I’ve been watching the Christian Siriano for Payless collection for awhile and I, like many others, had to rant on how toned down the shoes ended up being compared to the runway shoes once they were available for sale (you can see those posts here and here).  For example, the first blue shoe pictured above was translated into this:

It’s ok, but not what you would call Christian Siriano “fierce”, right?  So, I was glad to hear on The Cut that Payless did end up releasing the straight-from-the-runway versions of Siriano’s shoes and I had to go check them out for myself.  And guess what?  They are practically sold out already!  They might be completely gone by the time I post this considering there is only one size left in the All Done Up Mary Jane Pump (pictured in the middle).  The limited-edition shoes were priced higher-than-usual for Payless at $79.99 each, but these sold out a whole lot quicker than the toned down pairs.  I have to say, way to go Payless!  Update 3/11/10: It looks like there are a few more sizes left today, but they are still close to selling out.

Now I’m hoping they’ll do the same for the Christian Siriano Fall 2010 collection.  You can see those shoes at Nitrolicious.

Macy’s is having a Weekend Sale right now that marks down the price on hundreds of women’s shoes.  You also get an additional 20% off your order with coupon code VIP20 - which even works on sale and clearance shoes (sweet!).  I’m loving several of the styles they offer, like the Paris Hilton Sashay (pictured above) with studded platform.  It’s on sale for $79.99 (regularly $99) in grey, black or purple and you can get it for $63.99 after code.  Here are some more of my picks from the sale:

Carlos Santana Entrance in bronze or pewter for $89 before code, $71.20 after.

Marc Fisher Hoken in red, black, snake or pewter on sale for $59.99 (regularly $79).  Get them for $47.99 after coupon.

Calvin Klein Dylan for $119 before code, $95.20 after.

Steve Madden Loyyall on sale in black, blue, blush or yellow for $62.30 (regularly $89).  Get them for $49.84 after coupon.

DKNYC Odetta in black or ash for $120 before coupon, $96 after.

The code expires 3/14/10 and some exclusions may apply.

With St. Patrick’s Day coming up on March 17, I’ve definitely had green shoes on my mind.  While some people don’t necessarily do anything to celebrate the holiday, I think it’s fun to get in the spirit by wearing something green (plus, you’ll avoid a good pinch by St. Patty’s Day revelers on the prowl for anyone not donning the hue).  There are lots of ways to incorporate green into your wardrobe for the Irish holiday, but let’s face it - it’s a great excuse to wear some fabulous green shoes.  Of course, as an added benefit, you can get plenty of wear from a freshly-picked green pair during spring as well.  Here are some of my favorite green shoes that are sure to bring plenty of luck:

So. cute.  The Harajuku Lovers Avallon for $99.95 with free 2-day shipping at Endless.

Fergie Empower in spinach for $99 at Shoes.com with free shipping.  Apply coupon code MSAVE for 20% off, making them $79.20.  They also come in a lighter shade of green called wheatgrass.

Carlos Santana Glamorous for $55.20 (MSRP $110) at 6pm.

Get a little funky with the Naughty Monkey Knot Sure in green.  The best price is at Amazon for $20-$28 depending on selection, but few sizes are left.  Zappos has them in plenty of sizes for $68.95.

Get even funkier with the Irregular Choice Shimmmy, which will obviously stand out in a major way.  Get these for $120.95 with free 2-day shipping at Endless.

Go for simple and sweet with the Miss Me Monet-5 ankle boot for $39.95 with free shipping from Amazon.

Nine West Beaulah for $83.97 (MSRP $119.95) at 6pm.

The elegant Calvin Klein Daliah for $71 (MSRP $118) at 6pm.

This one strikes me as having a true St. Patty’s Day vibe.  The Carlos Santana Rome for $89 with free shipping at Shoes.com.  Coupon code MSAVE takes them down to $71.20.

Spring-ready: The SM Ven Rosette Wedge in green for $39.95 at DSW.  Take $10 off orders $10 or more with coupon code MARCH10 at checkout (must sign in to use codes), making them $29.95.

Michael Antonio Hagen for $64.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.

Seychelles Yin for $46 (MSRP $80) at 6pm.

Now, here’s a few of Cheap Chick’s picks for green shoes under $25.  These are all from 6pm:

Steven by Steve Madden Tummble for $22.35 (MSRP $149).

Converse Chuck Taylor Seasonal Hi in green for $23.29 (MSRP $45).

Zigi NY Gemma for $17.98 (MSRP $44.95).

Schutz 31601002 for $17.40 (MSRP $116).

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone and may the luck o’ the cute green shoes be with you.

I mentioned yesterday that one of my favorite shoe brands is Naughty Monkey because they always offer plenty of fun, fashionable shoes with a bit of a quirky edge.  But, like most things, Naughty Monkey shoes are made even more appealing when they go on sale.  That’s why I was glad to see the Naughty Monkey Punkalicious made it over to 6pm, the clearance site for Zappos, and is now marked down to $44.62 (MSRP $85) in your choice of red, navy or black.  Unless you buy the black version either at Endless for $49.90 or at Piperlime for $49.99 with free shipping included (few sizes are left at both), I haven’t seen it sold for less at any other store.  Need more Naughty Monkey shoes on sale?  Check these out:

Naughty Monkey Bada Bing for $31.98 with free shipping at Amazon in most size and color combinations. It comes in grey, black or tan. If your option is $89 at Amazon, try Endless for a price of $43.97 with free shipping or 6pm for $44.62.

Naughty Monkey Clydsdale in blue, black or red for $44.62 (MSRP $84.99) at 6pm.

Naughty Monkey Cinche in tan for $67.13 (MSRP $95.90) at 6pm.  Love the corset-like effect on the back.

Naughty Monkey T-Cup in pink, green, yellow or blue for $31.98 (list $79.95) with free shipping at Amazon.  They have a very Missoni-like pattern.

Naughty Monkey Take Me Out in wine or chocolate (pick your vice) for $44.62 (MSRP $90) at 6pm.

Naughty Monkey My Heart Is Tied for $36.38 (MSRP $79.99) at 6pm.

The expiration for these sale prices, if any, is unknown.

I think the Betsey Johnson Nina in cream is super-adorable, yet sophisticated, with its contrasting stripes and studded bow.  There was also a very appealing red, black and white version available at one time that appears to be sold out online.  You can get the best price on the cream pair at Heels.com, where it is on sale for $176.99 with free shipping, but few sizes are left.  Shoes.com also has them for $251.99 and coupon code MSAVE takes an additional 20% off, making them $201.59.  While this isn’t an outrageous amount of money, it’s still a big chunk of change for many of us and not always doable on a tight budget.

Enter the Not Rated In LA, which offers similar stripes - just in different colors - and a studded bow.  If given the choice (i.e. free reign to spend as much as I want), I would opt for the Betsey Johnson pair because they look higher in quality overall and I prefer the color scheme, but the Not Rated pair is definitely a cute alternative at a much lower price.  You can get this style in black or yellow at Shoes.com for $50 and the 20% off MSAVE code reduces them to $40 with free shipping.  There’s also a blue/white/red version available at Endless.com for $49.99 with free shipping.

Speaking of Not Rated, I saw this promo photo on Endless and had to find out which shoes were featured here:

And, you guessed it, they are from Not Rated as well (of note, Not Rated shoes are made by the same company as one of my fave brands, Naughty Monkey).  This is the Not Rated Inked:

These pump-boot hybrid shoes clearly look hot with boyfriend jeans and they’re nicely affordable too.  You can get these in black or cream for $60.95 (most sizes) with free shipping at Endless.  However, Shoes.com has them for $60 and the 20% MWAVE code drops them to $48 with free shipping.  They also have the yellow pair, which is now sold out at Endless.  Coupon expiration is unknown.

Dillards is having a really good shoe sale right now.  So good, in fact, that I had to break out our trusty sale spotlight to highlight some of the best deals.  They’ve taken an additional 40% off all permanently reduced sale items, which includes a selection of almost 350 women’s shoes (the sale price reflects the extra discount).  So, let’s take a look at some of the best shoe shopping bargains they have going on:

Michael Michael Kors Camden in black for $54 (originally $150)

Dolce Vita Celtic in platinum for $50.70 (originally $169)

Calvin Klein Prive in zebra for $41.99 (originally $108).  Of note, Amazon has the same shoe for a slightly higher price of $43.18, but free shipping is included.

Steve Madden Korset in black for $59.99 (originally $149)

Steve Madden Tayla in black for $41.99 (originally $99)

Beverly Feldman Chaos in leopard for $107.64 (originally $299)

J.Renee Makensy in platinum or pewter for $34.20 (originally $95)

BCBGeneration Border in black or rasberry for $33 (originally $110)

Vince Camuto Minnie in black for $89.99 (originally $198)

As far as I can tell, these prices can’t be touched at any other store right now.  The sale ends 2/27/10.

I know a lot of people have been interested in the dramatic red feathered heels that Kim Zolciak from The Real Housewives of Atlanta wore last season to castmate Kandi’s birthday party.  It’s been quite awhile since we saw her wear them on the Bravo show, but I’ve found that people are still looking for them, even to this day. I mentioned before that I thought they were Christian Louboutin, but wasn’t able to pinpoint the exact style. However, I’ve since found out that they are the Christian Louboutin Anemone Plume (seen here at Miss Lovely) and it doesn’t appear they were ever sold online.  In fact, it was hard to find a picture of the red version - I found the image above on the Superhero blog - and I’m guessing they are no longer available.  But, I came across this feathered shoe by Nina today, which I think is a viable alternative:

Sure, they aren’t red and they aren’t Louboutin, but the look of the Nina Xtina is quite similar and offers plenty of plumage at a fraction of the cost.  You can get these at Macy’s for $99.95 and they are also having a nice little sale right now that takes 50% off your second pair of shoes when you buy one.  If you don’t see your size or don’t plan to buy a second pair, get them for the same price at Zappos with free shipping included. 

Zappos also offers the white and ivory versions, which are particularly perfect for brides searching for a bridal feather shoe.

If only the Anemone will do, try contacting a Christian Louboutin boutique for more info on its availability.

I love finding a great deal on Betsey Johnson shoes, especially one like the Betsey Johnson Kottes in black.  It’s a mary jane style in schoolgirl plaid, but far from being sweet and innocent.  This is Betsey, after all.  Of course she adds a naughty, rocker chick twist with the super-high heel, large buckle and stud detail, which contrasts so well with the classic print.  To top it off, they are on sale at Amazon, where you can get them for $76.99 - that’s a sweet 60% off their retail price of $190.  Sizes are getting a bit limited, but you can still currently find 6.5-8.5 and shipping is also free.  The sale price expiration, if any, is unknown.

Update: If you are a size 9.5 or 10, get a slightly better price at Lord & Taylor.  They are on clearance for $84.99 and coupon code BIG takes another 25% off.  That makes them $63.74, but shipping is $9.95 extra.  Or, get free shipping if your order is $150 or more.  The coupon expires 2/28/10.

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!

The Jeffrey Campbell Tick is definitely one of those shoes that invokes a strong reaction.  From what I can tell, it’s a “love it or hate it” kind of style with not much in-between.  And those who love it, well, they really love it.  Just check out the blogs of Jeffrey Campbell and Solestruck, who report the frenzy of emails and calls they’ve received about this shoe and it’s availability.  Personally, I’m a fan - I sang the praises of the white and burlap versions in my Christmas Eve post.  I can see why it might be a bit extreme for some people, but that’s what makes it such a statement-making, head-turning kind of style.  I also love interesting details on the heel of a shoe and the series of small metal tacks used all over the wedge of the Tick definitely qualifies as unique.  We’ve seen this pair in black, white and burlap so far and Solestruck reports that a zebra version will be available soon.  We also now have a tribal Jeffrey Campbell Tick, which is exclusively at Karmaloop and available for preorder now:

Karmaloop notes in their blog that the Tick Shoe in Tribal appears to be inspired by the Givenchy Spring 2010 collection.  At first glance, I wasn’t too sure about the busy design on these, but I tend to like the Tick better when I see it actually being worn.  I can imagine the possibilities much more with this photo:

Yes, I think there are plenty of little black dresses out there that need an infusion of this wild, untamed style.  If you love.want.need the tribal Tick for yourself, head over to Karmaloop and get them for $150.  Apply coupon code XOXO for another 20% off, which makes them $120.  Coupon expires 2/16/10.

Update 2/20: It looks like Karmaloop is currently sold out.

We know that the Christian Louboutin Bridget (and the gold version, Bridget Strass) was a super-hot style for much of 2009 and one that I considered the shoe of the year based on the multitude of celebrities seen wearing it and the fact that it will be featured in the upcoming Sex and the City 2 movie, which is all but guaranteed to be a hit.  The buzz over the Bridget seems to have died down for now, since it no longer appears to be available for sale anywhere online, so I was starting to think that no one would attempt to make a lookalike for this standout pair.  But, oh yes, they did:

I was checking out Journeys today and saw the Nadara Cosmo, which is a dead ringer for the Christian Louboutin Bridget - even down to the red sole (albeit a darker red).  While the Louboutin Strass was priced at $1,785, the Nadara Cosmo is priced way lower at $49.99.  That’s over $1,700 less (if you could still get the Bridget), so I’m predicting these could sell out pretty quick.

Update: This pair is still available, but it’s on backorder until 4/1/10.

I’m definitely a fan of Naughty Monkey and their line of fun and unique shoes.  One new style I’m craving right now is the Naughty Monkey Me O My pump, which has that classic combination of black and white along with edgy details like studs and snake print.  I tend to wear a lot of black, grey and white, often mixed with a pop of bright color, and I imagine this pair would really add some extra flair to that kind of look.  You can get these at Shoemall for $69.95 and get another 15% off with coupon code NEXJUMP, making them $59.46.  They are also available in yellow or blue.

I’m also crushing on the super-hot Naughty Monkey Fiesta.  In contrast to the ‘Me O My’, this shoe would be perfect for adding that pop of bright color to your outfit and I’m loving the reptile print on the platform.  I also have a weakness for extra-small baby studs, especially the ones along the heel, so I’m seriously coveting this pair.  My favorite is the yellow version, which is sold at Endless for $80.95, but it also comes in brown, black or purple.  If you like the purple, Shoemall has it for $79.95 and you can use the above coupon for another 15% off, making them $67.96.

Update: Endless is almost sold out of the yellow Fiesta, but you can also get it at Nordstrom for $79.95.

Coupon expiration is unknown.

If I had to pick one shoe that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day this year, I’d have to vote for the Harajuku Lovers Dalle.  The red hue and girly bows on this platform pump show that you’re all in this Valentine’s Day, but the super-high heel and edgy appeal keep it from being too overly sweet.  Whether you are going out for a romantic evening or hitting the town with friends, you’ll definitely be feeling the love in this shoe.  Luckily, this is Gwen Stefani’s lower priced line of shoes (compared to L.A.M.B. at least) and you can get this style for $99 at Endless with free overnight shipping, leaving plenty of time to get it by V-day.

If you want to spend less on a similar bow-adorned style, be sure to check out the Olsenboye Madeline from Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s JCPenney collection.

6pm is having a Betsey Johnson shoes sale today, which takes 60% or more off a selection of over 100 pairs.  Prices start at just $37.50.  Get a Valentines-ready red satin heel for less with the rhinestone-adorned Betsey Johnson Cristie, which is marked down to $50 (MSRP $200).  It’s also available in black, brown or leopard.  The sale ends today, 2/4/10. 

Here are some more shoe sales of note:

6pm is also taking 75% off A. Marinelli shoes and offers a selection of Donald J. Pliner shoes for $100 or less on 2/4/10 only.  Get 75% off or more on Exchange by Charles David shoes until 2/7/10.

Macy’s is having their Wear Red Sale, which takes 25-30% off women’s shoes, plus you get an extra 20% off via coupon code WEARRED until 2/7/10.  The discount applies to your choice of regular, sale or clearance items, although some brand exclusions apply.  If you plan to shop in-store, be sure to wear red in order to get the savings.

New Lord & Taylor coupon code FINAL takes 15% off regular or sale items and 25% off clearance items until 2/9/10.  Again, some brand exclusions apply, but you can apply the code to their selection of women’s shoes and get the biggest discount on their clearance shoes.  A printable coupon is available on the homepage if you prefer shopping in-store.

Get 20% off sale shoes at Shoes.com with coupon code 20offsale until 2/8/10.

Wedding season is coming up and, if you’re a bride-to-be planning the big day, you want everything to be just right - down to the last detail.  The pictures here are from my own wedding, which looked and felt just like a fairy tale to me and was certainly one of the best, most memorable days of my life.  All of the planning, work and preparation was totally worth it for that one special day. 

Of course, the centerpiece of any wedding is THE dress, but brides need the perfect accompaniment to complete their look: a  beautiful pair of bridal shoes.  It’s always been highly popular to wear head-to-toe white and match the shoes to the gown, but I love that today’s brides are getting increasingly creative with their look - especially when adding a dose of color, like Gwen Stefani did with pink in her Dior gown and singer Pink with black in her Monique Lhuillier.  Even if you wear a classic white dress, you can always opt for a nice pop of color in your shoes in lieu of metallic and white options.  My own gown was floor-length, so my shoes didn’t really show, but of course I had to find myself a pretty heel to wear anyway:

I really did love these silver flower-adorned ankle-strap heels (sorry for the small pics) and while many of us sacrifice comfort for style from time to time, I have to admit these ended up being quite uncomfortable - even for a nice stroll down the aisle - and I ended up ditching them during the reception for a pair of sequined blue flip flops.  There’s no harm in doing something like that if your dream wedding shoe is less than comfy, but here’s a word of advice: Don’t forget (like I did) to walk around in your shoes before the wedding, break them in a bit and bring a back-up if you don’t think you can dance (or walk) the night away in them. 

As it turns out, I wore my wedding shoes only once and then my sister wore them for her own wedding a few years later as her “Something Borrowed” item.  So far, they seem to have brought us both plenty of luck and happiness! 

Now, let’s look at some currently available wedding shoe options in a wide variety of styles and price points for anyone planning their own bridal look (or for brides who may need a little shoe inspiration!).  I think these bridal shoes will make the very first step into married life completely gorgeous:

Metallic bridal shoes:

The very princess-esque Pelle Moda Indulge in pewter, bronze or black for $184.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.

The ALDO Vanancio in silver or black for $90 at ALDO.  Coupon code 99029324 takes 10% off until 1/30/10.

The glam Pelle Moda Verbena in gold, pewter, silver or black for $184.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.

The Pelle Moda Limbo in pewter, bronze, black or champagne for $154.90 - $154.95 depending on size/color selection at Amazon.

Glitter bridal shoes:

The Colorifics Gala in silver glitter or gold multi-colored glitter for $56.45 at Shoebuy.  Get another 20% off with coupon code BDAY, making them $45.16 with free shipping.  Coupon expiration is unknown.

The Stuart Weitzman Avalon for $355 at Jildor.

A style Taylor Swift once wore, the Report Signature Carleton silver glitter heel, which is available in limited sizes at Heels.com for $179.99.  Coupon code NEWYEAR takes 15% off $150, making them $152.99 with free shipping, until 2/15/10.

The Miss Me Whitney for $39.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.com.

White and ivory bridal shoes:

Pre-order the Martinez Valero Ophelia with rhinestone bow for $175 at the Martinez Valero website.  It comes in white or ivory and is expected to ship in February.

Also at the Martinez Valero website is the Martinez Valero Olivia in white, black or ivory with passementerie trim.

The ruffled RSVP Henny in ivory for $73.83 with free shipping at Zappos.

Here’s a fabulous discount on the Cole Haan Ceci Air Rose Slingback.  It’s normally $428, but marked down to $192 at Neiman Marcus.  The other stores I’ve seen that carry it still list it at full price right now.

A stand-out in floral, the Nina Critia in ivory, white and nine other color options (hello, bridesmaids!) for $99 at ninashoes.com.

The sophisticated Badgley Mishka Randall in white, silver or black for $200 with free shipping at Piperlime.

Champagne & pink wedding shoes:

Badgley Mischka Randee in pink, gold, black or white for $215 with free shipping at Piperlime.

Paris Hilton Senorita in pink, red or black for $93 with free shipping at Zappos.  Also available at Shoes.com in gold, pewter, grey or black for $97 with another 15% off using coupon code SNOW until 1/31/10, making them $82.45. 

Luichiny Gim Me in champagne for $68.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.  Also available in teal, black, red, brown and purple.

A statement heel for a statement bride, the Pelle Moda Bryce in champagne or black for $127.16 with free shipping at Zappos.

Now, for any brides who want to fulfill their “Something Blue” requirement with a pair of blue bridal shoes, here are some options to consider:

Blue wedding shoes:

Fan of Sex and the City?  Get Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding style with a Manolo Blahnik Something Blue knockoff, the Martinez Valero Zenith in blue.  It’s offered for a really great price at DSW, where it’s $79.95 (black and silver also available).  Update: DSW members get $10 off $49 by logging in to their account and getting the coupon code by 2/3/10, plus get free shipping on $35 using code NEWYR10 until 2/8/10.  If DSW doesn’t have your size, the Martinez Valero website has it for $159.  Here are more wedding shoes in blue:

Fergie Safra in blue, black or red for $89 with free shipping at Amazon.

MIX NO. 6 Onyx in blue or black for $39.95 at DSW.  Update: DSW members get $10 off $49 by logging in to their account and getting the coupon code by 2/3/10, plus get free shipping on $35 using code NEWYR10 until 2/8/10.

Paris Hilton Regal in blue or grey for $95 at Shoes.com. Get 15% off with coupon code SNOW until 1/31/10, making them $80.75 with free shipping.

Update: I had to add this pair for a soft, pastel blue bridal shoe option.  It’s the Martinez Valero Vida for $153 with free shipping at Zappos.

To all brides in 2010, congratulations to you and I hope you’re wedding day is amazing in every way!