Take 3

Wedges, you guys.

Yeah, I totally stole that from Mindy Kaling, but get over it. You know I'm obsessed with her blog (Read it!! www.thingsiboughtthatilove.com).

So, wedges. Here's why I love them: they're like heels, but sturdier. For someone like me, who's broken my left leg/ankle four times, sturdiness is totally important. You'll notice, if you're ever lucky enough to come shoe shopping with me, that I steer clear of super-duper high heels or anything resembling a stiletto. That said, I adore, adore, adore a heel. I mean, what else can make you feel sassier or gives you that "I'm hot and I know it" sashay in your hips like a pair of heels? But that's why wedges rock too. They still give you the height and the sexiness of a heel, but you can walk on the lawn and your heel won't come away with bits of grass and mud stuck to it like a divet on a golf course.

But wedges are tricky. Let me explain why. It is very, very easy to buy wedges that are too high or chunky and then you either look like your feet are on a ski slope, or like you're trying out for the next drag queen performance at your local cabaret.

Here's some wedges I L-O-V-E:

Loving the cutouts on these Carlos Santanas. They remind me of a pair I bought in Chicago and wore TO DEATH because they were so freakin' cute -- Are they a proper pump-style wedge? Are they a sandal wedge? Who cares! They rock.


Loving the color, loving the height...I just have to tell you that I would never wear these. I have an aversion to slingbacks because they ALWAYS slip off the back of my foot and then I just end up walking on that damn strap all day and practically tripping over myself. So jealous of you girls who can wear these Bandolino shoes and not have that problem.


Don't get it twisted -- I'm not showing you all these black wedges because I want you to wear just black. Heck. No. I just happened to find all these cute styles in black AND, selfishly, I'm the market for a pair of black shoes...so...I'm shopping whilst blogging. Now, as for this pair by Franco Sarto, the big silver button is key -- a great detail. The small heel is awesome -- great for work. Pay attention to the way this wedge is almost slimmer than the shoe itself -- this makes it acceptable and not at all clunky.


Now, pay attention. These shoes are AMAZING!! Exactly what I want in a wedge -- good height, a pretty style, and a little funky "surprise" -- the cutout in the heel is FIERCE! (It's hard to see in this picture, but believe me, it's there.) A warning -- I am actually hoping/planning to buy these, so if you all rush right out and buy them and I see you in them tomorrow, there will be hell to pay! ;)


Now, for wedges that I don't care for all that much and the reasons why:

Do me a favor, you guys, avoid wedges that are too cutesy because you'll just end up looking like a 12-year-old girl who's trying to look older and taller by wearing wedges that are hot pink with polka dots and a button...sometimes too much is just too much.


Ugh. Please, please steer clear of wedges that are all "I'm a dippy-hippy type and I like psychedlic shoes because I think I should be living in the 70s and singing "Sunshine Days" by the Brady Bunch." Risk it, and risk looking like one of those aforementioned drag queens.


OK. Here's where I'm expecting a bit of backlash. These wedges really aren't so bad (though a little tall...shorter wedges allow you to still walk like a lady...the higher the wedge, the more you may teeter around like you have bricks strapped to your feet). Here's my real problem with cork-heeled sandal wedges -- do not wear them anymore (please!) if something or someone (your puppy maybe?) has taken a chunk of cork out of the heel. Tack-y.


Finally, the raffia/straw/twine/whatever-it-is covered wedge heel. I actually like these -- I mean, seriously, can Michael Kors go wrong? The natural wedge is very summery, very beachy. But once again, beware of quality. Make sure the wrapping is tight and if you get a ton of "whiskers" that start to hang off, for crying out loud, cut them off. Maintenance, ladies! Keep 'em looking as neat and tidy as you bought them, and you'll be good to go.