Monica Garcia Ballet Flats

monica garcia

Feelin' It: Dolce Vita for Target

A weekend trip to New Jersey means a trip to Target, which is cause for celebration enough. Add in Labor Day weekend, and suddenly it's back-to-school shopping (without the school): double yay! Then, the cherry on top: a designer collab I'd completely forgotten about and, to be frank, kind of written off. I saw the pics for the Dolce Vita for Target collection a few weeks back but wasn't really into them, even though I'm a fan of Dolce Vita shoes and have a bunch of them. Somehow, in person, the boots didn't seem quite so pirate-y, and the flats were a little more special.


Lace-up boots, $34.99. I'm not usually one for lace-up boots, but I decided I could try to be one. Like my fearless coblogger! Also these have a handy diagonal zipper up the side that means you only have to fix the laces to your liking once (they're still functional). And the faux leather is of pretty high quality. Beware, this shoe for some reason runs at LEAST a full size large; I got a 7 when I usually wear an 8.



Studded ballet flats, $29.99. The major selling points for these are the tiny understated studs and the square ballet shoe–like toe. These run a tad small; I should probably have gotten a half-size up, as I now see the reviews are telling me. Why can't they standardize the sizing? Cute, though. Sold!

Some other back-to-school finds:


Mossimo boyfriend cardigan, $20. Leggings, boots, done.



Mossimo lace inset cardigan, $22.99. Cardigans are pretty much a staple of my fall wardrobe, so. Why not?

Anyone else feeling the DV for Targs?

Is Jeffrey Campbell The New Irregular Choice?

Jeffrey Campbell and Irregular Choice are similar in that when it comes to their shoes, I either LOVE 'em and would wear them in a second because they're fun and loud (just like me!), or they're so appalling that I think that they were designed while someone was tripping balls on a combo of meth, acid and horse tranqs.

Here are a few loves and not-so-loves:
($98, Jeffrey Campbell, Urban Outfitters)
For those rare instances when you wanna keep your ankles warm and toasty but let your toes chill. dlakfjdl;kafjl;dsafj!!!!


($89, Jeffrey Campbell, Solestruck.com)
Ugh. Not even if I were freezing to death in the Alps.


($94, Jeffrey Campbell, Amazon)
Lord have mercy. While I do love jeweled shoes, I certainly don't love them unconditionally. The little chunky heel just kills me.


($125, Jeffrey Campbell, Zappos)
I'm sorta on the fence about these, but I sorta also like 'em, especially in black. (Though the tan iteration is way too cowgirl.)


($142, Jeffrey Campbell, Zappos)
I'm a little more into these.


($59, Jeffrey Campbell, Zappos)
Oy. Just... oy.


($139, Jeffrey Campbell, Zappos)
... And I'm okay with these, basically. Though I don't know about that patent leather detailing.



($74, Jeffrey Campbell, Zappos)
Yay! Fun fun fun jeweled flats!


($59, Jeffrey Campbell, BarefootTess.com)
Wuv in every color. Flats are deffo what Jeffrey Campbell does best.




($39, Jeffrey Campbell, Shoes.com)
These are sorta fun in an old-school grandma way.



($84, Jeffrey Campbell, Shoes)
These are by far my favorite. They'd look so hot with an all-black nighty-night time outfit.



($75, Jeffrey Campbell, Kitson)
Whereas these would look good with absolutely nothing...



($95, Jeffrey Campbell, Kitson)
Very D&G/ Fendi, no?






($71, The Sisters Campbell, Lulusfashionlounge.com)
Okay, so I FINALLY solved my own little mystery about who the eff The Sisters Campbell (not to be confused with the Jackson Twins) are/is. Per an interview on Fred Flare's blog (thanks guys!), it's Jeffrey Campbell's junior line, and it's named for his daughters. Cute! Now if only JC would get on that pesky little "I don't have a Website" issue! (There's only this Myspace page) DUDE! It's 2002!

Lust Life: Loeffler Randall Studded Wedges

($200, Loeffler Randall, Footcandyshoes.com)

Sigh. It's probably for the best that these baby blue Loeffer Randall studded wedges are sold out in my all-too-common size.

That said, I'm still gonna go ahead and dedicate "Catch Me I'm Falling" -- one of my FAVORITE Freestyle R&B songs -- to them:

theOutnet.com's Shoe Collection Is Giving Me Inappropriate Urges

Seriously, I'm getting tingly... now the tingling is turning to numbness. I may or may not be blacking out. Isn't this how Michael Hutchence died?

Check out theOutnet's -- Net-a-Porter's younger, hipper, CHEAPER, sister -- shoe selects. Designer shoes, discount prices.

($238, Chloe, theoutnet.com)


($199, Chloe, theoutnet.com)



($115, Marc Jacobs, theoutnet.com)

($232, Bally, theoutnet.com)

Gahhhh these silver Bally heels so have my name on them. Unfortunately, my credit cards have my name on them too.

($532, Christian Louboutin, theoutnet.com)

Usually I don't freak out and make a total jackass out of myself and act all like OMFG SEX AND THE CITY IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE AND I NEED JIMMY CHOOS AND LOUBOUTINS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT CARRIE BRADSHAW WORE AND OUR LIVES ARE SOOOOOO ALIKE BECAUSE WE BOTH LIKE BOYS AND HAVE GIRL FRIENDS AND LIKE CLOTHES AND LAPTOPS and shit over Louboutins, but these Prive Louboutins are spesh.

Tell Me About It, Stud: My Love Affair With Studded Flats Continues

Greetings from the couch, where I'm still parked. Two iced coffees later... I think I'm starting to sprout roots, and I'm pretty sure I gave myself scoliosis just today. That Tom Petty documentary is STILL on ("Comprehensive, revealing and epic in scope..." um... yes, it all of those things). I REALLY need a shower, FYI. SOS... Anyway, I came across these studded ballet slippers today:

($48, Capezio, Bonadrag.com)

They're cool but a little too literal and look pretty uncomfy. They did remind me of how much I love pyramid studs though, especially when they're used in unexpected ways, like with a pair of pretty pink ballet slippers.

Some more studded flats:

($425, Loeffler Randall, Active Endeavors)

Gorgeous, but I'd love them far more without the ankle strappage.

($88, Theory Shoes, Shopbop)
Sorry, but these are repulsive.


($211, Maloles, Zappos Couture)

So elegant.

($59, Jessica Simpson, ShoeMall.com)

Eeek. Cognitive dissonance issues -- cute shoes but they're Jessica Simpson! What to do? What to do?

($50, Calypso)

Cheaper, though only available in sizes 6 and 11.

($174, Kenneth Cole, Endless.com)

Not cheap, but sizes for all!

($12.99, BCOutlet.com)

Only available in size 7, but cheap!

($12.99, GoJane)

Cheapy Mccheap!

($29, Adi Misbehave, Overstock)

Lotsa colors, but the black ones are safest, don't you think?

($12.99, Go Jane)

Eek. Is it bad that I like these?

($41, Matiko, 6pm.com)

Not bad. But I don't understand the idea of the name "6pm." Anyway...

($41, Michael Kors, Overstock)

Pretty, preppy, punk-y! Only left in size 8. Yay if you're an 8, boo if you're not.

($287, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Net-a-porter.com)

I do believe these are the Marc Jacobs studded ballet flats that started it all. Brightest Young Things show you how to make your own!

($126, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Saks Fifth Avenue)

These Marc by Marc Jacobs studded flats, however, are unforgivable.


Finally, you (and by "you," I mean "I") also need some pyramid stud earrings:

($88, Wendy Nichol, Ravinstyle.com)

NEED!

($72, Argento Vivo, Bluefly)

Sophisticado.

($39, Whats That Cat, Etsy)

Etsy seller Whats That Cat has really sweet handmade pyramid stud earrings with sparklies. They're made of polymer clay and look really cool.

($20, Michelle Chang Jewelry, Etsy)

Super cuties sterling silver pyramid stud earrings from Etsy seller Michelle Chang Jewelry. Very much want!

Stuff I Bought/ Shit I Want

Here a few things I bought for extremely reasonable prices, and then some stuff I want but haven't bought. Yet.

BOUGHT

($14.99, Target.com)
Very simple but exactly what I'm looking for so I can look like I'm not in college anymore when I wear these in lieu of my black Chucks.

I also bought this Sonia Kashuk eyeshadow brush, recommended by a makeup artist. $9 is a beyond reasonable price for a good brush, which this is supposed to be.

Also, I found a Target.com promo code for 10%, expires 7/10/07. Here it be: TGTSTM58


Next...
($9.99, Alloy.com)
I got these. Hopefully they won't suck, but with the promo code I found, that gives you $1.95 shipping, even if they do, no big loss.
Promo code: AFREE, expires 6/30/07


($29, Delias.com)
I've been wanting these since late last year. Yay! Also, I thought I got free shipping, but alas, no. Oh wellz.


Now, stuff I DID NOT BUY:
($111, Tahari By ASL, Macys.com)
Really gorgeous color, and it'd make a great fall dress too.



($26, Mossimo, Target.com)
Really cute jeweled flats! I'm not going to be purchasing them, but it's nice to know they're out there. (For when I change my mind.)




(Apprx $55 USD, Topshop.com)
Super purdy. Damn you, Topshop!!