When the going gets tough...

...the tough buys herself two pairs of shoes for the price of one to cheer herself up.

 JustFab is currently running a 2 for $39.95 sale on TONS of stuff, and I needed a pick me up so I got two pairs of Abbey Dawns for $39.95. Both of these have been in my wishlist for literally months and it was time to just shut up and purchase them. (I'm about as much of a fan of Avril Lavigne as Snooki is a fan of flat hair and I think that had gotten in my way of getting these sooner.) They are made by Iron Fist (see! I'm obsessed), so I expect that "Starstruck" will be huge (like Filthy Landlubber) and "Pretty Please" slightly large - I'm basing this on previous Iron Fist sizing in those shapes. And, yes, I did need TWO pair of black strappy peep toes. They're completely different. Totally. One has stars and one has studs! Night and day!

Starstruck and Pretty Please from the Abbey Dawn Collection

Unfortunately, they won't be here by the time I leave for vacation, but they'll be a nice welcome back to the office when I get back. I'm sure I'll need all the help I can get with that day, and it will probably result in the purchase of more shoes - like today did.

In the meantime, run over there and see what you can find. There are still lots of cute shoes, bags, and jewelry available in the BOGO. Run! Go! Shoo!

Happy Shopping!
-A

Pet Peeve Alert!!!

I absolutely cannot stand when a shoe company, or any company for that matter, cannot seem to standardize their sizing across their own brand. Even two shoes with the same name may fit completely differently.

Case in point: A couple of weeks ago, I ordered the mint Lyra's from ShoeDazzle. I have the original black ones and they're among my favorites. They're well made, have the gorgeous pink 'Signature Sole', just enough detailing with the faux croc patent, and while they don't fit perfectly, after several wears, they've broken in to my feet and are pretty comfortable. So, I was thrilled to see the new color options in them - Mint, Salmon, and Yellow. The site recommendations said that they run 1/2 size small, which is in line with the originals, and I've always regretted not getting 1/2 size up in the black, so that's how I ordered them. That was a bloody mistake. The damn things were so huge that I couldn't even bunch my toes up to keep them on long enough to walk to the mirror to take a pic. I love the color though and wasn't ready to give up on them. I thought maybe, just maybe, 1/2 size up was simply too big and the true size would fit like the black.

Wrong. The size 7's came in and while they fit in the length, they're still way too wide. I had to throw a ball of foot insert in and cut down a back-of-heel to put on the underside of the vamp. I'm just so exasperated at this point that I'll MAKE them work. They're gorgeous, I'll say that. And they don't make my toes go numb, like the black, so that's a plus. But honestly? If you're narrow or have long toes, don't bother. Unless you want to throw about $10 worth of inserts in them to make them fit.

I get that companies use different manufacturers at the same time, but there's this neat little process known as "Quality Control" - you verify that the shoe is sized correctly, in accordance with your other shoes or you reject it from the manufacturer. It's not just the clubs, either, that have this problem. Betsey Johnson Ditas/Ditans fit completely differently across the colors. I've got three pairs of Jessica Simpson Oscars - one 6.5 that fits perfectly, one 7 that fits perfectly and one 7 that's almost too tight. It's flipping maddening. It's getting to the point that me, the queen of online shopping, is getting weary of buying shoes online. Even when I try stuff in store now, I worry that if I buy them online to get a better deal that the exact same shoe won't fit.

Okay, I just needed to get that off of my chest. I feel better now.

-A

Don't act so shocked

If there is anything you all know about me by now, it should be that I have no qualms about owning the same shoe in multiple colors. (Jessica Simpson Cheetah, Betsey Johnson Dita/Ditan, and Dareah just to name a few) In fact, I'm of the mind that if you love them buy them in every color.

That being said, when I needed a red peep toe, I narrowed it down to Makeeda from JustFab or Key To My Sole from Iron Fist. I've already got the blue in the former and the white in the latter. I love both, they fit well, and I knew I'd be happy with either. I ultimately decided on the red Key To My Sole because I think I want Makeeda in blush, not red, and will just hope for a restock. I'll still end up with duplicates of both shoes, but not in the same color. That'd just be silly, now, wouldn't it?

As for this particular pair, they're a completely different look than the white ones. The white ones look like a pencil drawing on canvas. These, the red, look more like a standard print, but they're more dramatic and eye catching. Both pairs are gorgeous and different enough to justify both - or maybe they're the same and I'm just trying to justify owning two pairs of such unique shoes. I've been known to do that before, too.

Now, I've honestly forgotten what I was hopping up and down to wear these with, so I need to do a loop of my closet and try to remember what I was thinking. Hmmm.

-A

Excited to be going, hating to be packing though.

I'm always terrified that when I travel, I'll forget to pack something majorly important. Other than Mardi Gras 2006, when I forgot my toothbrush, I don't think it's ever actually happened though. Never the less, it causes me a great deal of anxiety to pack - especially when leaving the country for 8 days.

I, with the help of some Sole Sisters, finally decided on my 'main' pair of shoes for the trip. The Chinese Laundry 'Desperado' (I bought them from ShoeDazzle as Akemi) in ivory. Now that I've chosen them, I'll start adding outfits that match them. I may also toss in one pair of white or nude heels, but we'll have to see how much my suitcase weighs, first. Otherwise, I'll be in flip flops, sandals, or tennies all week. At least the main pair is chosen. Considering I've been putting tons of thought into that for months, it's a big weight off of my shoulders.

The way I see it is, between our two checked bags, I can pack 100 pounds plus our carry-ons. Everyone keeps telling me I should pack things that I can wear multiple times, but, ummm...Hullo? It's 90 degrees with equal humidity in Jamaica - I am NOT re-wearing sweat soaked clothes. Uh-uh. No way. But I don't want to over-pack either. I know most days we'll just lounge on the beaches or by the pools, so I'm packing 3 coverups as my main clothing, but I need stuff to wear to dinner every night, to wear on the days we go off resort, and for the night we go hit the local Margaritaville. Because I'm such a planner, this freaks me out to try and decide. Not to mention, I have to make all these decisions for dear Hubs, also. So, I'm spending my weekend indoors, in the air conditioning, anxiously putting things in the suitcase, then rethinking it and taking them back out.

I absolutely hate packing. That is all. I hope you are having a better weekend than I.

-A

It's a sacriledge is what it is.

I've fallen in love with a pair of flip flops. Thanks to my husband. He's the one that suggested I get a pair of quality, comfy flip flops for our soon-to-come trip to Jamaica. You know - for walking around and shopping and what not. At his behest, I tried on a pair of Reef Fannings and dammit, I love them. They actually have arch support. On a friggin' flip flop. And a church key on the bottom - I'll always be able to open my beers. Not that I actually would use it - I don't want the bottom of my shoe in that close of proximity to where I'm going to be putting my lips. Ick.

I refused to pay retail for these - $50 is too much for ANY flip flop. I dug around until I used coupons and Ebates and located them for $32 which was still a hard sell, but they ended up being worth every dime. And, now, Hubs and I have matching shoes (his are brown/beige), much to his dismay. ;)

I'm not giving my heels up for these, mind you. But, I will now have a comfy pair to wear whenever for after Jamaica. Which is more than I can say for the other pair I bought for the trip.

Well, this is a new problem.

You've all heard me talk about my tingers, ad nauseum. I have really long skinny toes. They change how a lot of shoes fit me. Most all of my shoe fit issues are because there isn't enough length in the toe box for my toes. This causes them to squish in closed toes (while my heels slip), or to try and creep over the front in open toes. But, until now, I've never had a pair that the tingers wanted to escape off the side of the shoe. I got Ruthie from Sole Society last week and had about 30 seconds to try one shoe on before I had to be somewhere. I tried one on, didn't even stand up in them, and thought they felt odd. It looked like my toes were trying to scoot over the edge on the side. This is a problem I'd expect if I had a wide foot, but I don't. It's narrow. I didn't get a chance to really try them on until Sunday and it was even more bizarre than I'd thought.

I tried to get a picture of exactly how they fit me, but I can't get one that actually shows it. The straps aren't tight enough to keep my toes from scooting over and the three outer toes actually slide off the side. I'm devastated by this development. Not only are these shoes gorgeous and otherwise comfortable, but I sold my flippin' Bendie's to justify them since they're virtually the same colors. Now, I have neither. Well, technically I've still got Ruthie, but they're for sale - I don't want to have to worry about getting rid of a Sole Society credit that I'll never use. (They're a 7 - let me know if you are interested in them). I think the problem would actually be worse if I went up a size as the straps that aren't strapping the tingers in would be even larger.

I've never had this issue before so I decided to try on the Jessica Simpson Endo - which is the same shoe - and had the same problem. I think it's because of the straps attaching further down on the platform instead of just below the foot bed. I'm gonna have to avoid this style in the future, and that makes me sad.

Oh well, there will be more shoes. Always.
-A

Big Squirrels Don't Cry - or Do They?

Last week, a very dear Sole Sister, Tara, emailed me and asked if I'd be interested in one of her custom shoe creations. I've seen her work and it's amazeballs (h/t Abigab), so naturally, I said yes, sight unseen. The next day, she uploaded pictures of the actual shoes and I squealed when I saw them. I couldn't believe that anyone was a)capable of such an artistic feat and b)wanted me - little ol' me - to have and wear them. It is one of the sweetest things I've ever had done for me. I got a little teary eyed at this point, I gotta admit.

They came in yesterday and ohhhhhhhhhhhh maaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh gaaaaaaaaawwwwwwdddddd!!!!!! Look! Just look at them! They speak for themselves! But, this gorgeous design is not all. There's a hidden secret on these babies...

Yes, you're seeing that right. It's a squirrel...with a shoe. A freaking ShoeSquirrel!!!! On my shoes!!!! Yes!!! I actually cried when I saw them. And then I danced, and squealed and cried some more. I never claimed to be a strong, unemotional squirrel. You guys! My shoes have squirrels with shoes on them. It just doesn't get better than that. <wipes eyes>

But, it doesn't stop there...no...she also made a second pair and sent them to the lovely Amy-wamy. These are gorgeous! They make me want to get married all over again. They're not over-blinged and that's what makes them great. A true artist doesn't need to cover the entire shoe. I'm seriously considering commissioning a similar pair for myself.

 

I have done some small, basic bling-ing of heels. Mostly of the heel-bedazzling variety. It's got nothing on these. I am honored to own a pair of these shoes. Unfortunately, I'm torn between never taking them off or displaying them in a glass case. 

I just want to stare at them in awe. 

Thanks, Tara! 

DEAL ALERT!!!!

For $50, you can get $100 to spend at heels.com with this Living Social Deal. The deal is running for 9 days, so you've got time.

Who doesn't love half price shoes?!?!?!?!?

Happy Shopping!!!!
-A

Purple Perfection and Fashion as Art

Thanks to my sole sister, Stephanie, my lilac Mojo Moxy Posey pumps got to me last Thursday. I wore them to the Denver Art Museum's "Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective" exhibit with my sole sisters this weekend and then again today to work. They're as amazing as I imagined! A coworker, who never pays any attention to my shoes just kept going on and on about them. That tells you how fantastic they really are. Now, I really want the white ones back that I returned. If you have a Shoe Dept or Shoe Show store near you, run, don't walk, and grab at least one pair of these. I mean it. Shoooooo....go NOW!!!!

Wait!!! Before you go - one more thing! If you're in Denver in the next couple of weeks, you MUST go see the YSL exhibit! The pantsuits! The tuxedos! The gowns! The craftsmanship! It's fashion as art and it's just to-die-for!! Squee!!!!!

Shoe Whores at YSL. We were the only ones dressed up, and our shoes got ALL the attention!

Everything old is new again

Mallony/Mellony

JustFab's mid month release for June is the Jessica Paster Summer Collection. Some of it's really cute. But, a lot of it is rebadged older stuff from mid-level designers.

"Mallony" is actually identical to the Madden Girl "Mellony" from last year (see what they did there? heh). I've always loved these and would get them, but I've got my Betsey Johnson Meeva's in a similar pattern and colors. I did have them in another floral pattern and I can tell you they're pretty comfy and fit nicely. Mine were also good quality. No complaints  - I just had too many black floral shoes to justify keeping them.

Vonnie in Red

Vonnie is made with a Michael Antonio fabric. He's been using it on tons of stuff this season, so I'm assuming these are rebadged versions of his shoes. They're cute though, and Michael Antonio almost always has good quality which is a plus.

Marcela

Also included in the collection are some nautical looks with new twists. Shantay and Marcela are nautical stripes in unexpected colors and shapes. I'm loving Marcela but just can't decide on the green. It's a bit bright. Okay, it's very bright. I've got one final credit available, and I'm trying to decide if these are credit worthy or not.

Shantay

I gotta say though, I'm disturbed by the sheer quantity of cork in this collection. I'm thinking that JustFab and ShoeDazzle both must have found a helluva deal on faux cork this season. They've both gone into overkill and are putting the crap on everything. I don't mind a little cork here and there, but it's starting to look like desperation - "OMG! What the hell are we going to do with all this spare material!?!?!? " "Oh! I know! Add it to every shoe left in the warehouse, rename it, and release it as brand spankin' new! They'll never notice!" It's just wrong. While I'm at it, it's the same thing with the studs that ShoeDazzle seems to have bought a literal boat load of. Like a cargo ship full of - t-h-e-y -- a-r-e -- e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. Again, it's okay in bits and pieces.

As for the Jessica Paster Collection, I'm sitting on my last credit until I see some real life pics. I did spend one of my final two credits on their Cool Crops in purple, which were just restocked. It just so happened that I was desperately trying to find purple crops at the exact same time. It's kismet. ;)

They are also set to release part of the Blink Sneaker collection at some point this month. If you don't know what those are, then consider yourself lucky. What has been seen cannot be unseen. <shiver>

Happy Shopping!
-A

6 Strikes and you're OUT!

I had a rough Monday. I usually do. Today was tedious though, and it included buying things I didn't really want, but are needed for Jamaica. I don't like buying things I don't want. It's no fun. I like buying things that make me happy and buying $50 flip flops for Hubs is just no fun. Nor is $50 all purpose, non-stylish, flip flops for me. Or pants for him, or camera parts/accessories. I needed a fun retail fix and Hubs is working late tonight, so I set out to hit my usual stores here in town. Much to my dismay - I could not find one single thing to fill my shopping need. Nothing.

• Strike One:  DSW - They've got a pair I want on sale - however they aren't on sale on line and none of my other local stores have them in my size. I'm pissed over this. I've had my eye on them forever and let them slip away. I'd send up the Shoemergency flags, but by the time a Sole Sister added in shipping, they'd be the same price as what I'd pay for them online. :(
• Strike Two: Marshall's - Nothing. But, they are expanding their already large shoe department, so this could be a good thing in the long run.
• Strike Three: Ross - They've got one pair of Madden wedges that I like but a)they're scratched in my size, and b) I don't like them $26 worth.
• Strike Four: Dillard's - They are having big sale, but the two pairs I want haven't dropped quite enough in price for me to justify them. I'll keep my eye on them and hope they continue to drop and don't sell out in my size in the meantime.
• Strike Five: Victoria's Secret - I was going to grab one bra but they closed early tonight to set up for the Semi Annual Sale which starts in store tomorrow.
• Strike Six: Kohl's - I fell in love with one pair of JLo's on clearance, but they're gone in my size (notice the trend here?). I did buy Hubs another pair of sandals for Jamaica, so he's really racked up today. Bastard. 

By this time, I'd blown 3 hours and shut down the mall looking for something to buy. Anything. I finally said to hell with it and grabbed something to eat from Chick-Fil-A and headed home. And promptly ordered the damned bra I wanted from VS online. I feel a little better, but I think I need to order the mint Lyra's from ShoeDazzle to truly get out of today's funk. I'm wearing my original black ones right now to decide on sizing.

I've got a few fun things coming in this week, so maybe those will satisfy my want.

Until then, may you have better shopping luck than I.
-A

More Iron Fist - are you surprised?

I swear I'm done with the Iron Fist for now, but I've still got one un-reviewed pair of Iron Fist in my possession, not including flip flops.

I got the Posey Platforms a couple of weeks ago from heels.com. The print on these is just awesome. There are lips, skulls, and polka dots. And they're even more vibrant in person. The peachy background is almost neon in person. They fit me a little wide, as do most Iron Fists, but with a quick insert, they're perfect and feel like running shoes. No joke. There is one tiny complaint I have with them though. The shank is not very rigid, so until you get used to how they feel, they seem to flex a little in the arch and it may weird you out. I got used to it pretty quick though and it didn't bother me. In fact, I like these so much that I'm going to get at least one other pair in this same cut - The Filthy Landlubbers, and maybe one or two more. The size 7's are 4.5" tall with a 1.25" platform.

As a side note, heels.com originally sent me these by mistake. I've included the picture because you can see the print much better (click to enlarge). Silly me didn't even try these on or measure them though so I can't really tell you much about them. They're really cute in person though and if you can wear something this bright and different then I highly recommend them. 

I promise, other than a quick mention in an upcoming "Shopping for Vacation" post and the Filthy Landlubbers mentioned above, I'm done blabbing at you about Iron Fist now. At least until the fall collection starts rolling out. I swear. Maybe.

Maybe you should just hope for me to find a new obsession in shoes for a while. ;)

Happy Shopping!
-A

Mid-heels can be sexy too

There's been lots of griping lately about how the clubs' shoes keep getting higher and higher even though the bulk of women are asking for them to either stop climbing or come down a bit. (I'm looking at you, ShoeDazzle) My personal limit is around a 4" rise from front to back. That means that if the shoe has no platform, a 4" heel is my max. If it's got a 1" platform, a 5" heel is my max and so on up to about a 1.5" platform then I get all wobbly. I make exceptions from time to time, but that's about the most I'm willing to try for everyday wear.

There seems to be a perception that the higher the shoe, the sexier it is, and that's just not the case. At some point, you cross the line into ridiculous. 7" heels are not anymore flattering than a 5" heel and if I see you in them, I will point and laugh because you're probably going to be walking like a baby deer. The fact is that the shoe makes it's sexiness and it really has nothing to do with the height. I've got some fantastic mid-heels that will out-sexify your skyscrapers any day.

Carrington

Oscar

One good example of this is Carrington from ShoeDazzle. I've got all three original colors and I get more compliments on them than all my other shoes combined. They're comfortable and sexy as hell. Another one is my Jessica Simpson Oscars - I've got these in multiple colors because they're to-die-for.

Last week, I met up with my Sole Sister, Talena, and we went shopping. You know what we both bought? Mid heels. Die hard shoe addicts and we went for the mids. Is that normal? No. But we both absolutely fell in love with these and they're undeniably sexy. Unfortunately I got so caught up in the moment that I didn't quality check them and found a pretty bad scuff later so I had to take them back. (I'm still upset about that a full week later.) (Side note: They've been found! In purple! )They're available in a high heel, too, but I don't want those. I want these. I want the sexy mids just because they're sexy and they're a mid heel.

So, to all the shoe clubs and designers that just keep going higher and higher (I'm STILL looking at you, ShoeDazzle), and to all the women that seem to think mid heels are granny shoes, look at these. There is nothing un-sexy about this height. And they're more comfortable than the skycrapers. Granted, this height only makes up about 20% of my shoe collection and I'm not gonna buy everything in a mid heel, but I don't turn shoes away just because they're lower than 5". You shouldn't either. Look at the shoe itself and decide how it looks before you take the heel into account. Bigger is not always better.

-A

Move over! Make Room! Coming Through!

I've still got tons of stuff for sale in my facebook album "For Sale!!!!!". Most of the shoes are size 7, but there are others and a dress and some bags. ShoeDazzle, JustFab, Nine West, Mojo Moxy, Fossil, Jessica Simpson, etc.

Just a small sample of the shoes for sale!

Go! Shop! Help me get this stuff out of my way! I have new stuff coming and no where to put it!

Thanks!
-A

It's meant to be. It really is. It's shoe-fate.

Eva & Zoe "Peony"

I went with a friend and bought these a couple of weeks ago. I absolutely loved them, but I had to return them. The main reason was that there was a scuff on one that I just couldn't live with, but looking back, there were other reasons too. I knew, before I ever left the store to begin with that I did NOT need another pair of pink shoes. And I was also breaking the shopping diet. So, I think that may have helped me 'decide' I couldn't live with the scuff. Well, ever since I returned them, I've been having returner's remorse and have considered, several times, going back and just getting them, living with the scuff, figuring out what to wear with yet another pair of pink shoes and saying to hell with the shopping diet.

Fast forward a few days...I posted about how upset I was that I let these go on facebook and got an awesome reply from someone. She's got these and she's got them in purple too. Que? Purple? It appears that The Shoe Dept has the Mojo Moxy Poseys in purple. O.M.G. She went and snapped a picture of them for me and I fell in love. We don't have one of those stores around here, so I sent up the Shoemergency flags and Voila! A wonderful sole sister in Mississippi went and found them for me. For cheaper than the ones I returned. And, small miracle...she's coming to Denver on Thursday. She will be hand delivering these gorgeous shoes to me. Beyond the fact that I'm DYING to see her, I'm dying to get these gorgeous babies on my feet. Yay! It's shoe fate! I love shoe fate!

;)
-A

Who says leopards can't have pink spots?

Betsey Johnson - Diskko, multi velvet

I got these last week and honestly completely forgot about them until a few minutes ago when I went to grab another pair out of the closet. They are adorable, but they are velvet and it is (almost) summer, so I don't know how much wear they're gonna get over the next few months. They fit a little snug in a 7, but are otherwise really comfy.  These have a 5" heel and a 1.5" platform.

Even though I'd been eying these since they came out last fall, I bought them on an impulse though so, of course, I'm wondering about the wisdom of that, even though I got a great deal on them. They're definitely different, that's for sure. But they're fun, and that's how I like my shoes. Besides, who expects to see a leopard with pink spots?

-A

I got it! I got it!

You guys! I completely forgot to mention that I finally found my perfect summer purse. I typically only change purses once per season, twice at the most. I just don't care if it matches my shoes or accessories and carry too much to crap to constantly change from one purse to the next. So, I usually spend the better part of each season looking to snag a flawless bag for the next season.

For the last several years, I've just made a trip to the Coach outlet and easily found something I loved. Unfortunately, I haven't found anything I even liked there in over a year. Their styles and colors just aren't what I've been looking for. So, I had to step outside the box and try and find one elsewhere.

Along the way to this one, I found one other that I thought was going to be 'the one' but it just wasn't quite big enough and the zipper was a little hard to use. It was a light blue over blue sequins and was awesome. It would have been my summer purse if this one hadn't come along.

This is Vershire from ShoeDazzle. It's pink. It's blingy. It's the perfect style, size, and shape. It's from the Dazzle though, so it's got some minor quality issues, but I'm so used to that that I'm shocked if something comes in perfect from them. This purse came out a couple of months ago, but since I haven't been paying that much attention to them or their page, I missed it. Then I stalked it. And stalked it some more. Then someone put one on eBay. I got outbid on it. Then it came back in stock at ShoeDazzle, but I didn't know it until the next week and it was sold out by then. Then a few Fridays ago, I was at the local brewery with Hubs and my phone went nuts with facebook notifications and text messages from some Sole Sisters that saw it back in stock. I promptly put my beer down and ordered her! I've had it for about 2 weeks now and don't have any complaints really. Some of the rhinestones aren't lined up perfectly and there are some little errant threads hanging off of it, but overall, I'm happy. I'm grateful to the girls that helped me get it, and grateful to ShoeDazzle for offering it.

I just hope I find one for the fall that I like as much - I've already failed once.

Happy Shopping!
-A

June Shoe Club Summary

Ruthie

Sole Society changed their format again. They are no longer doing monthly releases, but daily. I think it's a little odd, but it's their prerogative. In the midst of this change though, they changed their referral program to pay you per referral instead of making you get three referrals and then giving you a credit. So, when I logged in yesterday, I had $16.65 in account credit that I combined with code SYDNEY15 for another $15 off and I snagged a pair of shoes I've been wanting for literally months - Ruthie in Violet Pink. I even sold my Jessica Simpson Bendies to justify these since they're similar colors. I really hope I'm not disappointed. For the month of June, you'll get $25 in referral credit for every person you refer who buys. Not a bad deal, really. So use my link if you want to sign up. ;)

Willa from JustFab

From JustFab, who I have multiple credits with, I fell in love with Willa in pink/neon. Which appears to be by Delicious and is available in this and other colors on Charlotte Russe and UrbanOG. However, I realized, after the fact, that they're similar colors and concept to Ruthie, above, so I'll have to put them side by side to see what I really think. I also like a couple of others and still can't stop staring at Makeeda in red, so those are probably next on the list.

Liya from Shoe Dazzle

That is, unless I get Jeni from ShoeDazzle to satisfy my need for red peep toes. But I don't have any credits with ShoeDazzle and I'd have to buy them outright, and if I've got to do that, and break the diet, then I'm getting Liya in blue. They also re-released Carrington in a rainbow of colors and a new leopard pattern. I will say, without qualification, that my Carringtons are some of the best shoes I've ever owned. Perfect height, comfortable, and sexy. There also weren't many quality issues with them, which has honestly become rare to see with the Dazzle. In fact, between their recent quality issues and the fact that they've gone to the slowest and worst possible shipping methods for purchases and returns, I doubt I can bring myself to get Liya - or any other thing from them. And that's sad because, as you can read, I like multiple things from them, for the first time in months. Oh how the mighty have fallen. But, they're on Ebates now, so there's a small glimmer of shine left.

Dayna from ShoeMint

ShoeMint is still horendously overpriced, especially for the plainish stuff they've got. I love the shoes I've gotten from them but would never have paid any where near $80 for any of them. There is a pair from last month that I've got my eye on but I need a SERIOUS discount to pull the trigger. But, beyond that, they were having MAJOR site issues yesterday (maybe still are). If you think you successfully logged in and skipped - you didn't. Unless you got an email confirming your skip, you need to log back in and skip AGAIN. Yes, some of us had to skip TWICE. On an $80 shoe club. That would be a sucky surprise on the 6th. Make sure you get a screen grab of your skip just to protect yourself, too. Of course, all of this only applies if you were even able to log in at all since yesterday, because a lot of women weren't.

All in all, it wasn't a bad intro to June, but it wasn't the best either. What did you think? What did you buy?

-A

What goes up, but doesn't come down?

Give up? I'll tell you...shoe club prices.

SoleSociety Cheyenne. Love these - for about $15.

Sole Society did away with the typical club format this month - to the point that I'm not sure they qualify as a 'shoe club' anymore. They were always, until ShoeMint, the big, mature sister of the shoe club world. They occasionally offered real suede. Big whoop, right. But they were already $10 more than the competition at $50 a pair. Then they launched their boot line and offered boots at all different price points - all the way up to $80/pair. Most people griped about this, but the boots were good and so they were bought. Then today came and they did away with the monthly format all together and now their shoes are being offered at $50 and up. But you know what? Their flats are still $50. Cloth flats that aren't worth half that are STILL the outrageous $50. They raised prices on most things, but didn't lower the price on the stuff that is a rip off to begin with. If you're gonna raise your already astronomical and unjustified prices, you HAVE to lower the prices on the things that aren't worth $50 to begin with.

ShoeDazzle Louvette - WTF is this?

On the same note, ShoeDazzle introduced their new upper-end (relative) boutiques last month, and guess what? Some of the stuff was $45 and even $50 in those boutiques. But you know what else? Their cheesy little $20 flats are STILL $40. What gives? Seriously - they were never worth $40 to begin with, the pricing needs to be dropped to help balance the new price horking out.

ShoeMint Kellie - it's 3 strings and some bling.

And ShoeMint, WTF? You haven't raised prices - I mean, how could you, you're already twice the price of the other clubs? But really, $10 sandals cannot and should not be sold for $80. Some delusional chicks may think they're worth it, but they're on shoe crack and therefore don't count.

I simply won't pay more than about $25 or $30 for flats, and that's if I REALLY like them (or they carry my name). More often, I buy my flats, when I must, from the little hanging racks at Kohl's. They're one step above disposable and that's exactly how these typically hideous things should be priced.

I will give credit where credit is due - JustFab has their "Add a Flat" for $25 program where you can add any flat to any order for $25. It's definitely a step in the right direction. I'd really like to see the flats priced at $25 to begin with and have the add option at $10, but at least they're doing something. The same pricing applies to their jewelry and clutches - which is another thing that pisses me off with the above referenced clubs. Their jewelry and clutches can be bought elsewhere for a fraction of the price - I know, I've got sources!!!!!!!

This whole subject just infuriated me this morning when I was doing a loop of the clubs. I've got a "First of the Month" Round up written, but I felt like posting a rant tonight. I'm really hoping that these companies see the light soon. If you've ever noticed, when they run sales, they're full of flats. That ought to tell them something, no?

I'm gonna go have some wine and try and make my mind up about Juliana, which I'm having a bugger of a time deciding whether to keep or not. :/

Oh, and I've still got stuff for sale - check out my album! For Sale!!!!!

Til tomorrow ladies!
-A