Shopping Is an Experience

Some people say they would rather spend money on experiences than the accumulation of objects. To those people, I say that the act of shopping is a beautiful experience.

Model: Sasha Pivovarova

Jimmy Choo pumps. Stuart Weitzman heels. Chanel heels, handbags and clutches. Charlotte Olympia heels. Sergio Rossi shoes. Christian Louboutin heels. Dolce & Gabanna shoes and handbags. Salvatore Ferragamo heels. Versace shoes. Rochas pumps. Valentino platforms. Brian Atwood heels. Haider Ackermann shoes. ShopBop handbag. Judith Lebier handbags and coin purse. Kotur purse. Arunashi ring. Monique Pean ring. Bulgari bracelet. Pandora brooches. Buccellati brooch.

Trend of the Day — Platform Heels

2015-06-27 02.03.17       2015-06-27 02.09.29

Forever 21                                                      Alba

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Shiekh                                                              Pleaser

I have always loved platform heels, and have worn many over the years. The four above are my current favorites. My style is feminine, but in a way that stands out; as a young adolescent I was very shy, and I decided that if I couldn’t be the life of the party, then at the very least I wanted to show up in a fabulous outfit. Some “avant-garde” apparel can come off wacky, but using a bold accessory, like a shoe or a handbag, as a focal piece is just wild enough.

Wearing the Shiekh shoes in the Meatpacking District.

I am also attracted to platform heels because the platforms make it easier to walk. Pick your favorite shoes on this page. Now imagine the same heel height, with the platform removed and the toes dropped to the ground. My feet are crying just thinking about it. The two solutions to shoe pain are: 1) a lower heel or 2) a higher platform, and it’s obvious which side I’m on. There’s also something about the size of a platform that makes me feel powerful, in a way that a kitten heel or a flat never could.

Here are my favorite platform heels at every price point!

CiCi Hot 2  Lulus                CiCi Hot

CiCi Hot $25                         Lulu’s State Your Fame, $27                     CiCi Hot $28

BCBGeneration  Unique Vintage 3                Luichiny

BCBGeneration Sochi, $50  Unique Vintage Lolita, $54           Luichiny Great Lee, $56

Jeffrey Campbell  Betsey Johnson 2      Iggy Azalea by Steve Madden

Jeffrey Campbell Stride for Perfection, $100 Betsey Johnson Leanah P, $110            Iggy Azalea by Steve Madden Paatra, $110

Martinez Lierah  Kat Maconie    Chanel 2 (2)

Martinez Lierah Dissolving, $410         Kat Maconie $473            Chanel $499

Charlotte Olympia 8  Charlotte Olympia 9    Christian Louboutin 2

Charlotte Olympia Kiss Me Dolores, $945   Charlotte Olympia Century, $985  Christian Louboutin Highness, $1,595

Zaha Hadid for United Nude  Charlotte Olympia 10 Christian Louboutin 3

Zaha Hadid for United Nude Nova, $2,138  Charlotte Olympia Avalon, $2,395   Christian Louboutin Daffodile Strass, $5,995

Flats to Heels

It is common knowledge that walking long distances in heels is bad for your feet…but, perhaps even more unfortunately, it is bad for your shoes. Though they may very well catch the eye of passersby on the city streets, beautiful stilettos were not designed to take as many steps as their heelless counterparts. I learned this the hard way, and have spent a lot of money getting heel nails replaced over the years. The best solution, in my opinion, is to carry a large handbag, walk the long distance in chic flats (no need for sneakers!), and change into your more delicate shoes at a discreet location nearby.

Here are some pairings of flats and heels that would work well together to compliment the same outfit…

Bloch   Dolce & Gabbana (2)

Bloch, $183 + Dolce & Gabbana, $695

Charlotte Russe (2)   Kate Spade 5 (2)

Charlotte Russe, $20 + Kate Spade, $328

DVF   Kurt Geiger

DVF, $169 + Kurt Geiger, $300

Francesco Milano   L.K. Bennett

Francesco Milano, $120 + L.K. Bennett, $375

Kate Spade 6 (2)   Christian Louboutin (2)

Kate Spade, $45 + Christian Louboutin, $325

Charlotte Olympia 6   Kate Spade 7 (2)

Charlotte Olympia, $303 + Kate Spade, $350

Franco Sarto   Kate Spade 8 (2)

Franco Sarto, $38 + Kate Spade, $199

SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker 

SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, $285 + Manolo Blahnik, $725

8 Ballet  Casadei

8, $131 + Casadei, $695

French Sole   Dune

French Sole, $104 + Dune, $135

Jimmy Choo  Jimmy Choo 2

Jimmy Choo, $675 + Jimmy Choo, $900

Tom Ford Yes   Tom Ford 2

Tom Ford, $716 + Tom Ford, $900