I LOVE this criss-cross wedge, I truly, really, love-love-love it:

There’s something very fresh, chic, and sophisticated about it, probably its clean, basic lines, the yumminess of the color, or the openness of the front… I don’t know, but it’s a really good-looking shoe. Endless offers it for $189 (free overnight shipping included), but, and that’s where it gets surprising, Anthropologie, whose prices are usually higher than the norm, has it for a whopping $40 less–that’s $148, plus shipping, of course (though I can’t imagine shipping would account for the difference). Endless does have a 110% guarantee on their prices, so if you play your cards right, you might get away with a lower price AND free shipping–take note, bargain hunters!

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I’m leaving for Seattle later this morning so I’m running around like the proverbial chicken with its head cruelly cut off, and generally getting stressed out of my mind–a sport I’m a champion at, by the way.

And so it struck me that I *GOTS TO* find ways of de-stressing, and then, bam, the second revelation: what better means of de-stressing than beautiful shoes?

“Shoes?” my brain will say. “Shoes? THERE IS NO TIME FOR SHOES!”

Except, there is, especially when they induce you into an adoring stupor and switch gears from “hyperventilating” to “lovingly drooling”:

I loooooove these Chie Mihara simple flats, in all their crackly-silvery-goodness–and of course, the crucial detail, the cherry on the shiny cake, the double-colored nude strap at the back–so simple, so effective in textural and color contrast, so très, très chic! They’re almost $300 at Anthropologie, and I’m almost believing that’s worth the price of de-stressing.

(PS: On second thoughts, perhaps I should apply for a grant to study the effect of beautiful shoes on women’s psyche. Wouldn’t you all volunteer for that??)

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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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