Some of you may remember that back during the Spring 2009 runway shows I developed a bit of a crush on these Marc by Marc Jacobs openwork granny boots. Something about them just clicked for me.

Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘693556′ lace-up sandal $384.97 at Amazon, $412.46 $549.95 at Endless.

Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘693185′ lace-up bootie $197.98-$495 at Amazon & Endless (depending on size/color combo)

Now, I have theoretically had time to gain some little bit of emotional distance from these shoes. After all, the Spring 2009 MBMJ runway show was over a year ago.  Alas, granny-boot lover that I am, these have not lost any of their hold on me.  Unfortunately, finding a way to actually purchase a pair of these will involve the moon and stars coming into the correct alignment along with positive shopping signs and portents evidencing themselves in my favor ….. or perhaps just continued careful budgeting, having good luck hold out on issues like car and home maintenance expenses, and a hoping that a size 7 1/2 will remain in stock until I can honestly say ‘this is the pay period it can happen’.

However, if my budget remains tight enough that the MBMJ’s remain an impractical splurge, I will keep the following shoes in mind as acceptable, affordable alternatives.

First we have these hardcore knock-offs from Type Z:

Type Z ‘Ritchie’ pump $81.50 $95 at Zappos.

No challenge figuring out where the inspiration for these came from…….

There are also some less literal (copied) interpretations of the openwork style that are also very cute. And, if they go on super-sale, they could become near-irresistible.

These ones are my favorite of the bunch…they are seriously vying to knock my MBMJ crush down to a number two slot. How fickle is my shoe love now?

Linea Paolo ‘Vie’ $86.90 $129.95 at Nordstrom.

I am totally digging on these and they are on equal crush footing for me on a strictly visual basis. They do have the MBMJ’s totally whipped on price, though, to this involuntary penny-pincher.

(If you like these but are not on a budget like me, you might also like these Cynthia Vincent ‘Maddox‘ sandals over at Endless.)

Other contenders for my attention are styles by Stuart Weitzman, Pour La Victoire, Dolce Vita, Type Z, and Elizabeth & James. But, I’m still liking the Nordies and original MBMJ’s the best … so, I will probably not be bookmarking these others.

Anyway, I suppose I will just have watch the sales - and also my budget…nothing new there.

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Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but shoes are this girl’s real love. And, while I love ribbons, lace, and flowers on my shoes, today I am crushing on a pair of tuxedo pumps from Harajuku lovers.

Harajuku Lovers ‘Dobson’ $94 at Zappos.com

Do these have spunk and attitude?

Yes.

Are they fun and flirty?

Again, yes.

Do these beg to be center stage of your outfit?

No question.

Do I know exactly which little black dress I would pair with these?

Of course.

Now, if only I had a convenient occasion to wear that little black dress…..

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I was reading some financial reports and came across an article that describes a shoe design contest SOLE SEARCH sponsored by Zappos, Steven Madden and Brickfish.   Since I am a techno-dork I don’t understand Brickfish, but I do understand Zappos and Steven Madden. 

You are able to create a shoe from a template in the program, or upload a design of your own making.  Three lucky consumers, one selected from each of the entering categories, will be given the opportunity to pitch his or her shoe design to Steve Madden in NYC. Steve Madden will then select one of the three designs to be produced and sold online at Zappos.com/Steve-Madden.  The contest ends December 29.   Some of the entries so far:

The next one is by far my favorite.  Very clever.

Hurry to the site and show us your dream shoe.

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Here’s the thing -

I am really interested in adding a cute, criss-cross, strappy pump to my closet. There are dozens and dozens of shoes that fit this description, yet I keep coming back to these shoes:

Shoes for Lovely People Bombshell $90 $126 at Zappos.com

I have been grooving on these shoes since spring. And, while I really like the black pair, it is the somewhat impractical, metallic red,  faux-snakeskin pair that keeps drawing me back in to see if these have gone on sale yet anywhere online (wow, they are now on sale at Zappos)….the gold ones just give me flashbacks to 80’s Solid Gold episodes - high heels and spandex, *shudders*.

Also, for some reason when I look at these, the phrase “Surrender Dorothy” runs through my mind….but in a fun way. But there’s no way you’re gonna get me to wear a blue-gingham checked dress with these.  More like a black cocktail dress or dark wash denim paired with a tailored button-down blouse.

I was expecting the siren call of these to fade as the months passed, but something about them won’t let go of me.  Perhaps I am subconsciously seeking a pair of my own iconic ruby slippers with all of their magical and transformative powers?

Or, maybe it’s more simple and  I’m just doomed to remain hopelessly, happily shoe-obsessed.

I can handle that.

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I will continue to wax obsessive on all things boot-like when it comes to footwear.

And, unlike yesterday’s Gucci boots or Sunday’s oh-so-lustworthy Dsquared2 styles, these little booties from Sofft are even potentially budgetable - especially if I luck out and find them on sale sometime over the next several months.

Take a look:

Sofft ‘Orlena’ $154 at Zappos, $149.94 at The Walking Co.

These little pretties have been growing on me since I first glimpsed them about a month ago.

Seriously, how cute are those buttons and the slightly-oversized cuff? And look, they come in either black leather or grey suede; both are beautiful fall options.

Delicious….and falling nicely under the unfortunately-becoming-too-common $200-$700 price range.

Plus, these are made by Sofft - which has a well-known reputation for producing styles that are comfortable as well as fashionable.

These are definitely on my mental short list for ’shoes to keep an eye out for during sales season’.

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