Shoe Me This

Go Vegan! olsenHaus Swell Pumps

It's not Earth Day yet but you can still be Earth-friendly when you wear vegan shoes. I found this pretty pump on Moo Shoes' online storefront. (They're based in Manhattan.) The Moo Shoes slogan says it all: One cannot have fashion without compassion.

Now I am not ready to give up leather, but these olsenHaus shoes are adorable,so I'm happy to give fashion with compassion a try! The olsenHaus Swell shoe is made with a vintage cotton print. The peep-toe and pastel stripes with push your wardrobe into spring time chic right away.

You can get Swell for $165 here.

Suede and Snakeskin: Bally Ilya Platform Sandal

 

Dramatic, retro and slightly zebra-like, the Ilya Sandal by Bally definitely draws attention. Crafted from suede and Ayers snakeskin, this sandal will fit into any season. If you have a fear of heights, this shoe is not for your -- the heel is 5 1/4-inches (platform 1-inch).

The price tag is steep at $509 on Zappos, so don't buy these if you think your company is downsizing.

Polka Dot Pumps by Alexander McQueen

 

The polka dot suggestion for a pedicure seems to be a big hit this week so I thought I'd carry on with the theme. This shoe was available on Zappos last year for nearly $750. While it's priced beyond reasonable and the heel looks dangerously high... I can't help but smile when I look at this shoe!

If you are going to wear this Alexander McQueen (or a facsimile) my suggestion is to let the shoes rule the outfit by pairing them with sophisticated yet simple navy dress -- like this one also by Alexander McQueen.

Nine West Desoto Slide Heel

I always enjoy wearing Nine West shoes. I'm also always looking for new colors to wear, which is why I'm drawn to this pair of heels by Nine West: the Desoto Slide. It is available in navy multi-colors, black, pewter, brushed silver, and bronze multi-colors. The navy stood out the most to me.

The pleats on the uppers add a touch of retro flair and the tapered 4-1/2 inch heels is elegant. Overall, it is a feminine and fun shoe.

The only drawback I fine in my online window shopping is in regards to the materials. Normally, I don't like synthetic fabrics. However, the Desoto Slide still looks chic even though the material is a mix of synthetic and leather.

If anyone has this shoe, let me know what you think of the comfort level.

Jessica Simpson Greymer Heels

 

I've always liked peep-toe heels and this pair is one I would like to added to my collection. The attention to detail on the Jessica Simpson Greymer shoes makes this pair a winner. The uppers are made of a soft suede. The small square cut outs are reminesent of summer. It's also available in a variety of colors but my favorite is raspberry. I also like the fact that the heel is mid-sized at 1 3/4 inches. I haven't tried this pair on yet (I found it on Buy.com), but if anyone out there as then please let me know how you liked them!

UGHly Shoes: Irregular Choice Take A Bow Heel

Let me start by saying that I am an Irregular Choice fan. While I adore their quirky style, I don't care for their "Take A Bow" heel. The velvet bow drives me nuts.

Normally, I also get a kick out of the cartoonish soles but the ice cream on a red background is too far of a  departure from the rest of the shoe.

In short, Take A Bow looks like something Barbie would wear if she were selling Mary Kay.

Holiday Heels: Nina's Ursula T Strap

Holiday parties are the perfect occasion to wear a sparkling pair of heels. Even if I wear the same dress to holiday parties, I have an urge to match it with different shoes.

The Nina Ursula T-strap sandal is a great shoe for parties and runs below $100. It's available is silver and gold. My favorite feature is the rhinestone strap -- too fun.

Naughty Monkey Paris Stroll

Naughty Monkey's new shoes for fall 2008 include a design called Paris Stroll. It's available in a few color patterns but my favorite is the olive and blue. From a distance, the pattern looks like peacock feathers.

The rich colors are perfect for fall and the style is easy to dress up for work or down for jeans. The peep toe is a nice slight departure from Naughty Monkey's spring collection, which featured squared or metal-enforced toes. The metal embellishment is also a nice feminine touch and different from the giant buckles normally seen on this brand.

Despite the 3 3/4" heel, Paris Stroll is actually comfortable. If you're looking for them online, several shops have them on sale. The lowest price I found was in store at Off Broadway Shoes for $41.94.

Sergio Rossi Suami Gold Pump

All that shimmers is gold and we need a little gold these days. If you have $539 to spend on these shoes than you must have stockpiles of bullion, but even penny-pinchers need inspiration for their shopping trip to TJ Max.

I love the Sergio Rossi Suami gold pump. The fabric uppers look lush and provide movement. There is a high-fashion air about them in a 1970's kind of way. The lining and heel are leather and provide contrast next to the fabric. These shoes are on my must-have list.

Beads and Sparkle: Luichiny Gewel Heel

I do enjoy sparkle and if you do too, then Luichiny's Gewel is the perfect open-toed heel for you. I wore this pair a few weeks ago to work and my IT manager said: "Wow! You look like you have a party on your feet."

This adorable shoe is available in bone (which I own) or in pale green. The beading on either pair includes delicate shades of blue, pink. You'll find more gold accents on the bone pair and more green with the lime shoe. As you can tell, the beads come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Luichiny is also another brand where you'll find details on the sole, like this voluptuous heart.

I've taken these green version close-up photos from Zappos and another fashion blog because my soles are already scuffed. I bought my bone suede version from Off Broadway Shoes on their clearance rack for $15.