A glam collection of this season’s best sandals paired with sparkling lacquers

When it comes to metallic shoes, I have one hard and fast rule — the heel can’t match the shoe. There’s just something inherently tacky about silver shoes with silver heels; it’s overkill that falls definitively into the too much of a good thing category. Which means that metallic shoe shopping is a near impossibility for me as I scrutinize heels, hoping to find a sparkling silver sandal complemented by a wooden stiletto or a bronze gladiator atop a black spike.

Enter Michael Kors, who has been dazzling me more and more of late, and his Gansevoort Platform Sandal. The Gansevoort is the ideal silver sandal, boasting goldtone hardware, a silver leather body and a stacked sky high heel ($164.95 at MichaelKors.com).  OPI’s “Dim Sum Plum,” a deep fuchsia from the Hong Kong collection really pops with the metallic Gansevoort ($7.50 at opi.com).

The first pair of high end designer shoes I ever owned were black Manolo Blahnik boots with silver chains that wrapped around the heels. My husband took me to Neiman Marcus with one job, walk out owning my first pair of Manolos. And, as you can imagine, I obliged him. I wore those boots nearly every day that winter, come snow or sleet. By the end of the season they were completely trashed, but I can honestly say that I’ve never worn – or relished wearing — a single pair of shoes more.

This season, I’m lovin’ these snake and suede Manolo zip booties. They boast a gorgeous mix of details that are both on trend and on sale; marked down to $401 from $890 at Neiman Marcus. And since for me, as well as millions of women, Carrie from SATC inspired an infatuation with the likes of Manolo, Jimmy and Christian, it seems only fitting to pair these booties with perfectly pedicured toes in “Carrie,” an oh-so-pretty pink lacquer from Julep Nail Parlor’s Sex and The City polish collection.

We just gave away a pair of Christian Louboutins (sorry, the contest ended today) but for reasons I can’t fathom, I was automatically disqualified from winning. So it looks like I’ll have to depend on hard work and cunning if I want to own these patent and lace Loubs (I do, I do!); featuring a 4 ¼” heel and black and tan lace T strap. Not on sale at all, they’re $890 at Neiman Marcus.  I’ll pair these babies with Zoya’s  rich red sparkling metallic polish in “Nidhi.” Get it for $7 at Zoya, as well as upscale salons and spas, of course.

Time to come down to earth –  in price and heel height — after all, when I’m not in the PrettyCity boardroom, I’m chasing after two very active little boys. Call me nostalgic but when I happened across Hale Bob’s modern rendition of the traditional jellie, I was hooked. Not only are they supremely comfortable and kitschy-chic, but they are bonafide jellies. Get ‘em for $46 at Hale Bob online.  For fun, opt for a candy-colored pedi in “Jancyn” from Zoya, possibly the world’s most perfect tangerine polish.

Most Chicago women know of Lori’s Shoes on Armitage (as well as Northfield and Highland Park), but you don’t have to head to the Windy City to own a pair of these Mia Harlot sandals in cream suede. Shop www.lorisshoes.com and pick up these babies for just $58.  Sold out at Lori’s, these are now on sale for $49.99 at Macys.com. A dark pedi serves as an ideal complement to the cream suede; try “Home by Midnight” Nic’s Sticks from Nicole by OPI.

I’ve never met a stud I didn’t want, and these studded gladiator sandals from Asos are no exception. On sale for just $37.20 (previously $59.18), this strappy sandal in a flattering tan hue serves as the perfect nude palette for bright spring polishes.  Spa Rituals’s  Believe is a vegan nail lacquer collection boasting a stunning Spring 2010 collection such as “Yes I Can,” a crisp green and “I Believe in You,” a soft an chic peach.  Shop the collection online at www.sparitual.com.

What’s your favorite heel & hue?