Study of Shoes and Stilettos

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.

Wild Diva black peep-toe, T-strap, platform heel.  In the last 24-hours my neighborhood received about a foot of snow (oh man, am I wishing I had these boots RIGHT NOW!), so I sensibly wore a pair of clunky-but-warm snow-boots to shovel out my car.  But as soon as I arrived in the office I peeled those off and slipped into these 5-inch heels.  Can you wear peep-toe shoes with tights?  Absolutely.  Extra points if your tights are a fun color like these bright red ones. 

Piperlime is having a 20% Off Sale today with Coupon Code LUCKY20.  I think you should hop over there and pick up something for your own Happy Monday/Early Christmas present.  Or for someone else’s Christmas present (I’m a size 10).

Cyber Monday Sale! Get 20% off all Piperlime merchandise! Enter coupon code LUCKY20.

If you’re looking for some T-strap sandals to wear, here are a few options that I love.  These both have ruffles up the front, which always makes things more fabulous.  These Betsey Johnson Walland Sandals are already on sale, but drop down to just $80 with the 20% coupon code.  And these Pierre Dumas Belinda-16 Sandals are marked down to $35 and will drop even further with your 20% coupon code!  Happy Shopping!

No-brand black patent leather pointy-toe 3-inch pumps.  Nothing quite like wearing fishnets on a Tuesday to spice things up a bit (with a below-the-knee skirt, I’m not that spicy).  These heels were a gift from an aunt who worn them once or twice and then experienced the grave misfortune of having her feet grow a half-size.  Ohmygoodness, I can’t even imagine, I would cry if that happened to me.  Knock on wood.   If you’re in the market for a classic black patent pump, and I highly suggest that if you do not already own a pair that you look into it post-haste, here are a few you may enjoy.  These 3-inch black patent pumps from Steve Madden are very similar to the ones I’m wearing.  If you’re looking for a little higher heel these 4-inch heels from BCBGirls are drool-worthy.  And lastly, if you can’t say ”No” to an ankle strap (like me) you’ll love these black patent Mary-Jane’s.  (Seriously, I may have to buy those last ones.  I just can’t get over how de-lovely they are!)

These pointy-toe black kitten heels from Naturalizer were a very spontaneous purchase several years ago.  They were the perfect height for the pants I was wearing at the time and I was bored with the shoes on my feet (shocker, I know).  These very comfortable heels have been a staple; I have had the heels remade twice and the toes fixed three times.  That, my friends, is the mark of a fantastic pair of shoes.  These particular shoes are no longer available, but here is a pair in a snazzy reptile print, embellished tweed, a classic shape in black patent leather or leapord print.

On taking well-loved heels to the Shoe Hospital: I have a very delightful cobbler who does all my shoe-fixing for me.  I probably visit him every other month with a pair of shoes that I love too much to throw away–he can fix the heels, fix the toes, fix the straps, fix the sole.  If you do not already have a cobbler, I highly recommend you find one to breathe new life into your favorite heels.

Black suede peep-toe wedge (4-inches) with silver metallic trim by Rosegold.  I scored these fantastic wedges at Ross for $7, that is correct, seven dollars.  It gives me an intense feeling of satisfaction to see them listed for considerably more than $7 dollars.

I love the little cut-outs, I love the silver metallic trim, and I love that I found these for such an incredible deal!

Black leather, suede and faux croc peep-toe pumps by Amanda Smith with cut-out detail on the toe and a 4-inch heel.  These classic pumps have been worn year after year and I am both surprised and delighted with how well they’ve held up.  I love the mix of suede and leathers and the cute cut outs on the toe.  There is something to be said for owning a no-frill pair of classic black heels; but there is more to say about owning a pair that are a oustanding.  These fit into the latter category; at least they do in my closet.

Toe Nail Polish: Alice in Wonderland, Thanks so Muchness by O.P.I.
(Admittedly, I bought this bottle of polish simply for the color name.)

Black satin mary-jane’s with criss-cross detail on the toe and 4-inch heel, be l.e.i.  For years these were my favorite pair of heels, I actually have purchased them twice, the ones I wore to death and the ones (pictured above) I recently found while digging through my shoe room (yes, I have a shoe room, which is currently a disaster.)  I love the 1940′s feeling of these round-toe heels, however when paired with Smurf-blue tights the look is completely modern.

These black patent-leather pointy-toe d’orsay stilettos are a classic.  The shape is perfect, the toe isn’t too long ot pointy and the heel is a conservative 3-inches.  These heels are also lined in an leopard print which just makes me smile every time I slip them on or off.

Winter has finally arrived and I wish I had worn these with a pair of tights.  Tomorrow, perhaps, I will introduce bright tights on theShoeologist.

Enzo Angiolini pointy-toe striped stilettos with ankle strap and 4-inch heel.  I remember when I bought these (six years ago, shh, don’t judge) they had an all black option and this black-and-white stripey pair.   At this point I wish I’d bought them both because I love the fit and feel of these heels, but as I can’t go back in time I am content with the fact that, of the two, I made the best choice; I get compliments on these every time I wear them.

Steve Madden black patent-leather mary jane pumps with rounded toe and 4-inch heel.  I absolutely adore these shoes–they are classic in every possible way.  I looked for the elusive black patent mary jane for several months before scoring these from TJ Maxx.  These are no longer available from Steve Madden, and I couldn’t find many comparable shoe in my cursory search (Maybe these?  Or these? They are both kind of similar).  Thus, I am validated in my decision to buy them when I did. (I find I do this kind of validation or justification all the time, by the way.  I do not, however, usually use words like “thus”.)