Study of Shoes and Stilettos

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!

I hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  I will be devouring this homemade apple pie, complete with 4-inch stiletto.  (Yes, I make pie.  And yes, I always cut something awesome in the top crust, last year was a pony, this year is a high heel pump.)

Make sure you enter my giveaway of a free pair of boots!

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

Chocolate brown pointy toe 3-inch stilettos with ruching and bow at the toe.  I can’t remember where I purchased these, and the brand name has disappeared from the inside.  I love the sassy ruching on the toe and I love the classic shape.  In snooping around for something similar, I found this suede pair that I love, and this faux croc pair from Bandolino (I’m a sucker for anything snake skin, reptile print, or croc stamped).

Note from the Editor:  Skipping about the internet looking at delicious chocolatey brown heels has given me a serious hankering for about 12 new pairs of heels, all in various shades of brown, all lovely.   Do I need more shoes?  Not particularly.  Do I want them?  Absolutely.  Will I buy them?  ….I will not buy shoes today. I will not buy shoes today.  I will not buy shoes today (repeat 100 times).  I am announcing this here on the hope that it will keep me from running up credit card today.  Cross your fingers for me!

Steve Madden indigo-purple heels with almond toe and 3-inch heel.  I love Steve Madden and I have recently discovered a new love for purple; purple shoes, purple bag, purple nail polish, purple scarf.  It’s a sickness, really, one I have no intention of trying to cure.

I had every intention of finding a half-dozen pairs of purple shoes for you to drool over and purchase, seeing as how these lovelies are very much last season and no longer available.  That being said, I also spent most of yesterday evening with what I hope is a minor case of food poisoning and not a stomach flu.  For once I’d rather curl up in bed than browse the halls of the internet for shoes.  It’s a sad place to be.

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.)

Two-tone spectator pumps with polka-dot cutouts, ankle strap, and 5-inch heel, by Guess.  That heel is intense, and there is no platform to help cheat the height and these can be a little tricky when you are trying to skip or run.  (Yes, I run in most of my shoes prior to purchasing them, you never know when it will be essential that you are able to run trot about in heels.)  I love the two-tone of these shoes, the capped toes are divine and I don’t think I will ever be over the polka-dot cutouts.  These were a Nordstrom Rack find a few years ago, I spent at least an hour searching to find both ankle straps amongst the piles of loose shoes; an hour well spent, I’d say.

Are you ready for a little shoe lesson?  Ok, here we go.  A spectator shoe is typically two-tone in with caps on the toes and heels, something similar to this classic black and white pump or these slightly funkier ones.  Spectators first made their appearance in the mid 1800′s in England as a men’s wingtipped cricket shoe.  For decades this wingtip style heavily influenced two-tone spectators.  In the last century there have been hundreds of different design-takes on the  spectator shoe, they are now in a range of colors and fabrics,  and the influence of this classic can be seen in lace-up ankle booties, heeled loafers, platform stilettos and gorgeous, swoon worthy pumps. (Seriously, I can’t get over that last pair.  They are so beautiful!) Now, go forth and search out a fabulous pair of spectators, heeled or flat, classic or colorful, pumps or ankle boots!  Class dismissed.

Mustard yellow suede round-toe pumps with 3-inch heel and bow detail, by Aerosoles.  I love the bow, the super-comfortable fit, and the color–you can’t go wrong with mustard yellow.  Paired with olive green, navy and brown I think this is the best possible way to bring in November.

Orange silk-shantung platform stilettos with 5-inch heel and knot detail on toe, from Charlotte Russe; paired with nude fishnets.  First of all, Happy Halloween.  Second of all, aren’t these to die for!?

These fantastic heels are one of my new favorites.  I found them on clearance two months ago and immediately fell in love with them.  Deep love.  While they are perfectly festive for Halloween, I have a sneaky suspicion they will be worn and loved the other eleven months of the year.