GoodShop & Give Back on Black Friday & Beyond

How would you like to pump up your Black Friday buying power and give back to nonprofits in need at no extra cost to you? Well, if you do click over to GoodShop before you hit over 900 online stores, you can take advantage of stash of coupons. It only takes a few extra seconds and up to 30% of your purchases will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice. (There are over 85,000 charitable organizations registered with the site.)

Trust me, I realize that this sounds suspiciously like a scam but my dance organization, Monkeyhouse,  has worked with this site for three years. Checks really do arrive each fall and somehow they are always slightly larger than we were expecting.  In fact, Monkeyhouse just received another Goodshop donation on Monday.  I am so encouraged by this passive revenue stream that I have personally offered to match all the money that Monkeyhouse earns through GoodShop in November and December.

GoodShop has teamed up with over 180 participating shoe stores, and they have got deals for you whether you are into stilettos, sneakers, or retro roller skates. For instance, if  you got inspired by Shoetube’s recent Tess Tuesday post,

you could cut $10 off a $100 purchase and send 6.5 – 8% to your favorite school, charity, or religious organization with GoodShop.

Or, if Wendy’s romp through nostalgia reminded you to revamp your running shoes, you could save 20% if you rush to GoodShop by 11/29/09. But don’t worry if you miss out on that deal’s deadline, there are several other coupons and they will always kick back 4-8.5%  of your total to a worthy nonprofit.

Even if you have got to get golf shoes after this week’s Quick Fix, you can support your favorite cause by swinging by GoodShop beforehand.

So hop on over to GoodShop and discover how easy it is to give this holiday season.

Tess Tuesday: I Know What I Want to Wear

It happens over brunch on Sunday morning, in the locker room after yoga, by drunk-dial at 3am, and via text, causing me to ignore the red hand and walk blindly into traffic: I find out about an upcoming event. It could be a house party, or a dinner party, or a fondue night, or some fabulous gala that requires a gown. Whatever it is, once I get word of it, my mind jumps immediately to what I’m going to wear. Of course, there are endless contributing factors to consider. The most basic are the occasion, its venue and of course, the season. Some of the more minute considerations however, include, who else will attend, if there will be dancing, and whether or not I’ll be drinking red wine. (Its stains have notoriously ruined dresses forever.)

Occasionally, I hear of the event and an outfit that I own and have been meaning to wear pops into my head straightaway. It’s perfect and I’m golden, despite the fact that I’ve almost been hit by a taxi.  More often though, I have to spend a good half hour-who am I kidding? An hour and a half-trying on clothes and shoes and scarves and bracelets to construct the perfect look for the party. Once in a great while, I hear of the event and the perfect outfit simply appears. I know what it looks like and how to accessorize. It will be flattering and flawless. The only problem is that I’ve invented this outfit-it’s merely a product of my imagination. I might own a few pieces of the look, but I certainly don’t own the majority of it.

At this point I should say, “Well, that would be nice.  Too bad it doesn’t exist.” Instead, I start taking a mental inventory of all the stores in the area, who carries and what, and hours of operation. The quest begins: building the nonexistent look. If it’s made of separates, the task is easier, but the journey is long. If I’ve designed a dress in my head, the mission is in serious risk of ending in failure, through no fault of my own. I’ll take a second to brag here.  If it exists, I will find it. E-mail me!

I find that when I’m going crazy to build a look, the thing I am most thankful for is my shoe wardrobe. A shoe wardrobe full of staples will never let you down. Here are some I think every girl should own so when she’s built the perfect outfit, she can rush home from the stores, just in time to get ready in a hurry, and the shoes will be waiting in her closet to complete the ensemble.

The Black Patent Flat (All Black for Barefoot Tess Banded Flat)

The Corso Como Rachel II

The Accent Flat (Barefoot Tess Edie)

The Metallic Party Shoe (Gwyneth Princess Heel)

Speak up! What are your favorite staples?

And speaking of dreaming up styles, are there any that you’d like BFT to carry? Tell me what’s missing!

Celebrity Sneakers

Recently, DJ and sometimes Lindsay Lohan kanoodler Samantha Ronson teamed up with Supra to produce a high-top sneaker. “The shoes are a version of the brand’s Indy pair but in a new set of colors — distressed black suede with a gold detail and white sole,” wrote New York Magazine’s The Cut Fashion Blog.

Samantha Ronson for Supra

According to Ronson’s Web site, she’ll have a new sneaker out late this month. ”Originally not planned for a public release, we’ve decided to drop a limited run of these hyper-colored TK’s after hearing your cries for blood. 600 pairs of each colorway will be produced,” Ronson writes.

Samatha Ronson's hyper-color TKs

(Ronson’s brother Mark designed a shoe for Gucci for Fall 09  — which looks, oddly, like a 1980s deck shoe.)
Hello Kitty — celebrating birthday number 35 — also designed sneakers styles. “These two renowned companies have designed limited edition sneakers to honor Hello Kitty’s 35th anniversary,” said BeautyStyleWatch of HK’s collaboration with Asics. “Not only are they comfortable to wear but they are so totally hot to look at!”

Hello Kitty by Asics

And the LA Times blog writes, “When we thought Hello Kitty domination was beginning to wane, we came across these Asics sneakers and just about died and went to Hello Kitty heaven.”
Coming in Jaunary, according to Converse Shoe Store’s blog, the footwear company will release “several shoes dedicated to The Clash. Most notably is the Converse London Calling shoes which celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the album. There will also be a pair of Converse Shoes that look like a jacket with buttons and Chuck Taylors with The Clash logos.”

Converse's The Clash print

Parisian boutique Colette collaborated with Reebok on a redesign project. Explains excellent women’s sportswear blogger FemaleSneakerFeinds, “Reebok’s celebrating the 20th birthday of their Reebok Pump by collaborating with 20 elite shops to design their own versions of these classics. Here is Colette’s take, and I love ‘em!”
The catch: According to SuperXOfficial, “Only 30 pairs of these kicks will be produced so either catch a flight to France on November 16th (the day they drop) or check eBay on the 17th in the a.m.” We’re passed those crucial dates, but it’s still worth checking.

Reebok Pump by Colette

This summer, Vanessa and Angela Simmons (daughters of Run-D.M.C.’s Joseph Simmons) added to their Pastry line, which is kicks rather than cakes. Reports Sneakers and Shoes (who has been following the line since 2007), “Pastry is doing alright. I see women wearing them every other day in one way or another.”

Pastry sneakers

Operation Christmas Child: When Shoeboxes Aren’t Just For Shoes

“Come out and join us as we pack a simple shoebox gift that (can change) a needy child’s life forever.”

-Michael Alder, Martinsburg, WV

There’s nothing like opening a new  shoebox and glancing down at a fresh pair of stilettos that have yet to be marred by city sidewalks and sudden downpours. As time passes, though, so does that new stiletto thrill, and more often than not that same magical shoebox is tossed aside or trashed. But for a less fortunate child, a shoebox from Operation Christmas Child (OCC), can hold items that are much more magical than any pair of Manolos.

Operation Christmas Child is a Samaritan’s Purse project that delivers goody-filled shoeboxes to children around the world.   You’ll also be able to track your shoeboxes to see where they go, and I think it’s safe to say that your shoebox will cover far more miles than your stilettos ever will. Collection week  runs until November 23, so if you don’t have any extra shoeboxes I think this is an excellent excuse to acquire a new one   Participating in OCC takes only 5 steps that, truth be told, are probably easier than walking in 5 inch heels.

1. Find a shoebox (like that will be hard)

2. Figure out if your gift is for a boy or girl

3. Fill ‘er up!

4. Include a $7 donation (it’s only $7, I know you spend more than that on martinis)

5. Find a drop off location by clicking here.

Not to mention, why hide your shoes in boxes anyway?!  Empty those shoe boxes, put your shoe collection on display, and start filling those shoeboxes for OCC!

However, I guess this means Henry is going to have to find a new bed

TCB: Work Boots for Getting Any Job Done

In case you have pressing questions about where to find pink steel-toe work boots, or whether to wear hiking boots or work boots, or what sort of footwear an auto collision tech needs, there’s a site for that: CoolWorkBoots.com has all the answers. (Turns out MoxieTrades will be carrying the Betsy Xtreme protective boot in pink nubuck starting this month.)
If you’re not looking to protect your tootsies while manning a jackhammer or scaling scaffolding, here are some work-ready offerings with plenty of jeans and skirts-pairing charm.

Georgia Renegades steel toe waterproof boot

• Says shoe retailer Safetygirl.com, “We carry these boots designed specifically for women so you can be prepared for any job!” One pick from among the company’s many safety-first options: The Georgia Renegade steel toe waterproof boot.

Redwing Logger

• Redwing Boots makes footwear for serious jobs — loggers and linemen. But just the boots can work hard doesn’t mean they have to. Try the women’s lug sole 9-inch logger in black.

Ariat Heritage Lacer

• The Ariat Heritage Lacer has the cute double kiltie that says “Yes, I just got back from the stables.” Heft hay bales to your heart’s content (or just lace ‘em up with leggings and go out for espresso.)

Free People's studded combat boot

• Free People offers a rocker-tough studded combat boot. The boots are actually men’s sizes and each pair is hand detailed with silver pyramid studs.

Reiker Romina 41 ankle boot

• Sure, Reiker shoes might now seem the obvious choice for blue collar enterprises. But the company bills its footwear as “antistress” and the moccasin cute-meets-butch practical Romina ankle boot has all the makings of a workhorse. A cushioned footbed, stretchy vents for a good fit and the gum sole that recalls athletic shoes.

Dr. Martens Industrial

• Shop like the pros at WorkingPerson.com. Among the women’s work boots, the unisex Dr. Martens Industrial lace-to-toe boots have garnered raves, including, “These boots aint for sissys.” Sizes are in UK measurements; women should order two sizes down from their normal number (wear and 8? Order a UK 6).

Chippewa 8-inch Bay Apache Loggers

• Pair them with a short plaid shirt and a crisp white Oxford for the Catholic school girl gone bad look: Chippewa’s Bay Appache Loggers pair serious lug soles with nearly 2 inches of heel height.

Doc Marten Capper

• Doc Martens have stood the test of time. Their utilitarian designs are made for heavy duty but come off more punk than hick. Case in point, the Vintage Collection 8-inch Capper in oxblood is all grommets, rivets and welt construction.

Harley Davidson's Faded Glory Steel Toe

• Another old faithful boot maker is Harley Davidson. Yes, many of the company’s styles are biker-chic, but they don’t joke around when it comes to takin’ care of business. The 6-inch Faded Glory has a steel toe and Goodyear welt construction. Oh yeah, and a super-cool buckle across the foot.

Blundstone

• Blundstones, those classic Tasmanian boots, balance globe trekker penache with git-r-done fortitude. Pull on tabs, kid toes, elastic gore and waterproof leather make these a bad weather go-to.

“You Look Too Good for a Sunday Morning,” He Said

I’m not embarrassed to admit that I love a good cat call. I left my guy’s apartment this morning still wearing what I wore last night (forgot to pack a bag with a change of clothes), and as I walked to my car, I encountered a cat call. 

A jogger shouted, “You look too good for a Sunday morning.” I was shocked initially, then all I could do was giggle. (He was kind of cute, after all.)

I can’t say I blame the stranger–I was definitely dressed for a Friday or Saturday night, hardly a Sunday morning. I had on my favorite black liquid leggings, a black boyfriend blazer, a textured/frilly gray top, a navy blue square scarf and my favorite platform heels. It was my fall wardrobe at its finest.

Some might say it was the shiny pants, I think my secret were my BCBG Max Azria Diva Platform Pumps. There’s something about the “divalicious” footwear–not only did it give me height, it also endowed me with some extra confidence. You can never have enough.

So here’s the scoop on the sassy shoes: They’re $274.95 at Endless.com. Sure, that’s a little steep, but its rewards outweigh the splurge. Oh, and my guy was a fan, as well. He found them to be so sexy, he wanted me to leave ‘em on all night.

White Treats in the Form of Booties

The other day, I went downstairs (of my office) to get a snack from the market. I came back up to the office, however, with a pair of white leather boots by Max Azria. I couldn’t help myself! They were so reasonably priced at the sample sale. Not to mention, insanely adorable. I had heard somewhere that the rule that you can’t wear white shoes after Labor Day no longer applies. Yippee! I was in luck.

I wore the white boots the next day, but to my dismay, no one else had white shoes on. I couldn’t help but think I was alone on this fad.

So this is my attempt to get the rest of you to join me on this white-booties adventure. That way, it’ll be obvious that it’s hot (and I won’t look silly). Take your pick from the three cute finds. And lucky for you, they’re all on sale! 

                               

From left:

For the Funky
Type Z Markela Booties in Winter White ($85.50 at Zappos.com) 

For the Casual
Frye Women’s Reba Short Shaft Boot in White ($141.61 at Endless.com) 

For the Girly
Marc by Marc Jacobs White Patent Boots ($240 at Zappos.com)

Masquerading, Mayhem and Matching Shoes

 

A beautiful, brilliant friend is throwing a masquerade ball for Halloween this year. Guests will be donning grand dresses and suits with masks that spark the imagination. Best of all, it’s a surprisingly pressure-free way to dress up.

If you’re stressing over an original, cool and sexy costume concept without crossing the slutty line (we like to stay just shy) start with that dress in your closet–the one you sigh over every week but only had the chance to wear once (No, we are not counting the time you put it on to eat ice cream and watch 27 Dresses). Then run out for some coordinating shoes at Payless and hit the nearest Hallowen pop-up store or make your own matching mask. Soon you’ll be masquerading as your spectactular self.

Here are some looks to inspire your inner mistress.

Refined in Red

Pair this red lacey creation with ladylike d’orsay rosettes and admirers will come running.

Dark and Daring

Gentlemen callers will swoon over a decadent swan in satin t-strap sandals.

 

Prim Pierrot

You may look like a sad clown, but these oxfords will keep you happy.

Golden Goddess

Perhaps “Style Goddess” is a better title for any lady donning this golden Venetian mask and the Christian Siriano for Payless Carolina Pump.

 

 

 

Celebrity Shoes: The Motherload

While I enjoy reporting on celeb-fueled footwear lines, this Fall’s offerings are less of the occasional mention and more of a full-on deluge of A lister-backed collections. So here’s a roundup of who’s designing what and when shoppers can expect to test drive the star-powered shoes:

1. Nitrolicious reported that singer Beyoncé will launch the Sasha Fierce (Beyoncé’s alter-ego) for Deréon Collection. Beyoncé’s mom/mamanger Tina Knowles described the line to WWD as “edgier and trendier;” in addition to outerwear, handbags, lingerie, jewelry and eyewear look for “heavily studded shoes.”

Sasha Fierce for Deréon

According to Style Guru, the line, which launched in September for back-to-school shopping (because what 9th grader doesn’t need heavily studded heels?), “comes at a very affordable price ranging from $25 to $75 and is available at Macy’s and Dillard’s.”

2. It its Oct. 23 issue, New York Magazine’s fashion blog The Cut revealed that, on the heels of Heidi Klum’s dropped jewelry line, the Project Runway host will launch a 48-style show collection for Fall 2010. (Or, says StyleNews, the collection will “be the first to hit stores in February 2010 and will include everything from sky-high stilettos to tall boots.”) Writes the blogger, “The inspiration is the same as every celebrity’s with a fashion line — what’s currently in her closet.”

Louis Vuitton's 2009 Spicy Sandal, worn by Klum

The project, according to  WWD, is a collaboration with “Modern Vintage and Majestic Mills co-founders Rick and Brian Cytrynbaum.”

3. In all the excitement about the launch of the Olsen Twins’ Olsenboye line of J.C. Penny (they’re promoting it in a cupcake truck!), has Mary-Kate and Ashley’s other project — the Elizabeth and James line — fallen under the radar? Say it isn’t so! Nitrolicious previewed the 2009 Elizabeth and James footwear collection, pronouncing it “so amazing.” Pictured here, the lace-up flat ankle boots, available at Saks.

Elizabeth and James ankle boot

4. Paris Hilton frenemy Nicole Richie is to (says blogger Fantastictoe) partner “with Modern Vintage shoes and Earnest Sewn jeans. Richie will add a line of around 20 shoe styles to her House of Harlow 1960 label for spring of 2010.”

5. Black Eyed Pea Fergie’s shoe line, launched in Spring of 2009 through endless.com, is offering up fall and winter looks like a shearling-lined boot and a magenta suede peep-toe. Blogger Fergie Freak writes, “Recently, I have been asked about where to get some of the fabulous shoes Fergie has been seen performing in. Well, it turns out that they are part of her own line of shoes. She’s come out with a lot of new styles for the fall.” (A poll on Beauty Xpose’s Foot Fetish Friday showed that voters were evenly divided when it came to the hotness or notness of the singer’s spring footwear.)

Fergie's magenta kid suede heel

Tess Tuesday: A Scarring Memory From My Childhood

I was invited to my very first wedding at the age of seven, that of a distant cousin whom I had no recollection of meeting but I knew, from the wedding invitation, that he existed. Upon learning of my cousin’s existence and his imminent nuptials, I began dreaming of a beautiful gold dress, with ruffles and taffeta, lace and brocade paired with a tasteful tiara and black patent leather ballet flats. (I was seven, living in New Jersey, and it was the early nineties—there’s no accounting for taste.) I related my pageant-worthy costume choice to my mother, but only got as far as the taffeta before her face fell into an “I feel sort of bad for you, but you’re ridiculous” grimace. “Laura,” she said, somewhat gently, “This is a daytime wedding.” What that had to do with anything, I hadn’t a clue, but the point was that my dress was not appropriate. “You’ll wear a suit.”

She whisked me away from my cartoons the following Saturday morning to shop at Saks for this ill-fated suit. I sat in the back seat, pouting all the way for the loss of my delusions of grandeur, and maybe a little because I wasn’t allowed to sit in the front. We were greeted at Saks, with offensive enthusiasm by Carol, who had gone ahead and picked out a bunch of suits for me. As we walked through the beautiful party dresses in a parade of crushed dreams, I couldn’t help but wonder why anyone else didn’t find it preposterous that a child would wear a suit. At seven, I looked up at two grown adult women and thought, “You want a child to wear a suit. And I’m the ridiculous one? ” But sure enough I began trying on suits. We finally go to one that had a nice top (a cream vest lined with black satin) but I was wearing pants with it and worked up the nerve to put my foot down. “I saw a skirt out there that goes with this. Can I please wear the skirt?” My mother agreed and I handed her the pants.

“Carol,” she called. “Would you mind bringing the skirt for this top?”

“And which top is that?” Carol called back.

“Oh, come in and see it,” my mother answered without a second’s hesitation.”

“What? Mom, no!” I pleaded. I was in my underwear. Carol was not allowed to see my underwear. First these women were robbing me of a beautiful party dress and now my dignity? Absolutely not! But in Carol came. I stood there awkwardly feeling my face getting hot and trying desperately to pull the vest down to cover myself—in vain. Carol acted like the sight of my underwear wasn’t no thing, but the damage had been done. I got that “my throat is hurting because I’m trying not to cry” feeling. My mother paid for the suit and a sensible headband and off we went to Stride Rite.

I still had hope for the black patent leather ballet flat, which I fondly referred to as ‘big-girl shoes.’ (My favorite shoe to this day is the black patent ballet flat.) I made my wish known to my mother, who agreed, assuring me they would definitely have those. I spotted them the second we walked into the store. Perfect. I sat on the bench shaken by the panties incident, but thankful that at least I wasn’t afraid of the metal foot measurer. The salesgirl came over, measured, looked down at my dream shoe, then up at my mother. “She has a very broad foot,” she stated. “These aren’t going to work, but those will.” She pointed to a Mary Jane. My heart sank. “But what about another size?” I asked. “What about something you have in the back?” I was grasping. “PLEASE!”

I couldn’t believe it. My last chance for some semblance of elegance and they were sticking my stupid broad foot in a Mary Jane? A Mary Jane is the opposite of a big-girl shoe! It’s a little-girl shoe! “Sorry,” the salesgirl said—still no sympathy, and in fact, maybe a taking some sick pleasure in all of this. “These are all we have.” My mother agreed and she bought the Mary Janes. I was so depressed I didn’t even want to stop at Mrs. Fields. I hated the mall, I hated my life, and I hated my fat fat fatty fat foot.

This feeling, being denied the shoe you want because of the size of your foot: avoid it. Shop Barefoot Tess.

Now, you know I want your traumatizing childhood stories. Let’s hear ‘em. And mind the contest ($50 to our commenter of the week)!