Black Friday

First of all: what are you doing reading this?  You should be out buying new shoes!!  It’s BLACK FRIDAY!!

I mean, hello.  Nice to see you.  I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving.  And so forth.

But Black Friday!  The day when the world is on sale.  You can buy any shoes you’d like, but for today, I give you shoes in honor of the name: black.  (And PS, the prices today are probably all lower than I have them here.  Hooray!)

I think the word for the Arabella by Christian Siriano is slinky.  I wouldn’t give that adjective to most wedges, but I think it definitely applies here.  The sleek pebble-print fabric; the gold lace-holders, the four-inch wedge... and the cut of the top is very interesting, the way it rises up especially high.  Also available in a smooth brown, but I don’t believe that one qualifies as slinky.  Regardless, they’re each $33 at Payless.

Why did nobody tell me Sam & Libby is making shoes for Target now?  How long has this been going on?!  Their Dahlia Spiked Heel is only one of the designers’ options available, but I love this one—from far away it looks like just another work shoe, but up close it’s all snake and spikes!  Badass.  Also available with pewter snake at the toe rather than black; your choice for $32 at Target.

Ooh, I am really digging the Thirst.  Mostly, I love the touches of gold—the little bit around the toe; the riveted plate around the ankle.  Even the zipper is gold!  Smart move.  And that dangly bit of fringe makes it a little fun, and not only sophisticated.  Find them at Bakers for $100.

How pretty is the My Fair Lacy by Mixx?  It’s got lace.  It’s got a pointed toe.  It’s got menswear-inspired detailing on the faux leather.  And they’d go with just about everything.  Love, love, love!  Yours for $35 at ModCloth.

Okay enough from me.  Go!  Shoo!  Come back with something pretty!

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies; the Shoe Fairy is away this week.  (We’ve discussed this.  I’m making pies and watching the dog show.)  But you don’t need me—everything’s on sale!

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

Ask the Shoe Fairy

Dear Shoe Fairy,

Help!  I'm going on a series of very important interviews this winter, but I recently herniated two disks in my back, and currently can't walk in heels!

I'm most likely going to be switching off between two suits—a black pantsuit (like this) and a gray pinstripe skirt suit.  I'm looking for a pair of flats that will be conservative enough for the most important interview of my life, but will also help me to stand out a bit in a sea of applicants in black suits.  Most importantly, they need to be comfortable and supportive enough for me to walk around in all day, even with my bad back!  Since I'll be traveling all over the country and can't predict what the weather will bring, it would also be nice if they had a thick-enough sole to navigate a few puddles or light snow.

Ideally, I'd like to spend around $50, but could splurge on something slightly more expensive if necessary!  (Also—I'm a size 10!)

Thank you!

~Kristin

Dear Kristin,

Always happy to help a Deputy Shoe Fairy put her best foot forward for an important interview!  Let’s see what I can find for you...

I love pink and gray together... plus the flower on the toe of the Betsy by Kelly & Katie is a little unexpected with a suit!  There are three tiny rhinestones in the middle of the flower, too.  It marks high on the comfort scale, also comes in black, and can be found at DSW for $30.

Croc is a classic work print, but the blue of the Goal by Sam and Libby makes this one special!  Also available in black, red, beige, or a very cool metallic yellow and silver combo; your choice for $30 from 6pm.

The Heaven by SM is a classic round-toe patent leather flat, but it’s the color that makes it special.  Don’t like the purple?  It also comes in a bunch of other colors too!  Find them at 6pm for $24.

All of these shoes are patent leather so you won’t have to worry about them getting ruined in the snow; plus they have free shipping so you can order them and try them on at home to make sure you can wear them without hurting your back.

Feel better soon, and good luck with all your interviews!

-The Shoe Fairy