Spring 2011 European Footwear - Part 1

I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday weekend. As promised, here is Part 1 of my footwear photos from London and Rome. Admittedly, while in Rome, I found it difficult to walk gracefully on the uneven and ancient (but charming) cobblestone streets, and I stared in awe and admiration at the small number of women who navigated such streets with ease while wearing heels. All this while wearing my very functional and practical Nikes, which are just about the only thing I'd trust my clumsy feet to walk in while treading miles of unfamiliar streets when I'm on vacation. Now that I'm back home, I have a new apprecaition for suburban sidewalks and newly paved streets, and I'm back to wearing my 5" wedges and 6" heels wth platforms. Part 2 coming very soon...

Glitz and Glamour

Although shopping in Europe is expensive thanks to the weak American dollar, window shopping doesn't have to cost a penny (if you have willpower, that is). While in Rome earlier this month, I admired (and photographed) a few glamorous pieces in the luxury boutiques along Via Condotti. As tempted as I was to shop, I managed to exercise some willpower because I was holding out for the brief time that I knew I'd be spending in London, my all time favorite city in which to shop. And because I still have a ton of store window photos from Rome and London, I'll be posting more in the coming days. Think along the lines of shoes...

10 Things To Do When In Rome

1. Follow the local custom by ordering pizza and eating it with a knife and fork.
2. Don't be intimidated by the aggressive Roman drivers and follow the advice of one of my tour guides by saying a prayer each time you cross the street.
3. Eat gelato and savor a refreshing cappuccino as an afternoon snack.

4. Tour the Colosseum, admire its architecture, and soak in its hundreds of years of history.

5. For a taste of fashion and trend spotting, go window shopping and people watching along Via Condotti and Via del Corso - Rome's best shopping streets.
6. Get lost in the narrow cobblestone streets of ancient Rome and discover endless piazzas with outdoor dining, statues, and spectacularly ornate churches.

7. Venture outside of the city to marvel at the beauty of the Villa d'Este and relax in its breathtaking fountains and gardens.

8. Skip the dense crowds at the overrated Trevi Fountain and head for the fresh produce, pasta, and gifts at the Campo de' Fiore.

9. Enjoy the stunning views of Rome and the Tiber River from the upper levels of the Castel Sant' Angelo.

10. Listen to live music, watch the people stroll by, and enjoy some food, wine, or gelato at one of the many restaurants in the Piazza Navona.

Berried

I spent some time this weekend at the Strawberry Festival in Oxnard. You may remember some of my photos from last year's festival. This year, I sampled the strawberry pizza again, and also tried the D.I.Y. strawberry shortcake, which is fun to make. I've since learned that eating a minimal breakfast before going and taking the shuttle (to avoid parking inconveniences) make for a better experience. What better way to get the summer started than by eating overpriced junk food, sampling new desserts, enjoying the great weather, and browsing the unique wares of the many vendors?

Prints and Patterns

For this batch of store window photos, I want to focus on prints and patterns. While the British high street is currently enjoying a romance with Stella McCartney and Moschino-inspired fruit prints, there are a variety of other prints that caught my attention while shopping in both Rome and London. Of particular note are the Sisley and Missoni stores that I photographed on Rome's prominent shopping street called Via Condotti. The cartoon prints and graphic tees that you see below are courtesy of Sisley, while the trademark zigzag print dress (in the 2nd photo) and pumps (in the 5th photo) are from Missoni. (Speaking of Missoni, I am overly excited to see what they have in store for their upcoming Target collaboration this fall. Anyone else curious?) And finally, as a lover of all things floral, I couldn't pass on the dainty blooms that I saw at British high street staples Next, Topshop, and Dorothy Perkins.

White Out

The clean, crisp whites I photographed below stand in stark contrast to the brightly colored pieces I posted on Friday. Sometimes nothing is more summery than lightweight, breezy separates in any shade of ivory. Admittedly, wearing white is not the most practical thing to do if you're prone to staining your clothing, but the idea of wearing head to toe white is both romantic and fresh for warm weather. Right now I'm drawn to the idea of wearing an all white outfit punctuated with colorful accessories such as feather necklaces, gold chandelier earrings, beaded bracelets, and vintage-inspired turbans.

Brighten Up

I've been lucky enough in my life to have traveled to several countries and shopped in some of the world's most stylish cities (including Stockholm, New York, Buenos Aires, Sydney, Melbourne, Vancouver, Dublin, Copenhagen, and London). Of all the places I've visited, I am repeatedly drawn to London for its diversity, amazingly efficient public transportation system, wide variety of stylish high street stores, well stocked supermarkets and drug stores, rich history, and seemingly unlimited range of cultural activities. Unfortunately, on this trip, my time in London was very limited, and due to a delayed flight from Rome thanks to British Airways, I only had time to shop both the Kensington and Oxford high streets before heading home. As hard as it always is to say goodbye to London, I have plenty of store window photos and a pile of clothing and accessories to remind me of my time there. I'm going to post my store window photos in trend categories, the first being "bold brights." So please stash your neutrals for now and enjoy some color inspiration via Rome and London.