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.

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A regular reader just asked me the following:

I’m looking for super cute t-strap flats. Not mary-jane t-strap flats, not gladiator-like sandals, but t-strap flats that have a pretty low vamp (closed-toe) and a simple back to cover the heel. I saw a girl wearing a pair, an absolutely flat pair; the only other pair I would want is from Nota Bene:

But, I’d still like a flatter shoe with more styles I can choose from…from patent leather to all sorts of crazy colors. Do you know any off the top of your head??

Well, let’s see. I’ve cheated a bit on some of the details, because there are so many excellent t-strap choices out there. Like the pretty Robert Clergerie sandals I mentioned in yesterday’s post.

There’s the Gumdrop by Oh Deer!, which fits the bill for coming in fun patterns and colors, has a closed back and toe, and is a proper t-strap. There’s a houndstooth wool version on sale at Piperlime for only $57 (but only in a 7.5–if that’s not you, try Zappos, where it’s $104). For spring, I like the blue patent, but there’s also red suede and black patent, too.

Anthropologie has these nautical cuties, which are a bit on the mary-jane t-strap side, but are adorable and relatively inexpensive ($88). They also have this pair of silver three-strand t-straps (m-straps?), which are not only trendily metallic for spring 08, but they’re absolutely gorgeous, too. Also only $88. Check out the toe view. And these certainly fit our reader’s description… yes, I have to say it… to a tee.

If you want to stick with Anthropologie, but prefer the woven trend for spring, snag these brown leather t-straps for $78, which are a bit mary-jane-ish, as well, but low-vamped for all that.

Matiko has a classic black patent t-strap that fits the bill and also comes in navy. It’s only $45!

Here’s another one that goes mary-jane style, but is so perfectly spring-like that I MUST include it. It’s the Shandi from Pink Studio, and just look at this pretty buttery yellow that’s fresh and clean without being too saccharine sweet. Or this bright coral red (this one’s $70 at Piperlime), or my very favorite of them all, this perfect robin’s egg blue version?

So, how’s that? I know some of these are exactly what you’re after, dear reader, but there are some in here that should fit your bill, and by george, are they all cute. Anyone else have suggestions? Feel free to chime in in the comments.

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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.

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So! It’s been a while since I posted about my newest shoe purchases; partly, it’s because my camera has given up on me lately (it’s the battery, and instead of replacing the battery, I’m seriously considering a new camera–but that will have to wait a little, what with all these new shoes and all. Ahem.)

I had to perform several serious purges of my shoe closet before I could take new guests in, if you know what I’m saying–but that’s going to be the object of another post.

And now–the reveal!

First up: Espace black crinkled patent leather sandals (or shoes? shoendals? whatever).

I got them at a sale at the Joan Shepp boutique in Center City Philadelphia; they were about $110 (half-off). They’ve got a serious wedge and thick sole on them, which makes them some of the most comfortable shoes I have every worn. Unlike other shoes, these don’t rub at any spot, and the thick sole protects me from the harshness of any surface I have to walk on. They go great with jeans and even capris and I proudly count them towards one of my better purchases. Plus, I felt like having something rough and chunky-chic to indulge my tomboyish ways.

Unlike this next pair: Lundi Bleu satin floral print kitten heels, which are as frilly and non-tomboyish as can be:

These I got at Shoefly, about 60% off (maybe $50? I can’t remember). I’ve got to say they looked better on the website than in person; for one thing, the picture didn’t show the kitten heels–I thought there were flats. Second, I wore them without stockings and they gave me hellish blisters. Haven’t worn them since–I’ll give them another try (with stockings!) and see how they fare.

Next up: Morenatom mules from fabulous Elena’s Bus Stop Boutique:

Very cute, no? The colors are a bit off in the picture–the green is a tad more intense, and the crochet flowers on the vamp are purple. They’re very comfy and casual; my only complaint is that the leather at the toe rubs against the pavement and peels off–at least, it did in my case, after only two wears.

This next pair quickly became one of my favorites: Anna Sui patent flats with laser-cut flower details:

I got them at Net-a-porter, about half-off, for $120; you can get them now on sale for $175 at Anthropologie. They are cute, they are comfy (though they do need a little break-in period), they’re a show stealer. I lov’em!

These next ones are from Jean Paul Barriol Accessoire line:

They are dove-gray suede with elastic criss-cross straps, light as a feather and as comfortable as they can be. Asta de Blue, a boutique in my neighborhood, went out of business, and they were offering these for $29. Given that the Accessoire shoes are usually $250 and over, I considered that a very good deal, indeed, for practical, comfortable, light shoes, fit to wear all day long.

I had long coveted a pair of Anyi Lu shoes, but the prices were quite prohibitive (upwards of $350). Well, I got lucky for once with these gorgeous gold and zebra-pattern hair-calf low wedges, discounted down to $118 (from $375) at Benjamin Lovell in downtown Philly:

The leather is soft as butter, the pattern unusual, and the comfort factor is high. I’m very proud of this purchase!

Finally (whew!), here’s an impulse purchase I still have doubts about but which I still think is gorgeous: Le Due raspberry demi-wedges from Anthroplogie, $100:

This is the highest heel I’ve bought in three years, and I still haven’t worn them outside. The cut looks great on the foot, though, and the color is extremely flattering. They’re gorgeous shoes, but I just hope I can wear them without pain outside. I obviously couldn’t resist their charms. They’d be perfect some socially appropriate function which requires minimum mobility.

So, now that’s been off my chest–what kind of shoe mischief have YOU been up to lately?

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This season, oxfords are, no doubt, a good way to break the monotony of the ballerinas and the ubiquity of the Mary Janes. In a recent post, I had surmised that for those of us for whom heels higher than 2 inches hold no appeal whatsoever, the selection in terms of oxfords is pretty dismal. Well, it appears, in the words of the inimitable Dr. Perry Cox, that I’ve been wrong wrong wrong wrong, wrong wrong wrong wrong (for non-Scrubs fans: sing that along the Big Ben chime. Trust me, it’s funny).

So who else but Anthropologie can give us girls who value our comfort at least as much as our trendiness some very chic options in terms of oxford-wear? Take for example these peep-toe beribboned shoes from TN_29 ($228):

I know what you’re going to say–how to wear these?–but have faith: they really do look great on this model, who wears them here with a knee length skirt and bare legs:

See? Told you so!

I’ll also take a high wedge over a high heel any time, too, so I’m kinda attracted to these metallic wedge oxfords from Rafe, $298 at Anthropologie:

I love the tasseled ties adn how they can pass off as booties. Also love the shimmery leather, which has a hint of lunar melancholy in it.

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