heels

New York City fashion. In most ways, I feel like I've nailed it. How to pair black and wear color, how to sport statement pieces, vintage finds, silk, leather, carryall bags, tiny clutches, you name it. And yet when it comes to heels, I'm as clueless as a Wisconsin dairy farmer.

Don't get me wrong. I love a gorgeous pair of heels and I would love to pull them off effortlessly. I'd love to meet a 7-foot-tall guy and wear 6-inch stilettos 12 hours a day. But honestly, I find it hard to wear anything over 4 inches for an hour. It's remarkable how many girls in New York can pull this off. And like me, they're not all fashion editors with a car service. Like me, walking is their primary mode of transportation, and they clock miles a day without a change of shoes.

There are stories that heel masters like Victoria Beckham wear stilettos on the treadmill. (Don't worry it's a rumor; she only just started exercising). And sure, they admit, no pain no gain. But there's a difference between suffering a little pain for fashion and walking around like a defeated hobbit after the workday is done.

Is there something I'm missing? Is there a way to train your feet to withstand the pain? When it comes to learning, I'm an immersion type of gal. So I, with my friend Bryce Gruber over at TheLuxurySpot, decided to try a little experiment for the sake of fashion. In a new series, we're going to try out a variety of vertigo-inducing heels in the most inappropriate situations possible. An activity that's totally insane to do in anything but flats? We're there. Could we find out the hard way some tips and tricks for wearing heels? If I were to run a mile in stilettos, would it make wearing them to the office a breeze?

For the first run, we decided to start out simple, something active, but not too strenuous. What's the one place we regularly frequent that would draw stupefying glances our way as we treaded on $4,000 machines in sharp heels? Pilates. And to go all out for our stiletto workout look, we donned some fabulous leotards, courtesy of American Apparel.

This spring's hottest fashion trends is about showing off your most vibrant and colorful self. Electrifying neon accessories can be found everywhere. And as much as I love all the new trends and translating them into my personal sense of style, you just can't beat the impact of black.

Pierre Hardy wants women to take preppy chic to a whole new level. While the traditional boat shoe provides comfort and an effortlessly classic flair, Hardy's High-Heeled Boat Shoes ($1109) offers casual sexiness and unique appeal.

Styled in black pebbled leather and decorated with contrasting white stitching, brown leather laces, and a golden buckle, these leather heels maintain their classic aura but with a modern update. Hardy's High-Heeled Boat Shoes are just shy of four inches, so you'll get height, but hopefully the rugged rubber sole will counterbalance the pressure on the balls of your feet.

Pair with loose fitting shorts and a linen button down shirt for a casual, yet polished look.

Have tips or suggestions? Contact me @marsha712

Gold is a color that exudes opulence and contributes sophistication to an outfit. Whether its packaged through jewelry, a handbag or a piece of clothing, a touch of gold can instill elegance without being ostentatious.

As with any prominent color or print, to maximize its impact and make a fashionable yet classic statement, less is more. Otherwise, an abundance of gold can easily cross the line over to Vegas showgirl.

With unpredictable weather, who knows when Spring will make its arrival. But whenever it comes, you'll be prepared with Charlotte Olympia's Lais ($780) candy colored heels. These almond toed satin heels uniquely combine vibrant colors that the average person would shy away from. Who would of guessed that turquoise, gold and red could complement each other so well? But they do. And it's this wild color palette that makes Olympia's vibrantly hued heels such show stoppers. The Lais Pumps feature piping along the trim, small cutouts on either side and a 1 1/4" platform.

Have tips or suggestions? Contact me @marsha712

Spring doesn't seem to be making its way anytime soon but that doesn't mean we can't start window shopping for sexy spring heels. Givenchy's Fisherman Wedges ($1190) have a sporty and casual feel but could easily be dressed up with a lace top and slim fitting jeans or with a navy blue belted shirt dress. The Fisherman Wedges are adorned with multiple leather straps throughout the body, platform sole and wedge adding texture and visual interest. Additional features include an adjustable ankle strap and a back zip.

The Oscars are fast approaching and we are very excited to see the elegant dresses, sparkling jewels and of course the gorgeous heels make their way down the red carpet. And when you think of Oscar shoes, you can't help but to think of Stuart Weitzman and the legendary million dollar shoe. Unfortunately, there won't be a million dollar shoe to gawk over but Weitzman has released the Red Carpet Collection, featuring over 35 lust worthy styles for the Oscars.

Playful and flirty. Christian Louboutin knows how to make shoes that bring out the best parts of your personality.

Louboutin's Madame Butterfly Bootie ($1195) injects a powerful sexiness to your outfit with a skinny sky scraper heel measuring 6 inches making your legs instantly long and lean. To balance out this intensity, three playful leather bows are placed along the vamp and ending at the ankle. Wear the Madame Butterfly Bootie with bare legs or be adventurous with colorful and textured tights.

Have tips or suggestions? Contact me @marsha712

Krakoff's Python Pumps ($725) are both conservative and deceptively sexy. The minimally styled d'Orsay pump says classic and wearable while a matted python finish expresses a stylish edge. Available in black and flax (off white), both colors would look incredibly chic with a perfectly fitting suit for the office or bring out your vampy seductive side with a waist cinching 50s style dress that falls right below the knee. Either way, Krakoff's Python Heels will make any outfit unforgettable. Heel measurement: 4 inches.

Have tips or suggestions? Contact me @marsha712

Being vertically challenged, I'm happy to see platforms returning into style without the bulkiness we've seen in the past, but with a more refined and sexy look. Platforms offer height without having so much pressure on the balls of your feet. But once combined with sky scraping heels, that comfort is time limited.

The KG by Kurt Geiger Hampstead Heels ($264) offer a feminine, sleek platform packaged in 70's chic with modern appeal. A black and gold color palette with touches of shimmer lends Geiger's heels to be ideal for an evening out of dinner, dancing and drinks. The striped platform sole and butterfly wing covering adds an unexpected and playful touch resulting in a pair of bold and statement making heels. Heel Measurement: 5 1/2".

In preparation for the ultimate party night of the year, we've featured 12 gorgeous dresses and 16 sparkling jewels as inspiration for you to look your best. Our last fashion feature for New Year's Eve focuses on statement making heels. The heels featured are all about glamour and sexiness. They scream "look-at-me!". We've thrown out the criteria of comfort. It's all about women feeling their most beautiful, with unfortunately, a little dose of discomfort that we have all experienced from being in heels all night long. These heels are in no way going to be comfortable for an entire evening of socializing, dancing, drinking and eating. So prepare to bring flats with you so you can end the night in comfort.

Would you pay $400 for lipstick? Probably not. How about $400 for lipstick that you wear – on your feet? Maybe. Italian shoe designer Alberto Guardiani has merged two of fashion's sexiest accessories – red lipstick and black high heels to create his Lipstick Heels. Guardiani's show stopping heels will certainly inject an unexpected twist to your outfit given their quirky and unique heel. While you may not get much bang for your buck - how often can you realistically wear lipstick heels? - they would be fun to wear and serve as a total conversation starter.

Have tips or suggestions? Contact me @marsha712

Brian Atwood's Geometric Heels ($2097) will not keep your feet warm for the winter, but they will surely make you look gorgeous with whatever you wear. These multicolored suede and leather peep toe heels are styled in red, black and hints of shimmering gold for a festive and elegant look. At an extreme height of 5 ½", Atwood's skyscraper heels could be perfectly paired with a dress for holiday parties and of course for New Year's Eve. By night's end, your Atwood heels may have to surrender its beauty to a pair of flats as you make your way home.

Nina Ricci's Mary Jane Pumps ($780) have a flirty but refined feel. Its 4 1/2" inch heel and platform sole exude instant sex appeal while a decorative flower along the vamp has the odd combination of being girlish yet elegant.

Featured in grey (which looks more like navy blue) and wine suede, the monochromatic design is the perfect backdrop to enhance the power of simple decorative touches like a fabric floral accent and subtleties like the burnt orange outline and black outline above the platform. Ricci's flowery Mary Jane's would be a perfect complement to your holiday party dress.

Have tips or suggestions? Contact me @marsha712

We lust over killer high heels. As much as we would rejoice in wearing them daily, we have to get back to reality and wear shoes that are, well, wearable. Shoes that will not send us to a podiatrist in 5 years for corrective surgery. Luckily, it doesn't mean we have to forgo style for comfort.

Geiger's Emerald Green Kitten Heels ($248) are desirable for that very reason. Comfort and style are merged to create a simple yet elegant pair of shoes. With a basic foundation to work from, the addition of a cone kitten heel housed in vibrant emerald green suede makes all the difference in separating Geiger's Kitten Heels from the typical and plain.