Cut-out booties have been around for a few seasons, but they are still big in summer and fall ‘09.

Urban Original

I honestly feel a little weird in them, but they look positively fierce when worn right! (i.e. by someone who DOES know how to walk in heels.)

I would try to funk up jeans and a corset-type top, or really be wild and wear with a skirt and colored tights for a colorblock effect.

They can be sexy chic with a LBD, but also worn with your casual denim, it really is that versatile.

Check out these Qupid Luxe Hyde Oxford booties from Urban Original - how sexy are they??? These are a must-add to your shoe wardrobe this summer, just practice walking before you wear them outdoors!

The recession has us all riled up - and the best way to survive is to make what we do own last as well (and long) as possible.

So how do we make our old shoes like new? Marty Stevens-Heebner, author of Altered Shoes: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Footwear Fabulous offered some fun tips.

* If you have widow earrings that have lost their mates, or if you have earrings you don’t want to wear anymore, you can glue those earrings to your shoes with a hot glue gun.
* Shoes often fray at the tops, where the foot enters the shoe, or where the sole of the shoe meets the upper. If you want to save those frayed shoes, or if you have a torn seam or edge, take some ribbon you have lying around and use a hot glue gun to glue the ribbon around the seam of the shoe. You can use ribbon that’s the same color as the shoes or that’s a contrasting color. (Example: the Viva Las Vegas Stilettos)
* You can glue a cluster of rhinestones or buttons over a tear or scuff on your shoes and no one will be the wiser. To further customize it, you can do this in the shape of your first or last initial.
* If you’re a pet fan, you can glue dog or cat charms to your shoes.

Image: BarnesandNoble.com

If this month wasn’t hectic enough, I have just been presented with a fabulous opportunity for a new apartment - but it means I am moving in about three weeks!!!

I am woefully unprepared - but I do know the secret to success is maximizing time and space.

A great find I’ve come across to store everything from your shoes to your scarves is this Shoes Under from Telebrands.

It is very compact - yet contains twelve pockets keep shoes and other items neatly organized - and it’s clear on top, so you know exactly what is where!

Will this, alone, solve my completely overwhelming problem? Obviously not. But it’s a start! Anyone have any other suggestions?

Image: ShoesUnder.com

In case you’ve been feeling some guilt for not being as earth-friendly as you can/should be, I have great news: You can now get serious karma credit simply by buying a pair of shoes! (Which, as a reader of Shopaholics Daily, I am certain you are already quite good at.)
Keds Green Label sneakers are pretty identical to the Keds we are all familiar with, but they are 100% organic cotton, and the laces are made from 100% recycled water bottles - how crazy cool is that?

The outsoles are made of recycled rubber, and all the inks and dyes are non-toxic, meaning you could pretty much eat these shoes if you wanted to. Though you woudn’t - cause that would be super freaky.

Image: Keds

All of ye fashionable (and hip), must take note of the hot new Gucci Tattoo collection available at BlueFly.

My favorite? These beige GG plus tattoo rose peep toe slingbacks - splurge-indeed at $476, but about half of the price you’ll see elsewhere!

Check out that hot rose  - it adds a bit of rock elegance to this classic shoe.

Image: BlueFly

Need a new look and don’t have a lot of cash to burn?

Consider shoe clips: These are a clever, stylish and affordable way to update your existing wardrobe since you can clip on various types of shoe clips to your shoes, and reuse the same clips on different styles.

From rhinestone and pearl flowers, to fabric bows that clip on and off any type of shoe: stilettos, flats, boots etc., they are a unique way to update your look in an instant - and cost way less than a new pair of stilettos! We found some great styles at Absolutely Audrey, but there’s options everywhere - you can even use old earrings!

Image: Absolutely Audrey

Think the root of all evil is money? Think again. It’s BOREDOM. Really.

Think about it. Pure boredom is often the cause of some of the biggest mistakes and most uninspired moments. So, we’re doing our best to abolish boredom in our own lives, and where possible, in yours!

This is the perfect time of year to get inspired. Don’t worry about resolutions and don’t load yourself up with too many to-dos. Simply pick ONE thing that you’ve always wanted to do, and do it. And in this case…maybe it’s just a new pair of shoes.

Something to Inspire your Wardrobe
Bellini and Caravaggio, both by Charmoné

One way to get inspired is to break out of the basic black pump mode and experiment with color. We’ve found some small runs of super fun, and yet super wearable day-to-evening shoes that you’re going to love:
Bellini: It may be gloomy outside but you can radiate the sun with the Bellini in gilded gold print. No matter where you live, you can heat up your winter by wearing these hidden platforms while sipping a bellini drink in the sun or doing the tango in a sultry club. Made in Italy and originally set at $335, we’re selling these direct in order to make them available to you for just $199!

Caravaggio: This sexy t-strap is begging to be worn with a party dress, but don’t stop there. Spice up a conservative work suit and you’ll feel sassy all day long. I think I’m going to take my own advice on this one. Who wants to meet for lunch to check it out? Also Made in Italy, the original retail was to be $425, and we couldn’t stand for that. So snap them up at $229 - available in both Graphite Grey and Espresso Brown.

As Inauguration Day is in the final countdown, we expect the first family will “step it up” with a fresh take on fashion. First lady Michelle Obama has already shown us a glimpse of her original style, but here’s some suggestions from Anne Crays, vice president of merchandising and fashion forecasting for Shoebuy.com, for the first couple that look presidential and fit budgets in today’s economy. Michelle’s look especially will be fun to follow, I think her style will appeal to young professionals.

First Lady Michelle Obama:

• Mariana, by GOLC Hailey, $134.95, elegant flats for comfort and sophistication
• Paladin, by Nina, in Golden Brown Royal Satin, $79.95 and Nicole Miller’s Bronze Shimmer Charlize Hard Case,$174.95, classic pieces with modern style for the inaugural ball

President Barack Obama

• Akron, by Bostonian, $89.95, are flexible and comfortable with classic style
• Cornell, by Florsheim, $99.95, a contemporary oxford to celebrate his presidency

Images: Shoebuy.com

This week’s People’s Choice Awards were full of glitz and glamour! Celebrities like Dakota Fanning and Jessica Stroup pulled out all the stops for the ultimate red carpet entrance with the most glamorous shoes from strappy metallics to sleek platforms. DSW Shoes (dsw.com) offers similar styles to those seen on this momentous night, ensuring that everyone can look red-carpet ready regardless of budget!

Chic and Classic Peep Toes

This timeless trend was the favored style of the night and was seen on the feet of several Hollywood starlets, including up-and-coming fashionista Dakota Fanning. DSW.com offers a range of this must-have trend with versions like the Audrey Brooke Iris Leather Platform Mary Jane for $49.94 at dsw.com.

Strappy Metallic Sandals

When it comes to formalwear, strappy metallic sandals are always an appropriate choice. The People’s Choice Awards version, as seen on 90210’s Lori Loughlin was the perfect complement to her shimmery look. DSW offers similar styles for a fraction of the cost. Fashionistas may purchase the Unlisted With Me Disco Sequined Sandal for $34.95 at dsw.com.

Platform Slingbacks

Fans were blown away by the look seen on TV’s newest style icon, Jessica Stroup, which featured an au courant colorblock bandage dress accented with sky-high platform slingbacks. With the Madden Girl Palesad Pleated Peep Toe Platform for $39.95 at dsw.com, any party-going-glamour-girl will be sure to have the same show stopping effect!

Oversized Clutches

No girl should leave home without a stylish way to tote all of the essentials necessary for mid-party touch-ups. The perfect accessory to that gorgeous outfit? An oversided clutch, of course, as seen under the arm of party-ready celebs such as Malin Akerman. This chic yet roomy style can be found in a multitude of colors at DSW – a perfect example being the LuLu Townsend Reptile Tongue Clutch for $26.95 at dsw.com.

Image: DSW.com

Every season, I save up some money to splurge on one pair of designer shoes. For spring, I have my eye on these studded patent platforms from Yves Saint Laurent.

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Featuring goldtone hardware and a sexy platform, these fuchsia patent leather heels are a hot choice. Priced at $795, these bold sandals are definitely a luxury buy and I could probably find something similar for 1/2 the cost. But they are oh so, cute!

For now, I’ll put these in my “maybe” file for spring. If you love these shoes, you can also get them in black. Both colors are available now at Neiman Marcus

Photo credit: Neiman Marcus