Strawberries & Signature Style

This admittedly (slightly) over the top holiday look is signature Red's Shoe Diaries: the 1950s style dress was custom made for me by Four Eyed Girl using a fantastic Alexander Henry fabric I discovered last summer (and which Modcloth subsequently used a few months later in its own holiday dress design - guess I was ahead of the style curve on that one); I designed the one of a kind spectator heels by Shoes of Prey (best shoe lover site ever!); the chocolate covered strawberry purse from Kate Spade was a must-have, because chocolate covered strawberries are a signature Red's Shoe Diaries dessert! 

Whenever I visit my grandmother Norma Jean at her nursing home, I'm always greeted warmly by a host of staff members and other residents. They know me on sight, and there a few who always stop me to talk about fashion and style. I'd like to say it's because I visit all the time, but the truth is I'm not able to make the 90 minute drive as often as I'd like. In reality, they recognize the vintage style and red locks because Norma Jean, the ever-proud grandma, is a fan of my signature retro dresses and quirky, colorful shoes, and always makes a point to introduce me to every passerby.

Norma Jean and me with her new and improved memory book. She's wearing her signature green color, always her favorite and, though you can't tell in this photo, even her fingernails were green and embellished with snowflake designs for the holidays.

 She also regularly carries a book I made for her that includes a reprint of a previous blog post about our relationship along with several pictures of the two of us through the years. I'm relatively certain every staff member that crosses her path has had to endure that book at least twice, which further explains why nurses and aides I've never met know I'm Norma Jean's granddaughter the second I walk in the door (and I extend to them my gratitude for their kind and patient treatment of Grandma through all her ups and downs and repeated stories).

In fact, she's carried the book around and looked at is so often in the past year that two of the pages came loose. She reluctantly gave it up when I visited at Thanksgiving, with the request that I "fix" the torn pages. I took it as an opportunity to add a few new memories, so when we were together last weekend for an extended family Christmas, I was able to surprise her with a brand new, and bigger, book. 

I love that Shoes of Prey allowed me to customize my own shoe design with a personalized foil stamp on the instep identifying them as unique to me.

Her obvious delight at the gift brought me such joy, just as she herself has brought me such joy through the years. I feel so fortunate to have yet another holiday to celebrate with Norma Jean, and I know that even when the day comes that she's no longer with us, her spirit will live on as will the memories captured in her book.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

You may also like this post:

HoliDAY to Night

It's that time of year! Holiday office celebrations, open houses, cocktails, and dinner parties abound. In the last two weeks, I've had an event of some sort nearly every evening. I often find myself going directly from workday to soiree without much time to change clothes or primp for a party (and even if I had time, I absolutely hate dragging an entire wardrobe change to the office). That means choosing ensembles that do double duty: dresses or other wardrobe pieces professional enough for business hours, but festive enough for after-five frolic. This silver Frank Lyman bubble hem dress from local boutique Ginger 'n Spice does just that, especially with a few simple accessory switches and a sassy shoe swap. Suede boots get switched with strappy satin sandals; a basic belt gets traded for one with bling; and a sparkly pendant, oversized cocktail ring, and a crystal evening clutch amp up the look for apres-office cocktails. It's a transformation made in a matter of minutes, and requires only a tiny travel bag. The change is subtle, but even a small amount of added sparkle feels extra special for the Season! 

A sliver of exposed shoulder also adds festive evening wear flair. The look comes courtesy of "Sleevey Wonders," which come in a variety of styles and colors. These little layering pieces slip on underneath sleevless dresses and tops to add both warmth and modesty. I'm a big fan, especially since I'm ALWAYS cold and because I don't have the Michelle Obama arms of my dreams despite my ongoing efforts to "bring it" with Tony Horton. You can find them here.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

You may also enjoy these festive posts:

  

The Great Outdoors

Dress (Four Eyed Girl on Etsy); Cardigan (ModCloth); Sunglasses (Kate Spade); Boots (Tommy Hilfiger)

I can't lie. Even though supporting local and small business owners is important to me, I'm a frequent internet shopper. I live in the boonies an hour outside the city, so shopping for staples in the comfort of my own computer screen (and often my pajamas) is a blessing for a busy schedule (thank goodness for Amazon Prime). But buying online doesn't mean I can't still "shop small" and, in fact, some of the most unique items in my wardrobe have come from independent artisans I would never have discovered but for the wonder of the World Wide Web. 

Hands down, one of my favorite online sites is Etsy, a virtual marketplace that features handcrafted and vintage items from small business owners and makers around the globe. From a favorite, handmade hat designed by a milliner in Estonia to custom cufflinks from Kansas, Etsy is an endless online art fair. Of course, buying an item (especially a garment that may or may not fit) from small businesses and individuals takes a certain amount of trust, and Etsy's rigorous customer feedback feature is super helpful in that regard.

One of my favorite Etsy shops is Four Eyed Girl. The shop's owner, designer, and master seamstress Ashley Kopera is one of the friendliest online merchants I've ever (virtually) met. More importantly, she makes a mean dress! I discovered Four Eyed Girl in July, when I fell in love with Ashley's version of a 1950s fit and flare style in an "Exploding Tardis" pattern. The science fiction lover in me couldn't resist the (subtle) Dr. Who themed design, so I took a chance even though I was a bit nervous about ordering a made to measure dress without the opportunity for an in-person fitting. 

If you saw my post about that dress, you won't be surprised to learn that I've since ordered three more custom dresses from Four Eyed Girl, including this one featuring a favorite but somewhat hard to come by Alexander Henry fabric called "The Great Outdoors." My Mom made some pjs for me in a flannel version of this fabric (which I scored on eBay) several years ago, and when I asked Ashley to find the cotton poplin version of the same fabric for the dress, she delivered in record time. As with my first purchase from Four Eyed Girl, this dress fit like a dream, and Ashley was even able to match the pattern at the seam up the back of the bodice, a hallmark of master craftsmanship. I've lost track of the number of people who've asked where I found such a unique dress, which is what happens when you "shop small" whether in person or online!

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

You may also enjoy these posts:

  

Hidden Treasures and Local Gems

Cardigan (Pretty Woman, Bedford, IN); Suede Boots (Tommy Hilfiger, Zappos); Bag (Brahmin); Necklace (Debbie Mikulla Studio, Carmel, IN)

My favorite colors skew orange. "Jody orange." Or at least that's how I refer to it. It wasn't me who coined the term. Rather, the moniker was bestowed by a friend who several years ago noted my predilection for a range of deep red-orange hues that in more commercial realms may be called sienna, rust, paprika, burnt orange, copper, spice, or carnelian (apparently "Jody orange" doesn't adequately convey the color of an Anthropologie sweater or a new Jeep Grand Cherokee if you don't already know me...)

In any event, Jody Orange is a staple of my wardrobe in every Season, but it feels especially appropriate in the Fall. This oversized cardigan paired with spicy suede boots is the quintessentially cozy Autumn outfit. I found the sweater a few years ago in the most unexpected, chic little shop in Bedford. Pretty Woman is a Southern Indiana hidden gem that carries a range of unique styles and high end boutique brands like Frank Lyman, Samuel Dong, and Tribal. My mother-in-law introduced me to it, and despite my initial skepticism, it's now on my "must visit" list whenever I find myself in the vicinity. I've found several treasures there, like this dress, and this Colts Blue Monday staple. Pretty Woman is located at 3124 5th Street, Bedford, Indiana. Call 812-279-5710 for store hours.

...And then, there is THIS necklace. This exquisite statement piece was entirely hand strung by my friend (and woman of many talents) Debbie Mikulla. It consists of hundreds of individual carnelian beads accented with gold and suspended between two large disks of crackled fire agate. Debbie didn't create it with me in mind, but the moment I spied it in her Carmel studio last month I knew it was made for me. Like Pretty Woman, my discovery of Debbie's jewelry was most unexpected. We've been friends for a while, and I visited her studio this Fall to see the latest looks from Etcetera (more about that in a future post). What I didn't know before my visit was that she has also been designing and making jewelry for years, with an emphasis on semi-precious and natural stones. Hidden gems, indeed! You can check out all Debbie has to offer in her Carmel, Indiana studio by appointment: 317-201-9509

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

You may also enjoy this post:

Orange & Black Friday

This year I skipped the Black Friday crowds in favor of Netflix by the fireplace in my pajamas, resting up for a little local shopping on Small Business Saturday. If you follow Red's Shoe Diaries, you know I'm always on the lookout for the unique and unexpected. So, while I will shop anywhere and everywhere, I often find the best treasure in small, independently owned businesses that are often overlooked in the onslaught of the holiday media melee.

Profyle Boutique carries a wide selection of eye catching pieces. I wear thes earrings (top right) and leather moto jacket (bottom left) frequently.

Chances are your mailbox (both electronic and streetside) are already filled with ads giving you the scoop on deals at the big chain department stores, so I thought I'd use Black Friday to instead highlight two of my favorite local places to shop: Profyle Boutique and RevolutionEYES. In fact, I'm such a fan of these two independently owned businesses that last month I jumped at the chance to host a private shopping event to introduce them to friends...and because I'm me and the event took place just before Halloween, you won't be surprised to learn that both my outfit and the party favors channeled the colors of the Spookiest season - my own personal "Orange & Black Friday," if you will.

I appreciated the opportunity to fete my friends while introducing them to the unique finds and excellent customer service offered by two of my favorite locally owned businesses. From top left: party favors to match my ensemble and the season; with RevolutionEYES staff Brandon and Donna (and sporting a favorite pair of orange Tory Burch sunglasses, exclusive to the store); talking style; limited edition Prada sunglasses from RevolutionEYES.

Of course, you don't need a personal invitation to visit either place, and if you're local, let me share a few reasons why you should! Besides the warm but modern ambience that greets guests as they enter Profyle's IronWorks at Keystone location, you'll find a mix of classic and trendy wardrobing pieces,including some unique lines (like 724 llc) that can't be found elsewhere in the city, or even the state. Beyond that, it's a "go to" place to find statement making accessories like the collar necklaces, earrings, and clutches pictured in this post.

Profyle Boutique's owner, Wandini Riggins (bottom right) is as stylish as she is friendly, and the selection she showcases in the store never disappoints.

As for RevolutionEYES...let me just say that it is the only optometry office that I have ever been truly excited to visit. It's not just a place to get your eyes checked; it is an experience in eyewear. Whether you're looking for corrective lenses or the latest and greatest in super stylish sunnies, Brandon and Debbie will help you find it. My latest obsession (and one that can only be found locally at RevolutionEYES) are the customizable, interchangeable glasses from French designer Zenka. Like my beloved SwitchFlops, these eyeglasses can be changed in a heartbeat to coordinate with every outfit. Last time I visited, I couldn't resist trying on about 25 combinations. Function AND style - at RevolutionEYES you can find glasses to help you see better and look better!

I want a these Zenka glasses in my life - one pair of corrective lenses; hundreds of different looks!

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

For more about RevolutionEYES or Profyle, you may enjoy these posts:

Autumn in NYC

At the risk of sounding unpatriotic, I was annoyed when this Times Square street performer insisted on swathing me in Old Glory during a long weekend in the Big Apple last month. I recognize how blessed I am to have been born a citizen of this great country, but red, white, and blue just didn't coordinate with the autumnal hues of my ensemble. Didn't he realize I was trying to get a photo for this blog?!

Olive wool beret (Nordstrom, embellished with a vintage brooch that belonged to my Grandma Dorothy. Find more fun hats on The Style Crone's Hat Attack); Plaid jacket (Gordman's); Tulip Skirt (Focus 2000, Steinmart); Whipstitched leather and suede bag (Burberry Prorsum); Boots (Burberry)

You have to admit that an olive green umbrella with burnt orange trim is a better accent for this outfit than Lady Liberty's painted plastic torch...it also kept me dry on a day dominated by drizzle.

I was so glad I brought an umbrella. This one is from Nautica. The boots are Burberry, and were remarkably comfortable for an afternoon of sight seeing despite their height.

As much fun as I had snapping photos all over the heart of the city that never sleeps, I didn't even consider pulling out a camera while visiting the 9/11 Memorial. It was my first time at the site, and I was not prepared for the overwhelming and complex emotions I experienced as I gazed into the reflecting pools situated in the footprint of the Twin Towers. It was a powerful reminder of how precious life is and how fortunate we are to live in a country where acts of war and terror are still met with outrage and not just as an inevitable part of our daily lives. So as I give thanks this Thursday for all the good in my life, I'll couple it with a prayer that we should all be so lucky.

I couldn't resist adding a little Red's Shoe Diaries' "digital graffiti" to this Times Square food truck! Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

You may also enjoy this NYC post:

Siren Song

Dress (Tadashi Shoji); Headpiece (Loreta Corsetti Couture Millinery)

Even if your appreciation of opera stops with Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny in Warner Brothers' parody of Richard Wagner's opus, there's no denying it's easily the most dramatic of the musical genres. I wasn't even good enough to make the cut for my fifth grade choir (true story), so I find the unbelievable notes hit (and held) by those with the talent to sing it particularly awe inspiring.

You didn't really think I'd be hiding a boring pair of pumps under the lace train of my gown, did you? These crystal encrusted sandals are by Nina and come in different colorways.

I can't sing a note, but I like to think I can dress a good game, so I brought my own kind of drama to this weekend's Indianapolis Opera Ball. When I found this Tadashi Shoji gown last January, I fell hard for the nautical theme of the heavily embroidered, sheer lace. 

A parade of mermaids surrounded by starfish, angelfish, seahorses, anchors, compass roses, and seashells graces the bodice from head to toe. I had never seen anything like it, though it looks like it might have come straight from the art nouveau era. Indeed, several people have asked if it's vintage, but it was actually part of the designer's 2015 resort collection.

At the risk of gilding the lily (because we all know I'm not much of a moderation girl), I couldn't resist the opportunity to wear a dramatic headpiece by my favorite milliner, Loreta Corsetti. I've treasured this one of a kind piece of art featuring a traditional birdcage veil modernized with hand-strung irridecent glass beads for a few years. I've worn it for other events with other ensembles, but I think I love it even more with this dress, especially with the temporary addition of crystal-encrusted metal shells and starfish to extend the nautical theme, literally, from head to toe. The seaworthy embellishments were originally part of a necklace, but I used a small pair of jewelers' pliers to take it apart and repurpose it for this look. I hope Loreta agrees it was a perfect modification of her genius for this particular ensemble.

The ball itself was a splendid event: elaborate centerpieces in the rich colors of the Season; a meal that exceeded "fundraiser" expectations; two excellent bands; a stunning performance by two up and coming sopranos who got their start in the Circle City; and the company of friends and colleagues that make me smile in any environment.

My friend Yolanda brought glamour to her hunter green velvet dress with coordinating velvet opera gloves; a crystal-encrusted gold minaudierre; and dazzling green crystal heels from LittleBoutique (I have similar LittleBoutique heels in grape).

I'd be remiss if I didn't also give a shout-out to Becca at my favorite local salon and spa, Studio 2000, for creating the perfect pin curls to complement my chapeau! Likewise, many thanks to Indianapolis photographer Faith Blackwell for providing a fun "pre-party" opportunity to gather with friends in her near-downtown studio for sips, snacks, and (professional) snapshots that remove any desire for tableside selfies in a dimly lit ballroom - something to think about next time you're all gussied up!

KDef didn't neglect the details, either, accenting his classic Ralph Lauren tux with music-themed cufflinks that once belonged to my Dad.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

If you love exotic headpieces, check out The Style Crone's Hat Attack,too!

You may also enjoy these posts: