Who’s afraid of floral prints?

Not Shoeblog, that’s for sure–and hopefully, not you, dear readers and shoe-lovers. We know you crave a happy, well-adjusted, and well-fitted shoe, appropriate for all your spring needs; we know you don’t want to be either dowdy or so sweet they could send you into a diabetic comma. So here, let’s contemplate a few of the season’s offerings in terms of the floral trend. We’re looking for, say, a sweet-and-sour with a side of hot-and-spicy (as opposed to sweet-on-sweet with a side of bland). Let’s see!

These Maloles “Perry” slingback flats, in a tiny floral print, feature the classic ruched-toe we’ve come to expect from Maloles, and a chunky black ribbon to balance the sweetness with a dark side ($318 at Zappos, or $295 at Plaza Too+S&H).

The saccharine overtones of the antique floral pattern of this “retrofitted flat” is tempered by the cord piping and rope laces with leather tassels ($78 at Anthropologie):

And also at Anthropologie, and also in the non-bank-breaking  bracket, are these  cute ankle-strap flats, with a dark, stormy edge ($68):

These “Tarantella” wedges limit the floral pattern to discreet patches on the vamp and heel, and tops it all with a dark bow ($98 at Anthropologie):

Although I can’t recommend a 4-inch heel to anyone, I still love the pattern on these Pink heels ($78 at Anthropologie):

When it comes to floral shoes with an edge, however, I think these take the cake:

Paul Smith floral oxfords, oh my! $574 at Zappos.

Shoes for Thanksgiving

I don’t know about you other Thanksgiving-celebrating Shoeblog readers, but to me, Thanksgiving is sort of the pinnacle of autumn before winter hits. It’s a holiday of reds, browns, oranges, and yellows. Walking in the woods wrapped up in scarves and coming in from the cold with rosy cheeks to warm up with mugs of hot cider. It’s shared family time in the kitchen and the dining room and playing board games and watching movies.

Of course there are shoes that go along with this vision (just like there are sweaters and scarves and gloves), and they’re all about boots that have leather and tweed and flannel and outdoorsiness with style. Anthropologie has lots of offerings that are just perfect for this sort of atmosphere. Like these Pennine Way flannel/leather ones ($298) that feel just right for tromping through the fallen leaves.

Or these Buttonhole boots ($98) that make me want to sit in front of a fire playing Scrabble.

How about getting your fall plaid on with these Plaid Slouchers booties ($248) and curling up with a good book in the window seat with a lap rug?

Or take a page from comfy slippers with these Maloles Bronze Medal booties ($358) that manage the unlikely combination of cozy and glam at the same time.

But of all the current Anthropologie offerings, there’s one boot that sums up this Thanksgiving autumnal feeling for me more than all the others, and it’s the Precious Cargo boot ($178). Zip these on with tights and a corduroy skirt, stick your car key in the little pocket, and off you go for a handsfree (aka “no purse”) romp in the fields.

Treads, sweater cuff, working pocket, leather straps, and above all, a price tag that’s quite reasonable to me for tall boots. I love em.

Of course, if none of this fall idealizing hits you quite right, you can always just chalk up any of these to a lust for Black Friday and revel in the communal day of shopping.

Maloles Metallic Leather Flat

Sometimes good deals come in all the wrong sizes. To wit: this Maloles metallic leather flat, or as I like to call it, splendor in pewter:

They are only $94, down from $375, at Neiman Marcus (that’s 75% off, for those of you who are, like me, mathematically challenged). Sadly though, they are only available in a size 35 (5 US). Despite that, I desire them intensely. Come to me precious… in a size 10, if possible.

mmmmmmaloles

We’ve certainly waxed poetical before about this French brand, but I think it’s time to take a closer peek at their collection, don’t you? Unfortunately when I tried to contact them for a press kit, I got an email bounce that said their account is over quota. But I suppose that means they’re busy, right? And I’m not surprised, because it seems like everyone and her mother is gushing about these shoes right now and running all over the place to buy them.

It’s not hard to find some of their styles here and there around the internet, but if you check out their full line at the official site, you can see there are many many more styles than the small collections at Anthropologie, Zappos, or Bluefly, to name a few places where these purty purty shoes can be hunted down and purchased.

What I love about them right now is that they’re making so many adorable, chic flats with such great details. Shoesense posted one the other day, and it’s a cutie.

Zappos also offers the Sofia and the Mila, seen here, which are respectively the cutest "school teacher" shoe you’ll ever see, and the perfect footwear for an uber-stylish Little Red Riding Hood. (FYI, Anthropologie also has the Sofia for sale, but for $278, whereas Zappos has it for $256).

These two pairs make creative and excellent use of shoelaces as accents. They’ve got a touch of that old fashion charm with a liberal does of springtime cheer (the first pair) and understated elegance (the second ).

But I must say I’m most partial to these delicious sparkle-enhanced peep toes. They make me want to eat mint ice cream out of a glass dish with a long stemmed spoon.

If your wallet hurts just thinking about these puppies, which range from about $225 up to nearly $400, you can check out Bluefly, which currently has a brown pair for sale at $150 (only in size 9). Your toes will look like decorated war heroes, and the rest of your outfit will commend you for your fashion courage and style.

Maloles white flats

I confess, I have a real and well documented obsession with Spanish shoes, and among them, Maloles are somewhere at the top: always original, cute, with a little delightful twist. Take these white snakeskin flats, with the diagonal metallic perforated strap. It closes with a wee little white button, see?

Don’t you just want to take them out for a walk downtown? Feminine, adorable, perfect for spring–and $276 at Zappos.