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Mary-Kate Olsen is quite the trendsetter. A few weeks after being spotted on MK’s feet, Stella McCartney’s mesh sandals hit the digital shelves of NET-A-PORTER, but sold out there super fast. If you are craving the real deal, you can still find them on Stella’s website or read on and let me show you some recession-proof alternatives.

Stella McCartney Mesh Basket Sandals
($995, NET-A-PORTER)

Mary-Kate Olsen Loves Stella McCartney

At the beginning of 2009, Mary-Kate Olsen was having an obsession with Stella McCartney’s mesh sandals from the Spring 2009 collection. She was wearing them to various events and when being out and about before finally moving on to another pair of lustworthy heels which she could wear to death.

Nine West “Hotrock” Mesh Sandals

UPDATE (10/30/2009): Found another budget-friendly Stella McCartney alternative by Nine West.

Nine West “Hotrock” Mesh Sandals
($88.95, Zappos)

P.S.: Also available at Endless.

Bebe “Lizzy” Mesh Sandals

I always thought Steve Madden is the king of knockoffs, but after seeing so many knockoffs coming from Bebe latey, I have come to the conclusion that they deserve this title. Whenever I visit their website, new designer knockoffs have popped up just like these Stella McCartney knockoffs for example. Bebe’s “Lizzy” sandals come in 3 different colors and retail for $139.

Bebe “Lizzy” Mesh Sandals
($139, Bebe)

This dress by Marc Jacobs may be already a few seasons old (Resort 2009 to be exact), but that doesn’t take away from its beauty. I remember falling in love with this one shouldered silk dress back in 2008 when I first saw it on Victoria Beckham who wore it to the 2008 CFDA Fashion Awards (the Oscars for fashion designers).

Marc Jacobs Asymmetric Heart Dress
($3.900, SOLD OUT)

Victoria Beckham Loves Marc Jacobs

Jovonna Pure Silk Heart Cut Out Dress

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, try this dress by Jovonna. It isn’t one-shouldered and doesn’t have a black satin sash, but the heart print is almost identical and it’s also made of 100% silk like the Marc Jacobs dress. A great dress for the perfect holiday outfit.

Jovonna Pure Silk Heart Cut Out Dress
(£90, Oli)

Hello everyone, hope you’re all having a great thanksgiving and enjoy your long weekend. Here are a few great Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Thanksgiving offers that are currently going on right now. This weekend is the best time to start your holiday shopping as almost every retailer is having some crazy offers, so take advantage of these while you can. If you’ve been eyeing something you’ve seen here, but were hesitant to take the plunge, chances are high you can save a huge chunk of cash if you decide to shop these days. Happy Shopping! And THANKS for stopping by.

Steve Madden

DETAILS: Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale. Take 25% OFF + FREE Shipping. Use coupon code MADDEN25. (Start date: 2009-11-25. End date: 2009-12-07)

Nine West

DETAILS: Nine West Thanksgiving Doorbuster Specials. Don’t miss out! (Start date: 2009-11-25. End date: 2009-11-27)

Shoes.com

DETAILS: Cyber Monday Exclusive. Save 20% on your entire Shoes.com purchase with promo code CYBER + FREE Shipping! Exclusions apply. (Start date: 2009-11-30. End date: 2009-11-30)

Lord & Taylor

DETAILS: Storewide Sale – Take 15% off storewide using code THANKS. (Start date: 2009-11-24. End date: 2009-11-30)

Charlotte Russe

DETAILS: Black Friday – 25% OFF sitewide! Plus FREE Shipping on orders of $60 or more. Use coupon code: FRIDAY25. (Start date: 2009-11-25, 5pm. End date: 2009-11-27)

Arden B.

DETAILS: One Day Only – Get 30% OFF the entire site + FREE Shipping on all purchases over $15! You don’t want to miss this! (Start date: 2009-11-30. End date: 2009-11-30)

Chickdowntown

DETAILS: Black Friday Sale. Save 25%. Use coupon code: FRIDAY25. (Start date: 2009-11-25. End date: 2009-11-27)

Boutique To You

DETAILS: Give Thanks! 48 Hour Sale. Take 25% OFF entire site. Use coupon code: LOYAL25. (Start date: 2009-11-25. End date: 2009-11-26)

Singer22

DETAILS: Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale! Save 20% on orders of $300+. Use coupon code: THANKS20. Coupon code is valid for online purchases only. Code not valid on pre-orders, previous orders, gift cards or shipping. No adjustments to previous sales. (Start date: 2009-11-26. End date: 2009-11-30)

Bloomingdale’s

DETAILS: Cyber Monday Online Exclusive. Take $50 OFF purchases of $250 or more! Exclusions apply. No coupon code required. (Start date: 2009-11-30. End date: 2009-11-30)

Christian Louboutin’s “Dillian” pumps were designed for 3.1 Phillip Lim’s Spring 2009 collection. I love the shape of the pumps, but the big petal/ruffle thing on the front makes me rather hesitant as it’s so big it could easily drown your feet. Still loving them? If you have about 2k of spare cash, you’re good to go.

Christian Louboutin Dillian Pumps
($1.695, SOLD OUT)

Celebrities Love Christian Louboutin

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Vince Camuto “Marcia” Pumps

UPDATE (11/25/2009): Here’s another great alternative to the Christian Louboutin “Dillian” pumps by Vince Camuto. They come in either black, stone or purple suede (found via The Look 4 Less).

Vince Camuto “Marcia” Pumps
($118, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Heels.com, Zappos, Shoebuy, Piperlime & Dillard’s.

Dollhouse “Soleil” Ruffled Pumps

Scary price, no? However, if you’re not afraid of ruffles and want heels in the style of the Louboutins, this is your chance to satisfy your budget-friendly designer shoe dreams. Dollhouse’s “Soleil” or “Soliel” Mary Jane pumps are almost identical, even the ginormous petal on the front is spot on. The pumps come either in black or purple.

Dollhouse “Soleil” Ruffled Pumps
($48, Shoes.com)

P.S.: Also available at Dollhouse, LoveMyShoes, Endless, Amazon & Torrid.

Every year, weeks before the holidays I start dreaming up my perfect festive holiday outfit. I always try to incorporate some red, green and gold into it so I would look like I am part of the christmas tree decor. This year, I think I will go with an emerald green dress, gold accessories and red shoes. These red Giuseppe Zanotti cork platform pumps below would make the perfect shoes for my holiday outfit, but even though they’re on sale (original retail price $688) they’re still too pricey for me.

Giuseppe Zanotti Minny Vernice Papavero Platform Pumps
($385, Chickdowntown)

Nine West “Chocolata” Platform Pumps

If you’re trying to save some cash for the holidays, but don’t want to cut back on your style, try these red Nine West platform pumps instead. Yes, they replaced the shiny red patent leather with a basketweave textured upper, but everything else (the straps, shape and cork platform) is pretty much the same as on the real deal. They’re also so much cheaper and come in either red, black or blue.

Nine West “Chocolata” Platform Pumps
($88.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Piperlime.

Finally, our Handbag Heaven has ended and 2 winners have been randomly drawn. Congratulations to Tina Renee & Anne G., you are the happy winners of a Handbag Heaven of your choice!

Tina Renee (14 entries) will receive the Carmela city bag in pewter while Anne G. (9 entries) will soon carry the Dante Stud Hobo in black on her arm. Both of you will soon be contacted by me & Handbag Heaven with further details.

Thanks to everyone who entered this giveaway. Don’t be disappointed you haven’t won this time, we sure will be doing giveaways more often in the future, so next time maybe you’ll be the lucky winner.

Everyone who follows this blog for a while should be aware of my everlasting love for everything Alexander McQueen – especially my love affair with his shoes. His creations are always so stunning and unique. Take these gorgeous white satin peep-toes for example. If I was to marry anytime soon, I would definitely choose these as my bridal shoes and feel like Cinderella in a fairy tale.

Alexander McQueen Crystal Embellished Satin Peep-toe Pumps
($547, Zappos)

RSVP “Lovely” Satin Peep-toe Pumps

If the real McQueen crystal heels don’t fit within your wedding/shopping budget, go for these budget-friendly satin peep-toes by RSVP instead. They’re called “Lovely” and that’s exactly what they are. Absolutely lovely! I’m so, so, so in love. Now I know they do miss the front crystals, but everything else looks almost identical. And they come in an array of adorable colors such as baby blue and fuchsia, too. I cannot make up my mind which one is my favorite!

RSVP “Lovely” Satin Peep-toe Pumps
($109, Zappos)

Believe it or not, but Victoria Beckham has established herself as a respected designer in the fashion world. She sure is no second Alber Elbaz (Lanvin), Riccardo Tisci (Givenchy) or Stefano Pilati (Yves Saint Laurent), but she has a huge celebrity following and as soon as anything VB hits the virtual shelves of NET-A-PORTER it’s almost all gone by the end of the day despite the ridiculous price tags. I mean, the cashmere dress below is pretty and all, but I don’t see myself paying $3k for it. No way!

Victoria Beckham Carmontelle Dress
($3.145, SOLD OUT)

Celebrities Love Victoria Beckham

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ABS Seamed Peplum Dress with Brooch

If you want to update your office wardrobe with such a secretary chic sheath dress, but don’t have $3.000 laying around, ABS has a great, almost identical alternative. They added a brooch, but I think it looks quite cute on the dress. Very Jackie O.

ABS Seamed Peplum Dress with Brooch
($216, Chickdowntown)

You know what I love? Seeing celebrities rocking inexpensive fashion and wearing something a normal budgeted human being can actually afford. Audrina Patridge attended US Weekly’s Hot Hollywood 2009 Party yesterday looking great and fresh-faced in a silver wrap dress from Rachel Roy’s diffusion line for Macy’s called Rachel Rachel Roy. Audrina completed her look with matching arm bling, sleek hair and grey YSL Tribtoo slingbacks.

Our Rating:

Rachel Rachel Roy 24 Hour Dress

Rachel Rachel Roy 24 Hour Dress
($89, Macy’s)

Yves Saint Laurent will be always one of my favorite high fashion labels. They belong to fashion much like the Eiffel Towel belongs to Paris. Where would be without this everlasting French house of delicate fashion? In 100 years from now on most designers which are being hyped right now will be long forgotten, but I’m sure YSL will be considered iconic for its cultural and aesthetic influence in our era. And rightfully so. Evidence A: see below.

Yves Saint Laurent Imperiale Platform Pumps
($795, NORDSTROM)

Celebrities Love Yves Saint Laurent

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Dolce Vita “April” Platform Pumps

If you want the same style without breaking the bank, try these suede platforms by Dolce Vita which are dead ringers for the YSL Imperiale pumps. Not exactly a steal at ~$160, but still a whole lotta cheaper than the original Yves Saint Laurent heels. Also available in taupe suede and navy leather.

Dolce Vita “April” Platform Pumps
($159.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Heels.com, Shoes.com, Shopbop, Free People and Bloomingdale’s.