Giuseppe Zanotti -E10334

Ciao a tutti!

Well, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics, here they are, the priciest shoes in my Shoe Arsenal!

 

While you take a few moments and experience intense emotions of lust and envy (it's all right, I experienced those things too, when I saw them...then I saw the price), I shall give you a few tips on how you too, can own a pair of high-end designer shoes, without the sticker shock!

Tip One: Save your Money!
Designer shoes, don't come cheap, especially the ones that are made in Italy and Brazil, handcrafted or made of premium materials. If you think of them as an investment piece, you'll see the value of dropping a few extra dollars in a well made pair of shoes that will last and that feel absolutely incredible on your feet.

Tip Two: Shop around!
I love a bargain, but a bargain isn't a bargain, when you find out you over spent on something you could have gotten cheaper. Look online and in stores, because although related by name to their brick and mortar counterparts, most eCommerce businesses are run by a separate entity, with different promotions and sales and sometimes even different merchandise. If you can stand playing the waiting game, then wait until the end of season sales. Sandals at the end of summer are less expensive than in the late winter or early spring, and boots are often at rock bottom prices during the warmer months. Styles generally take several seasons to cycle in and cycle out, so sandals you buy in August or September will be just as fashionable the following April.

Tip Three:  Join retailer's membership clubs (if they're free) and sign up for e-mails!
This is a favorite of mine, because had I not been a DSW Rewards Member, there would have been no way I would have gotten these $800 shoes for more than 90% off!  Yes, you read that correctly!  Many sites, like the aforementioned DSW.com, pays members to shop.  You receive points for items you buy, and when you reach a certain amount, they send you coupons for dollars off a future purchase.  Additionally, this site gives you periodic opportunities to double and even triple your points on a purchase.  You can get free shipping if you spend over $35, and you can use up to 3 coupons per shopping visit.  Wow!  How I scored these beauties for a fraction of their retail value (the sell out price on the Giuseppe Zanotti website was $398), was a Luxe810 sale DSW.com had in August.  These select high-end designer shoes were priced at $99 dollars (only for the weekend).  Combined with a couple of discount coupons, free shipping, and also purchased during a tax-free weekend, these designer shoes are now mine at only a fraction of the cost!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 354: Sunday October 6th 2013
Designer: Giuseppe Zanotti
Name: E10334
Style: Hooded-Thong Sandal
Material: Leopard-Print, pony hair upper, leather lining and sole with ankle strap and buckle

To see how I styled these beautiful Sandals and for other styling tips, follow the link below to:

La Stella Notte's Style (chic that's easy as 1, 2, 3)

Hush Puppies -Limon

Ciao a tutti!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, whether they are quirky, clever or cute, I love a pair of shoes that are different...or at least, secretly so.  And these gladiator flats from Hush Puppies certainly fit the bill!  If you are like me and hate fidgeting with buckles, especially after the nails are done or once fully dressed, these cleverly designed beauties have two functional buckles, but as an added convenience, each buckle has a hook which can be used to open and close the shoe.  Brilliant!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Designer: Hush Puppies
Name: Limon
Color: Black
Style: T-Strap Gladiator Flat Sandal
Heel: 0.25 inches (0.64 cm)
Material: Suede Upper with dual adjustable buckles

To see how I styled these beautiful Gladiator Sandals, follow the link below to:

La Stella Notte's Style (chic that's easy as 1, 2, 3)

Monday's Must Have Shoes: Hush Puppies -Limon

Ciao, Amici!

My fellow Shoe-A-Holics, I know what you're thinking...Hush Puppies, Stella?  Really?  And you know what?  Yes, I thought the same thing, too!  But these Limon beauties, are not your mother's (or grandmother's) sour old shoes of yester-year.  Soft, supple and oh, so comfortable, these are one of my recommendations for your Must Have shoes of the summer!

From the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial (pictures above) to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the White House (both pictured below); spending the day sightseeing in the nation's capitol, required a shoe that would stand up to the walking (or hiking, depending on how far or high you climb), yet was still sexy and stylish!  Then there was the $17.99 I snagged them for, I couldn't pass up the deal!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 217: Monday July 9th, 2012
Designer: Hush Puppies
Name: Limon
Color: Black
Style: T-Strap Gladiator Flat Sandal
Heel: 0.25 inches (0.64 cm)
Material: Suede Upper with dual adjustable buckles

I hesitated when I first thought about buying these beauties,

until I saw this video from Zappos.com,

check out the dual functionality of the buckles...this you have to see for yourself!

Here is a collage of the pictures from today's photo shoot...enjoy!

What I did for my Birthday: Oakley -Spite, Brown

Ciao a tutti!

Okay, my fellow Shoe-A-Holics...you know my birthday would not be complete without a stop at the beach; the place where 4 out of 5 of my favorite summer things come together: Sun, Sand Surf and...Sandals (and yes, that is number 5!).

 

Quick Birthday Checklist Summary:

þ Girls Night Out
þ Breakfast at IHOP
þ Sunbathing at the Beach

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 212: Tuesday July 3rd 2012
Designer: Oakley
Name: Spite
Color: Brown
Style: Flat Thong Flip-Flop
Flatform: 0.5 inches (1.27 cm)
Material: Nubuck Upper with logo, lined with neoprene and textured rubber sole

Beautiful in any color, click here to see these beauties in Black!

Here are some more pix from today's photo shoot...enjoy!

Must Have Shoes: Oakley -Spite, Black

Ciao a tutti!

With summer less than 10 days away, a recommendation of mine for a must have shoe (especially for the beach) is flip-flop. Easy to wear and equally easy to care for, these thong beauties stand up to the salty surf and the smooth sock surface won't allow the sand stick! Invest in a quality pair with a traction outsole so that you always have a sure step whether at the beach or the pool!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 202: Tuesday June 12th 2012
Designer: Oakley
Name: Spite
Color: Black
Style: Flat Thong Flip-Flop
Flatform (yes, that reads flat-form...there is no 'heel' to speak of but there is is a slight elevation from the ground): 0.5 inches (1.27 cm)
Material: Nubuck Upper with logo lined with neoprene and textured rubber sole

Do you remember the flip-flops I wore to Fontane Bianche?

MIA -Zeus, Pewter

Ciao a tutti!

Fellow Shoe-A-Holics, I received an email recently from a fan of the blog regarding a picture I had posted of me in flats; to which the fan quipped, "What?  No Heels?"  Now, you know, I love heels just as much (well maybe more than) the next  girl, but I love my feet a little more.  Don't get me wrong,  I have sacrificed my feet quite a bit for my shoes...my people have a saying: Pride feels no pain, but I do want my feet to last me all the days I have been given to walk with them...so here is my advice as sandals season swings into full gear... Be kind to your feet!

Sandals can be just as rough on your feet as boots; hard leather straps, polyurethane uppers, and even leather lining which can soak up oils and lotions, leaving in their wake, dry (dry), skin!  And don’t get me started on wooden soled sandals without so much as a cushioned foot bed…Mamma mia!

Tips for your Tootsies: Give your feet time to breath -if you wear closed toed shoes in the heat, you are asking for bacteria to grow which bring odors and infection; give your feet time to air out and dry out during the day, if not give them ample time to do so when closed-toe shoes are not required.

 

Try a quality lotion (I like Olay Quench with the sparkles) -dry, cracked feet are never in style!  A quick way to soften up feet over night is to slather them in Vaseline, then put on cotton socks and wear them to bed.  The next morning you will wake up to soft supple feet!

Alternate between flats and heels -the pitch of a heel (especially worn for hours day after day) can cause joint and leg problems causing walking difficulties over time. You legs and feet need a break from the stress. If you want to wear heels for years to come, don't work your feet to the bone now!

 
Use gel inserts if feasible -while many shoes do come with cushioned insoles, some are lacking completely.  The uses of inserts can make the difference in wearing your dancing shoes all night, or kicking them off and dancing in your bare feet (I do not encourage the latter)!

Get a pedicure (if your budget allows and this goes for the guys too!) -what an amazing feeling it is to be pampered!  If you've had a pedicure, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, you don't know what you are missing!  Get thee to a pedicurist!

Baci a tutti!

Stella Notte

Day 199: Thursday June 7th 2012
Designer: MIA
Name: Zeus
Color: Pewter
Style: Flat Gladiator Thong Sandal
Material: Leather Upper with side buckle detailing

Dress: Wet Seal
Belt: Tally WEiJL (Italia)

Beautiful in any color; click here to see these beauties in Natural!

Here are some more pix from today's shoot....enjoy!

MIA -Zeus, Natural

Ciao a tutti e buona Pasquetta!

Easter was one of my favorite times in Italy; certain sounds and flavors distinct from any other time of the year always came around during Lent, which was always kicked off in great style and fashion with the Carnivale celebration in Aci Reale and Misterbianco.

I don't know...maybe it's the shoes that are making me feel a bit like Roman Goddess today...

or maybe it's the dress?

No, I'm pretty sure that it's the shoes!

In any event, I hope you have a pair of shoes in your 'Arsenal'...

that make you feel just as regal!

Baci & Abbracci!

Stella Notte

Day 152: Monday April 9th 2012
Designer: MIA
Name: Zeus
Color: Natural
Style: Flat Gladiator Sandal
Material: Leather Upper

Beautiful in any color; click here to see these beauties in Pewter!