It’s been pretty chilly here lately and, although I don’t like cold weather all that much, I’ve definitely been enjoying the rare bout of snow we received in my area - just enough for my husband and 4-year old to craft these cute mini snowmen.  Plus, when temperatures drop, I have to admit it’s nice to hole up in the house and get super-warm and cozy in front of our fireplace, donning my new Snuggie (thanks Mom and Dad!) and, of course, slippers.  Slippers are fun because you don’t wear them in public, so you can go all-out and be really playful with them or you can stick with a classic pair with a bit of stylish flair.  Whatever you prefer, I’ve found some slipper options that will do the job right.  Plus, we’re seeing plenty of good clearance sales, so you can save some serious money too.  Check these out:

Get animalistic in these Kirra Zebra Scuff Slippers on clearance at Pacsun for $9.99.  Get an extra 50% off at checkout, making them a mere $4.99.  Choose from black or pink.

These faux fur slipper booties are $8.99 at Aeropostale.  Coupon code 30JAN takes another 30% off clearance items, making these just $6.29.  Coupon expires 1/10/10.

Slip your feet into luxurious cashmere for less with these J.Jill Cashmere-Blend Slippers.  They are on sale in three color options for $39.99 (regularly $59).  Get another 25% off sale and outlet items at checkout until 1/10/10, making them $29.99.

These cute Knit Ballet Slippers from Lands End are on sale for $29.99 (originally $39.50) in five color options.  You can also save another 10% by using coupon code SAVE10 and PIN 7806 at checkout.  If you prefer a similar style in a mary jane, try their Knit Mary Jane Slippers for the same price.

Make your inner child happy in a pair of animal slippers.  These Aroma Home Ladybug Slippers are $26.95 at Shoebuy and coupon code ACCESS takes another $5 off, making them $21.95.  Other options include bumble bee, frog, pig and poodle.

These may not be the most highly affordable slipper option, but they are highly adorable.  The Giesswein Flower Ballet Slippers are $66 at Garnet Hill.

If you can’t deal with too much heat on the feet, try these Aeropostale Striped Rugby Slippers in red or pink.  These flip flop slippers give your tootsies room to breathe, but they are perfect for slipping on after a bath or shower.  Get them for $14.99 at Aeropostale.

During the current Macy’s One Day Sale, get the Jenni Boot, Peace, Love, Dream Bigfoot Slippers in light pink, dark pink or blue for $11.24.  Or, choose an aqua star or zebra print for the same price.  Not all colors are available in all sizes.  Sale ends 1/9/10.

These American Eagle Aerie Sherpa Slippers in red or pink are marked down to $9.95 at American Eagle.  Coupon code 56079843 takes another 15% off until 1/15/10, making them $8.46.  Shipping is free if you buy three or more items or spend over $100.

The American Eagle Aerie Slipper Socks (Slocks? Slickers?) are marked down to $11.95.  Use the above coupon code to discount your purchase another 15%.

The American Eagle Fairisle Slipper Boot is on sale in black or blue for $19.95 at American Eagle.  Use the coupon code above to get another 15% off.

The PJ Couture Minky Bootie is $26 in four color options at JCPenney. Get 15% off with coupon code PCNEWYJC at checkout until 2/1/10.

These Old Navy Fuzzy Slippers in pink, blue or white are just $12.50 at Old Navy.

I hope everyone stays toasty warm!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday!!  I’m really looking forward to spending time with my family, eating a delicious Christmas dinner and exchanging gifts.  I have so much to be thankful for, including this blog, which I started a year ago and have had so much fun with.  I appreciate everyone who has followed and kept up with it and I’m definitely looking forward to another year full of cute shoes!

I’m taking a little vacay, up in a cozy cabin in the mountains, and will be sans computer and anything else technically-related for a few days after Christmas, so I won’t be updating the site during that time.  Yes, we all need to unplug and recharge our batteries once in awhile.  But, I will be back with a vengeance right before New Year’s and I’m totally looking forward to it.  Be sure to check back!

Before I go, I must say that I have visions of these shoes dancing in my head:

Jeffrey Campbell Tick in natural burlap for $169.95 at Solestruck

It’s a wedge…it’s a bootie…it’s a…wootie?  A bedge?  Whatever it’s called, I’m loving it.  The studs on the heel look like those little metal tacks you use on bulletin boards, but the way they just barely overlap makes them look slightly reptilian.

I’m also dreaming of a white Christmas:

Jeffrey Campbell Tick in white for $169.95 at Solestruck

I’ll be back soon!!

These $836 Yves Saint Laurent Divine eel platform pumps from Farfetch are certainly divine, as their given name suggests.  I’ve had a thing for eel ever since I was a young girl and my grandmother Millie, who was very elegant and had great taste, gifted me with a small, beautiful tan eel purse, which felt like pure luxury to me.  While eel skin may not be the most common leather people wear on their shoes, it is one of the most exotic and tends to impart an instant air of sophistication when worn.  It can also be quite expensive.  But, wearing eel shoes doesn’t have to break the bank.  Let’s take a look at a few gorgeous, but expensive, eel heels from YSL and some lower-priced eel shoes that provide all of the indulgence, but none of the guilt:

More: Yves Saint Laurent Eelskin Pump in chalk from the Cruise 2010 Collection for $775 at Nordstrom.

Less: RSVP Cassidy genuine eel pump in sand for $68.04 at Zappos.

Less: The RSVP Cassidy is also available in brown eel at Zappos for $62.72.

More: Yves Saint Laurent Eelskin Pump in coral from the Cruise 2010 Collection for $775 at Nordstrom.

Less: Moda Spana Simone eel pump in camel, dark brown or wine for $44.28 at 6pm.  Also available in very limited sizes at Overstock for $49.82.

Less: The Cindy Says Toxic pump, which is made of faux eel skin and has a very unique heel, which is described as “comma inspired” (who knew commas could be inspiring!).  It’s available at Amazon for $71.58 in mustard.  You can also get it in red or black for the same price, but sizes are extremely limited.

I’m also really hoping this Pelle Moda Vintage becomes available again.  It’s at Zappos for $115.08, but only in size 10, and I don’t see them available anywhere else.  If anyone knows where to get them, I need to know!

We all need shoes for sweating it out, even if some of our best-laid plans for regular workout sessions can often be put on hold.  But, a great new pair of workout shoes can certainly motivate and Sears happens to be having an awesome athletic shoe sale right now.  It’s a BOGO deal that takes 50% off your second pair and it combines with coupon code SHOPONLINE, which takes 20% off any shoe order.  At the very least, it’ll keep the wallet lighter, right?

As an example, you can get the Skechers Starry in white/purple (above) for $29.99 and the Reebok Trail Wave (left) for $19.99.  Get them together and you’ll pay just $31.98 for both after discount, which is only about $16 a pair.

Shipping is free if you spend $49 or more.  Hurry, because the 20% coupon code ends today 11/10/09.  The BOGO sale ends 11/14/09.

MBT

You’ve probably heard of MBT shoes, the “anti-shoe” that replicates barefoot walking on soft, natural ground, which is supposed to provide a natural shock absorbing effect, increased muscle tone, better posture and more.  The health benefits touted by MBT shoes - along with similar fitness footwear like FitFlops, Skechers Shapeups and Earth Exerfit - are certainly impressive, but not entirely proven.  So, the question remains - do they actually work?  This article I found called Shoes That Help You Lose Weight? discusses the conflicting opinions on this subject.

TheraShoe

Not to mention, these shoes are quite expensive compared to most regular walking shoes or flip flops.  MBT shoes are usually in the range of $250, while Skechers Shapeups are typically $100 and FitFlops are $50-$60 (although I have seen FitFlops for $25 on sale).  If you’re already convinced of their fat-burning power, these shoes could most definitely be worth the money.  But, if you’re a bit on the fence, you might be glad to hear about an inexpensive MBT knockoff on the market called TheraShoe.  The TheraShoe website essentially boasts the same benefits as other fitness footwear, but they are sold at a fraction of the cost.  TheraShoe styles are sold exclusively at Kmart for $19.99 to $34.99 and there are a few different styles to choose from - sneaker, clog, bootie and even a flip flop that looks just like the FitFlop (but these are virtually sold out).  I can’t vouch for the differences in the more expensive brands versus TheraShoe, but it’s a good option for anyone who wants to give fitness footwear a try on the cheap.

Get an additional 10% off any shoes order at Kmart, including TheraShoe, using coupon code SHOES10P until 1/31/10.

Get this Keds Classic Mule for a low price…we’re talking really low.  Fashion Bug has this style for $5.98, which is already super inexpensive, but coupon code 776263907 takes another 20% off 1 item.  That brings the total to just $4.78.  They are sold out of navy and red, but you can get them in white or blue (light blue with white stripes).  Shipping adds $4.95.

They have more Keds for this price in their clearance section, although size selection is very limited for some styles.

I tend to favor shoes with uniquely decorated heels and this super-bright Wild Diva Vivian canvas wedge is no exception.  It comes in white, yellow and black and all would be great for when things warm up in spring and summer.  I especially like the black pair, which would add a nice dash of bright color to any little black summer dress or show off a little color in your heel when paired with jeans.  Get this style for $36.98 (retail $59) at Love My Shoes.  Shipping adds $5.95.