on the hunt for the perfect pair of (fashionable) granny heels

I have been walking around in 4-inch heels since about the age of 15, and, if I'm totally honest, my feet have been ready for a break for years. Which is probably why I got a little giddy at the sight of Chanel's classic low-heeled (and I mean low-heeled) slingback pumps as they made their way down the label's Fall 2015 catwalk.

Chanel's cap-toe slingback pumps. 

Now these are the kind of shoes that could make you forgo a high heel addiction. And so the search began for the perfect pair of granny heels. If Chanel could make them fashionable, so could I.

I started off my search at Chanel's jewel-box like Upper East Side store knowing full well they would be gorgeous, and entirely out of my budget. Holding the suede cap-toe slingbacks in my hand ($800; available at Chanel), I imagined all of the outfits that I could put together with them on my feet--everything from ripped jeans and t-shirts to tweed cocktail frocks would look that much better. It was love at first sight. Not so much with the price tag.

Maryam Nassir Zadeh Roberta heels. 

Next it was to the Lower East Side shop of "it" designer du jour Maryam Nassir Zadeh, whose slightly avant-garde low-heeled shoes are so hot you have to be on a waitlist to get them (which naturally makes everyone want them that much more). The Roberta heels ($379; available at Maryam Nassir Zadeh) are what every fashion insider of the moment seems to have on her feet, but it was the Susan slingbacks ($415; available at Maryam Nassir Zadeh), which feel like a slightly less fussy take on Chanel's slingback, that had me drooling on myself. That they come in fun colors like powder-blue and tangerine orange, makes them that much more fun.

Valentino's Tanto ankle-wrap pumps. 

For due diligence's sake I stopped at Bergdorf Goodman to stake out the best of the rest. Valentino's Tango patent block-heel ankle-wrap pumps ($845; available at Bergdorf Goodman) were a favorite, perfect for dressing up a pair of jeans, and then meeting someone at tony French bistro for lunch.

At the end of the day, I couldn't get the original Chanel slingbacks off of my mind. The shoes are a re-imagined take on a Chanel classic, and if you know where to look there are a multitude of great vintage Chanel shoes at a great price. After several weeks spent scouring the web I scored a pair of grey and black Chanel cap-toes on eBay for a mere $150. And yes, I'm wearing them all of the time.

--Leah Bourne

where to shop, eat, and drink in jaipur: a fashion girl's guide

Think of a fantasy trip to India, and the captivating city of Jaipur likely comes to mind--amid dreams of scaling the 17th century Amber Fort, via elephant, or whiling away your afternoon over a champagne tea at the Taj's Rambagh Palace in the garden. Cool factor, though? That's what the design mecca of Stockholm or the eccentric fashion scene of Tokyo is for.

Which is why on a recent trip to the iconic Pink City I was surprised to discover a burgeoning scene of cool boutiques, boutique hotels, and modern cafes worthy of a visit to the city all on their own.

Here, a few of my favorites that aren't to be missed.

1. Hot Pink

On the hunt for locally made, traditional, Indian garb but in rainbow bright colors, and cut in modern shapes? Look no further than Hot Pink, located at Narain Nlwas Palace. Not only is the store picture perfect (it's hard to pay a visit here and not take a photo like you were visiting some kind of a shrine to shopping) but you'll also be hard pressed to leave the store empty handed thanks to a curated selection of clothes, bags, and scarves from the hottest local designers. The men's collection is particularly stellar, as are the selection the scarves, and interesting jewelry.

Narain Nlwas Palace, Narayan Singh Road, Kanathoa Bagh, Jaipur

2. Bar Palladio

Next door to Hot Pink is Bar Palladio, owned by Swiss-Italian expat Barbara Miolini. The work of interior designer Marie-Anne Oudejans (formerly the Creative Director of cult brand Tocca), this lounge's painted blue ceilings, gorgeous embroidered furniture and pillows, and its garden that includes tented banquettes, is the ultimate place to unwind. After a few dynamite cocktails, you'll undoubtedly leave wondering why on earth your home isn't this chic, I know I did.

Narain Nlwas Palace, Ground Floor, Singh Road, Kanathoa Bagh, Jaipur

3. Idli

One final stop while you are on the grounds of the Narain Nlwas Palace should be Idli run by the charming French expat Thierry Journo. Not cheap by India standards, so keep in mind while your browsing how much this store's wares would cost in a fashion capital like London or Paris. It's no wonder this spot is  favorite of the jet-set crew who can't get enough of the chic caftans and glamorous maxi dresses on offer.

Narain Nlwas Palace, Narayan Singh Road, Kanathoa Bagh, Jaipur

4. The Kitchen at Jaipur Modern

Housed in the cool concept shop Jaipur Modern occupying a restored 1940s bungalow now done up with dramatic black-and-white marble flooring you'll find one of the best lunch spots in Jaipur for ordering a salad and freshly squeezed juice--all taken from the restaurant's own organic garden. After lunch, peruse the wares at the adjoining shop that includes furniture, home goods, clothing, and accessories. Their shibori and tie dyed cushion coves and ikat quilts are about as swoon-worthy as it gets.

51 Sardar Patel Road, Dhuleshwar Garden, Hathroi, Jaipur

5. Teatro Dhora

Searching lesser-known Indian design labels? Teatro Dhora, started by designers Aavriti Jain and Siddhartha Daspan, should be your first stop. Besides clothing, quirky and affordable jewelry, and leather bags, you'll even find artwork for sale here. Check out Jain's Instagram account to get an idea of just how cool her merchandise is.

9 Yashwant Place, Ajmer Road, Madrampur, Civil Lines, Jaipur

--Leah Bourne

let's get this party started: welcome to from the front row

A little bit about me: I've written for Time, Forbes, NBC, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, and a host of other outlets with a focus on fashion and lifestyle content. Maybe that is why I seem to be the first person people ask when they are looking for a "sort of trendy but quiet cocktail lounge" for that all important second date, or advice on what shoes to wear to a black-tie optional benefit gala. Or maybe they just think I'm an obsessive Zagat reader, shopping hobbyist, and party planning addict who is their best bet if they want an answer more reliable than Yelp (spoiler alert, I am all of those things).

Which gets to why I wanted to start this blog to begin with--to put everything I love to do, see, eat, and wear in one place. From my favorite trendy shopping destinations in Jaipur (you better believe I have a list ready to go) to my tips on how to make ladylike pumps cool (trust me, it's possible) come here for a few of my best finds, tips, and tricks.

Have a front row worthy find? E-mail me at leah [@] leahbourne.com. I'm always on the hunt.

--Leah Bourne
Instagram: @fromthefrontrow
Twitter: @fromthefrontrow