I Got a Crush on You

No, I don't have a crush on the woman pictured, Lesley Elliott. However, she recently launched a snazzy Web-based retailer called Shoe Crush. (I just had to get cheesy with the title because I heart the 80s classic by The Jets.) If I did have a crush on Lesley however, it would certainly be warranted. Not only is she the founder of Shoe Crush, an online resource of stylish footwear and accessories, but she's a Spelman College and Columbia University B-school grad who throws fabulous launch parties at equally fab Soho boutiques like Bo Concept with DJ Beverly Bond spinning during New York Fashion Week.


Lesley's brainchild, Shoe Crush, is a fashionista's guilty pleasure. The footwear, which range from strappy stilettos to over-the-knee boots, are arranged in fun categories like One Night Stand, Ultimate Commitment and Honeymoon. There are even bridal selections available and the designers this site carries are fashion industry faves who always bring the fire. Aren't you swooning over the sequin pumps from Badgley Mischka above? Plus, Lesley didn't just stop at shoes and boots. Handbags --from compact clutches to hobo satchels-- are also in the mix. I dig this vintage-inspired style from Rebecca Minkoff (pictured below). The site is quite user friendly and new offerings are added regularly. A couple of downsides are that the prices are pretty hefty for most working gals and as I've experienced in the past, purchasing shoes online can be tricky.

It hasn't taken long for the crush on Shoe Crush to spread. A few sexy numbers from the site were recently featured on The Wendy Williams Show in a Tai Beauchamp fashion segment. Pretty cool, right?! So, I highly suggest you check Shoe Crush out soon. Even if you don't purchase anything on your first visit to the super-cool online boutique, I guarantee you'll be just a little more inspired to chase your own dreams. I know I was.

P.S. - While at the Shoe Crush launch fiesta, I was also put on to a hot new nail polish line called Ginger + Liz, founded by two young, ambitious women of color. I’ll be doing a post on that line soon too so stay tuned!

Shoe Bargain!

Check these babies out:



Cute, right? And can you believe that they are only twenty bucks??!! I am truly a bargain shopper and rarely ever pay retail so these Payless wedges even got me more than a little excited. I can start wearing them in about a month or so with jeans/pants and then pair them with skirts and dresses throughout the summer. Now, I'll be the first to admit that these shoes might be hideous in person but I have no problems returning them should I not like them in person. Payless has definitely stepped up their designs and quality in recent seasons (peep the site for all the higher-end designer collabos). I am not ashamed (in the least) of wearing Payless shoes if I like them and they're made well. I will however be ashamed if I haven't made a move to own my second property within the next 2 years. I'm trying to remember that my wants are very different from my needs (according to Suze Orman and my mother, not enough of us do) and I certainly don't need another pair of shoes. Oy vey, being a grown-up... Anyhoo, I will probably order them later today so I'll let you know what they look like in person next week! (LOL)

P.S. - Any Payless shoe wearers out there? Leave me a comment and tell me if your Payless shoe purchases have helped or hurt your shoe game.

P.P.S. - Is anyone else strangely drawn to BET's Harlem Heights besides me? Sure I have my issues with it --trust-- but I have been watching. For those of you who have been too, how ADORABLE is Jason's daughter???? The cornrows, the beads, the big brown eyes, the way she looks up at her dad...that father-daughter relationship is probably the best (and most "real") part of the reality show. Do you agree or not? Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.