Heel History: The Wedge

I love shoes. This is not a secret. Upon walking into my room, the shoes are obvious (and everywhere): on racks in my closet, perched on top of stacks of magazines, etc. I have a lot of very beautiful and impractical shoes- they make for good art pieces around the room! My dirty and well-worn (with love) Converse hide in the closet, ha ha. 


While all my shoes are wonderful, I have to admit: I have a soft spot for wedges. Who doesn't like a heel that looks fabulous AND is comfy? I have a lot of snazzy heels that don't get much use because putting them on is more painful than it's worth. I'll wear them for a short jaunt out, but it's wedges that get the most wear out of my shoe collection. 


I am not the only one who loves a good wedge. This style of shoe is always popular, and the sandal version can be seen everywhere during the spring and summer. Wedge pumps and boots are just as comfy in winter. 

These are some of my favorite wedges for spring (because you can never have too many). Image sources (clockwise from top left): 1, 2, 3, 4

Like many of the best inventions, the wedge heel has humble origins. In fact, the wedge came about as a direct result of Benito Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 (now known as the Italo-Ethiopian War). Ethiopia appealed to the United Nations for help, and the UN imposed economic sanctions on Italy. This resulted in a shortage of good quality steel. 

Now, you might ask: what does steel and a war have to do with a shoe? Answer: everything! Salvatore Ferragamo, an Italian shoe designer, realized that without good steel, he had no way to create support in the arches in his shoes. The imported steel he tried using was so poor that when tested, the shoes broke. 

Obviously not a man to back down from a challenge, our guy Salvatore invented a new form of the platform heel in 1936. The new shoe featured a fill-in space between the platform sole and the heel. It was made of layers of Sardinian cork, so that the sole remained light despite the volume of the shoe. 

This genius creation was dubbed the wedge and because an instant hit with wartime women who wanted a high heel for glamour but a stable heel for work. 76 years later, the wedge is still going strong!

The above shoe might be Ferragamo's most famous pair. These were designed for Judy Garland in 1938; the shoe consists of a bright gold kidskin upper and a platform in rainbow suede-covered cork. (Image found here.)

These are reproduction shoes from Aerosoles, not authentic vintage, but the shape is similar to the styles of the 1940s. 

These wedges come from Remix Vintage Shoes , a company that specializes in reproduction shoes based on vintage designs. I own several pairs of their shoes and absolutely love them. Depending on your budget, they may be a little pricey, but the quality is outstanding and definitely worth the price.  

The wedge has proven to be a worthy shoe of the modern girl- good lookin' enough for the style maven, yet practical enough not to slow you down. When you're out taking on the world, who has time to worry about their shoes?

Enjoy the weekend, dear readers!

Miss V

Movie Monday: Easy Virtue

Hello, folks! I hope this finds you enjoying the holiday weekend. As it's Monday, I'm here to share with y'all another one of my favorite movies. Today's movie is (drum roll 
please)...Easy Virtue!

(I love the tag- let's misbehave!)

Easy Virtue is a British-Canadian film based on a play by Noël Coward (also called Easy Virtue). The film contains a lot of things that I love, such as jazz music, period clothes, and good lookin' men. If for nothing else, watch this movie for Ben Barnes alone!

The plot centers around Larita (Jessica Biel), a glamorous American race car driver. She meets a young Englishman, John Wittaker (Ben Barnes) in Monaco, and the two decide to get married. John brings Larita back to England to meet his family, which does not go over well. His mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) disapproves of Larita, as does the rest of his family. The only person on Larita's side is John's father, Jim (Colin Firth). 

During her stay with the Wittakers, Larita makes numerous gaffes, which are all hilarous. The movie is very funny, and has an unexpected- but happy- ending. It doesn't turn out the way you would think, but I was pleasantly surprised. All I can say is go watch it! And now I'll stop rambling about the plot and get to the good stuff...

The film is set in the 1920s, so you know what that means...beautiful costumes! Larita, being quite the fashionable woman, has a wardrobe to die for. 

And, just for fun, here is Ben Barnes being adorable:

Image Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,

In the above scene, Larita gets to tango around with Colin Firth wearing a beautiful 1920s evening gown (I couldn't find any photos of the back of the dress, but it has a beautiful low back). I'm jealous. 

And, of course, no good period film in the 1920s would be complete without a wonderful jazzy soundtrack. The soundtrack is available on iTunes- I recommend going to take a listen, if that's your cup of tea. 

If you're on holiday, enjoy the rest of the long weekend; if not, I hope your Monday is treating you well!

Miss V 

Domino Magazine: Design Inspiration

For as long as I can remember, my mom has loved houses. She studied architecture in college, and our house is full of decorating books and magazines. When I was little, I never understood what could be exciting about looking at houses. The following scenario happened a lot:


Mom [while out driving]: "Oh Virginia, look how beautiful that house is! I love that porch, and look at the lines of the columns..."
Young Virginia: *what is this crazy lady talking about* "Yeah, sure mom." 


Now that I'm older, I've definitely gotten the house-lovin' bug! My mom gives herself all the credit, which she probably deserves (though young me would not agree).


One of our mutual favorites housing magazines was Domino. Domino is not longer being published (sob), but it is one of the few magazines where every issue is a pure joy to read.

Domino focuses on interior design and the homes of some of the coolest people out there, with some of the coolest homes. Some of the homes are traditional, some are funky...and there is a little bit of everything in between. Here some shots of my favorites from over the years:

Image Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

It was a sad, sad day when Domino went out of publication in 2009, but never fear! There are TONS of old issues on eBay- every Christmas/birthday my mom and I always engage in fierce bidding wars for a couple of issues for each other. I am slowly working on collecting all of them- it's going to take a while, ha ha!


This summer, a special Domino issue called "Domino Quick Fixes" appeared on newsstands. I don't know if the magazine is making a comeback (I hope so!), or if this is just a one time thing, but it's definitely worth looking at. 


Domino also published a lovely book called Domino: The Book of Decorating (available here). I look at it all the time- the homes are so unique and are a source of so much inspiration. I was never really into decorating before I starting reading Domino, and now I am constantly planning how I will decorate my future home/apartment/living space. I'm also redoing my room at home, all thanks to this fabulous magzine. 


If you can get your hands on it (battling other buyers on eBay is worth it, I promise!), take the time of enjoy an issue of Domino. It will brighten your day at the least, and at best- who knows? Maybe a total home makeover! Anything is possible. :)


Miss V

Movie Monday: Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day

Hello everyone!


I hope you all had a lovely weekend- mine was fun, but busy! I'm in the process of painting my room, so I spent all weekend up to my elbows in paint and spackling. It's a lot of work, but I'm really excited to see the final results. 


I'm thinking of making Mondays "Movie Mondays" here on my blog. I love watches movies (mainly to check out the costumes!), and I thought I would start sharing some of my favorites with you. Today I'm going to talk about one of my all time favorite movies: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. 

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a 2008 romantic comedy directed by Bharat Nalluri. The screenplay is based on the 1938 novel of the same name, written by Winifred Watson. I've never read the book, but considering how much I love the movie I would probably love the book as well!

The film is set in London right before World War II. Guinevere Pettigrew (played by a fantastic Frances McDormand) is a governess who has just been fired from her forth job. When she is told by her employment agency that they will not help her find another job, she leaves- but not before taking an assignment meant for another college! 

What Miss Pettigrew doesn't know is that the job, posted by American singer/actress Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams), is for a social secretary, not a nanny. Upon arriving at Delysia's apartment, Miss Pettigrew and Delysia become fast friends. Delysia is involved with three very different men, and Miss Pettrigrew tries to help her sort out her true feelings, all while being swept up in Delysia's high society world. Along the way, Miss Pettigrew might just find love of her own!

In addition to being a great story, the film is a feast for the eyes, visually. Delysia lives in an absolutely gosh-wow beautiful apartment in London- if I could live in an apartment half as beautiful, I would be set for life. 

Look at the wallpaper- isn't it amazing?! 

And the clothes! *swoon* The clothes are absolutely amazing. The 1940s is one of my favorite time periods for clothing, and this film does not disappoint. Delysia, being quite the lady about town, has a fantastic wardrobe. 

Miss Pettigrew's style may be lacking at the beginning of the movie, but with a little help from Delysia, she turns into quite the fashionable lady herself. 

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

The blue dress Amy Adams is wearing in the above photo is one of my favorites (who wouldn't love a dress with a matching hat?!). 

As if that wasn't enough to make this an amazing movie, the soundtrack is perfect for anyone who loves jazz music. I like to listen to it and pretend that I am a 1940s movie star going out for an exciting evening on the town! Ha ha. :) 

I won't spoil how the movie ends (you'll have to watch to see which man Delysia ends up with!), but I highly recommend this movie for anyone who loves period films, a good love story, or just likes to laugh!

Miss V

Things I Now Have: A Header

As you may have noticed, I now have a header. This is exciting. I'm still playing around with getting this blog to look the way I want it to (this may take a while), but this is a step in the right direction!


I made my header using Picasa and this tutorial from Sarah over at Clover Lane. I had never used Picasa before this, and it was very straightforward and lots of fun. Warning: do not attempt to use Picasa if you do not have ample time on your hands, as you will spend hours rearranging collages. Not that I did that, or anything.


I've seen so many beautiful blogs all over the internet- there is so much inspiration out there! Thankfully, many clever people have made lovely tutorials for those of us who may be just a little tech-challenged. I had a blast making my header, and I can't wait to try out more ideas to spiff up my blog.


Miss V

First Blog Post!

My first post as a "blogger"- wahoo!

I've never had a blog before, so I will definitely be learning as I go. I can't wait to get started!

Miss V