Fashion

The Shoe Hive: Worth the Buzz

This weekend was positively picturesque and my husband and I decided to take advantage of it by strolling the streets of Old Town on Sunday. After gorging ourselves at a late brunch at Jackson 20, I set out to peruse the racks of some of Old Town’s best boutiques. Or, rather, since my birthday is in less than two weeks, one might say I was taking a more proactive role in the acquisition of my potential birthday gift.

For months now, I’ve been meaning to make my way to over the Shoe Hive and for one reason or another, I wasn’t able to. I FINALLY made it over there on Sunday and holy moly – I am glad I did!

Walking into the Shoe Hive is like opening a little window to heaven. Every style, color and brand name shoe you could ever hope for line shelf after shelf, interrupted every so often by a gorgeous designer purse. Pumps, wedges, sandals, flats, boots – the gangs all there and ladies, they are waiting for you to pay them a visit.

There isn’t a shoe store in DC quite like it. The selection is unique enough that you will leave feeling like a trendsetter but familiar enough that you can go there searching for something specific without being disappointed. Not surprisingly, shoes are the major merchandise draw, but the bags, sunglasses and jewelry are not to be underestimated! Delicate gold chains adorned with state charms, pretty printed scarves and a range of Tory Burch and Kate Spade mint-hued bags all caught my eye.

Bottom line, if you’re in Old Town, you need to go. If you’re not in Old Town, you need to make plans to go ASAP. Your feet will thank you!

These Jon Josef smoking slippers exemplify the type of item you can find at The Shoe Hive: classy and charming with a little dash of spunk! ($132-$154)

Rebecca Minkoff – need I say more? This shoe is a summer staple. Brown, black and buckled!

These Sam Edelman flats are the spring shoe trifecta: cutout detailing, mint-colored and feminine. ($94)

I had a Rachel Zoe “bananas” moment over these charm necklaces. They are the ideal layering piece and sentimental to boot.

There isn’t a better selection of Hunter boots anywhere in the area!

On that note, I’ll leave you with this little beauty from Tory Burch! ($595)

Watch Me: Like it. Love it. Buying it.

Spring has sprung – and I think that is a good enough excuse as any to consider acquiring a new timepiece. I’ve been sporting my gold oversized Michael Kors watch for more than year now, so I’m about due for a new style. With warmer temperatures (hopefully!), a lighter, smaller style would be ideal. I rounded up a few watches that have managed to catch my eye.

Like it.

Square shaped faces are on trend right now and the tortoise shell band is fun for spring and summer.

Vince Camuto Square Case Bangle Watch | $175

Love it.

This watch oozes summer. The white and tan striped band is nautically inspired and the blue and gold chain accent makes me long for the beach.

La Mer St. Tropez Chandelier Crystal Chain Watch | $180

Buying it.

My love for Kate Spade endures. With the recent addition of Kate Spade Saturday, I’m drawn more than ever to bold, graphic prints, making this watch a must-have for me. The bangle style is functional and fashionable and makes it easy to pair with any arm party!

Eye Spy

I have two go-to eye makeup looks that I resort to so often I’d like to think I almost have them perfected. The first is a cat-eye which I find impossible to achieve without a liquid liner. I prefer Lorac’s Front of the Line black liner. The second is just your average, everyday natural look. While I love my liquid liner, I think it is a bit too much for the office. I prefer to channel a fresh-faced Kate Middleton more so than a make-up masked Kardashian. To each their own!

I’ve been on the search for a great basic black pencil eyeliner ever since the MAC in Georgetown closed down. I’m convinced it was a sign from the beauty gods as the formula must have changed because their pencil liner now smudges much more than it ever used to. On to bigger, better and cheaper things, namely Almay’s Eyeliner Pencil! I scooped one up on a whim because it was on sale at CVS and haven’t turned back since.

Almay’s liner goes on smooth enough to make a perfectly straight line without smudging. Applying it over eyeshadow doesn’t cause any build up on the pencil, which is an issue I’ve run into with other brands. It doesn’t require a sharpener either. The pencil applicator is extremely easy to use . So easy, in fact, that I’ve applied it without my contacts in and still managed to look presentable. Without my contacts, I’m legally blind. How’s that for an endorsement?

All in all, this is an excellent purchase but the $7.99 price tag makes it a must-have! The liner comes in black and brown, but I prefer black eyeliner universally because I feel like it makes my blue eyes pop a bit more than brown. Give it a try and let me know what you think!