Clogs...really?!

On the issue of clogs, we are torn.


Whether you are pro or anti clogs, remember not to buy them simply for "trend-followings" sake.  Cause, honey, they're a choice.


Although we love almost anything Chanel touches (watch for a review on their Les Trompe L'œil de Chanel skin art soon!), the jury is out on these bad boys.

If you're still on the fence, don't be afraid to do a variation on a clog that works better for you.  Perhaps these Prada platforms provide some hope at the end of the tunnel...

Photos: bluefly.com, obsessedwithshoes.com

ABNI Obsession

ABNI's newest obsession is Jeffrey Campbell shoes. They're like jewelry for your feet!

Jeffrey Campbell by ABNI_Rachna featuring Jeffrey Campbell shoes

Items in this set:
Jeffrey Campbell - NASTY GAL - Vintage Clothing, 80s Vintage Clothes,..., $150
Jeffrey Campbell Tick in White Calf at Solestruck.com, $170
Jeffrey Campbell Is Making Me Tick | Vancouver Fashion + Style Blog |..., $165
Jeffrey Campbell 'Rally' Sandal - - Nordstrom, $165
black pixie wedge, $160

Learn more at jeffreycampbellshoes.com.

There is a god

I hope you are prepared to get up out of your chair and RUN to Westwood the moment you finish reading this.

DSW Shoe Warehouse is having the single greatest shoe sale EVER.

The Westwood DSW is closing its doors.

ALL shoes are now on clearance, and clearance shoes are an ADDITIONAL 50% off.

Let me break it down for you. This means that all shoes are marked down 40-80%, and then you take 50% off of THAT price, and that's what you pay. It is gloriously insane.

Now is your chance to stock up on hot spring wedges (they will be everywhere this season!).

I scored 3 pairs (2 wedges and a flat sandal) for $30.72. Literally. I didn't believe it until I lived it, so for you skeptics out there, see the savings on my receipt below:

A source in the building told me that a rent increase is the reason DSW is leaving the location. I'm sad to see it go, but thrilled for the unexpected addition to my shoe family!

Photos: dsw.com, ABNI

Trends in Trying Times

Tough economy + Lower shopping budgets = Time to make smart purchases.

Forever21 and H&M are always great options, but sometimes you need to branch out for more...let's say "lasting" items.

I recently stumbled across three great new pieces to keep me on-trend and on-budget for the upcoming season.

Leopard print is everywhere right now, and at only $44, the Michael Stars Mouse Leopard Tank won't break the bank (and I love the animal print in gray!).

Over-the-knee boots are edgy without taking you into that questionable "Pretty Woman" arena. The Kingdom boot by Chinese Laundry is comfortable, sexy, and only $98.95. To pull off this trend, avoid platforms on these taller boots to prevent them from looking costumey.

Sometimes a fashion trend jumps out at you as questionable yet fabulous at the same time. This next item is my questionabulous piece for this year. BB Dakota's Potter Vest is an easy, fun, amazing faux fur choice for only $60.

Photos: angelasrunway.com, zappos.com, chickdowntown.com

Handy Daily Candy

Today through August 4th, get 25% off regular priced clothing, accessories and shoes at Diavolina (online by entering code DAILYCANDY, and in the store by mentioning Daily Candy).

ABNI suggests saving on "J Brand 'The Pencil Leg' Torn Jean - Jett" (Regularly $196, with Daily Candy's discount $147).

Also, make sure you check out their sale items, like Velvet Angel's Peeptoe Booties in black for 50% off ($148 marked down from $295)!

Photos: shopdiavolina.com

Shoes Named Oscar

It's been brought to my attention that I am not terribly creative when it comes to naming my significant purchases (see how I named this vlog). But when a designer item is so amazing that the mere thought of it brings a smile to your face, outlandish just names don't seem necessary.

This Saturday, I woke up at 7am to hit up the DecadesTwo HUGE shoe sale (as advertised on Daily Candy). I drove to West Hollywood, tired and groggy, to get in line by 8am. By the time I arrived, the line of shoe lovers was already almost to Harper Ave.

The sale was scheduled to start at 9am, and true to their word, the friendly DecadesTwo staff started letting people in at 9 on the dot.

Each time the line surged forward, I felt a jolt of excitement. My goal was to score a pair of seriously marked down Christian Louboutin heels (an item on my "dream list").

About 20 minutes later, a petite woman, apparently the first customer of the morning, pranced out of the store with two little brown bags and put on a show-and-tell for the poor souls still waiting in line (including my tired and hungry self - I forgot to eat breakfast). She had scored a pair of red patent-leather peep-toe Louboutins for $120 (which probably cost $795-$860 originally)! But I wasn't upset that she got to them before me...they couldn't have been bigger than a size 6. Even on my best days, my size 9 feet couldn't squeeze into those bad boys.

I finally stepped foot inside the store around 9:30am. I headed straight for the size 9 shoes only to find that, as usual with European sizes, I had to jump up to the 10's. I tried on orange strappy Manolo Blahniks, printed Stella McCartney flats, and jeweled Christian Dior heels before a pair of black satin Lanvin ballet flats caught my attention. They were a wonderfully comfortable and stylish staple for only $97 (similar Lanvin flats currently go for $530.). I grabbed them and kept on browsing.

Then, it happened. Someone had placed a pair of heels back on the shelf. Not just A pair, THE pair. My pair. Two-tone red, snakeskin, peep-toe mary janes...by Oscar de la Renta.

A lovely sales associate said she thought they were originally in the $7-800's, but the buyer said they were originally more like $1200! My price for my first perfect pair of Oscar de la Renta heels? $240.

My early Saturday excursion was well worth the waiting, the hunger pangs and the waiting. I may not have crossed Christian Louboutin off my list, but when I got home I welcomed in the newest addition to the family, shoes named Oscar.

Photos: ABNI

Cute Ciuti

Last year, while working wardrobe for Judge Milian's People's Court photo shoot, I noticed one of the (several) executives running around in a beautiful pair of sandals. So beautiful, in fact, that almost every woman in the room asked about them.

Vite in Metallic Pewter ($322)

The sandals were by designer Claudia Ciuti and they were delicate, feminine and strong all at the same time.  I instantly wanted to know more about the designer and discovered that all her shoes have those traits and more.  They all manage to maintain a sexy feminine edge, whether they're strappy sandals, chunky wooden heels or colorful flats.  And, for those of us that ever saw a pair of flats and thought they would be better as heels, or vice versa, Ciuti actually has options - like her Sedge heels and Sage sandals.

For now, Ciuti only has store locations in New York and Italy, but we west coasters can peruse her online store.  

Sedge in Strawberry ($386)

Carolina in Amber ($414)

Photos: claudiaciuti.com

Croc of $&!*

As if the originals were not bad enough, now Crocs are trying to be more fashionable??

At least I am not alone.

Photo: lasplash.com

Item of the What?

Style.com is calling their Givenchy Jelly Gladiator ($165) Item of the Week a "nostalgic twist on the season's must-have sandal."

You have got to be kidding me.

Photo: style.com

Order #357445552

I love shoes.  Not very original, I know.  But I do.

There is one pair of shoes in particular that I loved for years.  I wore them with everything.  I dressed them up, I dressed them down.  I walked, danced and even competed in them.  

After years of abuse, I took my shoes to Arturo's Shoe Fix in Beverly Hills, only to be told me that my shoes could not be salvaged.  Even though I could no longer wear them, I could never bring myself to throw them away.

 

Two weeks ago, I saw a woman wearing my shoes.  I was confused, dumbfounded - they looked pristine, brand new.  How could this be?!  I asked her where she got them. 

"Aren't they great?  They're my favorite," she said.  

No, they're my favorite.  "Where did you get them?" I asked again.

She proceeded to tell me that Victoria's Secret was selling the Colin Stuart shoes again, but that they were hard to find in the catalogue and that she had to convince the customer service person she called to locate them for her. 

They're selling my shoes again?  I didn't care that it might be a challenging to find them, I felt positively giddy.

That night I hopped on the internet and browsed away at the Victoria's Secret web site until finally, there they were.  My shoes.  Two clear straps and a cork bottom 3 3/4" heel.  Simple, beautiful, comfortable.  

I picked up the phone and dialed, grinning from ear to ear, only to be told that Victoria's Secret does not sell the version of my shoe that I so desired.  

"But I saw someone wearing them today, and she just ordered them from you," I said, more determined than ever.

The woman on the phone asked a question to someone nearby.  And then I heard it.  

"Oh."  The most brilliant sounding "Oh" I'd ever heard.  An "Oh" of realization.

"Huh, we do have them," she said.

The heavens opened and angels sang.  

I ordered four pairs.

Photo: victoriassecret.com