Shoes & Cocktails

For the love of neutrals

Posted on February 11, 2011 by msshoescocktails | Leave a comment

The Spring Wish List has begun. And you can save the color for the tulips. A fantastic tote in taupe, an asymmetrical camo clutch. (How about these swooping asymmetry wedges from Anthropologie to go with that clutch, eh?) How awesome are the cutout wedges in spiced olive? (We’ll never get tired of wedges over here at S&C.) And for the dressier gal, Talbots (yes, Talbots) has bow platforms in dark sweet almond and criss-cross peep-toes in dark lugguge. There’s something about calm, peaceful, restful colors that sounds about right.

Kooba Sophie Tote

$295 – piperlime.gap.com

Michael Stars Asymetry Clutch

$80 – piperlime.gap.com

Avenelle cutout wedges – J.Crew

$198 – jcrew.com

posted by Ms. S&C

Wedge-Wood Love

Posted on January 26, 2011 by missmojito | 1 comment

When the sky is gray, the clouds are heavy and the air is bitter cold, I turn to a few favorite pastimes to cheer me up. Cooking a bowl of soup or burrowing in bed with a good book come to mind. So, too, does a hobby nearer-and-dearer to our hearts here at S&C: spring shoe gazing.

I simply can’t get my mind off of warm weather shoes, and a certain style in particular: wedge sandals with chunky wooden heels are calling my name in the worst way possible. I can already feel my bank account shivering in fear over my future acquisitions.

Here are a few of my faves, in varying price points. I’m loving the bows, the cut-outs, the scroll-work heel and the neutral shades in these five dreamy pairs. Which shoe is your personal pick?

Diane von Furstenberg Opal leather wedge sandals
$295 – net-a-porter.com
High heel sandals »

Women’s Fashion Shoes – Trendy Shoes for Women, Teens | Lulus.com
$188 – lulus.com
Wedge heel shoes »

The Ingenue Wedge | Mod Retro Vintage Wedges | ModCloth.com
$145 – modcloth.com
Vintage style shoes »

Restricted Bentley
$89 – piperlime.gap.com
Peep toe boots »

Messeca Cecilia
$169 – piperlime.gap.com

Posted by Miss Mojito.

1 Comment

Posted in shoes

Tagged wedge heels, wood heels

Three things: tall boots, beer cocktails, yoga

Posted on January 24, 2011 by msshoescocktails | 1 comment

Here’s what’s on the mind of Ms. S&C at the moment.

(1) Tall Boots

Ms. S&C is in love with these Franco Sarto boots. The soft leather, the detail around the outer zipper, the buckles, the rubber outsole — and, they are comfortable! Tall boots are nothing new, but Ms. S&C happily spent the whole weekend wearing these shoes (and she would wear them again tomorrow if she could). PS: she bought the cuoio calf color (reminds her of caramel) and looks great with burnt orange tights, jeans and black leggings (yes, that was the weekend wardrobe).

(2) Beer Cocktails

Ms. S&C can’t stop thinking about the honey beer cocktail she had at JoeDoe’s in New York a few weeks ago. Made with Dale’s Pale Ale, gin, lemon juice and delicious, delicious salted honey that dribbled down the side of the glass. It was so tasty and so refreshing, she can’t wait to recreate this beer cocktail at home. Ms. S&C also loves the idea of beer cocktails so much that it will likely be the signature cocktail for her ninth annual (yes, ninth) Super Bowl party. (By the way, discovery of this cocktail came courtesy of Frank Bruni’s excellent Tipsy Diaries column in The New York Times.)

(3) Yoga

Now, for the unrelated segment: Ms. S&C likes yoga. She likes it so much, she almost wants to rename the blog: Shoes, Cocktails and Yoga. (Not really, but it is important to her.) She doesn’t think of herself as a purist when it comes to her practice, but she respects tradition and history. She also appreciates that yoga has evolved, and that yoga *can* evolve. That’s why she doesn’t hate this Tara Stiles person. (I’ll admit: at first, I wanted to hate everything she stood for.) For more on Tara Stiles and yoga, this blog post by YogaDork is worth a read.

The three things blog posts give Ms. S&C an opportunity to share a combination of shoe and cocktail-related finds, along with something else. That something else usually includes music or yoga.

posted by Ms. S&C

1 Comment

Posted in beer, cocktails, shoes, three things

Tagged beer, beer cocktails, boots, S&C three things

History repeats itself

Posted on January 7, 2011 by msshoescocktails | 1 comment

This time last year (January 8, 2010, to be exact), Ms. S&C wrote this blog post. It started with:

Ms. S&C has been busy, busy, busy getting ready for her biggest work event of the year. It is one of those all-consuming — yet somewhat exhilarating — work periods. I’m reminding myself about work things in the shower. I’m thinking about new ideas walking home from work. I’m working late. And working more means blogging less.

It closed with:

P.S. It is New York City I’m going to. Even for work, even when it’s cold, New York City is New York City, and it’s something to look forward to.

Um, so, this is *exactly* what Ms. S&C would write today, one year later. It is that time of year when things (meaning work-work things) take over.

But, because Ms. S&C is headed to New York City, and because she has the greatest friends on earth, she is reminded that she should take some time to enjoy herself. By doing what exactly? Trying a few new cocktails.

Proof that she has the greatest friends on earth? Proof that she is going to enjoy herself? She was sent this email today:

Hi! I know you must be prepping like crazy for your conference so I thought you’d appreciate this: Frank Bruni’s top 3 cocktails from last year, and where to get them. Seems like you will have earned one (or three) of these by the time you’re there this month. Let me know how they are if you get to try them. xo

Ms. S&C responded and cc’ed another friend, who lives in NYC, asking her friend if she will go to *one* of these places with her.

Her friend’s response:

Um, how do I even take that question seriously? Let’s meet at ma peche on Monday after work (it is right near my office), then we’ll go down to The John Dory for dinner after that. Tomorrow night we’ll have a night cap in the east village at Joe Doe (or maybe even eat there)?

If you’re interested in keeping up with Ms. S&C’s adventures, follow her on Twitter or join the S&C Facebook page. Things happen over there a little more regularly these days.

PS) History does repeat itself. Ms. S&C bought another pair of black flats for the occasion. And, fashionable flats are still hard to come by.

posted by Ms. S&C

1 Comment

Posted in cocktail-related

Tagged friends, good cocktails in NYC

Highs & Lows: Looking Back at 2010

Posted on December 30, 2010 by missmojito | 1 comment

The Atlantic Food Channel’s Derek Brown recently recapped his favorite cocktail experiences of 2010, inspiring Miss Mojito to do some year-end reminiscing of her own. Here’s a quick look at the highs and lows of shoes and cocktails in this fine year.

Best Cocktail Experience
This one is definitely a two-parter. Mixing cocktails in our very own storefront hotel in Staunton was certainly the most festive experience. But my favorite flavor profile might just be the Sparkling Campari Cocktail.

Biggest Cocktail Fail
Without a doubt, my attempts at making gin & soda into a palatable cocktail were my biggest fail of the year. In a desperate attempt to cut calories, I also cut flavor and any sophistication factor by ordering that mockery of a cocktail.

Number-One Shoe Purchase
This one’s almost too easy. These gray suede slingback mule clogs from Banana Republic still cause my heart to flutter whenever I spy them sitting on my shoe shelf.

Shoe Regret
I’m not one to linger on regrets, but it’s hard to put the shoe past behind you when your ankles still bear the scar left by the strap of these gladiator sandals from Urban Outfitters. And to think, I bought them for the comfy factor!

I had to retire these gladiators, center, after just one wear!

Care to share your favorite – or, perhaps, most unfortunate – shoe and cocktail picks of 2010? Share away in the comments section.

1 Comment

Posted in shoes

Tagged 2010, shoes and cocktails

Holiday party fashion

Posted on December 16, 2010 by msshoescocktails | 2 comments

Everyone is starting to get in the holiday spirit. Miss Mojito is filled with festiveness. Ms. S&C is on her way. But she’s making a quick stop in holiday party wonderland for a little bit, okay? She is going to pretend that against a backdrop of twinkling white lights and bright red poinsettias, she will be drinking a glass of sparkling wine and wearing this outfit.

The little black dress is Nanette Lepore‘s sleek and sophisticated little number, made a little bit sexy with those strappy back cutouts.

The clutch, found at Nordstrom, is an artful display of woven ribbons that compliment those strappy back cutouts on the dress quite nicely.

And the shoes — no one does holiday party shoes better — are Kate Spade‘s new york ‘guest’ slingbacks. That beautiful red bow adds a bright and cheery splash to the satin slingback.

An imaginary land full of wonders, don’t you think?

posted by Ms. S&C

2 Comments

Posted in shoes

Tagged holidays, kate spade, S&C outfits, S&C wish list

Dear Mr. Louboutin

Posted on December 3, 2010 by msshoescocktails | Leave a comment

Dear Mr. Louboutin,

I know you were just named Footwear News Person of the Year. I know you are a force to be reckoned with. I know you don’t need more people telling you how awesome you are. But you’re awesome. Your shoes are innovative, and glamorous, and edgy, and classic and original.

And this comment makes me like you even more “…my goal has always been to design pretty shoes and to see them on people who like them.”

And my goal is to see myself in these pretty glittery round toe pumps. They are something out of a fairy tale, wouldn’t you say?

Happy Holidays,

Ms. S&C

Healthy Sips

Posted on November 30, 2010 by missmojito | 3 comments

These next few weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be taxing on a girl’s schedule, emotions and waistline. While I’m coming up empty on helpful advice for the former two, I’ve spent a bit of time brainstorming on solutions to the latter: How can we translate healthy eating principles to the cocktail world?

The most obvious change to make is the least fun: fewer drinks! But when it’s time to socialize and cocktails are in order, I need to be prepared.

So what’s the best way to balance (relative) healthiness and flavor in a cocktail? Here are a few tips I’ve discovered – some of them are super obvious, others are a bit more creative, but all will put a healthier spin on your cocktail indulgences.

Use good liquor: Using high-quality liquor means you can usually go lighter on the mixer, or just add calorie-free soda water or water to let the flavor shine through. And Sister Mojito is teaching me to like scotch & soda, the perfect waist-friendly winter cocktail.
Make friends with citrus: A squeeze of lime or lemon
Sparkling wine with pomegranate seeds & juice? Yes, please!

can add tons of flavor while adding far fewer calories than other mixers.
Add instead of take away: I like to take advantage of a few mixers that add a healthy boost to my drink. Pomegranate juice for antioxidants, for example, or grapefruit juice for a smidge of vitamin C.
When it doubt, make it bubble: A bit of club soda added to white wine can stretch the drink into a refreshing spritzer without adding calories. And some bubbly champagne on its own rings in at a cool 75 calories.
Make friends with agave: This sweet nectar is a great alternative to simple syrup, and packs fewer calories.
Don’t take things too far: I tried to switch out my standard gin & tonic for a gin & soda. Bad idea.

Just because I’m relying on these simple tips doesn’t mean I’ll turn up my nose at a well-made margarita or mojito! But during the busy holiday season, it’s nice to have a few lighter options up my sleeve.

Miss Mojito wants to know: Do you have any tips for upping the health-factor in your drinks and cocktails? What’s your beverage of choice when you’re trying to be a bit calorie conscious?

3 Comments

Posted in cocktails

Tagged agave nectar, champagne goes with everything, pomegranate, to your health