FEB
2009
27

Manolo the Columnist (From the Archives of the Manolo)

Manolo says, the Manolo did not have to write the new column for the Express of the Washington Post this week, so here is something from two years ago.

Dear Manolo,

Could you suggest a nice pair of tall leather boots for winter wear?

Eric

Manolo says, the Manolo has the single commandment about the boots and the shoes for the men: you cannot wear the shoes that would potentially appear in the closet of the Argentine tango pimp.

You know the sort of the shoes the Manolo is talking about, with the overly pointy toes, and the bizarre details like the maltese cross cutouts, shoes which have weird colors and are made from the exotic leathers like the wildebeest and the pit viper and the Vietnamese pot bellied pig.

Men’s shoes must be of the traditional cut, color and materials. It is the quality of the workmanship and the fineness of the details which should distinguish the men’s shoe.

Of the course, the exception to the rule is the choice of sneaker, where the man may go as wild as his infantile heart desires. Do you wish new sneakers with the hydraulic springs in the heels and USB port in the toe? Do they come in lime green with the purple laces and the Linux operating system? The Manolo says, go for it.

As for the boots for winter, the Manolo recommends the Brando Engineer boot from Frye, for its classic styling and durable nature.

Frye Brando Engineer    Manolo Likes!  Click!

Whose Shoes Wednesday…The Answer!

Manolo asked, whose shoes?

Manolo answers, it is the Mischa Barton!

Congratulations to the Manolo’s internet friend Lisa, who was the first to respond and the first to corretly identify this week’s person of note.

Whose Shoes Wednesday!

Manolo asks, whose shoes?

FEB
2009
23

Ayyyy! Puzzle Corner Monday!

Manolo says, our friend Spirit Fingers has appropriately challenged us to identify the former winners of the Oscars.

FEB
2009
20

Manolo the Columnist

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

In May, I am graduating from a good law school. I am the harried mother of a small child, and I must confess I have frequently attended class looking less than super-fabulous. I would like to redeem myself by being the best-dressed graduate. The shoe will have to suit the traditional black cap and gown. It will be quite warm in May, so I will likely be wearing silk or linen underneath the gown.

Nola

Manolo says, ayyyyy! The Manolo congratulates his friend on her well-deserved success and on her proper desire to upgrade her image.

Time to put away the stained sweat pants and the “Law Student by Day, Ninja by Night” novelty t-shirt and dress according to your new status, as the junior, bottom-of-the-heap, brand-new associate lawyer, the person with the work schedule so rigorous that it would leave the young resident doctors-in-training gasping for air.

For the new job, the Manolo recommends wearing something stylish, comfortable, and easily pressed, as you will most likely be sleeping in those clothes more than once.

As for the celebratory shoes of the graduation the Manolo recommends the Harmony from Taryn by Taryn Rose, perhaps to be worn with the black or white linen sheath.

Harmony from Taryn by Taryn Rose    Manolo Likes!  Click!

FEB
2009
19

Manolo on the Go

Manolo says, the Manolo’s internet friend Cassandra has asked the Manolo the poignant question…

Manolo- Are you ever coming back?!?!?!

Yes, as soon as the Manolo works his way through these…

At the moment, the Manolo is in Mendoza, Argentina, the culminations of the two month long trip around Patagonia and Chile.

Tomorrow he returns to Buenos Aires, and next week to the more regular blogging schedule.

FEB
2009
13

Manolo the Columnist

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

Dear Manolo,

After reading a delightful book, Bet Me, by Jennifer Cruisie, I was inspired by the heroine — an actuary who wears all manner of over-the-top, ornamented shoes. One pair has cherries dangling over her toes, another pair looks like her feets are in a tiny corset, and yet another is ornamented with big floppy satin bows. Ridiculous, I know, but in the doldrums of winter, the very thought of owning a pair of sandals that make me (and other people) smile is a very heartening thought indeed. Can you help me?

Krista (a.k.a. La Petite Acadienne)

Manolo says, ayyyy! This is the person after the Manolo’s own heart! Someone who knows that shoes are more than mere protective coverings for the feets, someone who understands that wonderful shoes lighten the heart and brighten the day.

Forget the sun-lamp, Seasonal Affective Disorder disappears instantly when one puts on super fantastic shoes adorned with bubbly baubles and frivolous fripperies. What can be more happy-making than the colors of the rainbow shining up from bottom of ones legs?

Look here are the colorful high-heeled sandals from DSquared2, with the dingly-dangly, jingly-jangly metallic ornament to herald your arrival. Ayyy! And they are on the sale!

Ornamented Sandals by DSquared2    Manolo Likes!  Click!

Manolo the Columnist

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


Dear Manolo,

In late March, I’ll be attending a wedding in Northern Virginia, at very upmarket horse farm (think dressage and fox hunting). Supposedly, all of Washington’s society will be there. What do you recommend I wear?

Penny

Manolo says, ayyyy! The Manolo’s friend is cavorting with the horsey set! With their hacking jackets, and riding crops, and miscellaneous bits of incomprehensible leather tack, all of it imbued with the deep scent of ripe horse flesh and unpleasant social snobbery.

Of the course, for the Manolo, the mere whiff of horse sends the Manolo, Proust-like, back to his gypsy childhood, and to bad memories of Beto and La Bruja, those disreputable horses who pulled the family caravan about the Spanish countryside.

Like congressmen, they were obstinate and stupid, given to bad tempers, unwilling to do hard work , and overly fond of rich fodder, and they forever cured the Manolo of considering horses glamorous, much as close contact with the congressmen cures the residents of Washington of their illusions.

Speaking of Washington, at the moment everyone is taking their cue from the new First Lady, and thus the Camelot-era-ish low pump has returned. Look, here is Candidate from Stuart Weitzman, the classic, kitten-heeled pump.
Candidate from Stuart Weitzman   Manolo Likes!  Click!