Eve's Garden

How do you recognize spring? Flowers, bursts of color and ... is that ... sunshine? My, my. Your wardrobe should follow suit. Spring is represented this season in diverse ways. Check out H&M's Garden Collection (which we fancy) and Liberty of London's new diffusion line with Target (how we adore thee).  And these playful petal print silk trousers at right by DKNY? It is pretty apparent flowers will be in power head to toe.

Speaking of toes ... Lori's will be adding to the look with bright florals, saturated colors and brilliant whites throughout the summer. So like any proper host, may we introduce you to Jeffrey Campbell's Swansong (below left).  Platform wedge with T-strap dripping with a bouquet pattern of tiny flowers. Adorable!

And that rascal Charlie is back bearing flower patterns. (What a gentleman.) The famous wooden clog returns covered with floral cloth and accent side buckle. Cutesy! Perfect for the lady who loves being the life of the party, the center of attention or a shoe stopping conversationalist. Wear it well this spring.

To Pedi or Not to Pedi?

As Spring blooms with color so do our open-toed shoes. Trapped for months in the confines of boots, socks and stockings, our feet are bursting to get out. Our toes yearn for fresh air! We happily oblige with peep toe booties, sexy strappy sandals, espadrilles, gladiators, the list goes on.

But are we really ready to answer the foot’s calling? Prepping for spring shoe wear requires investment ... or does it? Pedicures, reflexology, foot masks, and pumice stones (a must after winter wear) are some of the lengths to which we go for spring shoes. However, we’ve all seen the opposite, those No she din’t moments: Killer heels framing stubby toe nails; nails unkempt enough to make Edward Scissorhands cringe; and, really, not polishing within the lines?

Some of us gawk at this girly ritual. Others embrace it weekly. Because we love you, we want your opinions and stories. And we will share your wisdom and experience with all the shoenistas around the world on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Help us make every woman a "10" in a great pair of Jeffrey Campbell Mariel platforms. The first fifteen to respond receive a free bottle of Jeffrey Campbell’s fiery red nail polish, ‘No you din’t’!

Word from New York

Spring is fast approaching and as Lori reports from New York on late spring and first deliveries for Fall 2009, and as the City gears up for the fall shows, we thought we'd give you a sneak peek at how the year's shaping up!

A smattering of boots continue through spring, but the big emphasis is on sandals with embellishments and lots of straps that are either architectural in detail or comprise many thinner pieces. Both serve the same function: to create an exciting peekaboo effect along the foot in warmer temps.

Fall 2009 will see a continuation of riding boots, so hold on to the ones you have (or snag some now at our ongoing sale). There is also a new pointer shape coming out which we are less excited about (and you probably will be too). We're seeing a slight turn away from the strictly tailored, OCD clean lines of last fall as zippers, roughed-up suedes and Bohemian traits (albeit with a man-tailored edge) crop up.

A stand-out for fall (and, really, when isn't it?) is Frye's boot collection. Consistently in demand since its founding during the Civil War, Frye's collection of boots are classic quality. Past years have delivered these timeless styles in contemporary colors and detailing. We're disappointed only that we have to wait until July to get them!

What Would Yul Wear?

Yellow is a central color for the Spring '08 season. But we think Frost penned it best when he declared that "Nature's first green is gold." And whilst it's true that it may be "the hardest hue to hold," we think with a little bit of savvy and a right good dollop of confidence, you too can sport this look without sinking into grief.

To make it easier, we'll make a game of it. Call it "What Would Yul Wear?" As the King Mongkut of Siam, Yul Brynner cuts a famous rug with Deborah Kerr ... but the poor man's got no shoes! While we dig the gold ankle cuffs and the velvet jumper with gold studs, this boy needs some appropriate footies for his next waltz.

Herewith: a selection of Yul-tastic gold candidates for your inspiration and vote. Watch the clip and comment on your choice (below) for this emperor's new clogs. The winner will bask in the satisfaction that revisionist cultural populism in the service of the marketplace lives on in the blogosphere.

And should this fail to win you over to the gold standard, just remember that Fall '08 is a new season and we're quite sure "nothing gold can stay." At least until Spring 2009.