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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Unlike Louboutin’s creepy, fish-themed ‘Pesce’ pumps (which, frankly, scare me enough to produce nightmares), Roberto Cavalli has a scaled metallic shoe that is just as fishy as a shoe can get without going overboard (pun intended).

Roberto Cavalli L70038 $1494 $1072.80 at Zappos.com

I find these to be an interesting and fresh alternative to the many recent glittered, sequined, pailletted,  and otherwise bedazzled shoe options being offered in nearly every price range. They also happen to make me smile because they bring immediately to mind one of my favorite, illustrated, children’s books, “The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister:

These Cavalli peep-toes are just as sparkly as the rainbow fish is at the beginning of the story.

Though, I must admit that I actually love the illustrations as much or more than story text; a morality tale centered around the concepts of vanity, sharing, friendship, and inner beauty.  Over the course of the story, the rainbow fish eventually passes out most of his scales to those around him - sharing his beauty and gaining friends as he learns humility and the ability to share.  There is also a great, tactile, quality to the artwork; foil scales are inset into the watercolor illustrations - adding sparkle and collage interest to each page.

Looking at these shoes, I feel kind of like the rainbow fish at the beginning of the story.  They are soooo pretty; you would feel spectacular any time you tried them on.  I suppose that even as a grown-up,  it’s hard to share certain things that make us feel fabulous and personal all at the same time.

I certainly wouldn’t want to share these if they were a part of my closet. I’m afraid the closest I come to the tale’s selflessness (in regard to shoes) is by periodically donating any non-worn shoes in my closet.

How about you?

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