'Nista

It's Official: The Shoe is Still In...

First it was the "it" handbag. Then, thankfully, designers turned to the shoe and turned this functional accessory into a work of art. The movement started a few seasons ago, with whimsical designs, such as Prada's platforms with the surreal-looking flower-stem heels, or hardcore motifs, like Balenciaga's tribal gladiators. Then last season, an influx of sculptural pieces that melded fashion's current love affair with 60s futurism with modern-day, over-the-top detailing. Witness some of the best of Fall 2008:

Christian Louboutin for Rodarte: A spiky ordeal...

...and in gold! Fierce...

 

Louis Vuitton full-blown platforms

Balenciaga's crazy booties with stacked lucite heels

Prada's two-tone ruffle confections

One of the bright beauties from Miu Miu

The coolness factor is stepped up at Miu Miu

 Yes, Fall 2008 was the season of the shoe. And, thankfully, Spring 2009 is proving to have some great contenders, in the name of...

Louis Vuitton...

Rodarte...using recycled electrical wires, natch!

And, there you have it: Another season of teetering around in sky-high platforms that literally steal the thunder from any outfit you ever wear!

{{All images via Style.com}}

I'm Currently Loving...Esuchen N.P.P.E. SH-RD Protein Cream

OMG...I don't even know where to start with this absolutely insanely cool haircare product. First, let's talk about my hair: It's gross. It's over-processed, having been bleached to the last inch of its sad life, and, honestly, most of it has already fallen out. Scary, but true. (Don't worry. I have extensions. I'm not walking around bald like Britney or anything.) But when I slather on Esuchen's N.P.P.E. SH-RD Protein Cream, my hair instantly transforms into shiny, super-gorgeous strands. Dab it onto your split ends, and, voila! Split ends are superficially sealed. Swipe it along your part and flyaways are tamed. The smell is incredible, and the consistency is light, so you can apply it numerous times before your hair starts to appear a bit greasy. It uses silk amino acids and hydrolyzed silk proteins to hydrate and strengthen hair and, by golly, it does a good job of both. An added bonus? It feels really good on skin, too, so I use it on my elbows when they are feeling scaly. It's pricey, but, hey—gorgeous hair comes at a cost to most of us!