Piperlime Secret Sale

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.

Roberto Cavalli L70038: Fantastic fish-scale shoes

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?

Moschino C10112ISP1 “Money Shoe”

Call me crazy.  Ridicule my taste, style & judgment.  Whatever; in this instance, I don’t care.  I am insanely haunted by this (admittedly) utterly impractical shoe. I have absolutely no occasion, outfit, or excuse to wear these. But, sometimes there is no conscious rationale behind our attraction to a particular shoe.  So fine, I’m irrational.  I think I can deal with that.

Moschino C10112ISP1 $490 $275.64 at Overstock.com

Considering the ever-increasing prices of designer shoes, Moschino’s visual pun on shoe-bling and pricey styles falls more toward art than utility. I love it.  What an apt commentary on the amounts we shoe-obsessed women can be convinced to pay for a beautiful shoe-crush.  This shoe is such a great bit of tongue-in-cheek irony that I would love to own it just to but it on display in its own little curio nook.  It would be fun to add a hint of self-mockery to my decor – particularly since my little shoe-obsession is no secret to most of  those who know me.

And, unless I am mistaken, art may be the only wise way to purchase this particuler “last pair” at Overstock; someone has apparently neglected to note the shoe size in the item description.

Thoroughly Modern Marni

If you are interested in styles that are modern and playful with few, if any, fru-fru touches, Marni‘s designs have been gaining fans steadily over the last several years. And, looking at some of the Marni styles, it is not too difficult to see why this is so.

The Marni vibe, to me, is a particular joining of the crisp lines of Art Nouveau with a bit of the spirit of the 60′s and 70′s (color-blocking, wedges & platforms). These combine in sometimes unexpected ways and shapes to keep Marni’s styles feeling fresh and modern rather than retro or recycled.

Here are some current examples of what Marni has to offer to us shoe lovers:

Marni Grey Leather Flat Sandal ($CAN 477 $795 at Monamoore).

I love the Art-Nouveau feeling of these.

Marni black & blue suede wedge ($CAN 537 $995 at Monamoore).

This is a slightly different nod to tribal styling than I have been seeing from other designers.

Marni black patent wedge ($CAN 537 $995 at Monamoore)

This would be Marni’s version of the now-ubiquitous gladiator.

Marni purple suede sandal with black platform heel ($CAN $597 $995 at Monamoore).

On-trend styling of worthy of any runway platform, matched with a solid heel and lovely color contrasts.

Marni  ‘runway’ black patent slingback with gray and purple suede detail ($CAN $995 $597)

These have a hint of the Giambattista Valli ‘Victoria’  silhouette we saw a couple of seasons ago.  But, the combination of flared stiletto and wrap-around Maryjane effect have me loving what Marni has done to make these their own.

Marni ‘runway’ nude, purple and red patent leather pumps ($CAN $945 $567) at Monamoore.

The color-blocking on this just makes me think of a Mondrian painting.  Sure, I don’t know quite where I would wear these, but they are simply fabulous.

Marni brown python sandal with wood platform ($CAN $1195 $717 at Monamoore)

I’m not sure what it is about this pair, but I think they are my favorite of the bunch.

With all of the imitators and inspired shoes out there, it’s just refreshing to see designers who really have a strong personal aesthetic. Marni definitely has a style all it’s own.

Oh, and as you can see, MonaMoore is doing a bit of promotional pricing. This is just an added benefit; I’m a huge fan of getting a great price whenever possible.

Lusting after Pour La Victoire

For those of you who have been Shoeblog readers for awhile, you may recall how I nearly swooned over last year’s Valentino line.

In particular, I would still love to own a pair of these delicious (and sold out) booties:

(Originally $945 at Saks)

But, budgets being what they are, I instead find myself turning to the Pour La Victoire brand to satisfy my lacey-shoe urges.

How are these for a lower-cost alternative?

Pour La Victoire ‘Eden’ $284 $166.25-$193.23 at Zappos.com

I think I actually prefer the lower ‘shootie’ height of these inspired-by copies.  Plus, if you are looking for a lighter spring color, the tan nubuck is a great spring neutral.

(The tan is also available from Urban Outfitters for a relative steal at $158)

I also love the allover lacework on both the original Valentino and the PLV version. This open design provides plenty of ventilation to keep your tootsies cool on hot summer days.  In addition, I think this is a great interpretation of the recent open-toe bootie mini-trend; one that is lovely enough on it’s own that it will last through many years without looking dated as is likely happen with many of the more

Plus, the PLV Eden is available in grey, white (if you can find it), and an absolutely amazing blue suede (this would blend so well with my clothing wardrobe).

(Grey is $292 at Shopbop, Blue is $280 at Piperlime)

Yummy. I could use a blue summer shoe. Maybe I’ll get lucky and this will go on sale in my size, making it an ever better deal…a girl can dream. Decisions, decisions…too bad I can’t get one in each color.