Party Down!

Happy birthday, Philly Shoe Fairy!  (Or blogaversary.  Whatever.)  The DSW in King of Prussia opened early just for us, shoe angels that they are:

There was food, fun, and shoes of course! 

Mia went home with the Mindy by Kelly & Katie.  It’s a shoe she knows and loves: she already has it at home in navy!  It has a 2.75-inch heel (very manageable!), slingback, and peep-toe with folded fabric: versatile, elegant, and just enough fun!  Also available in silver and black in addition to the ivory and navy; your choice for $40 from DSW.

Just in case winter hasn’t totally let go get (and really, who can tell?), Kristin walked off with Violanne by Naturalizer.  This beautiful boot has a brown suede upper, faux fur lining, and look: lacing up the back!  Perfect.  On sale for $50 from DSW; but only because the teeny-weeny sizes are left. 

These are just two pairs of shoes that found happy homes on Sunday.  And don’t forget the second annual High Heel Walk Off!  Congrats to our three winners:

Left to right: Denise who won for her artful use of a scarf in her walk (and strutting it in heels a full size too small); Penny who won for walking in her gold-heeled shoes like she was born in them; and Tia for doing the running man.  In the heels.  Like a champ.  Congrats to you all, Deputy Shoe Fairies!

All in all, it was a wonderful morning.  New friends, old friends… and SHOES!  Birthdays don’t get better than that.

Love and thanks to everyone at the DSW in King of Prussia.  You guys are amazing!  Coming in on a Sunday morning and being so kind and helpful and spirited… you are the best friends a Shoe Fairy could have.  You guys rock.

Shoes in the News: The Pope Retires

Yesterday was Pope Benedict XVI’s last day as the head of the Roman Catholic Church.  He’ll most likely be remembered for being the first pope in, oh, six hundred years to step down from the pontificate instead of leaving it via death, but I personally will remember him for his shoes!

Come on, those are kind of rockin’ shoes for a pope, and you know how I love a bright pop of color with a simple outfit.  But, like most things in the church, there is a liturgical reason for them:  “The tradition of the red papal shoe goes back the time of ancient Rome, when they could only be worn by the Emperor, the Empress and the Pope. John Paul II gave up on them but Benedict XVI brought them back. According to his private secretary Monsignor Ganswein the Pope wears Red because it's the color of martyrdom.”  (From no less a source than GQ.  When was the last time a pope was in GQ?  He was even named Esquire’s Accessorizer of the Year in 2007!  What is this?!) 

Ahem.

When he first took the post, a rumor went around that the infamous red shoes were made by Prada.  That’s not true (unfortunately).  But in the spirit of the pope’s last day, here’s a pair of red Prada loafers for you!

The Smoking Loafer by Prada is just that: a slip-on loafer made of red leather, with a round toe and Prada logo in gold at the tongue.  Also available in blue, nude, and black (the latter trimmed in white around the foot opening—nice!), but really, they can’t hold a candle to the red.  Find them at Nordstrom for $490.

Now that he’s Pope Emeritus, Benedict will be leaving the red shoes behind and entering retirement in “a pair of hand-crafted brown loafers made for him by artisans in Leon, Mexico, and given to him during his 2012 visit.” 

It’s only fair I give you a pair of those, too!

Classy.  The Fuller by Naturalizer is a faux croc loafer in a chocolate brown, with a tapered squared toe and a 1.5-inch heel.  (Though I believe these are made in China, and not Mexico.)  Also available in brown Fellini leather, black Fellini leather, and black croc; take your pick from Shoebuy for $71.

Stay tuned to see what footwear the new pope will pick!

Sales this weekend:

Bakers: Save 40% on all full-price items, plus an extra 20% off sale items

Lord & Taylor: Save 25% on regular and sale shoes

Macy’s: Save 10% and free shipping on orders over $99, plus save 20-30% on select styles

Nine West: End of season sale: up to 70% off, plus free shipping on any purchase

Nordstrom: Shoe clearance: save 33% or more

Steve Madden: Free shipping on orders over $75 with code SMFREESHIP

Shoes for Center City Sips

Summer in Philly: Phillies games, al fresco dining, trips to the shore, and Center City Sips! What’s not love about $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beers, and half price appetizers to help get you over hump day? You still have a few more Wednesdays to enjoy it, and when you go, go in style.

For example, you could snack on chicken satay and sip an Aqua Princess at Aqua: Thai one on (ha!) at Aqua in the Giovanna by Gabriella Rocha. These beautiful T-strap sandals have silver studs, a double buckle, and a one-inch wedge under the heel. Whole sizes 5-8 and 8.5; yours for $49 from Zappos.

Maybe a Dark’n’Stormy and jerk wings at Rum Bar:

Get your pirate on with these flats. The skeleton girl on the front is so adorable I can hardly stand it, and look at the crossbones on the outside heel and on the red lining inside! Available in whole sizes 5-8 for $49 from Summit Fashions.

You could be oh-so-classy with a chardonnay and calamari at Union Trust:

  The Lace-Up Shootie by American Eagle is perfect for the beautiful old bank building that houses Union Trust: a brown faux-leather oxford on a stacked 3.5-inch heel. Find them at Payless for $35.

Sweet tea vodka and risotto balls at the Las Vegas Lounge, anyone?

  If you’re a size 7.5, Lady Luck is smiling on you indeed: the Lady Luck Heels are available in your size only! A black double-strap Mary Jane with chips stacked up the heel, card suits, a roulette wheel, slot machine symbols: your feet can’t get any closer to Vegas on the East Coast. Yours for about $84 from Etsy seller Tilted Shoes.

How about a White Russian and spinach artichoke fondue at Max Brenner’s?

  I love how the quilting pattern looks like the squares of a chocolate bar! The Brazen Pump by Naturalizer has a round toe, 2.25-inch heel, and patent leather upper with quilting design and bow. Also available in black, chianti, or gray from Macy’s for $69.

Cheers, Philly girls!