Payless Shoesource is one of those guilty pleasures I occasionally just must indulge. Today I popped in to see what had trickled down into the land of affordable winter fashion and was pleasantly surprised at the number of lined winter boots options that are available. An in-store Buy One Get One 1/2 off is just a nice bonus. While the BOGO is not currently showing online, there are also several styles that are still on sale at the Payless website.

There were also a few styles that I saw in-store that would definitely be appropriate for the bargain shopper looking for cozy winter footwear:

First, the cute and casual Airwalk Tabitha Flat Sweater Boot $39.99. It’s just plush enough inside to make that cold winter wind seem less intimidating.

Next, the Funky bejewelled American Eagle Beaded Wedge Boot $49.99. Definitely a boot for when you want to feel both cozy and still dressed-up.

For those of you who are already into toe-freezing weather and snowy days, a more serious cold-temperature snow boot is the Nora Weather Boot $34.99. Good to -20 Farenheit, it’s also got a nice practical sole meant to provide traction in slippery areas.

Finally, we come to my favorite, a quick side zip pull-on ankle boot with a cozy lined interior, the Marcia Fur Boot $34.99 is a perfect choice for the cold and rainy season when your unlined fall boots are just not up to the job of keeping your toes warm but you do not really need a full snow-boot.

I do find it refreshing when a boot is not automatically $150 and above - yet can still get the job done; Payless has stepped in with some reasonable winter values.

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I have only one pair of Hollywould shoes, and those are from the ‘for Target’ line that was produced a year or two ago. I do admit to admiring a number of Hollywould shoe styles; particularly some of the colorful ticking-striped shoes in red and blue that are just too cute for words. Unfortunately, cute is rarely enough for me to shell out close to $500 for a pair of shoes - for me it must be true love combined with an almost mindless desire to get that shoe!  Luckily for me, that rarely happens, leaving most of my purchases in my budget ’sane zone’. I was, however, hoping to try out at least one pair of Hollywould shoes toward the end of next year when all of my ‘New Home’-related debt was paid off.

Unfortunately, the odds of my finding the perfect pair has dropped as Hollywould follows Linens and Things in closing up shop. I love a sale, but this is a sad way to get a bargain.

Hollywould shoes is subsidiary of the Kellwood Co.; a company which markets both men’s and women’s sportswear as well as, interestingly enough, sporting goods. Kellwood Co. announced plans to sell the Hollywould line back in October of this year; unfortunately, there have been no takers to date. Founder and creative director Holly Dunlap’s final day was November 24, 2008 and the press offices are also closed at this time. 

If the Hollywould website is any indication; this is their last hurrah.  Beginning December 2, 2008, a sale was announced with discounts of up to 85% off original prices; the site is currently down to $79 per item site-wide. Yesterday it was $89, so expect discounts to continue as the stock depletes.  Discount shipping codes appear to have been shut off.  Order confirmations will be emailed, but due to the store-closing nature of the sale, e-mail cancellations are still possible if stock cannot be located.  All items are, predictably, final sale.

So, if you want to take a peak and see what is left, by all means, visit the Hollywould website and get your last shot at shoes that are reputed to be as comfortable as they are attractive.

When last I checked, there were still many styles available, including Ballet Flats, Kitten Heels and a handful of boots:

For those of you who love the Hollywould brand or were thinking of trying it out ’someday’, this may be one of your last opportunities to own a new pair of Hollywould shoes (Outside of whatever stock is left on websites such as Shoes.com and 6pm.com). Certainly it’s a little bittersweet, and it does show that even the luxury market is affected during an economic turn-down. One of the few up-sides I can see coming from this is a possible slow-down on the price-inflation that has started to become normal in the shoe market over the last few years. Obviously, that’s a very small silver lining to be found, but at least it’s something.

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I am seriously falling in love with the whole L.A.M.B. shoe line. Admittedly, some of the styles tend more toward trend-following rather than trend-setting, but there is always a decidedly fun and sassy spin added to the styles to keep them from feeling too derivative.

So, I popped over to Shopbop today, and noticed that they continue to put large numbers of items on sale; here’s to holiday shopping joy.

In the L.A.M.B. corner, here is what I found:

Rosebury Hidden Platform Button Bootie $520 $364.00. I do love that muted color-blocking take on the classic granny boot.

Fen Square Toe Pump $395 $276.59. This is simply one stylish, cute, and sexy pump.

Essex Plaid Ankle Bootie. $475 $332.50. Let’s see: Plaid, High-heel, Platform, Ankle Boot. How much more on trend can you get for this season?

If you prefer less ankle and more boot, how about the Rose Plaid Lace-up Bootie $515 $360.50 instead?

If you’d rather forego the plaid and stick with a subtle grab for the Zippers trend, you can give the Mika Hidden Platform Two-Zip Bootie a shot ($390 $273).

Now we come to a boot that makes me swoon, even though it screams of Sgt. Pepper’s and Rhythm Nation all rolled together. While I’m afraid I’d be playing right into some bizarre majorette fantasy, I can’t stop drooling over these Belgrave Multi-Strap boots $725 $507.50. . . . . . So incredibly hot.

If you aren’t loving the super-strappy buckle boots (well, I obviously don’t identify); The Vincent Hidden Platform boot is still pretty much smokin’ hot while holding to a mere hint of the buckle-love ($625 $437.50).

Next, we are back to a style that almost always owns my heart: mary-janes. Do you adore this Finsbury Criss-cross Maryjane pump ($400 $280) as much as I do? I Swoon.

Back to one final trend: Fringe. Two Booties and a Sandal. What I do like about these is that they are not ‘Frontier Fringe’ styles and will in no way be mistaken for casual Renaissance Faire garb.

First, the Camden Scallop Open-toe Bootie $430 $301. I can’t help it, I think it’s growing on me.

Next, the suede version (which is a bit less scallop-intensive); the Norland Scalloped High Heel Bootie $425 $297.50.

The final fringe contestant is the Yoyo Chainmail T-Strap sandal $390 $117 final sale (Size 10 only). The ombre effect of the multicolor, layered chain is a rather nice effect.

And, finally, a throwback to summer’s gladiator sandal frenzy (which was, quite possibly, the most ubiquitous shoe of the year): the Ely Shield Sandal $345 $241.50. This certainly is a more feminine and flattering gladiator than many that I encountered this year; the multicolor straps also look like they would allow more coordination within one’s wardrobe than a straight brown sandal would.

As always, Happy Shopping. And remember, we all love too Ooh and Aah folk’s new additions to their shoe collections over in our Forums (No need to be shy).

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Let’s face it: London is great for many things, but warm and balmy weather sure ain’t one of em.

Winter is setting in, and there’s a damp chill in the air which is quite often accompanied by drizzly and/or spitty and/or drenching rain.

What’s a girl to do?

Well, pull out her trusty wellies, for a start.

But if those aren’t enough to keep her feet toasty in the cold and wintry weather, then Moov boots are a good bet.

MoovCulture makes the best hybrid of Uggs and Wellies you can imagine: sheepskin-lined rain boots that will keep you not just warm, not just dry, but warm AND dry in frigid, wet climes.

There’s the Rider (in short for $170 AUS—about $110 US—or tall for $200 AUS—about $130 US—and, by the way, these prices hold true for all the colors and patterns, and there’s free worldwide shipping, to boot… get it… ‘to boot’).

For a bit more flare, try the Alice.

Or, there’s the deliciously-named Lemon Tea, which might just be my fave.

And if you’re after something a bit more ’serious’ without losing a whit of your style, there’s the Rococo, which manages to be both somber and snazzy at once (a difficult combination to pull off at the best of times).

There’s no more excuse to be cold or wet in the foot region any longer.  My friends, we are free from this dreaded double scourge of wintry weather.  It’s time to Moov on.

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Yet another sale. I can’t keep track of all the sales that have been springing up of late.

While all the sales are possibly another indication of trouble for retailers who are hoping for any cash-flow boost during the current uncertain economic climate; they remain good news for all of us hoping to make our budgets stretch just a little bit further. I certainly hope most of our favorite shoe retailers weather through the current financial troubles without too much difficulty.

So, if you feel like hopping over to the Nine West website, they are having a 20-30% off sale on any footwear on their site.

Some seasonal options?

How about the faux-fur cuffed ‘Accents’ boot for $179.99 $199.99 before the additional 20% discount?

Me, I’m feeling pretty partial to the ‘Cuzza’ ankle boot for $109.00 $149.99pre-additional 20% off. Anything that manages to hit tough, sexy and practical is a winner in my book.

Of course, if you loved last season’s Jimmy Choo Maryjane sandals but missed them or need a lower-priced alternative, you can find a fair and affordable substitute in the Nine West ‘Lex’ for $29.99-34.99 $89.99 before the additional 20% off.

Finally, what fun would it be talking sales if we didn’t find something in the fun and funky category? The ‘Bela’ hair-calf ankle boot in black or brown for $89.99 $119.00 before that additional 20% kicks in. Pretty decent prices, all the way around.

Well, I’m off to enjoy dinner with the family. That, unlike all these sales, is a least easy on the pocketbook.

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