Just in case your memory needed a little push…here’s a quick reminder of the Christian Siriano claw-heeled shoes from his Spring 2010 Runway Collection:

And now, a big thanks to Racked NY, who noticed that the Ready-to-Wear versions of these ‘magically popped up’ online yesterday. If you are interested a review, Racked NY also hunted them down in-store and took them for a  trial run to test for comfort and walk-ability.

So, if you loved the Christian Siriano spring 2010 runway looks, now is your chance to own a pair.

At $80 each, they are a bit pricier than your average Payless offerings. But then again, I fondly remember being a much younger me and grabbing a pair of cute black pumps at Payless for $6.99 after I had finally worn my last pair into the ground.  The most expensive items in the store in those days topped out at $21.99.  So, I may be a little bit skewed in my price comparisons.

In this case, it’s probably better to go with my husband who has paid enough attention to price increases  over the last decade to be more realistic about these things. He understands and occasionally notes, ‘That’s not a bad price these days’ on anything under $150.

Anyway, you might want to hurry if any of these styles have you crushing hard. You never know whether they will sell out;  leaving you desperately trolling the online auction scene for a pair in your size – at painful and ridiculous markups,  to boot.

Christian Siriano for Payless ‘Cut it Out Ankle Cuff Pump’ $79.99.

Christian Siriano for Payless ‘To The Point’ printed platform pump $79.99.

Christian Siriano for Payless ‘All Done Up’ Maryjane pump $79.99.

Oh, and if you like a retro-accessories shoe-purse match, there’s always this (previously available) Siriano for Payless handbag for your consideration. (It also matches the previously available & less expensive  ‘coast printed satin pumps’ which have a more traditional heel style if ‘the claw’ is not for you.)

Siriano for Payless Large Shopper handbag $39.99.

I would have liked to have seen the paper-bag, bloused, booties show up at retail, but at $79.99 I can see why that may not have been possible to achieve.

It remains to be seen if the Payless budget-shopper demographic will accept higher-than-normal (at least for this retailer) prices for such designer exclusives. I wonder if even these under $100 offerings may be a big gamble for Payless  and their traditional family-on-a-budget audience.

Which brings me to more questions:

Are you happy with the often pared-down  translation of shoes from fashion week to Ready-to-wear? Or do you feel that too much is lost in bringing original runway styles to a widely affordable price point?

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Gabriella is a brown satin multi-strapped sandal highlighted by a variety of colorful studs. It features a satin upper, Kid Skin suede leather sole and lining, MS Signature, MS Signature comfort padding and a 4 inch heel. Handmade in Brazil.

Michael Brown, new and emerging shoe designer from Virginia, sent me a pair of Monticello Gabriella sandals, one of 37 new designs from the 2010 Monticello Shoes Spring / Summer collection to wear and review. I even got a sneak peek of Gabriella while she was in still in the sketch stages…

I must admit the sketch doesn’t do this studded strappy sandal justice.  This style is gorgeous! And even more gorgeous in person!  Gabriella arrived in a cool flip-up shoebox (definitely a keeper in my closet) wrapped in custom tissue paper and included a velvet shoe bag. I was in love before I even tried them on!

In fact, my sister was here when I opened them, and said she wants these for her bridesmaids to wear when she gets married as she’s always dreamed of a “brown” wedding. Of course, she needs to find a boyfriend first.

Monticello shoes only come in whole sizes (I’m usually a size 7.5), so I requested a size 8 and albeit a bit big, they fit well and are true to size. The swooping strap always makes feet appear smaller, so I’d definitely recommend for those with larger feet.  The heel height is closer to 5″ than the advertised 4″, so I had to get used to wearing such high of heel. I stretched some calf muscles I never even knew I had while wearing these! At least I’ll have plenty of time to get used to them before my sister’s wedding!

My guess is that celebrities will be knocking at Michael Brown’s door once they hear word of the Monticello collection. And I can say I wore them first!

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I have said before, and will say again, every woman’s closet should have at least one pair of sexy red high heels. Preferably 3 0r 4 pairs, but you gotta have at least one! These oh so pretty red “PeekCroc” Pumps from Stuart Weitzman would fit that requisite perfectly!

The sexy peep toe and slingback styling make these red heels a versatile shoe that goes from the office to the night out on the town without a problem. The 4 inch narrow heels add to the sexiness, but there is also a hidden .75 inch platform that adds extra stability.

I can see these red shoes with skirts, suits, slacks…and looking awesome with each outfit. Day or night, get ready for some compliments in these heels!

Stefano Pilati at Yves Saint Laurent featured an odd collection of nun-sense.  The color was black, black and more black.  In The September Issue,  Ms Wintour gave him grief about not having color.  Well, this time he had 5 outfits that were bright colors.  

See what I mean?

Here are the only two outfits that were acceptable – sort of.

Even the shoes were awful.   First up, a clunky wedge platform.

Next, a roushed suede boot. 

The pumps.  OK, I don’t understand that fringie thing at the heel. 

Oh just wait, there is more to come.

Now, why in the world would I want a mohawk on my pumps?

I want to leave you with at least one pair of nice-enough pumps.  I like the curve of the heel to the sole. 

Being a model must suck.   Notice that in all the shoe photos they have had to wear so many ill fitting shoes these past few weeks that their feet have been completely chewed up.  I have read that most don’t get paid much because the agencies take out all sorts of  fees from their paycheck, leaving them with nothing.  I don’t know why anyone would want that job.

Authentic Shops:

Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Vivre.com

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Stella McCartney’s styles are typically under my radar.   I think her target age is a bit younger than I am.   Her clothes tend to be too minimalist for me.  Remember,  I am the one who wants to wear sparkly, lacy things, usually purple, but R5Daughter would make fun of me, so I don’t.    Stella’s fall line is VERY work friendly, offering shoes that aren’t extremely high, dresses that are simple but still beautiful, and elegant pants paired with beautiful blouses. 

I like how this sheer blouse doesn’t show a dark bra underneath.  That look is a little tired.

I just want to touch those pants.

She used sheer fabrics but didn’t make the outfits trampy.  This is such a pretty dress.

Now the shoes.

Beautiful kitten heels.

My one concern about this shoe is that the edge of the shoe hits right at the edge of the toe joint.  I am wondering if this would make the shoe want to fall off as you walk, although I don’t see any toe clevage on this model.    It also looks like a toe blister waiting to happen.

Notice, patent leather, pointy toes, pretty colors.  I hope we see alot more of this silhouette.

This was a nice line.  There are those who complained that it was boring, but this line offered several anchor investment pieces that could go to work then out to dinner fairly easily.

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Sigerson Morrison, whose shoes are great for narrow feet like mine, is having a sale! These shoes are great because they move flawlessly between uptown and downtown. Conveniently, there are Sigerson Morrison shops both uptown and downtown.

Perhaps they’re trying to make way for spring merch, including hot sandals.

I love the antiquey Western buckles on these sandals for $495. Add a supportive heel and you’ve got a repeat homerun for this summer.

Or try the Asymmetrical Thong Buckle Sandals for $425.

Will you wear gladiator sandals again this summer? These look pretty high quality and retail for $210.

Authentic Shops:

Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Vivre.com

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PPR showed Alexander McQueen’s last collection in a private showing with controlled the photography.   They showed 16 outfits,  although I am sure there was more to the collection.  The theme was Hells Angels + Prolific Demons, which shows up in the patterns of his fabrics, one dress even has wings on the back.   He used beautiful fabrics and fairly simple design work, a formula that will never disapoint.  Have a look at what was shown.

Here are the gowns.  This is the first shown.  Love the leaves/feathers on the bodice.

This line is lovely.  I always have to see the McQueen collections without the runway theatrics because I am to busy looking at things like armadillo shoes, horn hair looking things, or skull caps with feathers on them.  When I see his dresses on the red carpet,  I see just how nice the dresses are.

There has been some discussion about whether PPR will continue the McQueen Design House, or not.  It is my opinion that they will have his clothes available, but will probably not invest in another designer to do what Lee did.  The line had been in the black for only two years.  If someone is good enough to carry the Alexander McQueen style and vision, that someone is good enough to have their own name attached to the clothing.

Authentic Shops:

Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Vivre.com

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(Image found at reclusland)

Do you have one?

That shoe – the one that got away? That shoe that haunts you since you first saw it and then caused you to obsess over how to make it yours even after it was no longer widely available?

Yeah, I have one too.

Or should I say, had? Because one of my long-term, endlessly-stalked styles finally popped into availability not only while I had a reasonable cash flow for a mini-splurge, but also on final clearance prices.

This shoe has haunted me since I saw it on the runways about 3 1/2 years ago.

Viktor & Rolf Harlequin Deco-heel shoes:

(Photos from Style.com. Viktor & Rolf Spring 2008  RTW)

I never once encountered these in the real world or online during their  initial retail season.

The fact that I have continued to pine for these is an indicator that I have come to rely on over the years;  my non-buyer’s regret’, as it were.  Items that hit me that strongly in the gut are keepers.  They help me in my ongoing quest to reduce my wardrobe to a level that contains only items that I truly love, rather than a closet that is overflowing with styles I rarely wear or don’t love (special exemption exists for hardcore winter gear – simple warmth trumps fashion at times).

Many times, if an item becomes unavailable, I will forget about it or move on to find another style that I actually prefer more than the original one. So, if I am haunted overnight after I walk away from an item, or worse – after it goes out of stock, then I know I’m lost and will stalk retailers and aftermarkets until it is found, even if it takes years to occur (ask me about my sunglasses sometime).

I narrowly missed this pair when they dropped to $170 on YOOX a few weeks ago.  It was 3 days before payday and by the time funds were available, some other lucky, though likely less obsessed, individual scooped them up.

That’s okay though. Because, one payday, and one well-timed tax return, later -  this pair popped up overnight at $138.  Oh yeah, these were meant to be.

And now, these are mine, all mine (insert slightly maniacal laugh here).

They arrived last Thursday. Hubby asked, ‘How much?’. So, I told him, and he replied ‘Not bad.’ End of conversation. Although, it is understood by both of us that these, combined with the dremel tool I picked up this weekend, constitute my birthday gifts -  even though the actual birthday is still 2 months away.

The box was a little scuffed up, but the shoes are new, shiny & perfect (no wonky heel like the picture).

Drumroll…..

Ta Da!

So, do you have a Holy Grail shoe? What is it? Are you still searching, or have you succeeded in obtaining it? What was your hunt like?

eluxurylive’s Latest Shoe Giveaway:

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Deckers Outdoor Corporation recently offered me the opportunity to wear and review their new Tsubo Hepti in Dark Chocolate Suede / Terracota. I was a bit leery of liking them at first, but after wearing them awhile, I love them!

They originally sent me a size 7.5 – my normal shoe size. Sometimes I need an 8 if the shoe runs small. Well, I couldn’t even get my foot into the size 7.5, either could my size 7 daughter.  So I returned them asked for a size 8.5. I was disappointed at first that we were still too tight around my midfoot, yet loose around the ankle. But I decided to keep wearing them to give them the benefit of the doubt. Well, the suede stretched and is no longer tight. I’m presuming now that a size 8 would have been perfect for me after stretching.  But I’ll continue to wear thicker stockings.

Every time I’ve wore these with the same color brown socks and dark jeans, and I have gotten a lot of good feedback on the looks of them. I think they would also look cute with cream tights and a long plaid skirt.  Pics of me in them will follow in our next His & Hers shoe edition.

My shoe notes:

• The pleated seams (almost looks like piping) on the heels is a unique trait as I like to be “different”.
• I love the colored traction grippers on the soles, not only for the looks of them, but we have a lot of icy patches here in the Midwest right now!
• The open triangular front factors in a sexy appeal – in fact Tsubo’s website calls it an “oh yes” deep-v.
• Available in Black Suede/Gun Metal, Dark Chocolate/Terracota, and/or Fatigue/Dirty Lime.
• Currently on Sale at Zappos.com for $104 with Free Shipping! Regularly $145.
• I recommend ordering a half-size larger than normal.
• Keep in mind they will stretch if too tight at first.

Founded in 1997 and acquired by Deckers in 1998, Tsubo is a progressive, design-driven company that fuses metropolitan style with ergonomic design, ensuring that you will never sacrifice style for comfortm, or vice versa. Read more on Tsubo.com.

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Feel like royalty when you wear the Regaal, Steve Madden’s lucscious peep-toe platform.  This glam patent-heeled pump adds fire to all your evening looks and is now only $49.99 with free shipping directly from SteveMadden.com! Regularly $99.95.

Available in Fuschia Suede (shown left), Black Suede,  Black Multi (shown right) and/or Blush Suede.

*Plus Receive a Free Subscription to Self Magazine (or request a rebate of $9.99) with any order of $20 or more at SteveMadden.com!

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