haven’t been that impressed with too many NBC shows.  Sure there was always The Office, which I love, but most of their new shows lacked that certain spark to keep me coming back for more. All that has changed since Community and Parks and Recreation premiered.

Taking a page from the comedy stylings of The Office, Parks and Recreation  really adds to NBC’s Thursday night funfest.  Amy Poehler is hilarious as Leslie – Pawnee, Indiana’s Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation Department.  Although her character does remind me of Michael Scott, the awkwardness is toned down enough to make this show a little less nerve racking to watch. 

Report Kline Boot

When I heard Joel McHale, of The Soup fame, was going to be starring in a new sitcom I couldn’t wait to see it.  He is adorably hilarious on E! and I hoped that his charisma would carry over into his new role on Community.  He did not disappoint!  Of course, it didn’t hurt that NBC surrounded him with a great supporting cast, an innovative writing crew and a unique theme.  (There is very little about this show that I can find fault in!)  

Steve Madden Badd Slip-On

If you haven’t had the chance to take in this comedy about a Spanish study group at Greendale Community College, I highly recommend you take the time to catch up.  It is one of my favorite new shows of the past few years.  (To be fair, I may have a soft spot for comedy in general – I’m also loving ABC’s new Wednesday night lineup.   Here’s hoping Modern Family and The Middle are here to stay!)

Moda Spana Q-Up Pump

Yvette Nicole Brown, Joel McHale & Alison Brie from Community are pictured attending a recent NBC Universal cocktail party.  I wonder if the three of them coordinated their outfit choices for the evening!  Either way, the actors offer three very different versions of the basic black dress shoe.  Yvette is sporting a pair of black booties.  A similar option might be the Report Kline Boot, currently on sale for $80.99.  Joel chose a simple, black, men’s dress shoe.  The Steve Madden Badd is very similar, and at $64.95 it’s available for a very ‘Goodd’ price.  Last, but not least, you can score a more modernized version of Alison’s look with the Moda Spana Q-Up Pump.

The Fall 2009 special Fashion & Beauty issue of all you magazine came out with lots of great “Look and Feel Your Best for less” tips, and ShoeMall was included on several pages.

Bandolino Shuga

On pages 16 and 17 you will find the Easy Street Hello for $44.95 and the Madeline Yazz for $19.99. These metallics will go with everything this season from a skirt to dress pants or even jeans.

You will find the Bandolino Shuga for $39.99 on page 34. With a heel height like this you might be asking yourself if you could even wear these or if they would even be comfortable or not. One glance at this shoe’s reviews, and you will quickly see how satisfied these happy shoe owners are!  

Moda Spana Oblique

One of my absolute favorites is the Moda Spana Oblique found on page 36 for $39.99. This color is going to be at the top of the list this season!

On page 38 you will also find a ShoeMall shoe, the Naturalizer Whistler for $69.95. It is hard to go wrong with Naturalizer shoes because they are such a trusted brand, and have definitely taken trend up a notch the last couple seasons.

That’s all for this issue, and many more to come! Which one is your favorite? I’ve already told you mine!

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It looks like former Girls Next Door star Kendra Wilkinson has a new football team to root for starting this Monday! Although her husband Hank Baskett was released from the Eagles this week in part to make room for Michael Vick, the couple didn’t have to wait too long for a new job opportunity to come their way.

According to ESPN, the Indianapolis Colts signed Baskett as Peyton Manning’s newest wide receiver, announcing the move yesterday afternoon. The team is in need of more offensive weapons and hopes that Baskett will help to fill this gap.

The change of scene shouldn’t be too hard on Wilkinson. People.com lists many social opportunities to help make the move to Indianapolis a smooth transition for the famous duo. Although the article does mention clubs and a good nightlife, I have a feeling that the pair may have simpler plans in mind. Their first child, a son, is due on Christmas Day.

Moda Spana Querida

Kendra and Hank are pictured at the premier of “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.” (Check out this recent picture of Kendra and her growing baby bump!) I love the simplicity of her outfit for a summer event. Sometimes less really is more. Classic metallic high heels, in this case gold pumps, really do go with nearly any dressy outfit! If you want something similar, but don’t have salaries from Playboy, E! or the NFL, take a look at the Moda Spana Querida Sandal. The same classic look at a classy price.