Be able to suffer wearing a necktie or slightly high heels for an entire evening without complaint or early removal.

-Parade magazine columnist Marilyn vos Savant

As we struggle through the doldrums of winter, those of us in colder climes frequently turn our thoughts to the idea of Getting Away. As you look for footwear that supports these thoughts, I submit for your consideration: stone-embellished sandals and heels.

Nothing evokes “island vacation” or, perhaps, “spa getaway” quite like stone-embellished sandals.  Smooth, seemingly water-worn stones adorn the most delicate of straps — is this not the perfect footwear for shopping in St. Thomas or strolling the boardwalk in Maui or enjoying a lovely outdoor lunch overlooking the sea in Koh Samui?

But, this trend is not just for your island vacation. This season’s stone-embellished pumps and strappy stilettos — where the stones are more typically jewel-toned or clear — are the perfect footwear for a fancy evening out, and indeed are elegant and interesting enough to be the star of your outfit.

In the high-heel category, we’re also seeing more “fierce” stone-embellished heels, which are a variation on the theme of stud- and hardware-encrusted heels that was so popular a few months ago.

-Continue reading this post, and see our whole collection of stone-embellished shoes at The Shoe Stylist blog on BuyFantasticShoes.com

Women are buying super-high heels as if they are an addiction.

-Shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood

If God had wanted us to wear flat shoes, He wouldn’t have invented Manolo Blahnik.

-Alexandra Shulman

A woman carries her clothes, but it’s a shoe that carries a woman.

-Christian Louboutin

You know you’re getting old when you stoop to tie your shoelaces and wonder what else you could do while you’re down there.

-George Burns

I like women who wear shoes that aren’t the obvious choice, who can make something a bit off-key look super sexy.

-Shoe designer Jonathan Kelsey