Clogs: Yay or Nay?

True story: The only pair of Dr. Scholl's "original wood exercise sandal" or whatever I owned lasted me approximately four hours. That's how long it took me to hobble to work, feverishly working my toe-grip muscles to unsuccessfully attempt to keep the damn things on my feet, look casual-cute at my desk for a few hours, and finally fall out of them on W. 53rd Street at lunch. Those things are the devil in shoe form. So unassuming-looking, and yet IMPOSSIBLE to walk in. For me, anyway. I'm guessing that wooden shoes + mules = no go, even several years later, but oh how I wish I could rock some of this spring's luxed-up clogs. Hippies never looked so good, people! Here are a few of my favorite clunkers:





Swedish Hasbeens are SO NOW (hardie har har)! Four-inch heels, people. This is the Braided Sky-High model in sweet pale pink, $242 with shipping from Sweden.







Swedish Hasbeens peep-toes, $219 with shipping. Love these!







The Jeffrey Campbell "Charli" clog, $126. This is a really luxe-looking clog. And yet it's five whole inches of heel, slightly mitigated by a one-inch platform. I can only imagine myself attempting to walk down to my work cafeteria, nevermind five blocks to the subway. Danger! Danger! It's stunning in black, and I love that you can move the strap to make it a slingback.







Funkis closed-toe clogs, $149. These are handmade in Sweden AND have staples holding them together, so you know they're authentic (right?).







No. 6 clog boots were all the rage this winter, at least here in New York. Their clogs are custom-made for you and come in a slew of colors and several styles. This is a T-strap for $230.







If I were to join the cult of clogs, I might just go for Maguba's DIY option: design it yourself! I just can't figure out what color combo I would get...purple and black? Purple and yellow? Black and yellow? So many options!

















Maguba "Barcelona" clogs, $141.



If actual clogs are just too scary for you, there are a whole bunch of clog-inspired sandals out there. A few studs in the right spot, and bam! Hot semi-cloggy action.





Nine West "Eddisha" sandals, $79.







Miz Mooz "Hazel" sandals, $99.95.







And another: Kensie Girl "Taylor" sandals, $63.







Finally, these are on eBay and only applicable to size 7.5s, but, just, wow. Sigerson Morrison clogs, a Buy It Now steal at $105.99. Such a uniquely feminine (yet still cloggy) take on the style.



Happy stomping!

Cutie Bootie Alert At Nine West

($59.98, Ninewest.com)

Just when I decided I'd try to start being so good about not buying stuff, this Nine West blue and black suede "Bobbit" bootie gives me the come-hither stare. Then its half-off status tries to give me sex lips. Ugh. Fine. You win.

Also, FYI, donate $1 or more in store or at NineWest.com to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, and you'll get a coupon for 20% off any purchase in January.

Fall Footwear Trend: No Toe!

Is it going to be absolutely impossible this fall to find a pair of shoes that have actually managed to escape the drawing board with their toes intact? Peeptoes have moved from sandals to pumps to boots and Oxfords to like EVERY SHOE EVER, and I'm not all that sure I'm feeling that. Observe:

($175, Corso Como, Piperlime)

Why? I just don't get it! Is it that hard to go the extra 1.5 inches and cover the toe? You're not gonna be wearing these in 90 degree weather!

($405, Claudia Ciuti, Shopbop)

Why? What? NO!

($59, Steve Madden)

So tacky, Jackie!

($109, BCBGirls, Nordstrom)

These wold be totally otherwise cute(sy-ish), but again, WHY the no toe!?!?!?

($99, Nine West)

I actually like these, because they have a sort-of cool vintage look and don't just look like an otherwise regular pair of contemporary shoes that happened to get their toes sliced off. And I love the heels.

($110, Jeffrey Campbell, Shopintuition.com)

Like these for the same reason.

(Apprx $83, Topshop)

These, however? WAY too much going on here.

($96, Jeffrey Campbell, Nordstrom)

Of course, not as what's going on here. (What the FUCK IS going on here!?!?)

($249, Pour la Victoire, Nordstrom)

Oh my Lawd Gawd. They're not inexplicably open-toed, but there's still no excuse. Soooo New Jack Swing-era. Gah.

Remember: random peeptoe = just say NO!

New Shoes & Shoe News

Okay. So by now you've prolly already heard that Saks Fifth Avenue reopened its megalopolis of a shoe store -- so big they have a chocolate cafe (cheesy women-love-chocolate-and-shoes stereotype much!?) and even gave it its own ZIP code -- 10022-SHOE. Check out the Post's story here, and check out their photo gallery, which is really well done. I love the pair they lead with:

($595, Miu Miu, Saks)

I also love these:
($575, Miu Miu, Saks)
Gorgeous and elegant in nude, fun and funky in green and grey. Sliiiiiiiiightly outta my price range, so hopefully someone will hurry up and knock 'em off soon... Someone like, oh, I dunno... say... Steve Madden? So, funny enough I should mention both Steve-o and legality just the other day in reference to Steve Madden's "Chaps":

My reference to legal issues was that they looked like Chinese foot binding devices, but turns out, per the awesome Shoewawa they're also pretty much an EXACT rip of Christian Louboutin's Emily booties. Dude, Steve, that's just egregious. Might as well paint the instep red too. WTF? Also, Chaps or Emilys, they both blow.


($504, D&G, Amazon)
Love these sexy Tin Woman heels, but I love these just as much...

($82, Nine West, Zappos)
I love the vintage design of these too.


($104, Oh Deer!, Bellegrey.net)
Featured on Brown712.com -- I love the rich, luscious cream. Great price too, if you can stand to buy something from the leathery plastic bionic woman that is Lisa Rinna.


(Apprx $229 USD, Esska, Lollipoplondon.com)
Usually I find roses/ mauves to be fairly boring, but these are stunning and would look SO cute with some not-too-skinny but not baggy jeans and a nice sweater for my beloved fave season, fall.


(Apprx $69 USD, Dorothyperkins.com)
Lovely teal shade. And I don't give a fuck about what Kate Moss is wearing these days -- I still love my grey jeans, they look rad on me, and these would look perfect with said two-seasons-ago jeans. (Again, via Shoewawa.)


($145, Lacoste, Wesoldout.com)
These are dope.


($21, Classified, Lulusfashionlounge.com)
You can never have enough grey shoes.

... And finally...
($53, Very Volatile, Lulusfashionlounge.com)
In keeping with the loose theme of shoes in roses, mauves and what I like to refer to as Indian ice cream colors, these are beyond cute.

Sales Sales Sales!

A few NYC sample sales, but a few onliners too!

1.) Nordstrom is holding her annual Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusive with over 100 beauty brands participating. The sale lasts July 18th through August 3rd, but you can preorder -- check out all of the available items here. Items ship July 18. My faves? MAC's Colour Form sets in bold primary colors:

($49.50, MAC, Nordstrom)

2.) eLuxury.com is also holding an anniversary sale -- take 15% off all sale items between June 25th through June 27th. What would I buy? Since you asked...

($239, 3.1 Phillip Lim, eLuxury.com)


($625, 3.1 Phillip Lim, eLuxury.com)

($475, 3.1 Phillip Lim, eLuxury.com)

3.) Piperlime is having a "tag sale," if you will, with savings of up to 40% off their summer styles. A few choice picks -- some of them aren't on sale, so, sorry for lying!

(Was $79, now $54, Nine West, Piperlime)

So gorgeous and fun, and they look really sturdy and not painful either!

(Was $132, now $89, Vince Camuto, Piperlime)

Subtle bondage vibe over here.

($450, Bettye Muller, Piperlime)

These are actually from Piperlime's Fall preview. Normally I hate Mary Janes, but I'm all over these like Amy Winehouse on her first cigarette out of the hospital.

($335, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Piperlime)

I'm inexplicably drawn to the contrast of blue patent leather and burgundy suede. It's about as much patriotism as I can handle.

4.) Nutty Rice Sample Sale:
Monday June 23rd - Thursday June 26th
10am - 6:30pm
530 7th Ave #1009
Between 38th and 39th
Brands: PF flyers, Sugar shoes and cosmetics, Alternative Apparel, Gravis, Five Crown, Bread & Butta, Mr. Chips

5.) Ethan James Group Pop-Up Sale
Wednesday June 25 - Sunday June 29
12pm to 8pm

Openhouse Gallery

201 Mulberry St.
New York, NY 10012
Brands: Love YaYa, Aflalo, Staerk, Moon Katz, Fluxus, and The Smooth Company

6.) Ananas Pop-Up Store
From the press release:
"Ananas Collection, the best selling line of handbags from New York, is opening a pop-up store at 52 Canal Street in New York’s Lower East Side (BAMBI) for 3 weeks only! From June 24th to July 15th, the space, called “Ananas at fifty-two”, will be open with exclusive, limited-edition products as well as offering select styles from the fall ’08 leather & eco collections- these styles won’t be available outside of the store until August! Jennifer Lagdameo, founder and designer of Ananas, is thrilled with the opportunity to present her loyal customers with an entire Ananas shopping experience."

212-219-7641
Monday -Wednesday, 12:00 -8:00, Thursday - Sat 1:00- 9:00, Sun 12:00-7:00pm


OKee! Now go forth and spend! Especially you, Europeans -- come over here and spend some cash! It's like everything's 50% off! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed. I've got a big day of work and the premiere of The Baby Borrowers tomorrow!

Fantasy Shopping the Smartbargains.com 3 For $99 Sale

Smartbargains.com is having a 3 for $99 sale on apparel, jewelry and shoes. Since it's Smartbargains, this is less of a fantasy shopping trip, for in its affordability lies the potential for an "actual" shopping experience. But since I'm (sorta) trying to practice restraint, my e-cart shall be abandoned.

So, most of the clothes suuuuuuuuuuuuucked, but I did find some really cute shoes. Here's what I found for you:



($39, Steve Madden)
A cute staple.



($39, Steve Madden)
They also come in white and silver.



($39, Steve Madden)
They also come in an icy, metallic blue and in gold.



($39, Nicole)
These also come in gold, but, oddly enough, I think they're cuter in blue. And again, hurrah for non-skyscraper wedges.



($39, Nine West)
They come in white too, but the reds are far cuter.



($39, Nine West)
Ain't bad.



($39, Steve Madden)
There's a very high likelihood that these could suck in real life, but there's also a small chance that they could be cute.



($34, Kenneth Jay Lane)
There's a ton of Kenneth Jay Lane stuff, and as much as I love his jewelry, this is probably the only piece I'd wear. Eventhough I could make it. (Cough cough.)



($39, Salt Works)
Decently cute in both shades.



($39, Romeo & Juliet)
By far, the cutest of all of the apparel on sale.



($39, Speechless)
... And by far, the worst. Speechless indeed!

Now go forth, and fill up those carts!