I’m very picky when it comes to my shoes - that’s why I don’t own many pairs. This past weekend, however, I decided to go on a mission for a pair of ballet flats (I’ve never owned any, do you believe it?!) and discovered a designer that manufactures shoes in exactly my style: Sam Edelman. I picked up tons of shoes to try on and the majority of them were made by this 5-year old company that I wish I’d discovered earlier. I not only found ballet flats, I also snagged some ankle strap sandals and some grey vintagey t-strap heels!

Shown above (L-R): Ilsa Round-toe Flats,  Gracie Ankle Tie Thong Sandal, Oceana Sandal, Sahara Sandal.

Sam Edelman somehow finds the perfect balance when combining glam details (metallics, bright colors, ankle straps, studs, bows, snakeskin) with natural accents (wooden buckles, button ornaments, stones, embroidery) on shoes that are actually COMFORTABLE. I’m such a fan of this style-merging technique because shoes that can dress an outfit up and down give their wearer the most bang for her buck. You’re going to love these shoes if you don’t already. Check out my top Sam Edelman picks here.

SHOP SHORT DRESSES HERE.
SHOP LONG DRESSES HERE.

It’s prom time and I cannot be more jealous of high schoolers! Everyone knows the dress is the most important part of prom and I unfortunately abhorred both of mine. I wish I could go back and do it again with the amazing selection of dresses that have come out this year. (Though I’m tads concerned with the maturity of these garments that are meant to be worn by 17 year old girls. I’m pretty sure my dad wouldn’t have let me out of the house wearing some of these styles! . . .Basically, they’re hot.) It seems as though the long, sequined, brightly colored dresses have made a comeback in 2009, but this year, they’re backless, low-cut, and supes slinky. Check out some hot Long Prom Dresses that stood out from the bunch.

Shown (above from L to R): Terani Prom Dress 1599, Faviana Prom Dress 6231, Sexy Evening Gown by Faviana 6304.

Short dresses are just as hot. Prom’s your night to shine, so I say go big with a sequined dress. I’ve selected some Short Prom Dresses that I would’ve loved to rock at my prom back in ‘02.

Shown (above from L to R): Unique Short Prom Dress, Alyce 6364 Pageant Gown, and Jovani 10740 Prom Dress.

Some other potential prom dresses could be found in a few of my previous buyer’s guides on Kazowie. Take a look: Hourglass Dresses, Watercolor Dresses, & Metallic Dresses.

Gold is my new passion when it comes to flashin’ fashion. And I’m not talking about the 24 carat kind. I’m talking the shiny, reflective, metallic variety. Why I have not yet purchased a gold lame’ bikini is beyond me.

It really is better late than never, though, as there are now so many contempo designers flashing back their clothing, shoe, bag, and jewelry lines to gold’s glory days of gaudiness. The result is flashy, yet somehow classy. I love 2009! Anything goes! And I say go for the gold. Sexy gaudy gold, that is.

Seen here: Marc Jacobs Quilted Metallic Leather Stam Satchel, American Apparel Shiny Legging, American Apparel The Shiny Sash, Just Cavalli Just Joy Logo Ring, and Louis Vuitton Graphic Wedge Sandal.

See tons of my favorite sexy gaudy jewelry too! So hot! Trust me, you want to see this.

Fashion week, 2009 has come to an end and among all of the fabulous people, red carpets and glamour, there was a lot to be seen- including Barbie’s First Ever Runway Show! But as we all know, not everything actually makes it past the runway. I’ve created a compilation of what I think will actually show up on real people this fall. I’ll be curious to see which of my predictions make it this fall.

Feathers-Not everyone is going to be wearing the full-on pheasant feather hat, but there will be a whole lot of feathery and bird inspired fashion happening.  I’m thinking lots of feather headbands.

+

Chunky Jewelry paired with more feminine pieces.

+

High-Waisted Skirts have slowly been making their way back into fashion for the past couple of seasons. I’m pretty sure this look is going to fall into most girls’ closets by September.

+

Streamlined Cut Out shapes are going to be all over the place in tops, pants, dresses. You name it.

+

Metallics are going to be huge in purses, shoes and accent colors.  I noticed that almost every designer had a shiny metallic dress or evening gown.  Which makes sense because historically, metallics have been a staple in hard times. We still want to shine.

+

Jeans Tucked into Boots- This is one of my favorite looks that was all over the runway. This look is here to stay for a long, long time.

+

Asymmetric Hems The asymmetric hem kind of comes and goes and comes and goes. They reminds me of my favorite skirt from the 80’s made by UNITS.  The hem line started at mid-thigh on one side and then was bias-cut all the way to mid-calf.  It was really cool at the time.

When I read that Prada and Marc Jacobs incorporated metallic into their Spring 2009 lines, I immediately thought, ‘didn’t the metallic trend already come and go?’ When I saw that the designers mixed metallics with bright colors and sequins, however, I quickly changed my mind. Metallic’s in. And I actually like it! The complete opposite of pastels, metallics are a fresh new take on the bright colors of the season. It works for me. What do you think about metallics in Spring? Check out my Metallic Dresses, Purses, and Shoes shopper’s guides on Kazowie and leave a comment below!!