el blog

Ca-Breezies Battle Mother Nature's Enblazoned June

By Meghan Dryzga

 

Did I sleep through spring? Because I could've sworn just a week or two ago... It's fine, Nature Mom. Clearly you're testing my versatility and ability to readily adjust to your erratic moods. That, OR Mother Nature is pregnant or experiencing menopause... Flank the nation with your hot flash, Nature Mom; I can take it. (Let's see, we'll need one umbrella for her unexpected downpours of emotion and a cardigan for her occasional cold shoulder. Put those in the car, honey.)

You know who else can take Mother Nature's unadulterated heat? My ankles. Why? Because it's capri season. Well, it's shorts season. But if you're a career woman, traipsing into the office in your fave pair of high-thigh khakis isn't going to win you any "office appropriate" awards. So we all find a spectacular pair (pairs?) of staple capris and pretend they're as airy as your Friday Night Patio Bar Skirt. (I capitalized that. It seemed important.)

So here's the trouble with capris. If you're short and shopping the standard-fit rack, capris can look a lot like a mistake. Like, too short to be slacks, too long to be shorts, kind of mistake. A peddle-pushers kind of mistake. A "crooked smile that says your intuitively trendy neighbor is confused about your fashion intentions" kind of mistake. A "Honey - I'm not mad, I just need to know if you put my work pants in the dryer. They seem to have shrunk. Otherwise, this is an exceptionally good day for me, as I may have just fit into our 'tweenager's girl-size pants..." kind of mistake.

The solution? It's not found with a seamstress and a 2-inch hem. Nope, any pin-stuck woman relegated to the back of the dry cleaning shop inhaling questionably quease-inducing levels of cleaning fumes and wearing an apple cushion as a bracelet will not be trusted with my hems. My short sticks leave a very small margin for hem error that only my mother can manage.

Believe it or not, it's easier than that, certainly far more fun and unquestionably more versatile (take that, menopausal Nature Mom). Enter, "cantaloupe conundrum," the summer-struck peep-toe heels that hoist up my height and air out my calves like a floor-level fan in a pedicure parlor. The perfect combination of girlishness smoldered in summer and professionally pruned; tall enough to tip the hip-scale but not quite tip me over (let not my low center of gravity fool you; when it comes to balance, I'm like a baby deer... a land-legged seafarer).

So go on, Nature Mom. Let summer's heat seep through the office walls. My feet are dipped in cool cantaloupe that push my calves under my ca-breezy capris for summer sun to finally see.

 

Comfort Finds a Conga Partner (and She's Cute)

By Meghan Dryzga

Hi. My name's Meghan and I have an affinity for comfort. I don't find any glory in being fashionably in pain.

But you know who comfort looks good on? Not me. Like, five-foot-ten, long, lean, trend-ily waify, glossy skinned, moisturizer mandatory, makeup optional... not me.

I'm five foot nuthin'. A hundred and sumthin'. Wait, that's not the saying. (Yah, the saying goes "five foot nuthin', a hundred and nuthin'." No typo there. "Sumthin'" was every bit of intentional.) So when you slide even the finest yogawear onto this petite stature, there's enough puddling at the ankle to wash me clear out cuteville.

And my dramatic conga with comfort doesn't end there. Take the short stroll from my hip to my heel and there's a fair chance you'll find that I may not be wearing shoes. Where's this girl from? Good God. Is she employed? Alright, alright, alright. I moved to Arkansas two years ago, but I swear that has nothing to do with it. The rumored Arkansan barefoot inclination is all rumor, not reality. And yes, Good God, I'm employed. I've worked in the advertising industry for nearly 10 years now. But sometimes, between meetings, you can find me milling around sans shoes. But it's not my fault.

Thing is, finding the utopian collaboration of comfort and cute/professional appearance in a shoe has been near impossible for me. Finding a set of heels that don't turn on my pinky toe by noon, and attempt to turn a 5-piggy picnic into four pigs and a strip of bacon has been discouraging.

And the flats. The flats?! Hey - "E" for effort on the flatty selection, Dillard's. Not that I don't love the loafers; always grateful for the opportunity to revisit my days as a tomboy. OH, but you have Mary Janes. Forgive me. Is it me, or did I just walk onto the set of a Britney music video. Those'll go great with my school girl uniform; you know how I like to wear it to client presentations. Do you have coordinating pigtail accessories? As much as I want to accent my less-than-lankiness with a pair of shoes that make passersby question if I've given up altogether, eh, I don't.

So what IS she looking for? Is she just passionate or wildly picky.  I'm just - ugh - both. If I just had a sole, a swatch and a thread handy, I'd be able to show you what I'm... I'd be able to... I'm sorry. Do you hear that? Are those angels singing? Trumpets? Doves all aflutter for Eidia in all her Lushness. Well, sweet Georgia peach, I'll be smitten as a school girl with a box full of Christmas puppies. Nobody get alarmed, but I am nose to nose with one dangerously adorable pair of Audrey-style flats that don't put my femininity in peril. That emphasize my appreciation for "professional yet darling" but do not ignore my deep desire for heel-less-ness and my aversion to ankle pain. Oh sweet Blueberry Pie (that's what I named them), you understand me better than my husband when I explain to him (again) that there IS no dirty-dish fairy. Scoot over Santa; Eidia's moving into the workshop, and she's got a luscious line of comfortably cute toys for all the girls that made the "good" list.

 

Silver and Gold

By Nicole Tongson

Adding chains to any outfit, in any color, can add instant drama and sass. On eidialush.com, we thought, "Why not give our customers the option to add chains to their shoe designs?" Below is a ultra chic creation made by Melissa from Virginia.  She chose a magenta blossom silk brocade, our Jillian box toe platform, and the silver chain edging....a combination that is sexy with an urban flair.

 

I'm dying to know what she wore these babies with. When wearing a shoe with this much boldness, our recommendation is to keep your accompanying outfit to basic solids consisting of blacks, whites, and muted khaki or bronze tones. Below are a few outfit ideas from the Eidia Lush crew if you're considering purchasing a design similar to Melissa's:

 



Left: The Elizabeth and James' backless leather-trimmed jersey dress is ideal for those who love showing off some leg.  Its' classic shape and solid black color combined with the uber-short length and open back make it the perfect compliment to the shoes for a glamourous night out.

Center: Rag & Bone's Rock-chic black leather-panel lace-up skinny pants are great to match the urban look of your chain adorned heels. Pair the pants and heels with a simple white tank top for a day (or night) on the town.

Right: Chloe's pleated bronze high-waisted skirt is a nice color to wear with these heels because it brings out the understated bronze in the pattern. Pair it with a cute cropped jean jacket and plain white tank top to add some playful innocence to the sexy shoes on your feet below.

 

Are you interested in the chain look, but don't know where to start?

We've put together some designs that you can customize and purchase on our site today. Take a look at 4 of our favorite looks:

  

 
1: Underwater Treasure - $266.00

2: Street Smarts - $233.00

3: Masterpiece - $225.00

4: Charming - $193.00

 

Inspired by our chain designs yet? If you'd like to see more, check out all the options for chains on shoes at www.eidialush.com or if you have your own idea for a chained shoe creation, email us at [email protected].  Happy Designing!

The Golden Slippers

By Nicole Tongson

These golden slippers are one of the latest pair of shoes finished by our cobblers. As simple as they are, they have completely stolen my heart...

  

We still have this exact fabric left in stock, so if you're interested in creating your own fairytale slippers like the ones above, design them today on www.eidialush.com.

Boots, Oh My!

By Danielle Blasko

In the world of fashion, not many trends last from one season to the next, but one of Fall's hottest trends has survived the transition to Winter. The ankle boot, in all it's versatility, was totally hot last Fall and it isn't going away yet!

               
Whether you're an ankle-bootie cutie or an over-the-knee bombshell, the fashion world has you covered and you cannot go wrong with boots this Winter season. 

 
 
Both of these boots are being handmade by our cobblers as you're reading this.  More pics to come soon of the finished pairs :)

WEAR THIS, NOT THAT

By Danielle Blasko

Ready or not, the holidays are upon us! It's the time of year when everyone wants to look their best. After all, most of us have functions to attend that will include family or friends who are also trying to put their best foot forward.

Welcome to the Eidia Lush holiday guide to what and what not to wear this holiday season. 

 

WEAR THIS

NOT THAT

WEAR THIS 

NOT THAT

WEAR THIS

NOT THAT

WEAR THIS

NOT THAT

Delirium Descent

On July 30th, models will be strutting down the runway in custom designed Eidia Lush shoes at the Debonair Social Club in Wicker Park.  10 haute couture designs created by our lead shoe stylists will be featured at the event, titled Delirium Descent. 

Clothing will be designed by House of Frog, shoes by Eidia Lush, hair by BANG! Salon , and makeup by Meghan Sullivan

All proceeds will benefit NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Health).  There will be a $5 cover + $5 donation for the charity. 

Order your own Total Custom Designed shoes after the show to get 40% off.  This will be a full blown theatrical performance so come early and get a good seat.  Hope to see you all there!

Decade Fashion: 1910s

By Danielle Blasko

 

Last month, we took a leap into the distant past with a brief history of 1900s period fashion. That was the first post in a series of ten that will explore the history of women’s fashion in typical blog form.

 

Be on the lookout for my personal Eidia Lush custom design, period inspired shoe designs that will be linked in each post. If you love the design and want to complete your decade fashion look, all you have to do is click on the link, choose your size and (this one’s tough) wait patiently for one of our talented cobblers to create your newest pair of pumps.

 
 

Between the years of 1910 and 1919, fashion took a turn toward exotic lavishness particularly influenced by Orientalism. Parisian couturier Paul Poiret, was among the most highly influential designers of the period truly bringing Orientalism in fashion to life.

 

Jacques Doucet, a French designer, and Italian designer Mariano Fortuny, were also key figures in the fashion world of this decade. Interestingly, during this era, which paved the way for the 1920’s Jazz Age, the first female couturier, Jeanne Paquin, organized the first real fashion shows.

 

As Paquin made strides for female fashion designers, Poiret began designing clothes for uncorseted figures aiding in the liberation of women who began to throw away their corsets as the trend to loosen up clothing caught on.

 

Women moved away from the stylistic emphasis on accentuating curvature, instead opting for a lowered and less defined waistline, particularly as the decade neared its close.

 

A tunic worn over a long underskirt was the preferred style at the beginning of the teens but as the decade wore on into World War I women began to wear calf-length dresses over angle-length underskirts out of necessity for work-appropriate attire.

 

Almost all women’s shoes in this era were rounded at the toe and had slightly curved heels. Ankle straps were common as a result of the tango dance craze. Even shoes could not evade the colorful and exotic treatment of Paul Poiret!

 

It should come as no surprise that I could not resist Poiret’s influence when designing my custom interpretation of 1910s footwear with Eidia Lush: In the Style of Paul Poiret.

Women's Feet Are Getting Bigger!

By Danielle Blasko

 

Currently, the average size shoe for a woman is size 6 but just five years ago the average woman wore a size 5. Further, sales research in 2009 showed that the sale of ladies’ size 9 shoes increased by 23 percent and sales of size 6 shoes rose 17 percent, proving that women’s feet on average are growing.

 

Basing their stock on averages (and demands), most companies only carry the range of “standard shoe sizes:” sizes 5 through 9.  However, faced with changing statistics, shoe companies are being forced to reconsider the definition of standard sizes. More shoemakers are starting to carry size 10s in all styles in order to meet the demands of the evolving feet of women. 

 

Eidia Lush is at the forefront of the progressive companies that are carrying size 10 heels in all styles. As demands increase and the company is able to manufacture shoe parts, we will continue to expand the selection of available sizes to meet the needs of all Eidia Lush Girls.  

 

And for you lovely ladies who just don’t fit the mold, we want you to know that Eidia Lush has not forgotten about you! If you have a larger (or smaller) or wider shoe size than we are presently able to offer as a permanent option, we offer Total Custom Design and Special Requests services that allow you to re-design your own shoe Eidia Lush custom design style!

OH SO FIFTIES!

By Danielle Blasko           

After designing my very own pair of “Oh so fifties!” Eidia Lush pumps, I was on an accessorizing mission to do justice to my fifties fashion inspired heels. I knew when I ordered my shoes exactly what pants I would first pair with my newly designed shoes: black and red retro DKNY boot-cut stretch jeans.

 

Once I received my shoes, I felt that I couldn’t rightly rock my dazzling dream-pumps without some further 1950s-inspired accessorizing.

You can imagine how thrilled I was to discover that my custom designed pumps and Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland were simultaneously in the making. The Red Queen, known for her red and black fashion sensibility as much as her temper, is played by Helena Bonham Carter who is far more fashion inspiring than the animated Disney character of the 1950s.

Designers haven’t wasted any time in showcasing their Alice in Wonderland fashion designs just in time for the film premier and spring trending. Why not treat yourself to a pair of Eidia Lush pumps, accessorize with what’s guaranteed to be this spring season's hottest accessory collection, and throw yourself that tea party you’ve always dreamed of!