New shoe from Nike draws inspiration from familiar sources.

Despite my overwhelming love for black, I always seem to bypass black handbags. My theory is that since I wear so much black clothing, when it comes to accessories, I should experiment with color in at least my handbag and shoes. I’m a big fan of a black-on-black look, but if you’re pale like I am and wear too much black all at one time, well, people start to stare. The fact that I dye my hair black probably doesn’t help my cause. Sometimes, though, there’s a black bag that’s just too fabulous for me to resist. This time, it’s the Christian Louboutin Tinzita Shoulder Bag that has me in its grasp. I’m sure that there are other colors out there for this particular bag, but there’s something about the super-soft black leather that’s got my attention. Louboutin has done such a great job loading this bag with texture and visual interest that the neutral color doesn’t bother me one bit. In fact, if this bag had been done in bright leather, it might be just a tad too much. As it is, not only are the material’s softness and pliability clear through the prominent pleats, but the tassels provide movement without being too sloppy.

Manolo says, from our friends at NET-A-PORTER (who provided us with the delightful Giuseppe Zanotti interview ) comes this most amusing interview with Christian Louboutin. The first thing I really wanted to do was to design shoes for showgirls, because at the end of the day, you know, a showgirl is…is like a bird of paradise. It’s a woman, but it’s a representation of a bird, basically. At the end of my school, I did a big internship at Folies Bergère, and it was very interesting because, you know, if you like high heels, the showgirls are the best to actually show how to walk, how to manage, how to practice, but also they know great tricks about things, because not only they need to look, and to be good, but also they have to not to think about it. So, it has to be very comfortable, they don’t have to think about their feet. And, you know, at the first moment when I really thought up this stupid sentence, which is ’suffering to be beautiful’, doesn’t work. You know, showgirls cannot suffer to be beautiful. The Folies Bergère has interns? Of the course, you would be like the statuesque and colorful Bird of Paradise in these Christian Louboutin Ulona 140 platform sandals Although it would likely take several months of interning at the Folies Bergère to walk properly in them.

Nike Air Max Rise designed for Atlanta’s Al Horford.

Manolo says, one of the Manolo internet friends has sent the Manolo the note. Dear Manolo, I just wanted to let you know of the abomination on your ad space. Your friend, Sarah Many thanks to the Sarah and the others who have alerted the the Manolo to this. It is curious, no? One would think that the people behind the Crocs would know how the Manolo feels about their ungainly, life-sapping, and horrifically unattractive product, for it is not as if the Manolo has made any secret of his feelings . But, the Manolo’s position is that the Crocs are the legal product which, if you are not riding on the escalator or wrestling alligators , pose little physical threat to humans. (Of the course, the aesthetic threat is incalculable.) And thus the Manolo the Capitalist is not opposed to taking their advertising dollars. Much more troubling to the Manolo is the frequent reappearance of the advertisements promoting the fake designer shoes, especially the fake Christian Louboutin shoes. Indeed, for nearly two years now, the Manolo has been waging the continual war against these criminals in his comments section and his banner advertising. And yet the fake ads continue to reappear, usually with the slightly different website or name.

Manolo says, the Manolo reminds you that he is still on the crusade to convince the producers of Glee to cast the astoundingly amusing Lin Yu Chun as the Foreign Exchange Student. To that end, the Manolo has started the Facebook group dedicated to that proposition . Please be so kind as to consider joining if you are at all concerned about increasing level of entertainment present on network television. And now, for your viewing pleasure… Lin Yu Chun busts the move… P.S. The Manolo has restated this case on the Celebrity Beehive .

Photo Source: ShopBop, HilaryVault.com Hilary Duff attended the George Lopez Celebrity Golf Tournament on May 3rd, 2010 wearing Vera Wang Lavender Label Sally Multi Strap Sandals in Camel, available from ShopBop.com , $375. Also available in Black. These leather sandals feature multiple straps and an exposed back zip. 1″ covered platform and 4.5″ covered stiletto heel. Leather sole. Made in Italy. vera wang sandal

One of the best things about summer is that I can wear my favorite shoes: espadrilles! During and after college I lived in Spain and became an espadrille devotee! My favorite place to buy espadrilles is La Manual Alpargatera in Barcelona. But if you don’t have a trip to the Iberian Peninsula planned anytime soon, Saks has an amazing selection espadrilles. And nothing says summer like a sundress and a pair of espadrilles.  So I’ve rounded up some great pairs courtesy of Saks to help everyone embrace the warmer weather! Christian Louboutin has designed some great classic espadrilles! This pair is also closed-toe for my ladies that don’t like to shoe off their little piggies. Christian Louboutin Carino Plato Canvas Espadrilles for $425 at Saks. If you want something a litte higher and sexier, Christian Louboutin has you covered with these espadrilles. Christian Louboutin Praia Platform Espadrilles (also available in black) for $595 at Saks. Regular Shoe Blog readers know that I am devoted to flats. Marc by Marc Jacobs is thinking of me this summer – with polka dots to boot! Marc by Marc Jacobs Lace-Up Espadrille Sandals for $220 at Saks. Michael Kors has a bunch of great espadrilles this season, but I’m a sucker for black patent so these are my favorite pair by Mr. Kors.

I loved the look of LAMB’s Spatted pump from several seasons ago: (LAMB ‘Crowther’; originally retail at just under $400, currently unavailable) Unfortunately for my shoe-collection, but not so much for my budget, I passed on the opportunity to purchase these. Which, honestly, is just as well. These spatted pumps were one of those styles that I adored looking at, but could never quite imagine how I might wear them in real life. Though, with the resurgence of leggings and skinny jeans, maybe they aren’t so impractical after all. But, this shows that even for a shoe-hound like me, practicality occasionally wins out against my instinctive “Oh, look, a sparkly!” acquisitive tendencies. In a bit of twisted luck, the newest incarnation of spatted footwear is so far out of my price range as to be no threat to my ongoing efforts to maintain a healthy budget. Making them appropriate, in my case, as a mere Sunday diversion… which is not to say they won’t work out for someone who not only looks good in the aforementioned skinny jeans and leggings (which is not me – at least not in my current body ) but who is also less budgetarily-constrained as I am/will continue to be for the next year or so. Christian Louboutin “Armony” ankle boots with removeable cuff $1395 at Saks.com Hope you enjoyed the Sunday eye candy. Authentic Shops: Designer Shoes at Zappos.com Saks Fifth Avenue

In what ended up being a landslide vote in his favor, LeBron James walked away earlier today with his second straight MVP trophy. Last year when King James won his first Maurice Podoloff Trophy Nike produced a specially designed Zoom LeBron VII to honor the occasion and as you would expect, they’ve done the same for LeBron’s current MVP awarding. Using The King’s signature Air Max LeBron VII in the low-cut silhouette, the shoes appear to be somewhat of a drag when compared to the Most Valuable Player VI’s from 2009. Pure white appears throughout the entire base of the sneakers, with custom laser etched graphics on the toe-box and lateral side of the upper. On the right toe you have the numbers 08 and 09, with the Marice Podoloff Trophy in the center to honor LeBron’s 2009 MVP award, and on the toe of left shoe you have the trophy with the numbers 09 and 10 paying tribute to this year’s award. Finally, there’s detailing of “MVP x 2″ along the lateral side of the upper reminding once again this is the second time Sir James has taken home award. Details on the sneakers are still slim at this time, but according to NikeLeBron they’ve been produced as a commemorative sneaker for today’s MVP party, and that a few selected fans at today’s event were awarded with their very own pairs. As to how many people got there hands on a pair is unknown, nor is it known whether or not these are expected for a retail release, so for now just click here to peep the rest of the photos and stay tuned for further details. Nike Air Max LeBron VII “Hardwood Classics” – Blue/White-Orange Nike Air Max LeBron VII – White/Black-Red Nike Air Max LeBron VII “112 Edition” Nike Air Max LeBron VII “Hardwood Classics” PE’s Nike Air Max LeBron VII Low “University of Kentucky” Nike Air Max LeBron VII “Cool Grey Pack” – Eastbay Exclusive Nike Air Max LeBron VII “Hardwood Classic” Orange/White