100 Days of Shoes - Days 15 & 16 - Shoes inspired by the machines that drive us wild!

I have always had an unnatural love for cars, and have been lucky enough to collect some pretty nice ones thanks to my family.  I've never seen cars as just something to get you from point A to point B.  If I'm going to sit my sexy self down in something, where people are going to see me, it needs to be an extension of myself.  Fierce. Bold. and Fashionable.  Once I get a new car it becomes an extension of my family, it becomes an entity all unto itself complete with name and personality.  There's been The Beast, El Caballo, Sady, Landon, and now Marco.

On the topic of cars being an extension of my personal style, I have been known to pick up a few outfits to reflect my cars in the past.  While it may be a bit tacky to wear a head to toe Ferrari track suit...when you are actually in a Ferrari, there's not much people can say.  On my vacation to Florida earlier this month I was thrilled to find a pair of shoes to commemorate my now lost love Sady.

Day 15 I was walking through the Premium Outlets in Orlando, filling our rental car with bags upon bags when we finally made it to Puma.  There sitting on the shelf, at 70% off and in my size, was a beautiful pair of AMG Racing Shoes!!! Not one to miss a sale I scooped them up...along with a few other pairs to sell in my future shop :)

Puma KILLED it again with their attention to detail, and color choices.  And lets be honest, it's almost a crime to not snatch up anything at 70% off if it's in your size.  These shoes are in memory of my long lost Sady (pictured below).  She met an untimely end when introducing herself to a pole.  We had some amazing road trips together dear friend.  I MISS YOU!!! 

 Being POSH with her friends.

 

Falling in LOVE in Connecticut

 

 Conquering blizzards!

 

Day 16 and its time to pay respects to El Caballo, the gone but not forgotten Ferrari F360 convertible.  He is still roaming free out in the world, but with the sale of our Amelia Island home, he had to go as well.  Back in the day we shared many a great show stopping rides to our local Starbucks and up and down the East Coast.  Ferrari's are not for the timid.  You have to be having a fantastic day to step out to do your errands in one, because there's no way around it; people will stare and pictures will be taken.  Everyone appreciates a rare piece of art, and everyone has something to say about the young punk they see driving it LOL.

Puma also makes shoes for the Ferrari Racing team.  Obviously I ordered these the second I knew our red beauty was coming.  It seemed disrespectful to wear anything else when we were together.  These shoes are another estimate to Puma's functional designs.  Not only practice, but eye-catching and cheeky all at the same time.  From the tire tread soles to the warnings signs these shoes are definitely a statement piece.

 What sneaker wouldn't benefit from a little carbon fiber?

 

 Great tire tread design!

 

Warning: for fast drivers only!

 Such practical luggage capacity for road trips haha

 

 Boiled peanuts along the water...an incredible Southern tradition

 

Omg who is that?  He's so young?!?!? He must be famous! 

People and their judgments always make for a good time.

 

 

Love.

World Peace.

and Stay Humble.

Sivad.

100 Days of Shoes - Day 13 & 14- Southern Neon Pride!

I apologize for the brief hiatus.  I went on vacation to Florida for a week and then with all the scarf orders I had to fill and the Raven's Super Bowl excitement I haven't had a second to myself to sit down and write.  Here's a few posts in one, in an attempt to catch up.  Florida inspired looks coming soon!

Day 13 and summer is starting to peak through the glorious winter clouds that have covered Baltimore for the last months...well at least the sun is out.  Sooo....LETS BREAK OUT SOME NEON!!! Lets start at ground level.  Slip on Converse Allstars are a summer classic.  I prefer finding some with a twist, no reason to wear the ones every other kid from Boston to LA is rocking.  I found these at an Off Saks outlet and instantly fell in love with the laces.

For some summer fun the neon yellow skinny jeans from Levi are step number 1. 

Step 2, throw on a white v-neck and military inspired cardigan from Burberry.  The detailing on this cardigan is epic. From the buttons to the shoulder armor, Burberry once again thought of everything!

Step 3, find some shades.  Today I went with these retro inspired tortoise Zara sunnies with  metal rims.  Found these babies in Spain for 10 Euros.  Can't beat that.

Down with Drab!

Love. Sivad.

Day 14 was a lovely frigid Baltimore winter nod to my fashionable Southern roots.  Mildly heinous, sure, but I love reaching for the unexpected.  It all started off with this pair of Black Timberland Boots with red stitching...I originally found these shoes back in Freshman year at a Timberland outlet in Florida.  I thought "wouldn't those be perfect for hockey games?!?!"  School colors and wintry?  So needed.  I'm fairly certain I only wore them at a max of 5 times during my 5 years at Northeastern but hey; if a shoe might have a purpose I MUST purchase it!!

So where does this become 'Southern' you ask? Don't worry!  There was plenty of plaid and camo to go around!  Starting from the ground up I started with my flannel lined Levi's.  Absolutely essential for winter! And they give the option to be cute and flip out the pattern if you so desire to make a splash.  Next I went with a plaid flannel drawstring jacket I purchased at Zara in Paris during January sales.  At 7 Euros I had to have it!  Just to get a dash more plaid in this dizzying outfit I went for the grey exploded print Burberry Scarf.

To top the whole thing off...what is more Southern then a camo 'Davis Express' trucker hat from Goodwill??? I challenge you to find something more authentic!

Southern till I die.

Sivad.

100 Days of Shoes - Day 12 - Tacky. Gucci. Love.

Day 12 called for more Italian...today's weapon...GUCCI (gucci bandanna gucci gucci bandanna).  I purchased these at the Saks sales Sophomore year (wow I feel old).  Patent leather has never looked so good! Yeah they are a bit tacky...but let's be real...it's Gucci.  I fell in love with these sneakers because of the holographic Gucci printed stripe in the middle...clearly I could not figure out how to take a picture of a hologram but rest assured...they are impressive.  

These shoes are classic Italian statements, and they barely left my feet when I was living in Roma. I traveled the world in these shoes.  From Norway to Egypt, these reflective beauties kept me fashionable in any environment!

Today threw on my grey Burberry jeans and a fitted black waffle shirt from Affliction.  Their brand can become a little heinous like Ed Hardy from time to time, but I found this subtle top at Buckle down in Florida.

Peace. Love. and Travel.

Sivad.

100 Days of Shoes - Day 11 - Paisley Meets the Great Outdoors

Day11 caught me feeling a little outdoorsy...thus leading me to a mountain-man-chic look....although I was freezing without a jacket.  I still don't understand the concept that it can be sunny in the North without being warm?  Guess I'm still a Southern boy at <3.  

Today's shoes were you average run of the mill camel suede desert boots from Clarks Bostonian.  Standard, but a winter classic for sure.  I paired them with some grey cords from Club Monaco, a gingham shirt also from Monaco, and a bright green down vest from American Eagle...I feel so Maine. Anyone want to go for a hike?

 

Must admit that these outfit pictures are a little old.  Since that day I have reinvented these simple boots through my Sivad Custom Hand Painted shoe line.  Adding this custom paisley pop was exactly what these shoes needed to liven them up and make them memorable.  This is one of the first Sivad shoes that I created and they get compliments constantly.  It is amazing to have people recognize your hard work and appreciate your craft!

 

 

Custom paisley pattern on these suede desert boots.

These babies are on sale on my website!

Classic. Yet still make a statement.  This is what shoes are meant to be.

 

 

Be Creative.

Live Life.

 

Love. Sivad.

100 Days of Shoes - Day 10 - Singing in the Rain!

Day 10 and Winter rain has struck again in Baltimore!  But I have no need to worry.  I just reached in to my closet for yet another pair of rain-boots and yes...yet another Burberry rain jacket! My boots of choice on this gloomy day?  Marc Jacobs of course!  These are the perfect rain boots for an otherwise dull day.  Bright Happy. and CHEAP at only $28 you can afford a pair in every color.  Make sure to check back at the store often for these unisex beauties as they often change colors.  Oh how I miss having a Marc store just two blocks away when I lived on Newbury Street in Boston...now I have to drive to DC for any hope of new fashion!

Make a statement even in the rain!

To add to my little Spring-esq Winter outfit, I threw on some cropped pale yellow (I adore this color!) shorts I found in Dublin and the classic Burberry golf rain jacket...wearing this jacket is the only time that I deem it acceptable to 'pop my collar' ... yes it makes me look like a tool...but at least a British tool :)

In Baltimore it's not a huge issue, but it seemed nearly impossible to find an umbrella that would hold up in the excessive Boston winds.  Every hazy evening after a long rainy day finds the streets of Boston littered with a grave yard of broken tiny umbrellas.  After months of search I finally found the answer to wielding a heavy duty 4 foot long umbrella.  The Nike Golf umbrella available at City Sports is the answer to all of our problems! It is a mid sized but completely wind proof with its double canopy design.  I highly suggest in investing in one for home and one for the office!

Another amazing rain moment earlier this year in Seattle with @megturtle !

Stay Dry!

Find something to keep you sane on another dreary day!

Love. Sivad.

100 Days of Shoes - Day 9 - Is it too late for some Christmas spirit?

Day 9 After a few days of dreary cold weather I decided to do a little dress up with a nod to my love of winter and Christmas.  These Jhung Yuro high tops are the perfect.  Premium leathers and suedes died green and hand stitched in brilliant red.  I love the contrast...and wear them year round even if they look a little like Ninja Turtle's.

 

And here comes the fierce wintry hot mess.  Starting with these brown plaid pants from Zara it was only going to get more crazy from there.  Next I reached for my fitted, military inspired, fur lined blazer from Ann Taylor...don't hate that I'm the perfect size 0 and you are not.  To top it all off I decided on these oversized vintage red sunglasses that I found at a street market in Rome....don't worry, I didn't leave the house in this getup...something tells me Baltimore is not ready for this look...HA!

Peace. Love. and Shoes!

Sivad

100 Days of Shoes - Day 8 - I'll be your sunshinnnnee :)

Day 8 and I decided it was my duty to be Baltimore's sunshine since the real one is insistent on hiding behind the clouds these days. To accomplish this mission I started out with these INSANE high tops from Emporio Armani.  My mind was blown the second these caught my eye walking through the Copley mall in Boston.  Minutes later they were mine :).  At first I wondered...how many venues can one really wear neon Armani high tops in?  But don't you worry!  I have found dozens of venues.  Just when there is an event or evening where they seem inappropriate; that's when I've needed to seize the opportunity to proudly unveil them to the world.

 

 

Obviously I needed to pair these with an equally offensive neon City Sports Baltimore T and my skinny black Love Moschino's so I could tuck them in and not block any part of these beauties from being seen.  And yes I know that wearing them to the club makes them dirty but honestly if you cannot afford to wear your fashion you shouldn't be buying it! Fashion is wearable art; not to be kept on a shelf, but to be displayed on ones body as you meander your way through the world.

 

 

 

Never let your star fade.

SHINE BRIGHT.

Love. Sivad.