Fabushoe Friday: Driving Shoes

My new Ryka driving shoes!

Happy Fabushoe Friday!

So, while these are more practical than fabulous, I got tired of killing my car mats with heels so I bought some driving shoes!

Believe it or not, it was actually a car mechanic's idea for me to buy the shoes! I had re-ordered new mats several times at Lexus RiverCenter. On the third time, he pointed at my 6-inch heels and asked, "You wear those often?" Of course, I said yes, to which he replied: "You know, it might be a good idea to look into some driving shoes." He paused... adding, "You could buy a lot of those," pointing to my heels, "instead of these," pointing to my shredded mat.

Now you're speakin' my language - point taken!

Not only are they more comfortable than heels, but they truly are a great investment! I was buying new all-weather mats for $100 about twice a year because my heels kept digging a hole in them. I was also ruining my heels, because the back of the right shoe would get scuffed or the material would rub off. Translation... thanks to my drivers, I'll have several hundred more in my annual shoe budget now!!! :)

I did some research on which ones to buy, and to be honest, I was disappointed in the selection. A lot of the women's drivers look like moccasins. I like the men's driving shoe selection a lot more because they have a sportier look.

I ended up going with a shoe that's technically made for yoga. The only thing that really makes a shoe a "driver" is the extra rubberized lip at the back of the shoe, which this pair had. I also liked that they had a cute scroll design on top and could pass for a ballerina flat if I decided I was done with heels for the rest of my work day.

Typically, I just keep them in my car door pocket - putting them on when I get in, and putting them back in the pocket when I get out. Or if I need to wear them walking downtown between meetings or something, I have a dust bag for them in my purse.

Being a heel girl, I was hesitant purchasing frumpy flats, but I'm so glad I did! I highly recommend getting a pair if you, too, love your heels but don't want to Fred Flinstone your car mats!

A GS-Inspired Project Runway Episode

Lexus GS

Aw, it was like watching two BFFs get married as I watched Lifetime tonight!

Project Runway and Lexus teamed up for an awesome concept and challenge! The episode started with the designers meeting Heidi Klum on the runway to get an overview. Then, they headed to South Street Seaport to meet Tim Gunn to find out the details of the Lexus Team Challenge: Create an evening gown that best represents the Lexus GS’s bold, aggressive styling. This challenge also required the 14 designers to incorporate an assigned vehicle color into their look.

To make it even more difficult, they were only given $300 and one day to create a design for a former Project Runway participant to wear at the Emmys. 

The designers were paired in teams of two, which of course coupled several polar opposites together for some good TV. The pairs were: Christopher and Andrea, Nathan and Sonjia, Buffi and Elena, Fabio and Ven, Gunnar and Kooan, Melissa and Dmitry, Alicia and Raul.

I met Project Runway's Tim Gunn a few months ago!

(spoiler alert) Elena stormed off and it was dram-ugh… a battle brews with Andrea and Christopher (which might be why she ends up leaving the show) ...and Kooan was kooky per usual, which is always fun to watch. :)

Ven ended up winning and Raul was sent home. Personally, I think Sonjia and Nathan's gold dress should have won because it was truly the only one Emmy-worthy. But they didn't ask me to be the judge so it doesn't really matter what I think! haha!

It's a great episode to watch because the drama is intense, fashions are fab, the Lexus-inspired styling is intriguing, Krysten Ritter was the guest judge, and Heidi's outfit was bangin' with some killer leg wear and shoes. So, if you didn't get a chance to watch tonight, make sure you catch it online!

Sounds like this won't be the last we hear of the Lexus/Project Runway, either. I did a little digging after the show and found that Lexus is connecting with PR fans in several different ways this season. Click here to learn more about the partnership!

Performance Lexus Hosts Mason-Deerfield Arts Alliance Event Aug. 14

We wrote about Meredith Raffel, the Executive Director of Mason-Deerfield Arts Alliance, in this year's "Entrepreneurs to Watch" issue of Cincinnati Profile. I've been keeping an eye on her ever since and I just found out she's hosting an event at Performance Lexus on Aug. 14! They'll be featuring 15 various artists who will showcase their work and demonstrate their craft. The event is free to attend, artwork will be for sale, and you can enjoy complimentary fare/refreshments! Sounds like a great event to me! See below for more info and I'll see you at the event!

Save the Date – Cincy Chic Wearable Art Fashion Show July 26 at Lexus RiverCenter!

Get out your cals, gals and guys! We're putting together an awesome fashion show event and you'll want to save the date! It's going to be our third-annual Wearable Art Fashion Show on July 26, from 6-9pm, at Lexus RiverCenter! This year, we're featuring an amazing local jewelry designer, Lisa Robin Jewelry, and Amy Kirchen's custom couture! Both Lisa and Amy dream up their designs from scratch and work side-by-side with the manufacturers to create the final product so each piece is truly a piece of wearable art. You'll definitely want to see this show, featuring incredible Tri-State talent, and shop with other local fashion-focused artistans. Below are all the details - click here to learn more and RSVP!

Wearable Art Fashion Show
  When: Thursday, July 26, 6-9pm
  Where: Lexus RiverCenter, 633 West 3rd St. Covington, KY 41011
  Enjoy: Complimentary drinks, hors d'oeuvres, shopping, photo booth, and fashion show featuring local fashion designers Lisa Robin Jewelry and Amy Kirchen custom couture. Bring gently used jewelry or clothing for St. Vincent de Paul Cincinnati to get a free swag bag!
  Supporting Sponsors: Lexus RiverCenter, Performance Lexus, PNC Bank, The Plastic Surgery Group,  St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Cors & Bassett Attorneys at Law LLC
  Fashion Show Sponsors: Lisa Robin Jewelry, clothing by Amy Kirchen, Mitchell's Salon & Day Spa
  Booth Sponsors: Bella Forza Fitness, MissElaineous Studio, Mary Kay by Britt Born, Origami Owl with Julia Tudor, originalitees, Paparazzi with Stephanie Scott, Miche Bags, Village Wine Gallery LLC,Yelp!
  Hosted by: Cincy Chic, an online lifestyle publication for women in Greater Cincinnati

2013 RX350 Reveal Event at Lexus RiverCenter!

Happy RX350 Reveal Day!! As I mentioned last week, Performance Lexus is having a Reveal Event tonight and Lexus RiverCenter will be having an event to unveil the new 2013 RX350 as well!

The event at Lexus RiverCenter will take place June 27th from 5-7pm at their beautiful facility that overlooks the city! Click here to see my blog post about all my fav things about this particular dealership (it's where I bought my car!!) 

Hors d'oeuvres and fine wines will be served as well as giveaways! You might be the lucky winner of three limited-edition Lexus timepieces that they're giving away! 

I've already checked out the new RX350 and it's great! You can see my review here!

Hope to see you at Lexus RiverCenter or Performance Lexus tonight so you can check out the new 2013 RX350 for yourself!

2013 RX350 Reveal Event at Performance Lexus!

Performance Lexus will be holding a special event to unveil the NEW 2013 RX350! 

The reveal of the car will be June 27th from 5-7pm at the Performance Lexus in the Kings Auto Mall as well as the Lexus RiverCenter. 

Hors d'oeuvres and fine wines will be served and three lucky recipients at each location will win a limited-edition Lexus timepiece. 

I've already checked out the new RX350 and it's great! You can see my review here!

RSVP to the event at Performance Lexus in the Kings Auto Mall here. 

To RSVP to the event at the Lexus RiverCenter, click here.

Lexus Featured at 2012 CFDA Fashion Awards

As the official vehicle of the 2012 CFDA fashion awards, Lexus had one job: Help the celebs roll in style. And boy did they do their job well! If you missed it, click here to catch the awards show and see some featured pics below. My fav, of course, is Ms. Wintour looking tres chic but still very Devil-Wears-Prada.

Anna Wintour arrives in a Lexus at the 2012 CFDA Fashion Awards, Monday June 4, 2012 in New York.

Designer Pamela Love arrives in a Lexus at the 2012 CFDA Fashion Awards, Monday June 4, 2012 in New York.

Actress Jessica Chastain arrives in a Lexus at the 2012 CFDA Fashion Awards, Monday June 4, 2012 in New York.

John Waters arrives in a Lexus at the 2012 CFDA Fashion Awards, Monday June 4, 2012 in New York.