Few things are sadder than when a good pair calls it quits. I personally haven’t been myself since Barbie and Ken split. And don’t even get me started on Rachel and Finn (though something tells me within the next 2 episodes of Glee, that power-couple will probably get back together). So you probably can guess that I was saddened by the recent news that Sigerson Morrison co-founders, Kari Sigerson and Miranda Morrison have left their namesake brand.

In an attempt to lessen my depression, let’s get to talking about this Die Cut Skimmer! What’s a skimmer? Wikipedia via Google tells us that a skimmer is “a small family of tern-like birds in the order Charadriiformes, which also includes the waders, gulls and auks.” There are way too many words in that quotation that I have never heard before. After refining my search and stumbling on to squidoo.com, this is what I have learned:

Think of skimmers as Chuck Taylors with the tops cut off. They’re perfect for summer–easy to slip on and off and they go with everything from a cute summer dress, your hottest pair of short-shorts, or your favorite worn-in jeans. As if they couldn’t get any better, skimmers also come in a variety of colors, designs, and styles!

Muuuuch better. This Die Cut Skimmer is cah-ute. Yes, I just said cah-ute. Please don’t navigate away from this post in shame. Please.  I’m salavating over the intricate triangular-shaped cut-out details on this shoe! And the color! Ah! It’s such a pretty golden yellow (not mustard yellow, don’t say mustard yellow. I HATE mustard).  Someone buy me a pair, please? I’m sad that Sigerson Morrison are no longer a pair! Make me happy!

Fun fact: May 11th is very soon. Anyone know why I care?

Whenever I go shoe shopping with my dad, he always chuckles when we walk past the Vena Cava section. My parents are dermatologists as I’ve likely mentioned before, and my dad can’t help but make some lame/unfunny joke about the brand, how it’s “heartless” or “really gets your blood pumping” or even how they should make a spin-off brand called “Vas Deferens.”

After the jokes finish, though, he’s always in accordance with me when I say that I find Vena Cava shoes for the most part to be quite attractive. Exhibit A (above): the Ankle-Tie Platform Sandal. As someone who has had lots of trouble with one of her toes over the years, I can say I love sandals that are closed-toe. The colors are also quite enjoyable: springy but not garish; this could be a statement shoe but it doesn’t have to be.

I also want to take this post to toast the two ladies who started VC in 2003. Though I’m not a Parsons student, I have many friends who are who aspire to your success, as students, designers, and entrepreneurs. Cheers to you!

Fun fact: I have been a bad blogger. Oops.

If you know me, you know I have an admittedly unhealthy obsession with Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the fashion and couture associated with the Audrey Hepburn classic. If you knew that about me, then you probably also know that I spend an obscene percentage of my day looking at shoes in some form or another, whether online, in a store, or on people’s feet. So when I saw this Prada looker online, I was drooling (it was actually gross, ask my sister).

No such thing as the perfect shoe, of this I am aware (sadly), cause there’s no such thing as perfect. But shit, Prada! This is pretty close. And just pretty. So so pretty.  The color of peaches and creme, patent-leather, a delicate bow, my fingers are getting tingly with excitement as I type! The low heel gives them an antique feel, but they’re no so antique that one might assume you stole them from your grandmother’s closet (though that does depend on what your grandmother usually keeps in her closet, I suspect).  And to top it off, pointed toes, which make everyone feel feminine and girly!

Thank you thank you thank you Prada! A job well done as always, and I cannot wait to sink my feet into a pair, bank balance providing, that is.

Fun fact: Tonight J and I return to our regular stomping ground and I could not be more excited to see her and the sushi (but mostly her).

Welcome to 2011! New Year’s Eve is, in my highly-valued opinion, an extraordinarily overrated holiday. You get dressed up, do your hair, put on something glitzy and slutty (but not too slutty, it is a holiday after all, secular yes, but holy nonetheless) and drink like you’ve never drunk before and you’re never going to drink again (the horror!). And yet, wherever you woke up this morning and with whatever regrets and states of drunkenness/hangover, it really wasn’t that different from your typical weekend night, except for the fact that you probably don’t usually have to wipe away that much glitter.

I DIGRESS! Most of you probably are thinking right about now, “Meryl, that shoe should have been written about yesterday! It’s perfect for NYE!” I hear ya loud and clear, ladies (and gents? anyone out there other than my father?) and I disagree. I don’t need a silly holiday, one marking the passing of one day to the next (something we do DAILY people, FYI) to allow me to wear glitter. And no Jimmy Choo shoe should ever be purchased with the assumption that it will be worn once and once only!  I mean seriously, who would buy a shoe that is to-the-name “witty” and wear it once? Not Meryl. No Sir!

I do really like this shoe though.  Lots of color, so probably don’t wear it with anything too garish or you might go all Medusa on the world and blind some people accidentally. And with a rubber sole, can anyone imagine anything more comfortable and equally as attractive? Yes that’s a challenge.

I hope everyone had a happy New Year’s Eve and that 2011 brings all you desire and more.

Fun fact: Back to one of my favorite places in the world on Monday! And yes, it’s work. I’m a nerd to the core.

My parents recently spent two weeks soaking up the sights of Cuba. While they were there, my sister and I could not speak to them via email, phone, or any other form of communication. PARTY TIME. But actually. My sister and I decided it was time to do something really outlandish, really rebellious. We were going to each buy a pair of these Miu Miu Mary Jane Ballet Flats.

There’s no such thing as the perfect shoe.  Sad but factual.  However, (and you’ve all realized by now that I have a deep and undying love for Miu Miu anythings (be it shoes, handbags, coats, skirts, keychains)) this ballet flat gets just as close, I think, as a shoe can get to perfection.  Patent leather, creme and black, a giant bow to top it off.  A beautiful delicate ankle strap (cause God knows the shoe would fall off my feet as I prance around from place to place).  I cannot wait to get my feet in a pair (ha, not my hands on a pair, that’d be a waste of time).

Sadly, my parents have returned from Havana and my sister and I were less-than rebellious (I think my major move was getting myself a subscription to Netflix).  Alas, purchasing these shoes will have to wait…

Fun fact: I haven’t left my house since yesterday.  Something about the 16 inches of white dust that powders my surroundings that’s convincing me to stay indoors.

I find myself back in New York just in time for snow. It wasn’t a white Christmas, cause the weather Gods got the dates wrong or something, but snow a day late is just fine for me, seeing as I’m Jewish and all, and Santa only visited me before sundown on Friday (Christmas Eve being Shabbat and all). Jokes aside, I find myself dreaming of summer and heat and warmth and sandals. Yeah obviously I dream in shoes.

Nina Ricci, kudos (or as my mom would say “kudo bars”) to you for these stunners. Yeah, Nina sadly isn’t with us anymore, but the brand which bears her name and sustains her memory manages to impress me time and time again.

Yeah I just had a two-sentence paragraph. Bite me.  When looking at the shoe itself, does anyone else find themselves shocked by the utter detail displayed?  Look at the stitching, the delicately-tied bows, the seems and nails and other hardware.  I’m actually most impressed by the woodwork.  This shoe is like a beautiful piece of furniture.  It’s like a great coffee table: usable and functionable and a great reason to have a party.  Functionable isn’t a real word, but if Sarah Pailin can invent words, what’s stopping the rest of us?

Seriously, if the Hannukah Armidillo is actually out there, I know the holiday has come and gone but I’d love a pair of these. I’ll even wear them in the snow.

Fun fact: my mom can’t stop quoting the movie “Up” – it’s getting a bit out of control.

Whether it’s a newfound sense of nationalism, the aftermath of the war we’re in, or some other reason that’s escaping me, there’s no denying that fashion has taken a recent turn towards the military. I’m all for this. I love green, I love the buttons and frills, I love the pockets and folds. What I don’t love is that military is manly (there’s really no two ways about it) and I can’t remember the last time I woke up in the morning and said to myself, A fuck it, I’m wanna dress like a dude today!

I think Acne did an excellent job, however, dealing with my number one problem with military wear. These wedged booties are leather and army green, but they are also girly. They’ll be sure to give any girl a sexy feeling while she’s prancing around [fill in name of city here] with a pep in her step and a few added inches to her height.

So I’ve gotta say, kudos to Acne (and they need kudos, given that god-awful name (I’m the daughter of two dermatologists)) for bringing it all back home. I salute you!

fun fact: my grandfather was in the Air Force for 23 years.

One of the things I love most about Lanvin is that it was started by a woman, Jeanne Lanvin, who started her career by making clothing for her daughter, clothing that was so stylish and beautiful that it ended up attracting the attention of wealthy patrons requesting similar clothing for their own children. While I wish I could follow that statement by saying that as a child my mother used to make stylish and beautiful clothing for me, that would be a lie and I’m against lying. I can say, however, that I hope one day to make beautiful clothing for my daughter.

Okay sappy stuff aside, this Lanvin pump is just what every girl needs (especially this time of year when we’re all bundling up and feeling comfy and chunky and missing our feminine flair). There’s also nothing more important when it comes to shoes than having a pair of nude pumps. And ten points for Lanvin for pumping out these beauts.  They’re so delicately hand-sewn and so daintily designed.  The curves and stitches are so elegant that it’s almost impossible to imagine a more feminine shoe (and when all I’ve worn these past few days has been sweaters and socks and scarves, I could seriously use a pair of these to remind me of my beauty).

Before I go, though, I can’t neglect to bring up a piece of exciting news! (Shnews, actually). On September 2, 2010, it was announced by H&M that Lanvin would be their guest designer collaboration for the Winter 2010 collection. The collection will be available to view beginning November 4, 2010 at HM.com. The collection will then be available to buy in 200 stores worldwide, on November 20.

So thanks, Jeanne, for another homerun.

So yes, I’ve been absent for a while. But I’ve been busy! I’ve been working on this and that and a few other things! I have a life, I apologize. But I’m back! And with a fabulous pair of a shoes.

I hadn’t ever seen this website or heard of this shoe designer before my dear friend Angela sent it my way (thanks for that). What I’ve found is that Marais USA is a badass brand started by two Parsons gals. Check out what they say about their company:

Taking inspiration from a summer spent in “Le Marais,” cofounders Catherine Chen and Haley Boyd named their company after Paris’ most eclectic district. From flamboyant transvestites to traditional rabbis, there is just about something for everyone. And that is precisely the philosophy at Marais USA. As the brainchild of two young women determined to fill a gap in the modern market, Marais USA boasts a bevy of covetable basics that won’t leave your wallet empty.

Needless to say, this particular shoe, the Mulberry Maryjane, is adorable. Featured here in two of the five colors in which it is made, these two photos show how Catherine and Haley put a modern spin on a classic shoe: an elastic strap with a patent-leather base, a rounded toe and a low heel. And for only $58 I honestly cannot wait to get my feet in a pair.

You know when your college friends meet your high school friends and you feel as though your worlds are colliding and nothing makes sense anymore because high school-you and college-you become one in the same? I feel like that right now. Not a super fair analogy for me since my platonic-life-partner and I have been in the same city, state, and country since the fifth grade, but hopefully you catch my drift. Outside of being a shoe-fanatic to the max, I am also a fan of alt-pop-indie-rock music (mainly The Magnetic Fields, Lisa Loeb, and, of course, Ben Folds (and Ben Folds Five)), a fact about me which I have artfully failed to mention thus far.

Who knows who Animal Collective are? (See what I did there? I learned from working (and by working I mean interning) at an indie-rock mag a few years ago (and by a few years ago I mean summer of 09) that when a band is comprised of more than one member, it takes the plural form of the verb. Nerd.) Ok here’s the blurb I got for ya: Animal Collective are an experimental pop band (you can call them a lot of things, but I’ve settled on that for now, may change my mind later) that have journeyed from Baltimore, Maryland, to NYC and have been rocking out h-core for the past decade. I’m a fan of Animal Collective. Obviously, AC didn’t make it to my top three fav bands of all time list, but try not to hold that against them. And now, I’m even more of a fan since they’ve started cranking out sneakers. As Pitchfork said, “Animal Collective have teamed up with the clothing company Keep to create their own line of shoes.” I approve and so do, I suspect, the hipsters of the world.  The sneaker is actually pretty snazzy. I am a fan of the it-looks-like-I-doodled-on-these-sneakers-but-actually-I-didn’t (although, to be fair, I’m an even bigger fan of sneakers that you actually do draw on yourself, but I’ll keep quiet about that for now). Hipsterrunoff approves (as much as Hipsterrunoff can approve of anything other than being an AltJew).

Go out and get a pair!

Fun fact: I wish I were a Hipster (with a capital H).

I’m going to start off this post with a big slice of TMI, so either enjoy it (cause you all secretly stalk me anyway, so this is just free info for you to add to your creeper notebook) or bare with me/skip to the next paragraph. I live with three other girls and I am definitely the odd man out. I’m the only one not interested in being a doctor, the only one not currently enrolled in Organic Chemistry, the only one who doesn’t have black hair, and the only one who is above the height of 5′-3″. (I’m 5′-5″ if you were dying to know). That being said, I am very proud of the three rather vertically-challenged individuals with whom I reside because they never commit the fashion faux-pas that I am choosing to vent about on this fine occasion.

I can count on the fingers of my left (or right) hand the number of things in this world that truly drive me insane (in the order in which I can conjure them up, and not in order in which they irritate me): 1. When people blow their nose/sneeze around me, on me, or in my general vicinity. 2. Mustard. 3. People who sing out of tune 4. Competition and 5. When really short people wear crazy-tall shoes to make them seem “casually taller.” Let’s pause and reflect on that last one, shall we? These Puma sneakers are of the fifth category. They’re sneakers. They’re wedges. They’re the least practical shoe I can think of (except, maybe, no shoes at all, which actually sounds more appealing). I can’t imagine why anyone would want to buy them, except, I guess, if you are, like 4 feet tall and wish you were 4′-5″. Seriously though, there are prettier ways of doing that.

PS – Suede sneakers? Why?

Fun fact: I just ate a mini red velvet cupcake and it was delicious!

I know there’s a rule somewhere in the fashion world that says you can’t wear white after labor day. Annnnd Wikipedia FTW with the reason why: “The United States also adopted the tradition of not wearing white after Labor Day. This is the time when the Navy switches from their white uniforms to their Navy blue uniforms.” But screw rules. Rules were made to be broken. [Insert Another Cliché Here].

Mary Kate (and Ashley, but really, we all know the brains (and drug-addiction) behind the operation are all MK) Olsen has done it again. Ankle strap ankle strap ankle strap! I actually overheard a saleswoman telling a potential client that she doesn’t like the ankle strap cause she thinks it makes your ankles look kankley but I THINK SHE’S WRONG. I think the ankle strap is one of the most flattering looks on a shoe, especially a heel. Another thing I love about this shoe? I simply can’t get enough of it’s almost-pointed toe. It’s as though Mary Kate was sitting there designing the shoe and said “I’m gonna make a pointed-toe… no wait… hold up… not so fast… make it rounded make it rounded!” and what she was left with was a pointed-toe with a slight round to it. Probs also super duper comfy to walk in.

Keep it up, Michelle Tanner/2 – I love all that you give us!

PS – I hope those of you that are unfamiliar with this blog understand the distinction between my love for shoes, and Sea of Shoes. I also hope that one day, someone will show Jane Aldridge (of said blog) how to flip photos so they’re not 90 degrees in the wrong direction.

Fun fact: I now have a zebra hanging above my fireplace! Check it outtttt:

As you have probably already gathered, I really am not a sneaker-person. The ironic part of that statement is that as I am sitting at my desk writing this, I am wearing sneakers, but it is a rare occurrence, I swear (and you know I would never lie to you)! That being said, just cause I don’t wear ‘em doesn’t mean I can appreciate ‘em or hate on ‘em cause at this point in the post, who knows what I’ll do! (Side note: it is way harder to type in a casual way using words like ‘em than it is to speak in a casual way. I know you were on the edges of your swivel desk-chairs wondering).

Ok so these are pretty friggin sweet. Yes, I said it: friggin sweet.  Don’t quote me on this, but I think they’re suede, which is a pretty big material this season and in life in general, so that’s cool.  Laces: check. I personally can’t keep my eyes off those eye-popin colors! I also, apparently, am having a hard time typing the letter “g” in this post (especially when it should follow the letters i and n). My one problem with these shoes is that they’re high-tops. I know I know that makes them more legit and rad and totally awesome dude(!) but you have to have toothpicks for legs for them to look flattering (and when you have toothpicks for legs, it’s pretty hard to walk, I hear). They’re still easily on my list of my top-5 fav sneaks of all time (numero uno being classic white keds, OBVIDUH). For other ghetto (and other communities) fabulous sneakers, look here.

Okeee ladies and gentzzz that’s all for today.

Ha didn’t think I’d forget the fun fact, didja? FUNFACTOFTODAY: I drank my weight in coffee this morning.

disclaimer: reflection in black background not included with sneaker.

I once had a counselor at sleep-away camp named Mary Jane. And while I am a big believer in the idea that we grow to fit our names, she is definitely not the type of girl to ever wear Mary Janes (especially not these). BUT, YSL didn’t make these for the MJ that I know, so it’s all goooood.

Suede is tricky. I have a few pairs of suede shoes and I am always afraid they’ll get ruined if I wear them. Don’t worry, I wear them, cause I can’t imagine having a pair of shoes that never gets worn – too sad. Putting that aside, these 5-inchers are stunning. The color, which YSL calls “cognac” is so rich and soothing. The leather weaving over the toes is dainty and yet functional, girly and yet not overkill, aka pretty damn close to the perfect shoe.

But what do you wear these with? They’re not really fancy-pants enough for an evening gown (and let’s be real, I’m not sure when the next time is that I’ll need to sport an evening gown anyway). Can you wear them with jeans? Shorts and a chunky sweater? People out there reading this, what do you think!? (Comment. I love love love when you guys comment.)

Fun fact: I’m currently enrolled in a class that scares my mother.

I’ve only ever set foot in one Commes des Garcons store in my life, but if they’re all like the one in Chelsea in New York City, I implore those of you reading this right now to hunt down your nearest one and visit it. Even if you have no intention of purchasing anything (it takes a very specific type of person to pull off something by this Japan-based style house), it is worth it for the experience and the exposure alone.

Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, I picked this particular shoe for today because of its details. So I haven’t ever actually made a pair of shoes, but I’m gonna venture a guess and say it isn’t easy. But putting that aside, this clog was made so well it looks like it was made poorly. And that’s what makes it so charming! The unevenness of the light-brown trim along the bottom of the shoe makes this almost-costume-like heel go from drab to fab (yeah, I definitely stole that line from a shampoo commercial but I think it works). I mean, let’s be honest, the clog itself is not the most attractive shoe. But these for some reason are attractive. I actually really wanted to tell all of you a bit more about the clog, but upon googling the word, this is what I got. Super helpful. I’ll have to do some deeper digging at another time and I’ll get back to ya.

Fun fact: The New Yorker publishes the best cartoons. This is my favorite.

It’s kinda sad to think that someone once invented the idea of people making stuff on their own. But, apparently, Gaetano Pesce (Italian architect-turned-columnist for French Elle) is credited with the having been the first person to DIY (DIH?) – with a chair, back in 1972.

So Pesce has joined forces now with the maven of jelly-shoes, Melissa, and created an ankle bootie composed of interconnected PVC circles. That you can cut to create the shoe of your choosing. I am baffled. ‘‘This is the future of mass production,’’ Pesce said to T-Magazine. ‘‘With the technology we have today, we can give people something that is half done and ask them to finish it.’’

I think I’d be nervous with these though. How do you decide what kind of shoes to make? When are you finished with said shoe? I guess that just means one would have to buy more than one pair, right?

Fact: I have the heebie-jeebies.

I realize it’s been some time since I wrote about a shoe that I hated. Ha what a bizarre way to start this off. Now I am trying very hard to draw a line between shoes that I think are bad shoes and shoes that I just personally would not wear. It isn’t fair for me to spew thoughts on a shoe that I don’t like just because I don’t think I’d ever wear it – some of those shoes are beautiful, just for someone else’s feet.

That is not the case with this pair of Derek Lams.  Alright, so Derek went to Parsons and he worked for Michael Kors for several years before starting out on his own, so what? Lots of people have snazzy resumes! Ok, so maybe lots of people don’t win the CFDA Perry Ellis Swarovski Award for new designers, but still, lots of people wouldn’t have made the mistake Derek Lam made in creating this shoe.  There is too much going on here.  We have a sandal with a chunky heel, studs, wooden detailing, rope, slits, open heel, great height; the list goes on and on and on.  On top of all of it, however, DL didn’t even go for the gold.  If you’re going to create as outlandish and obscure a shoe as this one (by which I mean as cluttered), why make it in such a drab color? It’s skin-tone; do you not want people to notice it? A little too late for that, don’t you think?

I believe it was Coco Chanel herself who hated the over-the-top, saying you should always remove one thing before you leave the house.  Remove these shoes.

Fun fact: I have the things-are-about-to-change jitters.  And I don’t like them at all.

I went shopping yesterday with my dad. If you know my dad, you know he’s perhaps more fashionable than I am and is at least as much of a shopaholic as I am. So when I say I went shopping yesterday with my dad, that naturally means that he did the bulk of the purchasing since he’s the one who controlled what stores we went to. Started at Issey Miyake, headed to Thom Browne, and topped things off with a trip to Marni. At the first two locales I didn’t find any shoes worth writing home (or here) about, but Marni never disappoints!

I actually wanted to buy these. I tried them on, pranced around the store in them, and the different salesmen and women (all of whom embarrassingly know my father on a first-name basis) were trying to get me to buy them, but I had to resist. Don’t get me wrong, I love this pair of heels. Some might be turned off by the color but that green is the stuff my dreams are made of, no joke. I also really enjoy the fact that they are suede even though that’s a tricky fabric (I guess if you wear these there’s little room for stomping in puddles – something I guessss I’ll have to forgo). I sadly didn’t end up buying them though (a combination of a high price and a high heel – caused a bit more discomfort than I was comfortable with (wordplay!)).

Still, Marni remains one of my favorite shoe designers – always edgy, always daring, always a little bit funkier than most people can handle.

Fun fact: I’m off to tend to my tomato plants!

I think if you’re a guy, being a personal trainer is probably the best job in the world. Free and unlimited access to a gym, great hours, and you get to flirt. all. day. I’m not a guy, and I’m not a personal trainer, but I do go to a gym. And I can say that these silly sneakers seen above have attracted more personal trainers than any other item of clothing anyone at my gym has ever worn (and some of the women really need to be taught what is gym-appropriate and what isn’t).

The shoes pictured above are actually the shoes I wear to the gym. I was told by a trainer at my gym that my Nike Dunks weren’t doing the trick for me and that I ought to invest in actual running shoes. So he sent me to buy a pair of Asics and they were so drab that something HAD to be done. See above for the final result. Considering I go to the gym twice a day, seven days a week, these bad boys get worn a lot. And not to toot my own horn, but of the fourteen times a week I wear these shoes, at least ten of those times someone asks me about these shoes. I’ve gotten a few extra days at the gym for free because of them. I even got a free session with a super cute (and very flirty) personal trainer because he liked how nutso I was that I sat and hand glued each rhinestone onto my sneaks. So I guess I took a page from Cinderella’s book and learned that a pair of shoes sometimes does make all the difference.

Fun fact: 7 days, ladies and gents, and we’ll all be reunited again!

Studs were really big a few years ago. I remember my mom bought me a DIY stud machine thing (technical terminology) and I applied studs to almost everything I owned. And then as quickly as they appeared they disappeared again (and I was left with a wardrobe of fashion-backward attire and a depressed disposition).

Well whattdaya know? THEY’RE BACK. Alexander Wang has lots of studs on a few of his handbags this season. New to the scene, Eddie Borgo has it going on also with lots of studs and spikes in his jewelry. So it shouldn’t surprise you that I’d hunt down an adorable pair of shoes with studs on them (although what I probably should have done is studded a pair myself). These Urban Outfitters flats are casual studded chic.  I usually don’t like shoes like these (the color, I mean) because they’re easy.  They match almost anything so they don’t make you work (and I think putting together an outfit should require some IQ points).  BUT I guess something’s gotta give, and the studs are totallllly worth it.

If only I still owned my wardrobe cira 2002.

Fun fact: tomorrow’s shoe is funny.

I have previously stated that Miu Miu is my favorite shoe designer and that Rebecca Taylor is my favorite clothing designer and that life requires nothing else but those two brands and chicken caesar wraps and diet pepsi (seriously, if you know me, you know that’s all I eat/drink). WELL WELL my friends I stand (actually sit, in my living room, using my coffee table as a desk) corrected. Chloé designs are elegant, sophisticated, and comfortable.

I personally am a huge boot-wearer. I go to school in Boston and if that doesn’t really mean anything to you, we get a lot of snow. Boots are nice for when it snows because you can romp around and you don’t have to worry about the bottoms of your pants getting wet (which is probably my least favorite feeling, maybe second only to getting blood drawn, but that’s a road down which I do not wish to go on this blog). ANYWAY, I find myself drawn to this boot because it isn’t boring.  Boots too often are boring and I hate boring of any sort, and so you can assume rightly that I hate boring boots.  So hats off to you, Hannah MacGibbon, Creative Director of Chloé, for hitting another ball outta the park! Can’t believe I just typed that.  I didn’t know my hands knew how to form the letters needed for a baseball reference.

Fun fact of the day: I bought the most hysterical birthday card today for a friend. But you can’t sign it. It’s quite a tricky card.

I have fallen off the grid, down the rabbit hole, and entered a new world. I have to admit, I don’t think I knew who Shaun White was before seeing this shoe. So thank you, wikipedia, for all that you provide. And sorry, Shaun, if your wikipedia page isn’t accurate. Here are the highlights for those of you who are as blissfully ignorant of the world of Shaun White as I was not too long ago:

Name: Shaun White (not Sean White, I made that mistake and Google kindly corrected me)
Age: 23
Achievements: “An American professional snowboarder and skateboarder. He is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. He rides regular stance, twelve and negative three degrees on his board.” Translation: he’s an athlete.
Significance to shoes: recently (as of july 11th of this year) came out with a line of skate sneakers for Target.

I’m definitely not a skater (I know I had some of you fooled), but I think I’d probably wear these shoes anyway. They’re perfect for the faux-skater to complete the look you’ve always wanted to rock. The electric blue makes them a fun addition to a probably already extensive shoe collection.

Fun fact: huge family dinner tonight!

I’ve always had a little bit of trouble with the Issey Miyake brand. I can’t say that I am particularly attracted to seaweed/pleated/shapeless-chic, but maybe that’s just me. I’m also not usually the biggest fan of oversized polka-dots.

I’ve heard that sometimes two really ugly people can spawn some beautiful babies. So I guess these Issey Miyake shoes might make sense if that fact is true. Sometimes, after a long time of creating what I think is a line of truly ugly attire, a designer can hit upon something truly stunning and fabulous. And that’s that, ladies and gents. They’re gold, they’re dotted, they have a plaid lining (which is just fun to know about), I think Mr. Miyake himself did a fine job (and it’s about time – he’s already 72).

Fun fact: I only have two weeks left in new york.

And I suppose you smoked all these cigarettes?
No, they came pre-smoked.

Sometimes I stumble upon shoe news that is too good to pass up and not share with my readers (in my mind there are thousands upon thousands of you but in reality I think it’s just my mom, so, hi mom!). Anyway, I was inspired by this recent bit of news to start a new category (cue Jeopardy theme)! Shnews! Get it? Shoe + News = Shoe News or Shnews. I’m brilliant, I know.

According to a post on The Boom Box, Ciara spends approximately $11,000 on shoes, a month. Now don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have eleven thousand dollars worth of new shoes a month, but does anyone else think that C-lady has her priorities a little out of whack? I quote the modern-day Imelda Marcos herself, “I just love shoes and go for what’s hot. I like everything from Louboutin and Dr Martens to Versace and Fendi.”  Come on girl! There are starving children somewhere! People need water! Hell, people need shoes! You already have plenty!  And if you’re gonna spend 11k monthly on shoes for yourself, at least be original! Reach out to some unknowns! Live dangerously! And if you don’t wear them, you have 10k-worth of other shoes to choose from! Exclamation Point!

Sorry for the rant. Reckless shoe shopping gets my antsy.

In Meryl-news, as of last night there’s a new member to my family! I have a new cousin, a boy, named Adam.  And pretty soon he’s gonna have a kickass shoe collection.  I promise.

Maybe you can’t really see the image (and I’m sorry if you can’t) but this is a photo of an incredible pair of Miu Miu heels that my friend Megan found on sale! SALE! My favorite four-letter word (ok, you got me, it’s my second favorite, after love – you had to see that one coming).

Ah Miu Miu, my heart longs for you. And this pair is particularly dapper – gold and olive-green, nice sized heel, STUDS.  You can see a bit of my rug there too which obviously adds to the shoe’s charm and class. As do my other friend’s bare feet and a sliver of my knee.

I sometimes think that if Miu Miu were to make me an entire wardrobe and shoe collection to last me the rest of my life, I would be eternally happy and never feel the need to go shopping ever again. That’s probably not true (since I have an intense love for shopping, a disease-like obsession with purchasing new items of clothing), but it’s a moo point (Friends Reference Alert!) anyway, since I don’t think I’ll ever get my own personal wardrobe of Miu Miu. But it’s fun to dream…

Fun fact: Tonight I am to be reunited with my two best friends in the whole world and I can’t wait since they both keep on escaping to Italy and leaving me behind in New York.  Not cool ladies… not cool…

When you work 10 to 12 hours a day and find yourself without a desk, there are a few things you can do. You can 1. quit your job because if they’re not paying you, it’s slave labor and the last time I checked Abe Lincoln made sure that was illegal or 2. you can find yourself a pair of flats that are chic enough to wear to work despite the fact that they are flats. So Silvia Fiorentina must have chosen the second door in this case, or at least she knew that that was what I wanted to do and so she created this shoe just for me. Yeah, likely, I know.

It’s an interesting color shoe. I think for me personally it wouldn’t work since I’m paler than the Ghost of Christmas Future (ScroogeReferenceWhatup). But at the same time I want a pair. So very badly do I want a pair. They look so comfortable!  One might think they’re a bit elderly.  I guess I can see that.  Do you see that?  Maybe a 65-year-old might be able to pull this shoe off.  But I don’t know, the little adorable leather flower, the slight wedge, the clean lines, the lack-of-orthodics, they just don’t scream Grandma to me.  If anything, they’re the type of shoe that a super-stylish 20-something named Ruth or Sadie or Agatha would wear.  You know, to match her so-old-it’s-new-again name.  God I wish I was one of those girls.

I still really like them.  Really really.

Fun fact: I just baked brownies for my doormen.  They LOVE me.  I baked them cookies last week.

Oxfords are in. And what’s better than a pair of glittery oxfords? I mean really, you can wear them with anything, they’re dressy and casual, I love them. Dorothy Gail from Kansas definitely would be wearing these right now if she lived in our times, or lived at all… I’ve definitely cracked that joke before. It’s not funny the second time either.

I often think of shoes as my children, and I know we’re not supposed to pick favorites, but I have to say, if I could pick, Miu Miu would my favorite designer. Yeah, yeah, Miu MIu is really Miuccia Prada, who, together with her husband, runs Prada. Yes, the Prada that you’ve been having wet dreams about since you’ve been having wet dreams. Bet you didn’t know this Miuccia, the granddaughter of Mario Prada, the company’s founder, has a PhD in Political Science. Yeah, it comes in handy when she’s dealing with conflicts between right-winged shoes and left-winged dresses.

So while these shoes are all glitz and glam, they’re also Miu Miu, meaning they’re no shits, no sham.

Fact: My older sister graduates from college in less than a week. Welcome to the real world, SGN.

The reason I started this blog in the first place was three-fold (Friends Reference Alert!): One, to express to the blogging world my undying obsession with shoes. Two, to give this whole blogging game a turn. And three, to recommend shoes to friends and have them recommend shoes to me. Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t the first shoe that a friend has recommended to me that I’ve gone on to write about, there certainly have been others. I just thought it was about time I explained what was going on here.

A friend of mine felt she HAD to recommend this shoe to me and boy am I glad she did (thanks friend – you know who you are). Reasons for this suggestion: 1. These shoes are great for going out – apparently (and you can trust my friend on this for she does not lie) they’re insanely comfortable considering how slinky and saucy they are). 2. This shoe is from DSW. Meaning, it’s on the cheap. I don’t usually like mentioning prices on my blog because I think the price of a shoe is not at all important and does not always correlate to its value as an article of fashion – but putting that aside, it’s nice to know when shoes are definitely within your budget! And hey – since these are going-out shoes, it’s even nicer to know that if some hunky klutz of a guy spills beer on them, you can always get a new pair!

Fun fact: Tomorrow I start my new job!

Zaha Hadid, in 2007, began contributing to the brand Melissa and the duo has been spitting out plastic shoe after plastic shoe ever since then. I recently saw a pair of these when I was shopping with my parents (yes my parents – my shopoholism is genetic) on the Lower East Side, an evolving neighborhood, and I immediately fell in love with them. Sadly, I could not purchase them for myself because the sizes weren’t ideal for my overly large foot, but I will continue to look for a pair that is suited for me.

Zaha Hadid herself though is not like your typical designer. She’s actually an architect. Funny how those two professions seem to have a lot of crossover – I guess shoes are important buildings themselves, so if you think about it, it makes some sense. It’s just not the first thing I’d think of. But whatever works, right?

The idea of an all-plastic sandal isn’t exactly novel, however, and Melissa has been doing it as a brand since 1979. We all remember those snazzy buckle sandals that we all had that were completely made of plastic, don’t we? Yeah they were awful – and likely knock-offs of the original Melissas. They stuck to your feet like rubber to glue? Is that what they say? That has no real-life application for me. They stuck to your feet like a magnet to the fridge. There, that’s better. Well, lookie here. These Melissa shoes have solved the problem (you can’t tell from the photo so you’re gonna have to trust me). They’re lined. Lined! Ah the revelation! Another day of fighting fashion crime!

Fact: I gave away half of my pairs of jeans today. Leaving me with 28 pairs. That I likely will never wear.

When I think of J. Crew, I think of New Hampshire. I think of boarding school. I think of oxford shirts, cable-knit sweaters, khakis, and J. Crew. See that circle I just went around in? But why do I think all of these things? One of my closest friends is a walking J. Crew catalogue. She’s from New Hampshire. She went to boarding school. She wears oxfords and cable-knit sweaters (not khakis – I don’t befriend anyone who wears khakis). She’s been offered jobs at two different J. Crew locations just as she was shopping at them.

These J. Crew ballet flats are cute. They’re very J. Crew. What a cop-out of a comment. They’re also a complete knock-off of Chanel flats. Come on, J. Crew! I know my friend reads your catalogues from cover to cover as if they were the Bible or, if you’re my mother, the Wall Street Journal, but really? dip-dyed toes? You aren’t fooling anyone. Coco Chanel has a monopoly on the two-toned shoe with a leather cap. She’s held that monopoly for years and no matter how many times you pass go and collect $200, she will still have a monopoly on that look.

Also, J. Crew, these shoes commit one of the major crimes of fashion (a crime I myself commit sometimes and don’t really think is that big of a deal but I’ll mention it anyway): Black and Navy! Together! On the same shoe! AHH!

Sorry, dear friend of mine and avid J. Crew lover, for dragging your beloved brand through the mud.

Fact: I move into my new apartment tomorrow! Eeek! Anyone know any places I have to check out on the Upper West Side?

The word on the street is that yellow is the hot color for the summer. Ah ha! Someone else thinks that’s as predictable as I think it is? I like yellow. My parents’ house is yellow, the house in which my sister and I grew up, so the color yellow is associated with happiness and good memories in my mind.

I can’t decide if I like this shoe or not. I know that’s been the name of the game these past few posts – and I’m just WAITING for one of you to call me out on my constant indecision. But alright we’re gonna do a pros and cons. You ready for this? Get ready:

Pros:
1. Beautiful color. Glistens, glows, not too green but not too orange either. Just right, Goldylocks, it’s just. right.
2. Open-toed. A bit of a wide open-toe but it’s still nice to be able to show off a toe-nail now and then (that sounds kind of gross but you know what I mean).
3. High ankle strap. I’ve always found these to be 1. surprisingly comfortable and 2. surprisingly flattering – they accentuate the skinniness of ankles (or kankles, depending on what you have going on down there).

Cons:
1. There’s really only the one but it’s semi-important. I am not a fan of the hardware on the buckle. It’s extremely cowboy-like and while I haven’t really met many cowboys, I have a sneaking suspicion that they would not be caught dead or alive in a pair of these sandals, despite how adorable they are.

So think what you want, wear what you want, that’s somewhat the name of the game in this be who you want to be world in which we live. I’m off to go running now.

Fun fact: while preparing this post I was also watching Julie and Julia. And I love it.

I’ve always wanted a pair of leather ankle boots. I think they’re the perfect outfit-completer. My personal style is a bit of vintage and a bit of hipster. So these boots would be perfect. And considering it was my birthday on May 11th, if you wanted to send me a pair of these, I’d love you forever!

But really, these Sartore boots are nicer than most I’ve seen. They’re a color that should match most things. They are the perfect height (meaning I love how high up the leg they go). I just hope I can pull them off. I mean, I know they’ll match my super hipster/gangster eye glasses (some of you know what I’m talking about). I actually saw several people wearing boots like these in SoHo today – uber chic part of town if you’re uninformed.

So as I lie in bed typing away, watching Friends in the background, I can’t help but picture how snazzy my feet would look with a pair of these bad boys on them.

Fun fact: I’m typing this on my new mac.

I hate laces. I’m pretty much as anti-laces as one can possibly be. And I really like shiny things. Seriously, for those of you who know me personally, you can attest to that statement (my gold skirt, silver hot pants, and silver bra should be enough evidence). But putting my clear physical attraction to this shoe aside, I have to say I think it’s a great, practical, summer purchase.

I hate having to buckle gladiators 14 times, I hate the flip and flop noise that flip flops make (plus a certain woman named Beth used to warn me against wearing those for 8 straight summers). So what could be more perfect for the summer than a light, comfortable, slip on pair of shoes. Not to mention these are just hipster enough to fulfill my hipster needs.

So yeah, it’s a litttttle annoying that you HAVE to buy these shoes from Neiman Marcus and Neiman Marcus only (since it’s one of those hoity toity exclusively-ours (!) things. But I think I’ll get over it. Somehow.

Fact: I have an extensive greeting-card collection and am constantly looking for new sources of cards.

I know I’m a liar. It happens. I’m sorry. SHOES! Back to the daily shoe song-and-dance. Yes. DAILY. CAPSATTACK! But seriously, look at these beauties. They’re like the Mae West of shoes. You know, the, “is that a pistol in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?” Mae West. Sexy, sultry, leopard print and snake embossing. What world, what a shoe. Christian Louboutin knows what’s up. He’s got it down to a science. But seriously, aside from how gorgeous these shoes are, and yes they’re gorgeous, does anyone else think they’re a little cliché?

Let’s look at what we have here: Black base. Red under-sole. Leopard-print snake-skin. Ok I’m digging the almost-criss-cross black on the top of the foot. But would I wear these? They’re in that strange purgatory between basic shoes for almost any occasion and statement shoes. Am I right?

Oh, I also should let you know I’ve decided to throw in one random fact about my day at the end of these postings:

Fact: I took showers in two different states today.

Flowers are in full bloom, grass is green, skin is exposed, it must be Spring, or something like it.  Yes, okay, I’ll admit I’m not typing this outside, and I could give you a whole list of reasons why not, but the truth is I’m catching up on the latest episode of Ugly Betty.

So I am fully aware that some (probably most) of you who read this blog know me personally.  But for those of you that have never met me, let me explain why I started sharing my feelings about shoes, fashion, and other shenanigans via the interwebs.  I am an avid fan of Ugly Betty (TV show on ABC that is getting the cut much to my dismay).  I want to BE Betty.  Seriously, if you knew me you’d see it.  Betty works at a fashion magazine, so I’m working at a fashion magazine.  Betty has a blog, so I have a blog.  Betty is Mexican, so I eat too much Mexican food for my own good.

So here I am, starting another paragraph with the word “so” trying to explain why it has been so long since I last wrote anything on this blog.  I could tell you all about what I have been up to these past weeks.  Ok, I’ve peaked your interest you little creeper? Here it goes. My life outside of the internet and this blog and high heeled shoes involves a lot of costume designing, a lot of graphic design, and a little bit of classwork here and there.  The past few weeks have been particularly busy in Meryl-land.  So I’m sorry for those of you who have gone into anaphylactic shock because of an empty void in your daily reading.  I hope this makes up for lost time:

I wrote about a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti shoes several moths ago and I hated them.  I think I said they were the love child of Paris Hilton and Lady Gaga, meaning that in the worst of ways.  But, I feel differently about this Flower Sandal. I am a big fan of the flower and of the modern approach on a summer cliché.  But come one, Giuseppe, buddy-boy, you could have stepped it up a few notches with the color.

Welcome back friends.

Last time I checked, which was a minute ago, just so I could say that, Albany was the capital of New York. It’s not a particularly pleasant place to be, I mean, even NY’s Attorney General keeps a second office in Manhattan where he spends most of his time. So why did Pedro Garcia name this beautiful, dainty ballet flat after such a dismal place?

But wait, who’s Pedro Garcia? Why haven’t I heard of him before? According to Google, he’s either a famous Pastor, a football player, or a mysterious fashion designer. I’m gonna go with the third door. I do like this shoe though, even if I know nothing about the designer other than his first and last names.

Nice, pale pink, ruffle on the toe, pointed.  I’m in heaven.  I still don’t get why it’s called the Albany, though.

Marc Jacobs is an interesting shoe designer. That’s putting it politely. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Marc Jacobs (seriously, if you were to check out my closet, you’d see). Dude has his own line, two actually, but let’s not forget he’s also the Louis Vuitton Creative Director. And batshit crazy.

For years and years Marc Jacobs has been coming out with mouse shoes. They’re always the same basic structure: ballet flats that adorn an adorable face with eyes, a cute nose, ears, and whiskers. Do people wear them? I don’t know, but my guess is yes since he keeps making them.

This is how I see it: for them to work they have to be ridiculous. Go Big or Go Home. These are BIG. It’s a mouse, but it is so much more than that also. 1. Black Suede – Yummy 2. SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS IN RAINBOW COLORS 3. They’re bound to be as helpful as the mice were to Cinderella in the famous Disney movie (except I don’t think these shoes talk…)

The one warning is that MJ shoes tend to need to be worn in which may be discouraging, but don’t cave! These are worth the pain. Pain is beauty. I hate that phrase.

Beauty is painless.

I was walking around the Village on Tuesday with my mom and sister and we stumbled upon a store called Irregular Choices.  It seems to be exclusively a shoe store but let me tell you, as the name indicates, it is not your regular store.  The thing is, though, as bizarre as these shoes are, and trust me – they are, they’re bizarrely cute.  I want a pair, even if I only have the courage to wear them around my house (that’s pathetic, I won’t do that – shoes deserve to be worn in the real world) (I also just argued with myself. Cool.)

I wanted to find out more about the store, who designs, what they make, their history, so I peeked at the About Us page from the site and here’s what I found:

“Recapture your freedom which eloped with your youth’’

Creator and Designer, Dan Sullivan

Irregular Philosophy

Irregular Choice is known for maintaining creativity and individuality in a world of conformity. It is more than just the name of a brand. It’s a state of mind, a way of being. A supply of something fresh and fun that maintains imagination and originality above all else.

(If you want a full history, check this out).

Anyway, check out the pictures and the store’s website – it’s all goofy, colorful, and potentially inspirational.

Enjoy and enjoy this beautiful weather!

1. Elie Tahari, a Persian Jew born in Jerusalem, is, despite the common belief, a MAN. I was shocked to learn that it was Mr. Tahari, not Miss that is behind these incredible designs.

2. Mr. Tahari moved to the US in 1971 and worked as an electrician. THIS MAN IS SO MYSTERIOUS!

3. There’s no doubt that he knows what he’s doing with it comes to fashion. While no designer is infallible when it comes to designing, I can only think of one designer who might be a little closer to perfection than Tahari (you guessed it, Miu Miu, my fav, DUH).

4. Does anyone else find themselves reaching for the nearest tissue, towel, or sleeve to wipe away the drool salavating from their mouthes at the sight of these shoes? That was graphic, I’m sorry, and I’m sorry I always equating shoes with food (I don’t eat shoes, I promise, I’m not that weird). Anyway, I digress (Catcher in the Rye reference right there, RIP JD Sal). This Annie wedge comes in two other colors: black and a grey-ish color, but neither has the snakeskin heel that this version of the shoe has, and I honestly don’t like the shoe as much as a solid.  While I personally am a little wary of the height of this heel, I think this is the perfect summer shoe: light colors and definitely sexy but not garish and bright like summer shoes tend to be.

Hope you enjoyed the list.

So I find myself in New York again, just in time for a nice storm. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good storm now and then – there’s nothing like sleeping when it’s thundering outside, really soothing. But my feelings about this particular storm changed when a tree fell on my house. No damage ensued, thank goodness, but it looks like a warzone or a clip from the remake of War of the Worlds.

Anyway, I figured that while I’m stuck inside today, I may as well pick out a stormy shoe to write about.  Mind you, this isn’t the shoe you’d wear during a storm, but it’s one that glistens like a puddle on 5th Avenue anyway. Since Miu Miu is my favorite shoe designer (that’s a bold statement coming from me, but yes, I am serious, I simply love her shoes and think they’re the best thing since backup cameras in cars (those things are friggen unbelievable).  But this Miu Miu shoe is particularly stunning: midnight blue, peep-toe, just enough razzle dazzle to make them glisten but not gaudy.  And don’t even get me started on the high-ankle strap – it’s too adorable I can’t take it. I need a pair!

So whether you are reading this on your computer or your cellphone or some internet cafe somewhere becuase your home has no power, I wish you a safe recovery from this storm, and long live the shoes!

It has been exactly one week since my last post. Why have I been missing in action, some of you have been asking? There are a couple of reasons, and so I have decided to list them for you:

1 – Last Wednesday, as you may recall, was my best friend’s birthday, and so Wednesday was quite occupied with various forms of celebration (and one of the best meals I’ve had in a while).

2 – on Friday I coordinated and hosted a surprise party for that very same friend. Planning the event was time consuming to say the least. With close to 50 guests and the trouble of keeping the event a surprise, I had to get creative, and fast. I told Ali (my BFF) that there was a party on Friday night hosted by a group of my friends and, seeing as I’m currently single and ready to mingle, I was taking her as my plus one. Before the party, though, I suggested that we go shopping in Boston and grab a nice dinner together. She was down like Toyota stock. I organized drinks, food, and decorations ahead of time and with the help of my fabulous friends, everything was set up and organized while I took Ali on her decoy trip. We returned at around 8:30, she showered and got ready for the party she thought she was going to, and in the meantime, guests arrived at the party spot by 9:30. Just after 10, I dragged Ali up to where the party was being held, and she was surprised, to say the least. Overall, the party was a hit, but unfortunately it kept me away from shoes and for that I apologize.

3 – By Sunday I had fully recovered from the surprise party only to realize that I had three papers to write for this week. Knowing that tomorrow (Thursday) morning I find out where I am going to live next year (it’s a much bigger deal than I am making it sound), I had to slave away and get everything done by today so I can party and celebrate guilt-free.

I know I’m a horrible person for depriving all of my wonderful readers of shoe news and I can assure you that I feel the guilt and I hope you will forgive me!

And now for today’s shoe. Barbara Bui is a fairly established designer, known best for her shoes and handbags. And I have to say, if she were running for President of the Fashion World, she’d have my vote. Now I’m partially biased because purple is my favorite color and eggplant purple especially, but I can say with almost absolute certainty that I would love this shoe in almost any other color also. It’s pretty much just a straight up pointed-toe pump, I know, but it’s the little embellishments that make it really dazzle. Like the little slit on the side, for example, or the silver heel. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind owning a pair…

Today is my best friend’s birthday. She is nineteen years old today, and so, on this day of her birth I have selected a shoe that I know she would love. Her favorite things in life are pink with flowers. I think Valentino has hit the nail right on the head with these rose flat sandals.

I love them too, obviously. I mean, it is only natural that my best friend and I would have similar taste – and we do. We don’t have identical taste, but I love these shoes and I know she will too.

So I’m sorry for a short post today, and maybe I’ll write another one later if I’m not too busy celebrating!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALI!

I’ll bet you didn’t know that sneakers got their name because their rubber soles allow you to sneak around silently. And I’ll bet you also didn’t know that Keds were originally called Peds (Latin for foot) but Peds was already trademarked. I’m even willing to be that you didn’t know that Keds were first mass-marketed as canvas-top sneakers in 1917. Yes these shoes have a long history behind them.

In fact, you might find it interesting to learn that Grandma Gatewood, a long-distance hiker and pioneer of ultra-light hiking wore Keds while setting a record on the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail in 1955. She was 67 years old and she completed the track with only a pair of Keds and basic equipment. She completed the same track years later, at the age of 75. She has her trusty Keds to thank for her man successes, obviously.

What about these Keds, though – they’re not your traditional all-white ones. I can’t decide if I like them or not (I know that’s sort of a cop-out and I’m sorry). They’re a little kitschy – they almost look as if they are an imitation of the way in which certain people draw on their Converse sneakers, except these doodles are mass-produced. But the colors are nice and they seem to match a lot of things, so my eyes are happy.

Sorry that these aren’t heels.

You put Tim Burton in a room with his common-law wife, Helena Bonham Carter and their good friend Johnny Depp, and what they will come up with is enough to inspire any designer. So it only makes sense that Donatella Versace would hitch her wagon to the Alice in Wonderland train.

No one is going to even attempt to dispute the fact that Lewis Carroll was a psychadelic dude. And these Versace runway heels do the story justice. Crazy high platforms, wild colors and patterns, they’re everything I usually hate about shoes and yet I want a pair. While it would probably take me a few months to complete the proper training required to walk any reasonable distance in these heels, I could so see myself wearing them with a plain black dress to a cocktail party or some similar event.

So what do you say, down the rabbit hole to catch a pair of these Versace heels?

While some people probably only know Molly Ringwald from ABC Family show The Secret Life of the American Teenager, to me she will always be Andie Walsh from the 1986 hit Pretty in Pink. I love that movie. So. Much.

But okay, relevance? These Nine West for Nordstroms heels look like the popped straight out of Molly’s wardrobe from the film. Pink, obviously, but also closed-toed, patent-leather, and chic. Actually, according to Nordstroms, it’s “liquid-shine patent is crafted into a beautifully bare pump with a slender ankle strap and tapered heel.” Ok then someone’s a little excited about the shoe (that someone is me, clearly). I usually don’t like owning things that other people own, just because I like being my own person, but I would do a lot of things to get a pair of these.

If you wear these shoes, someone is sure to walk up to you and say “this is a really volcanic ensemble you’re wearing, it’s really marvelous!”

While it’s gross and rainy outside, shoe designers across the globe are revealing their summer designs. I’d like to take this opportunity to share my feelings on gladiators, a popular summer shoe.

So raise your hand if you’re Greek. A few hands, that’s fair. I’m not Greek, but I certainly have friends who are. Raise your hand if you are Roman. Alright, I’ll bite. Ok, one more. Do you know what a gladiator is? I wikipediaed (yeah that’s a verb) it: “Gladiator: an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals.”

So tell me, honestly, do you think that burley men who fought lions and such (I’m thinking of Russell Crowe in the 2000 Blockbuster Gladiator) would really wear these shoes? Ok maybe you do, I respect that. But let me post just one more question: if burley men like Russell Crowe wore these shoes to fight lions and stuff, why do you want to wear them?

As far as gladiators are concerned, I’m not exactly the biggest of fans – but hey, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life. Keep those words close to your heart, for there’s nothing quite so miraculous as a life-changing experience – provided it is a positive one. And likewise, there is nothing quite so miraculous as a pair of shoes – provided they are stunning creatures of the imagination, likes these Yves Saint Laurent sandals.

Now I know that today isn’t really the appropriate day for wearing these YSL platforms – not with the flooding that’s going on outside. But they’re gorgeous nonetheless, don’t even pretend to disagree. I’ve got to say though, and no offence to Yves Saint Laurent, but I would like the shoe a lot better if the black detailed trim was white. Just saying…

Before I run off to a meeting, just promise me one thing: you won’t go leaving one of these sandals on some castle steps, I don’t care how cute the guy is.

The New York Times described Dries van Noten as “one of fashion’s most cerebral designers.” I have to agree. While I can assure you that you will never find me strutting my stuff in these heeled boots, it isn’t because I don’t like them but because heeled boots have always been a challenge for me. But I have to say that I can’t get the image of a modern-day Dorothy walking down the yellow-brick sidewalk of Manhattan in a modern take on the classic Wizard of Oz wearing these boots. Are you with me?

The red leather is so luscious I just want to reach through my screen and pet it. And the slight seam across the toes adds a dainty touch to the boot. So while you’re gazing at these boots, longing for them to comfort your feet and add spice to your outfit, occupy your time with this tongue twister (try saying it ten times fast): red leather, yellow leather, red leather, yellow leather…

No they’re not real spaghetti, so wipe that drool off of your face and go get a burger. Yes they’re actually wearable shoes. Maybe you can wear them to an Italian wedding? Bad joke. But all jokes aside for a minute, these are fabulous. Delicious in all senses of the word. Have a listen to what the designer himself says (about his work in general, not these stilettos specifically):

Having been described as a Multi-dimensional artist and designer. I have been developing my 2D and 3D creative desires for the past 30 years. My education and professional work experience has developed in: Boston, New York City, LA and now warm sunny South Florida.

With a degree in Graphic Design and a very unique look at life, I have enjoyed expressing my creativity not only in graphics, but window display, costume, prop design and production, for Mattel Toys, MTV, Nickelodeon, Macy’s, Gibson Guitar or Red Bull to name a few, I give a unique twist to whatever comes my way..

It is with all this previous creative experience that I now bring to the table my most recent and extensive work of Fantasy shoe sculptures.

That leaves me with just one thing to say:

On top of spaghetti all covered with cheese.
I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed.
It rolled off the table, it rolled on the floor,
And then my poor meatball rolled out of the door.
It rolled in the garden and under a bush,
And then my poor meatball was nothing but mush.
The mush was as tasty as tasty could be,
And early next summer it grew to a tree.
The tree was all covered with beautiful moss.
It grew great big meatballs and tomato sauce.
So if you eat spaghetti all covered with cheese,
Hold on to your meatball and don’t ever sneeze.

I have been missing in action for a while now. So, I want to start off this post with an explanation and an apology for my absence. Those of you who know me personally know that I am addicted to technology; I never go anywhere without my laptop, ipod, or blackberry, and most often with more than one of the three. So imagine my mood when the hard drive on my laptop crashed and I was forced to stop using it until a new one was sent to me. Yes. I was mad enough I could punch a baby. That was inappropriate, I’m sorry. But the point of this rant is this: I could not write any posts for a while because I had no computer. So I hope you will start reading again.

And now for the shoe: I was flipping through the latest 530-page issue of Vogue (with Tina Fey on the cover) and I came across an ad for the above shoe. I was intrigued on so many levels. First, I love the woven print and the navy bow. Second, Lela Rose designed these shoes for Payless, meaning they’re on the less-expensive side of the fence (and less expensive than Lela Rose shoes would be if she just straight-out designed shoes, which she does not).

The shoe is the perfect pretty splurge, like my monthly subscription to Vogue.

Mojitos usually have five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime, sparkling water, and mint. This mojito, however, was made from a few different things. Yes, it is a shoe, and yes you can walk in it, despite the fact that it looks like a piece of sculpture.

Julian Hakes is an architect by trade, a Brit by birth, and a genius by the powers of DNA and probably a solid education. This shoe is quite reminiscent of many of the buildings he’s designed: clean, curved, almost too-modern if that is at all possible. And despite the fact that I personally would never wear it, I kind of love it, don’t you? It doesn’t look comfortable and I have no idea what you could wear a shoe like this with, but I want a pair to look at.

I guess Julian Hakes isn’t much of a shoe designer, but he’s one hell of a sculptor.

When the moon is in the Seventh House… and Jupiter aligns with Mars… then peace will guide the planets… and love will steer the stars…

If you’re a hippie, you know those lyrics. If you’re a hippie, you also will love these shoes. I’m a recovering hippie, I love these shoes. They’re the perfect shoes for recovering hippies. I mean, normally I’d say they’re the perfect shoes for hippies, but, well, hippies don’t usually wear shoes. (Too real?)

Tie dye is tricky. It often is tacky; everyone knows that woman who wears a tie dyed shirt left over from her hippie days in the 70s that no longer fits her but she insists on wearing it every Tuesday nonetheless to relive her glory days. I implore you to never become one of those women.

Calvin Klein has a nice tie dye on this shoe.  Leaving it simply at the toe area means that even non-hippies can sport these sandals (and please do, they’re calling for you to wear them).  Yes they’re a little on the casual side of things but that’s okay – everyone needs a sandal for everyday wear, right?

So I only am left with one thing to say:

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
The age of Aquarius
Aquarius!
Aquarius!

I think it is safe to say that most girls like frills. We like lace; we like ruffles; we like anything that reminds us of flowers and their beauty because most importantly, we like feeling beautiful. Jeffrey Campbell knows this about women (and he probably feels the same way about himself, and can we blame him?).

While I’m not a fan of the name of these shoes (because, well, unicorns are real! They’re just fat and we call them Rhinos), the name doesn’t appear on the physical shoe, so this black heel gets my stamp of approval.
The ruffles, the twist, the classic black suede, I want a pair and I want a pair now!

So cheers for JC for making it so far from a rough start in his garage.

Alright, this isn’t going to be a post about shoes. I’m sorry if all you want to read about are shoes and I implore you to continue reading anyway. Today marks a very important day, a day that comes once a year, a day that some love and some hate and everyone waits for anxiously. Yes, I’m talking about that cuddly, red-and-pink, heart-filled and love-filled Valentine’s Day.

So I personally am not a fan of the holiday. I don’t hate Valentine’s day because I have no one to share it with and no love in my life. I hate it because it is a silly, frivolous holiday invented by Hallmark and other like-minded companies to capitalize on our “love.” It forces guys and girls alike to express their love for one another even if they aren’t ready; I personally only want someone to tell me they love me if they mean it, not because February 14th has rolled around on the calendar and they feel obligated. No one should ever feel obligated to be in love; they should feel privileged.

So I hope everyone enjoyed their day, night, whatever, and remember that no matter what your day was like today, it was just a Sunday.

Can someone say hilarious? Don’t know who Edie Sedgwick was? Alright, I”ll do you a solid and fill you in. Edith Sedgwick was an American actress, socialite, model, heiress, and most importantly, Andy Warhol’s number one muse. She was America’s It Girl for a while, and the wonderful Vogue Magazine dubbed her a Youthquaker. Oh and if that’s not enough for you, she’s the first cousin of Kyra Sedgwick, of TNT’s hit drama (and a personal fav) The Closer.

Needless to say, Edie was somewhat of a fashion icon in her day, and clearly the inspiration for this shoe (and a witty pun). I like this shoe. It’s something that a good friend of mine from high school would wear: a mix of hippie, hip, and down right funky. The designer had a few words of his own to add, which I must provide to you:

These sixties-inspired, modern wedges are “it” if you’re looking for a well-constructed wedge that doubles as a center of attention! Their leather upper, wooden sole, and lace up front will stand the test of party time, while their bright, multicolored, tweed-inset sides seem to be made for none other than the modern socialite. Slip ‘em on with a pair of harem pants and a printed coat for a stroll through your favorite pop art museum, and you’ll be dressed to impress impromptu paparazzi!

So slip on your very own pair and you’ll be ready to join Eric, Jackie, Kelso, Hyde, Donna, and Randy and rock out in That 70s Show style.

I don’t know about you, but I woke up yesterday morning AND this morning and was disappointed. Snow was pretending to cover the ground outside: not enough snow to cancel class, school, work, or whatever it is that you people do, but just enough to be cold, slippery, and SO BRIGHT.

So Marc Jacobs provided me with some comfort in the form of white flats. They’re your classic ballet flat with the typical Chanel-styled toe cap. But these have Marc’s personal touch. In my opinion they look as though he drew on them with a simple black ball-point pen. And I just can’t get enough. I love doodling, doodles, and anything related to drawing, and I find myself unable to look away from the above picture. This shoe is like the ballet-flat version of what most cool kids do to their converse (you know what I mean?)

Well we all know what I’m going to be doing in lecture this afternoon: hint – it involves a pen and paper and no it isn’t taking notes.

If Juno MacGuff were to strut her fictional stuff on the red carpet, I definitely think she would be sporting this Jimmy Choo shoe. I was so tempted to write “shoo” just then. Juno is funky and witty to the point of befuddlement at times.

According to Jimmy Choo, you can “rock that 70s style in these platform corked heel sandals. To complete that retro look, add our Martha clutch in denim with jazzy lightening bolt and star print.” Juno definitely craved 70s gear, from her hamburger phone to her step-mom’s minivan. She’s a hipster version of Donna from That 70s Show. She listens (and loves) Sonic Youth and, aside from being pregnant, she tries not to upset her parents as to allow herself to stay away from her step-mom Bren and little sister Liberty Bell (LB for short).

The yellow suede of this shoe would be perfect for red-carpet Juno, and the retro style would appropriately bring out her retro personality.

So I guess there’s really only one thing left to say: THUNDERCATS ARE GO!

If Valentino Garavani, the brains behind the Valentino operation, called me up one day and asked me to name this shoe, I probably would call it the Calligraphy Sandal. This stunning piece of fashion genius reminds me vividly of my elementary school years when I first learned how to write in script. The elegant swooping seam along the side of the foot coupled with the bold bow atop the toes is just the perfect mixture of dainty and daring.

And who can say no to that color? Alright, I admit it is definitely a shoe that, if you manage to be brave enough to buy it (which I just might have to do because, as many of you know, purple is by far my favorite color), you certainly can’t wear with everything.

Be careful, though, when wearing a shoe that is a light color like this one. Watch where you step because you never know who may have left a little business behind on your path. Valentino, owner and lover of six pugs (yes, six: the mother, Molly; her sons, Milton and Monty; and her daughters, Margot, Maude and Maggie) certainly knows what it’s like to make that mistake.

I want to start this post off by apologizing to my readers. It seems that I have gotten a little off base with my blogging; this blog is supposed to be a place where I can share with you shoes that I think are adorable, stylish, and très chic, whether you (or I) are willing to wear them or not.

So for today I’ve singled out this Marni shoe. Marni is interesting to begin with. Known for it’s garish colors, shapeless patterns, and bizarre styles, Marni is a couture label that often confuses people (it certainly confuses me). Some of the pieces on this label are truly stunning, but others leave me with the feeling that most people only value Marni clothing because they think they’re supposed to. It’s the Stephen Sondheim effect; we only endure his melodies (or melody, I should say, since all of his songs sound the same) because we think we’re supposed to when the truth of the matter is that the dude should have stuck with lyrics and lyrics alone.

This Marni shoe, however, is one of Marni designer Consuelo Castiglioni’s successes. While I cannot see myself wearing this shoe ever, I can and do appreciate it. This shoe leaves much of the foot exposed, creating a sexy slenderizing effect.  The zipper running up the foot dresses down the shoe so it can be worn both on the runway and off (if you can tackle the 5-inch heel, which I’m told some people can).  The delicious chocolate brown suede leaves me longing for a midnight snack, and yet the shoe has some black detailing as well, making it possible to wear this Marni creation with both black and brown (which, ladies and gents, I think just happens to be an adorable combination).

So thank you, mysterious reader A, whoever you are, for helping me realize that I was skimping on my duties. I really do appreciate it and I hope both that this post is more along the lines of what you want and that you’ll let me know if I start wavering again in the future.

Ok, I know that not everyone likes heels. I don’t understand how that could possibly be, but I accept it nonetheless. So that’s why Cole Haan (and others before and after) created this Air Elly OT Pleated mini-wedge. And I too, though most certainly am a heels-lover, find myself drooling over these babes. Ah zut! They’re lovely!

Look at the creme color. Look at the gorgeous black ruffle across the front of the foot.  The little peep toe! You can wear these either during the day or at night. In the summer or in the winter. I can’t possibly think of a time when these shoes would be inappropriate… except maybe a funeral?

I can’t end on that morbid note.  So… enjoy these. More to come, as always.

Coming home last night at some unmentionable hour, I ran into a neighbor returning from a fun night as well. I couldn’t resist admiring her adorable heels and so naturally, I snagged a photo (for which she gleefully posed) for everyone to see.

Look at them! Little strappy black sexy things they are.  That wasn’t a sentence.  But argh, the toe is covered (thank god, because I know how unbearably cold it was last night) and the little strips that cascade across the foot are a perfect width – thin enough to be snazzy and flirtatious, but thick enough to actually contribute to keeping your foot in the shoe (for once).

I sincerely hope you readers out there (and I know you’re out there!) enjoy these shoes as much as I did and continue to.

Oh, and neighbor of mine, you know who you are, if you’re reading this, thank you.

So tomorrow night I’m going to a Librarians and Barbarians party. You know, it’s along the same vain as Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes parties where the whole point is for guys to wear whatever they want and girls to dress like sluts. But I’m going nonetheless. This one happens to be particularly tricky, however, because of the weather (cold, if you are uncertain). I fully intend on wearing a black mini skirt, some sort of cardigan sweater, tights, and possibly fake pearls (would never trust the real ones on a night like tomorrow night). But what to wear on my feet? Librarians are usually in lace-up black sneakers (well, at least the 90-year-old librarians from my home town always were).

These Mossimo booties, in my opinion, are a perfect morph of sex appeal and traditional librarian garb. They’re lace up and all black, like librarian shoes ought to be, but they’re patent leather and have a sizable heel, making them raunchy enough for the festivities at hand. What’s extra nice about them is that my toes will be kept warm (hopefully).

Hope to see you at the party.

I just got off the phone with my father. Weird start to a blog post about shoes, I’m aware, but I have a connection I promise. So my dad forwarded me an email he got from Bloomingdales. That’s not all that unusual because he does shop there on occasion. However, he was a little taken aback because the email was all about women’s high-heels.

So I’m going to show all of you the advertisement that was in said email (see above). Bloomingdales is promoting this season’s shoes by telling everyone to that they can “Make the Cut in Statement Shoes.” Ok, I’ll bite. But what shoes do they suggest? They show three shoes: a Joie fringed bootie, a Boutique 9 overly laced bootie, and a Guess silver-and-white open-toed bootie. Ah I get it. In order to be successful in this upcoming season I have to wear booties? Says who?

I love booties, I do, but Bloomingdales: you’re being too limiting! Not everyone can succeed in booties: the heels are often too high, and if you don’t have the best of legs they can have adverse effects. So caution, my readers, and keep in mind that in this case Bloomingdales did not score a touchdown (reference obviously necessary given the Super Bowl on Sunday).

I woke up this morning nice and toasty in my bed wearing my favorite pair of jammies. Excited, as always, about picking out the day’s outfit, I lept out of bed and quickly discovered that it was snowing. Not heavily, but enough to ruin everything I had planned on wearing just minutes earlier.

So I was inspired by the weather and my cute-but-not-so-cute outfit to write about a pair of boots that are both adorable and functional. And not rainboots (since I’ve already been down that road, if you recall). These green-and-brown beauties look like a great combination between comfort and style, which, if you ask me, is heavenly.

I want to hear feedback from readers of this blog. So, does anyone think these boots are as cute as I do? Be honest – I’ll love you if you agree or disagree.

Can someone please tell me what a hiking sandal is? I’m not much of a hiker, for reasons that would be obvious if you met me face to face (let’s just put it this way: I’m not exactly the outdoorsy type). But still, the concept of a hiking sandal seems unnatural. And even if we were to pretend that hiking in sandals was a good idea, how could this DSQUARED2 sandal lead you successfully to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro without breaking your neck in the process?

But let’s forget about the stated purpose of these shoes, because lots of people wear shoes in contexts other than their intended ones (for example, I own a pair of riding boots that I often wear, but it has been a good four years since I rode a horse). This shoe looks like an overly bright sneaker mated with a high heeled sandal. And let me tell you, that is not a good idea.

So the real question is, what were the identical twin stars of Launch My Line thinking?

Look here for a slightly more sophisticated shoe. Not so sophisticated as to be tossed away with the wind and never worn. Don’t even think that, not even for a minute. These wedges, while sophisticated, are also adorable, and practical. The wedge gives you a little extra lift for those that are feeling a little on the short side of life. The peep-toe is appropriate for the winter, but also for the summer. The dark-but-not-quite-black color makes the shoe great for both day-time and night-time. (SO MANY HYPHENS!)

So who is the Bruno Magli? Cause to be honest, he isn’t a designer that I keep on my radar. Well apparently, by that statement I have just given myself an age, for had I been alive during the OJ Simpson murder trial, I would have known the name quite well. Straight from Wikipedia, since sometimes other people word things better than I can:

Bruno Magli shoes were in the spotlight during the O.J. Simpson murder trial. On June 19, 1995, FBI expert William Bodziak testified that the famous bloody shoe prints at the scene of the double murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman had been left by a size-12 pair of $230 Bruno Magli shoes (“Lorenzo” model). Simpson called the Brunos “ugly ass” shoes while denying he ever owned them. Photos were later shown to the jury of Simpson at a September 1993 football game, wearing shoes positively identified by Bodziak as size 12, Lorenzo-style Bruno Maglis. The actual shoes used during the crime have not been recovered.

I love shoes. There really is no doubt about it. And I really do love high heels. However, when a reader of this very blog recommended I check out Footzyrolls, I thought to myself, now there’s a clever idea.

So what is it? It’s a shoe that rolls up to a teeny-tiny size, small enough that it can fit into your brand new cute clutch that you have been day-dreaming about bringing out to a party this weekend since Monday. This way, you can wear the five-inch heels you adore to the party, and if your feet start to numb from the pain, you can slide them off and put on these bad boys.

They come in lots of different colors, so you can easily find a pair to match whatever you are wearing.

My only question is, what are you supposed to do with your heels after you take them off?

Nicholas Kirkwood reins from the other side of the pond. And while England isn’t really that far away, his shoes, on the other hand, are from another world entirely. For those of you who find yourselves unfamiliar with the name Nicholas Kirkwood and the shoes that accompany the name, all you need to know is that he’s 28, ruggedly handsome, from London, and a shoe designer who is known to have collaborated with designers such as Chloé, Rodarte and Phillip Lim, and is now the creative director for accessories at Pollini. (And if you’re dying to learn more look no further.)

But as much as I just want to love him and his shoes, I can’t compromise my standards. And I hope NK will still love me. But really? Today seems to be the day of bad shoe picks from yours truly, and I’m sorry about that, but this shoe is just plainly from another stratosphere. It’s the shoe that Susan Sarandon should have worn at the end of Enchanted. It’s frightening. It’s gruesome. It’s TOO PAINFUL TO LOOK AT. And on top of that, I would not at all feel safe in a pair like these. They look perilous, trecherous, and just flat out dangerous. So run as fast as you can in the opposite direction, and preferably in a pair of running sneakers.

So many things spiraling through my brain. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THESE BOOTS? They’re Frankensteinian boots. They’re like the love child of two beautiful pairs of totally different shoes: and they’ve acquired everything extravagant about each pair. Goodness they’re awful. The heel, for starters, is way too thick to not be the main focus of the shoe. Then, the boots have these straight-laced laces which are just too much enclosure for such a dark shoe. And wait, to top it all off, they’re peep-toes! Why, God, WHY? It’s like Pierre Hardy said, “I want to cover the whole shoe so it can’t breathe, but we’re going to tease it and trick it and let the big toe peek out and get some fresh air while everyone else is suffocating.”

Less is more, Pierre Hardy, less is more.

While Steve Madden himself doesn’t run Steve Madden Ltd. anymore ever since he was convicted of stock manipulation and thrown in the slammer, his shoes somehow continue to get produced and most of them are cuties. However, just because Elvis wore blue suede shoes, that doesn’t give anyone else the right to wear them. Especially this Steve Madden boot. I mean, really Steve Madden? Really? These look like part of a Halloween costume. They’re like suede Super Woman boots, or shoes you might wear if you wanted to be a blueberry for a fruit-themed costume party.

Ok let’s lay out the facts on these bad boys. Suede upper-body. Leather sole. 12.5 boot height and a .5 inch heel. But all these facts and figures combined don’t add up to a beautiful shoe.

You know how there are certain shoes that you love and you can wear because they’re adorable but not too wacky? And then there are shoes that are adorable and you love them but they’re far to wild and out-there for you to possibly pull off? These shoes, for me at least, are of the latter section.

Dolce Vita has hit another home-run here with the Pela Criss Cross Wedge. While the brown leather makes the shoe a little more approachable, I would be a horrible blogger if I didn’t aware you of the fact that these sandals also come in grey and pink. hot. pink. And while it’s an awesome shoe in any color, for fear of stating the obvious, I am particularly fond of the brown version shown above. With a 1/2-inch platform and a 3 3/4-inch heel, you can tower over everyone as you flaunt these comfortable Dolce Vitas, if you’re daring enough to wear them.

You may or may not know that Cole Haan is owned by Nike. Well, not Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan themselves, since that was made illegal by the passage of the 13th Amendment, which was ratified in 1865 following the end of the Civil War. Nonetheless, the relationship between Nike and Cole Haan isn’t just a parent-child one. Cole Haan shoes now use Nike Air technology. WHAT? Yes. I actually own a pair of Cole Haan shoes and I can attest to the fact that the combo is stellar.

How does it work? There are these little bubble Nike Air thingies (that’s the technical term) inside the toe area of Cole Haan shoes, making walking in them just heavenly. The Andi Flat uses this technology. So if the shoe wasn’t cute enough on it’s own (which is a ridiculous though given their adorable point and simple gold exterior), the shoe just upped the ante with this technology.

So it’s safe to say that Dorothy needed these slippers given how much walking she did on the yellow brick road.

Everyone needs a fun pair of heels. It’s one of requirements of being a girl. They have to be comfortable, but they also have to be cute. And most importantly, they need to go with a lot of things.

These Fawson pumps are perfect. They are a cute light grey color, meaning they will match pretty much anything, but they’re also special enough that they can be the statement piece in any number of outfits. I mean seriously, even Fawson knows what it’s stumbled upon:

A sexy stiletto heel and a low-cut silhouette compliment the glamorous design of these suede pumps. Also featuring almond toe and concealed platform.

I love them. Don’t you?

Cute booties! And I am proud to say that these adorable heels were designed and produced by your (well at least my) favorite twins: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. They’ve come a long way from Michelle Tanner of “Full House” and It Takes Two, that’s for sure. But these two starlets have really bloomed. Elizabeth and James is their own chicy boutiquey contemporary label started in 2007 and cutely named after two of their siblings.

I simple adore these boots. I think it actually is probably safe to say that if I could marry a pair of boots, these would be them for better or for a matching purse. (I cannot believe I just said that). These distressed suede heels have the traditional Elizabeth and James vintage. They’re also a great spin on a style that is frequently done. The 4-inch heels make the Reese Scrunch Bootie true monsters, but I’d say they’re worth the foot pain.

It’s now time to start really focusing on Spring/Summer shoes, since winter wear sales are ending and store shelves are being restocked.  The problem, though, is that going out on summer nights is always tricky. Especially the footwear involved. Most summer day shoes are very casual and comfortable, and light in color. So when it is time to hit the clubs or whatever you do at night, you need something chic, dressy, and probably less light and springy. These Nanette Lepore’s are a diamond in the rough.

The wood base of these heeled sandals is just enough summer for a summer night shoe.  The black ruffle over the front does a great job of dressing this shoe up.  Yes the heel (a whopping 4.75 inches) is a bit of a climb, but they’re beautiful, BEAUTIFUL, so I’m gonna let the crazy enormous heel slide, just this once.

Finding the perfect pair of everyday boots has always been a challenge. Do I get brown? Black? Grey? With a heel? Without a heel? Zipper? Slide-on? There are so many different boots out there it is really hard to decide. So how do I pick a pair that will match the most outfits? Or do I just have to cave and buy more than one pair?

These boots could be the one and only pair you need. The 3D detailing on the side is heart-stopping (I believe the designer calls it “a cluster of grand 3D blooms.” They come in a brown that is almost black, meaning you can get away with wearing them with either black-based outfits or brown-based outfits. With a simple 1-inch heel, even the biggest of klutzes will be able to survive in these digs.

I know, I know, another pair of summer shoes. I’m taunting all of you. But I am not without reason (or without longing). It rained today. Forget that. Rain would not have been bad. It poured today. I almost started building an arc and gathering two of each animal. Naturally I found myself longing for the days of summer and open-toed shoes and sand and warmth and dryness. And my girl Tracy Reese provided me with the best fix for my craving.

This eyelet sandal is stupendous. I need to start thinking of new words the describe good shoes. But I really do like this shoes, despite the fact that I seem to have started to sound like a broken record. I particularly like the colors. They seem to be capable of matching anything, which is a great aspect to any shoe. They also have an itsy bitsy heel, so walking is something you most certainly will be able to do while sporting these bad boys. So basically, I’m a fan. Are you?

My sister tells me that oxfords are going to be big. I guess I believe her, but I need to warn everyone that reads this (and I really really hope there are people who read this) that picking an appropriate pair of oxfords is tricky. They’re really a man’s shoe. So you need to try your best and pick a pair that you love, but a pair that your father (provided he’s straight) would never be caught dead in.

These Jeffrey Campbells are a perfect example: feminine but not too feminine that they lose their oxford touch. And again we have a shoe with a fantastic name. But move past that for these shoes are not only meant for the golfing greenery. They’re perfect for any casual occasion and you don’t need to know how to hold a 9 iron to wear them (and thus concludes the entirety of my golfing knowledge).

Ok first of all, props to this shoe for having one of the best if not the best name in the shoe business. Shoe business, kind of like show business? Anyway Cirque de Sole-leil is just hilarious.

The shoe is not bad either. Actually, it’s good. Just enough flash for a heel. Appropriately colored and sized stripes (stripes are big again this season). I love them so much I just might have to get a pair. Even the description provided by the designer is delicious:

Some girls think that one must have the acrobatic agility to jump through dangerously high hoops in order to create a unique style. You know better. Your secret? These wholly unusual, wonderfully adorable heels! Made to turn conventional fashion inside out, these shoes put on a spectacular show with their blue-and-white-striped body and contrasting yellow python heel and trim. Their playful color scheme gives them the flexibility to pair with any costume, from skinnies and a chiffon tee over a metallic tank, to a girlish, belted frock. So, tour the town in these vivacious shoes, and your artistic eye for fashion with always be apparent!

Of course, there’s a limited number of things you can wear these shoes with, or destinations you can wear them to. But I think we’ve figured out by now that shoes are just good to have: you’ll figure out where to wear them afterwards.

So it’s no doubt that Gwen Stefani is an incredible musician and performer. (See what I did there? If not.) And she certainly is (or at least can be at times) a maven of fashion. I will even go so far as to say that she has a real talent when it comes to fashion, and I must admit that I am a huge fan of many of the items she produces via her line L.A.M.B. However, someone please tell Gwen that she should stay away from shoes. Far away.

Just look at them. My roommate says these remind her of Skecher’s Shape-Ups, and I can’t disagree. First of all, these shoes are made of satin, one of fashion’s most difficult fabrics to care for and clean. So why not put them on shoes that are the most likely part of your outfit to come face-to-face with dirt and need to be intensely cleaned? Ok also, these shoes have a 5-inch heel with a 1.5-inch platform. So I guess you need to be trained by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in order to prance around in these heels.

Bottega Veneta always does this kind of thing. This woven thing. I’m serious, look at their website. So it doesn’t really surprise me that they would pop out flats like these. The green is something new, and something cute, I think. They look comfortable too, and in fact, they have extra padding on the inside of the shoe to add a little bounce to your step.

But are these original shoes? I mean, they look a lot like Chanel flats: capped toe, different pattern on the rest of the shoe, it’s been done before many times. So come on, Bottega Veneta, find a new style for your shoes and leave these weaved stuff by the side of the road, and stop copying other people’s shoe designs.

The low-heel shoe is an interesting niche. I even surprised myself with that biology term. But it works. It can either be done two ways: it can be holding up a shoe that your grandmother is likely to wear since higher heels are too high for her daintiness, or it can hold up a shoe that is chic and edgy and perfect for a day at work. They’re more comfortable than higher heels, but the flip side is they’re likely not as fancy.

Take this pair, par exemple (that’s for example in French, one of the few things I remember). It has an adorable low heel and yet isn’t something Nana would likely wear to play bridge. The flowers not only add youth to what potentially could have been an older shoe, but they make the shoe a perfect centerpiece for an outfit. You can wear it with all black in the winter, or with jeans and a cute top in the spring. What’s better than a shoe for all year round?

I know that 2-ish in the afternoon is tragically late to be posting my first post of the day, but I moved yesterday so cut me some slack.

These Fendi heels are interesting. That was a lame statement, I know, and terribly vague, so let me elaborate. For starters, they’re made of straw (among other things, don’t worry). But if that wasn’t enough of a tropical addition to a shoe, they’re made of raffia also. Don’t know what raffia is? Yeah, neither did I, until I read this.

Moving past the tropical flair, these double platform peep-toe kicks are also made of suede. And if black isn’t your thing be sure to check out the tan version of this darling shoe (and consult a physician, because seriously, who doesn’t like black shoes?). But if you put aside the slightly strange materials of this shoe and you focus on the shoe itself, it is really quite stunning: the sizable peep-toe blanketed by a modernistic bow dresses things up a bit. But I guess given the straw texture of the shoe, the tan version might be better to wear in the shoe’s natural habitat: the beach.

Ok so maybe the cold weather is causing me to long for the days when I’ll get a chance to wear shoes like these. Can you blame me? It’s 30 degrees outside where I am (if you’re in sunny California, please don’t take this golden opportunity to gloat). But still these Stuart Weitzman kicks are stunning. Fire-engine red patent leather peep-toes, argh for you my heart aches!

The truth is I love all Weitzman shoes. And no, it isn’t because old Stuart went to my high school (which he did, as did Donna Karan if you recall/read carefully) although that contributes a smidgen. I love Stuart Weitzman shoes because they’re both classy and classic: stylish beyond compare and yet they never go out of style. Not much more to say that would be a better ending of a fantastic post than that.

I woke up this morning and the weatherman informed me that there is a chance of rain. The odds aren’t that high that precipitation will, well, preciptate today, but the information was enough to scare me away from wearing not-weather-proof shoes. Alas, another opportunity to wear my new suede flats has come and gone. So on days like today I am glad I have rainboots that can masquerade as regular boots, like these Hunter beauties.

Just take a look. These Hunter boots are made of a fake snake-skin embossed rubber – stylish AND functional. I mean, come on people, just look at the attention the Hunter people paid to the details! Silver hardware, pretend boot stitching, it just doesn’t stop! And since they’re Hunters, they are the crème de la crème of rainboots. I think that today won’t be such a bad day afterall.

Now in the attempt to prove to all of you who read this (and I do hope that people read this) that I am an honest person, I have to confess that one of my closest friends recommended I write about these shoes. But I have to add that I wouldn’t write about them if I didn’t feel I had something to say (whether it be criticism, or in this case praise). So what do we have here? It’s merely a nice pair of black fishnet/leather studded Jimmy Choo booties. The open front/top part adds a bit of a sex appeal to the shoe, certain to drive any man wild, assuming you can find a straight guy who notices what you wear on your feet.

I have to say that while I admire this shoe tremendously, I am not certain it is the most practical of shoes. For starters, it’s more of a wear-it-once shoe; there is a limited number of outfits with which this shoe is acceptable. But if you can get passed that (which I can), you need to be an Olympic-level athlete to club-hopping in 4.25-inch heels without breaking your neck. However, if you can tackle these hurdles, and more power to you if you can, flaunt these Jimmy Choos – they’re stunning.

Black pumps dripping with Swarovski crystals? Yes they are. This pair of pumps is a special pair: wear this shoe once in a while for it is most certainly NOT an everyday heel. For a special occasion only. Not that Dolce & Gabanna had this in mind, but they’re the shoes Miss Hannigan dreamed of: not dripping with diamonds, per say, but they certainly aren’t dripping with little girls (if that reference escapes you, go to your nearest movie rental store or Netflix and watch Annie. Please.).

But it’s not a bad shoe. Not great though. I mean it has the potential to look cheap. And I don’t need to tell you that D&G don’t exactly sell cheap shoes. Or cheap anything. Beautiful, but for a price.

The Golden Globes were handed out on Sunday and fans everywhere are either sad or, in my case as a huge Glee fan, happy. And between the Fashion Police and Alan B. Schwartz, everyone has commenting on or stealing ideas from the dresses worn on the red carpet. So what about the shoes?

Anna Paquin wore a risky pair of Stella McCartney Fishscale Double Platform Sandals. Gold and black in color, these heels elevated her a hefty 7 inches off the ground (5.5 inch heels plus a 1.5 inch platform. Yeah, I can add). The shoes were unfortunately outshined by her sequin and glittered low cut gown, and maybe the fact that we didn’t notice them was a good thing. All in all, I hope that her dress didn’t leave too much of a trail, because after all, as Demetri Martin says, “Glitter is the herpes of craft supplies.”

Other notable red carpet footwear: Kate Hudson, Jennifer Garner, and Sandra Bullock each pranced in a pair of Casadei pumps, Ginnifer Goodman and January Jones both wore Brian Atwood, Marion Cotillard, Olivia Wilde, Drew Barrymore, and Emily Blunt all wore Jimmy Choo, and Amy Adams, Kristen Bell, and Jennifer Meyer wore Christian Louboutin.

Now this is a great navy shoe. If you’re gonna buy a navy shoe, which, if you’ve read my latest Gucci post, then you know I think you should, you should buy this one. THe Loeffler Randall Ramona is beautiful.  Gold detailing, not too high of a heel, snakeskin, pointed toe, everything that is fashionable.

And I’m not the only one to love this designer.  Teen Vogue raved about designer Jessie Randall in a recent article. This Massachusetts native is a new up-and-coming designer; so ladies, snag a pair of her heels, boots, flats, or whatever while you can.

It’s true, fashion meteorologists everywhere have been saying it: navy is going to be big this season. And Gucci is on the money with this platform. Well, at least they are color-wise.

I can’t seem to get my eyes past the heel, however. It’s like a table leg (for a 4-inch-tall table). The description (via Bergdorf Goodman) is that there is “bamboo detail on heel.” Bamboo? Even if that were true (because ladies and gents, that heel looks nothing like bamboo), who would want navy blue bamboo keeping there legs looking sexy? I guess there’s a buyer for every product?

Moving past that heel though, I must confess that the gold piping near the sole of the shoe is quite marvelous. And the fact that the shoe is open toed makes it great for transitioning into the Spring. So if you aren’t like me and you can deal with that heel, then splurge for this otherwise-gorgeous pair of heels. If not, be sure to get a pair of navy digs anyway. They’re sure to come in handy.

On sale, and I can’t say I’m surprised. With a buckled heel like that and the strange shimmery black color/texture, there are so many things wrong with this shoe that I’m surprised my camera-phone didn’t break while taking the photo. I have to be honest and tell you that I have no idea who made this monstrosity because the salesman threatened to confiscate my blackberry if I took another picture, and, well, I just couldn’t let that happen. Please do forgive me.

But back to this circus act – does ANYONE like this shoe? Or better yet, can anyone walk in it? What do you wear it with? Where do you wear it?  Can you wear it?  With a platform/heel like that, it would take some serious training to manage to walk even just one city block in these klonkers.

What will they think of next for us to barf on?

The Place: Barney’s New York, Madison Avenue and 61st Street, Shoe Salon.
The Aim: Shoes.
The Situation*: A certain up-and-coming R&B singer was deciding between two pairs of Louboutins for her latest music video. Not trusting her shopping buddy (and wisely so), she turned to me, an innocent bystander, for fashion advice. And boy was she in luck. She was deciding between two pairs of shoes, the ones above and another pair that is far too hideous to show you.

Now, I’m not a big fan of the shoes she settled on, but you have to understand the situation*. She was interested in shoes that would pop on screen. She needed that wow factor, that zing that would transfer over to video. And these shoes do that. But she was a little worried because Trina wore them already. After a few minutes of chatting, I convinced her of two things: 1. the shoes were spectacular and perfect for her circumstance and it would be a shame to pass them up and 2. imitation is the best form of flattery (just check out Canal Street – the boys down there will agree).

So, keep your eyes peeled for this artist’s newest video and the shoes picked out by yours truly.

*NOT a Jersey Shore Reference.

Fendi Rainboots? Rainboots are rainboots, my friends. Don’t splurge on a pair because of who makes them. As nice as Fendi rainboots may be, they’re not going to be any nicer than a solid pair of Hunters (and Hunters are probably better since, well, that’s their game). Aside from that, no one likes the girl that wears things because you can tell who makes them. Want people to know you’ve spent a lot of money? Leave the price tags on.

These are a classic. Chanel flats. In almost every color. So, I snagged a picture to share. Enjoy these bad boys.

I am constantly on the quest to find the perfect pair of red heels. I am the queen of little black dresses (seriously, my closet is half comprised of them) and in my head nothing goes better with a black dress than a fantastic pair of red shoes. Patent-leather preferably, closed toed, not too pointy, you get the picture.

Christian Louboutin is the new Manolo Blahnik. While Louboutin launched his line in 1991, it has only recently been in the lime-light. If Carrie Bradshaw was still aired on HBO, she’d be raving about her Louboutin-cravings. Others have them: Christina Aguilera loves Louboutins so much she had him make shoes specially for her in size five, a size in which these French shoes are not usually made. And to top that, Jennifer Lopez even named a single after the esteemed shoe designer extraordinaire.

This pair of Louboutins is just fantastic. I foam a little at the mouth when I see them. Red, patent-leather, absolutely stunning. If you were to decide to spend this month’s salary on any splurge of an item, set your sight on this shoe.

I know, I know, I said I hated sling-backs and you should do anything and everything to avoid them, but there’s an exception to every fashion rule. These stunning Pradas have a buckle on their sling; you can adjust the tension on your ankle to perfection.

And how can you say no to these bad boys? Five-inch heel, one-inch platform, a nice natural color, great for the summer or a day in sunny California. Normally I’d include Florida in the list of places you could wear this dashing pair of heels but my recent 8 day jaunt in the Sunshine State was privy to 30-degree weather. Fahrenheit.

But about these shoes, to me they seem like a natural boost; their natural tone makes them comfortable and easy and a pleasant enhancement that doesn’t take the attention away from your natural beauty. Prada is great at that being a brand, a beacon, that has been so popular for almost a century (just three years shy). They’re able to stand strong on their own as great shoes but they don’t take anything away from the woman who wears them.

Seven words (sort of): purple, snake-skin, sexy, glossy, metallic-piping, Italian-made, must-have. Purple is my favorite color so right off the bat I find myself attracted to these gorgeous heels. And I find myself even more shocked with I think about the fact that 7 For All Mankind is really a jeans brand (and a popular one at that). But they’re not the first jean brand to take a stab at something new.   True Religion, another icon when it comes to jeans, recently released a fragrance (a pretty good one if I do say so… I happen to own it and smell like it occasionally).

But enough with that tangent and back to the shoe at hand. It’s like a fish out of water, an unexpected beauty from an unexpected source. It’s like knowing the fact that Heidi Klum is an excellent oil painter who had several of her paintings appear in various art magazines in the U.S. Or how about the fact that George Clooney is quite the baseball player and even tried out for the Cincinnati Reds. These shoes are partly beautiful because of their actual appearance and partly because of how incredibly unlikely their source is.

If Lady Gaga and Paris Hilton had a love child (who naturally would be a girl), these are for sure the shoes she would wear. Outrageous, outlandish, not to mention bedazzled (by which, of course, I am referring to the hand-applied, multicolored Swarovski crystals and beads that cover this shoe from head to toe, literally). And shall we take a minute to talk about practicality? I think so. In my opinion this is where the Giuseppe Zanotti shoe falls flat (so many puns).

This is the kind of shoe a girl can wear once in a blue moon (if she is lucky enough to a. pull it off and b. have an appropriate outfit and event to which to wear the shoe). While beautiful to look at, I know that if I owned a pair (size 8.5 if you are willing to buy me a present), they most likely would spend most of their life in my closet, and that’s a sad life for any shoe (aside from maybe a pair of slippers you inherited from your grandmother, and yes I have those too).

But, like Paris Hilton and Lady Gaga, some things outrageous get a lot of undeserved or unwarranted attention.

A gift for those of you that are vertically challenged, we have the hidden platform. You can look as though you are sporting a regular pair of pumps when in actuality you have a little extra boost of confidence provided by another inch or so. When worn, these shoes don’t scream I’m shorter than I wish I was so I’m going to compensate with a pair of ridiculously high heels (you all know what I’m referring too; a trend that we sadly see far too often). This is the perfect shoe for one of my roommates (or anyone like her), just south of five feet tall.

As for this hidden platform in particular, I can assure you that it is one of the most comfortable of shoes. Dolce Vita shoes are always soft and cushioned, like 400-count Egyptian cotton sheets made especially to be wrapped around your dainty feet. This pair in particular is extra scrumptious; the little silver studs adorning the grey exterior are hip enough that this shoe is only really appropriate for a night on the town. But don’t let that discourage you; every shoe has its purpose and there’s nothing better in life than having the perfect shoe for each occasion.

It’s a simple shoe. Black, patent-leather, 3/4″ platform with a 3 1/2″, the essentials of any knock-out shoe. With a little twist, this shoe is the classic black pump’s 2010 relative. It’s a little S&M but nothing that any normal girl couldn’t pull off. And by normal I mean classy. Comfortable, I’m sure, but at the same time capable of keeping viewers on their toes (and wearers too, now that I think about it).

It’s like the shoe that Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) would have worn in The Devil Wears Prada after her transition; sophisticated and chic but nothing too Avant-Garde or daring. I personally love this shoe and yearn for the day I can prance around Manhattan in my own pair. Until then I guess I’ll have to continue to worship DK and her shoes from afar.

PS – fun fact: Donna Karan and I went to the same high school.

Reminiscent of what Fred Astaire wore in Strictly Ballroom, this Manolo Blahnik shoe is eerily similar to, well, almost every pair of Chanel shoes. And as cute as this shoe is, it’s sadly impractical. It will match a lot of things, that’s for sure, but slingbacks in general are nothing short of tragic. They rarely ever stay slung on your heel, making walking in them quite difficult. So unless you want to find yourself in a shoe-debacle like Jennifer Lopez in The Wedding Planner, stay far away from these black-and-white beauties. You have been warned.