Monthly Archives: August 2008

Femme fatale

Posted on August 14, 2008 by msshoescocktails | Leave a comment

We all need something to aspire to. This Christian Louboutin python print is wicked cool. And wicked expensive. Sigh. S&C knows we have been heavy on the CL lately. We’re moving on. Grab the Perrier-Jouët.

Summer in a cup

Posted on August 13, 2008 by msshoescocktails | 1 comment

Stop what you are doing and immediately check out today’s Washington Post Food Section – the Tomato Issue. They have unveiled the winners of their annual Top Tomato Contest, and made my heart swoon. While the recipe for Bloody Mary Tomato Mousse! was not an entry in the contest (appears in The Gastronomer column), I just know it is a winner.

This beautiful layered concoction has made my heart skip a beat. I can’t think straight. I’m at a loss for words, and I have no idea what shoes I would wear with it.

Summary, recipe ingredients, and directions are here. Fresh ripe tomatoes, lemon, hot pepper sauce, vodka — all my faves. I may even add the basil oil that appears in a separate recipe. While it seems a little time intensive, I am certain it is worth it. I was going to make white wine sangria this weekend, but plans may have very well changed.

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Posted in cocktails, spirits, spring/summer cocktails, vodka

Tagged pure elegance, seen elsewhere, tomato cocktails, what shoes go with this cocktail

Star spangled

Posted on August 12, 2008 by msshoescocktails | Leave a comment

Project Runway brought us a perfectly timed Olympic design challenge. The cynic in me was initially worried that this blatant NBC-affiliated, cross-marketing contest would turn out lame, but instead, I was pleasantly surprised.

I salute the top two designs. Korto’s high-waisted, floor-skimming linen pants are perfection and define cool. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times – linen, especially white linen, is the fabric for summer. As for the shoes, I think these firey red Gucci’s are a great match. The classic design and gold crest detail represent prestige and good taste.

I also love Terri’s multi-textured ensemble. The blazer and scarf patterns combined with the tuxedo-style pants are part of a winning red, white, and blue collection. And it is one that I can’t resist pairing with the signature red soles of Christian Louboutin. These satin, strappy, peep-toe, halter slingbacks bring yet another textured element into the mix.

What should the ladies drink in these shoes? Albeit a tad unrefined, I can’t think of anything more appropriate than a classic American lager given the occasion.

Song of the summer

Posted on August 6, 2008 by msshoescocktails | 5 comments

The Drink: Watermelon Lemonade

No self-respecting cocktail enthusiast can go through the summer season without using watermelon in a delicious beverage. The bright color and watery texture are ideal components for drinks. Martinis, margaritas, sangria – you can’t go wrong with this ingredient!

The Ingredients/Recipe:

This version of Watermelon Lemonade is a Shoes & Cocktails exclusive! And, it is actually quite good minus the booze, if you want to go that route.

(Recipe makes 3-4 drinks)

Cut ½ of a small watermelon into large chunks (do yourself a favor and get a seedless melon)
Puree in a blender, then strain into a pitcher (you should have enough liquid for a 3 to 1 alcohol ratio)
Add juice of two lemons
Add 3 or 4 shots vodka, preferably Absolut Citron
Mix well, then pour over ice
Garnish with fresh basil

Modifications: I generally prefer things tart rather than sweet. If this recipe is too tart for your liking, I recommend adding more watermelon, or 1 to 2 ounces of triple sec, Cointreau, or some other form of simple syrup. You can also garnish with mint, and/or lemon or watermelon wedges. I prefer basil because it is growing outside my backdoor, and nothing beats that smell in the summer!

Bonus tip: Here’s another perfect opportunity for using flavored ice cubes. Pour watermelon puree into your ice tray and freeze.

The Occasion:

Summer is a very important time for one’s social agenda. Picnics, backyard barbeques, trips to the lake, the beach – there are endless opportunities for enjoying cocktails with friends. I say, download these summer hits to your IPod, fire up the grill, slip on any number of yellow shoes because they will perfectly accessorize the watermelon cocktail in your hand.

The Shoes: Yellow Shoes

Yellow shoes are this season’s hot item for your warm weather wardrobe. Practically every brand has its own version; there are so many choices and so many styles. I personally like my friend LC’s shown below because (a) the quilting texture is unique, (b) they are wedges (and we all know the benefits of wearing wedges for those summer outdoor activities), and (c) check out the super-cool clear wedge heel. Great find!

posted by Ms. S&C

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Posted in cocktails, exclusive, S&C categories, shoes, spirits, spring/summer cocktails, vodka

Tagged drinking during the day, flavored ice cubes, fruity cocktails, s&c exclusive, watermelon, wedges, yellow shoes

S&C alerts–fish, florals, features

Posted on August 5, 2008 by msshoescocktails | 4 comments

Here are the latest headlines on shoes, cocktails, and things related.

S&C said fish pedicures were all the rage! Even NPR has picked up on those flesh-eating skin specialists, and reported that Yvonne Salon has had over 6,000 customers try the treatment. The customers appear happy and the fish are staying well fed. They have apparently doubled in size over the past few months on the steady supply of human skin.
You heard it here — floral prints are huge! Over at Footwear News you can check out the garden party that is Spring ’09. Precious petals, rosette embellishments, vibrant colors…View the slide show of beautiful, beautiful shoes. I wish I could snag a picture of those Beverly Feldman floral-print slingbacks. Instead, get a head start on next year’s fashion-forward styles over at Endless, like these by Guess. (Note: there not paying me highlight them–I just really like their selection.)
GQ features the 20 best cocktails in America and where to go find them. It looks like you’ll need to travel to Louisville, KY, for the best Manhattan and Block Island, RI, for the best gin and tonic.

Shoes & Cocktails wants to know: I’m thinking about adding an advice column to the blog. Readers can email with questions like: “How do I justify an exorbitant price tag on the shoes I love?” -or- “I’m hosting supper club, what cocktail do I serve, that all guests would like?” -or- “And, what shoes do I wear?” What do you think? If you’d like to see it, post a comment below.

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Posted in alerts, cocktails, S&C categories, shoes

Tagged floral print shoes, latest news in cocktails, latest news in footwear, pedicures, S&C alerts, seen elsewhere

Such great heights

Posted on August 2, 2008 by msshoescocktails | 1 comment

Project Runway brings us more adventures in fashion design with the New York City nightlife inspired challenge. Also known as the I’m-not sure-the-right-person-won-or-the-right-person-went-home-and-what-the-heck-does-Sandra-Bernhard-have-to-do-with-fashion episode.

Anyway, let’s get to the designs, and more importantly, the shoe pairings! I liked Kenley’s dress and shoe pairing over in the PR photo gallery. The bright green peep-toes are a good match with her bold printed fabric. Because I’m still digging Miss Portman’s eco-friendly shoe collection, I’ll also suggest these purple beauties with the chiffon pompom. Adorable.

My favorite design was Leanne’s layered skirt. I’m not crazy about the shoe pairing in the gallery photo, so I’m offering up these replacements. You may see them again in a future post titled “shoes I can’t afford, but would die for.” If she is going to insist on wearing the large gold necklace with this outfit, how about pairing these gold Jimmy Choo’s? High shine, high style, and just plain high (with a 4 ¾ inch heel!). Or, if you want a pair of shoes more beautiful, more perfect than anything else in the entire world, go for these C hr istian Louboutin’s. These high-fashion picks deserve an equally glamorous drink. A Bellini perhaps?