The Shoe Diaries

Photo by PRPhotos.com

I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about the movie Valentine’s Day. It is jammed packed with star power and seems like a cute way to look at the holiday of love. If you’re looking for something to do this Sunday, and have a willing date, I would suggest checking this out! If you don’t have much luck convincing your significant other to choose this movie over something like Avatar, don’t fret. It looks like a pretty good flick to catch with a bunch of friends as well.

Jessica Biel is one of the many stars lending her acting chops to this blockbuster. She plays a public relations rep who throws an ‘I Hate Valentine’s Day’ party. In real life, the lovely Ms. Biel doesn’t have the same problem as her big screen alter ego. She has been dating the multi-talented (and incredibly hilarious) Justin Timberlake for the past few years. In the non-romantic department, Jessica recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro for Summit on the Summit – an effort to raise awareness for the issues many people around the world face as they attempt to secure clean, safe drinking water.

Bella Vita Wow Pump

Jessica is pictured here at the Los Angeles premier of the movie Valentine’s Day. Her dress does sort of remind me of a candy cane, but on her I think it works. It is especially fitting given the theme of her new movie. To finish off her outfit, she chose a pair of simple pumps in a slightly beige shade. If you’re looking for something similar, take a look at the Bella Vita Wow Pump. It’s available in ten other colors, including red!

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.

As any of you who read my post a few weeks ago probably know, I have been anxiously awaiting the start of the new fall television lineups. Last night, the wait finally ended! Not only did 90210 return with a vengeance, but the newest version of Melrose Place premiered on the CW.

I have to admit it – I didn’t watch the original Melrose Place. I was much more likely to be found watching 7^th Heaven or Blossom. I definitely didn’t know what I was missing. Last night’s premier episode included a murder, blackmail, a proposal and a romantic date complete with a very awkward proposition.

Fergie Turnpike Pump

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz made her return to the small screen as Violet, a new tenant at the Melrose Place apartment complex. I really like Ashlee, and was excited to see her on the cast list for the new series. A few of my friends, however, felt a little differently. Their general consensus was that she wasn’t quite up-to-par with her acting abilities. I thought her character was meant to be a little more timid and awkward. A recent interview with Ashlee seems to support my theory. Did anyone else catch the premier? How did you think she did in her new role?

Rampage Gracie Pump

Ashlee is pictured with two of her co-stars at the Melrose Place Launch Party this past August. Jessica Lucas (left) plays Riley, a seemingly sweet character in a long-term relationship with a hopeful filmmaker played by Michael Rady. Katie Cassidy (right) takes on the role of Ella, a sassy publicist who appears to have a crush on an unavailable friend. All three are shown wearing three versions of the same basic style – the black pump. No one ever said this classic style had to be boring!

Sam & Libby Sangria Sandal

If you’re interested in freshening up your own style, take a look at the Rampage Gracie Pump. It’s very similar to Ashlee’s style shoe – and at $49.95 it won’t ruin your budget! A black strappy sandal similar to Katie’s is available for the same price with the Sam & Libby Sangria Sandal. If you don’t mind spending a little more, the Fergie Turnpike Pump might be very you. It’s a close match to the style worn by Jessica.

Photo from: PRPhotos.com

Sienna Miller is one of my favorite actresses, she seems like such a simple, genuine person.  Not in GI Joe: The rise of Cobra.  According to the Sienna Miller blog, Sienna says that gutsy female roles are “few and far between.” She was honored to be a part of this movie because “(It’s) really hard to get good action girl roles.” She also reveals that she wants to be more like Johnny Depp.  She doesn’t like public interference into her personal life. I really cannot imagine what life would be like if I were a famous celebrity like Sienna… a girl can dream!

In this picture she is wearing a flowing black dress, a black belt, and classic black pumps!  She looks stunning! Here is a pair of BCBGirls for $89.95 at ShoeMall. 

BCBGirls Parrot