If you live in America or Canada, most likely you reside in an area that keeps getting slammed with snow. Snow, snow, and more snow.

Luckily for me, I don’t live in a part of Canada where I see much snow; however, I travel frequently for work and am currently in some of the snowiest regions of the Great White North.

For my travels I packed 2 pairs of black boots.   One was protected with leather protector spray about 4 years ago, and the other with mink oil in October. If you want to protect your black boots from salt, snow, and moisture marks…spend the time to slather on the mink oil.  It really works!

Mink oil works like a wax job on a car; the moisture beads off like the water beads off your windshield . Impressive, at least for the boots that are protected.  I have some restoration work to do when I get home with the other pair.

Pick up Mink Oil (I like KIWI brand) at any local drugstore.

Keep warm!

Image courtesy of Chicotpia.com

Greetings from Montreal my lovely fashion followers.  I must apologize for being so quiet on the blog front lately, I have been very busy with my other non-fashion related job.  But I finally have some free-time today to report on fall trends!

In observing Montreal street style, I am happy to report that over the knee (OTK) boots are still all the rage.  Especially flat OTK boots.  Girls look more like Robin Hood than Heidi Fleiss in the flat OTK’s. 

What this means for my West Coast fashion followers is that OTK boots will be around until at least Fall 2011!  Those of you that jumped on the trend last year, you were on the money and are echoing current Montreal street style.

Work Style Tips:

• Stick with flats or very low heels
• Wear tights or leggings in the same colour as the boots (ie black with black, grey with grey, or patterns in the same colour palette)
• Pair with skirts or dresses that hit right at the knee — be classy not trashy
• Avoid butt baring mini’s (you should always do this at work, in fact!)
• Rock them with Jeggings as these tuck in nicely – only if you are permitted to wear jeans at work
• Keep your neckline high so the eye is drawn to the boots
• Limit accessories since the boots are the showcase of this outfit

I love the below STRAZZA over the knee boots from Aldo (a Montreal based company!).  They’re affordable ($69), work appropriate and uber CUTE!

I’ll try and post some Montreal street style pics this weekend.  It will require stalking fashionable women…one of my favourite past times. 

Paris Fashion Week’s Most Fierce Kitten Heels

All hail these gorgeous yet practical Valentino pumps.  With a short heel measuring at 3 inches, these shoes are comfy femininity meets tough luxe.

Fashionistas around the world have been rocking these pumps.  Most recently, Anna Dello Russo (Fashion Director at Large and Creative Consultant at Vogue Nippon) and Giovanna Battaglia (Fashion Editor at L’Uomo Vogue and freelance stylist) wore them at Paris Fashion Week.

While $895 is definitely steep for these Valentino Studded Patent-Leather Pumps they are selling out fast.  Despite this scarcity tactic, if you still can’t afford them, watch out for affordable knock offs to start appearing at stores like Nine West, Aldo and H&M in the near future.  Popular runway shoes inspire the shoes you see everyday at these types of stores–but it usually takes a few months.

Check out how Giovanna and Anna (wings and all) rocked them last week.  Magnifique, non?

Some might say my personal style is fairly conservative yet classic.  I like chic styles that will last for years to come and don’t easily give in to short lived trends.  However, like my mother, I admit to having a weakness for sparkles — yep, it’s true.

Lucky for me, sparkles are BIG for Fall 2010.  I recently purchased a super cute sequined tank at Target for $17.99 (pictured at left) that looked fab with indigo skinny jeans and my boyfriend blazer. The key is to wear a sequined top with simple accessories that add to the outfit rather than compete with it.

Earlier this year, I discovered the below Kate Spade glitter bow slingbacks on the Neiman Marcus website.  Yeah, they’re expensive ($325) but so cute!  These slingbacks would be super adorable paired with a brightly coloured dress–like magenta!

The shoes defo wouldn’t compliment a sparkly top like the one above, but would be a gorgeous accent to a simple dress.  They also aren’t everyday shoes…save them for a special sparkle worthy occasion!  I wish these lovely Kate Spade’s were in my closet…I guess I’ll wait for the $17 knock-off to arrive at Target.

Go ahead and get glittered for Fall 2010.

A classic woman always has classic items in her wardrobe that keep her stylish in a given year, decade or lifetime for that matter.  There are 5 classic pieces that I can’t live without and neither should you.  If you spend the money to invest in well made versions of each item, they truly will last a lifetime.

5 Classic Black Pumps

Whether Nine West or Manolo Blahnik, a pair of tall, pointy, black leather pumps is the only shoe you will ever need.  Although its unlikely you’ll ever only one want one pair of shoes!

Style tip: To keep it professional, limit those stilettos to heights under 2.5”.  For every other occasion — the sky is literally the limit!

Check out #4 – The LBD…

When in NYC this last week I learned many things about myself, my bff and fashion. Lesson 1: While ballet flats are uber stylish, they aren’t the best for pounding the Manhattan pavement for hours on end.

The Globe and Mail, Canada’s answer to The New York Times, recently recommended ballet flats as a comfortable alternative to high heels. My bff agreed until she pirouetted her toes to death in Manhattan.  Here are my top 3 comfortably stylish picks for those planning summer vacations to places like NYC or Paris where walking is defo in the cards.

Sandals

The key to comfortable shoes are ones that have heart and sole: structure on the inside and grip on the outside.

In order to remain on trend, you want to get sandals that are still cute, which means absolutely no Tevas, thank you very much.  The gladiator style continues to rock the streets, even in NYC, so try that style on for size.

I bought a pair of Timberland sandals to hike around Paris that still served me well two years later in NYC.  The left Timberland Women’s Kennebunk Braided Ankle Strap Sandal are super stylish and will defo keep your toes twinkling.

Fashionable Sneaks

These types of sneakers aren’t for running since they won’t provide the same level of support, but they certainly are far more comfortable than ballet flats.

When buying fashion sneaks, watch for natural linings like leather.  Leather is more breathable, whereas synthetic linings (often made from polyurethane (PU), a form of rubber) tend to get smelly after a while.

The right Puma Lanai Sneaker is casual enough to be worn with Lulu Lemon pants, but would look cute paired with a denim skirt, white tank and cardi as you walk around Central Park snapping pics of the Jackie Onassis Reservoir and Bethesda Fountain.

Comfy Flats

Finally, there are comfy flats that will keep you and your walking partner happy all day long.  Sadly, comfort can come at a cost but with these shoes you literally get what you pay for.

Camper shoes are designed by Europeans for Europeans.  Therefore, they are tried, tested and truly the best.   The styles can be quite “Euro”, so it might take time to fall head over heels for them, but you’ll get there!  The Casi Janis Mary Jane Campers are my fave with the blue strap and brown shoe.

Happy Summer Holidays Everyone!

SJP (aka Carrie Bradshaw) wearing Christian Louboutin Shoes

After watching Sex and the City 2 for 2.5 hours last weekend, I came out with two thoughts: SATC should officially retire and where can I buy those gorgeous. designer shoes at affordable prices?

In the last year, to my bank account’s chagrin, I have begun collecting Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik shoes.  I am neither a millionaire nor a retail employee who gets steep discounts on designer duds; rather I am simply a savy, shoe shopper.

Before I continue on where and how to buy designer shoes for affordable prices, I must clarify what I mean by affordable.  I am aware that $300-$450 is a ton of money to splurge on shoes.  Like me, if you’re a die-hard shoe lover and save the money beforehand, there shouldn’t be any guilt whatsoever.

A true fashionista is both style and money savy: be strategic about when & where to blow your hard earned cash.

Consignment Store

If you live in a large city, it’s easy to find reliable, high-end consignment stores in your area.  If you’re lucky, like I was in Montreal, they will have a pair of gorgeous Manolo’s in your size just waiting for you when you walk through the door.  If you’re unlucky, like I am in hometown Vancouver, you have to continually visit high-end consignment stores in your ‘hood to discover designer deals.

Since consignment stores are typically independently owned and operated, join their email list and request to be contacted when, for example, size 9 designer shoes are being carried at the store.  This way you get first crack at new-to-you-merchandise.

In order to find high-end consignment stores, simply trek to the wealthiest neighbourhood in your city and walk the shopping streets around the area.  In Vancouver, South Granville (between 16^th and 15^th Ave.) is the place to go.

Department Stores

Before I left for Chicago last year, I stalked the Neiman Marcus website like it was going out of business.  I found great deals on Marc Jacobs handbags and had them shipped directly to my Chicago hotel for a sweet treat when I checked in.  I decided to check out Neiman Marcus in-person to find shoes and, because I had already been on the website, knew exactly what I was looking for.  I found $900 Louboutin’s for $450 in my exact size.

Obviously you aren’t always going to travel to American cities during department store sales, so this is where the web comes in.  At the end of the season, always check for great deals on shoes, especially when there’s free shipping specials.  Brown’s in Canada sells many designer shoes online, but your best bet is to hit up Holt Renfrew in-store or Neiman Marcus online for the best designer shoe sales.

FYI Neiman Marcus just launched their Women’s Designer Sale – let the splurging begin!!

Aldo Oxford Shoe, $65

What do you think about the new Oxford shoe trend?  When I was 8, I wore these very shoes to dance my little uncoordinated heart out in jazz class.  I am uncertain how I feel about wearing them now that I am grown-up and more into chair dancing, rather than jazz dancing.

In addition, I have a friend currently studying at the University of Oxford in jolly old England (in fact, I think she just finished writing her exams!  Hooray!) and I doubt she would be caught dead parading around Oxford in those shoes, but I could be wrong.

What are your thoughts on this trend? Post a comment below to share your opinion.  Perhaps catching Sienna Miller wearing Oxford shoes whilst walking her dog on the streets of London will change my mind?  Nope, don’t think so.

These Valentino Sculpture Lace Pumps are to die for.  I certainly appreciate couture clothing for being works of art, but these shoes could be showcased at the Musee D’Orsay tomorrow!  Can you guess how much they cost?  As I said to a friend yesterday…if you have to ask, you can’t afford them.  At $4700, these won’t be in my closet anytime soon.

Today’s Frugal Friday offers up sexy lace stilettos.  While none compare to the Valentino Sculpture Lace Pumps, the below, affordable pumps are still cute in their own right.

At $885, the Valentino Lace d’Orsay pump isn’t exactly a bargain, but it is cheaper than its $4700 sister.

I love these Pour La Victoire Elena Peep Toe Shoeties. Like the Valentino Sculpture Lace Pumps, they have both a leather sole and upper beneath the lace.  The gorgeous 4″ heel takes you the same heights as the Valentino, and at $249, they’re still pricey, but more affordable than both Valentinos above.

These $137 Menbur Monaco Peep Toe Pumps are cute.  The rosette on the peep toe is very Valentino, if you look at the bags and shoes in the Valentino Spring Summer 2010 collection.  Upon closer look, these pumps aren’t as well made as the Brazilian Pour La Victoire brand, but on a budget, they give you the Valentino look without the Valentino price tag.

Which lace shoe is your favourite?

Star Ling Cortez Wedge Platforms

Today I bought new shoes for my car (aka tires).  I decided my car shouldn’t be the only one with a spring in her step, so I bought myself new shoes too!

In the last couple of Frugal Friday posts, I wrote about two different pairs of t-strap platforms and realised how much I too wanted a pair.  Nordsdtrom, of course, provided me with that much needed shoe rush in the form of Star Ling Cortez wedge platforms already on sale!  At 4 1/2″ high, these platforms literally shoot me up into the clouds.

Wedge platforms are the shoe to buy for spring.  The platform sole makes this particular style surprisingly comfortable.  In addition, the insole is so soft that it feels like I am walking on clouds rather than towering over everyone amidst the clouds!

These shoes must be the focus when worn and will look best paired with ankle-length skinnys, dressy shorts or even a flirty dress.  I love the endless possibilities of new shoes.