Shoeaholic

Even if you’re not one of the more devoted, die hard Oprah fanatics (I’m not), you can’t deny that she would be one of the best celebrities to choose to walk in her shoes. She’s powerful, exciting, classy, sophisticated, and, let’s be shallow, filthy rich. So you can only imagine what kind of amazing shoes you’d be walking in. Of course, Oprah’s got the taste and the means to possess a shoe closet we could only dream of. And now, in typical Oprah form, she’s giving us a chance at the glory.

According to Shoewawa’s report, Oprah will be auctioning off her shoes - as well as other items like handbags and accessorites - on eBay until March 11th, the proceeds going to her Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa. In other words, you can purchase dream-worthy designer shoes in good condition that were worn by Oprah at lower prices, and it goes to charity. Hello…it cannot get better.

On the auction’s page, you’ll see names like Jimmy Choo, Prada, Gianfranco Ferre, Giuseppe Zanotti, Dolce & Gabbana, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, and Chanel. Her size seems to be between a 10 and 11 - sad for those with smaller feet. The prices are hovering from $330 to $710, with some exceptions, averaging around$500 to $600 - still less than these shoes’ original value and very much worth the price! Get bidding here!

It’s that time again - that wonderful time! Today is seeing some great sales on our favorite sample sale websites, and one of the best things about today’s sales is the variety. From super trendy, sky high heels to super casual, comfy sandals, these sites have you covered.

RueLaLa is featuring a big sale on Birkenstocks - big as in lots of inventory and big as in deep discounts. This classic slumming it brand is going for prices like $39.00.

Super-hot fashionista brand L.A.M.B. is on sale for 50% and more at Ideeli! Grab this season’s trends, like safari and army, for less-than-designer prices!

Tod’s is known for its casual, sophisticated, classic look, popular for that stylish prep look. Normally upwards of $400.00, you can nab some Tod’s for less than $200 at HauteLook.

Okay, so we’ve learned how to applique our shoes to give them that vintage, shabby chic look. We’ve glittered our oxfords to keep up with the sparkly oxford trend. The whole point of a DIY project is to be able to have looks we truly love, without dropping a year’s pay. If you really go gaga over shoes covered in sparkly flowers, then you should have them! DIY makes it happen - plus, it’s a fun rainy day activity. More fun than shopping? Well, both have their advantages and disadvantages!

This latest idea is from Lucky Magazine’s blog, and it’s to sponge paint your shoes, namely some nice, big platforms. The idea was inspired by Charles Anastase’s Fall 2010 show.

While you don’t get too close of a look here, the objective is to take the pair of chunky platforms you might be bored with and change their look, instead of tossing them out and spending money on a new pair - make them a new pair!

Get this vintage - also shabby chic - sort of modern art look by simply sponge painting your platforms. Your choice of color and amount of different colors depends entirely on the look you’re going for. Some conversation starters to scream punk rock with a plain LBD? Hey, go for a rainbow bright look. A classier, more sophisticated platform to pair with a sweet little vintage dress? Stick with one or two colors, and go for jewel tones and/or earth tones.

Every now and then I like to introduce, or perhaps remind you of, a truly wonderful shoe line. How does a shoe line come to be considered truly wonderful? The shoes must be 1) trendy, fashion forward, runway-inspired, 2) unique, original, different, individual, has that special something, that je ne sais quoi, 3) while trendy, the shoes have a certain timeless quality - meaning that they won’t be just so out by next season, 4) their price point is reasonable. The shoe line I’m lusting after at the moment that hits all of these points is Oh…Deer! Their shoes are, on top of the four qualities mentioned, fun and bright - very cheerful, funky, modern, yet vintage-inspired: many of their styles are vampy, pin-up inspired.

$144.95

$149.95

$79.95

These styles are available at SoleStruck.

For yet another year, the nautical trend is staying strong. Perhaps it’s because, like florals are for springtime, the nautical look is just so classic summer. More fashionable and sophisticated than bikini tops and denim cut-off shorts, the nautical trend is a way to stay cool and comfortable while still elegant and fashion forward. Plus it inspires a great, warm weather mood, ready to catch the next passing yacht and lounge for a day at sea.

One of the cutest ways to rock the trend is with shoes, as there’s more freedom there to use some more nautical materials like rope and wood. Paired with a simple red, white, or navy dress, these festive, dockside shoes will transform the look to a complete nautical classic.

See by Chloe, $320.00 at JoanShepp.com.

Harajuku Lovers, $60 at Heels.com.

Lately it seems that every week begins with rainy, gray weather - here in the Northeast, anyway. It’s Tuesday, but still quite gloomy - so we’d better hit some shoe sales to perk up the day and get this week going! A new pair of designer shoes at a slashed price will put some spring in your step.

What could be better for curing winter weather blues than to think of the soon approaching spring weather? As a great reminder of that coming sunshine, GiltGroupe is featuring a sale on the super classic, preppy, timeless Sperry Topsider. Worn with a crisp sundress or sophisticated shorts, Topsiders are very on trend with their nautical look.

I can’t get a picture from GiltGroupe, but plaid Topsiders like this one are slashed from $85.00 to $39.00.

Meanwhile, over at HauteLook, Velvet Angels is showing off its super trendy, edgy, runway ready collection with some great deals. These shoes are conversation pieces, each a different beautiful style with a tough, futuristic twist.

Rock the super-stylish cut-out wedge trend with this pair, $162.00 from $295.00.

Or get the best of two different shoes, strappy and blocked, monochromatic, with these space-age platforms, $120.00 from $325.00!

It’s been about two weeks since I embarked on the “wear every pair” challenge created by blogger Shoeperwoman. And let me tell you, it’s not as easy as I thought! It really brought to my attention that there are some pairs I wear over and over and over - how can you not favor those pairs that are comfortable, cute, and match everything? But one thing that the challenge does succeed in doing is making you venture out to wear those pairs that don’t see so much sunlight. Whereas before the challenge, I mindlessly reached for those go-to pairs, I now actually browse my shoe closet when I get dressed every morning. Here are pictures of the shoes I’ve worn so far. Not a lot - I better get cracking!

I love the electric royal blue of these crocodile ankle booties. The heel is sky high, but thanks to sturdy structuring, the shoes are still comfy and easy to walk in. I got these from ShoeDazzle, and rocked them this week with black skinny pants and this great asymmetrical, architectural black tunic from Pixie Market.

These studded ankle boots from Forever 21 go with anything - I especially love them with feminine dresses since they’re a little tough.

These wedge booties with feathers (love!) are the culprits for why I don’t wear my other shoes as much as I should - I wear these constantly. They’re heels, so flattering, but super comfortable. But I don’t feel like I’m wearing boring, comfortable shoes because they’re edgy with their great feathers. They’re perfect for jeans, dresses - so totally a go-to pair. They’re Deena and Ozzy, from Urban Outfitters.

These snakeskin flats are from Charlotte Russe, and are also worn a lot because of their comfort and yet edgy style.

I LOVE these shoes, and never get to wear them, so I gave them the ultimate honor and wore them to New York Fashion Week this year. They’re pin up style, velvet Mary Jane heels, with irridescent snakeskin bows, straps, and heels, with the right amount of glitz in the rhinestones. I can’t even remember where I got them, I think it was a boutique in midtown Manhattan.

It seems like you can’t just act or sing to be truly successful anymore. Sure, you do one of those to get famous, but to stay productive, you have to go into some sort of business. If there’s one thing I’m sick of, it’s everyone and her sister having a fragrance. But if it’s not a fragrance, it’s clothes, or bags, or lingerie, or makeup, or, of course, shoes. But just like singers who try to act and actors who try to sing, sometimes the result is a smash, sometimes it’s a disaster. Some celebs actually do have that fashion forward eye and know good shoes. Others should stick to letting their stylists dress them, let alone trying to dress us and our feet.

Jessica Simpson

$51.76 at Overstock.com

Surprisingly, since little else she does is even slightly conscious of her surroundings, Jessica Simpson’s shoe line is smart and stylish. Her pumps are elegant and fun, and she seems to know the right balance between trend and timeless to give girls a lasting, hot shoe at a good price point.

Elizabeth and James

$325.00 at Saks.com

It really pains me to say this, but Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen have come a long from pigtails and overalls. Their clothing and shoe line is high fashion, urban sophisticate, edgy, quality style. The styles are often monochrome and sleek with some embellishment to edge it out a bit and build a trend factor.

Paris Hilton

$93.00 at Zappos

I’m not quite sure what gave Paris Hilton the idea she knows fashion. She sort of dresses just obliviously to time and trend, and yet the result isn’t timeless, it’s just…Barbie. Random bows, too much glitter and shimmer, her looks are clubby and over the top tea party. And her shoe line is just as scatterbrained and style-less.

Fergie

$63.20 at FergieShoes.com

Fergie is somewhere in the middle. Her line is hit or miss. Some of her shoes are on trend and have a lasting look. Others are too trendy and not worth the time and attention. Others haven’t been in style in ten years. It’s inconsistent, but worth a look through to find something good.

The debate on whether to settle for knock-offs of designer shoes or put a dent in your savings for the real thing - or have to go without them all together - has been going on for years. There are valid points to each side. Those who would get the knock-offs (when I say knock-offs, I don’t mean the horrendously illegal ones that claim to be the same designer, I mean different brands that make similar looking shoes) argue that the name on the shoes doesn’t matter to them, it’s the style of the shoe they fell in love with. So, if they find a pair that has that style that they can afford, why not? But those who would not get a pair of knock-offs argue that the whole point of a  designer shoe is to wear that amazing style and quality, and know that you’re wearing a true pair of Louboutins, Lanvins, Zanottis, what have you.

I’m on the fence. Sometimes I want a shoe so badly, I’m just in love with the style - say a red pump with gold spikes on the toe. But I can’t afford the $900 price tag. If I see a cute red pump with gold spikes on the toe for $120, I’d probably get them. On the other hand, there are many designer shoes that are just so simply perfect in their own form, any similar looking knock-offs just look silly. And when it comes to classic pairs, like the simple black Louboutin pump, well…what’s the point? Sure, I could find a black patent leather pump with a red sole elsewhere, but who I am kidding? Not myself. I’d rather just go for a modestly priced black pump that is in no way trying to be a Louboutin.

Then there are the times where the knock-offs just make you laugh. The style is the same, but you can tell from an online picture that they look cheap and are of poor quality. In which case, why bother?

Jeffrey Campbell’s Unicorn Shoes, about $120

Knock-off by GoJane.com, about $22.00

See the difference? Thought so. What do YOU think about knock-offs?