Hey Natalia! It’s been a great year so far. How long have you been at the Dazzle?
Natalia: I think I’m approaching veteran status here at the Dazzle, I just had my 2-year anniversary on March 16 and I can’t believe it! Seems like just yesterday I was buying my first pair of Ciji wedges! But you know what they say, time flies when you’re having fun!
2 years? Wow! You must have some great Dazzle memories. What’s been your favorite memory here so far?
N: Working at ShoeDazzle has given me so many great memories but I’d have to say that one of my favorites was the launching of the new and improved ShoeDazzle site earlier this year. We all worked together to create something that we are proud of. It took many long nights (and early mornings) but in the end I think it turned out pretty amazing! Hopefully our clients love it as much as we do!
The website looks great and I’m sure our clients love it. What would you say is your favorite part about being a Product Manager at ShoeDazzle?
N: I love so many parts of my job Work is NEVER boring. I would say my favorite part is that I get to be involved in many different projects and work with so many different departments (like our Creative and Teach Team), it’s really fun to see how everyone’s different contributions play out in ShoeDazzle’s growth. And of course the endless supply of shoes are a plus too!
I think we all love the endless supply of shoes here. You can have a different pair for every day of the month! But if you had to live in one type of shoe, what would it be?
N: That’s a tough question because I love so many different styles! At my core I”m a California beach bum so I guess I’d have to go with a flat strappy sandal. I love wearing a sandal that will show off my fresh pedicure and can take me from strand cruising to sun bathing in a blink of an eye. This summer, I will be running around with the Annelise, Debbie and Nahzin. All three will get their fair share of sunshine.
There is nothing better than a dreamy California summer full of palm trees and sunshine. Who do you look to for inspiration when styling your summer wardrobe?
N: My style crush of the moment is Blake Lively. Whether she’s running errands or strutting her stuff on the red carpet, she makes every outfit look effortlessly chic (not to mention she has the ultimate arm candy; Ryan Reynolds!).
That couple is too much (in a good way). Speaking of couples, your boyfriend’s a personal trainer. You must have a killer workout mix! What keeps you moving?
N: He definitely keeps me on my toes with new workouts! The best accessory to a new workout is a fresh new playlist and I’m always searching Pinterest and fitness blogs for new playlists to freshen up my workouts. My top 3 songs of the moment are: Suit and Tie – Justin Timberlake and Jay Z, Satellite – Rise Against and Hey Ya – OutKast.
We’ll make sure to download those! That kind of music would work well on a fun trip too! Any travel plans coming up?
N: Next up is Philadelphia and Washington D.C. in September. My boyfriend and I are going to a wedding in Pennsylvania and we decided to make a little vacation of it.
Sounds like your 2013 is shaping up to be a pretty good year. Are there any words that can sum up this year for you?
N: I can’t complain. So far, so good and I’m excited to see what’s next! My 2013 Mantra is: Simplify. Be Inspired. Be Original. Work Hard. & Enjoy. I really want to focus on being the best version of myself this year and enjoying life!
On Natalia: Londyn (coming soon)!
Need help picking your next favorite pair of shoes? Not to worry, ShoeDazzle has shoes for every occasion and we’ve got the inside scoop from Rachel Zoe on styling the perfect pair.
ShoeDazzle’s new chief stylist, Rachel Zoe, is a knowledgeable fashionista and go-to expert for advice about how to stay fabulous this spring. She’s sharing three of her favorite shoe trends and spring style must-haves.
Rachel’s first look is a go-to for the everyday working woman. The outfit is business appropriate yet still chic. She pairs the business attire with a new silhouette trend, t-straps. Rachel chose the Jenny lavender heels for this outfit, as well as the Raelynn gladiator heel and the June shoe in black or nude. If you’re going to rock the Raelynn, Rachel says, ”Wear them with black skinny pants and a blazer to nail down a professional look.” The June shoe is best to wear with long gowns.
In her second lookbook example, Rachel makes it clear how important color will be in our April wardrobes. Primary-colored shoes can help us liven up everyday outfits as well as keep up with our Friday night attire. “These shoes may just inspire you to throw a party,” Rachel said of the Sevens in yellow and blue.
Studs show no sign of slowing down. We couldn’t be more excited — shoes with stud details are sure to grab attention at any outing and are perfect for those who aren’t big on accessorizing. Rachel paired the “Yumiko” platforms with an all-black maxi dress and labeled it “kind of essential” for any fashionista’s wardrobe.
Read more here.
I pretend I know about music, so I thought about 4/4, the meter, before the date (actually I thought about the fraction first, because I’m a nerd, then I remembered it was my beFri’s birthday). Anyway, the meter 4/4 is 4 quarter beats per measure—think club music: thump thump thump thump. This got me thinking that maybe spring fashion, like the “4 on the floor” records topping the Top 40, is not only darker (see last week) but consistently bass-ic and a little retro.
That’s why I’ve made Kelly Kapowski my unlikely muse for Spring 2013. For those of us who showed up at the corner just in time to see the bus fly by, we’re right on time. I’m going to endorse black, white, cream, and gold as a new spring thing. Note: there’s nothing colorfully neon or pastel; that’s why it’s brilliant.
The metal of the season is so gold. Don’t feel gilt-y if you mix, but you Midas well put your mind to it, go for it—especially in Cuff Times.
You could Zip yourself into some gold studs, or let a high-top sneaker Twist things to the max.
Let’s get totally high-waisted on jeans paired with racy, lacy tops, caps, and heels with a whole Lottie of spikes.
Purse-onally, I think the scallop-trimmed Corbin and unnecessary suspenders would be friends forever.
Richy T. – Having a Zack Attack (de ja vu remix).
Hi Alyssa! For those that don’t know yet, what is your role here at ShoeDazzle?
Alyssa: I’m a User Interface Designer, which is really awesome because it means I get to work on the layout and enhancements to our website and there sure have been lots of exciting changes to it lately! I’ve also enjoyed my time spent designing the mobile site as it continually plays a bigger role in our business.
So much awesome-ness! We get more and more excited every day about our new site! There have been so many changes. What’s been your favorite one so far?
A: As I just alluded to, I’d say the website redesign has been my favorite change of all. I loved how all of our teams came together to pull that off in such a short amount of time. It was a tremendous learning experience for us all. After all the late nights everyone put in, we should all be dancing in our Dazzle shoes over the end result!
All of that hard work really paid off. How long have you been in graphic design?
A: Oh wow. Where should my story even begin? I started to really get into web design during my early high school years. I then started to design and code fan sites and the like. Afterwards, I started studying at The Art Institute in 2004, I believe, and I’ve been working professionally for about 6 years.
Sounds like you got an early start! What would you say is your favorite type of shoe (we know, it’s hard to choose).
A: Do I have to pick just one? I guess I have a thing for booties but…I also love my wedges!
The more the merrier, right? You can never have too many shoes….What’s your must have of the moment?
A: I really love the Beau + Ashe Seven platform shoe that’s in my ShoeDazzle showroom this month. I’ve eyeballed it in the photo studio a few times and I really should just get it. It’s a really fun color-blocked style.
So…you recently got engaged! Details, please!
A: My fiance, Brian, and I were having our usual white elephant Christmas party last December. It was filled with surprises and then Brian announced there was one more surprise we all should gather in the living room for. That’s when he walked up to me and got down on one knee with a ring! It took me a moment to realize it was really happening. We’re very happy after 5 years of dating!
Romantic! Any honeymoon plans?
A: Nothing set yet, but I’d love to just relax on the beach somewhere with a Mai Tai. We have a pre wedding trip to Munich, Germany planned for later this year though! Gonna cross going to the original Oktoberfest off the bucket list!
Do you have any quirky things about yourself that you want to share with us?
A: I LOVE vinyl records (my birthday is this month, hint hint). My fiance is probably sick of hearing the same Sinatra album on repeat. I’m also very clumsy. I fell down an escalator once in the London Underground with luggage and everyone coming down piled up on the carnage.
That’s so crazy! Has anything crazier than that happened to you?
A: One story that comes to mind is when I was going to see my friends’ band play at a David Bowie tribute show and on the way there I got a flat tire and a nice truck driver stopped and put the spare on it. After the show, I saw that I locked my keys in the car. AAA came and we got them out and then when he left, I went to start my car and the battery was dead so my friends gave it a jump. That’s the night that I met my fiance, so to me, that makes it extra crazy. I think most of my crazy stories involve my old car failing me.
Wow! Sounds like crazy turned crazy good! Lastly, what are your girly must haves?
A: Besides a ton of shoes? I’ve recently discovered the importance of a good face moisturizing regime. Don’t be afraid to splurge on some Kiehl’s Rosa Arctica. I spent a while looking for a good, lightweight, alochol free moisturizer and it’s great!
Thanks Alyssa!
On Alyssa: Briana (coming soon)
The newest notch in the evolution of manicures is the nail wrap trend. If you haven’t tried them yet I hope this post will put them on your radar. A distant cousin to minx; nail wraps are an effortless way to achieve artistic nails. They can either be applied at home or at a salon, and come in a variety of different styles.
I recently got wrapped at Candy Paint LA, inside Melody Ehsani’s flagship store in Los Angeles. The process was extremely simple. You pick out a set, and after a basic manicure each wrap, which is similar to a sticker, is applied and topped with a coat of gel nail polish. The wraps can endure a lot, but are prone to peeling if you use your hands a lot. We recommend styling wraps with a multi-finger ring like Spiked Out, and Spell on You or a bracelet like Spike a Pose.
If nail art is your vice be sure to enter our giveaway with Mint Julep here.
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