The Toe Zone Shoe Blog on Fantastic Toe

Friday, November 21…In a sort of high-end Price is Right, the Beverly Wilshire Hotel (Los Angeles) is decorating one of its Christmas trees with shoes from Jimmy Choo’s Cruise 2009 collection; whoever guesses the total value of the tree wins a Jimmy Choo prize package…The December Elle’s gift guide includes a $62 chocolate shoe…At the opening of its flagship store, Via Spiga unveils the limited-edition shoes from its new collaboration with Vena Cava…Rag & Bone debuts its back-to-basics line of footwear for spring: a tailored loafer, a slipper-esque oxford, and brogue-detailed ballerina flats…The secret to shopping without spending revealed…Another sign of hard economic times: People are even cutting back on shoe shines…Ferragamo is hosting screenings in Chicago and NYC of the movie Australia, at which they’ll display the limited-edition shoes inspired by the ones Nicole Kidman wore in the film…I vote “Ick.“

Thursday, November 20…Neiman Marcus interviews the always-charming Manolo Blahnik…Via Spiga opens a 2,600-square-foot store in Soho, immerses shoppers in the trappings of an Italian piazza, with cool stone tiles and a working fountain at the store’s center…Fashionista is hot on the heels of a rumor about high-heeled Doc Martens…Mod plastic furniture maker Kartell expands into footwear (plastic, natch).

Sale Alerts: The Stuart Weitzman in-store sale begins today - get 30% off your first item, 40% off your second, and 50% off your third … Shop the private sale at Vivre.com - save 30% on new designer styles.

The shoe company United Nude is the result of a collaboration between architect Rem D. Koolhaas and English shoemaker Galahad Carter – and in the 5 years they’ve been in business, they’ve established themselves as truly dazzling and innovative designers.

For instance, you can embrace this season’s IT shoe with the Fold, a colorful ankle boot that’s  characterized by a single strip of fabric that folds around the foot front-to-back-to-front, like a scarf. These booties would be absolutely stunning with tights and a skirt.

Or, try out the Stealth, wedges with an ankle strap that were inspired by the straight lines and styling of the Stealth F117 fighter plane. Despite this macho genesis, the shoe somehow manages to be incredibly feminine and sexy.

Finally, their classic Eamz shoes - inspired by a furniture design classic, the Charles and Ray Eames chair - are perhaps their most well-known design. The unique heel adorns several types of shoes, including pumps, boots, booties, and lace-up oxfords. And, I have it on very good authority that these shoes are incredibly easy to walk in (and will surely get noticed wherever you wear them).

These are some very distinctive shoes - and I guarantee that they will add a dash of panache to your shoe collection. That’s why I’m so happy to report that the kind folks at United Nude have extended Fantastic Toe readers an exclusive offer: From now through 11/28/08, you can save 20% on your United Nude order. Just input the promo code UNLOVESFT when you place your order.

So, surf on over to United Nude, and start shopping! And, don’t forget to post pictures of your new shoes to your Fantastic Toe collection.

Wednesday, November 19…FemaleFirst (UK) alerts us to the trend of the decorated heel and to Rupert Sanderson’s new £600 rain boot…In a true collaboration-fest, the new Alexander McQueen for Target pieces look great with the Christian Louboutin for Philip Lim shoes…Seal-fur slippers, and other lamentable trends in dressing your little kids…Women’s shoes not pulling their weight at Saks last quarter…Shoe-loving blogger despairs over losing her shoes (and who can blame her?)…Posh-fueled buying frenzy depletes one store’s stock of Christian Louboutin’s Astra boots…Stepping out in the statement shoe.

Online Sale Alert: Get up to 60% off at Macy’s One-Day Sale today.

Tuesday, November 18…Stylelist compiles a fun slide show of crazy shoes…Marc Jacobs’ spring 2009 line will challenge even the most talented high-heel walkers among us…Jak & Jil Blog brings us a study in contrast…Shopping for festive footwear? Check out these suggestions for bejeweled shoes from Examiner.com…A Woman and her Shoes shows a selection of beauties from the Christian Louboutin for Philip Lim Spring/Summer 2009 line…Reebok launches its first-ever pop-up shop, on Bowery in NYC ; it’s open through December 14, 2008…Mohop, the eco-friendly shoe store in Chicago, is up for Ideal Brite’s “Next in Green” award…Yoga Sandals - which are an excellent antidote to super-high heels - are now available in comfy slipper styles (what a great gift idea!).

Assouline Publishing is renowned for its elegant line of books dedicated to fashion, photography, art and design, and their newest offering, American Fashion Accessories, by Candy Pratts Price, the Executive Fashion Director of style.com, is a gorgeous addition to their portfolio.

The book chronicles the achievements of American accessories designers in the 20th century and, according to Assouline’s website, assembles “a cabinet of curiosities, including everything from Adrian’s witty Hollywood hats to Ralph Lauren’s all-American accoutrement to Madonna’s rubber bracelets.”

Wow. Wouldn’t you love to curl up with this book on a dark winter day, and pore over its bits of history and pop culture, and scads of luscious photography?

I hear a whole chorus of “Yes, please”-s in response to that question, so I’ll go one step further and report that we’re giving away a free copy of American Fashion Accessories to one lucky member of Fantastic Toe.

To throw your witty hat into the ring for our book giveaway, just post a picture to your shoe collection (if you’re already a Fantastic Toe member), or join Fantastic Toe (if you’re not already a member) between now and 11/30/08. This amounts to about 10 seconds of work - and you may just get a free glossy coffee-table book for your efforts, to keep for yourself or to give as a gift.

We’ll conduct a random drawing among all entrants on 12/1/08, and notify the winner by email.