I don’t think there are any other more appropriate words to describe these shoes other than H-O-T! In fact, they are so fantastic I don’t even know where to begin but I can assure you that the Trinity from Klub Nico will be in heavy rotation within my 150+ pairs of shoes.

What I love? The gunmetal color is incredibly versatile and perhaps the biggest selling point of this shoe. While it does have a slightly gold undertone, you can easily pair these shoes with clothing in the gold, silver, or bronze color families. I love how they blend. In addition to the metallic color tones, the Trinity obviously works incredibly well with a variety of colors from coral or green to purple or white. They are equally as versatile as my nude patent leather kitten heels, which were my favorite shoes of the season.

What I am wearing them with? I happened to be the lucky owner of a fantastic gunmetal leather motor cycle jacket from Cino that looks amazing with these shoes. So the jacket has been added to a lot of the looks. I have paired them with a black dress, as well as a denim skirt and two different tops with bronze/gold embellishments. Most recently, I let the shoes be the center of attention with a pair of dark jeans and a white button down top. Truly, these shoes make a statement!

Who else loves them? Whenever I obtain a hot new item, my friends and family always want to check it out but needless to say they don’t all love the same things. Truly, EVERYONE loved these shoes. From young friends to my Mom’s friends (long past the age of collecting social security), they all want a pair. My girlfriends with very basic simple tasted loved them equally to the wild and crazy girls.

The Basics: The Trinity is made of a gunmetal colored leather with a gold tone buckle over the top of the foot and around the ankle, which allows for a more precise fit. However, we all know it’s about how they look. The peep toe is sexy and the braided leather detail on the top finishes off the look. They have a 1/2″ platform with a 4″ stacked wood heel (so a net height of 3 1/2″).

More Details: The Trinity is a really well made, beautiful shoe that is well cushioned and comfortable. I must confess I am not the expert on how comfortable they are for walking for long periods of time since I have a really tough time

walking in heels but I believe these would be a great find for anyone who is used to a 3 1/2″.

About Klub Nico: Klub Nico shoes, celebrating it’s 5th anniversary in June, are designed in northern California by Kelley Lehner. Inspired by Brazilian culture and lifestyle, her shoes are playful, sexy, and ultimately feminine. Texture, color, and unexpected embellishments are at the forefront of Kelley’s designs. Using only the highest quality materials, all of Klub Nico’s shoes are manufactured in Brazil. The brand is focused on designing styles for today’s modern woman who is fashionable, on the go, busy,  and fills a variety of roles on a daily basis. For this woman, Klub Nico delivers great value, comfort,  and versatility. I look forward to my next pair!

How To Get Yours: The Trinity Platform Heel, as well as 6 other gorgeous styles from Klub Nico, will be available at Artfulwears.com from Sunday April 19, 2009 at 7 p.m. EST for exactly one week. As part of this special event, each pair of Klub Nico shoes will be 20% off.

Artfulwears.com is pleased to announce that we are offering a fabulous new way to shop! Starting this Sunday, April 19 we will be having a variety of week long trunks shows of items that I LOVE. Yes, that’s right, only things that your resident Fashion Expert/Stylist/Blogger would wear herself! Most of the trunk shows will be of brands not otherwise available at Artfulwears.com and in some categories we do not currently feature like shoes and loungewear.

In addition to the trunk shows, I will be reviewing items here on the blog from the designers I select to feature. I will tell you why I love them, how to wear them, and pretty much everything you would want to know about my new coveted treasure.
Look for the Klub Nico shoe trunk show starting Sunday April 19, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Needless to say, I read a lot of fashion magazines. In fact, I am pretty sure I read ALL of them. In perusing a recent edition of Marie Claire, I was amazed at the fact that they were so proud that every item in the issue is under $250.00.  In most people’s worlds that I know, $250.00 is a pretty sizeable purchase and not necessarily afforable. So as I read the issue, I kept thinking to myself, are they serious? They literally dressed up a model or celebrity from head to toe and each individual item was under $250.00. So for example, you could have a $245.00 dress, a $229.00 pair of earrings, a $237.00 pair of shoes, a $145.00 belt, and a $219.00 bag. So this supposedly afforable outfit is now $1075.00! I would have been far more impressed had they put an entire outfit together for $250.00. I also think that would have been far more useful. Just my thoughts. I’d love to hear yours!

The Rock N’ Roll inspired wardrobe is very in vogue this season. Here are few tips to help you achieve this look.

1. Try something shiny like metallic shirt or trench. Check out this Metallic Shirt & Trench look from Cino as an example.

2. Zippers are all the rage this season and definitely give you that edge. These are not the ones that are simply for function; they are being used as an embellishment.

3. Chains are also hot. Think a great leather slouchy bag with lots of hanging chains, multi-chain necklaces, or belts. The Lotus Chain Necklace from 2 Sister Designs is a great example.

4. Jackets are truly a must for that rock n’ roll look. You don’t have to go leather for Spring as long as it’s got some edge like this Cino Python Military Jacket. If the jacket can be shiny or adorned with chains or zippers, that will be perfect.

5. For jewelry you can go two ways. Either one bold statement piece such as the  Damask Resin Bangle by Andrew Hamilton Crawford or over the top layered chains – think “heavy metal”.

6. Boots are also a great look for Spring. Think metal embellishments, chains, or zippers there as well with a mini skirt.

**Disclaimer do not put all of these tips into one outfit.

Jumpsuits are high-fashion this season. While some of them are fun and perhaps fashionable, I wonder if they are simply too much trouble? Personally, it seems like a lot of work to me.

So what is the alternative to create a similar look without having to go full throttle into wearing a jumpsuit? Many designers are showing dresses with cinched (typically elastic) waists and zippers. This gives the illusion of a jumpsuit in a dress. Dresses are much easier to get in and out of.

Women everywhere are elated when Spring rolls around. I mean sweaters and jackets and layers all sound great in the Fall but come Spring, we want to shed our layers and show a little skin. The great news is many of the pieces you have from Winter can easily be transitioned into your Spring wardrobe. For example, that great sequin or embellished cami you have been wearing with a sweater and jacket it over it can still be worn minus the jacket. Perhaps you will throw over it a little lighter weight cardigan or a new jacket for Spring. Or if you have a great skirt that you have been layering with tights? Take off the tights and put on a pair of Spring boots. Spring Boots are all the rage this year. Think perforated leather and lighter colors (ecru, ivory, pale violet).

Many of todays fashions can cross easily from one season to the next. This Sequin Mini Dress from Chili Pepper could have easily been paired with skinny jeans and a great black velvet jacket or a wrap and some hot black boots. For Spring however, you can do some great strappy sandals and put a light weight cardigan over top. As the weather really heats up for Summer, wear it all by itself!
The Luna Pullover from LTB is a great light weight sweater. In the Winter, you could have easily worn it jeans and a heavier jacket. Now that spring is here, throw it on with a denim skirt or some great white pants!

A black skirt can take you anywhere. The For Linda Skirt is another great transition piece. For Spring, you can pair it with a cute light weight top and endless shoe options.

For those of you who don’t have the pleasure of knowing me personally, all of my friends and loved ones can attest to the fact that I always have some obsession of fashion. While I discussed previously the trend of nude/skin color pumps, I finally have a pair of my own! I am so enthralled with them that I have been wearing them around the house for hours. I think that a nude patent leather pump actually have even more options than black. They literally look great with EVERYTHING. If you don’t own a pair, I suggest you run out and get some right away.

Spring 2009 is all about BOOTS! Yes, I said boots. This doesn’t mean you can take your heavy black or brown Winter boots and start wearing them in the Spring time. There are hot new style for Spring. Look for lighter colors such as ivory, light grey, lavendar, slate, peach, yellow and any soft hues. You will also see a lot of perforated suede. Not only does it look lighter and prettier for Spring but it will also be a bit more comfortable for the weather.

Rockin’ and roll can still be chic and sexy! We love the Spring 2009 Collection from Cino, which is a great blend of of hard rock edge with soft feminine details. This collection can be easily transformed for work and play. Here are few highlights!

The Metallic Pewter Ruffle Shirt will look great under or a jacket or all alone.

Heads will turn when you walk down the street in this super funky Python Print Military Jacket by Cino. While it looks heavy in the photo, this jacket is actually made of a blend of linen and cotton. How cool is that?

Check out the rest of the Cino Collection and check back soon as new items are arriving daily!