2 Shoe Disappointments + New Vineyard Vines Skirt

I spoke too soon! I got my Sperry rain boots in the mail today...

Lookin' good....but then....

Aargh! Huge calf space!

The boots are ridiculously comfy and the foot-part fits SO WELL...but the calves are enormous! What person with size 5 feet has calves/ankles that wide? So disappointing.The comfort and good foot-fit though are too good to beat, however, so I've decided to keep them.

I also got my neutral Fitzwell pumps in the mail a week ago (sorry for the delay), and took a less-than-great mirror shot:

So cute, right? Unfortunately these are a return ...not because I don't like the way they look or fit, but because the heel height is too high. Lesson learned: I cannot walk in 4-inch heels. I look ridiculous when I do. :)

If only these heels were an inch shorter! At least they're not a total disappointment.

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There is good news, though. I had to drive my boyfriend an hour south to pick up his car from a repair shop, and decided to make a stop at the Vineyard Vines outlet at Woodbury Common, which was on the way. Most of the stock hadn't changed since my last visit, but I did manage to snag this adorable white skirt (in a girl's 14, no less!) for the bargain price of $12.99 (as opposed to the original $59.50):

hmm...why does my hair look so dark?
Shirt: Ann Taylor, sz. XS

Skirt: Vineyard Vines, girls sz. 14

Belt: J.Crew, sz. S

Shoes: Rockport, sz. 5

The skirt's a tad on the short side, but the thick material and fitted style will keep it from exposing too much. I also tried on a sz. 0 dress, but with less luck:

Nothing tragic, but just a bit too wide and long. I guess their dresses don't fit as well as their bottoms! However, most companies' shift/sheath style dresses tend to be on the larger side, so I'm not too discouraged.

Spring is finally starting to peak through here in NY!

Hoping there's sunny, warm days ahead,

*ShortBlonde*

Neutral Heels (and small feet woes)

 

Women seem to be born with an innate passion for shoes. We often get teased by (straight) men who don't understand how we can never have enough shoes- but as we all know, there is a limitless amount of styles, heel heights and colors to be had! We need casual cold weather shoes, fancy cold weather shoes, shoes to go with our new dress, shoes that look good with skinny jeans, etc., and trying on lovely pair after lovely pair of heels makes the whole shoe-shopping process all too fun....

....for most. If you're like me and have awkwardly shaped size 5 feet, shoe shopping can be hell!  Most stores don't even carry size 5, and if they do, it's that ONE pair of really ugly and outlandish high heel sneakers, or a modest librarian-like pair of black pumps (which I own). This is why I love Zappos!

Even if I don't find something I like or that's in my price range, I take comfort in the fact that Zappos will always have a decent selection of size 5s, with free shipping/returns and a super-fast delivery to boot. Along with my currently unsuccessful hunt for rain boots, I've also been on the hunt for neutral heels. Neutrals are very "in" this season (according to Harper's Bazaar), but the real reason I want a pair is simply for formal occasions in warm weather (and something to match a favorite Ann Taylor dress!). Something sexy but classy, neutral but not boring. And not insanely priced, either. My hunt led me to this pair here:

Fitzwell Preston Spectator

I love the piping, which adds flattering structure and just a bit of snazziness. The reviews for the shoe are all over the place, though, so the jury's out until these arrive in the mail!

Here are some other neutral-toned heels that I saw and loved (but aren't the right price or size):

Elizabeth and James

Anne Klein

Nine West


Do you have a favorite pair of neutral-toned shoes? If not, what's your preferred formal shoe for warm weather?

*ShortBlonde*