Uptown’s Comfortable Shoes

I’ve said it before — Uptown Manhattan is a boon for comfortable, well-made shoes, but they are not always attractive. Orthopedic granny boots and flats abound. After spending all night walking around the Upper East Side in the highest heels I have ever worn (5 inches, I measured) and nearly falling on my face all night, then hailing two taxis because I hadn’t brought my usual flats in my bag, I was looking for something comfortable.

I found just the shoes to recover from a stiletto night at Footlights Shoes, which has two locations, one at 1062 3rd Avenue at 62nd Street, and one at 294 Columbus Avenue, at 74th Street. The Upper East Side location was friendly, informative, family owned and full of pretty, reasonably-priced shoes.

My favorites were the BeautiFeel shoes. They were pretty and reasonably priced. I love these boots and would wear them all over town, especially with the classic horsey Riding Girl look.

The Ara shoes were very nice as well, but not quite as trend following.

Check them out and avoid almost breaking your ankle like me last night!

Apt 5 Soft Strips for Slingbacks

You know those painful slingbacks? Painful no more, ladies of New York. These Apt 5 Soft Strips will protect the delicate flesh of your heel from your sexy-yet-sometimes-destructive slingback straps. They are $5.19 at Duane Reade.

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I saw a lot of winter white holiday dresses with sequins at stores on Black Friday. You can pair that pretty sparkly winter white dress with these slingback pumps, put those soft strips on the inside, and dance and party all night at your office or friends’ holiday party!

One pair that would be lovely for this winter but outlast the holiday season, well into the spring, is the Caparros Joelle sandal for a price that’s right ($69!!!).

Happy Birthday John Galliano

Christian Dior designer, John Galliano turns 49 today.  He is a quirky, quirky guy.  When you see how beautiful his dresses look on Charlze Theron, maybe the quirks are a good thing. He produces six couture and ready-to-wear collections a year for Dior as well as his own label.   Like most high energy people, he has an extreme fitness regime, including a daily six mile jog along the Seine. “It helps to concentrate the mind and I find that I have so much more energy and focus.” 

Here are some of his designs. Love them.

$1179 at Styledrops

Red sandals $915 at Styledrops

 Red suede boots $760 at Styledrops

Maybe I will watch Pirates of the Caribbean to celebrate his birthday today.

Nordstroms Designer Shoe Sale starts today

Are you exhausted from doing a midnight run on Black Friday sales for early birds only?  Still have energy left? Then you might want to check out Nordstroms Designer Sale, which starts today.  If you are in the market for YSL, Valentino, Dior, Givenchy, and even Louboutin shoes at 40% off the retail price (the list of Louboutin shoe styles at 40% off can be found on our forums), contact our favorite SA.

This year the department stores didn’t stock up so inventory is extremely limited.  We would advise you to call asap.

Happy Birthday, Manolo Blahnik

Today is Mr. Blahnik’s 67th birthday.  To celebrate I am going to serve cupcakes with pump shaped icing for dinner.  Here are some of my favorite Manolo Blahnik shoes.

This season’s favorite Ankle Cuff d’Orsay $945   When I put this pair of shoes on, my husband asked if the maker had a heart attack before the shoe was finished.  Gorgeous pair of shoes.

Best Known Something Blue $945 Neiman Marcus

An all around great shoe  Campari Maryjane $665 at Neiman Marcus

Maybe I will have a cosmo to celebrate.