Stay in Your Place Red Carpet Movie Premiere

I would like to thank all of those who attended the red carpet premiere for my first film, Stay in Your Place. I would also like to thank everyone who helped promote the film. The premiere was a success! We sold out multiple theaters and it couldn't have happened without you!

#RecalculateYourRoute

In 2009, I tried to have a book release party for 'A Ho Needs to Stay in a Ho's Place' at a popular bar in downtown Detroit and was told no because management felt the title was disrespectful. The Palms on Fenkell Ave which had just opened welcomed me and we shut the place down. The club AND the parking lot was packed. My MySpace friends showed up and showed out! 😂😂😂

Local bookstores wouldn't carry the book because of the title. Only two supported me and that was Michel Moore from Hood Book and Ice from Harlem World.

A bestselling author told me books only have a two year shelf life and with my title I'll probably have less than that.

Whelp here we are in 2016 gearing up for the movie premiere of Stay in Your Place which was inspired by the book and I'm on my way to the post office to ship off autographed copies of the same book. Don't allow people to put you in a box. Boxes have walls therefore they have restrictions. When you're on the freeway and your exit is closed, you don't back up or sit still. Maybe that exit wasn't the route you were supposed to take. Keep going forward until you find YOUR exit. #GetItDone #RecalculateYourRoute #StayInYourPlace

STAY IN YOUR PLACE MOVIE PREMIERE

Saturday, November 5, 2016, at the Bel Air Luxury Cinema at 6 p.m. in Detroit, Michigan, an innovative, independent romantic comedy, titled Stay in Your Place, is making its red carpet debut. This romantic comedy was produced in Detroit by The Shoe Lady Productions and So Real Entertainment. It is based on the bestselling book titled A Ho Needs to Stay in a Ho's Place, written by Tonja Ayers. The book was initially adapted into a groundbreaking stage play, Stay in Your Place, co-written by DuJuan Johnson. After two sold-out shows, the stage play received blazing reviews and accolades. There was a huge thrust of energy to take Stay in Your Place to the next level.

Fast forward three months later. Tonja Ayers and Mi'kiel Los decided to join forces and bring Stay in Your Place to the big screen as an independent film. The book set the pace and the response from the stage play had audiences loving the storyline of the married, ‘wannabe player’ Deshawn and his awkward attempts at juggling his wife and ‘side pieces’, aka women on the side. Now, with the recent revitalization in Detroit’s entertainment industry, it is the perfect time and location for such an edgy-yet-comical urban production. The independent film showcases Detroit’s best theatrical and production talent.

Stay in Your Place was directed by Melissa Talbot and co-directed by Don Snipes. For more information, please contact Shelly Harris at (313) 449-8543 or email info@stayinyourplace.com. Tickets and the movie trailer are both available on www.StayInYourPlace.com. 

Wine & Sign at The Emporium

I released my latest book titled Sorry this past weekend and I decided to do something different by launching the book in my store setting. I had already planned on hosting my annual Sip & Shop so instead of creating two events, I combined The Wine & Sign with my Sip & Shop and boy did we have a blast! Over 150 people came to support my shoes and/or book. Thanks to everyone who attended. I APPRECIATE YOU!

JEWELED JELLIES

After years and years of selecting shoes to sell you would think I had it all figured out. Wellll, I don't! Customers never cease to amaze me. Late spring I decided to bring in this cute jeweled jelly sandal. It was ok to me. Not a big deal. Just a kick around shoe. Never in my wildest dreams did think people would call, text, email, tweet, inbox on Facebook, DM me on Instagram or call my mother to get a pair of shoes! 

I have had a major rule during my years of business and that is ... I never reorder unless the shoe sells out in one day. Now that's not shocking because it has happened several times but not many HOWEVER I never thought this sandal had 'sell-out-in-a-day" potential. Not only did it sell out the same day, the shoe was gone within a few hours. Six weeks later and I am still re-ordering. If you would like a pair of these gorgeous shoes, click the following link to place your order. I'm ordering one more time and that's it. lol 

 https://squareup.com/store/theshoeladydetroit/

Wine & Sign Book Release

SAVE THE DATE! You're invited to my Sip & Shop on Saturday, July 16, 2016 from 3pm to 7pm at The Emporium located at 22041 Coolidge in Oak Park, MI. Please join me for a fabulous evening of delicious wines and hors d'oeuvres while perusing our latest selections of shoes, clothing, handbags and accessories.

• FREE gifts for the first 10 arrivals!
• You can also enter drawing to win a pair of FREE shoes!

I will also be releasing my next book 'Sorry' at the event! Be one of the first to own a copy. Books will be $10 but SIPPING IS FREE!
Call me if you have any questions. (248) 973-SHOE

Inspired by Tom Ford

When I first saw Rhianna wearing these Tom Ford boots a year or so ago, I fell totally in love with them. After discovering they were retailing for thousands and thousands of dollars I became content with the fact I would probably never own a pair. I mean what good are cute shoes if they make you end up living at a homeless shelter? Well Cape Robbin has made my dream come true ... well almost. Good news, they released this similar boot which is just as appealing AND ... wait for it .... AFFORDABLE! Bad news, they won't zip over my big calves! Stevie Wonder released a song many years ago titled Rocket Love and a line from the song says:

You took me riding in your rocket, gave me a star
But at a half a mile from heaven you dropped me back
Down to this cold, cold world

Well that's exactly what happened here. I got excited riding a rocket to get those boots only to get dropped back down to this cold, cold world when I couldn't zip them. Nevertheless, there's no need for all of us to suffer! These jazzy, chic, peep toe, over the knee boots are available at www.TheShoeLady.biz for only $65. Available in sizes 6 up to 10. Call or text me if you have any questions. (248) 973-SHOE #RocketLove 

AMINAH ABDUL-JILLIL - SHOE DESIGNER #BlackGirlsRock

Aminah Abdul-Jillil was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. Aminah began as a professional dancer in Los Angeles, California performing with some of the biggest names in music including Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. She's appeared in commercials for Pepsi, Mazda and New Balance and recently performed as lead character "Crimson" in Cirque du Soleil's BELIEVE.

In 2012, after completing her third world tour with Britney Spears, Aminah launched her first collection of women's shoes selling mostly online and a few L.A based boutiques including the iconic Fred Segal. Her first collection did quite well when Rihanna chose to wear one of her designs in the Where Have You Been music video! Aminah's career as a dancer has taken her around the world and cultivated her eye for culture, art, design and fashion. She hopes to continue with both of her passions and is excited to see where they take her next.

What makes Aminah Abdul-Jillil's designs unique is her excitement to "try something different". Here's a few pics of shoes from her collection. 

Pictures courtesy of www.aminahabduljillil.com

 

 

 

 

Prince - The Artist Formerly Known as My Baby Daddy

A week ago today my heart was broken. Thank goodness I wasn't driving when I received the text message stating Prince had passed away. Almost instantly after reading the original message, my phone was constantly ringing and receiving text alerts. I even had two co-workers, one from 15 years ago and one from 20 years ago locate me via social media to see how I was doing. My social circle knew how I felt about this man. I missed one concert tour (The Rainbow Children) throughout his career and I have been a fan of Prince since the beginning. A long time ago my aunt took me to see Rick James and Prince was the opening act for the show. No disrespect to the late, great Rick James but I wouldn't have come out after Prince's performance. He stole the show! I was in total awe and with that said, I have been in love with 'my baby daddy' ever since that day so it is only befitting that I make a post regarding my two loves; Prince and shoes.

It has been reported that Prince was only 5'2" in stature and some sites report 5'3" nevertheless neither is very tall for an adult male but what Prince lacked in stature he definitely supplemented in talent. Prince donned high heels throughout the majority of his career and due to hip pain he transitioned to a few wedge platform styles in his later years. Here's a few pics of Prince showcasing his footwear in vibrant colors, platforms, stacked heels and clear Lucite heels.

You will surely be missed! RIP Prince.

Love,
Your baby mama

Paul Patton Photoshoot

I was recently contacted to style a photo shoot for photographer Paul Patton. Here's a few of my favorite shots from the shoot and the shoes that inspired the looks. Follow all involved on Instagram or Google+! Photographer: +Paul Patton @paulpattonphotography Model: @ke.ke.mo Makeup: @bybinamakeup  +ByBina Make Up Designs

High Heeled Art - Mark Schwartz

I was strolling through social media when I discovered the very talented Mark Schwartz. His shoe designs range from eccentric and quirky to sophisticated and elegant. For over 30 years, Mark has been churning out unique and interesting designs of shoes; an accessory that he considers to be the most artistic and important. His shoe designs have graced the runways of Paris, Milan and New York as well as the pages of many fashion publications such as Vogue, Elle , W and many more . Schwartz works in Parabiago, Italy. 

Mark began his design career in the early 1980's in his early twenties with a 6 year long run with shoe design master - Roger Vivier , Schwartz was hand picked by Vivier to be his assistant in design, after 2 years Schwartz was promoted to Creative Director of Roger Vivier International and was responsible along with Vivier for many of the eclectic shoes that Vivier was designing in that period, many long days drawing with Vivier and falling asleep at his desk , only to wake up amongst sketches and ideas for the next Roger Vivier collection. Schwartz was also introduced by Vivier to Andy Warhol , Warhol mentored Schwartz for about 4 years before his death and taught Schwartz to make actual paintings of his shoe designs see website - www.highheeledart.com

Schwartz has designed shoes for the likes of, Oprah , Madonna , Katie Couric, Angelica Huston, Sharon Stone , Wendy Williams, Lady Gaga , Ralph Lauren , Balenciaga , Gucci, Jean Claude Jitrois, Calvin Klein , Richard Tyler, Mark Eisen ,Balenciaga , Gucci , Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman. Schwartz lives part time in Italy and has started a new collection that he will offer to the stores under the name High Heeled Art by Mark Schwartz beginning in 2016. Schwartz also does private label design as well, all made in Italy with the focus of a classic design with a twist. Clients include Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman and Nordtsrom.

Taraji P. Henson's Shoe Closet

Taraji P. Henson rocks all of the latest styles and designers on the set of the hit television show Empire however Taraji has always been known for her magnificent 'shoe game' prior to starring on the blockbuster show. Check out the following looks from Ms. Henson's closet. 

Picture Courtesy of Fashionbombdaily.com

Marjorie Harvey Rocking Valentino

Marjorie Harvey spotted in these fly Valentino's!!! These ribbon pumps are giving me life! This is an old pic from 2015 but these shoes are timeless!

The Shoe Lady Amazon Store

Hello Fellow Shoe Lovers!!!!

The Shoe Lady Amazon store has been relaunched and new styles will be added weekly. Click the following link to check out the current selection.

http://astore.amazon.com/theshoelady-20

These are one of my favs! I can see this paired with a cute clutch purse and a nice pencil skirt. Dare to be daring by rocking pumps with embellishments.