St. Patrick's Day

Monday is St. Patrick’s Day!  The day that everyone is a wee bit Irish, and drinks green beer, and eats cabbage.  Hooray!

I am actually legit Irish (a full quarter, baby!), so I hereby deem these shoes St. Pat’s appropriate.

The Goulding by Nine West is the perfect, shiny shade of green!  But what struck me when I found them is the cutout on the side.  Usually in a half D’Orsay the cut-out side is on the inside of the foot, but here it’s on the outside!  Unusual.  The heel is 4.5 inches and it’s also available in solid black and a graphic black with white at the toe; your choice for $40 from 6pm.

The Some Nights by Luichiny is so fun!  I love how the green faux suede of the upper stretches onto the cork wedge in these bold lines.  And the wedge is sizable (two inches in the front and five at the heel), so there’s plenty of room to show off the stripes!  Also, I heart the large ankle strap and buckle.  Available in white, black, and brown as well; find them at Zappos for $85.

This green flat is simplicity with attitude.  The pointed toe, the nude trim around the foot, and of course the studs!  It’s the square studs that add that little something special.  Also available in blue, yellow, purple, and nude—take your pick for $20 from Light in the Box.

Yes, St. Pat’s is a work day this year, but the Hannon by Mojo Moxy are both work- and holiday-appropriate!  You guys already know I love Oxford detailing, so it should come as no surprise that I love these.  The upper is made of green and white faux leather, and it features a T-strap and 4.25-inch heel.  Find them at DSW for $35.

St. Pat’s green glitter explosion!  The Viva Bordello by Sin City is a whole lotta pump, not for the faint of heart: a six-inch heel and two-inch platform.  (Who says leprechauns need to be tiny, amirite?... what’s that?  Everyone says that?  Never mind.)  I think my favorite part is the green lacing up the front—it finishes it off so nicely.  Yours for $85 from Heels.com.

Happy St. Pat’s, all! 

Sales this weekend:

Bakers: All dress shoes $20 off today only

Bloomingdales: $25 off a purchase of $100-$250; $50 off $250-$500; $100 off $500-$1000; $250 off $1000+
Lord & Taylor: Save 20% on regular and sale online with code SALE
Macy's: Extra 15% off with code WKND
Payless: All comfort shoes on sale

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine’s Day, deputy shoe fairies!  I love Valentine’s Day.  I know, people hate it.  Mostly I just love all holidays (it’s Groundhog Day? let’s throw a party!), but there’s a nice sentiment behind Valentine’s Day.  Love people.  Appreciate them.   Tell them how much they mean to you.  Everyone can get behind that, can’t they?

I heart you, deputy shoe fairies!

I…I love these.  The Gigi by Alice + Olivia is a beautiful d’Orsay covered in red hearts.  Look at all the tiny red hearts!  I’m having a moment.  The heel is four inches tall, and there’s a padded insole for extra comfort.  Yours for $295 from Saks.

Prefer one big heart to many tiny hearts?  Got ya covered!  The Shoe of Hearts by Mel Shoes is a sleek black pump made of jelly material, with a bright red heart on its round toe.  It has a 4.5-inch heel, but the reviews rave about the comfort so don’t let the height put you off!  Find them at ModCloth for $75.

Ooh, cozy!  This pair of slippers has a big 3D heart at the toe, and a heart print on the inside sole.  Also available with a purple or light blue heart, and for $6 at Light in the Box, why not order a pair of each?  You could give them away as Valentine’s presents!

The Gatsby by Bass is a cool little smoking slipper made of black mesh, trimmed in black and embroidered with cheery black hearts.  It’s also available in a black and gold combo, with gold hearts, trim, and on the three-quarter-inch heel.  Hard to choose!  Your choice for $81 from 6pm.

Aah!  It’s like Valentine’s Day in a shoe!  The Love Me by Charlotte Olympia is made of intricately-pieced suede—hearts and hearts in reds and pinks.  It also has a six inch heel and 1.5-inch island platform, and leather on the sole and lining.  Find them at Avenue K for $1715.

So happy Valentine’s Day to you all. J

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: Take an extra 20% off boots
Bakers: 20% off all dress shoes
Bus Stop Boutique: Last chance today! 15% off when you shop with your sweetheart and post a pic to Instagram with hashtag #busstopboutique
Lord & Taylor: 20% off regular and sale and 25% off clearance with code PRES
Macy's: Extra 15% off with code PRES

Firebird Festival

I hope you had fun in the snow at the Dickens Festival last weekend.  Ready for another outdoor weekend festival in the snow?  Good!  Go to the Firebird Festival in Phoenixville tomorrow.  There are all kinds of performances and activities beginning at 3 PM (belly dance, flamenco, a one-man funk band…) and then at 8:15 they light an enormous wooden bird on fire!  Huddle in the darkness and watch the phoenix burn down!  Seriously, this is one of the coolest things in our area, and Philadelphia does an unfair amount of awesome things.

While I definitely recommend closed-toed shoes (or even boots, depending on the weather), I can’t let the festival go by without giving you some shoes worthy of a phoenix.

The Ginnie by Badgley Mischka is phoenix gone classy.  This leather pump has a 4.5-inch heel and a one-inch platform, and a peep toe decked with red feathers!  I love this.  If you agree, pick up a pair at Shoes.com for $233.

The Amadi by City Classified is a faux leather sandal with red straps, bronze buttons, and… feathers!  Red feathers and black and white polka dot feathers.  Adorable!  Also available in black with black and peacock feathers, which are very cute!  But for the $6 these will cost you on Amazon, I can’t say I’m not concerned about the quality.  But heck—for $6, buy one in each color and wear them ‘til they die, right?  Both pairs would cost you less than lunch.

Ooh, fancy firebird!  This pair of red satin pumps has a round toe, 4.75-inch heel, and one-inch platform, but it also had feathers and rhinestones and pearls and lace!  (And lace in the shape of flowers, no less.)  Imagine these with a little black dress this holiday party season.  Fabulous, right?  Yours for $100 from Light in the Box.

So if you can’t actually be a firebird (which may be a good thing, given what’s going to happen to the only one around this weekend), at least enjoy looking like one, eh? J

Sales this weekend:

Lord & Taylor: Extra 30% off women's shoes with code FRIENDS

Macy's: Extra 15% off with code EXTRA

Nine West: 30% off your entire purchase

Payless: Christmas sale-- up to half off

Steve Madden: 25% off and free shipping with code TREAT

Léger at the PMA

Between now and January 5, head over to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for their new exhibit, Léger: Modern Art and the Metropolis.  This interdisciplinary exhibition will shed new light on the vitally experimental decade of the 1920s in Paris when the great French modernist Fernand Léger played a leading role in redefining the practice of painting by bringing it into active engagement with the urban environment and modern mass media.

The starring piece of the exhibit is Léger’s monumental painting The City from 1919, a cornerstone of the PMA’s collection and a landmark in the history of modern art.  Here it is!

It feels like a city, doesn’t it?  Wash hanging from the line.  Pedestrians.  Signboards.  Electricity.  Life!

This chunky sandal has so much going on—a bright yellow 1.77-inch platform, blue and beige patent leather up the front of the foot, and that heel!  Look at that crazy heel.  It’s fabulous, in a weird sort of way.  If you agree, you can pick it up at Light in the Box for $100.

But Léger isn’t the only artist on display.  He’s accompanied by other artists also exploring the complexity and excitement of the metropolis.  Artists like Piet Mondrian, and his No. IV / Composition No. II:

Mondrian, of course, is recognized the world over for his color-blocking.  Like these shoes!

The Nanette by Calvin Klein is Mondrian in a shoe, if ever I saw it!  Its mixed-leather upper is blocked in red, white, and beige, with a four-inch heel in black.  Block-tastic!  Yours for $413 on Zappos (on sale from $825!).

Another featured artist is Gerald Murphy.  This is his Razor:

I sort of love this painting—the clean lines, the subtle crosshatching on the razor, the old-timey fountain pen.

The Kambria by Michael Antonio has a delicately masculine shape, with the clean lines of Murphy’s painting.  The silver and black are so striking, don’t you think?  It’s got a killer five-inch heel (though at least it’s not skinny!) and a one-inch platform to help you out with the, you know, walking.  Find them at Heels.com for $75.

Feeling inspired?  I know I am!  So head on over to the PMA and enjoy some Léger (and friends)!

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.

Seven Shoes (And One Poem) for Mom

Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky,

The Starla by Loeffler Randall is so beautiful... I can’t think of a more beautiful sandal!  It has a metallic gold leather upper, ties with a string dotted with glimmering stars, and is a little bit of celestial heaven on earth, wouldn’t you say?  It’s quite popular at Nordstrom (for $175), so if you’re not a 5.5, 6.5, 8, 10, or 10.5, you’re on the waiting list!

Hundreds of shells on the shore together,

So maybe these flip flops don’t have hundreds of shells, but there’s probably about 50—and starfish, too!  Since they’re from Café Press you can change the strap color from black to pink, blue, or orange; but any choice is still only $14.50!

Hundreds of birds that go singing by,

The Love Dove is gorgeous in shades of gold, black, and rose, with snakeskin straps (and slingback) and decorated with three beautiful birds.  It is one of those wonky heel-less heels, and is nearly six inches high, so watch out!  (It does have a two-inch platform, so that helps.)  Find them at Irregular Choice for $260.

Hundreds of lambs in the sunny weather.

Ahhh!  These lambie slippers are so cute!  But the cuteness isn’t the only thing that’s amazing: they are scented with lavender to relax you, AND they are microwavable, to make your toesies toasty warm!  Yours for $30 from BunnySlippers.com.

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,

Just like dewdrops on a spring lawn, yes?  These round-toe beauties by Pleaser are just covered in rhinestones of different sizes (down the five-inch heel, too!).  Also available in white, gold, blue, and fuchsia; your choice for $187 on Amazon.  Whole sizes only.

Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,

I sort of love the Buzz-66 by Funtasma: the yellow and black stripes, the patent cap toe, the yellow-trimmed criss-cross straps, and I ADORE the little flower and bee at the 4.5-inch heel!  So cute!  Whole sizes only; yours for $40 from Costumes 4 Less.

Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,

This is the glass slipper of wedges: a sky-blue jelly-type upper bedecked with a kaleidoscope of butterflies.  (Seriously, that’s what a group of butterflies is called.  Or is one of the options, anyway.)  It also comes in a deeper blue, a pink, or an unfortunate brown (brown?!); your choice for $69 from Light in the Box.

But only one mother the wide world over.

(Poem by George Cooper)

Happy Mother’s Day!

Sales this weekend:

Aerosoles: Spring sale

Bakers: 40% off select styles and an extra 20% off already reduced items

Bloomingdales: Select shoes 25-40% off (plus an extra 15% with a Bloomie’s card)

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

Macy’s: 10% off with code GIFT

Nine West: 30% off your entire purchase

Payless: Summer preview sale

Saks: Sneak peek sale up to 30% off

It's Time for Chili!

Gray skies and windy cold got you down?  I have a little something you might enjoy: Sunday is the third annual Fishtown Neighbors Association Chili Cookoff!  Ten amateur entrants get to pit their chilis against the big boys from Cedar Point Bar & Kitchen, East Girard Gastropub, Interstate Drafthouse, and more.  And hey, Philadelphia Brewing Company and Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company are bringing the brews!

In honor of everyone’s favorite spicy dish, here are some shoes that are muy caliente!

This shape is huge for spring, and the Reallove by Steve Madden has got it: a slim patent strap across the toes, a buckled strap around the ankle, and a four-inch heel.  It’s sleek; it’s modern; it’s also available in nude and black; and it can be yours for $80 from Nordstrom.

If Dorothy had a dangerous side, she might have gone for the Too Sheer by 2 Lips Too instead of her more modest ruby slippers, eh?  The 1.5-inch platform and 5.75-inch heel are covered in a metallic snake print, and then topped with an elaborate cage of rhinestone-embellished straps.  Just look at all the swirls, circles, and zigzags!  Also available in black and a really awesome gold; find them at DSW for $55.

Wowza!  This is one hell of a maneater shoe, what with its 5.5-inch stiletto, 1.4-inch platform, and red patent leather upper covered in spikes.  You will leave devastation in your wake—as in, “You look devastating!” and not actual destruction, though I suppose there could be an argument made for the latter.  Find them at Light in the Box for $89.

The Merritta by B Brian Atwood is a hot little number in red patent leather, all straps and zippers.  And check out the 4.75-inch skinny heel, covered in gold!  Amazing.  Also available in black with a silver heel, but I think the red is hotter.  Yours for $425 from Zappos.

Come on out for chili!  It runs from 1:00 to 4:00 PM this Sunday at Skybox @ 2424 Studios (2424 E York Street, Fishtown).  Tickets are $15, and you can get them online.  Go and get your spice on!

Sales this weekend:
Bloomingdales: If you're a Loyallist, save $25 on a purchase of $100-$249; $50 on $250-$499; $100 on $500-$999; $250 on $1000 or more
Bus Stop Boutique: Party tonight!  The Royal Affair: A Night with the Duke & Duchess showcase their new spring collection (and doggie accessories!).  Plus there will be cocktails and a meet-and-greet with Duke & Winston owner Seun Olubodun!
Lord & Taylor: Save 20% on one pair, 25% on two pairs, and 30% on three or more pairs
Macy's: Extra 15% off and free shipping with code HOT
Neiman Marcus: Get at $50 gift card with a shoe and/or handbag purchase of $350 or more with code NMGC
Steve Madden: Save up to 40% on new spring styles

Brighten Up!

I had a special request from my lovely future sister-in-law for some neon heels, which you must’ve seen in stores lately—neon is back!  And what better way to do this trend and not look too ‘80s than with a beautiful pair of shoes?  Caveat: many of these shoes are on heels four inches or higher.  Meg charged me to find neon pumps that were three inches or under, and while this one was a bit of a challenge, I am happy to report that I was able to find some!

We’ll start with a yellow:

The Indulge by Qupid is a yellow velvet peep-toe pump with a three-inch, cone-shaped stack heel.  I like the silver on the inside!  Also available in a lime green; yours for $20 from Sears.

Maybe a turquoise?

The Ariana by Sacha London is a bright blue suede upper, pointed toe, slingback with gold buckle, and dainty 2.75-inch heel.  It’s also available in olive, beige, black, and fuchsia suedes, or nude or black patent leathers.  Find them at Endless for $115.

Pink, of course:

The MK Flex Low Pump by Michael Michael Kors is a pointed toe, patent leather pump with a little sliver detail at the back.  It has a two-inch heel, also comes in black or nude, and is currently on sale at Zappos for $88 (or on sale at 6pm for $55 if you’re a 6-9).

Though I prefer my pink with a bow:

LOVE!  The Janice by Via Spiga is another pointed toe, patent leather pump, but the toe of this one has a little cut out and a bow!  This is on a 2.25-inch heel, and can be found at Zappos for $139.

Perhaps a bright green:

This satin beauty is the Criana by Nina.  It has diagonal pleats around its almond-shaped peep-toe, and a 2.5-inch heel, and comes in ivory, black, navy, and canary in addition to the apple green shown here.  Yours for $71 from Endless.

A rainbow of pink, orange, yellow, and green!  On 3.5-inch silver stilettos.  Yes, that’s a half-inch taller than I was looking for, but they’re cheap: only $30 for the color of your choice from Light in the Box.

And really, how better to enjoy the nice weather than in a pair of bright, happy shoes?  Smile on, ladies!

Sales this weekend: 
Bus Stop Boutique: Designer of the Month: J Shoes!  Take 15% off
Lord & Taylor: Friends and family sale: extra 25% off with code FRIENDS
Macy's: 15% off one pair, 20% off two pairs, 30% off three or more pairs with code GREAT
Nine West: Buy one, get one half off
Payless: Summer sandal sale

Main Line Restaurant Week

Who’s hungry?  If you are, do I have good news for you: we’re in the middle of Main Line Restaurant Week!  Through Sunday, find yourself a three-course meal for $20, $30, $40, or $50 (depending on the place), grab a friend, and have a delicious time.

In the $20 category is Saffron Indian Kitchen in Bala Cynwyd.  Enjoy a samosa, chicken tikka masala, garlic naan (mmm, naan), and gulab jamun in a pair of these:

These beautiful green khussa are elaborately beaded with flowers and starbursts, and are a steal for $27.  (Still more than dinner, though!)  Find them (or a wide selection of other beautiful Indian shoes) at 786Shop.

For $30, enjoy the many tastes of Pennsylvania at the Silverspoon Cafe in Wayne: a Chester County first course (like the Kennett Square mushroom and onion tart with Shellbark Hollow Farms chevre), a Lancaster County main course (perhaps braised pork belly, spring onions, and creamy sage grits), and a good ol’ Philadelphia dessert (dibs on the spiced parsnip cake spiked with Philadelphia Brewing Co. Walt Wit and caramel!):

Go silver for Silverspoon—and its name is, in fact, Delicious, by Carlos Santana.  A pointed-toe pump covered in pewter glitter, with a 4.5-inch heel and a half-inch hidden platform... if this doesn’t scream “I’m here for a good time!” I don’t know what does!  Also available in gold glitter; on sale at Macy’s for about $50.

For $40, be all classy at the Capital Grille in King of Prussia.  Start with the clam chowder, dig into the 14 oz bone-in Kona crusted dry-aged sirloin with shallot butter (anyone else just get hungry?), and finish off with flourless chocolate espresso cake.

Love!  The Topshoe is such a classic style (perfect for the Capital Grille), but so bright in the blue and bone!  It has a 4.5-inch heel and a half-inch platform, and is also available in green and pink if you don’t like the blue.  Yours from Nine West for $89.

High roller?  For $50, head over to the new White Dog Cafe in Wayne and enjoy Green Meadow beef carpaccio (with capers, preserved lemon, micro arugula, and salt and vinegar potato chips), fresh mozzarella burrata (with heirloom tomatoes, basil pesto, 15-year aged balsamic, and olive tapenade), Cape May lobster-stuffed raviolis (with Pacific shrimp, English peas, cherry tomatoes, and truffle lobster butter)... oh, and then you have two more courses: maybe the Sweet Stem Farm braised pork shoulder ragu (with cavatelli pasta, fennel sausage, pancetta, and wilted spinach) and the three-piece chef’s tasting dessert.  That borders on the ridiculous... ridiculously awesome, that is!

Good dog!  This wedge is covered in shaggy white velvet, on top of a serious beige wedge and platform.  There’s something whimsical yet dressy about it... and it can be yours for $50 from Light in the Box!

Main Line Restaurant Week runs until Sunday, April 29, and you have 23 restaurants to choose from.  Call a friend and get a move on!

Spring has Sprung!

Today is the first day of spring!  Of course, it’s felt like spring for quite some time, what with the seventy-degree temperatures, blooming daffodils, leaves on the trees... it’s not supposed to be this warm until May, people!  Not that I’m complaining, mind you.  And we’re due for more days of glorious weather.  Enjoy them in shoes like these!

It’s like a dish of fruity sorbet!  The Savanna by J. Renee has a 3.25-inch metallic heel, trio of sunny colors, and a slingback.  Find them at Zappos for $90.

These strappy beauties are made of green faux leather with straps in blue, white, green, red, and yellow.  They have around a three-inch heel with a slight platform—these would be beautiful with a flowy white sundress and some chunky jewelry in one of these colors!  Also available in a red mix and all beige; find them at Light in the Box for $30.

Bright and beautiful!  The Evangela by Jessica Simpson has suede leather upper with patent leather detailing, a 5.25-inch heel, 1.5-inch platform, and sass to spare.  I love the contrast buckle at the ankle—it really brightens it up!  Also available in cheetah or a very nice blue and green combo; find them at Zappos for $98.

The Granville by Michael Antonio are a vision in blue!  Straps galore, a happy blue color, a five-inch wedge with a 1.5-inch platform... and I love the print on the insole!  Also available in brown and yellow; pick up yours from DSW for $45.

And what would this be without a shoe from Call it Spring?  It’s got “spring” right in the name!

The Coatley is a pink jelly sandal!  With rhinestones!  And a bow!  CUTE OVERLOAD!  Also available in black and clear, but...why, when there’s pink?!  Ahem, excuse me; got a little carried away there.  But for $20, these are an absolute steal!

So sneak outside if you can, go get some ice cream or frozen yogurt or something, enjoy the blooming trees and flowers (and, er, try not to die from pollen inhalation), and just revel in the new season.  Yay spring!


I'm back from Orlando in one piece!  Just because I was away doesn't mean I wasn't thinking of you, Deputy Shoe Fairies, or of shoes-- check out the Mickey Mouse ears I picked up at Disney!  They have a shoe on them!

Some...day...my prince...will come.... la, la, da dee, da dum...