Have you ever seen something you put off buying, only to have it disappear/sell out before you had a chance at it? I’ve kicked myself more than once for letting the perfect whatever get away, until I realized how easy it is to stalk merchandise* online. Here’s my technique:

I saw a pair of sturdy-yet-cute sandals on the Urban Outfitters site a few weeks ago. I’ve been on the lookout for a pair of walkable heels since the Ugly Shoes proved to be pretty darn comfy for up to 12 blocks, but I held off on buying the sandals since I’m trying to sensible purchasing decisions and whatnot.

PS: The secret to walkable heels = A shock-absorbing platform, ankle support (in the form of a strap or similar), and a sturdy (not spindly) heel. Trust me, stiletto heels and sidewalk grates to do not mix.

When I went back to the site weeks later, they were gone! Or, they’d disappeared from the shoe section. They were still visible in some of the outfit shots. Hmm…

Step 1:Figure out the manufacturer

If you can locate the brand, you can find the style name/number. This is the key, and the part that takes the most effort. There are a few ways to go about it:

1. Look at the brands available on the original site.

Online shops usually carry a few select brands, so there’s a good chance the item you’re looking for is made by one of them. Most shops will also list the different brands they carry–check it out and see if anything rings a bell. I noticed that there were a few different styles of Seychelles sandals available on UO.com, and it sounded familiar…
2. Look at other shopping and personal style sites

Sites like Kaboodle, Polyvore, and ShopStyle, and even personal style sites like Lookbook and Chictopia let users bookmark items and note the brands they’re wearing. I noticed the shoes I was looking for had been bookmarked 5 times on Polyvore!

3. Do a search on mainstream retail sites

Retailers like Zappos, Endless, and Piperlime may carry the style. Include standard characteristics (platform, heel height, material) in your search to see if the desired style (or something similar) comes up.

Step 2: Search for the brand and style

Once you know the brand, Google it if the style name/number hasn’t already popped up in your search. Most brands are online and list the season’s available styles even if they don’t sell directly.
I went to the Seychelles site and browsed until I found the shoe I was looking for (and happened upon their neat blog) and discovered it was called “Gypsy”. After a quick Google search, “Seychelles Gypsy” popped up all over the place!

Step 3: Compare availability and prices

I wanted the black, which seemed to be sold out on Zappos, Lori’s Shoes, and Endless. They were available on the manufacturer’s site, though, so I took action!

Step 4: Make your purchase

You’ve hit the home stretch! Now all there is to do is wait for your purchase to arrive. UPS/USPS tracking will be your new best friend for a few days.

Step 5: Get ‘em!

Once your order finally arrives (try not to hug the delivery person), take them out and try ‘em on! Walk around a bit and see how they feel. I usually wait a day or two before throwing out the shipping box, and I always hang on the the bill of lading and return label.

Now all that’s left is to look cute and enjoy the compliments!

*Note that this is an exercise in using the net for research, and can be applied to more than apparel and accessories–think job openings, information for a project, or people you want to stalk meet. Um, yeah…meet.

Have you ever stalked anything online? Is the feeling of triumph a huge rush for anyone other than me?

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I took a trip to New York City this past weekend to attend my good friend’s wedding. I hadn’t been to NY since–well, I don’t remember exactly, but it’s been at least 2 years. I love the city, but haven’t had the time or funds to make my regular pilgrimage, though I have been faithfully praying to the shopping gods on a regular basis.

After being “welcomed” by the rudest cab driver ever, I checked in with my friends and we got down to wedding business. I’ll spare you the details for the sake of privacy and interest, but my friend is a stylist and was surely the most all-out glamorous bride to hit NYC since Carrie Bradshaw at her non-wedding to Mr. Big. She was so beautiful I teared up a bit even though I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. I won’t show the whole look (though believe me, it was fabulous), but here are the Patricia Von Musulin lucite bracelets she wore. They looked like miniature ice sculptures–very heavy, very editorial, and all-out amazing!

It was chilly that morning, so I was glad I packed appropriately. I wound up wearing an H&M dress I purchased a few years ago (I actually wore it as a dress this time) with brown tights, boots, and my vintage Ewok vest. The forests of Endor* get cold, you know.

*Props if you’re enough of a sci-fi geek to understand that reference.

I also had waaaayyy too much fun eating at the reception brunch that followed the ceremony. Pain au chocolate and flaky french croissants? Count me in! Lovely pastel-colored cakes and cupcakes in different flavors, including pear almond, caramel opera cream, and red velvet? I’ll try ‘em all!

Man, I need to hit the gym-bo.

Yes, but did you go shopping?
Um, have we met? Is this your first time here? The answer, of course, is of course! I didn’t have much time, but my mission was clear: Hit Century 21, H&M, and Topshop.

Century 21 was a madhouse–there was an actual line to get to the women’s shoe department– and I know I threw my share of elbows once I got down to the Designer area. I found the most gorgeous pair of purple patent leather Miu Miu booties that just happened to be one size too small. I tried so hard to squeeeeze my feet into those bad boys, but it just didn’t work. I was extremely disappointed. I mean really, do you know what I could do with purple patent leather booties?

A lot, I tell you. A lot.

I intended to stop in at least one of the H&Ms in Soho, but got sidetracked by Zara, Mango, D&G, et. al. By that time, I was in one-track mind radar mode and determined to make it to Topshop, if for no other reason than to see if the NY outpost lived up to the extreme hype generated by its opening and the glorious piece of heaven that is the Oxford Street store in London.
The verdict? Meh. There was plenty to love, but the atmosphere of cameraderie and discovery that exists at the flagship location was lacking at the Broadway store.

Still, being the resourceful gal that I am, I made my way to the top-level shoe section, where I had plenty of fun reacquainting myself with much-missed brands like Office and Faith. I also managed to pick up a pair of red shoeties I had my eye on:

I consider red a neutral, so I’ll get plenty of wear out of them. Did you buy anything last weekend?

Thanks so much everyone who took the time to express sympathy about my cat. It sounds corny, but your comments really make a difference.

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The weather goddess was nice enough to give us a break from hair-frizzing 90-degree humidity and grace us with cool breezes and temperatures in the 70′s. All the better to break out the riding boots (I’ve missed my boots and sweaters!) and a thrifted plaid blazer on the way to a late breakfast. Plus Cortez (kitty) is doing much better so I was all “What’s all this, then?” and in a really good mood.

Blazer, necklaces, and purse, thrifted; dress and socks, American Apparel; boots, Dolce Vita

How was your weekend?

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I saw these silver earrings while browsing at The Little Mahatma during the OTR/Gateway Celebration a few weeks ago. The shop is filled with “exquisite jewelry, folk art & artifacts from many exotic lands” per their webpage, and the place delivers as promised–the cases and shelves lining every inch of the store are filled with everything from dramatic bejeweled earrings from India to heavily decorated gold collars from Morocco. The cloying scent of nag champa permeated the entire space (as would be expected) and I was enchanted.

My ongoing obsession with Indian bridal jewelry was immediately revived, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the mystical silver earrings with the intriguing night-sky pattern for the next few days! Rather than suffer in silence like a tormented fashion martyr, I made my way back to The Little Mahatma and pounced on my prize.

Unable to wait to wear them (when do I ever wait?), I paired them with an H&M dress I bought years ago but have only worn once, a pair of short shorts I won’t be able to wear much longer if I keep eating the way I do, and the gray ugly-but-cool booties.

Dress (worn as top), H&M; shorts, Forever21; shoes, Jeffrey Campbell

I love the subtle chiming sound the earrings make when I shake my head and I’m happy I was able to support a local independent business. Don’t you just love when things work out for everyone?

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Last week, I received an email from Cincy Chic about a trunk show at Cincy Designer Shoes in Hyde Park. Naturally, my raging shoe obsession compelled me to make my way over there to check things out.

The trunk show was for LaDuca, a line of shoes created by Phil LaDuca, who has designed shoes for everyone from Penelope Cruz to Uma Thurman. The man knows his stuff–I’d been there less than two minutes before he determined my shoe size and correctly picked the most Tamia-ish pair of shoes from his fall line!

Thanks to the graciousness of Phil and the wonderful staff at Cincy Designer Shoes, I tried on shoe after gorgeous shoe and was consistently surprised and delighted at how comfortable they were.  And I mean seriously comfortable, not just “yeah, I could walk a few blocks in these” comfortable. As it turns out, LaDuca also produces a line of dance shoes, so the built-in shock absorption and arch support dancers need translates nicely to the fashion line.
It didn’t hurt that the lovely staff at Cincy Designer Shoes is just as helpful as they are stylish. Pictured here (all wearing LaDuca shoes, of course) from left to right: Flora Schwartz, boutique owner Carrie Cameron, Jamie Shugarman, and Rae Cameron (Carrie’s mom!).

If you’re ever in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by. If you go this week, you might see me picking up the free pair of LaDuca shoes I won in their raffle! Free shoes = happy me!

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Remember when I was desperately looking to buy black sandal-booties and then wound up getting the gray “ugly-but-cool” shoes instead?

Well, I soon realized that I still needed black shoes. I love the gray booties, and while my favorite shade is holding down about 60% of my current wardrobe, there’s nothing like a black shoe to really ground a look and toughen things up a bit. Soooo…I wound up “accidentally” buying these at Shopbop on sale:

Sandals, Ash

This makes what, 14 pairs of black shoes in my footwear catalog? Oy.

I can’t be the only one with this problem! How many pairs of black shoes do you have?

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The crazy schedule of the fashion industry (Spring shows in September, Fall shows in February) has thrown off my seasonal sensibilities for years. As a result, I usually start craving Fall items around the beginning of July or so. It’s kind of ridiculous–in the midst of watching fireworks on Sawyer Point in 90-degree weather wearing short-shorts and a tank top, I’m daydreaming about boots and sweaters!

This year, the craving has set in a bit early and it’s much more specific: I can’t stop thinking about thigh-high boots. If you recall, they were all over the Autumn/Winter runways:

Images, Style.com

I keep thinking about wearing them with a floaty romper, dangly earrings, and a brightly printed shawl, sort of like a cross between Talitha Getty and a YSL-clad Veruschka with a little Pretty Woman thrown in for good measure. Definitely a 70′s vibe.

1. Diane Yang earrings, Max & Chloe 2. Warehouse playsuit, asos.com 3. Jamawar shawl, Shawls-scarf-stoles.com 4. Sunglasses, Forever21 5. Two Lips boots, Zappos

However…it is June after all, and thigh high boots aren’t necessarily warm-weather friendly.  Am I being ridiculous? How do you wear things that are technically out of season?

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