Make no mistake - summer is the time for sandals. After hiding your feet in thick shoes to protect them from the cold weather, you can now revel in the warm open air in your favorite flip-flops and gladiators. The feeling of freedom is probably the most important part of wearing them, but don't forget that you still need to coordinate with your wardrobe and activity. Think about what you'll be doing this season and imagine yourself in the perfect pair of summer sandals for each occasion. Our Top Ten includes:

1. 

   Picnic in the Park - spread out on a comfortable blanket with your favorite book and a cooler full of refreshing drinks and snacks. You'll probably go barefoot when you're lying down, but Jack Rogers Navajo Mid Wedge in Lime sandals will have you coming and going in comfort and style.

2. 

   Happy Hour - sitting outside your favorite restaurant, pub, or wine bar with some friends is always on order during the summer. Make weekend plans, gossip, and show off your new pair of Steve Madden Hanaa in White Leather while you flirt with the bartender.

3. 

   Amusement Park - whether the excuse is having to go with the boys or taking your nephew as a favor, you know deep down you love the thrill of some of these rides. But you definitely need to wear shoes that are both comfortable and that let you stay on your feet, like these beautiful Sam Edelman Greco Chestnut Leather gladiators.

4. 

   The Beach - we all have our favorite beach footwear. As long as they are comfortable, it can be a pair of wedge flip flops or cork sandals. But sometimes, comfort is not enough. Check out the Tory Burch Caylan Tan/Blue Leather sandals to stand out from the crowd.

5. 

   Outdoor Concert - are you ready to rock? Perhaps some classical music is more your style. Either way, you need a pair of summer sandals that you enjoy standing in while looking your best in case you get pulled onstage. Check out these Dolce Vita Aries in Teal Suede.

6. 

   Sunset Party - while all the fun in the sun can be a blast, the best thing about the warm weather is being outside at night. Party in the evening and into the night with a pair of sandals that are classy and comfy. Slip on a pair of Juicy Couture Frankie in Orange Suede and you will blend summer casual with the undeniably chic.

7. 

   Poolside Revelry - we see a pool in your future. Whether you just like being poolside, float on a pool chair, or show off your diving skills, having a pair of Stuart Weitzman Bloom Jellies in White to slip into can make you feel special.

8. 

   Family Barbeque - need to show your cousins what makes you the pride and joy of the extended clan? You'll want to make sure you look your best - not too conservative, not too outrageous. A pair of Steve Madden PG Tips Multi Leather can be the perfect punctuation point.

9. 

   Hammock Time - after all the activity, there is nothing like lying in a hammock for a much-deserved nap. Stretch out, hang your pair of Tory Burch Miller Hibiscus Pink Patent sandals off the side and feel worlds away from your cares and worries. Nothing could be more perfect.

10. 

    Shopping! - it cannot and should never end. But during the summer, shopping feels more invigorating than during any other season. Show up wearing Kate Spade's Idonia in Gold Leather and show your favorite boutiques that you're serious about finding the newest summer trends to mix and match with your favorite sandals.

Whatever your favorite activities are for this season, bring your sandals along. You'll soon find that you can't be without them this summer or any other summer for that matter.

Attention all fashionistas! Are you feeling the pinch of the economic downturn? Are you crunching numbers to make sure you can afford your favorite brands? The fact of the matter is that we all have had to cut back, stay aware of financial trends and be smarter shoppers. There are some surefire ways of making your wardrobe recession-proof without going to desperate measures - here's how you can do it:

Reinvent the Wheel:

We all end up in cycles of wearing the same combination of clothes. When we feel like we get a look right, we tend to repeat it because we know it looks good. It's time to shake things up a little bit, and come up with some new combinations for the season. Find inspiration in magazines like Vogue and Marie Claire, and stop thinking inside the box.

Seeing your wardrobe in a whole new light is part of the process of beating the recession. Whether it is using some of your favorite summer items in the winter, or putting everything you can with your favorite 7 Jeans, you'll stretch your dollar by getting more use out of your favorite items.

Evaluate What You Need:

The bigger the closet, the more likely there's stuff in there that you have not seen in a while - some of those tops, accessories, dresses, pants and shoes are just waiting for you to bring them back into your life. You will also see the gaps in your wardrobe and can plan on adding them to the high priority list of things to buy. By making a concrete list of items you need you can avoid unnecessary impulse buys.

Lose the attitude of saving something for a rainy day. This is the time when breaking out your favorite Samantha Ronson dress will not only make you feel better wearing it, but also make you feel like you're getting the most out of your fashion investments.

Look For The Right Places To Shop:

Everyone seems to have deals lately. But being a smart shopper is not about waiting for those sales to happen, but to go seeking for them yourself. The thrill of the hunt can be quite exhilarating and whether you prefer to look online or do a daily walk through your favorite stores, you can uncover some seriously great discounts.

Stay loyal to your favorite boutiques, but don't forget to go to the big stores. Places like Banana Republic are receiving renewed attention thanks to a certain First Lady. Do an online search for shoes on sale, and you'll find stores like Jildor offering some incredible discounts on those pair of Tory Burch flats you've been looking for.

Shop For Quality:

This is an important thing to remember because you don't want to keep buying everything you like. Purchase only the items that you are truly going to wear, and are made to last. Why bother with buying several shirts you'll only wear once, when instead you can spend that money on something like a cute top by Marc Jacobs? And how about buying a pair of durable and eye catching wedges by Steve Madden?

During these times, there's no such thing as a disposable income, and your clothes should not be disposable either. Quality items will make you look and feel like you're above the recession, and give you new appreciation for fashion and style.

Last but not least, let go of everything you don't need to wear. Donate them to a worthy cause and wait for good karma to come back at you. By keeping only the clothes you want, you will dress better, feel better, and prepare yourself for when times get good again.

There is no doubt that the right pair of shoes can make a difference to your mood. Like any article of clothing, accessory, hairstyle or cosmetics, shoes help complete the look you want to achieve. We all understand how getting the details right can make us feel better about ourselves, give us confidence and even boundless amounts of energy. So how do you go about choosing the pair of shoes that will make you happy?

Here are some scenarios to get you thinking:

Turn Some Heads

Going to a party that is calling out to you to wear your little black dress? You know you are going to get some attention - whether you like it or not - when you walk through the door. So why not look your best with a pair of shoes like your favorite stilettos or fierce gladiators? Gladiators like the Stuart Weitzman Gladly Black Patent will give you all the height you want while making a bold fashion statement. You will quickly feel a lot better when you get looks of approval from men and jealous stares from women.

Keep Standing

When you have to be on your feet for a long time, ballet flats like the Tory Burch leather ballet flat can be a godsend. You can feel good knowing that your feet won't start to hurt while you're talking to a cute guy, or making the rounds with all the important people in your life. What makes a girl happier than getting to talk to all of her friends and find a new crush - without fatigued feet?

Make A Splash

If you're somewhere warm right now - get yourself to a pool immediately. Whether you're tanning or sipping a frosty beverage with an umbrella sticking out of it, the poolside is irrefutably one of the most relaxing places to be. You'll make yourself even happier with some brightly colored and comfortable flip flops that you can slip on and off, like a Juicy Couture Frankie Off White Patent. Say 'fashion maven' and 'life of leisure' all at once, and you may catch yourself smiling.

Heel Kickers

Sometimes you don't need an occasion to be in a good mood. Whether you're going down to the store or picking up some fresh flowers for home, making yourself look nice can be enlivening. You never know whom you might meet or what might happen. A pair of Michael Kors Niki Black Croccos, for example will not only put a spring in your step - the attention you may get may event make you want to jump and kick up your heels. Just make sure to keep it on the inside.

Pamper Yourself

Sometimes all you need is to feel comfortable. Had a long day at work? Danced too much and your feet are hurting? Just got off the redeye and feel like a mess? A beautiful pair of shoes that also pampers your feet can make you feel better any day. Whether that's a ballet flat or sandals, make sure to always have a comfy pair of shoes handy. If comfort needs to wait until you're home, why not have a nice pair of UGG Dakota Suede moccasin style slippers ready for your toes after a warm footbath? You definitely can't go wrong when you envelop your feet in soft materials like plush fleece.

Basically, what it comes down to is staying focused on finding happiness. Think about the mood you want to be in. Coordinate your outfit. Prepare for the occasion. And don't forget to treat yourself. In fact, isn't it about time you were thinking about a new pair of shoes right now?

For many of us, shoes are a passion. We love to find them and buy them, but more than anything we want to enjoy wearing them as much as we possibly can. If you have a lifestyle that keeps you on your feet most of the day or simply love really comfortable shoes, here are four secrets for finding footwear you will never want to kick off.

1. Know your feet

   You would be surprised at how many of us try to buy shoes for someone else's feet. When you go shoe shopping, keep an eye out for shoes that not only look great but also fit the shape of your foot. For example, if you have wide feet you will typically be uncomfortable in any slim and pointed toe pump and if you have high arches you may want to stay away from narrow, pull-on shoes or any shoes that don't make much room for your arch height and shape. Whether you like your feet or not, they are the key to your overall comfort. By knowing your feet before you set out to find your next pair of perfect shoes, you will also know the right shapes and styles to keep them happy.

2. Always try them on first

   Finding shoes that really fit us sounds more obvious that it really is. Many of us actually buy the wrong size shoe because we follow the size charts blindly, ignoring the fact that each shoe brand, style and even pair, are unique. After you pick out a pair of shoes that match with your foot shape, always try them on for size and comfort. Make sure the toe box fits comfortably, that your arches get the support they need and remember not to squeeze into a size or shape that does not work in the first place. A good rule is to try shoes until you find a size and style that lends itself well to your foot's natural position and where your toes can move around a bit inside. Also, try on both shoes in a pair and always buy for the larger foot (yes, your feet may be slightly different sizes – it's normal).

3. Buy the right brands

   With so many stunning shoe labels out there, it can be difficult to know which collections to consider if you want really comfortable shoes. A good rule is to do your research, and see which are the true comfort brands out there. To most of us, Birkenstock Sandals and Juicy Couture shoes are natural summer favorites when it comes to flat and open shoes, and to many, Dansko Clogs are a real treat in our busy everyday lives. But if you really want high heels or on-trend fashion shapes in uncompromisingly comfortable designs, Thierry Rabotin is a designer who strikes the perfect balance. Comfort shoes do not come much better than this; with everything from sculpted heels to full leather lining, these stunning fashion statements will add a whole new kind of bounce to your step. Thierry Rabotin shoes are available in a variety of great looks; just imagine wearing striking snakeskin pumps or metallic leather flats that feel like the finest comfort shoes for women you have ever slipped into. There are many more great brands that make exquisitely comfortable shoes, and by doing some research you will find them.

4. Never settle

   Whatever you do when you shop for shoes, never settle for anything less than the comfort you seek. The right shoes for your kind of feet do not ever ask you or your feet to compromise on how you feel when you are on the go.

No matter what kind of lifestyle you lead, your feet deserve to feel good all day long. By knowing your feet, trying on shoes for the best fit, choosing the right brands and never settling for anything less than comfort perfection, you'll enjoy every step you take throughout your day.

If you love shoes that are full of attitude and individuality, yet are also timeless and elegant, chances are you will love Marc by Marc Jacobs footwear. With their trademark round toes and thick heels, shoes by this iconic designer come in vibrant, living colors that we want to show off as often as possible. But what does one wear with these distinct styles? Whether you are fond of haute hippie couture, adore the latest bold patterns of this spring's exotic safari style, or love to move around in wearable classics, here are a few ideas.

What to Wear with Your Marc Jacob Shoes?

Sentimental Look

Do you prefer a flowing, romantic look? Nothing makes a boho glam girl happier than spring. It is the perfect time to take your favorite peasant dress out of the closet, and give it a new lift with a pair of Marc by Marc Jacobs Nude Patent Slingbacks. The signature block heels will add both height and weight to your delicate outfit and the nude colored soft patent leather straps will allow the colors and patterns of your dress speak for themselves. The cute grosgrain bow detailing also adds a soft touch to an already feminine appearance.

You can bring everything together with fashionable gold bangles and a sturdy messenger handbag; in the Marc by Marc Jacobs handbags collection you will find some amazing messenger styles. If you don't own a peasant dress yet, consider the lovely summer and spring styles from brands such as Grass Clothing – they create a perfect balance with the Marc Jacobs look.

Safari trend look

If you have been swept up in the newly unleashed safari trend there are many looks that are perfect with your new Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes. The signature boldness of the brand goes perfectly with this trend's sensuous, sculptural shapes and tribal pattern mixes.

Whether you choose a short, snug DKNY leopard dress or a vibrant H&M zebra jumpsuit to match your Marc Jacobs favorites, you will be right on trend; choose softer brown and earth-colored tribal patterns that go well with your bold Marc by Marc Jacobs bronze slides, and hunt down crocodile and zebra prints for your shiny, Marc by Marc Jacobs black patent leather cork wedges or block heels. A splash of strong orange, red, blue or green will complete your outfit; choose the right shade of bright colored handbag, jewelry or sunglasses and you will look like you just stepped off the catwalk.

Don't forget the jacket

One of this spring's major fashion stars is the jacket, especially if your style is geared towards the more timeless classics. For example, for your favorite Marc by Marc Jacobs ballet flats in white patent leather, choose a light leather jacket in cream or white – Ralph Lauren has fabulous styles that are perfect for this spring and that make a perfect match with a pair of their white, light pants.

Match your classic cut jacket with a casual tank top or tee in organic materials, as this will add a relaxed touch that works any sunny day and will play off well against your distinctive footwear. Alternatively, add in a pair of worn denims from sustainable, green brands such as Alternative Earth; with a pair of fun yet classic Marc by Marc Jacobs multi patent leather flats you will definitely turn heads.

It doesn't matter what your own individual style is, you will always be able to create a new signature look around your darling Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes. From quirky to classic to bohemian, simply keep your eye on the latest trends and feel inspired to mix up your wardrobe staples with bold colored touches like jewelry, handbags and sunglasses. Whatever you do, work your way from your fashionable Marc by Marc Jacobs favorites, and your style will surely reach new heights.