Shoes-day Tuesday!

Yesterday was a good shoe day (albeit it was Monday... Shoesday Tuesday just sounds better though!) Mike + I aren't exchanging gifts in a traditional manner this year. Instead, we're just picking out something we really love/want, and agreeing to purchase it. It's really hard to have the element of surprise when you live together, work together, do everything together almost! Of course I picked up a pair of ridiculous shoes, and Mike is gunning for a new set of Harmonicas to add to his collection. Yesterday was a really great day for my collection of shoes!

I write about Karmaloop a lot on here. You probably think I'm just shilling some ridiculous brand for the sake of getting paid, but I order almost all of my shoes (Jeffrey Campbells, especially) from KL because you can get them on serious markdown. Solestruck, Revolver, and Nasty Gal don't offer the same perks or discounts that KL does. However, KL rarely allows promo codes and discounts to be used on JC shoes. I guess they're a quick selling, high dollar brand and they can get full price for them. Every time a new coupon code comes out for KL, I quickly check and see if it's compatible with JCs. Lucky lucky day, the current "Up to 31% off" coupon code does work on JCs! I was able to snag The Warning Shoe on mega markdown. It was already on sale ($176 to $118) and then I used the code on top to get another ~$30 off. They're kind of different from what I normally wear, but I'm excited to put them on and prance around! They remind me of a crazy ska-cowboy platform!

Then we ventured down to look at some barns for the wedding (more on that later!). On our way home last night, we stopped into House of Stella, my friend Stacey's boutique in Cool Springs. HoS is the only JC carrying store in Tennessee so I thought we'd take a peek at what new shoes they had. Low and behold, it was my lucky day! Y'all know I've been fawning over the Lita Spikes for entirely too long. It's impossible to get them when they're stocked because they fly off the virtual shelves, and some stores have them on pre-order for the end of March! No way Jose! Luckily Stacey had just put those out yesterday! I quickly grabbed my size and that was that. That would be my Christmas present!

They're absolutely beautiful. Ridiculous, over the top, and kind of alarming. The spikes are insanely sharp too! I can't wait to wear them! Of course it would rain today.

When we got home finally, I had the happiest package waiting for me at the mailbox! A double surprise from LeBunnyBleu! A fab gal on behalf of LBB asked me if I'd like to style up some shoes and one look on their website and I was dunzo. Spikes, leather and all things edge aside, I fell in love with the pastels, the bunny ears, and the sweet little girl style of the shoes. Seriously! Have you ever seen something so cute in your life?! I instantly dubbed them my Bunny and Barbie Dream Shoes. I've been racking my brain on how to pair them with practically everything I own. These are the two pairs I picked out: Bunny + Barbie (Ebony Bow). So many awesome shoes to choose from, and only two feet to wear them on! 

** If you'd like to purchase anything at Karmaloop.com, use the promo code HURRY + the rep code KAELAH for up to 31% off your entire order. This includes Jeffrey Campbell, Betsey Johnson, and Seychelles!

And to think under a year ago I was simply a black flats girl. It's crazy how the times can change! xo

PS; Today is the last day to get the discounted sponsor rates for January! Email me (kaelahbee at gmail dot com) if you're interested! View sponsor perks here! 

shoes.... we know you love them....

Working on the blog tonight and watching Sex and The City seasons.... I mean what can inspire a girl to write more then Carrie Bradshaw.... Well. It's funny how things happen... While checking the stats on our blog (this can become obsessive...just so you know) I discovered a fun fact...

Our inspiration board on Sarah Jessica Parker's dress at the 2010 Oscars.  Take a peek... that blog post got 2,926 page views.

When one thinks of Carrie Bradshaw or Sarah Jessica Parker.... what do you think of... SHOES!!!

Well, that got me thinking... what's a better blog to write about then SHOES!!
I mean think about it....  woman, weddings, and shoes....  A perfect trifecta!

The great thing I have seen trending more and more is the commitment to have shoes be a big part of the the appareal.  Anything goes for shoes... flats, heels, colors, sparkles, pattern.... Well you know us... We wear stilettos in the snow.  SO here are some of our Favorite Shoes in the past years....

Sparkly Aldo Shoes in the Mountains of Maine... Photo Credit- Russell Caron

Heather's adorable Kate Spade shoes.... Such great pattern and color!! Photo Credit- Alexandra Roberts

Photo Credit Audra Photography.... Lisa wore stunning Cole Hann heels 

Lanie wore cowboy boots to honor her Texan roots... Photo credit.. Anne Schmidt photography

Gardenia shoe clips added to make this shoes amazing!! Photo Credit-Sammantha Warren

 Check out all of Leslie & David's Rangely Maine Wedding

Lovely Louboutins at the Asticou Inn... Photo Credit Mark McCall

Riding boots....  perfect for fall weddings... Photo Credit- Rebecca Hansen

LOVE when shoes add a POP of color!  Photo Credit- Sierra Kristen Photography

love these shoes with a short vintage inspired dress!  Photo Credit... My iPhone =)

Shoe Maniaaa!

I like ugly shoes. There's really no way around that one. Many of you were readers back in February when I finally threw caution to the wind and bought some wedges. Yep. Wedges! I had jumped ship on my "black flats only! I hate all otha shoez!" kick and I never looked back. Now my shoe collection is slightly embarrassing (and it's only growing!). Maybe my fascination with Jeffrey Campbell shoes is because they're ~sew hip right now or something, but even if 99% of the population finds them positively nauseating, I can't help but love them. Thus my collection of Litas grew to four today, and I added a pair of pink and red polka dot El Carmens just this week. (don't count my Hamilton wedges or Daisy D platforms! Srsly, I love me some JC.) I also snagged some cute Betsey Johnson flats on Ideeli the other day (like 70% off!). And when I saw a pair of red/maroon platforms on LuLu*s, I added them to my basket and voila! Mine they shall be!

I'd like to think I've just become more mature with my footwear choices but when you're talking about 5-6" heels and sky high platforms, you don't exactly think of mature ladies. No matter how you spin it I've just decided to have fun with my shoes and hope that I can pull them off! I'm going to share a few of my most recent (and favorite!) shoe additions!

♥ Jeffrey Campbell Kitty Litas via LuLu*s ♥ 

I bought these earlier today because I simply couldn't say no. I have the matching tapestry bag so it kind of felt like fate. I know you're thinking they're the most god awful things you've ever seen. I'd be crazy to say otherwise. I'm totally into them though!

♥  Jeffrey Campbell Pink/Red Dot El Carmens via Karmaloop ♥ 

I had some store credit left over at KL and I wasn't convinced on the Astral Litas so Mike and I decided these were a nice middle ground on "crazy/out there" and "totally normal". I like that they have a subtle pin-up vibe. I'm really hoping to get my hands on the red/white dots but I want to make sure they're comfortable first!

♥  Qupid Bikini Red Velvet Wedges via LuLu*s ♥ 

I saw these yesterday while browsing for the cat Litas and I loved the color combination too much to say no. I own a ton of Qupid shoes and while they're not always the best quality, they're cheap enough that you can afford to expriment with them. I've only ever had 1 pair of Qupid's crap out on me so I don't mind the $30 price tag.

♥  Gee WaWa Flora Wedges in Black and Olive via Karmaloop ♥ 

I first saw these shoes on our visit to Chicago back at the end of June. We went into Akira downtown and I was in love. I didn't like the price tag and I wouldn't have been able to buy them at the time anyway, so I left empty handed. Upon arriving back in Nashville I saw the black ones on sale at Karmaloop for half off. They had one pair left. And it was my size. Um, fate anybody?! I tried snagging them but something went wrong and I thought they were gone forever. Cue me to buy the olive ones instead (also the last pair... and in my size! Oh the shoe gods were smiling that day!). Come to find out I actually had purchased the black ones, but my payment hadn't gone through yet. And cut to the end where I became the owner of two pairs of Floras, and no, I wouldn't trade them for anything. They're like moon shoes!

♥  Jeffrey Campbell Waffle Weave Brown Litas via LuLu*s ♥ 

I received these as a gift from LuLu*s for doing a guest post series on their blog and I was overjoyed. I had wanted the Waffle Weave since buying the Stars & Stripes Litas because they're so neutral and can be worn year round. Believe me when I say: Litas are so incredibly comfortable! Don't let that giant heel fool you!

♥  Jeffrey Campbell Pink Pony Hair Litas via Karmaloop ♥ 

These were a quick last minute grab too because they were on sale. I'm such a sucker for sales! I went a half size down (to what I normally wear) and they're a bit snug. I still love them and the pink heel is my favorite! Everyone said Litas run large but I definitely didn't find that to be true.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

While all of the above are officially mine, here are a few that I'm totally coveting! 

♥  Jeffrey Campbell Lita Spikes ♥ 

These are the perfect blend of awesome and badass. Not that those two things are all that different. They're really appropriate for colder months and I've been trying to buy them for days! I gave myself 24 hours to make sure I really wanted them and as soon as I decided "DUH!", they were sold out of my size! I'm working on it though! 

♥  Jeffrey Campbell Red/White Dot El Carmens ♥ 

These just scream 1950's pinup! They'd look classic with a white dress or even black! Or take it full on nautical! These are definitely shoes to usher in Summer, not quite so much to say goodbye!

♥  Jeffrey Campbell Cuffed Red Nubuck Platforms ♥ 

These are the perfect shoe for Autumn! They'd look fabulous with brown, purple, orange, yellow, khaki, you name it! All of the perfect colors for Fall. The deep red and the suede couldn't be more perfect. And those cutouts! Ooh la la! 

♥  Chinese Laundry Suede Peep Toe Wedges ♥ 

These are a lot less "Oh hey! Look at me!" and a little more conservative. The color is still unbelievable. Flouncy dresses and straw hats galore please! Maybe they'd make the perfect picnic shoes!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

I could probably go on for days but I'll leave it there for now. That was a little bit of a shoe overload but I like what I like, okay?! I never thought that I'd be this girl in a mere 6 months! It's kind of fun! 

I don't want to shill things to you all day long but if you get the hankerin' to buy something on Karmaloop, you can get 20% off with the coupon code KAELAH. :) I always do a quick Google Shopping search for everything I want to buy though and I try to buy it on the cheap! I don't like to spend more money than I have to haha.

Are you a shoe person? Love or hate the "ugly is awesome" trend?

Trendy or not, I like loud shoes. Mike hates them (but he humors me!).

Window Shopping + Daydreaming

I like clothes. I won't lie. I don't think they're a necessity for a full and happy life (Well, we have to cover ourselves... but you get what I mean!), but I really really like them. Even more so... I really like shoes. I never thought I'd be a shoe girl. Constantly being asked "Why do you wear the same black flats every single day?" I would just pout off with "I'm not a shoe girl. I don't like shoes. I don't care about shoes." Boy, how the times are changing! It all started with some funky Dolce Vita wedges and then it just snowballed! Dolce Vita, Blowfish and finally... my true (shoe) love... Jeffrey Campbell.

I was browsing around LuLu's today and I couldn't help but peruse the shoe section like a wide-eyed kid in a candy shop. So many beautiful soles... they need to be adopted into my wardrobe! Quickly! Here are my six favorites that I'm drooling over! All but two are JC... sigh. Let's start a "Kaelah needs pretty shoes!" fund, yea? Totally!

1. Nina Sheona Capri Platforms: I think I just love the chunky look of the heel and the bright pink accent straps. The studs on the side toughen up the feminine color and make them just look like ultra rad shoes! I'd wear them with this BB Dakota by Jack Fiona strapless dress! With the Eliza Doolittle Black purse!

2. Jeffrey Campbell Ford Platform Booties: I love the subtle cutout of these booties and that duo-tone brown! They're like the little sister to the famous Litas and they've got a sexy vibe going on. I'd wear them with this Tulle Apricot Preserves dress! With the Melle Bianco Violet Blush Pink handabag!

3. Michael Antonio Studio Mercer Ankle Booties: Hold the phone! Just look at these! I die! Those buckles and subtle tan color... They kill me! That wedge heel is so insane! I'd wear them with this Ophelia's Flowers blush pink dress! With the Material Girl Multi Stripe purse!

4. Jeffrey Campbell Sunny Orange Platform Wedges: The color combination of these are begging to be worn all Spring, Summer and Autumn! Paired with pretty tights or a statement sundress, I can imagine lots of picnics in these babies! I'd wear them with this Sunshine Coffee brown dress! With the Queen Palm beige handbag!

5. Jeffrey Campbell Daisy D Platform Wedges (Cheetah): I already own the Daisy D platforms in Navy+Red Bow and I love them! These are just begging to be brought into my wardrobe! I've been fearful of animal print in the past but these I just need! I'd wear them with this Splendiferous ivory dress! With the Proper Passage Pink tote!

6. Jeffrey Campbell Lana Ankle Boots: I'm obsessed with the curve of the chunky heel on these! The hidden platform and the cut out back heel are just fierce. They're the perfect equilibrium to a ultra swanky and feminine sundress, or even a white sundress with a black studded motorcycle jacket. Oh my stars! I'd wear them with this Dolly's Day Drive red dress! Maybe throw in the Hip Hip Hooray Floral Fanny pack just for fun?!

I mean... my birthday is only 50 weeks away! ;)

I Wear My Heart On My Sleeve

No frilly gills outfit title today! I think Mike might be outside in the hammock so I'm going to try my own go at it! I feel like it's appropriate seeing as I'm wearing a heart pattern cardigan. Ooh la la! It's currently Friday evening and I'm wasting the next hour away until I leave for work. Work... ::grumble::. This is the outfit I wore to Nashville on Thursday when we took my Xterra to have the window motor fixed. I'm lucky they gave me a rental car, and it seems that I'll be in my granny-mobile until Monday. I hope they don't try to stick me with the bill! I'll be one hot tamale!

Anywhoo, I was overjoyed when these shoes came in the mail! I tried them on originally at Edge of Urge in Wilmington when we visited 2 weeks ago. They were *perfect*... and by perfect I mean half a size too big. I departed NC without buying them, thinking I could find a smaller size online. Um no. Apparently they don't exist. I'm not sure what it is with Jeffrey Campbell shoes but they go like hot cakes and they're impossible to find when they're sold out. Hours of Googling failed me so I just bit the bullet and ordered these online. Thank goodness for that option! They're skyhigh and perfect! I still need to get a little heel insert so they fit perfectly, but I'm in awe! The dress is a black eyelet pattern frock from Forever 21, and the cardi is from F21 as well. The belt is a 25 cent Goodwill find and the tights are old Target ones. (Note all of the makeup smudges and puppy hair! Yeesh!) The bag is my Salvation Army thrift find from earlier this week and the shoes, of course, are Jeffrey Campbell Daisy-D Platform Wedges! *swoon!* I feel like a giant in them! Definitely a change of pace for little ol' 5'2 me.

Mike is headed down to Alabama on Saturday to assist a photographer friend with a bridal portrait shoot. I'll be spending the day pouring over rental homes, crafty plans, blog designs, emails, and scheduled posts. Always on the go! Well.. I'm out of here! Stay tuned for a little birthday wishy-wishlist and sponsorship introductions later! xo

Forever 21 eyelet dress
Forever 21 heart cardigan
Thrifted Goodwill belt
Target tights
Thrifted Salvation Army bag
Jeffrey Campbell Daisy-D Platform Wedges

Confession: I'm Having an Affair

It's true. I am. I'm cheating with 3 brilliant works of art... 3 charming, endearing, wonderful creatures. Oh, I didn't mean I was cheating on Mike.... I meant I'm cheating on my ruffled black flats! Okay, okay, okay... so just two weeks ago I had to defend myself (twice) on why I chose to wear black flats every single day. I chose to wear them because they're comfortable! They're easy to walk in. My feet never tire. They match everything. Yeah, sure, I was tired of seeing them, too, but here's the thing... my feet are terrified of heels. Seriously. Terrified. I walk like a drunk penguin and everyone stares. I vowed to be a "flats girl forevz". Well the very next day Mike and I found ourselves in Target, perusing the aisles as usual, and I had a sudden inclination to go to the shoe section. This isn't unusual, of course. I look at the shoes every time we go. But this time felt different. I felt bold. I felt like trying something new.

What did I do? I picked up a pair of wedges that I most certainly never would've picked up in my life, and I put them on. What happened? I fell in love.




There's no denying the fact that under any other circumstances I would have scoffed at these shoes and said "Ha! Really? Never!" because they're quite obviously not my usual style. Even if I did go for heels, I went for ruffles and suede and pretty things. These looked too hard... too odd. They had a "clog" feel to them and if anyone hates clogs, it's this girl! At least, I used to... I think I still do? Oh bother... I have no idea what is happening to me! I'm being awfully over dramatic but this was a big deal for me. I don't like heels. And I certainly don't find them comfortable. Then I walked in them. I exclaimed to Mike "I bet I could jump rope in these!" and at that moment, I was sold. In the buggy (yes, buggy!) they went!




Well, I was inspired. Up and down the other aisles I ran. Then I found these. A strange orange brown, sure, but the heel and platform spoke to me. Sister shoe, I said, You're coming home with me! Into the buggy they flew!




Then I stumbled upon these. The chunky brown straps were something I was comfortable with, and I knew the wedge would make it easier to withstand. Mike was not sold, however, but I quickly talked him into giving them them benefit of a doubt and he obliged. They're the only ones I have yet to style up but I'm patiently awaiting the day!

My point with this post was to document a transformation in myself. Not only in my style, but also in my ability to open up to new things and just try them... even if they have failed me miserably in the past. I can't tell you how many pairs of heels I've bought and throw out or lost simply because they ended up being too uncomfortable. I'm willing to try things, sure. but I stand by my word that if they're far too uncomfortable I just will not wear them. I refuse to believe "fashion over function" or "fashion over comfort" and while you may disagree, that's totally okay! You can have all the uncomfortable shoes for yourself! I'm just excited that I found three cozy pairs in just one trip!

Another point I'd like to make with this post is that you should have an affair. Not by cheating on your significant other, but by branching out and trying something new! Maybe you'll fall in love with it! Hate brussel sprouts? Try them one more time... with an open mind. If you still hate them, don't eat them. But maybe you'll surprise yourself. We learn something new about ourselves all the time... Here I am at almost 23 years old and I just now realized that I like shoes. It's a whirlwind revelation for me, so you should try to learn something about yourself! Who knows? It might even change your life forever! (I may be pushing it with that one, but seriously! What do you have to lose?!)

If you should be loving anyone on Valentine's Day (and every day!), it should be yourself. So go out there, try something new or something you thought you hated. Have an open mind. Be willing to accept change! Sometimes it's fun!

Sincerely, Your Birthday ♣

I am STILL loving everything that my birthday brought to me this year! Today, I am sporting my lovely leather shoes from Aldo.

They are cute and simple. They are very lightweight, which is nice for summer shoes. I absolutely love the summer. It is starting to get warmer, which means cute summer shoes, cute short shorts, and cuuuuuuute summery shirts! Summer Summer...here I come! ♣

ALDO Lahaie - Women Brogues Shoes

Love. Want. Need. These. Shoes.

Find these shoes for an amazing deal on Amazon [here] and even [here].