Labor Day

Ah, Labor Day—summer’s last gasp.  (Well, not really.  Summer technically goes through the end of September, and it can feel warm well into October.  But I digress.)  On the plus side, though, three day weekend!  So do all the summer things you’ve wanted to do, and get one last (hypothetical) wearing out of your sandals.  Sandals like these!

The Skylar by Material Girl is black, but still so fun!  The T-strap is covered in tiny rhinestones and is topped by a floppy chiffon bow, which is pulled towards the ankle by eight narrow straps…oh, and around the heel?  Black glitter!  Yay!  Also available in a really darling pink; your choice for $27 (on sale!) at Macy’s.

The York by Montego Bay Club is so sleek, with its white patent straps and three hammered gold discs up the front.  Like you should be wearing it on a Mediterranean cruise with a blue maxi dress or something.  Can’t you just see it?  Find them at Payless for $14.

Aah, a classic.  The Nantucket Gold by Jack Rogers has a leather upper in beautiful coral (or camel, black, navy, or turquoise), wrapped and detailed with gold whipstitching like tiny golden suns.  The rustic stacked heel clocks in at an inch.  Yours for $110 from Zappos.

The teal color of the Moreen by Mix No. 6 is so tropical, isn’t it?  Like a Caribbean beach!  The woven straps weave across the foot, and there’s a zipper up the back to let you in.  Also available in black and grey, but they’re actually pretty depressing compared to this gorgeous shade.  Find them at DSW for $30.

Looking at these pretty sandals makes me think we still have a whole lot of summer to enjoy them!

Sales this weekend:

Aerosoles: Extra 20% off everything

Bakers: 25% off summer styles

Lord & Taylor: 20% off regular and sale items, and 25% off clearance with pass or code LABORDAY

Macy's: 15% off with code DEALS

Nine West: Buy one, get one half off

Payless: Back to school sale-- up to 40% off

Steve Madden: 20% off $100, 25% off $125, and 30% off $150

Shoe-per Bowl!

<<Cue NFL on Fox theme music because that's what plays in my head when I talk about football, even though Sunday's game will be on CBS.  Apologies to CBS, and shame on them for not having a catchier football theme.>>

This Sunday is the high holy day for football fans everywhere: the Super Bowl!  Grab some friends, some brews, some nachos, and get ready for the winner-take-all battle that will be Super Bowl XLVII. 

While the Eagles didn't make it all the way this year, our area is sort of represented by the Baltimore Ravens (who I love just because of the Poe reference, because I am a nerd):

The Darla by Mix No. 6 has a faux suede upper of Ravens purple, trimmed with their accent color of black where the peep toe meets the 1.25-inch platform.  The best part, though, is the heel: 5.5 inches and covered in black and silver rhinestones from the tip all the way to the ankle strap.  Also available in taupe and black; your choice from DSW for $35.

The Ravens will be facing off against the San Francisco 49ers:

There's gold in them thar heels!  The Naze by Truth or Dare by Madonna have a bright red suede upper trimmed in gold, cutout features on the vamp, tiny little peep toe over a two-inch platform, and a shiny metallic five-inch heel.  Also available in a black and gold combo, but what team is this, the Saints?  Yours for $98 from Zappos.

To the victor goes the shiny football-topped silver wedge known as the Vince Lombardi Trophy:

What was that about a silver wedge?  The Gemma-01 by Fahrenheit is silver all over: a round-toe pump-style upper covered in silver sequins, and a chunky platform (1.5 inches) and heel (five inches) covered in silver glitter.  Hoist one of these babies above your head and you're sure to feel like a winner!  Find them at Overstock for $22.

Whatever team you're rooting for (or even if you're just watching for the commercials), truly there is no better day for pigskin fans.

The Pigskin Football High Heels from HERSTAR are football fabulousness all over!  A faux pigskin upper topped with a football-lacing T strap looks just like the real deal, only you would probably take someone's eye out with the 5.25-inch heel or knock them out cold with the 1.5-inch platform if you threw one of these across a room.  You've been warned.  On sale for $80 from HERSTAR.

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies, my computer's on the fritz.  But it's being fixed and I'll be back next week with all the sales!

Party Redux

Well, here we are on the other side of Philly Shoe Fairy’s first birthday!  I think the party was a rousing success—thank you to all who came to celebrate!  I am happy to report that many found just the pair of shoes they were looking for... maybe two!  Here are some shoes that found happy homes Sunday morning:

This bright number went home with Rosie: “I’ve been looking for red shoes forever!”  The Minnie by Liz Claiborne are red patent leather peep-toe slingbacks with a 2.5-inch heel—perfect for work!  You can find them online at DSW.com for $40 (also available in navy and beige), but Rosie got hers for 30% off!

Another pair of red shoes went home with Maria:

“Look at the way they shine and change color in the light!  The epitome of cuteness and class,” she gushes.  And she’s right: the Vega by Sofft are black cherry beauties practically glow from inside.  They have a 2.75-inch heel, sweet buckle, and round toe, and while they’re not on DSW.com, you can find them at SeaSoles for $69 (but Maria got hers for 30% off too!).

Mia picked up two pairs—a sneaker and a heel:

“Classic snakeskin in lavender with a feminine bow and my go-to walking shoe!”  The heel is the Pippy by Moda Spana, and while technically the color is listed as “taupe” Mia and I both agree it looks like a soft lavender.  It has a 3.75-inch stacked heel and a three-quarter-inch cork platform, and you can find them on DSW.com for $60 (also available in yellow!).

The sneaker is the Gel Cumulus by Asics.  It has cushioning designed especially for women’s feet and a ton of other features... apparently even the eyelets that hold the laces were specially placed!  I can’t find them at DSW.com, but they are at Lady Foot Locker for $95 (though Mia got hers for 30% off!).

Renee left with two pairs as well!

 “If it has chains I probably love it,” she says.  And the Ariel by Mix No. 6 (on the right) certainly has chains—and flowers and beads and awesomeness.  Check them out for yourself at DSW.com—they come in the red multi Renee got, and also a nude and brown combo.  Both beautiful; each $45.

 

“I’m not a flower girl but I just love these!” Renee said of the Apple of my Eye by Poetic License.  It’s got a 4.25-inch heel and one-inch platform in a lovely blue, with a bronze strap across the toe with three tulle roses and patterned fabric up the front and around the ankle.  Also available in a cool red combo; while I can’t find them at DSW.com they are at 6pm for $43.

 

Shoes were bought; prizes were won; fun was had; shoevenger hunts were completed; muffins were eaten.  A very, very special thank you to Nancy (the KoP DSW manager) and her wonderful, wonderful staff!  If I ever go into the shoe-selling business, I want it to be with them.  They were beyond fantastic!

 

Ask the Shoe Fairy

Dear Shoe Fairy,
Help!  I've just been invited to a January wedding, and I have no idea what shoes to wear!  The wedding is at the Thatched Cottage on Long Island, and I'm planning to wear this dress:

However, I've only ever worn it in the summer, with strappy heels.  Do you have any recommendations for close-toed shoes that would match?

Here are my specifications: 

I'm a size 10, and my feet are kind of wide - depending on the style, lots of shoes squish my toes, but wide shoes are sometimes slightly too wide. Heels or flats worlds be fine, but I'll probably fall over if they're backless or taller than 1.5 - 2 inches!  Also, I'd like to spend around $50 ($75 at most), since I'm a poor starving grad student.

Thanks!
Kristin

Dear Kristin,

Ah, a winter wedding!  There are so many types of shoes that you can wear with a black dress: it truly is the blank canvas of the fashion world.  A black shoe has the most rewearability potential, but I’d be careful to make it a fun black shoe lest all the black look too funereal!  Something like this, maybe:

A little subtle sparkle!  Love it.  The Barbie Glitter Pump by Mix No. 6 has a 2.5-inch heel—a little over your requested height, but still very sensible, I promise.  It also comes in gold if you don’t like the black; find them at DSW for $40.

Want to be a little festive, but not sold on the glitter?  How about these:

The Change by Christin Michaels is a shiny patent leather number that comes in (get this) ten different colors!  I love the stone pearlized metallic (shown here), but the burgundy or pewter metallic would be beautiful also.  It has a 2.75-inch heel and is on sale for $35 from Zappos.

A satin shoe would also be festive but still rewearable:

The Angel Pump by Jellypop has a 2.5-inch heel (and in a cute little kitten heel shape!), layers of satin, and a bow.  I love the idea of a red shoe with your black dress, but it also comes in black, charcoal, brown, and champagne.  Find them at DSW for $40.

Whichever shoes you pick, have a fabulous time and dance the night away!

~The Shoe Fairy

Update from Kristin:

I really like the burgundy patent heels, but they're sold out in size 10 - and so is every similar shoe from both Zappos and DSW!  However, yesterday I was walking around Manhattan with my boyfriend, and we happened to pass by a DSW.  I dragged him inside ("I promise I'll be quick - I'm only trying on shoes that were pre-approved by the Shoe Fairy!"). 

They were sold out of both the gold Mix No. 6 and red Jellypop, but I was able to try on both styles in black.  Mix No. 6 was cute, but squished my toes.  When I put on the Jellypop, I was immediately struck by how comfortable they are - and that in addition to looking great with my dress, in black they would also be really cute for work.  They also earned an immediate "I like those better" from my boyfriend.  Sold!

Thank you, Shoe Fairy!

You’re welcome!  There’s nothing I love better than bringing together people and shoes.