Today's Things of Beauty

Friendship is a thing of beauty that's a joy forever. Friendship nurtures and informs you. It makes you better, stronger. Friends are not a dime a dozen--they're never a door buster special at Walmart on Black Friday. You'd best believe there is untold wealth at the heart of true friendship.

These beautiful pieces of jewelry were a gift from a friend. They belonged to her mom, a smart, together woman who had a flair and color all her own. Beads were often used as currency in African and Indian cultures, so I was honored to receive so much wealth.

Thank you, Jocie--these are gifts that I'll cherish forever, just as I cherish our friendship. 

My New Favorite Shoes!

I have a deep and abiding love affair with menswear. Dude duds have appealed to me since my early teens when I grabbed a shirt from my dad’s closet and wore it until it was threadbare. Cuff links, button down shirts with a vest and tie--I wear them all. In the 1990s I had a thrift store tuxedo tailored to fit me. Although the occasions to wear it were few, it was the sexiest suit I ever owned.

For the past few seasons I’ve been obsessed with women’s brogues, particularly wild for wingtips. I trolled the Internet like a hungry man looking for a club sandwich, and drooled when I found them in Schiaparelli pink patent leather, midnight blue suede, and silver leather with purple soles. Those shoes came with price tags that seemed to increase exponentially with number of letters in the designer’s name (Yohji Yamamoto and Fratelli Rosetti were more expensive than Bass), so I deferred purchase.

I was in London's Greenwich Market recently when Cupid’s arrow nicked my ankle as I passed a merchant featuring affordable women’s brogues in luscious, colorful leathers. I fell in love with every shoe on display, and bought a pair of adorable saddle tan and navy brogues that I’ll wear forever. Check them out!

Walk On The Wild Side

These kicks make me wish I was a centipede.  How cool would it be to rock dozens of delicious pairs of shoes at once??  Imagine scooting along on fancy footwear like this, drawing admiring glaces from mere two- four- or six-legged creatures.  Fabulous shoes from Britain--let the pictures tell the story. 

Unpacking My Bags

Just returned from a remarkable vacation in London with three friends.  The legendary quirkiness and courtesy of the British made an indelibly positive impression, and made re-entry to Philly life a little tough.

Here's some of what I saw and what inspires me--have a taste of it!

Sneakin’ Around -- the Shoes of Summer

Summertime and the dressing is easy.  What’s better than barelegged?  Adorable shoes that complement those legs!  Here are the familiar, cute and comfortable shoes that will be my summer weekend staples.

Red Keds Champions--the classic sneaker that evokes childhood memories of tricycling around the neighborhood, endangering life and limb on roller skates, eating hot dogs and ribs at family barbecues, and visiting my grandmother’s cheery little house.  My mom bought me a pair of red Keds when I was a toddler.  She said that the first day I wore them I tottered around all day with a goofy little grin, eyes glued to my sneakers.  Love at first step. 

Silver gray Chuck Taylors--another signature shoe in my wardrobe. Chucks bring out my inner tomboy and are universally cool.  These are the shoes I'll be wearing when I'm 101 years old.