I'm going to stop bitching about the winter weather for seven seconds, not because I've somehow been frostbitten into Zen-ness or have finally chilled out and surrendered to this 9-month season in my city. It's because in a few short days, I will peel off my boots and sweep away the snow to walk in the sand and surf in Florida.
Go ahead, curse me. I can wait. Or, I can order a Bloody Mary at the little seashell-covered hut should your rant at me last more than a few moments.
Honestly, it's not that hot where I'm going. There's pristine views from my parents' condo, where we will be staying, pale-sanded beaches where slow-lapping waves crawl up and back across the tide line. But it's still spring weather in the area where we will be staying. So, there's that.
I don't care if it is 70-degrees or 50-degrees or 1,043-degrees, this shameless shoe whore will be wearing sandals. As I say goodbye to knee-highs and tall boots for some glorious time far away, I think it is a good opportunity for all of us to prepare for the sunshine -- whenever it comes to us or we seek it out.
Here are four not-so-spendy pairs of casual sandals I'm loving this not-yet-summer.
I rarely wear flats, but these patent t-straps adorned with bold flowers are so sassy, that I'd be willing to take it down a notch (in my case, a 4-1/2-inch notch) to pair these with my favorite floaty, flirty dresses. These are by Diba and $49 in red, white and black (but, sweetnesses, I demand you get the red).
Beaches, boating and lazing around on the deck of a boat or just your apartment requires flips. But I am so not down with those nasty kind that rub the insides of your toesies raw and have spots worn down to the width of notebook paper and are missing chunks from the soles. Shudder. I vote for a cute pair that won't dress down your good-ass jeans and will do that snazzy pedicure justice. These peacock tattooed and gold flips will do perfectly, thank you. And only $15.99 on sale, even better! Havaianas makes these and I must have them.
Last year, I spent what very well could have been entirely too much on a pair of sandals and justified that by wearing them pretty much every day from June through October. I love them and because they are wedges, most of those days they loved me back. I will certainly continue to justify their cost, but I will also be adding another pair of wedges to my feet -- and on off-days, to the floor of my closet. I choose these pewter leather wedges that are very high, a little shimmery, and will jooj up jeans and ta-ta tees and cotton dresses. Never mind that they are from Victoria's Secret (shhh, our secret) but revel in their itty bitty $29 price tag.
I love sandals that really, truly can dress up an everyday outfit and stay on your feet while you slide on a sessy little something for dinner out. These strappy, stacked sandals in sunset colors by Madden Girl do it for me. Overstock has them for just over thirty bucks.
I bet if we all concentrate reeeeaaaallllly hard and order a pair of fabulous sandals at the very same time, we will cause a spontaneous burst of summer to overtake the city. What do you say? Are you in?
If none of those were quite edgy enough for you, why not get intergalactic with this pair (oh dear mother of Anakin) I swear were stripped right off of Chewbacca and placed upon a much more silicone-y and undernourished model. If these do it for you (no! no! no!) and can keep up with your summer activities or (something), spend a bit more ($109) and knock yourself out (I guess).
is a single mama in the city, super-savvy editor, writer, video host and shameless shoe whore.
Friday, February 5, 2010 
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