Gray Platform Pumps for Under 100 Bucks (Day 2)

Calvin Klein - Carley

Why not amp up the volume with this stellar platform pump by Calvin Klein. I love this anthracite color that can easily translate to gray. You've got the sheen of a metallic gleaming it's way into an ultra hip and modern shape. Another detail I've been seeing and loving in pumps lately is the upturned lip at the tip of the toe box. Obviously I'm using the technical term :) See Karla from Karla's Closet sporting a similar Aldo pump below.

The best part about this pump is that it reads classic but also has some fun key details that are sure to get you noticed. Tres chic, no?

Transitions

I don't know about you all but I am ready with a capital R for fall. Thankfully the St. Louis weather is cooperating and instead of sweltering in the stifling heat and humidity we are basking in the most beautiful weather this town has seen in a looooong time.

Calvin Klein - Prive

I first spied this little beauty in the September pages of Bazaar and it immediately caught my eye. There they were winking at me, the words "Stylish Steal" practically jumping off of the page. These will be utterly gorgeous paired with tights once the weather turns. The anthracite lizard embossed upper is tres chic and the elastic gored sides will make for easy on and off. This sexy sandal comes in a wealth of colors including a gorgeous gray suede.

A Classic With A Twist

This is a gorgeous, gorgeous pump by Calvin Klein. A true classic in shape and style given a edgy vibe with that "honeycomb" stingray embossed leather. (I'm not sure if I have ever mentioned this but my husband is a lover of all things cowboy boots. As a result of this I have spent countless hours browsing the aisles and aisles of cowboy boots at Chuck's Boots. At Chuck's you can find boots in just about ANY exotic leather you can imagine. Including stingray. And that is what the print on these shoes reminds me of. I have taken the liberty of including an image of a stingray wallet in this post for comparison.)


Huh? Huh? Am I right? Seriously though this shoe should be a must have in your wardrobe. It's a steal at $98. I am this close to stealing a pair of my own.

Deal. Of. The. Century

Calvin Klein Parma

If you love these shoes as much as I do run don't walk to the closest Dillard's brick and mortar you can find. Originally retailing for $120 I managed to score these bad boys yesterday for $36 on clearance. Needless to say I was ecstatic. I have been eyeballing these for quite some time, tried them on twice, but never managed to make the plunge. Man am I glad I waited. More than glad, really. Thrilled is more like it! You will be shocked at how comfortable these shoes are. So hurry up and grab yourself up a pair. Oh and I checked the Dillard's website but they are still listing them for $79.99, so your best bet is going to the store. Good luck!

Hot Trends - Exotics

Call me crazy but I feel like exotics have been a "Hot Trend" for quite some time now. So much so that I really think they could be considered a wardrobe staple. If you haven't already invested in a pair I highly recommend you do as I believe this is one "Hot Trend" not soon to disappear.

Lovely People - Olivia

These lovely shoes by Lovely People remind me of a pair of Franco Sarto mary janes that I have had for years. I've been thinking of finding a pair to replace them and these just may do the trick. I love that these feature suede, leather, and embossed leather. A combo that could be seemingly be tricky but it really works here.

Calvin Klein - Sarika

A basic black pump that is anything but. The platform, the stacked heel, the funky embossed leather. The color here is called Black Koi and I like that the "skin" looks more fish than snake. The larger scallop print is really what gets me. This pump is a classic.

Giuseppe Zanotti - E90027

I DIE. Seriously??? What's not to love? Oh my. The shape! The shape! These are simply stunning. I love the color combo and um did I mention the shape????? Oh how I dream of owning these.

Shoe Trying Spree - Third Time's a Charm

Made plans to meet my friend Lizzy (a.k.a. Smitten Kitten) at the mall on Saturday to check out Macy's "Buy More Save More" Sale. Thought we might be able to combine our resources. Was a good idea in theory, not so much in practice. Smitten Kitten was looking for a pair of riding boots. I was looking for anything that caught my eye. The idea of finding the perfect pair of gray boots was in the back of my mind but I thought my search would more than likely prove to be futile.

1st Stop -Macy's

Jessica Simpson Daila Heel

Yes it's these again. I tried them on for the second time. Well, actually, I tried one of them on for the second time. The salesman brought out the box and it only had one shoe in it. Yes, you heard me. Of course my first thought was well maybe the other shoe is on display.
Ummm... no. The pair on display is a size 6. Keyword. Pair. So I got his attention to let him no there was only one shoe in the box. The scurrying commenced. They couldn't find it. Ooookay.
I decide that I want a brown pump with more of a stacked heel. Oh, and the other shoe. I found it. It was displayed over in the handbag section, with the JS purses.

BCBGirls Nancy Boot

Smitten Kitten spied these with her little eye. Eh. What the hell? Why not? Liked them but didn't LOOOVE them. They felt and looked a little too cheap.

Bandolino Edwena

These had caught my shopping companions interest when we were doing a little pre-browsing on the internets. Really cute and the leather looks and feels high quality but they did this funny little bunching around her ankles. She was also holding out for a pretty little pair she spied on the Aldo website. More about those a little later.

Calvin Klein Nana

On the way out I tried on these from the display. They were REALLY cute on. Smitten Kitten was not thrilled with them on the table but she was sold once I put them on my feet. Made a tentative plan to re-visit these if I didn't have any luck elsewhere. Then off we went to stop #2.

2nd stop - Nordie's

As soon as we rounded the corner towards Nordie's I spied a table with not one but two pairs of gray boots. Are those angels I hear? A chorus of them, no less. My eye is first drawn to these.

MICHAEL Michael Kors "Parker" Boot

And then sitting just below the Michael Kors boot was this pair.

Circa Joan & David Pretty Boot

I asked to try both of them on. I just knew the Circa Joan & David boot wouldn't fit around my "giant" 15" calves. I had to give myself options. I tried on the Michael Kors Boot first. It was a pull on. I knew I wouldn't have any trouble slipping into them and I didn't. Smitten Kitten wasn't digging on them as much as I was. She felt they were a little too Captain Hook or Captain Jack Sparrow or insert your favorite pirate's name here. Some of you may or may not remember but I have blogged about the "Pretty" boot here and here. Nordstrom didn't have the gray in my size but they did have the black. I slipped my foot into them positive I would never get them zipped. And then a miracle occurred. They zipped all the way up! They zipped all the way up! I pranced around the floor for a bit and pulled my jeans up to make sure I didn't have the dreaded calf muffin top. Eureka! No muffin top. Oh and guess what??? They were on sale. I know! It was meant to be. Marked down from $250 to $149. Sold! The sales girl checked and they were only available on-line BUT they are still regular price on-line. No worries. One quick phone call from Allison and the price adjustment was complete. YAY!!!!!!!!!! I should get them in 3-4 days.

Next stop - Aldo (It was Smitten Kitten's turn)

SK was on a mission and her mission was this little beauty below.

Orvillea

As far as riding boots are concerned, these are pure perfection. There is a gorgeous brass buckle on the side and perforated detailing at the vamp and ankle. Smitten Kitten was sold. While she was busy prancing around the store in all her whiskey hued leather glory I became intrigued with these.

Fanulanu

I'm so happy I slipped the display on. They were so hot! I love the cone shaped heel and the elastic (of course). It took me all of 2 seconds to decide they would be mine. Done and done. Can't wait to pair these with a wealth of looks as the weather turns. I hope everyone had a weekend as fulfilling as mine. Happy Monday everyone!

Shoe Trying Spree (Part Deux)

My mom and I decided to go on a little impromptu trip to the mall on Sunday. I went specifically to hit the Jacque Penay (That's J.C. Penney to all of my fellow discount store shoppers out there). I saw a menswear vest in the ad that I wanted to try and possibly buy. Apparently I wasn't the only one as they were completely sold out. Boo! Decided to hit up Dillards with the intent of showing my mom the elastic strap mary janes I am now coveting. Alas this Dillards didn't carry them but that didn't stop me from trying on some other shoes. I mean, while I was there...

Calvin Klein Parma

I first blogged about this shoe back in August when I featured cage heels. As soon as I saw them on display I had to try them on. I'm so glad I did. They are amazingly comfortable. The platform combined with the ankle strap really lends to solid footing. I loved them.

Jessica Simpson Daila

Thought I'd try these Jessica Simpson heels on as a whim. The color is absolutely gorgeous and that heel... 4.5 inches and smoking hot. I loved these too. Crap! Now I'm coveting 3 pairs of shoes.

Steve Madden Impereal

The ruffled t-strap is perfectly adorable. The heel is not too high and not too low. Very cute on. But I'm holding out for those mary janes. I don't need two new pairs of black patent leather shoes. Now that would just be excessive.

Oh and apparently I am only capable of trying on shoes in threes. Did anyone else notice that?

Cage Heels

Wow! I will definitely be looking around for a pair of these. Strappy, sky-high, and paired with tights - mm! Utter Perfection!

Platinum

Jimmy Choo - Glenys Elaphe Snakeskin Sandals

Gold

Betsey Johnson Tiara (Black Multi)

ATM

Calvin Klein Parma

Bootielicious

Whether you like it or not booties are everywhere! I got my jump on the trend last Fall and let me tell you finding the perfect pair was not easy. I would type the word bootie into the search engine on zappos, endless, or any of my other favorite shoe buying websites and nothing. I did eventually find MY perfect pair at Macy's AND I got them for %20 off! They are pictured below. I'm not excited for summer to end but I am excited to wear these again.


If you are interested in getting yourself a pair of booties this Fall well the world is your oyster. You can get them with laces, a peep toe, in color, in snake skin or metallic, you can even get them with a sling back(WTF?). See below for a few of my faves.

I love, love, love these by Calvin Klein.

The color and the fold over detail makes this pair stand out by Chloe.

The color, details, and design by Guess give these a fun spectator feel.

The quilting, the bow, the pretty gold metallic color make this shoe by BCBGirls my top pick.

I couldn't help myself. I don't know if I would have the guts to wear these but this "shootie" by Miss Sixty is just too fun to pass up.