Fall Shoe Collection 2007

So we are well into fall. Heres a look at some of my faves this season with some classics mixed in. Check it out. Stay tuned for Part 2...

Designer Spotlight: Carlos By Carlos Santana

Hey Shoejunkies! As I sail the virtual sea, aka' web shopping, my adventure never ceases to amaze. We all know the link between music and fashion. So when I came across Carlos By Carlos Santana for the 1st time, a bell when off in my head. No, I wasn't crazy, but the logo made me think. I this 'the Carlos Santana'? You know the Latin Rock, Jazz, Blues fusion pioneer with hits like Black Magic Woman, Evil Ways, and Oye Como Va. Or the veteran artist in 2000 who swept the Grammies for hit collabs on his album Supernatural with Smooth feat. Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 and Maria Maria feat. the R&B duo The Product G&B. There's a guitar in the logo and that is definitely his name. Hmm???

Upon deeper inquiry, I discover it is 'the Carlos Santana'!!! I'm floored. No matter what search I do @ Shoes.com or let's say Zappos, his looks keep coming up. And I consistently love the designs. So how do you go from the first artist to have a #1 hit in two different centuries, to adorning women's feet with some of the most fashion forward designs?

Well lets look closer. He started the shoe company, with his wife Deborah around 2000. It donates part of the proceeds to their, The Milagro (miracle) Foundation, a charitable organization that makes grants to community based organizations around the world working with children in the areas of the arts, education and health.

"We believe that life is a miracle and that children everywhere deserve the opportunity to lead safe, healthy and educationally creative lives."
- Carlos Santana

This changes everything. Not only does the company design for women like me, to quote the website,

"...appeals to 'fashionistas' - who want shoes that will 'make' an outfit - not 'match' it."

(my sentiments exactly) But I can also do something meaningful, while enjoying the frivolous world of fashion. Thanx Santana... It ain't over... The party's not over. I made a Santana playlist @RadioBlogClub called Santana Shoe Mix. You can check his official site @Carlosshoes.com. So you can rock while you shop.

Music for Shoe Shopping: These Boots Are Made For Walking

I know, I mentioned this point in a previous post. Okay the one before this. But this subject should be reviewed further. I love this song. Nancy Sinatra was puttin' it down' in this song. It's the subtle sexuality and delivery that gives the song such personality. The instrumentatiom that makes it move. It swings. She sounds like she lived this song over and over and over again. When she got with the songwriter Lee Hazelwood to record it, you could feel it. Okay boot's start walkin'.





Enter Jessica Simpson. Hasn't even really lived yet, relies heavily on her parents for her career, spoiled, and it showed in the performance. Weak, too breathy, the lyric changes horrible, no emotion. (tell us how you really feel?) I'm not against covers. Marilyn Mason covered Eurhymics-Sweet Dreams and Soft Cell-Tainted Love, Dwele covered Bobby Caldwell-Open Your Eyes. I dig all of them. If you can't do it better than the original, leave it. I 'll take the original. Get you going in the morning, out and about, with some grown-up edge. But what do you think? Both are here, you be the judge.

Music For Shoe Shopping: Kelly Likes Shoes!

"Oh my God! Shoes"... I just ran across this brilliant minimal techno anthem. One listen and you know it by heart. Kelly, I relate. The full album should have dropped last summer. Anyone got it? I dedicate this post to all hip shoe junkies, but especially the hippest make-up artist, wig shop owner and most exquisite drag queen, I've ever known. Marcus, we miss you.

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