Happy Anniversary!!!!

Manolo says, it is hard to believe but, on this very day four years ago the Manolo began his humble shoe blog.

At that time, there were hardly any other fashion blogs on the web, and now, four years later, there are dozens, and scores, and hundreds, and perhaps thousands of the fashion blogs, many of which are devoted entirely, or in part, to those most marvelous of accessories, the shoes.

And the Manolo is so happy to have played his small, tiny part in the development of the blogosphere, and likewise, so proud of his little corner of joyfulness and shoes.

Still, the Manolo is naturally much prouder of the wonderful and talented peoples who have elected to help the Manolo write the various blogs which compose the Manolosphere: Never teh Bride at the Manolo for the Brides and Manolo for the Home, Izzy Gallant at the Manolo for the Men, Spirit Fingers at Ayyyy!, Mr. Henry at the Manolo’s Food Blog, Raincoaster and Glinda at the Teeny Manolo, Plumcake and Francesca at the Manolo for the Big Girl, with Twistie writing on the weekends, and now blogging wonderfully in the Spanish language, Diable, Diablese, and Patri at the Manolo Moda blog.

The Manolo remains convinced that there is no group of bloggers anywhere who are as consistently entertaining, or as wonderfully funny, as these amazing peoples. That they have chosen to share their talent through the medium of the Manolo’s blogs is counted by the Manolo as being among the greatest honors of his life.

Of the course, the greatest of all the meager honors accumulated by the Manolo, are the affection, attention, and generosity of the readers who visit this space, and who, more than anything else, have made this blog the success that it is.

The Manolo cannot possibly repay this debt of kindness, he cannot possibly tell each of his readers how much this has meant to him. All he can do is say to them, and to you, thank you, the thousand times, thank you.

You are indeed most super fantastic!

Manolo says, the Manolo has recently discovered and become completely obsessed with the website Square America, the site devoted to the American snapshot, as collected and organized by Nicholas Osborn.

The shot shown above is from the On The Street , which is described as the collection of,

37 photos taken by the professional photographers who staked out the streets of major cities and tourist spots and took candid snapshots which they would then attempt to sell to their subjects, promising them “Natural pictures of you in motion.” For the most part hastily shot and incredibly poorly printed these photos are nevertheless are invaluable record of streetlife from the 30s through the 50s.

Here is yet another picture from the Square America site.

This one is from the collection entitled “On Beauty (And Its Discontents)”, described as,

Almost 85 photos on the idea of feminine beauty. Expect pin-up girls and beauty queens, mirrors, make-up and more!

But these two photos are but the small part of the enormous and endlessly fascinating collections that await those who visit Square America.

Manolo says, over at the Teeny Manolo there is the fantastic contest in which you may enter for the chance to win many wonderful products from Stila Cosmetics.

Hurry! Go now and enter!

Manolo says, the Manolo pleased to announce, at long last, the arrival of the Fabbies, the first awards devoted entirely to the fashion blogs.

The Fabbies are the first-ever, blogger-organized awards to recognize the top Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle blogs from around the world.

Various prestigious blog awards have existed for some time, but they repeatedly snubbed the Lifestyle Blogosphere, deliberately ignoring the growing power, influence and prestige of this group of bloggers. So, in typical entrepreneurial style, three bloggers decided to take action: The Manolo of Manolo’s Shoe Blog, Tina Craig of Bag Snob, and Lesley Scott, Fashiontribes…with crucial assistance from Christina Jones of eBeautyDaily and Sam Francois of Papierdoll.

One of the best features of the Fabbies is that it’s a democracy. Rather than a few judges determining which blogs are “best” in 12 different categories (which showcase the impressive breadth and depth of the Lifestyle Blogosphere), it is the real experts – the blog readers, fans and supporters – that determine the winners with their votes, highlighting the deliciously freewheeling spirit of blogging.

There will be the big nomination ceremony this Thursday, which will be live-streamed.

But, while you are waiting, go now and preview the nominees, and perhaps cast your vote for your favorites.

Manolo says, the Manolo’s friend Linda Grant is having the contest…

Here is what you have to do. You simply need to dream up a Thought for the Day - a sentence or a two, an idea, an aphorism - about fashion, clothes, style. Do not be intimidated by the brainy observations that I have run so far. ‘A good handbag makes the outfit’, a perfect piece of sartorial wisdom, was dreamed up by my mother who left school at 14, and the family motto, ‘There’s only one thing worse than being skint and that’s looking as if you’re skint,’ by my immigrant grandfather who never even learned to speak English.

Go and submit your favorite fashion aphorism.

Manolo says, Plumcake has excellent advice for any girl who would be super fantastic: find your own sexy.

Manolo says, there is hope for the Manolo’s modeling aspirations.

Manolo says, the Manolo reminds you that the Manolo’s hard-working blogger peoples have assembled the Holiday Shopping Guides to assist you in finding that perfect something for your beloved someone.

Miss Plumcake has gone with the Rock ‘n Roll theme with her One for Me, One for Thee style list.

If you are looking for things for the kitchen, the erudite Mr. Henry has opined on small appliances and cookware.

At the magnificent Ayyyy! blog, the Manolo’s friend Spirit Fingers has given us her gift suggestions for the men and for the womens, and the home.

Darling Francesca, from the Manolo for the Big Girl, provides us the with the gift guide to end all gift guides, with dozens of ideas for every mood and event.

Isidore Gallant at Manolo for the Men has recommend ties and cufflinks and Frenchback boxers for the fancy man in your life.

At the Manolo for the Brides, Never teh Bride’s list is all about the luxury items.

Twistie has provided us with the list full of kitchenware and cookbooks to satisfy the maker of the Christmas goodies.

The Good Glinda provides us with the list for the parents who must buy something for everyone.

And, of the course, there are always plenty of interesting things to be found at the Manolo’s Basement of the Bargains.

Manolo says, Ayyyyy! It is the fabulous Suzy Menkes interviewing Donatella Versace!

At first watching, you will not be able to pay attention to what they are saying. You will just revel in detail: the accents, the hair styles, the candles! It is all beyond magnificent and odd and wonderful.

At the second watching, when you are less distracted and can listen closely, you will realize that here are two smart women taking about interesting things.

P.S. From the Lauren Goldstein Crowe at the Fashion, Inc.