Good news, shoe-lovers. We bear tidings of good shoes and good promotions. Barefoot Tess, the fabulous shoe store for those of us who leave a bigger footprint, is offering a special promotion for Shoeblog readers. Just enter code Shoeblog20 at checkout, and receive 20% off! I can barely contain my excitement–so many styles to choose from! Here’s a taste:

Tapeet ‘Jop’ sandal, $270.

Matt Bernson ‘Ring-Gladiator’ sandal, $98.

Cydney Mandel ‘Frida’ Clog, $295 (down from $475).

Glory Chen ‘Cosette’ peep-toe flat, on sale for $98 (down from $165).

Corso Como Felix sandal, $120

…and many more. Happy shopping!

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On my hunt for the perfect brown sandal I have found an interesting situation.

Really, it’s nothing new, and I’m not surprised in the slightest. There seem to be very few sandals out there that score a 10 for both comfort and looks. I know I’m a picky customer here, and I have this trouble with sandals every year, because my feet are a) not shaped like most shoes out there–they’re very narrow at the heel and wide at the toe box… kind of square-fronted b) very sensitive, so I end up with little blisters and red spots where sandal straps rub on most every pair of decent-looking sandals I own and c) requiring of orthotics, which don’t much work in sandals, so I’m that much pickier in choosing sandals.

See… picky customer. Now, there are brands out there that serve me quite well with their sandal offerings. Cole Haan G Series and Dansko spring to mind. But it’s hard to find dressier sandals that will still provide the support of an orthotic.

One thing I’ve been pleased to note recently is the increase in stylish offerings from outdoor companies like Merrell and Chaco. These are brands that I pretty much have written off as far as style goes. I mean, this sandal might be great for a hike, but it’s not winning any award from me for fashion.

However, some of Chaco’s other offerings are halfway decent. Take, for example, the Switch thong sandal. Available in a bunch of cute color combinations, this is a cute enough summer sandal.

As is this one, the Angelica toe-loop slide.

Likewise, Merrell is doing some more fashionable styles these days. Note, I say more fashionable, not flat out fashionable. I mean, the Sundial Thong is a cute thong sandal.

And the Savannah sandal is also cute (as proven on the feet of a fellow subway rider this morning).

The thing is, they’re all ”cute enough” but none of them are knocking me over with their style. Ecco comes closest, with styles that are a little more dressed up. Like the Delhi slide.

And the Guatemala ankle-strap sandal is also fairly attractive and sleek.

But even with these, I stand by the title of my post: Comfort: 10 Looks: 6/7.

Where, oh were, are the comfy walking sandals that blow me over with their style? You all know that visceral yank of ”I MUST have that shoe!” Well, maybe it makes me a diva, but that’s what I want, even in my comfort sandals.

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It’s been raining here and the vegetation has been looking particularly lush. This might explain a little why my heart fluttered when I saw these cuties:

Luxuriant vegatation on natural materials, with a modest but brilliant covered wedge (1.75 inches), and the cutest orchid-bow embellishing an original peep-toe detailing–look:

These show-stopping ‘Hawaiian Nights Wedges’ are $78 at Anthropologie. My only question: who makes them? I couldn’t decipher from their logo–perhaps you can help? Here’s a close-up:

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I don’t mind a little chunk on my platforms, but this is getting ridiculous. I know, Kork-Ease are back-in-fashion these days, and good for them, but I think this particular model demonstrates why they were out of fashion in the first place. This Kork-Ease Carmen Platform sandal ($195 at Free People Boutique) has a 4 1/2 inch heel, which means that they have at least a 3-inch platforms, judging by the looks of it, which, I’m sorry, but it’s way too high. I for one would start feeling a little vertigo there and would immediately want to get back on the ground–where I belong.  

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Here at Shoeblog we like to keep you in the loop with all the news we can gather about shoes. So, without further ado, here’s the inaugural column on past week’s happenings in shoes.

- What’s more relevant: Shoes or politics? Via Shoeaholics Anonymous.
- The Beauties and the Sniffer (shoe fetish to the (gross) maxx).
- A political kind of shoe fetish: Soon to be ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair owes it all to Church’s shoes. Or so some have us think.
- Recent shoe brands have claimed to improve diabetes or arthritis symptoms, tone the leg, improve circulation, etc. But are they all they claim to be? This Daily Mail article investigates shoe health claims (yes, including Fitflops, MBT trainers, and…Crocs!)
- Famous shoes highlight domestic violence. An exhibit that does just that.
- Researcher discovers why women wear red shoes. Finally, you can put your mind at ease. In related news, shoes make women’s pulse race. Oh, and shoes are an important decision for graduation!
- Jessica Biel’s dog chews Justin Timberlake’s shoes. Say it with us: Awwwww! Down, Pointer, down!
- The latest in a series of exposes about the dangers of wheeled shoes, yes, including the famous Heely’s.
- Ever wonder if high heels can get you in trouble with the police? Here’s your answer. (Clue: Clickety-click!)
- Finally, Casadei shoes to save Asian elephants. They look good, too:

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