I’ve wanted a pair of Chie Miharas for the longest time, but between their high retail price (in the $300s) and the abundance of high-heels styles she has produced of late, I’ve had a hard time deciding. So I’ve waited–for about 1 1/2 years, to be precise (that’s how much it takes me to mull over things). Finally, at some point last month I said, that’s it, I’m getting them! It may have helped that I had recently finished my PhD and the euphoria hadn’t worn off yet, plus my birthday was up, so I felt a slight sense of entitlement. I ponied up a LOT of cash for these (I got them from the lovely people at Ped Shoes, who, by the way, have a decent collection of interesting shoes), but I can say I don’t regret it: they’re gorgeous, and super-comfy, and go well with just about anything. Also? They come with heel replacements, which is just about the coolest thing in the world.

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I was lucky enough this past weekend to catch up with an old friend I haven’t seen in several years.  She’s living in the rural Northeast, but has spent plenty of time in Boston and New York and has the taste of a cosmopolitan city lady.  What does she do now that she’s far removed from such fashion options as sample sales and designer boutiques?

Well, to start with, she blogs about it.  Rural Fashion is her place on the web, and she sums it up best herself with the line “An Homage to Women Who Live Down Dirt Roads but Dress for 5th Avenue.”

Her great secret that she confided to me was that she scores bigtime (we’re talking Burberry trench coat for $3) at places like Marshall’s and TJ Maxx where there’s more brand name fashion than the generally practical locals are interested in.  So in swoops my friend, A, and scores things like these Marc Jacobs silver slingbacks that she was wearing on Saturday night.

Low light made for slightly blurred pics, but you get the idea.  They’re gorgeous, aren’t they?  So, don’t fret if you live off the beaten path.  If A can do it, so can you.

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Not Shoeblog, that’s for sure–and hopefully, not you, dear readers and shoe-lovers. We know you crave a happy, well-adjusted, and well-fitted shoe, appropriate for all your spring needs; we know you don’t want to be either dowdy or so sweet they could send you into a diabetic comma. So here, let’s contemplate a few of the season’s offerings in terms of the floral trend. We’re looking for, say, a sweet-and-sour with a side of hot-and-spicy (as opposed to sweet-on-sweet with a side of bland). Let’s see!

These Maloles “Perry” slingback flats, in a tiny floral print, feature the classic ruched-toe we’ve come to expect from Maloles, and a chunky black ribbon to balance the sweetness with a dark side ($318 at Zappos, or $295 at Plaza Too+S&H).

The saccharine overtones of the antique floral pattern of this “retrofitted flat” is tempered by the cord piping and rope laces with leather tassels ($78 at Anthropologie):

And also at Anthropologie, and also in the non-bank-breaking  bracket, are these  cute ankle-strap flats, with a dark, stormy edge ($68):

These “Tarantella” wedges limit the floral pattern to discreet patches on the vamp and heel, and tops it all with a dark bow ($98 at Anthropologie):

Although I can’t recommend a 4-inch heel to anyone, I still love the pattern on these Pink heels ($78 at Anthropologie):

When it comes to floral shoes with an edge, however, I think these take the cake:

Paul Smith floral oxfords, oh my! $574 at Zappos.

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Because my life is a yellow monochromatic obsessive blur lately, I offer you today a bright, chic, ultra-trendy peep-toe slingback oxford from Nine West…in yellow.

The Nine West ‘Heathers’ heels are $93 at Zappos. Cute AND affordable!

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Judging by his brow-raising, heavy sighing, and piercing stares when it comes to my expanded (90+) shoe collection, you’d think my husband is your typical male, impenetrable to the allure of footwear. Not so! He’s a veritable shoe snob of extremely discriminating taste, who knows exactly what he wants, and usually gets it.

And as a rule, he gets it from the UK. There is something about British craftsmanship that is just irresistible to him. Plus, the cost of shipping to the US is usually absorbed by the fact that they deduct the VAT (which can be around 20%, so quite substantial).

I’ve thought of that when browsing the famous Asos shop, a site I don’t usually visit so I don’t feel envious of our British fashionistas for having such cheap, adorable choices at their manicured fingertips.

But you know what? I might consider international shipping charges for these adorable colorblock slingbacks (say that three times in a row, fast):

They’re made by Bertie (anyone know this brand?) and cost $120 (£60).

These Asos cutout snakeskin silver flats are only about $60 (£30):

These adorable Scorah Pattullo ankle laced low heels are now on sale for $184 (£92), more than half off:

And these Swear gold-and-black contrast shoes–only about $62 (£31)–are positively glamorous:

Have you every ordered shoes from abroad? How was your experience? My husband’s experience with British retailers has been stellar (for one thing, Royal Mail is faster than USPS and absolutely reliable, and for another, see the VAT issue, above). I’m seriously tempted by this Asos cuteness!

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