The Classics

The classics...black and white. Movies, pictures...shoes.

I remember once at an early age in school where we had to name our favorite color. I listed black, naturally. A friend looked over at my paper and insisted I couldn't choose black - "that's not a color," she would say.

Ok, I thought, I'll choose white. 

"No, white is not a color either...pick something like purple or green," she chided.

And at an early age, my fashion DNA was being tested. I knew I should like magenta or tangerine like my crayons suggested, but I loved black and white - and still do until this day.

Don't get me wrong - I love a pair of red, green or blue shoes. My closet is literally a rainbow of colors and designers. 

But, there is something so sharp and sophisticated about a black and white shoe. And, as we head into colder days with a nip in the air, and holiday parties around corner, these black and white shoes will make a great addition in your closet. And, if you are still using my shoe calculator, these classics will be around for years to come.

I adore YSL. My first pair of fancy shoes were YSL...good memories 
(and I still have those shoes 11 years later!!)

(find them here)

Picked up the new holiday Nordstroms catalog??? If so, you have been ogling after these shoes ever since. Great price point, as well.

(find them here)

Tom Ford. I <3 you.

(find them here)

I have been watching these shoes all season..now on sale!

(find them here)

This is just a snippet of what's out there right now....go forth and shoe shop...

In the World of Cha Cha Shoes 

The Big Leagues - eBay Shopping

Warning.....this post is not for amateurs. This post is for those that want to take shoe shopping to the next level...the eBay level.

If you are still here, then you must be the adventurous type. The type that is willing to do a little extra searching and work for those perfect pair of shoes, at a discounted price.

I fondly remember one of my first eBay shoe purchases. I had no money, but had found a way to use less of my college food budget, and pile it into my "shoe budget." So, no more meals out - and more interesting uses of mac 'n cheese and (fill in the blank).

But, I was bound and determined to get this pair of Marc, by Marc Jacobs pink peep toe shoes. I couldn't find the originals, but a similar pair is seen here:

I had no idea about power sellers, ratings, shipping costs or ninja bidding. Somehow, my instincts still kicked in, and while at the school library I closed down the computer lab waiting for the last minute to expire and bid on my shoes. The thrill of bidding out several strangers and getting a pair of sought after, but reasonably priced shoes was amazing. A week later, my pink heels arrived, and so had I.

Over the next 10 years, I learned more about shoes, and eBay. I have found several tricks to shopping on eBay, and sometimes it's all about being in the right place (online) at the right time.

eBay gives their guide to shopping here. I also found this article about how to "Shop Like a Ninja on ebay" entertaining.

Here are my DO's and DON'Ts of eBay shopping:

DO - have your list in hand...what are you looking for?

DON'T - get sidetracked looking at a Monique Lhuillier wedding dresses.

DO - focus on pre-worn shoes. Some of the best online deals are those gently worn items.

DON'T - overlook bad feedback. ALWAYS check the seller's feedback. If they have anything less than a 95% positive rating, step away. Also, go after sellers that have a long history, and a high amount of ratings. 

DO - read the description. Good buyers are specific if there are any tears, scuffs and other dings. Look at the pictures, particularly those of the bottom of the shoe. They can be a great indicator of how many times they have been worn.

DON'T - buy something that seems too good to be true. You can always Google the shoe online, and see what it is generally being sold for. If you find a pair of Christian Louboutins for under $100 - they are likely fake.

DO - check the seller's return policy. Some sellers have strict NO RETURN policies. Be aware when buying.

DON'T - bid too early. There is a watch button that you can use to keep an eye on them as the bidding time progresses. If you are a serious bidder, swoop in at the end bidding higher than the current price, with the ability to go up to your highest amount.

DO - review the seller's background. I can't stress this enough. If you read through recent feedback, you can get a good idea of what buyers have thought of their product. You can also check to see what else the seller is selling, and get an idea of their inventory.

Armed with that information, you are ready to go out and conquer eBay. Remember - this isn't for the faint of heart. It can be risky at times...but equally rewarding when your research and those learned ninja shoe skills pay off. Here are a couple of my favorites on eBay this week, and all are currently under $100:

Love me some Jimmy Choo Mary Janes

(find them here)

I have these Prada's in a snakeskin print...so comfortable!!

(find them here)

I love Miu Miu. Nothing more to say for these beautiful shoes.

(find them here)

A classic Manolo throwback...

(find them here)

And, don't forget that once you find a favorite seller online, you can always follow them, and watch for updated inventory.

Good luck, my friends.
I see discounted fabulous shoes in your future....living in the World of Cha Cha Shoes...

How High?

During a recent work trip, I pondered the thought...how high is too high for shoes?

For several years, I pushed the boundaries on shoe height, and always got comments from other fellow high heeled wearers - sometimes men.

"Wow, you are tall."

"How can you walk in those?"

"You are not going to be able to walk someday because of those torture devices you call shoes."

"You're going to kill yourself walking in those shoes."

and my favorite...

"I hope you didn't pay a lot for those shoes to look that uncomfortable."

Most of the time, I brush the comments off, as many of my favorite shoes are quite tall. I have my heel limits, tending to stay 4" or below. But sometimes a shoe calls your name...and you MUST answer the call.

Then you answer...and then you fall...on a busy street sidewalk...end up with a scuffed knee like a 3 year old...and THEN, and only then do you ask yourself, how high is too high?

For example, take these amazing shoes from Gucci. Beautiful design, and a sleek patent leather outer.

Find them here

But, if you buy these, you commit to a 5" heel, and limited walking. Sure, you can model shoes from a chair, but these are not city shoes...and your feet will be confined to special dinners out or long seated event.



Or, take these amazing Giuseppe Zanottis.

Find them here

Again, a wonderful architecturally designed sandal, with a 5" heel. I actually think you could get around in these a bit easier, but you would have to avoid any sidewalk or tile flooring while walking. City streets and grates are heel damaging culprits.



And lastly, one of the more interesting non-heel (yet still high) options out there.

Find them here

Sporting a 6 1/2" heel height and a 1 3/4" platform, these are some of the highest heels I have seen. Given the distribution of wedge and lack of heel, these could provide a major balancing challenge. You build strength and balance doing "tree pose" at yoga....but I am not sure these provide the same benefit.


In the end, choosing "how high" you go is a personal decision. One of my favorite sayings is: "the higher the heel, the closer to god." My other favorite and recently experienced saying is: "the higher the heel, the harder the fall."

Happy high (or not) heel shoe shopping to you....from the World of Cha Cha Shoes

Boooooo-tiful Shoes

In the spirit of dressing up for Halloween...let's not forget the most important accessory, the shoe.

Here are a couple of fun shoes to spice up your costume or wardrobe this year!



Cuing Dorothy....There's no place like home...

(find them here)

BATMAN!!!

(find them here)

Who doesn't love a good skull and bones?

(find them here)

Here kitty kitty....

(find them here)

Now you can view the actual damage that is done to your bones while balancing on 4 inch heels:

(find them here)

A comfortable pair of zoo shoes:

(find them here)

And for those of you who are vampire followers, these will fit the bill:

(find them here)

Here's to wishing all of your Halloween parties and trick or tricking is filled with candy...and amazing shoes!

Happy Halloween...from the World of Cha Cha Shoes...