"Funny that a pair of really nice shoes make us feel good in our heads - at the extreme opposite end of our bodies. "

Of late, I have been trying very hard to not spend a ton of money on non-necessities. This basically includes not buying any new clothes, or shoes, or handbags or any of the little luxuries I typically snap up without thinking. Oh online shopping, you are SUCH an enabler.

For the most part, I've been pretty successful but for every rule there is an exception and for me that exception is the ballet flat. I have finicky feet. They do not like most shoes. As a little girl I was very particular about the type of socks I would wear (very thin ones only!) and would not dream of wearing a pair of sneakers that had been washed (they would be "crunchy" inside).

So when a brand of shoes I like is on super sale? You can bet I snapped up a pair:

French Sole passport ballet flats from the Rue La La sale two weeks ago. Love them. My favorite flip-flops gave up the ghost this weekend which was all the sign I needed to break out my latest purchase. As the title quote suggests slipping these on, instantly dresses up my jeans and makes my whole day feel more pulled together.

Or if I'm introduced to a charming new vendor: Le Bunny Bleu Romantic & Vintage Flat Shoes:


Mine are a cheerful turquoise with an amusing bunny shaped jewel pendent (although I can't say that you'd look at the toe caps and think "bunny ears" if you didn't know to look and I'm not sure that this is a bad thing). I love most of their collection and am so glad I stumbled on to their website during hurricane Irene.

What is your "there's always room in the budget" splurge? Any gorgeous flats that need to be part of your fall wardrobes?