Spring has Sprung!

Good news everyone: as of 6:45 tonight, it’s officially SPRING!  We made it!  Sure, it’s cold, and it definitely doesn’t look like spring out there today (screw you, Winter Storm Ultima), but trust me: it’s officially spring.  Hooray!

Until it actually looks like spring out there, here are some shoes full of springy happiness to tide you over:

Ooh… pretty.  The Babbitta is covered in photorealistic flowers: roses, dahlias, carnations.  Bright shades of pink, purple, yellow, and blue are sure to chase away whatever winter blahs remain!  And look at the shiny cap at the base of the four-inch heel—nice touch.  Find them at Guess for $69.

This TOMS-style espadrille is made of organic cotton printed with blooming flowers in pink and violet.  And, also TOMS-like, each purchase is one year of clean water to a person in need.  Look good and do good!  Yours for $40 from A&A.

How sweet is the Iris by Bongo?  Its cheery little bow over the peep toe, all in satin printed with watercolor flowers.  It has a 4.5-inch heel and half-inch platform (making it just a tad easier to walk), and will run you $30 at Sears.

Some flowers bloom at night—maybe like the Jaday by Ted Baker.  They’re almost slipping into the dusk, the printed flowers on this smoking slipper.  A gold stud with Ted Baker’s initials adorns the front, and a half-inch heel completes the look.  Yours for $120 at Zappos.

I’m already feeling better, aren’t you?

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: 20% off casual comfort
Bakers: Entire site 25% off
Macy's: 20% off with code FIVE, plus an extra 25% off when you buy two or more pairs
Payless: Easter sale-- up to 40% off

SIlver and Gold

Silver and gold,

Silver and gold,

Everyone wishes for silver and gold.

How do you measure its worth?

Just by the pleasure it gives here on Earth.

The Babies Mary Jane by Saint Laurent is a sweet little shoe with a body and ankle strap in gold glitter and a 1.6-inch silver glitter block heel.  Subtle under pants but still plenty of fun!  Find them at Yves Saint Laurent for $845.

Silver and gold,

Silver and gold means so much more when I see

Silver and gold decorations on every Christmas tree.

And on the Pallavily by GUESS, we have the reverse!  Silver glitter on the slingback body, and gold glitter on the three-quarter-inch platform and 4.75-inch heel.  The dangling G charm on the buckle and the peep toe complete the look.  Christmas parties, here you come!  Yours for $60 from Shoes.com.

Silver and gold,

Silver and gold means so much more when I see

Silver and gold decorations on every Christmas tree!

The Thyme by Seychelles is less glitter, and more sophistication.  The toe strap is a burnished silver, and the 3.5-inch wedge and ankle strap are a warm gold.  These will be really lovely in the summer with a skirt or with some white pants, won’t they?  Plan ahead!  Yours for $52 from 6pm.

With all my respects to Burl Ives.  Merry Christmas, deputy shoe fairies!

All the Gelt!

The first candle of Hanukkah will be lit tonight.  Ah, Hanukkah: the time of tasty latkes and everyone’s favorite top game, the dreidel.  You know the drill: roll a shin and put one piece of your foil-wrapped chocolate gelt in the pot; roll a nun and nothing happens and the next player spins; roll a hey and you take half the pot; roll a gimel and you take the entire pot.

Here’s hoping you get all the gelt this year!  If not, here are some coins for you (sadly, though, not chocolate):

The Maite Flat Sandal by GUESS by Marciano has silver coins dangling around the ankle strap and neatly ordered down the front of the foot.  The rest of the shoe is a silvery snakeskin they’re calling lime for some reason, though it’s also available in black.  Your choice from GUESS for $130.

These beauties are copies of a Jimmy Choo design, but for much cheaper.  (The quality… who knows?)  The gray python fabric covers the toebed and the stiletto heel, while purple braid winds its way up your foot and ends in multicolored tassels: green and blue on one foot, and red and purple on the other.  Yours for $90 on Ali Express.

Now that’s what I’m talking about!  The Gypsy by Funtasma is covered in clinking gold coins: two rows over the toe, and two around the ankle as well.  Just the sound of you coming in these is sure to make your dreidel opponents quiver in their boots!  Yours from Exotic High Heels for $37.

Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish shoe fairies!

Snow Boots

Sigh.  Yesterday we have a warm sunny day; today… wintry mix.  Not to mention the legit snowstorm we had last week.  Come ON, Mother Nature!  Cut us a break!!  This does not bode well.  Best to get your snow boots ready.

The thing is, though: snow boots are boring.  I’m serious.  They are the most boring type of shoe.  I’ve been looking for a new pair for myself after the frozen nightmare that was last winter, and it’s a total snoozefest.  Why do rain boots have all the fun?  Patterns, prints, bows…  Snow boots are a monotonous pile of black and brown.  As if winter wasn’t bleak enough already.  (Oh, and I don’t count anything with a stiletto or something that looks like you really wouldn’t be able to wear it outside in a snowstorm.  Tufts of fur do not snow boots make.)

I wish I had better news for you.  I wish I had better news for me.  But I’ll do my best:

The Valentine by GUESS is striking, with its wide black laces and big metal grommets.  The shaft is 10 inches high and 16 inches around, and lined with faux fur.  Also available in all black (BOR-ing!); your choice for $139 from Macy’s.

Admittedly there’s a lot going on with the Gwen by MUK LUKS, but it’s better than boring black!  Faux fur, sweater knit, faux suede… and Thinsulate for maximum warmth in minimal space.  Also available in a gray marl (BOR-ing!); your choice for $70 from 6pm.

There’s sweater detailing on the Caroline by Totes as well, but in a gray, black, and white print.  The shaft is 13 inches high and 15 inches around, and has fleece on the inside to keep your toesies warm.  Find them at DSW for $50.

Ready?  Bring it on, winter!

Fourth of July

Oh beautiful, for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain…

The American Flag Snip Toe Cowboy Boot by Roper is so American, it’s ridiculous.  It’s a cowboy boot to start, of course, with a stacked heel.  But the leather is distressed red, white, and blue, with stars and stripes!  My favorite little touch might be the star-shaped stud on the pull strap—just enough shininess, and still patriotic.  Yours for $199 from Langston’s.

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

This pretty pump is pretty patriotic! Stripes at the pointed toe, stars on the rest of the vamp, a red 4.5-inch heel… even a red sole!  And the fabric is just distressed enough to make it feel like “Old” Glory.  Yours for about $23 from Ali Express.

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee…

The Patriotic Originals Sneaker by Keds Champion is perfect for a casual Fourth of July, mostly broadly painted stripes but capped with a starry heel.  Plus it’s trimmed with leathery laces!  Nice touch.  Yours for $55 from American Eagle Outfitters.

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

The Syona by GUESS is flirty for the Fourth!  The wedge is three inches at the heel and 1.5 inches at the platform, but it’s the strap that’s special: blue stars, with a red bow, and a dangling rhinestone GUESS logo.  Find them at Macy’s for $39.

Happy 4^th, everyone!

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies; I’m on vacation this weekend.  But since it’s a holiday, and this is America, it’s likely everything is on sale!

PMA Fashion Doubleheader Part II

So on Tuesday we began our tour of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s current fashion exhibitions with their Silver and Gold Fashions Since 1960.  Today we tackle their showstopper: Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love.  It’s such a big deal, in fact, that they have a second supporting exhibit of another designer inspired by Kelly.  They’re not fooling around with this.

And nor should they—Kelly’s work is amazing!  Bright, fun, and playful, Kelly doesn’t shy away from being a little outré, but you never get the sense that he’s doing it just to be weird—he’s doing it because it genuinely makes him smile.  And I mean really, how can you not smile at this:

This is from Kelly’s fall/winter 1988-89 collection, playing off how a bridal gown usually finished a runway show.  Look at all the red tulle!  It’s like Valentine’s Day come to life!

The Tulle Peep Toe by Diva Lounge has the same spirit of Kelly’s body suit, but perhaps in a more wearable way for day-to-day.  The body is red satin topped in tulle, with a half-inch platform and zipper up the back to let you in. Also available in black; your choice for $15 (on sale!) from Cici Hot.

This glamournaut is from Kelly’s spring/summer 1989 collection.  Look at that dress, people—LOOK at that dress.  I love how it’s cut around the feet, but also, it’s essentially made of starlight.  Gorgeous.

Why this shoe out of all silver shoes?  For starters, it’s by Celeste.  (Get it?  Celestial?  …I am a nerd.  Apologies.)  Second, the rhinestones around the shoe are aurora borealis, so they shimmer in many colors just like the dress!  Perfect.  The upper is actually covered in a fine net fabric, which is a little interesting. It has a four-inch heel and half-inch platform and is also available in black, which has its own charms.  Find them at Overstock for $43.

D’aww, this dress from Kelly’s spring/summer 1989 collection is like the ultimate garden party dress.  It’s so fluffy!

Normally I sort of hate high-top sneakers, but I sort of love the Floral Dreams by Shakuhachi.  I love the gentle print; I love the jute trim (so unexpected!).  Dare I even say it?: this would be cute with a skirt.  And “No sneakers with skirts” is a rule enshrined in the Shoe Fairy pantheon.  If this is what change looks like, then I’m down with change.  Yours for $168 from Lyst.

This strapless silver gown is from July 1989.  Meow-squerade?  No—glamourpuss!  Bahaha.

Me-OW, baby.  The Harrahly by Guess has an upper made of sparkling snow leopard fabric, and a 4.5-inch heel and three-quarter-inch platform in metallic silver.  Trimmed in silver, too—around the foot and up the back of the heel. Yours for $100 from Heels.com.

So head on over to the PMA and get your fashion on!  Both shows run through the fall.

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies; the Shoe Fairy is running around with company at the moment and wasn’t able to check the sales.  But it’s Memorial Day!  So I think I’m pretty safe in guessing that every shoe in the world is on sale.

Happy Birthday PSF!

Lots of things to celebrate this week: the city wasn’t washed away in torrential rain. Leaves are on the trees and flowers are blooming (finally).  And Philly Shoe Fairy turns three years old! Hooray!

There’s a party this weekend, of course (hope you’re coming!), and every party needs a good pair of party shoes.  Feast your eyes on this selection!

The Nadeah by ABS by Allen Schwartz is a beautiful teal pump with a round toe, but it’s the heel that’s special: four inches tall and covered in rhinestones!  It’s so sophisticated and rich, what with that deep color, like a peacock turned into a shoe. Gorg.  If you agree, pick up a pair at DSW for $65.

The Viv by Coloriffics is so ladylike: ivory lace, rhinestones, and I’m really digging how the fabric at the heel curves around towards the front.  It has a four-inch heel, and three-quarter-inch platform, and a zipper up the back to let you in.  Also available in black or nude; your choice for $125 from Zappos.

Wild!  The Hondola 3 by GUESS has cheetah pony material at the __-inch heel and _-inch platform, but the upper—the upper is gold glitter!  It has a peep toe, and interesting cutouts up the side of the foot towards the ankle.  I just love the shapes on this… and the glitter and the cheetah, too, of course!  Yours for $78 from Heels.com.

Ooh, rhinestones everywhere!  The Lulu by Benjamin Adams London is just covered in silver rhinestones.  There’s a five-inch heel and one-inch platform, and an adorable sort of almondy-round toe.  I think the toe might be my favorite part.  Which is saying a lot, considering the amount of rhinestones here.  Find them at Nordstrom for $449.

And the grand (and I do mean grand) finale:

It’s a party in a shoe if I’ve ever seen one! The 80^th Anniversary Glittery Feather Ankle-Wrap Sandal by Rene Caovilla is just fun everywhere: the bright pink, the glitter straps, the multi-colored feathers going every which way, the curlicue around the ankle… and don’t miss the glitter sole!  You have to admit, it’s fun as hell.  Yours for $1175 from Neiman Marcus.

So happy birthday, PSF!  Celebrate in style!

Sales this weekend:

Bare Feet Shoes: 10% off Sitewide with code SPRINGFEVER

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

Macy’s: Extra 25% off with code MOM

Payless: Buy one, get one half off

National Pomegranate Month

Little known fact: November is National Pomegranate Month.  (Mmm, pomegranates…and now I’m back from wasting an hour on Pinterest pinning pomegranate recipes.  What were we talking about?  Oh!  Shoes, that’s right.)

Ancient Egyptians regarded the pomegranate as a symbol of prosperity and ambition.

Ambitious, indeed!  The Plasma by Guess would be appropriate for someone with her eye on the corner office.  Sleek patent leather in pomegranate red, a pointed toe, a four-inch heel…classic but still fun!  Also available in black; your choice for $85 from Macy’s.

Some Jewish scholars believe that the pomegranate was the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.

The Basked Sandal by Zigi Soho is so seductive, isn’t it?  The faux suede upper almost reminds me of butterfly wings…gorgeous.  The heel is 4.75 inches high (ouch!), but there’s a half-inch platform to help you out with that.  (Well, it might not help much.  But sexy as these are, you may not be wearing them long!)  Also available in black; your choice for $70 from DSW.

In the Ancient Greek mythology, the pomegranate was also known as the “fruit of the dead,” and to have sprung from the blood of Adonis.

Oooh, dark.  If this is what death looks like, I think I may be down.  The Abeli is soft faux suede and sleek red patent swirled with black.  A peep toe, four-inch heel, and three-quarter-inch platform complete the look.  Also available in all black and black with cheetah, but neither holds a candle to the red and black!  Find them at Nine West for $79.

 I call pomegranates “delicious”!  Happy National Pomegranate Month!

Flip Flop Fourth

I hope everyone having a great holiday so far!  This is the kind of weekend where you just live in flip flops, right?  Throw ‘em on in the morning and you’re good to go: to the beach; out to lunch; shopping, of course!  Here are some pairs that are pretty enough to wear out, but won’t get damaged if you go to the beach!

Can’t do flip flops without Old Navy, of course, and this is their classic design up a notch: three big rhinestones on the strap!  This color is called “High Voltage” but is also comes in black, white, or gray if you’re not into the chartreuse fad—your choice for $10.

These might be a little hard to make out, but the Tutu by Guess is a really sweet white rubber flip flop, complete with rubber bow with rhinestone detail at the strap!  SO cute.  Also available in a clear pink in addition to this opaque white; find them at Macy’s for $35.

I never thought (1) Crocs would ever name one of their shoes “sexy,” and (2) even if they did, they would actually be sexy.  But here is the Sexi Flip Sandal by Crocs, and… it’s sexy!  The contoured T-strap is so in right now, and black is just so classic (though it also comes in a black/brown combo)—you could wear these almost anywhere!  Yours for $23 on Amazon.

I adore the Allie Flat Sandal by DV by Dolce Vita.  I love the color.  I love the shape.  I love the touches of gold on the strap and by the toes.  I love the tiny stacked wedge—just enough to step it up from a regular flip flop, but not high enough to give you any trouble on the sand.  And they're faux leather, so you just have to wipe them off!  Also available in silver, black, or nude, but none holds a candle to the aqua.  Find them at DSW for $40.

So have a fabulous holiday weekend, everyone, and see you next week!

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies; the Shoe Fairy is on vacation this week. But my bet is there are a ton of sales around, so hit your favorite store and give it a try!

Party Recap!

Happy birthday to Philly Shoe Fairy!  We had a fabulous morning full of cupcakes, raffles, t-shirts, new friends, and shoes, shoes, shoes!  Truly, DSW is the happiest place on earth, amirite?

People of course found beautiful shoes to bring home with them.  Cindy chose these slinky gold sandals by Andrew Geller.  So chic!

Susan knows that a nude pump is essential for summer, and she gets it right in this pair by Kelly & Katie!

Pam went home with these beauties by Guess.  Killer platform; delicate cutouts!

Pam also had the distinction of being one of the winners of the High Heel Walk Off: find a pair of high heels in your size and be prepared to WORK IT!  Extra points for heel height and style.  Pam’s fancy posing and exceptional balance tied her with DSW employee and fierce walker extraordinaire Nick!

Well done, both!  You make me proud to have you as deputy shoe fairies.

All in all, a wonderful start to year number three, wouldn’t you say?  Very special thanks to the wonderful people at the DSW in King of Prussia, especially manager Nancy!  I am so lucky to have them in my backyard—and you are, too, readers!

Dead Sea Scrolls

The current exhibition at the Franklin Institute is the blockbuster Dead Sea Scrolls.  Considered the most significant archaeological find of the last century, these scrolls include the earliest known surviving copies of biblical and extra-biblical documents.  In honor of their historical awesomeness, here are some sandals inspired by the ancient world to get you in the mood!

I love these!  The Kaelynne by Guess has a twisted glittery upper, ankle and heel straps, and just exudes elegance.  Also available in silver, which is nice but not as warm as the gold!  Find them at Macy’s for $44.

The Lizzie WP is almost fit for a gladiator.  It has snakeskin, studs, chains… and a zipper up the back to let you in.  Also available in tan and black for $45 from Bakers.

The Zentry Level is a gold snakeskin sandal with a 2.25-inch braided wedge.  I love how the straps make diamonds up the front!  There are three straps at the ankle and a zipper at the heel.  Also available in bronze and black; yours for $79 from Aerosoles.

The Madison by Frye has an elaborately braided upper, in tan and gold.  (Or black and silver.  Or red and tan.  Or tan and seafoam.  Or four other color combos!)  Find them at Zappos for $148.

The Emeline by Merona has a braided upper, looped through the toe and into the heel strap.  So Grecian, right?  Wear it under a flowy maxi dress!  Find them at your local Target for $15.

The Dead Sea Scrolls will be at the Franklin through October 14.  They’re also having a lecture series!  And my favorite part: they offer reduced admission for $12 less than usual if you go Thursday through Sunday after 5:00 pm.  Go get dinner afterwards!  Maybe Zahav?

Memorial Day

Ah, a three day weekend!  Sunny days, friends, fun, the start of summer.  How will you be spending your weekend?  Maybe a picnic?

The Tabina by Guess is perfect!  Red and white, edged in red patent, a bow at the peep toe like a handful of gathered checked napkins.  And the cork!  Five inches at the heel; one inch under the toe.  Adorable.  Find them at Macy’s for $110.

Not interested in a picnic?  How about a jaunt to the shore?

Old Navy sure knows flip flops, don’t they?  Though these aren’t the usual $3 pair—these pink beauties have round and oval jewels set on the strap.  Find them at your nearest Old Navy for $112.

Maybe your plans include working in your garden, encouraging your vegetables and flowers:

  

Love the bright blue!  Though if you don’t agree, the Salsa Flower Wedge by Fioni also comes in black and orange—all faux suede.  It has a 4.5-inch platform (a wedge, too), and can be found at Payless for $30.

Or perhaps, like me, you’re planning on grabbing a glass of lemonade, pulling a chair into the leafy shade, and losing yourself in a book:

  

The print on the Mato by Ed Hardy almost reminds me of an antique French leaflet or something, and I’m sort of in love with them despite a part of me which has been conditioned to be instantly repulsed by Ed Hardy anything.  But hey—a beautiful shoe is a beautiful shoe, and this is a beautiful shoe!  A 4.25-inch heel and three-quarter-inch platform complete the look, and it’s available in this beige or an olive for $45 from 6pm.

Whatever you do, have a wonderful weekend!

Sales this weekend:

Aerosoles: Take 10% off everything

Bakers: Free shipping on every order through Monday

Bloomingdales: Big Brown Bag Sale-- 20-65% off select styles

Lord & Taylor: 20% off sale and clearance shoes with savings pass or code MEMDAY (take an extra 10% off if you have a Lord & Taylor card and code MEMDAYPLUS)

Macy's: 10% off and free shipping with code MEMDAY (plus 20-50% off select styles)

Neiman Marcus: Free shipping on any order with code MAYFS

Nine West: BOGO!

Nordstrom: Half-yearly sale

Payless: Up to half off select styles

Steve Madden: Take 20% off an order of $75 with code STOCK20, or 25% off an order of $100 with code STOCK25 (plus free shipping!)