Giuseppe Zanotti’s Indian Sandal

About two years ago, one of my girlfriends and I embarked on a relaxing girls’ only trip to Arizona (to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Phoenix, specifically).

It was so much fun – we did lots of hiking, hung out by the pool, and pampered ourselves with spa treatments.  Of course shopping was on the agenda too.  We tried on lots of beautiful handmade Native American Indian jewelry, of which these two were some of my favorites.

When I saw these Giuseppe Zanotti sandals made of malachite stones, I was instantly reminded of my trip because the emerald green collar have a total tribal feel to them.   The rocks are also set in copper, which based on this article, is supposed to be a metal that enhances the powers of the malachite, believed to be a protector stone. On a total aside note, while I am not necessarily superstitious, my aunt was once in a terrible car accident.  The car was a total mess, but she escaped unscathed with the exception that the protective bracelet she wore snapped in half.  Now, I have no idea if that was a coincidence or not, but I do know that I could never put a price on my aunt’s safety and if that bracelet had any ‘powers’, it was totally worth it.

Guiseppe Zanotti’s protective tribal sandals are priced at $1300 at Endless.com.

Inauguration Celebration Shoes

President-elect Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States today.   As we all witness this momentous occasion together, how will you be celebrating style-wise?

If you are one of the chosen few lucky enough to attend the festivities in our Capital, will you exercise your freedom of speech and expression in these electric blue pumps?

Max Kabarin Pump Pumps ($695 at Saks)

Or will you showcase your passion for politics in these fiery red peep toe pumps called Nina Elke ($63-$100 at Amazon)?

For those attending a local event/gathering, you can stand proud and quite tall in Giuseppe Zanotti Patriotic  platform pumps, ($695 at Amazon).

Or express yourself in these statement Bijou by AJV patent booties ($32.90 at HSN).

And finally, for those tuning in online or via the TV set, you can always kick off your shoes and celebrate in the comfort of patriotic red, white, and blue American flag socks.

All I want for Christmas are these shoes

Hello from snowy Seattle!  With the help of the picturesque white scenery outside,  I’ve been totally feeling the holiday vibe. To accompany my spirits, I watched one of my favorite holiday movies, Love Actually, for like the hundredth time last weekend.

Now there’s a scene in the movie where this little girl with wonderful lungs sings “Make my wish come true….All I want for Christmas is yoooouuuu…..and you…and yowhoowhoo (pointing to random people in the room)!  Now, there are a few shoes that make me want to burst out in this song, so if you’ll bear with me, play this clip from the movie and start reading along.

All I want for Christmas is you…..

Giuseppe Zanotti ($486 at Zappos with free, guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve!)

And yoooouuuu

Roberto Cavalli with Giraffe embracing at the vamp ($435 at Zappos, guaranteed delivery by Xmas eve)

and you….

Two Lips Princess (It probably isn’t made in Italy, but it is a decent price of $89)

and youwhoowhoo….

Stuart Weitzman Nuflame with crystal details ($450 and I can get it by Dec 24 with overnight delivery)

and Youahhh!

Linea Paolo Blush ($139 at Nordies)

All I want for Christmas is for everyone to have a happy holiday!

DSW Luxury Designer Shoe Sale

One of my favorite brick and mortar stores to shop at for fabulous deals on shoes is DSW.  So when DSW’s online store launched earlier this year, I was pretty excited.  Excited that is, until I actually visited the site and failed to be impressed by the shoe selection and the value offered.

However, I try to be open-minded and when I visited DSW earlier today (I had DSW Rewards points I wanted to use) I must say that I was adequately impressed to find a few deals on their luxury shoes.

I picked up these Jimmy Choo June pumps for $199.95.  Technically, after my DSW Rewards, promo codes, and free shipping code, they cost me $164.95.  They are pretty classy and I think I’ll be able to wear them for a number of years.

I also wanted these Guiseppe Zanotti platforms ($199.95, but it was not meant to be.  My size was unavailable.

I’m probably in the minority, but even though I love the classic look and soft intrecciato woven leather in Bottega Veneta bags, I am not a fan of the brand.  However, their signature weave on this Bottega Veneta wedge actually is tempting for a non-fan, as is the $199.95 price tag.

Another brand I’m not crazy about is Emilio Pucci.  The brand’s crazy patterns are normally a bit too much for me.  On this Pucci bow (also $199.95) pump, though, I think a nice balance was struck.  There is still the signature pattern but it is tastefully adorned on the bow only.

Red is often a tricky color.  It can look too sexy and flashy for the office, but on a simple, clean pump like these Jimmy Choo Glacier pumps, I think the shoe is totally wearable in the office and would give any dark outfit the perfect pop of color. Price tag? $199.95  Are you seeing a pattern here?

So I’ve gone over a few pumps on sale at DSW, but there are actually a small number of luxury shoe designer flats available too.  My favorite of the bunch are these Prada Buckly flats.  Your price, a very predictable $199.95.

And finally, just when you though that all the shoes were going for $199.95, I admit to being thrown for a loop at the pricetag of these Missoni platform sandals.  Surprisingly, they are going for $129.95.  I’m still not a taker though as the patterns are too busy for me.

So if you are looking for a few good shoes, head on over to the DSW Luxury Shoe sale.  If the prices don’t immediately show up, just be sure to login using you DSW Rewards id.  And if you are like me and want to take bargains up a notch (after the Saks sale, I’m been spoiled and expect there to be a sale on a sale item), try out our ongoing DSW coupon thread over in the forums.

Giuseppe Zanotti Design Christmas 2008 Shoe

It isn’t even Thanksgiving yet, but the holidays are already upon us.  To wit, this is Giuseppe Zanotti’s limited edition shoe for Christmas.  It’ll be available exclusively at Giuseppe Zanotti boutiques starting on December 1st.

From the press release,

Giuseppe is known worldwide for the exquisite manufacture of his jeweled shoes and for his ability to express in such a small object the mood of the moment, above and beyond the diktats of the catwalk and the designers.

So, instead of decorating with precious stones and leathers, embroidering and overlapping – all things expected in a luxury shoe – Giuseppe has decided to subtract. The result resembles a sculpture: what you see is a pedestal, a throne for the foot made of few, precise elements. A 1.5” chrome platform, a 5.5” heel, black suede straps, a strap around the ankle decorated with studs and Swarovski black diamond micro-crystals. The physical relationship with the bare foot evokes the image of a woman able to expose herself without fear, but without needing to. The height of the platform confers authority; the extraordinary quality of the materials highlights the certainty felt by one who has everything and doesn’t have to show it.

Strong, powerful, iconic: for the new power woman who doesn’t think of herself as belonging to a single nationality, but instead appears in the matrix of the worldwide elite without a specific geographic identity.

Hmm, for a shoe that’s supposed to be pretty basic, it seems to have a ton of the bells and whistles you’d expect from Giuseppe. Nevertheless, it sure is stunning to look at.