Knockoff Ninja #16 - Giuseppe Zanotti Swarovski and Spike Heelless Wedges

Giuseppe Zanotti Spiked Sculptural Wedges in Black available at Luisaviaroma ($3,025.00)

Spiked Heelless Platforms in Black available at Go Jane ($51.70)

While they aren't even in the same shoe genre, these wedges are no doubt inspired by the Giuseppe Zanotti swarovski and spike-encrusted heelless wedge bootie. No sh*t, I gasped when I saw these pop up on Go Jane. Adding them near the top of my ever-growing shoe shopping list :D

Go Jane is also giving away a pair! Check out their Facebook page!

Privileged "Solemate" Test Drive/Review

Striped dolman: Kohl's Jeans: Ross Wedges:  c/o YCMC.com

Now, I'm by no means any sort of photographer, but I knew I had to build an outfit around these insane, massive heelless shoes (my first pair!!!) and document it for the world. I had some downtime during Jade's nap on Monday, so I figured I'd take advantage of my Gramma's fancypants front porch during a rare overcast afternoon.

Peep-toe with exposed wood platform detail (please excuse my pedicure).

This is my favorite sweater, ever. Evereverever.

So, these shoes are nuts. They most definitely take some getting used to. As I understand it, the wedge on these is a lot narrower lengthwise than the usual heelless shoes. If you compare them to the shoe these are inspired by, the Jeffrey Campbell "Rockstar", you'll see how the bottom of the sculpted wedge on that particular shoe flares to the back a bit more, meaning there's more overall surface area to the sole. That being said, for the first little while you wear these, you are hyper-aware of the fact that there's no heel and walk a little funny to compensate, but once you realize they're totally stable, you'll ease off a bit. Just don't put too much weight on your heels, for the love of god! Other than that, these are surprisingly lightweight, true to size and pretty darn comfortable, considering just how high the arch is. I can't wait to take these for a spin at my local gay bar, haha!

SPECS

• Platform: 2 inches
• "Heel" height: 6.5 inches
• Fit: true to size
• Man-made materials

Most retailers have been out of the popular sizes in this shoe for months, but YCMC has a considerable amount left in black, coral, and taupe here. Best of all, they're on sale AND you can take 15% off with the code BYTHETHROAT! Woooo!

Music Monday #40 - Offspring

This has been my official theme song since before I could even drive :P Blast it in your car. Just do it.

Bre's Week In Links/Instagrams 9-7-12

"You have reached the end of the internet." aka the funniest meme I have ever seen, hands down.

This week's edition is gonna have to span the last two weeks, since I missed last Friday's post! Bahhh! Oh well, MUCH has occurred, and it will be at least slightly entertaining!

 Marie is at it again with one of her hilarious '90s movie recaps, this time it's SHOWGIRLS XD

 ANDY WARHOL CAMPBELL'S SOUP CANS AVAILABLE AT TARGET OMFG GIMME

 This so-simple-I'd-never-think-of-it-myself trick for applying mascara to lower lashes is on my to-do list!

 Kaelah got an amazing Clueless-inspired tattoo! AHHHHHH I was so planning one, too!

Bonnie's students are apparently daft. These headlines made me lol.

 This lady is so me when I'm 50.

Molly hits the nail on the head with her rant about her fashion identity crisis. I'm pretty similar in that I can never keep to any one "theme" in my wardrobe (well, besides giant shoes and black and white stripes...). I've always kinda blamed it on my perpetually shifting moods. Let's just say we're being "versatile" :D

 These Virgin Mary statuettes are SO GREAT!

The sale Solestruck is currently running is KILLING ME. Officially ends tonight!!! I'm gonna crouch in a corner and cry because I am STILL too broke for 40% off </3

Jade and I were derps.

I went as Hipster Ariel (aka "Helvetica") to Stef's Alternate Universe Disney themed birthday party...

You can see my whole getup off to the side here. Just hangin' out, bein' where the PBR.

Me and a Chev. We were the same height that night, but in my drunkenness I kept crouching like an idiot when it came time to do the angry Hipster Ariel pose :/

ERMAHGERD, SLERR BERRS AT SHOWBOX SODOOOOOO! Loudest. Set. EVER.

...and REFUSED!

XD

Terry and I went out to Tony V's for some early birthday dranks.

Took Jade to a park we'd never been to, even though we passed it nearly every day for months.

Obligatory nonsense photo of landscape being interrupted by extremities.

FINALLY got the JC "Rockstar" knockoffs I've been drooling over for forever! These are the Privileged "Solemate". Look out for an in-depth review next week! 

Got both of these pairs in a Ross haul for less than 30 bucks! Penny Loves Kenny = highest heels EVAR!

That's it for this week! Much to come next week!

Knockoff Ninja #15 - Jeffrey Campbell "Lita Spike"

Jeffrey Campbell "Lita Spike" in White available at Solestruck ($135.96), Urban Outfitters ($195.00)

Vintage "Francheska-03s" and "Francheska-07" in White available at UrbanOG ($30.20), Make Me Chic ($40.00), AMI Clubwear ($44.99), Zoo Shoo ($50.00)

Note: "03s" spikes and studs are more sparse, whereas the "07" are placed closer together like the original Lita Spike.

No white shoes after Labor Day? Pffftt. These are pretty decent! The only thing that has ever deterred me from the Francheskas has been the lack of curve where the arch meets the platform and the severe downward angle of the boot opening. I'm not sure I'm so picky anymore, seeing as how I've been actively seeking a pair in my size in the plain black (not the snakeskin) for what seems like weeks. Once I uncover those babies, let me tell you, they are MINE! (EDIT: Found 'em at ZooShoo ($52.00) and Boutique To You ($21.99), if you wanna snatch 'em up, too! <3)

What say you?

UPDATE 9/20: I finally got my filthy hands on a pair of the 07s in black leatherette and I can't say enough good things about the quality! However, they run small, so I definitely recommend ordering a half size up ;)

UPDATE 10/20/12: For the moment, I removed the links to DWD Shoes and cannot in good conscience recommend that anyone order from the site, at least during this move they're going through. I initially had a good experience, but it wasn't until I had to return a pair of boots for a size up that I started to run into a lot of trouble. A friend has also been having the same issue, but with a MUCH larger order, so please either order with caution (you've been warned!) or wait until this move is all sorted out. Thanks, and I'm so sorry if you ordered and are having trouble after I sent you here :c

UPDATE 10/25/12: I am no longer receiving responses when I inquire about my exchange. Please do not order from DWD Shoes/Discount Womens Dress Shoes!

UPDATE 11/8/12: I just got my replacement boots today, after almost two months of waiting (read about that experience in full here). I requested a half size up since the original pair seemed to run small. Here's what I can say about the fit; not so good if you have wider feet. Mine are slightly wide, but the toe box is tiny and squeezes the bejesus out of my toes, and turns into the vamp at an awful angle. Also, the overall angle is bad. Have you ever put on a pair of heels and felt like you couldn't help but tilt forward? That's what these do, not to mention my ankles pop horribly when I walk in them. These boots are SO GORGEOUS, but I'm telling you, they may end up on my shelf as nothing more than eye candy, which breaks my heart (especially considering how long I've waited for them!). Hopefully they'll become more comfy once I break them in a bit, but it seems to be more of a structural issue than anything, so I'm not 100% on that. If you have narrow feet, you may have a different experience. Please don't let this deter you from buying other shoes from the brand "Vintage" or "I <3 U"! This isn't a normal case!

Shoes-day Tuesday #32 - Studs & Spikes

1. Spike Heel in Nude $28.10
2. Spiked Snakeskin Platform in Pink $35.20
3. Alba "Celine" in Sea Green $67.90
4. Jeffrey Campbell "Zoink" in Black $141.95
5. Shoe Republic LA "Terza" in Black $49.99
6. Jeffrey Campbell "Shadow Spike" in Rose Gold $255.00

The spiked trend is admittedly getting a bit tired to most of us lately, but UGGGHHHHH how 'bout those green heelless beauties?! We've also got ourselves a spiked version of Shoe Republic LA's "Step" bootie that I reference all the time, the "Terza", which you can take 15% off of at YCMC with the code BYTHETHROAT :D Think of it as a birthday gift from me, haha!

It's my actual birthday today! It looks like I'll be hanging out with Jade and the fam and maaaayyyybe I'll see the U-District crew later :D It's been a fun birthday week so far, hoping for more good times!

Music Monday #39 - Queens of the Stone Age

Best. Song.