Editor's Choice: Susan R. Opel and Her Moxie Fab Obsession with Shoes

It’s no secret that I love fashion, and I have quite a love affair with shoes. Yes, footwear…it can make me strangely giddy. I have Anne Taintor-style Post-It Notes that read, “Change your shoes...change your life!”, and I’m a firm believer that shoes can make OR break an outfit. I’ve blogged about shoes, created a scrapbook layout about shoes, and I’ve even been to that Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. Yep, I love shoes, and I’d even suffer a bit to be sure that I’m stylish.

The thing about shoes is that no matter your weight, your shoes are going to fit, right? Slip on a pair of hot pink patent leather pumps, and you stand a little taller and walk with a sassy sway.

When it comes to shoes and paper crafting--yes, shoes can be completely inspiring! The colors, the embellishments, all of the little details can evoke many wild creative ideas. So I invite you to kick off your shoes, sit back, and enjoy 10 inspiring pairs of gorgeousness (and you might want to have your credit card ready, just in case!) ;)

10 fabulous and inspiring shoes I’d love to have from lowest to highest price:

1. Fioni Red Zipper-hooded Sandal from Payless – $24.99:

I love the red patent leather sandal paired with the zipper detail! That must be my rock chick side talking.

2. Chinese Laundry Color Block Pump - $68.95:


I’d feel like royalty wearing these shoes! The color blocking and intense hues would be fabulous inspiration for a clean & graphic card.

3. Jessica Simpson Black & White Polka Dot Pump – $68.95:


Ooh! Polka dots! Need I say more?

4. Vanity Fair Red Floral Peep-toe Pump from Piperlime.com – $110.00:



Feeling a little romantic or slightly vintage? Fall in love with these pretty shoes (but be sure to pair them with something simple so that they can be the star of the show!).

5. Boden Turquoise Butterfly Slingback Flat – $118.00:



Oh, the carefree nature of these shoes! Create a whimsical project with this fresh color combo and be sure to have a butterfly as a focal point!

6. Boden Fuchsia Suede Ruffle Heels – $148.00:



Luscious ruffles and vibrant fuchsia – pair them with black & white and a little bit of bling, and you can create a magnificent classy & elegant card.

7. Badgley Mischka Blue Satin Peep-toe Pump – $154.00:



Though blue is a cool color, this season it’s hotter than hot! These shoes are especially mesmerizing in satin with a heel and a silk embellishment.

8. Dolce & Gabbana Yellow Patent Leather Platform Pump – $479.00:



Holy sassy sunshine! What a happy color! Create a monochromatic card in yellow to brighten someone’s day.

9. Christian Louboutin Brown Bow T-strap Sandal – $875.00:



Chocolate brown ultra-elegance with Louboutin’s signature red leather sole. I think I might need mouth-to-mouth resuscitation! ;)

10. Manolo Blahnik Jeweled Metallic Slide – $935.00:


I think I’m having a serious Carrie Bradshaw moment! THESE SHOES ARE SPECTACULAR!!!!

Speaking of Carrie Bradshaw, this was one of my favorite Sex and the City episodes – A Woman’s Right to Shoes – Season 6: Episode 83. Ah, but I digress!

Whether you’re a little obsessed about shoes like I am or whether your closet is filled with sensible shoes, it’s fun to drool and dream a little bit about all of the pretties that we can put on our feet, don’t you think?

Which one of these ten pairs of shoes can you picture on your feet? Leave me a comment by midnight MDT on Sunday, March 21 and, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, Cath will draw one random winner to receive the Lucky Me collection from Little Yellow Bicycle in its entirety.


Let’s go shoe shopping, shall we?

~Susan