I’m so glad its the weekend!  When the end of the week hits, we usually see quite a few shoe sales pop up and this one is no exception.  If you’re looking to get your shoe shopping on for less, try out one of these stores:

6pm: Up to 70% off Calvin Klein shoes, up to 80% off Poetic Licence, up to 80% off Irregular Choice and more shoe sales.  Expires 3/7/10.

Shoebuy: 20% off using coupon code SPRING at checkout 3/6/10 only.  It works on sale items too and shipping is free.

Lord & Taylor: 15% off regularly-priced shoes and sale shoes and 25% off clearance shoes with promo code SPRING at checkout. See the list of exclusions here.  Expires 3/9/10.

Nordstrom is having a shoe clearance with plenty of new markdowns. Expiration is unknown.

ALDO offers womens sale boots at 50% off the original price. Coupon code VIPOFFER gives free shipping at checkout, a $5 value.  If your order is over $50, use coupon code ALDOVIP10 for 10% off, which gives a higher discount.  Expiration is unknown.

Charlotte Russe has a selection of flats and flat sandals for just $12.50 a pair.  Expires 3/10/10.

Planet Shoes is taking an additional 30% off sale shoes. If a shoe has limited sizes, classifying it as an Operation Clean Sweep style, get 40% off instead. Expires 3/15/10.

Now, here’s some shoes news of note:

Walk in Oprah’s shoes, literally, by bidding on one of her designer pairs on eBay as part of Oprah’s Great Closet Cleanout.  Some of the shoes were even worn on the show and all proceeds benefit the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy. Auction ends 3/11/10.

Nicole Richie talks about her new House of Harlow shoe line on WWD Footwear News. Plus, check out their Q&A with Steve Madden.

Famed photographers Annie Leibovitz, Terry Richardson and Mark Seliger shot Britney Spears for the new Candie’s ad campaign.  Sign up to be a Candie’s member to see the behind-the-scenes pics and video featuring the pop princess.  Candie’s shoes can be found exclusively at Kohl’s. 

Have a great weekend!

Gwen Stefani showed off her new collection of L.A.M.B. shoes and clothing for fall 2010 this past week at New York Fashion Week.  I’ve always been a fan of Gwen and I think L.A.M.B. is a great example of a celebrity fashion line done right - in stark contrast to the reasons I thought Dina Lohan’s shoe line wasn’t a very good idea.  Super-talented Gwen is an icon for her music and her unique, rocker style, with her shoes being as original as she is.  She also seems like a generally cool person and appears to be a very hands-on mom to her two sons (who are about the same age as my daughters, so I understand just how hectic that can be!).  I must say the boots for this fall look amazing.  I saw her on E! News the other day talking about the new collection and she pointed out the mint green and brown boots (far right in the picture above).  She described these as “delicious” and like a “mint chocolate cookie” and even pretended to take a bite out of them:

Of course, we’ll have to wait until fall to see these in stores and L.A.M.B. shoes tend to be quite expensive for many of us.  I’m sure the boots will be in the $400+ range.  In the meantime, I’ve found some L.A.M.B. shoes on sale that are available now and relatively easier to fit in the budget:

L.A.M.B. Portman for $234.90 at Endless (MSRP $474).  For a limited time, get another 25% off automatically during checkout, making them $176.17.

L.A.M.B. Raja in black or grey for $130 at Amazon with free shipping (MSRP $325).

L.A.M.B. Rio in black or grey for $130 with free shipping at Amazon (MSRP $325).

L.A.M.B. Rhett in red, black, brown or grey for $172.50 at 6pm (MSRP $355).

L.A.M.B. Randi in black or grey/blue for $166.75 at 6pm (MSRP $349).  The nude/black version is $180.  Endless has a better price of $169.90 for the black version and $159.90 for grey/blue with an extra 25% off at checkout, but sizes are very limited.

Of course, you can always opt for Gwen Stefani’s lower-priced line of shoes, Harajuku Lovers.  Almost all of these hot shoes are regularly priced at under $100 or you can get a great sale price on select styles at clearance sites like 6pm.

If you want to get a glimpse into the life of one of the designers behind Harajuku Lovers and Betsey Johnson, be sure to check out Celine at The Shoe Girl’s Blog.  It’s a very cool blog from someone who has the ultimate shoe lover’s dream job!

Dina Lohan’s shoe line for Love My Shoes, which was tentatively called Shoe-Han and set to debut around Mother’s Day of this year, is officially not going to happen.  Love My Shoes cites “continued economic sluggishness and the prevalent mood of today’s shoppers” as the reason for the deal falling through.  While it’s true that the economy has resulted in people being more particular and careful about what they buy, it’s been said that shoes are selling well despite the recession.  I think it may have more to do with the less-than-positive reaction to the October announcement of the line and the fact that the market is already over-saturated with celebrity fashion.  Dina is known for being Lindsay’s mom, not a true celebrity in her own right with her own solid fan base, and the public perception of her has often been negative - she’s been criticized in part for her mothering skills and hard-partying ways.  While that may or may not be accurate, she’s also not particularly known or admired for her style.  Dina seemed to be aiming for a youthful, trendy kind of look with her shoes, but that market may not respond well to her.  All in all, it seems to be a good decision on Love My Shoes part, but Dina isn’t giving up.  A spokesperson says, “There was a miscommunication over finances, this was too local and we need a larger partner. We are currently exploring other options, and we will have another announcement soon.”  Daughter Lindsay also has plans for her own line of shoes as part of the expansion of her 6126 leggings line.

I was shocked to hear on The Cut today that designer Alexander McQueen was found dead, reportedly due to suicide, just days after his mother passed away on February 2.  My heart goes out to his family and friends for their loss and he will certainly be sorely missed in the fashion world.  Some of his most ground-breaking work came in the form of the 10-inch ”alien” shoes shown in his spring 2010 show in Paris:

These were unlike anything anybody had seen before and a prime example of fashion as art.  I think everyone was looking forward to what McQueen would come up with next and it’s so tragic that we’ll never know.

Images from The Cut

I was checking out the shoes at Payless today and noticed some new Christian Siriano for Payless spring styles are now available.  Just like we saw with his Fall 2009 collection, the shoes are much different from those that were shown on the runway.  The pictures above, found on Zimbio.com, were seen in September 2009 during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and they feature claw heels, super-high platforms and edgy embellishments, like large, shiny buckles and straps.  Here are the shoes (or some of them) now:

Christian Siriano for Payless Coast Printed Satin Pump in blue for $34.99

Christian Siriano for Payless Coast Printed Satin Pump in orange for $34.99

Christian Siriano for Payless Downtown Zip Sandal in snake or black for $34.99

As you can see, all of the details that made these shoes interesting on the runway are absent and the only real similarity is the fabric.  I can understand toning things down for the masses and the need to keep the shoes affordable by keeping production costs down, but then I have to wonder why the shoes are shown on the runway in the first place.  Sure, they create plenty of buzz, but the typical Payless customer may not know about the runway shoes, or even who Christian Siriano is for that matter.  I thought these collections were aimed to gain a different kind of customer - i.e. one who does pay attention to Fashion Week and what designers are doing and who may not normally shop at Payless.  This kind of customer might be willing to buy these shoes, even at a higher price, if some of the original elements were retained that made the shoes edgy and unique.  Maybe the claw heel is too extreme for Payless, but they could have raised the platform and made the toe more pointy, which surely couldn’t raise costs by that much.  That’s my 2-cents, what do you think of the shoes?

One thing you can call these shoes is affordable, particularly right now during the Payless BOGO sale, which takes 50% off your second pair until 2/15/10, including the Christian Siriano for Payless shoes.  You can also get another 20% off with coupon code 30445 until 2/28/10.  That makes any two of the above pairs $41.99 total with $5.95 extra for shipping or free shipping to your local store.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen appeared on Good Morning America today to talk about the full launch of their affordable JCPenney line Olsenboye, which includes apparel, handbags and shoes.  Olsenboye was announced in October ‘09 and a limited selection of items were available by November, but today marks the full rollout of the line, which is targeted primarily at juniors.  On Good Morning America, the twins discussed the collection and models were on hand to show some looks.  Of course, I’m primarily interested in the shoes:

Mary-Kate and Ashley partnered with Steve Madden to produce the shoes and handbags in the line.  The looks are definitely youthful and I’m a bit out of that teen demographic, but I’m definitely feeling these shoes, which were featured on the show:

The adorable Olsenboye Madeline comes in black or blush and they’re on sale for $44.99, reduced from $60.  Coupon code URBUDS2 takes another 20% off until 2/8/10, making them just $35.99.

Here is the Olsenboye flat seen on the show:

The suede Olsenboye Sweetie is available in black, pink or yellow for $50.  The coupon code above takes another $10 off, making them $40.

They also feature a pair of jazz shoes, which I don’t see available, and a black boot.  It doesn’t appear the exact boot is available either, but this combat boot is for sale:

The Olsenboye Hailey is marked down to $49.99 from $100.  The coupon code above makes them $39.99.

This pair wasn’t featured on the show, but they are another really cute option from the line:

Olsenboye Sofia in black or pink for $34.99, reduced from $60.  The coupon code drops the price to $27.99.

For more on Olsenboye, check out the line at JCPenney, watch the Good Morning America segment with the Olsen twins or visit Olsenboye.com.

Fans of The Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo know that Taylor Jacobson is no longer the princess of queen Rachel’s style empire after being fired…or quitting to style on her own…well, it’s a little unclear what happened actually. I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed to hear the news.  Taylor may have come across as moody throughout much of the show and she did complain a lot, but I can understand her work frustration.  After all, she had the highest level of seniority in Rachel Zoe Inc. (besides Rachel, of course), but she always seemed to be stuck with every less-than-glam styling task and all of the legwork while Rachel and her other assistant Brad were seen out and about doing things like meeting with designers, giggling and traveling to Paris together.  Taylor was also frustrated by her lack of advancement to higher-level tasks and, while she did receive a promotion to head of product development for Rachel’s QVC line in the finale, I had a feeling she wasn’t so keen on having Rachel’s hubbie Rodger as her new boss.  Whatever the case may be, you have to admit she was the coolest chick on the show and I’ll miss her edgy, rocker style and deadpan quips next season.  It remains to be seen if Rachel Zoe’s new stylist will truly be able to fill her shoes.  In the meantime, we can check out Taylor’s shoes - her actual shoes - in her blog called Love, Taylor, which is part of her new gig as the face for Everyday Minerals.  In one of her first posts, Taylor reveals the shoes in her closet and - wow - check out all of the Louboutins!

I’ve covered Taylor’s shoes from The Rachel Zoe Project before (also here), so I knew she favored the brand, but I didn’t know just how much.  Red soles everywhere, ladies!  I don’t know about you, but I’m catching a little case of shoe envy right now just looking at it.  In addition to sharing her shoes, Taylor also dishes about other style and beauty tidbits, like her signature Ray-Ban shades, her favorite perfume, a surprisingly simple hair care secret (hint: it’s normally used on baby bottoms only) and, of course, mineral makeup.  And, to help clear things up, she writes, “Since Season 2 aired, I’ve decided to pursue my fashion styling career independently.”  So, there you have it!  You can check out more from Taylor over at Everyday Minerals.

I previously posted about the boots Miley Cyrus wears in Sex and the City 2 in the cameo scene she shares with Kim Cattrall’s character, Samantha Jones.  They wear the exact same dress on the red carpet and the same knee-high boots, which are either the Bebe Jenna or the Dolce Vita Marilyn.  I’m not sure which one considering Bebe says on Twitter that it’s the Jenna and Dolce Vita says on their blog that it’s the Marilyn.  I tend to lean toward Dolce Vita, but they look virtually the same, so it’s hard to say.  However, the $248 Bebe Jenna is currently sold out at Bebe (coming back soon) and it’s a bit out of budget for some of us.  The same for the Dolce Vita Marilyn, which is currently priced from $207 up to $365.  However, we do have look-alikes for both of these pairs that cost way less.

Urban Originals has the Fahrenheit Kamy (pictured above) priced at just $26.99 in five color options.

There’s also the Bamboo Beat from Urban Originals, which is $31.50 and comes in four color options:

So, even if you can’t afford the exact boot seen in the movie, you can still get that fab Sex and the City style for much, much less.

Any shoe lover who considers themselves a fan of MTV’s The City with Whitney Port has to remember those infamous black ankle strap heels Whitney wore in the first season of the show (check out all my posts on Whitney Port’s shoes for more).  I definitely wasn’t searching for a look-alike pair today, but I happened across the Anne Michelle Fume and instantly recognized them as very similar to the style Whitney wore on the show.  It’s also a dead ringer for the Steve Madden Tayla, but the Anne Michelle pair is much more affordable.  You can get this hot look at LuLu’s for just $26.50 in black or grey.  If you spend over $75 on your order, shipping is also free.

There’s always something new to talk about when it comes to the world of shoes and I, for one, am definitely not complaining.  I could talk shoes all day.  So, who’s creating shoe buzz this week?  Let’s check it out:

Luxe shoe company Jimmy Choo may have just worked with H&M to create a lower-priced shoe collection late last year, but the unlikely pairings don’t stop there.  WWD reports that they also have plans to do a 5-piece collection with sheepskin boot maker Ugg Australia this fall and sell them under the label Ugg & Jimmy Choo.  The boots will feature Ugg construction combined with Jimmy Choo design elements, but the pricing definitely leans more towards Choo territory at $595-$795.  You may love or hate Uggs, but Jimmy Choo president Tamara Mellon is definitely a fan - according to her, they are the only shoes you’ll find in her wardrobe besides her own brand.  Very interesting indeed.

Nashville-based shoe charity Soles4Souls will donate 250,000 shoes to victims of the earthquake in Haiti.  They originally committed 100,000 pairs, but received many more donations than expected from their partners in the footwear industry and the community.  According to their website, “a pair of new shoes is absolutely necessary in order for the Haitian survivors to be effective in rescue and rebuilding efforts amidst broken glass, twisted metal and raw sewage.”

Already dreaming of hot summer shoes?  Check out WSA Today, who gives a rundown of shoe trends for summer 2010.  Among the trends noted are playful color, exotics, neon and floral texture.

Ivanka Trump just got married in October and now she’s kicking off the new year by announcing a shoe line, which will be licensed through Marc Fisher Footwear.  Marc Fisher says, “We believe Ivanka has something fresh and distinctive to offer in what is otherwise a celebrity-saturated market.”  She does have a classic, sophisticated style and I liked her on The Apprentice, so I’m looking forward to seeing what she has to offer, although I do think it’s quite a challenge to stand out in the sea of celebs who are doing the same.  She also has a high-end jewelry line and may branch out to apparel and more accessories. [from WWD]

Happy New Year’s!  With 2010 mere hours away, it’s that time of year when everyone thinks about the upcoming year and what it holds.  Of course, we also like to take a moment to look back at 2009 and all of the crazy, interesting and otherwise memorable events that happened throughout the year.  Shoes are no exception.  There’s always something new going on in the world of footwear and we definitely had plenty to talk about in the past year.  So, before we jump into 2010, let’s take one more look at some of the notable shoe news of 2009.  I’m also going to share a few of my own shoe purchases.  Each can be classified as a high or a low, as you will see here:

High: The number of survey respondents that reportedly remember their first pair of shoes over their first kiss, reported by Telegraph UK.  92% off 1,000 women say they remember the first shoes they bought with their own money, but less than 2 in 3 (which I guess would be around 67% or less) remembered the name of the person they first smooched.  Personally, I’m a bit skeptical.  As much as I love shoes, I’m a little vague about the first pair I bought.  I had a part-time job at 16 and, back then, I often had the luxury of devoting entire paychecks (albeit small ones) to clothes and shoes.  I think it may have been these brown leather MIA platform sandals that I loved and wore and wore until I could wear them no more, but I’m not certain.  I definitely remember the name of the person I first kissed though, so I must be in the minority on this one.

Low: The amount Titan Industries Inc. reportedly paid to buy shoe company Penny & Kenny Shoes LLC, who filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.  There was a motion filed to sell all company assets for $150,000, including the Penny Loves Kenny trademark.  While that’s a lot of money for the average individual, it seems like a bargain for Titan, whose mix of brands include Betsey Johnson, L.A.M.B., Bebe and Badgley Mischka.  Penny Loves Kenny will provide a “purely juniors” brand to their lineup, something they lacked before.

High: Despite a struggling economy, people are still buying shoes.  There are a few theories on why we’re still seeing strong sales in this area: shoes are generally considered more of a necessity than things like new handbags or dresses, they are often more moderately priced and have a lower cost-per-wear than other purchases and they can instantly spruce up an older outfit.  Of course, they also make us feel good and women “get an emotional lift from shoe shopping in a way they do not when trying on jeans and cocktail dresses.”  Eileen Lewis of Zappos also notes that many consumers are purchasing shoes in bright colors like red and yellow, which can provide an uplifting boost.

Low: The infamous Barbie cankle comment made by Christian Louboutin, who has partnered with Mattel to “serve as a yearlong godfather to Barbie, not just rethinking her fashion wardrobe and physical attributes, but also art directing her in different lifelike situations”.  Actually, I don’t think he ever used the word “cankle”, but a Louboutin spokesperson said “He found her ankles were too fat,” which sparked a frenzy across the net.  Many Barbies laughed it off, but unfortunately one Barbie didn’t react so well to the news:

Her beau Ken wasn’t too happy either…

Louboutin later clarified, saying “…fat ankles she didn’t have, she just could have had thinner ankles.  That’s all.” and Barbie was somewhat consoled.  Luckily, all was completely forgiven when she saw the Barbie shoes he designed and the ultra-pink pair he made for real-life dolls, the Christian Louboutin Claudia:

High: Speaking of Louboutin, I’d say the shoe of the year would have to be his Bridget Strass:

It’s been seen on a multitude of celebrities, featured in the upcoming Sex and the City 2 movie, worn by Kandi on The Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion and by Jennifer Lopez in the AMA and MTV Music Video Awards performances of her song “Louboutins”.  This shoe is definitely hot, for good reason. 

Update: Check out the Christian Louboutin Bridget lookalike shoe that I found.

Low: J.Lo’s said new song “Louboutins”, which I’m not really feeling.  Theoretically, a song about Louboutins could work, but the execution of this one seems a bit off.  All I seem to hear is ”part-time lover” mentioned a few times, followed by a repetitive string of “Louboutins” - 45 times to be exact.  It’s the type of song with the potential to get hopelessly stuck in your head.  Apparently, Christian Louboutin loves the song and was flattered to hear about it, but I have to wonder - was this song simply born out of Lopez’s love for the shoes or was it a brand placement deal struck between her and Louboutin?  After all, having a song featuring his brand name would serve to further entrench his shoes into pop culture, thus furthering his quest for world domination:

Yes, I’m totally speculating, but you never know.

High: The buzz generated by Alexander McQueen Spring 2010 shoes, which had to be the most talked about shoes of the year.  I’m sure it’s hard for designers to continuously come up with new and different shoes that stand out, but these certainly did.  Although they don’t seem very wearable in real life, it’s no surprise that extreme dresser Lady Gaga was one of the first to don them, in her video for “Bad Romance”.

High: The number of celebrities jumping on the shoe design bandwagon.  Victoria Beckham, Heidi Klum, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (Olsenboye for JCPenney and Elizabeth and James), Dinah Lohan, Fergie, Nicole Richie and more celebs either started shoe lines or announced them in 2009.  Plus, Britney Spears promoted for Candies and designers like Christian Siriano and Jimmy Choo created lines for budget-friendly Payless and H&M, respectively.  Now we have news that Lindsay Lohan will be expanding her 6126 leggings label to include a full-line of apparel, cosmetics, handbags, jewelry and, yes, shoes.

Now, here’s a few shoes I purchased this year that I’d like to share:

Low: The price I paid for this Betsey Johnson Layla heel, which I adore.  They originally retailed for $225, but I happened to spot them on clearance at Victoria’s Secret, inconspicuously listed as “floral sandal”.  They were listed for $89.99 at the time and they had a 20% off coupon, which I missed, but they were later marked down to $79.99, which was much lower than I ever saw anywhere else.  I opted for the black version, figuring it would work with more outfits, but I still kind of covet the pink pair.  Unfortunately, it appears they are sold out everywhere online.

High: The amount of shoe love I have for this Naughty Monkey Resurrection heel, which I purchased in champagne.  I got a good deal on these as well because Shoemall briefly had a 30% off coupon, which reduced them from $74.99 to $52.47.  They are really pretty, particularly the detail on the back, and they are still available (sizes are very limited in champagne and red).  Coupon code 15AMAZON takes 15% off.

High: My neon yellow shoes from Wet Seal.  Ok, I admit it, I actually got these because I was inspired by an extra wearing a similar pair in the N.E.R.D. video “Everyone Nose (All The Girls Standing In The Line For The Bathroom)”.  I had a hard time finding anything like them at the time, but spotted this pair on clearance at Wet Seal for a mere $5, so I figured I had nothing much to lose.  I didn’t expect the quality to be high or anything, but the main issue is they are so, so uncomfortable, like right when you put them on.  I also tried them on with a few things and nothing seemed to look right.  Thus, I haven’t worn them at all.  So, why am I calling this a high?

There is one little shoe princess who has a penchant for raiding closets and happens to love this pair.  It tends to be the one she picks out nearly everytime she feels like dressing up, which I suppose is because they are super-bright and shiny and very yellow, which immediately attracts her eye.  Of course, she usually wears them for a very short time and abandons them after they slow her down a little too much.  But, I must say, it’s been priceless to watch her clomp around the house in them.

I happened to try them on with some black leggings and it finally worked.  Someday, if the right mood and occasion somehow meet, I’ll probably wear them…just as long as I’m not doing any walking.

I hope everyone has a fabulous New Year and here’s to plenty more shoe buzz in 2010!

Charlize Theron is a talented actress and style icon who always looks gorgeous in the latest designer fashions, but she also devotes time to helping others from her home country of South Africa through her charity, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.  The non-profit has a mission of “creating a safer and healthier life for impoverished, under-resourced children and communities of South Africa, with a particular focus on individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS” and their efforts have included providing mobile health clinics in the Umkhanyakude District that provide health testing and education.  They have plans to build athletic facilities with clean water sources and develop community soccer programs in the coming year.  TOMS Shoes is also involved - they’ve partnered with the charity to donate 10,000 pairs of shoes for residents of the area, which will be distributed this month.  As part of this collaboration, Charlize has designed a limited-edition shoe for TOMS with a portion of the sales proceeds going to her charity.  Here is the shoe she designed, one version for women and one for men:

Charlize Theron TOMS Baobab for women $54 at TOMS

Charlize Theron TOMS Baobab for men $54 at TOMS

The vegan-friendly canvas slip-ons feature a native baobab tree design and a custom lining with an Africa Outreach Project logo pattern.  Unfortunately, the women’s pair is already on backorder, but check back with TOMS for future availability.  There are still a few sizes left in the men’s version, which could be a nice gift idea for that special guy in your life.  If you order by 12/20/09, you can get it by Christmas via UPS 3-day air.  Other expedited shipping options are available through the 22nd of this month.  In addition, TOMS donates one pair of shoes to a child in need for any pair of shoes bought on their site.  It’s definitely the kind of shoe purchase that keeps on giving - something we can all feel good about.

Update: The men’s version is now also sold out, but it looks like TOMS will be re-stocking this style, so be sure to check back!

Seen on People StyleWatch

Charlize Theron photo from www.charlizeafricaoutreach.org

I’ve definitely developed a serious addiction to The Real Housewives series on Bravo.  It started out innocently enough - I didn’t even watch the first OC season when it originally aired, but started catching up on re-runs and subsequent seasons, then started watching the Atlanta, New York and New Jersey seasons - and now it’s full-blown, can’t miss TV complete with in-between-season withdrawal.  Sure, there are plenty of situations on the show designed for maximum drama - like those frequent get-togethers with the cast, even those that don’t get along, just to see what happens (wig-pulling, table-toppling, that kind of thing) - and the ladies certainly play things up for the camera, but you get the sense that they are being pretty real and they definitely entertain.  Plus, they all love their fashion.  That’s why it was fun to see a recent In Touch article called In Their Closets, which gives a peek into the personal wardrobes of Teresa from New Jersey, Gretchen from Orange County and Kim from Atlanta.  They each have their own unique sense of style, so who do you identify the most with fashion-wise?

I think I’d have to say Gretchen Rossi, whose bubbly, effusive personality has really grown on me this season (lay off already Tamra!).  She describes her look to In Touch as “very girlie-girl, very bedazzled, very glamorous” and she proves her point by wearing a super-sparkly sequined mini dress in magenta, which she calls “fantabulous”.  She wisely pairs it with nude Christian Louboutin heels that are super-sexy, but allow the dress to shine.  They look similar to this pair:

Christian Louboutin Lady Claude in nude for $745 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Here are some lower-priced nude heels: 

Nine West Bonfire pump for $88.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless

BCBGirls Ariel for up to $89.95 depending on size selected at Amazon.

Gretchen also holds two of her shoes in the mag and I definitely recognized one of them right away.  It’s this pretty pair:

The Bebe Bella Lace Sandal, which is $149 at Bebe.com.  Buy 1 full-priced item, get 50% off a second item using coupon code GET50OFF until 12/20/09.  Or, get 15% off $100 or more with code 15OFF100 until 12/24/09.

The other pair is a black satin heel with a decorative rhinestone ornament on top.  I’m not sure of the exact pair, but these shoes have a similar look:

Badgley Mischka Elia for $200 with free overnight shipping at Endless.com.

Nine West Fancywork for $89 at Ninewest.com.  Get $20 off $75 with coupon code NWHOLD9 (exp. unknown) and shipping is free.

This pair looks like the shoe version of Gretchen’s sequin dress:

Betsey Johnson Kanata on sale for $152 (reduced from $200) at Zappos with free shipping.

Update: See the pair that looks like Gretchen’s ALDO boots from Watch What Happens Live.

Let’s move on to Teresa Giudice, who shows off a wide array of shoes in her closet.  Teresa has a sophisticated style, but she likes to keep up with the very latest in fashion.  She tells In Touch, “Lots of people buy classic items, and they keep them forever.  But I’m more trendy, so my stuff sometimes goes out of style.”  She also likes to keep things spicy - we see plenty of zebra, leopard and other animal prints in her wardrobe, along with plenty of bold colors and prints.  Here are a few shoes seen in Teresa’s closet:

Christian Louboutin Lace Bootie for $1,785 at Neiman Marcus.  I couldn’t see the back of the shoe, so it could be the leopard Christian Louboutin Bridget for $1,795 at Barney’s (only 1 size 10 left right now).  This is definitely the “it” shoe of the moment.  Update: Check out the Christian Louboutin Bridget lookalike shoe that I found for much less.

Pelle Moda Vino for $180 with $5 shipping at Jildor. 

Miss Sixty Callista for $75.60 at 6pm. 

Here are some shoes inspired by Teresa’s style:

Sergio Zelcer Covos Peek Toe Pump for $182.95 at Endless

Naughty Monkey Chiller in zebra for $74.90 with free overnight shipping at Endless.

Wet Seal Metallic Pink Heel for $24.50 at Wet Seal.

Two Lips Gypsy Lace Platform Bootie for $69.95 at DSW.  Members use code SNOWMAN at checkout for free shipping on $35.

Last, but certainly not least, is Kim Zolciak, who always goes all out with fashion and prefers a luxe look with plenty of bling and sex appeal.  She tells In Touch that she owns a whopping 1,000 pairs of shoes and that her favorite brand is, not surprisingly, Christian Louboutin.  She says, “They are so uncomfortable, but they’re so hot, so I love them.”  She likes to mix it up with other high-end names too - I spotted the same Louis Vuitton heel that Leighton Meister wore to the Met Ball, another Louis Vuitton tribal-look heel that may be this shoe from Spring 2009 Ready-to-Wear, her red and gold feather shoes (I think these are Louboutin, but not sure), the Louboutin glitter heels, and the YSL Tribute Platform Mary Jane, which is not available for sale online, but you can see a pic over at FabSugar.  Clearly, these are amazing shoes, but not readily available at prices most people can afford, so here’s a few “inspired-by” pairs:

Miss Sixty Jessica for $99 with free shipping at Zappos.

Martinez Valero Brit for $148.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.

Stuart Weitzman Avalon silver glitter heel for $355 at Zappos.

Pleaser Dolly for $39 at Amazon.

I’m looking forward to tonight’s episode, are you?

Show photos from Bravotv.com

As you may know, I’ve been following the shoes worn on MTV’s The City ever since the show started (yes, I’m a bit shoe obsessed!).  There have been plenty of notable pairs on the fashion-centric show, not the least of which are those worn by new cast member Erin Kaplan.  Erin, who is the youngest-ever Director of PR at Elle, spent the season on an entirely new career challenge - working alongside nemesis Oliva Polermo while trying to keep her sanity intact.  She also demonstrated her own brand of personal style, which includes super-short skirts, statement shoes and plenty of studs and spikes for good measure.  Her shoe picks?  The Christian Louboutin Very Prive, the Report Signature Masonic and this pair: 

In this shoe close-up, we see Erin walking on a sidewalk in New York and heading for work in a black lace-up platform statement heel (excuse the fuzzy picture).  I couldn’t locate this pair at first - it can be hard to do when the episodes are usually filmed several months prior to airing - but I came across the ALDO Stolinski while perusing ALDO’s clearance section.  This actually turned out to be good timing because they are reduced an additional 30% during their sale this weekend and you can get them in black or bone for $69.99.  It certainly looks like the same shoe Erin wore - or at least one that’s very similar. 

The final episodes of both The City and The Hills aired on MTV last night, along with a live finale after show special.  There were plenty of highlights from the shows, like Whitney Port making a sales presentation to pitch her fashion line to a panel of high-powered Bergdorf Goodman execs by herself after boss Kelly Cutrone bailed on her (I actually felt nervous for her), Olivia and Erin’s work tension at Elle finally coming to a head, Kristen Cavallari deciding to take the plunge into a “serious” relationship with Justin Bobby (just don’t mention the word “boyfriend” around him) and Audrina going back once again to discuss her ex-relationship with said Mr. Bobby, only to be hurt yet again when he tells her they were never together in the first place.  Sigh. 

But, we were left with plenty of questions too and it looks like some of them won’t be answered right now.  Case in point: Will ice-queen Olivia win the Battle of Joe Zee by defying Erin’s authority (and generally not working) at Elle or will Erin triumph with the years of effort she’s put into the magazine?  After all, people don’t always get to the top by being nice and cooperative and working really hard (unfortunately).  But, Erin issued Joe an ultimatum - it’s either her or Olivia.  Since Joe was personally affected by Olivia’s poor job performance this time around, I honestly thought she’d get the axe (and that smug look wiped off her face).  But, alas, the credits rolled and we were left hanging until next season.

However, we do have some shoes to discuss, most notably from the live aftershow that followed the final episodes.  If you loved the shoes worn on The City or The Hills, here are some shoes inspired by the styles we’ve seen:

We’ll start with Whitney, who glammed up her ultra-long gams with a gorgeous pair of gold and black ankle strap heels.  It was hard to see these during the show, but you can see them better in the show photos at MTV.com and the backstage shots.  I haven’t been able to locate the exact pair, but if you love the look, you may like these:

Jessica Bennett Luca for $166.95 at Shoebuy.  Coupon code EMLFRIENDS09 takes 25% off until 12/3/09, making them $125.21 with free shipping.

Betsey Johnson Nora on sale for $100 at Heels.com.  Coupon code INSTYLE09 takes 20% off, making them $80 with free shipping.  The coupon expires 12/31/09.

When it comes to men, Audrina seems to be looking for that tricky combination of edgy, bad-boy who also has a romantic side, which can be a hard thing to find.  That same theme carries over into her personal style, but it’s way easier to achieve when it comes to fashion.  She wears a pretty silk pant suit, but pairs it with a multi-strap zippered wedge that adds a rocker-chick vibe.  Here are some similar pairs:

Bebe Karen multi-strap wedge for $159 at Bebe.  Save 15% off $100 with coupon code 15OFF100 until 12/24/09.  Another option from Bebe: The Delaney heel for $99.

Jeffrey Campbell Polish for $169.95 with free shipping at Solestruck.

Nine West Bolero for $74.21 with free shipping at Endless.  Another option from Endless: the Miss Me Garnet for $34.25.

Roxy Olin pairs her sequin top and mini with a pair of black suede over-the-knee boots.  You can achieve the look with these boots:

Restricted Vamp Over-the-Knee Suede Boot for $89.95 at DSW.  Shipping is free for members on $35 with coupon code SNOWMAN until 1/4/10.

Steve Madden Shakiraa for $119.95 at Steve Madden.  Get 30% off and free shipping with coupon code MADDEN30 until 12/7/09. 

Kristen Cavallari didn’t appear to have much chemistry with supposed boyfriend Jusin Bobby at the finale, but she wears her sexy black platform slingbacks well.  If you want this look, try these out:

Brian Atwood Taro for $535.99 at Bluefly

Bebe Zahara for $149 at Bebe.  Get 15% off with coupon code 15OFF100 until 12/24/09.

While we’re at it, let’s look at some more look-alike options for Whitney’s cage shoe in the show opener.  I’ve covered this shoe before, but here are some more options:

Steve Madden Brande for $69.97 at Steve Madden.  Get 30% off and free shipping with coupon code MADDEN30 until 12/7/09.

Colin Stuart Cut-Out Lace Up Bootie for $65 at Victoria’s Secret

The City and The Hills will both be back for another season, so until next time, here’s to the shoes.

Show images from MTV.com