5 Springtime Flats Under $50

Right now I'm craving anything quick and easy -- from pre-packaged salad to wash 'n' wear hair. Nothing could be quicker, easier, or more stylish than adorable, affordable flats.

Such a fresh color for the season, this flat pairs well with all of spring's essential styles for work and play.

Ecote Woven Peeptoe $38

The little girl in me loves these shoes for the bright, candy-like colors; the recessionista in me adores the price!

Steve Madden 'Carry Me' $29.99

These shoes have an appealingly preppy look that works well for the office or running around on the weekend.

American Eagle Coco Ruffle Moc, $24.99



I love a shoe that looks sweet but isn't too precious. This flat smartens up denim and knit sundresses.

BC Footwear 'Babycakes' $39.99

Metallic patchwork is surprisingly versatile. These will be cute with spring's safari-inspired looks. Steve Madden 'Kobraa' $49.99

Shop the Sale at Lulu's

The holiday season may be over, but as far as most retailers are concerned, the shopping season won't be finished until they've cleared out their winter selections to make room for spring's hottest styles, which means deep discounts on cute cold weather essentials. One of the best sales I've found is at Lulus.com -- they've got everything from booties to bags on sale now! Here are a few Style Goodies faves:

Wowza that's a sexy boot!

Jeffrey Campbell Whole Black Platform Boot, $139 (orig. $169)

This sweater is essential for layering in the cold months, but short sleeves make it work for spring too.

Girl Next Door Sweater, $29.50 (orig. $42.50)

This ruffled bag takes girly to another level -- love it!

Treaty Bag, $49.50 (orig. $67)

The color is so elegant and ladylike, but it's the bow that gets all the attention!

MM Couture Bernice Sweater Dress, $71.50 (orig. $95)

These shoes were affordable even before the sale! Perfect with trouser socks and jeans.

Soda Strong Lipstick Red and Zebra Stripe Flat, $12.50 (orig. $18)

I'm wild about the printed winter coats from Soïa & Kyo! This one is equally adorable but much more affordable.

MoMA Coat in Black and White, $69.50 (orig. $95)

Shop Intuition's After-Holiday Sale

If your New Year's resolutions include dressing like your favorite Tinseltown stars then you've got to check out Intuition's Ultimate Hollywood After-Christmas Sale! Get insane deals on seriously stylish shoes, clothes, and accessories from labels like Jeffrey Campbell, Modern Vintage, Mink Pink, and more. Here's a sneak peek:

1st row l-r: Mink Pink Dandy Tank, $42.99; Black Halo Ruffle Dress, $199.99; Jeffrey Campbell Buck Boot, $72.99; Loose Cashmere Scarf, $79.99

2nd row l-r: Patent Bow Clutch, $19.99; Indah Sasha Short Dress, $35.99; Minnie Rose Cheshire Cardigan, $236.99; Modern Vintage Vinny Boot, $224.99

3rd row l-r: Mink Pink Slippery When Wet Vest, $17.99; Riller & Fount Marlo Tunic, $49.99; Jeffrey Campbell Sue Pump, $39.99; Rachel Long Sleeve Wrap Dress, $181.99

Head to ShopIntuition.com or visit the store.

50 under $50 at DSW

Your Monday just got a whole lot better because right now DSW has 50 pairs of shoes for less than $50! Choose from fringed moccasins to a pair of too-fierce fringed pumps, plus sneakers and slip-ons, and everything in between. It's a veritable smorgasbord of footwear, right at your fingertips.

Head to DSW.com to see them all!

Romancing the Stones

Dress up your most casual looks this summer with appealingly bejeweled flat sandals from Piperlime.com.

Nine West 'Kellyanna' Sandal, $49

Two Lips 'Jaida' Sandal, $60

Vince Camuto 'Brandy' Sandal $98

Bo'em 'Saffron' Sandal, $185

Rafe New York 'Penelope' Sandal, $225

Cynthia Vincent 'Anette' Sandal, $235

Hollywould 'Gabrielle' Sandal, $445

Giuseppe Zanotti E80411, $575

Enjoy free shipping and free returns on all the must-have shoe styles from Piperlime.

Tropical Punch

I am a huge fan of the always-in-season, go-with-everything nude shoe, but I am suddenly finding myself drawn to the deliriously pretty, tropical-hued pumps that are essential for spring. This 'Lagoon' Sandal from Guess by Marciano is all at once sweet and sexy thanks to the darling little bow on the side, the pedicure-revealing peep toe, and the va-va-va-voom cutaway side. At just $110 this is definitely a springtime temptation!

The Gladiator

Spotted tons of cute gladiator sandals at Urban Outfitters...

Clockwise from top left: Everyday Gladiator, $48; Jeffrey Campbell Beaded Thong, $88; Dolce Vita Lace Gladiator, $150; Helena Gladiator Sandal, $34; Metallic Gladiator, $58; Matt Bernson KM Gladiator, $175; Sam Edelman Ginger Gladiator, $98; Leather T-strap Sandal, $38; C2 Gladiator, $158; Leather Circle Gladiator, $38

Free Shipping on Shoes at Urban Outfitters

The tear-inducing prices at the gas pump aren't the only reason to cry these days. It seems the cost of pumps (the kind you wear, that is) has gone up as well! A recent article in the L.A. Times notes the amplified prices of premiere designer shoes, including a $1,o45 Lanvin flat (!!) and a $1,400 satin pump from Versace (!!!), and goes on to discuss the familiar ritual of shopaholics everywhere who "pick up a sandal and sigh with relief when it costs less than your monthly car payment."

Thankfully, Urban Outfitters not only offers so-stylish and equally affordable footwear, but now through April 6 you can get free shipping on any online order that includes regularly-priced shoes. Choose from dozens of styles for spring and summer, and even pick up a pair of boots for fall (who knows what shoe and gas prices will look like then), then just enter promotional code FREE08 at checkout.

Strappy like a Hurrache, but updated with side cut-outs and a peep toe. At a mere $38, this Starcrossed Skimmer is far less than the cost of a full gas tank! Also available in Black and Mustard.

Wear the 80s-inspired Sunburst Shortie Boot ($68) now with a floral-print minidress, or save it for the fall and pull over skinny jeans or must-get sheer tights and sweater dresses.A classic canvas shoe in bright, summer-lovin' colors. The Overdyed Canvas Skips ($16) could be the go-to shoe to pull on and take a walk in this season--a great way to look cute and save petro!

Fringe is the "something special" that's so cool for summer. These Suede Fringe T-Strap Sandals are fashionably ironic (suede fringe mixed with a T-strap and a flat sandal!) and at $28 are surprisingly affordable.

Sandal Lust

It felt like summer a week ago in L.A. but the past few days have been much chillier with cold, tormenting winds threatening to blow the curls right off my head. But no matter how cold it is I'm still hot for these strappy, warm weather staples:

These Warrior Gladiator Sandals from Faryl Robin ($190) are so downtown! I can just see myself pairing them with little, cotton dresses. They also come in a beige hue that's equally divine.

Striped canvas gives the L.A.M.B. 'Dominic' Platform Sandal ($320) a nautical vibe that's insanely sexy at the same time.

The Bali Patent Sandal by Dolce Vita ($115) is appealingly girlish, conjuring up memories of melting popsicles and the sweet, little sundresses I wore as a child every summer.

I simply can't imagine wearing vintage dresses without these Rachel Comey 'Aster' Crisscross Sandal ($300)! The grey and sand color combo is modern and fresh but the suede-covered heel looks so retro.

I'd have to tackle a ton of freelance projects to afford these Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Strappy Patent Sandal ($660) but the delicious, Skittle color is worth it, no?

Multiple buckles and a rich tobacco hue make the Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent 'Harper' Gladiator ($405) the perfect sandal for must-get wide leg jeans and flouncy, floral tops.

Who, What, Where?

London - Nicolas Ghesquière is bringing his Balenciaga to London today, with a flagship store on Mount Street that looks like a scene right out of a sci-fi flick. The new, 1,900-square-foot, space age store is "quite an experience," according to Ghesquière, and is decorated with lacquer, wood covered in silver leaf, and even volcanic rock. Expect to find only women's ready-to-wear and accessories in this store though - it's not quite as big as the Milan flagship.

Washington, DC - All-American label Tommy Hilfiger has set up shop in our nation's capital, and there is no shortage of red, white, and blue touches. Besides the framed vintage flags, the store features eagle statuettes and patriotic posters from the fifties and sixties. The store, located at 3229 M Street NW, offers a new, colorful sportswear collection that was designed in Europe, and mirrors the styles sold in stores there. The collection currently retails from $49.50 to $495, with new pieces from the runway scheduled to come to the store next month.

Moscow - Coach is heading overseas to open its first store in Russia this April. The 1,500-square-foot space will feature the full Coach brand assortment - handbags, small leather goods, outerwear, and eyewear. "Russians are becoming important consumers of luxury accessories," Coach International President Ian Bickley told WWD. "Opening Russia is part of our strategy to capitalize on the increasing popularity of the brand with emerging luxury consumers globally."

Europe - Jimmy Choo is scheduled to open three new, freestanding boutiques in Europe over the next six months, starting in May with a two-story, 1,718-square-foot space in Cannes. The store opening comes just in time for the international film festival. a 2,160-square-foot shop will open in Barcelona in the city's luxury shopping district the following month; and a shop in Rome is scheduled to launch over the summer.