Study of Shoes and Stilettos

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!

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.

Chocolate brown faux-croc leather, brown tweed, and camel suede peep-toe 4-inch pumps by Amanda Smith. I love these shoes; I love them so much, in fact, that I have them in three different colors; brown, black and red.  I’ve had all three of these shoes for several years now and I find that they will go with absolutely everything.  Jeans, casual skirts, dressier outfits, suits, whatever.

Toe Nail Polish: Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Nail Polish, Floral Taffeta

Make sure to enter my giveaway for a FREE pair of Muckboots!  Contest is open until December 15, 2010.

Seychelles Little Owl Sandals in navy blue suede and silver metallic leather, with 4-inch heel and peep-toe.  I have been looking for some navy blue footwear for several months now and when I accidentally slipped into Nordstrom yesterday I had no intention of even buying shoes.  But they were having a sale.  And as I scanned the racks of discounted shoes my eye zeroed-in on these beautiful suede and metallic heels.  I audibly gasped.  And when I tried them on it was all over, they simply had to come home with me.  What?  They were on sale! Besides, they go perfectly with my dress.

Toe Nail Polish: Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Nail Polish, Floral Taffeta

Make sure to enter my giveaway for a FREE pair of Muckboots!  Contest is open until December 15, 2010.

 Steve Madden embroidered mary jane’s with 4-inch heel, rounded toes and an ankle strap. I found these several years ago and fell in-love immediately. I love the thicker heel and I love love LOVE the embroidered flowers. There is a little teal, a little emerald green, a little red, a little orange, and a little purple–basically, these heels go with anything. They are practically a neutral. I was feeling lazy this morning (and running a bit late) so I skipped shaving my legs and wore tan fishnet tights instead. (Shh, don’t tell.)

Soft pink suede and faux-ostrich strappy sandal with 3.5-inch heel.  Is there two feet of snow in my front yard.  Why yes, yes there is.  Did I tramp through it in these delicate heels?  No I did not.  I wore a pair of boots through the snow and then changed into these once my toesies were safe from the wet and cold and ice. 

Make sure you enter to win my giveaway for a pair of boots!

**Last night I was talking to my very best friend and she told me her 6-year old daughter reads this shoe blog every single day.  I cannot tell you how much this made me smile.  To my darling Lex: these pink shoes are for you.  I know they aren’t really REALLY pink, but it’s the best I’ve got at the moment.  Love, Aunt Heidi

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!)

 Red leather, suede, and faux stamped croc peep-toe 4-inch pumps from Amanda Smith.  I particularly love the cut-outs on the toe.  I actually have these pumps in 3 different colors; the red ones here, black, and a lovely pair in brown tweed (which will be worn at some point, I promise).  These heels are incredibly comfortable and go with everything. 

Besides, there is something to be said for combating rainy Monday’s with red shoes.  Right?  (Right.)  If you aren’t wearing red shoes today here are a few more pairs to lift your spirits.  I love these red patent peep toe pumps from Guess, and the teeny little cut-outs on these red suede heels from Franco Sarto are absolutely divine, and who wouldn’t immediately fall in-love with these Bandolino peep-toe heels in red stamped croc?  Communists, that’s who.  Everyone else should be swooning by now.

Toe Polish Color: St. Petersburgundy by OPI