Diary of a Style Addict: fashion is expensive and addictive like cocaine

How Cold is Too Cold for Open Toes?

Never being one to follow the rules I generally wear whatever I want, when I want to wear it regardless of the opinion of the masses. One thing instilled by my mother that has still stuck with me till this day is staying within the seasons. That means no short sleeved shirts in the winter and definitely no open toes. Over the years I've slowly begun to stray away from these steadfast rules and this year they seem to be going out the window. I'm wearing summer dresses and skirts thanks to skillful layering and relying more on the weather than the calender for planning my outfits. I'm buying more and more open toe boots and don't know how long I'll be able to rock them. I wore the booties below on November 7th and most of my friends were like "arnt your feet cold!?" I've come to realize that as long as my body is warm and the boots are of good material such as leather or suede my feet won't get cold.  So my question is fashionistas...how cold is too cold for open toes?

 

Showcasing the open toe booties after breakfast with Frankee Razor. Yes me and my crew throw impromptu photo shoots anywhere...

OMG I got in with the cool kids!!

Lookbook.nu....Where have you been all my life? The site is dedicated to showcasing street styles from everyday fashionistas across the globe. Basically its a place solely dedicated to posting your look of the day. All of your posted looks are corralled together in a "collection" that others may follow. It's sites like this that inspire me to believe in the notion that dress down days are nonexistent. The sidewalks are your runway! Members of the international community vote on their favorite looks and . Because all things cool must lalso be exclusive the site is invite only. Somehow (after much begging and blackmailing) I was able to score an invite. I only have one lonesome invite and the first person to comment on this post can be the lucky recipient.

Wear Today Gone Tommorrow

If you're anything like me you're closet is packed to the brim with clothes that were only worn a few times or maybe only once. And if you're anything like me you also don't like your Facebook photos to show you wearing the same outfit more than a handful of times. Don't you just wish you could wear that hot dress one time and send it back? While reading People magazine today I stumbled upon Wear Today Gone Tommorrow. Here you can rent designer dresses, jackets and tops for a week for 90% off retail plus a $10 cleaning fee. Much easier than trying to resell that lightly worn dress on Ebay. I will definitely be incorporating this service into my wardrobe for special events and parties.

Rent this $950 Herve Lager dress for $95 a week

Fashion Sense: Bra Solutions

With the holidays approaching dressing fashionable for those inevitable holiday parties are on everyone's mind. If you are anything like me and have "more than a handful" in the chest department that definitely factors into making your dress decision. Many times I've had to forgo plunging necklines or backless designs because the ladies would be unsupported. I've also tried those adhesive cups that fall off before I even walk out the door. For my junior prom I bought a pack of cups along with my dress and to my dismay they didn't work at all. Minutes before my date got there me and my mom were trying to shorten the straps so I would get some kind of support. Not cool at all! There are a multitude of bras on the market today that will be completely undetectable under the skimpiest of dresses and still give you the support you need.

 100 Way Bra by Victoria's Secret $50 - $56
This may be the best investment to your wardrobe. The bra comes with 3 different straps and has rows of hooks along the cup fronts and back which leaves limitless combination.

 Maidenform Backless Bra $24
This breakthrough bra was featured on American Inventor and woman are singing its praises everywhere. Based on the reviews it seems this bra stays on best with a little help from double sided fashion tape.

Stilettos don't have to be torture

I've been wearing heels almost daily since the 9th grade and graduated to stilettos soon thereafter. I only own one pair of sneakers and they are for the gym only. Even on a down day I feel a pair of heels can just bring your outfit up a notch on the ladder of fabulousness.  Recently after seeing some very fab celebrities with not so fab feet due to their shoe choices and reluctance to get foot surgery I've been concerned with taking care of my tootsies. Sky high stilettos are cute but bunions and corns are not!

We love you Iman but we don't want feet like yours!

1. Purchase shoes half a size bigger if possible. This works well with boots. If they're pointy this will ease up on the squishing of your toes to the front of the shoe. Your foot being smashed to the front of your shoe is what causes hammertoes and corns. So if you try on a pair of shoes and they are a bit too small but they are the last pair left don't buy them! I promise you can find a more comfy pair.

2. Place foot inserts in the bottom of all shoes. This is actually a tip from LondonDiva and I learned it the hard way trying to walk NYC with 3 inch heels. Dr. Scholls is a good brand and they make several kinds of inserts. The ball of foot inserts are perfect for strappy heels. You don't have to buy a supply for every shoe you own...just simply take them out and place them in the ones you're wearing.

3. Get some Yoga Toes! For $49.95 this may be a better shoe investment than those Christian Louboutins you've been eyeing. Regular use is supposed to straighten toes and realign joints which will stave off bunions and hammertoes. And while you're wearing them you can paint your toes!

4. Have a backup pair. When wearing shoes that the ouch factor is in question I try to carry a pair of flip flops or flats just in case. You don't want to end up looking gorgeous from head to toe but limping with every step. That's what Im working on now. I need to build up my collection of sexy flats.

Fashion Sense: Shoe Storage Solution

If you're anything like me, you probably have accumulated so many pairs of shoes over the years that they are stuffed in every free corner of your room. Mine are generally stored on the closet floor, under the bed, and scattered across my bedroom floor. There has to be a better way! Reader Annieup was inspired by Kimora Lee Simmons ultra luxe in house dressing room.

Now if you don't have a whole room to devote to your ever growing collection you can do what Annie did and come up with a smaller version. Simply find a bookcase that matches your decor and start arranging. Even if you don't have a whole wall a bookcase or two will give you more closet space and keep your frequently worn shoes in easy access. Scour thrift stores for slightly worn bookcases for a vintage look. Alternatively you can use shelves on the wall but it won't give you that Kimora-esqu feel.

Finally these boots are made for walking!

It is officially fall and you know what that means......it's boot season! I have been itching to wear my new boots and now I can without looking like my feet are overheating in the 110 degree weather. Below is a question asked by one of my fabulous readers about her fall boots.

"Hey maybe you can answer this. Is there an easy way to get the tall boots off and on that do not have a zipper. I really love the ones I got but they are so hard to put on."

If you're boots are made of stiff leather they will usually have a zipper or goring (stretchy elastic panel). Boots without goring or zippers are usually made of soft leather, fabric or suede and if they are a snug fit you'll have to ease them on like socks or hosiery. Scrunch the shaft down to the bottom of the shoe as far as you can and slip your foot in. Some have tabs that you can use to pull them up with. Just make sure your hands are beauty product free so you can get a good grip. You can use a rubber band to hold down your jeans or pants if you are also trying to tuck them in. But God forbid don't cut off your circulation....we're all willing to lose a limb for fashion but not unnecessarily!