Love these patent leather career shoes w/ just a hint of peek-a-boo flirtiness. Linea Paolo 'Jenae' Peep Toe Pump from Nordstrom.com. At 1-1/2", the kitten heels are a nice height. And believe it or not, they go up to size 13 w/ some 1/2 sizes and multiple widths! Multiple colors. $89.95.

SteveMadden.com has a really cool Design Your Own Collection feature that lets you customize your shoe the way you want it. You can choose from different styles, heel sizes, shoe sizes (4 to 12 w/ 1/2 sizes), and a wide range of colors. $99.95. Too bad that cool kitten-heeled ankle boot wasn't a part of this collection!

Steve Madden, you broke my heart with that kitten-heeled ankle boot that was NOT in my size, but you're forgiven (somewhat). His "Flood" rain boot is cute in either style. Rubber upper and sole. Up to size 10. $29.99.

Cute ankle boots with kitten heels are SO hard to find, and I'll always be on the lookout. This "Punk" style from SteveMadden.com is incredibly hot -- so why am I so mad I could spit? Only small sizes! Now granted, the boot's on sale, but just once I'd like to see larger sizes of cute shoes on sale. If the large sizes go first, that means stock up, people!! Get out the tissue, 'cause I'm gonna make you weep 'til your eyes hurt: sizes 6.5-7.5; marked down from $149.95 to $29.99. Oh, the pain!

This shoe, "Sabyne" from NineWest.com, is so pretty, so springtime! The 1" kitten heel is perfect, and it comes in multiple colors. I really like the black patent leather, although the snakeskin is interesting, too. Up to size 12 (wow!) w/ 1/2 sizes. Multiple widths. $79.00.

When you get some down time, check out the Virtual Shoe Museum. You'll laugh, you'll cry...

These Bettye Muller "Drake" pumps from Zappos Couture are expensive -- $368.95. But I like to show higher-priced shoes from time to time because, as you might expect, they are impeccably made. They are the standard by which we should measure lower-priced, knock-off versions. Kitten heels (1 1/2") are my favorite heel style, and Bettye does it right. And believe it or not, these pumps go up to size 11 with some 1/2 sizes!

When I saw these Kate Spades from Zappos.com, my heart skipped a beat. The sandals got mixed Zappos reviews, but isn't beauty in the eye of the beholder anyway? Up to size 9 w/ some 1/2 sizes. (Bigger sizes, please!!) Also comes in white. $228.95.

Check out these amazingly artistic, fun and funky Emilio Pucci rubber boots from Zappos.com! They're so cool I can't stand it. Even though they only go up to size 9 w/ some 1/2 sizes, I still had to show you these boots. It's been raining like crazy here in Chicago, and I can't wait to see some brave soul walking down the street in these. These Puccis received high marks from Zappos reviewers. 1" heel. Also comes in violet rubber. $153.95.

You've got to check out Atypical Shoes, a blog by Naomi that features shoes that look like art. I love the pair by Patrick Cox; they look like Micky Mouse ears.

Sweet! I like the couture twist on this BCBGirls "Lanya" Flat from Macy's. I especially love that sizes go up to 11 w/ some 1/2 sizes. Multiple colors; light nude shown here. $89.

When I first saw this shoe, I thought, "Wow!" The snake embossed leather, ankle wrap, and t-strap make these Sam Edelman "Carrie" T-Strap Snake Ballets from Bloomingdales very unique, very interesting. This is what I'm talking about! Why should we have to give up cute and edgy just because we want to wear flats and low heels? We need more shoe designers with vision. And I love how the Sam Edelman logo is written inside the shoe. Fantastic! Up to size 10 w/ some 1/2 sizes. $135.

These shoes have got me thinking...some friends and I have been talking about taking a cruise together. A few years ago, I went on my first (and only) cruise to do a workshop and book signing (Sensual Celibacy for all my single friends out there). Not only did my hair blow up because of the humidity, I had no cute shoes to wear! Now I could see myself wearing these Franco Sarto "Cherish" Patent Flat Sandals from Bloomingdales on deck, wind blowing through my blown up hair, or sitting at the captain's table for dinner. Up to size 10 w/ some 1/2 sizes. Although I wear size 11, I can actually wear a 10 in a slip on or sling back, so these may work. Price is right: $79.00!

One word: ADORABLE! I just bought a pair of black cuffed pants (we used to call them floodwaters because they come just above the ankle, but lower than capris) and a multi-colored kimono-type top. The top has some of this yellow color in it. Would it be too wild to wear these cutie pies (if they came in my size, that is)? Guess? "Foxylee" Jeweled Ballet at Bloomingdales. Up to size 10 w/ some 1/2 sizes. $120.

My apologies...

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to post shoe photos and sometimes they don't come out right. Preview mode doesn't help. Blogger still has some bugs to work out. So please forgive if you've received multiple emails. Just send the ones you don't need to your friends...Donna Marie

Today's post is dedicated to sexy sandals. I'm long overdue for a pedicure, but when I get one this weekend (I'm in a purple polish mood), I'm going to wear my favorite black Aerosole kitten-heel slingbacks to church. That'll get the gossips' tongues wagging!

St. John's Bay 'Ginger' at JCPenny. Anything red, leather, and studded is okay by me! This sandal would go great with cargo shorts, a breezy peasant skirt, or capris. Up to size 11 w/ 1/2 sizes. $24.99.

I haven't always been a fan of the woven look, but this Cabin Creek® 'Elena' Woven Slide at JCPenny is kinda cute + it's leather (see my previous rant about yucky 'pleather' shoes). And you know me--slip 'em on and get to stepping! Multiple colors. Up to 11 w/ 1/2 sizes. $17.99 (excellent!).

San Tropez by Aerosole. The beaded ornament is like jewelry for the toes. Like Borat says, very nize! Leather, multiple colors. 1/2" heel. Up to size 12 w/ some 1/2 sizes (hurray!). $65.00.

Santuary by Aerosole. The studs and style have a strong gladiator feel that make you want to go out and conquer something. Although I like thonged sandals for their sex appeal, I sometimes want the piglettes to have nothing in between them, y'know? Leather, multiple colors. Up to size 12 w/ some 1/2 sizes. $69.00.

You can't get much sexier than this Stone Shield Flip Flop at JCPenny -- practically your entire foot is naked! The turquoise stones make me want want to go to the beach and dig my toes in the sand. Multiple colors; up to size 10. Best price today: $11.99. Wow!

Journee Collection Bamboo Series Cork Sandals at Overstock.com. Easy! Slip 'em on and get to stepping. Sizes vary, depending on the color. Marked down from $68 to $32.99. Not bad and kinda cute!

This a.n.a™ 'Axis' Ankle-wrap Wedge sandal at JCPenney looks complicated, but cute. If you have a date, maybe it would be worth the time to put on. Leather and canvas with just a teeny (1") bit of rope-covered wedge. Multiple colors. Up to size 10 w/ 1/2 sizes. $39.99.

Warm weather brings out the shoe shopper in me, so I visited a DSW here in Chicago.

Why did I even bother?

As usual, only a few flats or low heels in my size (11) could be found. As usual, I complained to anyone who would listen.

A sales rep heard my tale of woe. For some crazy reason, she said, the company had decided to focus on smaller sizes. Hey...that's size discrimination!

Taking pity on me, the nice lady searched the rows and rows of shoes. She actually found a couple in my size, but they weren't pretty.

"When we do get 10s and 11s into the store," she said, "the shoes fly off the shelves." Hey, executive people: if the larger sizes are selling like hotcakes, then stock up! Duh!

When will the shoe designers, manufacturers, and retailers get a clue? Women's feet come in all shapes and sizes. As we baby boomers strut into our golden years, we're not going to be wearing stilettos any more. We're going to need more comfort -- BUT DON'T SACRIFICE THE PRETTY FOR THE FLAT!!

While I'm ranting, whatever happened to quality leather shoes? So many of the shoes I'm finding lately are of man-made materials and hard as a rock. They're charging top dollar for faux leather goods -- or as we used to call it, "pleather" (plastic + leather). They're doing the same thing to purses. My sister has been frantic to find a decently priced leather purse. No luck.

If it's true that Jessica Simpson allegedly doesn't wear her own designer line, I can understand it if the shoes and purses are pleather and the clothes, cheap polyester.

No more crap! I want and deserve the best. Don't you?

Can you believe it? Affordable Guccis on Ebay! Size 11. Buy it now price: $65.

I'm rethinking the whole round-toe business as a dressy shoe option. I just found the cutest round toe flatties at Nordstrom.com that really could dress up an outfit. The moral of the story: never say never in fashion!

Have you ever seen anything so cute in your life as this Juicy Couture 'Edith' Flat? The copy says the fit is small, so buyer beware. Up to size 10 with 1/2 sizes. Multiple colors. $225.


This Linea Paolo 'Nicolina' Flat I LOVE. I could wear this to work, on a date--anywhere! Also comes in a light pink/silver and a light tan/gold. And the best news of all, it actually goes up to 11.5!! Wow!! $89.95.

Talk about nice! I can think of a million things to wear with this Vince Camuto 'Barb' Flat. Up to 11 with some 1/2 sizes. $124.95.

Patent leather takes me back to my girlhood when I wore patent leather shoes to church. This Belle by Sigerson Morrison '4325' Flat is red hot and sweet at the same time. Up to 10 with some 1/2 sizes. $260.

For another take on red, this Me Too 'Nevada' Flat is too cute. They'd go great with a dressy jean outfit. Up to 11 with some 1/2 sizes. Great price: $69.95!

This Salvatore Ferragamo 'Samaltea' Flat reminds me of a room designed by HGTV's Candice Olson -- cool, calm, high-end chic. Up to 10 with some 1/2 sizes. Copy says that fit is small. $360.

Flats with a tapered toe are lovely and sophisticated. Ballet flats have their place, but when you need a low-heeled shoe for an evening out on the town, round toes can sometimes make the outfit too casual. I visited SaksFifthAvenue.com to do some comparison window shopping and found the following sophisticates.

I don't know why, but knee replacement surgery left the baby toe on my left foot with less mobility, which has, after banging the toe on various table legs and other objects, made the foot slightly wider. This Jimmy Choo "Sport Ballet Flats" would be good because the tapered toe is gradual vs. severe (ouch!) like some of the following shoes. Up to size 10. $320.

I love the deep emerald green color of this "Suede Flat" by Miu Miu. It makes me think of springtime and St. Patrick's Day. The toe doesn't have extreme pointiness. I could see this going with a nice ensemble of tans and browns and hints of the green. Up to size 9. $295.

Although the copy for this Marc Jacobs "Keyhole Skimmers" declares that it has a "softly pointed toe," it looks very pointy and very gold to me. I don't know if my left foot could handle it. On the other hand, with soft leather, who knows? Up to 9.5. $395.

The golds and browns in this Miu Miu "Paillettes Flat" would definitely work better with my wardrobe. And is that a silver gray bow and trim? The contrast totally works! How do they know to do that? Color genius! Up to 10. $445.

The toe on this Miu Miu Denim Flat is really pointy, but I like it anyway. The ruching makes the denim sooo sophisticated. Unfortunately, they only go up to size 10. Designers: we need 11s and 12s!! $355.

Ebay find: cute, hilarious, and really cheap, the wedding bridal sneaker. Just in case you've got to get away quick! Maybe this is what Julia Roberts wore in the Runaway Bride? Bidding ends March 16. Size 11, NIB. Starting bid: US $4.95. Buy it now price: US $5.45 .

I'm salvating over this Ebay find. Donald Pliner's couture "Hurrah" shoe. B&W giraffe hair with tomato leather trim and strap. According to the seller, these shoes are "sold out everywhere." Bidding ends March 16. NIB, size 11.
Starting bid: US $129.95. Buy it now price: US $185.00.

I'm seeing spots! Apparently the leopard ballet flat has become a designer staple. There are a million of 'em! This one's by Isaac Mizrahi for Target® -- "Valentina Ballerina Flats - Leopard." I offer them to you because they actually go up to size 12 (with some 1/2 sizes). $29.99!

I want this BALLCONY style by Aerosole. The embroidery makes an ordinary shoe unique and magnifique! Faux suede sock lining with extra cushioned insole. Brown or black embroidered suede. The heel isn't too bad: only 1". Up to size 12 with some 1/2 sizes. On sale for $29.99.

I LOVE Aerosole shoes. I've been wearing them forever because they're so comfortable. Shown here is your basic Aerosole style, which can get kinda boring. But they jazzed up the red and black shoes with patent leather, which helps a lot. I tried buying some black patent kitten heels online, but they were too small. Gave them to my mother who now wears them to church. Moral of the story: they run small.

"Matter of Fact" from Aerosole. You can't really tell from the pic, but the red patents are cute. Up to size 12 with some 1/2 sizes (amazing!). $59.

Ballet flats: Steve Madden vs. American Eagle

I love finding similar pretty flats with huge gaps in price. Here are a few ferocious leopard print ballet flats. You decide!

Payless. American Eagle™ "Fiona" Ballet Flat. On sale now for $12.99. Only 10's and 11's (imagine that!).

Overstock.com. Steve Madden Bees Women's Ballerina Flats. On sale for $42.99. Up to size 10.

Amazon.com. Even though these only come in 5-8 medium, I just had to show you these severe cuties! Carlos by Carlos Santana Women's Exotica Ballet Flat. $97.95.

Amazon.com. Fun and funky! punkrose Women's Josie. Up to size 10. $34.99.