some european flair

The first time I saw a pair of Campers was a few years ago during my first summer in Berlin. I was instantly attracted to their character... but then again, I'm all about the "cute, quirky, comfort shoe" look.





Camper shoes have been around since 1975 in Spain. There's actually a neat history you can read on the website that makes them sound more dramatic than they probaly are. But still, I think they've been international since about 1992, and I have definitely seen them around small shoe boutiques here in the states, although if you live in New York, LA, Boston, or Chicago, you can go to an actual Camper store. And if you happen to be in Europe (especially in Spain) you can probably get them cheaper.


One of the things I love about them is their "twin shoe" concept. Basically it just means that they make two shoes that go together, but aren't identical, or mirror images of each other. I think that just adds a special little touch (and the ability to send messages like "love"). Plus, I've found the shoes to be on average, very comfortable, and good for casual use with both pants and skirts.


Just check out these samples. Too cute, right? And who wouldn't want to write "Love" on their feet in honor of good ol' St. Valentine's Day.

I can't believe I haven't posted about Crocs yet

The Croc bug bit me this summer, during my 10-week stay in hippie-ville Ithaca, NY. I'm sure you've seen them around. Maybe you think they're cute, maybe not. But they're probably the most comfortable warm-weather shoe I've ever experienced, and I don't even have the originals! (I bought the knockoffs at WalMart, 'cause I'm a corporate whore). I bought a yellow pair at the end of August, an imitation of the "Cayman" style, and I wore them practically every day until November. In fact, I wore them in the freezing cold with socks just the other day, because I love them that much.

Get them at a nearby store or online for $29.99. Oh, and for every pink pair sold, they'll donate $5 to a very worthwhile cause.

My feet are cold,

so I just spent 3 hours online searching for the ideal winter boot to keep them warm.

Now I know that Uggs went out of style a while ago, even before I bought their cheap knockoff at target last winter. But even the $20 imitation boot kept my feet warm and dry through the Pittsburgh winter, better than any shoe I've ever worn before. I wore them every day until they got holes in the soles and their delicate pink shade had turned charcoal with Pittsburgh grime, yet in a moment of freezing-toed desperation last week, I found myself tearing through my bag of discarded shoes for the old pair.

I clearly can't keep wearing them once the snows hit, so I decided to buy another pair. But search as I may, I couldn't find the knockoffs at Target, Payless, or any of my other typical fad-find stores. I know they're not "cool" anymore, but they're just so freaking warm! How could they not be selling them?

I ended up finding a pair of genuine sheepskin boots for about $40 online, but it took a while, so I thought I'd post some resources for anyone else out there who is pining for the 2004 style that was, for once, actually comfortable.

(Also, I thought this was funny, and it made me realize I wasn't alone.)

For starters, even if you really do want that tell-tale Ugg label on the back of your boots, don't pay full price. Nordstrom has them heavily discounted: short ($79.90), tall ($69.90), and this mysterious mosaic style that I think is pretty cute ($89.90). Of course you'll have to settle for the ugly colors, but such is life.
SierraTradingPost.com also has the short style in two colors, for $69.95, if your feet are size 8 or bigger.

But if you really want reasonable prices, you'll have to go with a different brand.

With the help of Froogle, Google's beta shopping search site, I located some other sheepskin boots for much less. (If you want to do your own search, simply use the google search engine on this site, type in "women's sheepskin boots," and the top link should be the Froogle search). Here are some noteworthy boots that I found:



On Your Feet has a short sheepskin boot in a variety of colors available at OKto.com ($31.67) and Overstock.com ($32.99-$39.99).

I thought they were pretty cute, but I couldn't find the color I wanted (natural) in the right size.





Then found these Chooka sheepskin boots at Sportsmansguide.com for $39.95. They also have a taller pair in black for the same price, but I still wasn't crazy about the colors.





Finally I found the pair I was looking for. I ended up getting the Staheekum suede leather Wellingtons in Sand for $39.95, from a somewhat shady online shopping place at Clickbird.com. I was a little worried, but the order was placed through Amazon.com, which soothed my fears.



So that, friends, was my journey to finding my ideal winter boot. Now, I imagine you might get a similar style that is cheaper than 40 bucks if you didn't want the sheepskin, but from what I've heard, sheepskin is the way to go for optimal warmth. It also wicks away moisture from your skin to keep your feet cool in the warmer weather. How 'bout that?

So if anyone else out there is yearning for another season of comfort this winter, I hope this was helpful!

the shlog is back!!

and good thing too because i bought these shoes about a month ago.



but i love them and i've been wearing them when i go out every weekend. they make me very tall, which is good because most of the guys i know are over 6 foot. yay!! what do you all think?

Bargain Boots!

Looking for a pair of boots for minimal cash? Check out The Western Ashley from UrbanOutfitters.com. On sale for $20 and there's free shipping until Sunday!

Two pairs off of my Anthropologie wishlist

I try really hard not to do too much shoegazing at Anthropologie.com, mostly because the shoes there are often too ugly for my taste and just about always too expensive, but I thought since these two were very cute and the prices were reasonable (for Anthropologie anyway), I'd post them.

The Metro Flat: When I first saw these shoes I immediately imagined them on my feet as a I strolled down the streets of New York. While that is lame, you must admit, they seem very comfortable, and I think they are very cute. I can imagine them under jeans and with a skirt, which is a big plus when you're talking shoes. They have them in both "sky" (pictured) and black, but I personally like the sky.


The Hermione Heels - Now these are a little more decorative, but still (I think) pretty elegant. My favorite part is the skinny wedge heel. Their copper-rose leather might be a little difficult to match, but these could definitely make the right dress just that much more perfect. Plus, considering yesterday's premiere of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and the recent release of the 6th book, wouldn't you want to own a pair of shoes named Hermione?

Steve Madden - "Bugsy" - nowhere to be found!

I tried on this pair of shoes in the Steve Madden store at home but the 7's were just a tad too big and they didn't have them in a 6 1/2. Now they don't even have them on their website and I am sad. I've tried doing random web searches (hence the blog reinstatement), but I've had no luck. I thought I'd post both to soothe my aching soul (I thought they'd be so good under jeans, as kind of a more dressy everyday shoe!) and to see if anyone else across the great-wide Internet had seen a pair (bronze, size 6 1/2).

long time no post!

Hello fellow shoe-lovers!

With the addition of google ads, and my recent shoe experiences, I have decided to revive this blog! I hope you'll all join me in shoe appreciation--feel free to post pictures of good deals you find, shoes that are too cute to pass up, wishlists, stuff you buy, etc. Maybe in some magic movie-like way this can become an incredible online resource for the shoe-needy everywhere.

We'll take over the world!

new shoes

I got 2 new pairs of shoes that I think you'll find absolutely post-worthy! once these feet hit pittsburgh, I'll put them on here. yay!

Tragedy has struck!

My trusty, everyone-has-to-have-a-pair, old and comfortable Old Navy black flipflops have, unfortunately, self-destructed.

Now, I am at a crossroads. Do I buy another identical pair, knowing that black flipflops go with everything and I'll find plenty of use for them?

Or do I tap my adventurous side, and buy an awesome pair of sandals to wear all summer? And if I do choose to do this, where should I start looking? What sort of shoe should this be?