Manolo says, the Manolo has recently discovered and become completely obsessed with the website Square America, the site devoted to the American snapshot, as collected and organized by Nicholas Osborn.

The shot shown above is from the On The Street , which is described as the collection of,

37 photos taken by the professional photographers who staked out the streets of major cities and tourist spots and took candid snapshots which they would then attempt to sell to their subjects, promising them “Natural pictures of you in motion.” For the most part hastily shot and incredibly poorly printed these photos are nevertheless are invaluable record of streetlife from the 30s through the 50s.

Here is yet another picture from the Square America site.

This one is from the collection entitled “On Beauty (And Its Discontents)”, described as,

Almost 85 photos on the idea of feminine beauty. Expect pin-up girls and beauty queens, mirrors, make-up and more!

But these two photos are but the small part of the enormous and endlessly fascinating collections that await those who visit Square America.

Manolo says, here is the Spirit from French Sole, the perfectly autumnal, wonderfully stylish suede flat for those afternoons trotting about the town shopping for new sweaters.

Manolo asks, whose shoes?

Manolo says, Ayyyyyyy, nooooooo! The snakes have entered the Garden of Eden!

Manolo says, it is Tuesday, time to see what the Manolo is…

Watching…

Reading…

Listening to…

Eating…

The Manolo is now completely smitten with the Argentine pop genius that is Hilda Lizarazu. She has that wonderful quality of defiant vulnerability and intelligence that the Manolo associates with the best of Chrissie Hynde. And her voice, it is so beguiling.

But, judge for yourself…

Manolo says, the Manolo is the fan of the designer Alber Elbaz, he seems like the delightful person, even if one must note that he does not photograph well.

Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.

Dear Manolo,

I’ve been invited on a fabulous two-week trip to Monaco at the end of October, and I need some shoes. Normally, I’m a high-heel girl, but I’m wondering if I’ll end up hobbling around by the end of the trip. Are there any cute (possibly preppy) mid-heels that are comfy?

Katie

Manolo says, Ayyyyy! Now is the best time to visit the Principality, the weather is quite pleasant, the summer crowds have left for the season, and Prince Albert is still the balding bachelor on the prowl.

Of the course, if you plan on doing any walking in the city, which is the easiest way to see Monte Carlo, you will need the comfortable shoes. Indeed, it is difficult to pretend that you are the glamorous Princess Grace Kelly if your feets are feeling like querulous Irish scullery maids after the hard day in the kitchen.

And, since it is Monaco, and you will also require shoes that have some stylish flair to them. Thus the Manolo suggests this mid-heel suede cut-out pump from Belle by Sigerson Morrison as being something that is, at the same time, feminine, attractive, and very practical.

Manolo says, our Maestro, the genius shoe maker, Manolo Blahnik has made the appearance in Beverly Hills, and has granted the press the interview. Naturally, he is his typically delightful and gracious self, dispensing provocatively charming advice. (For the example, he does not like the platform shoes, he finds them “ugly”. )

For the humble shoeblogger, however, this was the section that he found most gratifying.

Can we talk about shoe etiquette — when to wear or not wear certain shoes? Like, can you wear satin during the day?

Yes, I think so. I don’t think there are rules any longer. Coming from England where all things work . . . daytime, night, it all works.

I’m proper, I like to have a pump for evening. White shoes are for a wedding or daytime in summertime when it’s hot and shimmering, yes. In the winter, if you’re going to some kind of resort like Aspen, you can also wear them. I mean, why not?

Ayyyy! The Maestro Manolo Blahnik is in agreement with the humble Manolo the Shoeblogger, who has said many times that the white shoes are acceptable after the Day of Labor.

And here, in honor of this, the Shoeblogger give you the Maestro’s classic Carolyne mid-heel halter pump, in beautiful white satin.

Manolo says, as soon as the Manolo leaves the country, to Argentina, the place where the Project Runway does appear on the television, only many months later, the much awaited Season Five contestant drama finally appears, in the form of Retro Girl Kenley’s big obnoxious meltdown.

Ayyyy! And the Manolo has missed it! Thankfully, the Blogging the Project Runway stands ready to give the Manolo the secondhand news.

By the way, the Manolo is happy to see that two of his picks for the finals, Jarell and Korto have made it, along with Leanne, who has well exceeded the Manolo’s earlier expectations. His money is on Korto to win everything, as she is the one true original from this season.

Also, the Manolo’s internet friend Susanna sent the Manolo the email that Jarell was sounding very Manolo-ish in the last night’s episode, saying, “There’s such a thin line between luxury and low class.”

The actual quote of the Shoeblogger is “The true fashion is found on the border between the classic and the trashy.”

Manolo asked, whose shoes?

Manolo answers, it is the Diane Lane!

Congratulations to the Manolo’s own Spirit Fingers, who when no one else can get the correct answer, always does.

Manolo asks, whose shoes?