Don’t you just love a good Real Housewives reunion?  Host Andy Cohen always has his best game face on and the ladies are ready to rumble.  The recent Real Housewives of New York City Season 3 reunion special was no exception and there were plenty of theatrics to go around - and cute shoes.  The most noticeable shoes on the show came from feuding former BFF’s, Jill Zarin and Bethenny Frankel, who both hashed out their differences wearing brightly colored heels. 

Jill wore bright green shoes with a red sole, which we know is a sure sign that Christian Louboutin is in da house:

This is the Christian Louboutin Greissimo knotted pump in mint, which were sold at Barney’s for $895 but are no longer available anywhere online as far as I can tell.  You can still get the black version at Barney’s or at Bergdorf Goodman.  But, if you have your mind set on that pop of green in your shoe collection and you want it for less, try this pair:

The Aldo Orpin is a lookalike pair for the Louboutin Greissimo and it’s offered at a fraction of the cost.  Get it for $90 at Aldo and take another 10% off by applying coupon code 175926229 at checkout until 7/31/10 and shipping is also free for a limited time.

Glowing new mom Bethenny Frankel looked fabulous in her hot pink heels.  It was hard to get a good close look at these on the show, but I saw on Examiner.com that these are Alexander McQueen, specifically these patent platform pumps that were once available on Net-A-Porter.  But, I noticed in the Bravo reunion photos that Bethenny’s shoes are a peep toe style, so it appears that these are likely the pair she wore:

These are the gorgeous Alexander McQueen 216935 heart peep toe pumps seen at Zappos.  They are now sold out and I couldn’t find them anywhere else, but the same shoe in red is available at the Alexander McQueen website for $279.  For a much less expensive Alexander McQueen heart peep toe pump knockoff, try these:

These Heart Peep-Toe Patent Pumps are available at Frederick’s of Hollywood for $19.99, marked down from $39.  They come in red, hot pink or black.  Thanks to The Look 4 Less for the tip on those!

Photos from Bravotv.com

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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*This post is from 2010.  For 2011 information, check the latest post on Memorial Day shoe sales*

It’s Memorial Day weekend and you know what that means!  Shoe sales, baby!  We’re seeing plenty of discounts being offered right now and I have a rundown of some of the best shoe shopping bargains I’ve seen for the holiday.  Get your shoe shopping fix for less with these sales and coupons:

Guess.com: Get an extra 50% off sale items at checkout, including their selection of women’s sale shoes. The Guess Beautifi (pictured above) in yellow, black or pewter is super-hot and on sale for $84.99 (regularly $99). Get it for just $42.50 after the instant discount. Expiration: 5/31/10

Martin + Osa: This store is closing and they’ve been offering an extra 30% off at checkout in recent weeks, but they’ve increased the discount amount to 50% off for this weekend.  Get a whopping half off the listed price on any of their women’s shoes, including styles from Dolce Vita, Havaianas, Jeffrey Campbell and more.  Get the Havaianas Slim Floral Graphics Flip Flop for $12.50 after discount (regularly $24.50).  Note that sizes may be limited and all sales are final.  Expiration: 5/31/10

Steve Madden is having their Friends and Family sale that takes 25% off orders $59.95 or more with free shipping using coupon code FF25 at checkout.  I like the pink neon Steve Madden Roxanna, which is $69.95 before the code and $52.46 after.  It also comes in black or bone.  Expiration: 5/31/10

Shoemall: Get 20% off your order using coupon code MEMORIAL at checkout.  Expiration: 5/31/10

6pm has a fresh new crop of brand sales this weekend.  There are select Nine West shoes for $24.95, select Two Lips shoes for $16.95, up to 70% off Betseyville shoes and more.  Shipping is free on $100 or more.  Expiration: 5/31/10

DSW has a coupon that takes 25% off 2 or more pairs of shoes using code 2FORU25 at checkout.  You’ll need to log in to your DSW account to use the code.  Expiration: 6/1/10

Shoes.com: Get 20% off sale items with coupon code SALE20 at checkout.  Expiration: 6/4/10.

Famous Footwear: Get 20% off your order using coupon code MAY20 during checkout.  Expiration: 6/5/10

Payless: Buy one pair of shoes and get 50% off the second, plus get another 20% off using coupon code 30479 at checkout.  Or, get $5 off $25 with their 34677 code. There’s definitely some cute shoes available in the Alice + Olivia for Payless collection.  Coupon expiration: 5/31/10

Note that exclusions may apply for any of the above offers and they can expire at any time.

I hope everyone has plenty of fun and relaxation this Memorial Day weekend!

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You may plan on buying some shoes this weekend, but you can also make your piggy bank happy in the process.  I’ve rounded up some shoe shopping discounts that will put a smile on your face and keep your little piggy nice and full, metaphorically speaking.  Here’s what I found:

Piperlime is having their Sweet Deal Event that takes up to 30% off a selection of women’s shoes.  There are plenty of styles to choose from, but I noticed a good price on the FitFlop Walkstar in red, which is on sale for $28.50 with free shipping (regularly $50).  That’s practically in Cheap Chick territory (i.e. under $25).  The sale ends 5/30/10.

Old Navy has a selection of cheap flip flops for throwing on at the pool or beach (or anywhere else for that matter). Their classic flops are normally $3.50, but for a limited time you can get 2 pairs for $4 or choose from select colors that are $1.49 a pair.  There are also additional styles listed on this page that are 2 for $5.  If you plan to spend at least $75 on your order, get 15% off and free shipping with coupon code ONCAMP15 until 5/23/10.  There’s also a similar deal at American Eagle.  Buy any pair of shorts and get a select pair of flip flops for $1 for a limited time.

6pm is having their latest round of brand-specific shoe sales, including MIA shoes for up to 65% off, I like the cute fringe MIA Hannah pump, which is marked down to $24.68 (MSRP $73).  The sale expires 5/23/10.

Famous Footwear takes an additional 20% off any order, even sale shoes, when you use coupon code USWEEKLY at checkout.  I noticed that their Skechers Tone-Ups, which are similar to the FitFlop, are discounted to a super-low price.  Originally $54.99, the Skechers Cali Tone-Ups are on sale for $29.99 and reduced even further to $23.99 after applying the code.  The coupon expires 5/31/10.

Shoesteal always has great discounts on shoes and you can get an even better price when you apply coupon code SUNSTEAL for another 15% off.  I noticed some heavily discounted L.A.M.B. shoes, like the L.A.M.B. Gypsy for $142.80 (originally $356.99).  After the code, get them for $121.38.  Sizes are limited for most styles, but you can check out all of their L.A.M.B. shoes and choose your size at the top to narrow it down to what’s available for you. The coupon expires 6/30/10.

More shoes coupons & sales:

25% off and free shipping at Shoebuy with code EMAILFRIENDS10 until 5/23/10.

20% off and free shipping at Shoes.com with code VISA until 10/31/10.

Buy 1 pair of shoes, get the 2nd pair for $15 at Charlotte Russe.

15% off regular prices and 20% off sale and clearance with code BIG at Lord & Taylor.

Happy shoe shopping!

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Wedges are extra-hot this year and the gladiator look keeps going and going - in various shapes and forms - so the Cynthia Vincent Roma wedge is a great option for incorporating these trends into your wardrobe in a more subtle, but highly stylish way.  Plus, the multiple straps, metallic accents and knotted detail add even more trendy appeal.  This pair is available in brown at Piperlime, in black at Bloomingdale’s or in brown or black at Jildor.  Free People also has a cool multicolored version and all are priced at $350.  But, if you can’t splurge that much on one pair of shoes - no matter how fab they are - we have more gladiator-inspired wedges that look very similar, but cost much less:

I wouldn’t call the Steve Madden Tuscaan a knockoff of the Cynthia Vincent Roma, because it isn’t an exact copy or replica, but it is an inspired-by version with a very similar look.  The best price I’ve seen is at Shoes.com for the cognac pair.  They have it for $89, but coupon code VISA takes 20% off at checkout, which drops them to $71.20 with free shipping (Visa payment may be required).  The code expires 6/30/10.  I’m also digging the other color options available, like blush and white, at Stevemadden.com for $89.95.

The price falls even lower at GoJane, where their Strappy Knot Slingback Wedge is available in black, cognac or brown.  This one looks like a very close copy of the Steve Madden pair, so I guess you’d call it a “knockoff of a shoe inspired by a designer pair” (that’s a mouthful).  Whatever you want to call it, you can get it for just $23.80.

There you have it: Three similar shoes, three price points, three options for what fits best into your shoe budget now.

A classic black peep toe pump that you can wear with virtually anything is a must for anyone’s shoe collection, but how great is it to find this wardrobe staple item for a cheap price?  Plus, it’s leather, brand name and looks great, so you really can’t go wrong.  That’s what you get with the Nine West Jai, which is offered at 6pm in solid black for just $23.60 (MSRP $59) during their current Nine West sale.  There are still plenty of sizes left right now, but I’m sure that won’t last long at this low price.  Shipping adds $6.95 and the sale ends on 5/2/10, at which point the price may go up.

Need more cute cheap shoes?  6pm is also having a CL by Chinese Laundry sale that marks down a selection of flats to $12.95 each until 4/30/10.