I don’t know about you, but I think shopping in London is just about the best thing going: Edgy, fashion-forward style, plus tons of brands that we don’t always see here in the US.

That’s why I’m so excited to tell you about our newest offer, from UK-based Kindred Sole, an online shoe retailer that carries a really eclectic and distinctive selection of shoes. Yes, they offer established designers like United Nude, but they also feature up-and-comers like Laura J London, Diavolina, and Ugly Duckling. And, the icing on the cake is their excellent selection of vintage designer shoes. Shopping there is like a mini-trip to London, without having to worry about volcanic ash.

And, as means of introduction, they are offering Fantastic Toe members FREE shipping to the US on any order you place between now and May 21, 2010. That’s a savings of about $30!

So, click through to Kindred Sole and take a look at all their very cool spring shoes. To get your free shipping, just input promo code FANTASTIC when you place your order.

Let’s face it: We all know wearing high heels all the time isn’t exactly the best thing for your feet. But, as stylist Clinton Kelly says, sometimes comfort just doesn’t matter — when a shoe is fabulous, wearing it just may be worth a subsequent day of misery.

We understand — which is why we’re so excited to announce that Footminders, makers of the Catwalk insoles for high heels, is giving away a free pair of insoles to one lucky Fantastic Toe member!

Footminders are podiatrist-developed orthotics that ease all kinds of foot pain associated with wearing high heels, including ball of foot pain (Metatarsalgia and Morton’s Neuroma), callous and corns, and tired, aching leg.

And, lest you think: “Eek, orthotics, sounds very ugly!”, don’t worry: Catwalks insoles have a slimline design for an easy fit, and work invisibly with most types of heels, including pumps, court shoes, sandals and boots with low, medium or high heels.

Sounds pretty good, right? Nothing wrong with making wearing high heels more comfortable, that’s for sure.

To enter to win a free pair of Catwalks insoles, just join Fantastic Toe;  if you’re already a member, just follow us on Twitter. If you join or follow between now and 12/31/09, you’ll be automatically entered to win the free pair of Catwalks insoles. We’ll do a random drawing on 1/1/10 among all entrants, and notify the winner by email. (You must be a US resident to be eligible to win.)

With the holiday season hurtling toward us, and Cyber Monday looming, now is a great time to get your shopping under control. We’re here to help. If you’re looking for the perfect gifts for the shoe lover in your life, take a look at our suggestions below for shoe-related gifts that are sure to please.

Shoe calling cards: Who needs calling cards? Anyone who wants to project a little old-world charm in this age of tweets and wall updates. From Cambria Cove, these “Well-Heeled Calling Cards“are a memorable leave-behind. From $100; order by 12/10/09 to receive in time for Christmas.

Andy Warhol Christmas Gift Tags: If the shoe lover in your life also happens to love wrapping paper and supplies, she’s sure to love these whimsical Andy Warhol Christmas Potpourri Gift Cards and Tags. $12.50 at Amazon.com.

Ida Rak Shoe Sculptures: These gorgeous paper shoe sculptures are a great accent piece for the home, and work just as well in the living room as in the bedroom or dressing room. Starting at just $199 (including shipping and handling), order directly from Ida Rak.

Shoe Organizers/Boxes: Are shoes taking over your shoe lover’s personal space? Storage for shoes are becoming ever more practical and attractive: See tons of options at the Container Store, including hanging storage devices, shelving, and floor models.

If the shoe lover in your life is also a stiletto lover, no doubt you’ve heard her complain that her feet hurt. Demonstrate your thoughtfulness by giving her some of these great stocking stuffers that exist to make the lives of high-heel wearers less painful:

• Footzyrolls makes adorable ballet flats that roll up into the tiniest ball that can be easily tucked into a purse – and yet they unroll into cushioned shoes that will have those barking dogs soothed in no time. Starting at around $25.
• Foot Petals makes wonderful shoe cushions, spa slippers, and other lush products designed to pamper stiletto-weary feet. And, if you shop between Black Friday and Cyber Monday (i.e., November 27-30), you can receive 25% off any order of $50 or more. Use coupon code FPFRIDAY25 to take advantage of this great offer.
• Speaking of foot pampering, Heal-a-Heel socks from Go Girl have a moisture zone in the heel area that helps to soften cracks and dryness, and have open toes so your feet don’t get hot at night. Or, check out Go Girl’s portable and disposable lint sheets, dry sponges that let you easily remove deodorant and powder smudges; their double-sided apparel tape; and much more. Starting at $9. And, you’ll save 15% if you input code FantasticToe when you order; offer expires Monday, November 23, 2009.

Slippers: Obvious? Maybe, but slippers are still a great gift, especially for shoe lovers in colder climes. With hundreds of styles to choose from — from cozy shearling to felt slides — and at any level of luxury, slippers are a great way to keep the home fire burning. Starting at $15 at BuyFantasticShoes.com.

Shoe Calendar: I can’t be the only person who loves page-a-day calendars — and what better daily treat than a fabulous ogle-worthy shoe? Shoes Gallery Calendar 2010, $12.95, at Amazon.com.

Shoe Trinkets: You can find a fun selection of shoe-related knick-knacks and tchotchke at Eklectic Mix Gifts and Designs - perfect stocking stuffers.

Shoes! Give the gift of shoe shopping. When all else fails, a gift card from a great shoe website like Zappos, Piperlime, Shoebuy.com, Heels, or PlanetShoes.com is ALWAYS going to be fun to find under the Christmas tree.

The kind folks over at Planet Shoes have just announced a great sale on slippers. What better way for you to get an early jump on your holiday shopping?

From now through November 19, 2009, you can save 15% when you shop for slippers at Planet Shoes. Just input promo code slippers15 when you place your order. And, they have a great selection of slippers to choose from — over 190 styles of women’s slippers, and as many as that for men and kids, too.

So, click on over to PlanetShoes.com today and stock up on slippers. They’re a great gift for everyone (and maybe pick up a pair for yourself as well).

A huge trend last year, statement booties are still an essential component of your fall 2009 shoe wardrobe. They’re also some of most fun shoes to buy: not only do you have tons of choices, so there’s almost no way you won’t find a pair you love at a price you can live with, but just for sheer ogling value almost no shoe outperforms the statement bootie.

Here are a few things to know about statement booties:

Statement booties are TRENDY: They conspicuously embrace one or more of this fall’s trends. Be prepared for boots with tons of hardware like buckles and studs; or lots of straps; or animal print; or that are slouchy. The only constants? The shaft is ankle-high, and the heels are going to be high.

You will not be inconspicuous in statement booties – they are meant to be noticed, so if you’re in the mood to blend in, these are not the shoes for you. If, on the other hand, you feel like being dazzling, there’s no better footwear choice than statement booties.

Unlike some trendy footwear, statement booties are actually pretty versatile. You can wear them with skinny jeans, leggings, skirts or dresses, and they’ll punch up your look whether you’re wearing a plain vanilla outfit or an outrageous one.

So, no, these are not the boots to slosh through winter weather in (see our guide to stylish weather boots if that’s what you’re shopping for). These are party boots; just remember to tuck a pair of Footzyrolls into your purse when you wear them.

Here are our top picks for statement booties:

1. Balmain Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain Embellished Booties ($2280)
2. Dolce Vita Jayden Open Toe Booties ($200)
3. Donna Karan Collection Shoes Shearling Granny Booties ($890)
4. Omelle Fiori Suede Sling Back Booties ($745)
5. Tashkent by Cheyenne Felipe Open Vamp Booties with Shearling ($596)
6. L.A.M.B Jenner Houndstooth Haircalf Booties with Zip ($399)
7. Ash Impuls Suede Booties with Buckled Straps ($217)
8. Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony Multi Buckle Suede Wedge Booties ($625)

But, these are not your only choices for statement booties. Check out our sister site BuyFantasticShoes.com — we’ve assembled over 300 pairs of statement booties for your browsing and shopping pleasure.

With cold, wet weather looming for many parts of the country, it’s time to turn our attention to: Stylish weather boots. An oxymoron? Not at all, thanks to brands like Aquatalia by Marvin K., La Canadienne, London Fog, Sperry Top-Sider, and others, who are combining waterproof and insulating materials with sleek styling to create boots that can not only withstand winter weather but also look mighty fine on the foot.

Yes, you can slosh through the muck in these boots, and your feet will stay dry and warm. But you can also wear them to work, and during the weekend, and out at night to all but the most formal occasions. With plenty of styles, colors, and finishes to choose from, there’s almost no outfit that won’t work with these boots. These boots aren’t cheap – most run north of $300 – but, if winter weather happens in your area, I guarantee you will get your money’s worth.

Below are our top picks for stylish weather boots:

1. Aquatalia by Marvin K. Dolly - Black patent ($398)
2. La Canadienne Mercedes - Black ($350)
3. Sperry Top-Sider Sausalito - Black ($198)
4. London Fog Wales - Cement gray patent ($130)
5. La Canadienne Ivana - Brown suede ($315)
6. Aquatalia by Marvin K. Spunky - Espresso suede ($398)
7. Aquatalia by Marvin K. Tap - Asphalt patent ($325)

But this is only a small sample: We’ve assembled over 200 pairs of stylish weather boots on our sister site BuyFantasticShoes.com.

Who among us hasn’t experienced foot pain from walking or standing too long in uncomfortable shoes? Wouldn’t it be such a relief at these times to reach into your purse and magically pull out a pair of super-comfy-yet-still-chic flats? And then pack your precious heels away in a soft drawstring bag, so you can easily carry them home?

Well, now you can – with Footzyrolls, the rollable shoes that are the brainchild of sisters Sarah and Jennifer Caplan. After one too many painful nights in painful shoes, these entrepreneurial sisters combined forces to create flats that roll up into the tiniest of balls, so you can easily tuck them into your purse – and yet they unroll into cushioned shoes that will have your barking dogs soothed in no time.

What’s more, they’re super cute! Yes, you’ll be shorter when you put them on, but you won’t feel any less well-shod. Footzyrolls come in glittery gold, shimmery silver, and black as night, so they’re a great complement to whatever you’re wearing. There’s even a white satiny version suitable for your Big Day. And, they’re soon to be released in limited edition black patent, pink, and golden gator.

Sounds pretty good, right? Even better is that we’re giving away a free pair of Footzyrolls to one lucky Fantastic Toe member. To enter to win your free pair,  join Fantastic Toe, or post a picture to your Fantastic Toe collection, between now and November 6, 2009. You’ll be automatically entered to win a free pair of Footzyrolls – in the color of your choice! We’ll do a random drawing on November 7, and notify the winner by email.