June 29, 2015

Spotted: BET Awards Red Carpet

June 29, 2015/ cieja springer

Last night BET kicked off the summer with the 14th annual BET Awards. I personally missed the show, but NOT the red carpet looks. I heard P. Diddy and the Fam rocked it {inclusive of his tumble} and Janet looked incredible, but no performance. Why Ms. Jackson? Why? In any event, here a few smashing FTBUP approved red carpet looks. Enjoy.

Brandy looked delicious in these hot pink and gold Casadei Blade Ankle Strap Pumps. Price Approx: $750

Mama Kelly was killing it in this feather frock and black Giuseppe Zanotti sandals. Major slayage. Price Approx. :$750-$1,000

Kelly's bestie Lala Anthony hit the carpet looking summertime fine in a pair of yellow Giuseppe Zanotti sandals. Price Approx. : $650-$1,000

You know Ms. Pink Friday was on the scene with slaying in a pair of dope shoes. Nicki looks like a super updated and sexier version of Morticia Adams. Love this all black get up and the gold black t-strap Tom Ford sandals. Price Approx. : $1,200-$1,500

Emerging new artist Tori Kelly donned a rocker-chic look and added pizazz with these black and white Rene Caovilla pumps. Price Approx. : $1,100

Zendaya sparkled and shined literally as she pranced the red carpet in these studded/crystalized Roberto Cavalli platform pumps. Price Approx. : $1,500-$2,000

Lastly, on my fav list is the indelible Janelle Monaé rocking the snake charmer Giuseppe Zanotti heels. She is owning this look. Price Approx. : $1,000-$1,500

Giuseppe Zanotti was clearly the celeb favorite for this star-studded event. Most of these shoes can be found on designers websites - direct link is provided if you click on the designers name above - or you can find various iterations on sites such as Barneys.com, Netaporter.com, Saksfifthavenue.com, and Shoescribe.com, just to name a few.

Ciao bellas.

June 26, 2015

Trend Report: Summer Shoe Swag

June 26, 2015/ cieja springer

British Fashion Blogger Emma Hill of EJStyle

Happy Friday lovas and more importantly HAPPY SUMMER! It's almost been a full week since the summer solstice arrived and if you haven't already started revamping your wardrobe then let me help you. Start with your footwear! Its the simplest, easiest and dare I say most chicest way to update your look. I've gathered the top summer shoe trends for you, both high and low, so half the work is done!

Here's the list. Get ta shopping...

THE GLADIATOR

It never gets old. Year after year we embrace the gladiator and year after year designers reinvent the look. These Stuart Weitzman's are a great option to consider for this style. Clean lines, classic look and feel, with the grommets and buckles adding a bit of edge - it doesn't get any better than this. Price: $425

If that price point isn't in your wheel house, check out these Brother Vellies gladiator style sandals in linen. I love the unique spin this up and coming brand added to an otherwise repetitive style. They get it! Price: $285

EMBELLISHED

For all my plain jane dames out there looking for a little action, spruce up any outfit with an embellished flat. These intricately designed chaussures eliminate the need for you to think too much about your look. Throw on a white t-shirt, a denim skirt, shorts or jeans, slide your feet in these, grab a bag et voila! Fini! Jeffrey Campbell. Price: $135

I love the variety provided in the embellished arena. The jewel embellishment trend has been seen all over the runways and the streets. On everything from heels to boots to flats and slides like the Loeffler Randall's above, I promise you just can't go wrong. Price: $112 (pssstt they're having a sale!)

STACKED HEEL

The stacked heel has been making a come back since last fall and it has fully infiltrated the hottest summer shoe trend list. If you're like me, in the summer I generally don't wear heels. Quite frankly, its too damn hot to be sauntering down the street in 5 inch stilettos. Therefore, I have fully embraced the plateau moment summer shoes are having. These luscious Acne Studio heels available at Saks Fifth Avenue are on my list and should be on yours too! Price: $217 - hurry these babies are flying off the shelf.

I have yet to snag a pair of Schutz Shoes. These honestly may be my first. Love 'em. Period. Price: $240

ESPADRILLES

Every designer made it a point to show the beachy side of things this season by updating the ever familiar espadrille. I'm not sure how in the world I missed this version of Valentino's rainbow collection, but I found it for you guys! Available at Net-A-Porter ON SALE! Price: $382 - only a few sizes left!

You gotta love brands that are committed to the entire espadrille/flat/comfy movement. You absolutely cannot loose with a pair of Soludos. The color and style options alone are beyond limitless. I mean I had to do inny minny minni moe just to choose which pair I would showcase for the post. They come in lace-ups, slides, mesh, lace, leather, linen, denim, with buckles. Choices, choices ,choices. Price: $43

FRINGE BENEFITS

Fringey, fringey, fringey. Another expression of embellishment, fringe can add spice to any look. Dress your casual look up or even stay ressed up, without heels. Here's another great pair I missed somehow, but found for the post. SMH. You guys get all the goods from me! Rochas available at Net-A-Porter. Price: $425 BTW, I'll take fringe however they come - the opening image for this post is of Aquazurra's coveted Wild Thing sandals which I am still on the hunt for in my size!

So I've been told to you can never go wrong at Zara when it comes to their shoe collection. Though I haven't given them a fair shot (check my post with Kéla Walker in Shoe Stories where I admit to this), I'm constantly impressed with their shoe scene. Price: $49.99 - SALE!

SNEAKERS

K. So anyone who knows me knows that sneakers were my first love, which I was I saved them for last. I'm a self-professed Tom Boy. On average, on any day of the week, you can catch me in my sneaks! And I have a collection to rival some of these fellas out here who think they're really doing something. But I disgress. Stomp through the city or the burbs in these totally chic Sophia Webster high-tops. All the designers are getting hip to how many woman really love sneakers and more importantly sometimes just want to be comfortable! I support the movement. Price: $330

While you're out there buying up all the designer sneakers, be sure to add some classics to the mix. You can't go wrong with a multi-colored pair of New Balance. They add versatility to the wardrobe and can be worn with a dress just as easy as they can be donned with a pair of jeans! These bad boys can be found at Bergdorf Goodman and when Bergdorf's starts selling mainstream kicks you know this is a serious matter in fashion! Price: $195

Now you should be ready to conquer the shoeniverse and prepare your summer looks. Just say thanks.

Ciao bellas.

April 21, 2015

The Must Have Shoe For Spring & Summer

April 21, 2015/ cieja springer

**Loeffler Randall. Acne Studios. Givenchy. Marni. Birkenstock.**

Hey lovas, I know its been a while and I promise not to abandon you again. I love this - talking about shoes, looking at shoes, and more importantly buying shoes. As you all may or may not know, I moved to LA and in the mist of trying to get adjusted decided it just wasn't for me and now I'm back in the NYSizzle and ready to get ish poppin' again. Anywhot, enough of that crap.

There are so many scrumptious sandal options to choose from for this spring and summer, but I am personally all over the 'jesus be cools' as I like to call them AKA Birkenstocks or slide-ons. Now we all know this style has been done and done and done again. In fact, most of us rock these sandals back in JHS, but I can never get enough.

Ranging from breaking open the piggy bank to ATM friendly, here are a few that I want to add to my spring #shoecollection. Enjoy.

Flower chid Ash slides. Available at Bergdorf Goodman for $175.

The classics - Birkenstock Arizona. Available here for $129.

You can never go wrong with Sophia Webster - EVER. Available at Bergdorf Goodman $375.

Dolce Vita does a chic 'wear every day' version in black and nude. Available here $105.

Steve Madden chic and affordable. Available here $89.

Step it up a notch with these lovely Loeffler Randall 'jesus be cools' with a kick. Available at Saks $350.

Step light and right with this flatform style from semi-new brand Flamingos. Available here $245.

For the budget fashionista stop by Nine West and snatch up two pair one in gold and one in silver. Available here $69.

My favorite pair of them all, up and coming shoe designer Minna Parikka, better known for their bunny ear sneakers, has this fun, flirtatious pair that I most certainly need STAT. Available here $421.

These few barely scratch the surface of whats out there. So as always, get ta shoppin ;0)!

Images were taken from each respective site available in links noted as 'available here.'

September 22, 2014

These Boots Were Made For Walkin...

September 22, 2014/ cieja springer

Lovely Euro blogger I spotted outside the tents during NYFW donning H&M Studio Red Suede and Patent Leather Boots.

Hey lovas, Happy Monday! Hope you all had a marvelous weekend. I've been vying for Fall to hit the scene as I'm over the summer weather that never was! As temps steadily drop, sans the humidity from yesterday, my wishes are being granted and with that comes boot season. Short, tall, medium, slender, chunky, chained, buckles and straps, boot season is upon us and that means shopping time (well its always time to shop I mean who am I kidding)!

Here's a few boots, booties and the like on my 'these boots were made for walkin' wish list....

Maison Martin Margiela 22 Ankle Booties. Shoe Damage: $1,090

Aperlai Ankle Boots. Shoe Damage: $1,260

Chloe Ankle Boots (Howdy Cow Gurl). Shoe Damage: $1,345

Chloe Knee Boots. Shoe Damage: $1,175

Marc by Marc Jacobs. Shoe Damage: $398

See by Chloe Midi Boots. Shoe Damage: $465

Chloe Riding Boot. Shoe Damage: $1,325

MSGM Patent Leather Ankle Booties. Shoe Damage: $545

Chloe Burgundy Ankle Boots with Gold Detail. Shoe Damage: $995

Chloe Motorcycle Boots - Born Rebel baby. Shoe Damage: $1,175

Sergio Sexy Rossi Two Tone Ankle Stiletto Bootie. Shoe Damage: $860

Miu Miu Studded Platform Bootie. Shoe Damage: $1,250

Clearly, Chloe is doing the damn thang this season dominating this list.

Ciao bellas.

Walk Pretty!

p.s. click shoe descriptors for purchase ;0)

September 18, 2014

London Fashion Week: My Top SS15 Picks

September 18, 2014/ cieja springer

Credit: elleUKThe lovely Tamu McPherson of All The Pretty Birds epitomizes chic style and has made euro style her own! — Credit: elleUK
The lovely Tamu McPherson of **All The Pretty Birds** epitomizes chic style and has made euro style her own!

Hey lovas, seems like its been forever since I last 'spoke' with you guys, but I've been caught up in my own dreams of London bridges! Ooohiing, aahhing, gawking and the like over practically everything my little eyes spied on the runways during LFW.

These are the moments I say thank you God for social media and Style.com! I longed to be on the scene in the mist of all the fabulousness and in the front rows at some of my favorite brands shows. I have to admit that my vantage point was pretty sick considering the only thing in front of me was my screen - ha!

Since I'm certain not all of you had the chance to hit London Fashion Week either - IJS, here's a look at some of my fav Spring 15 lines.

PREEN LINE - Leave it up to Preen to take sport-chic to the next level. This entire collection screams ME! Comfort, style, prints, and color all packed in one outfit. I especially love the knit sweatsuit in blue accompanied by a swing-out peplum top. I'm going on the record now to say, I'll do whatever I have to to have the majority of this collection in my closet!

PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND - The more time you spend with me, the more you'll learn that ultimately, I love a good clean line and Pringle of Scotland NEVER lets me down. The brand is hands down one of my favorites. They punch up basics and by adding a little life to it, like this orgami pvc applique sweater and dress. The two- tone leather skirt is sheer perfection and my favorite piece of all is the see-thru tank dress. No blurred lines here honey.

DURO OLOWU - First let me say, I kick myself every now and again for missing Duro Olowu's JC Penny collaboration. I don't know what the hell I was thinking when I purchased NOTHING. The pattern totting, pop of color king disappoints never. Staying true to his aesthetic, this fierce collection will brighten up any mood. How can you be sad, moody or down in hot pink pants! I mean really. Always paying homage to his African roots, donning this collection should immediately transport you to the motherland.

PETER PILOTTO - Candy coated nights would be the theme for me every time I stepped out in anything from this collection. Keeping with my theme of clean, printed and colorful, Peter Pilotto is kicks it out the park with a fat heel! From mixed media dresses as seen below, which btw are completely divine, to multi-patterned trench coats, you'd never step out the house looking and/or feeling 'normcore' ever again.

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD RED LABEL - You're always in for a unique treat with Ms. Westwood. First of all, mama is a bad maamajamma! Her point-of-view is so off kilter that you have no choice but to respect her longevity in this fashion game. She creates wearable avant-garde pieces that will undoubtedly boost any woman's confidence. You have to own your look and more importantly own yourself. This collection is not for the faint-of-fashion heart. Strong suits, bright orange dresses and loud polka dots shout 'I'm here! I'm present! I'm accounted for' without you ever needing to say a word.

SIMONE ROCHA - This entire collection is an oxymoron to me. When I looked at all the great pieces coming down the runway my first thought was 'delicate, yet strong.' Fashion royalty Simone Rocha has completely won me over! I have to admit, I had no idea who she was until this collection. Either I'd fallen 100% off the fashion radar or this SS15, Ms. Rocha really showed up and showed out. Whatever way the cookie crumbles, it needs to fall into my closet. The lace floret dress seen below is a must have. Bold and daring yet utterly feminine at the same time as is the entire collection down to the flower laden oxfords with clear kitten heel - cute.

TOM FORD - Sophisticated Sex. It never fails. He ALWAYS wins. Tom Ford knows best when it comes to a woman being comfortable and confident in her sexuality. This isn't a woman who uses it {her sexuality} to get ahead. No suh! This woman is already where she wants to be. She plays no games. She knows what she wants, how she wants, and from whom she wants to get it. This woman is a paradigm unto herself. She epitomizes womanhood and exudes grace, yes even in a pasty dress grace is present. This woman is phenomenal and struts when she walks. I love this woman and I strive towards her every day. And clearly you can see by far this was my FAVORITE collection based on my Ode to Tom. I'm gonna need to break the bank on a piece or two. Have to add to the collection I've started ;0).