Sale Scoop: Where to Buy Designer Shoes Under $500

Booties to Kick Your Year Into High Gear

It's a new year (Hey #sweet16!), we've made our resolutions, decided on our mantras, made our vision boards, planned our weekly menus and sworn off frivolous spending. (For the sake of transparency: the Shoes N Booze squad did NOT do all of that. We did commit to more consistency, and we hope you'll hold us accountable.) Anyway, back to the frivolous spending thing... there are certain sales that make refraining pretty impossible. Besides, a pair of kick-@$$ designer heels in a timeless silhouette at a fraction of the original price is really more of an investment, right? Well, here are a few places to score a good deal:

Amazon

Giuseppe Zanotti's stiletto-heel, pointed toe patent booties are a great bet because they're incredibly versatile. Whether with jeans and a tee, a polished skirt and skirt or an edgy mini dress. Since the silhouette is sleek, you'll be able to wear them over and over without that "ugh, those shoes... again?" feeling. And they're down to $394 from $895 at Amazon.com.

Forzieri

You really can't go wrong with block heel ankle booties this season (and beyond...)- especially when they have gold insets at the heel and are from See by Chloe. They've got enough cool girl cred for for an indie show, and (we're guessing) the block heel lets you dance the night away at the after party. And if you end up making a walk of shame victory strut the next morning, they're not an easy telltale sign. Wait... new years resolutions... right, no more "after the party it's the hotel lobby." Got it. They're down to $212 from $425 at Forzieri.com. #treatyoself

Moda Operandi

Work. Weekend. Between. Beyond. With a block heel, pointed toe and a textural combination of brown leather and gray suede, Laurence Dacade's Isola Ankle boot seems to have it all. We don't suggest going out to dive bars or clubs in these because (well) gray suede, but they're probably a front runner for brunches and other outings where you want to look polished but not contrived. They're $256, down from $945. Get them while you still can.

Farfetch.com

At a glance this shoe almost looks like a patent slingback pump over a white sock, but it's really Maison Margiela's slick black and white ankle boot. Year after year, monochrome is discussed as if it's a trend, but please know this colorway is a style mainstay. Trust us, you'll constantly find new ways to wear this bootie. Available in limited sizes for $313.50 (down from $1045) at Shopbop.com. (More sizes available for a few more bucks more at farfetch.com)

Kirna Zabete

On the fence about the fringe trend? It's time you join the fray because this free-spirited accent isn't going anywhere for a while. An easy entry is a classic pointed-toe bootie with western-inspired pull tabs and fringe at the ankle. This "Paris" bootie by Saint Laurent is a luxe take, and you can get it for $498 (down from $995) at Kirna Zabete.

Have you seen any great designer shoes on sale your fellow readers should know about? Have any of the styles above made it to your want list? Have a style on your mind you'd like our "Shoe Sleuth" to find? Let us know in the comments!

Celebrity Shoe Spotting: Reese Witherspoon in J. Crew

Wild Style. (Get it?)

Photo Credit: T Maldana/AKM-GSI

Photo Credit: T Maldana/AKM-GSI

Reese Witherspoon was recently spotted (ha!) in L.A. wearing a tweed blazer, cropped jeans and an adorable pair of J. Crew Collection animal print d'orsay pumps. Since animal print is the new neutral, and their heels are a walkable 3 1/8 inches, these calf hair Collette Pumps are incredibly versatile.  Feel like snagging a pair for yourself (or giving Santa a hint)? Click the image below. They're currently $378 at Jcrew.com, and you get 30% off with code GETGIFTS.

J. Crew Collection Collette Pumps - $370.00 at Jcrew.com

If you're into the look but would like to spend less, check out these options:

Sam Edelman Opal Pump - $127.02 at Amazon.com

Rebecca Minkoff Brie Pump - $94.16 at Amazon.com

*Shoes N Booze is an Amazon affiliate. That means we earn commission if you click an Amazon.com link and make a purchase. Thanks!

Booze Clues: How to Host the Easiest Repeal Day Party Ever

You Have the Right to Remain Tipsy

Image via Reddit

Cheers to the 21st Ammendment! In case you didn't already know, it's the one that repealed the 18th Ammendment to the Constitution, which prohibited the "manufacture, sale or transport of intoxicating liquors" in the US from January 16, 1919 until December 15, 1933. During this time, bootlegging became big business and various individuals and businesses found creative ways to hide their booze. The era became the stuff of legends and fantasies, many of us imagining smoky speakeasies with glamorous women, suave gangsters and doe-eyed jazz singers crooning away. Truth is, many speakeasies were seedy places, lots of drinking was done at people's homes, and much of the alcohol consumed was badly made and tasted awful (which made it necessary to mix it with sweeter substances). We have this era to thank for many of the cocktails we consume today.

Since Repeal Day falls on a Saturday this year, why not throw a Prohibition style party at home with a modern twist? Start with a fun invitation... but make sure there's no mention of cocktails or drinks. Here's a mock one we made in less than 20 minutes.

Instead of requiring a full-out 20s or 30s-themed outfit, ask your guests to come dressed for a modern high tea (because during Prohibition, tea cups often served as clandestine cocktail glasses). Also, instead of mixing individual cocktails, prep a big batch ahead of time, or... use Studebaker Cocktails pre-mixed Manhattan (Canadian whisky, sweet vermouth, bitters & maraschino cherry) or Old Fashioned (Canadian whisky, bitters, lemon, cherry, orange, simple syrup). We suggest pouring some of each into a decanter, pitcher or teapot with ice right as guests start to arrive.

Just for kicks, offer each guest a cup of "tea" upon arrival. You can use your finest China, but we actually prefer the option of thrifted mix and match sets like these provided by our editor, StyleScrybe. It'll be a hoot to see their faces when they realize they're actually sipping a tasty Manhattan or Old Fashioned instead of Earl Gray or Oolong (high tea indeed!). It's up to you whether you admit to using pre-mixed cocktails from a bottle or allow your friends to think you actually measured out and stirred batches of cocktails.

Studebaker Cocktails tend to taste a bit more subdued than freshly-made ones, which is great for those who prefer cocktails that are less spirit-forward. However, please remember that they're 60 proof and will definitely sneak up on you after enough sips. Additionally, after you've had your switcheroo giggles, please garnish the Old Fashioned with an orange slice and the Manhattan with a brandied cherry. Oh, how adorable are the branded Studebaker tea sets???

**Disclosure: Shoes N Booze is working in partnership with thebar.com brand and is receiving rewards for participation in this campaign. All thoughts/opinions are 100% our own. This information is intended for those for whom alcohol is legal and appropriate. Please Drink Responsibly!

New York- Go Drink Here: the Village Voice Holiday Spirits Cruise

Baby, Let's Cruise

Courtesy image- Village Voice

A week from now, we'll be cruising around the Hudson River on the Hornblower Infinity  and enjoying unlimited drinks from more than 25 distilleries, wineries and makers of fine spirits. The Village Voice will be hosting its 3rd annual Holiday Spirits Cocktail Cruise from 6:00pm - 10:00pm on Thursday November 19th. Confirmed brands include Breuckelen Distilling, Brooklyn Gin, Brooklyn Winery, Jack from Brooklyn, Queens Courage Gin, Port Morris Distillery, Prairie Organic Vodka, Scorpion Mezcal and Tanteo Spirits. There will also be a complimentary buffet dinner, live music and a souvenir glass. You want to come. You know it. All you have to do is go HERE and buy a ticket.

Photo credit: Nathalie Zaro

A portion of proceeds from Holiday Spirits will benefit Lifebeat, the leading national nonprofit dedicated to educating America's youth (13-29) about HIV/AIDS prevention.

We attended the Village Voice's Annual Holiday Spirits Cocktail Cruise last year and loved getting to know new spirits and cocktails that we don't see at every bar. (Some brands even had a little swag to give out. Here are a couple of drinks we really loved.

Will you be cruising with us next week? What shoes will you wear? Wait, what shoes should WE wear?