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 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 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 6 - Let's Go Ravenss!!!

Day 6 is full of more pride.  This time my focus is the Ravens.  In the past few months I have come to fall in love with Baltimore's infectious love for its sport teams.  This city is always on the edge of its seats when either the Orioles or the Ravens are playing.  You can sense the excitement in the air as game-time nears; and it absolutely becomes a ghost town while either team is playing.  Everyone is glued to their TV's or at a local bar decked out in some heinous outfit the is composed either entirely of bright orange or offensive purple...as I cannot bring myself to dress from head to toe in purple I find my own little ways to support the home town team as they inch closer and closer to the Super Bowl!

For the big game this afternoon I chose to wear my incredible Officine Creative Rugby shoes.  These shoes always get amazing reactions when I wear them out...and while they are heinously uncomfortable, this is one case where the fashion statement outweighs my need to be comfortable.  I was a very lucky boy to find these shoes during my travels through Italy.  You may notice that they shoes seem to be slightly different colors and to have worn differently; that is because they are legitimate game used rugby balls.  That's right, Officine Creative struck a deal with the European Rugby League to claim several of the game used balls from the Final match of the 2006 Championships.  They then turned those balls in to a very limited number of these amazing shoes!

When I head out in these shoes I try to keep the rest of my outfit fairly tame as to keep them being the center of attention...though we all know that "fairly tame" for me can mean A LOT.  For today's game I chose to go with some skinny Zara check pants (Spain), a vintage electric blue v-neck found at a thrift store in Lyon(France), and my always subtle brown leather button up AllSaints dress shirt.  I highly suggest that any skinny mildly fashion forward male gets one of their leather dress shirts.  It's always a great conversation piece at parties and is incredibly warm!

Even little Steve gets in on all the Ravens love...though she rocks purple much better than I do!

Lets go BIRDS!

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