Comme des Garçons® Play  low top sneaks are graphically amusing and quirky.  The heart logo is instantly recognizable on the white canvas Chucks. A colorful and imaginative collaboration between  Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo and New York-based graphic artist Filip Pagowski. Guaranteed to make you smile. Pair them with your next outfit to take it to the next level of play.

What if you could have an uber-chic, iconic “IT” look, at a fraction of the price? The original Gucci “Princetown” fur loafer, uses dyed kangaroo fur and has the iconic horse bit hardware. The Jeffrey Campbell “Apfel” does not. But hey, what do you expect at a fraction of the price? The Apfel is a stylish, laid back interpretation of a fashionista “IT” shoe. Sure there are some sites that do a good job knocking off designer looks (shopjessicabuurman.com … check out the Leana basic slipper and tell me that isn’t a Gucci slipper in disguise). The site actually offered a faux fur lined shoe, but the look quickly sold out, so I bought Jeffrey Campbell’s version. Although the shoe has no heel in my opinion, 1/2″, the faux-fur lining is plush, the mule is comfortable and the polished chain-link detail is nice. It’s a vintage look that is fun yet sophisticated, stylish and on-trend with the menswear look.

I stumbled across these …. on sale (yay!), and am now obsessed with loafers and mules, which just so happen to be this season’s must-have style. “Mulething”, a backless loafer from Stuart Weitzman, is a two-toned spectacular spectator. A menswear-inspired look that is classy and sassy, casual and fun. The off-white suede leather adds a preppy contrast to the slightly lustered black leather, complete with broguing, tassels and 1.5″heel. They work well with boyfriend jeans and can jazz up your trousers too.

“Style is the forgetting of all styles”. A quote from Made-in-Italy, footwear brand, Lemarè website. Summer is officially here and the thermostat insists that it’s time to show off some sizzling, stylish sandals. And I happen to have the perfect anthracite metallic, open toed mule. The 3.5″ heel feels more like a 2″ heel and with so much cushion, they feel like you’re wearing slippers. Combining up-to-the-minute style, these handmade Italian shoes combine beauty and comfort to create an effortless style.

Sneakers! I’m not much of a flats girl, but I do love Vince “Blair” sneakers. The black-plaster coloration adds a graphic edginess highlighting  the perforated leather with its contrasting color-blocking. This is one slip on every woman should have in her shoe closet. As comfy as they are stylish. Scored them on sale too.

You can’t judge a book by it’s cover, and these shoes prove just that.  Nunc. Named from part of the Latin expression Hic et Nunc, meaning Here and Now, these shoes are just that.  The subtle, yet eclectic mix of details are what drew me to purchase this shoe, designed by Dominika Nowak. Her shoes source materials made in Italy but the shoes are hand-made in Poland.  The blending of European cultures has created a shoe collection that definitely makes a statement. The “Lena” is all about contrasts. The smooth black leather contrasts with white trim, initially giving the shoe a sporty look.  A front zipper showcases an edge, yet the braided trim gives it a Parisian-couture, polished elegance. A plain stiletto heel….um, no. This is a serious killer heel! But the details don’t stop there, and continue into the interior of the shoe and how its built and finished with mesh lining. This shoe is everything … and then some.

It’s my birthday this week, so I felt compelled to indulge. Delicious Shoe, a Chicago-based shoe store in a truck, opened a brick and mortar store called Sfizi, which means: the Italian colloquial term for things you desire, when struck by a craving, whim or fancy. There’s a term for my addiction!

I visited the store and of course walked away with not one, but two pairs of kicks. After all, it is my birthday.

I love the uniqueness of these shoes. By IXOS, an Italian brand, I would name these … Bellissima! Off-white perforated and asymmetrical cut leather with black cap toe, separated by a brown leather band. A sling back with a 3.25″, carved wooden, wide-block heel makes these shoes per morire per.

And the award should go to ….  the “Marmont GG” metallic leather pumps by Gucci. These were first seen at the SS16 runway show and since I couldn’t find them in stores, I had to order online. A few clicks and an online coupon to save a few bucks, and they were on their way to my doorstep. I really just wanted to see the gold-platinum cracked-leather material. I hadn’t planned to fall in love with them. These shoes … make me smile. The 4″ heel looks high but since its a block heel, it’s quite comfortable. They also come in a much lower, 1″ loafer style heel, but with shoes this stunning, give me the height. These stylish pumps have a vintage look with a fringed front panel and square-toed shape. The gold-tone metal GG plaque pairs nicely with the cracked metallic leather. Black leather piping helps ground the look. These beauties really are worth their weight in gold.