Foot Candy

The big trend in footwear this season...neon colors! Don't be afraid to show off your feet this spring in candy-colored sandals, wedges, pumps and flats!

Add some color into your life with bright jelly flip-flops!

Wedges are still going strong, and what better way to liven up a simple springy outfit than with a pair in a neon shade? Try tangerine (Not Too Coy Lydia in orange, $89) or cherry red (Jessica Simpson Tamandy, $89).
Flats are perfect for on the go but they don't have to be boring and neutral! Patent leather ballet flats look great in lime (Bloch Patent Ballerina in lime, $129). Electric blue is the way to go with a dressier pair (Me Too Ladon in royal blue satin, $62).
Royal purple is a gorgeous shade, especially when paired with an embellished sandal (Report Cobb in purple, $60). Watermelon pink is a classic for sandals (Roxy Tuscany in pink, $36).

Whatever color you choose, your feet will be sure to stand out. Don't forget the nail polish!

One Pair, Three Ways

Have you ever bought a pair of shoes that you fell in love with, but when you get them home, you realize you don't have anything to wear with them? Sometimes, shoes can catch our eye and we almost forget to take into account practicality. But almost any pair can work with any wardrobe. Here are three different ways to wear a standout pair of shoes!

• GIRLY--If you like anything pink, sparkly and delicate, you'll love this outfit. Start with a pair of sparkly flats (the AE Sequin Ballet Flat, $19.50, in pewter) and add on a pretty cardigan (Abercrombie's Abigail sweater, $33.60, in light pink), a floral miniskirt (A&F's Piper skirt, $50, in navy floral) and a pair of white tights (AE Pointelle Tights, $12.50, in cream). You'll look cute at school, out shopping or on a lunch date.
• EDGY--Prefer a look that's not so sweet? Try this: AE Sequin Ballet Flats, with a military-inspired jacket (AE Rugged Bomber Jacket, $129.50), a pair of ripped-up jeans (AE Skinny Jean, $44.95, in medium vintage destroy) and a tough cuff (AE Hammered Stud Cuff, $15.50). People might mistake you for a rocker chick!
• GLAM--If you hate blending in with the crowd, try this standout ensemble. Pair the AE Sequin Ballet Flats with a bright ruffly tank (A&F's Cass tank, $26.60, in dark pink), dark wash cuffed skinnies (Abercrombie's Erin Skinny Destroyed jean, $68.60) and a neon watch (AE Pink Watch, $24.50). Perfect fashionista finds!

The next time you buy a pair of shoes you aren't sure about, don't take them back until you try them with a few things in your closet...you'll be surprised how you can make them work!

Pre-Christmas Shopping Spree!

I know I'm slightly crazy for going shopping just 5 days before Christmas, but that's exactly what I was doing yesterday with my sister. However, we already got all of our shopping done for friends and family so this was just a little shopping trip just for us.

My sis really wanted to go to Hollister since they had a pair of pants there she wanted. When we got there, we found out that everything in the store was 30% off--what a deal! I wasn't planning on buying anything from there, but I looked around just in case. Nothing really grabbed me, but when my sister headed for the pants she liked (the Fallbrook twill pants, $27.65), I decided to check them out, too. I kinda liked them in stone, so I took them to the dressing room in size 0 short (the smallest size HCo. carries). They actually fit pretty well, snug but not too tight, just the right length and I liked the color. I took pics in the dressing room to show how they fit--sorry about the bad lighting! If you've ever been in a Hollister store, you'll know that they're very dark.

 

 So I decided to buy them. But then we went to American Eagle next...and it completely changed my mind! I finally found the flats I've been looking for forever--the AE Sequin Ballet Flat ($19.50, pewter). Since they were $10 off the original price, I couldn't resist buying them, especially since they were actually in a size 6! When I tried them on with tights, they fit perfectly. I also found a pearl and metal chain bracelet for $12.50 and a chain and jewel necklace for $6.95, and since they were having their buy one get one 50% off jewelry sale, I only paid about $30 for all three items! That's a great steal, considering that if I had bought them all full-price, it would have cost me over $61!

But I decided that I didn't really need the pants that much, even though they were 30% off. So I returned them but hopefully I'll be able to find them again at a lower price after Christmas.

Have you ever bought anything and then decided to immediately return it because you found something even better? I hope it doesn't happen to me again, because I'm still waiting for the money to be credited back to my card. Have a merry Christmas, everyone, and good luck with any last-minute shopping!