Study of Shoes and Stilettos

Outlaw and I met several years ago (on a business trip, of all places) and I absolutely adore her.  I love that through Facebook and blogging we have been able to stay in touch–it’s by far the best thing that ever came out of that conference.

Hello fellow shoeologists, Outlaw here. I’m guest blogging today while heidikins lays on the beach and the cabana boys adjust the umbrellas. Living in San Francisco has caused me to continuously search for the most comfortable’ish shoes possible as we tend to walk more than the rest of the country. Comfortable doesn’t always equal pretty, and let’s face it, we’re all a touch vain and will sacrifice comfort all day ‘ere day for the right shoe. Well loves, let me tell ya, I found the perfect combination in this pair of boots and yes they’re Crocs (shame face).

Now in my defense, they are You by Crocs, the high-end line. I peeped these two years ago at an outdoor event where Crocs had these displayed and couldn’t get the boots out of my head. I recently found these Complicated Contessa’s (natch) on Piperlime for $198 down from the full price of $300 and what a steal. These are hands down, the most comfortable boots I’ve ever owned and I get multiple comments every single time I put these babies on. When I get stopped and asked about the brand I always feel the need to whisper it gently into the ear of the person asking “Crocs baby, can you believe it?”

Though not an exact match, you can find a similar looking pair, Miss Me Women’s Fidelia-2 Knee-High Boot, on Endless for $69.95.

Over the next week I have a couple of really fantastic bloggers lined up to sub for me as I am off gallivanting on a warm, sandy beach somewhere.  I hope you’ll play nice with these gracious individuals and give them a little comment love.  It is entirely possible that there will be a pop quiz when I get back, so take some good notes.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas.  Or a Merry Shoe-mas, if that is how you roll.

Red leather pointy-toe, 3-inch heels by Carissa.  There is nothing that will brighten your day quite like a pair of red shoes.  Happy Friday everyone!

(Psst, I’m announcing the winner of my MuckBoots giveaway at the bottom of this post–keep reading, okay?)

Black leather Mary Jane’s with 3.5-inch heel, by Rampage.  These used to be my all-time favorite pair of shoes.  I wore them constantly and frankly, they are starting to show their age.  However, when I looked out the window this morning and saw a couple of inches of fresh snow, the suede shoes I was planning on wearing became a bit too impractical.  Paired with funky black lace tights these simple shoes make quite an impression.

AND NOW FOR THE AWESOME PART:  (Not that funky black lace tights aren’t the epitome of awesome, they are, but in this case FREE STUFF is probably more awesome.)  I am giving away a free pair of Muckboots in your choice of color (black, brown, hunter green or bright pink).  After weeding out a dozen or so invalid entries*, I had 228 comments, tweets, and blog-mentions.

And the lucky winner is commenter #37, Allie who said “Ooh!  I have heard great things about MuckBoots!  And in Rochester, winter boots are a must!”

Congrats Alllie!  I will be emailing you shortly with details on claiming your prize!  I really hope these lovelies help make your Rochester winter more bearable!

For those who did not win, make sure to keep checking back for your daily shoe fix and upcoming giveaways!

*As per the contest rules, detailed here.

Rocket Dog embellished ballet flats in black and charcoal hounds-tooth.  These are my first and only pair of ballet flats.  You read that correctly, my first and only pair.  These were purchased for a whopping $12 dollars a few months ago and I have been quite impressed with them so far.  We had a mid-week dress-down day at work for our corporate Christmas party.  I don’t actually own any jeans that are the right length to wear with flats, as you can see by my bunched and rolled denim above.  I’m a jeans-and-heels girl all the way.

Piperlime is having a sale!  Gifts under $50! Enjoy free shipping and free returns on all our budget-friendly finds. Hurry, ends 12/19!

LAST DAY TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY FOR FREE BOOTS! Contest winner will be posted tomorrow!

Steve Madden black, reptile-print, strappy, t-strap platform sandal. These are absolutely swoon-a-licious and even with a 5-inch heel I managed to spin my way around the dance floor last night at a Christmas party.

Admittedly, my Christmas party ensemble did not include these hot pink tights…mostly because they did not particularly go with my mistletoe headband.  In an attempt at full disclosure, here is a photo of the actual tights+sandals duo.

Steve Madden is having a sale today, 25% off and free shipping with code HOLIDAYS25. So clickity-click-clack on over and find something strappy or sparkly or whatever strikes your fancy.

Save with Steve Madden Friends and Family, enjoy 25% off plus free shipping thru the 12/14! Some exclusions apply. Enter Holidays25!

Also, make sure you have entered my giveaway for free Muckboots–winner will be announced on Thursday!

Soft gray, suede knee-boots with 1″ stacked heel, from Urban Outfitters.  These lovelies are my one and only Black Friday purchase this year and I am absolutely loving them!  I’m not usually one for flat shoes–as is evidenced by this blog, ahem–and I have a difficult time finding boots to fit over my runner’s calves.  I had no intention of buying boots, but these are so soft, and they fit in the foot and the calf and I couldn’t not take them home with me.  (English majors and grammar nazi’s: please ignore the double negative right there, mmmkay?)  It feels like spring here today, but that didn’t stop me from wearing some dark grapey-purple tights.  If I dress for winter it will come, right?

Remember to enter my giveaway for a FREE pair of knee-high Muckboots!  Wednesday, Dec. 15 is the last day to enter!

Tsubo sneakers with red elastic/velcro closures.  These are a Nordstrom Rack find and I have absolutely loved how classy chic they are for a sneaker.  Hooray for Casual Friday!

Make sure to enter my giveaway for a free pair of Muckboots!  Contest ends Dec. 15, 2010.

Red patent leather, pointy-toe stiletto with ankle strap and silver studs, by Guess.  Rawr!  I found these lovelies at Nordstrom on one of their half-yearly sales for a steal.  They have been used for several costumes (Rainbow Brite being the most  awesome) but I also wear them on normal days to spice things up a bit.

My sister, pinksuedeshoe, has spent a couple of Saturday mornings taking pictures of me and my shoes–I can’t tell you how much easier this process is than the self timer or odd body-contortions that are required when I take pictures of my own feet.  My 2-year old niece, Creamie, loves these little photo sessions almost as much as I do, and that little munchkin knows how to work it for the camera.  *Heartmelt.

AND NOW FOR THE IMPORTANT STUFF!!

• Piperlime is having a 25% off Sale today only with free shipping.  You need to use code MUSTHAVE at checkout.  Head over there and find yourself or your shoe-loving sister/wife/girlfriend/favorite blogger ever (ahem) something lovely!

25% off cozy & covetable styles with code MUSTHAVE – ends 12/9 + free shipping & free returns!

• Make sure to enter my giveaway for a FREE pair of Muckboots in your color choice.  Contest ends Dec. 15, 2010.

Black satin round-toe pumps with bow detail and 4-inch heel and teeny little platform, by Amanda Smith.  Things are a little crazy around here, I’m in the middle of finals exams and finishing enormous research papers (done!  Holla!) and am running on a serious lack of sleep fueled by copious amounts of Dr. Pepper.  I have exactly one week of CrAzY left and then I can relax…until next semester.