The Power of Shoes?

"Shoes transform your body language and attitude. They lift you physically, and emotionally." 

- Christian Louboutin

Have you ever thought about the power of your shoes? 

Yes, we all know they can be hypnotically beautiful, and nail bitingly sexy, but have you ever thought about how they are effecting your life?

Easily the most important fashion accessory, it holds many jobs. 

On the most basic level, shoes need to support you. They are the entire support system that balance your body to the ground and maneuver you from place to place. They effect your body movement, balance, posture, demeanor, and shape. It does not matter how gorgeous a shoe is, if it is physically painful, or hard to maneuver, it is most likely making you look silly.

I  have had my fair share of experiences with shoes I forced my feet into, only to be faced with the reality that I looked ridiculous walking in them. Yes, you can endure the pain, but most likely your face is cringing, your feet are awkwardly balancing themselves, and all you are thinking about is sitting down. 

"Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world." 

-Marilyn Monroe

Shoes are a persuasive creature. Innocent in demeanor, and seductive in appeal, it is easy to lose oneself in the endless variety of shapes and designs. They have the power of transformation, as they can elongate the leg, align body posture, and slenderize your form. 

Shoes can also be used as the secret ingredient of a bland fashion recipe. They add the perfect spice to harmonize, counteract, or elevate a fashion idea. 

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. 

-Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Shoes tell stories?

The reason you should buy and wear shoes that you love in every shape and form is simply in the story. Every wrinkle, and dirt laced to the soles of your shoes, are creating memory codes that shape your existence. It is in this reason alone, I love quality vintage shoes. 

Not only is the craftsmanship impeccable,  you physically get to walk into the life of someone else. I always wonder of its previous life and where they have been?

What's your shoe story?

xo,

Maya

FWI: Innovative Shoe Styling Tips

Fashion Week of Innovation

Shoes, shoes, shoes! Yes, I am a shoe addict. 

I don't know what  it is about shoes, but for some reason, the word "enough" does not exist. 

Therefore, if the latter is true, buying can not be the answer, and becoming wiser, and more creative is no longer a choice, but a necessity. 

Here are my shoe styling tips that curbed my addiction into a creative method of shoe styling!

1.) Ankle Bracelets

Ankle bracelets are an easy way to add character to any shoe. Whether it maybe boots, heels or sandals, it can be worn easily and matched to your other jewelry or outfits.

2.) Ribbons

A simple bow makes any shoe look instantly sweeter. Just tie it around your ankle or loop it through a strap, it is an easy way to change up your shoe.

3.) Permanent Markers

Drawing on my shoes, is something I have done since I was a kid. Now a days, with my colorful variety of permanent markers,  drawing on shoes, has become an art form.

Add your mark on your shoes, and let it inspire you all day. 

4.) Leg Warmers

Leg warmers not only keep your legs warmer, but add a new life to any shoe. If you live in a colder region, you are aware of how certain types of shoes, are just not practical to wear, during Autumn/Winter.

My favorite is, leather leg warmers, and they have been seen all over the runway. They are an absolute must, if you love wearing your stiletto heels. They turn any low ankle shoe, into an amazing high cut boot. 

5.) Socks with Fur Embellishments

I personally love boots with a bit of fur embellishment. It is very tempting to buy a fur embellished boot even though you have one just like it, minus the fur. The solution?

Fur trimmed socks. It is seriously the most genius creation that peeks out of every heel, ankle boot, and Mary Jane. It is also a fun way to warm up a strappy stiletto heel.

6.) Fun Knee High Socks

Gladiator shoes or leather cut out boots are sexy in the Summer, and fun in the Winter?

I love, wearing fun socks, that slightly peek through the holes of these type of shoes. Wearing funky socks simply on its own, can make you look like a clown, but paired behind leather cutouts gives a very cool effect. It's a bit like stained glass, where small bits of color peek through the black cut out structure. 

xo,

Maya

Blogmas Day 2: How I Add Holiday Spice to My Shoes

During this time of the year, I always itch to find a perfect festive shoe. Unfortunately, it is rare to find anything beyond a red pump and everything else is rather ridiculously over priced. 

A quick and easy way I amp up my rather muted Autumn and Winter Shoes,  is simple and cheap. I use Christmas ribbons that are lying around my house for decorations or gift wrap, and lace it through or loop it where I can.

 Over the years I have created unique ways of tying bows, and I have decided to share some of them with you down below.

xo,

Maya

                          STANDARD Single Bow

                                      TRIPLE BOW

                                        BOW EARS 

                                        MISTLE TOE-BOW

My Fall Shoe Collection

Fall is my favorite season of the year. Leaves change to the most beautiful yellows, reds, and greens, and soon piles of leaves will fall like golden feathers.

 Unfortunately, Where I currently live, we do not really have seasonal changes, and witnessing the beauty that accompanies Fall, is rather difficult.

My Fall shoe collection is definitely my most favorite pairs of shoes and almost all of them are purchased in vintage shops from around the world. Each has a story and countless memories. Pulling  them out each Fall is like opening a time capsule filled with beautiful imagery and flashbacks. 

                                                   BOOTS

All of these boots are from vintage shops in Europe, except the brown rain boots with fur, which are by Marc Jacobs. The reason I am obsessed with vintage boots, is simply for the craftsmanship. It is impeccable. "Handmade" may not be as perfect as machine made, but that's the beauty of it. Our bodies are not made in perfect symmetry, nor in percise measurements. Variations are what make us human. This is why, handmade is more comfortable, and last longer. My leather booties literally grow with me, and age beautifully. Now a days, hand made is rare, and very pricey, but rummage your local vintage shops, and you might get lucky and find a gem. 

When I was a little girl, my mother would often read to me, "The Elve's and the Shoe maker". It was one of my most favorite fairytales, and it was based on magical elves that made the most extraordinary shoes. They would make them over night for the shoe maker and then leave them for the shoemaker to sell.  I can always remember hoping these little elves would one day stop by my house,and leave me a beautiful pair of shoes. Needless to say, it never happened but to this very day, I think of that story, and search for shoes that I "imagine" they would have made.  Shoes should be extraordinary, so beautiful, only magic elves could have made them. (At least that's what I tell myself...)

                                                CUT OUTS

Currently where I live, it has cooled down a lot,  but by no means is it very cold. I find myself constantly wearing cut out boots. It is the best way to recognize the seasonal change without necessarily heating up. 

                            ARTSY BOOTS and HEELS

                                              LACE UPS

                                             DETAILS

If there is anything that draws me quicker to a shoe, it is all in the details. Sometimes I even ask myself, "Is this amazing, or is this really awful?" For me, shoes are like works of art. It's not something I ever get rid of, unless, they are completely unrepairable.

Click here if you would also like to see my SUMMER SHOE COLLECTION

My Summer Shoe Collection

Closet Confessions

Shoes, shoes, shoes!  

My Summer shoe collection is perhaps some of my favorite shoes in my entire wardrobe. The price range from extravagant to super inexpensive. I never discriminate a shoe by price or brand. If the shoe speaks to me, then obviously, I will have to have it. Which is great when the shoe is cheap and not so great when they are expensive.

In the Summer I gravitate to colors that are more vibrant or a bit more sparkly. The energy is high and whimsical, and perfect for the scorching Summer sun!

Check Out My Fashion Shoe Style...

                            WHIMSICAL SNEAKERS

These High Top Rose Gold Sneakers are by MICHAEL KORS. They are my "Go-To" shoe on most days I feel casual. Usually I style it with a relaxed white tee, bf jeans, and my hair in a loose pony. 

                                   VINTAGE TREASURES

Vintage shoes are by far my most beloved shoes. Why? Simply because I love having things nobody else has, and in my opinion, things in general were made better in the past.

From left to right GIVENCHY vintage from a Boutique in Paris, BALLY vintage from a Boutique in Brussels, Designer unknown but from a Boutique in Brussels, and BRUNO MAGLI from Vintage shop in California. 

                                        ARTSY/ QUIRKY

If there is anything that will draw me faster to a shoe, is if there is something artsy or different going on with the shoe. I love artistic references and details. 

The top left shoe is actually my own creation. I basically painted sunflower field all over my CHARLES JOURDAN boots and it somehow always reminds me of Summer. 

The turquoise ballet flats next to them  are from Germany and were from a street market. I'm pretty sure they were just 15 euros, but they have lasted me over 10 years. Proof, that price, doesn't always matter. The detail work is also gorgeous and they are always my go to shoe when I wear turquoise jewelry, and all white outfits.

The bottom left is by SALVATORE FERRAGAMO and they are in my opinion, a work of art. 

The blue flip flops are a recent purchase from a street vendor, and they are perfect on those days I am wearing a bit of denim.

                               PLATFORMS/ HIGH HEELS 

As you can probably tell, platform sandals are my preference for a heel, and what I always wear with my Summer dresses. 

I personally gravitate to a thicker heel/wedges  simply because I am quite clumsy. I fall all the time so basically the added surface area reduces my chances of falling over. They are also less painful on my feet due to the smaller arch toward the heel.

The top two are by ZARA, the Rose Gold Sandal below is by LUCKY BRAND, the red/orange shoe is by GUESS, and the bottom white Mary Janes are by MARNI. 

                                              SANDALS

The first sandal is by PRADA and I bought them several years ago in Europe, but they have aged quite nicely over the years. 

The silver pair next to them are by SERGIO ROSSI, and I also bought them in Europe several years back but they are still in perfect condition. The shoe always reminds me of Adam and Eve, and what I would imagine Eve would wear.

The golden sandal on the bottom left is by GUISEPPE ZANOTTI. They are by far the most gorgeous and extravagant sandals I have ever seen. Adorned with orange,yellow, and white crystals, they are a mixture of casual and ultra glam. 

                                              NAILS

CHANEL: 535 MAY

KEANCOLOR: 24 CARAT

Click to view my FALL SHOE COLLECTION

Christian Louboutin Moves into My Old Home?!

Christian Louboutin in Brussels, Belgium?!

For those of you who may not know, I spent almost 8 years in Brussels, living right on Grote Zavel, or Grand Sablon, which is now the home of the coveted LOUBOUTIN! The shop is literally on the same street as my old flat, and about 5 seconds to walk! 

If this is not salt on a wound, I don't know what is. My only bitter joy comes from the fact that it is literally  impossible to wear gorgeous Louboutins or any slender heel for that matter in Brussels. Most roads are cobblestone and any designer shoe is destined to death along these unstable walking grounds. 

I once wore a pair of brand new burgundy MIU MIU a long Sablon, and the heel immediately got stuck and just fell off. You really must have a thick heel when in Europe, but Louboutin's finest are usually sleek, slender, and very high. It also rains all the time, and has ruined a half a dozen of my priciest suede/ leather shoes. 

Obviously, I am just making excuses, and I am madly jealous. If you live around Belgium, or Brussels, check out this amazing shop, and perhaps leave your credit cards at home. You really can catch a bad case of shoe brain and do some serious damage. 

x

m

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

Place du Grand Sablon, 21

1000 Brussels

Belgium

Style Tip 5: How to style a look around your shoe!

Hello darlings.We have all experienced the moment where we stand in front of our closet and say the famous words, "I have nothing to wear". The truth is, you have more than enough clothing, but you just lack inspiration. When you simply cannot think of an outfit in your head, look to your shoes for some help. Try to find your most unique pair and work an outfit around it. If all your shoes are strictly black or nothing interesting, and you have no money to go buy yourself a new pair, there are tons of DIYs on YouTube to help you out. One idea would be to paint the bottom of your shoe any color. Christian Louboutin is famous for the RED soles, and it adds instant sex appeal. Choose any color you like and paint away. From here we are ready to begin styling an outfit. Let's start out by assuming you have a very ordinary black stiletto, and you decided to paint the sole a classic red to mimic a Louboutin. From there you could be inspired to put peeks of sexy red in your accessories. Maybe wear a classic Black and White dress, with Ruby red lips, and a red bag. Whatever outfit you choose, I would choose a RED accessory. Whether it be a belt, jewelry, a scarf or a bag. Be careful not to over do it. Remember it is sexy because there is only a peekaboo of red. Have fun with it! Xo Maya

Lookbook: SHOEspiration

Shop these looks here: https://www.keatonrow.com/lookbook/5217148c073b950000014c64/cover

Styling Tip 4: How to Layer Necklaces

Hello darlings! One of the quickest ways to bring your "look" to the next level is by using statement jewelry. I often layer my jewelry and then have that inspire the rest of the outfit. Layering at first can be a bit tricky so I have some helpful tips to help you from looking like a Christmas tree. *Tip* The jewelry you layer should somehow make sense. If you have never layered jewelry, start out by matching same materials or colors. For example, all gold, or all beads, or all black...etc. *Tip* Lengths. Play with different lengths when layering.one choker, one long, etc. *Tip* If you use one bulky statement piece, the rest should accompany it. Think a little longer, and lighter. *Tip* Keep your outfit simple. When you make such a statement with your jewelry, keep your outfit and shoes neutral or one color. Let your Jewelry be the featured piece of Art. If you can't decide, just wear head to toe black and have some crazy statement jewelry. *Tip* Be Creative! Trust your eye. Think outside of what you know, and bring out your inner Fashionista! Xo Maya