Johnston & Murphy Shoe Giveaway

Spring is only a few weeks away.  To celebrate, the generous folks at Johnston & Murphy are giving one ShoeBlog reader a pair of free shoes to jump start their spring wardrobe.

Entering this contest is simple – just leave a comment on this blog post telling us which pair of women’s   spring shoes you would like to win and why.  To view the shoes,  just visit the Johnston & Murphy website.  The only hard part is picking out the shoe you’d like to win. Even though Johnston & Murphy just launched their women’s footwear line a few years back, they have hit the nail on the head because there are shoes for every occasion and the styles are quite timeless.  To help you narrow down some options, here are my personal favorites.

For the beach lover, the Ruth Gold Ring Thong ($128) and Lisa Tassel thong ($98) are sure to keep your toes pretty but cool on the hot sands.

For the hardworking sole, wouldn’t you like to stroll around in the office in the Emily Mary Jane ($228) or the high heel tortoise platform pump ($198)?  What I love about these two pair of shoes is that two very classic and wearable styles have been updated to give them a fun but still elegant look.

And for everyday wear, there’s the Carmen wedge made of cork, Noelle tortoise slingback,  Kristen espadrille wedge, Laura espadrille, Shannon T-wedge, and even a Tod’s-like driver shoe(price ranges from $138 – $198).

See what a mean?  It’s tough to decide which pair of shoes you’d like to win.  But don’t take my word for it, have a look at the Johnston & Murphy website and choose a pair that fits your own personal taste.

Other contest details: Only one entry per person will be accepted. Contest is open to US residents only. Entry must be submitted by March 15, 2010  11:59pm PST.  The winner will be chosen randomly based on the qualified applicants.  If the shoe style or size is unavailable, winner will be asked to select an alternate pair or shoes.

Neutral shoes don’t have to be boring.

We all love neutral shoes. Black, brown, tan, white…after all, these basics pretty much match everything in your closet.

But, do the true neutrals (notice I am not including red here), really need to fade into the background?  Chanel, with their contrasting cap toes and color-blocked shoes obviously doesn’t believe this is the case. They understand that understated colors are made fabulous by their details. And it looks like other shoe designers are getting in on the action with some show-stopping neutral-toned shoes of their own.

So far, these are my favorites so far for 2010; Neutral in color , perhaps, but not in style or attitude:

Maison Martin Margiela two-tone leather sandals $695 at Net-a-porter.com

Tabitha Simmons Bunty suede wedge pumps $1210 at Net-a-porter.com

Max Kibardian Dragonfly T-strap sandals $650 at Saks.com

Jimmy Choo Embellished ankle wrap sandals $1395 at Saks.com

Alexander McQueen cutout leather ankle boots $995 at Saks.com & Net-a-porter.com

Prada Multi-strap pumps $850 at Saks.com

I love each and every pair of these. They all have such individual personality and character – or is that too much meaning to invest into a simple shoe?

Nonetheless, swoon-worthy they remain, so there.

So, how do you feel about neutrals stepping into the role of statement shoe? Because these are so-called neutral shoes that will not allow you to stand in the background acting as a wallflower.

Spring Is Coming: My Favorite Sandals

The weather has turned warm in Northern California (never mind the occasional rainy interruption). Everywhere I turn during these suddenly sunny days I see sandals I want! I find myself particularly drawn to sandals that are a little dressier with a heel and a buckle (or button). The following beauties are currently on my shortlist.

These are the shoes that started my current infatuation.

The Miz Mooz Full House sandal for $94.95 at Nordstrom (also in blue and green patent).

I’m really loving Clarks Artisan Collection! These sandals are just what I’m looking for (love the big button) and because they’re Clarks I can actually walk all day in heels!

The Clarks Artisan Collection Diamond Heart sandal for $90 at Zappos (also in black and gray).

Before I reveal the higher heels I’m loving, here is a practical lower heel by Corso Como.

The Corso Como Pez sandal for $116.12 (regularly $154.95) at Endless (also in dark brown and red).

I cannot stop thinking about these sandals by Sofft. I love the gray suede!

The Sofft Palermo sandal for $109.95 at Zappos (also in black).

And finally, the highest heel! At 4.5 inches, these shoes are what I dream of wearing instead of being married to my flats.

The Coach Tamara sandal for $198 at Nordstrom (also in black).

Spring 2010 Colors to Warm a Shoelover’s Heart

I love my fall and winter leather boots. I really do.

But, I always reach a point toward the end of winter when I’m tired of wearing sweaters in the house with the woodstove burning in the background and I’m just anxious for spring be here already. I am just about at that point and am ready to start looking at and wearing more colorful and playful shoes again.

Here are just a few bright shoe styles, which are instep with the neon color shoe trend, to get you looking forward to the coming warmer weather as much as I am.

Diane von Furstenberg suede and snake embossed leather sandals $295 at Net-a-Porter.com

Christian Louboutin Straratata 140 suede sandals $995 at Net-a-Porter.com

Yves Saint Laurent Tribtoo eelskin slingbacks $895 at Saks.com

Brian Atwood patent leather d’Orsay sandals $595 at Saks.com

Valentino ‘Petale’ thong sandals $575 at Saks.com

Just to the Right of the Runway: Shoes in the Audience

Well, it’s been a tough New York Fashion Week for fashion audiences, folks. Now that it’s all over, we can safely look back and say that women stumbling on snow and ice in 5-inch stilettos and sky-high wedge booties was a common sight anywhere you turned.

I saw them all. Everywhere you turned, a famous designer boot or shoe. But it wasn’t the Choo boots or the Louboutin Very Prive I cared about (yes, women were wearing OPEN-TOE HEELS WITH NO SOCKS IN THE SNOW).

It was the creative audience members I loved. This gentleman, a musician, worked his look at the Yeohlee show. His boots are from Trash & Vaudeville, one of my fave punk stores that has been on St. Marks forever. His epaulet tassels were a design of his stylish friend, to his right.

This young style maven was sitting across from me at Matthew Ames.

I really truly loved how she was daringly, insouciantly wearing her Phi mary jane boots, unzipped around her leather leggings. She looked completely relaxed and comfortably sexy.

At the Yeohlee show, another lady caught my eye, a young singer in incredible cutout sandals who must have come by car service, as it was still cold outside.