Study of Shoes and Stilettos

Sharon has this incredible sense of style I have admired since we met, and I am so glad she graciously volunteered to guest post for me!  Today’s lesson: thrifting shoes.  This is something I’ve never been brave enough to do, so I will be taking good notes here.

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There is something great about second- hand-shoes.  Before they came into your life, they had a completely different existence full of adventure.  Although you may never know their past stories, that doesn’t mean you can’t add a few more chapters to their lives.  Here are a few of my favorite second-hand-shoes.

These boots were purchased at Deseret Industries for $7.00.  Before they came to me I believe they belonged to an Almost Rodeo Queen. You know, the one with blonde, curly, way-too-poofy hair. She probably only won Miss Congeniality (pity award) in her local city’s rodeo and gave up on Rodeo-Queening for good.

I scored these duds at my favorite thrift store, St. Vincent de Paul, for $3.99. I think an older lady, probably about 63, had these before me. Her name was Bonnie and she was still hip in her older age. I am also guessing these bright, salmon colored shoes were only worn for mall-walking or getting the mail. They were in mint condition when I got them; luckily for them, I wear them all the time.

I actually do know the story behind these lovely, lovely rain boots. I found them when I was helping my husband’s grandmother clean out her attic. I tried them on and asked in my sweetest voice if she was planning on keeping them. She told me they were hers when she was my age, and she wore them every day. She grew up in Finland so they truly have had an adventurous life.  I am so glad they are mine now, and get a lot of use in this rainy, rainy, state (Washington) I live in.

XOXO

Second-Hand-Sharon

Elizabeth has been one of my biggest fans and she actually sent me a picture of these shoes several months ago (or I may have seen them on her blog…either way.  I loved them immediately, of course).  Thanks a million, E., for subbing for me today.  Class?  Leave her a little comment love, won’t you?

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“Cinderella is proof that that right pair of shoes can, in fact, change your life”. –Unknown

Hi there.  Elizabeth from Such a Sew and Sew here.  First, I want to thank Heidi for letting me guest post today.  I love getting my daily shoe fix here at The Shoeologist.  Though I do not have 200+ pairs of shoes {or even 20+ pairs of shoes} I love pretty shoes and am excited to show you my favorite pair.  They are these beautiful 3¼” Silver Spectator Pumps.  I love everything about them – the ankle strap, the pretty rounded toe, the shiny silver patent leather. They make me feel a little magical, kind of like Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz {if you’ve read the book, you’ll know her magic shoes were silver instead of ruby} when I wear them.



My only regret about these shoes is that I didn’t also get them in the beautiful plum color too.  Thanks for letting me share my own little piece of shoe heaven with you today. And remember, if the shoe fits . . . buy it in every color!

Steve is one of those manly-men who makes a point of always noticing and subsequently complimenting my footwear.  It makes my day every. single. time.  (And yes, he is straight.)  I was pretty pleased when he volunteered to post something about his manly shoes.  I am under the impression that he is the token male reader of this blog–if you are a male lurker, may I suggest coming out* to say “Hi” to Steve.  Or “Good Game.”  Or whatever you man-types say.

As a manly man I appreciate the visual quality of these shoes, utilitarian and plain, durable, yet refined. I have no less that six different pairs of these shoes. They are available in canvas, leather, and suede. Coming in ankle height, short boots (like these ones) or even up to mid calf, these are extremely versatile. I’ve worn these hiking, running, and even out on the town. You can see a gray, canvas version of these being worn by Will Smith in I Am Legend.

They are increasing in popularity and, as a result, there are ever more styles coming out. Check out palladiumboots.com. They even have them for you ladies.

*UPDATE: By “coming out” I of course mean “coming out from whatever internet rock you may be lurking under”.  Duh.

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.

(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!

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.