Donald J Pliner GENN-B6 Dragonfly Thong

Now, before you get all excited, it’s not that kind of thong. I probably wouldn’t write about that. That kind of thong has its place (insert butt crack joke here), but I’ll leave it up to you to know when to wear it and what kind to buy. I may cover lingerie at some point, but to me, a thong is more utilitarian than fashionable. I don’t know about you, but I think they’re just freaking uncomfortable. And that’s all I have to say about that. No, this type of thong is the one that goes between your toes. Yes, I’m taking the plunge now and talking about sandals. It’s time. Spring is here, and although there are still cool, cloudy days here and there, the weather is definitely warming up. I know this, too, because of the amount of pollen covering my car, and the number of bugs flying around outside now. Ick. But yes, it’s time to put away the closed, clunky, sensible shoes and break out the fun, frisky sandals. Whoa! Hold on there! What are you doing? You’re not putting those sandals on before you go get a pedi, are you? I didn’t think so. Just like you don’t put a bikini on before you shave your legs—unless, maybe, you’re European—don’t put on a pair of sandals before doing a little podiatric maintenance. Once you’ve done that, you can check out this Donald J Pliner GENN-B6 Dragonfly Thong.

Remember that dragonfly handbag I talked about the other day? This is the shoe that matches it. That said, don’t even think about wearing these sandals while carrying that bag at the same time. Seriously, don’t do it. That’s just too much. The handbag is pretty, but it’s really more of a novelty. I can see wearing these shoes more often, but then they need to be the most colorful, flashy thing in your ensemble. The upper is fuchsia leather, and the vamp is embellished with a dragonfly made from embroidery, beads, and rhinestones, and finished off with a medium-sized teal stone in the center. The leather sole is metallic pink, for a little extra shine in every step. The .75-inch heel is adorned all the way around with square rhinestones, too. These shoes are not meant for the discreet. They’re $324.95 at Endless.com.

Budget Saving Alternative 1

Now, you know how I feel about UGG boots. I refuse to wear those UGGly things. But UGG does make some other shoes that are super cute, like this Phoebe sandal. The upper is a soft suede, while the interior is lined with leather. A cork-wrapped, molded polyurethane insole adds cushioning, and there’s an extra sheepskin patch at the heel for even more comfort. In addition, the cork-infused rubber outsole adds spring to your step, no pun intended. The vamp is embellished with silver- and gold-tone metal rings, regardless of the color of the sandal. This pale blue is perfect for spring, but it also comes in black, brown, and white. They’re pretty affordable, too, at just $100 from Zappos.com.

Budget Saving Alternative 2

Ok, how can you not like a shoe called Appletini? The Madeline Appletini Sandal adds sparkle to any outfit with a T-strap adorned with multi-faceted stones of blue, white, and teal. The upper is all synthetic if you’re concerned about wearing leather, or just want to save some extra cash. The textured insole is a nice, muted green color with the logo emblazoned on the heel. The upper straps are a sort of dark gray color. An ankle strap will help keep the shoe from flapping around too much while you walk, and it closes with a dainty, adjustable buckle for just the right fit. The rubber sole gives sure footing, as does the half-inch heel. I like this color combination, and it really fits the name well, but if you prefer, the Appletini also comes in dark brown, new khaki, and black, all of which have gray, brown, and amber colored stones instead of the blues and greens on this one. Get a couple of pairs since it’s only $39.95 at Endless.com.