Okay, I know it’s springtime and we have record warm days, but this sale on winter (and even spring) merchandise just can’t be beat. Right now Yoox is having their famous sale for savings up to 90% off retail.

Not convinced yet? What about these Missoni boots for $95? I was kicking myself since I wasn’t quick enough to shop the Missoni for Target collaboration online, but happier now knowing that I can get the real Missoni for just a tad bit more. And these Balenciaga boots, which were $590 and just $115 now. I mean, you can’t even get Hunter boots for those prices and these are Missoni and Balenciaga we are talking about.

Still have doubts? There are a ton of spring/summer flats available too, like these Jil Sander flats for $95. So what are you still doing reading this blog? I’d hop on over to the sale asap to snatch up these designer bargains.

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Saks Fifth Avenue

Enjoying your April springtime so far, Shoeblog readers?

Well, April’s about to get better for the lucky winner of a new pair of Danskos, since last week’s contest has come to a close.

And that winner is (drumroll please…)

Jill Kroese, who said:

I’d like the Thea in natural, size 41. Don’t have anything to go with them yet, but also don’t have a problem shopping for something!

Congratulations, Jill!!  As a Thea wearer myself, I can promise you stylish comfort is coming your way.

Drop me a line (jitterbugbaby at shoeblog dot com) with your contact info and final style choice.

Thanks for entering, everyone, and I must say I’m jealous of a number of your wardrobe items now!

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Saks Fifth Avenue

Here are the deets:

To enter to win a pair of Danskos, leave a comment here with the style, color, and size you’d like.

To enter to win a pair of Danskos AND a $50 gift certificate to Nordstroms, leave that comment here, and add a pic to our Facebook wall (photo-sharing apps like Instagram are easy or, hell, your digital camera will do just fine) of something in your wardrobe that you’d pair with your new Dansko’s.  The Shoeblog community’s got great personal style!  Share some of it with us! (PS–make sure you link to the FB post in your comment here, so we can correctly count your double entry.)

The contest will run from now until next Monday, April 2 2012 at 11:59PM Zulu/GMT.  Show us the goods, and you might get goods of your very own!

Review:

As you may be able to tell by the title’s exclamation points, I’m excited about springtime!  This happens to me every year.  Once the weather starts getting nice, and the winter coats get retired in the closet, and I can start leaving the house in skirts without needing tights underneath them, I get giddy.

So what better time to have a new pair of spring-y sandals to try on and review for all of you?!  And even more, what better time for all of you to get a shot at sprucing up your spring shoe wardrobe with a new pair of free shoes?!

This go ’round, I’m waxing on about Dansko‘s new spring 2012 sandal, Thea, and as soon as I saw that it came in a lovely springtime lime green, I was sold!

Love the cut-out in the heel!  Love that this gives the look of a retro wooden clog with added shock-absorption!  Love the extra 2 3/4″ of height!  Love that I can wear this to walk and stand in all day and still be comfy and stylish!

A few words of counsel after getting my Thea’s: the green’s lighter than this picture led me to believe.  You want proof, see here:

Despite the grainy photos, I think you can tell these are more of a lime than a pistachio green color, which actually made them seem more spring-like than I was expecting.

As far as the fit goes, I cannot say enough about how good the arch support is on these.  Keeps my feet (which usually require inserts and orthotics for my pronating arches) very very happy.

Also, my feet are very wide at the base of my toes, and the first wear of my new Thea’s was on the tight side at both sides of my feet (especially my right one, which is larger).  This gave me some slight pause, since the leather is pretty sturdy, and I wasn’t sure how easily it would give.  HOWEVER, much to my delight, the leather loosened up after only a few wearings, so that by the time the above pics were taken (wearing #3, including to a green-themed St. Patrick’s Day party), I wasn’t having the rubbing problem anymore.  Hooray!

OK, so why should you care that I love my new Dansko’s?

You should care because YOU CAN WIN A PAIR OF YOUR VERY OWN! (clearly I cannot contain my springtime excitement)

It’s true.  The good folks at Dansko are offering up a pair of your choice from their Spring 2012 line.  For details, see details at the top of this post.

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Saks Fifth Avenue

Happy Spring Everyone!

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Saks Fifth Avenue

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!  To honor this lucky day, let’s celebrate with the ever so versatile green color.  What I love about green is that it compliments natural earthy hues like brown and blue perfectly but also can give the bland brown, white, or black outfit that pop of color.   And if you are into color blocking with bright colors, try fuschia or yellow for a trendsetting look.

Now, onto the shoes.  First up, for  a spring wedding or for work, these classic peep toe  Miu Miu Snake Pumps ($580 at Net-A-Porter) have me salivating.  Too formal for you? How about Hunter boots (on sale for $145 at Zappos)?  They will have us dancing in the April showers that are imminently approaching.

Or maybe you are looking further ahead into summer.  If so, Nine West’s Bardough espadrille ($99 at Zappos) has me soaring to new, yet walkable heights with a 2 inch platform.   The mosaic/woven wedge reminds me of the bottom of the pools I’ll be frequenting in a few months time..

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Saks Fifth Avenue

In the background,  the Sex and the City wedding shoe, the Hangisi, has also been updated in  bright new shades.   It can be difficult to find the new shades online. I was able to locate a green one at Barneys, a hot pink version at Shop Savannahs, the pale pink (via Neimans) , and Saks carries the blue satin version.

It may be 4.25-inch heel, but that Hangisi is so stunning, so timeless and so trendy in its new colors, I know it will be flying off the shelves … or sofa chair, as this display would have it.

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Saks Fifth Avenue

Pre-order Prada’s spring auto inspired shoes at Nordstrom;  Prices range from $590 – $990

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Saks Fifth Avenue

To celebrate Louboutin’s 20th anniversary, a special collection is being released that consists of recreated versions of the brand’s top styles and personal favorites.  The collection is limited to approximately 25 department stores and boutiques in the United States.  If you are interested in learning more about the collection, please contact our SA Greg Grady at Nordstrom.  He can be reached at greg.grady@nordstrom.com or 206-478-3552.

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Saks Fifth Avenue

But you can find it on sale for $223 at the Paul Smith Sale Shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

It pays to read your ShoeBlog. Call them ahead to see if they have your size.

This loafer really caught my eye while I was out shopping with friends. It’s feminine, comfortable, and just a little showy with the gold panels.

Made with white and pink nubuck, contrast vintage gold panels, and beige leather soles, this is a 100% leather shoe.

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Saks Fifth Avenue

If the 2012 Oscars had an award for best bridal look, I would like to give it to Gwyneth Paltrow.  This white Tom Ford dress and cape are simply stunning and makes me want to renew my vows all over again.  I like that the dress is conservative in terms of how much skin is exposed yet the cut is very sleek, clean, and modern.  The cape is also a daring choice to aware of the red carpet (or alter for the bride),  but so practical if the weather is nippy outside. Gwyneth paired the dress with glittery gold Koko shoes by Jimmy Choo (the suede version is available for pre-order at Nordstroms for $1150.   Tell me, what did you think about this look?

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com

Saks Fifth Avenue