Women's History Month

Happy National Women’s History Month!  We’re at the start of a worldwide, month-long celebration of the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.  Philly girls, you are part of a long line of awesome Philadelphia women.  I thought in the spirit of the month, I’d look at four of them and honor them they best way I know: shoes!

A painter:

Cecilia Beaux (1855-1942) was one of the most successful portrait painters of her era, despite being frequently overshadowed by fellow Philadelphian Mary Cassatt.  She received some high praise indeed while accepting the Carnegie Institute’s Gold Medal: “Miss Beaux is not only the greatest living woman painter, but the best that has ever lived.”  She’s buried in Bala Cynwyd.  While the silhouette of the Blake by FIEL might not be one Beaux was familiar with, the colors and stripes are so reminiscent of her self-portrait it’s scary.  Also available in metallic rose gold and metallic bronze; your choice for $52 from 6pm.

An anthropologist:

Margaret Mead (1901-1978), born in Philly and raised in Doylestown, was a respected and often controversial academic who popularized the insights of anthropology in modern American and Western culture. Her reports detailing the attitudes towards sex in South Pacific and Southeast Asian traditional cultures influenced the 1960s sexual revolution.  Inspired by her seminal 1928 work Coming of Age in Samoa and the costumes of Samoan ceremonial dancers, I give you this pair of heeled suede sandals, adorned with shells, rocks, and rhinestones.  They’re so fascinating, you could write a whole book about them. J  Yours for $131 from DHGate.

A theater legend:

Ethel Barrymore (1879-1959) was the crown princess of Philly’s royal family of acting.  In fact, she was called “more regal than royalty,” and critics have written of being so moved by her ability that they wept the entire way through a play she was in and completely forgot to follow the plot.  (Read her awesome obituary.)  I picked this gorgeous pair of heels because they remind me of this stunning photo of Ethel in costume for her 1901 film Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines.  No idea what the movie was about, but she looks like a friggin’ fairy princess.  I have no doubt this pair of satin heels, bedecked with roses and vines, would have been a perfect match.  Yours for $166 from Etsy seller A June Bride.

And a rock star:

Joan Jett (born 1958), was born in Wynnewood, and as the lead singer of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts she showed everyone that women can seriously rock.   If she’s not in a pair of black boots, the Queen of Rock and Roll is sporting something like the Chuck Taylor High Top by Converse.  It’s a classic, just like Joan.  Sure, you can get it in gray, white, ivory, or red, but that doesn’t make you much of a Blackheart.  Find them at Nordstrom for $55.

Kind of makes you proud to be a woman in Philadelphia, doesn’t it?

Oscar Night

Get your ballots out—it’s time for the Oscars!  Everyone agrees the acting awards are probably all sewn up, but the big award of the night is for best picture.  There are eight worthy films to choose from… like Birdman:

Inspired by the black wings of Birdman, here is the Ginnie by Badgley Mischka.  Glossy black feathers adorn the top of the peep toe.  Also available in white satin and violet leather; the black runs you $60 on Amazon.

Or Boyhood:

The Converse All Star Ox: a classic childhood shoe, perfect for watching a little boy grow up.  Available in six other options if you don’t like the blue—some with sequins, but all black, white, or gray.  Boring.  Your choice for $50 from Eastbay.

Or The Imitation Game:

The Vivacious Vibes by Chelsea Crew is a little like what Joan Clarke might have worn while working at Bletchley Park, no?  A two-tone upper in chamoisee, wingtip detailing, and T-straps round out the vintage look.  It also features a leather lining and three-inch heel, and can be found at ModCloth for $70.

Me?  I’m rooting for The Grand Budapest Hotel.  I think it’s the most perfect thing Wes Anderson has ever done, and this is coming from someone who thinks even fake Wes Anderson films are perfect.  (Please, Wes, make The Midnight Coterie of Sinister Intruders.  Take my money.)

The pink and green and vintage feel (and general overall frilliness) of the Abigail’s Party is very reminiscent of the film’s signature dessert, Mendl’s Courtesan au Chocolat.  A 3.75-inch heel, pink fabric, floral lace… adorable.  Find them at Irregular Choice for $155.

Whoever you’re rooting for, we’re in for a good show (of fashion, if nothing else!).

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: VIP rewards event: members get 15% off
Bakers: All clearance half off
Call it Spring: Half off all sale boots
Lord & Taylor: 20% off with code FASHION
Payless: Anniversary sale-- up to 30% off

Happy Shoe Year!

It’s officially 2015!  Yay!  Time to try something new, right?  How about Pantone’s new color of the year?

Meet Marsala.  Says Pantone, “Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors.” 

And shoes too!

The Mandy by Coach is a nice kitten heel pump, with a pointed toe adorned with a two-layer folded bow.  Even that’s topped with gold!  There are so many nice details here… not the least of which is the color.  Also available in black, which is a little more pricey than the burgundy, which clocks in at $116 at Loehmann’s.

The Chuck Taylor Classic by Converse is a classic in a new color: it has the white rubber sole, but the canvas vamp is Marsala.  It’s a way to try out something new in a way you already feel comfortable!  Yours for $50 at Amazon.

The Lario by Wanted is a simple round toe ballet flat, though it has two special features: the faux snake vamp, and the Marsala color.  Elastic around the foot helps keep it on and a little gold button adorns the heel, but otherwise we’re talking sweet and simple.  Find them at Shoes.com for $39.

The Zyla by BCBGeneration is a kid suede pointed toe pump in the proper shade of Marsala.  The heel is 3.5 inches tall, and the ankle strap is adorned with square golden studs.  Ladylike with just a wee bit of an edge!  Find them at Overstock for $47.

Hungry for Marsala?  I hope so!  Enjoy 2015’s flavorful color of the year.

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies; I’m still on vacation.  But go out with your new gift cards in hand and see what you can find!

Shoe Etymology Part I

The words are so familiar to us, but where do the names for different types of shoes come from?  This week we go on a journey through shoe history, to learn a little something about the origins of shoe names.

Clogs

The word “clog” is from the early 14^th century’s clogge, or “a lump of wood.”  The origin is unknown, but it’s similar to the Norwegian klugu, or “knotty log of wood.”  The sense of the clog as a “wooden-soled shoe” is first recorded late 14^th century; they were used as overshoes until the introduction of rubbers around 1840.  (This explains Cinderella putting on clogs before she goes outside to feed the chickens in the Disney movie!  Does nobody else remember that part but me?)  Originally all wood (hence the name), they later had wooden soles with leather uppers for the front of the foot only. 

The Rembrandt by Troentorp-Bastad is a classic clog in a few ways: it has a natural wood base, and it’s slip-resistant so you can use them as a work shoe no matter the weather.  Plus the company’s Swedish, so they have a long history in a clog-producing region.  Available in this navy or a reddish-brown cola color; your choice for $123 from Shoebuy.com.

Sneakers

The word “sneaker” was already in use at least as early as 1887, as the Boston Journal made reference to sneakers as “the name boys give to tennis shoes.” The name “sneakers” originally referred to how quiet the rubber soles were on the ground, in contrast to noisy standard hard leather-soled dress shoes—someone wearing sneakers could “sneak up” on you.

It doesn’t get any more classic than this!  The Chuck Taylor All Star Ox Shoe by Converse is an American classic.  A white canvas outer is trimmed around the rubber sole with red and blue.  Add the star on the tongue and you’re really all-American!  Also available in black, blue, and pink; your choice from Dogfunk for $45.

Mary Janes

Mary Jane was a character created by Richard Felton Outcault for his comic strip Buster Brown, first published in 1902.  The style of shoe both Buster Brown and Mary Jane wore came to be known by her name, Mary Jane.

This pretty little Mary Jane is flat, just like the original shoe from the comic, but the color is oh-so-fresh!  Look at that gorgeous green.  Perfect with a skirt, perfect under jeans… you can wear this year round whenever you want a splash of color.  Yours from Moose Limited for $20.

Come back Friday for the story behind three more shoes!

Philly Tech Week

This Friday begins Philly Tech Week, a week-long celebration of technology and innovation.  Whether that’s building techie things, picking up new skills, discussing how technology impacts our fair city, or learning how to be a tech entrepreneur (or just playing quizzo), there will be something for the geek in each of us.

Saturday and Sunday is Light Hacking Weekend.  Play with analog techniques that explore light, drawing and perception; build portable camera obscura or a periscope; play with interactive installations; build your own light sabers (you heard me); and play light Pictionary with long-exposure camera shots.

Were you ever jealous that only children get to have light-up shoes?  (Don’t lie.)  Your day has come!  Evolved Footwear took a navy and pink pair of women’s Nike Air Max and fitted them with pink lights in the heel.  Leave them on, have them flash (fast or slow)—either way, you’ll get a lot of jealous looks from other adults too long denied light-up shoes of their own.  Yours for $165.

Feel like laughing?  Next Thursday, Geekadelphia and Laughs on Fairmount are bringing something new to Philly Tech Week. Watch a colorful cast of characters as they’re pitted against each other in the premiere of The Geek Shall Inherit The Earth: A Comedy Throwdown.

Looks like a smackdown to me!  These Batman Chuck Taylors by Converse and DC Comics have all the hallmarks of a comic battle royale: Whak!  Boom!  Stop him!  The old Batman logo is on the tongue, and the Bat Signal glows yellow on the inside of the shoe.  Yours for $40 from Converse; or $60 if you prefer Wonder Woman.

But most importantly, and I am very serious now, this Friday night THEY ARE PLAYING TETRIS ON THE CIRA CENTER.  Hurry and sign up for your chance to play a round!  Even if you don’t get chosen, there will be food trucks and a beer garden and lots of fun.

Do, do do do, do do do, do do do… you can just hear the music when you look at these, can’t you?  These slip-on shoes are painted with all the classic Tetris pieces, with a game in progress on the toes.  These are a size 10 and are available for $20 from Etsy seller JessiesPieces, but I bet she could do a custom order for you if you have smaller feet.

Tech geekery never looked so fun, so you should really check out one of the many events going on between Friday and April 12.  There are a lot of female-centered events on how to make it in the tech industry, in addition to all the fun stuff, so if your career path lies there it might be especially worthwhile.

A Moment in Time

Head over to the National Constitution Center between now and the end of the year to see their new exhibit Capture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Photographs.  Bearing witness to moments of jubilation, heroism, and compassion, as well as the harsh realities of war, racism, and poverty, the 153 Pulitzer Prize-winning images on display carry human emotions across barriers of language, time, and place. 

A lot of them are heartbreaking, not gonna lie.  But some are downright inspiring.  (Okay, two.  Two are inspiring.  The rest will overwhelm you with sadness.)  Take the 1993 winner, from Ken Geiger and William Snyder:

Geiger had just finished photographing the U.S. women’s team winning the 4 x 100 relay at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics when he noticed the Nigerian women watching the scoreboard. “When it became official that they had third place (a Bronze medal), they broke into celebration.”  Can I say how much I dig these ladies?  You rock, 1992 Nigerian women’s 4 x 100 team.

Orange, white, signature black check… the Flyknit Lunar 1+ looks close to the one in the photo!  So if you’re inspired to go out and train, maybe these are for you.  An ultra lightweight upper, responsive cushioning, reflective bits so you can be seen at night, AND it’s available in five colors!  (Two of which are green, in case you’re inspired by their uniforms instead.  Or if you just hate orange.  And if it’s the latter, you and I need to have a chat about the many wonders of orange.)  Yours for $110 from the Nike Store.

And, of course, the 1945 winner from Joe Rosenthal:

Rosenthal admitted that when he took a shot of five Marines and one Navy corpsman raising the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima’s Mt. Suribachi on February 23, 1945, he had no idea that he had captured something extraordinary. He was setting up for a different shot when he spotted the group of men planting the flag and quickly took a snap without even looking through the viewfinder.

I love how the print on the Hi American Flag Sneaker by Converse All Star is sort of black and white, just like the flag in the photo.  It has a canvas upper and a rubber outsole, as well as that classic Converse styling.  Find them at Journeys for $60.

So check out the exhibit at the NCC.  And then come back to the interwebs and watch my favorite video of baby bunnies to cheer you up.  (Baaaaa!  The noses!  They’re too cute!!  I can barely stand it!!)  You’re welcome.

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: Fall boot sale-- up to 25% off select styles
Bakers: Take an extra 30% off clearance styles
Macy's: Take an extra 10% off with code SUPER
Nine West: $25 off a purchase of $100 or more, and $50 off $150 or more (web exclusive!)
Payless: All fall boots up to 40% off

Philly Beer Week

Hope you’re thirsty, because it’s Philly Beer Week!  Now through June 9, restaurants, bars, and other sites around the city are hosting events that celebrate our favorite brew and educate us about the many facets of beer.  Here are three beers you might see popping up this week, since all their breweries are participating! 

Stoudts Scarlet Lady Ale, an authentic English-style ale is brewed from the finest imported Marris Otter malt for a rich, reddish-copper color and full, malty palate. The generous use of English hops balances the regal, sweet maltiness and imparts a softly perfumed aroma.

You saucy minx, you!  This sexy pair will make you a scarlet lady indeed: bright red patent leather (studded with subtle spikes) in a pointed toe pump with a four-inch heel.  Yours for $90 from Light in the Box.

Lancaster Brewing Company’s Strawberry Wheat, an American wheat lager-style beer, has the subtle suggestion of real, strawberries and is the perfect pint of true refreshment. Light and crisp, the Strawberry Wheat is a "must try" for fruit and beer lovers alike.

The Strawberry Printed Helen Sneakers by Converse Jack Purcell (boy, that’s a mouthful!) are a mouthful of bright strawberries dotting the canvas upper.  What makes them Jack Purcells, you ask, and not just regular Converse?  That would be the “smile” at the toe!  And if these don’t make you smile, well, there’s no help for you.  Whole sizes from 5 to 9; find them at DSW for $70.

Evil Genius has got to be my favorite brewery name ever.  Their Siren is a sultry maiden, ready to lure and enchant the unsuspecting. Single hopped with a generous amount of Amarillo creates a beautiful bubblegum flavor, with sweet notes of grapefruit and orange.

Fit for a siren, indeed!  (If they had feet, that is.)  This pair has a little of everything: decoupage (tall ships and smooth stones), rhinestones, sequins, beads, golden seaweed, assorted other trims… It’s a hodgepodge of oceanic awesomeness.  Yours for $350 from Etsy seller Everlastinglifashion.

Cheers, Philly gals!

Philly Beer Week runs through Sunday.  Check out the full list of events here.

The Magic Flute

Among the many things I love (the Olympics, Valentine’s Day, and, er, this whole list here), I also love opera, and tonight is opening night for Opera Philadelphia’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute!  The Magic Flute invites us into a land of enchantment, full of queens and princesses, evil sorcerers, heroic princes, mythical creatures, and unpredictable, epic adventures. 

Needless to say, the costumes are fantastic.  There’s a giraffe:

Please also add giraffes to the list of things I love.  I love giraffes.  I also love the Chuck Taylor Sequins Ox Sneaker by Converse: it’s got giraffe, of course, but it’s also covered in clear sequins so it’ll sparkle in the light!  Yours for $90 from Nordstrom.

A dragon:

The Leland by Michael Antonio has dragon written all over it: scales, spikes… even the red is evocative of a dragon breathing fire, isn’t it?  It has a five-inch heel (and a hidden platform so it doesn’t feel quite that tall), and is also available in a cool blue.  Your choice for $40 from 6pm.

The Queen of the Night:

Fit for a queen indeed!  The Suede Wedge Pump by Giuseppe Zanotti is so much more than just a suede wedge: it’s covered in multicolored rhinestone stars!  Blue, purple, orange, green… a galaxy of sparkle and color.  (Stars are WAY more than just white, people!)  It has a peep toe, 4.5-inch wedge and half-inch platform, and ankle strap, and can be found at DSW for $800.

And a man covered by the feathers of exotic birds:

The bright blue of the Adore by David Tutera makes me so happy!  (Though it’s also available in a pale pink, if the blue is too much for you.)  It has a beautiful satin upper, ankle strap (with touch of tan at the buckle there), five-inch heel, one-inch platform… and of course the feathers across the peep toe!  They just feel like spring, and they can be yours for $145 from Zappos.

If you’ve never been to an opera, why not give The Magic Flute a try?  Performances run through next weekend, so treat yourself to an evening of spectacle and spectacular music.  Who knows?  You may love opera too!

Don't forget!  Philly Shoe Fairy's second birthday party is next weekend!  The DSW in King of Prussia is opening early just for us.  Raffles, food, fun... and SHOES!  It'll be fabulous.

Sales this weekend:
Lord & Taylor: Friends and family sale: 25% off with promo code FRIENDS
Macy's: 15% off one pair, 20% off two, 30% off three or more with promo code GREAT
Payless: Buy one, get one half off

A Perfect 10

Fashion is from top to toe.  Would you wear a beautiful outfit and terrible shoes?  Or a terrible bag?  Of course not.  So why not put some thought into your nails?

Let’s start with a manicure:

Love!  This set comes with a nail clipper, nail file, and cuticle pusher and scissors.  But the best part is the faux leather, high heel-shaped case!  Black on the outside, pink on the inside!  I love it.  Yours for $5.85 from Diva Entertains. 

Okay, your nails are in good shape.  Now what to paint?  Maybe a decal:

A black stiletto is a classic look, no matter where it might be!  But in case black’s not your thing, it comes in 22 (count ‘em: 22!) other colors, so the combinations are endless—imagine white heels on black nails, or turquoise on purple, or orange on light pink…  Plus you get 50 of them, so you’ll have five manicures to play with them.  Yours for $5 from Etsy seller Make it Stick Designs.

Want to try your hand at painting?  Here’s something kicky and fun!

Looks a lot like these Converse All-Stars, wouldn’t you say?

Classic!  A canvas upper in your choice of colors, white at the toe, white laces, contrast stitching, and rubber sole—yours for $50.

But back to the nails!  To make these painted sneakers:

1. Paint the nail in the sneaker color you want.  Let it dry. 
2. Paint the top white, but be sure to paint it straight across your nail and not curved like you would do for a regular French manicure.
3. Paint the holes.  I always use toothpicks dipped in paint for detail work, but you could also use tiny brushes or dotting tools (both available in this cool kit).  Make a white circle, let it dry, and then fill it in with black.  Let it dry.
4. Paint the laces—just connect the dots in a crisscrossing fashion!  Let dry, and seal with topcoat.

Looking for something dressier than sneaks?  You could do a Louboutin manicure.  What is that, you ask?  Well, let’s start with a pair of Louboutins, just for kicks:

Gorg, right?  The Glitter Double Strap Platform Pumps have two ankle straps, a T-strap up the front, a peep toe and half-inch hidden platform, and a 4.25-inch heel.  (Yours for $895 from Saks.)  Are you feeling inspired by the silver glitter on the front, and the signature red on the back?  Adele was, at the Grammys last year.  Take a look at the silver front:

And the red on the underside!

Unexpected and fun.  (And simple!  No tricky paintwork or extra tools involved.)

I hope these have inspired you to get out your paints and try something new.  After all, open-toe shoe season is just around the corner!  

Dropping the (Not the) Ball

New Year’s Eve is almost here!  And sure, you could watch the ball drop in Times Square, but we are PENNSYLVANIANS.  Who needs their silly ball when our state drops all kinds of wonderful and wacky things?  In fact, PA drops more things on New Year’s Eve than any other state!  (Seriously; we’ve got like 45 and the next highest state has maybe nine.  We crush them.)

In Hummelstown, they drop a lollipop:

The Sweets for the Sweet by Iron Fist are sweet indeed!  You’ve got the big rainbow lollipops on the heel, of course, but look at the lining: it’s all Ring Pops!  (Great; now I really, really want a Ring Pop.)  It has a 3.5-inch heel (or so it says… it looks higher), and a pink sparkle platform peep toe!  The pink is a nice touch.  Whole sizes only from 5 to 11; get yours for $60 from Punk.com. 

In Pottsville they drop a bottle of Yuengling, and in Cleona they raise a pretzel:

The Oktoberfest by Haflinger are made of boiled wool (sounds simultaneously gross and super comfy, doesn’t it?), with arch support, a soft wool sole, and appliqués of a salted pretzel and beer mug!  It doesn’t get any more Pennsylvanian than that.  Whole sizes 6-10 from Comfort Feet Shop for $70.

In Lancaster they drop a red rose, and in York, a white rose:

(Ah, the War of the Roses, translated into New Years Eve drops!  This is why life is awesome.)  The We Found Love has the red and white (and the, er, orange) on the toe of a very sculptural pump, made of different black fabrics.  There’s a slit in the back, by the way—you don’t have to walk all leaning forward!  Find them at Irregular Choice for $168.

And there are two—TWO!—two separate towns that drop shoes!  In Palmyra, they drop the “Giant Shoe,” and in Akron they drop a purple and gold sneaker.  (Oh, and in Hallam, they drop a replica of a local house shaped like a shoe.  So I guess that’s three!)

So the Two Fold by Converse All Star is silver and purple, but it’s still awfully festive!  I love the touches of shiny blue on the tongue and the blue laces—the laces especially.  Whole sizes only; yours for $30 (on sale from $50!) from Finish Line.

Wherever you are and whatever you’re watching drop, have a happy New Year and I’ll see you in 2013!

Sales this weekend:
Sorry ladies; the Shoe Fairy is on vacation until the New Year.  Be back then with all the post-holiday deals!

Business in Beantown

So I’m away on business for a few days in Boston, but you’re still in my thoughts, Deputy Shoe Fairies!  In fact, I’m sending a little Boston your way.

Lobster:

The Lobster Print Slip On by TOMS are lobstertastic!  Look at all those little lobsters.  It’s got the signature pleated toe and the TOMS label on the back—slip into a pair at Neiman Marcus for $95.

The green monster:

The Specialty Seasonal Ox by Converse Chuck Taylor All Star is a bright, bubbly green!  (Or blue.  Or red.  Or navy.   Or gray, nude, dark green, orchid, or cinnabar.)  They have a canvas outer, cushy insole, and classic cool to spare.  Find them at Zappos for $50.

And American history:

The Koni by Dollhouse is a sweet little slice of Americana: red and white stripes, a blue toe cap with bow... and look at the polka dots on the inside!  Like stars.  Also available in a coral stripe with a yellow toe cap and a blue stripe with a salmon toe cap, but whichever you choose you can find it at DSW for $22.

See you again Friday!

4th of July

Philadelphia: heart of American independence, home of American democracy, torch of America’s revolutionary spirit. (Oh, and birthplace of cheesesteaks.) If any city’s going to do the 4th of July right, it’s going to be us, so your shoes better impress on Philly’s big day! In fact, I’m posting this a few days early so you have some time to prepare. (I’m a firm believer in being appropriately dressed for holidays.)

  These make me want to sign up with the USO; it’s ridiculous. The Marina by Leg Avenue have four-inch white heels, a blue striped upper, bits of red threaded through eyelets around the foot opening, and—oh yes—a big red bow on the peep toe with a white star on top. About $40 on Amazon; whole sizes only.

Like the stripes, but would rather have something, er, less overtly patriotic? A cork and braided rope wedge, bright blue and white stripes—the Bowtye by BP has summer written all over it! It has a four-inch heel with a one-inch platform, and has a striped fabric upper and a nice big bow at the toe. You’ll be wearing these all summer—but only if you get them from Nordstrom for $50.

How about flats? How cute are these? The Jelly D’Orsay by Missoni is a blue jelly flat with a red, white, and blue woven bow at its peep toe. It makes you want to shout “Hooray for 4th of July picnics! Pass me a hot dog!” Yours from Zappo’s for $198.

Enough with stripes. Bring on the stars!
The Star of Hope by Irregular Choice has a blue and white faux leather slingback upper with ankle strap, a fabric bow with strategically placed polka dots over its peep toe, and a stacked blue heel. Oh, and it’s covered in giant stars! Also available in black from Irregular Choice for $170.

If your 4th of July involves more running around (literally—badminton tourney, anyone? game of tag? potato sack race? water balloon fight?), how about this American classic?
The Converse Women’s One Star Oxfords are about as all-American as shoes can get. Rubber cap toe, contrast stitching, canvas upper... and they’re available in just about every color under the sun. Pick them up at your local Target for $30.

Okay, okay; you don’t want red, white, or blue. You’re still getting stars, missy!

  The Star Gazing Sandal by Poetic License has a leather upper studded with stars (it closes with Velcro). And you know, I believe I count fifty stars on there! Perfect! It comes in taupe (shown), grey, and pink, and you can find them at DSW for $60.

But we still have to finish with the flag:

  I pledge allegiance to the Lita by Jeffrey Campbell. It’s got everything: stars, stripes (I love how they go all the way to the ankle), a 5.5-inch heel and a 2-inch platform, and patriotism to spare! Yours from Karmaloop for $160.

Happy 4th of July, Philadelphia! Rock on!