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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 90 Comments · by

Coffee Break: Sergio Rossi Pumps

Coffee Break

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Sergio Rossi A62430 MCAZX01Hello, sailor. I randomly came across these Sergio Rossi heels while doing the low heel roundup (these are 2.25″) but wanted to save these for a coffee break to be drooled over on their own accord. I love that dark purple suede, and I've never seen a gold detail quite like that on the back of the heel — it's interesting but classic all at the same time. The shoes are $785. Sergio Rossi A62430 MCAZ01 (L-2)

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Comments

    • Anonymous

      Why are there always comments when something is expensive? Yes. Welcome to the world. Some people purchase homes for $150,000. Others spend $13 million. Some people are homeless. Some people make minimum wage. Other people make annual bonuses in the seven figures. Some cheese costs $20 for a small hunk. There are expensive and inexpensive things in this world. And yet, every. single. time. there’s some kind of comment.

      • tesyaa

        And there’s no law against this kind of comment. People comment on whether a neckline is too low. What’s wrong with commenting about an item’s attributes – including price?

        • Wildkitten

          Price is one of the things I take into account when making a fashion purchase, so it should be part of the conversation in evaluating things like shoes.

          • Lyssa

            Absolutely. And I’ll add that what people spend/think is a good amount to spend on various items is a constant topic around here (and one that certainly always interests me).

            That said, I think it’s fun and interesting to see things that are out there even if they cost way more than I’m likely to ever spend.

      • roses

        Big difference between complaining about the mere fact that high-end items are featured (which I don’t think is warranted) vs. saying an item doesn’t appear to be worth what it’s valued.

        • anon-oh-no

          i agree with this, but on the big ticket items, someone always, without fail, comments that its too expensive. and generally the issue is that the commentor simply wouldnt spend that much money on such an item, or any item.

          here, for example, sergio rossi shoes are expensive. its a high end, luxury brand and thus it costs more. some of it is becuase of who makes it, some of it is simple supply and demand, and some of it is how its made. not sure specifically about sergio rossi, but manolos, for example, are hand made in italy. that costs more money.

          i dont know about the OP, but i spend a lot of money on shoes. just last week i spent this much (well, $645, but you get the point) on two pair of shoes. so would i spend this much on these shoes? sure. i dont think they are too expensive. they are not really my style, so im not gonna buy them.

          • tesyaa

            You are right that I wouldn’t spend $700 on any shoes myself, but I understand why someone would, definitely. I understand that there are uniquely styled and/or super-comfortable and well-made high end shoes that are worth that much. I can’t tell from the picture what is unique about this shoe. And it might be the most comfortable shoe on the planet, but in the purple color, it’s not likely to be worn on a daily basis. That was my initial thought. Sure, I guess someone might feel it’s worth it, and I have no problem with that!

      • West Coast

        Would it be equally appropriate to critique items solely for being of too low a price? For example, it looks nice, but at that price I would not buy it because the quality is probably poor and it will not last, or it probably would look cheaply made in person.

        I guess I am curious how the ‘it’s too expensive’ comments advance the discussion. If the question is, how can I get the use out of these to justify the price, that is another story.

        I believe comments on price might be better put in terms that we use to talk about the other attributes of clothing, e.g. that neckline of the blouse isn’t for me, the price on the shoes isn’t for me. Comments that dismiss an item based on any attribute are frustrating for anyone who might like it, which isn’t how I would want to make someone feel.

    • Brant

      I think I agree– cute, but not at this price.

      There are occasionally shoes I see and think,man, I’d pay a lot of money for those shoes. Not these.

      • Sparrow

        Same here. I just wonder what makes them cost so much. Are they handmade in Italy in limited quantities? Premium materials? And from the picture, they just don’t look that expensive.

        • hoola hoopa

          Me, too. What’s the difference in quality or construction from a $300 pair?

    • Ellen

      I agree with Tesyaa. This is Coffee Break, and we are all entitled to our opinion’s, even if we do NOT all agree with each other. Also, some peeople make more money then other’s do, so what one person think’s is EXPENSIVE may not be that much to another person. I know, for example that the manageing partner’s brother, who is getting DIVORCED, let his wife spend alot of money on clothe’s, and he did NOT care until she stopped sleeepeing with him, and then he began to rezent all of the bill’s comeing in from Bergdorf and Sak’s for clotheing when he was NOT able to have a wifely releationship with her. According to him, she started takeing up with her YOGA instructor, who is onley 30 year’s old.

      Myrna think’s that is why the manageing partner’s brother is pursueing me — to get back at her, but I think that he just want’s someone to pay attention to him and that is MY role in his mind. Beside’s, his wife is almost 30 year’s older then me, so he probably is more interested in sampeling younger women now–he keep’s telling me how VIRALE he is. That, however is NOT my focus. He is smart and has been around the world, so he can CARRY on a conversation, and that is some thing that Alan could NEVER do, even when he was SOBER. So mabye I will consider dateing him, but NOT sleepeing with him right away. YAY!!!

  2. Alice

    Speaking of shoes, I have a question about steel toe boots (tangentially related to the post!). Any recommendations? Preferably not too expensive. I’m a lawyer, but have to get these for a site visit. Have no idea how to differentiate between the different options.

    • PinkKeyboard

      I got mine from zappos and they were keens brand. I think they are comfy and not too too heavy since they are only a shoe not a giant work boot (the big ones really beat up your feet until you get used to them). Also, I’m klutzy and trip a lot in the clunkier styles so these really suited me.

    • InfoGeek

      I have a cheap pair by Brazos that I really like. Mine look a lot like a high top sneaker or a hiking shoe.

      My daughter had to buy a pair recently and ended up with Wolverines. She preferred the tied varieties to the slip-ons because it was easier to adjust the fit.

      We both bought ours in person at Academy.

    • Annie

      I have a pair of Sketchers ones that look like sneakers. They’re ugly, but comfortable enough for long site visits, including walks through mud.

    • Anon

      Try Wal-Mart. That’s where I got my first pair for under $100 and they looked like black sneakers/hiking boots.

      The current pair I wear is from Redwing, which are better constructed, but they are pricier and not worth it if you only need it for a single site visit.

    • Medic Maggie

      I’m sure you’ve gotten the information you need, but if you ever find yourself needing steel-toe again, Red Wings are incredibly comfortable and come in a wide range of sizes (including small women’s sizes); as are most EMS/Police/Fire duty-style boots. You can get a pair with laces & a zipper to make customization AND donning easier. They’re not pretty, and they’re expensive, but if you find that you need them often, they’re worth it because they will also last forever.

      If you want them to look more “normal” I’d go with a skechers or Keen. If you’ve never owned a pair of Keens, watch out. They’re ridiculously comfy.

  3. Need DC restaurant rec-Adams Morgan area

    HI, I will be in DC next week for a meeting …staying at the Omni Shoreham. I am meeting one of my oldest and dearest friends for dinner (who just moved back there in between Foreign Service posts) and want to go somewhere nice where we can nibble and have a drink in an unhurried way. Looking for non-meat-heavy options–fish ok. I am willing to spend money for good food. Any good recs?….perhaps Adams Morgan area? Other close-ish suggestions (we can Metro or cab around if need be). Thanks in advance.

    • Wildkitten

      Open City is my go to for nibbling unhurried in that area, but it’s laid back – there are not tablecloths.

    • rosie

      If you want fish, I like Grillfish in the Dupont Circle area. Nice fish dishes, interesting enough drinks, and I have never felt rushed there. They are the same restaurant group as Commissary, which I also like a lot, but Commissary is more casual and busier.

    • Anon

      Try mintwood place or cashions, both right around 18th and Columbia (the top of the hill in Adams Morgan). Both delicious! Get a reservation at either.

      • Em

        And give the trout a miss at Mintwood Place. Everything else we had there was great, but the trout was just disappointing (heavy, leaden, flavorless green papaya salad that didn’t balance it out). I’m still disappointed by it.

      • Bonnie

        I was horribly disappointed by Mintwood but have never had a bad meal at Cashion’s.

    • locomotive

      not a dinner rec, but couldn’t resist saying that new heights has a great gin bar downstairs if you like gin. i like doing a flight with lots of neat different types of gin

    • Flying Squirrel

      There’s a Lebanese Taverna about a block from Omni Shoreham and spitting distance from the metro. Good veggie options (e.g. Mezze plate), and that one’s really big so shouldn’t be too crowded/rushed. Not super exciting or “scene-y”, but I would probably go there.

  4. Anonymous

    Have any of you ladies tried an intermittent fasting diet? Did it work?

    I’m all Mean Girls Regina George – I want to lose 3lb (okay, more like 5lb) and think this might be easier for me to stick to. I generally eat pretty healthy with a few splurges (lean meats, salads for lunch every day, not much fried stuff) but my body’s baseline maintenance weight is about 5lb over where I feel like I look the best. I think lowering calories this way might be easier for me than trying to restrict every day/all the time.

    Has it worked for anyone? Recommendations?

    • Anonymous

      I’m not sure why you would think not eating on alternate days would be any easier than a) tracking what you are actually eating now and adjusting, b) adding exercise, or c) realizing that 5 pounds isn’t making any difference in how you look to anyone but yourself and accepting that if your maintaining a healthy weight and leading a healthy lifestyle, maybe you should just get used to it.

      But sure people have lost weight doing it. Any diet that has you eating substantially less will.

      • Anonymous

        Because it’s pretty simple for me to follow “hey, only eat a small dinner on Tuesday and Thursdays, and nothing else but coffee” (the 5:2 diet has you eat ~300cal on fasting days ) rather than tracking every meal, which, since I work a lot and thus rarely cook (or microwave) for myself, has me eating out a lot and makes it harder and more of a pain to track.

        I also am adding (back!) in exercise. But abs are made in the kitchen, as they say. 5lb may not make a difference to anyone but me – but if it makes a difference to me, why not prioritize it?

        • Em

          Because starving yourself risks permanently damaging your metabolism; and also risks making you literally insane (seriously, you don’t always know you’re prone to an eating disorder until it’s too late and extreme diets are the easiest way to tip yourself into it). Nothing is worth that.

    • Wildkitten

      This wouldn’t work for me. I’d get too hungry and just binge on all of the ice cream..

    • Solo

      Sorry, but this is a bad idea. You will definitely screw up your metabolism, and it’s in no way sustainable. Can you really work during the day without any food?

      • Kit

        According to . . . you? In fact intermittent fasting is supported by a lot of science. Not “Solo says.” Also the idea of fasting caused a slowed metabolism has been widely debunked. You would starve before you could stop eating long enough to measurably slow your metabolism. It’s just something people say to justify not dieting.

        • Solo

          Unless you can intermittently fast forever, which most people won’t, you will gain it back. And you’re right – I don’t “diet” in this way. I eat a variety of plant-based foods and work out a lot and am perfectly healthy. Thanks.

        • Em

          Spoken like someone who hasn’t starved themselves for a prolonged period of time. Seriously, if you have, the rebound effects are hard to miss.

    • Philanthropy Girl

      I followed Jordan Rubin’s “The Maker’s Diet” – which includes a weekly fast day (usually a Thursday by his suggestion), which is really only a partial fast. You fast from sundown Wednesday night to sundown Thursday – so basically, you miss Thursday breakfast and lunch. Depending on how strict you wanted/needed to be, you could just do water during your fast, or you could do homemade juices.

      Although his book is based on religious premises, many of them he supports with science. He feels, and my body seemed to agree, that this fast day once a week gave your body a chance to reset. I won’t say I dropped tons of weight, but after a few weeks with the daily fast combined with a diet similar to what you describe I did feel my system operated better.

      • Anonymous

        I believe you meant to say, he supports them with “science”. Because that book is nonsense.

    • Anonymous

      Are you talking about the 500 calorie 5:2 diet (The Fast Diet)? Because I have definitely known people who used that diet with very good results. My step-mother actually did it on a 4:3 ratio (every other day was 500 calories, rather than just twice a week) to lose weight after a string of surgeries and medications left her maybe 25lb heavier. She’s lost most of it and seems much happier. I think it was easier to make through just one day of limited calories knowing that she could eat whatever the next day. I’m not sure if she is still doing that diet now that she has lost the weight, but I know a few other people who do the 5:2 ratio just as a way of maintaining both their weight and a healthy diet. When you only have 500 calories to play with, you have to be more strategic about only putting whole, clean, nutritious foods into your diet.

      • Solo

        See, I just don’t get this. On days that I don’t eat very much for whatever reason (super busy, just not that hungry, whatever), I notice that I am significantly hungrier the next day, and it all balances out. If someone can “eat whatever the next day,” what is the point of restricting? Also, if you work out heavily, these types of diets are evil. I passed out on the subway once after a long morning run (on the way to brunch) because my body was literally screaming at me for not refueling properly.

        • hoola hoopa

          If you took the time to look at the 5:2 diet, you would see that you don’t actually eat “whatever you want” – you eat a relatively normal amount of calories from a rounded out diet.

          Everyone finds something else convenient to them. Over a week, eating 500 cal one day and 1500 the next three days cuts the same amount of calories as 1250 per day. If OP thinks it’s easier for her to do it that way, then let her do it in peace.

          • Batgirl

            Um the poster she was responding to explicitly said: “I think it was easier to make through just one day of limited calories knowing that she could eat whatever the next day.”

        • Anonymous

          Most data suggests you don’t eat enough to compensate for your calorie restriction – you do eat more, but only by about 25% (which feels noticeable – that’s a lot more food!) but it’s not actually enough calories that you are significantly overconsuming above your original restriction (or even canceling out your restriction.

    • Spirograph

      How often would you fast? Every other day? A few times a week? Once a week? This is not something I would ever consider doing because I like food and I don’t like to be hungry. I had no idea this was a thing, and it sounds crazy to me–so be prepared for that reaction from people around you.

      But aside from that, I don’t think it’s good for your metabolism to fast frequently. Your body might actually crave higher fat foods because you’ve started a feast and famine cycle, and psychologically, I know *I* would feel entitled to eat more, and less-healthy foods on days that I do eat. Combined, the effect might be counterproductive to your cause. Also, unless you have zero social life, fasting will probably interfere with your life a lot more than just eating more mindfully on a daily basis or fitting in some more exercise.

    • anonsg

      I’m trying to lose about the same as you, but I am not doing a fasting diet. As a personal matter, I just don’t think fasting is going to do anything except make me dizzy/weak from not eating. Instead, I’m just doing smaller portions – so if I buy take out, instead of eating it in 2 meals, I’ll eat it in 3, etc. I don’t eat or drink anything except water after dinner, and I go to sleep at least 3-4 hours after I eat dinner. I have avoided fried foods in the past but it didn’t work. And I’m also doing an exercise regime with cardio and strength exercises every day. I’m only like a week into it but we’ll see how it goes.

    • Anon

      As an alternative, if you are already working out, you can burn 200 more calories but keep your food intake same as now. So if you have 15 minutes to spare every day, you don’t have to be on the diets which may mess up your metabolism.

      • roses

        You’d have to do some *REALLY* intense HIIT, or be a very large person, to burn 200 cals in 15 mins!

        • Anon

          I am 150 pounds and 5 feet 4 inches tall (not exactly a thin person, not a very large person either). When I walk at the maximum inclination that the treadmill allows at 4 miles per hour, it shows that I am burning 220 calories. I am assuming that it is fairly accurate as I have observed similar numbers on many treadmills (work gym vs commercial gym vs home treadmill).

          • Anonymous

            Don’t trust those treadmill numbers. They are accurate for very very few people and honestly, notoriously high. Use an HRM to track calories burned and I suspect you will find the number is significantly fewer.

            Anecdata – my spin bike tells me I burn 800(!) calories in a 45 min spin session (I enter my weight and age). HRM data suggests I burn more like 500. Significant difference!

          • Anon

            At walking 4 miles per hour, in 15 minutes a person who weighs 150 pounds would burn approximately 85 calories. Of course this varies based on a number of factors.

          • Anon

            Do you have any recommendations for HRM or a fitness gizmo? I kind of like working out on a gym equipment because I can see calories burnt/distance/speed etc. It gives me some baseline even though they are not very accurate. I can increase/decrease the workout time and intensity from that baseline. I have always felt that I workout better when I can measure it because when I cannot, I just overestimate whatever I have done.

          • Anon @ 5:57

            Is your estimate based on treadmill with zero inclination or with an inclination of about 30 – 40 degrees?

      • Constant Reader

        HRM rec – I like the Polar brand watches. You have to wear a chest strap but small trade off to have a more accurate sense of what you’re actually burning.

        • Wildkitten

          I have heard from professionals that only the chest strap models actually work. I have two.

    • Ru

      As someone who fasts (no food or drink from dawn to dusk for a month straight except for the dementors), I have to say that it’s a toss-up as to whether you lose weight or not. I know my stomach size decreases because I physically cannot consume as much as I used to be able to but sometimes my weight goes up, down or stays the same. I know people who gain weight during Ramadan every year. There are so many factors involved in weight loss, fasting or no.

      So while I didn’t fast to lose weight, I would be very disappointed if I did.

      • Anonymous

        Thanks Ru! I was hoping you’d chime in and had a related Q (please forgive me if it’s a rude one) – I have been wondering how all the Muslim athletes are surviving the World Cup. Do people who pursue particularly labor intensive jobs not fast during the day, or do people typically find they have enough energy to go about their day as normal?

        • Anon

          There was an interesting discussion on NPR during 2012 summer Olympics as Ramadan was during the Olympics. There were interviews of athletes who were fasting on the day of their game as well. I have forgotten the details though. So not much help for you.

        • Ru

          It’s not a rude question exactly but it is personal in that religious observance is a very personal thing. During Ramadan, everyone above the age of puberty is supposed to fast. People who are sick, young children, pregnant/nursing/menstruating women and travelers are exempt and have to make up the fast at a later time. People with chronic illnesses (such as diabetes or MS, etc) who may never be able to fast again have to pay a penalty – which is feeding poor people.

          I don’t know how the athletes are doing but I can understand why they would fast – it’s more spiritual/emotional than physical. Speaking for myself, it takes a few days to adjust and then it’s normal. What’s great is that energy levels stay pretty much the same – no peaks or valleys as compared to eating throughout the day. People do alter their schedules and habits to adjust (myself included). I’ve dieted in the past and religious fasting feels completely different. Even though giving up sustenance for a major portion of the day seems like a big deal, it’s the non-physical parts of self that we’re really working on during Ramadan (to get a bit metaphysical here).

          Hope that answers your questions.

    • Anonymous

      I fast when I need to re-set my portion sizes. I try to measure out my portions but sometimes I slip and the portion sizes start to creep up. I try to get back to the smaller portions, but I feel really hungry because I’m used to a larger portion. Fasting for a day reminds me what it’s like to ACTUALLY feel hungry, so it’s easier to get used to smaller portions again. The weight difference between the larger and smaller portions is about 5 lbs, fwiw.

      As an aside, I also eat exclusively healthy foods (except at restaurants, which is basically a lost cause), and it’s so frustrating how difficult it is to lose even a little bit of weight. It makes me ragey to hear about how so-and-so stopped drinking soda and lost 20 lbs. I haven’t had a soda in 10 years and I can’t even lose 5 lbs! Seriously, what else am I supposed to do??? I eat right, portion control, exercise daily, and NOTHING.COMES.OFF. I’ve definitely been tempted to fast regularly but I just don’t have the self control.

      • Anon

        I’m neither your doctor nor your trainer, but I’d look at the quality of your exercise.

        Let’s assume that you can run three miles in 30 minutes. Let’s also assume that, in those same 30 minutes, you could spend 20 minutes doing a non-stop circuit of burpees, pushups, situps, and squats, followed by 10 minutes of sprint intervals. The 2nd workout will go much further in terms of boosting your metabolic rate and changing your body composition than the first.

        • nutella

          Yes, I agree- HIIT is the way to go when it comes to an efficient workout.

    • Anon

      Make sure you’re eating enough fiber – shoot for at least 30g a day. Eat lot of vegetables. I wouldn’t fast personally, it seems like you’d be hungry and miserable.

    • Alanna of Trebond

      Try not eating anything at all after 7pm. You should feel hungry when you go to sleep.

  5. Shay-La

    Are there any suggestions for key rings out there? I searched this site for previous comment threads and came up empty handed. My house was just re-keyed, trimming my 5 keys down to one (no office keys, and city commuter so I don’t keep my car key attached all the time)… and the ring feels empty with nothing else there. Any recommendations?

  6. Petunia

    Hi Hive –

    Hoping for some time management advice. In short, I’ve “leaned in” and it has paid off. 2014 has resulted in some serious professional wins for me that have been extremely gratifying. I have a great relationship with my boss who has also become a bit of a mentor to me. My job is amazing, and I am fortunate because not many people can say that. But I feel like my schedule is so hectic that I barely have time to get the work done that I am committing to in meetings. I don’t think it is burnout – I am still very excited about my work but I am having difficulty keeping some sanity in my schedule. On top of things, my job requires me to be social in some respects after hours, as does my husband’s. So this means no meals at home and general lack of time to handle personal business. Any tips for how to manage? I am afraid the balls I am juggling are going to come falling out of the sky.

    • BB

      Might be too late for you to read this, but thought I’d chime in…if you’re not doing it already, you need to schedule your personal life. Make meeting requests for your personal errands. Set an appointment to have dinner with your husband twice a week. Treat that like an actual work meeting (i.e., it should not be movable unless something high priority comes up). The same goes for prep time for meetings. It should be an actual block on your calendar.

      • Brit

        Agree with this. One of the other things I heard was blocking 2 hours or however many you need on your calendar during the day to help keep on top of your office tasks.

  7. Medic Maggie

    ugg. I forgot my work bag. I went home to get other stuff before my public hearing and forgot my bag. Now I just have to tote a bunch of files. Grr.

  8. Anonk

    Speaking of HRM monitors, have any other busty ladies had problems with the chest strap not playing nicely with your bra strap? I wear Enell bras for any serious exercise and have always hated the chest strap to the point of just letting my HRM gather dust…

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