This is one of the few cases where I enjoy geometry–in the cutouts on these amazing architectural beauties! Jeffrey Campbell has been one of my favorites for a while and he keeps churning out fabulous shoes, like these Mary Rocks (and she sure does!) platform wedges:

Mary Rocks

Another brand that I’d never heard of, Faryl Robin, dropped a sartorial bomb on me with these Madison platforms with a wrapped wedge heel.

Madison

Both can be gotten at Need Supply.

Spring is almost here! I may be “rushing the season” which Glamour.com defines as:

RUSHING THE SEASON: v./phrase, pron. ruhsh-ing the see-zhun: The act of wearing weather-inappropriate clothing or accessories out of sheer excitement, impatience, and anticipation of the impending weather-appropriate season.

…but who cares!

When people say that love is in the air and speak of “Spring Love,” I do believe they’re referring not to the Stevie B. song of the same title, but to the following items for Spring 2010.

Jimmy Choo Zap Sandal

Lanvin Multi-strap Sandal

Loewe Lizard Platform Sandal

Loeffler Randall Zola Platform Sandal

Manolo Blahnik Leather Layers Pump

Michael Kors Surf Sling-back Sandal

I used to think that Zappos was a deal, if not a good deal,  than at least the free shipping was some sort of a salve. But, to find out the same model of Nine West shoe is $107.96 down from $119.95 on Zappos.com, while the same exact shoe is $89 on Ninewest.com at REGULAR PRICE made me say WTF? That’s so not cool, Zappos!

Beaulah

Check out Alexander McQueen’s Titanic Ballerina platform pump! Sweet blush pink leather is a jarring contrast to brass heel hardware. These are definitely more palatable than the infamous McQueen Alien shoes that look like hooves.

Alexander McQueen Titanic Balleria Spring 2010

I know that it’s ball-freezing cold in most parts of the country, but that doesn’t stop the most hopeful of us from looking forward to the spring. And what exemplifies the hope and newness of spring? Flowers and greenery? Well, yes, but I was thinking more along the lines of  platform wedge heels, naturally.  Here are a couple of my favorites in neutrals such as nude (of course, hehe) and taupe.

Check out Gucci’s Clemence open-toe platform heel. I love the sleek cut-outs!

Photo: gucci.com

And, ASOS’s Plush leather strappy peep-toe wedges:

Photo: asos.com

Not only do they add mad inches (up to five inches, yo), but they also allow your toes to breathe and say hello to the world after being suffocated in socks and boots all winter. Just make sure to get a spa pedicure before you unveil your white digits to the world, boo.

Check out the Alexander McQueen Spring 2010 ad campaign featuring the Alien shoes and model Raquel Zimmermann covered in THIRTY snakes!

Thigh-high boots have become ubiquitous on city streets, but I’ve found a couple of amazing versions that may not exactly translate to real life.

What does it mean when your boots require straps or belts? A new career direction?

Report Kane Over the Knee Boot via 80spurple.com

The following pair looks like what I would wear when feeding my neighbors’ horses. Yee haw!

Jeffrey Campbell Obscene Boots via Karmaloop.com

Leave it to the French to raise the thigh-high bar. Check out the pair from French shoe designer LaRare, but they probably leave marks on your legs the way lawn chairs do in the summer.

Electra Montana Boot

Jimmy Choo has gone from high-end, aspirational iconic footwear to plastic diffusion lines (H&M) and now a plain confusing collaboration with Ugg Australia.  Tamara Mellon is teaming up with Ugg to design a limited edition collection of five different sheepskin boots with Jimmy Choo design details that will run from $595-$795.

The French seem more open to the collaboration. Check out Jalou‘s rendition:

Would you wear these? Or is this a doomed marriage of ugly comfort and sexy stilettos?

We got a delightful email in our inbox inviting us to the Prada Friends and Family Sale! When it comes to shopping, we personally think we’re all frenemies, but we can tackle the renaming of the sale later.

Prada Mini Nappa Bag

Location: 609 West 51st Street between 11th and 12th Avenues

Dates: Saturday, October 17th - Friday October 23rd

Hours: Saturday, October 17th and Sunday, October 18th, 9am- 6pm

Monday, October 20th - Friday October 23rd, 10am - 7pm

Registers close promptly at 6pm and 7pm respectively

Prada Men's Shoes

NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY.   ADMITTANCE WILL BE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE.

Merchandise: Prada & Miu Miu Ready-to-Wear, Footwear, Handbags, Wallets and Accessories-Women's and Men's up to 75% off!

Season: FALL/WINTER 2008 and Select Merchandise from earlier seasons

Payment: CREDIT or DEBIT/CREDIT CARDS ONLY (NO cash or checks)

NO Returns. All sales final.

Miu Miu Belt

Tips for this sale...

1.) Get there early! Don't be surprised if there is  a crazy line but it will be worth it!

2.) Bring your credit cards and check your limits on them because if it declines or if there is a security verification on your card, Prada will NOT be allowed to swipe that same card in case you STILL have the funds! (And they will take your first born.)

3.) If you see something you like...GRAB IT! and DON'T put it down! once you release an item physically just to free your arm, it's fair game.

4.) Shop on a full stomach (but not too full, lest the bloat depress you and keep you from buying anything), so that you are focused and you don't get overwhelmed by the vast selection or the crowds.

5.) Wear comfy shoes and if you try clothes, make sure you're wearing the right undergarments because all sales are final!

GOOD LUCK AND WE’LL SEE YOU THERE!

I tend to shy away from anything that makes my size nine feet bigger than they are OR away from anything that my ultra-politically correct friend calls “dykey”, since I like to think I’m a delicate, feminine flower. Right. Well, even this trend convinced me to deflower, haha. When worn with the right silhouette (think sleek pants, slouchy top or streamlined wool blazer or jacket) motorcycle boots can look surprisingly fresh (note double entendre, hehe). I need to stop. Seriously.

Celebs (well, not PETA-supporting celebs, anyway) are favoring Jimmy Choo’s biker leather boots for the perfect mid-calf height, comfortable heel, and conservative use of buckles.

$1050 at Saks

A little-known Italian brand named Apepazza makes high quality leather creations such as their Pesarao Boot. This style is knee-high and would look great with a short floral dress –yes, even for fall, floral is ok when paired with tights and proper jackets– tights, and either a blazer or a cropped leather jacket.

$299 at shopgoldyn.com

For those of you who simply shudder at the thought of giving up your heels, you can still look rocker chic with Manolo Blahnik’s Studded-Strap Boot, found at both Bergdorf’s and Neiman Marcus. By the way, don’t EVER get one of their charge cards like, ehem, the NM one I have. You store all your credit card info on their site and can buy stuff in literally (or as Rachel Zoe says LITRALLY) three clicks!! Don’t do it, kids! Danger!

$1595 at neimanmarcus.com

These rock, not only because of the spiky heel, but because of the studded trim that wraps all the way around the shaft of the boot. All you need is a LBD and you’re good to go.

As if Housing Works wasn’t already known for having the most upscale thrift wares in the NYC, they had to go and drop a couture bomb on us in the form of The Vault–couture and designer clothes and accessories to die for (refer back to bomb reference–har). They keep this room locked up at their Soho location Anyway, I had to drop by to make sure women weren’t fainting over the deals and it turns out, I was the one who fainted. Check out what they had:

Yes, those are Gucci boots in the middle

Dior gloves and Balenciaga boots

Dare I go on? I seriously think Housing Works has a deal with the designer devil. How else do they get their hands on so much designer and couture clothes and accessories? OK, I ended up making a deal with the Chanel devil, but guess what? The platform suede Chanel ankle boots with metal toes normally would cost four figures. I PAID $200!! (And, I’m not telling anyone where I live or what size they are, lest I get robbed.)

Kicking couture ass!

My Chanel boots were a little lonely all by themselves, so I had to get them a friend in a form of a vintage Gucci woven clutch…

This only cost $100

BFFs

I also ended up buying a pair of raspberry-colored elbow length leather gloves, which will also be quite friendly with my Chanel and Gucci.

Luckily, The Vault will be restocking every week with 50-100 new designer items. I almost went home with both Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen, but felt like a fashion whore. For those of you with no shame, you can make an appointment by emailing thevault@housingworks.org. Appointments are available Tuesday-Friday from 10-6. For those unfortunate souls who don’t live in NYC, you can check out fab deals online at shophousingworks.com.