Happy Halloween to everyone!  In celebration of Halloween, I have been on the hunt for some highly unusual shoes.  Some are just very unique, some are a little bit creepy and some might just give you the heebie-jeebies.  Many of these I found at Virtual Shoe Museum, which is an amazing site full of all kinds of fantastic shoes, especially in their Extreme shoes section.  So, let’s take a look:

These Merryl Tielman shoes definitely take the prize for Ultimate Halloween Shoes.  Can you imagine wearing these?  They would take your costume to a whole different level.

Here’s a bat-like Bertrand LandrO pair.

Another one by Bertrand LandrO

Yikes!  This Bart Hess creation is kind of spooky.

Another one by Bart Hess, which is reminiscent of a large tumor growing off the foot.  A freaky science experiment gone wrong, perhaps?

Besides the zipper, these Iris Schieferstein horse boots are very realistic…maybe too realistic.

Wow, a super-high, wool-covered sweater platform.  You don’t see that everyday.  This one is by Simone Memel.

On a similar note, the world’s highest heels are 16 inches with an 11 inch platform.  Anyone want to take a stab at walking in these?

I saw these on Oddee.com and they definitely gave me the creepie-crawlies.

The most expensive shoes in the world are these size 4 ruby slippers made by Harry Winston for the 50th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz.  The shoes took 2 months to make and have as many as 4,600 rubies.  They are valued at 3 million.

Trick or treat?  If you prefer a treat, check out these chocolate shoes I saw at ThisNext.  It looks like they are no longer available, but they do look sooo good.

The world’s largest shoes are from Marikina City in the Philippines, which is known as the shoe capital of the country.  It’s also the home of the world’s largest shoe collection from former first lady Imelda Marcos, who is said to have owned as many as 3,000 pairs (she says it was 1,060).  Over 800 of her shoes are housed at the Marikina Shoe Museum.  This was the area hit hard by tropical storm Ketsana recently and the museum was immersed in knee-deep water, but museum employees saved the 100 pairs that got wet, moving them to higher shelves.

The world’s smallest shoe is from China and is the size of a grain of rice.

Ever seen a Nike coffin?  Yeah, I haven’t either.  This highly unusual item is from Ghana, where coffins are “often hand carved in the shapes of various objects representing the life of the person who will be buried in them. A fisherman man be buried inside a fish, or a shoemaker inside a shoe.”

A few pain-inducing shoes found on toxel.com, especially the nail heel in the center.

That’s all for now.  Have a very spooky day!

Double dip your discount on designer shoes this weekend at Bloomingdales.  They have a selection of shoes that are an additional 25-30% off (discount taken at checkout from lowest price shown) and you also get an extra 20% off if you buy two or more pairs via coupon code SHOESALE20.  Here are a couple deals up for grabs:

Get the L.A.M.B. Raina for $248.50 (normally $355) and the L.A.M.B. Randi for $241.50 (normally $345) after the 30% off discount at checkout.  Get another $98 off if you buy both pairs and apply the coupon code, making the total $392 (taxes are extra).  Shipping is also free on $300, which saves another $24.95.  Total savings: $332.95

After 30% off, the Boutique 9 Darcy studded pump is $111 (originally $160) and the Boutique 9 Ramiro is $111.30 (originally $159).  Get both pairs for $178.64 after coupon.  Shipping and taxes are extra.

The coupon can also be applied to any order of two or more shoes sold at Bloomingdales.  The coupon expires 11/2/09 and the 25-30% off shoe sale expires 11/16/09.

Newport News is offering 20% off coupon code 558 for two days only, which can be applied to regularly-priced and clearance shoes.  This results in some super-low prices, especially since the clearance pairs are virtually all shoes under $20 before the discount.  The Newport News glossy red patent pump (pictured) is $17.99 before coupon and just $14.39 after.  Sizes are limited for many clearance styles, but you can choose your size at the top to see what’s available.

Another pair that caught my eye is this pretty champagne satin pump with rosette detail.  It’s on sale for $49, but you can get it for $39.20 after coupon.

Coupon expires 10/31/09

Apparently, style star Victoria Beckham (aka Posh Spice) is so over promoting and selling other designer brands by wearing them in public.  So, what’s a girl to do?  If you’re Victoria, you expand your existing line of dresses, jeans and eyewear to include shoes and handbags and you showcase your own goods instead.  That’s the plan for Victoria, who a friend tells The Sun, “is tired of promoting other brands. If she wears Christian Louboutin or Hermès people go and buy it.”  She hopes to duplicate the success of her VB clothing line, which has been seen on Madonna, Brooke Shields, Jennifer Lopez and other celebs. 

Since Victoria isn’t exactly known for wearing sensible, comfortable footwear, I’m sure we’ll be seeing plenty of sky-high, super-sexy platforms and stilettos in the line, but will there be any heel-less shoes involved?  I guess we’ll have to wait and see.  No word yet on when the line will launch.

Photo from People.com

Nine West styles are going fast at 6pm.  That’s because they have them all marked down to just $19.95 this weekend during their latest super-sale.  There are currently over 1,700 pairs to choose from, like this Nine West Rocha pump in pink or teal.  You can also score a cute flat on the cheap by choosing from one of these CL by Chinese Laundry shoes, which are all marked down to $10.95, or pick any NaNa pair for the same price.  In addition, RSVP shoes are $9.95 and Type Z shoes are $15.95.  All sales end 11/1/09.

Project Runway winner Christian Siriano was on Oprah recently and they offered viewers a special, limited-time Payless coupon good for 50% off any purchase.  The coupon is for in-store purchases only and you can get it for yourself by going to Oprah.com and downloading the coupon or texting OPRAHSHOW to the number 242424 to receive a coupon code and more details digitally that you can show in-store.  You can apply it to the Christian Siriano for Payless collection or any other shoes Payless offers at your local store.  Hurry and get the coupon for yourself before it expires 10/30/09.

Need some shoes for working out on discount?  Adidas has a coupon right now that takes 30% off any order and it even includes shoes in their outlet section.  Apply coupon code BATON at checkout to get the discount.  This colorful Adidas ZX 8000 women’s pair is on sale for $75 (normally $100), but the coupon knocks them down to just $52.50.  Other good deals include the Adidas Response Cushion 17 for $44.80 and the Adidas Uraha for $34.30.  Coupon expires 11/1/09.

Nine West has a selection of shoes in their Fall For Sale that get an extra 30% off at checkout, even some styles that are already-reduced.  To sweeten the deal, they also have free shipping with no minimum required.  I like this Nine West Boutique 9 Redcarparpet boot, which was originally $260 and marked down to $199.99.  After 30% off, you can get them for $139.99 in dark brown, beige or gray.  Here are some other shoes in the sale:

Nine West Ambelu for $34.99 in black, green, purple or brown (originally $79)

New Balance for Nine West Dahlia in silver multi glitter for $41.99 (originally $79)

Nine West Daryl in dark purple, black or gray for $41.99 (originally $89)

Nine West Ketu in black, green or brown for $34.99 (originally $89)

Nine West Caragh in brown, black or red for $69.99 (originally $149)

Nine West Boutique 9 Rosilie in yellow or blue for $97.99 (originally $160)

Sale expiration is unknown.

ShoeSteal, which is a clearance site for Shoes.com, is having a 6pm-style sale that heavily discounts specific brands for a limited time.  Right now, you can score any Reebok, Sugar or Kenneth Cole Reaction shoes for $29.99 or less and it gets even sweeter when you apply 20% off coupon CPNSTEAL.  That makes all of the $29.99 pairs $23.99, like this Reebok Women’s Premier 3D Trainer.  Availability is limited for some styles, so choose your size at the top to narrow it down.  Sale ends 11/1/09 or while supplies last.  Coupon expires 10/31/09.

Nike Store has a coupon good for free shipping on any order, including their selection of women’s clearance shoes.  Use coupon code GIFT at checkout to get the discount.  Some good deals in the clearance section include this Women’s Nike Air Pegasus GX for $39.97 (normally $65), the Nike Free Mary Jane Shoe for $34.97 and the Nike Air Max RN Women’s Running Shoe for $42.97. Coupon expires 12/22/09.

For nearly every pair of ultra-expensive designer shoes, there’s a lower-priced, “inspired-by” counterpart.  So, the question becomes, spend more or spend less?  You decide: 

These Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain zipper boots rock, but their super-high price tag will knock your piggy bank out in no time.  If you gotta have em, get them at Shopbop for $1,975 with free shipping.

Spend less on a wedge style with the same multiple zippers, the Jeffrey Campbell Legal.  Get these at Lori’s Shoes for $186.

Spend way less on the Go Jane zipper strap boot for $38.40.  It comes in black, red or brown.

Update: Another option is the N.Y.L.A. Zipit (pictured) at Nordstrom for $146.95 or the ALDO Cousey for $140 at ALDO.

Here’s another fierce zipper boot, the Giuseppe Zanotti zipper ankle boot.  Spend $975 at Saks to add this style to your closet.

Or, spend a lot less on a similar style at Go Jane.  Their zip up bootie is $29.40 in black or red.

So, our resident Cheap Chick has been totally nagging at me to do another Cheap-A-Thon, which is a list of cute shoes for extra-low prices.  Our definition of cheap is simple - it’s shoes priced under $25, which we think is a price point virtually everyone considers super-low and it gives this chick quite a challenge when on the hunt.  If you don’t know, Cheap Chick’s sole purpose and desire in life is to find cute, inexpensive shoes and she takes it very seriously - too seriously perhaps.  She may look sweet and innocent, but she does have this bad-little-birdie alter ego that comes out from time to time and, to be honest, I just do what I’m told.  So, on that note, let’s see what Cheap Chick came up with today:

Not Rated To The T pump in red for $19.22 (most sizes).  Also available in pink for $17.98 or blue for $20.17 (most sizes).

Naughty Monkey Elegant Rider in red, grey or black for $19.99-$24.99 depending on size and color selected.

An OTK boot under $20?  Srsly?  Amazon has this Metrostyle Over The Knee Boot for $19.99 in most size/color combinations.  Speaking of Metrostyle, they have a ton of clearance dress shoes and boots and many are under $25.

Rampage Ophelia in red or black at Shoesteal for $24.99.  Get another 15% off with coupon code FALLSTEAL09 until 10/31/09.  Update: Get 20% off instead with code CPNSTEAL until 10/31/09.

Tribeca Prime Dance for $28.99 at Shoesteal.  Coupon code FALLSTEAL09 brings them down to $24.64 (exp. 10/31/09).  Update: Get 20% off instead with code CPNSTEAL until 10/31/09. 

CL by Chinese Laundry Yamina for $21.14 at Amazon.

Misbehave by Adi Lace-Up Microsuede Boots in dark brown or camel for $24.99 at Amazon.

Carlos Santana Harem for $24.97 at Smartbargains.

Go Jane Woven Trim Pump for $24.20.  Gojane.com has a bunch of shoes under $25, but you know that dress Whitney Port wore on her date with Freddie Fackelmayer on The City recently?  These remind me of that dress, only in shoe form.

ALDO Searchwell boot for $19.98 at Amazon.

Metrostyle Fringed Ankle Boot for $24.99 at Amazon.

Also of note, 6pm has all styles of RSVP shoes for $9.95 and Type Z shoes for $15.95 until 11/1/09.

Happy bargain hunting!

In another announcement of a celebrity budget line, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are launching a juniors collection called Olsenboye (the twins’ ancestral name) for JCPenney, which will include shoes.  Although the Olsen twins already have higher-end shoe line Elizabeth and James, the JCPenney line will help them reach a different, younger audience and offer a much more wallet-friendly price range of $20-$50. 

The collection, which will also include apparel and accessories, will launch online and in select stores by November and will expand to a full launch by February 2010.  I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the shoes!

More information can be found at olsenboye.com or at WWD.

I don’t know about you, but I’m totally looking forward to the Sex and the City movie sequel, which is filming now and set to release in May 2010.  I’m a fan of the original HBO series and found the first movie very entertaining, so I’ll certainly be checking out Sex and the City 2.  There have been rumors circulating about a Miley Cyrus cameo in the movie and, as recent pictures have proven, the rumor is true.  Miley Cyrus and Kim Cattrall dress as twins in a red-carpet scene where Kim’s character Samantha Jones runs into Miley (playing herself), who is wearing the exact same Matthew Williamson dress and tall, strappy boots at the event (only the accessories differ).  Of course, we all need to know whose boots they are wearing.

As you can see from the close-up, the boot appears to be the Dolce Vita Marilyn.  They are widely available now, but I imagine they’ll sell out pretty quickly as more people see the photos and, eventually, the movie.  If you want a pair for yourself, check out these places:

Dolce Vita for $299.95 in black or desert (Update: Sold out)

Amazon for $365.90 - $365.95 in black, marrone or desert.  Update: The price range is now lowered to $206.78 - $318.03 depending on size and color selected.

Endless for $365.95 in black, marrone or desert.  Update: The prices now start at $250.97 and go up to $347.65.

Zappos for $367 in desert or black (limited sizes).  Update: Sold out

80’s Purple for $365 in black only (limited sizes)

Victoria’s Secret for $339 on clearance.  Coupon code 20EXTRA takes another 20% off until 1/24/10.

We also have another boot with an uncanny resemblance to the pair Miley and Kim wear in this scene.  This is the Bebe Jenna Strappy Boot in black, taupe or gray and it’s priced at $248.  It’s not available right now at Bebe (unless you are size 5 and want the taupe version), but it looks like it may be at a later date.  You can opt to receive an email if it becomes available (just select your size in red to see this option).  With all the hype this movie will generate, I imagine they’ll likely re-stock it.  Update: It’s now back in stock at Bebe.  Get 15% off $100 using coupon code 15OFF100 until 12/24/09.  Update 2: It’s sold out again.

Movie photo from MTV.com

Heidi Klum just announced that she will be starting a shoe line, becoming the latest celeb to try her hand at designing shoes.  The line will be a lifestyle collection that will start with footwear and later include things like apparel and swimwear.  This isn’t a first for fashion-vet Heidi, who has previously designed shoes for Birkenstock, but the supermodel mom plans a different (and presumably less comfy) direction for her upcoming line.  They are said to be “feminine with a bit of a fashion and rock ‘n’ roll edge” and inspired by Heidi’s own closet. 

At this point, I think many of us tend to groan when hearing of yet another celebrity line (like the recent Dina Lohan announcement), but I think I’ll give this one the benefit of the doubt.  I have to admit that Heidi always looks gorgeous and she has the kind of style people can look up to (which does go a long way when launching a line), but she also appears to have some kind of super-woman power, allowing her to juggle being a wife to musician Seal, having four children (her fourth child was just born this month!), bouncing back after said-pregnancies with lightning-quick speed, hosting Project Runway, being a supermodel, having a Barbie made in her likeness and on and on.  I don’t know how she does it, but she seems to do it with ease (and style), so hopefully her line will offer something special too. 

It’s slated to be released in fall 2010 and there’s no word on where they’ll be sold, but I’m going to take a guess and say Victoria’s Secret.

I also have to point out that this woman really knows how to dress-up for Halloween. She goes all out.

Photo from heidiklum.com