I first saw passementerie-embellished footwear on a pair of boots several years ago while browsing through one of those old paper Spiegel catalogs that used to arrive in my mailbox on a near-daily basis.  Back when finding a catalog item on back-order was a normal course of events with mail-order houses and not an internet emergency requiring the thwarted buyer to immediately write a scathing site review; my, how expectations have changed. This was also before I knew how much other women were willing to spend on things like shoes and fashion and the then-$60 price-tag on the boots in question still fell firmly into my personal idea of ‘too-spendy’ to consider actually purchasing. Since then, I have seen passementerie-bedecked shoes arrive in stores at rare, irregular, and unpredictable intervals that easily defy my own, limited, ability to predict.

Anyway, on to the now - and Christian Louboutin’s recent forays into passementerie…which, since they have been out for more than five seconds, are pretty much sold out everywhere.

Oh well. If you, unlike me, are unable to resist the appeal of these sumptuously-styled pumps, now’s the time to grab the style….because Louboutin’s popularity makes anything he touches golden and therefore likely to be copied by other, less creative (or expensive) footwear brands.

Case in point:

Martinez Valero ‘Olivia’ passementerie pump. $107.19 - 160.00 at Nordstrom, Heels.com, Endless.com, Amazon.com and Myglassslipper.com - just for starters.

The ivory or white pairs are simply ideal for matching to a bridal gown.  I am surprised that this isn’t more of a bridal-shoe staple.

So, if you like the passementerie style, you may not have another chance at purchasing anything like this for some time…the braided ribbon detail really doesn’t come along and visit all that often here in shoe-land.

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What can I say… These shoes are HOT!

Dsquared2 ‘Bloody Mary’ Vernice pump $1040 $751.50 at Zappos.com / $750.90 at Endless.com

(There’s also a knee-boot version and a sandal version of these - but they don’t make me swoon.)

I can’t even tell you just how much looking at these makes me forget to breathe a little bit - these are such insanely hard-core lust objects. (Even hubby thinks these are pretty fab, though he wouldn’t like the price.)

I have had mixed reactions to the great number of studded shoes that we have been seeing over the last 18 months or so. The Gucci Babouska’s had studs that were just too much, too over-sized, and too gold for my taste; the Rodarte’s - too pointy.

But these? I am surprised at just how much I love these. They are like that 3rd little bear with me as a darker-locked version of Goldilocks; these are just right.

Flattened silver-toned star-shaped studs.  Just a hint of Oxford appeal. Wrap-around double-buckle strap Maryjane reference. Mixed-leather textural contrast…..To steal a phrase “I die”.

I wonder if the “Bloody Mary” name is a tribute to the Louboutin ‘Mad Mary’ Studded pump sold a little while back?  I’ll probably never know the answer. Oh, well.

And, with Halloween just around the corner, I find these babies to be aptly named. Strap these onto your feet and even the terrifying Bloody Mary Worth of legend would think twice before leaving her mirror to come after you…unless it was in jealousy over being unable to own a pair of these amazing namesake shoes.

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6pm.com is having one of their brand-clearance specials today. This time it’s on the Gabriella Rocha brand.

Prices on some shoe are as low as $4.95 - you can’t even beat those prices at Payless!

Many styles are on sale:

Juliette $7.95 $43

Glori $7.95 $65

Chill $4.95 $81

Mindola $7.95 $61

So, frugalistas: Go forth and shop

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Okay, I have had a mad, crazy, lustful, crush on Roger Vivier’s Rose-n-Roll stilettos since I first saw photos of them in vivid blue at an online fashion forum late last year (Since then, seen on other blogs):

(Photo source: www.luxist.com)

Aren’t these just the most romantic shoe? I am so put in mind of Sleeping Beauty; wouldn’t these be perfect for the princess waking from her enchanted sleep?

But, alas, at £830, these beauties were never remotely anything more than a sweet and distant dream for this particular shoeblogger.

Anyway, in the process of searching for a photo of these rose-thorned stilettos to share with you, I encountered not only an affordable (and obviously inspired) style by Leg Avenue, but also a fabulous (and fabulously expensive) rose-themed shoe by Mai Lamore which pre-dates the Vivier sandals by about a year.

So, for your amusement (and thanks to Polyvore for the searchable fashion engine and set editor that created this collage), I present a small example of shoe evolution in action:

At top center, Mai Lamore’s $27,945 rose shoe has a 14K covered sculptured stiletto -  as well as hand-dyed silk rose petals at the heel; these breathtaking shoes were found in a 2007 issue of Elite Traveler.

At the bottom left are the previously mentioned Roger Vivier shoes from the 2008 fall/winter collection; this time shown in a red-and-black color combination (many other colors and combinations were produced).

At bottom right, are the Leg Avenue look-alikes to the Vivier silhouette. The Leg Avenue ‘Sangria’; these will run you $31.62-$58.32 at the Amazon Marketplace. A closed-toe pump version; the Leg Avenue ‘Thorn’ is also available for $38.95 at Shoebuy.com.

So, now I just need to find a little bit of budge in my budget. After all, how much closer am I likely to get than this to the dream shoe I drew back in October of 2008 - months before I ever set eye on any of the styles shown above.

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Piperlime is having a 1-day ‘Secret Sale’ that gives an extra 20% off select sale items.

Among the eligible styles are:

Moschino Cheap and Chic ‘Basket’ $500 $269.99

Chie Mihara ‘Jean’ $375 $219.99

Biviel “BV1606″ bootie $180 $89.99

Belle by Sigerson Morrison fringed ‘5823′ thong sandal $225 $109.99

Giuseppi Zanotti color-blocked, snake-embossed “E90027″  D’orsay sandal $650 $319.99

Giuseppi Zanotti “E96194″ tribal-woven raffia platform pump $750 $519.99

(Boy, does this one make me regret …just a twinge… living within my budget.)

And finally, a shoe that I loved enough that it got it’s own blog entry:

Pour La Victoire ‘Eden’ $280 $159.99

…..gasp, it’s even in the electric blue…..must log off computer and lock up all credit cards immediately!

Oh, and lest I forget the most important detail: How to get the extra 20% discount?  Use code “Just4U” at checkout.

Fine print: Offer valid online on Piperlime sale merchandise only, now through 11:59pm PT July 23, 2009 in the US only. Online code limited to one-time use. Offer not valid on final sale or the following select brands: designer brands, apparel brands, Frye, Brooks and Patagonia. Discount applies to merchandise only, not to Giftcard, packaging, applicable taxes, or shipping and handling charges. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. No adjustments on previous purchases. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts including employee discount.

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