Posted by kim on March 10, 2010
Gabriella is a brown satin multi-strapped sandal highlighted by a variety of colorful studs. It features a satin upper, Kid Skin suede leather sole and lining, MS Signature, MS Signature comfort padding and a 4 inch heel. Handmade in Brazil.
Michael Brown, new and emerging shoe designer from Virginia, sent me a pair of Monticello Gabriella sandals, one of 37 new designs from the 2010 Monticello Shoes Spring / Summer collection to wear and review. I even got a sneak peek of Gabriella while she was in still in the sketch stages…
I must admit the sketch doesn’t do this studded strappy sandal justice. This style is gorgeous! And even more gorgeous in person! Gabriella arrived in a cool flip-up shoebox (definitely a keeper in my closet) wrapped in custom tissue paper and included a velvet shoe bag. I was in love before I even tried them on!
In fact, my sister was here when I opened them, and said she wants these for her bridesmaids to wear when she gets married as she’s always dreamed of a “brown” wedding. Of course, she needs to find a boyfriend first.
Monticello shoes only come in whole sizes (I’m usually a size 7.5), so I requested a size 8 and albeit a bit big, they fit well and are true to size. The swooping strap always makes feet appear smaller, so I’d definitely recommend for those with larger feet. The heel height is closer to 5″ than the advertised 4″, so I had to get used to wearing such high of heel. I stretched some calf muscles I never even knew I had while wearing these! At least I’ll have plenty of time to get used to them before my sister’s wedding!
My guess is that celebrities will be knocking at Michael Brown’s door once they hear word of the Monticello collection. And I can say I wore them first!
Posted by kim on March 9, 2010
Deckers Outdoor Corporation recently offered me the opportunity to wear and review their new Tsubo Hepti in Dark Chocolate Suede / Terracota. I was a bit leery of liking them at first, but after wearing them awhile, I love them!
They originally sent me a size 7.5 – my normal shoe size. Sometimes I need an 8 if the shoe runs small. Well, I couldn’t even get my foot into the size 7.5, either could my size 7 daughter. So I returned them asked for a size 8.5. I was disappointed at first that we were still too tight around my midfoot, yet loose around the ankle. But I decided to keep wearing them to give them the benefit of the doubt. Well, the suede stretched and is no longer tight. I’m presuming now that a size 8 would have been perfect for me after stretching. But I’ll continue to wear thicker stockings.
Every time I’ve wore these with the same color brown socks and dark jeans, and I have gotten a lot of good feedback on the looks of them. I think they would also look cute with cream tights and a long plaid skirt. Pics of me in them will follow in our next His & Hers shoe edition.
My shoe notes:
- The pleated seams (almost looks like piping) on the heels is a unique trait as I like to be “different”.
- I love the colored traction grippers on the soles, not only for the looks of them, but we have a lot of icy patches here in the Midwest right now!
- The open triangular front factors in a sexy appeal – in fact Tsubo’s website calls it an “oh yes” deep-v.
- Available in Black Suede/Gun Metal, Dark Chocolate/Terracota, and/or Fatigue/Dirty Lime.
- Currently on Sale at Zappos.com for $104 with Free Shipping! Regularly $145.
- I recommend ordering a half-size larger than normal.
- Keep in mind they will stretch if too tight at first.
Founded in 1997 and acquired by Deckers in 2008, Tsubo is a progressive, design-driven company that fuses metropolitan style with ergonomic design, ensuring that you will never sacrifice style for comfortm, or vice versa. Read more on Tsubo.com.
Posted by kim on January 22, 2010
When I went shopping last week, I didn’t have time to scope through all the shoes on sale at Maurices. But yesterday I did! And I came away with these Donut Gladiator Sandals for $5.50 (originally $26) and these Tyra stretch croco boots for $9.99 (originally $39).
The sandals remind of a pair of “Yo-Yo’s” I had back in junior high school! And what’s even more ironic is that I recently received this email from Samme:
Hi, Just how old are you!! 
Do you remember Yo Yo shoes in the mid 1970s?(shoes with holes in the heels) I’ve not seen or heard of them since. I did a search for Yo Yo’s a few years ago and just came up with some expensive designer brand (no holes!) Thanks for your reply. Love the site. Found source for knockoff Uggs for my toddler!
Well, I’ve been 29 for quite a few years now. I think it was the early 80’s when I had my Yo-Yo’s. Steve Madden makes a similar style with their Champyun sandals…
- A retro-chic sandal done on a sculptural wooden platform.
- Leather upper.
- Lightly padded insole.
- Wood platform with donut hole wedge.
- Rubber sole.
- On sale for $41.40 from 6pm.com (originally $79.95)
And these Madden Girl Women’s Lamontt Donut Hole Wedge Sandals (on sale for $51.30 from Amazon)…
Anyone else know of some cool sandals with “holes in the heels”?
