This Week's Most Wanted

Forwood shoe, $90, aldoshoes.com

This Week's Most Wanted

Loeffler Randall x SUNO lace-up wedge, $645, loefflerrandall.com

This Week's Most Wanted

Diego Gonzalez Cremer custom riding boots, casadelasbotas.com, price on request

Glitz and Dazzle on NYE...

Splurge. Save.

The sparkles, the heels and the champagne glasses clinging... it's fun to go all out on New Year's Eve. It always amazes me however, how much we spend on the "New Year's Eve dress." Do you think it's worth it for one night? Maybe it is!?

Splurge. Save.

Whether you're partying in South Beach or having wine and cheese at home, here are some twentysomething tips:

1. A metallic cardigan can dress up any outfit... whether it's worn over an all-black ensemble or over a red dress.
2. Sparkles are awesome for NYE! Slip into a sequined dress with a pair of pumps.
3. If you're wearing a black dress, dress it up with a beaded or rhinestone headband.
4. Opting for jeans? I'm all for it! Pair them with a flouncy silver silk camisole and tan platform pumps.
5. Just remember - if you're wearing sequins or sparkles, please keep your jewelry simple. You want a clean, fun look and not one that resembles a gipsy. 

What are you all doing for NYE?

KIU,

Twentysomething

Cougar Boots

Cougar Tibet boots

As part of the Matchstick Influencer program, I tried out some Cougar boots and I have to say that from the moment I opened the box, I was both impressed and delighted. I was intrigued to see how these cool "outdoorsy" shoes would work for a city girl like me. 

In addition to being cute, the Tibet boots were dry as I ran through a downpour, stopping to jump in a puddle or two. I also love it's "faux sock" which is not just a cute detail, but actually kept the wind out and the warmth in. Next I tried the Ringo Star boots. Just like the Tibet boots, the Ringo Star boots are also incredibly comfortable and have a plush fleece lining with a soft fur trim. I'm already looking forward to stomping around in them when it snows, without worrying about soggy socks or frozen toes.

Winters in New York City can be brutal, so stylish boots that keep your feet dry and warm come rain, sleet or snow, are a must. Although my "great outdoors" is more about dodging taxicabs, than hiking mountains,  I've definitely found the perfect footwear to wear in my urban wilderness.

For more, check out cougarboots.com 

Cougar Ringo Star boots

A Shoe Lover's Dream

Customization has become the norm for everything from laptops and cellphones to bespoke clothing, to the point which all of these services are readily available online, but there is one area which so far has remained untouched: the made-to-order shoe. Even though the cult of the "it bag" has given way to the "it shoe", somehow neither Manolo or Christian have taken custom shoes to the next level by offering an online custom shoe service. After all, custom suits can be ordered online from Hong Kong, so why not a pair of fashionable heels? Now the website Shoes of Prey has made this quick and easy, offering a service that allows you to design your own pair of custom shoes and have them shipped to your door.

The interface for building your shoe is easy to use and fun. You can select the style of shoe first, such as ballet flat, bootie, gladiator or peeptoe pump then select materials and colors. As you go through the process, you can choose from approximately 75 different kinds of leather ranging from snakeskin to patent leather, in a variety of different colors. In fact, there are so many choices, it's difficult to decide on just one style or color.

A finished pair of customized shoes

  If you're curious as to how close the actual shoe will look to your design and more information on how the design process works, check out this first-hand account from Beverly. 

Shoe Art by Timrobot

All shoes and photographs by Tim Wolff

Shoe Art from Etsy

Vintage shoes, artwork by Ndeur 

Two years ago, Style Gourmand featured the maginificent designs of young graphic artist Ndeur, which included graffiti-type designs done on vintage shoes. When Ndeur decided to move on and focus on other art projects, I thought my source for one-of-a-kind piece of shoe art was was, but luckily I have found "shoe artists" to fill the void. 

Here are some of the best from Etsy sellers:

Obsessions Hand-painted shoes by cocopunkz

Kamikaze Hand-painted shoes by cocopunkz

Bubble gum girl Hand-painted heels by Studio Jellyfish

Sole Trippin by taylorsays 

You can also try making your own footwear masterpiece: checkout this how-to video from Bobsmade.

Spat On: How to Make that Old Shoe Look New Again

Spats are leather or cloth coverings that can be strapped onto the upper part of a shoe and a clever way to give a plain pair of shoes a makeover. This nifty accessory can be found in almost every shape, color and fabric on Etsy, and some seller's even take custom orders. Below is a list of my faves all from Etsy.

Ivory Leather Flower Spats by joiacouture


Turquoise Leather Viviana Cut Out Spats by Ashes and Empires


Royal Blue Leather Spat from Leather Made Nice


Lisette Herringbone Spats with Brass Studs & Scallop
detail by Ashes and Empire


Gizelle Herringbone Spats with Leather Ruffles
& Buttons by Ashes and Empires

Ndeur's Tricked out vintage shoes

"Beaux amis"
From I-pods to credit cards and cars to M&Ms, nearly anything can be customized and Canadian graphic artist Matthieu Ndeur is applying his creative talent to customizing vintage shoes, hand-painting them with his fun, bright street-inspired designs. Simply e-mail the measurements of your foot and the design you would like and soon will have your own chic wearable art. 25 year old Ndeur's designs are also featured in murals, and designs on sneakers and t-shirts.

Get your very own one-of-a-kind pair at Etsy.com (now on sale for $180)


All photos courtesy of ndeur.com & etsy.com

"I love you this much"


"O My"

For more photos and info about Matthieu Ndeur's work http://www.ndeur.com/ or

http://www.myspace.com/ndeurr


"VIP room"