Despite my neverending love for heels, I’ll be the first to admit that the 4th of July isn’t always the right time to wear them.  If you’re lounging by the pool, headed for the lake or doing anything else remotely active, high heels often won’t do.  However, if you happen to have a little soiree to attend for the holiday and heels do fit the bill, these limited-edition Irregular Choice Chica Chola flag wedges are a fabulous choice for displaying a little independent spirit.  These shoes in red, white and blue are totally all American (though they are made by a UK-based company) and, while I love the rainbow version of these shoes, I must say the American flag theme fits really nicely with the shoe’s design.  Of course, if you really want to go all out and get these shoes to wear on the 4th, you’ll have to order quickly and pay extra for fast shipping given that the holiday is already upon us this weekend.  You can find them at Solestruck for $199.95 and they offer overnight shipping if you order by 3 pm PST on weekdays (no Saturday or Sunday delivery), so it appears you could get them by Friday if you order by tomorrow before the time deadline (although check with Solestruck to be sure).

Showing some love for the U.S. via a hot pair of shoes?  I’m down for that.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for things to heat up for spring.  Although it’s still plenty cold outside and will be for quite awhile, I find that just looking at something sizzling hot can help conjure up a feeling of warmth, even if only for a brief minute.  That’s why I’m talking about a fiery new color trend for spring today: orange shoes.  I’ve been noticing a lot of orange around lately, most notably on Drew Barrymore in Jil Sander at a recent Cover Girl party and all over the runways, as seen on SheFinds and The Fashion Spot.  I’ve always loved orange because it’s such a warm hue and, in it’s brightest form, made for super-high visibility.  It also sets off a tan very well, which is always a plus (if you have a tan, that is).  But, generally speaking, it’s probably one of the more under-used colors in fashion, especially for footwear.  If you want to apply this trend to your shoes, which is is a nice way to add a pop of color in this shade without running the risk of orange overload, you might try one of these pairs:

Nine West Playtag for $79 at Nine West.

Charles David Primp for $230 at Endless.

Mojo Moxy Bollywood for $89.95 at Endless.

Seychelles Gypsy for $54.90 at Endless.

Two Lips Ignite for $99.95 at Endless.

Anne Klein Marcella for $39.99 at Shoe Woo with an extra 50% off at checkout (limited sizes, all sales are final).

Update: Here’s another cute orange pair, the Fergie Quilla for $89 with free shipping at Shoes.com.  Coupon code VISA takes 20% off regularly-priced items, making them $71.20 (exp. 6/30/11, may require Visa payment).

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We haven’t seen our friend Cheap Chick in awhile, but she decided to pop out of her shell today in the name of cute shoes that won’t break the bank.  If you’ve been to this site before, you know that Cheap Chick is the resident bargain-hunting birdie at this shoe blog and her sole mission is to find shoes under $25.  Sure, she looks pretty tame, but be warned: she gets downright predatory when it comes to low-priced shoes, especially brand name pairs that normally cost much more.  Here’s what she hunted down today:

Smartbargains is having a Shoe-A-Thon, which works out quite well for this Cheap-A-Thon because they have a selection of nearly 50 shoes from brands like Fergie, Carlos Santana, Franco Sarto, Matisse and Harajuku Lovers marked down to just $19.  Sizes and color options are limited for some styles, but I like the Harajuku Lovers Kalista pictured above.  It’s still available in a wide selection of sizes and comes in silver, black or brown (color availability depends on size selected, some are sold out).  The sale ends 8/14/10.

6pm has the Madden Girl Maci in black with zipper accents marked down to $24.95 (MSRP $54.95).

6pm also has the Not Rated Beadster wedge in tan for $23.99 (MSRP $39.99).  It comes in black as well, but it’s almost sold out.

Shoemall has the Yellow Box Biloxi flip flop marked down to $29.99 (originally $37.95) and coupon code BK2SCHOOL takes 20% off until 8/17/10 and that reduces them to $23.99 with free shipping.  The similar Yellow Box Fusion is marked down to $23.99 and the coupon drops them to $19.19.

Also at Shoemall, the Avia A5020W running shoe is marked down from $44.95 to $28.99. The same coupon code listed above will make your total $23.99 with free shipping.

Victoria’s Secret has the Colin Stuart Patent Platform Sandal marked down from $58 to $24.99.  It looks like gold and black are the only colors available at this point depending on the size selected.  Use coupon code FREEVSSHIP for free shipping on 8/12/10 only.

Victoria’s Secret also offers the Colin Stuart Studded Sandal for $24.99, reduced from $75.  It comes in natural, brown or black depending on size selected.  Use the above coupon code for free shipping today only.

6pm has the RSVP Erinn in black, fuchsia, navy or white for $20.25 (MSRP $75).

6pm also has the RSVP Nell with teardrop peep toe in red, black, navy or grey for $23.22 (MSRP $85).

Aeropostale is having their Friends and Family sale that takes 30% off your order when you apply coupon code FFAUG at checkout until 8/15/10.  They have a few flip flops and sneakers in their footwear section, but I like the slippers.  These Aeropostale Striped Rugby Slippers are $14.99 before the code and $10.49 after.  Five other color options are available.

Please note that prices on any of the above shoes can change at any time and availability may be limited.

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I’ve always liked Sam Edelman shoes, but I must say that the recent styles we’ve seen from the brand are particularly drool-worthy and stand out in a major way.  I’m especially loving the brand’s take on the shoes with spikes trend we’ve seen so much of lately, most notably from Christian Louboutin, but the Sam Edelman pair is just as covetable at a much more moderate price point than CL.   This spiked shoe starts out innocently enough, with a sweet white peep toe pump up front:

But, watch out, it gets all-out dangerous around back:

The result?  A shoe that will satisfy both your inner good girl and your wild-child side all at once:

The very daring Sam Edelman Lorissa is available at Karmaloop for $200.  Get another 20% off and reduce them to $160 with coupon code CLINTON, which I believe is for first time purchases and 10% off for subsequent orders, but there’s also code 15FAB takes 15% off.  Or, get the same pair in black suede at Nordstrom for $199.95.  Update: Zappos has the white version for $200.95, Amazon has it for $200 and Endless has it for $200.  Update 2: Jildor has the black version for $199.

Of course, heels with spikes aren’t for everyone, but Sam Edelman offers plenty of more styles that have glam details and a hefty dose of edge:

Sam Edelman Quinly for $199 with free shipping at Shoes.com.  Apply coupon code VISA to reduce them to $159.20.

Sam Edelman York in purple for $160 at Karmaloop.  Use the coupon codes mentioned above to discount your purchase from 10-20%.  It’s also available in pink passion for the same price or in turquoise for $200 before discount.  Shoes.com offers the same colors and the black suede version for $199 with free shipping and 20% off using VISA at checkout.

Sam Edelman Zachary mule wedge for $225 at Karmaloop or for the same price at Shoes.com, but with free shipping.  Use the above coupon codes to discount your purchase up to 20%.

Sam Edelman Zoyla for $225 with free shipping at Shoes.com with 20% off using the above coupon code.  The code reduces them to $180.

Sam Edelman Kinley for $128 at Karmaloop before coupon.

Sam Edelman Faye in zebra or cheetah for $150 before coupon.

Note: The expiration is unknown for the Karmaloop coupons and the Shoes.com coupon ends 10/31/10.

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The Fourth of July is coming up this weekend, which for many of us means the 5 F’s will be in effect: Food, Family, Friends, Fireworks and Fun.  Part of that fun, in my opinion, is going ALL out in the patriotic spirit of Independence Day by wearing traditional red, white and blue.  Of course, you can always opt for shoes in these colors that will have you looking firecracker hot.  One of my favorites is the Charles David Tapestry (pictured above), which is available at Endless for $122.47, marked down from $174.95.  It ships free via overnight shipping, so there’s still time to order before the holiday weekend.  I also found more options that range from casual and fun to dressy and fab that I think are perfect for the day.  All are from Endless and have free overnight or 2-day shipping as noted:

Jessica Simpson Bobcaty in red for $44.21 with free 2-day shipping.

Spring Step Gardenia in red for $52.46 with free 2-day shipping.

Pilar Abril Magnolia for $71.25 with free 2-day shipping.

Pilar Abril Verbena for $54.60 with free 2-day shipping.

Apepazza Topazio for $74.96 with free 2-day shipping.

Nomad Footwear Sparkles flip flop in red and blue for $23.77 with free 2-day shipping.

Poetic Licence Star Gazing in black, pink or grey for $97.95 with free overnight shipping (no red, white or blue, but love the stars).

Naughty Monkey Rain Dance for $70.95 with free overnight shipping.

Have a happy 4th!

I recently purchased these Skechers Tone-Ups Ninjafield shoes in silver because I’m trying to up my game, so to speak, in the exercise department.  I’ve been watching the rapidly growing fitness footwear market for quite some time now with plenty of interest, but also a healthy dose of skeptism.  It seems like every shoe company around that has anything to do with athletic or comfort shoes - i.e. Skechers, New Balance, Reebok, Earth and more - now offers lines of footwear that tout bold claims like weight loss, muscle toning and tightning, calorie burning and more just by wearing them regularly.  And though these shoes often receive positive reviews, it never seems all that clear if they actually cause weight loss or if they really change the shape of your legs over time.  But, I do want to believe that a pair of shoes could be my magic bullet (ha), although the price points have kept me at bay until now.  I just don’t want to shell out the big bucks for shoes that would normally cost much less without all of the promises, i.e. $50-$60 for flip flops and $100+ for tennis shoes that might be half as much without the marketing hype.  However, I must admit, it’s not too much to pay if they actually work, so when I found the Skechers Tone-Ups Ninjafield at Famous Footwear marked down to $29.99 (originally $54.99) and they had a coupon for another 20% off that reduced them to $23.99, it was a no-brainer for me to try them out.  At that price, you can’t lose.

So far, I’ve been super-happy with my purchase.  I think they’re cute for a casual shoe and they felt great from the moment I tried them on.  They have a cushy midsole that I can only describe as like walking on a mattress (in a good way).  The marketing booklet I received with my order says that the midsole is made of a double layer of high-tech polymer with varying thickness from heel to toe and the gradual variation causes three distinct areas of compression: a firm toe area for maximum control, a stabilizing middle and a softer heel strike that causes more effort with each step.

I’ve been wearing them regularly around the house and for doing things like running errands for a couple of weeks now.  I can definitely say that these shoes are very comfortable.  I went out for one of those long power-shopping trips recently and I typically feel plenty of tension and fatigue in my feet at the end of the day (more or less depending on my shoes) but I felt absolutely none of that when wearing the Tone-Ups.  I definitely give them a thumbs up for that. 

As far as toning and weight loss goes, it’s hard to say.  Obviously it takes time to see any dramatic differences, but I do feel like I’m standing a bit straighter and a couple of times I felt some muscle activation in my calves that I didn’t notice with other shoes.  All in all, I am feeling stronger, but I’m also doing other types of exercise, so I can’t give full credit to the shoes at this point.  However, I do like them enough that I’m considering buying another pair.  I’ll give it some more time and keep you guys updated if I see additional results.

If you’d like to try out your own pair of Skechers Tone-Ups for less, you can still get the Skechers Tone-Ups Ninjafield in silver for $29.99 at Famous Footwear with $4.50 for shipping.  Apply coupon code DTWB291 until 6/30/10 to get 20% off your order.  Or, get them at 6pm for $20 with $6.95 extra for shipping (Update: Sold out at 6pm).  Here are some more low prices I found:

Skechers Tone-Ups Strength Train in hot pink and white for $20 at 6pm (Update: Now $14.95).

Skechers Tone-Ups Hotness in bronze for $35 at 6pm.

Skechers Tone-Ups Glamgirl in black, red or navy for $49 at Shoes.com.  Apply coupon code VISA for 20% off, which reduces them to $39.20 with free shipping.  Or, go to FinishLine to get them in black for $29.98 with about $7.99 for shipping.

Skechers Tone-Ups Candy Bar in silver or bronze for $29.99 at Famous Footwear.  Apply the code mentioned above for 20% off, which makes them $23.99.

**Note: Please excuse my slowdown in posting over the past week or so.  I’ve been having some internet issues, including several bouts of no internet service at all (lovely) that prevented me from updating the site as regularly as I normally do.  Luckily, I had a technician out today and it appears to be fixed (fingers crossed), so I should be good to go.**

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Cheap Chick is back in business today, this time searching for shoes that are perfect for both the active summer lifestyle and the good ol’ wallet.  She scoured her favorite bargain shoe store, 6pm, for the latest in good-looking casual shoes that are priced under $25 for those who need to satisfy their shoe shopping cravings for less.  We’ll see flip flops and flats, but there’s a couple heels thrown in for good measure - because that’s how Cheap Chick rolls.  Here’s what she found:

These Simple Glider shoes have an MSRP of $100 and they feature a leather upper and full grain leather lining and topsole, plus environmentally-friendly recycled materials used in the midsole and outsole.  They look pretty comfy too.  Get this pair for just $19.95 in black or brown.

Here’s another pair of eco-friendly shoes from Simple, the Simple Undertoe.  These shoes are made of natural materials like organic cotton, bamboo, jute and recycled tires.  They have a MSRP of $75, but are marked down to $19.95 in brown multi or pastel multi stripes or in solid black, natural and brown color options.

Lose the heels, keep the style with the Franco Sarto Journal strappy flat thong sandals, which feature a leather upper.  Choose from black, pink, blue or brown for $20.70 (MSRP $69).

Add some bling-bling to your casual look with the Volatile Partay, which comes in silver, blue, black or brown for $24 (MSRP $59.99).  There’s also a red version for $30.

Here’s another sparkly option, the Skechers Grace Kelly sequined wedge flip flop.  Get it in brown with bronze sequins for $22.20 (MSRP $37).

Get a flip flop from the folks famous for their sheepskin boots.  Ugg may be a love it or hate it kind of brand, but you have to admit these look super-comfy.  The Ugg Tasmina flip flop in mango is offered for $25 (MSRP $50).

If you practically live in the water all summer long, you might like the Terrasoles Beyond flip flop, which has a anti-microbial footbed suited for going from wet to dry and back again.  These come in pink, black or green with black sole for $22.43 (MSRP $39.95) or get a pink pair with white sole for $17.55.

Keep your casual look super-classic with the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Seasonal Ox for $22 (MSRP $44).  I love the sky blue color, but it also comes in dark pink for the same price.  There’s also a light orange version or a white pair with neon pink laces and trim, each for $26.40.

Now for a couple of heels under $25:

Nine West Jai black leather peep toe pump for $23.60 (MSRP $59).

RSVP Hana in red or black satin for $23.46 (MSRP $65).

Shipping adds a flat-rate $6.95 to any size order at 6pm and prices can change at any time.

Have a happy Saturday!

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