Spring is about lightening up, dolls.

You ditch all the unnecessaries — any designer duds that don’t highlight your hot little body, any ladies or fellas that don’t make you money or smiles, any piece of your day that isn’t invested in a brighter future, and —

Any shoe that’s a fat flat, or pulled down by a chunky heel that’ll never challenge you to poise your posture, watch your walk, or stand straighter so you’re closer to kissing the sky.

Jil Sander’s python cut-out wedge gets it — last season’s wedge is cut-out so you ditch unnecessary heaviness for a gorgeous arch disinterested in the gravity that’s tugging everyone else down.

[Via Shoewawa]

Sitting with Grams, smiling in thanks at Mom, stirring a square of dark chocolate into your soy latte, you’re stretching your legs out like a cat, relaxing, reflecting -

Think you can snag those holiday heels in time for New Year’s Eve?

Bet your Jimmy Chouboutins you can, doll.

...continued: New Year's Heels

While you’re nibbling at brownies you managed to sprinkle ground espresso beans on, Grandmom is asking you about the fellas. 

Make it clear that it’s a matter of deciding which one gets graced with you using him as arm candy, and that you’re not waiting for some guy to sweet talk you.

Zac Posen’s silk faille dress will set Grams straight: so subtly S-E-X, it’s PG-13 enough for your little nieces, but assertive enough to keep your ladies chatting straight.

“Talk about cat’s meow,” says Kristine.

Meow.

...continued: Home for the Holidays: Party Outfit, Deux

One part vamp, two parts lady, shake and not stir. Garnish with a slice of executive. 

Tis the season for holiday office party chic.

Start with a little black dress, which is this year’s -

Little black dress.

...continued: Holiday Party Outfit, Part Une

It’s officially fall, so let’s moon over leaves going golden, swoon about an upcoming holiday season, ponder another year’s passing, let’s -

Knock around some boots, lovely. 

...continued: Ooh La Love: Fall Boots

Since high school I’ve daily rocked heels, I’ve been obsessed with height: leopard-print pony skin pumps with a 4” stiletto, deadstock 80’s ankle boots with 4½” stiletto, vintage 5” wooden platforms, 6” plastic stripper shoes, etc.

There’s something about a too-tall heel that makes you stand a little straighter, walk a little prouder, and talk a little taller.

So I’m ooh la loving stiletto expert Miss Meghan’s platform manifesto:

“More than Stilettos, more than the Kitten Heel, and much, much more than the sensible Ballet Flat, platforms make you a tower of strength. Tall and majestic, you can now peer above everyone’s head and spot that cab two blocks away (and grab it before the non-platformed rabble below you even see it.) You can pluck items off high shelves with ease, and now men must look up to you, much like the ancient Greek actors who wore elevated platforms to raise themselves up from mere mortal to godlike status…”

Read the rest of the article in the DAILY NEWS, p. 48.

Ooh la love.

Blogs Andrea of Shoewawa: 

“After repeated strutting around the Macy’s shoe department, I knew they must be mine. This is the first time I’ve written about shoes I bought and it’s very exciting. They’re so adorable and give a great arch to the foot. The suede is almost velvety and the shape is very flattering. My husband says they look a little bit like stripper shoes, but he meant it as a high compliment.” 

ThisNext is all about product discovery, I’m excited I’ve found my new jogging shoes.

Thank you, Shoewawa. 

Check my zoo of a wardrobe - ostrich purses, snakeskin clutches, ponyskin pumps, mink caps - and it’s obvious:

I’m a real animal lover.

So I’m totally digging all the leopard running wild lately.  Styledash has some great leopard prints picks.

My fav? These Christian Louboutin leopard print peep-toes.  Can’t beat a stacked 4” heel. 

Actually you could - I wonder if my shoe guy could slap on an extra inch. 

Though we’re all about shopcasting and having conversations about your favorite products, I’m not sure how much needs to be said about these Nicholas Kirkwood for Boudicca heels.

Except maybe “Gorgeous.”

Discovered via Refinery 29.

We love products that let you get the most out of all parts of your life -

Including your other products.

Check these MiniSocks, discovered via fashion blog Karina xoxo, that let you re-vamp your heels.

At ThisNext, we love people passionate, opinionated, and well-informed about gorgeous products.

So you can imagine my glee reading shoe guru Miss Meghan’s blog about all things shoes. Think:

- Stiletto strategies in Chicago

- Tip that Kenneth Cole in NYC will break in your shoes for you

- Burlesque dancer Dita in red platforms

ThisNext exists because there’s not just one kind of cell phone, or even one type of Razr; because all little black dresses were not created equal; because

There are just too many platforms to sort through this season.

When ThisNext is live, we’ll be more than happy to help you swim through the web’s sea of products, supported by real reviews by real savvy people.

Meanwhile, we’ll let Courture in the City help you out with those 4-inch pumps.