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