We get a lot of email here at Shoeblog.  It’s almost all interesting, but not all totally relevant or postable.

However, the email that showed up in my inbox today was absolutely the former and oh-so-much the latter, too.

May I present, oh fellow lovers of shoes, Modista.

I know I’m not the only one who shoe-shops by feel (as I call it).  I think of a shoe I want that has a certain “feel” to it, and then I go poking around shoe sites trying to re-create that feel by ticking boxes for certain heel heights and colors and assorted other criteria that may or may not return a list of hits that have that feel at all.

Modista puts it all right at your fingertips.

It was started by an enterprising and helpful significant other trying to assist a cash-strapped student girlfriend in finding nice-looking shoes that would look designer, but be a whole lot friendlier on the wallet.

What came of this project is a brilliant site that uses visual searching to let you pick a shoe with the right “feel” and then see a grid of others that approximate it in terms of color, style, etc.

Let’s take an example.

I am currently looking for a good pair of walkable, flat-soled boots.  The feel I’m after is feminine, simple, with a little bit of an edge.

I start with the Diba 2002 Dakota ($179 at Endless).

What comes up is this:

Nifty!

Let’s see… I like the fifth one in from the left on the top row.

I mouse over it and see that, oh, that’s the Gentle Souls Silver boot ($354 at Zappos).

Nice looking, but a little plainer than the feel I’m going for.

I click.

Up comes:

Ooooo!

I like third from the left, top row.

It’s the Mia West by Clarks ($225 at Zappos).

Nice, but a little clunkier than I’m after.

So, I click onwards and get:

Oo!  Who’s that second from the left on the bottom row?

Why, it’s the D Kink 11 by Geox ($234 at Zappos).

A bit more edge than I’m after, but we’re on the right track here.  Especially because the screen that comes up when the Geox gets a click is this:

Top row, fourth from the left: you call to me.

You are the Michelle K Enrapture ($86 at 6pm.com),

and while you are too sporty for what I’m after, you lead me to this screen:

and thence to the Miz Mooz Blitz Lace boot (third from the right, top row, $180 at Endless).

Look at the shiny leather!  Look at the comfy, walkable sole!  Look at the asymmetrical lace-up front.  Ladies and gents, I think I have found my winner.

Thank you, thank you, Modista.  You have not only made shoe-shopping so much more effective for those (like me) who shop “by feel,” but you’ve also turned it into a fun fun game.  Or, at least, more of one that it already was.

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This morning, I want to share this gorgeous little baby with all of you :

Sergio Rossi AU6673.00 $724

Honestly, this is one pretty shoe. I am only barely avoiding drooling over this beauty.

I love the D’orsay styling, the two-tone patent and hair-calf combination, and of course, the cute little bow at the back. The 4.5-inch heel (sans platform) makes this a truly lovely silhouette; though at the highest end of wearability for many of us. It is, however, not available in my size and my pocketbook is truly grateful for this last fact.

However, there is still stock for one of you out there wearing a size 10. Who will it be?

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While I continue to gape and awe at the latest trendy designer shoes and bags, I’m realistic. The current economy and job market doesn’t make it very prudent to splurge on expensive accessories. Yet, I am a girl with desires. The need to shop is almost as strong as my need for air and water to live.

That’s why Target is my fashion heroine right now. Target just came to this economic-savvy shopaholic’s rescue with the Sigerson Morrison for Target limited edition footwear collection AND the Anya Hindmarch for Target handbag line. Designer chic but for cheap? What a great combo!

Both designer collections are available online NOW through December 26th (if the stock even lasts that long) and I’m quite impressed with both collections as they have a fun style to fit every girl’s tastes, especially the Sigerson Morrison shoes! Santa just dropped off a few early Christmas presents for me!

The Sigerson Morrison for Target® shoe line ranges from $29.99-39.99

I’ve seen Anya Hindmarch clutches and hobos go for upwards of $1,000. Anya Hindmarch for Target handbags start at $19.99 and go up to $49.99. At those prices, you can pick one up for the office, a second purse for the casual weekend, and a third for cocktail hour.

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Test your knock-off knowledge here.

See if you can identify the manufacturers of the following shoe styles.

I’ll give you a hint.   

They are not: Marc Jacobs, YSL, Dior, Prada/Miu Miu, Gucci or Givenchy.

Check your answers at the bottom of the page.:

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

6.)

7.)

8.)

9.)

10.)

Answers Below:

Read the rest of this entry »

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My dear and darling Shoeblog readers!

How I have missed you!

I have been involved in preparing for and then accomplishing a move from New York to London, and I’ve been at the mercy of a million things to do, spotty internet access, and a jam-packed schedule.

But I’m back now.  Settled into my place in London and ready to resume shoe coverage from this side of the Atlantic.

What better post to start with for this inaugural post from the land of tea and crumpets than a comparison of the fantabulous shoes in the windows of two retail giants: Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC and Harvey Nichols in London Town.

Saks, before I left, was displaying a neat little thing.  The results of this charity project.  Yes, every Wizard of Oz lover’s dream: designer versions of Dorothy’s fabulous ruby slippers (incidentally, the subject of my very first ever Shoeblog post).

Here are a few snaps from the super clever window displays out on the street.

The other designers’ efforts were in glass cases on the shoe floor upstairs, but the star of the show was this pair of alternate ruby slippers that were screen-tested, but never made it into the film.

Pretty glam, no?

What a lovely farewell to the shoe world of New York.

And one transatlantic flight and a lot of running around later, here’s a welcome to the shoe world of London.  And it’s for sure nothing to scoff at.

Because the windows of London fashion mecca, Harvey Nichols, are also brim-full of gorgeous designer footwear.  To wit:

Pretty fab, right?

And then, around the corner in the windows on Knightsbridge were these GORGEOUS Louboutins:

All that blue and black feathery divine frou frou business had me at hello, as they say.

Oh, and before I forget, the Chanel store down the street had a familiar pair of pocket pumps prominently put forward.

And so, welcome to Shoeblog’s bi-continental era.  Stay tuned for more glam shoes from London.

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