Whether or not you’ve got chestnuts roasting on an open fire or stockings all hung by the chimney with care, it is indeed the night before Christmas in my time zone.

And on this night when so many go to sleep dreaming of the delightful treasures to be unwrapped tomorrow and the smiles on faces of other people unwrapping their own treasured gifts, I come bearing some shoes to inspire pleasant dreams.

Here’s an ice sculpture of a Chanel stunner from their upcoming Spring 2009 line.

Who wouldn’t be happy to open this trompe l’oeil Fendi bootie under the Christmas tree?

The Jimmy Choo Roz sandal will spice up any holiday party.

You’ll never be called boring if you show up anywhere in these Marc Jacobs yellow python stilettos.

Just imagine little fairy lights twinkling off the sparkle on these Miu Miu platforms.

Or take a page from Galligator’s book and wish for something blue, like these crystallized Valentino pumps.

And if none of those is making for sweet dreams for you, then I’ll leave you with this final winter wonderland of a shoe that I snapped a photo of in a Paris store window on a recent pass by the classic department store, Le Printemps.

May those of you celebrating have a joyous Christmas.  And may all of you (celebrating or not) have a wonderful last week of 2008 filled with good cheer and good company.

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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.

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Remember when Joseph’s had an excellent sale on spring/summer stuff earlier this year? 

Well, it’s time for the fall/winter counterpart.

Want to pep up your winter footwear?  Snag this red patent Lanvin boot for $556 (down from $925… that’s 40% off!)

OK, true, that’s 40% off, but if $500+ is still too out of reach for your credit-crunched wallet (as it is mine), you could go for these ADORABLE Oxford-inspired Taryn Rose flats ($326, down from $465).

Or there are these Deco-y Prada flats, which would look killer with a little black dress for a holiday party, and are now $319 instead of $530.

The mark downs are continuing, so if none of these float your boat at the moment, keep checking back, and who knows what delightful shoes may come along.

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According to the Prada website, these moccasins are self described as:

“A moccasin that’s the perfect Christmas gift. Exquisitely detailed, it is soft, flexible and light due to the moccasin lasting “”bag”" technique. Made of silky nappa leather, with smoky glass and amber inserted in settings especially created for this collection.”

I’m fond of the turquoise moc.  It’s such a unique and vibrant color for a shoe and the jeweled insets complement the leather perfectly.   As for whether it would be the perfect Xmas perfect, while I certainly wouldn’t complain, I would rather receive a pair of classic black Louboutins instead.

Offtopic, while I like the mocs, I cannot say the same for the matching handbag.  The excessive use of the stones made this bag waaaayy over the top for me.

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In case you haven’t yet seen these in stores, several of this Fall’s resort collections have start to turn up at our favorite online shopping sites. Today’s focus is the Prada 2009 Resort Collection.

For more conservative ladies,  a number of these 2009 Resort styles are simple, feminine, classic, and stylish. The low demi-wedge sandals are a nice change from recent trends toward higher and more precarious styles. If you happen to prefer the higher heel, the ombre nude Maryjane pumps have a slim yet solid heel that will allow you to indulge in the trend of  higher styles without sacrificing too much in walking stability (~a la stilettos).

Prada Demi-wedge (T-strap) Sandals $520 Saks.com*

Prada Demi-wedge (Strappy) Sandals $520 at Saks.com

Prada T-strap Sandals $620 at Saks.com

Prada Ankle-strap Wedges $595 at Saks.com

Prada Mary-Jane Pumps $620 at Saks.com

Prada Round-toe Pumps $490 at Saks.com

Of course,  the folks over at Prada have not forgotten to include styles with a bit of bling in this collection (in apparent consideration of the many ladies who simply never stopped loving the idea of playing dress-up with their fashion). And, with the holidays just around the corner, I’m sure there are many gals out there who will find plenty of opportunities to let these lovelies shine - as they are quite obviously meant to do.

Prada Sequined Peep-toe Pumps $850 at Saks.com

Prada sequined mules $590 at Saks.com

Prada Sequined Sandals $850 at Saks.com

Prada Jewelled Slides $730 at Saks.com

Prada T-strap sandals $890 at Saks.com

Prada T-strap Sandals $790 at Saks.com

As for me, do I have a favorite? Well, while I am wholeheartedly loving the art-deco 1940’s appeal of the last 2 jewelled T-straps, I actually find myself more torn between the demi-wedge T-strap and the basic-yet oh, so sexy, jewelled slides.

How about you, which style do you find most appealing?

 *For those of you with a Saks 5th Avenue account, there is a triple-points event currently in progress online, and running Nov. 11-15  in stores.

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