Shoes, Glorious Shoes

I feel pretty confident in declaring that I own a vastly awesome shoe collection. It's not a status oriented kind of collection that screams, Look at me! I wear the latest Tory Burch by day and the newest Louboutins by night. Which is not to say that I don't appreciate fine, expensive shoes. I do have the odd pair of Marc Jacobs heels bought on deep (VERY deep) discount. It's just that mostly I'm far too poor (and cheap) to buy them. What I do own is a little piece of the 20th (working my way up to the 21st) century: black satin dancing shoes from the 30s, alligator pumps from the 40s, Delman spike heels and malachite green French Room snake skin platform pumps and some lucite heeled rhinestone studded beauties from the 50s, a swinging pair of Walter Steiger silver snakeskin t-straps and crazy spectator oxfords from the 60s, loads of wooden platforms from the 70s (both wedged and spiked), a killer pair of Charles Jourdan stilettos from the 80s, and I haven't even mentioned the boots -- 70s western, 80s Frye and Hanna Makler (the boot lady), 90s Italian, and a whole host of other players.

Despite the fact that my closet, Ben's closet, and even the office closet runneth over, I love each and every pair. My shoe loving grandmother would be proud, and naturally I own several pairs of her shoes, too.

The good thing about vintage shoes is that they're unique, and if you're crafty with the Ebay, they're often cheap. The bad thing about vintage shoes is the comfort -- or the lack thereof. You can get lucky and snag an uber plush pair, but more likely you just tough it out. And look hot.

Unless you have a toddler. And then you buy new shoes. Brand new, never worn shoes.

Enter my new Lucky Brand Lexi clog boots, bought with an internet coupon (duh) at Endless. Less expensive than those damn Swedish Hasbeens, and less orthopedic looking than those Jeffrey Campbell boots, they are comfortable, they fit well, and they go with everything. I plan to go dark and boho chic with them, all neutralish textures and patterns and crazy shiny shit galore. Like so:

Graham Atkins Hughes

Commune Design

Elle Decor

Not sure of the source, but I'm pretty sure that's a Vistosi chandelier. Mmmmm...

Francois Halard

Andrea Ferrari

Yeah, I like black. But I also like brown. Tune in for later episodes in my shoe shopping diaries, wherein I confess to both major and minor boot purchases...

I really hope Ben isn't reading this.

Grooving On DIY Graphics

In case you haven't noticed, it's high summer and things are moving at a rather leisurely pace here at DC headquarters. I'm too busy with BBQs and pool playdates to do any hard hitting entertainicles right now, but I did manage to scrounge up a few delightful tidbits for you -- our loyal readers. If you saw yesterday's post about Karly's curtain project, then you know that a little DIY graphic goodness can make a gigantinormous difference. Let's check out some other ideas for simple, punchy projects. Behold:

Eye Spy

While I don't really want to think about how much work it actually took to paint that floor, I am seeing some definite, cheap possibilities for radical change. Is this not the best idea ever for crapoflaging those hideous screenprinted tiles that seem to run rampant in otherwise nice homes? I am wondering how durable the finish would be, though. Does anyone have experience painting tile?

Stylehunter

Step one: find huge, cheap gold frames. Step two: paint your own shapes or cut up a big piece of fabric and frame. Step three: steal those lamps. heh.

LA Times

Sure it's a little voyeuristic, but at least you'll never be lonely in bed again. As I recall, this fabric was created with digital imaging and then sewn into a coverlet. There are so many digital service bureaus out there now that I'm sure there must be some reasonable options for printing your own fabric masterpieces.

Nicolas Matheus

A couple of graphic touches can make a big impact in a neutral space. It would take three seconds to have those shapes cut out of MDF and paint them up all 80s Memphis like. The settee is a relatively easy upholstery job that could be done on the cheap with Ikea fabric, and y'all know I'm nothing if not hot for the cheap and easy.

Andrea Ferrari

Dudes, I will be knocking this idea off someday. I can't afford Fornasetti's stunning Nuvole wall mural, but I can have my own images printed by Design Your Walls. I actually flipped this image into a mirrored pattern much like the one above and then had it printed as wallpaper, which was really easy to do and relatively inexpensive. Think I might try some different images and see what I can come up with.

You know... after I finish BBQing and swimming.

There's a Light At the End Of the Tunnel

To all you poor souls in the throes of snowy disaster: I know you are without power, and therefore not even reading this (and if you have -- by some miraculous happenstance -- found electricity, then you are almost certainly doing more important things than blog trolling, like taking hot showers and cooking food and flushing your toilets), but I'm giving you all a shout out nonetheless. Because living like a cave (wo)man in the ice age is totally lame (especially in the absence of exotic fauna, like saber tooth tigers and woolly mammoths) but y'all are some badasses, so I know you're gonna pull through with style. Also, I would like to congratulate you on snagging the most bitchin' moniker for a natural disaster ever: Snowmageddon. There is solace to be found in that kind of excellence. Well, whenever you get around to reading this, just know that I'm rooting for you. And to show my support, I'm shining some bright lights your way. I hope this post finds you soon.

Blizzards suck, but white can still be alright. Bambi helps. via Damian Russell

Then again, nasty weather is the perfect excuse to get cozy and snuggle. via Andrea Ferrari

Charlotte Perriand fixtures light up my life. via Living Etc

I'm sure the view from below is thrilling. via OWI

Ok, is it just me, or do those pendant lamps remind you of skin? via Andrea Ferrari

Message to Mother Nature. via Designage

Might as well... SIT! Go aheaaaaaad annnnnd siiit. via Damian Russell

Calling all trapeze artists and lion tamers. via Sasa Antic

I love this headboard idea. via Style Files

Elton John is such a weirdo. via Pillow Mint

Nevermind the neon love letter, check out the hot Yves Klein gold flake coffee table. Hubba hubba. via Eye Spy

Matthew Williamson's neon lit stairway is pretty much the sole reason Benny Franklin got crazy with a kite during a lightning storm. Electricity is a beautiful thing. via Damian Russell

Alright people, let's work together to kick Mother Nature's ass and ensure there are no more natural disaster posts, because the only disasters we should be discussing are entirely domestic. Disasters like: Erin desperately needs a new couch! Erin is dying to move baby Ike's crib out of her room! When can Karly remodel her kitchen?!

You know. Important stuff.