Belgian Loafers

" Belgian Shoes...like a bowl of biscuit batter in the South or a hanky about to be inserted into a breast pocket...can smell fear a mile away. They all have strong characteristics that must be dealt with confidently. You've gotta step up to all three with the same approach...treat 'em like you own the hell out of 'em...let 'em know who's boss...handle them with strength and aggression or the outcome will be embarrassing. They'll walk all over you" Maxminimus

Last weekend at the Lilly shindig, what has to be the most fashionable girl in G'town walked into Sherman Pickey. A friend of the store, Lele was sporting Belgian's in zebra. Now, I would never in a million years have gravitated towards that print on my own but she wore them so well that I left thinking, "sign me up for the zebra!".

Belgian loafers are to shoes, what McKinsey is to consulting. They're a fly under the radar, those in the know, we don't stoop to advertising, kind of cult item. And, over the years my much cherished Belgian collection has dwindled down to 4 pair...which somehow makes me feel as though I'm on the cusp of being bumped down to Junior Varsity level. Unfortunately, 3 pair went by the wayside after I realized I had been ordering a half size too small.

Cousin Kathleen was the recipient of my much loved, and well worn, navy with white trim. According to Lele, there is now an 18 month wait for this combo. Hmmm...now let us rethink this bad rap Indian givers get...

My first ever, and signature, Leopard pair went to one of the Phillips sisters of previously mentioned Lilly fame.

My très loud pink and green babies found a new home with my dear friend, and the origin of my Belgian knowledge, Joanie. Ohhh boy...did we go to the mat many moons ago over whether or not I would be allowed to "copy" this feature item in her enviable wardrobe.

I think I may have to put the navy with green trim at the top of my list for sentimental reasons. When my Nana passed I had hoped to inherit her pair but, alas, I was low granddaughter on the totem pole and my aunt ran off with them. That Aunt Carol gets all the good family stuff...

I've also been eying these summery beauties since a friend donned them one 4th of July at the club. Decisions, decisions...I think Babe may have been using his fortune telling skills when he mused, "now this blog is costing me money???"...

"The brilliance of the shoes was how they resembled a simple pair of penny loafers but instead of a slit to hold Lincoln's copper likeness, there was a tiny leather bow. So elegant, so correct, and so very desirable." Maxminimus

Kindness of my newest blog discovery Maxminimus for turning a blind eye towards my lifting of his brilliant Belgian quotes. And, most importantly, kindness of the très chic Clark sisters, Joanie and Allison, for bringing me into the Belgian fold all those years ago.

Singing Like A Bird

Yup. I'm ratting out my dealer and his name is ADG. Street name, Maxminimus...

How am I supposed to keep my nose clean when I'm sent taunting picture texts like this one flaunting the arrival of his Lilly Daiquiri Pink Ten Ton Bouquet bermudas?

Of course you know the story; I convinced myself I could handle one weensie Daiquiri Ten Ton Bouquet purchase myself...

But one led to two...

And, just when I was "around the turn" and back on the wagon that sly ADG targets my weakness. My crack. Belgian loafers...

Minutes after receiving the pic I was online, trolling for a my newest fix, hoping Babe wouldn't find out I was slipping again...

And, now I think my habit is about to be exposed. Juuust when I convinced myself that I could keep my dirty lil secret under wraps Mr. Unscrupulous strikes again this time using his daughter as his Belgian "mule"!

Now, I'm jonsing for these and I'm jonsing hard. I'm NYC bound for a weekend with Babe where I have absolutely no hope of slipping down Belgian Boulevard unchaperoned. So, I'm singing, siiinging like a bird and rolling over on my pusher. Heaven forbid I put any looming towel gifting in jeopardy...

Kindness of Babe who will take mercy on my weak, too much time in the sun soul for the devil made me do it. Forget about the devil in a blue dress. It's the devil in the black Belgians ya need to worry about...XXOO

Lilly Moment

It was the Phillips sisters that first introduced me to Lilly Pulitzer back in the early 80's and I've been a loyal acolyte ever since (they also get credit for my Lauren perfume habit). I was invited to Lilly's first ever warehouse sale and unabashedly take full credit for every Salisbury person that has attended one since. So, it was a full circle Lilly moment this past Saturday when I received such a warm reception from the Lilly peeps and blog readers at the Sherman Pickey trunk show.

Disclaimer...random lady photog cut off all our feet in this less than stellar picture eliminating 2 pair of Gucci loafers, several pair of swanky sandals and one sparkly pair of gold Belgian loafers that were meant to distract the eye from a certain recent weight gain...

After a cupcake induced spree Brent and Bridget from Lilly gave me a ride home in the Lilly Jeep. How much do I have to spend to get this?

Included in the take...the Cali Shift that I must admit I bought because it looked so fabulous on Lilly rep Ashley...

The Tori Dress in printed jacquard...

The much coveted, hard to find Tenley Shift in multi jacquard...

The Paltrow Patch Bikini, natch!

And, probably my surprise fav item of the day the Shields (as in Brooke) Bikini ...ohhh please let today be the day that Babe's too busy to read my blog...

Included in the "swag with purchase" were The Hip to be Square Bangles and 2 Lilly oil on canvases that will more than likely be bequeathed to a certain pair of southern college going nieces. Now let's see which one reads this posting first and calls in their dibbies the fastest.

Looks as though my lovely spokes model has better things to do...

Kindness of Ethan and Bailey at Sherman Pickey for all of their help and restaurant recommendations. Kindness of Ashley, Bridget and Brent for reading my blog and giving me fabulous bragging rights. And finally, kindness of Jenny and Wendi Phillips for giving me my love of Lilly.

Calling All Cinderellas

I hardly ever peruse eBay mostly due to my already barely manageable wishlist. I don't need to be aimlessly stumbling upon random items that I must add to it...

But, I did take a wee stroll last night and found a few goodies for just the right Cinderella. Any size (US) 8.5 Belgian Shoe groupies in the crowd? Just a half a size larger and they would be mine, mine, MINE!

This Ferragamo belt would be boxed up ready to ship out to me in the morn if only I were a size extra small. A girl can dream. About the belt AND the size...

As of yesterday, all CK Bradley is vintage but, I did manage to find a VINTAGE vintage CKB wrap skirt...

If I were on Antiques Road Show this is where I would be lifting up the corner of the skirt with my chop stick and rambling on about the late 1990's...

And, now we arrive at the beginning of this decade. Circa CK Bradley Charlottesville store...

And...dangerously just my size.

Kindness of Belgian Shoe Joanie for not calling to swoon over her recent Hermes Jumbo bracelet and Gucci loafers eBay haul. I try and run a tight wishlist/purchase ship around here Joanie and if you keep luring me into trouble this could quickly become a sinking ship courtesy of Capt'n Babe...XXOO

Shod For Paris

Dear Alice,

I have been faithfully following your blog since I discovered it this summer (courtesy of New York Times) and I was just tickled to learn that you will be in Paris for Christmas. I'll be there too, with my husband and 3 kids. My eldest daughter is finishing up her semester abroad and we thought it would be a great time to take the family. Anyway, my dirty little secret is that for months now I have been spending a ridiculous amount of time planning my ultra-chic-but-practical and pared-down Parisienne wardrobe. After lots of online shopping (and returns) I pretty much have everything I need, except for footwear. Living in New Orleans, boots are mostly a fashion statement, with very little need to consider warmth, comfort etc. I test drove a great looking pair of riding boots a month ago when I was in NYC for the weekend but ended up with blisters that almost ruined my feet, not to mention the weekend. I need something black, somewhat weather-proof and very comfortable. And chic, of course. Any suggestions? I need to wrap this up so I can concentrate on the sightseeing and shopping itineraries, Hermes definitely being on the list! The girls and I have decided that we need a few of those enameled bracelets. My husband has taken care of all the restaurant reservations and I have been eating my very low-cal version of your "Big Salad" any night we are not out so that I can totally indulge upon arrival. Oh, and I have another question concerning my husband's outerwear. The most he ever needs down here is is his Barbour jacket. I just don't think that will cut it. Ugh. I guess he could wear his black cashmere overcoat. It seems so business-like though. What do you think? Looking forward to hearing from you!

Heidi

Well Heidi, I am in no way any authority on how to be properly shod in Paris annnd my taste in footwear runs pretty pedestrian. Ya lost me at boots being a fashion statement (all my boots being for foul weather and barns). But, I do plan on tooons of walking in Paris and feel confident culling from my experience turbo shopping the means streets of Manhattan. The testing grounds; from Bergdorf's to Ralph Lauren and back with lateral Pucci, CK Bradley and Serendipities stops multiple blocks in either direction...

The velvets are a different story but, the Stubbs and Wootten needlepoint loafers get very high marks for comfort and only get better with age. And, how apropos are the recently resurrected Napoleonic Bee pair?

I had these leopard Stubbs and wore them with everything. I was eventually forced to hold a self intervention cuz I was too dependant on the darn things and passed them on to a friend...

While not quite as versatile as the first two pair, the Cuenca Blue are a close second. At least with my winter wardrobe heavy on black, navy and purple...

You can not go wrong with an all black suede Belgian Shoe. When I had to shod my swollen, injured Achilles foot and gimp to my Ortho appointment yesterday I grabbed the softest, most worn in Belgians in my closet. They're like wearing slippers. An exclusive club slipper...

I also have the black suede with grey trim pair on my wish list after spying a cute UES gal in Calypso sporting them. Très chic...

Orrr just maybe, you and your Cinderella sized foot will get lucky and find a pair of the wait listed black quilted velvets in stock...

Now, although I have not yet test driven a pair of the Bloch ballet flats myself, I have it on veeery good authority that these are off the charts comfortable and blister free for big city walking. This pair being particularly good for strolling past 31 Rue Cambon...

If black is your preference, I've been eying the Disco Ballerinas. Not too crazy but, as RL would say, they've got a li'l juuuzzzhhh...

My favs of the line, Serenade, are being somewhat elusive so I am calling all scouts in the field to report in with any sightings...

I also highly recommend the old school suede Gucci loafers which my friend recently scored at an outlet. You can, and I have, walk for miles in those things. Jury's still out on the Roger Vivier flats but, considering Jessica Biel wears them to the gym I'd say the odds are in our favor...

For my evening swank, I am hoping to purchase my inaugural pair of Loubs while abroad. And, although I have big girl dreams of this pair...

I will more than likely chicken out and leave with a more Allie friendly pair like this...

As far as outerwear for the hubbies, Babe is getting the Patagonia Better Sweater for Christmas which will not only serve as a great warmth layer but, can also stand alone...

And, going from a pic of Babe, his brother and father in Paris a few Christmases ago, all in Barbour, I'd say that is indeed a good jacket to take. Buuut, after taking into consideration the recent US mag Parisienne pic of the Brangelina brood in parkas, this Patagonia Down Sweater is also under consideration. All this virtual shopping has me thinking I'm going to need a new, bigger T. Anthony. Ce la vie...

Kindness of Heidi Friedler for her delusion of faith in my ability to help with her Parisienne shoe wardrobe. I hope we cross paths Heidi. You'll recognize me by my shoes and orange bags...XXOO

ps... keep your eyes peeled for Ina Garten sightings cuz she'll be there for the holidays too!