The Shoe Diaries

ShoeMall Merchandiser Rachel with Steve Madden

The first shoes I ever remember falling in love with were a pair of Steve Madden wedges. They were my first memorable pair of brand name footwear, and in all my fourteen years I had never seen a more perfect shoe. I lovingly called them my bale of hay shoes – in reference to the fact that the heel was covered in a twisted material that resembled straw. While the style may no longer sound fashionable, the brand remained as one of my favorites.

Later, when I was in college, that Steve Madden love stayed with me. I took a class that involved analyzing print ads. What did I choose to base my project around? A Steven by Steve Madden magazine advertisement. I was drawn in by the ad’s juxtaposition of high fashion and industrial images. It was one of my favorites – a creative image for an equally creative shoe brand. (I tried to find a copy of the ad online but no luck.)

Madden Girl Savvyy Pump

Rachel, one of our ShoeMall merchandisers and contributing trend editor to The Shoe Diaries, had the good fortune to meet the Steve Madden last week at the Footwear News Platform Show at MAGIC in Las Vegas. The two are pictured at the event. So jealous! It would have been awesome to meet the namesake of one of the brands that inspired my love of shoes. Not only that, but she says he loves what he does and it really shows when you meet him in person. Having passion of your own can really help to inspire passion in others! Love it!

Steve Madden Tristano Pump

Rachel was also recently quoted in a Footwear News edition almost completely dedicated to Steve Madden as the brand completes its 20^th year in the shoe business. She mentioned something that really fits in with my personal experiences with Steve Madden: “ . . . [that customer] can grow up with the brand and that’s pretty cool. It creates customer loyalty and a bond. You can evolve with the brand as it evolves.” – (Quoted from Footwear News). I completely agree – with multiple brands to choose from, Steve Madden offers styles for fashionable women of all ages.

Steven by Steve Madden Xtinct Pump

The Madden Girl line, including the Madden Girl Savvyy Pump, is perfect for the high school girl just venturing out into the world of fun shoes. The main Steve Madden line is a good fit for anyone looking for shoes with more mature fashion forward flair. (I’m really liking the studding on the Steve Madden Tristano Pump right now.) Last but not least is the Steven by Steve Madden line – this really takes things up a notch with additional detailing and drama. (Check out the studded sole on the Steven by Steve Madden Xtinct Pump.)

What about you? What was the first brand of shoes you fell in love with? Have your loyalties changed over the years?

Photo By PRPhotos.com

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!)

Photo by PRPhotos.com

Award Show Season continued Wednesday night with the 36^th Annual People’s Choice Awards.  Knowing my love of all things pop culture, you may be surprised to hear I completely forgot to watch!  I was so super excited to catch new episodes of ABC’s Wednesday night comedies that it never even crossed my mind.  Just imagine my disappointment Thursday morning when even the local radio DJ was talking about the show (and more specifically Mariah Carey’s acceptance speech).  Here’s hoping I don’t miss the Golden Globe Awards in a couple weeks!

CBS not only hosted the award show, but picked up some pretty impressive awards for its programming as well.  Alyson Hannigan won in the Favorite TV Comedy Actress category for her work on the show How I Met Your Mother, which airs Monday nights on CBS.  Such a funny show!  She’s certainly come a long way since her time on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  I will admit I don’t watch her show as often as I would like to, but love catching random reruns on Lifetime.  Big Bang Theory, which won the award for Favorite TV Comedy, is another CBS show I don’t watch as much as I should.  It’s also refreshingly good.

Steve Madden Alisah Pump

Not surprisingly the Twilight franchise and The Proposal both had big nights.  Other award winners included Miley Cyrus, Johnny Depp, Up and Glee.  And what would an award show be without fun parodies and snarky fashion police out in full force.  Whether you loved or hated the night’s star styles, you have to admit it is fun to see who wore what.  Although not everyone agrees, my favorite fashionista was Carrie Underwood.  Her outfit was unique, yet classy.

Nina Elga Shoe

Alyson Hannigan, pictured with her award, also looked striking in her tea-length, strapless, simple-yet-sexy gown.  Wearing such an understated dress allows you the opportunity to play up your accessories, which Alyson took advantage of with her decorated shoes and huge diamond bracelet.  Although I may not be able to get you a good deal on the bling, it’s easy to find a similar t-strap at a reasonable price.  Take a look at the Steve Madden Alisah Pump or the Nina Elga Shoe.  At $89.95 each, you could get both for the price of a similar designer shoe – as in one half of one pair of designer shoes.

Photo By PRPhotos.com

I know there are thousands of other Sex and the City fans out there just like me, practically dying to hear some news about the upcoming sequel coming out in May 2010. Well now we have it, and this week they have started filming. 

Sarah Jessica Parker aka Carrie Bradshaw, along with her three close friends Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) were all seen filming in Manhattan early yesterday morning in compelling style as always.  For all you fashion lovers, Carrie is wearing a white Halston dress, gold Christian Louboutin heels and a Chanel clutch.

Reflections Rihanna $39.95

Pictured to the right is the Refections Rihanna pump you can find on ShoeMall.com for only $39.95. If you are on budget, this is a shoe that is similar but won’t break the bank.

I am pretty impressed with the first few photos I’ve seen from the filming of the sequel. If they keep it up, just like the first SATC movie, we are not going to be disappointed in the fashion/style these ladies carry with them!

Photo from www.gayleschocolates.com

For the girl who loves shoes, but doesn’t need any additional pairs of her own, I present the perfect gift! Check out these chocolate pumps by Gayle’s Chocolates.

These adorable confections come in multiple styles – just like your favorite pair of real shoes. I think it would be a cute gift by itself, or as a yummy ‘accessory’ for a new outfit. The only problem is, are they too gorgeous to actually eat? Not to me!

If anyone out there wants to send me one of these treats as a gift, I would prefer the pink shoe with dark accents! I promise to admire it for a full five minutes before eating.