Season 2 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills premiered this week and I know a lot of people, including myself, were really looking forward to it after the popularity of the first season.  The opening episode, which aired Monday night, was definitely hard to watch given the recent tragedy of cast member Taylor Armstrong’s husband, Russell, taking his life after the season filmed.  That whole situation is incredibly sad and Bravo is now re-editing the show, but I’m sure it’ll still be pretty surreal for viewers to watch Taylor knowing what the future holds.  Plus, we have other serious situations, like the bitter ongoing fued between sisters Kim and Kyle, Camille getting some of her personal belongings unceremoniously shipped to her from estranged ex-husband Kelsey Grammer, and the addition of the Brandi Glanville, the scorned ex of actor Eddie Cibrian, in future episodes (judging from the previews, her arrival isn’t going to be sugar and spice and everything nice).  All in all, it’s hard to say where this season will to take us, but I have to say it’s looking a little bit dark so far.  However, there is something that may have lightened the mood, even if just a bit: The pretty shoes they featured worn by Adrienne Maloof and Lisa Vanderpump.  I know there are some people looking for these shoes, so here’s a rundown of some of the styles seen on the premiere, plus some options for getting a similar look for less:

We’ll start out with Lisa Vanderpump’s pink heels, which were shown near the beginning of the episode.  To be honest, I can’t see the shoes well enough to be absolutely certain on what they are, but I did find out that Lisa has shoe design aspirations and it involves something pink: Her Vander “Pump” (yes, she does have a perfect last name for this) is a style she created with designer Ryan Haber:

This glam pair comes in pink or black and it’s made in suede with Swarovski crystal detail.  For those of you that can handle the $902.10 price tag, it’s on preorder at ryanhabercollection.com.  If that’s totally out of your price range, but you’d still like to find a pretty pink pump with decorative detail, here are some alternatives:

The Steve Madden Party-R for $129 with free shipping at Shoes.com.  Coupon code 15OFF takes 15% off (limited time) and drops the total to $109.65.

The Paris Hilton Sarina on sale for $80.75 at Shoes.com with an extra 15% off using the code mentioned above.  Few sizes are left, but you can also get it at Heels.com for $94.99 with free shipping.

Lisa also wore these black pumps with large rhinestones on the top of the shoe and around the ankle strap.  We do see a red sole, indicating that these are likely Louboutins (plus, Lisa is known to be a huge fan of the brand), but I haven’t seen this particular style before — perhaps they were never available online or they might be custom made (or maybe I just totally missed them!).  If you like the look of the oversized rhinstones around the ankle, you might like this more affordable style:

The Nina Garima in black, ivory or silver for $114.95 at Shoebuy.com.  Use coupon code SHOEBUY to get 10% off (limited time) or get a better price in gold or silver at Endless, where they are on sale for $74.74 with free shipping.

On to Adrienne Maloof, who made a big splash last season when she wore sparkly Gianmarco Lorenzi heels.  For the dinner party she hosted on the premiere, this lucky lady got to reach into her highly enviable shoe closet for another amazing pair:

This, of course, is the $1,195 Christian Louboutin Lady Clou Spike (seen at Nordstrom), which now appears to be completely unavailable online.  But, I think this next pair is a super-hot — and totally available – option for less:

The Sam Edelman Lorna with spiked bow for $136 at Karmaloop.  Coupon code 15FALL takes 15% off $75 (exp. 9/30).  In addition to the Aged Metal color pictured, it also comes in nude and leopard.

That’s all for the shoes I spied in the first episode, but I also wanted to note that Adrienne Maloof just launched her shoe line and the collection is currently available for preorder.  You can find Adrienne Maloof by Charles Jourdan shoes at Isaay.com and they are priced from $195 for flats to $295 for crystal-adorned heels.  I definitely noticed some Giuseppe Zanotti inspiration going on; for instance, the Ivy Sandal is very much like the Giuseppe Zanotti E10079.  All of the options are really very pretty, but my personal favorite is the Veronica Platform (pictured above) in turquoise - love that color!

Happy Wednesday!

RH photos from Bravotv.com

The Jeffrey Campbell El Carmen is one of those styles that’s been released in several color/pattern options, but this playful polka dot version in pink and red is my personal favorite (although the blue/fuschia combo comes in at a close second).  That’s why it’s totally bittersweet to see it back in stock at Solestruck after it sold out the first time.  Sweet because it’s available for purchase, but bitter because I have so many extra things to pay for at the moment, I won’t be able to spare $119.95 to snag them!!  Gargh.  If this color combo isn’t your cup of tea, you must check out the super-cute new yellow gingham version:

With such a pretty print for light summer days – this one just might become my new fave.  There’s also a classic red gingham option available.

You can check out the Jeffrey Campbell El Carmen at Solestruck, where several variations of this platform sandal are offered for $119.95 each with free shipping.  Note that the blue/fuschia one is sold out.

Some of you may recall those classic Sam & Libby leather ballet flats with bow that were all the rage in the late eighties/early nineties (if not, you can see one pair pictured here).  I can certainly remember a time when everyone had these shoes and they came in all kinds of colors (I had black and loved them to death).  When I first saw the Libby Edelman Kendra pictured above, it had me thinking about those shoes once again.  Of course, it’s partly because Libby Edelman is the “Libby” from Sam & Libby and this pair is from her namesake Libby Edelman brand, while her husband is Sam Edelman, whose namesake brand we all know so well.  But, it’s also because the Kendra has similar bow detail in the front, like the original, but with a bit of an update: it’s even larger and made of flouncy satin, plus the pink color contrasts so nicely with the cheetah print.  Totally adorable.

You can find these flats at Shoes.com for $59 with free shipping and coupon code SECRET20 takes 20% off through 7/5/11, but few sizes are left in cheetah.  You can also find the cheetah version at Piperlime for $59 or at Zappos for $69, both with free shipping.  Additional color options are available.

Chinese Laundry always offers plenty of hot shoes, but I’m particularly loving some of their recent arrivals for summer.  The colorful kicks I’m checking out right now definitely strike me as being ready-made for a little weekend play.  The candy-colored cutie pictured above is one of the styles I’m talking about — it’s the Chinese Laundry Lightning for $129.95.  Clearly there are plenty of others loving it too because it’s already close to being sold out, but it’s certainly one to put on the radar for more stock or availability (I don’t see it sold anywhere else at the moment).  But, there are more shoes that caught my eye, so let’s check it out:

The stock photo displayed for the Chinese Laundry Mod Squad definitely doesn’t tell the whole story on this style.  It might easily be overlooked as just a regular patent slingback pump, but you have to check out the side view (and the additional color options):

How cool is that heel??  You also have to see it being worn in some of their promotional shots for the full effect:

So.Loving.It.  These are priced at $129.95.

Then we have these super-stylin’ Chinese Laundry Back Seat booties.  I’m all about a pop of color, so these are totally up my alley.  Get them in blue or pink and rock them out for $149.95.

To save on your order, apply coupon code CL15REG323 to get 15% off regularly-priced shoes through 6/30/11.

I’m so excited because my birthday is this week and I definitely had something super-pink and totally spiky in mind as the perfect b-day gift.  I’ve been drooling over the Sam Edelman Lorissa for what seems like forever and, although this is a style that has been available in many color and pattern options, it was the hot pink pair that really won my heart.  Of course, my sweet hubby always knows exactly what I want (after I dropped a few not-so-subtle hints, that is), so now these bad babies are in my hands — and I am thrilled!

The pictures of this shoe really don’t do the color justice.  The pink is super-rich and vibrant and the suede is oh-so-soft.  Then there’s the pewter rhinestones and spikes on the back that really set it off and totally up the glam factor:

I am sooo loving these.  I also find that they feel pretty comfortable, at least so far.  I haven’t had a chance to wear them out yet, which is the true test, but some shoes can be uncomfortable right when you try them on.  I don’t imagine that these will be the shoes I wear when any serious walking is involved, but they feel pretty good for being as high as they are and they don’t strike me as being particularly heavy, which I’ve seen some reviews say.  All in all, this is one of my top shoe purchases to date!

I also had to mention this: My 5-year old daughter, who is a huge Mario Brothers fan, declared these “Bowser shoes” when she first saw them.  And, you know, she might just have a point:

Yes, I can totally see where she’s coming from.

You can find the pink Sam Edelman Lorissa on discount at Karmaloop, where the price is $200 and you can apply coupon code SAVE20 for 20% off and free shipping (exp. unknown, one time use per account).  Shoes.com also has them for $225 and coupon code SHOESAVINGS will take $50 off $200 (exp. unknown).  If you’re interested in other color options for even less, check out 6pm for black leather, white or denim for $139.97.

Whatever…stomping fools is my business! - Bowser

Update: I’ve had a couple questions about how these shoes feel when worn out.  I finally had the chance to do just that and I can’t call them comfortable by any means, but they felt much like many of my 4+ heels do after even moderate walking (which for me means I’m pretty much ready to get them off).  They don’t have a very high platform (only 1/2 inch) and I could feel a little more pressure on the lower area of my foot without that extra height in the front to help compensate for the height of the heel.  As far as the heavy back end of the heel goes, I did notice that the back of my foot would occasionally raise up just slightly while walking, but my foot never came completely out of the shoe and it only happened a couple of times.  I went half a size up, but probably could have gone with my true size.  I also haven’t had any problems with the studs and rhinestones falling off so far - they seem quite secure.  That being said, I love them and I definitely had fun wearing them.

Bowser image from mariowiki.com

You may remember the Spring 2010 Fendi Cinderella (pictured above) as one of the “it” high-end designer styles from last year.  This shoe was worn by a plethora of celebs, including Demi Moore in a Rachel Zoe-styled Harper’s Bazaar shoot and Whitney Port in a promotional photo shoot for MTV’s The City, both of which I posted about here.  Of course, I always try to find similar, lower-priced options for those who want a comparable look, but can’t afford the over-the-top price (plus, these have long since sold out).  At the time I posted about these, I was able to track down scarf shoes with fabric that wraps around the ankle and plenty of shoes with clear lucite heels (you know, the extra sexy ones), but I couldn’t locate a pair that combined both.  But, now we have these:

The Colin Stuart Wrapped Platform Sandal is a lookalike for the Fendi Cinderella, but it’s far less expensive.  Of course, at this price point, the fabric isn’t as luxurious and the platform is definitely a lot lower, but personally I appreciate this detail.  It can be a fine line when wearing clear heels and I feel like the half-inch platform is more subdued and wearable, while still providing the intended effect.  I also like the pretty pink upper on this pair, which is available at Victoria’s Secret for $70 (originally $88).  Additional color options include cream, black or grey and you get free shipping if you spend $100 or more via coupon code SHIPVS11 (exp 5/19/11).

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The Jeffrey Campbell Tick is one of those styles that’s been reinvented again and again in a variety of color/pattern options and it’s normally known for having a tough, edgy vibe with its army of metallic studs all over the heel.  But, make no mistake, the Tick has a soft side too - one that enjoys candlelit dinners, leisurely strolls and intimate conversation.  Yes, the Tick has gone all romantic on us, ladies.  It’s now available in this lovely shade of sky blue suede with whitewashed tacks for a bit of a shabby chic effect.  You can find the light blue Tick at Karmaloop for $180 and they also have pink for the same price:

Coupon code SAVE20 takes 20% off and gives free shipping for first time customers or use ROCKIT for 15% off (expiration unknown).   Solestruck also carries the pink version for $174.95 with free shipping.  I’m loving the softie side of the Tick, but there’s more to this shoe’s personality, as you’ll see in these additional new versions:

Sometimes the Tick likes to flip the switch and change up its look completely.  Here, it goes off the chain by trading in the thumbtacks for a wide band of metal mesh around the ankle.  The resulting Jeffrey Campbell Tick Chain is available at Solestruck for $309.95 with free shipping.

Then there are times when the Tick goes totally buckwild and gets into the paint.  Naughty little shoe.

The $179.95 Jeffrey Campbell Tick Paint sold out very quickly at Solestruck, but Karmaloop has a similar version: the Jeffrey Campbell Riddle Paint for $194.  Update: Karmaloop now also has the Tick Paint in white, black or taupe for $180.  This is a non-studded version.

Happy Friday!

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