Investors welcome

A new place dedicated to paying for my new shoes? So awesome! The fact that it's not already filled with funding? Not so awesome.

Shoe fund coin purse, $5

Send me an angel

Since noticing these old classics amidst Farrah's Charlie's Angels pics (and in J.Crew's new line up), I've become obsessed. I love the understated styling and under-the-radar brand - ubiquitous Chucks they are not! And the color! That rusty orange is perfection for lazy honeymoon days in upstate NY among falling leaves. This is one for the birthday list!

Tretorn canvas sneakers, $68

Perfection

From the minute I saw these at Macys (not available in my size, of course - hate Macys!), I knew they had to be mine. Love the 40s styling with the kind of 70s colorway - so ladylike, yet kind of sexy! They also remind me of my favorite pair of shoes that are honestly, getting a little long in the teeth, if you know what I mean. These would be a perfect update for fall, especially to wear around NYC. Another one to add to the birthday list ...

Sofft Gallery pump, $108.95

New York State of Mind

A longtime coveter of the Hayden-Harnett Havana bag (no, I do not own it yet - hint, hint!), I love that these fabulous Brooklyn designers now offer shoes - and in my size, no less! Even more surprising, my size is about all they have left in this sandal, absolutely perfect for the summer-fall transition NYC will be in when I visit. Sounds like a match made in heaven (the guy I will be marrying there - and the shoes)!

Iskia Link Wedge, $119 (orig. $238!)

Summer, summer, go away

As the first official heatwave of the summer season sets in, I'm already looking forward to fall. I can't help that it's my favorite season and I have a NY honeymoon wardrobe to ponder! I have been on the lookout for tall, dark brown suede boots to add to my collection for a couple of years now, ever since my J.Crew's resoling jobs, well, stopped doing its job. These are simple, beautiful and now on my coveting list for fall wears. And I must commend 'jacrew' (I will miss you Joy Turner!) on finally coming down to some realistic price points. Trying to shell out $400 for another of its boots was giving me hives. I-must-have-these!

Nottingham tall suede flat boot, $250

Internal struggle

I think this vacation purchase will be perpetually in this position - until my fiance notices and turns it over. Resistance is futile.

Vacation shoes

After spending several hours in uncommonly warm Seattle weather last weekend, I couldn't help but need a cool pair of sandals to finish my tour of Bainbridge Island. I picked these up in a little shoe shop on the island and now will be forever reminded of that wonderfully warm and relaxing day spent on the Sound. Kind of like the lotion I bought that smells just like the Cucumber Cooler I enjoyed on the deck of a pub overlooking the harbor. Ahhh, vacations . . .

Born Nordi sandals, $74.99 (on sale at onlineshoes.com)

(Unrequited) Love at first sight

As soon as I turned to page 17 of my freshly-delivered Anthropologie catalog, I knew it. Those flat sandals I had been looking for; my search was over. Alas, this outlet of all things beautiful has yet to get the memo that size 11 girls like beautiful shoes too. They must not believe that we exist, kind of like Bigfoot himself. I am here to tell you we are here and we demand lovely footwear too! Believe me, with feet this size, we need all the help we can get! (Till then, I may just order the 10s and do my best to cram my feet in, a la ugly stepsister. They are just too beautiful for words. Sigh ...)

Gardentop sandals, $78

Disco heaven

I've been loving this stacked sandals since I first saw the black and white snake colorway in a catalog. This glitzy version would be equally glamorous in the light of day or the twinkling lights of a night out. I can almost hear Lady Gaga's last track in the background now ...

Sam Edelman Luna Sandals, $89.90 (on sale at Nordies)

If it's raining $100s in your area ...

I am positively salivating over these shoes from J.Crew's latest collection - but the price stopped me cold. Who does J.Crew think it is? These are designer prices, for christ's sake! Just slapping the word "collection" in the name does not automatically make it worth twice what you sell your other goods for. Wake up J.Crew - the economy's in the crapper and your customer service does not stand up to your prices (don't even get me started on my wedding shoe fiasco ...). I miss the days when J.Crew was a simple, conservative brand that didn't have an ego the size of Antarctica.

J.Crew Aurora patent t-strap sandals, $278

Sun-shiny day

I can see clearly now that these shoes embody a bright, sun-shiny day in the saturated color, patent straps and beautiful enamel detail. Bring on the summer!

Naturalizer Roxy, $39.99

New Englander

Fresh back from my trip to Boston, I already have a new shoe obsession - boat shoes. It seems boat shoes are as common as Boston Cream Pie in New England, and I can only assume they all have the summer yachts to go with them. Naturally, I was a little concerned about going classic, unisex top-siders since unisex only works on the fairer sex if one has fairer feet. Since I do not, I was thrilled to find this very slim and feminine, not to mention more colorful, version at Coach - and on sale no less! Now I can be reminded of one of my new favorite cities (and the yacht I don't have) every time I look at my feet.

Coach Percy shoes, $69 (in store only)

Rainbow brite

When I saw the rainbow of colors this sandal comes in all lined up on the table at Nordstrom (even more than featured on its website!), I couldn't help but beeline right for them. Even better, they come in my size - and on sale! The shoe gods have smiled on me today.

Enzo Angiolini Nine sandal, $59.90 (on sale from $88.95)

Hello, my name is kettle

I admit, I regularly slam those awful, caveman-like boots that all the trendy young things are all over, but I might be ready to rescind all that bashing. It happened like this: take Mom out for Mother's Day around town, Mom's feet hurt after less than 10 blocks of walking (in Aerosoles, no less!); Mom must buy new shoes to keep enjoying her day (and she wonders where I get it ...). Little shoe shop in upscale beach town only has expensive, European comfort footwear; Mom rejoices, I cringe on the inside. After several failed tries, courtesy of her strangely shaped little toe, I spy a cozy looking pair of UGG sandals with the fuzzy sheepskin lining and insist these may be just what she needs. What I didn't account for is that they looked so darn cozy, I had to slip my foot (or rather, half my gargantuan flipper) into her shoe, just to see. It was love at first step. I am now officially coveting these shoes, or little clouds of heaven as I like to call them. I probably could not bring myself to wear them out much more than to the coffee shop or running errands with the dog, but they are worth it just for that. I hope you will accept my apology UGGs. You were right, I was wrong.

UGG Australia Matala thong sandals, $79.95

Car shoes

After much research and haggling, I finally have a new car - and for me that means new car shoes! With a shiny blue new ride, I was in love when I saw these with a snazzy blue and white ensemble in a catalog. So summery and lovely; it would be the perfect accompaniment to the new car, if only it wasn't for that pesky car payment and a new life of PB&J. Sigh ...

Lineo Paolo Brendy sandal, $129.95

It isn't easy being green

Perfect springtime shoe with a swanky heel and beautifully asymmetric cut. I'm thinking skinny jeans or a diaphanous dress. Love the color and love Via Spigas!

Via Spiga Abby sandal, $199

Life is just a bowl of cherries

I am willing to overlook the fact that my size is missing from this site as a simple oversight by the great Kate because I think these shoes are so damn adorable. Perhaps it's because I'm coveting a certain handbag there that's an additional 25% off the clearance price this week. I mean, it's practically free then, right?

Kate Spade Janey flats, $195

Flower power

These shoes convey spring without saying a word ...

Boden flower heels, $158

Everything's bigger in Texas

I especially love it when old school brands make a come back. These revamped keds hardly resemble the basic lace-ups I remember from grade school. Keds for the stylish grown-up!

Keds Dallas Peep Toe Wedge, $65

Summer spots

With spring in full swing and summer weather just around the corner, I'm already plotting for some new warm-weather work footwear. The thick, cushy sole and slip-on styling are just the right combination of casual cuteness and comfort that will keep me jovially on my toes for hours. The bright, seasonally-appropriate colors only help with the feeling of summers by the beach.

Lands' End Canvas A-Line Shoes, $29.50 ($5 off each with two or more)

Preppy chic

Was wearing my basic black ones the other day and rejoicing at how cute yet comfortable they were for a day spent walking around the city. Love this preppy red and navy version here. Maybe if they show up at a second-hand designer shop like mine did, I can afford them. Until then, I'll keep dreaming ...

Tory Burch Reva Ballerina Flat, $195

Warrior woman

For the days when I feel I need a boost in order to take on all that life is throwing at me ...

Nine West Kentaro sandal, $89

Slice of spring

Criss-crossing bands of tangerine over a peep-toe sandal sounds like the perfect way to celebrate the new season. I love how the orange is almost a neutral - meaning it's a staple worth splurging on, right?

Naturalizer Dorey sandal, $79

Give me a jangle ...

Love these for upcoming trips exploring new cities. By far my fav snake print this season!

Naturalizer Jangle sandal, $60

Ol' faithful

These shoes remind me of the Clarks Korbin I got last year (the Artisan line is great if you'd rather not look like you time traveled from 1000 B.C.) - so cute, and comfortable to boot. My others are in a basic bronze, so it seems this gorgeous apple red would be a perfect way to punch it up a bit. I can't help but daydream about the trips I'm planning to take this year and how these shoes would fit into my travel wardrobe ...

Clarks Dusky Hill sandal, $90