Celebrity Shoe Spotlight Follow-up — Tamar Collection

Photo courtesy of TamarCollection.com

If you’ll recall, I actually did a celebrity shoe spotlight on Tamar a couple years ago, but since then she’s started her Tamar Collection line, and wouldn’t you know it — it includes some very stylish shoes! And all for less than $100 a pair.

I think that deserves a follow-up post, no?

One thing I love about Tamar is that she enjoys a fabulous, statement shoe, but she doesn’t like to “spend a lot of coins” on it. I think that’s something we all can appreciate, right? So while you’re waiting for that next tax return check to buy your favorite Christian Louboutins (don’t think I don’t know some of y’all do that), you should take a look below at some of her offerings. I could totally see myself in the nude pump, the bootie, and the black studded sandal (at least!).

What do you all think? Will you be venturing into the Tamar Collection? And if so, which shoes do you have your eye on?

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Throwback Thursday — “Celebrity” Shoe Spotlight: Olivia Pope

On this Thursday, I have to share with you guys one of my favorite posts from the recent past — the shoe spotlight of Olivia Pope. Especially because ABC’s Scandal has its fall premiere tonight!! Check out the post, and get ready for the opener. I can’t wait to see what kind of foolery happens.

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Photo: PopSugar.co.uk

Olivia Pope, while not a real person, is a woman after my own shoe-heart, because she loooves a good sassy pump! Not to mention, she’s had her fair share of shoe moments already in the brief history of the show, like when she wore heels to the woods and the President had to switch her shoes to boots, or when she spent quite some time choosing between two pairs of heels for her date with Jake before finally deciding to cancel at the last minute. And who can forget her running/strutting away from the President in her stilettos only for him to grab her arm, pull her into a closet, and well — we know what happened then. Now, if you haven’t had a chance to watch Scandal (shame on you!), something you must at least know is that the woman is just as known for her fashion as she is for her scandalous decisions and the way she “handles” top notch crisis situations.

And since the heavily anticipated season premiere of Scandal debuts tomorrow, I figured this was as good a time as any to spotlight some of my favorite shoes the leading lady has worn on the show, as well as some moments when Kerry Washington has shown her own pump acumen. Come take a journey down memory lane with me, and then let’s get ready to see what shoes she comes blasting out with tomorrow. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait!

View the slideshow of photos here.

And then make sure to come back after the show is over, so we can dish about some of the shoes worn.

Celebrity Shoe Spotlight — Nicki Minaj

Photo: Elle Magazine

Nicki Minaj is known for many things — her music, her charm, her business acumen, her assets (lol), and after this weekend’s VMA’s, her amazing composure in handling wardrobe malfunctions — but one thing I’ve noticed above all else is that she’s just as much of a shoe girl as I am.

Now, I don’t always agree with the shoes she chooses, but you can never, ever say they are boring. Whether she’s rocking some Alexander McQueen pumps or knee-high Giuseppe Zanotti cage sandals, you can tell Nicki’s a woman who likes to rock a bold shoe. You see this even with her more toned down look she’s been sporting in 2014 — you’ll consistently find her in solid colors (like black or nude), but also in a bold, printed, or colored shoe. Her most recent example of this was in the post VMA photos, where she’s giving poses for life in her black and white Giuseppe Zanotti Crystallized Peep-Toe Booties. The shoes were the perfect accent to the simple, black velvet, deep V mini-dress she wore — and Nicki clearly knew it.

Those shoes were just for one occasion, but here’s a look at some of the rap diva’s other recent shoe moments. Do you have a favorite?

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Celebrity Shoe Spotlight — Jennifer Lopez

Photo: popdirt.com

She may be Jenny from the Block, but she’s also one of my favorite shoe-fashionistas. The thing about Jennifer Lopez is that her shoes definitely help bring out her sexy persona, and I’m such a fan of that. Look at the way she walks, the way she stands/poses — it’s all in the shoes baby! And because of that, I believe she’s learned which ones work best for her, which ones highlight her outfit and curves in just the right way, and which times she needs a statement shoe or just a shoe to help the fit stand out.

We can all take a little lesson from this — it’s not necessarily all about the shoe, but it’s what the shoe can do for you. To me, that means when you’re dressing an outfit, it’s important to figure out what silhouette this shoe will help create for you, as well as what kind of aura it will help you give off. Trying to pull off a professional sophisticated look? Maybe gladiator heels aren’t the move that time. But pumps could also be too serious for your next occasion (although, I mean — I pretty much think a pump goes for any event you’d wear a heel to, but I’m biased because I just looove how they look on my legs). Going for a playful and flirty look — maybe you want to try a strappy sandal?

JLO shows me that she (or her stylists) consider those kinds of questions before she decides on her shoes that day. Take a look below to see some I thought stood out above the rest.

 

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Are there any of her looks you’d like to try? And what’s your favorite shoe silhouette on you and why?

Celebrity Shoe Spotlight — Tina Turner

Photo: Vogue Germany

When you’re 74 years old and still rocking the hottest heels on stage regularly, there’s no way you don’t deserve a celebrity shoe spotlight on this blog. I mean, really you deserve all the spotlights ever created, but for the purposes of Choices, Voices, and Sole — a nod to her crazy, dynamic, 6 inch stilettos will have to do.

That’s why I had to take the time to salute one of the living legends of Rock and Roll and heel-dom, the one and only, Tina Turner.

Tina teaches us that shoes are never really just about the shoe. They are about the attitude each person brings to that shoe. They’re about the joy you can experience while wearing them. Hey, they can even be about the sexy swag you get when you slide them on your feet. But most importantly, above anything else, they are all about the woman wearing them.

You’ve got to be a confident, bad mamma jamma to rock some of Tina Turner’s diddies. So let’s take a look at some I think are worth spotlighting.

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So what are some of the shoes in your closet that bring out your inner diva?

Celebrity Shoe Spotlight — Sarah Jessica Parker

Photo credit: O Magazine

How is that I’ve done twelve of these celebrity shoe spotlight posts and never featured the grand dame of shoe celebrities — Sarah Jessica Parker?! I mean, what was I thinking, right? Not only did she inspire a generation of young women as her character Carrie, in Sex and the City, with her love for shoes and her crazy relationships… but she continues to wow with her very own shoe selections.

Well, with her recent reveal that she will be partnering with Manolo Blahnik for her very own shoe line (coming this February at Nordstrom), I could no longer wait to talk about the awesome-ness of the lady many refer to as simply, SJP.

If you’ve ever paid attention to Sarah Jessica Parker’s shoe collection, you’ve probably noticed something that I find to be a great tenet of the best shoe collections — so much variety. Remember when I talked about how I go into my closet and see what’s missing before I purchase a new pair? Well, SJP epitomizes this concept to the fullest. You really never know what she’s going to pull out for her outfit — and I just love that!

One day she’ll rock a simple, yet chic pair of white pumps, the next day it’ll be a pair of silvery grey gladiator heels, and the next day some purple suede boots that rise up to her knees. I mean, the woman not only has a variety of shoes in her arsenal, she clearly also believes in a statement shoe. And for that, she has to be recognized.

Here are some looks that have stood out to me over the years from SJP.

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Are you looking forward to her shoe line? I know I plan to splurge and at least get myself one pair this year. What about you? And do you have plans to check your closet to see what styles or colors are missing?

Celebrity Shoe Spotlight — Nia Long

Photo: UrbanMogulLife.com

If you’ve been on social media of any sort lately, you know that every one is about admitting their crushes (celebrity or otherwise) on specific days of the week now. In particular, you’ve got women crush Wednesdays (#WCW) and man crush Mondays (#MCM). Well, it’s not either of those days, but I couldn’t go any longer without telling y’all just how much I’m a jelly belly for the amazingness that is Nia Long. How is she even prettier and fly-er (more fly? IDK) now than she was when she first popped off? I have no idea — but I do know that I can only hope to be a hot as she is at 43. She’s officially been added to my list of dynamic women that I can only hope to emulate (physically) as I continue to age. ¹

I mean, her skin just glistens, right?

But you all know me — so you also know that any #WC of mine would also have to be someone who wears shoes that I want all. the. damn. time. And Nia Long absolutely does this. In fact, if anyone is looking for a great present for me for Christmas, just go on ahead and peruse the following photos and you’ll see exactly what shoes I’m interested in. Doesn’t matter which one you pick; I like them all. (I wear a size 9 by the way, 9 1/2 in heels — just saying.) What I love about Nia’s shoe style is that she has mastered the art of pairing a dynamic heel with a simple outfit to give it some flair, but she also knows when to pair it down and just slide on a simple black pump as well. That’s an art, folks, because I’ve certainly seen people do the exact opposite on too many occasions.

So without further ado, here are some of my favorite looks from her shoe-wise. Are there any on here you’ve got your eye on as well? And while we’re at it — feel free to share who some of your #WCW and #MCM are. It’s not those days, but we’re all rebels here, right? Let’s break some social media rules on this Friday.

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1 In case you’re interested, that list includes women like Diahann Carroll, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Tina Turner. You cannot deny those women!!

“Celebrity” Shoe Spotlight – Olivia Pope

Photo: PopSugar.co.uk

Olivia Pope, while not a real person, is a woman after my own shoe-heart, because she loooves a good sassy pump! Not to mention, she’s had her fair share of shoe moments already in the brief history of the show, like when she wore heels to the woods and the President had to switch her shoes to boots, or when she spent quite some time choosing between two pairs of heels for her date with Jake before finally deciding to cancel at the last minute. And who can forget her running/strutting away from the President in her stilettos only for him to grab her arm, pull her into a closet, and well — we know what happened then. Now, if you haven’t had a chance to watch Scandal (shame on you!), something you must at least know is that the woman is just as known for her fashion as she is for her scandalous decisions and the way she “handles” top notch crisis situations.

And since the heavily anticipated season premiere of Scandal debuts tomorrow, I figured this was as good a time as any to spotlight some of my favorite shoes the leading lady has worn on the show, as well as some moments when Kerry Washington has shown her own pump acumen. Come take a journey down memory lane with me, and then let’s get ready to see what shoes she comes blasting out with tomorrow. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait!

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Was there any particular time you found yourself with shoe envy while watching Scandal??

Shoe Spotlight: Homecoming Shoes

If you went to or currently attend a college/university that’s either all about football or is an HBCU  (Historically Black College/University), then you know that the end of September/month of October means one thing — Homecoming. And if you know that, then you also know of the importance of Homecoming. The difference between the two types of schools, though, is that for an HBCU, Homecoming can be more about fashion than about the actual game.

At a school that’s mostly concerned about the football game, you can show up wearing flip flops, sneakers, or whatever you happened to find in your closet. This is mostly because this time really isn’t about you. It’s all about the game.

But with an HBCU — honey — everyone is doing their very best to stand out from the crowd, and draw your attention away from the game. And what better way to do so than by wearing an amazing standout pair of shoes. In order to do that, you’ll typically see all kinds of looks out there — good and bad. Well, below, I’ve listed some of the good styles and looks I think we’ll probably see at this year’s festivities, but I want to hear from you all too. What shoes do you have in mind for Homecoming? And would you rock any of the ones in the slideshow?

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PS: If you have your Homecoming shoes already, snap a photo and let me know on Twitter @darbybaham. And don’t forget to hashtag it – #CVSHomecomingShoes. I can’t wait to see what you all have in mind!

Celebrity Shoe Spotlight – Emily B

Photo Credit: PYNK Magazine

You may have heard that one of your favorite reality stars, Emily B from the original Love and Hip Hop, has started her new shoe line. Well, to celebrate this momentous occasion, I figured it was only right to showcase some of the hottest shoes I’ve seen her sport the past couple years.

Emily has previously admitted to being a shoe lover (like moi!), so it seems only right that she would take on this venture… and I have to say, if her Emily B shoes are anything like the ones she already owns in her closet, it probably won’t be a bad look.

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So what do you think? Do you plan on checking out Emily’s new shoe line? Why or why not? And was Fab’s song about her??? “Girl… you be killin’ em!”