The sixth and final season of MTV’s The Hills is currently underway and, of course, we’ve already experienced enough drama and antics in the first couple episodes to last us well through the end of the show (and far beyond for that matter).  It’s a show that’s always straddled the line between fiction and reality, but this season gives us even more reason to ponder what’s real and what’s not: Drug rumors, uber-extreme plastic surgery, people literally losing their sanity, Ryan Cabrera on yet another reality show - yes, we’ve seen it all. 

Spencer: It boggles the mind

I have to admit I’m a bit sad that it’s almost all over, but maybe it’s time.  Clearly, we’ve come a long way from the innocent, wide-eyed early days of the show when Lauren Conrad was just trying to make her way in the world.  And if Spencer and Heidi really are as crazy and out-there as they seem, they probably don’t need a platform to exhibit it to the world any more than they already have.  Of course, we know they have a history of playing things up for the camera, so Spencer’s super-aggressive, controlling, crystal-toting tendencies and Heidi’s blank, passive tolerance of him (breathe, Spencer, breathe) could be just for attention.  If so, it still indicates a bit of craziness on their part, don’t you think?  I mean, who does that?  I must say, however, that Spencer might just have better acting chops than I would have guessed if it’s fake - those bulging neck veins we see displayed during his many angry rampages are pretty convincing.

The good news is that the girls are getting along relatively well, aside from those pesky drug-use accusations Kristin receives in the first episode after not hanging with the ladies one night in Miami.  Kristen and Audrina, who were prone to bursts of yelling and name-calling last season, are now practically BFFs and even go shoe shopping together in one episode.  I guess it goes to show that time - and shoes - heal all wounds.  Justin Bobby being out of the picture doesn’t hurt either.

Audrina and Kristin try on some noticably cute shoes together at Madison in L.A. and I happened to find some of them.  Since these girls tend to love their high-end luxe designers, I also found some similar shoes that cost a lot less for those of us not on a MTV-star budget.  Let’s check it out:

Kristin Cavallari tries on the YSL Criss-Cross Ankle Strap Sandal, available at Saks Fifth Avenue for $795.  For lower-priced alternatives, try these:

Bebe Stacy for $149 in black or brown at Bebe.com.

Steve Madden Averry in cognac, black, olive or orange for $89.95 on preorder at Steve Madden.  Coupon code FF25 takes 25% off and adds free shipping, which makes them $67.46.  The expiration of the code is unknown.

Audrina tries out Givenchy Open-Toe Ankle Boots, which you can get at Saks for $790.  Here are some similar, but less expensive options:

Aldo Goodsite in black or cognac for $59.98 at Aldo.com.

Dolce Vita Lee for $201.25 at 6pm.

BTW, Audrina wears tan Prada knot sandals with her peach dress while on the shoe shopping excursion.  You can find one size available at Shopbop, but I haven’t seen them elsewhere or any close lookalikes.  Her dress is the Amanda Uprichard Joan for $194 at Piperlime.

Kristen also tries on a pair of black platform sandals, which we’ve seen her wear more than once.  For instance, she wore these shoes on the MTV After Show with her black lace one-shoulder dress.  They are the Miu Miu Swirl Platform Sandal, seen here at Polyvore:

It looks like they are sold out online.  Here are some similarly swirly pairs that are available now:

Max Studio Soraia sandal for $118.95 at Nordstrom.

Jessica Simpson Genaviv in black for $46 or in cognac for $36.80 at 6pm.  Additional sizes and colors are available at Amazon for $72.90 - $88.95.

Update: The platform sandals she wears while shopping are the Jimmy Choo Nixon, which are available in limited sizes at Bluefly, My Theresa and the official Jimmy Choo website.

In a promo pic for The Hills, Kristen wears a metallic wedge heel that looks like this Seychelles Kick Up Your Heels wedge:

It can be found at Endless.com for $89.95 with free shipping.  Sizes are limited in pewter.

There’s also the Season 6 promo video for The Hills that features some of the cast hanging from puppet strings, as well as a pair of beige zip-front shoes.  These shoes look really familiar to me, but I couldn’t quite place them (or find them).  Update: These are the Christian Louboutin Zipette, which are sold out online.  But, here are some lookalike pairs:

Calvin Klein Elise for $99 at Lord & Taylor.  Apply coupon code BIG for 15% off at checkout through 5/23/10.

Jessica Simpson Gobow for $89 at Macys.  Get free shipping with coupon code JOURNEY until 5/19/10.

Steve Madden Nanciee for $99.95 at Steve Madden.  Use code FF25 to drop them to $74.96 with free shipping (expiration unknown).

Any other shoes from the cast of The Hills you’d like to know about?  Let me know!

Images from MTV.com and OK! Magazine.

Audrina Patridge of MTV’s The Hills was at a recent John Frieda and BCBG event rocking a hot pair of knotted wedge shoes with her purple and white dress.  Like this look?  Her shoes are the stylish and affordable BCBGeneration Belboa and you can find them at Shoes.com.  They are $99 in light clay (pictured above), flamingo pink or black and you get 20% off by applying coupon code VISA at checkout.  That’ll drop your total to $79.20 with free shipping.  Sizes in the light clay version are getting a bit limited, but they are also available at Zappos, Shoebuy and Shoemall, plus a few other stores.

Photo from Peoplestylewatch.com

Clogs are all the rage this year and we’ve seen many modern updates on the classic style, like this Miu Miu Studded Platform Clog, which is available at Barney’s for $490.  This slingback style, seen worn by Kristin Cavallari of The Hills and Jessica Simpson recently, features a super-high platform, studs and interesting cutout/shape details.  While browsing the new shoes at Steve Madden, I noticed that they have a lookalike version of the Miu Miu clog available:

This is the Steve Madden Melrow, a close replica that is listed as being handcrafted.  The allover pale neutral color used here is different from the contrast provided by the darker wooden heel and studs on the Miu Miu clog, plus there are a few other small differences, but the shoe is clearly inspired by Miu Miu.  Stevemadden.com has this pair on pre-order for $149.95 and coupon code rmn15f will take 15% off and give free shipping, reducing them to $127.46.  They are expected to ship 5/28/10.

DSW is offering a higher-than-usual discount right now that takes 30% off one regularly-priced item using coupon code SHOPMAY at checkout.  That’s super-sweet considering that certain shoes at DSW are already priced a lot lower than other online stores and another 30% goes a long way in stretching our cute shoe dollars.  As an example, the Seychelles Hulabaloo (pictured above) is priced at $79.95 in yellow, black or cognac and 30% off reduces it to just $55.97.  I haven’t seen it listed for less than $100 elsewhere, making this a fab bargain.  Love it! 

I also noticed that the coupon appears to work on Skechers Tone-Ups, the Skechers version of the FitFlop, and Skechers Shape-Ups.  The Skechers Tone-Ups Flip Flop above is $44.95 before the coupon and $31.47 after, while most of the Skechers Shape-Ups are $69.97 after the coupon ($99.95 before).  These fitness shoes are normally excluded from coupon discounts, but the code worked when tested.  To use the code, you must be a Rewards Member, which is free, and be sure to add second coupon code SHIPR for free shipping if your order is over $35.  Expiration: 5/23/10.

I’m all about the nude sandal trend this year, which explains my super-crush on this hot pair.  It’s the Harajuku Lovers Dmaker and the color may be neutral, but the overall look certainly isn’t.  It has interesting shapes and cutouts all over and, to top (or bottom) it off, a sunshine yellow sole.  Of course, the heart-shaped buckle is super-cute and totally girly too.  You can get this style for yourself at Amazon, where it’s on sale for $54.60.  I haven’t seen it for less elsewhere, however there aren’t too many sizes left (8.5 and up only).  Amazon also has several sizes in black for an even lower $47.35 or in red for $69.71 (size 8 only).  If you can’t find your size there, head over to 6pm to get it discounted to $63 in nude or black (MSRP $90).

Wedges are extra-hot this year and the gladiator look keeps going and going - in various shapes and forms - so the Cynthia Vincent Roma wedge is a great option for incorporating these trends into your wardrobe in a more subtle, but highly stylish way.  Plus, the multiple straps, metallic accents and knotted detail add even more trendy appeal.  This pair is available in brown at Piperlime, in black at Bloomingdale’s or in brown or black at Jildor.  Free People also has a cool multicolored version and all are priced at $350.  But, if you can’t splurge that much on one pair of shoes - no matter how fab they are - we have more gladiator-inspired wedges that look very similar, but cost much less:

I wouldn’t call the Steve Madden Tuscaan a knockoff of the Cynthia Vincent Roma, because it isn’t an exact copy or replica, but it is an inspired-by version with a very similar look.  The best price I’ve seen is at Shoes.com for the cognac pair.  They have it for $89, but coupon code VISA takes 20% off at checkout, which drops them to $71.20 with free shipping (Visa payment may be required).  The code expires 6/30/10.  I’m also digging the other color options available, like blush and white, at Stevemadden.com for $89.95.

The price falls even lower at GoJane, where their Strappy Knot Slingback Wedge is available in black, cognac or brown.  This one looks like a very close copy of the Steve Madden pair, so I guess you’d call it a “knockoff of a shoe inspired by a designer pair” (that’s a mouthful).  Whatever you want to call it, you can get it for just $23.80.

There you have it: Three similar shoes, three price points, three options for what fits best into your shoe budget now.