Chinese New Year

This Sunday is Chinese New Year!  We say farewell to the Year of the Dragon and welcome the Year of the Snake.  A little about the Snake: it is the most enigmatic, intuitive, introspective, refined, and collected of the Chinese Zodiac signs.  The year is meant for steady progress and attention to detail.

Oh, but not only is it the Year of the Snake, technically it’s the Year of the Black Water Snake, which you have to admit sounds way cooler.  In honor of the New Year, here are a selection of shoes—in black snake, of course!

So pretty!  The Daena by Isolá is a classic heeled sandal, with three straps of black snake across the toe and topped with an impeccable bow.  The 4.75-inch heel is snake too, as well as the one-inch platform.  Yours for $120 from Nordstrom. 

The Zama by Sam & Libby is a classic black flat with some sophisticated touches: the snake (of course), but also the grosgrain ribbon and bow at the toe.  Perfect for work, the weekend, a night out… anything!  Find them at ShoeMall for $30.  (They’re also available in brown snake for that price, or in leopard or tortoiseshell for a little more.)

There’s a snake on my boot!  The Sanguine by Madden Girl is a classic Western boot with an eleven-inch snakeskin shaft decorated with embroidery.  The faux leather at the toe and the details at the top are solid black.  (Or brown; it comes in brown too.)  A 1.5-inch heel completes the look!  Find them at DSW for $60.

Rockin’!  The Slither by Dollhouse is one sexy bootie: a snakeskin upper, solid black 4.75-inch heel, 1.5-inch faux suede platform under the peep toe, and more suede trim at the ankle, topped with little spikes.  Awesome.  Also available in red (which might be a little much, even for me) and a lovely cream color; your choice for about $30 on Amazon.

Gung hay fat choy, all!

Sales this weekend:
Bakers: 40% off all full-price items, plus an extra 20% off sale items
Bare Feet Shoes: Valentine's Day Sale, up to 70% off
Bloomingdale's: Save $50 on purchases from $200-$299.99; $100 on purchases from $300-$499.99; $150 on purchases of $500 or more
Bus Stop Boutique: Valentine's Day Sale 2/11-2/14: 15% off gifts (plus grab a pair of tall boots for only $150!)
Lord & Taylor: Save 20% off regular, sale, and clearance with code FIRSTLOOK
Macy's: Save an extra 15% off and free shipping on purchase over $99 with code TICKET
Neiman Marcus: Free Ippolita bracelet with purchase over $350
Payless: Buy one, get one half off

Fifty Shades of Supper

The latest trilogy book craze?  No, not The Hunger Games; that’s so last year.  I’m talking about Fifty Shades of Gray!  While I haven’t picked it up yet (possible book club pick?), millions of other people have, and even Supper restaurant is getting into the trend with a special dinner tomorrow that is a recreation of the menu served at the Masked Ball in Fifty Shades Darker.  In the spirit, here are some slightly naughty shoes in several shades of gray.

For the boardroom seductress, the Barina by Ivanka Trump: two-tone patent leather, a 4.5-inch heel and three-quarter-inch platform, peep toe, and ankle strap with silver buckle.  Also available in black/white and brown/tan; your choice for $135 from Zappos.

I like the interplay of hard and soft in the Spencer Caged Peep Toe Pump by Badgley Mischka: the luminous, luxurious patterned satin around the four-inch heel; the tied-up, strapped-in feeling around the peep-toe and quarter-inch platform.  Together, the two sides combine to make a beautiful shoe.  It’s also available in black, but the silver is nicer—find them at Endless for $114.

A little lace, a little corseting at the slingback... the Luxe by Caparros is the ladylike way to do sexy.  It has a four-inch heel, half-inch platform, peep toe, and mesh lace upper segmented with silver faux leather.  Also available in black, white, or a nice coppery-gold; find them at DSW for $65.

I. Love. This.  The Wren by Isola is practically marbled, swirling with black and gray and little sparkles like a cloudy night sky.  Round and square studs arch over the 3.5-inch heel.  Also available in shiny black, shiny copper, and black patent leather, but none are anywhere near as spectacular as the Anthracite.  Yours for $155 from Macy’s.

Whatever your...um... tastes, the dinner at Supper sounds delicious.  Tickets are $65, or $100 with matched wine pairings for each of the four courses.  Call (215) 592-8180 to see if there are any spots left!

Red Hot Philadelphia Summer

According to this article, Philly gals can’t get enough of OPI’s Malaga Wine on their nails this summer. If you’re one of the ladies walking around with these raspberry-crimson toes, let’s get you some shoes that best show them off! I love the idea of strong crimson toes peeking through this frilly, nude wedge—ladylike and seductive at the same time; all the color focus is on the toes but there’s still so much going on subtly. The Sandy Wedge by Two Lips has a five-inch cork wedge, a 1.25-inch platform, and a synthetic upper and sole. Also in black; find them at DSW for $50.

I love red and teal:

Bam! The Bridgit has a teal microsuede upper (or pink, or natural, or black) with a slingback, and a 3.75-inch wedge and a 5/8-inch platform wrapped in rope. Find them at Bakers, on sale for $20!

Nothing looks richer than red and gold:

  The Ivalee by Isola have a leather upper in gold, black, or ivory, a sleek T-strap, a four-inch heel and a half-inch platform, and a leather insole with a cushioned toe. They even have studs around the heel, since the spikes post was such a big hit. Warning: runs narrow! Pick up a pair at Macy’s for just under $170.

Red and white: so bright and cool!

The Hooped Caged-In Flat is a classic gladiator sandal with silver studs and chain detail, and a zipper going up the back for easy entry. Also available in black or tan. Pick up a pair from Bare Feet Shoes for $25.

And the grand finale, if you’re an 8.5:

The I00092 by Giuseppe Zanotti are so beautiful: sleek ankle and toe straps, red jewels all around the heel, leather lining and sole, and a four-inch heel. Get these Italian beauties from Zappos Couture for $850.

Sales this weekend: 
Aerosoles: 10% off everything $34.99 and below—no coupon needed!
Bakers: 25% off Blowfish
Payless: BOGO! Now through September 6
Steve Madden: 25% off $75 using code SAVE25; 30% off $125 using code SAVE30
Neiman Marcus: Exclusive Roxanne Assoulin cuff with $350 purchase of regular-priced women’s clothes and accessories using code TRENDNM