Lady Gaga: Always blending in

It’s really getting down to the wire on American Idol now that only four contestants remain, at least until the results show tonight when it will be whittled down to just three.  It’s really hard to predict who will go home this week since they are all so good in their own ways, but I have to admit that I’m on Team Haley and Team Lauren right now (go ladies!).  The Idol hopefuls definitely have their game face on at this point in the competition, but we also have some shoes sharing the spotlight, like Lauren Alaina’s platform sandals that she wore while singing the Martina McBride song “Do It Anyway”.  I really enjoyed the performance and how she dedicated it to the people affected by the tornadoes that hit the South recently, but it was also great when Steven Tyler called her shoes out while judging her rendition of the song and said he loved her buckles.  Too funny, that guy.  Here’s a pic of Miss Lauren and said buckle shoes:

I had a hunch that these were Bebe, since we’ve seen Lauren in Bebe on the show a few times before, and that was confirmed via StyleList; however, I can’t locate the exact style.  It may be one that was previously available and sold out or one that is soon to be available (or maybe I’m just completely missing it!), but here are a couple of options I found for a similar overall look:

Mark + James Makayla for $225 with free overnight shipping at Endless.  Get 20% off $100 with coupon code MAYEVENT (exp. 5/12/11).

Bebe Austin for $110 at Macy’s.  Get an extra $10 off $50, $20 off $100, $30 off $150 or $50 off $200 in-cart, making these $90 if purchased without other items (exp. 5/12/11).

While Lauren’s towering platform sandals are dramatic enough for many people, this kind of shoe is mere child’s play for Lady Gaga, who mentored the contestants this week.  Gaga’s choice of footwear for the show has sparked some controversy across the net and it’s not because they are extraordinarily high (as you can see above) – it’s because the clear lucite heel of her shoes is in the shape of a certain part of the, ahem, male anatomy.  This is what she wore:

Leave it to Gaga to bring on the shock value with her provacative Void of Course shoes, which are said to cost around $4,500 (note that content/images at the link may be explicit).  Now, I’m not the type to get worked up by such things and you couldn’t see any detail on the shoes while watching the show (producers made sure of that).  But, even so, when you’re making an appearance on a family-centric show like American Idol, it probably isn’t the best time to bust out your best man parts shoes.  Just sayin’.

Photos from American Idol and Void of Course blog.

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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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I thought Haley Reinhart did an amazing job this week on American Idol with her rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and, although she did briefly end up in the bottom three on the 4/21/11 results show, she definitely looked cheerful and bright in her trendy colorblock look.  Haley wore an eclectic color combination consisting of a green skirt, an orange top and bright yellow heels (not to mention a gorgeous necklace).  I found these shoes, which look like a match for the style she wore:

I originally saw the Velvet Angels La Loco in “Sun” at Endless, where they are $294.95 with free 2-day shipping, but the tan/black version is priced lower at $162.22.  Then I found out that 6pm has the yellow pair on supersale for only $112.50 and shipping is also free!  Sweet!  The free shipping offer requires an order of $100 or more and ends 4/24/11.

Speaking of yellow shoes, we saw another notable pair in action on Glee’s Lea Michele.  She attended Coachella recently and E! Online reports that she may have been a bit of a mean girl at the event.  I don’t know what happened there, but I do know she had some cute shoes on.  Like Haley, she incorporated plenty of color with her playful orange and pink jumper paired with yellow wedge shoes.

I recognized her shoes as the Aldo Dyle (mentioned before here) and they are available for $100 at Aldo.  Coupon code 342725694 takes another 10% off for a limited time, making them $90.

Have a great weekend and a wonderful Easter!

AI photo from EW.com.  Lea Michele photo from eonline.com.

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I recently received a request for help finding shoes similar to the Christian Louboutin Balota (the gorgeous shoe you see pictured above) as well as a few requests for wedding shoe ideas, so I figured today would be a good day for a nice little diversion into the land of fancy footwear.  I don’t personally have an occasion that would call for wearing these kind of dressy shoes in the near future, but I have to admit I love looking at them anyway (eye candy!).  So, whether you need some extra-special shoes for a wedding or another event, or if you just want to window shop like me, here are some pretty little things for your feet:

First we have some sparkly and/or glittery strappy sandals that have a similar look to the $1,095 Louboutin Balota, but are far less expensive:

Steve Madden Aillie glitter sandal in champagne for $79.95 at Steve Madden.  Coupon code rmn15f takes 15% off and applies free shipping, making them $67.96 (expiration unknown).

Nine West Elaine in gold for $79 at Nine West.  Shipping is also free for a limited time.  Note that this shoe is currently on preorder and expected to ship by 5/24/11.

Zigi Soho Gala in beige for $79.95 at DSW.  Members get free shipping on $35 with coupon code SHIPR through 8/15/11.

Michael Antonio Thandie in gold for $44.88 with free 2-day shipping from Endless.

Now, let’s talk bridal shoes.  There are so many styles for brides to choose from and so many color options to consider (not just white these days), so today I’m going to hone in on one particular brand that has really caught my eye lately - Menbur. 

I love so many of their latest shoes and they are tailor-made for gorgeous bridal style, but you certainly don’t have to be getting married to appreciate this brand.  One standout is the Menbur Casanova (above), a total princess shoe with its sparkling, rhinestone-encrusted ankle wrap.  You can find this style for $220 with free overnight shipping from Endless.  Here are some more options from the same brand, each from Endless:

Menbur Ballesio in nude or black for $234 with free overnight shipping.

Menbur Ceylan in grey, black, stone or champagne for $190 with free overnight shipping.

Menbur Bicci in nude, blue, fuchsia or black for $145.90 with free overnight shipping.

Menbur Curran in fuchsia, red, stone or black for $147.90 with free overnight shipping.

Menbur Carmichael in midnight blue (something blue!), black, nude, turquoise and fuchsia for $164 with free overnight shipping.

Check out all of the Menbur styles at Endless for even more options.  Note that prices and shipping information are subject to change at any time.

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We’ve been checking out both neutral shoes and multicolored shoes, but there’s another breed of footwear that combines elements of both.  These shoes have a primarily neutral palette, in shades like taupe, black, white or gray, but then there’s some portion of the shoe that is played up with a nice shot of color.  I love the overall effect this provides and, although there are many ways to wear these shoes, I find it particularly relevant for the colorblocking trend we’re seeing for spring (as noted on Stylelist).  If you’re experimenting with this trend by combining various contrasting color combinations in your clothing, you might opt to incorporate just a touch of one of those shades in your shoes to bring it all together.  Or, if you’re hesitant to try colorblocking with your clothes, some of these shoes have more than one hue, meaning the trend is already built-in and ready to go with any look you choose.   I’m loving the Pelle Moda Franky (above) with a pop of bright orange, which can be found for $162 with free shipping at Lori’s Shoes or for $180 with free shipping at Shopbop.  Here are some more options, in both warm and cool shades:

Aldo Dyle rubber sole wedge with a pop of yellow for $100 at Aldo.  Coupon code 310687728 takes 10% off, making them $90 (exp 4/1/11).  Note: If you’re obsessed with those Prada rubber sole wedges (like the $695 Prada Mary Jane Wedge) but can’t shell out the big bucks for them, this is a nice alternative for much less.

Aldo Heister platform sandals with a pop of orange or yellow for $100 at Aldo.com.  Coupon code 310687728 takes 10% off, making them $90 (exp 4/1/11).

Nine West Stylin colorblock sandals in dark pink and orange for $89 at Nine West (ships 4/26).  Shipping is also free for a limited time.

Fergie Bold heels with a pop of yellow for $99 with free shipping from Shoes.com.  Get 20% off your order, making these $79.20, with coupon code SECRET20 (exp 3/31/11).

Madison Harding Casey wedge with a pop of yellow for $235 with free shipping from Piperlime.

Jeffrey Campbell San Diego colorblock sandals in orange and yellow for $135 at Nasty Gal.

Topshop Luminate sandals with a pop of pink for $145 with free shipping at Topshop.

Steve Madden Bellahh heels with a pop of coral on preorder for $129.95 at Steve Madden.  Get free shipping by applying SMFREESHIP at checkout.

Nine West Braxton for $99.95 at Nordstrom with free shipping via coupon code SHOES (exp 4/14/11) or for $99 with free shipping at Nine West.  This pair is also available in a yellow/orange/red combo.

Aldo Dyle again, this time in green, for $100 at Aldo.com.  Coupon code 310687728 takes 10% off, making them $90 (exp 4/1/11).

N.Y.L.A. Daron in turquoise for $84.95 at DSW.  DSW Rewards members can apply GETFAVES at checkout for $15 off $74, $30 off $149 or $50 off $199 (exp 4/4/11).  That makes this pair $69.95.

Please note that prices and promotions are subject to change at any time.

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I’ve been talking about shoes in bold colors a lot lately, but today I’m sticking with a much more neutral subject - literally.  I’m talking about neutral shoes, styles in shades like taupe, beige and nude, because this is a huge trend we’re seeing for spring.  We’ve actually seen this same trend every year for at least the past couple of years, but it makes perfect sense: For what these shoes lack in color, they totally make up for it in extreme versatility, giving great bang for your fashion buck.  Plus, they’re ideal for pairing with those light and airy spring frocks we love to wear this time of year because they won’t weigh down the look.  Sure, you won’t have the drama that bold color can provide, but going nude with your shoes gives plenty of leeway for playing things up with unique design details.  One example of this is the Calvin Klein Alex (above), a modern, sleek and sexy style with crisscross detail on the upper for added interest.  You can get them for $158 with free overnight shipping at Endless.  Here are some more neutral shoes that have caught my eye:

Sam Edelman Kellan wedge in nude for $224.95 at Nordstrom.  Get free shipping with coupon code SHOES through 4/14/11.

Boutique 9 Illy in light natural for $139.99 with free 2-day shipping from Heels.com.

Report Signature Calyer in almond for $264.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.  Or, get a similar look for less with the BCBGirls Estrella pump in nude for $119.99 with free 2-day shipping at Heels.com.

Sergio Zelcer Maggie t-strap wedge sandal in tan for $129 with free overnight shipping at Endless.

Aldo Krugh for $90 at Aldo.com. Coupon code 310687728 takes 10% off (exp 4/1/11).

Chinese Laundry Talk To Me in natural for $109.95 with free shipping at Shoemall.  Coupon code SHOEMALL20 takes 20% off (expiration unknown).

Dolce Vita Scarlett in blush for $99 at Bloomingdales.  Get 20% off with coupon code MARCHFF (exp 4/3/11).

Messeca Cecilia asymmetrical wedge for $169 with free shipping at Piperlime.

Fergie Sanibel in nude for $109.95 at Shoemall.  Coupon code SHOEMALL20 takes 20% off (expiration unknown).

Note that prices and promotions are subject to change at any time.

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If there’s one thing I love about spring, it’s the emergence of color.  Applying color to our look is more of a year-round style staple than a trend, but we do tend to see more bold hues being used in fashion when things heat up outside.  When it comes to shoes, you can always add a pop of color in one shade at a time, which works very well, but you can also opt for a wide array of color all in one pair.  Many designers are mixing it up in this way, as seen on Neiman Marcus and these are shoes that, by their very nature, are cheerful, bright and oh-so-fun.  One pair I’m loving is the Jeffrey Campbell Tick Esp (pictured above), which has the normally thumbtacked Jeffrey Campbell Tick shedding its armour in favor of playful, colorful threading all over the heel.  It was available at Envishoes (now sold out) and it’s also sold at Singer22 as the Jeffrey Campbell Tick Fab for $150, but it’s very close to being sold out there as well.  I’m hoping to see these in stock somewhere soon but, no worries, there are plenty of more fabulous multicolored shoes where that came from (Update: You can now get these shoes at Karmaloop for $190.  Get 15% off $75 or more with coupon code MADNE55 through 3/31/11).  Here are some of my other faves:

The Haus of Price Multi Gem pump is on preorder at Solestruck in gold for $239.95 with free shipping.  It’s also available in silver at Stanton James for $245 or get the similar Gameplayer (also known as Solid Goddess) version for the same price.

The Irregular Choice Chica Chola rainbow wedge for $149.99 with free 2-day shipping at Heels.com.

The Dollhouse Neo in multi on preorder for $49.99 at Journey’s (ships in April).

The Nine West Jump Girl for $99 at Macy’s.  Get 25% off 2 or more pairs of shoes with coupon code ADDICTED until 3/13/11.  Shipping is also free on orders $99 or more.  Update:  There is also coupon code WEEKEND that’ll take 10% off this pair, making it $89.10 (exp 3/13/11).

The Jeffrey Campbell Foxy in multi stripe for $125 at Karmaloop.  Get free shipping on $50 with coupon code 50SHIP for a limited time.

The Michael Antonio Gunner for $65 with free 2-day shipping at Endless.

The Diba Chi Keeta for $69 with free shipping at Amazon.

The Coconuts Pauly wedge for $44.95 at DSW.

The Annie Magic Dress Sandal in bright multi for $47.50 with free overnight shipping at Endless.  The clear illusion detail on the front of these definitely makes for an interesting look.

Update: I had to add this pair, the Jessica Simpson Vadio in deep purple.  It’s been sold out everywhere in this colorblock version, but is currently available at Envishoes for $98.95 (sold out).

Update 2: OMG - check this one out!  The Senso Diffusion Sahara for $198 at Karmaloop.  Get 15% off $75 or more with coupon code MADNE55 through 3/31/11.

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