Nokkoff

MOVED!

2005-03-10T12:18:00.001-07:00

This blog has moved to SkoochieLook!

MOVED!

2005-03-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

This blog has moved to SkoochieLook and TypePad which is infinitely cooler than Blogger. (Sorry Blogger.)

Wisdom of the Manolo

2005-01-25T16:58:00.000-07:00

Manolo says, the true radical in the serious well-cut, well-tailored clothes is the one whose thoughts, talents, and actions will change the world. The attention-seeking adolescent in the motley clothes of the fool, this person is merely the comedic sideshow.

Manolo is so wise!

Foxie - Steve Madden

2005-01-24T19:19:00.000-07:00

$120 to make your legs look like unkempt palm trees!

Golden Globes

2005-01-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

	Johnny's looking good. Sometimes the kooky look doesn't work for him, but I think he looks stunning here - formal, but different from everyone else - you can TELL he's Johnny Depp.
	I'm not really a huge fan of Scarlett Johansson, but she looked amazing. Very classic movie star in a good way, not a Christina way...
	I love Halle Berry, and I love the dress, but what's with the unfortunate arm poodge?
	Who the hell are you? And why are you dressed like Shirley Temple-turned-widowed-hooker?
	I don't think she's terribly attractive with her hair down, for some reason, but when it's pulled back she's just breathtaking! And that shiny color really works for her too.
	I have a feeling this is a housewife. Whoever she is, she is working that dress!
	I like the top, but then she just gets eaten up!
	Oh Nicole! OH! Without a doubt, the most amazing gorgeous person at the Golden Globes. That color is just fantastic with her hair and eyes and skin.

Spring Shoes!

2005-01-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

Also available in black, but I love the green. Green is my favorite color, so these would go far in my wardrobe. I love the cut-outs on the toe.

This is a fun looking shoe. I can imagine it being very comfy (though I could be very wrong). It's clunkier than I would like for office work, but I think it would be great for going out to a bar with your sweetie or meeting someone for coffee on the weekends.

Not really a spring shoe, but on sale for $20 - maybe worth trying for those days when you have to go to work, but don't feel like sacrificing any comfort for looking good.

Oooh tweed. On sale for $28. Pretty!

I've been eyeing these for a while, and now they're reduced to $29.99. Oh the herringbone!

WHAT is going on here? Is it menswear-inspired? Is it girly? Is it a cow? Make up your mind!

Black Pump Update.

2005-01-05T22:04:00.000-07:00

Alas, the Gabriella Rocha pumps I ordered from Zappos arrived, and they were everything they dreamed I'd be - very cute, very comfy - and more. More - they are VERY SLIPPERY. I was sliding all over my bedroom. That just wouldn't doo. Alas.

So, in my grief, I rebounded into the arms... uppers... of:

Oh how gorgeous. And suede, which I meant to avoid. And with an equally smooth looking sole, which I meant to avoid. But... but I'm in love!!! They just beg to be worn with a pencil skirt, and a silky blouse, and with my hair put up sexily with just a strand brushing my librarian glasses...

Shoes and... and... this thing.

2004-12-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

For all your... well, I'm not sure what needs this Medusa Helmet would fill, but it sure is something to look at. Note that even for $500, it is not guaranteed to turn your enemies to stone. Thanks to Phroomis for finding that one.

*****

I ended up buying this Gabriella Rocha, that Zappos very kindly informed me was once again available in my size. (Good with information management, Zappos, yes, not like SOME online stores we could mention.)

Pretty... Not the simple pump I wanted, but I'll keep looking. For now, this will be a fun work shoe. Several of the reviewers mentioned dancing in it, so I should be able to handle 8 or 9 hours of it in an office.

Aerosoles Broke My Heart

2004-12-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Aerosoles,

I am writing about order #1330510014068. I placed the order on December 22, and today, a week later, the order status page still said the order was "being processed." I called your customer service line and was informed by a very unprofessional representative "Uh, those are actually sold out. I guess they must have skipped you on the list 'cuz I know they were calling people." She offered no apology, no alternatives, nothing, except to explain that "Yeah, for some strange reason, it says being processed when it's sold out."

This is completely unacceptable. In the digital era, there is no excuse for a database giving customers inaccurate information. There is no excuse for neglecting to notify a customer that her order will never be filled. You could have at least sent an email.

I will never again be able to trust Aerosoles.com with my business, and I will inform the readers of my website of this incompetence.

Sincerely,

Kelly H.

Am I too bitchy? Perhaps. But it makes me very upset that, with the correct information, I could've ordered those same shoes from Zappos last week. But now Zappos is sold out. It's all about the information, people!

Coach for Spring!

2004-12-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

Oh goodness. The new Coach Spots collection is just too cute for words. So I give you pictures!

JCrew Peacoat

2004-12-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

Here is the peacoat I bought in the city before I became deathly ill with this eustachian-tube-chomping, tonsil-engorging virus.

Pretty pretty. I got the Thinsulate lining, and it hits a little lower than most peacoats; it pretty much covers my butt. This is really only the second real coat I have (not counting the god-awful pink parka I bought 10 years ago and worn twice in 6 years) because Arizona doesn't exactly have weather. I also have a long belted overcoat, very warm, very formal. I don't wear it much either, but it's nice to have. Next coat I buy should be a parka, but I won't need it until next winter (moving! hopefully!) so I'll hold off on that.

But -- peacoat! Lovely!

***

Ahem. Of course, holding off on buying a parka doesn't mean I'm not going to windowshop furiously for one. I would probably go for an LL Bean Warm-Up Parka.

$149, but I'll keep an eye on it to see if it goes on sale in January (actually, it's on sale now, but only in x-small lilac - ew!). Water-proof, Polartec/Thinsulate (I don't like down, it's so bulky), good for temperatures down to -25F. And since I have the metabolism from hell, that's like 0F for me. ^_^

*****

LLBean has this quilted, reversable down coat $90. Hmmm. It's not as warm (10F). But it's longer, sleeker. Much prettier. And yet... thinking of where I might move... I should probably invest in the warmer coat.

*****

Belted Down Parka from Land's End (no picture in black). Now, Land's End used to have ugly, but high-quality clothing. Since they were bought by Sear's, however.... not so much. Still, if all you're looking for is a warm coat, how can you go wrong? This is $70, rather poofy, and I'm not sure I like the belt - it might just add to the poof factor. It's good for -15 to -35 F, though. And the fur trim is detachable.

*****

This Land's End Down Chalet Coat is $100, but it's good for -20 to -40F. That might just be TOO warm! It's nice and long, (maybe too long?) and looks nicer than the poofy one. I'm going to have to ask my Frozen Wasteland friends (e.g., north of Mason-Dixon) what they recommend.

Fetish Ann Coulter?

2004-12-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

Please note that I am very sick AND on holiday, which means I have the right to post fifty times a day if I feel like it.

WHO TAUGHT THAT WOMAN HOW TO DRESS? It must really be true that she's "not a feminist, not a lesbian" as her tour posters proclaim, because no self-respecting feminist or lesbian would walk around DC looking like a middle-aged hooker. Although it's comforting to know that someone has worse chicken-legs than I do...

EDIT: Is that vinyl? It IS! It IS vinyl!

Uncommon Goods

2004-12-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

It's my first non-clothing post! Uncommon Goods is one of my favorite online stores of all time. So many of their things are truly super-fantastic, as Manolo says.

It's susch a fun store, I have no problem periodically going through every section and looking at every item.

More bags!

2004-12-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

This is very complicated-looking, but awesome.

*****

Oh how I love The Sak. It comes with a mini-photo album and a heart-shaped mirror! How cute is that! A bit on the small size though - 9.5 x 5. I want to be able to fit something 8.5 x 5.5.

*****

This might be It. They don't have a photo of this Sak Body Bag in black, but it's supposedly 10.5 x 2.5 x 11 - should be room to fit most textbooks, magazines, notebooks, planners, etc. It snaps closed. I can put buttons on it. $62 is a wee bit more than I wanted to pay, but I'm going to try to find it at Robinsons-May or Dillards next week and hopefully catch it on sale.

*****

Speaking of buttons, here are 16 that I bought on eBay the other night for just about $0.51 each. Wicked (because Elphie is my hero), Willy Wonka (because the Wonkatania is the most brilliant scene in cinematic history), Strawberry Shortcake (just because!), and feminist buttons (Don't assume I cook. Because, I really truly don't).

The Perfect Black Bag!

2004-12-22T17:35:00.000-07:00

First of all, some news: Nine West is having a boot sale, so check it out. They have these adorable hot pink rubbers for $14.99:

I'm tempted to buy them even though I live in frelling Arizona.

***

Down to business. GUESS WHAT GUYS. Now that I've purchased the perfect black pump, I need the perfect black bag to go with it. Yes, I have a black purse, but it's seen better days, and it has a very inconvenient flap. I'd like a clasp or zip-top. The search is on!

***

This black doctor's bag is about the right size (13x8, big enough for me to fit my planner into), but it's a little on the boring side.

***

12x6, also about the right size. $52. It still doesn't excite me, though.

***

This messenger bag, $70, is larger than I need at the moment (12.5x10). However, I'm trying to go back to school next fall, and this would be a snazzy alternative to my current red, beat-up ASU backpack.

***

This purse isn't at all what I'm looking for, but it makes me feel happy.

***

This adorable tote could be a nifty alternative to a messenger bag. $55, 15x12.

***

This perky holiday Sak is on sale... although you wouldn't really be able to use it until next year.

***

This messenger Sak is not as cute as the Nine West messenger bag, but it's also only $45. It is perhaps a little less delicate, as well.

***

No! NO! Make it go away!

***

I think this is a terribly cute messenger bag... but I'm torn, because of the kangaroos. Are they really cute? Or am I kidding myself?

***

An airline bag. Now that's an idea. It's 11x7x14, and completely unattractive, but it's so... my friend Laura would say, nifty. It has little metal feet on the bottom so it won't get dirty from airport floors! I will definitely have to remember this little bag when I move out of Arizona and out of driving distance of the family.

***

Here's a casual Sak messenger bag. 13x4x10.50, $60.

***

Hmmm. I have much to consider. I didn't start off wanting a messenger bag, but now I do! Of course, the benefit of non-leather messenger bags is that you can stick pins on them and look very Cool and Emo! ... well, you can look very emo, at least.

Endless Black Pumps

2004-12-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

Alas, my feet may be smallish for my height but they're very, very average for women in general, and thus all my first and second and third choice pumps are sold out of 7s. I blame Christmas. But the hunt continues. Who knew there were so many gorgeous black leather pumps?
*

Aerosole's Sixty Dust is a lovely shoe. It does look rather mod. Again, I don't usually go for bows, but sometimes they're done so right.
*

Aerosoles' New York Pretty. I love these! but they're suede, and for work I want something a little lower maintenance. Suede makes me nervous. I really need to find an excuse to buy a pair in yellow, though!

*

Wow. I would feel somehow slutty in these shoes. Almost naked.

*

Aerosoles' Pretty Cat - these are sweet, simple - dare I say sensible? And they come in narrow, which is a plus. I'm just a 7A these days - I was a 7AA at some point, who knows what happened - so I can live with medium shoes without a problem, but a narrow shoe is definitely nice to have.

*

Wouldn't the heels make it hard to walk around the Mayflower deck?

*

I'm leaning heavily towards the Pretty Cat. They're not very exciting, but after 5 years as a college student in Arizona (that means a wardrobe consisting entirely of jeans, shorts, tank tops, Doc Martens, flip-flops, and one hoodie for "cold" days) I need to build a professional/grown-up wardrobe from scratch. I think this is a good, solid, foundation shoe.

People... are reading this?

2004-12-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

Wow. Thanks to the superlative Manolo, whom I adore, people are actually reading this blog. And commenting! The commenting makes me especially happy, because I like to know what other people think. Don't tell anyone, but... I used to be a nerd. Yes. My teenage years were spent entirely in Land's End. Can you imagine? So thank you everyone for your ideas - and I fixed the comments now, so that anyone can leave their opinion, not just other blogspot users. I shall forthwith compile a list of links to your blogs.

Here is the first pair of shoes my cousin, Baby Emma, bought while I was visiting her in the city.

Aren't they adorable?

The Perfect Black Pump, Pt. 3 - Shoes.Com

2004-12-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

These are pretty cute. Reasonable heel. Retro.

The Perfect Black Pump, Pt. 2 - Zappos.com

2004-12-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a thought - the Gabriella Rocha Charlize. It's cute, well priced, reasonable heel without being too clunky. A tad stodgy, but perhaps in a sexy librarian way?

I don't know. These are decently cute as work shoes. They just seem a bit... elderly.

Bows usually turn me off, but the heel is cute.

Well HELLO beautiful shoe...! What are you doing later tonight? I am twitterpated over this shoe. We may have a winner, folks...

Someone needs to be shot. Seriously, people, does the world need shoes with cameltoe???

The Search For Black Pumps, Pt. 1 - Nordstrom

2004-12-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

First of all, yes, I am hugely ripping off the most wonderful Manolo. This blog, however, is for me and will showcase shoes and clothes and home decor and stuff that I want/like/can afford/would like to afford. In today's episode, we chronicle my search for the Perfect (Affordable) Black Pumps. I want something cute, but work-appropriate. I'm thinking black leather, modest heel, closed toe.

The Unlisted by Kenneth Cole "Make It Count" pump in black herringbone. Oh how I want this shoe. Look at the cute little heel! And the herringbone. Sadly, neither Nordstrom nor, as far as I can tell, any other store online, has black herringbone in 7.

The Via Spiga "Serge" pump; I prefer the brown multi. I want to spend the rest of my life with those shoes.

This Franco Sarto is a possibility - even if it is named "Gumbo." Very sleek, and I love the buckle. It has a 3" heel, though - I'd have to practice walking.

Marc by Marc Jacobs '644994'. This is the shoe with whom I would cheat on the shoe I want to spend the rest of my life with.

Oh no! Someone hurled on my foot!

Alas, Nordstrom.com was a bust. Where to look next?