Manolo’s Shoe Blog

Manolo says, the Manolosphere’s own treasured wedding-expert diva, the Never teh Bride (a.k.a. Christa Terry) has been interviewed for the article in the New York Post!

“Given the state of the economy, people are seeing that it’s smarter to use money they would’ve spent on their wedding on more useful, permanent things like buying a house or a new car,” says Christa Terry, author of “iDo: Planning Your Wedding with Nothing but ‘Net.”

Terry says New Yorkers - who spend an average of $46,000 on their nuptials - are getting in on the trend.

[…]

There are plenty of other cost-cutting measures to explore, says Terry. “There are so many great ways to save money that people don’t know about, starting with when and where you choose to have it,” she says.

Terry suggests checking out cheaper reception options like state parks and museums, since many of them charge significantly less than wedding halls and restaurants.

Other ideas include opting for buffet-style meals instead of full-service and choosing simpler favors, like chocolates.

But the best way to trim expenses, says Terry, is to use the Internet.

“It allows you to shop around and compare prices, so you can buy items like flowers and favors in bulk at the best prices,” she says. “Additionally, there’s such a wider variety of products to choose from, which [can] make your wedding more original than those who go the traditional route.”

Naturally, the Manolo is exceedingly proud of his wonderfully talented blogging friend.

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

Dear Manolo,

I’ve recently started a new job as an auto mechanic, and I need to find steel-toed boots that are actually fun, not the same, boring black that every guy in the shop wears. Most importantly, they need to protect my toes from being smushed by things like a brake disk or transmission. Can you help?

Lauren

Manolo says, thanks to the ubiquity of B movies and bad music videos, everyone in America knows about the lady auto mechanics, who are always introduced to us in exactly the same manner, in which the previously obscured person in the filthy coveralls rolls out from beneath the car to be revealed as the dark-haired spitfire, chewing the wad of gum, and scorning our abashed hero for his sexism.

Of the course, this mythical cinematic mechanic of the female gender will never rise to level of primary love interest. The best she can hope for is to be the sort of super-competent, technical sidekick.

Happily, real life does not follow such shallow models, and lady mechanics are no longer relegated to these confining roles. Indeed, in the Manolo’s book, such women are heroes in their own right, to be celebrated with colorful steel-toed boots of great durability and character, such as the Doc Marten’s 1919 Series work boot in the cherry red color

Manolo says, here from Donald Pliner is the Nany in metallic bronze, the perfectly handsome and perfectly simple palate cleanser for when one tires of the more frenetically embellished shoes which are au courant.

Manolo asked, whose shoes?

Manolo answers, it is the Ingrid Bergman!

Congratulations to the Manolo’s internet friend ChaCha Heels who was the first to correctly identify the person of the week.

P.S. Sometimes the Google image searches reveals the most puzzling and amusing things

Manolo asks, whose shoes?

Manolo says, this week, the Spirit Fingers invites us to identify the movie princesses.

Manolo says, it is Monday and you are back at your desk slaving away for The Man and his Minions, slowly breaking your spirit into tiny pieces on the keyboard of your workstation, as surely as the convict turns the big rocks into little rocks with his sledgehammer.

Oh, how you dream of freedom, fame, and great wealth, and of tall, bronzed, well-oiled men in tiny swimming trunks who bring you fruity drinks and peel plump grapes for your enjoyment.

But then, at the peak of this daydream, just as Fabio leans into view, briefly obscuring the warm Riviera sun, you remember that there people who depend upon you, the hard-working husband and the two kids in school, who need you and the mighty efforts you expend to make their lives better.

Yes, it is not glamorous, nor exciting, nor especially self-actualizing, this mundane reason for enduring the unsatisfying job, but it is, in its own way, noble. Serving those whom you love gives your life purpose and meaning, makes it possible to endure that which is difficult.

Of course, sometimes, at least in your mind, you must cut loose and let your inner Joan Collins rage. Clad in the bright red Dynasty power suit with giant shoulder pads, you would teach that biotchy regional manager the thing or two about eye-scratching, hair-pulling, and cat-fighting.

Ayyyy! Quick, we need happy-making shoes, and nothing makes the Manolo happier than shiny sandals from Pucci. Breathe deeply and enjoy the bliss.

Pucci makes the smiles!

Manolo says, despite rumors to the contrary, the Pope does not wear the Prada.

The pontiff has been hailed as a “style icon” since his election just over three years ago and speculation has been rife that he enjoys designer clothes. Attention has focused not only on his often elaborate headgear and fashionable sunglasses but also on his dainty red shoes, or moccasins, widely assumed to be made by Prada.

However L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, categorically denied reports today that the shoes were a Prada product, saying this was “of course false”.

According to Vatican sources the Pope’s shoes are made by a cobbler from Novara called Adriano Stefanelli, who makes them from calf or kid for the winter and nappa leather for the summer. Papal shoe repairs are carried out by Antonio Arellano, a Peruvian shoemaker in the Borgo, the medieval quarter next to St Peter’s. The article, on “Ratzinger’s Liturgical Vestments”, was written by Juan Manuel de Prada, the noted Spanish writer and author of The Tempest, who is not related to the fashion company. De Prada said that the image of the German-born Pope as concerned with “frivolity” was at odds with the truth, which was that he was a “simple and sober” man. Suggestions to the contrary were “stupid and banal”.

Well, excuse the Manolo, for being interested. So who does dress His Holiness, Señor de Prada?

“The Pope is not dressed by Prada but by Christ,” he said.

That certainly clears up any confusion.

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

Dear Manolo,

The Fourth of July weekend is next week, and like most people I plan on spending it outdoors, at a picnic with my family and friends. Can you recommend some casual but chic, summery sandals?

Darcy

Manolo says, oh how the Manolo loves the Fourth of July! It is one of his favorite holidays; the magnificent patriotic festival of fireworks and freedom and frankfurters.

Indeed, how can one not be enthusiastic about any holiday that traditionally begins with the mass consumption of cheap hot dogs, warm lemonade, and Mom’s potato salad, and culminates in John Philip Souza and giant explosions?

To be American is to know the manifest joys of cherry bombs and whistling petes, of eating slightly-off coleslaw, and watching the home team lose to the Yankees in the ninth inning.

Truly we are blessed to live in the country where lawn chairs and giant coolers filled with Budweiser have not yet been outlawed, where we are free to get as mosquito-bitten, food-poisoned, and sunburned as we like in the celebration of our traditional liberties.

America! Long may she wave to us!

Here from Frye, which is appropriately the longest continually operated shoe company in America, is the Mary Harness Thong, the snappy sandal perfect the day of celebration.