Generally speaking, I do not care for department stores. They are too big, and, quite frankly, just too much in every respect. Yes, you can peruse an incredible selection and find some great deals, but it always takes me hours. It’s like I walk into a department store and remerge hours later completely overwhelmed. This is why I love boutiques! I can cover the entire store in a much more timely manner. But the downside is that the selection and markdowns are not always comparable to a department store.

CUSP, Neiman Marcus’s equivalent of Barney’s Co-Op, is my new favorite boutique department store! I bought a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag online a few months ago and was impressed with the website’s selection and prices. Yesterday I was walking down the street in Georgetown during my visit to Washington D.C. and spotted a brick and mortar CUSP (3030 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20007)! I was so excited!

The store’s selection was amazing! I loved everything! I was there for about 45 minutes and felt like I covered the place. The staff, especially in the shoe department, was very helpful! The salesman informed me that if you request a sale item as “final sale” you save an additional 15%! This deal does not appear to be available online.

I bought these adorable Sam Edelman ballet flats in wine (they are also available in gray) on sale for $44. 

Sam Edelman Bow-Front Ballerina at CUSP for $44 (regularly $99)

Loeffler Randall colorblock pumps at CUSP for $191 (regularly $425)

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Bloomingdale’s in New York is touting Sam Edelman Gogo flats. They’re available at Shoes.com for $115. I actually really like these despite the huge jewels, I think because the straps are a little different from traditional gladiators. With a pair of Rayban Wayfarers shown above the shoes (available at Shopbop.com for $139), all the rage these days when I was traveling in Europe and now in New York, why not? A good match for the beach, which I intend on heartily visiting this summer.

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Sam Edelman is on sale in New York and San Francisco, and I’m sure in other places. I’ve always liked the flats, but I’ve never bought a pair.

These Edelman flats were on sale at David Z on Broadway in New York. I would wear all of them — they’re all chic and would blend from work to night.

These quieter puppies were in a shop in the Marina in San Francisco, the name of which immediately escapes me, unfortunately:

Have you worn Edelman flats? Are they a staple in your wardrobe? And are they comfy, or do they so utterly lack arch support like so many flats that you need to put inserts in them? I have a French/London Sole addiction, but they almost always require an arch support insert because they’re so very flat.

I also loved these Campbell flats, on sale at David Z as well.

Hello, I am pretty! The Jeffrey Campbell Bring Old Bronze for $94.00:

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It’s official, with Thanksgiving behind us and Hanukah under way, the holiday season is in full swing. And that means holiday parties. Me, I’m already planning my holiday party outfit in my head. It’s not going to be used until New Year’s Eve, but that’s never stopped me before. And key to a good holiday party outfit? The shoes, of course! And personally, I like to think of holiday party season as a chance to wear metallic shoes that is rarely paralleled throughout the rest of the year.

I’ll probably be donning the Nana Wanida silver glitter flat that I bought last year, which is now a steal at Endless for only $26!! I’ve only worn them a few times, and this is a perfect chance to wear them again.

You want some other picks for excellent glammed up holiday party footwear?  Shoes.com has a ton of em.

I love the divalicious Sam Edelman Nova slingbacks ($100) that are mirrored and metallic and come in silver or copper. And the Sam Edelman leopard lining? Rrrrowr!

For break the bank gorgeousness, slip on these Christian Lacroix pumps ($615) that mix gold and silver with an oxidized finish and some funky funky heels.

For mod style and plenty o’ comfort (say, with a kicky black A-line minidress), slip on these silver Taryn Rose Bonus flats, which are now 40% off at Shoes.com ($237 instead of $395). Bonus, indeed!

If you want to go for the rock n roll classic, try this blue suede variation of Marc by Marc Jacobs pointy toe low heel. Yes it also comes in black, but how could you pass up a chance to own a purty pair of blue suede shoes. Plus, these are also 40% off, so they’re only $267 instead of $445.

And finally, one last present many might wish for, which comes in the form of this delicate gold Donna Karan sandal. No, it’s not on sale, which means its price tag is a gulp-inducing $525, but maybe if you’ve been a very good girl this year, Santa will take notice and leave you this pair under the tree. Just look, it’s as if the bow’s already tied on them and everything.

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All it takes is just one day of melting temperatures here in the Northeast and I get delirious with dreams of summer and, of course, delicious summer footwear. Let’s get to it, shall we?

I am of the opinion that if you want to mellow a fellow’s heart thoroughly and properly, polka dots on your dainty footwear re the way to go. They’re playful, they’re retro-chic, they’re usually attached to a summer-y material such as canvas, they’re irresistible. Luckily for us, the current designer offering has polka-dots-aplenty, for basically every taste and budget. Let’s review:

Bettye Muller ‘Linley’ pump. Not only does it have polka dots in an appropriate density and elegant color-combo, but it’s a peep-toe d’Orsay with knotted bow on the vamp. And yes, these are all good things! A bit pricey, yes ($374 at Nordstrom) but performing the double feature of being eye-catching and classy at the same time.

Chinese Laundry ‘Landys’ flat. These juicy slingbacks come in a variety of colors (blue, green, and black), but my favorite is this sunny version, which sells for a very reasonable $60.

Sam Edelman ‘Nadia’ espadrille wedge. Now, that’s what I call a polka-dot with an attitude! Sweet, yes, but also sassy, flirtatious, ready to go out and party. Love them! They’re just a buck shy of $100 at Nordstrom.

These Sam Edelman ‘Indigo’ wedges take retro a step above, with their peep-toe, bow-on-vamp, and small-and-smaller polka dot print combo. I can’t imagine putting these on and not being happy! They’re the same price, same place as the above.

And finally, these Joie ‘Rapture’ flats give a modern twist to the polka-dot print with this slightly irregular pattern. Brilliant simplicity! They’re $195 at Nordstrom.

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