When bling needs to go undercover

I've really come to appreciate bling in more places than I have before. Aside from the expected jewelry bling, I've added it recently to my shoes (Jimmy Choo ballet flats). I've purchased boots and handbags with studs. It seems that the more ornamental, the better. I look around my living room and suddenly it seems a bit bland.

I suppose it was only a matter of time before Victoria's Secret picked up on this trend. I had a few coupons burning a hole in my pocket so I decided to see what my newest lingerie options were in-store. That, and my workhorse everyday bra had just gotten tossed into the trash after the underwire broke. (I wondered what was stabbing me in the ribcage for almost an entire day before I figured it out.)

This bra is the prettiest thing I have seen in a long time. It's neutral but has just enough bling to make it, well, pretty. Yes, it's a lot fancier than the bra that was unceremoniously trashed, but what the heck, I was due for an upgrade. I've always been a fan of the Body by Victoria line but they've really outdone themselves this time. And, judging from the new merchandise on the website, it looks as if a lot of interesting, pretty and unique designs are going to be in-store.

Wedged into my shoe collection

It never really gets that hot where I live, and sandals aren't necessary for most of the year. But on those really hot days -- maybe 10 per year -- it's always good to have a cute option.

The wedge is great for height without needing a stiletto. And it offers stability too. Sometimes Calvin Klein is a hit or miss -- their mass-produced shoes aren't always made with the highest quality and as a result comfort and fit can be compromised.

I was pleasantly surprised with these wedges. They are really comfortable, don't rub my feet or toes, and are a welcome addition to my shoe collection. And while I won't be able to wear them a lot, they're unique and were a good purchase.

They're available in two color combinations at Piperlime, although I'm sure they are available elsewhere as well.

Where have Choo been all my life?

I'm a girl who loves my heels. But sometimes, flats are a necessity. And they have to be cute ballet flats. I like to have a lot of variation with my flats, and I'm always on the lookout for chic and comfort combined, which is often not possible. The reputed gold standard of ballet flats, the Tory Burch Reva, does an OK job, but not that great. The same goes for J. Crew and Kate Spade. Banana Republic has pretty good padding but sometimes their fit isn't that great. Lanvin has cachet but their soles are ridiculously thin. Chanel, Gucci, Valentino and Prada are better but not for the wallet, as is Christian Louboutin. Did I miss anyone?

Apparently, I did.

How could I have missed looking at Jimmy Choo? Possibly because I always felt their heels ran a bit narrow, so they were never the most comfortable on me. I assumed their flats would be the same. Then, a few months ago while assaulting the sale rack at Saks, I came across the Jimmy Choo Weber flat (sadly not on sale). I couldn't resist the bling on these flats so I slipped them on my feet. The cushioning was amazing! It was almost like wearing slippers. They were by far the most comfortable ballet flats I had ever tried on. But ... no sale = no going home with me.

I never forgot the lovely sparklies, though, and a few months later managed to score a pair from Bluefly for a really good price. I've seen them on other sites and they also come in a beautiful bronze.

If you are in the market for blingy ballet flats, these are the ones you should try.