When Snaps goes this way and Daps goes that way...

Greetings!! Those of you extremely loyal readers know that Snaps and Daps started as a duo blog - written by best friends in the whole wide world, Mihal and Dushane. That was about 2 years ago and since that time a thing or two has changed. Namely, Dushane is super busy and I, generally, am not. So I've inadvertently taken over the blog and taken it in all kinds of crazy directions. In the meantime Dushane has started in his own crazy direction (some nerdy pop-intellectualism mayhem) and started a separate blog called: The Post Cool. Yes, we're still best friends in the whole wide world - and yes Snaps and Daps will forever be our love child, but now I've moved to a new world and taken our child (the blog) with me. Check out his blog because he's one philosophical, articulate, crazy motherfucker and I know you'll 'prece him as much as I do.
Much love Du!!


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The Perfect Black Wedge

What is it about black wedges? SO MANY, but in reality so damn few. I've been on the hunt for the perfect black wedge for a little under a year now and it's horribly frustrating. I think my obsession started with those Sam Edelman Balenciaga knockoffs:
I believe these to be the perfect booties. Perfect height on the ankle, perfect lift in the wedge, a little embellishment on the side for that eye-catching punch of intrigue...you can't go wrong with these. Oh wait yes you can, you can go wrong with trying to own them because not only are they not in stores anymore, but they are so coveted that they're selling for upwards of $2000 on Ebay (marked up from the $99 sale price at Victoria's Secret when the first came out).

So life must go on. I must stay positive and keep my eye on the prize.

CRITERIA FOR THE PERFECT BLACK WEDGE:
1. Must be black. We'll have time to worry about other colors once I find my classic black.
2. Must be a wedge...I have enough heels, stilettos, what have you. Wedges only, no exception.
3. Must be leather or some related animal, no synthetic material.
4. Cannot extend past the ankle. I want a bootie, not a boot.
5. Wedge must be 4 inches tall or more. I want to wear these with black skinny jeans or black tights and a short dress and make my legs look like they go on for days and days. Is that too much to ask??!
6. Solid material around the whole boot. No cut-out designs, no peep-toes, no holes of any kind.
7. Zipper up the side. No lace ups.
8. Toe can be round or almond shape, no pointies.
--Bonus's--
9. It would be nice if they were at least slightly comfortable.
10. I would appreciate it if they were under $200.

Below are some shoes that are ALMOST there, but don't pass because they violate one or more of the above rules:

Disappointment #1: From Nine West. Great hight on ankle, great lift in wedge and great price ($79.99). But they're brown with waaay too many cut-outs.

Disappointment #2: From Steve Madden. They're a little short, and I'd actually prefer leather to suede...but both of those could be ignored. What cannot be ignored is the violation of Rule 2 with the heel. Just gimme a wedge for the love of God!!

Disappointment #3: Also Steve Madden. Violates more than one rule - the heel should be a wedge (though I LOVE the height)...there's lacing at the front and not a zipper up the side, and most importantly there's a peep toe. Fuck that.

Disappointment #4: By Deena & Ozzy. Love them. Need that wedge though!! No compromises on that one.

Disappointment #5: By Dolce Vita. This one is interesting, because I actually really love the shoe and want it. But what's important here is it is not the perfect black wedge. Lace ups and cut-outs galore. Also despite the way they look in this photo, there is no wedge, but rather a really chunky heel. Click the link (above where it says "Disappointment #5") for more photos. Maybe these'll have to be my post-perfect black wedge purchase:

Disappointment #6: Too tall. Oh, and did I mention they're Louboutins? So they're probs several grand:

Disappointment #7: Diesel. They're lace-ups but you know what? I'd happily ignore that if they sold in the States and if they weren't so friggin expensive (they're listed as 420 Euros which is like $570!!).

I'm gonna stop there. It's all too depressing. I've looked in department stores, I've looked online, I've looked in boutiques, even places like Topshop. Nada. Help me...I need all the support I can get.


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I like your Supras daddy

It's been a hot minute since I've posted about sneakers. What used to be a staple in my wardrobe has now pretty much been replaced by my usual rotation of Chucks, Fryes, and the occasional very tall chunky heel or platform. I used to get an adrenaline rush everytime I put a new pair on my feet - it was a chase...a hunt - it was like the way you think dating will be when you're a kid and can't wait to grow up. Now I don't even go into sneaker stores anymore - I don't read sneaker blogs or go on sneaker websites.

Until today. I'm like "damn, let me check what's out there!" Gotta say, not impressed. THEN I ended up on the Supra website...and I must say, Supra never fails to impress me. I bought my first and only pair almost 2 years ago (after trying to get my hands on them for like 6 months!), and though they're sitting on my shelf collecting dust, I still feel tremendous pride in owning them...they're the Floral Skytops pictured at the top of the post. Anyway, here are some highlights:

It's like...DAMN!! You know??!! I know you do. I think I'd like to get me some...well, after I find the perfect black wedge (next post). Ok maaaaybe I'm not back to sneakers yet, but as far as the next sneaker purchase goes (if there ever is one), Supra definitely has my heart.


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Ankle Foreskin

I'm sorry, but when did it become acceptable for sandals and pumps to fuse with ankle boots? The result is a large hunk of material covering the ankle...usually between 3-5 inches long (sometimes even more)...and personally I think it resembles foreskin. Observe:
What's to blame for this? Did gladiators start the trend last summer by daring to take the sandal so far up the leg? Don't get me wrong, I love ankle straps - even thick ankle straps - a tall heel with a thick ankle strap can make your legs look tall and thin. But the ankle foreskin, I really think it's crossing the line. I'm offended.

How about we take the all the hideous ankle foreskin shoes...do a little snip snip circumcision...et voila! A perfectly decent ankle strap sandal!!
I rest my case.
(Oh, and ps Little YB - you know who you are - I still love you).


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Le Smoking

I'm a very healthy person. I eat well, I exercise, I criticize fat people...oh wait. Well whatever, yeah I do, sue me. And though I would never ever ever smoke cigarettes (I don't even think I could date somebody who did), I really do love them. I love cigarettes. Not the way they smell, not what they do to your body, but the way they look.

I love the way people look when they smoke them. I love the way people look when they just hold them. Not all people. Just attractive people. Thin people, rocker types, edgy funky types, sexy people, hipsters, models of course.

So you can imagine my delight when I came across a blog called Le Smoking - like the title suggests, it's just pics of attractive people...smoking cigarettes. There are pages upon pages, dating back to June 08, I'm going to post a few of the photos but I suggest you browse on your own because there is no way just a couple pics can do the blog justice.

Obviously I've gotta show my girlfriend Wassy:

Beautiful. If I didn't care so much about my health I'd totally be puffing on one right now...while drinking black coffee and wearing black eyeliner. Oh! And lucky for us, the author of Le Smoking also has another blog that tickles my fancy. It's called Olsens Anonymous - which, just like the name suggests, post pics daily of our favorite Olsen twins.

Well if all that smoking didn't make you happy I don't know what will. But don't forget, SMOKING IS BAD. Let's just hope all of the attractive addicts out there don't get the memo so I can keep watching them do it.


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Would You Rather: Designer Schlep or Tacky Chic?

The other night I was on the train. I was going to the Tribeca Film Festival wrap party, so I was looking good...but I wasn't "dressed up" per se. Grey skinnies, black Wang-inspired tank, black flats, and a navy blue military blazer. Oh, and of course the Coach bag. I was the kind of non-dressed up made popular by my fav's - Erin Wasson, the Olsen twins, and Kate Moss...observe:
The look says, "I care, but not too much." Nothing is over-done. In fact, most of it is understated - with one or 2 designer duds to top it off (bag, sunglasses, jewelry, etc). It's casually fabulous...fabulously casual.

So anyway back to my story...I was on the train, and in walked a perfectly Queensy woman. She was dressed like she was going to a party too - but maybe a different kind of party. Knee high boots, short black dress, black knitted shrug, a red shoulder bag and bling out the wazoo. Oh, but the boots and the bag were both pleather and the bling looked like that plastic jewelry out of those 25 cent machines. This chick defined tacky. Think this:
Everything looked cheap and plastic and the ensemble wreaked of effort. To the untrained eye perhaps she looked dressed up - if I were a doorman at a nightclub I'd let her in no question - but to the eye that is drawn to expensive things, her outfit almost caused an optical system failure.

So the question is this: You're going to a fancy party, if you had to make a choice would you rather show up in Designer Schlep (sweats and overall shlubbiness with a designer dud of choice - bag, glasses, jewelry) or Tacky Chic (hot by all accounts, but cheap looking and potentially kinda slutty). Need visuals?

Designer Schlep:

(yes that's me sucka)

Or Tacky Chic:

The choice is yours. Can't wait to hear it.


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