Best Ladies Designer Shoes & Elegant Footwear

Hello fellow shoe lovers! Actually, I'm a little bit of a "closet" shoe lover, because I have worn running shoes and Birkenstocks for so many years now, that I feel a little guilty about my recent enjoyment of different types of shoes. I think we can blame my husband for that! He began finding really nice used shoes at different yard sales, and he'd bring them home, saying, "Honey, I think these might be your size, and they're like new! I thought you might like them!"

Well, I have always been very practical about shoes, and cluttering my closet with dozens of shoes that I might never wear seemed like a terribly wasteful thing (must be a part of my grandmother lurking in me).

But, as John would bring home different shoes, and I'd try them on, I began to think, "Hey, these look really nice! I like these!" And so it begins. I will not confess to how many shoes I have acquired over the last couple of years! :)

Anyway, we now live seasonally - New Hampshire in Spring, Summer and Fall, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the winters (I think we're being officially called "Snow Birds," but we're not retired - We can only do this because we work on line, and therefore, can live seasonally as a result). What that means is we need to PACK LIGHTLY. We only bring one car to SC, so I am now torn about how many shoes I should bring with me.

Definitely the "fun and flirty heels" that are in the picture. I also brought one pair of running shoes, or "sneakers."

I thought I would be fine with one pair. I regret not having brought another pair. It's been chilly, and the pair I brought not only allows the wind to whistle through, but it also allows the sand to accumulate under my toes when we're taking walks on the beach. For summer or warmer weather, and walking/jogging on the pavement - fine. But, I wish I had brought other sneakers.

Yes, I grew up in the 60's and 70's!
I also brought my trust Birkenstocks. I've worn "Birks" since 1979, and I am ever so slightly attached to them. I don't care that the 70's are over. I love my Birks. I also brought a practical and sturdy rubber-soled shoe that wouldn't turn the head of a gargoyle. But, boy oh boy, it's practical alright...

I wish I had brought a few dressier pair of shoes. Not that we go out to eat very often. But, we do go to see friends, and we do go out in public. I really do like to look nice. And good shoes are a fairly easy way to dress up an outfit. Even if it's just jeans!

Regrettably, my "fun and flirty" heels as depicted above are a "cheapo" pair - as you can probably tell from the photo. The strap is about to crack in two. The soles are slippery and very cheap. I wouldn't dance on those heels - they feel like they're about to break off. So, I do NOT advocate buying "cheapo" pairs of shoes for any reason (unless they are being used as part of a costume that you only have to suffer through once or twice). It just isn't worth it. The fit is rarely correct, and the components practically fall apart.

QUICK NOTE: I've added a few items from Endless.com here for you to look at. Did you know that they have FREE Overnight shipping on new styles, FREE Return Shipping, and a 100% Price Guarantee*? (*some restrictions apply). These are SERIOUSLY GOOD DEALS!

I used to be a long-distance runner, and also used to work in an athletic shoe store. I have learned the hard way about buying cheap, poor quality shoes. Yes, I have my share of "yard sale shoes" or shoes I've purchased at discounts. I'll tell you this... You will not find me buying a pair of shoes at a yard sale that I can peg as having come from that large discount superstore that seems to be in nearly every neighborhood these days (you know which one I'm talking about!).

I do understand that people are on a budget. And, I really, really understand the need for those budgets when we're talking about putting shoes on the feet of growing kids! Yikes! Really, folks, unless you've got money to burn, I know full well how important it is to just buy what you can afford. Hopefully, some of the suggestions we have at our childrens shoe/baby footwear page might spark your creativity.

I think I'm due for a new pair!