The Time is Ripe for Spring Deals!

Macy’s Friends & Family Sale starts tomorrow! In case you don’t know about Macy’s sales, you can often combine coupons in a double-coupons fashion. In this economy, that’s a welcome deal!

Whereas other stores do 20 (i.e. Saks using code FRIEND3) or 15 percent off, Macy’s has gone the full 25 percent, so why not take the splurge for some new shoes or swimwear?

Daily tabloid papers in New York often feature coupons from Macy’s, so combine on, shoppers!

Valentino Lace-Up Wedges with Lace Applique

Valentino, king of the romantic. I sometimes think of him in my head as the opposite of Cavalli. I certainly can’t see Cavalli doing these lace appliques on his shoes!

This shoe features a strappy latticework leather upper with contrasting shoestring laces. I like the laces in both colors, but I think the cream is my favorite. Note that the ankle straps are halters, so be ready for some ankle pressure, if not a ton, because these aren’t that heavy compared to most wedges.

The wedge measures almost 5 inches high, with an almost 2-inch platform.

Valentino Lace-Up Wedge Sandals, $1095 at BergdorfGoodman.com

Bottega Veneta Turquoise Wedges

Ooh, doesn’t this photo make the shoe look creepy and ominous??

I can assure you that it’s not just the heel being in the shade, but this shoe in general. It’s intense!

Bottega likes their wedges. These bubble over like so much toil & trouble. They are kind of too intense for me, but I still dig them. The leather is well-stitched and crafted, the studs are gigantic, and the criss-cross toe vamp is a nice touch.

$990 in-store at Bergdorf. Find a similar pair online at Net-A-Porter, in grey, with a lower heel, $840.

Alaïa Cutout Boots

It’s no secret that my love for Alaïa runs deep. The Tunisian-born haute couturier is nothing short of fabulous, at times feminine and flirty, and at times dark and intense, and the label persistently does what it wants, decade after decade, not what fashion mandates dictate.

Speaking of fashion mandates, a lot of designers, fashion editors and pundits have recently decried the mass consumerization of designers’ work, which they claim has brought about a cult of monogrammed bags, perfumes and celebrities being more important than the clothes they’re wearing.

See one fashion editor’s quote after the jump, and find out how much this boot costs.

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Happy Earth Day! Environmental Shoes by Naya

Dear Readers,

We’ve done posts on environmentally-considerate shoes before. But this Earth Day, I’m particularly impressed with the carbon-lite footprint of Naya Shoes.

Whenever possible, Naya includes vegetable-tanned leathers, natural or recycled fabrics, water-based cements, 80 percent recycled paper boxes, soy-based inks, water-based glue, reusable shoe bags and shoe forms made with recycled PET. Not only that, but they’re more chic than many environmental shoes, n’est-ce pas?

Take a look at Naya’s other shoes here, and let us know your favorite environmental shoes or what you’re doing to lessen your carbon footprint, literally! Are you buying used? Organizing shoe swaps with your friends? Buying from non-sweatshop, environmental companies?

Witness my adorable new Maize sandals after the jump!

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