Putting It Together No. 5: Cap toe prep.

This week Lori's continues its new series in the fashion blog: Putting It Together. We'll show you how to marry some of our favorite pieces in perfect harmony.

After all, the style world can get difficult to navigate and fashion matchmaking is fun... and much less risky than the potential horror of setting your best friend up with your co-worker.

Putting It Together No. 5: Cap toe prep.
Here we're channeling our inner prep, pairing a trendy, herringbone fabric with a black patent peep toe Deer Stags pump with an oversize patent leather doctor bag from Maxx. To play up the All American look, we’ve added a matching, minimalist necklace and earring set from La Vie.
And don’t we look cute?

Lori's Update: Final Markdowns. Highland Park Sidewalk Sale.

In store and online, final markdowns have been taken.

Need we say more?

Many Lori's favorites have reached their 2007 lows, including Sam Edelman Celine flats at 20% off, Italian Corso Como pumps are now half off, while Eric Michael espadrilles are marked down 70%. 70%!

View the full shoe sale collection here.

(But wait, there’s more!)

Lori's Highland Park location wraps up the Sidewalk Sale season this weekend, with its outdoor event this Thursday, July 26th thru Saturday, July 28th. Those lucky Highland Park ladies will get to take an additional 20% off current markdowns.

STYLE WATCH: Cap toes

Watch for capped toes as one of Fall '07's most prominent pump details.

Several designers have been adding covers to their round- or pointed-toe styles, often creating a contrast with the shoe’s patterned or quilted upper. The result is a look that feels retro-prep and screams suavity.

Many cap toes are accompanied by mary jane or slingback straps, which we adore. And most pair flawlessly with wide leg work trousers and pencil skirts.

Jeffrey Campbell (right) uses a muted palette, but be on the lookout also for cap toe designs in herringbone or plaid print (Deer Stags), or patent leather.

Lori's Update: Chicago mag's Best!

We know it. You know it. And now all Chicago magazine readers know it, too!

In the August, 2007 Best of Chicago edition the magazine voted Lori's the best place to save on trendy handbags.

And we're quite proud!

The editors pointed to Lori's selection of patent Adrienne Vittadini totes, leather bucket bags from Tano, as well as several stylish entries from Steve Madden and others under $100.

But don't take our word for it, or even Chicago's. Check our selection for yourself. Some of our post-publication editions include the Esse Dream ($198) bag in cream, black and blue, and a sweet patent doctor bag from Maxx ($132).

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: Sales are always in style.

Lori's July best sellers include a wide variety of shoes and accessories with one unifying trend that's always in style... they're on sale!

Hurrah!

From the sporty Bernie Mev Point to the retro-inspired Odessa by MIA and Italian All Black flats, Lori's ladies old and new are raking in great shoe deals.

Sale items too new to make their impact on the hot list, yet primed to make a run include Vaneli's popular Bergin ($64.90) in red, black and beige patent, and the oft sought after Venice ($49.90) by MIA.

Putting It Together No. 4: Fall Fashion Preview

This week Lori's continues its new series in the fashion blog: Putting It Together. We'll show you how to marry some of our favorite pieces in perfect harmony.

After all, the style world can get difficult to navigate and fashion matchmaking is fun... and much less risky than the potential horror of setting your best friend up with your co-worker.

Look No. 4: Fall Fashion Preview
While we still have warm thoughts of fabulous sandals and understand no one likes to trade in summer's strappies for more modest fall styles, we can't help but dream of style seasons to come. That's just what we do.

So Lori's is here to help you make the move from summer to fall as smooth as possible.

This fall is all about 70s inspired trends and a palette of greys, blues, purples and browns. Look number four, Fall Fashion Preview, includes some of our newly arrived favorites that embody these trends.

We've paired a set of wedges from Charles David's Exchange line with Kenneth Cole's gorgeous twin pocket tote, then added a pair of earrings from one of our most popular jewelry lines, Marie Chavez.

IRL No. 1: Kimberly B.'s Raffaella Venturini Boots

We're proud to introduce Lori's In Real Life campaign, where we ask you to send us your pictures of yourself and/or girlfriends looking smashing in Lori's-bought shoes and accessories.

Have vacation pictures of you in your newest sandals? Send 'em along! Did you buy a pair of evening shoes and a handbag for a special occasion? We'd like to see!

Selected pictures will then be posted to Lori's online Fashion Trends blog so others can see you and your goods out and about.

And in return, selected participants will be rewarded with Lori's Preferred Customer status, meaning you'll receive 10% off any online order... for a year!

Kimberly B., Chicago

Our first submission comes to us from hometown girl and Lincoln Park shopper, Kimberly B. She shows us how she paired her incredible Rafaella Venturini boots with tights and a wrap dress on her 30th birthday. And we think you look great!

Keep it up, and enjoy your new online discount.

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: Bernie Mev. On Sale!

Sporty styles from Bernie Mev are topping Lori's Hot List this week. They're cute; they're comfortable... and they're on sale. Hurrah!

From the Point in aqua and sand to the crisscrossing Nia, shoppers are slipping on Bernie's athletic styles and saying, "Yes!" to a great deal.

While the Point and Nia are ideal everyday shoes, we can't help but think that one of their best virtues is as dependable vacation wear. Both styles are perfect for spending long hours site seeing, and both are extremely versatile.

And priced around $30, you can buy two.

Need addition for your approaching getaway? Check out our other sale items here.

Putting It Together No. 3: Island Style

This week Lori's continues its new series in the fashion blog: Putting It Together. We'll show you how to marry some of our favorite pieces in perfect harmony.

After all, the style world can get difficult to navigate and fashion matchmaking is fun... and much less risky than the potential horror of setting your best friend up with your co-worker.

Look No. 3: Island Style
Have a summer resort vacation planned or heading to a destination beach wedding? Lori's has got you covered with P.I.T. No. 3: Island style.

We've paired our strappy Coral Blue sandals with one of our newest clutch styles from HOBO. Add a pair of gold earrings from Alexia Crawford and... voila! The perfect mix of island sophistication and dress-it-up, dress-it-down versatility.

STYLE WATCH: Cocktail Rings

The latest wave in this year's statement-making jewelry trend is big, sparkly, detailed rings. From flowers and oversized stones to bauble styles, finger dresser-uppers have been a staple of summer's fashion magazines.

"It's all about the hand this season," says senior Lincoln Park sales associate Kathryn. "With the rise in popularity of clutches, people are accessorizing with rings and bracelets more than necklaces and earrings."

And they're not just for cocktail hour anymore.

We think they're fun to wear with everyday looks like tunics and tights, or even an empire waist summer dress.

What to look for in a cocktail ring is style and detail, whether that be bold colors wrapped in a gold setting or multiple stones set in a tall silver bauble. Our favorites include single stone rings from Betty Carr or canary-colored designs from Lauren G Adams.

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: Oh Cadee!

Armitage Avenue shoppers (including Lori!) just can't seem to get enough of the Calvin Klein Cadee, making it this week's Lori's top seller.

The shoe combines mod, ultra shiny metallic leather with the silhouette of a classic Roman-inspired sandal.

It's also a really comfortable shoe that goes with everything.

We've been wearing the Cadee casual with jeans and a tunic top, then using it to dress up a cotton summer dress for nighttime.

We love the Cadee, but if you're a Lori's lady who needs a little extra support in the sole, try Natural Comfort's metallic sandal, or the Elvie from La Canadienne.

LORI'S UPDATE: Your picture here!

Love shoes. Love you. Love you in the shoes!

We're proud to introduce Lori's In Real Life campaign, where we ask you to send us your pictures of yourself and/or girlfriends looking smashing in Lori's-bought shoes and accessories.

Have vacation pictures of you in your newest sandals? Send 'em along! Did you buy a pair of evening shoes and a handbag for a special occasion? We'd like to see!

Selected pictures will then be posted to Lori's online Fashion Trends blog so others can see you and your goods out and about.

And in return, selected participants will be rewarded with Lori's Preferred Customer status, meaning you’ll receive 10% off any online order... for a year!

Please see the participation details below and enjoy!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Send an email to info@lorisshoes.com with one picture of you and/or friends wearing Lori's shoes or accessories as a .jpeg attachment. In the body of the email, please include:

* Your name, town, and where the picture was taken
* The brand name of your accessory(s)
* Whether yours was an online or in-store purchase (please include which Lori's, too)

You will receive an email notification if your picture is chosen, and a confirmation of your status as a preferred customer!

LORI'S UPDATE: New Markdowns

All Black. Kate Spade. Andre Assous. Eric Michael. Oodles of styles from some of our favorite brands are now on sale.

When it comes to shoe sales, the hardest decision isn't where or when to go (um, Lori's. Now!). It's who to tell.

Do you tell your same-size wearing pals about Lori's newest markdown, or keep the good for yourself?

After much deliberation, we say... spread the word! Lori's has oodles of new sale styles to gawk at – from All Black and Andre Assous, to Kate Spade, Eric Michael and more, so there's plenty to go around. Plus, you and your fellow size 8 can share (perhaps four feet are better than two?!).

We invite you to peruse the latest items added to the Sale page.

STYLE WATCH: Nina's New Steal

You know it. We know it. But we'll say it again. Just for fun.

Lori's is always on the lookout for great deals.

And as it turns out, so is Glamour magazine. The publication's online edition highlighted the Derlin from Nina, which just happens to be one of Lori's best sellers.

Glamour offered the metallic and classy (and surprisingly comfortable) Nina shoe as a "steal" compared to Christian Louboutin. The Derlin has a similarly sleek silhouette and sparkly metallic upper as its designer counterpart... but at just over one-tenth the price!

H.U.R.R.A.H.!

Putting It Together No. 2: Natural Beauty

This week Lori's continues its new series in the fashion blog: Putting It Together. We'll show you how to marry some of our favorite pieces in perfect harmony.

After all, the style world can get difficult to navigate and fashion matchmaking is fun... and much less risky than the potential horror of setting your best friend up with your co-worker.

Look No. 2: Natural Beauty
The second look in our P.I.T series captures the vibe of this summer's easy-breezy natural beauty trend, combining a woven texture shoe with soft, brushed gold jewelry.

The pieces: Boutique 9 Let Go 2 pump in brown, A.V. Maxx's mixed gold bangles, David Aubrey's gold leaf earrings, and Amici's Nevis clutch in brown.

STYLE WATCH: As Seen on Oprah

Oprah and Lori's have more than Chicago roots in common. As we found out yesterday, some of her favorite things are our favorite things!

On the May 29th show, the Second City's most famous hostess unveiled her annual collection of summer favorites. Making the list of "things perfect for summer" are the soon to be in-stock wide brimmed sunhat from Hat Attack, and Havaianas' Slim Season floral flip-flop.

Both items are expected to be in-store by Friday, June 1st. Call 888.334.SHOE during store hours for ordering details!

THIS JUST IN AT LORI'S: Dolce Vita. Hurrah!

We. Heart. Dolce Vita.

Over the past two weeks, new styles have arrived on a near-daily basis from one of our favorite brands - Dolce Vita.

We count the Flip, a fishskin flip flop sandal available in four colors as one of our latest newcomers, as well as a little sophisticated flat called the Moritz. Both shoes embody everything Dolce Vita has come to stand for - unique Italian design, unequaled craftsmanship and excellent comfort.

Oh, and at prices we can afford, too (!).

Stay tuned next week for more Dolce Vita arrivals, including patent leather pumps with fabulous lucite details.

THIS WEEK'S HOT LIST: The Yellow Box Dart

What if Lori's was to tell you we had the most: Trendy. Hot. Comfortable. And affordable little shoe? You'd want to know about it, right?!

Well today we're here to say, we have the most: Trendy. Hot. Comfortable. And affordable little shoe!

And people have noticed. That's why Yellow Box's Dart has made its way to the top of Lori's Armitage Avenue Best Sellers List.

The Dart is sexy and vibrant, patent (okay, faux patent) slingback with a thick, corked heel. It's that thick heel combined with above average cushioning in the insole that gives the shoe long-term wear potential.

And did we mention it's $42.00? It is.

Now you know. Why wait?

Putting It Together No. 1: City Cas(ual)

This week Lori's starts a new series in the fashion blog: Putting It Together. We'll show you how to marry some of our favorite pieces in perfect harmony.

After all, the style world can get difficult to navigate and fashion matchmaking is fun... and much less risky than the potential horror of setting your best friend up with your co-worker.

Look No. 1: City Cas
We call look number one City Cas(ual). It's ideal for Saturdays along the Mag Mile, casual Fridays or dinner with the girls.

The pieces: Boutique 58's pointed toe low wedge Nadia in black patent, High Fashion Handbags two-pocket faux patent satchel, and Alexia Crawford’s brushed gold link chain necklace.

Enjoy!

STYLE WATCH: No splurges, just steals

You work hard. And Lori's understands.

That's why we're always on the lookout for up-and-coming designers and style-rich replicas.

Our latest find? Pictro Alessandro's part -tote, part-oversized shoulder bag.

The bag looks like others you've seen in star gazing magazines or celebrity watch blogs. It has the same shape, bent and knotted tote handles, and gold details as bags two- or three-times (gasp!) its price.

Hurrah for having the bag you want. With money still left for shoes.

Other copies we're proud to carry:
* Wanted Wiz flats and sandals
* Sam Edelman wedges
* Coral Blue sandals