From NYC to Cheyenne - A city girl in search of her inner cowgirl!

Greetings from Cheyenne, Wyoming! This is your guest blogger, Laura, and I'm on a road trip far away from the bright lights and big city - and its fabulous shopping. But to my delight, here in cowgirl country, there's no shortage of shoes to obsess over...Or boots, to be accurate. 

It all started in The Outlaw, a popular local bar where we stopped in for a drink on our first night in Cheyenne. There was so much to take in: professional rodeo cowboys in their ten-gallon hats, line dancing, a country band playing...but all of that fled my mind when our waitress came over to take our drink order. 

She was wearing the most fabulous black cowboy boots, paired with a miniskirt.

And suddenly it was as they were everywhere. 

Brown, black, tan...square toe, pointed toe...mid-calf to just below the knee...pink stitching, blue stitching...

Sure, the look's been done, and cowboy boots come in and out of fashion. But in Wyoming, the authenticity was just so appealing. In fact, one of my favorite pairs was sported by a the girlfriend of a rodeo cowboy -- herself a calf roper. 

You can see what's coming next, of course. I had to have cow(girl) boots. Had to get a pair right there in Cheyenne.

An investment, I thought: authentic Western boots purchased in Wyoming. I'd have them the rest of my life, each year getting softer and more broken in. 

New obsession firmly in mind, I did some investigating and soon found the perfect boot-shopping destination: The Wrangler, a giant three-story store right in the heart of downtown Cheyenne's train depot square since 1943. 

So on July 4, fittingly timed to America's birthday, I dragged my male travel partner into The Wrangler [and to his credit, he uttered not a word of complaint]. 

And there in the back was cowboy boot heaven: rows and rows of boots, all organized by size. Every stitching and toe type and heel and height and color you can imagine. Brands like Justin, Ariat, Lucchese, Durango, Tony Lama. The real deal.

A wonderful salesperson came over to steer me through the maze of leather. After explaining that I'd fallen in love with a pair I saw at The Outlaw, she brought over a two-tone pair, black on brown. But it didn't matter - my eyes were on the salesperson's own pair. Wonderfully broken in, aged brown leather, square toe and low heel. They were perfect, and I told her so.

She promptly took them off and offered them to me to try on - of course not to purchase, but to see the difference in a broken-in pair.

They were a dream. Comfy, soft, sturdy, solid, heavy, gorgeous, authentic...and of course, hers.

I returned them to her, wistfully. The perfect cowgirl boots.

She brought me a few more to try on, but none quite fit the bill. 

In the end, I never did buy a pair. I gave the boots' purchase the 24-hour rule, and the next day, although I still wanted boots, I wanted broken-in, soft, authentic ones, not the stiff, shiny, squeaky-new pair.

My cowgirl phase came and went. But if you're in Wyoming, don't miss the Wrangler - and the glorious footwear to be found on the local populace.

Laura - Thank you for your guest blog post from Cheyenne.  Loved it!  The good ol' 24-hour rule!  Enjoy your road trip across America and we hope that you will send us more of your "delicious shoe" stories.  


Until next time, bon voyage!  

Mirror Mirror

Mirror Mirror on the wall, which "DeliciousShoe" is the fairest of them all?  The Louboutin or its shadow? The Chanel or its parallel?

This week, as the press continues to talk about the "double-dip" recession, the stock market handles the roller coaster ride it has learnt to endure in these tough times, and the economists talk doom and gloom,  I thought - "what's in a name? That which we call a rose shoe by any other name would smell heed as sweet."  (Recall this [modified] quote from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliette?)  It pays to look around for mirrored looks.  Give the CC (credit card) a break without compromising your inner fashionista!  You'll be surprised by the options out there.  Can you tell which is designer and which is high street? (NB: Lil' Shoelina's made it easy - Click on the links to take you directly to the more economicallyviable alternative!)

1.  Christian Louboutin ($545++) vs. Steve Madden ($60)

2.  I love those $2000 Chanel clogs, but I did not just win the lottery!  I am going to be smart and fashion savvy and opt for the white N.Y.L.A. lewis clog (under $90) or Steven by Steve Madden Bresi Clog ($100) - besides, I don't think clogs are here to stay!

3.  The jury's out on these A/W 2010 Christian Louboutin boots (@$1395...ouch!), but if the style takes your fancy, how about the Ariella (a more palpable $105)?

4. The path down Destination Fifth Avenue may lead to the Hortense as the hottest YSL wedge for the A/W 2010 season, but veer off track and hedge your wedge on Olivia ($45+) or Annton ($90+)

5.  Summer's not over yet!  Woo hoo for ankle cuff sandals.  The Ash ($240+) is flash for sure, however did you consider the cost effective alternatives - Genevvaa ($28),  Wavverly ($70),  Tipper Ankle Strap ($62+)?

Seen any runway looks that you want high street options for?  Email me at mosspointugali@gmail.com with details and I will do my Lil'Shoelina best to find you the options!

Btw, InStyle's August issue features the Yves Saint Laurent's Hortense leather wedges in its Fall shoes section - remember, you heard it on DeliciousShoes first (back in July)!

Enjoy the summer, stay cool and be fabulous!

xoxox

Grunge Goes Glamorous

Welcome Guest Blogger Monica!  The gal that took the grunge and turned it to glamour!  I loved this story - Thank you Moni for a great post and most off all for trusting your heels in Lil'Shoelina!  One day soon we will finally witness Moni in a pair of 5 inch platforms!  


Moni's story....(and a toast to all you deliciously fabulous followers, from the Burj in Dubai)

This is the story of one young(-ish) lawyer's journey ... and how with the help of her very dear friend and shoe mentor, LilShoelina, she was able to eventually reach the dizzying heights of YSL Tribute fabulousness!!

My Mother is 5'8" and a busy doctor used to running around hospital delivery rooms at all hours of the day and night. Heels have never really played a part in her life so for me, as a child, there were no moments of slipping my feet into Mummy's heels ... I grew up prioritising comfort over style. Fast forward to my early 20s and grunge was in so my college years were the Doc Marten years (though I note with entertainment that they are "in" again now!). Heels were only dutifully trotted out for my sorority formals (and by the end of the evening I would be dancing without them).

So I graduated law school and had to buy a couple of heels to wear with my interview suits. They were functional (and dull). I still had not learned how much fun couture shoe fashion could be ...!

My first foray into high end shoes was a love of Prada. I was now living in London and had become good friends with Lil'Shoelina (who was as fabulous then as she is now!) Anyway, back to these shoes - they were a lovely burgundy patent mary-jane. I gasped at the cost but I was in love. And once I had accepted this was how much you pay for a high-end shoe and I realised what a difference a well-made shoe can be, it was a slippery slope.

There were some mishaps along the way - that pair of on sale 4 inch Gina mules I can't walk in (coming to ebay soon!) - but with the help of my dear bestie Lil'Shoelina, I have now found my shoe style. (And one I can walk in!)

For me, it is all about the platform (and a few side-lines in the wedge). The height elongates my legs but the platform gives me the comfort that I need. So I rock the Christian Louboutin simple pump platform 120s (and thanks to Lil'Shoelina, I just acquired my newest peacock blue pair) and the YSL Tribute sandal in the lower heel.  They aren't cheap but I know they are an investment that will return value per use over time. And they look fabulous too!!

So to all you shoe-lovers out there who have never had the trials and tribulations of learning to love heels - great for you and I am envious! But for the rest of us mere mortals who are more vertically-challenged, platforms are the way to go... And a special thank you to my BFF Lil'Shoelina for helping me on that journey with her suggestions, sourcing, and encouragement to think outside the box!! xx


Lil' Shoelina Tips:

1. Fashionista on a budget - Aldo, Nine West, H&M and other such stores will often emulate high fashion styles.  Mix it up a little. I love High Street meets Milan Fashion Week trends.
2. An economical alternative to the YSL Tribute in the lower heel - Steve Madden's Daarling T-Strap
3. Want the 411 on shoes, bags and accessories - email me your question and pictures - mosspointugali@gmail.com.  
4. Regularly check www.deliciousshoes.blogspot.com for a slide show of great alternatives, options, sale news and much much more (or follow me on twitter for these updates!)

As always, stay fabulous and continue to create your "sui generis" style!  


xoxo

Destination Fifth Avenue

I am currently in NYC! I love NYC on a holiday weekend, when most people have left for the Hamptons, Fire Island or some place upstate. The city has an air of zen - yes! Unbelievable but true - 'tis New York City on July 4th weekend.

I took advantage of the hypnogogic atmosphere by taking a stroll down Fifth Avenue and admiring the architecture and extravagance this famous street delivers. The "fabulocity" of the Big Apple. There's no fun without some circumnavigation! Mine was at 57th street - off I went down my fashionista way to Yves Saint Laurent. My mission - to spend some quality time indulging in shoe education with Everest, who was recently introduced to me by one of my "besties" from London - Monica (Thanks Moni!). I was in heaven - you already know my love for anything "tribute." Anytime you pay Yves Saint Laurent on 57th street a visit and are in search for an honest opinion and "out of the box" ideas that are going to adorn your inner fashionista - ask for the stylishly fabulous Everest.

As for Monica - Everest is a big fan! Could it be because she has paid tribute to YSL with her recently acquired passion and appreciation for platform heels? From Everest and Lil'Shoelina - You rock them girl!

The hottest YSL shoe for A/W season?

Without doubt the Hortense lace up wedges - available in black and brown. Take a look for yourselves..... hot off the heel! Pair them with stockings in the winter...and worry not, before the chill gets to your tootsies (coz we don't want to think about the winter), flaunt them with your perfect pedicure! I walked these wedges today.. and my feet were smiling (wedge and all)!!!

Enjoy the celebrations and delicious barbecue. Flirtatious flats or comfy & cute - a girl can have it all, just don't forget the sunscreen!

Happy July 4th y'all!

xoxoxo