Bravo for Brian!

What can I say except that I am so proud of my friend, shoe designer extraordinaire, Brian Atwood! It seems like he's finally gotten all the recognition that has been deserved for some time now. I've known Brian since the late 90s and was one of the first editors to really support his line. It's amazing the (good) power that fashion editors hold in the world of commercial and critical success for designers. I love that good things are happening for so many that I knew "way back when" just when they were starting out or on the brink of "making it."

When I first opened the Troc, I stocked Brian Atwood shoes. Boy, were they lovely! Unfortunately, many Omahans did not know the brand and even worse, they definitely didn't want to pay the price for a designer they never heard of. Yeah, I could have stocked "household" brands (known because of a little show called Sex and the City) like Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin, but my store was all about stocking the hidden gems, the brands that are editor favorites that might not be on the beaten path quite yet. Some brands at the Troc have done wonderfully, others haven't fared so well.

In my fantasy world I would be thrilled to restock Brian Atwood. Unfortunately, as a retailer I need to know my "retail climate" and have realized that these red carpet beauties with the red carpet price tag just won't sell enough in conservative-minded Omaha.

But if I could foresee an uptick in the economy, I would definitely consider stocking Brian Atwood's new "B Brian Atwood" diffusion line, right now available on saks.com. I'm especially crazy about the Paramour ankle boot in two textures of burgundy with a stacked heel and exposed zipper. But for $450, I still don't know if my customer is willing to spend that type of money (I, of course, think it's totally worth it. I'm a huge believer in spending money for investment pieces/wardrobe staples.) This boot is timeless perfection.

What do you think, Omaha? Would you be willing to shop in town instead of online if we brought some amazing designer brands back in stock?


source: Everyone is Wearing Brian Atwood and Celeb Photos
source: B Brian Atwood at saks.com

Death by Stiletto

Tune into "The Rachel Zoe Project" on Bravo for just 30 seconds and you'll no doubt hear the celebrity stylist use her signature phrase "I die!" to describe something she loves at least 10 times.

In the latest issue of Harper's Bazaar, Rachel was photographed with some of our favorite designers, including Marc Jacobs and Vera Wang, in scenes depicting what would happen if Rachel were to really die for fashion. We are partial to "Death by Stiletto," featuring the talented -- and, ahem, gorgeous -- Brian Atwood.

If you would like to get your hands on Brian Atwood... I mean on a pair of Brian Atwood stilettos, they are now on mega sale. For example:

The Trixi has been marked down from $775 to $250, and we have one size left - 37.

We have two pairs - sizes 37.5 and 39 - of the Dorian in stock, and they have been marked down from $750 to $395.

This is just a small sample of what's on sale. Plus, we're still running our Vegas promotion, so spin to win up to 50% everything, including Brian Atwoods. Imagine getting the Dorian for 50% off the sale price? You can... if it's your lucky day!

No thanks to Carrie and Company

In a piece of shocking news....I kinda really don't like Sex and the City. I feel like a traitor to all thirtysomething and fortysomething Manhattan working women in the world of magazines, PR and fashion. But truth be told, I wasn't a huge fan of SATC when I was living in NYC either. I could hardly stomach Carrie's character, Samantha was such an over-the-top caricature and Charlotte wasn't close to anyone who I would want to befriend. It was Miranda with whom I most identified as she seemed the most real and, dare I say it, normal? It seemed truly unrealistic that any of these women would be friends with each other but I understand that TV can work its magic in many ways that suspend reality for good television.

The show came at a time when TV needed something brash, sexy and with strong female characters who were also attractive, successful and...single. It was definitely a very realistic show in depicting the type of women who do exist in NYC and showcasing the myriad of problems that women of that age had in finding love and/or balancing love, marriage and/or a career. For that very reason I tuned in and watched it and for a while enjoyed the stories that were told week in and week out.

But my interest waned rather quickly while I was still a Manhattanite myself. And then I moved to Nebraska. I watched the TBS-edited versions at night when I couldn't find anything else to watch and then when the first movie came out, I went to go see it. I found it so unentertaining that I couldn't bear to watch it again when it was on HBO or wherever it aired.

With the sequel coming out this week, I am once again faced with not really giving a shit. It seems as if so many friends (and many acquaintances) assume that this would be top of my list of things to do but frankly I'd rather poke hot coals into my eyeballs. I'll be saving my $10 and be putting it towards a bucket of balls to be used the next time I hit the golf range.

One of the only reasons why I am somewhat interested in the movie is because my good friend, shoe designer extraordinaire Brian Atwood, has a major role in the movie. Well, not him per se, but his shoes!!! Brian's gorgeous creations were both on set and off and have become SJP's go-to shoe brand.

When I first opened my shop Trocadero, I carried Brian Atwood's shoes. He's a favorite designer of mine, in addition to being a friend, and I wanted to bring the best of the best to Omaha. Unfortunately in 2007, many folks still hadn't heard of the brand and didn't know how lucky we were to have this label represented in Omaha. It's meant that I haven't been able to carry it for the past couple seasons because frankly a lot of women did not know that Brian Atwood was literally going to become the next Manolo Blahnik or Christian Louboutin. So for the past couple years (including right now), women have been snatching up stunning Brian Atwood shoes for 25%-75% off retail at Trocadero. It's not too late!

I've got some amazing circa 2008/2009 shoes that are still in the shop, such as these gold platform stunners! They are literally the most comfortable heel I have ever worn and in the softest, most flattering gold leather. We only have a size 36 left but if you are that size, I urge you to buy them! You won't be disappointed.

Tonight is the Omaha premier of the quintessential chick flick, benefitting the Junior League. I won't be there but my support is still there via two tickets I purchased to give away to two lucky Trocadero visitors as well as my help to secure a Christian Louboutin handbag for a raffle prize at the event itself.

Dressing Up the Holidays From Head to Table

Recently I have been on a holiday high thinking of ways to get into the holiday spirit. Baking sweet treats with friends, drowning in "pumpkin harvest & fall" air freshener, strolling through the mall and department stores ogling the seasonal decor- all great ways to boost the cheer factor. But the holidays are not complete without the perfect accessories, and that goes for your table as well as you.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner there's no better time than now to devise a plan of how to dress your table. Forget the typical cornucopia or tired turkey basket filled with fall foliage. This year, try adding some spice to your spread by using playful dishes and chic accents.

Luckily, the Troc has you covered with our collection of unique houseware items that are sure to impress all of your dinner guests.

Add a quirky yet stylish touch to your table with a forest votive (below) or crumpled porcelain platter from Roost. The fun texture will definitely add variety to the setting. Lorena Barrezueta's elegant dishes are also a great pick to add function and flair to your feast. These pieces are fashioned after tin food containers but are made in fine porcelain.

Light a Diptyque candle or sit out an Antica Farmacista scent diffuser and the sweet, powerful aroma will be the first thing your friends and family notice when they step foot into your home.

The presence of quality perfumes and oils in these products will leave a lasting impression on the olfactory senses and help create that cozy holiday mood.

With these touches of interior glamour the holidays at your home will go unmatched, but putting on a great dinner or party does not end there. Whether you are hosting or attending, you can't do the holidays without the perfect accessories for your special ensemble.

For a pop of color or pattern to a simple updo or a sleek straight look throw on a Jennifer Ouelette headband or a feathered creation from Pluma. For party-perfect locks try some of Paul Labrecque's praised luxury hair care products.

Don't let your look slip through your fingers. Paint on a coat of our Rescue Beauty Lounge nail color (left: Black Russian) for a completely polished look, and slip on a set of Alex and Ani mixed metal bangles for a little more shine.

Treat yourself to an early Christmas present and splurge on a pair of shoes to carry you through the endless parties of the season. A heel like one of Brian Atwood's fancy creations are perfect to give you a little boost and a dash of charm.

A pair of Anne Black's playful earrings is the icing on the cake for any outfit, with styles ranging to compliment every outfit from casual to cocktail.

You can't go wrong with any of these home, beauty, or accessory items. They will take care of leaving your friends and family visually satisfied, but satisfying their taste buds is up to you. Happy Holidays from all of us at the Troc!

Two for the Road: 10/29/09

Date: 10/29/09

Bag: YSL Downtown bag in off-white leather

Shoe: Brian Atwood Nico gray snake pumps

Worn with: Alberta Ferretti lavender silk camisole with nude lace, teal velvet belt and gray pinstripe skirt dress, Alberta Ferretti lavender cashmere mini cardigan, Bravo gray cashmere waffle knit long cardigan

One of my all-time favorite bags. Actually I don't think there is one YSL bag that I own that I don't completely adore. Functional and chic and not gimmicky and logoed out. This was a gift from YSL to all the Accessories Directors and some Fashion Directors at the major magazines. Top tier mags: Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, W, In Style. Yes, I was one of the lucky few who season after season, was showered with the most coveted bags of the season. And this one for sure was one of my absolute faves. The shoes are total F$%# Me pumps that were at the Troc (actually we have one last pair left, size 40, for a mere $325 -- originally $765). I got the Alberta Ferretti dress with matching cardigan as a gift from the Aeffe PR folks. And the long cardigan I wore with the dress to make it more work-appropriate is from She-la, here in Omaha. It's my go-to warm long cardigan for many a day and night. And my spray tan? It's from Shine Day Spa out at a strip mall across from the Lakeside one in Omaha. I had never gotten a spray tan before but it was FREE with the purchase of any $60+ treatment. They are so lovely at Shine Day Spa...I recommend it highly.

Two for the Road: 10/1/09

Date: 10/1/09
Bag: MZ Wallace "Jane" black nylon shoulder bag

Shoe: Brian Atwood black patent "go-go" boots

Worn with: Diane Von Furstenberg black dress, Louis Vuitton jacket

We are definitely heading into colder temperatures as evidenced by my black wardrobe and wearing of boots. With rainy days in Omaha, I knew I wanted to carry a bag that wouldn't get ruined by the weather. I chose this black MZ Wallace; it's something I had back in NYC, a gift from the designer, Lucy Wallace (who in her previous life was the Accessories Director of Harper's Bazaar and then Elle. Just like accessories editor Kate Spade before her, Lucy knew that the bag market was abysmal and needed some help so she created her own line of what she thought was missing in the overcrowded but severely poor marketplace). I love her line of reasonably priced, well-designed and lightweight bags. That's why I carry them at Trocadero. My boots were a sample pair from Brian's studio in Milan; I was in severe pain from my high heels one day and they gave me them to wear right out of the studio. I love them because they are so comfy but also extremely chic--they zip up the back and have a great mid-calf height that is surprisingly flattering. The DVF dress was from the sale rack at the Scoop store in Las Vegas and is a good old stand-by. The Louis Vuitton jacket is a purchase from an LV sample sale back in the day. It has tiny little jet beads on the pockets and collar that add a little sparkle; perfect jacket to wear from day-to-night.

To cover or not to cover? That is the question.

One thing to definitely consider as we start to slowly roll into cooler climates ahead is transitioning your peep toe heels into Fall and further into the colder months.

Heels and Tights are still very much IN, which means that those cute, peep toe heels you've been sporting are to going to get even more wear this Fall & Winter. This works great with like colors like black on black but daring colors and patterns can be just as chic.

Trocadero not only has heels that will transition into your Fall & Winter wardrobe, but these Brian Atwood heels are on SALE too!! The Lidia Self Platform and the Trixi Platform Pump are great shoes to work into your wardrobe right now and into Fall.

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Use these accessories to create a look and feel around these fabulous heels!

High and Low Fashion

It's no secret that I used to be a fashion editor in my old life. There are countless articles on that very topic strewn around the store (yes, we are shamefully very public about our great press we have received in magazines like Travel+Leisure, ELLE and Marie Claire). One of the things I did as an editor was report on the latest trends but also how to wear them and how to get them at every price. I still practice what I used to preach in my new life as a shopkeeper. And today was the perfect example of how I like to mix my "high with my low."

We are fortunate to carry the awesome Brian Atwood collection at Trocadero. I know we talk about his line fairly often but it's because many people aren't as familiar with his shoe line as let's say a Manolo, Christian or Jimmy. Thanks to Sex and the City those lines became household names. While I still love my Blahniks and Choos and Louboutins, I have become a steadfast Atwood girl. In the photo above, I am seen wearing Brian Atwood's gold Elly Self in gold leather. The platform on the shoe along with the ankle strap just holds the foot in making it absolutely easy to walk in and comfortable to boot. I have not been known to be a high heel girl; I am often wearing my flats and spent many summers back in NYC wearing all sorts of flip flops (such as my stand bys from Reef). But these Ellys have changed all that. With spring-like temperatures finally here I am eager to have open-toed shoes to wear and let's face it: wearing heels really makes a huge difference on how your legs look. I might not have a 36 inch inseam on my jeans but at least I can feel like I do by wearing my jeans with heels.

Speaking of my jeans, I am also not a huge denim girl mostly because I find them to be very unforgiving when you're having a little weight gain here and there. There's nothing I hate more than that "muffin top" spillover on one's jeans. Ugh! So imagine my surprise when I was in Costco the other day to do some grocery shopping and I stumbled upon the center section of clothing. Seven Jeans? Really? At Costco? At over $100 they were still not in my price range (considering I have plenty of pricey jeans from Earl, Paper Denim and Cloth and others). I wanted a true bargain. And that's when I saw the Calvin Klein jeans for $24.99. I kind of was dreaming of classic Brooke Shields, 70s-era Calvins but these looked like they would do. With no dressing rooms I had to just wing it and hope for the best (or else return them later if once I tried them on at home they didn't fit).

Let's just say I'm loving my new Costco Calvin Klein jeans. I also like to tell everyone that I bought my jeans from Costco. Grape tomatoes? Check! Bulk toilet tissue? Check! Package of 9 steaks? Check! Giant bottles of alcohol? Check! Calvin Klein jeans? Check!

The finishing touch on my outfit is my jacket. It is one of my "investment" pieces that I bought years ago at the Marni outlet. It is ivory with gold brocade flowers and it is definitely one of the best items I ever purchased in my years of being a fashion editor. What I love most about my Marni jacket is how it really stands out and makes such a bold statement without being overly gaudy. It has gold thread so the "sparkle" factor makes it so versatile to wear both during the day and at night. I like it dressed down with a long tunic underneath with some slim fitting trousers, jeans, pencil skirts or bermuda shorts. Do you have items in your closet that you can't live without? Let us know by commenting below. Also stay tuned to see more of our wardrobe staples...

Ode to Lidia

What can we say but the Lidia from Brian Atwood is H-O-T! Just in the past couple days we've had emails, phone calls and local customers inquiring about this shoe. I don't know if it's just because Gwyneth was seen wearing it on her website GOOP or because people are in the mood for a sexy, open-toed sandal now that Spring has Sprung but it is the popular shoe of the week. We love you Lidia in all your glory! Be warned Trocadero only has about three pairs left of the Brian Atwood Lidias...I think we have a 36, 38 and 39...so reserve your pair now!

Gwyneth Loves Lidia

In one of her recent GOOP newsletters, Gwyneth Paltrow modeled a pair of sexy Brian Atwood heels (the Lidia) with a little black dress. Lately she's become quite the fashion icon, don't you think? Did you know that she's adding the role of "designer" to her resume? Gwyneth's teaming up with French label ZOEtee to create a capsule collection inspired by '70s glam and rock-n-roll. Look for ZOEtee’s Loves Gwyneth in a store near you around mid-August.

The Trocadero Team got a kick out of seeing Gwyneth in the Lidias because we carry the black suede version at the store. In fact, after reading about the shoes in GOOP, one of our customers stopped by the Troc to try them on. Don't they look great on her feet? So hot! We still have a couple of sizes left, so stop by and try them on.

Personally, I'd love to walk out of the store wearing a pair of Lidias, but at almost 5'8", I shy away from wearing such high heels. Nearly everyday you'll find me wearing flats. Luckily we carry some seriously sassy shoes that won't have me towering over my 5' 10" husband, including many from our new Spring collection.

I'd love to know: Are you a heels or flats kind of girl? Leave a comment and share your preference!

On wedding shoes...

Choosing a pair of shoes for my wedding has been one of the more difficult decisions I've made so far. Food, venue, reception location - those were all easy choices compared to this one. Even with an amazing pair of never-worn Dior heels in my closet, my mind isn't made up. They might - or might not - make it to the big day.

The choice has been harder because my dress is short and very non-traditional. (I can post this here because my fiance already knows I'm wearing something short, and I'm pretty sure he's not reading this anyway.) I'm accessorizing with a custom made belt and some bold jewelry. I haven't decided on a veil yet. But the whole reason for the short dress goes back to the shoes. I am all about the shoes. Always have been. (My favorite childhood movie wasn't "Cinderella" for nothing. Oh, to have my own pair of glass slippers!)

I've considered a number of shoes at Trocadero: Brian Atwood's "Dorian" still blows me away. Sadly, the purple is too bold for my look. (But wouldn't it be smashing for the bachelorette party?) Here its shown with some night on the town-ready accessories. I'm wearing a silver dress for the bachelorette; something dramatic like this would look amazing.

Trocadero has some more wedding-ready options. Brian's "Eta" and "Yasmine" which Alice has in a dusky grey suede and a dark grey satin, respectively, both have a lot going for them. Style, of course, but also comfortable heels, a bit of sparkle and a touch of glamorous old Hollywood that I just love. The "Yasmine" is pictured at left.

I spend a fair amount of time reading wedding-related blogs and Web sites and I've learned that traditional is definitely still the norm when it comes to most weddings. How a bride interprets "traditional," though, varies widely. For every bride I've seen in the long white dress with the cathedral length train, thre's a barefoot bride in a beachy sundress with flowers in her hair. For every Vera Wang and Manolo Blahnik-clad bride, there's a bride in a vintage lace dress wearing a simple ballet flat.

And another thing I've learned: I'm breaking some norms, but I'm nothing compared to the brides who do some serious tradition bucking. Brides in leopard? Check. Brides in black goth corsets with a groom in Marilyn Manson platform boots? Check. Brides in full on Renaissance-era regalia complete with sword-bearing groom and a white horse? Check.

It's fun - though sometimes overwhelming - to see what the thousands of other blogging brides did on their big days. What I'll end up wearing on my own wedding day remains to be seen. But whatever it turns out to be, I know it'll be perfect.

Trocadero Shops Your Closet: The LBD edition

Everyone, no matter what her style, has a "LBD," or a Little Black Dress, hiding somewhere in the depths of her closet. In this edition of Trocadero Shops Your Closet, we tackle this simple item that can go from day to night, work to cocktails, simple to simply fantastic with the addition of just a few accessories.

First, we'll tackle the day look, which offers options for the weekend or workday. We chose an eye-catching bag, the Botkier "James" Tote, in a vibrant purple - it's roomy enough to carry all your datyime essentials but does it while looking great. For the weekend look, we paired the dress with Marc by Marc Jacobs' whimsical Miss Marc Flat in neutral grey and white stripes. If you're headed to the office, these Sigerson Morrison patent open toe kitten heels are workday ready but still show off a spring pedicure. Finish your look with a fun but professional Pluma feather headband and a spritz or three of Bond No. 9's Scent of Peace.

In our night look, we went sexy. Either shoe here - the Giuseppe Zanotti sandal bootie in blush and black patent or the Brian Atwood "Lidia Self" sandal in soft black suede - will be an eye-catcher during your date night or girls night. The bag and jewelry work with either look: a zap of electric blue comes courtesy of Anya Hindmarch and her pleated patent "Ivo" clutch. Kara by Kara Ross finishes off this after-dark look with one of her signature two-petal flower rings, which are a modern take on the classic knuckle-duster style.

Of course, you can find all of these accessories at Trocadero, in Omaha's Old Market, where any of the stylistas will be more than happy to help you put together a look for your spring wardrobe.

Role Play Rene

This past Thursday was the party celebrating my friend, the shoe designer Brian Atwood's new book called Role Play Rene, featuring model-turned-actress Rene Russo in provocative poses with Jon Kortajarena shot by Tony Duran. While my RSVP to the event was an unfortunate "No," (I had to stay in Omaha to sell Brian Atwood shoes!), it didn't mean I wasn't anxious to see what the book was all about. I had received a rather large size poster of Rene a while back previewing what was to be revealed. These photos are all taken from Blackbookmag.com and I especially like the photo above as they are the exact style shoe that Brian first gave me back when I was an editor. Here they are: the above shoe but in turquoise.It was my first pair of Brian Atwood heels.

I find Brian's shoes to be incredibly sexy and feminine and I only hope that more people discover what a true talent he is.
Clearly something happened the week before at the Troc when three women purchased the same shoe and two others purchased their first pair of Brian Atwoods.



The Eta slingback in mocha suede with the oval crystal brooch is one of the most timeless, elegant styles I have ever seen. It's too bad that I sold the 37.5, 37 and 36.5 all in the span of three days to prevent me from ever owning that shoe! I absolutely adore the gray snakeskin pump because of its incredible toe cleavage and I already snagged that pair for myself when it first arrived. The Dorian in purple satin is the most show-stopping evening shoe and I know that the women who have purchased it will forever have it in their closets and it will be passed down through generations of daughters, nieces and granddaughters. It's that special!

I leave you with a couple more images of Role Play Rene...and a last look at Rene when she used to be a Vogue cover model....back in 1976 (photo courtesy of ebay.com)! I think she looks hotter today at age 55. What do you think?