RAVE: Trolling the 'Net for Spring Shoes

As Spring is now upon us, although not so much yet in Seattle, it's natural to start thinking about the flip flop, the open toe, the sandal, the wedge, etc... anything that is not a boot or an Ugg. I, like most women I know, are now on the hunt for cute spring shoes. So far on this blog, I've mentioned the Tory Burch flip flop - yes, I know this is $45 for a plastic flip flop you can get at Target for $5, but.....it's TORY BURCH! hello!?

Another great spring/summer sandal from TB is the leather flip flop - a bit more spendy, but this one will last you MANY seasons. Buy it in white, black or red and you cannot go wrong. Click here to view.


Piperlime.com - anyone buy from here yet? This is the site linked to Old Navy/GAP/Banana Republic. I have yet to buy anything from them, but have found THIS, THIS . They also carry handbags.

JCrew.com - Here is a perfect Ballet Flat under $100. FUN flip flops!

NeimanMarcus .com - Awesome Betty Muller Espadrille Wedge here. Love this Prada wedge. The $1K flip flop sold here.

RANT: What is this??

As I was working on my current post (still in draft form), I came across this horrid shoe - I am so confused by this shoe. This is a Jessica Simpson shoe (should that just answer all my questions right there?) called the "Geni" - this is not anything that makes me think of a genie or Arabian Nights. This is a stilleto Sacagawea would have worn, had they been in style in 1803!

If I happen upon this in a $3 clearance sale, I will buy it as I can make a whole Halloween costume out of this shoe.

P.S... Knowing my luck, some blog reader is going to tell me they bought this shoe and LOVES it. ML cannot please everyone.... >

Reader Request, RAVE: Fyre's

A loyal follower, Naarah, has requested I give a big thumbs up to Fyre's. Now, I do not own any myself, so cannot speak on fit, value, etc.... But I do love their boots and plan to get a pair for this coming fall/winter. Here is a pictoral sample - I'm thinking I LOVE this wedge and am going to hunt it down in Seattle for summer.

Gladiator Sandal Follow Up

Ok, Funny story. I'm at Nine West today buying a pair of classic black pointy toe pumps, and the sales woman brings out an extra pair to try on, telling me they JUST got them in and how cute they are for spring. I cautiously said "ummm...ok...what have you got for me?"... And of course she pulls out a Gladiator sandal, albeit this one is a small wedge and not as "strappy" as some. But of course this gets a big laugh out of me. I tell her "Look, I am doing a shoe blog with/for my friends and my first topic was the Gladiator Sandal.....and how much I loathe it!". We had a good laugh! HA Maybe a bit more awkward for her than me, but hey, she got a sale out of the whole thing, so we're Even Steven on this one! HA

RAVE: Tory Burch Flip Flops

TB redeemed herself from the weird Egyptian-Gladiator shoe with her line of flip flops for this season. LOVE THEM! Here are the ones I got: ( many other colors and styles available - check your local Nordies, Neiman Marcus, Saks or TB boutique.)

RANT - Gladiator Sandal Trend for Spring '09

Starting off my new blog with a RANT!! My other blog is "Marylyn's Rants and Raves", so in keeping with that trend, that will be my theme here as well. I'm really hoping to have more shoe "raves" than "rants", but so far, it's not looking good.

Let's talk about this Gladiator sandal. Someone please tell me how this is a good look on anyone? Don't all those straps get sweaty in the hot summer sun? You would think, paired with a pair of crapped capris, your leg would look stumpy? I'm sooo confused as to why this style is back for another season. This died in 476 A.D..... along with the Roman Empire. Enough Said.

Let's chat about what is going on here. On top #1, a chunky heel as a gladiator? This is combining 1995 with 2009...not a great combo. #2 is a very traditional Gladiator - case in point - this was last seen at the Colosseum, likely in the late 300's A.D. #3 is a L.A.M.B design (Gwen Stefani), that is a mish-mash of a kind-of wedge, open toed gladiator, but with a rope espardille thing going on? pretty much vomit in a shoe. #4 is cute from the ankle down - ankle add-on not necessary at all here. And finally we get to #5 - this makes me sad, as this is a Tory Burch (whom I LOVE LOVE LOVE), but really... this was last seen during the Egyptian era BEFORE the Romans conquered, thus disqualifying it as a Gladiator. All #5 is going to do is emphasize cankles. Sigh. So sad from Tory Burch.