Spring 2010 Shoe Trend Alert: The return of the clogs

If the sound of those wooden soles hitting the pavement wasn’t enough to convince you that clogs are one of the shoe trends for spring 2010, check out how many celebrities are embracing the trend.

Clockwise from top:  Sarah Jessica Parker on the the set of SATC2 wearing Swedish HasBeens Clogs (available at Endless.com), Alexa Chung, Ashlee Simpson, and one of the Olsen twins

Okay, I’m almost onboard, but these clogs, as seen on the Chanel Spring 2010 runway are a bit, make that a lot, out of my price range.

Chanel Platform Clog $945 at Nordstroms Salon Shoes

Chanel Platform Suede, Wood, Metal with Signature Captoe Clog $1,275 at Nordstroms Salon Shoes

Steve by Steve Madden has the attractively priced ‘Bresi’ clog at $139 on Endless.com.  I like the rubber trend which will prevent me from slipping onto my tush but a 4.5 inch heel seems a bit too much.

But the UGG Abby Clog, available in 3 different shades of black or 3 different shades of brown, is on sale at Zappos.com for $130.  With the padded cushioned footbed, lowe heel, and rubber bottom, I’m soled.

Help! I Need New Running Shoes!

In November I completed the Big Sur Half Marathon, and come May I’ll be running Bay to Breakers in San Francisco. This whole running long distances thing is rather new to me, and I need help finding the right shoes. I use to train in a pair of New Balance WR760.

Women’s New Balance WR760 shoes for $99.95 at Zappos.

I like New Balance shoes, but I wore my last pair for way too long and I really felt it after the half marathon.

Currently, I’m wearing a pair of Adidas Supernovas, which I really like.

Women’s Adidas Supernova shoes for $100 at ShopAdidas.com.

I haven’t used the Supernovas for long distances, and I’m thinking about buying a new pair of running shoes to “break-in” before Bay to Breakers. Any suggestions?

Giuseppe Zanotti Spring Sandals

A walk past the Giuseppe Zanotti store at Madison and 67th revealed that they were selling these flashy studded white cutout sandal boots, which can be purchased online for $1250.

I personally love the minimalist white sandal with just one strap and the black and red heel. This is not the exact same shoe as it has a skull on the big toe (so many skulls on shoes lately!), but the price is the same: $485. Whew!

But these blinged-out babies? I’ll pass. They’re $675.

Some other pretty summer sandals shined from the window. I can’t wait for spring!

One thing I can say for him is he’s hardly ever boring!

Coach Poppy Shoes

Heralding the arrival of spring, Coach’s recession-chic line, Poppy, has a variety of fresh, vibrantly colored shoes with the Poppy signature notebook graffiti logo.  The line is definitely bright, fun, and whimsical – perfect to get me into the spring mood even though the weather outside is not cooperating.  However, the price points, while friendlier than the non-diffusion line, still begins at $48 and runs up to $188.  What do you think?  Would you purchase at that price range?

Coach’s Poppy Line is available online at Coach.com/poppy-us.

My New Favorite Store in Santa Cruz: Stripe Design Group

The Stripe Design Group (107 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, Phone: 831-421-9252) is my new favorite place to shop on the Central Coast. If I could live in the store, I’d pack up my apartment up tomorrow and make myself comfortable on Stripe’s mid-century modern couches!

The most exciting part of Stripe’s incredible and constantly changing inventory is the selection of good condition vintage shoes! I’ve spotted a lot of Ferragamos amongst the displays of pumps, sandals, and boots, most of which are priced under $50. They also have a wide variety of sizes (a friend that wears size 5.5 was particularly excited at all the shoes in her size).

Here’s an aerial shot of the magic that is Stripe courtesy of Yelp.

And here are some close-ups of the shoes taken by Yelp user Tracy P.