And who doesn't like bamboo-esque? I esque you. Sorry.

But yes, you want these.
On my ebay shop.
http://ebay.to/12iHvMI

I really debated about putting these on the chopping block; i.e., Ebay. I debated for like two months. Well they're available now. http://bit.ly/Wiw4Si I'm pleased with the photos; but I still might take them back. Ivory faceted studs in brass settings. So lovely and unusual. And I have a belt to match...

I love these shoes! And I found them for the rock-bottomest price online after trying them on at a shoe store next door to my work, and finding them actually comfortable. But still. Buy or not buy? I love the color combination. But will they suit me? Do I have more than one outfit that will go with them? I tend to say YES BUY THEM! But I can't click the checkout button just yet. Help?

Costume National sandals, available on Yoox

How cool are these sandals from Costume National? Comfortable. Stylish. Designer. Within the realm of affordable. The only catch is you have to be a size 8. Which I am not. Have at it someone!

Diesel IP-PI Open Toe Boot [image via diesel.com]

I will not jump on the *open-toe shootie* bandwagon.

Here's what Diesel has to say about these shoes. I am not convinced this is in English. You be the judge.

This season a strong military appeal with a touch of colonial taste will be the leitmotiv of the shoes collections. Coming in a vast variety of styles: bleached and stone washed high tops; vibrant plimsolls in natural canvas, unisex drill cotton sneakers with a 70s touch and a range of nostalgic styles in washed canvas, camouflage and cinematic graphics. Dressier shoes are beyond fashion – think Ancient Rome meets Modern Manhattan.

My view of my new Miz Mooz.

Ask and you shall receive. That should be Endless.com's tagline. I mean, could they make it any easier to impulse-buy? No. The answer is no. Suddenly I thought I needed red shoes. And lookie what arrived on my doorstep today, just a mere free-2nd-day-air-days after I ordered? My new Miz Mooz. I bought them to match a strange yet cute top I got at Target.

I have never ever ever reviewed anything on a Website before. Before today. I got my Tretorn silver boots in the mail yesterday from Endless (my favorite shoe Website of all-time) and felt compelled to add my two cents. Mine's at the top! Neat-0. (Endless lists reviews in reverse chronological order.)

Read it here. Why doesn't anyone else bother to be humorous? My secret reviewer's tag is "fashiondesigner" from Brooklyn. Yup.

This brings a whole new level of meaning to the phrase, "self-published."

[images via Endless.com]

Just in case, for some reason, it gets lost on Endless -- like the product goes away or something -- you can read it below, preserved forever.

Silhouette like an UGG
posted by: fashiondesigner (Brooklyn) posted on: Jan 21, 2011

I read all the reviews, and understood them in a way I wanted to, because I really loved the look of these boots from the Endless photos. Now that I own the boots, and see them in real life, I have a different visual. The silhouette is extremely wide, and makes your foot look like an elephant paw, like an UGG. I don't love that silhouette. I'd prefer a slimmer line. However, the fit is excellent and the furry inside (which at first comes off on your pants -- you'll need a lint brush -- I'm hoping this goes away over time) has kind of sold me on it anyway. I really wanted something comfortable and unique. Well, it's comfortable for sure, and the unique part is that it looks like a Japanese construction worker space boot. If you like that look...

No I don't think so. I don't think I have to duct tape my rubber boots back together, do I? Well I did. After I discovered a rip in the back seam of my right boot on the way to work yesterday morning. Oh what a mess it was out there! I wondered why we didn't all just stay home under the covers. Especially the bus driver. That couldn't have been a fun job for her. Or for the guy who delivered my lunch. I felt bad for him too.

Before I got to work, I stopped at the hardware store in the Garment District and bought some black duct tape. I did both boots, so you won't necessarily think that I duct-taped my boots. I know it's not going to hold for long, but at least it would give me confidence until my new boots arrive. I ordered these Tretorns on Endless. My co-worker was wearing them in black yesterday. I was desperate. And hopeful. I hope they fit.

Tretorn Women's Skerry Vintery Shiny Rubber Boot, $49.99 on Endless
They're fleece-lined! Oh happy day. [images via Endless.com]

Boots by Maison Martin Margiela 22, $375 (reg. $580) on YOOX.com

While I am on the topic of shoe-lust, I must show you these by Martin Margiela. These boots are incredible. Don't they look like balsa wood? And yes, of course, they are available on YOOX, my new favorite fashion Website. These are the designers that speak to me.

Costume National platform pumps, $160 on sale on yoox.com

I wish these Costume National shoes would sell out in my size already, so I wouldn't have to be tempted daily. Have you ever checked out YOOX? It is a pretty fab site that carries all of the more artful European designers such as Costume National, Martin Margiela, Hussein Chalayan, and the like. Check it out! While you're at it, check out thecorner.com, also owned by YOOX. Did I mention all these great European fashions are discounted?

Tempest High by Merrell, waterproof suede.
It really is waterproof! I feel so après-ski in my cool boots.

Well, we may be getting some more snow tomorrow in NYC. I think I am still a bit traumatized by the December 26 storm. But what the hay, at least I get to wear my new cool boots again.

Puma Venus Runner Sneaker, $65 on endless.com
These sneakers have all the key colors I love. Black. Silver. And a little
bit of girly pink. Yup. I like pink.

Okay Saucony's, you've had your day in the sun. I have been loyal to you ever since I moved to NYC. Yes, you have been cushion-y and sponge-y soft. Especially (but sadly only) during the first week of wear, I feel like I am walking on bouncey clouds, instead of on the punishing New York pavement. But let's face it, you wear out too quickly. I am going back to my old school standby for a little while. We'll see how it goes.

Joan & David Women's Arrington Sandal, $97.43 on endless.com

Well, I am a little surprised with all the taupe patent shoes I've seen walking around NYC, that these by Joan and David are the only cute ones I could find on Endless. I do love the fringes and the tassels, but I'd rather have a heel. I'll keep looking.

You see? Taupe patent shoes are everywhere in NYC. Everywhere I look, at least. I think the friend is sporting stockings with black monopoly houses on them.

Love her color combo: royal blue knit and taupe patent.


If you ask me, these shoes are a great leg-lengthener.

With my trusty stealth camera, I got this shot on Wednesday evening. Yes, I was totally in plain sight, but luckily she wasn't looking my way. Otherwise she'd probably be pretty creeped out. I have blurred her face to protect her identity, because what I really liked were her shoes. Or at least the color of her shoes paired with her royal blue knit dress. I have an Essie nail polish shade that matches these shoes. And a patent belt too. Okay, off to Endless to hunt them down.


If you like this post, you may also like my In Hot Pursuit of a Handbag series, which I must seriously continue. I like finding the fashionable in NYC. There are so many good outfit ideas walking around on the streets.

TSUBO Women's Cavell Wedge
Comfortable like a sneaker. Hugs your foot. Good heel height.
Excellent texture on the heel.


Bandolino Women's Outloud Wedge Sandal
It was the "metallic" black that sold me.
And of course the silver inside, that matches my toenail polish.
The heel turns out to be a rich suede. Very dressy.
Love the cross-strap.

I don't want this to read like a cheesy testimonial, but I can't say enough good things about Endless.com, a shoe Website owned by Amazon. Endless beats Zappos. Simple as that. Endless does better on price, on variety, on in-stock sizes, and on shipping. Zappos, whose claim to fame is great service and free shipping, will likely have to step up their game. Endless offers free 1-day and 2-day shipping! I ordered two pairs of shoes and they were each delivered 1 day early. How can you beat that? I love both pairs so much. They are comfortable! They are stylish! And they were both a great price. I am hooked.

The above is my opinion as a customer. As a merchant, I have different thoughts. Like how will other Websites compete with the Endless business model? Time will tell.

My comfortable sandal search is on again. These seem like they would be comfortable, but I'm sure they're not. They heel looks comfortable. But it's probably too hard. The straps probably fall off your feet and then you fall off your shoe and twist your ankle. Bah humbug. Can't they make a comfortable shoe?

***
Update, 7.26.2010
Thanks for the comments and helpful hints! Much appreciated. I clicked through the link to the above Nicole sandal in black and they were sold out today! Of course, that made me want them all the more, and decide that they must have been comfortable after all. I did find them elsewhere, and for much less! Oh. But not in my size.

V-Neck Zebra Burnout Tee at Express, in hot orange! $24.50

Express is doing something so very right now. Unless it's just that I haven't shopped there in so long, that I am very open to the newness. Their colors are very bright, rich and saturated. Perfect tones for spring/summer. I keep buying more things everytime I go, which has been rather often lately. The zebra-like top above is one of those expensive "burn-out" treatments, but for a much better price than Shopbop. I guess I am just fascinated by the opaque and sheer combo in the cotton. Totally cool. And I love the zebra, as you may know. (It was part of my collection for a long time.)

And then there's this zebra sweater below. A must-have, if you ask me! It so happens, I have yellow shoes to wear with this cut lil' number. I can't wait. Should I get the white belt too? It looks like a very polished ensemble. I am loving yellow with grey lately. Yellow with navy is also lovely and Spring-like. Yellow with magenta could be bold and rich. Will have to try some tanks...

And below, my Payless shoe obsession, which I am still avoiding, due to the fact that I bought some Payless three-inchers last year and darn near destroyed the ball of my foot. Payless=Paynfull. Sorry for the punny spelling. It had to be done. But the style is oh-so-cute. What to do?

Elbow-Length Sleeve Zebra Cardigan at Express, in yellow, $19.99 on sale



Ashland Mary Jane Wedge by Lela Rose for Payless, in navy/grey, $24.99 on sale

Nebula by Jerome Rousseau, $795 at Barneys

I am getting a little bored of the identity crisis shoes are having these days. I mean, just be a boot, an evening shoe or a sandal. I admit that these by Jerome Rousseau are rather fetching, but it confuses me how to wear them. And in what season. It was an interesting experiment, but stop riffing already.

Miu Miu Capretto Ankle Strap Boots
[image from Net-a-Porter]

Hmm. Interesting.