Summer Trend: D'Orsay Flat

You may have noticed I’ve mentioned the “silhouette of the summer” a few times already, and we’re only halfway through June.  But it’s pretty obvious what it’s going to be: the pointed-toe D’Orsay flat.  A D’Orsay is when the sides of the shoe are open, so it’s only closed at the toe and the heel.  Like so:

The Kayla by Halogen is a prime example of what I’m talking about.  (It’s even got another huge trend involved here: stripes.)  Pointed toe, closed heel, open sides… you’re looking at it!  Yours for $80 from Nordstrom.

The Crilama is the same thing, just in metallic silver.  (Or navy, or black, or prints in peach or cream.)  On sale for $14 ($14!) from Call it Spring.

Ooh, lace!  This beauty is bright pink, and the toe is covered in white lace.  Nice touch!  Available at Charlotte Russe for $23.

Even the big designers are in on this trend:

The Soussaba by Manolo Blahnik is made of suede in the most beautiful blue!  Ugh, I could fall into this blue and never leave.  Yours for $794 from Avenue K. 

Now what the song of the summer is going to be, I can’t tell you.  Just hum “Blurred Lines” to yourselves until it’s decided.

Spring Trend: Pastels

In addition to python and block heels, another trend hot in stores this season is pastels.  At first I thought, “Pastels?  Boring!”  But then I began seeing shop windows, and was a little unnerved: these pastels are almost assertive in their pastel-ness. Fading wallflowers, they’re not.

The Eowalellan is pastel blue and white, but with a shape more boardroom than Easter.  (And a 4.5-inch block heel to boot!  Combining trends: you’re doing it right.)  Also available in all black and all white, but neither has the personality of this color-blocked pastel blue, which is $50 at Call it Spring.

The Sweettea is a sweet indeed!  This flat is in lavender leather, topped with a bouquet of daisies at the round toe, held on with golden studs.  The insole is cushioned for extra comfort, and there’s a tiny quarter-inch heel.  Also available in all black and a very pretty nude with multicolored flowers; your choice for $79 from Nine West.

The Thaya by Ted Baker is a pastel mint pump trimmed in gold at the pointed toe, at the tip of the four-inch heel, and all up the sole and down the heel.  It’s so refreshing, this color!  But it’s the touches of gold that take it from regular pump to fancy pump. It’s also available in black, nude, and white, if you want to be all boring about it.  Find them at Zappos for $111.

The Easy Does It by Chinese Laundry is a lace flat with another popular feature this season, in addition to the pastel: the pointed toe finished with a straight-across-the-toe cut.  This particular version is in pink lace, but it also comes in black or blue python, white croc, taupe suede, and a sort of tiny black dot print.  Yours for $37 from 6pm.

So give pastels a second look.  They’re not your mama’s pastels anymore!

Fall Trend: Plaid

Perhaps the biggest trend this fall is plaid.  Not exactly surprising, given how tied it is to the image of academia and with school starting anew in the fall, but the print is popping up in anything-but-stuffy places!

I love the Flutter by VivienneWestwood.  I love everything about it.  I love the colors in the plaid, I love the curves in the cut of the foot opening and in the leather at the toe, I love the punch detailing.  It has a 4.75-inch heel and a 1.5-inch platform, and can be yours for $485 on Zappos.

The Anarchic Combat Boot by T.U.K. goes the other direction, with a bright red plaid textile on a classic combat boot.  (For a Scottish army?)  The sole is about an inch high all around, and the shaft is just about five inches tall... this is a statement boot if ever I saw one!  Find them at Nordstrom for $78.

The Bluefish Boat Shoe by Sperry Top Sider is so lovely-- mellow by stylish at the same time.  It says, "I'm just kicking back, but I'm far too fabulous to wear just anything on my day off."  The pink leather upper is set off nicely by the jewel tones in the plaid around the back-- emerald and indigo and raspberry and gold.  (...and red and yellow and green and brown and blue.)  Yours for $75 from DSW.

Ooh, sexy!  The Aldenore is school-girl-pinup to the max, with its 5.5 inch heel-- a super skinny heel!  (A 1.75-inch platform helps with the walking.)  Also available in a black/nude lace and a black and white snakeskin, but I'm really digging the plaid.  Your choice for $45 from Call it Spring.

How fun are these?  The Tickle Me Pink by Naughty Monkey is a plaid party!  The upper is a cheery red and blue (so is the pretty rose at the peep toe), and the five-inch heel and 1.25-inch platform are gold glitter!  Aaah, the sparkles!  Also available in a red and black plaid with black sparkles, which is equally as fun, and since they're on sale for $30 from 6pm, why not get a pair of each?

So consider this your plaid primer for the season.  More fall trends to come!

Sales this weekend:

Bakers: 30% off all dress shoes

Bus Stop Boutique: Bus Stop Boutique is part of Philly Mag Shops this Sunday from 12-4 PM at the Crane Arts Building (tickets are $25)

Lord & Taylor: 20% off regular and sale with code SHOP

Macy's: Fall spectacular sale

Payless: Fall fashion sale-- up to 30% off

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day!  We made it through winter and now we have a three-day weekend to celebrate!  Yes, it’s time to put away your coats, take out your skirts, wriggle your toes in the grass, go to the beach, and just kick back in your favorite way.

The official shoes of summer are sandals, of course.  If you pull them out of the closet and find your collection is lacking, here are some that might be worth adding!

You’ll need a gladiator, of course—how about the Fromeng?  Its criss-crossing straps are braided, studded with rhinestones (and a few spikes), and sewn with sequins.  The zipper is on the outside, which is a bit unusual, but it adds some more gold, which is always good.  Also available in black or white—the black is $40, but the other two are $30.  Find them all at Call it Spring.

The Mae by INC International Concepts is like the ruby slippers of sandals!  It has a faux leather sole and a satin upper topped at the toe with a big bow that’s positively covered in rhinestones.  Also available in black, champagne, or a really smart-looking navy; your choice for $45 from Macy’s.

How I love a bright blue for summer!  The Sawyer by American Eagle has a turquoise faux leather upper with lots of round studs, and a slightly cushioned footbed to keep you comfy!  Also available in black, white, and brown; yours for $15 at Payless.

Silver and rhinestones never go out of style.  The Issina is a fancy little sandal with metallic straps and rhinestone medallions up the front.  Dress it up, dress it down, and you’re good to go!  Also available in gold with gold jewels, or yellow, black, or emerald green with multi-colored jeweled medallions up the front—and all the color combos are different, depending on the color of the sandal!  Now that’s attention to detail.  (The green is especially lovely—majestic, really.)  Find them at Nine West for $79.

The bright colors!  The floral print!  The many tiny buckles!  The Aden by Impo has it all.  (Oh, and don’t worry, there’s a zipper up the back to let you in.  No need to fuss with the buckles!)  Find it at DSW for $40.

Happy sandals and happy summer, everyone!

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: Summer sale: up to half off
Bloomingdales: Big Brown Bag sale through Sunday, and Designer Shoe Sale through June 9
Bus Stop Boutique: Jumble sale TODAY from 5:30-8:30!  With complimentary Tom Collins!
Lord & Taylor: Online only: save 25% on summer sandals when you buy two or more pairs
Macy's: Memorial Day sale: save 20-50%, plus save an extra 10% with promo code SAVE
Nine West: Buy one, get one half off!
Payless: 5 day sale-- up to half off
Steve Madden: Save 20% and get free shipping on your order of $75 with code BEACH20; save 25% and get free shipping on your order of $100 with code BEACH25

First Day of Spring!

Tomorrow is the first day of spring!  We made it!  I suppose we didn’t have as bad a winter as some of our sister cities on the East Coast, but still: bring on the warm weather, the robins, and the flowers!

It seems only fitting that I choose today’s springy shoes from a store that literally has the season in its name: Call it Spring!

The DELRAYBEACH is so fun: a swirly paisley in corals and pinks and purples, a round toe, platform and solid heel.  Sure, it’s busy, but it would be so cute for the office, amirite?  Yours for $45.

The HOAGLIN is a sweet little platform sandal (just a one-inch wedge) with an upper of mint-green suede.  There are silver touches at the buckle and where the foot straps join the ankle, and rhinestones too, all over the front!  Also available in natural, black, or peach; your choice for $40.

Adorable!  The CHAMNESS is a jelly D’Orsay flat with a fabric flower gracing its peep toe.  This pinky color is sweet, but it also comes in a deeper coral color if you’re looking for something more saturated.  Yours for $25.

How cool are the threads of color in this wedge?  Pink!  Blue!  Green!  Purple!  The KADOMA has them all.  The upper is a neutral canvas peep toe so as not to overwhelm the wedge (though it does also come in a peachy color).  The platform is two inches and the heel is 5.25 inches; pick it up for $40.

The TROXLER is made of robin’s egg blue flowered lace sewn over sheer fabric, with extra support fabric in the heel and round toe.  It has a rubber sole, and is also available in light pink, black, and a sort of sparkle nude—your choice for $35.

It sure feels like spring now, doesn’t it?  

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!  I know, I know; it’s a cheesy holiday.  But you know what?  I am an unabashed Valentine’s Day lover.  What a wonderful opportunity to tell the people we love that we appreciate them!  (And all the chocolate’s not bad either, amirite?)

Well, even if I can’t win you over to Valentine’s Day, everyone loves red shoes.  So here’s a bunch, each with a little special something in case you’ve got somewhere special to go on Thursday (and even if you don’t)!

  

Sexy!  The Maisonet is a faux suede wedge (5.5 inches of wedge, and 1.75 inches of platform, by the way) whose upper is meticulously cut with diamond shapes and laced up the front.  (You do actually have to use the laces, though; no cheater zipper here!)  Also available in black; find them at Call It Spring for $50.

The Candace Tassel Flat by Christian Siriano is a classic faux leather flat, trimmed with patent leather at its round toe, and topped with gold chain and two little tassels!  Oh, and don’t forget the leopard print on the inside—rrrRRRRow, baby!  Find them for $27 at Payless (and since it’s BOGO, why not get something else half off while you’re there?).

Hello, I’m the Shoe Fairy, and I’m a glitterholic.  The Love Fury is a beautiful pointed toe pump covered tip to heel in red glitter!  (Or black, or a sort of gunmetal, but the red is just too beautiful.)  They have a 4.5-inch heel and a three-quarter-inch platform, and sparkly beauty to spare.  Find them at Nine West on sale for $32!

TOO perfect!  The A8193L Boot by T.U.K. may be simple by traditional cowgirl boot standards, but the impact factor of the black hearts on the red upper cannot be overestimated.  I love the black trim at the calf opening, too—such a nice touch!  They have a one-inch heel, a 13.5-inch shaft, and a 14.5-inch circumference, and can be yours for $72 on Amazon.

Happy Valentine’s Day, deputy shoe fairies!  I heart you all!

Black Friday

Today is the high holy day of shopping: Black Friday!  The day when everything is on sale!  If you’re not yet exhausted from a morning of shopping, I give you a selection of black shoes in honor of the day.  And I bet they’re all going for less than what I have quoted today!

A little ladylike, a little punk—the Lorri is fantastic!  The body is black lace crossed by four rhinestone-covered bands.  It’s got a 4.5-inch heel and just over a half-inch platform, a peep toe, and a zipper up the back to let you in.  Find them at Bakers for $70.

The Siteseeing is a classic black leather flat with a twist: a pointy cap toe of shiny silver!  I also love the blue on the inside—a nice touch.  It’s got a quarter-inch heel and can be found at Nine West for $40.

The Influence by Fioni is such a beautiful little pump: black satin, a somehow subtle-yet-dramatic bow at the pointy toe, and a 2.5-inch heel—perfect for work!  Find them at Payless for $28, but it’s BOGO time, so be sure to pick up something else while you’re there!

If there’s anything better than a shoe completely covered in sequins, I don’t know what it is!  The Keeney is just that: a bootie that is only sequins from toe to ankle.  This would be killer to wear with just about anything this holiday season: pants, skirts, dresses... and look at that heel!  That’s a serious heel.  If you love these as much as I do, you can pick up a pair at Call it Spring for $60.

Happy shopping to all, and to all a good night!

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies; the Shoe Fairy is on vacation this weekend.  But she’s pretty sure just about every shoe in the world is on sale this weekend, so brave the mall at your discretion!

Rock the Vote

Today is Election Day!  Thank goodness; no more political ads cramming the mailbox or taking over your TV.  But seriously, today is a day to exercise citizenship in one of its most important forms.  What’s that?  You think your vote doesn’t count since you’re not an undecided voter in Ohio?  Pshaw, I say!  Today’s ballots are full of local and state races where your vote really matters, even if your state may have already been decided president-wise.  So will you be going red for the Republicans?

I love the Dabble Mary Jane by Franco Sarto: classic but trendy, with patches of patent leather at the toe, around the back, and down the 3.5-inch heel.  It’s got a half-inch platform too, and the rest of the shoe body is suede.  Also available in black or navy (though with snakeskin touches instead of patent); find them at Macy’s for $80.

Or blue for the Democrats?

Suede, studs... what a rockin’ little shoe!  The Kstudd by Steve Madden is a round-toe flat with a lightly cushioned leather footbed and rubber sole.  It’s available in a ton of colors (red suede, seafoam suede, gold glitter, brown leather, black leather, and nude patent), so you’ll have a hard time picking—check them out at Zappos for $50.

Maybe you’re a fan of the Green Party:

A nice solid boot for you, Green Party!  The Broken In 1460 is a classic: milled leather in a woodsy green, metal eyelets, and they’re designed in a way that makes them feel already broken-in, so go ahead and hit the trails!  Yours for $78 (on sale from $130!) at Dr. Martens. 

Or another third party:

(Yes, the third party color is white!  Who knew.)  Isn’t the Caraker lovely?  It’s so simple and sleek and clean—I just adore it.  How unexpected would it be under a suit or something?  It also comes in brown or black, but neither can hold a candle to the white.  Find them at Call it Spring—and on sale, too!  Only $35 instead of $50.

Whoever you’re voting for, VOTE.  You can find sample ballots online for your district so you can see what positions are open and who’s running.  It’s worth 20 minutes of research to be an informed voter.  And remember: smart women vote!  And I know you all are just as smart as you are stylish.  Polls close at 8:00 PM in PA!  Ditto for DE and NJ!

Labor Day

Hooray!  Three day weekend!  Traditionally, Labor Day is the last day you’re “allowed” to wear white shoes.  Fortunately for us, that’s nonsense!  And to prove it, here’s a selection of white shoes you can enjoy now through Memorial Day 2013 and beyond.

The Federale is so classic and ladylike—a lace-covered peep toe pump with a 4.25-inch heel and .75-inch platform.  It’s also available in light pink or black lace, or silver or multi (mostly goldish) glitter—find them at Call it Spring for between $28 and $35.  (The whites are $28!)

Fierce!  Fierce.  The Babe is so sexy—a skinny near-five-inch heel, half-inch platform, slender straps across the toe and around the ankle, and gold and silver studs on the heel!  These could sexy up a paper bag or potato sack, no fooling.  Also available in black; your choice from Bakers for $50.

Look at these beautiful boots!  The RD4111 by Durango are white-on-white cowgirl boots, made of leather with subtle swirls.  I love the contrasting black around the foot and on the 1.25-inch heel—it makes them very sophisticated, I think.  Find them at Zappos for $124.

The Kiss the Bride Flat by Seychelles has an upper covered in fabric rosettes—practical and feminine at the same time.  These would look so perfect under a dark blue jean, don’t you think?  They’re also available in black; yours from Endless for $46.

So throw convention to the wind this fall and strut your stuff in white!

Sales this weekend:

Aerosoles: Save 15% on all items $34.99 and above

Bakers: Buy casual, boot, or casual sandal, get one half off

Lord & Taylor: 20% off with savings pass or code LDAY.  Have an L&T card?  Get 10% more!

Macy’s: 20-30% off select styles

Neiman Marcus: 40-65% off in the Real Deal Sale

Nordstrom: Shoe clearance—save up to 40%

Steve Madden: Save 20% with code BOOT20

Summer Flats

Yay!  Summer’s here!  (Well, maybe not meteorologically, but culturally.)  I had a request for summer flats—easy, comfortable, stylish.  Happy to oblige!

The Daisy Peep Toe Flat by American Eagle is just the right color for summer—and how about those flowers on the toe?  So pretty!  If you don’t like the coral, it also comes in navy and black.  But why would you pick those for summer?  Find them at Payless for $20.

The black and white of the Stripe Flat by French Follies is so nautical!  (It comes in blue, too, if you’d like to be even more nautical.)  It has a flexible sole, round toe—and look at that little bow!  That bow just makes this for me.  Yours for $29 from Bakers (web only!).

The Emmie by Lucky Brand are so summery for so many reasons!  The print on its jute upper is almost a batik, like sarongs you wear at the beach.  The interplay of blue and white is like light playing on the bottom of a pool.  Fabulous.  If you agree, you can get them at Macy’s for $59.

A little white lace to brighten an outfit!  The Troxler is a sweet little round-toe flat that will match anything, and it also comes in a nudish-pink and black if the white is a little too sweet for you.  Find them at Call it Spring for $35.

You already know I love shoes like these, but the Grommet by Marc by Marc Jacobs is just perfect for work!  Black and tan are so classic together, but the grommets make this modern at the same time.  There’s a buckle across the peep toe as well for a little extra flourish.  Find them at DSW for $200.

Whatever shoes you’re in, happy summer!

Happy Birthday, Philly Shoe Fairy!

Yesterday was Philly Shoe Fairy’s first birthday!  I certainly didn’t think when I put up my first post last May that I’d go for a year—yet here we are!  This calls for a celebration.  There is a party on Sunday, of course (you’re invited!  come shopping with us!), but why not wear some celebratory shoes too?  Come on, these just look like a party!

The Colby by Kate Spade is just the happiest shoe—look at the curling ribbon/confetti feature on the toe!  It makes me think of balloons and birthday cake and party hats and joy.  It has a four-inch heel and slingback, and also comes in all gold—but the colors are just too fun.  Yours for $245 on Zappos Couture.

The Corvala by Nina is so fun!  A body of shimmery fabric, netting, feathers, jewels... what’s not to love?  It also has a four-inch heel, peep-toe, and ankle strap, and can be found at DSW for $60.  (We’ll be at DSW on Sunday, so look for them then!  Or if you order online, you get $5 off one pair, $10 off two pairs, and $20 off three pairs, now until Monday!)

Sequin explosion!  The Sydney by Xhilaration is a closed-toe pump just covered in gold (or black) sequins, and has a 4.75-inch stiletto and 1.5-inch heel.  Find them for $30 from Target.

The Mergel is so springy!  A bright pink sandal with ruching at the toe and a big bow at the ankle over a 3.5-inch heel... a zipper up the back lets you in.  Also available in black or white; pick them up at Call it Spring for $50.

 

The Jewel-Heel Glitter Platform Sandal by Miu Miu has so many wonderful things: silver glitter, gold trim, but look at the heel!  It’s four and a half inches high, clear, and embedded with rhinestones!  Awesome!!  If you agree, head over to Neiman Marcus and pick up a pair for $990.

 

So I’ll hope to see you on Sunday, but even if I don’t, be sure to wear a fabulous pair of shoes this weekend anyway, just for fun!

 

Sales this weekend:

Bakers: Any web order gets you $15 off a $75 purchase next time you're in-store
Bloomingdales: Spring shoe sale-- 25-30% off select shoes
Lord & Taylor: 20% off regular and sales items with promo code MOM
Macy's: Mother's Day sale: save 20-30% on select styles, plus save 15% (and free shipping!) with code MOM
Payless: Summer preview sale

Cherry Blossom Festival

Spring is in the air!  Heck, it felt like summer was in the air a fair amount of the spring.  But let’s not be too hasty, lest we miss out on the pleasures of spring!  What could be nicer than enjoying the snowy pink flowers of the cherry trees in Fairmount Park during the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival?  Nothing says “spring” better than flowering trees!

In the spirit, here are some shoes inspired by sakura!

Does it get any more feminine than the Randall by Badgley Mischka?  A light pink satin upper, four-inch heel, half-inch platform, and a fluttery flower over its peep-toe.  Also available in blue, taupe, black, burgundy, white, and a deeper pink—all about $138 from Endless.

The Petaluma by Dr. Scholl’s is so sweet: a fabric upper, an espadrille-style sole, and of course a flower at the toe!  Available in a more saturated pink in addition to this “sea coral” color, as well as taupe, lavender, black, and turquoise.  Find them at Macy’s for $50.

The Penny by Vera Wang is a whole lotta pink!  Pink patent leather straps, pink patent flower, and look at all the pink braiding on the 5.5-inch heel and the 1.75-inch platform!  These would be so fabulous under skinny jeans (lucky you, if you’re in the half percent of the population that can wear skinny jeans!).  Also available in “dune” (tan) and “prugna” (very dark brown) on Zappos for $275.

It’s a jelly sandal!!  What screams “spring” more than a jelly sandal?  The Mikkelson has a little heel, glossy finish, and row of flowers over the peep-toe.  Not good enough?  They’re on sale for $10!!  Also available in black and white; pick up yours from Call it Spring.

And the dramatic finale:

Look at all of the sequined flowers on the Sadi by Nina!  Sequins and beads cover the satin upper—you’ll sparkle and shine all through Fairmount Park in these.  A five-inch heel and one-inch platform complete the look.  Also available in silver and gold (the silver is quite lovely!); find them at Nordstrom for $129.

Feeling flowery?  Go enjoy the festival!  Sakura Sunday is this weekend, but until then you can take a sushi-making or flower-arranging class, run a 5K, take in a story or a tea ceremony ...even get 20% off at certain Japanese restaurants this week!  Check out the events list here—the fun goes all the way through April 24!