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 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 7 - The first Sivad and New Balance Collabo

Day 7 finds me working bright and early at City Sports Harbor East in Baltimore.  Whenever I work opening shifts I have to wear vibrant shoes to get myself excited to get out of bed.  It takes a lot of energy to socialize with every customer that comes in the store so I have to pep myself up before I get there...and my triple tall gingerbread frappuccino isn't always enough!

For today's shoes I went with my very first design collaboration with New Balance.  This is actually the first time I've ever worn these kicks.  They have been displayed on my ever expanding shelf for the last year and half; but, it was time to take them off their pedestal and give them some action!  All throughout the day customers were commenting on them.  It is so rewarding to have strangers appreciate your designs.  Even if it doesn't lead to a sale, just having the validation that people like the direction you're heading in is enough to keep me inspired to open The Shop by Sivad.

When designing with New Balance I had to start of with the base shoe NB US574; part of their "Made in the USA" collection.  Any one that knows me can attest to the fact that I have an infatuationf with America.  Growing up a Navy brat, and traveling the world, I have learned one thing...the US is only country I will EVER call home.

Everyone gets a kick out of the color combination I chose for these shoes.  New Balance has a tendency to be quite reserved, so people are shocked to see such a vibrant pair with laces and accents that pop at every angle.

I LOVE how they customized the heals for me.  Nosirrah Sivad was nothing more than an entertaining thought when I customized these shoes, and now it is poised to dominate the Baltimore sneaker game in the next year.  I am proud and excited to watch my concept grow and come to life!

As always I'm rocking Thorlo socks.  If you haven't ever run in Thorlo's you are missing out.  They have incredible padding in the toe and heal, while the arch is constricted to keep your foot in proper form and avoid arch sprains.  If you are the least bit serious about your running, do yourself a favor and try them out.  You will not be disappointed.

As far as the outfit for the day I kept it simple...I think the bright shoes and pink hair is enough for our morning customers lol.  I threw on some new AllSaints jeans that I picked up in Boston over New Years, my City Sports Staff T, and my go to Burberry fur collared vest.

 

Live your dreams.

Make them a reality.

Love. Sivad.

100 Days of Shoes - Day 5 - Rain or Shine. Fashion Prevails.

Day 5 started off on the wrong foot for most Baltimorians...rain.  But I never fear a day of tragic weather...I actually secretly look forward to them, as I need a reason to wear one of my endless collection of weather specific boots.  This rainy day called for my favorite rain obsessions, short lace up Hunter boots (currently on sale for $89)!  As 3 of my very closest friends can attest, I nearly had a seizure when I saw these beauty's sitting on the round display tables in Niemans.  I had mentally already purchased them before trying them on...thinking of where the closest ATM was since I didn't have an AMEX at the time (thank god that problem has been fixed!)

I love that these boots have the ability to be cute, stylish, not bulky, and yet still protect you from the elements just as well as the tall Hunters...though as anyone knows with Hunters there is not much insulation and they have yet to make little warmers for these ones yet. *cough cough* I'm still waiting!  To go with the outdoorsy green color I decided to rock some maroon flannel plaid from AllSaints and grey skinny's...in a look I like to call the "Metro in the Great Outdoors."

Of course as any proud fashionista knows...NO RAIN OUTFIT IS COMPLETE WITHOUT BURBERRY!!!  To fulfill this requirement I went with my fitted moto style jacket rain jacket.  What is most amazing about this jacket is that it folds up in to its own pocket which doubles as a carrying case for travel.  If only all my clothes packed themselves!  I topped off the look with my crocodile bag from Zara...yes it is imprinted pleather, but it definitely is works.  Why buy the real thing?  Honestly how often can a man rock crocodile?

As a reminder...and I've said it once and I'll say it a hundred more times, THERE IS NEVER AN EXCUSE FOR BAD FASHION! WEATHER INCLUDED!!

 

Stay dry and fashionable.

Love.

Sivad

100 Days of Shoes - Day 4 - How one pair of Dunks led to the creation of Sivad

Today I returned to my old school roots and rocked some Nike Dunks (I have quite the collection that is about to explode all over this blog in Spring).  I got these amazing copper textured dunks with dyed laces as Bodega (Boston) ... if you don't know where or what that is ... honestly you are reading a shoe blog ... WTH is wrong with you?!?!? [but I will be nice and show you the secret spot if you holler :) ]  Bodega is an incredible sneaker store in Boston's Back Bay filled with beautiful limited edition and hard to find sneakers. 

 

Since moving down to Baltimore I have been longing for a sneaker store of the same caliber, and have found NOTHING!  Other than Footlocker this area has NOTHING!!!  This has led me to start writing my business plan to open The Shop by Sivad.  The Shop is going to be Baltimore's PREMIERE sneaker and apparel shop for anyone that loves to have unique footwear.

 

Today was absolutely a comfy day as I rocked my olive Comune Jeans (Gilt), a floppy AllSaints sweater (Boston), Fingerless Marc Gloves (a winter staple of mine and @ $3 a pair why not? I have 5 pairs), and my teal Burberry sunglasses (Boston).

 

PEACE. LOVE. AND FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS.

Sivad

 

100 Days of Shoes - Day 3 - Soldes boots to DIE for!

Today is a glorious day!  I get to wear my new polished boots from Emporio Armani!  I got these amazing boots when I was up in Boston last week for New Years.  As my fiancé and I trudged around our old stomping grounds in the snow and freezing weather I was inspired to collect four more pairs of shoes (aka there were amazing sales!!!).

The incredible view from Burberry on Newbury Street :)

Getting  a little help ringing in the New Year at Club Café!

As with any Emporio shoe, Armani paid great attention to every detail with this pair.  From the black polish stains done by hand on the toes and heals, to the aged leather, to the spiral contrasting laces; I am in LOVE!  One thing I've always respected about Emporio's shoes is that they want the owner to love them past just being fashionable.  As you will see I have acquired many of their works of art that I will display in future posts.  At a $360 price tag you might ask why I keep going back.  Simple.  They are one of the few luxury designers that consider comfort in their designs.  The thick black sole adds to the look of the shoe on the outside, but on the inside its cushioned  and shaped expertly so you can parade around town for miles without getting sore as you would with most fashionable boots. 

New Emporio Armani Boots at 60% off!!! I DIE!!!

I also NEED to point out that Emporio is one of the few luxury brands that's not embarrassed to have a sale; and AMAZING ones at that.  At the end of every season Emporio has a 60% sale to make room for the next seasons ware.  This is always and excellent opportunity to grab the clothes literally off the mannequin that you've been staring at every day on your way to Starbucks in the Copley Place Mall.  The sale is currently still on!!!

 

I have found myself wearing a lot of black and neutrals lately with the addition of my vibrant pink hair for New Years (complements to the Floyd's 99 staff for doing such a great job!).  Its important when you are making any fashion statement to let it speak for itself and not make a several statements all over your body.  For my subtle look, below my neck, today I rocked a black Emporio Armani undershirt (Boston), patchwork AllSaints button up (Seattle), black Burberry check belt (Boston), black Zara skinny jeans (NYC), and my new black Nike Fuelband (Towson - Such GREAT motivation!!!).


And just for fun here is a gratuitous shot of Steve and I.  She is such a helpful little worker and is definitely not camera shy!

Rescue a Pit!

Love,

Sivad