It’s time to kick up one’s heels to ring in the new year, so I’m bringing you these beauties of party shoes. In my busy schedule, which you know about, plus my trip planning, I honestly just plain dropped the ball on suggesting a great pair for you. But for those who are home tonight, getting a good rest, you can partake in some festivities right here by looking at sparkling, metallicy goodness. Plus, you might just want to treat yourself anyway, ’cause why not, you absolutely deserve it!

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The ultimate in late 2005, is this romantic, girly, peep-toe Bowstring D’Orsay with bows by Stuart Wietzman, for a little reminiscence.

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Here’s Dollhouse - Freely the high gloss flat of the group, for a different, more comfortable take. It’s even done in, what I would call, a winter gold, or snow gold. Lovely!

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And here’s the style in a heeled Fancy, which makes for a delightful Mary Jane.

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This Hype - Vertex is definitely my pick for a party shoe, and it’s on sale!

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Hype - Terrie is this gorgeous woven metallic leather high, high heel.

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Pelle Moda - Bambi is a fabulous vixen of bronze shimmering suede.

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The classic metallic high-heeled strappy sandal … on the cheap at $50! (Gabriella Rocha - Lexy)

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The most gorgeous is this gathered-vamp black pump, the Cynthia Rowley - Trilogy

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If you’re going Winter White this occasion, the Vigotti - Vera will add a little gold to the mixer.

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With a look to the future of shoes in 2006, is a slight-platform sole, thick high-heeled pump, such as this special-occasion-worthy Vis à Vie - Halo.

I, myself, am squeezing into sparkly shoes for my petite soirée, this evening. But I’ll be in the comfortable company of family & loved ones. I wish you all the same (including the sparkling footwear), and may love & fabulousness continue all year long.

I just want to say that Internet Explorer with Google Tool bar’s Spell Check is le poo poo for a fashion blogger! So here’s a head’s up to any mistakes this week. And along with the DIALUP (and stern, tough love urging me for actual vacation relaxation and bonding time), here’s also a head’s up for probable lack of entries.

Oh, there’s no place like a Home Computer! (Le Stress!)

Ella is doing a great job of posting, but surprise! she is on vacation. We have discovered Word Press’s Future Date Set! She is also getting online as much as she can. But to mix things up and keep things interesting, here is a guest blog post by Pet-Pet blogger, J*B*.

You know what I have noticed lately about fashion trends? No matter how unattractive the trend happens to be, society’s normalities, like you and I, will be subjected to the trend’s horror and udder lack of taste if the said trend is seen on a wealthy socialite celebrity.

Now, you do not have to agree with me as I may be entirely wrong, but here is my theory: High profile celebs agree to wear styles by certain designers. In return, the celebrities receive payment and/or kickbacks for their “brand loyalty.” This way, when the public (namely impressionable teens) sees their favorite heiresses wear new styles, they are thirsty to get their hands on the brand-new trend. So, despite how tasteless the style may be, the kids love it. Hey, if Paris is wearing it, it must be “hot.” ( … because Paris is so elegant, right? Note heavy use of sarcasm.)

But I suppose that is always how fashion trends begin, right? Someone influential wears something hip or different, and we simply jump on the million-dollar, pink diamond-studded wagon. And that’s human nature, I imagine. But the thing that really bothers me is that these styles of late have been really friggin’ tacky.

Cases in point:

* Trucker hats. What? How? Huh? When did trucking fashion become tailored to the fashionably chic? These hats are not chic. They are stupid. They are ugly. They are now in my trashcan. Celebrity to blame: Ashton Kutcher.

* Ugg Boots. People, take your blinders off. The name of the boots says it all—Ugg-ly. Celebrity to blame: Nicole “why is she famous, anyway?” Ritchie.

* Big, fat Sunglasses. Please, will this trend just go away. Why is looking like a fly a good thing? I just don’t get it. I really don’t. Celebrity to blame: One of the Olson twins… I don’t know the difference.

Sales can be exciting, like a department store offering that bag you’ve eyed from the beginning at over $100 off. But sometimes the marked-down selection can be small or disappointing—or barely a bargain. So I’m scouting out my favorites at the eLUXURY Post-Holiday Sale.

For handbags, it’s these two Marc Jacobs Collection Guinevere style bags. The Soft Calf Medium Guinevere is a satchel made of soft leather, in a divine teal, with a dark, matching suede flap, and refreshingly different push lock. Nearly a hidden secret, is a horizontal belt, cinching its gathered sides.

Even more interesting and kicky, if relatively less of a bargain, is the collection’s Soft Calf Cosmetics Pouch. The drop-shaped flap is aligned on one side of the bag, and when the top is unzippered, the open clasp reveals funky hardware that really works it. In the same fine materials as the Guinevere Satchel, and at 7.5″ width and 2″ diameter, I’d definitely carry this as a clutch—but it still carries that high end price of $228. Le sigh.

Now, the shoe section is where this gets really exciting for me. The Pucci Ankle Rain Boot, similar to the Pucci Printed Rain Boots I posted about in October, are on sale from $145 to $89!! A designer shoe (if rubber and for the rain) with a famous Pucci print is selling for under $100! Well, since I’ve been eyeing them for a discount for months, now. I scooped a pair right up.

There are a lot of gorgeous shoes on sale, although not for as little, and not in as many sizes as that boot (36, 37, 38, 39, 40). So, I’ll just encourage you to shop around for yourself. I hope you luck out!

Representing the foot luxury I’m desiring right now, is this Manolo Blahnik Fabric D’Orsay in brown and créme printed fabric, with a petite bow on the cutout vamp. It sports a modest 2″ heel in a pointy-toed D’Orsay style. The footbed is lined in a matching stripe. This shoe is just-so-cute blended with sophistication, that could take a girl from work to play.

It’s winter, and most of us need to add warming layers. But make sure they are thin and chic. To start off, I love putting on an undershirt for just a little extra protection against the cold. Comfy, colorful, and cheap are the Classic Tank Tops by Jockey. The fit is great, and they come in enough colors to choose a few to flatter your skin and mesh with your long sleeved tee (which then will be covered by a fitted sweater). They are basic, but stylish enough to be seen under a v-neck top, in any season.

And I know it’s tempting, but don’t skip the bra, unless your ladies are youthfully perky and petite.

Though shalt not create false idols or worship any other designers but the haute, right?

Well, putting a false logo on a knockoff is wrong, so probably is putting key signature elements of a designer on a brand name bag, and definitely is trying to sell replica bags as authentic. But what about when a known brand takes inspiration from big designers of bags with even bigger pricetags? What about if this bag is actually well-made with genuine leather, and doesn’t do one of the 3 Deadly Purse Sins I mentioned?

There will be big disagreement on this issue, but perhaps what we have then is a great Style Steal Bargain.

Wilson’s Leather crafts well-made genuine leather bags, but their own design team isn’t leading in original thought. The nicest bags from them are copied from true inspiration-worthy sources. Is this wrong? Well, at least you know this bag won’t fall apart, and nothing’s a blatant knockoff. Wilson’s Leather is a reputable source of leather goods, from jackets to wallets.

I even bought for myself this Turn-Lock Handbag (now $60 from $200). The bag doesn’t have a lock and key, zips at the top, with a faux flap for decoration, and has two shoulder straps. It’s those little convenient differences that caters this bag more to my needs—apologies to Hermes.

Here are two bags with I can tell where the inspiration comes from, but these have different design elements, definitely: the Rhinestone Leash Briefcase, a la Luella (but $280 from $400); and this un-marked Marc inspired, Push-Lock Satchel (marked down to $42 from $140).

Finally, is my favorite for it’s shape, perfect details, and quality leather-on-tonal-trim-leather; the Gathered Drawstring Bag. There is a real argument for a Theda look without the overpriced Louis Vuitton monogram or cheesy “canvas” used on those bags. This bag looks even better at a delicious $48! (from $150).

Is this less of style for a steal, and more stealing style? You may let me know. If you want a different take on this issue, visit Pursed Lips.