Spring Trend: Python

Spring is finally here!  Things are slowly blooming, leaves are slowly unfurling, and I just got my first sunburn of the season.  That was fast.

With a new season comes new trends, and one hot tip for the spring is python.  Snake is everywhere right now!  And there are so many ways to embrace it.  How about a simple, all-python flat?

Mossimo has you covered with their Ona Flat.  This classic round-toe flat actually has a quarter-inch heel, but you won’t even notice.  There’s elastic around the back so it hugs your foot, and the graying neutral will match anything in your wardrobe.  Also available in camo or some kind of stripey tribal, ranging from $6 to $13—but you can get the snake print for $10 at Target.

Let’s spice it up a bit now:

Ooh, shiny.  The Cape by Bellini is a smoking flat in metallic gold with a mirror-shiny cap toe.  The heel is three-quarter-inches high—just tall enough to put a little spring in your step!  I adore these in just about every way: classic and fun, and did I mention shiny?  Also available in black with gold or silver and gray; your choice for $55 from ShoeMall.

Looking for something a little more laid-back?

The Angelfish by Sperry Top-Sider is their classic boat shoe in a bright, nautical blue with touches of blue python on the sides and on the tongue.  Also available in wine or a very nice light pink, so you have your work cut out for you deciding which one to get!  Then again, they’re on sale for $70, so you could pick two…

Surely you didn’t think I was going to do a post entirely of flats, did you?  If you’re heading to work, perhaps go for just a hint of python:

The Leighton by MICHAEL Michael Kors is deceptively simple at first glance, but then you see the quiet python print across the toe.  The heel is wrapped in a similar fabric (four inches of it), but the body and half-inch platform are suede.  Also available in a nude suede with metallic gold python, but those are $92 to the black’s $85.  (Find them both at Zappos.)

And in case you want to throw caution to the wind:

The Clements by Faith are made of rainbow python!  Purple!  Green!  Pink!  Yellow!  Talk about spring—these are a flower garden for your feet.  The heel is a reasonable three inches; the toe is pointed; the vamp is cut in a wavy pattern as you approach the ankle.  You have to admit they’re fun!  And they can be yours for $85 from ASOS.

Feeling snake-bit yet?  Then jump on this trend!  It’s oh-so-versatile and oh-so-fun.

It's Alive!

We all know that the Academy of Natural Sciences has dinosaur bones.  But between now and March 30, they also have real live dinosaurs!!!

Okay, maybe not those so much.  But they have the next best thing: life-size animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar and do everything but eat you!  Oh, how I love dinosaurs.  They have a triceratops:

The triceratops has always been one of my favorites, since the triceratops in The Land Before Time was named Cera, and my name’s Sarah, and… oh, never mind.  Triceratops!!

The Ella by MICHAEL Michael Kors is a little reminiscent of the horned lizard, with its brown scales and pointed studs. (Some on the nose, some on the frill!)  It’s just a beautifully-shaped shoe, with a four-inch heel and half-inch platform under the peep toe.  Also available in a very interesting black and white snake; your choice for $198 from Zappos.

There’s also everybody’s favorite turkey-sized “speedy thief,” the velociraptor:

Now with feathers!  Well done, Academy of Natural Sciences.  Well done.

Feathery fuzz on the front, spikes on the back… did you know that the velociraptor’s main weapons were the three-inch claws on its hind feet?  So it makes sense to have some spikes back there.  This pair of sheepskin sandals has a 3.9 inch heel as well… all the better for stabbing any nearby protoceratops.  Yours for $99 from Milanoo.

And of course, the lizard king himself:

ROAR!  The tyrannosaurus rex had bone-crushing teeth as long as a hardcover book, but itty bitty arms.  You should be safe.

Aww, isn’t he cute?  Look at those tiny arms!  I don’t think the teeth on these slippers will give you any cause to worry, plus he’ll keep your feet warm.  (Unless they’re T. rex size, 3.3 feet long.  These don’t come that big.  Though it is charming to imagine that roaring T. rex in these fluffy little T. rex slippers.  He he he!  Adorable.)  Available in kids’ and women’s sizes only; find them at Crazy for Bargains for $25.

Dinosaurs Uncovered runs through March 30.  Tickets are $3 for members, and $5 (plus $15 admission) for us regular folks.

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: An extra 20% off already reduced merchandise
Bakers: An extra half off clearance items
Bus Stop Boutique: 35% off winter shoes and boots-- through today only!
Call it Spring: An extra 30% off sale
Lord & Taylor: 20% off sale and clearance with code JAN
Macy's: Extra 10% off with code SALE.  Plus 30-65% off select boots!
Neiman Marcus: Last call sale-- up to 65% off
Payless: All Champions 30% off
Saks Fifth Avenue: Free shipping on all orders with code JANFREE
Steve Madden: Take an extra 24% off clearance with code EXTRA25

Workplace: In-Between

Casual?  Check.  Business casual?  Check.  But what if your office is more professional than business casual, but less professional than, well, professional?  My office is an example of this.  The men aren’t in polos and khakis, but they’re not in full suits either—usually dress pants, a collared shirt, and a tie.  (Though it should be said that, at least in my office, the ties are frequently covered in dinosaurs or plates of spaghetti.)  The ladies are equivalent: dressier than pants and sweaters, but not in full suits.  (And maybe a fun pin, to answer to the men’s fun ties.)

So!  What to wear… we have to start with a pump, of course.

The Delphine by Michael Kors is oh-so-classic in shape (I love almond toes), feminine with its bow trimmed in silver, and still a little fun with its color.  (Also available in turquoise or black!)  The heel is four inches tall—I know tall shoes give me confidence at work!  Find these at Lord & Taylor for $160.

The Prince by Impo is a little to saucy for a full-on professional workplace, what with the trellising up the front.  However, since it’s still a simple silhouette and in black, it’ll work for your in-between workplace.  Has a four-inch heel and a one-inch platform; yours for $50 from DSW.

(Also, a side note about platforms.  See the platform on this bootie?  That’s as tall as you should go for any workplace; otherwise you can look a little stripper-y.  Which is totally okay if your workplace is a strip joint, but not so okay if it's not.  Hidden platforms are preferable to visible platforms like this one, but if they are visible they should generally be the same color as the vamp.  There are exceptions, of course, but if you’re looking for rules, here’s one.)

As for a flat, I like the Sophie by Romantic Soles.  It's a great mix of professional but fun: the cap toe (but it's shiny!); the pointed-toe body (but it's orange!).  This one had a hidden heel (three-quarters of an inch) and comes in six other color combos if you're not sold on the persimmon.  Your choice for $36 from Zappos.

Last entry on Friday: the professional workplace!

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

Happy Shoe Year!

Happy New Year, everyone!  I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday and you’re ready to embark upon 2012.  And why not tackle you list of resolutions in new shoes?  Start off on “the right foot,” so to speak!  (Insert groans here.)  And a little informative factoid to help you get started: the color of 2012 is orange!  Yes, Pantone has selected Tangerine Tango as the color of 2012.  Time to get pickin’!

The Helen by Two Lips is stacked high with straps of orange suede, on top of a one-inch platform and five-inch stacked heel.  A zipper up the back helps you in.  It’s also available in a really lovely blue; find them at DSW for $70.

A little more suede, perhaps?

The Cupcakes Peep-toe Pump by Chinese Laundry is a suede slingback on a 3.5-inch heel, and is available in black, dark camel, and aquamarine in addition to pumpkin.  Find them all on Amazon for between $60 and $80 (though the orange are all $60).

Okay, enough suede.  Patent leather!

The Quilla by Gabriella Rocha has a round toe, lightly padded footbed, one-inch heel and 3.75-inch stacked heel.  Also available in black patent and gold glitter (with black heels), burgundy patent with a stacked heel, and purple with a purple heel—all on Zappos for $45.

Now for a party shoe:

The Vamp Sandal by Jimmy Choo has beautiful orange straps, a silver buckle at the ankle, a one-inch platform, and a 4.5-inch heel.  Too beautiful!  It also comes in fuchsia and nude patent as well as nude and black suede, but the orange is my absolute favorite.  Find them at Nordstrom for $750.

And a flat, since you can’t be in heels all the time:

The Hamilton Loafer by Michael Michael Kors is a leather beauty, with a half-inch heel and metallic accent at the toe.  If you’ve had enough of orange by now it also comes in brown, but either way they’re $110 on Amazon.

And in case 2012 isn’t all sunshine:

The Gingham Rainboots by Western Chief are too cute, with the orange and white checked trim!  Bright orange outside, soft white cotton inside, and a one-inch heel and eleven-inch shaft with a sixteen-inch circumference.  Yours for just over $20 from 6pm.

All of a sudden winter seems less dreary, doesn’t it?  So put your bright foot forward and greet 2012 in orange!